Just to make sure that I understand...

[Frye7127]

A little background first... We are going on the Magic at the end of July. We have decided to go to Disneyland on Monday after we get back. We have picked the Candy Cane Inn for our stay. We only have one day, so we are buying one day passes and plan on getting there early. Can we leave for a little in the afternoon and then come back later around 5 - 6 to stay for the rest of the evening? Our plan was to go early and then around 2 go back to the hotel and veg for a while and maybe swim, heading back to the park for dinner, parades, more rides, and fireworks. Will this work?

 

[Hound 109]

Yes....& it's recommended.

You might want to read HydroGuy's & MaryJo's Stickys at the top of the first page....lots of info for the WDW vet & DLR newbie.

A few thoughts:

- Get to the DL gate 35-45 min. prior to opening.
- Which means you'll want to walk instead of the Candy Cane bus that morning.
- Collect 4-5 FPs (begin EARLY) for evening use.
- Ride slow loading rides early (as you collect FPs)
- Take the bus back for your afternoon break.
- Use your FPs when you return that evening.

Will you have a park hopper....or just a DL ticket?

Have fun planning a visit to Walt's Park.

 

[Frye7127]

We decided to just do Disneyland. I read some of HydroGuy's suggestions and that is where I learned that you could leave and come back. Since we have a 1-day pass, I just wanted to make sure that we could indeed leave and come back. Originally, I thought my DH and DD would have to leave and DS and I would just stay in the park, as we can go all day and night, and they don't enjoy it as much. So this will be the best of both worlds.

Thanks for these tips, too.

Leasi

 

[Hound 109]

I stayed at the Candy Cane last month. The bus (which is great) doesn't start running till 35 after (they say :30) thus you don't get to DL front gate till :45. Best to get there on your ONLY day at :25am.

You can get ALOT done in one day if you zig when others are zagging....& a mid day rest ties in with this nicely. Come back again at try out DCA....takes the best out of Studios & Epcot puts a California twist to it.

Be sure & take some literature on DL onto the boat & pencil in a plan if you only have 1 day (in the summer) to enjoy Walt's Park.

Here's a link to my 2 day/1 night (at the Candy Cane) visit last month:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1800918

 

[Frye7127]

I stayed at the Candy Cane last month. The bus (which is great) doesn't start running till 35 after (they say :30) thus you don't get to DL front gate till :45. Best to get there on your ONLY day at :25am.

You can get ALOT done in one day if you zig when others are zagging....& a mid day rest ties in with this nicely. Come back again at try out DCA....takes the best out of Studios & Epcot puts a California twist to it.

Be sure & take some literature on DL onto the boat & pencil in a plan if you only have 1 day (in the summer) to enjoy Walt's Park.

Here's a link to my 2 day/1 night (at the Candy Cane) visit last month:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1800918

thanks for sharing your visit. we thought the CCI bus didn't run until after it opened so we did say we would walk in the morning. I told my DH that I definitely wanted to do RideMax to make sure that we didn't miss anything. It is starting to sink in, I am just trying to get my head wrapped around everything and make good choices for our one day there. The kids are soo excited!!! and so am I!!!!

 

[Disneyenthusiast]

You won't want to leave if you only have 1 day. If you do, be sure to get your hand stamped when you leaave.

 

[letthembelittle]

We just did one day at the park (it was a short day the park closed at 8) and we only saw a small amount of the park even being there right when they opened and staying until the parade. I guess it depends on you and your family, if you can do your top rides in just the morning then sure leave and nap and such but there is so much to see I would stay all day. Good luck and have fun!

 

[bumbershoot]

It occured to me that it's possible my first trip report linked in my signature might be of a little interest, since it incorporated 2 one-day trips. Had two one-days, one in '05, one in '06, and then we hit '07 and this year and we're going crazy with the visits.

We had a plan (er, I had a plan) and both times I was thwarted by relatives who didn't see the point of leaving San Diego early enough to get there at the opening, but we still had great days. Although I did read here and elsewhere (probably mainly elsewhere for the '05 trip) beforehand, I remember my *main* touring plan was to go left when others go right. So when others go right to tomorrowland and Nemo and even fantasyland (though I'll admit that that last land is a mistake to do later in the day unless you love lines), we went left to Adventureland and ride Indy and Jungle Cruise first. Served us well, though I'll also admit that our first year was massively helped out by a big rainstorm less than an hour after we got there. Everyone left; we bought ponchos and umbrellas and sallied forth for a great time!

 

[Hound 109]

thanks for sharing your visit. we thought the CCI bus didn't run until after it opened so we did say we would walk in the morning. I told my DH that I definitely wanted to do RideMax to make sure that we didn't miss anything. It is starting to sink in, I am just trying to get my head wrapped around everything and make good choices for our one day there. The kids are soo excited!!! and so am I!!!!

I think Ride Max is a good tool. & if i wasn't going to do any research ahead of time, it would be a good itinerary to follow for the newbie DL visitor.....but....

If you're going to do some research (& based on your comments you will). I wouldn't follow it EXACTLY. You sound like me....I like to "get my hands around" a park & understand WHY something or someone is telling me to do something. (which is why Hydroguy's "how to use FP on a crowded summer day" thread was so helpful for me).

In my opinion it's the first 2-3 hours that are important. If you get there 35-45 min. before the gate opens, ride the rides that need to be ridden & collect the FPs that need to be collected....then the rest of the day kind of takes care of itself. You've begun the zigging when others are zagging process & you can justify taking the much needed early afternoon 2-3 hour swim/nap break during the hot & crowded time at DL...& then return at night to enjoy DL's magical night time refreshed (& with 4-5 FPs in your pocket).

If I were you, I'd make a list of your top ten rides/attractions that you must do....ten that you want to do.....& ten that you'd kind of like to do. Read up here & plug the rides/attractions into Ride Max & come back here & present your list & itinerary.

I'd bet you'd get LOTS of comments on your "list & itinerary" & more info/opinions is always better than less. But....what's more important than the perfect itinerary (since everyone's definition is different)....is that if you follow some of the basic strategies & opinions offered here (& on Ride Max).....you'll be ahead of 95% of the DL visitors....which you'll want to be if you only have one day to enjoy at Walt's Park.

(& if it's not too late add an extra day - or two - to your visit )

hound -