I am not a planner but now I am worrying that won't work!

mzspaz

Mouseketeer
Joined
Nov 16, 2004
Messages
402
I am not a planner....never have been and never will be. My DH would go insane if I had every minute of our trip planned out. When we go to WDW, we go with the flow. If we go to the MK and it is crowded, we hop to another park. If all parks are crowded, we make the best of it!

Now I am a little concerned that the go with the flow attitude won't work at DL!

We will be arriving on December 6th and with CP and some conventions, I understand it will be busy!

We check into the DLH in the afternoon after flying in from the East Coast. We do have 5 day park hoppers and will be leaving on the 10th (departure time will be flexible as we will be taking the train to San Diego).

We have reservations for the Blue Bayou at lunch and Storytellers for a Character Breakfast. Other than that, nothing is planned out...mapped out....or written down!

Now I am second guessing that! Just not sure if it is pre-trip jitters or a legitimate concern.

Our casual attitude usually doesn't bother me when we do WDW because we know we will be back some day. But with DL this may be a one time trip (too may other west coast trips on my bucket list).

So should I stay relaxed and try to go with the flow? Or hit full panic, start planning, and make my family miserable with a schedule?
 
You do not need to plan. Just go with the flow and everyone will be happy. It is actually easier to not plan at DLR. At WDW you need fastpass plus and an app and to reserve every meal. Not so at DLR. It sounds like you already have some stuff planned. Just go with that and have fun.
 
Definitely no reason to overplan. Everything is so close that it makes changing your mind easier. Twice I had planned to spend the afternoon at one park, and ended up feeling like going to the other. Park hopping is a breeze.

I usually approached the day using an A List; a few attractions I knew I wanted to do. Once those were checked off (usually in the less crowded early hours), I went where the wind took me...
 
Omg, you have 5 day hoppers - you're golden! Yes, the Sat & Sun will be very busy but you'll get some relief the following weekdays. Stick to your non-planning, you'll have a blast!
 

I don't have a steadfast plan when we go, honestly. I have general ideas of how I want the day to go and then just go with the flow.

We DO try to visit the e ticket rides early in the day before lines get too long (Space Mountain, Indy, etc.) and that has always served us well.

Don't panic!
 
Don't stress you have plenty of time get the mouse wait app and don't wait longer then 15 minutes for anything.
 
As PPs have indicated, detailed hour to hour planning isn't something that one would typically do while at DLR. But there is some planning required if you wanted to do certain things, like what to expect and where to go for Frozen M&G FPs, what rides to do first before lines get too long (PP, RSR, etc). We usually have a general plan for the first hour or two for the day, then do things casually after that, but if there are key things you wanted to accomplish early or often, it wouldn't hurt to have some sort of game plan for early in the day. And Hydroguy's DLR for WDW vet thread is always helpful.
 
You'll be fine--don't worry. Seriously.
Disneyland is NOT like Disney World where you should have some sort of plan or you won't get to see/do/eat the things you want.

It's much more self contained and you won't be going from one end of the world to the other, even if you park hop.

We leave in a few weeks and all we have booked is Chef's Counter at Napa Rose. We're just going with the flow with everything else and not worried at all. It's Christmas there, it's all so pretty, I'm sure we'll have a wonderful time.

Enjoy your vacation!
 
Yep just go with the flow!!! DL will not be that crazy!!! Just avoid Main Street during the CP and you'll be fine!!!
 
I am echoing what others have said:

-unless its the A and E meet and greet (then you need a plan) other than that make a list of your must do rides and when your in that area either grab a FP (if they have one) or wait to ride.

Most importantly have fun and just go where the magic takes you!

Have a magical time!
 
Thanks everyone! Reading through all of the threads on here where people are talking about a game plan at rope drop finally got to me I guess.

Fortunately, my son is in no way interested in meeting A & E so no need to rush for that. His main goal is RSR and BTM. My goal is Pirates and IASM. DH's goal is HM and the subs. Other than that I think we just want to experience Disneyland.

There are things I would LOVE to do but don't see them happening....like a ride on the Lilly Belle, a visit to Club 33, or a stop in Walt's Apartment. No one else seems to be interested in the historical aspect of DL except me.

thanks for calming my fears and helping me realize that it is just pre-trip jitters!
 
Having done DL and WDW several times, I can assure you that it takes much less planning at DL than it does at WDW. At WDW, when people say, "You have to reserve meals in advance," they mean 180 days out. At DL, when people say the same thing, they mean the night before. :-) That never stopped us; when we've had a restaurant we absolutely knew we wanted to eat at, we've made them as soon as possible, 60 days out.

Having a rope drop plan is essential if you're going for one day or two. With five days you're going to have PLENTY of time. Even thought there's more attractions at DL's two parks than at WDW's 4, everything is so close that it's easy to see a lot.

In my experience the toughest thing to get on is Radiator Springs Racers. The last two times I've ridden it, I had great luck simply heading directly to the attraction as soon as the park opened. (Once it was at 8:00am and once we used early entry at 7:00am.)

Just make a list of your must-do's, hit those as early as the day as possible, and then just enjoy the magic!
 
Thanks everyone! Reading through all of the threads on here where people are talking about a game plan at rope drop finally got to me I guess. Fortunately, my son is in no way interested in meeting A & E so no need to rush for that. His main goal is RSR and BTM. My goal is Pirates and IASM. DH's goal is HM and the subs. Other than that I think we just want to experience Disneyland. There are things I would LOVE to do but don't see them happening....like a ride on the Lilly Belle, a visit to Club 33, or a stop in Walt's Apartment. No one else seems to be interested in the historical aspect of DL except me. thanks for calming my fears and helping me realize that it is just pre-trip jitters!

Your list of goals will be easy to accomplish. Of those attractions, the longest waits will probably be for RSR and the subs. Just get FP for RSR (or do single rider) and you'll be fine. The subs are a VERY slow loading attraction. Plan to ride it at opening (along with Peter Pan) and you won't have any problems.
 
Here is our itinerary for our December trip (4 nights). As others have mentioned you have plenty of time to do everything. Hope this helps...

Disneyland Itinerary

Day 1

12:15 PM Arrive in LAX

Disneyland Express Bus to hotel

2:00 PM Arrive at hotel — Grand Californian

check-in
Eat light lunch
Grocery delivery at 3
Pool

4:00 PM Hotel time — Dress for dinner

5:00 PM

Pull fast pass for Soarin’
Pixar Parade at 5:15

6:10 PM Dinner, World of Color Dining Package

Carthay Circle Restaurant

· Tough to be a Bug

· Grizzly RiverRun (ponchos required at night)

· Soarin’

8:00 PM World of Color – show begins at 9 PM

(Bring a blanket or something warm)

9:30 PM Ride on last attraction for the night

10:00 PM Hotel

Day 2

6 AM Morning Hotel Time - Breakfast in room

8:30 AM Pull Radiator Springs Fast Pass

9:00 AM Morning in Magic Kingdom (Adventureland and Frontierland)

Pirates of the Carribean

Haunted Mansion (FP)

Jingle Cruise

Indiana Jones (FP)

Splash Mountain (FP)

Thunder Mountain (FP)

Tom Sawyer’s Island

Tarzan’s Treehouse

12:30 PM Break for lunch (hotel room)

2:30 PM Check-in for HOLIDAY TIME at Disneyland tour

5:30 PM A Christmas Fantasy Parade

6:30 PM Dinner at Napoli

8:00 PM pull fast pass for space mountain or star tours

9:15 PM "Believe...In Holiday Magic" Fireworks Spectacular

· Peter Pan’s Flight

· Disneyland Railroad

· Fast pass ride? Space Mountain or Star Tours?

10:00 PM Hotel

Day 3

6 AM Morning Hotel Time – Breakfast in room

8:30 AM Park time

Carsland
Space mountain
Matterhorn
Thunder Mountain Railway
Splash Mountain
Indiana Jones

12:40 PM Aladdin Show

· Grizzly River Run

2:00 PM Pool/Quiet time at Hotel

5:00 PM Cocktails in the Grand Californian lobby

pull FP for DCA and DLR (Soarin’ & Haunted Mansion)?
6:30 PM Dinner at Blue Bayou (Fantasmic Dining Package)

8:00 PM Queue for 8:45 Fantasmic Show (bring blanket and warm clothes)

8:45 PM Fantasmic Show

9:15 PM End of night ride - tba



Day 4
6:45 AM Magic Morning Hour

Space Mountain
Star Tours
Matterhorn Bobsleds

California Adventure opens at 8 AM

Pull RSR fast pass
California Screamin’
Tower of Terror
Toy Story Mania
Carsland

10 AM Breakfast at Flo’s V8 Café (Carsland)

Noon Relax by the pool/Grizzly River Run

Explore GCH Holiday events & activities in the lobby

3:30 Relax in the Room

6:00 Dinner at Jazz Kitchen or Steakhouse 55

8:00 TBA

Day 5

6:00 AM Coffee & breakfast in the room

8:00 AM Last chance in parks — TBA
Ride favorites again
Ride anything that we missed
11 AM Back to Room — ready to check-out

1 PM Shuttle to SNA — Fly Home

Day 6
Start planning next Disney vacation!
 
Here is our itinerary for our December trip (4 nights). As others have mentioned you have plenty of time to do everything. Hope this helps...

Disneyland Itinerary

Day 1

12:15 PM Arrive in LAX

Disneyland Express Bus to hotel

2:00 PM Arrive at hotel — Grand Californian

check-in
Eat light lunch
Grocery delivery at 3
Pool

4:00 PM Hotel time — Dress for dinner

5:00 PM

Pull fast pass for Soarin’
Pixar Parade at 5:15

6:10 PM Dinner, World of Color Dining Package

Carthay Circle Restaurant

· Tough to be a Bug

· Grizzly RiverRun (ponchos required at night)

· Soarin’

8:00 PM World of Color – show begins at 9 PM

(Bring a blanket or something warm)

9:30 PM Ride on last attraction for the night

10:00 PM Hotel

Day 2

6 AM Morning Hotel Time - Breakfast in room

8:30 AM Pull Radiator Springs Fast Pass

9:00 AM Morning in Magic Kingdom (Adventureland and Frontierland)

Pirates of the Carribean

Haunted Mansion (FP)

Jingle Cruise

Indiana Jones (FP)

Splash Mountain (FP)

Thunder Mountain (FP)

Tom Sawyer’s Island

Tarzan’s Treehouse

12:30 PM Break for lunch (hotel room)

2:30 PM Check-in for HOLIDAY TIME at Disneyland tour

5:30 PM A Christmas Fantasy Parade

6:30 PM Dinner at Napoli

8:00 PM pull fast pass for space mountain or star tours

9:15 PM "Believe...In Holiday Magic" Fireworks Spectacular

· Peter Pan’s Flight

· Disneyland Railroad

· Fast pass ride? Space Mountain or Star Tours?

10:00 PM Hotel

Day 3

6 AM Morning Hotel Time – Breakfast in room

8:30 AM Park time

Carsland
Space mountain
Matterhorn
Thunder Mountain Railway
Splash Mountain
Indiana Jones

12:40 PM Aladdin Show

· Grizzly River Run

2:00 PM Pool/Quiet time at Hotel

5:00 PM Cocktails in the Grand Californian lobby

pull FP for DCA and DLR (Soarin’ & Haunted Mansion)?
6:30 PM Dinner at Blue Bayou (Fantasmic Dining Package)

8:00 PM Queue for 8:45 Fantasmic Show (bring blanket and warm clothes)

8:45 PM Fantasmic Show

9:15 PM End of night ride - tba



Day 4
6:45 AM Magic Morning Hour

Space Mountain
Star Tours
Matterhorn Bobsleds

California Adventure opens at 8 AM

Pull RSR fast pass
California Screamin’
Tower of Terror
Toy Story Mania
Carsland

10 AM Breakfast at Flo’s V8 Café (Carsland)

Noon Relax by the pool/Grizzly River Run

Explore GCH Holiday events & activities in the lobby

3:30 Relax in the Room

6:00 Dinner at Jazz Kitchen or Steakhouse 55

8:00 TBA

Day 5

6:00 AM Coffee & breakfast in the room

8:00 AM Last chance in parks — TBA
Ride favorites again
Ride anything that we missed
11 AM Back to Room — ready to check-out

1 PM Shuttle to SNA — Fly Home

Day 6
Start planning next Disney vacation!
 
When we go and the trip includes a Saturday or Sunday, the only thing I plan on is there being a crowd. We usually open the parks and hit all the rides we can before the crowd arrives.

Being flexible is important on the weekends. Through the week you'll be able to enjoy strolling from land to land. You will notice a big difference in park volumes.

Having a few meal reservations is handy. On our last few trips I haven't made any dining reservations, other than one character breakfast. And all went well!

So should I stay relaxed and try to go with the flow? Or hit full panic, start planning, and make my family miserable with a schedule?
Go and have a good time. Don't bother with a schedule.
It sounds like a schedule will not only bother your family but make you miserable too.

Geemo
 
We'll be there for our third trip the same time as you and I have never planned anything other than a character breakfast before hand. I HATE planning holidays. To me, it doesn't feel like a holiday if I have to be sticking to a schedule.

We've never done WDW before but from what I've heard, that's the place you have to plan so if you can get away without plan there, then you'll be more than fine at DLR! I love just heading to the parks in the morning and deciding on a whim where to go first. We'll often decide that morning or the night before if we wanted to hit something like F! or Aladdin the next day but other than that, we're free as birds and I love it!

I recommend reading up on what you can here. Having knowledge of how things work and the tips and tricks to an easier trip are excellent to have. But in regards to planning anything, if that doesn't work for you, trust me, you'll be just fine.

Have a great relaxing time!
 


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