Help me with my December Itinerary!

[TangledMama]

We are leaving one week from today!!! My family (DH, DS9, and DD3) is going to DLR with my brother, his wife, and 3 children (DDs 16 and 5, DS 4 months), and our parents Dec 5th - 12th. Our grandparents live about an hour away from Anaheim, so they will be joining us mid-week for a character breakfast on our non-park day.

Planning a trip with this many people is proving to be difficult. Two years ago, ten of us went to WDW. Our trip went well, but I had a very defined plan. This time has been a lot different, as I can't get anyone to commit to anything (including myself!) My brother's family will be joining mine in a DVC stay in a 2 bedroom at VGC, while my parents will be offsite at a hotel on Harbor.

Right now, I know that we will have at least 4 park days (brother and family got 4 day parkhoppers, but will be going to Legoland on the 5th day. I'm undecided about Legoland, but mostly leaning towards just letting him take my kids for the day and either having a relaxing resort day to myself, or getting a 5 day hopper).

Our very basic itinerary looks like this:

Saturday - Arrival day
Sunday - Park day (without parents)
Monday - Park day (with parents), planning to go to Royal Member Gathering DVC event at 8am, entering DL at 9am?
Tuesday - Park day (without parents)
Wednesday - Resort day, character breakfast
Thursday - Legoland day
Friday - Park day (with parents)
Saturday - Departure day

I'm most concerned with coming up with a good touring plan for Monday and Friday. I've asked my parents to give me a list of their priorities (as well as attractions they do not want to see at all), so I can make the most of the time they will be in the parks with us. I also want to show them the best of what DCA has to offer, since neither of them have been there before (and my dad is not pleased that we are not going to WDW). My mom does not do thrill rides, although she is willing to try out RSR. My dad will do some of the milder thrill rides. They will have park hopper tickets. We'll arrive at park opening, probably have to take a short mid-day break, and will leave after the nighttime shows. Here are their top priorities:

My Mom's Top Choices:
Davy Crockett Canoes (she has great memories of these from her childhood - I'm hoping they are open this week)
Tom Sawyer Island
Toy Story Midway Mania
Haunted Mansion Holiday
Winnie the Pooh
it's a small world

My Dad's Top Choices:

Matterhorn
Space Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain
Splash Mountain
Lincoln
Peter Pan

At WDW, they really love the Lion King show at AK, so I would like for them to see Aladdin and Mickey and the Magical Map. Besides RSR and TSMM, I'm not really sure what to show them at DCA. Neither will ride Soarin', TOT, or most of the rides on Paradise Pier. I'd also like them to see World of Color and the Disneyland Forever Fireworks as well as Paint the Night, and possibly A Christmas Fantasy Parade. Help me plan these two days so my dad doesn't continue to say we should have gone to WDW instead! LOL. Any suggestions on how to squeeze all this into two days are appreciated!

I'll leave you with some pictures of our WDW trip in December 2013.

 

[ADLFAN]

Ha ha, why is your dad such a WDW fan? I admit I have never been, and the only thing tempting me to investigate further are the awesome resorts and the plethora of dining options! Is that what he's missing? I mean, aside from those educational type attractions in Epcot, we have most of the rides in California!

DCA serves alcohol like most of WDW, so there are a few nice spots to grab an evening cocktail like the lounge at Carthay Circle, the Cove Bar, and the Terrace (I want to say Sonoma Terrace?) at Wine Country Trattoria. Those places also have some delicious sounding appetizers and small plates. The lounge in the GCH and Trader Sams at the Disneyland Hotel might also be fun to explore.

For dining, have you ever done or looked into the Blue Bayou in Disneyland ? They have great food and you get to eat inside the Pirates of the Carribean! Adults and kids both love it! Cafe Orleans is also amazing and offers the best people watching along the river. In DCA, check out the World Of Color dining packages that include a Fastpass to the show in a reserved area and a meal at Carthay Circle, Ariels Grotto, or Wine Country Trattoria. If you are planning to watch the show, and you should because it is beautiful and unique, it might be nice to work in a relaxing table service meal.

Definitely get Fastpasses for Aladdin and maybe check out the other show in DCA, the Frozen Sing Along. For a fantastic first look at Carsland, show up right before dusk and watch the lighting of the neon! For better results, view Cars right before your trip and you'll see its done just like in the movie! So adorable!

Have fun planning!

 

[chickapin parterre]

Peter pan on friday for your dad if you are a rope drop visitor. If not a rope drop visitor, then have Dad wait the hour or more in Peter Pan line as rest of folks participate in other surrounding attractions. everything else for parents looks great. You will loose the best day in the park , that being Wednesday morning, and if you are tired Sunday night, that exhaustion will be increased if you choose to leave the park in the evening with the tiny visitors. So look carefully on how you want exit the park anytime on Sunday.