First Timer at DL- WWYD?

[inkedupmomma]

As my title says, my family of 5 will be heading to DL for a few nights before heading to Aulani/Oahua this summer. Tentative dates are 7/28-8/1/19 for the DL portion, and my head is overflowing with all that I have tried to read up on today. It will be our first time to California and DL, except for hubby who has been as a child.

Things I think I have a handle on:

*Staying at DL hotel. Holds the most appeal to me.

*Purchase Max Pass.

*EMH- we will be entitled to one morning of EMH, am I understanding that correctly? Any guesses on if this will this include the newly opened GE? If so, should we try for that or just use that hour to do all the other things? Im SUPER stressed about GE. Excited for my hubby and sons, but also stressed! Either way, from posts on here, people seem to HIGHLY recommend taking advantage of this hour.

*Goofys kitchen seems like a popular choice- so thats one meal!

Thats about all I have a handle on, and thats not even the full truth, lol!

This trip has been talked about for a few years now, but our family had some tragic events occur, so it's really not been in my heart or mind to plan. I think I may finally be at a place where I can start putting real thought into this, and would appreciate the distraction.

Some background info- Im a 38 year old Disney obsessed mom. My hubby loves ALL things Star Wars. Then we have 3 children (18DD,13 DS, and 5DS) who love all the Disney and SW things to love, especially Disney food!

We *may* be able to add on a couple of days to the trip, which would make life easier, and perhaps open opportunity to see more than just DL. Would love suggestions on that too!

OK Disboards, give me what you got!

 

[sherilaine]

If you stay onsite you get EMH every day of your stay.

As to what it will be like ones GE opens, if you are not going until end of July, it will have likely already been opened several weeks by that time so you should be able to get some good guidance from this group already.

If money is not an issue, staying onsite is ideal however the EMH is really the only perk if you are not staying at the Grand as there are other offsite hotels which are a closer walk than Disneyland Hotel or Paradise Pier. This is a good thread to aid in selecting the right hotel for you: https://www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-dlr-area-hotel-for-you.3656512/

Have fun planning.

 

[Kauai4life]

If you have never been to Disneyland one morning Plaza Inn for Character Breakfast, Blue Bayou Fantasmic dinner package, park hopper pass a must, Get there when the parks open and then back to the hotel in the afternoon for pool time. if your staying at the DL hotel in a regular room it will be tight for the 5 of you. Have a great time at Disneyland and also the Aulani on Oahu. Aloha

 

[cruisnfamily]

park hopper pass a must

Why?

 

[NewbieMouse]

Why?

Because the parks are so close together, and especially if you have MaxPass, you can really minimize your wait times. Hoppers are a definite must IMHO, and for us, MaxPass is as well.

 

[Kauai4life]

DL and CA are only separated by a promenade super easy to go back and forth. We always get park hopper at DL never at DW.

 

[Gehrig1B]

Another vote for park hoppers... Adds flexibility and freedom.

 

[Malcon10t]

if your staying at the DL hotel in a regular room it will be tight for the 5 of you.

We do 5 in a regular room at the DLH. Cannot do it at the Grand. AT the DLH, you will have 2 queens and a sofa sleeper (oversized twin, even my adult kids are comfortable on it.)

Park hopper is a must. Add MaxPass.

You will have EMH every day you are there.

Character breakfast? I prefer Storytellers for breakfast. Food is better and you have table service for drink refills and pick ups. Paradise Grill's Surf's Up with Donald is also very good. Goofy's is 3rd on my list. Plaza Inn is my least favorite.

As for SW:GE, all bets are off til it opens.

I would say add a cabana day at the DLH, but since you are going to Aulani, you will have plenty of that there.

 

[BadPinkTink]

I go against the grain and dont do park hoppers. I do one park per day. Star Wars Galaxys Edge is opening in June and Im expecting epic level crowds. Epic level crowds mean very likely park capacity closures and epic lines to get back int The Main Park. Therefore to me , it makes sense to do just one park per day to avoid being caught in a capacity closure.

 

[Disneypro1]

If you have never been to Disneyland one morning Plaza Inn for Character Breakfast, Blue Bayou Fantasmic dinner package, park hopper pass a must, Get there when the parks open and then back to the hotel in the afternoon for pool time. if your staying at the DL hotel in a regular room it will be tight for the 5 of you. Have a great time at Disneyland and also the Aulani on Oahu. Aloha

Why?

I agree..I never understood the need for a Park Hopper and either WDW or DL
Imho, One park per day maximizes all time involved in doing most attractions or shows etc.
Yes, DL is easier to hop...but DL has so much we really never wanted to leave and go to CA
We just dedicated a day to CA

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Park hoppers allow you to maximize your advantage with MP -- you can book a FP for one park while still in the other park! Park hoppers also allow you to hop to one park when the crowds in the other park become too heavy. With SWGE opening this summer, it is highly probably that crowds in DL will become very, very heavy, so the option to hop to DCA for a break and a few rides or a meal would be very welcome.

 

[goooof1]

I cannot even imagine not getting park hoppers! I think very early in the day I would be gazing across the Esplanade (~ 100 yards across) with longing and be very sad. Flexibility, flexibility, flexibility! We find that very important when enjoying DLR. ….. just a quick ride on GOTG or GGR...etc. or hungering for something to eat that is in the opposite park.... or escape big crowds and smaller walkways..... so easy and NO stress! just hop over!

 

[inkedupmomma]

Thanks for the great advice everyone! We will be doing hoppers and and MP. Our children range from 18-5, so we defintley want the flexibility! Has anyone ever done the club level at DLH? Any thoughts on that?

Also, thank you for the clarification on the EMH. Not sure how I read that wrong! AN hour each day is perfect!