First Timer Planning Question

[gappedout]

Hi all!

I will be coming to Palm Springs, California for work in May...and can't pass up the opportunity to visit Disneyland for the first time.

I will be leaving Palm Springs around lunchtime on Thursday, May 18 and hope to be at my hotel (Desert Inn) early afternoon (driving up with a friend from Palm Springs and she is dropping me at my hotel).

My flight leaves at 12:45pm on Saturday May 20 from John Wayne airport.

Based on my research, it seems I should get the park hopper. What I am debating is between getting a two-day or three-day ticket. If I get a three-day ticket, I will have access to Magic Morning on the Saturday that I fly home at 8am. Is it worth it to go into the park a couple hours on Saturday before I fly home? If so, what time do I need to leave by to get to the airport?

Or is a two-day park hopper plenty for Thursday afternoon/night and all day Friday (I will be by myself)? And if so, what should I do before my flight home Saturday? Hit up Downtown Disney?

Thanks in advance!!!!

 

[smartlabelprint]

I've never managed to get to the park the morning before a flight. I always wanted to, I have an ap. It just doesn't work out for us. Packing, DH is a bad flyer.

I'd get a 2 day and decide before the end of your day if you want to upgrade. I'd leave around 9:45 for the airport. So by the time you have breakfast, etc, get through the gates... depends on if it's worth it to you. We just stay at our hotel.

 

[julieheyer]

I'd do a character breakfast that morning (I love the one at California Grand) of your flight and wander around DTD. a 2-day hopper by yourself should be good .

 

[Disney_Alli]

I'd do the 3 day ticket. We got a ton done even with an international flight at 2:15 and the parks not opening until 9am. We even squeezed in breakfast at Storytellers with Chip and Dale. We just pack the night before and hopped an Uber around 11am.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

I'd get a 2 day and decide before the end of your day if you want to upgrade.

The only way to get the Magic Morning entry (other than staying onsite) is to buy a three day ticket in advance. So while upgrading to a 3-day ticket is always an option, you would not get Magic Morning at that point.

 

[smartlabelprint]

The only way to get the Magic Morning entry (other than staying onsite) is to buy a three day ticket in advance. So while upgrading to a 3-day ticket is always an option, you would not get Magic Morning at that point.

DIdnt think of that! I like the idea of character breakfast anyway!

 

[gappedout]

So I guess park opening on Saturday, May 20 is now 8am so if I got a three day ticket with magic morning - I could get in a 7am. Would leaving the parks by 10:30 be plenty of time for flight out of John Wayne at 12:45? Worth the third day to get 3 1/2 hours in the parks that morning?

 

[Angrose]

You could easily leave for SNA at 11am. It will take 20min at most to get there. It's a small, very easy airport to maneuver. Seriously, you will be at your gate by 11:45 easily. I have done it many times. I would definitely get the 3-day hopper, especially since magic morning is at 7am, you will have at least 3.5 hours in the parks before you need to think about leaving to get your bags and grab uber/lyft to the airport. You can get a lot done early in the morning!

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I would leave from Palm Springs earlier if you can that first day. If you leave Palm Springs around lunchtime on Thursday you will not be in the park early afternoon, it would be more like early evening in my opinion. It's a long drive to Anaheim from Palm Springs (around 2 hours), if you hit traffic it will take even longer. It will also take time to check into your hotel and then get over to the parks.

 

[gappedout]

You could easily leave for SNA at 11am. It will take 20min at most to get there. It's a small, very easy airport to maneuver. Seriously, you will be at your gate by 11:45 easily. I have done it many times. I would definitely get the 3-day hopper, especially since magic morning is at 7am, you will have at least 3.5 hours in the parks before you need to think about leaving to get your bags and grab uber/lyft to the airport. You can get a lot done early in the morning!

Thanks for the advice!!! This is what I am thinking as well.

 

[gappedout]

I would leave from Palm Springs earlier if you can that first day. If you leave Palm Springs around lunchtime on Thursday you will not be in the park early afternoon, it would be more like early evening in my opinion. It's a long drive to Anaheim from Palm Springs (around 2 hours), if you hit traffic it will take even longer. It will also take time to check into your hotel and then get over to the parks.

I wish I could. I will be in Palm Springs for a work event and have to stay until it's finished which will be around noon on Thursday.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I wish I could. I will be in Palm Springs for a work event and have to stay until it's finished which will be around noon on Thursday.

Too bad. I would just keep your expectations in check for the first day so you don't find yourself getting frustrated if it takes you longer to drive to Anaheim if you hit traffic. Living in Southern California I wish I could say that weekends are better traffic-wise but honestly it seems like there is ALWAYS traffic, whether for an accident or construction or whatever. It's really frustrating at time. Even if it takes you longer to get to the parks that first day an evening in DL will still be wonderful.

 

[Mama Bear Me2]

You could easily leave for SNA at 11am. It will take 20min at most to get there. It's a small, very easy airport to maneuver. Seriously, you will be at your gate by 11:45 easily. I have done it many times. I would definitely get the 3-day hopper, especially since magic morning is at 7am, you will have at least 3.5 hours in the parks before you need to think about leaving to get your bags and grab uber/lyft to the airport. You can get a lot done early in the morning!

Hi ... just a thought ... I'm assuming you're flying DOMESTICALLY and won't need to clear customs which requires being at the airport earlier?

 

[gappedout]

Hi ... just a thought ... I'm assuming you're flying DOMESTICALLY and won't need to clear customs which requires being at the airport earlier?

Correct! Just flying back to Columbus Ohio!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

If you decide to stick with the 2 day ticket and want a nice breakfast on your last day, try breakfast at Steakhouse 55 in the DLH. Very fun and with a recently re-vamped manu.
Make sure you download the DLR app to keep track of wait times and FP info. It will help you make the most of your park time.
For your drive, the Waze app might help with avoiding traffic.