First trip to So Cal and DL! Some advice pls

[Pooh Crew]

I just booked our family of 7 for our first ever trip to the So. California area. We will be there June 8-15 and are planning to start our trip in San Diego (Legoland and the zoo) and then head up to Disneyland on Thursday.

Here's my dilema: since we have gone to WDW for the last two years, dh is kind of "over" Disney and only wants to go for 1 day. He also doen't want to do DCA at all, but I might be able to talk him into it with the new Toy Story opening. If we leave Carlsbad first thing in the morning, can we make it to DL for park opening on Thursday? If we decide that we would like to do another day just at DL, how bad will a Friday in June be?

 

[ashbyyokosuka]

I just booked our family of 7 for our first ever trip to the So. California area. We will be there June 8-15 and are planning to start our trip in San Diego (Legoland and the zoo) and then head up to Disneyland on Thursday.

Here's my dilema: since we have gone to WDW for the last two years, dh is kind of "over" Disney and only wants to go for 1 day. He also doen't want to do DCA at all, but I might be able to talk him into it with the new Toy Story opening. If we leave Carlsbad first thing in the morning, can we make it to DL for park opening on Thursday? If we decide that we would like to do another day just at DL, how bad will a Friday in June be?

i'm from SD (but only lived here less than a yr)
we have driven up to DL--and it took us about 1 1/2 hrs--
i am sure others will have other things to say
i would say you could make it in 1 hr to 1 1/2 hrs... depending how fast you drive.

i don't know about the Fri in June... but you can look at the park hours and see when it opens/ closes. if it opens at 8 and closes at midnight--you can bet it is going to be fairly busy~

 

[davidsprincess]

Okay, first congratulations on a trip to DL!
Second, read Hydoguys notes that he especially made for WDW vets that are visiting DL. Check out these links:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=802084
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

Third, you really need to do 3-4 days at DL. You will especially need to do this if you have small children. 1 day is just too much. Would you be able to compromise with DH and say have him stay at the hotel and lounge by the pool with a tall cool drink while you go to DL after he does his "1" day?
Hubby may find that he likes it . It really is different from WDW.

Weekends are usually busy, but you will have more attractions open to you because Disney recognizes that the weekends are busy. With that in mind, make sure you get to the parks early and stock up on Fastpasses as soon as possible so that you can avoid most of the lines and ride more. Al
If you are coming this far and going to DL you might as well go to DCA. See it all!
Do DL and DCA for the last leg of your trip. And most of all have fun!