Let's talk itineraries/schedules inside the park

[thewritegirl]

Like, when to hit what rides for maximum enjoyment? I bought the Unofficial Guild to DL, and while I appreciate that it has some touring schedules in it, none of them take parkhopping into account, which I think is silly. Last time we were there, we spent morning at DL, then went over to CA when it got busy, then back to DL later on. However, even more specific than that, I'd like to know if you've got a system for going on rides as soon as the park opens. Is there one area you head straight toward? Do you go clockwise around the park, or do you hop back and forth? I just feel like I need a plan of action!

Also, our day of arrival, we probably won't get to the park until mid to late afternoon. What should we do that day?

Thanks!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

If you want to ride the Fantasyland rides, you either have do that during Early Entry or right when the park opens. Otherwise, the lines can be very long for Peter Pan, Dumbo and Mr. Toad's in the afternoon. It is also a good idea to hit Indiana Jones and Splash Mountain in the morning before the big crowds set in.

 

[Monkey Monkey]

It depends so much on how many days you are going to be there, and what the parks' hours are during your stay.

 

[Gisele]

My plan normally is to arrive at Disneyland before it opens to the public, or as close to opening as possible. Then I head straight to Adventure land so as to pick up my first FP of the day for Indy. Then I head over to visit the pirates and then I visit the Haunted Mansion. I spend most of my time between Adventure land and New Orleans Square (Just in case I am ever reported missing ) then I like to go and visit Indy, then the petting zoo, then off to ride BTMRR. At some point I will either have lunch or dinner at the Blue Bayou or just have a snack. I like to ride the Matterhorn too, so at some point I will head over to it. I don't ride Nemo, because I don't know how to swim (It can have issues I don't doubt) and I have a slight tendency toward being claustrophobic too. I also will at some point set sail upon the S.S. Columbia or the Mark Twain, depending upon what is running at the time. Rinse..... then repeat.... oh and I love as well to visit Jose and his wonderful array of feathered friends and friendly Tiki's and flowers too. Don't miss their show!
If you will be arriving late in the day, definitely see about FP's and concentrate upon what you are most interested in doing for the rest of the day. If the force is with you, there will not be long lines, no old cranky men with canes, and no parades blocking you from the bathroom (Well coming back from it, or trying to anyway in my case) I would not attempt to do as much as possible, otherwise it might become something of a frustrating experience. Especially if you have young children. It is one thing if a child becomes cranky, that is bad enough, but when adults begin to throw a tantrum.... ooh that is especially not pretty! And at Disneyland, I have seen both! (Insert screaming emoticon here)
In the end what is most important is that you have a good time and have fun. Regardless of having a throughly plotted out itinerary or not. My itinerary probably could be better somehow some way, but it works for me.

 

[Nala83]

Many people hop just as you've done (DL in the am, DCA in the afternoon, back to DL in the evening).

You'll get more specific tips if you include a little more information. When are you traveling? How many days? MM or no MM? Who is traveling with you? (If kids, how old? How tall? How brave?)

I'm currently planning a trip with a 4 year old and her 65 year old grandpa. It looks very different than my last solo trip, which was all out commando!

 

[thewritegirl]

Thanks for the ideas so far! Here's more details:

Our arrival date is Sun, Feb 28. Probably arrive around 2-3pm or so? Leaving Friday, March 5th. I have a dd, 7.5, and ds 5. The last time we went to Disney, ds was 2.5 and dd was 5. Last time, we headed straight for Fantasyland and did those slow-loading rides first (Dumbo, Mr. Toad, etc). Honestly, though, it wasn't the best way for us to start of the trip. The dark and kind of low-tech creepy stuff was not cool with the kids. They weren't afraid of rollercoasters, but anything with a dark story line freaked them out. This time, I'm kind of thinking that we wait to do Fantasyland until Tuesday morning, so that it's not the first experience they have in the park, and they are more into taking the scary stuff in stride.

Last time (in 2007), dd's absolute favorite ride was Grizzly River Run. She also liked all of the coaster rides that she did - loved Splash, liked BTMR, etc. Ds was too little to do any of those really except Matterhorn, which he liked (except the Yeti).

Dd is 48" and ds is 45.5" with regular shoes on. So, unless ds grows another .5" this month, he won't be able to ride Indy. The rest of us still want to ride it, though - we'll just do the child swap.

I bought the 6-day parkhopper tickets on Disney's website, so I think that comes with one early entry, right? Not sure what day would be best to do that.

Also, we'll be going when ROA is drained, and I think Matterhorn will be closed, too. Not sure of any other closures?

So, any advice on itineraries or order of rides or whatever else would be great!

 

[Nala83]

You have a nice long stay, so you should have no problem seeing and doing everything on your list.

You will get one MM (early entry). It's offered on days that begin with S and T. I'd plan to use it on Tuesday morning. That day, you'll want to go straight to Fantasyland!

I'd suggest keeping things low key for your first day. You'll be tired, and it will probably be the most crowded day you're there. Go for a ride on the train. Visit the tiki room. See a parade or stick around for the fireworks.

Monday I might actually start in DCA. The rides in Bug's Land are very tame and a good warm-up to the dark rides. It's good to have at least one day where you begin in DCA so that you can get on Toy story before the line builds. Gates open 30 minutes before park opening. Soarin is open then, and you can grab fastpasses for it before heading to Toy Story.

Tuesday do your MM, starting with Peter Pan and Dumbo and then continuing with the rest of Fantasyland. Toontown opens one hour after park opening (2 hours after MM begins). If your kids want to meet Mickey or do Gadgets Go Coaster, plan to be at the Toontown entrance right when it opens. That should get you to lunchtime!

That's a start...others will chime in.

 

[thewritegirl]

Nala, thank you, those are exactly the kinds of suggestions I'm looking for. That all makes sense for our family. I'm jotting it down...

 

[DLR29]

Honestly, with 6 days in the middle of the week during "offseason", you won't need a strict plan. Most things you will be able to do with FP or just on a whim with very short waits. There are some exceptions such as Peter Pan and Toy Story Midway Mania, but those lines shouldn't reach more than 30 min anyway.

Also, don't miss Remember! Dreams Come True (fireworks) on your first night. They won't be showing during the week.

And for more info on MM, check out my superthread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403

 

[kwally]

We are coming Friday March 5 and don't fly into LAX until 11:30am, so won't get to parks until mid afternoon and leave first thing Wednesday March 10, so we have 4 full days and one half day. This is our first trip and I have planned on going to Sea World and Legoland also for a day, and hitting the parks when we get back if there is time. Now I am rethinking, will we have enough time to do and see everything with 2 1/2 days at the parks, one day at SW and one day at LL? My kids are 7, 5, 2....should I cancel SW or LL, or will we be good? Appreciate any advice!

Also, we are going to WDW next year on a big family trip, so we will get to experience Disney again.

 

[kwally]

So I meant to post the last message as a new thread, I must have been reading this one and didn't realized I hit respond! Sorry, I don't know how to delete it! But still respond it you want!