July 3-day trip schedule - Feedback appreciated!

[Meleyna]

Alright, I typically spend a lot of time planning our vacations, but this one really creeped up on me. I've mapped out a tentative schedule, but as it's been four years since we've been in the parks I'd really appreciate some feedback! (I've also got some clarifying questions.)

It will be my husband, my nine and five year olds, and myself. Three day park hopper. We are driving down from the Bay Area and staying across the street at the Fairfield Inn. It's my daughter's pre-kindergarten trip she's been waiting, well, basically four years for, and we are prioritizing what she wants to do, but there's enough time for us to do pretty much do whatever.

General notes:
I'm not buying MaxPasses. I don't think it's worth it for us--my kid are small enough to not care about the majority of the FP rides. (My nine year old is 5'2", but doesn't like big rides. He skips most of the stuff on Santa Cruz boardwalk, ha.)
First two days I intend on eating in room/McDonald's before heading into park so we aren't wasting time.
I don't really budget a lot of time/money/calories for snacky stuff and tend to just pack things.

A few general questions:
What's the most efficient way to purchase tickets, my phone? Last time I purchased them in our local Disneystore the week before--I don't think they still offer this. It would be nice to have a ticket instead of my using my phone for everything, but I want to be ready to go at rope drop our first morning.
Do I need to have kids with me to sign up for Jedi Training? Ideally I would just run over to sign them up and head back over to Fantasyland.
We have reservations at Ariel's Grotto for lunch. Do I still need to do the Fantasy Faire/Royal Hall (what is the diff??) with my little princess-lover?
I was originally planning on 9 PM WOC on Wednesday, but I can see now that my schedule would be too tight. If they are still handing out 9 PM FP when I go to get mine, will they give me the later show?
How early do I need line up for WOC? I recall waiting a really long time before the show started four years ago.
Kind of random, but is it worth making our way all the way back to Critter County? Splash Mountain isn't for us, and it seems like a pretty decent hike just for Winnie the Pooh.

Tuesday
6:35 AT MAIN GATE
7:00 Rope drop - head to Fantasyland
8:00ish Walk over to sign up for Jedi Training.
9:00 Toon Town
10:30 Head over to CAA
Grab Midway Mania FP
11:20 Lunch reservations at Ariel's Grotto
12:30-2 PM Paradise Pier, possibly meet Elena of Avalor
2:00 PM Tomorrowland
Buzz FP
Jedi Training
Star Wars Launch Bay
4:30 AM Soundsational Parade (I don't think we have time for this, but I wanted to note it in my schedule if there is room)
5:00 PM Dinner Rancho del Zocalo/tinker around Frontierland/Main Street
7:00 Back to hotel and bed.

Wednesday
8:00 CAA rope drop
WOC/Soarin FP
Hollywoodland
RSR FP (I'm banking on the return times are later in the evening)
Lunch No solid plans here--would do DL or CAA, but I feel like there aren't a lot of great quick service CAA options (I do like Paradise Garden Grill, but I don't want to walk all the way back there). Otherwise, I was thinking Bengal BBQ.
Back to DL
Grab Indiana FP
Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Tarzan, Indiana
Tiki Room
3:00 Back to hotel to rest
5:00 Back to CAA
Carsland - Dinner at Flo's
6:15 Pixar Parade (Is this timeline too tight? We could do dinner after parade, I just feel like it will be crowded. I really try to avoid mealtime crowds.)
Carsland. I *really* want to be here for the neon to turn on. We missed it last trip, and Cars was such a big part of our lives for so long!
10:15 World of Color

Thursday
This day is kind of intentionally open to fill in whatever we have missed/want to do again. Other than starting at CAA and finishing at DL, I'm open here.

10:00 (Or whenever everyone is up and moving. I'm not hustling people along early on the third day.) Open at CAA. Grab Soarin FP. Breakfast at Flo's? May be an easy way to start the day.
Other stuff we didn't get to. Soarin, maybe Frozen at Hyperion?
2 PM Back to DL. Light lunch/treats at Jolly Holiday. (Or something else? Red Rose? Depends where we go.)
Repeat whatever, end up over near NOLA for dinner at Cafe Orleans. (Probably. There are lots reservations left as I type this so I will probably snag one of those.)
8 PM snag a spot for ELP and Fireworks. Is this too late? I don't want to sit in the middle of the crowd for forever.
8:45 ELP
9:30 Fireworks
10 Whatever! We closed last trip at the Storybook Canals, which was kind of random but I really loved it.

I'm skipping Fantasmic! (I know, I know.) Last time we hustled over from fireworks to Fantasmic, which was fine, but I think after doing the parade and fireworks back to back kids will want to move. I think they'll enjoy the parade more than Fantasmic.

 

[Sun_soakin]

That's a packed timeline, especially Tues morning...but it could be doable.
I'd consider watching DL fireworks your first night just in case they are canceled.
Yes, I'd walk back and do winnie the pooh. You also might not want to rule out splash mountain, my kids love it (and we don't love the boardwalk, even tho we live in Santa Cruz), Disney rides are so well themed that none of them are that scary IMO.
We haven't done Jedi training in years, but I've heard the kids have to be there to sign up. Other than that, designate a FP runner.
I bought tickets from Last Minute Travel Club, printed the voucher, exchanged the voucher for cards at the gate (and upgraded to APs a couple days later)...it worked well and saved a little bit.
You will probably get one additional princess at the royal faire thing...if your dd seems really into the princesses you might consider doing this your last day if the wait is short. Ariels grotto was a good choice...did you grab a ressie? Don't forget to bring a princess dress and accessories if your dd is a big princess fan (or consider doing a makeover at BB boutique...really fun but maybe not on a tight schedule).
We get to WOC an hour early for good spots and sit down there to eat our dinner from the nearby food court (pacific wharf cafe is a favorite for clam chowder and salads, the bread bowls are so good).

ETA- i think they give you a card at the gate no matter whether you are redeeming previously purchased tickets on your phone, or a printed voucher. You go straight to the gate, they scan it, take your picture, give you a card and have you sign it...it's pretty quick.

Catch the show at Hyperion...it's well done and makes a nice midday break (although I miss Aladin)

 

[Skyegirl1999]

I answered the ones I know about below - I'm no help on tickets as an AP holder, sorry.

A few general questions:

Do I need to have kids with me to sign up for Jedi Training? Ideally I would just run over to sign them up and head back over to Fantasyland.

Yes, they have to answer questions and absolutely must be with you.

We have reservations at Ariel's Grotto for lunch. Do I still need to do the Fantasy Faire/Royal Hall (what is the diff??) with my little princess-lover?

We enjoy FF, but it may be repeat princesses inside depending who you get at Ariel's Grotto. We've never had Snow White over there, but she's pretty standard at FF. Ariel and Cinderella are the other two we see most frequently at FF, but it does vary. They also have Rapunzel/Flynn and Aladdin/Jasmine in the courtyard at different times. The show at the Royal Theater is cute, too. Oh, and technically I think the whole section is "Fantasy Faire," including the theater and store and snack cart, and the Royal Hall is the specific building where you meet three princesses.


I was originally planning on 9 PM WOC on Wednesday, but I can see now that my schedule would be too tight. If they are still handing out 9 PM FP when I go to get mine, will they give me the later show?

Not unless they've changed their policy. In December I was told I needed to keep checking back until the later show was available.

How early do I need line up for WOC? I recall waiting a really long time before the show started four years ago.

Like PP, we usually plan for an hour-70 minutes.

Kind of random, but is it worth making our way all the way back to Critter County? Splash Mountain isn't for us, and it seems like a pretty decent hike just for Winnie the Pooh.

If you're at the Haunted Mansion, it's not that far. If you aren't doing HM, then meh?

Lastly, keep in mind that last week, the parks were pretty empty, and this week, they're PACKED! I'd be prepared for packed.

 

[ADLFAN]

Have you downloaded the Disneyland App on your phone? It is super useful!

You can purchase your tickets and they will scan it and give you the standard paper tickets right at the entry gates, no need to stop by the ticket booths. Make sure you have a nice secure place for your parties admission tickets, because that is how Fastpasses are being redeemed currently, by scanning your paper ticket vs. your printed paper FP.

I also use the App to monitor FP return times, so you will know when to head over to grab that evening ride on Radiator Springs Racers or Big Thunder, and you'll know when FP for the new Guardians of the Galaxy attraction run out, etc.

It is also awesome to look at restaurants nearby and their menus and prices are all listed, you can also make reservations! I think a lot of people waste time trying to locate food that appeals to them in the parks, I know we did...

Plus it shows character meet and greet times and locations. I usually see Princesses roaming, around the castle and Snow White's wishing well and the entrance to Disneyland. One cute thing we did for a little princess lover was bring a Little Golden Book with most of the princesses in it to be autographed by them. We brought different colored Sharpies and they bled through a bit, but you can still read the book. It gave the characters something to converse about also!

I love Critter Country! Splash is super fun to watch, even if the kids won't ride! The little candy store and hat store are fun to browse through, and I even like the Pooh ride! It also stays quiet the longest in the mornings. I love starting on that Adventureland, New Orleans Square, Critter Country side of Disneyland!

The Frozen show is a nice break for your 3rd day and a good show with some fun effects.

Your plans sound jam packed, but it also sounds like you are prepared to be flexible, so I am sure you will have an awesome trip! Have fun planning!

 

[Meleyna]

Ariels grotto was a good choice...did you grab a ressie?

Yes! I knew she wanted to meet princesses, but I really wanted to avoid waiting in line. We HAVE to meet Elena of Avalor, but other than that, if this is all the princess we see, I think we will be good!

 

[jesseramos]

Do I need to have kids with me to sign up for Jedi Training?

Yes, the kids need to be present to sign up. They will be interviewed during a pre-screen process. "Can you follow directions? Are you okay performing on stage? Are you okay facing the dark side by yourself?" etc. We did it on 7/9 and we were able to register 30 minutes before the show that started at around 2:30-2:45.

 

[tarheelalum]

I think the Guardians of the Galaxy have a sort of interactive dance thing with kids and it looks pretty neat. I don't know if it's a sign up type thing but your kids might like it a lot.

 

[Meleyna]

Thank you! I'm kind of just expecting it to be packed. Oh well!