First night--dinner or the parks?

[trampslady]

Our flight arrives at LAX at 5:05 pm (unless I decide on an earlier one, but either way it will be late afternoon). We have a rental car and are staying at Grand Californian. We arrive on a Wednesday. I was originally planning to get 3 day hoppers and start our touring on Thursday morning. However, I notice that we can get 4 day hoppers for just $20 more per pass. We will be arriving on April 4--during spring break and near Easter. Would you spend those few hours in the parks (closing at midnight) or would you just have a nice dinner and start in the morning?

 

[Zoemakes5]

Honestly, for when you'll be there, I'd spend the extra time in the park for the difference in price. A slower time, I'd probably pass. I wouldn't do the entire commando thing, look at it more as an extra "perk". I personally might use some of that time for sit down meal, a couple of "big rides" that I could get fast passes for, maybe some time in DCA and/or time shopping. Plus, you'd get an extra "shot" at fireworks! See the fireworks that night and you won't be compelled to stay so late the next night, or get to see them more than once! Also, they tend to be fairly tempramental and any sort of wind will cancel them (we missed them entirely last time we were there!)

 

[stampinshauna]

If the parks are open until Midnight, you could easily get 5 hours in. That makes it only $4/hr which isn't bad at all. If you get worn out easily I'd just start the next morning, but if you can go for 5 hrs, go to bed at midnight and be ready first thing the next morning, go for it.

 

[XTinabell]

I would totally go to the parks. When my DH and I went in November, the day we arrived the park was only open until 8 and our flight was late so we didn't get in until 5 and we still went to the park and had a great time.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I would totally go in the parks. Even if only to enjoy the atmosphere and for the fireworks. You can have a nice dinner at Blue Bayou or Cafe Orleans and kill two birds with one stone. But for the length of your total stay and the fact it will be crowded, it would be nice to maximize your park time and ability to see as much as possible. However, I might not stay until midnight. YOu'll be tired and the hands down best time to see the parks is first thing in the morning. You don't want to be so worn out you miss out on that. But I would still go (and always do) to again eat dinner, enjoy the atmosphere and see Remember.

 

[Judy from Boise]

also closing time really means the last time you can enter a queue, you can be getting into line for a ride at 11:45 and be OK.

 

[deekaypee]

Honestly, for when you'll be there, I'd spend the extra time in the park for the difference in price. A slower time, I'd probably pass. I wouldn't do the entire commando thing, look at it more as an extra "perk". I personally might use some of that time for sit down meal, a couple of "big rides" that I could get fast passes for, maybe some time in DCA and/or time shopping. Plus, you'd get an extra "shot" at fireworks! See the fireworks that night and you won't be compelled to stay so late the next night, or get to see them more than once! Also, they tend to be fairly tempramental and any sort of wind will cancel them (we missed them entirely last time we were there!)

Ditto with this and other posters' ideas--for the time you're going, spend the night in the parks. It'll be busy, lines will be longer, and this will help you manage the rest of your time there.

 

[nun69]

thanks for this questions, I have the same dilema and it is only a $10.00 difference for us to get a 5 day as opposed to a 4 day and we will be getting there sometiem on a Thurs (3/29)...not sure of the time becuase we will be driving. I thought about taking the kids to the park for a little while, then have a descent dinner (and their baskets will then be delivered to the room) and get a good night's rest and early start on Friday because the park is open until midnight on Friday!

 

[AZMickeyfans]

Parks!!!

 

[GailT]

Well I got to the hotel at about 11am on Dec. 22, 2007 and I knew that Christmas time was a very busy time so I went straight to the hotel, dropped off my luggage and went right to the park. I called, got my room at 4pm, cleaned up went back out for dinner and stayed the whole night. I didn't miss anything that I set out to see the 4 days I was there, Oh, typing this I wanna be back there right now.

 

[Adi12982]

How about a compromise: Dinner in the park. The $20 is worth it. You can get dinner, watch the fireworks and fantasmic and maybe ride a couple of things. Be sure to get to bed not to late so you can enjoy low crowds at park opening the next morning!

 

[trampslady]

Thanks for all the advise, guys. I think I will go ahead and buy the 4-day. This way if the parks are too busy Friday night and we feel like going out on the town, we can as we will have had that extra (hopefully less crowded) Wednesday night. I gotta get my In N Out burger and Del Taco fix while I'm in California.......

 

[Zoemakes5]

I gotta get my In N Out burger and Del Taco fix while I'm in California.......

OMG, how could I have forgotten In N Out?! I gotta go there!!!!

sounds like your plan will work well for you!