First time visitor! Question...

[SnackyStacky]

So I'm staying at the Howard Johnson. The Disney hotels are just too expensive - especially since this is a last minute trip.

I only have ONE full day to see and do what I want to do at Disneyland. My dates are August 22 - 24. We'll have a half day at DCA on the 22nd, and a full day at Disneyland on the 23rd. The days are a Wedneday, Thursday, and Friday.

This whole early entry thing has me a bit concerned. I'm reading the RideMax tips - and I'm wondering how I should handle the early entry issue.

1.) Spend $111 more to add a 3rd day to our hoppers. This would REALLY only be paying for the early entry as we won't be able to use our 3rd day on the tickets. I'm not jazzed about this option - but whatever I have to do to see as much as I can!

2.) Skip the parks on arrival day (a Wednesday) since we'll be arriving late. Do Disneyland and DCA on Thursday, and hit Fantasyland on Friday morning before we leave.

3.) Not worry about it? The parks open to the general public at 8am - and I have to wonder how many resort guests are going to be waking up to be at the gates by 6:30. I REALLY don't want to do early entry for that very reason. That's just too dang early! But then again - I'm a newbie, so I'm asking!

I'm hoping for the best, and am prepared for the worst crowd wise. With an 8am opening and a midnight closing, I have a feeling it will be shoulder to shoulder people and lines to the max. As an off-season Disney World vet, I'm just a little nervous about dealing with that many people!

I'm actually also a little peeved with Disney. When I click on my package inclusions from the Disney website, it specifically says I get early entry. (Even though I only have a 2 day hopper and am staying at a Good Neighbor hotel). There's absolutely no disclaimer. If I hadn't done any research, I'd be REALLY peeved to get my butt to those gates by 6:30 and be turned away because their website gave misinformation.

Anyway - advice is appreciated! I've been doing all my research, have my RideMax all set to go - and I'm REALLY excited.

 

[VegasMike21]

when i go the parks are open from 8-12 as well so yes they are expected to be pretty crowded. but the mornings usually aren't that bad, afternoons are when it becomes really packed as the locals usually go around this time as well. as it gets later in the evening around 10 it will die down a bit i assume.

 

[Adi12982]

I suggest getting the ride max program. . . That way you can maxamize your time at the parks AND it is only $15

 

[HydroGuy]

3.) Not worry about it? The parks open to the general public at 8am - and I have to wonder how many resort guests are going to be waking up to be at the gates by 6:30. I REALLY don't want to do early entry for that very reason. That's just too dang early! But then again - I'm a newbie, so I'm asking!

Lots of people will be there for EE at 7AM. Not sure what your best option is. If you want to do the Fantasyland rides then Thursday after EE will not be a good option. If you want to skip Fantasyland, it won't matter that much if you go Thursday after EE.

 

[SnackyStacky]

I suggest getting the ride max program. . . That way you can maxamize your time at the parks AND it is only $15

...have my RideMax all set to go...

I've already got it, and their words about EE are what prompted me to post this question.

 

[safetymom]

Dan, I wouldn't pay for an extra day to get early entry. The Ho Jo's is nice. Take that first day for DTD.

You will be able to see plenty in your time at the parks.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Thanks for all the feedback so far!

I'm kind of leaning now towards just skipping Fantasyland except for the Matterhorn. Much as I want to do Alice and Mr. Toad, I may just have to skip them!

But more feedback would be peachy!

 

[SnackyStacky]

And by the way - Kathy? Juliet? SHE'S SO CUTE!!!!

 

[bumbershoot]

We've done true one-day blasts twice now. Never been to DCA, never missed it. We're excited to see it on our upcoming trip, but if we were doing another one-day'er, we'd skip it again.

DL provides quite enough fun for that one day.

I would not spend that much money for one extra hour.

Have you called Disney about your package, to see why it states you get EE even though it seems you shouldn't?

 

[SnackyStacky]

We've done true one-day blasts twice now. Never been to DCA, never missed it. We're excited to see it on our upcoming trip, but if we were doing another one-day'er, we'd skip it again.

DL provides quite enough fun for that one day.

I would not spend that much money for one extra hour.

Have you called Disney about your package, to see why it states you get EE even though it seems you shouldn't?

Not yet. But I'm giving it consideration. I just know that one of two things is going to happen:

1.) I'll have to REALLY fight to get it, and I don't feel like it. Pick your battles. Know what I mean?

or..

2.) I won't get anywhere.

So I just need to get upset enough to feel like it's worth it to push the issue.

 

[Disneyenthusiast]

I would not pay extra for EE. I also would not skip Fantasyland! I would go before it gets hot or after it cools down if the lines are far beyond the building. I especially wouldn't miss Peter Pan. With Fastpass, you can get alot into a day. You will enjoy it whatever you do. I would go to DCA the first pm and not try to do both parks in 1 day. The morning you leave you can take time to go to downtown Disney and maybe pick up a souvenir or grab a bite to eat. It is still entertaining.

 

[SnackyStacky]

I would not pay extra for EE. I also would not skip Fantasyland! I would go before it gets hot or after it cools down if the lines are far beyond the building. I especially wouldn't miss Peter Pan. With Fastpass, you can get alot into a day. You will enjoy it whatever you do. I would go to DCA the first pm and not try to do both parks in 1 day. The morning you leave you can take time to go to downtown Disney and maybe pick up a souvenir or grab a bite to eat. It is still entertaining.

May I ask you a question?

Assuming you've been to both Walt Disney World and Disneyland - is the Disneyland version any different than Walt Disney World's? With only a day and a half, I'm trying to avoid things that I can do at Walt Disney World. I only have a day and a half at Disneyland, so I really want to try and focus on the Disneyland-unique attractions, or attractions that are substantially better on the west coast. (ie: Pirates)

I would pass that SAME advice along to someone with only limited time at Disney World about Peter Pan, though. It's one of my favorites!

 

[daisy_77]

I would call Disney to see if you can still get EE with a two-day park hopper. I think you get the perk with a two day IF you book a package. I could be wrong.
IMO, you can cover a lot of ground in one day, even with crowds. My opinion on not-to-miss attractions: Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, and Pirates. Unique DL attractions: Mr Toad, Alice in Wonderland and the Matterhorn. I am not sure what else at the top of my head. Oh, don't forget to check out Nemo!
I will be there at the same time...Aug 23-24!

 

[kiwitravel]

What time do you have to leave on the Friday? To really be able to do as much as possible it might be worthwhile getting the 3 day pass if you have time to go into the park on the Friday morning, you could check out at 0730 leaving your luggage in the hotel storage and go hard till you need to be back to head to airport.

 

[SnackyStacky]

I would call Disney to see if you can still get EE with a two-day park hopper. I think you get the perk with a two day IF you book a package. I could be wrong.
IMO, you can cover a lot of ground in one day, even with crowds. My opinion on not-to-miss attractions: Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, and Pirates. Unique DL attractions: Mr Toad, Alice in Wonderland and the Matterhorn. I am not sure what else at the top of my head. Oh, don't forget to check out Nemo!
I will be there at the same time...Aug 23-24!

I gave them a call about it. And nope - package or not, the early entry perk is coded onto the 3 day ticket, so it's not something that can be issued with a 2 day ticket. I had spoken to someone in Guest Communication and I explained they need to update their website because it stated that I would receive that. She asked what she could do for me - and I asked if I could just have the EE with the 2 day as the website stated. She said they can't print off a seperate voucher because it is coded onto the 3 day ticket, so she upgraded my ticket to the 3 day for free!

So, we probably will visit for a 3rd day before we head home. And no worries now about missing Fantasyland! yay!

Daisy - where are you staying?

 

[daisy_77]

I gave them a call about it. And nope - package or not, the early entry perk is coded onto the 3 day ticket, so it's not something that can be issued with a 2 day ticket. I had spoken to someone in Guest Communication and I explained they need to update their website because it stated that I would receive that. She asked what she could do for me - and I asked if I could just have the EE with the 2 day as the website stated. She said they can't print off a seperate voucher because it is coded onto the 3 day ticket, so she upgraded my ticket to the 3 day for free!

So, we probably will visit for a 3rd day before we head home. And no worries now about missing Fantasyland! yay!

Daisy - where are you staying?

Wow---that was really cool of the CM to upgrade your passes!
You are going to have a great time!
The plan for us is to stay at Camelot Inn....but considering DLH if I can get a AP rate.

 

[SnackyStacky]

Wow---that was really cool of the CM to upgrade your passes!
You are going to have a great time!
The plan for us is to stay at Camelot Inn....but considering DLH if I can get a AP rate.

I really was just looking for the early entry privlege - but it works out in Disney's best interest to have given us that extra day. We're now going to add on a 3rd night, and we're considering one of the Disney resorts.

The Grand Californian is just WAY too rich for my blood, so we're passing on that. Paradise Pier is so blah (to me anyway), but I like it's location versus the Disneyland Hotel. So we're trying to decide which one we like.

But I was REALLY impressed with Disney and wasn't expecting that extra day at all.

 

[dizneyfreakz]

WOW that is awesome! Now you will for sure have a great time and not worry!

From what I hear from friends is that the Peter Pan at DL is WAAAAY better than the one at WDW. I have only been to the DL version.

Definitely do Pirates, Indy, Tiki Room, Space Mtn, Matterhorn, Nemo, etc

If you stay till the end of Friday Night, I would stay to watch the fireworks show. It's not your "ordinary" fireworks show.

 

[SnackyStacky]

WOW that is awesome! Now you will for sure have a great time and not worry!

From what I hear from friends is that the Peter Pan at DL is WAAAAY better than the one at WDW. I have only been to the DL version.

Definitely do Pirates, Indy, Tiki Room, Space Mtn, Matterhorn, Nemo, etc

If you stay till the end of Friday Night, I would stay to watch the fireworks show. It's not your "ordinary" fireworks show.

I will definitely check out everything you listed except the Tiki Room. I know it's the original - but ONE of the Sherman brothers incessant songs in my head is ENOUGH!!!!!! I don't need It's A Small World AND "In the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room, in the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room" BOTH running through my head!

 

[Hound 109]

I will definitely check out everything you listed except the Tiki Room. I know it's the original - but ONE of the Sherman brothers incessant songs in my head is ENOUGH!!!!!! I don't need It's A Small World AND "In the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room, in the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room" BOTH running through my head!

....but Snacky....Ava Corrine wants to see the "singing birdies" while she slurps on a Dole Whip.