Labor Day Weekend HELP Please ~ Insight Needed ASAP

[traci]

I can plan DisneyWorld, but I am at a loss for DisneyLand...

Can someone please help me with a Labor Day weekend plan? And fast!

We have an opportunity to go this Fri-Sun but I have NEVER been to a Disney park when the crowds are so high. I am almost thinking not to go...

If we decide to go we will be staying at the Californian.

We would do the parks Sat. & Sun.
Don't mind getting up early for rope drop (are there early hours there)??
Hitting every ride is not a must. Plan on going back to resort to swim as well.
Probably wont do the evening Colors show either.

Just how bad will it be if we get there early? And what do we head to first?
Kids are 7 and 1. Love the traditional rides (Peter, Dumbo, Pirates).

Thanks for any help. I need to decide ASAP so any insight will truly help with my decision.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

 

[ArchOwl]

Well, I am going to be there for that weekend as well. I am expecting crowds, but nothing crazy like Christmas or anything. So if you have a good touring strategy I think you will be fine, especially if you are staying at the Grand.

However, you should also be aware that the Half Marathon and other events this weekend may disrupt some things. For example, normally there are Magic Mornings on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sundays. This is when resort guests or those with multi day hoppers can enter Disneyland one hour before the park opens. Unlike at WDW, it is good to use those Magic Mornings. However, because of a 5K run on Saturday, there will NOT be a Magic Morning on Saturday. So they moved the Magic Morning to Friday, not sure if that will help you or not. There will be a Magic Morning on Sunday.

DCA doesn't have a Magic Morning, but Soarin does open at 9:30am and as a guest of the Grand, you can enter the park early to get a World of Color FP and ride and a get a FP for Soarin. Then you can line up for rope drop over to the Pier area. For summer, hotel guests were able to ride the Little Mermaid before regular guests, not sure exactly the time or if that promotion is still running. But if it is, it would be worth doing.

You already have the outline of a brilliant plan. Get there early! If you are there at rope drop, you will get a lot done in those first few hours. Then hop over to DCA and grab a few fastpasses and go the Grand and relax. The Grand has its own private entrance in/out of DCA that will come in handy. Swim and relax in the afternoon while the parks heat up. Then return in the late afternoon/early evening. Use your FPs that you collected during the first part of the day.

I really think you should reconsider the World of Color show. As guests of the Grand, you will be allowed to get your FPs for the show before regular guests. With a good nap/rest in the middle of the day, it should be fairly easy to stay up and watch the first show. There is a World of Color superthread here that has a lot of information. It is an amazing show.

I usually recommend getting a Star Tours FP first if you have any interest in riding this ride since it is so popular right now. Once you have done that, do the Fantasyland rides (Peter Pan first!), breaking to obtain FPs as soon as you are able to. Probably Star Tours, Space Mountain, Splash, Indy, Big Thunder, and Roger Rabbit in that order. Although Roger Rabbit is disconnected from the larger network, so you can obtain at any time.

Have fun! I think it is totally worth going!

 

[traci]

PERFECT! I really appreciate the advice!!! you rock!

 

[ArchOwl]

No problem! I hope you decide to go!

Also, another thing. I really think getting there early is going to be key this weekend. The Half Marathon and 5K are in the morning, so I think many people will be at those events, either running or cheering on their friends/family. They will most likely descend on the parks once those events are over and the medals are handed out, runners picked up and showered and fed, etc. So I am thinking that the earlier you start, the more you will get done. Traffic will be a mess, so I wouldn't leave the Grand Sunday morning at all.

Anyway, if you want more detailed planning, try ridemax or a similar touring plan. It could be pretty helpful for a busy weekend.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

No need for big plans...this is one of the greatest advantages of a DL trip! I'm a WDW overplanner. I spend months on spreadsheets and tweaking my ADRS. Disneyland is super easy...just go early.

I'm going to be there that weekend too! I've made a few PS(ADRs). We will be there at ropedrop and get FPs for the afternoon. The FP machines are independent between the parks, so we always skip over to DCA and grab some after opening.

WOC takes some planning, if you want to see it. Either get a picnic meal that includes FP or pick them up in the morning.

And don't miss Fantasmic...it's tons better at DL!

Haunted Mansion will be closed....booooooo, but most everything else is open! The Matterhorn reopens on the 2nd, so I would expect long lines there.

Hope you go! I'll have my lime green Mickey with Halloweenqueen written on it. Say hi if you see me!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

By all means go. You already know the key to beating the crowds. I went over Labor Day 2008 and 2009 and didn't think the crowds were that bad. It often seems that blackout days end up meaning lower crowds.

And I agree about seeing World of Color. There is nothing like it at WDW.

 

[Dreaming of Main St]

Definitely go!

I agree with Halloweenqueen - DL doesn't require as much planning as WDW. I plan for months when we go to WDW and when we go to DL we just get there at rope drop and go to the rides we know will be most crowded first. We do usually go at a slower time of year so I can't help you with crowd info, but I think if you go early and take advantage of FP you'll be fine.

We have 2 young boys and we always start with Peter Pan, then Dumbo. Although, with the new Star Tours ride now, that's where I'd head first.

I find Disneyland so much easier to navigate than WDW. We like to stay at the Grand Californian too. The location and feel of the hotel can't be beat!

 

[traci]

Thanks again for the insight!

Regarding WOC....the CM said (while discussing ressie at Grand Cali) that we get premium seating passes. I didn't even think to ask if that is for WOC. And is that the same as Fantasmic? I will call back and clarify, but any info in the meantime would be great!

Also, tell me the best way to see this...explain this picnic thing (where do you register...best place to view...etc.)

THANK YOU ALL AGAIN

I am such a DL novice.

AND...Which park should we begin with on Saturday and Sunday for rope drop?

 

[Halloweenqueen]

The WOC passes given at GCH are not really premium. The advantage is not having to wait in line at the FP machine. You do have to wait in line at the DCA entrance in the morning.

The picnic is available online only. You purchase your meal and then pick it up along with your FPs the day of the show.

Check out disneyparks.com for information on the meals available.

You can also see if there is any WOC dinner packages available. There are two restaurants the offer this. The price is about $40 per person, but you do get dinner and the best "seats" in the house.

Remember, WOC is standing room only. You are only reserving a particular section, not a seat.

 

[Vexorg]

I'm still trying to figure out the best way to work around the Half Marathon in getting to the park on Sunday. From what I can see, it looks like the best bet is probably going to be to approach the Mickey and Friends garage from the back side (go an exit past Harbor on North I-5 and backtrack a bit.) Does anyone know how they're going to be handling this?

 

[SailorsWife]

Labor Day weekend is blackout dates for some pass holders. Also, school is back in session for most CA schools by now. So the crowds should be ok. Use the fast passes, take a break in the afternoon to get out of the sun and heat. California Grand is so close to the entrance of both parks. It's awesome to stay there and just stroll over to the parks. Favorite thing to do, is the Rapids ride, get soaked and go back to the room to rest, dry off and head back out for dinner. Storyteller cafe has wonderful breakfast. You can do buffet or order off the menu.

Enjoy.

 

[Vexorg]

Actually, Labor Day itself seems to be unblocked for all pass types, although the Saturday and Sunday of this weekend are blocked for all but premium APs.

 

[audrey2580]

I was there last Labor Day and it really wasn't that bad. Touring plans has it

Fri, September 2, 2011 4 out of 10
Sat, September 3, 2011 4 out of 10
Sun, September 4, 2011 5 out of 10

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I was there last Labor Day and it really wasn't that bad. Touring plans has it

Fri, September 2, 2011 4 out of 10
Sat, September 3, 2011 4 out of 10
Sun, September 4, 2011 5 out of 10

Shhhhhhhh......let's keep it a secret!

 

[traci]

Well thanks so much everyone! we took the plunge and booked! Looking forward to a fun-filled weekend!!! I truly appreciate all of the feedback.

Can anyone suggest which park to hit first on Saturday and which to do first on Sunday?