Need Advice on a one day, two park 8am - 5pm Visit

[msim]

I know I'm probably crazy, but I have literally one day to do as much as possible in both parks. I will be there on a Wednesday in July, so I plan to go to Early Entry at GCA. There are only two or three must-do rides there for my family (with teens), and the rest of our must-do rides are at DL.

Is it possible to get in at 7am, ride the new Guardians ride, California Screaming and Soaring by 9am? Will be planning to stay at the DL hotel. I would also like to schedule a character breakfast between GCA and DL park around brunch time. Is that even possible? Where should I book? I wanted to do Ariel's in GCA, but the only time I could get would be 11am, and I'm worried that will not be a good time.

Any suggestions? Other than skipping a character meal? But I really really really want to incorporate a character meal. I was going to do one the night before at the hotel, but we aren't getting in until late. Thank you all in advance.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Is it possible to get in at 7am, ride the new Guardians ride, California Screaming and Soaring by 9am?

With early entry, yes. You'll probably do more than those 3, too, but if you are in a hurry to get to Disneyland, you should have no problem getting there by 9am.

You could book the Ariel's reservation and keep checking back to change the reservation. I've been able to change my reservation right after making one before. Plaza Inn in Disneyland is a very popular place for a later breakfast with characters. Seems many people here will do rides for 2 or 3 hours and then go eat there.

It's a very short day to do both parks and a character meal. However, just prioritize your list of must do's and have a back up plan for each of those rides (rides can be down). To me, a character meal would take up too much time, but if that is important to you, book it right away and then keep checking to see if you can change your dining time. You have until the day before to completely cancel the reservation if you decide to do that.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Maybe you can do a character breakfast at one of the hotels the morning you check out?

 

[peachiepie]

What are your must-dos at DL?
Hopefully someone will have some better advice for you, but I think trying to do a character meal might be a bit much to fit in.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Is it possible to get in at 7am, ride the new Guardians ride, California Screaming and Soaring by 9am? Will be planning to stay at the DL hotel. I would also like to schedule a character breakfast between GCA and DL park around brunch time. Is that even possible? Where should I book? I wanted to do Ariel's in GCA, but the only time I could get would be 11am, and I'm worried that will not be a good time.

You can definitely fit those three rides in during EMH at DCA! We did these three rides plus RSR and Mickey's Fun Wheel before the park opened for non-hotel guests. This is my daughter in the loading area for California Screamin' at around 8:30 during EMH (EMH was 8-9am on this day):



I think 11am is a fine time to schedule a character meal. The parks are just starting to get a little more crowded and if you've been going since before 8am it will be nice to have a scheduled sit down meal where you don't need to worry about standing in line. My family's favorite character meal is Minnie and Friends at Plaza Inn on Main Street in DL, but the latest you can schedule for that meal is 10:45. I'm sure Ariel's will be fun as well and it will allow your family to stay in DCA until half way through your day.

 

[bumbershoot]

It's a very short day to do both parks and a character meal.

Very very short day for all that imo.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

I love a good character meal brunch, but I wouldn't do one in your situation. They really eat up time.

 

[disneychrista]

Honestly with 9 hours to do BOTH parks during the "busy" summer, I wouldn't waste time eating/doing a character meal.

 

[ktlm]

If giving up a character meal is not an option, I would do Minnie's Breakfast at the Plaza Inn at DLR around 10:30 or 10:45. They have a good variety of characters, and it is a buffet so if you decide you have spent enough time there and don't want to wait for the rest of the rotation, you can always leave. The only thing is if you are looking for Princesses, it is pretty rare to find one at Minnie's. We have seen the Fairy Godmother almost every time we have had breakfast there- she is about the closest thing to a Princess we have seen regularly.

 

[mad hatter fan]

Which onsite hotel are you staying at? Could you do a early breakfast at the hotel the next morning? DLH has Goofy's, PPH has Surf's up with Stitch, and the GC has one with Chip and Dale (forgot the name)

 

[YukonMommy]

I, like others think it is a lot to get done. Could you give us your list of must do's...... maybe if the list is not long a character breakfast is do able!

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Here is what we do as a family before each trip. We sit down for a family meeting and everyone states what their top three things are that they want to do. We make sure we accomplish everyone's top three. When getting ready to do one of our top three, I gently remind everyone that this is one of so-and-so's top three and we all check our attitude and no grumbling allowed. I read about this method here on the boards years ago and just love it.

My DH and DD are at DL right now. Based on what they are doing and experiencing and based on our past trips, I very much agree that your time is extemely limited, maybe everyone can only pick one or two top things. The first thing I would drop is a character meal that isn't in a park UNLESS it is someone's top thing. Personally, my teens would rather be doing attractions than sitting down for a meal, but that is just us.

Good luck and have so much fun!!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

The average character meal takes around 90 minutes, which is a considerable chunk out of your precious DL time. Since you stated that you'll be at the DLH, would it be possible to do Goofy's the next morning before you check out? You could book an early time slot, so that everyone could relax and enjoy breakfast with the characters before leaving the hotel.

 

[Abbey1]

How late does your flight get in? Goofy's Kitchen at Disneyland Hotel is the only restaurant that does a character dinner. If you arrive at dinner time, I think that would be a much better option than taking away from your already limited park time.