If you were going to DL for one day. JUST BACK some PICS!

[jade1]

Just myself a quick biz trip to LA. Fam of 5 been to WDW 20 plus times and will never get enough, but why not spend a day at DL?

Arriving next sat leaving next wed. Looks like it closes too early Mon/Tues to do much for night pics etc.

Would it be best to do Sun into the eve? Or would staying Wednesday (14th) be far better-I see its midnight that night.

Is a hopper necessary and hit Cal Adv?

Really looking for a little better weather, take some night pics, and some Disney atmosphere-looks like an ice castle there? Is there anything else for XMAS-like a parade or night show? I see there is Fantasmic Sat/sun. Might do that.

Only real interest in attractions are different ones-like Cal Scream and Indy correct?

TIA.

 

[skiingfast]

Definitely a whole day, so Wednesday. Definitely a park hopper.

If you can go Monday and Tuesday evening also that would be great.

Don't limit yourself to attractions that are only at DLR. Many are different and many are superior.

Read the DLR guide for WDW Vets.

 

[jade1]

Definitely a whole day, so Wednesday. Definitely a park hopper.

If you can go Monday and Tuesday evening also that would be great.

Don't limit yourself to attractions that are only at DLR. Many are different and many are superior.

Read the DLR guide for WDW Vets.

Thanks, I think it closes at 6PM M/T-is that accurate? Really enjoy evenings.

 

[sonnyjane]

Thanks, I think it closes at 6PM M/T-is that accurate? Really enjoy evenings.

Disneyland closes early on those days, but if you can swing multiple days, it'd be a great time to check out DCA at night!

 

[skiingfast]

Thanks, I think it closes at 6PM M/T-is that accurate? Really enjoy evenings.

Those nights happen to be when DL host a company party for the CMs and staff from the headquarters and studio up in Burbank. Thats why it closes so early.

Disneyland closes early on those days, but if you can swing multiple days, it'd be a great time to check out DCA at night!

^^^Do go to DCA since it's open until 9pm. If you can get there early enough, about by 6 you might use a meal or picnic for a WoC picnic. The Paradise Pier area is spectacular for nightime photos.

 

[smiley_face2]

the nice thing about the monday and tuesday early closure is that they are still having the fireworks, snowing on main street event, just at 5:45 so that will be awesome for us with our 2 little grand daughters. then we will head over to DCA for a while and still have a nice early night

 

[Eeee-va]

If you decide you only have 1 or 2 days, I'd look into a Disneyland for WDW people guide. Hydroguy's is a popular one. That will help you prioritize what you must see and what you could see at WDW.

There is a Christmas parade and a pretty nice fireworks show, complete with snow. I wouldn't miss Fantasmic! if you can swing it, and World of Color is also worth seeing.

Have a great trip!

 

[princesskayla]

the nice thing about the monday and tuesday early closure is that they are still having the fireworks, snowing on main street event, just at 5:45 so that will be awesome for us with our 2 little grand daughters. then we will head over to DCA for a while and still have a nice early night

I am a WDW vet like you and I would go on Mon or Tues. Check out the parade and fireworks at 5:45 and then head over to DCA. DCA is spectacular at night! I love it. I can just stroll along the pier for hours. I found DLR to be very dark at night and not well lit. (that might be different with all the Christmas lights up) Also, I would see WOC over Fantasmic. Fantasmic is very similar to the one at MGM (although not exactly the same) but there is nothing like WOC. That is my 2 cents!

 

[jade1]

Hm, I guess I'm leaning towards Mon or Tues-sounds less crowded even though a little short on the night side-didnt realize the other park was open later, that helps a lot. Thanks.

 

[skiingfast]

Hm, I guess I'm leaning towards Mon or Tues-sounds less crowded even though a little short on the night side-didnt realize the other park was open later, that helps a lot. Thanks.

I'd be cautious and consider that carefully. On Sunday and Wednesday the parks, DL at least is open until 12am. So much more night time is available. Of course on Monday and Tuesday is will depend on when work ends and when you can get to the parks.

Since it's a rare opportunity, I would consider going as much as possible and consider a 4 day PH. There is a lot to do, see, and experience.

 

[jade1]

I'd be cautious and consider that carefully. On Sunday and Wednesday the parks, DL at least is open until 12am. So much more night time is available. Of course on Monday and Tuesday is will depend on when work ends and when you can get to the parks.

Since it's a rare opportunity, I would consider going as much as possible and consider a 4 day PH. There is a lot to do, see, and experience.

Thanks-I have that Monday off, so I would go in around open and stay all day. Maybe even stay onsite Sun night if there is early entry monday am.

 

[skiingfast]

Thanks-I have that Monday off, so I would go in around open and stay all day. Maybe even stay onsite Sun night if there is early entry monday am.

No Magic Morning on Monday. They are usually only on days that start with T and S.


If you haven't I suggest you look at the schedule for those days in the link below.
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/calendar/daily/#/default/2011/12/12

 

[jade1]

Incredible-much improved from the 1/2 day I went 25 years ago, at least from what I remember.

Went Sunday at 8AM (stayed at the Fairfield next door) and left at midnight for a hotel about 30 min south.

The whole area was really nice, and the Disney Hotels and D Town where very nice. It was about 60 and mostly cloudy but still great compared to home of course.

Thought Cal Adv was a great addition, did Cal Screamin twice, once waited for the front and at night which was awesome. Was not ready for the first drop on TOT-great. Soarin screen was wearing but nice to see in CA. L Mermaid good, was kinda hoping a little more for new FL-but will still be fun. Not a TSM fan, but no FP did not appear to work either so skipped it. WOC was spectacular, much more Disney in it than I assumed I guess. Did the 8PM and stood in back and made the 8:45 MK fireworks easily.

MK-just a great thing to see as the original, and to see the XMAS decor really helped since we are skipping WDW this XMAS. Castle was much shorter/smaller than I expected but still very nice to see. Indy broke down all day, the 3rd try we got right to the loading area (40 of the 45 minwait) and it died agin. Got a FP for later-and did finally get on. Very impressive in there, but I think at the end a big ball was to come down but it appeared stuck. Liked POC much better, Space seemed more smooth/stable and I liked 2 together, BTMR seemed about the same but as if it was a mirror image kind of, Matterhorn was a little rough but seemed very good for back in the day, Small W at night was great to see, HM was fun with Nightmare stuff, Splash not as good IMO, Star Tours-while much improved still just not enough to those types of rides IMO. Castle fireworks good but not too geat-snow after is always good. Talk about packed though. All the way from the castle to the fron of main was completely filled-looked like NYE. Then when it started to snow, everyone just stood there, not a few people-EVERYONE, it was almost weird, kinda wanted to yell "what the h++ is wrong with you people?" Just more laid back here I guess. Fantasmic was better but the seating at DHS is a big advantage-although it does require more time and planning.

All in all $105 well spent, thanks for all the help everyone.

 

[jade1]

Ended up:

Star Tours
Space 3 times
BTMR-2
Splash
Indy
Matterhorn
POC-2
Fireworks
Fantasmic

Cal screamin-2
L Mermaid
Soarin-2
TOT
WOC

I think that's it, must have missed a few things but would have went for the atmosphere an 3 shows actually.

By the way, with parks that close its pretty easy to walk back and forth to accumulate FP's. I was surprised the systems were not connected to allow that, but still was a lot of walking-got a blister actually.

 

[Judy from Boise]

sounds like you got a lot done ! How did you like our Fantasyland?

 

[ArchOwl]

Sounds like a great trip, even if it was busy. I agree with the Soarin' screen, it needs some repairs. Indy is also overdue for some TLC, we have experienced the same problem with it being down multiple times in a day.

Everyone loves it when it snows, talk about traffic jam! I think the CMs just stop trying to enforce the "keep moving" rule when its snows.

 

[Eeee-va]

Glad you had such a great time! Regarding the FPs, most visitors to Disneyland/DCA are locals, so they may not trek between parks to get the maximum amount of FPs. Heck, I only go about once a year but on my last trip I only hopped once or twice for the sole purpose of getting FPs. It's not that I don't love the rides but riding them a few times a day is enough.

(Never mind that a lot of people still think you can only get one FP period or have other misconceptions about the system.

 

[jade1]

sounds like you got a lot done ! How did you like our Fantasyland?

Actually we just got back to MPLS a bit ago. I actually skipped most of that and kind of wish I had spent more time there now that you asked. I was thinking of hitting Mr Toad for old times sake-should have I guess.

 

[jade1]

Glad you had such a great time! Regarding the FPs, most visitors to Disneyland/DCA are locals, so they may not trek between parks to get the maximum amount of FPs. Heck, I only go about once a year but on my last trip I only hopped once or twice for the sole purpose of getting FPs. It's not that I don't love the rides but riding them a few times a day is enough.

(Never mind that a lot of people still think you can only get one FP period or have other misconceptions about the system.

Makes sense. I had these myself by 11AM so my DS could sleep in and get a bunch done.

 

[jade1]

Sounds like a great trip, even if it was busy. I agree with the Soarin' screen, it needs some repairs. Indy is also overdue for some TLC, we have experienced the same problem with it being down multiple times in a day.

Everyone loves it when it snows, talk about traffic jam! I think the CMs just stop trying to enforce the "keep moving" rule when its snows.

It was great, also did Hollywood tour, Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach.

This was even fuller the other direction towards the castle.