Help with itinerary-Haven't been in 6 years

[CherylGonz]

I need help figuring out what days to do what parks and what day to do a Hollywood/Beach tour. I thought there used to be information out there that told you what are the better days to go to each park. Once upon a time I thought there was information out there regarding what were the better days at each park.

Here is some background info.....there are 5 of us. 2 Adults and 3 kids (17,15,9). We are staying at the Fairfield Marriot. We are doing 5 days in the parks and 1 offsite tour. We plan on being to the gate at opening and taking breaks in the afternoon. I have to make sure my 9 yr old DD gets plenty of rest or she will be cranky. We will probably split up in the parks as well since said 9 yr old will not do any of the big rides and I'm not sure if rider switch will slow us down.

Weds 6/22 arrive SNA 10:28am. Check out DtD. Maybe do Goofy's Kitchen instead of getting up early for Plaza Inn. Been to Goofy's the last time we were there.
Thus 6/23 Park (Do we use our MM at DL?) Would really like to start at DL because everyone will be excited
Fri 6/24 Park DL since DCA has EM
Sat 6/25 Do Greyline tour of LA/Hollywood/Beaches?
Sun 6/26 Do DCA or use MM at DL?
Mon 6/27 avoid DCA because of EM?
Tue 6/28
Weds 6/29 Flight leaves 8:25pm so we will swim in the AM and go to Dtd to hang out.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Disney_Alli]

If it was me...
6/22 - Check in get settled then do Goofy's Kitchen for a fairly early dinner - maybe also pop in to Trader Sam's prior to 8pm to see the effects (that's the cut-off time for kids right DL vets?)
6/23 - I would use you MM now. Since you want to start at DL and you'll already be well rested from the early night on arrival day. If you want to do Fantasyland stuff start there otherwise start in Tomorrowland and do Space and Star Tours since they are so popular right now with the Season of the Force stuff. Maybe send a runner across in the morning to grab FP for Radiator Springs if you're getting hopper tickets. I'd take an afternoon break and try and see Fireworks since the wind cancels them so often
6/24 - Starting at DL again makes sense to me. I'd start in Adventureland or at the back of the park with Splash or Bid Thunder and work my way around the back.
6/25 - No real opinion here except that if you have Harry Potter fans and haven't done Universal in Orlando I'd head there for the day
6/26 - I'd start DCA with the crowd and head either straight to RSR or to Toy Story then grab RSR FPs. I'd take a long afternoon break this day and either get WoC FP or do a lunch package before your break.
6/27 - I'd start in DL again grabbing whatever headliners you've missed or want to ride again. Could be a great time for more rides on Space or ST since there's no MM. Take a long afternoon break and make sure to be back in plenty of time for the parade and Fireworks
6/28 - I'd start in DCA again doing the opposite of whatever you started with the first time
6/29 - Sleep in as late as possible have bell services hold you bags and swin then head to DtD to relax OR maybe do one last character meal for breakfast OR Goofy's for an earlier dinner if you didn't do it the first night


You say your 9 yr old won't do the bigger rides but she MIGHT be more open to trying them at disney where it's less about "big scary roller coaster" (in fact there's really only one of those) and more about the theming of the rides... Or maybe not but I wouldn't count them all out.

Notes - I don't have kids and haven't really toured with them but MY UNDERSTANDING (and I could be wrong) was that if the child is technically tall enough to ride but won't many CMs will NOT give you a Rider Swap pass.

HTH

 

[CherylGonz]

So it sounds like the better day to avoid the parks is Sat? We won't do Universal as we don't have a car so that is why we planned to do a tour instead. Tour buses do go there but you don't get a full day and I can't justify the cost. Plus the older girls want to see some of CA that is not Disney related. Do you need to get a WoC FP pretty early in the day? I've looked at some of the lunch/dinner packages but I have very picky eaters so I don't think it would be worth it. I did forget that we need to get a ressie at BB.

My 9yr old will not go on the bigger rides we have tried at other Parks. She has high anxiety issues (and ADHD). We have shown her videos of some of the rides so she feels comfortable before she goes. She won't even try Mators or RSR. Although I'm hoping she will reconsider when she gets there I'm not planning on it. I'm ok hanging back with her and letting her tell me what she wants to ride.

 

[sherilaine]

I would use your MM on your first day, that is what we did - we were there at 6:15 for a 7AM MM and there was no line at that point. We also came from the Harbor side into the parks. I would not show up any later than 6:30 though if you want to get the most out of your early morning, excitement can fuel energy your first day.

Since you are going to do something else on Saturday, then your next opportunity for MM won't be until Tuesday, as there is no MM on Sunday at DL as you had mentioned.

It will be busy when you are there - so up early and mid day breaks returning for evening entertainment and other stuff is the way to go. That and making sure you use fast pass A LOT will make it manageable.

I agree with the PP that a 9 year old will not warrant a ride swap - I mean you might find a few CMs that will give you one if you show up without the child who is "technically" not allowed to ride the ride but I believe their policy is reserved for families where a child is too short to ride and one of the parents has to stay with that child.

Have a great time!

 

[smartlabelprint]

Rider switch used with fast passes actually helps you get more rides with less wait!

 

[Disney_Alli]

That's right DL only has MM on Tues/Thurs/Sat I forgot about that change when I posted. Definitely keep showing your daughter those videos but the great thing about Disneyland is even if you don't ride ANY actual ride there's still plenty to do and enjoy. On a solo trip one time I just sat on a bench near Ariel's and soaked in the atmosphere for over an hour rather than head back to the room for a nap. If they'll let you use rider swap you can get the boys fastpasses then you can ride with the older boys while hubby stays with your daughter. If they won't give you the pass you could all still pull fastpasses then use your daughter's FP to ride with one of your boys. If they're good about sharing you could alternate the second ride between the two of them.
Probably a good call about Universal. The Dis Unplugged podcast has done several episodes about local beaches but I've never done any of the tours so I can't help there. I would definitely skip the parks on one of the weekend day - they tend to be busier - sometimes sunday is the worst because most passes aren't blacked out those days. I think going in with an open mind and some kind of a plan will help the most. I personally am a big fan of Touring Plans and/or their Unofficial Guide to give me an idea of when to head to which attractions for the lowest waits - but I'm an akownledged Type A planner who loves spreadsheets so take that for what it's worth. They have a "not a plan" plan that gives you an idea of when to head where without being a step-by-step guide but I'm sure others here who visit more often than I do could give you very similar advise.

HTH

 

[CherylGonz]

That's right DL only has MM on Tues/Thurs/Sat I forgot about that change when I posted. Definitely keep showing your daughter those videos but the great thing about Disneyland is even if you don't ride ANY actual ride there's still plenty to do and enjoy. On a solo trip one time I just sat on a bench near Ariel's and soaked in the atmosphere for over an hour rather than head back to the room for a nap. If they'll let you use rider swap you can get the boys fastpasses then you can ride with the older boys while hubby stays with your daughter. If they won't give you the pass you could all still pull fastpasses then use your daughter's FP to ride with one of your boys. If they're good about sharing you could alternate the second ride between the two of them.
Probably a good call about Universal. The Dis Unplugged podcast has done several episodes about local beaches but I've never done any of the tours so I can't help there. I would definitely skip the parks on one of the weekend day - they tend to be busier - sometimes sunday is the worst because most passes aren't blacked out those days. I think going in with an open mind and some kind of a plan will help the most. I personally am a big fan of Touring Plans and/or their Unofficial Guide to give me an idea of when to head to which attractions for the lowest waits - but I'm an akownledged Type A planner who loves spreadsheets so take that for what it's worth. They have a "not a plan" plan that gives you an idea of when to head where without being a step-by-step guide but I'm sure others here who visit more often than I do could give you very similar advise.

HTH

Yes I agree that I will have plenty to do with DD. I'm sure we will be visiting Animation Academy a lot as this is something she is very excited to do and with all the shows she will not be bored at all.

Considering switching tour to Sunday instead of Sat as I think a read some place else that Sunday is busier than Sat.

I already have a subscription to touring plans and read the Unofficial Guide. I too like to have a plan when we hit the parks and I like to stick to the plan at least in the morning. Last time I ordered a guide from PassPorter for DL and loved it as you could outline all of your plans in it. They don't have a current DL edition. :-(