Just booked and I have no idea what I'm doing!

[abolanwoski]

We haven't been to DLR since 2008, although we go to WDW every year. I just got a wild hair and decided that we should go in May.

I know that I can't book dining until 60 days out and this is probably a blessing since I don't know how to structure this trip or where the best dining is. We will arrive on a Wednesday (hopefully early) and depart on Sunday morning. We are staying at GC.

We will probably get the Military Salute tickets which I think are 3 day park hoppers. I was thinking R-F-Sa in the parks with W just getting settled and going to the pool.

Please help direct me. I'm normally very organized with our WDW vacas and I feel disoriented and out of my element. I do have the unofficial guide on order from the library, FWIW! LOL

 

[Indiana Scott]

I would will try to spend Weds in the parks. That is most likely to be the slowest day of the week crowd-wise.

 

[Fantaluminishes]

We haven't been to DLR since 2008, although we go to WDW every year. I just got a wild hair and decided that we should go in May. I know that I can't book dining until 60 days out and this is probably a blessing since I don't know how to structure this trip or where the best dining is. We will arrive on a Wednesday (hopefully early) and depart on Sunday morning. We are staying at GC. We will probably get the Military Salute tickets which I think are 3 day park hoppers. I was thinking R-F-Sa in the parks with W just getting settled and going to the pool. Please help direct me. I'm normally very organized with our WDW vacas and I feel disoriented and out of my element. I do have the unofficial guide on order from the library, FWIW! LOL

Unlike WDW, you don't need to worry about the 60-day ADR window at DLR. You can generally get any reservation 2 to 3 weeks out. Often with much less notice.

Disneyland is very easy to plan. With 3-day hoppers, you can make the EMH park your main park each day, and hop over to the other park later in the day.

 

[Geemo]

We haven't been to DLR since 2008, although we go to WDW every year. I just got a wild hair and decided that we should go in May.

I know that I can't book dining until 60 days out and this is probably a blessing since I don't know how to structure this trip or where the best dining is. We will arrive on a Wednesday (hopefully early) and depart on Sunday morning. We are staying at GC.

We will probably get the Military Salute tickets which I think are 3 day park hoppers. I was thinking R-F-Sa in the parks with W just getting settled and going to the pool.

Please help direct me. I'm normally very organized with our WDW vacas and I feel disoriented and out of my element. I do have the unofficial guide on order from the library, FWIW! LOL

I find if we don't have a day or partial day of down time, we miss so much that is outside the parks.

Staying GC gets you early entry to the parks. This will help get the day started.


Geemo

 

[gottalovepluto]

Check your dates for grad nites (which increase crowd levels in DL on evenings significantly) & other potential events for the dates you'll be there. I think there is a marathon in May but don't know when. Watch the boards for when news breaks about when the 60th celebration kicks off & any events associated with that, it's supposed to be mid-end of May. That way in case anything is happening to increase crowd levels you can consider taking that day as your off day.

 

[CalgaryTroy]

Wait a minute!
You mean at WDW you don't eat when you're hungry....you eat at the time you booked a meal reservation 60 days prior to going?
whoa!

 

[bakerudall]

Wait a minute!
You mean at WDW you don't eat when you're hungry....you eat at the time you booked a meal reservation 60 days prior to going?
whoa!

LOL! They start reserving meals at six months prior.

To the OP, I recommend Hydroguy's DLR Guide for WDW Vets:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

The unofficial guide is a good read and fun for a Disney fix, but you'll find a lot more current and accurate info on this board. Touring plans aren't as necessary at DLR, but you will want to make plans for at least the first few hours of each day as well as food and entertainment options.

Feel free to post your dates and any additional questions for more specific help. I think you'll have a great time seeing the changes since 2008.

 

[Just Peachy]

Since you are a WDW vet - Hydroguy has a great link with lots of useful info on the DLR.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599&highlight=hydroguy

As a PP stated, I would visit the park on Wednesday too.

Over the last four visits to DLR our family vacation schedule has settled into this routine:

Day 1: arrive at hotel (typically the DLH) early afternoon.
Check out the hotel & let family settle a bit but enter the park and have the Fantasmic! special desert (now meal at BB) early enough to have the special seating that evening.
Judicial use of FP or just being mellow as we hit a few rides, watch the fireworks and close the park down (no hopping that first day).

Days 2 – 3 or 4:
Let the EMH and extended night hours dictate which park we start at and when to hop.
EMH or Rope drop every day. No FPs picked up until about noon (if at all). Leave the parks from noon until late afternoon (hang out at the hotel or shop). For peak seasons this is a must. For your travel time, maybe not so much.
Return for first FP times or have a dinner reservation. Typically have one sit down meal ressie per day (Carthay Circle, BB, Napa Rose, Steakhouse 55, etc.) and let that drive the timing back into the parks.

Last Day:
Don’t go to parks. Have a early to mid morning Character Breakfast (Goofy’s or Storytellers) if time allows hit DTD one more time to load up on stuff we don’t really need and head out to the airport (SNA).