Going next weekend - What do I need to know?? TWO MORE QUESTIONS ADDED TO FIRST POST

[disneymoon0606]

We haven't been to DisneyLand since I was just a kid. We just moved to SoCal and are going to be at Disneyland Next Friday and Saturday. It will be me and DH, my parents, and our kids (ages 1.5 and almost 4).

Can someone give me a quick cheat sheet for things we should know, rides we shouldn't miss, and other little things that will make this first trip here for the kids and DH special? Or maybe even things we shouldn't waste our time with? The only thing I know for sure is that I planned a character breakfast for Friday morning at 8:30.

Thank you to anyone who has any advice for us! I am SO excited!

***

Hey everyone, I thought of two more questions!

1. We are staying in Newport Beach, which I believe is about 25 minutes away from DLR. We have dining reservations for 8:30 at The Plaza on Friday morning, any idea how early we should plan to arrive so that we have time to get parked and into the park? We already have our tickets. Also, do they do anything special for when the park opens each day like Magic Kingdom does?

2. We have always followd the "mid-day nap rule" but since we're going to be 25 minutes away and the park closes early next Friday, I was thinking we'd just skip it and stay as long as we can. But on Saturday do you think it would be worth taking naps at our resort, even though it's not really close?

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

The 27-28th? Just a heads up that is half marathon weekend and DL closes early Friday night for the 5k.

 

[disneymoon0606]

Thanks for letting me know! We are doing Disneyland on Friday and California Adventure on Saturday (unless Sunday would be better?). Is the half marathon going to give us crowd (or other) troubles?

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Thanks for letting me know! We are doing Disneyland on Friday and California Adventure on Saturday (unless Sunday would be better?). Is the half marathon going to give us crowd (or other) troubles?

This is the first one they are doing at this time of year (the other one is Labor Day weekend) so I'm not really sure how crowds are going to be. The 5k is Friday night, and half marathon is Sunday morning. DL closes earlier than DCA on Friday.

 

[HydroGuy]

We haven't been to DisneyLand since I was just a kid. We just moved to SoCal and are going to be at Disneyland Next Friday and Saturday. It will be me and DH, my parents, and our kids (ages 1.5 and almost 4).

Can someone give me a quick cheat sheet for things we should know, rides we shouldn't miss, and other little things that will make this first trip here for the kids and DH special? Or maybe even things we shouldn't waste our time with? The only thing I know for sure is that I planned a character breakfast for Friday morning at 8:30.

Thank you to anyone who has any advice for us! I am SO excited!

This is a good starting point:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

For kids so young, the four year old may enjoy Princess Fantasy Faire (something that does not really exist at WDW) or Jedi Training Academy (which does).

At DL you can walk up and through the castle. That might be fun.

At DCA there is the Disney Animation attraction which has lots of nooks and crannies your kids might like.

The newish World of Color show is a feast for the eyes and would be worth looking into.

Tiki Room of course.

Nemo Sub ride maybe.

Aladdin show at DCA is better than any of the WDW stage shows.

Toy Story Midway Mania at DCA has much shorter lines than at WDW.

Go to Toontown in DL.

 

[HannaBelle]

Aladdin show at DCA is better than any of the WDW stage shows.

HydroGuy, do you think Aladdin is better than Nemo The Musical? We thought Nemo was pretty amazing!

 

[HydroGuy]

HydroGuy, do you think Aladdin is better than Nemo The Musical? We thought Nemo was pretty amazing!

I have seen Nemo once, B&B once and FOTLK 3-4 times, and IMO Aladdin is quite a bit better than all of them. It is closest to Nemo in terms of quality of production, but just wait until the genie starts ad libbing his one liners. You will laugh harder than you have in a long time!

FWIW, most folks who have seen the WDW shows agree that Aladdin is the best of them all.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I agree. It's better.

 

[Disney Dreams]

HydroGuy, do you think Aladdin is better than Nemo The Musical? We thought Nemo was pretty amazing!

While the shows at WDW are wonderful, Aladdin is unbelievable. It is a do not miss if you like shows. No question.

- Dreams (a theatre gal)

 

[HannaBelle]

Okay, I am in!

I cannot wait for our trip in 2013. DH & I saw Aladdin in the theater while I was pregnant with DS18 and during the magic carpet flight scene it felt like he was doing somersaults! He was hooked on Disney before he even had a chance!

I am reading, researching and compiling a list of things I think I know and additional questions for help in the future! I am hoping DL will have all the magic of WDW and lots more relaxation time. eheh I think I am mostly excited about no buses.

 

[Sea Turtles]

I'm heading out there next weekend too. Any chance of wearing shorts and flip-flops, comfortably, during the day? Need a break from NJ weather.

#boat drinks

 

[CalvaryMike]

You're going to enjoy next weekend. There's a high moving in after our little storm this weekend. Temps should be in the mid-80's starting on Thursday.

 

[disneymoon0606]

Thanks everyone! Anything we shouldn't bother with since this is a short trip? And anyone have any ideas about crowds?

Yes, I think the weather is supposed to be nice. Rainy and chilly this weekend, but warmer and dry next weekend. Keep in mind that early mornings are chilly but warm up pretty fast, but as soon as the sun goes down in the evening it cools off quickly. So shorts are going to be fine, but bring a jacket if you can!

 

[Sea Turtles]

Thanks everyone for the weather info - great news!
Have a great trip disneymoon

 

[DizFan13]

I am soooo glad that the forecast is starting to look good!

disneymoon0606, I don't know if you will need to miss anything that is available. Even though you are taking a short trip, there are quite a few closures due to the season. I think you will have time to enjoy everything. The big thing will be to pay attention to the entertainment schedule and plan for any shows that you want to see.

This will be the fourth time we have been in DLR during the last weekend of January. Normally the crowds are really low, but I think, as PPs have said, that because this is the first time the marathons are occurring this time of year, the crowds are a wait and see issue. I am more worried about the limited hours than the crowds, but that could be naive.

 

[tiggerjay]

Have you brought your kids before? If not I would recommend a couple of things:

1) Bring a stroller;
2) Take a mid day nap for everyone (I used to laugh at this but now it is almost a firm rule - the kids and parents do much better)
3) Choose the character breakfast for the specific characters more than anything else, then skip those characters when you see them in the park

Cherish your time, go as slow as you want. Create memories not checklists of things to accomplish.

Enjoy

 

[SeattleTink]

You're going to enjoy next weekend. There's a high moving in after our little storm this weekend. Temps should be in the mid-80's starting on Thursday.

Are you serious? You have totally made my day! We will be there next weekend and have just lived through one of the worst snow and ice storms Seattle has ever seen. We lost power for 2 days and have trudged through snow/ice/sludge for most of the week.

Bring on the heat! Love it.

 

[DizFan13]

Are you serious? You have totally made my day! We will be there next weekend and have just lived through one of the worst snow and ice storms Seattle has ever seen. We lost power for 2 days and have trudged through snow/ice/sludge for most of the week.

Bring on the heat! Love it.

I'm with you, SeattleTink! Vancouver has been so cold and miserable, I cannot wait for some SoCal sunshine!!!

 

[CalvaryMike]

Are you serious? You have totally made my day! We will be there next weekend and have just lived through one of the worst snow and ice storms Seattle has ever seen. We lost power for 2 days and have trudged through snow/ice/sludge for most of the week.

Bring on the heat! Love it.

Adjusted forecast. I now believe the temps will be a little lower (more around the 80 mark). But beforewarned that the temps will cool down quite a bit at dusk.

 

[SeattleTink]

Adjusted forecast. I now believe the temps will be a little lower (more around the 80 mark). But beforewarned that the temps will cool down quite a bit at dusk.

Only the low 80's, bummer.

We have had 20's and 30's this past week....so, I supposed low 80's will be okay. We are in the 40's today, practically a heat wave here in Seattle.