Help me get excited and plan!

[kwgilley]

Our first family trip to DL was May 2010. We had the most excellent time thanks to DIS! We had so much fun, I literally cried when we had to leave the last day. I had everything planned out, clothes packed, and food purchased weeks in advance.

Our 2nd trip is in 2 weeks and I have NOTHING planned! We chose the dates months ago, but then I found out about grad nights and got a little discouraged. But the opening of ST and LM the day before we arrive has me completely panicked. I am so worried about the crowds, etc.

We (Me, DH, DD16, DS12, DS10) will be there June 4 to June 11 (Sat-Sat) with 6 day hoppers. Plan to do the beach and local sightseeing the extra days. Park closes early on Wed(8) and Thurs(9) for grad nights. MM's are Sat(4), Sun(5), Tues(7), Wed(8), and Sat(11).

1 - Which days would you do the parks?
2 - We followed the UG touring plan last time. Would it still be a good choice?
3 - When would you do MM?
4 - I've told the kids not to plan on riding ST or LM at all because the lines will be so long. Am I right?

If you have the time, I would appreciate your advice!

ETA: Our only 'for sure' day at parks is Sat the 4th. No way will the kids go for driving all day the 3rd and then no Disney (me too!).

 

[kwgilley]

Wow! Just reread my post. I sure hope I don't sound like I'm whining about going to DISNEYLAND!! Not my intent. I'm just feeling a bit overwhelmed right now and could use some help sorting things out.

TIA, Wendy

 

[DLR29]

With 6 day park hoppers, I can't see how you couldn't do Star Tours and/or Little Mermaid. Remember, Star Tours will have FP, which will help out for that line. And if you want to do Little Mermaid, you only have to devote 1 of your mornings to it. I would definitely not simply write them off.

I would do MM ASAP because you'll get tired later on in the trip, so definitely either the first Saturday or Sunday.

I might take Monday and Tuesday off from the parks because no AP holders are blocked out those days. That means all of those So. Cal AP holders will be rushing to the parks to ride the new stuff. However on Wednesday-Saturday they are blocked out. AP blockout days have, in the past, greatly affected crowds, especially around times where new stuff opens.

 

[kwgilley]

Thanks for your advice! Good point on the MM earlier in the trip - we saved ours 'til the end last time and that was a mistake. I wasn't sure which would be better: no ap blackouts with reg hours vs blackouts with shortened grad hrs. Sounds like you think the 2nd option might be better. Thanks again, Wendy

 

[MickeyManiac]

Hey fellow Utahn...
We will be at DL the same time you are. We have been during Grad Nites in the past and actually enjoyed having an earlier night. We managed to get to bed at a decent time and recharge our internal batteries.

We are planning to go to the beach on Monday.

Hey, maybe we can take some of this rain with us and the parks won't be so busy.

 

[Dobie]

Are you staying on site? If you are, check out the posts about the Little Mermaid FP.

 

[lapdwife]

We are planning to go to the beach on Monday.

Hey, maybe we can take some of this rain with us and the parks won't be so busy.

Umm, no we don't want rain!

Your kids are old enough to hang in the long lines. There's no reason why you couldn't visit the new attractions. I'm a believer in not over-planning things. I see people here with such detailed plans for their vacations, which takes part of the vacation part out of it IMO. It takes a lot to get me to the parks on a Sunday. To me, they're the most crowded day of the week. I'll do any Saturday of the year.

 

[kwgilley]

@MickeyManiac - It better not be still raining (or hailing!!!) here by then! So, so sick of it. California 'June Gloom' will be an improvement

 

[kwgilley]

@Dobie - Unfortunately, we are not staying onsite. LM FP's would be awesome!

 

[MickeyManiac]

Umm, no we don't want rain!

Your kids are old enough to hang in the long lines. There's no reason why you couldn't visit the new attractions. I'm a believer in not over-planning things. I see people here with such detailed plans for their vacations, which takes part of the vacation part out of it IMO. It takes a lot to get me to the parks on a Sunday. To me, they're the most crowded day of the week. I'll do any Saturday of the year.

Completely joking about the rain. It's been raining here nonstop for weeks. I've missed the sun and can't wait to be reintroduced.


I completely agree with you about over-planning. It adds so much stress to my vacation. I do plan to some degree (or I wouldn't always be on the Dis) but we've also learned to be flexible. We we're at the parks a couple of years ago and the afternoons were CRAZY busy. We decided it was the perfect time to do things that we hadn't done before or often. That was one of my favorite trips.

 

[Shimmer]

You've got some great things working in your favor: your kids are older and can help plan AND be more patient. Also, you've recently been so you know the lay of the land and don't have to ride every ride if you don't want.

Here's how I would 'plan' my time if I were taking your trip.
1. Start with the evening events you want to do (F!, WOC, fireworks). Pick the best days to do those.
2. Then look at the daytime shows/parades you want to do and pick those days.
3. Then, look at which MM works for you. Since MM is good for Fantasyland you'll have to ask your kids if they wish to do those rides. If they do, it's a good chance to get those done without big lines.
4. I would stand in line for the new rides with kids of this age. Hard to know which days/times would be better but I'd bet on toward the evening during parades and shows. I'd just plan to hop in line and WAIT but get the reward of riding 2 brand-new rides in the opening month. Then you can know you OPENED those rides.
5. I'd likely lean away from going on the days of grad nights...although DCA will be open and would be a good night for WOC.
6. Finally...I'd be super-flexible based on weather. I'd want the best day for the beach so I'd have a couple that I'd plan on using and then decide when we are there.

You've done a trip with firm plans. Try this one without...you might really like it. With older kids, park experience, and a recent visit under your belts it's a good time to be relaxed.

HAVE FUN!!

 

[kwgilley]

@lapdwife - I agree on the overplanning. Probably did that a bit last time. BUT, I did like having a list....no standing around deciding where to go next (which makes me CRAZY) and we saw and did everything we wanted to. And then some. I could never schedule down to the minute, etc.

I think we will try the new rides! Within reason. I've heard about 6 hour lines for other ride openings....no way! FP should help, right?

 

[TravelingJen24]

Sometimes it is fun to go and just not have any plans. I know many people wouldn't agree, but it works great for us. We go to the parks when it feels right, hang by the pool, relax, etc.

I would hit the parks early in the morning. That way you get the most out of your time. Don't fret. You will have a wonderful time...

 

[lapdwife]

We're at DL so often (at least once a week), I obviously just wing it. Now I will admit to doing a little planning our first WDW visit. It was solely based on when I could get ADR's for the specific restaurants I wanted to go to. Our last trip to WDW, I wrote down ideas for the day (like which park) and the kids got to draw from a hat each day what we'd do. It turned out to be fun. Here, I agree- go with the best beach day. Living on the beach I'll tell you the spring/early summer gloom can be a buzz kill until noon-ish.

Yes, hit the parks early! Even us being 16 miles from the resort can never seem to get ourselves there for rope drop! So you've got a head start on a lot of people. And then you'll have those still sitting in parking structure traffic. Last Sunday it took us 20 minutes to get to the parking booth guy.

 

[kwgilley]

Thanks, everyone, for your help and advice! We have a SIMPLE plan now and I'm not feeling so overwhelmed. I really appreciate you all taking the time to help me out.

@Shimmer - I loved your suggestions - especially planning night entertainment first. Thanks!

Beginning our 7 day countdown today! WOOT! WOOT!

 

[pinktink83]

1 - which days would you do the parks?
i would go on all the days except for the wed and thurs grad days

3 - when would you do mm?
every single morning its offered!!

4 - i've told the kids not to plan on riding st or lm at all because the lines will be so long. Am i right?
nah!!! You'll be there 5 days!!! On one of your mms go straight to star tours and get in line. I bet it won't take more than an hour to get on. Then go over to dca as soon as you get off. I cant remember exactly (can someone help me out here???) but i know dca sometimes open earlier than the time posted ont he schedule. Is that only on mms? Or in general? I *think* it might be on mms! So head over there an hour early! You may spend one whole morning on those two rides, but you'll still have plenty of time to do everything else imo.

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