I need some expert opinions on my plan...

[niklynn1]

Wed 5/30 Arrive at LAX @9:42. Take DLR Express to Disneyland Hotel. Check in and head over to park for lunch and to see if any FastPasses are still attainable. Spend the afternoon, early evening in the park, but head back to hotel rather early as we will be on Central Time and we will have been up super early after having left Iowa at 6:15 a.m. Early bedtime. (Plus it's a GRAD NIGHT, so maybe best to get out earlier?)

Thur 5/31 Get up early for MM. Hopefully this won't be too hard b/c of we'll still feel like it's Central Time. Eat a quick bite as we walk to the gates. Spend the morning on Fantasyland rides, and then gathering FP's afterwards. Break at hotel midday to swim/rest (want to try out the new DLH pool!). Return in the evening to use FP's and see a show. Not sure if it should be WoC, Fantasmic!, or fireworks?

Fri 6/1 Gray Line tour to Sea World. We've never been to any Sea World. Hoping the drive there is scenic as well? Does it go via Pacific Coast highway or more inland? Return to hotel by 8:30 is according to website. This is also a GRAD night, and a weekend evening, so thinking this would be a good time to be outside of DLR. Not sure if traffic on a Friday will impact our bus trip to San Diego much?

Sat 6/2 I'm thinking that it would be a good day to stay at DL/DCA b/c it's a MM, AND the website shows all APs blocked out. Also no GRAD night. What do you think?

Sun 6/3 Hollywood/LA tour via Gray Line? Thought it might be good to do this on a Sunday when traffic is lighter, although with a bus tour, I'm not sure if this makes a difference? It is a MM at DL and select APs are blocked, so perhaps it would be a better day spent at DLR?

Mon 6/4 DL/DCA No MM, so either DLR today or I could switch it with Sunday and go to Hollywood/LA?

Tue 6/5 Dl/DCA MM again.

Wed 6/6 Flight leaves from LAX @ 3:17. What time will DLR Express pick us up? Will there be time to do anything in the morning? Maybe just visit DTD and finish up any shopping.

Now, my final question, is which nights to insert WoC, Fantasmic! and Fireworks. We'd like to see each at least once. Does it matter which night, or shall we do one each of the 3 days dedicated to DL/DCA?

 

[skiingfast]

5/30 looks good. I would suggest you try for WoC that day. You may want to get the WoC Show Passes when you get to the parks. It doesn't end too late, and if you are tired just skip it for another day. It's good to do WoC on a Grad Nite. FPs will be available for most attractions probably all except maybe Space and Indy.

5/31 Looks good. See the Fireworks, incase wind cancels them this will give you more chances later to make up for it. Remember you can go for a swim if you leave the parks early on a Grad Nite.

6/1 Looks good. Sit on the right side of the bus going and left returning. You will be right on the ocean for 25-30 minutes each way. Expect the new coaster Manta to have a long wait, that you may want to ride first or last.

6/2 The Delux APs are blocked on Saturday because it's the busiest day of the week.

6/3 Sunday I would consider this day for the parks instead of Saturday. Less busy in the evening and especially night as locals go home earlier for school/work. This should be your F! night in case they get cancelled which is rare, or your backup Firework night.

6/4 I would consider doing DLR this day and putting Hollywood on Saturday. Lower crowds better for rides and night shows.

6/5 Looks good.

6/6 DLRE will assign you a time probably around noon. You could go to the parks but only expect a few rides and to spend some time wandering around.

 

[Butterfly123]

I'm with skiingfast, I would do Hollywood on Sat., and do Sunday and Monday in the parks due to crowds. I like to do fireworks early in our visit for the very reason skiingfast mentions. We've had fireworks cancelled due to wind...sometimes a couple days in a row. So I would do those earlier in the trip rather than later.

Have a great time!

 

[niklynn1]

Thank you to both of you. This is exactly the kind of advice I was hoping for as some of these details you point out would never have occurred to me!

I have a questions though, you mentioned WoC is good to do on a grad night? Why is that?

 

[skiingfast]

I have a questions though, you mentioned WoC is good to do on a grad night? Why is that?

If DCA and DL are at capacity, WoC will not be any more crowded. Added crowds make no difference because WoC's viewing area has a set capacity and requires a Show Pass to enter.

Compare that to the wait to attractions, they get longer based on how crowded it is.

 

[bitohoney]

If DCA and DL are at capacity, WoC will not be any more crowded. Added crowds make no difference because WoC's viewing area has a set capacity and requires a Show Pass to enter.

Compare that to the wait to attractions, they get longer based on how crowded it is.

At capacity?! Let's hope that doesn't happen! Touring Plans have the parks at 5s and 6s for those days!

 

[skiingfast]

At capacity?! Let's hope that doesn't happen! Touring Plans have the parks at 5s and 6s for those days!

I'm not saying that park will reach capacity, I'm giving an example that even with the most extreme crowds, WoC's Paradise Park viewing area can not get any more crowded.

 

[niklynn1]

Will the WoC crowds be potentially minimized due to the fact that the grads have their own WoC showing later that night during the grad party?

 

[coaches24]

Will the WoC crowds be potentially minimized due to the fact that the grads have their own WoC showing later that night during the grad party?

They dont get a WOC showing they get a F! showing because their private party is in DL this year not DCA. So any grads that get there early enough to get a FP for WOC will likely see the first show (assuming there are more than one that night).

 

[Goofy_Mom]

Will the WoC crowds be potentially minimized due to the fact that the grads have their own WoC showing later that night during the grad party?

That would be my bet. Also, most teens aren't that into the shows I think. They're mostly into the attractions, and even then most will do the "big kid" rides.