Looking for input on our trip plan (June 7-14)

[Mosey03]

We are headed to Disneyland in June and I am looking for input as to which park we should go to on which days. I know this is not the norm, but we are NOT planning to get the park hopper option due to cost.

Relevant info you should know:
-We will have 5 days at the parks (Sunday, June 8 - Thursday, June 12)
-There are 6 adults and 2 kids (ages 5 & 1) in our party
-We are staying at the Best Western Plus Park Place Inn (so no EMH)
-There are Grad Nights on Tuesday & Wednesday
-We always utilize the mornings and we plan to be at the gates before park opening

Also, we already know that we want to go to DCA on Thursday (since we don't have to be anywhere on Friday morning, Thursday night is the only night we can keep the kids out late enough for them to see Cars Land at night).

I think I am primarily looking for input on which park to go to Sunday-Tuesday, as we won't decide until after Tuesday which park we want to spend a third day at. We could use our MM at DL on Tuesday, but I don't know if it's a better strategy for us to go to DCA when there's no EMH? Tuesday is also a Grad Night day.

I welcome ANY input you might have for me! Even if you think it's unfortunate that we're already planning to do DCA on Thursday - we might be willing to change that. Thank you so much for your help, I can't wait to see what you all have to say!

 

[HydroGuy]

OK, let's start with the easy ones.

Tuesday - DL - you should have a Magic Morning on your ticket and Tuesday would be the day to use it at DL. With a grad night moving to DCA in the evening that is another reason to spend Tue at DL

Thursday - DCA - An EMH/MM at DL and a good day to start at DCA. Since you want to do DCA this day anyways and there is no grad night, stick with DCA.

OK, now for the others...

Wed - DL - With Wed being an EMH at DCA and a grad night, this is another day which is better to be at DL.

So now what to do with Sun and Mon, both EMH at DCA?

I would suggest one of those days be at DL and the other at DCA. That will give you 3 days at DL and 2 at DCA which is about right.

So unless you want to do DL three days in a row (Mon-Tue-Wed) then Monday would be DCA. That leaves Sun for DL.

Sunday - DL
Monday - DCA
Tueday - DL (with MM)
Wednesday - DL
Thursday - DCA

There you go!

 

[Mosey03]

I really appreciate this input, it is very helpful. I have a few more related questions.

1. I have seen on several of the Grad Night threads that some people say that DL is usually very busy on those days as the grads tend to go there first and stay there until it gets closer to the time for their party. Does that make DL a less desirable choice for us on those days? Every day we will likely go back to our hotel for an afternoon nap, return to the park for awhile in the late afternoon/evening, and leave again by 8:00 or so. I'm concerned that DL will be really busy on those evenings.

2. Would you change anything about our plan if we sprung for the park hopper option?

3. We have Disney Reward Dollars (from a Disney Visa) to use. I am assuming not, but are there any of the discount ticket places that accept those? I know sometimes there are deals that make the park hopper tickets cheaper.

Thanks a million!

 

[HydroGuy]

1. I have seen on several of the Grad Night threads that some people say that DL is usually very busy on those days as the grads tend to go there first and stay there until it gets closer to the time for their party. Does that make DL a less desirable choice for us on those days? Every day we will likely go back to our hotel for an afternoon nap, return to the park for awhile in the late afternoon/evening, and leave again by 8:00 or so. I'm concerned that DL will be really busy on those evenings.

LOL, my only experience with grad night was in 1981 when I was a grad! So don't take me for an expert here. From what I gather grads show up in greater number as the day goes on. More in the evening. I would plan for more shows on those nights (e.g., Fantasmic) and more rides on nights with no grad nights. But I have not heard of any regular experience with huge influx of crowds at DL on grad nights.

2. Would you change anything about our plan if we sprung for the park hopper option?

Actually not too much. I think PH helps more to fit in shows and dining locations and hitting rides (especially if they broke down on the day you were at the park).

3. We have Disney Reward Dollars (from a Disney Visa) to use. I am assuming not, but are there any of the discount ticket places that accept those? I know sometimes there are deals that make the park hopper tickets cheaper.

I have this too and you can use the rewards card as cash at just about every venue at DLR and some at DTD.

 

[Mosey03]

Thank you very much for your input HydroGuy! Anyone else have any input for me? We are now considering springing for the park hopper tickets.

 

[Blue32]

Thank you very much for your input HydroGuy! Anyone else have any input for me? We are now considering springing for the park hopper tickets.

I am definitely not going to argue with the wizard but I will offer a slighty different take FWIW. If you felt like making your MM on the third day of your trip was going to be a struggle, you could skip your MM(gasp) and start at DCA on Tues. and Thurs. That way you would have 2 DCA days and not be behind the EE folks both those days. Just an option.

You also may want to consider hoppers just to give you that flexibility with Grad nights. Either way you will do fine with 5 park days.

BTW... we are from Iowa and will be there the same week as you! It's a small world after all...

 

[thundersparkle]

Grad nights definitely start later. I've seen the Grads come in about 3-4 pm. They will focus a lot on the "thrill" rides: Tower of Terror, California Screamin', Space Mountain, etc. Get those rides done earlier in the day & you should be fine. I would agree with the suggestion to do shows on the Grad Nights. To me, World of Color is a must see.

I would highly suggest the park hopper ticket option. The parks are about 40 steps apart from each other & it really gives you the flexibility to go to one if the other is really crowded or your kids really love a certain ride. We go back and forth multiple times in a day. (*Note: I am a CM, so we go a lot.)