Here's our plans - your thoughts?

[gtrist4life]

Ok everyone,

Just about a month to go and we can’t wait! If you could, please let me know your thoughts on our planned itinerary. We’re staying 4 nights at the Disneyland Hotel Oct 22-26 and our wedding anniversary is on the 25th. We have 3 days left on our WDW park hoppers, that according to vacation planning we can exchange at the DL Main Ticket booth for DL park hoppers.

Here’s the cast for the trip

Me – 41 – WDW vet, first real trip to DL – me and DW were at DL for an afternoon evening in June 2002. Had fun, but remember that the park felt and looked old-rundown. Looking forward to seeing the efforts of getting the park show ready for the big celebration.

DW – 41 – Same as above, though I think she did spend a day at DL back in high school

DD – 17 – WDW vet, never been to DL
DS – 10 – WDW vet, never been to DL

Saturday – our plane arrives at Ontario from St. Louis via Dallas at 1:30 pm. Guessing that with luggage pick up, rental car pick up, and traffic, that we will get to check in about 3:00 pm . Given that we’ll be two hours off schedule and tired, we’re not planning on going to any parks this day. We do have a dinner dining reservation at Goofy’s Kitchen. My only concern is that we’ll miss Remember the fireworks show.

Sunday –Start off the day at Disneyland, then go over to California Adventure sometime in early afternoon to catch Aladdin and Block Party Parade, then go back to Disneyland in the evening to catch Fantasmic and maybe the Parade of Dreams.

Monday – California Adventure most of the day, then Disneyland in the evening.

Tuesday – Disneyland all day – Have lunch reservations at the Blue Bayou. Thinking about making a dinner reservation for just DW and me, but not sure where. Any thoughts?

Wednesday – Fly home early in the AM

Well that’s the plan so far. Let me know your thoughts and if there are any attractions that are more special in the evening. With the shorter fall hours, we’ll have to be sure to make time for those.

Peace,
G4L

 

[Tink33]

I think your kids may want to spend more time at DCA. My two are DS14 and DD11 and we spend about 2/3 of our day at DCA and 1/3 at Disneyland.

 

[HydroGuy]

Looks like a good plan. Here are some suggestions:

1. Looks like you will be coming from a different time zone so it will be easier to get up early. Get to the gates 30 minutes early and focus on rides in the morning.

2. If you want to do all or part of FantasyLand, first thing Sunday morning may be your best bet. Mon/Tue are Early Entry days, and some people get into FL and TL one-hour early and there are already lines when the park opens. On Sunday, no one has EE and so there will be no lines at park opening in FL.

3. Use FastPass. Your days will not be high season, but you may learn something from my FastPass thesis "Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season " - see http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132&highlight=fastpass

4. At DCA, make sure to ride Soarin Over California.

5. We like to ride the DL StoryBook Land Canal Boats at twilight.

6. We like to ride Matterhorn once in the day and again at night. Same thing with Big Thunder Mtn RR.

 

[azgal81]

Sounds like a good plan to me!! Have fun! Get there early go on the most popular rides first, use fast pass on rides such as space mountain that will most likely have the longest line. I know when I went a month ago everyone ran to tomorrowland as soon as the gates opened it was crazy! Maybe head away from tomorrowland when the gates open and go on the rides over there when everyone else is in line for space mountain. See the shows in the afternoon and go on the least popular rides. I like matterhorn, splash moutain, jungle cruise and big thunder at night. The atmoshpere at disneyland is great at night as well.

 

[azlaura]

Good plan but I would try to go in Saturday and see the fireworks, they are worth it!

 

[Judy from Boise]

I like to ride Alice, Matterhorn, and BTMRR at night!

 

[manchurianbrownbear]

Don't miss the fireworks!

And, before DCA opens on Monday, try to get in a couple rides in DL. You'll probably find very short lines in Frontierland or Adventureland so it's a good opportunity to get on Jungle Cruise, Indiana Jones, Splash Mountain, POTC or BTMRR. Also, you can get at least one, maybe two FPs in DL before heading to DCA!

 

[Samsma]

Hi! We'll be leaving from STL to ? on Nov. 17. Haven't bought my tickets yet. Can I be nosy and ask what kind of deal you got and what airline you went with.

 

[lulubelle]

Just to echo a few of the previous posters....Make sure you see the fireworks! They are not to be missed - honest - if you cannot get into DL, try to view them from the PP hotel pool area or the area between DL & DCA. You will miss the music, but at least see the show in the sky. The other valuable piece of advice is to go to DL at opening time and ride the popular rides for the first few hours. DCA will not likely get crowded, but DL will....more and more as the day progesses. Oh, and utilize FP!

As far as dinner the last night, if you can afford it, I suggest Napa Rose. If you are looking for more like $50 - $75 total, DTD offers Jazz Kitchen, Catal and Tortilla Jo's - all favorites of most DL regulars. In the hotels, Hook's Pointe, Granvilles and Storytellers have wonderful dinners.

Good luck, let us know what you decide, have a wonderful family vacation and post a trip report when you get back

P.S. I especially enjoy hearing others stories who have older children because the whole Disney experience is different than for those with toddlers.

 

[gtrist4life]

Thanks everyone for all the great tips and ideas.

Depending on how tired everyone is we will try to see the fireworks from the entrance area between DL and DCA. Don't worry, I'll write a good report when we come back. I slacked off and wrote a short one for this summer's trip report and I want to write a detailed one about DL to help capture the memories.

Samsma,
I bought my tickets way back in March or so. We paid 208 rt from STL to ONT. I was afraid jet fuel was going to drive prices higher, they were higher back then to go into SNA, bout 325-350 I think. But now, or at least a couple weeks ago, I saw a rt fare from STL to SNA for about 198. Oh well, good luck with your tix.

Peace,
G4L