I'm getting worried...

[twinmama1999]

that we chose the wrong time to go Disneyland.

Hi I'm new to this forum, I've been lurking for a little, since we booked our trip to DL.

We are going just after Easter, April 10 to 13, and I've read a number of comments saying this is a totally crazy time to go. Yikes!!! We actually chose to take our kids out of school for the week rather than go during our spring break which at the end of March.

We've been to DL, we went 3 years ago when my children were 5, they're almost 8 now.

I'm wondering if we made a bad choice with dates.

Our flight on the 10th lands at 9:30 AM at LAX so we will be able to get almost a full day in DL on our first day, then we'll have Wednesday and Thursday. Friday is the write off day, as our plane takes off noonish so no time for the parks then.

I do have one question, how long will it take to get from LAX to Anaheim on the DL Express Bus at about 10 AM on a Tuesday. Is it possible for us to be in the park for noonish after checking in. We're staying at Howard Johnson Anaheim?

TIA,

 

[got2travel]

Unfortunately for you this is a very busy time at the parks. Many schools are out either the week before or the week after Easter. We've been a few times during these breaks and it is very crowded.

Please do as much research as you can ahead of time and go to the parks with a plan. Get there before opening, you can really get a lot done in the first few hours, take an afternoon break, then come back in to enjoy the evening parades/shows. Use Fastpass as much as possible and take note, the FP has a return time, but DL doesn't enforce the end time. You cannot come back to ride prior to your start time, but you can come back any time after that, not just within the hour they give you.

As for the shuttle time, I can't say. We've driven from LAX and it was maybe 1 hr 15 min or so.

 

[twinmama1999]

Unfortunately for you this is a very busy time at the parks. Many schools are out either the week before or the week after Easter. We've been a few times during these breaks and it is very crowded.

Please do as much research as you can ahead of time and go to the parks with a plan. Get there before opening, you can really get a lot done in the first few hours, take an afternoon break, then come back in to enjoy the evening parades/shows. Use Fastpass as much as possible and take note, the FP has a return time, but DL doesn't enforce the end time. You cannot come back to ride prior to your start time, but you can come back any time after that, not just within the hour they give you.

As for the shuttle time, I can't say. We've driven from LAX and it was maybe 1 hr 15 min or so.

Thank you, I definately agree that I'm going to have to learn ins and outs of the fastpass sytem, which we didn't really use last time we were there in October.

Oh well, not much I can do about it now, it's booked, we'll go and have fun regardless.

 

[PrincessSitka]

Welcome aboard
No matter you will still enjoy your time in Disneyland. I used to make my resie in April and it is just tobusy for me and the kids.

 

[melmacd]

We're going in April too -- 12-19th -- and we've prepared ourselves for DL to be crowded. I think as long as you go understanding that it's going to be busy and plan your day accordingly you should be ok.

Have fun!

~mel

 

[MATTERHORN]

You'll have a great time, you just needed to research when other areas of the US had spring break since they aren't all the same. Most here are in April, so a little different than where you are.

Either way, like the PP said, take advantage of early mornings and fastpass and you'll do fine! Oh and welcome to the DIS!


Andrea

 

[XTinabell]

.

Our flight on the 10th lands at 9:30 AM at LAX so we will be able to get almost a full day in DL on our first day, then we'll have Wednesday and Thursday. Friday is the write off day, as our plane takes off noonish so no time for the parks then.

I do have one question, how long will it take to get from LAX to Anaheim on the DL Express Bus at about 10 AM on a Tuesday. Is it possible for us to be in the park for noonish after checking in. We're staying at Howard Johnson Anaheim?

TIA,

If traffic is good you can make it to anaheim in about an hour or so, give or take. When we went traffic was super slow and we still made it to anaheim in an hour. The express Disneyland bus will stop at the disneyland hotel before it drops off at the other hotels and unfortunately Howard Johnson is the last stop this bus will take. So assuming your flight isn't late, you don't miss the express bus and have to wait for the next one and traffic is good you should be able to get to your hotel by 11:30. Just drop off your bags and head to the park I think it's totally doable for you to be in the park around noon. Just grab a corn dog when you're in the park if you're hungry instead of sitting down in a restaurant.

And don't worry about crowds, you can definately work them. Grab fast passes first thing in the morning for Indiana Jones or space mountain or splash mountain. Then once the time on your fastpass is ready for you to use grab another fast pass. Hydroguy has lots of good advice for when it's busy in the park, he has some kind of rules thread or something like that but i'm not sure where it is.

 

[HydroGuy]

that we chose the wrong time to go Disneyland.

LOL, but there is no bad time to go do DLR - unless maybe you are sick.

As others have said, bone up on FASTPASS. Here are some tips: "Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

Most of the advice in this link will work for you too: "Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

Enjoy yourself. Crowds are not all bad.

 

[disneymom8589]

We have gone several times during our spring break, which always falls the first full week in April. Only one time was it so bad that we had a hard time getting on any rides, but the other times, although busy, were definitely manageable. Like other posters have said, take advantage of fast passes and get there early! Have a great time!

 

[casaazul]

And we still had a great time. You need to use FastPass and be prepared to eat at odd times to avoid lines.

I would pick your top 5 rides you HAVE to do and make sure you do those early in the day, or with FastPass. Then try your next favorites with FastPass.

We were there during a super busy weekend and rode Space Mountain 3 times in the morning without more than a 15 minute wait!!!

Have fun!!

 

[TwingleMum]

LOL, but there is no bad time to go do DLR - unless maybe you are sick.

As others have said, bone up on FASTPASS. Here are some tips: "Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

Most of the advice in this link will work for you too: "Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

Enjoy yourself. Crowds are not all bad.

Hey Hydroguy~ How do you know if a ride is FP disconnect??? And what does that mean ??? Thanks for the FP lesson

 

[HydroGuy]

Hey Hydroguy~ How do you know if a ride is FP disconnect??? And what does that mean ??? Thanks for the FP lesson

There are people on a number of forums who check this regularly and post it. And I have done it myself on numerous occasions, most recently last August.

If a FP machine is disconnected that means the delays between picking up FPs for different attractions do not apply to the disconnected machines.

Example #1: You pick up a FP for Big Thunder Mtn RR at 1PM and it says on the FP that you can get your next FP at 2PM. You can then walk directly over to Roger Rabbit and get a FP for Roger Rabbit right after 1PM - because RR is disconnected.

Example #2: You pick up a FP for Grizzly River Run at 12PM and it says you cannot get your next FP until 2PM. You can then walk directly over to Soarin Over California and get a FP for Soarin right after 12PM - because GRR is not connected.

For a detailed explanation see
"The Joy of FASTPASS - details and secrets"
"www.micechat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5720

 

[TwingleMum]

There are people on a number of forums who check this regularly and post it. And I have done it myself on numerous occasions, most recently last August.

If a FP machine is disconnected that means the delays between picking up FPs for different attractions do not apply to the disconnected machines.

Example #1: You pick up a FP for Big Thunder Mtn RR at 1PM and it says on the FP that you can get your next FP at 2PM. You can then walk directly over to Roger Rabbit and get a FP for Roger Rabbit right after 1PM - because RR is disconnected.

Example #2: You pick up a FP for Grizzly River Run at 12PM and it says you cannot get your next FP until 2PM. You can then walk directly over to Soarin Over California and get a FP for Soarin right after 12PM - because GRR is not connected.

For a detailed explanation see
"The Joy of FASTPASS - details and secrets"
"www.micechat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5720

So at this time RR and GRR the only disconnected FP machine??? I'm sorry to be so obtuse. I did read your very enlightning dissertation I was wondering if you could tell by its appearance that it was disconnected or is it just how they set up RR and GRR.

 

[HydroGuy]

So at this time RR and GRR the only disconnected FP machine??? I'm sorry to be so obtuse. I did read your very enlightning dissertation I was wondering if you could tell by its appearance that it was disconnected or is it just how they set up RR and GRR.

No, you cannot tell by looking. There is no way to know unless someone tells you or you find out by accident (by trying it).

FWIW, DLR had many more disconnected FP machines in the past. Now they are down to just these two.

 

[21yankees]

We are going just after Easter, April 10 to 13, and I've read a number of comments saying this is a totally crazy time to go.

I'm taking my 3 kids the same week. I've been worried too, but am trying to plan as much possible and am remembering we'll have fun no matter what (while we're there).

Steph

 

[travelgirl06]

It will be busy, but with a little planning it can be okay. I went to DL for a day during the first week of January this year, which was crazy busy, but managed to do everything I wanted to. Here are a few tips:

1. Get fastpasses, start attaining these early (as soon as you get to the park), and you will be able to get more as the day progresses, get your second fast pass as soon as it is available and so on. I would especially recommend these for Space Mountain at DL and Soarin' Over California at DCA, these tend to run out of fastpasses by midday.

2. Get to the parks early (for opening if at all possible) and hit the major rides (e.g. California Screamin, Tower of Terror, Peter Pan, Thunder Mountain, Dumbo, etc.) this way, you can avoid longer lines later in the day.

3. Try to eat at non-conventional times, that way you can ride more rides with shorter lines since everyone else is eating and avoid the rush/crowds at the restaurants during lunch or dinner.

4. Take a break, if the crowds get overwhelming leave the parks for a little bit. When I go on especially busy days I usually leave the parks and go to Downtown Disney for a late lunch (around 2), the afternoon is when the parks seem craziest to me, so I'm happy to leave. Plus DTD is relaxing and has great food, so it really rejuvenates you for later in the day.

5. Stay late, when the park is open after the fireworks this is a great time to go on rides. If everyone has a little energy left you can ride most rides in the park with little to no wait.

6. If you have park hoppers, go visit DCA when DL gets a little too crowded. DCA is usually less crowded and can make for a nice break.

7. Go prepared for the crowds... know that there will be lines and crowds, plan what you really want to get accomplished and do that early in the day, have things to do while waiting in line, etc. If you are determined to see Fantasmic or Aladdin, be sure to get there early to get a good seat.

8. Have fun! DL does their best to prepare for busy times and usually does a pretty good job. They run extra shows (vs. off season) and stay open later. In January the park was busier than expected so they kept it open an hour later (which was announced when you parked or bought tickets), a very nice touch.

Hope these help a little bit.

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

I say go and enjoy your trip and try to do your best not to worry about the crouds. Living in Oregon we have been to Disneyland several times, in March, May, June and July. All of which are busy times. Do what you can don't worry about what has not been done and use your fast passes as much as possible.
Even with 4 trips to Disneyland and one to Disneyworld, I still have not seen it all, there is always something new to see or new to be done, just enjoy your trip and remember if you don't see everything you want you can start planning your next trip once you get back home.

 

[twinmama1999]

Thanks for the tips everyone!! I'm excited, the kids don't know we're going, we're telling them just before we leave, they're going to freak I'm sure.

Off to go find more info on the boards here.

 

[PattiPB]

Several newbies on this thread, so... to the DL DIS! The friendliest and most helpful board around!

BREATHE!!! You aren't going to be skipping down Main Street all by your onesy, but it's not a mosh pit, either!

Most of us are opinionated and have our preferences---read everything HydroGuy has to say, he is the voice of reason! I'll give you two more general suggestions:

1. Read everything HydroGuy posts. Twice.
2. Arrive early on both days---you'll beat most of the locals driving in for the day.
3. Make a list of your "must-dos" and hit them hard on Thursday, even if it means criss-crossing the parks. That way, you won't miss them.

 

[mtod1164]

I do love summeries of things I can brush up on...