Itinerary Planning

[Chumpson]

Okay, I hope this isn't too long, but I have been racking my brain and I need some help. Maybe with my dates it won't matter too much, but I still want to plan it out the best I can.

Quick question if you don't want to read the post.......What day should I use EE? Character Breakfast?

Who? Me, DW, DS (10), DS (7), DD (5)
When? Oct. 11th - 16th staying at Tropicana for five nights arriving Thursday at 7PMish. Starting DL/DCA on Friday Oct. 12, leaving Tuesday evening around 7PM, probably 5ish from the parks. 5 Day park hoppers.

So, that leaves me with full days on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday. I also have morning and early afternoon on Tuesday for the parks. So you know even though we go in the off season and the hours are shorter, we still go back to the hotel for short naps in the afternoon, that way we are fresh for opening each day.

So, we arrive on Thursday, get passes and such, now the planning.

I am assuming that the times for Disneyland will be similar to September, meaning 9-10 on Friday, 8-11 on Saturday, 9-10 on Sunday, 10-8 Monday and Tuesday. This doesn't matter too much with my planning, but a little with my character breakfast.

Friday--Character Breakfast at Goofy's to set the tone and get some character interaction out of the way before the park? I assuming I can get a 7am breakfast and be done in about 1.5 hours to hit the park by opening. Dad wants to hit the lines early and race to Nemo and be done with it, but is that the way to introduce the 5yo daughter to DL? Maybe I should hit Fantasy Land early on Friday for her sake? Fantasmic and Fireworks!

Saturday--EE? Save for Monday or Tuesday? Do Disneyland early then hit DCA as Saturdays at DL seem to be much more crowded, seems like a good day to do DCA? Light Parade? or back to DL for Fireworks?

Sunday--Back to DL. Race to Nemo? Do FL rides?

Monday-- Character breakfast or EE? IF so NEMO or FL Rides, if not then EE on last day Tuesday?

Tuesday--Character breakfast or EE ? Wondering if we really want to wait until last day for the meal. Wonder if we will be spending needless time in the parks searching for characters if we would have done the meal sooner.

Well that was a mess, as you can see I have a lot of options, but don't know the order to do them.

Thanks for the help with some of this.

 

[stagemomx3]

My suggestion

Friday- Disneyland(non EE) hit Fantasyland first thing- I'd do Peter Pan first.

Saturday- DCA- later opening can grab a little more rest, it will be less crowded than Disneyland.

Sunday- Park hop for favorites or perhaps this is your day to hit Nemo at opening?

Monday- I'd do DCA at opening again than park hop at will

Tuesday- EE enjoy Fantasyland or Tomorrowland during that extra hour.


I think for Nemo the strategy I would try would be to get in line Sunday night after dinner as close to closing as you can. Since I would get to sleep in more on Monday with heading to DCA it would matter if it got late.

Have fun and enjoy all the Halloween festivities!

 

[Misskitty3]

For your character breakfast, the only day I wouldn't do it is Saturday. Only because DL opens earliest that day and I would want to take advantage of that.

Maybe do your EE on Monday or Tuesday and which ever day you don't do EE pick the other one for Goofy's.

BTW, we will be there Oct 14-19 so we will keep an eye out for you!!


ETA: Or it might be good to do EE on Saturday (if you are early risers) as that will most likely be the busiest day. Hit DL early and then head back for a good rest and no worries about getting right back to the park because it will be open late.

 

[Chumpson]

Thanks for the help. I have been leaning toward doing Goofy's on Friday to kick off the visit. If I can get 7am eating time and back in line for the opening on Friday, I am thinking that might be the best. No?

 

[dizzyami]

1st off I love DL in October - we were there about that same time last year, and I am pretty certain your hours of operations are accurate.

This is what I would do:


Since we are not morning people, but have to be at the park 1st thing, I would actually do Goofy's for dinner on Thursday night (but this is just b/c we are not morning people)

Friday AM I agree to hit Peter Pan straight through the gates
Saturday AM I would do EE - this will knock out all FL rides - and allow you a bit extra sleep later in the trip when you will be more tired
Sunday AM I would hit Nemo
Monday AM and Tuesday AM I would hit any other favs or must sees ...

I am also a firm believer of being at DL 30 minutes prior to open and being the first through the gates. We then park hop EVERY DAY to DCA as the crowds at DL get heavier - picking up at least one FP on the way out (DL and DCA are not linked). Then spend some time in DCA each day during the early afternoon.

 

[dizzyami]

Thanks for the help. I have been leaning toward doing Goofy's on Friday to kick off the visit. If I can get 7am eating time and back in line for the opening on Friday, I am thinking that might be the best. No?

You should be able to pull that off - we did Lilo's on our last day Tuesday AM at 7am, and were still able to line up for EE (which would be the same as a Friday open) - so that should definitely work.