Maximizing my one day?

[grannyminnie]

Well, we actually will have a rental car, but (1) I'm hesitant to get in that morning rush hour traffic and (2) my husband is not coming with me so he would be car-less for a whole day.
I am going to check into that Disneyland Express bus. I thought maybe I could get my motel's shuttle over to the airport early that morning, and catch the Express over to DL, then get it back that night. Wonder if people do that?

 

[Janomi]

Cab rides are usually more expensive than shuttle services.

If you could pull the DL express bus and have it be relatively inexpensive, I'm all for it!

It might also be good to find out which hotel is the first stop off the express bus, so you can plan your route into DL. Also, I guess the last bus leaving DL and from where would be good too? Permanent residency in DL doesn't sound too bad

This is fun, feels like I'm planning my own day trip to DL. Thanks GM!

 

[pxlbarrel]

Wow...we're going to be at Disneyland on July 20th. We arrive in Anaheim on the 19th. One day too but because we've been to DL many times, we're considering a tour.

 

[grannyminnie]

Cab rides are usually more expensive than shuttle services.

If you could pull the DL express bus and have it be relatively inexpensive, I'm all for it!

It might also be good to find out which hotel is the first stop off the express bus, so you can plan your route into DL. Also, I guess the last bus leaving DL and from where would be good too? Permanent residency in DL doesn't sound too bad

This is fun, feels like I'm planning my own day trip to DL. Thanks GM!

Well, you're sweet, and I really appreciate your thoughts, and everyone else's too.
I need to call and find out more about that DL Express bus service from LAX. From the sound of it, we are very close to the airport where we're staying and it wouldn't be hard to get the motel's (free) shuttle over to LAX to catch that bus. I think it starts running around 6:30! Every hour until about 10:30.
I like your thinking about planning which stop to get off at. I'll have to check that out too...
Can ya tell I'm the consummate planner??? I love it when I have a trip in the works. That's the only way I really get over getting back home from a Disney trip...to start planning another one! Makes me happy..

 

[labagit]

I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure that DL Express favors those staying at the Disney properties by stopping at DLH first and leaving there last.

 

[pindecisive]

I wouldn't reccomend taking the walk in walts footsteps tour if you're trying to save time.

It's fun, but you don't get any fastpasses and it's a time eater at 3 hours or more.

 

[grannyminnie]

I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure that DL Express favors those staying at the Disney properties by stopping at DLH first and leaving there last.

I'm going to see if I can link up to their schedule to get an early bus. They only charge $19 one way. It sure beats those shuttle rates!

Next question, is there an online way to pre-purchase a one day ticket to keep from standing in the line first thing to buy them?

 

[pxlbarrel]

I wouldn't reccomend taking the walk in walts footsteps tour if you're trying to save time.

It's fun, but you don't get any fastpasses and it's a time eater at 3 hours or more.

I'm planning on taking the Segway tour that starts so early in the morning there's still time in the park afterwards.

I did the 50th anniversary tour a couple of years ago. That was fun and if it wasn't for the tour guide, I'd never have discovered Big Thunder. I don't go on roller coasters EVER but she said that it was a tame one and so we got on it. We had so much fun we rode it twice the next day!!

 

[grannyminnie]

I'm planning on taking the Segway tour that starts so early in the morning there's still time in the park afterwards.

I did the 50th anniversary tour a couple of years ago. That was fun and if it wasn't for the tour guide, I'd never have discovered Big Thunder. I don't go on roller coasters EVER but she said that it was a tame one and so we got on it. We had so much fun we rode it twice the next day!!

I'm not a roller coaster fan either, but BTMRR doesn't scare me. Have fun on it!

 

[Janomi]

I'm going to see if I can link up to their schedule to get an early bus. They only charge $19 one way. It sure beats those shuttle rates!

Next question, is there an online way to pre-purchase a one day ticket to keep from standing in the line first thing to buy them?

$19 one way! Can't beat that. I'm glad you were able to find something that works out well for you.

The DL ticket page listing shows 1 day parkhoppers you can buy as well as single park tickets. Single park tickets has a phone number, I assume they can have a ticket print out, or even held at guest services if necessary.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/reserve/ticketListing?name=TicketListingPage

Good luck!

 

[grannyminnie]

$19 one way! Can't beat that. I'm glad you were able to find something that works out well for you.

The DL ticket page listing shows 1 day parkhoppers you can buy as well as single park tickets. Single park tickets has a phone number, I assume they can have a ticket print out, or even held at guest services if necessary.

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/reserve/ticketListing?name=TicketListingPage

Good luck!

I feel like I've seen some sort of small discount for one-day tickets while reading on the Dis. I'm not going to parkhop...no time. And it would be a time saver if I could have the ticket in advance!

 

[pxlbarrel]

I feel like I've seen some sort of small discount for one-day tickets while reading on the Dis. I'm not going to parkhop...no time. And it would be a time saver if I could have the ticket in advance!

I've had a few visits where i've only had 1 day and I've park hopped. If you plan it well, you can get through a lot and be relatively finished with DL by midafternoon and then you can walk across to DCA where you can spend the rest of the day until fireworks time.... then mosey on back to DL. It is surprsingly doable. If all you do is spend your time at DL you'll miss Soaring, Tough to be a Bug, Muppet 3d, and whatever is playing at the theatre.

 

[grannyminnie]

I've had a few visits where i've only had 1 day and I've park hopped. If you plan it well, you can get through a lot and be relatively finished with DL by midafternoon and then you can walk across to DCA where you can spend the rest of the day until fireworks time.... then mosey on back to DL. It is surprsingly doable. If all you do is spend your time at DL you'll miss Soaring, Tough to be a Bug, Muppet 3d, and whatever is playing at the theatre.

I'll consider it...just figured that since I only had the one day, and assuming it will be quite crowded due to summer, that it would be wiser just to concentrate on the one park. I'm trying to bone up on the map, locations of the attractions, etc. so I can make my plan of attack!!
Ever the planner....but it sure does make the trip better, doesn't it??

 

[pxlbarrel]

I'll consider it...just figured that since I only had the one day, and assuming it will be quite crowded due to summer, that it would be wiser just to concentrate on the one park. I'm trying to bone up on the map, locations of the attractions, etc. so I can make my plan of attack!!
Ever the planner....but it sure does make the trip better, doesn't it??

Planning is half the fun!

Just remember that at DL, the distances between the lands is shorter. So a couple of steps from the hub, you're in Adventureland or Tomorrowland. I think that's what makes DL so time manageable.

 

[grannyminnie]

Planning is half the fun!

Just remember that at DL, the distances between the lands is shorter. So a couple of steps from the hub, you're in Adventureland or Tomorrowland. I think that's what makes DL so time manageable.

I didn't know that! It makes me feel better about only having the one day then. I do want to see as much as I can/ride as much as I can, because I don't know if or when I'll get back to DL. WDW is much bigger apparently, when it comes to distance between "lands".

And...I agree, planning is at least half the fun, if not a little more!!

 

[grannyminnie]

I didn't know that! It makes me feel better about only having the one day then. I do want to see as much as I can/ride as much as I can, because I don't know if or when I'll get back to DL. WDW is much bigger apparently, when it comes to distance between "lands".

And...I agree, planning is at least half the fun, if not a little more!!

Bumping....to see if any of you DLR vets have additional thoughts as to how I can maximize my one day in Disneyland!