First evening...what would you do?

[CapnJacksGirl]

We'll be checking into PPH on Columbus Day, likely mid- to late-afternoon. We don't plan to dive right into full-on touring that day, but I was thinking of maybe just going to California Adventure to eat and check out CarsLand at night since we are all super excited to see it. We don't want to have a late night since we will be taking advantage of EMH the next morning (and the rest of the week). What time do they light the neon? Maybe we should try to plan for that?

So, that's my thought, at this point anyway. What would you do? Is there a better plan? BTW, our group includes 4 grown-ups (chronologically anyway) and 3 boys, 10, 8, and 4. Thoughts on options to do for a few hours and a great place to eat are very much welcomed!

 

[HydroGuy]

We'll be checking into PPH on Columbus Day, likely mid- to late-afternoon. We don't plan to dive right into full-on touring that day, but I was thinking of maybe just going to California Adventure to eat and check out CarsLand at night since we are all super excited to see it. We don't want to have a late night since we will be taking advantage of EMH the next morning (and the rest of the week). What time do they light the neon? Maybe we should try to plan for that?

So, that's my thought, at this point anyway. What would you do? Is there a better plan? BTW, our group includes 4 grown-ups (chronologically anyway) and 3 boys, 10, 8, and 4. Thoughts on options to do for a few hours and a great place to eat are very much welcomed!

If you go to Cars Land then Flo's Diner might be a good place for dinner. I am not sure what time they light CarsLand - but it will be at twilight. Not sure when that is in early October but probably in the 6:00-7:00 range.

Also, opportunities are somewhat limited to ride California Screamin at night because of WOC, and the line is usually not bad in the evening. If you decide to do a few rides, I would consider CS a priority. And then maybe Tower of Terror. Maybe see the Mad T Party too.

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

You must have read my mind about CS. Our thrill-riders would definitely enjoy hitting that one early on and since we are going into it with a low-key approach, the rest of us can just meander. Thanks for the info on Cars Land. We'll be happy if we do nothing other than just soak in Radiator Springs that night. We stayed in the Cars section of Art of Animation at WDW a couple of years ago and our little guys ate it up! I can't wait to see them at Cars Land.

 

[Angrose]

Oh, you will LOVE Cars Land! In addition to the neon lighting, they have the DJ Dance and Drive show every hour or so. This happens at the intersection between Flo's and Luigi's. It's pretty cute, the DJ car comes out and he plays fun tunes like "Car Wash" and gets the whole crowd dancing. You will also still have the meet and greets going on alternating with Lightening and Mater at the Cozy Cone. The line for Mater's Junkyard Jamboree ride is never very long so I'm sure you could fit that in too. Your little guy will love it. Lots to do there!
Keep in mind that fireworks start around 9:30pm, depending on the night, and they are LOUD and can be heard across the whole resort! So if you're hoping to get the kids to bed and asleep early, you will want to take that into consideration.

 

[wdwfan22]

Cars Land at night is amazing! I'm sure everyone would love hanging out there. My first day routine, after a 16 hour drive, is to head into DL and ride the train around the park, maybe ride Pirates and grab a bite to eat. But since I drive most of the way, and get up at 1:00 to start the drive, I'm pretty exhausted.

 

[Meemoo]

I will be arriving in the evening also, and planned to head to Cars Land for dinner at Flow's (since DL will be closed for the Halloween Party) then I am hoping to get onto Soarin' because I loved that ride

 

[MichelleWDWfan]

Here are our plans for our 1st evening. We're arriving around 1pm at the resort.
We decided to spend the afternoon/evening at DCA.
Late lunch at Carthay for WoC pkg.

It's our 1st visit to DL and we are really excited about seeing Cars land for the first time.
After we do that we will ride as much as time allows until WoC.

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

Cars Land at night is amazing! I'm sure everyone would love hanging out there. My first day routine, after a 16 hour drive, is to head into DL and ride the train around the park, maybe ride Pirates and grab a bite to eat. But since I drive most of the way, and get up at 1:00 to start the drive, I'm pretty exhausted.

I'm so glad you mentioned the train!! I was kind of just focused on DCA since it's a Halloween Party night, but if we can sneak it in, our youngest is a train freak so a ride on the train before moving over to DCA would be THE BEST!! That would also give us a taste of both parks to start our week! This is our first (and likely only) trip to DLR so that'd be perfect! Oh, I'm so excited!!!

 

[luulu1999]

Also in DCA for the smaller one Bug's Land is a lot of fun and lines are pretty short and maybe while everyone is on CS the carousel is right there and you could check and see how long TSMM line is because its right there also, I know when WoC is going on the line is pretty short but I don't know if you guys will be there that late! You will have an AMAZING time!! We did our "first and only" trip a few years ago at Christmas and we loved it sooo much we are working on our 3rd trip next summer

 

[valerie160]

We just loved Cars Land at night. It was so cute! I asked a CM when the lighting would be and he said right around sunset. So we looked it up (it was like 7:32 that night and sure enough a few minutes to that time, the lights came on one by one). We hung around the traffic light because I heard it was a good place to watch it, but I would try for further up or down the street next time. Also, maybe I'm the odd one out here, but I totally didn't like the food at flo's. I hate gristle and my roastbeef and cheddar was filled with it so if I had to do it again, I'd try harder for The Cove Bar. The lobster nachos were on my "must eat/do" list and I'm so sad I had to miss it. We tried for both lunch and dinner but the line was outrageous both times.

Also, I had to comment on the "first and only bit" lol - We just took had our "first and more than likely only" trip to DL last week (we live on the East Coast, so WDW is closer/easier for us) and my husband said to me yesterday "lets go to disney for Halloween next year." I said "world?" and he said.... "land." Soooo...

 

[agamble]

I agree that the fireworks are way too loud to sleep through. We haven't stayed on property, but we've stayed at plenty of hotels across the street and have been woken up by the fireworks before.

We also are not huge fans of Flo's. The menu was a little better when it first opened. We've had the turkey salad a few times off the new menu and it is okay. Also, it can be difficult to find seating at Flo's if it's busy. Just on the other side of Carsland, with two entry points to Carsland, is the Pacific Wharf. There is the Pacific Wharf café (with yummy soup bowls), a Mexican place, and a Chinese place on the Wharf. There is a ton of seating there too. Also the Ghiradelli shop is near one entrance to Carsland and they give out free chocolate samples just for walking through.

 

[8lovesmickey]

I second trying the Pacific Wharf for dinner. There are lots of choices in a small area so everyone can find something they want. There are also amazing corn dogs at DCA across the water from CS (although the line gets crazy). If you just want to snack, try the Cozy Cone Hotel in Carsland - it's adorable and has some yummy treats (even chili and a few other heartier things).

Also as fellow train lovers, don't forget to ride the monorail. It's much more of an attraction at DLR than a mode of transportation, and you can do the whole loop and get a great view of both parks. When my son was little we would sometimes go around a few times, then get off at Downtown Disney and check out the Lego store, then get back on and ride around again. Great for a respite from crowds and standing. AND you can ride the Red Car Trolley around DCA for fun too. Have a ball!

 

[CaptBane]

Our first day as planned so far:
Arriving from the Airport at the Best Western at the cross walk (Cant remember the whole name at the moment.) Checking in, and then across lunch somewhere possibly Mimi's Café or something in Downtown Disney, (That is if the room isn't ready until 3 pm). THen once we check in the room a couple hours rest and then to Goofy's Kitchen for dinner and a little shopping around Downtown Disney. Get some pictures of the Ice Skating rink (which we didn't get too last year.) Then back to the hotel for a nice rest before jumping up and heading into the park the next morning.

 

[MinMou]

We don't have annual passes, so I figured rather than use one of the days of our passes just for dinner, we will introduce our little one to Disney at Goofy's Kitchen. That may backfire on us, but this way we will have a chance for 3 full days days on our pass. Capt Bane, where is the ice skating rink?

 

[Geemo]

I believe the ice skating rink is in DTD, during the holiday season.

 

[Canuck16]

Love Love Love Carsland at night.....that is the best time to ride RSR as well in my opinion.

The entire Boardwalk area is awesome to walk around at night as well and the kids can maybe play a few carni games too.

 

[MommyJKM]

We'll be checking into PPH on Columbus Day, likely mid- to late-afternoon. We don't plan to dive right into full-on touring that day, but I was thinking of maybe just going to California Adventure to eat and check out CarsLand at night since we are all super excited to see it. We don't want to have a late night since we will be taking advantage of EMH the next morning (and the rest of the week). What time do they light the neon? Maybe we should try to plan for that?

So, that's my thought, at this point anyway. What would you do? Is there a better plan? BTW, our group includes 4 grown-ups (chronologically anyway) and 3 boys, 10, 8, and 4. Thoughts on options to do for a few hours and a great place to eat are very much welcomed!

In mid-October the sunset will be around 6:20PM, so if you can be in DCA by then it's amazing to watch the neon lighting - it looks JUST like the the movie and your kids will love it. And as a PP said the DJ Dance party is fun too.

The fireworks can be loud, but it depends on your room. We stay at GCH and never hear WOC even in a park view room because of the great glass doors so hopefully nothing will keep your boys awake.

The night we arrive we like going to Downtown Disney for dinner or Trader Sam's at DLH.

(Keep in mind there won't be an ice skating rink up yet when you are there in October as someone suggested above)

 

[CaptBane]

Yeah the Ice Rink is in Down Town Disney probably sometime in November, It will be close to the DLH.

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

In mid-October the sunset will be around 6:20PM, so if you can be in DCA by then it's amazing to watch the neon lighting - it looks JUST like the the movie and your kids will love it. And as a PP said the DJ Dance party is fun too.

Thanks for the time info!

I think our updated plan based on everyone's wonderful advice is to go to DL first and ride the train around. Then we'll head for DCA and CarsLand. We'll either eat somewhere first or wait until after the neon lighting, depending on time. We'll probably try to get our thrill seekers on California Screamin' and the rest of us will wander a bit and maybe do Mater's. It should be a nice introduction to both parks before we hit it hard for three days after! I like the idea of having a chance to kind of get the lay of the land before we start trying to actively tour and see and do as much as possible. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it.

 

[RKKUNK]

The hours for the parks are all over the place for Oct.. Some nights DCA closes at 8:00 p.m.. I would hate for you to waste an entire days entry and then not be able to do the things you wanted to that evening. Just make sure that you check the schedule for the evening that you will be arriving to make sure you have the time that you need to get those things done. Have a great trip!