Help....

How does this sound?

1st day - arrive at DLR around 1:00pm (plane scheduled to
land in SNA at 11:00 am).
Check in-have lunch-stroll around DTD.
2nd day-DLR
3rd day-conference at convention centre
4th day-Huntington Beach-Newport Beach-Fashion Island
5th day-CA
6th day-Knotts
7th day-Shopping (warehouse store, The Block and/or (I think
it's called) Orange County Plaza/Centre
8th day DLR and/or CA
9th day-fly out at 9:30am

We plan to do afternoons and eves in parks as well when possible. Comments? Suggestions?
 
7th day-Shopping (warehouse store, The Block and/or (I think its called Orange County Plaza/Centre


Mom-Rules,

I think you mean South Coast Plaza? If its shopping you want, this is the best mall in O.C., not because they have good prices, but just because of selection, number of stores(especially high end). As a matter of fact, it is about 3 or 4 miles away (if that) from O.C. Airport and sort of on your way to DL if you want to stop there for lunch instead, there are several restaurants there too. The Block is ok, it is closer to DL and the have a Krispy Kremes there as well (yum!!).

:cool: :cool: :cool:
 
Personally, I found CA could be done in less than a day. I'd suggest that you send one of your party over to CA as soon as it opens to get FASTPASSES for Soarin' Over California (a "must see"!). Then do DL for the first couple of hours; head over to CA about 45 minutes before Aladdin showtime (also a "must see"). An added bonus is that by this time, it will be getting crowded in DL and you'll be able to retreat to the relative calm of CA for the rest of the day.

Once in CA, take in Soarin' and then send someone over the Grizzly River Run for FASTPASSES. Head over to "Hollywood Studios", grab lunch at Award Wieners and take it with you to the end of the street to the line-up for Aladdin (the line-up is outside so you can eat whilst waiting, thus impressing everyone with your multi tasking abilities).

My youngest quite enjoyed the Bug's World (name?) area but it's definitely aimed at the younger ones. If your kids are older, you could skip this part of the park.

A word of warning about Grizzly River Run - I got absolutely drenched so either buy one of those rain ponchos (available at the store next to the ride) or take a change of clothing (right down to dry undies!!!).

My kids loved Redwood Challenge area - it also gives children a chance to blow off some steam while parents rest on the seats by the entrance. There's only one way in and out so the kids can't escape!

We ate dinner at Ariel's Grotto on our CA day - the food was fine but nothing extraordinary. However, since our table was visited several times by lots of different characters, I think it was well worth the $$$$.

I think Paradise Pier looks lovely at night - all the lights really add to the atmosphere. However, with the exception of Mulholland Madness, my kids (aged 5 and 8) thought the Paradise Pier rides a bit lame but we didn't try the Wheel or the Rollercoaster.

Finally, you can catch the Electrical Parade - we saw it from the general vicinity of the "Golden Dreams" location and had a terrific view. There is quite a lot of space for watching the parade in this area and you don't have to get there 30 minutes in advance (although doing just that will ensure that you secure a "prime" spot).

If you're all done in by this point, make your way to the exit but hang around just outside the gate - it's a very good spot to see the fireworks. (The absolute best is right in front of the Castle in DL but this is UNBELIEVABLY crowded and you need to get there at least an hour early to secure a spot!)

HTH and enjoy your trip.
 
We watched the DCA electrical parade from near the main gate, the the second it was over walked straight to in front of the castle to grab our spot for the fireworks. One adult stayed put at all times while the others rode a few rides, got snacks, etc.
 

If you are going to wait until both Space and ToT are open I would go for the 50th Birthday Bash. And if possible I would fly into SNA (John Wayne Airport, Orange County Airport, Santa Ana Airport or whatever you want to call it). If you do plan on going at that time I would keep on top of it because Disneylands Big 50th is something every Disney Fan will be attending....including me!!!:smooth:
 
If you want a shopping experience make sure to check out South Coast Plaza in Newport Beach. It is super easy to get to from Disneyland and is like no other mall quite like it. The Block at Orange is a pretty standard mall, but South Coast Plaza is shopping mecca. Make sure to check out the super huge Nordstom! Here is the site for the mall. South Coast Plaza Happy shopping!!!!
 
South Coast Plaza is actually in Costa Mesa. Fashion Island is in Newport Beach.

As for doing Huntington Beach - Newport Beach - Fashion Island in one day: it's doable if it's a long day you're planning on. Questions are: How long do you want to spend at the beach(es) and how long do you want to spend shopping at Fashion Island? Fashion Island is a nice, high-end, outdoor mall. If you're going to South Coast Plaza, which is two malls connected by a bridge, you might want to skip Fashion Island. Personally, I wouldn't want to do all three in the same day.

The drive from the DLR to Huntington Beach will be about 30 - 35 mins. From Huntington Beach to Newport, about 20 mins.
 
You're right almost Goofy, sorry about that! I'm from San Diego, so all of the beach cities along the 5/405 kind of blend together for me. Thanks for the heads up.
 

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