First time to DL 12 days! April 27!

[tiggerz73]

Hi! I'm a first time poster long time reader I've been trying to gather as much info from here as I can and I have to say everyone is wonderful! I'm hoping I can get some of the questions I have answered before our trip at the end of this month.

First, Fantasmic, it doesn't look like it is showing AT ALL while we are there (4/27-5/4), does anyone have any info on this?

Next we are planning on 5 days at the park, does anyone have suggestions on what days we should go? We would like to see WOC, Alladin, Pixar Parades and Jedi training. And of course as many rides as we can. I want to do it all but not feel stressed or rushed, too much to ask?

Then re: the Jedi Training, can someone explain this to me? I thought they picked kids from the audience to particpate, that has changed? How soon do you have to get there and how long will you have to wait? What are the chances of your child getting picked?

Finally is the character meals. I see that you can pay for the character meals through other sites ie: LMT and ARES travel (i think) at a discounted price how does that work? And if you do a character meal before the park opens do you just get to enter the park when you're done or what? Which meal would you do? I'm thinking Goofy or Minnie and I'm torn. I've seen people going back and forth for both!

HELP! I am so excited about this trip. I've been planning it forever. I am going with DH, DS, and my aunt and brother. I haven't seen my brother in a year and half and am thrilled we will all be together. My son who is 5 1/2 doesn't know we are going. We are going to tell him the morning we leave, and we will meet my aunt and brother on the plane. They are flying from Baltimore to Denver, where we get on. We arrive early afternoon on Wed and are planning on going to the park after that.

Thanks for any help you can give me!

 

[skiingfast]

First, Fantasmic, it doesn't look like it is showing AT ALL while we are there (4/27-5/4), does anyone have any info on this?

Next we are planning on 5 days at the park, does anyone have suggestions on what days we should go? We would like to see WOC, Alladin, Pixar Parades and Jedi training. And of course as many rides as we can. I want to do it all but not feel stressed or rushed, too much to ask?

Then re: the Jedi Training, can someone explain this to me? I thought they picked kids from the audience to particpate, that has changed? How soon do you have to get there and how long will you have to wait? What are the chances of your child getting picked?

Finally is the character meals. I see that you can pay for the character meals through other sites ie: LMT and ARES travel (i think) at a discounted price how does that work? And if you do a character meal before the park opens do you just get to enter the park when you're done or what? Which meal would you do? I'm thinking Goofy or Minnie and I'm torn. I've seen people going back and forth for both!

Sorry F! will be in rehab while you visit. Pixar Parade is also on hiatus while DCA is under construction. They have been repaving some of the parade route, well actually tore up the concrete. DL doesn't have a parade at this time either.

There are some little stage shows featuring Pixar Characters, many times a day listed under parades, but it's not a parade. Check the schedule because Aladdin isn't daily and fireworks is not either.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/calendar/daily/#/default/2011/04/27

You are going for a larger than typical number of days, during semi offseason, you can fit in anything and everything you want.

Yes Jedi trainees come from the audience. Ask a seperate question on that topic and get some great answers for sure.

You can get vouchers from those third party sellers of Character Meals. If you eat at Minnie's or Ariels which are in the park you can enter after eating if the park is open. If not you are let out at the rope drop area. But on days when DL has Morning Magic (MM) you can enter and eat without using a MM credit from a park hopper and after join in with the MM crowd. BTW Minnie's Breakfast is the Character meal I would recommend.

Just a final tip. Since 5.5yo may not be tall enough for all of the attractions. Use rider swap so all the adults can enjoy them.

 

[HydroGuy]

Suggestions on days to go? All your days will be offseason. You may want to get in a couple weekend days. Check the schedule carefully because not everything shows every day and weekend days should be used to see things that you cannot see on weekdays.

For Jedi training see "Jedi Training Academy Tips" by Hound 109 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1478699

May 7 will be the POTC 4 movie premiere at DL which affects Fantasmic which shows in the same place. DL decided to take F! down while this is happening. You will miss it. Bummer. One of the downsides to offseason.

Have a magical trip!

 

[HydroGuy]

See http://www.mouseplanet.com/9592/Disneyland_Resort_Update

Pirates 4 to premiere at Disneyland May 7

It's official: Disneyland is hosting the world premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides on Saturday, May 7. In a posting on the Disney Parks Blog last week, Disneyland Resort Public Relations Director George Savvas confirmed what had become an open secret, announcing that tickets to the premier were available for $1,000 each, with all proceeds going to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. By Friday the event website displayed a message that the premiere was almost at capacity, and the event is now sold out.

The announcement also confirmed that the premiere will be shown in 3-D, in an outdoor theater constructed on the Rivers of America. As previously noted here, the entertainment schedule for the weeks surrounding that premiere show that Disneyland's Fantasmic will not be presented April 25 through May 14. An enormous movie screen was constructed on Tom Sawyer Island for each of the past three premieres, forcing a similar hiatus for Fantasmic.

For those who want to watch the celebrity arrivals, which are said to include all of the film's stars, Savvas said that "a limited number of Disneyland park guests" may be able to watch along the "black" carpet down Main Street, U.S.A. Savvas cautioned that viewing capacity will be very limited.

 

[tiggerz73]

Thanks so much for the info! I think when I was looking at the Jedi Academy I was looking at WDW not DL. So I'm very excited to know it is still picking kids from the audience. Was planning on making a sign then didn't now I will!

I'm still confused as to why the character meals are being sold through a third party, they seem more expensive.

But thanks again!

 

[starshine514]

You may want to check to see if the third-party chracter meal vouchers already include tax and tip. If they do, you could save if the were otherwise comparably priced.