Help Me Plan Sept 1-2 Trip

[usschmidt]

I know many things are closing Tuesday, so Monday will be a full day ... not to mention crowded! My dd's are 5yrs/40" and 7yrs/50" tall, if that helps. I guess what I need help with is a realistic plan of attack. I've only been once with children and that was during the week kwim. I've read Hydroguy's tips but thought I'd ask for some specific input too. Here's what I know the family wants to do (feel free to add/modify/comment):

1. Aladdin
2. Haunted Mansion
3. POTC
4. Fantasmic
5. Star Tours
6. Jedi Academy
7. Buzz Lightyear
8. Winnie the Pooh
9. Soarin'

Of course there's way more than this, but most of these are things we didn't get to do our last trip. We will be returning in Nov b/c I convinced dh to buy AP's with his bonus, so it's not like we'll never be back. However I have this sneaking suspicion that Aladdin and Fantasmic are going away forever...but that's just my own paranoia.

Thanks so much!!!

 

[Gisele]

The HM, closes for the nbc overlay, on Sept. 08th, so you will be safe with your dates, keeping a close eye on the schedule for DL, via DL.com, is a very good idea, which you probably already do.
Do try to be at the park, before it opens, that way, you most likely will be able to walk on everything, and most definitely collect fast pass's, apparently, you can use them anytime, past their window of time, I use to think, it had to be by the time on the pass, but apparently, they will be accepted,well beyond that time, for that day.
Fantasmic, will be closed for refurbishment, beginning Sept. 02, 2008.

Here is the current schedule for DL and DCA, for Sept. 1 & 2:

It may be a good idea, to spend one day at DL, then the next at DCA, especially seeing how you have young children, see this way, there will be a lot less shuttling about, for there will be no need to go back and forth, that can be a killer on ones nerves.

 

[Hound 109]

I know many things are closing Tuesday, so Monday will be a full day ... not to mention crowded! My dd's are 5yrs/40" and 7yrs/50" tall, if that helps. I guess what I need help with is a realistic plan of attack. I've only been once with children and that was during the week kwim. I've read Hydroguy's tips but thought I'd ask for some specific input too. Here's what I know the family wants to do (feel free to add/modify/comment):

1. Aladdin
2. Haunted Mansion
3. POTC
4. Fantasmic
5. Star Tours
6. Jedi Academy
7. Buzz Lightyear
8. Winnie the Pooh
9. Soarin'

Of course there's way more than this, but most of these are things we didn't get to do our last trip. We will be returning in Nov b/c I convinced dh to buy AP's with his bonus, so it's not like we'll never be back. However I have this sneaking suspicion that Aladdin and Fantasmic are going away forever...but that's just my own paranoia.

Thanks so much!!!

Monday is Labor Day, so get there (in line) 45 min. early.

The attractions above would be easy to schedule (you'd be done by 1pm) if you're in line early. Consider adding 4-5 more attractions in DL & 2 in DCA so we can give you a better touring plan. Also:

- Will you take a mid day break? (i recommend it.)
- What attractions do you NOT want to ride.
- Will you be coming on Tuesday (or Sunday)?

Have fun (& give us some more attractions to "plug in")

 

[usschmidt]

You asked for it

-We drive in on Sunday, will be in the parks Mon & Tues, drive home Wed
-We already have PS at BB for 11:30
-Would love to fit as many of "special" stuff in (fireworks, parades, fantasmic, etc.)
-Will be staying at Hojo's, but don't know about going back for breaks. Last year we stayed at CCI and didn't go back at all. But we only went for 2 days and the parks were open shorter hrs.

1 = must do
2 = would like to do
3 = if there's time

Fantasyland:
1 Princess Fantasy Faire
1 Matterhorn Bobsleds
1 Alice in Wonderland
1 Dumbo the Flying Elephant
1 Mad Tea Party
1 Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
1 Peter Pan's Flight
2 Snow White's Scary Adventures
2 Casey Jr. Circus Train
2 King Arthur Carousel
2 Pinocchio's Daring Journey
2 Storybook Land Canal Boats
3 Sword In The Stone Ceremony

Tomorrowland:
1 Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
1 Star Tours
2 Astro Orbiter
2 Autopia
2 Space Mountain
3 Disneyland Monorail
3 Disneyland Railroad
3 Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
3 Innoventions

Adventureland:
1 Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room
2 Jungle Cruise
3 Indiana Jones Adventure: The Temple of the Forbidden Eye

New Orleans Square:
1 Haunted Mansion
1 POTC

Critter Country:
1 Winnie the Pooh

DCA:
1 Aladdin
1 TSMM
1 Muppets
2 anything in Bugsland
2 HSM 2

I hope I haven't ticked anyone off Please feel free to tell me to go jump off a bridge

xox-s

 

[Hound 109]

I asked for it........so i'll offer opinions. A few thoughts:

- It will be crowded on Labor Day...plan a mid day break & zig when others are zagging. (Heck, plan a mid day break anyway).
- I hope you have 3 day hoppers (so you have MM on Tuesday morning)....if not why not (since you're upgrading to APs anyway?)
- Tour & pick up FPs your first 3 hours on Monday & Tuesday. take a break each day when it's crowded. Enjoy the evening with your FPs in your pocket.

Sunday night:

- Watch DCT fireworks or Fantasmic....& do other stuff. (unless not going in on Sunday).

I was about to start with a plan, but i really need to know if you will:

- Be going into the park on Sunday afternoon/Evening.
- Will have MM for Tuesday.
- Will be going into the park Wed. morning.

(& if you're going to upgrade to an AP anyway....why not get a 4 day pass so you can enjoy MM & also you can enjoy DL for a couple hours on Sunday & Wed. ??)

 

[usschmidt]

Google maps says that it takes 6hrs to get there, but last year it took us 7hrs. It was about the same amount of time to go home too.

Sunday ~ hadn't planned on going to the park. We figured either DTD or just hanging at the pool. We have a Disney view at Hojo's so we thought maybe watching the fireworks from there...but we're open to suggestions. The girls will be tired, excited, and all of the above. Last year a visit to DTD was enough for them...but they didn't know what lay beyond kwim

Wednesday ~ we want to be on the road no later than 1pm. We have work and school the next day (actually pulling them out of school Tues and Wed as it is.) I don't want there to be a late night once we get home.

Tickets ~ I'd planned on getting 3 day hoppers so I can get MM. Sorry I forgot to mention that before.

My biggest concern is time...I don't want to miss any of the stuff that's going to be closing a long time like Aladdin and Fantasmic. But I also don't want to be running around, a slave to the schedule. Last Oct (when we went) most of the fastpasses were turned off and the parks had short hours. I have no idea how the girls (and the grownups) are gonna do lol!

Have I said and ? I've learned so much and feel like I offer nothing.

 

[Hound 109]

Good info to know. I'm going to recommend you go into the parks on Sunday because:

- You want less stress.
- You want to ensure seeing the things that might be refurbed/dark etc. later.
- I believe in front loading a day (or trip) & being more leisurely later (less stress).
- & on Tuesday morning you plan on doing 6 Fantasyland rides during MM.

Sunday: I'd try to get there by 1pm.

- The earlier you get there the better (& not too much traffic). Junk the DTD idea & go to the parks...baybee!!!
- Walk into DL & as you all take pictures the first 10 min. around town square.....have a runner run over & get FPs for Soarin & Griz. (takes 15 min. tops).
- Walk down Main St. & nab a Buzz or BTMRR FP (for later). (note: I'm assuming SM & Indy FPs are gone)
- Do whatever you want to do for 2 hours. (maybe Jungle ride & Pirates Lair....or POTC & Winnie Pooh....or Pinocchio/Snow White & Storybookland) Note - It might be crazy crowded....if it is, check out attractions with smaller lines (Tiki Room/Snow White/Winnie Pooh/Pirates Lair etc.....the goal is to enjoy DL & pick up 2 FPs prior to hopping to DCA.
- Pick up a Buzz or BTMRR FP on your way OUT of DL & into DCA.
- Griz Rapids, Soarin, Dinner (the Trat?, Corny Dogs? Big BreadBowl of soup?) Bugs Life area? Crush or Monsters? Whatever....relax & have fun.
(It might be crowded....no worries....check out Muppets, Redwood Trail, maybe Aladdin or places where the crowds arent' bothersome.)
- Back to DL for Buzz & BTMRR & then Fantasmic. (or Fantasmic THEN BTMRR & Buzz.)

Fantasmic is out of the way & if weather postpones it....you can do it on Monday.

Monday: (Got to do Aladdin)

Be in line 40-45 min. prior to opening.
- Indy (or SM) FP.
- Jungle Cruise.
- POTC.
- HM.
- Splash FP.
- Pooh/Pirates Lair/Canoes etc.
- &/or Star Tours then Jedi Training.
- Buzz or Autopia FP (Indy?/SM?).

If it starts getting too crowded at some point above....just hop over to DCA....but try to have at least 3 (or 4) FPs for Monday night.

Hop to DCA:

- Griz & Soarin (or Screamin) FP.
- Check Schedule & work in: Aladdin or HSM2 or Crush.
- Work Bugsland & / or Muppets & Monsters around these.
- Soarin (or Screamin....note you can single ride Screamin while the kids ride Triton's Carousel next to it....if need be).
- Check out the TSMM line.
- Griz (& get wet cause you're heading back to the hotel)
- Hojo for a rest/swim. A nap would be great.

Back to DL.

- Grab a FP right away (Runner to Splash? BTMRR? Buzz?)
- Star Tours/Roger Rabbit FP/Tiki Room/Jungle Ride/Caseys/Sword Ceremony/Storybookland/Pinocchio/SW/Jeddi/Princess Fantasy Faire? (note - long lines...avoid....short lines or events....do).
- Grab another FP (Runner for Splash? BTMRR? Autopia?)
- Watch a parade. Have dinner. eat a dole whip or churro. See if Nemo line is too long.
- Use your FPs that you picked up in the morning. (SM? Indy? Buzz? Splash? BTMRR? RR?)
- Watch the wonderful fireworks.
- Back to the motel (or check out Nemo line....or use up remaining FPs)

Tuesday - MM & FL !!!

- In line 35-45 min. before MM opening.
- In order.....PP
- Dumbo
- Alice
- Matterhorn (both sides), (note there's a bathroom next to Alice but try not to use till after the Matterhorn)
- Toady (or Teacups)
- Teacups (or Toady)
(NOTE: at this point....you might want to do "check out" Nemo if the line is under 30 min. & it's a "must do")

...but if no Nemo....then finally in FL.....

- Carousel/SW/Pinochio.
- But at the 50 min. mark....bail on FL & be walking over to either:
- Indy or SM FP. (I like to do the left side of the park after MM so I would do......)
- Indy FP
- BTMRR (2 times)
- Pirates
- HM
- Splash FP (or if too early...then...
- Pooh
- Pooh corner (then Splash FP)
- Pirates Lair
- The DL RR to wherever you want to go next (Tomorrowland? the front gate?)

(It's probably noon at this point & look how much you've done).

Note - At this point in your trip you've probably done 90% of the stuff on your list....so no worries.

The most important thing is to get there EARLY on Monday & Tuesday morning & collect 3-5 FPs as you tour the first 3-4 hours. (& hop to DCA if it gets crowded)....Then the remainder of both of these days you can relax/enjoy & "fill in" the rest of the attractions on your list.

IMO - Don't waste early morning on Nemo or TSMM. Check these out during afternoons on Monday or Tuesdays.

Hopefully others will chime in. I was free forming (w/o Ridemax)....others might have other (better ideas). I know that SS Columbia did a trip planner for another diser....I'd be curious how similar it might be to the above. The details or order might be different, but the general philosophy will be similar.

& don't send a postcard.....but give us a Trip report or bullet point "trip post" here.....telling us how your girls destroyed the "Darths" & the highs & lows of the 3 day visit.......& be sure to say hi to Toadie for me.

hound

 

[usschmidt]

I'm loving this plan so far!!!! As a repayment, can I get you anything while I'm there? map, send a postcard, etc?

BTW what time do I need to get to Anaheim on Sunday to make these current plans work?

 

[Hound 109]

I'm loving this plan so far!!!! As a repayment, can I get you anything while I'm there? map, send a postcard, etc?

BTW what time do I need to get to Anaheim on Sunday to make these current plans work?

The earlier you get to the Parks the better. Hopefully others will offer opinions who have toured with little girls & have different touring thoughts.

Have fun at Walt's park!

 

[usschmidt]

Thanks again!!! I probably should have just purchased ridemax, but I trust a human more...especially a DISer

Any other comments would be greatly appreciated...I'm an equal opportunity listener!