Help with itinerary for Saturday October 15th & Sunday October 16th

[shellbell44]

Hello, we are going to Disneyland in Aneheim on Saturday October 15th & Sunday October 16th. We won't have the early admission. I will be with my husband, 8 year old daughter, and 6 month old baby. I would appreciate any sample itineraries to make sure we get through a lot of the fun kid & adult rides that you recommend. We can take a break in the middle of the day, use the rider switch, & stay late. I have a character breakfast booked at one of the hotels on Monday morning before we leave. I also have a character breakfast booked Saturday at 1020am at The Plaza Inn, but thought it might be better cancel & go on Monday instead to have more time at the park on Saturday. Please advise. Thanks for your help!

 

[CandMmommy]

Plaza inn is my fav breakfast in the park. Really good character breakfast. But it will eat into your park time.
Get your RSR fast pass early on Sunday morning. Use rider switch and your daughter can go twice!

 

[shellbell44]

Thank you, we will make sure to do that. I appreciate the tips.

 

[smartlabelprint]

If you can get to plaza inn early it's worth it. The one that starts before the park opens.

http://dlrprepschool.com/my-favorite-7-day-disneyland-trip-plan-for-families/ This site may have a 2 day plan.

Also don't feel hard on yourself about doing all the attractions. 3 days is minimum and 4 for me with a baby.

 

[DLRExpert]

I am going to assume CA equals California Adventure or DCA (Disney California Adventure)

Since you do not have access to the Early Magic Hour (EMH), I would visit DCA on Saturday since DL will be having its EMH and then visit DL on Sunday since DCA will be having its EMH.

Which means I would recommend changing your Plaza Inn reservation from Saturday to Sunday or just cancel it all together and grab a small breakfast before you visit the parks as the first 3 hours of an 8am opening are most important.

Use the Child Swap or Single Rider where it makes sense for you.

Use the official Disneyland App to check FP return times.

DCA on the 15th
730am: Arrive at the entrance to the park 30 minutes before it opens to the public.
745am: You should be inside the park at Buena Vista Street waiting for the park to officially open. Stay at the rope drop leading towards Soarin Over California.
8am-930am: Grab Fastpass (FP) for Soarin as soon as the park opens, then head through Grizzly River Trail towards Paradise Pier and ride Toy Story Midway Mania first, followed by California Screamin, Mickey's Funwheel, Symphony Swings, Goofy's Sky School, Jumpin Jellyfish, and Golden Zephyr. Save Mermaid for later as that attraction rarely has a line at all.
930am-11am: Before you use that FP for Soarin, grab FP for Frozen Musical, then FP for Radiator Springs Racers (RSR), then use FP for Soarin, grab FP for the World of Color, then ride Grizzly River Run.
11am Lunch or go back to the hotel
If you go back to the hotel , just make sure you can come back in before Tower of Terror FP sells out.

DL on the 16th
730am: Arrive at the entrance to the park 30 minutes before it opens to the public.
745am: You should be inside the park at Main Street. However, this time, you want to be as close to the rope as you can.
8am-930am: As soon as the rope drops head towards the castle and ride Peter Pan first. If it looks like a line longer than 30 minutes has build up skip it. DO NOT trust what the wait time says at the opening. It starts at 30 minutes. After Peter Pan, ride Dumbo, then Alice in Wonderland, ride Matterhorn after only if you do not want to use the Single Rider line later, then Casey Jr, Pinocchio, and Snow White.
930am-1130am: Ride the Jungle Cruise, Grab FP for Indiana Jones, then Big Thunder Mountain, Haunted Mansion Holiday, Pirates of Caribbean, grab FP for Space Mountain, use FP for Indiana Jones.
1130am: Lunch
1230pm-4pm: Head toward Tomorrowland. Before you use the FP for Space Mountian, grab FP for Star Tours then another FP immediately for Buzz Lightyear Astroblaster, use FP for Space Mountain. Now you play the waiting game until you can use your Astroblaster and Star Tours FP. DO NOT ride attractions like Nemo Submarines and Storybook Land. They will have lower lines once night comes. Attractions like It's a Small World, Autopia, Matterhorn Single Rider, and the Tiki Room are perfect attractions to visit while waiting to use FPs.
4pm Go back to the hotel and come back at night when you are ready. Big Thunder Mountain FP is a great one to get as the night ride is a bit better than the day ride.

Hope this helps,

ME

 

[shellbell44]

Thank you smartlabelprint, I will see if I can get an earlier reservation & checked out that website.
Wow, DLR expert, the itineraries are incredible. Thank you! Sorry for the typo, we hadn't planned to go to California Adventure, but we are set if we do!
As of now, we are planning on Disneyland for both Saturday & Sunday. I made Plaza Inn reservations both days at 10am, because I had planned on cancelling one. Do you think it's best to cancel both & go to the character breakfast at the Paradise Pier on Monday before we leave town? Or keep one since we are going to Disneyland both days? Thank you!!

 

[DLRExpert]

Go ahead and use this itinerary for the day you go to the Plaza Inn breakfast. Use the DL itinerary above for the other day at Disneyland.

730am: Arrive at the entrance to the park 30 minutes before it opens to the public.
745am: You should be inside the park at Main Street.
8am-850am: As soon as the rope drops head towards the Finding Nemo Submarines and ride that first, then Storybook Land
850am-950am: Head to Toontown. If you get there right before 9am you will see the opening of Toontown. The main characters come to greet you and sometimes they will walk side by side holding hands with the young guests. Once in Toontown start at Mickey's House, then Gadget Go Coaster, Minnies House, Donalds House, Goofy's House, and ride Roger Rabbit. Head to the Plaza Inn for breakfast. DO NOT ride Small World as that line is really never that long later in the day.
10am Plaza Inn, but before that have someone in your group grab FP. Star Tours and Buzz (disconnected) are the closest to the Plaza Inn. This way you have FP waiting for you after your meal.
1130am: After the meal and before you use the FP you currently have, go ahead and grab your next FP.
Keep in mind that Space Mountain FP usually sells out first, Indiana Jones and Haunted Mansion are a toss up next, Star Tours after that, Big Thunder and Roger Rabbit FP usually last until the end of the day.

ME

 

[goooof1]

Minnie's Breakfast at Plaza Inn has the most characters, so it is a good one. We like to go around 10am or so after being in the park early and taking advantage of less crowds. Be sure to get there at rope drop! Also, by waiting until 10 or so, it gives us a nice break and a filling brunch, so we are set for the afternoon. (you can get lots done in those early morning hours!)