For the experienced - Is this reasonable?

mmbrad02

DIS Veteran
Joined
Feb 4, 2006
Messages
1,179
We are having our first Disneyland trip in June and I'm so excited! I've posted a few times in this board but it's my DH and myself, mid 40's and our 15 year old daughter. We all enjoy WDW very much, so we know the drill of rope drop, tiring days, etc. That said, our trip to DL is going to be shorter than I had hoped but I will take what I can get :) If nothing is delayed we will arrive on Sunday at 2:44pm at SNA and depart on Thursday at 3:34pm also from SNA. This is my loose itinerary:

Uber/Lyft from SNA to Disneyland Resort
Hopefully room is ready, check in and put luggage away
spend late afternoon/evening checking out all 3 resorts and DTD. Is there anywhere outside of the parks to catch a glimpse of the fireworks (assuming they are scheduled)?

Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday are park days. We will have hoppers and Lighting Lanes, and will apply for DAS (have been approved before under new rules, but not holding my breath this time)

Thursday we had originally planned to buy a park ticket but when you factor the costs and the time we would have to leave.... we are now thinking of renting a car with pickup at Pixar Place for like 8am or so, driving to the beach (we are east coasters and have never seen the Pacific Ocean) and either just spend time there or just do some exploring. We know our time is minimal, but originally we were going to do this on arrival day and I think I'd rather do it on departure day. Return car to SNA before flight home.
 
Either arrival or departure day, you could do dinner at Goofy's Kitchen (DLH) or breakfast at Storyteller's (GCH).

We did almost your exact schedule in early January. We did the parks on our departure day. Left by 12:30 for a 3 PM flight. For us it was worth it, especially since mornings at DLR tend to be less busy.

You should be able to catch some of the fireworks from the esplanade. Just be aware they get canceled often because of winds up high.
 
Just account for time for traffic as it is often very bad. The biggest downside I see is getting on plane with sand in all your crevices (if you planned on getting in the water etc)

I wouldnt buy a park ticket for half a day especially if you are going to have LL and hoppers the other 3 days.

Pixar Putt is also open at the resort hotel and could be fun to pass time.
 
I think I'd switch the beach day. I wouldn't want to chance it on your departure day. It's about a 45 minute drive, I'd be hesitant of an accident or something delaying my return and potentially missing a flight. If you have hopper tickets and LL, three days should be plenty of time in the parks to see everything. It's nice that DL stays open so late. Just check the park hours, I am not sure when in June you are going, there are some Grad Nights scheduled up until June 12th. It's held at DCA, but can make a difference in park plans. Have a great trip, it's a lot like WDW but at the same time, so different.
 

What you are planning in doable. Fireworks have limited viewing from the esplande and sometimes there are a lot of people there to watch. It's not the best spot due to trees and things being in the way.

Which of the hotels are you staying in? You might have a partial view of fireworks from your room or from one of the common areas. When you check in, ask the front desk and they might have a good suggestion.
 


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