Going Nov 9-15, lots of ?'s

[usschmidt]

I've been here about a month and I just have to say !!!!

So my dd's will be 5 and 7 when we go in Nov. This will be their 2nd trip (we went for 2 days last Oct and stayed at the Candy Cane Inn.) My dh and I only went once before then...when we were kids ourselves in the 1970's lol. Needless to say we're ALL beyond measure. Here are my questions:

1. It's only $300 more to buy AP's...should we do it? Could we get a good enough deal that way to make staying at DLH comparable to CCI? (We live in NorCal, so going to DL isn't totally kwim.)

2. I know that buying a food plan doesn't really save me any $, but do AP holders get a discount...esp on Character Meals? (We did Ariel's Grotto last time and will prob do Goofy's Breakfast this time.)

3. Is it difficult to get the kids a reservation at Pinocchio's Workshop? That's a big reason why we'd like to stay on property...we'd LOVE some grown-up time ... to ride the rides, really!

4. EE...is it all that it's cracked up to be? (I'm sure it is, but I'd like to hear it from the experts.) This would also be a deciding factor for staying on property.

5. Decor...how Christmasy will it be? The girls thought the Halloween stuff was last year.

6. Rides/shows...do you think Small World will be running by then? How scary is Snow White's ride (compared to Haunted Mansion for instance)? Would a small 5yo ever get picked for Jedi Training? Anything new that's a must-see?

in advance!!!! Please feel free to ask me any questions, tell me to relax, or whatever

Susan, Mommy to 2 girlies
Genevieve 8/01
Mikayla 8/03

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

Hi,

I can't answer everything but I do have a few thoughts.

1. I would only buy the annual pass if you plan to visit again. IMO for 1 trip you won't get enough of a break with the discounts to make it worth the extra $300.

2. I know that several places in the park offer you a discount for food (10% I think) but you can also get discounts (10%) at some food places with your AAA card or Disney Visa if you have one of those.
AAA-Plaza Inn
Character meals
Disney Visa-Rancho Del Zocal
Red Rockets Pizza
Pizza O Mow Mow

4. EE is worth it if you can get your bootie out of bed and get the kids ready. This will be a great opportunity for you to get all of your fantasy land rides done early with little waits or nemo, space, indiana jones

5. I don't think the x-mas decor will be up yet. I think that might be right after Thanksgiving. Some correct me if I am wrong...

 

[cccdisney]

We have used Pinnochio's workshop twice with our kids and never had problems getting in. Both times we didn't reserve a spot until we were already at the hotel. Once was in Feb and the other Oct.
As far as Jedi Training I can say we have done it many times and my son seems to always get picked. They take quite a few kids for "training" of all ages. They pick them right after the show starts so be sure to be early and have your daughter sit in the front area on the floor. It would probably help if she was jumping up and down and really really excited when they start picking kids from the crowd.

 

[usschmidt]

Thanks so much for the quick replies! I'd love to hear more

Jedi Training...when we were there a little boy had one of those posters like you see at The Price Is Right...even the Jedi Master thought that was cute. I'd totally forgotten until you commented.

Dining tips...TY I totally forgot to use my AAA card the whole time we were there lol. I think dh and I were just as awe-struck as the girls.

 

[pixiewings71]

We live in CA too and we have AP's. We've used them soooooooooo much this year!! It's been crazy really. LOL I've gone more in the past 8 months than in my entire life. LOL I don't know if the AP rates will be less at the DLR hotels but you never know. We use our AP's for restaurants and shopping. Just ask everywhere and see what they say. We have the premium so we have blackout dates. Now we wish we had bought Deluxe for no blackouts but alas we weren't sure how much we would really use them. Well, we are really using them. We are 6 hours away (driving) in the Bay Area but we make a trip once a month!!

EE isn't something we do so for us it's not worth it. For us it's worth it to sleep longer but a lot of people love it.

Jedi Training, no clue, we have yet to do it.

Christmas decor goes up after Thanksgiving to the best of my remembrance, but that might be wrong.

HTH

 

[dhlovesbelle]

we are going to be there at the exact same time! I am too excited that I feel the 7 plus months seems too far away still But it will go quickly and I really just cannot wait! Have fun planning, which, imho, is a fantastic part of a DL trip

 

[usschmidt]

Pixiewings we live in the South Bay but can't imagine going once a month. Do you leave on a Fri after work and come back Sunday night?

 

[Raidermouse]

I've been here about a month and I just have to say !!!!

5. Decor...how Christmasy will it be? The girls thought the Halloween stuff was last year.

Christmas full decore and kickoff was the Friday before Thanksgiving last year.
So according to the calendar it would be the 21st this year.Since they do up Halloween so much now it has pushed back the Christmas season.

Do any of the veterans want to correct or confrim this?

 

[pixiewings71]

Pixiewings we live in the South Bay but can't imagine going once a month. Do you leave on a Fri after work and come back Sunday night?

Pretty much. Every few months we either take Friday off or Monday off and stay an extra day. We plan that around the kids vacations. We've also left work early on Friday and just left as soon as the girls get home, then we are at the hotel around 10 or so (allowing time to stop for dinner on the way) and then we run to the parks for a couple hours before closing. We leave Sunday by 4 in the afternoon and drive back.

 

[disneymom23]

Pretty much. Every few months we either take Friday off or Monday off and stay an extra day. We plan that around the kids vacations. We've also left work early on Friday and just left as soon as the girls get home, then we are at the hotel around 10 or so (allowing time to stop for dinner on the way) and then we run to the parks for a couple hours before closing. We leave Sunday by 4 in the afternoon and drive back.

Hi Pixie,

We are driving back to the East Bay on a Wednesday. What time do we need to get out of Anaheim to avoid major traffic? We have 8:30 reservations at Lilo and Stitch and then I wanted to see Aladdin at 12:30. I was thinking lunch after that and then getting on the road. What do you think?

 

[DangerMouse]

Christmas full decore and kickoff was the Friday before Thanksgiving last year.
So according to the calendar it would be the 21st this year.Since they do up Halloween so much now it has pushed back the Christmas season.

Do any of the veterans want to correct or confrim this?

I'll confirm it.

However, I'm sure the OP will see much of the holiday decor actually being installed while she is there, even though the holiday entertainment won't be in full swing yet.

 

[usschmidt]

DangerMouse, I'm so jealous! We saw every princess up close and personal multiple times...all except Aurora!!!! My odd was so upset! We told her she must have been visiting WDW.

Everyone else...thanks so much for all your input! I'm so excited that it's hard not to just jump in the car right now!

 

[pixiewings71]

Hi Pixie,

We are driving back to the East Bay on a Wednesday. What time do we need to get out of Anaheim to avoid major traffic? We have 8:30 reservations at Lilo and Stitch and then I wanted to see Aladdin at 12:30. I was thinking lunch after that and then getting on the road. What do you think?

I would say get on the road by 2pm or wait until after 8 pm. If you leave later than 2 you will hit traffic and even leaving at 2 you might hit some. Or waiting until after 8 works because most of the traffic clears out by then. Drive safe!!