Friday or Saturday- which would you choose??

[WishUponAStar3]

Hello DIS experts!

My husband just gave me the most awesome surprise- he's taking me and our 1-year-old son, plus my parents, to DISNEYLAND this weekend!! He's in Anaheim this Weds-Thurs for a conference, and the plan is for us to join him on Friday morning when he's done and go straight to the park! I made reservations right away at our two faves--Blue Bayou for lunch and Napa Rose for dinner--and I'm BEYOND excited at showing our son the Happiest Place on Earth! However, we're now wondering if it makes more sense to go to the park on Saturday instead, but still join my husband at his work hotel (Doubletree) on Friday and stay overnight so that we can go straight to Disneyland at park opening, rather than driving in traffic on Friday and getting there at 9:30/10. What do you think? OR, if this Saturday is expected to have much heavier crowds than Friday, does that negate any possible benefit of getting to the park at opening? I also looked up dining reservations for Saturday, and nothing is available for Blue Bayou or Napa Rose- so we'd be giving those up if we go on Sat.

I would love to get a consensus from you guys on which you would choose: overnight this Friday at Doubletree (and dinner at Downtown Disney or one of the Disney hotels), with Disneyland all day Saturday, OR a day trip on Friday with the two special dining experiences? I'm thinking the biggest factor for us, with a toddler and two seniors, is crowd level, but I'm also just curious if one game plan sounds way better to you than the other. We're also planning to just do the 1 park, due to CA Adventure having so much under construction.

Thank you SO, so much for your help!!

All The Best,
Alexandra

 

[Skyegirl1999]

I'd go on Saturday so you have a full day. I also think there's a good chance that Saturday at DL will actually be less crowded than Friday (at least at points during the day) since Pixar Pier is opening over at DCA on Saturday (drawing crowds to that park), and since Deluxe and SoCal passes are blocked Saturday but not Friday. Just keep in mind that on Saturday, Disneyland will have had Magic Morning in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland - with your group, I'd still hit Fantasyland first, probably, but it won't be "empty." It will be better than 10 on Friday, though.

With a 1-year-old, I don't know how much fun two "special dining experiences" will be, anyway? And those would suck up a ton of your park time, so if you're really not arriving until 9:30 or 10, you'll only really have a few hours in the parks, and they'll be the worst part of the day, the afternoon! I'd maybe do one, but not two on one day.

Keep checking for Saturday reservations, too, something might open up (especially on Thursday/Friday).

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Also, couldn't you still do Napa Rose on Friday night? You could keep your reservation and not lose park time...

 

[midnight star]

I'd go with Saturday. Yes the Pier is opening, but if you steer clear of that area, it will probably be ok. Plus only Signature passes and up are valid.
On Friday you will have all the passes open, plus tourist traffic, plus Friday/weekend traffic.

 

[WishUponAStar3]

Thank you SO much, Skyegirl and Midnight Star! I think you’ve convinced me to switch to Saturday!!

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Saturday for sure! I would be at the gate welllll before opening in order to be there at rope drop. You will never regret getting there way early and starting your day at park opening.

Good luck and have fun!