Last Minute Trip Planned

[coolmark18]

Im in Vegas 23-30th August. Thought I might hire a car and drive down for a random visit on the 25th.

I've only been once to Disneyland (but also visited every other disney park!). It would be a parkhopper. Wander around Disneyland and DCA. Not really interested that much on doing all the rides. Just the odd headliner, character meets and World of Colour.

Whats the best touring plan for a 1 day 2 park. I'd also be dragging my two non-disney friends so need to consider their headliner chat.

What is the 25th or 26th August like for crowds? Is it busy? The drive from Vegas is 4 hours says Google. Am I mental?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

How could it be mental to want to see DLR?! Will you be staying near the parks/onsite the night before your visit? Or are you planning to drive straight from Vegas and go right into the parks? If so, give yourself plenty of time for parking. If you stay the night before, it will help you to be at rope drop (at whichever park doesn't have Magic Morning/Early Entry). Those morning hours are when you will get so much done, especially since you will be fitting everything into one day. Have everyone in your group make a list of their Must Dos, Would Like to Dos, and Take It Or Leave Its. Then compile a list that includes at least one Must Do for each person. Once you've covered your priorities, everything else will be gravy. Download the DLR app -- so handy for wait times, character M&Gs, dining info and reservations, FP info, etc. Use FPs (the parks are not connected so you can hold FPs to rides in each) and single rider lines. The 60th fireworks and PTN are supposed to end on 9/05, so if you have a chance to see them, do. They are really fun and unique to DL. The second WOC is at 10:15pm, so if you view the first parade and fireworks in DL from the Town Square end of Main Street, you could (theoretically) leave DL quickly and get to DCA to see WOC. I don't think any APs are blocked on the 25th, so it will be crowded (regular summer crowds, not like Christmas crowds). Only the upper APs are good on the 26th. Again, mornings are when you'll get the most done, before the rest of the crowds show up.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Are you spending a night or two in Anaheim? I'm a bit confused as my impression is you're going/doing/leaving DL all in one day?! IF that's the case... DL is wonderful but no way would I drive to & from Vegas and do DL in the same day. Not even if it was my one & only chance ever to see PTN. It sounds like a brutal trip to me- in the August heat to boot. And I would be seriously concerned about falling asleep at the wheel on the way back.

 

[5forMickey]

Could you maybe travel in on the 24th? We travel through Vegas on our way to DL. Leaving Vegas at 8:00 am we are usually at the park by 3:00. As gottalovepluto said, it's a long drive to do in one day and then throw in going to the park, you would spend most of the day on the road. It would be doable to visit the park for a bit in the morning/afternoon and then return if you could drive in the night before.

 

[coolmark18]

I cant really drive the night before unfortunatly due to plans in Vegas.

I think the plan is, pick up car at 4am and drive down on the Friday (rather than the Thursday). Spend the day in DP and DCA, crash in a hotel for 6/7hours then drive back up to Vegas for lunch time.