Leaving in a week need help with schedule!

[maryland24]

We are a family of 4 leaving in a week for our 1st disneyland trip!!! We are staying at the Fairfield Inn and have 5 day park hopper tickets.

I don't want to have an hour by hour schedule but I need to decide about the shows and fireworks, so far:

We travel from Hawaii to LAX on june 1st arriving at 4:00 we have a car rental so I guess we are going to hit really bad traffic but that's ok!

Wednesday June 2: arrive at the park 30 minutes before opening. What ride first? we have 2 girls 7 and 3.
Parades: Pixar Play parade
Go to sleep early because thursday is a MM

Thursday june 3: arrive for MM
Parades: Celebrate a street parade
Fireworks

Friday june 4: Arrive when DCA opens, Have a reservation at 1:00pm for lunch at Ariel's Grotto after that we would go to Play house disney live (if we have time) and then Aladdin (he have preffered seating so 30 minutes before show starts?) go to the hotel early and rest for Fantasmic at 9:00 (what time should I get a spot?)

Saturday June 5: Arrive 30 minutes before park opens. Do whatever we want!!

Sunday June 6: this would be our 5th day but I don't think we are going to use it. We want to go maybe to Hollywood and take some pictures around California (any suggestions where to go?) if we arrive early that night we might go to the park for a little bit

Well any suggestions or something you would change?

Thank You!

 

[maryland24]

nobody?

 

[blackjackdelta]

nobody?

Hopefully others will chime in. This questions is probably the most asked on the baords. I would go to the parks everyday at opening, more rides earlier the better. Use FP if it gets crowded. We collect in the AM. I would go up to LA, Griffith observatory, H and V, run over to Santa Monica or Venice beach for people watching.

Have a fun trip,

Jack

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

We are a family of 4 leaving in a week for our 1st disneyland trip!!! We are staying at the Fairfield Inn and have 5 day park hopper tickets.

I don't want to have an hour by hour schedule but I need to decide about the shows and fireworks, so far:

We travel from Hawaii to LAX on june 1st arriving at 4:00 we have a car rental so I guess we are going to hit really bad traffic but that's ok!

Wednesday June 2: arrive at the park 30 minutes before opening. What ride first? we have 2 girls 7 and 3.
Parades: Pixar Play parade
Go to sleep early because thursday is a MM

Two possibilities to start Day 1.
Suggestion A: Since it's your first time there and you will have MM the next day, take time the first morning to enjoy being in Disneyland and experiencing that special Disney ambiance. Look around at the horse carriages and buses parked in the hub. Some would suggest riding them, but we often like to walk down Main Street together that first day at our own pace. If there are any characters out and about, you might consider stopping to meet one or two or just wave and keep on walking. Walk down Main Street heading toward the castle. Look at some of the windows and fun Disney touches. Get your picture taken at the castle when everyone is fresh and happy. Go into Fantasyland and catch the rides that most appeal to your daughters and that have the shortest lines. By 9ish, you should definitely try to pick up a fastpass for an attraction that is important to your family for that day. Go then either to check out Adventureland and New Orleans Square or the opposite way to Tomorrowland.

Suggestion B: Walk with purpose down Main Street as soon as you get through the entrance gates. Go through the castle and immediately get in line for Peter Pan. Once you've ridden Pan, you may consider Dumbo. If not interested in Dumbo or the line is already long and you'd rather make that your first ride the next day, then head over to Alice in Wonderland and/or the teacups, then Toad and/or Matterhorn. See final steps of Suggestion A. I know you'll be able to do Fantasyland on your MM day, but with kids the ages of your daughters, they're going to want to do Fantasyland rides more than once, and the mornings are definitely the best times.

Thursday june 3: arrive for MM
Parades: Celebrate a street parade
Fireworks

Friday june 4: Arrive when DCA opens, Have a reservation at 1:00pm for lunch at Ariel's Grotto after that we would go to Play house disney live (if we have time) and then Aladdin (he have preffered seating so 30 minutes before show starts?) go to the hotel early and rest for Fantasmic at 9:00 (what time should I get a spot?)

On a Friday night, you might need to get there 1 1/2 - 2 hours early to get the best spots. If it was peak season, I'd say even earlier, buy you might be ok since it's still before most kids have gotten out for summer.

Saturday June 5: Arrive 30 minutes before park opens. Do whatever we want!!

Sunday June 6: this would be our 5th day but I don't think we are going to use it. We want to go maybe to Hollywood and take some pictures around California (any suggestions where to go?) if we arrive early that night we might go to the park for a little bit

Well any suggestions or something you would change?

Thank You!

You should definitely spend a little time in the Animation Studio. It's a good place to get some air conditioning and rest when everyone's getting hot and tired. Turtle Talk with Crush is in there, and that's a fun show.
My kids have always liked Muppet 3D. Another good way to take a rest with young kids without actually leaving the park.

If you've got a 5th day, I wouldn't skip out altogether. You might want to go in early and ride your favorites again and then go elsewhere, or head elsewhere early and then finish off your vacation with a last Disney evening to do some extra shopping or ride some of the rides with faster moving lines or even to watch one of the nighttime shows again.

 

[Disney Dreams]

My planning tip is in regard to seeing fireworks.

Keep in mind that the show can be (and sometimes is) canceled due to wind - even if it does not seem windy to you. It is a decision that is made by the fire marshal about 15-20 minutes before scheduled showtime. (However, even after that point, including after the show starts, they can cancel the show due to wind (safety) if they feel it's warranted.

For this reason, you want to make sure you leave yourself a few chances to see the fireworks. So - if they are no shown on Thursday, have you left yourself an open Plan B or C on future evenings? I think you have, but you may want to consider seeing them on Wednesday. It won't feel too late to your group since you're coming from HI, but then again, the morning will feel REALLY early. However you choose to work it, but something I wanted to mention you keep in mind.

Have a great trip,
Dreams

 

[maryland24]

Hopefully others will chime in. This questions is probably the most asked on the baords. I would go to the parks everyday at opening, more rides earlier the better. Use FP if it gets crowded. We collect in the AM. I would go up to LA, Griffith observatory, H and V, run over to Santa Monica or Venice beach for people watching.

Have a fun trip,

Jack

The Observatory is a great idea just the stuff that we like and gets great reviews. Sorry but what is H and V?
thanks

 

[maryland24]

Thank You! yeahh some good suggestions. I completly forgot about the Turtle talk and the animation studios (that's why I usually have to make a list)

"Disneydreams" the fireworks are schedule for all days during my visit. do they also cancel fantasmic due to windy weather? the only day that fantasmic is not schedule is thursday.

The time difference have me a little worried! The girls are not going to be tired at night and then in the morning is going to be hard to wake them up! hopefully they are going to be really excited in the morning!

thank you

 

[Disney Dreams]

..."Disneydreams" the fireworks are schedule for all days during my visit. do they also cancel fantasmic due to windy weather?

Fantasmic! doesn't usually get canceled due to wind. The fireworks are low, so (I guess) it's not an issue (or a different issue, maybe?). Anyhoo, wind is not really an issue. What it CAN do it cause them to alter various show elements. I have seen, for example, the sword fight during the pirate scene take place completely on the mast, not really using the high-wire (for performer safety). But, that was a REALLY windy night, so I would not worry about it.

- Dreams

P.S. Animation Academy is a great place to do lots of fun stuff!