Help with last minute trip!

[hamilkm]

Great job shifting due to the weather. I am very impressed! If you are not going into the parks I would recommend going over to DTD on your first night. We like to try to get a balcony or outdoor table at Tortilla Joes so we can enjoy a good dinner and the DTD atmosphere at the same time. You might want to call and reserve that if it sounds fun to you.

Thanks. It was only possible because I was able to convert my dvc points and that I have some airline miles I've been saving for a rainy day. I was trying to save them for a Hawaii trip sometime years into the future, but this seemed a better use. Plus WDW refunded us for our Halloween party tickets and everything.

 

[hamilkm]

So I now have Plaza Inn breakfast Friday morning, Fantasmic dining at blue bayou Friday night, and world of color dessert party on Sunday night. My mom is calling while I'm at work to try to book our Walt tour. Anything else I'm missing? Do I need the dining package for the frozen show? Thanks!

 

[Nevada Jen]

You can book for frozen and it will save you from waiting in line and guarantee you your seat of choice. Its at Cathay and is a true VIP experience but you should be able to get in to see the show without the dining package. Make sure you download the Disneyland app before you go!

 

[Elima2015]

I personally would not bother with the dining package for Frozen. You have a lot of dining and package experiences booked already and this way you can be more flexible on when you go to the show. We went in early August and entered the Frozen show queue only about 40 or so minutes in advance and were within the first 20 people for the mezzanine. We chose seats 3 rows back so the bar wouldn't be our view and were right in the center. It was perfect and not stressful at all.

I saw that you already purchased MaxPass - we loved it! I'd make a list of your priority rides for each park, aim for those first in the day, and then be flexible. Sometimes it takes a little for all the rides to come on-line at park opening so just be prepared to move to the next and come back. To give you an example, one day we had planned to do this order: BTMM, Pirates, Haunted, Splash. Every single one was closed at rope drop! No biggie though, it all worked out perfectly in the end.

Cars Land in DCA is one our most favorite places. Be there at dusk and they play the song they play in the movie and turn on all the lights. Ride RSR at night at least once - for some reason, it is extra cool at night. FPs for rides around 8:00 pm were being distributed around 12:00pm when we were there a few weeks ago. One other thing to be aware is Soarin' is down to one screen right now. As such, the lines are long and FP is running out early in the day. Using MaxPass, I'd snag either a RSR or Guardian's FP as soon as you enter the park and then walk on to Soarin' at rope drop. Actually - I just remembered you are staying on-site. Plan to ride Soarin during EMH.

 

[Linkura]

So I now have Plaza Inn breakfast Friday morning, Fantasmic dining at blue bayou Friday night, and world of color dessert party on Sunday night. My mom is calling while I'm at work to try to book our Walt tour. Anything else I'm missing? Do I need the dining package for the frozen show? Thanks!

Sounds like you really made some lemonade out of lemons! I hope you have a great time!

 

[Geemo]

So I now have Plaza Inn breakfast Friday morning, Fantasmic dining at blue bayou Friday night, and world of color dessert party on Sunday night. My mom is calling while I'm at work to try to book our Walt tour. Anything else I'm missing? Do I need the dining package for the frozen show? Thanks!

Boy oh Boy.... You're on a roll. You're going to need a vacation after all this...

We have never done the Frozen packages to see the show. So I have no comment for that.

However, what we will do is....
The earlier you line up, the closer to the front of the entry line you'll be for the show.
We like to get something to eat and take it with us to the line up area for Frozen.
So we are eating lunch while we wait.


On a side note.
Will anyone in your group need a electric scooter?
If there is, many on the board recommend Deckert's Medical Supplies.
They deliver and pick up to most hotels in the DLR area.

 

[hamilkm]

I personally would not bother with the dining package for Frozen. You have a lot of dining and package experiences booked already and this way you can be more flexible on when you go to the show. We went in early August and entered the Frozen show queue only about 40 or so minutes in advance and were within the first 20 people for the mezzanine. We chose seats 3 rows back so the bar wouldn't be our view and were right in the center. It was perfect and not stressful at all.

I saw that you already purchased MaxPass - we loved it! I'd make a list of your priority rides for each park, aim for those first in the day, and then be flexible. Sometimes it takes a little for all the rides to come on-line at park opening so just be prepared to move to the next and come back. To give you an example, one day we had planned to do this order: BTMM, Pirates, Haunted, Splash. Every single one was closed at rope drop! No biggie though, it all worked out perfectly in the end.

Cars Land in DCA is one our most favorite places. Be there at dusk and they play the song they play in the movie and turn on all the lights. Ride RSR at night at least once - for some reason, it is extra cool at night. FPs for rides around 8:00 pm were being distributed around 12:00pm when we were there a few weeks ago. One other thing to be aware is Soarin' is down to one screen right now. As such, the lines are long and FP is running out early in the day. Using MaxPass, I'd snag either a RSR or Guardian's FP as soon as you enter the park and then walk on to Soarin' at rope drop. Actually - I just remembered you are staying on-site. Plan to ride Soarin during EMH.

Thanks so much for all the tips. We have 2 layovers flying out tomorrow, so I'm planning to use that time to come up with fast pass priorities, etc. We are WDW AP holders, so we do soarin frequently but its my mom's favorite so we will have to get it at least once.

 

[hamilkm]

Boy oh Boy.... You're on a roll. You're going to need a vacation after all this...

We have never done the Frozen packages to see the show. So I have no comment for that.

However, what we will do is....
The earlier you line up, the closer to the front of the entry line you'll be for the show.
We like to get something to eat and take it with us to the line up area for Frozen.
So we are eating lunch while we wait.


On a side note.
Will anyone in your group need a electric scooter?
If there is, many on the board recommend Deckert's Medical Supplies.
They deliver and pick up to most hotels in the DLR area.

Thanks for this! My mom had foot surgery last year and this is supposed to be her first trip without a ECV post surgery. If after the first day she needs one now I know who to call. And don't worry, I plan to spend the afternoons at the pool. We like our rest! Just want to do the things we don't have at WDW!

 

[azdisneylover]

If you are looking for a restaurant, Carnation Cafe on Main St in DL is a hit with my family. The fried dill pickles and the french fries are always an appetizer we get before our meals. I like the meatloaf, hubby likes the chicken fried chicken, son likes the burger and fries (we get the separate order of fries because son refuses to share even one of his french fries, they are THAT good), one daughter always order a large salad, and the other orders the baked potato soup! If you want to take a break but not walk back to your hotel room, pop into GCH and get a cocktail and relax in the lobby, or go into Whitewater Snacks. The nachos are yummy, it is pretty peaceful in there and on the patio. Take a ride around the park on the train. Have a great time!

 

[Geemo]

Thanks for this! My mom had foot surgery last year and this is supposed to be her first trip without a ECV post surgery. If after the first day she needs one now I know who to call. And don't worry, I plan to spend the afternoons at the pool. We like our rest! Just want to do the things we don't have at WDW!

The ECV rentals at the parks are not allowed to leave the park areas.
The nice thing about renting an ECV from an off-site vendor, is you can use it to and from the parks.

Enjoy your park and pool time

Geemo

 

[hamilkm]

I just want to say thank you so much to everyone who gave tips and helped today. I was trying to plan this on my break from a 10 hour shift at work. I'm feeling pretty good about what we have planned and can't wait to explore the west coast parks!