Help me plan our days :-) 2 grown princesses

[woodynjessiesmomma]

My BFF had to cancel so now just one friend and I are going. We are both mom's going kid free but still excited to see the Disney magic/meet characters (and she is pregnant and will be about 16wks during the trip). I've been once with my family, she has never been at all. We are going January 2nd-January 6th.
We arrive late morning on Saturday the 2nd and are renting a car and will drive to San Diego to meet family, see the ocean, and then check into DLH.
Not knowing the park hours is bothering me a little but I grabbed a couple dining reservations anyway.

-Sunday, January 3rd, I got Ariel's Grotto for lunch. My main goal is to see Aladdin so we are starting at DCA. We have hoppers so we can go to DL later if we want. Planning to grab FPs for WOC.
-Monday, January 4th, I got Plaza reservations for 8:10am. I'm assuming 9am park open, but if we could be riding rides I would prefer a late morning/early lunch reservation. No specific plans otherwise.
-Tuesday, January 5th, can book tomorrow and planning BB F! meal. Again no specific plans otherwise.
-Wednesday fly out of SNA early afternoon so nothing big this day.

I love paper FPs and being able to kinda wing it, but I am not a DL expert so any specific advice/tips are greatly appreciated. I way over planned my family's DL trip and I don't want to do that again. Hours should come out in the next 2-4 weeks, right?
Thanks!

 

[figment_jii]

It's worth noting that the parks will probably be pretty busy during this period. The holiday season official ends on January 6th (although some elements will probably remain in place through the weekend). The holiday season AP blockouts end on Sun (1/3) and Mon (1/4) for the Deluxe and SoCal Select/SoCal APs. So my guess is you'll see an uptick on crowds on Monday and Tuesday as those AP holders come into the parks to see the holiday decor and offerings one last time, to see the Rivers of America area, F!, and the train before the close for a year (or more), and Big Thunder Ranch/BBQ and Aladdin one last time before the close permanently at the end of day on January 10.

Hours should come out in the next 2-4 weeks, right?

Yes, operating hours are generally released about 45-days/6-weeks in advance. So the early-January hours should be out in the next 2 to 3 weeks (baring some issues with the schedule).

 

[woodynjessiesmomma]

Thanks! We picked these dates as our last chance to see the same things. Our kids go back to school 1/4, but since booking I've read that LA schools don't go back until 1/10 so it will be a busy week. We can't change so we will just go with the flow. Would it be better to start at DL and go to DCA Monday or Tuesday?

 

[VandVsmama]

Re: Plaza Inn breakfast on Mon 1/4...
Monday are usually not EMH days at Disneyland, so if you got an 8:10 am reservation time, then that means that the park probably opens at 8:00 am that day.

Disney now has a very helpful Disneyland app for smart phones that has ride wait times and even FP return times on it...plus entertainment info, where different characters will be & at what times throughout the day.

 

[figment_jii]

Given that you're staying at the DLH and have access to EMH, I would take advantage of that (especially in DCA). DCA has EMH on both Sundays and Mondays (normally) and DL has EMH/MM on Tuesdays (normally). So I would start in DCA on Sunday (at EMH) and head to whichever attractions are your biggest priority (e.g., RSR, TSMM, Soarin', etc.) and then when the park opens to everyone, get the FP for WoC and whichever attraction you want. After that, you can either remain in DCA or hop over to DL.

Yes, several of the local school districts are out until the following Monday. To get a sense of which schools are out, you can check out the 2016 Calendar of Events thread.

 

[VandVsmama]

Thanks! We picked these dates as our last chance to see the same things. Our kids go back to school 1/4, but since booking I've read that LA schools don't go back until 1/10 so it will be a busy week. We can't change so we will just go with the flow. Would it be better to start at DL and go to DCA Monday or Tuesday?

Many other schools go back in session on Monday 1/4...lots of Arizona schools, for example, and lots of other school districts in California. Plus, for many other parts of the country, 1/4 will be the first day back at school after Christmas break. So while Sunday 1/3 will still be a busy day, I don't think you'll get as many vacationers there as you would the rest of the Christmas break season because it will be a travel day for most of those people.

Start on Sunday at Disneyland in the morning, preferably starting at rope drop. Keep your Ariel's Grotto reservation for lunch. The theater that houses Aladdin has an enormous amount of seating, so I doubt you'll have problems finding a seat for any of the performances that day.

Monday 1/4:
Consider switching your Plaza Inn reservation to 10:00 or 10:30 am. Eat a light breakfast in your room or use "grab and go" items to eat in line at rope drop. Go on rides all morning when the crowds are low and by 10-10:30 am, you'll be ready for a break.

 

[Girimama33]

I am not sure if F! will be available on a Tuesday during that time. Your only option to see it may be on Sunday.

 

[figment_jii]

It'll be interesting to see what happens with F!. Last year, they presented it through Monday (1/5/15), but the holiday season didn't end until the next day (1/6/15). It'll be interesting to see if they offer F! nightly through 1/10/16 or if they reduce the schedule after New Year.

 

[woodynjessiesmomma]

It'll be interesting to see what happens with F!. Last year, they presented it through Monday (1/5/15), but the holiday season didn't end until the next day (1/6/15). It'll be interesting to see if they offer F! nightly through 1/10/16 or if they reduce the schedule after New Year.

Definitely. Will showtimes be included with park hours in the next few weeks?

 

[figment_jii]

Lately they have been posting entertainment at the 45-day/6-week point, but there have been times when the entertainment information wasn't posted until closer to the 30-day mark. One way to know about F! is to check and see if they're offering the dining package for your date. If they are, then there should be a show. If they aren't, then it either means there is no show or it means the dates have not yet been loaded into the system (either is equally possible).