Need some advice on last minute trip

[ldymcbth]

My husband is being sent to SoCal in a few weeks and we are tagging along. This was all just announced last night so I was up until 2a researching DLR! We are WDW and DCL vets but I haven't been to DLR since I was like 12...and let's just say I haven't been 12 in many years.

I am confused about a couple of things and am hoping folks here can point me in the right direction.

1) Magic Mornings. We were only planning on going to the parks 2 days, and we were going to hopefully stay at a hotel with DH's hotel points. Point being, we won't be at a DLR hotel. Is the only way to get Magic Morning admission if we are not staying onsite to buy 3-day tix with MM admission? And that only gets us 1 MM admission, right? If you have 3-day MM admission tix AND you are staying at a DLR hotel, do you get 2 MM admissions? I will admit that the whole MM thing is totally confusing to me!

2) We will be there right after Carsland opens. On one hand - exciting! On the other hand - I have a feeling it's going to be insanity. Our goal for this trip, since it is a short one and is going to be free except for food and our tickets, is to do things that we cannot do at WDW (since we are closer to WDW and will likely get back there within the next 2 years). Does that sound like an okay plan?

3) FOUND THE ANSWER FOR #3

4) Is it worth it to buy the World of Color picnic thing? Do you get better seats? Since we will only be there a short amount of time, I do not want to waste a bunch of time sitting around holding spots.

5) Are Fastpasses at DLR like the old WDW ones? Meaning you get one for a specific time slot but can actually use it anytime AFTER the initial time starts? Any weird fastpass tips for a DLR newbie?

Thanks for any and all advice. I have been scouring disboards all night trying to figure everything out. It's crazy how different things are at WDW vs DLR! I may have to break down and buy a tour book!

 

[Girimama33]

My husband is being sent to SoCal in a few weeks and we are tagging along. This was all just announced last night so I was up until 2a researching DLR! We are WDW and DCL vets but I haven't been to DLR since I was like 12...and let's just say I haven't been 12 in many years.

I am confused about a couple of things and am hoping folks here can point me in the right direction.

1) Magic Mornings. We were only planning on going to the parks 2 days, and we were going to hopefully stay at a hotel with DH's hotel points. Point being, we won't be at a DLR hotel. Is the only way to get Magic Morning admission if we are not staying onsite to buy 3-day tix with MM admission? And that only gets us 1 MM admission, right? If you have 3-day MM admission tix AND you are staying at a DLR hotel, do you get 2 MM admissions? I will admit that the whole MM thing is totally confusing to me! You can get MM by either buying a 3 day PH or stay onsite. If you stay at a DLRH, you could get MM for the 2 days you want to be there. You don't need to buy a 3 day ticket. If you are staying at a DLRH for 5 days, you can attend all 5 MM.

2) We will be there right after Carsland opens. On one hand - exciting! On the other hand - I have a feeling it's going to be insanity. Our goal for this trip, since it is a short one and is going to be free except for food and our tickets, is to do things that we cannot do at WDW (since we are closer to WDW and will likely get back there within the next 2 years). Does that sound like an okay plan? Check out this thread:http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

3) FOUND THE ANSWER FOR #3

4) Is it worth it to buy the World of Color picnic thing? Do you get better seats? Since we will only be there a short amount of time, I do not want to waste a bunch of time sitting around holding spots. The picnic will give you the same kind of FP you can get for free from the machine. There is a section for preferred dining that some say provide a better view and less wait time. Keep in mind, WOC does require a lot of waiting/holding in order to secure a good view. Here is another thread to review:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2542717

5) Are Fastpasses at DLR like the old WDW ones? Meaning you get one for a specific time slot but can actually use it anytime AFTER the initial time starts? Any weird fastpass tips for a DLR newbie? At this time, yes...you can return after the FP time. Some CM's may enforce it. Some FP's are disconnected. Sorry to link so much, but here is one regarding FP:http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32518085&postcount=5

Thanks for any and all advice. I have been scouring disboards all night trying to figure everything out. It's crazy how different things are at WDW vs DLR! I may have to break down and buy a tour book!

Have a great trip. It will be crazy, but exciting at the same time.

 

[Butterfly123]

If I only had two days I wouldn't spend time waiting for WOC. I think when the show started I would go walk by the back, and get an idea of what its like. I think it's a good show, but not worth that much time taken away from a two day visit.

Two days is short, BUT you can pack a lot of fun in two days!! Have a great time!!!


I am editing this to add that WOC can be very hard to see for little ones since they are short, and you would really need to get there pretty early to ensure a rail spot to make it viewable for the kids.

 

[ldymcbth]

Thanks so much for the links and encouragement! I am SO overwhelmed right now - I spend like 6-9 months planning our WDW trips so having like 2 weeks for DLR is making me CRAZY! Ha!

We will be staying at a hotel using points accumulated from my husband's work travel. One of the few perks of having a traveling husband! Because that will keep costs down so much I've decided to splurge on 3-day park hoppers, which will give us one MM and will allow us to spend one evening in the parks (on the day we arrive in Anaheim from San Diego) in addition to the 2 days already planned. For some reason I find that extra evening very calming - like maybe we can knock out some stuff we really want to do then and it won't feel so rushed on the other two days. I am expecting ENORMOUS crowds b/c of the Carsland opening - that way if it's surprisingly not as crowded it will be a bonus.

 

[ArchOwl]

Thanks so much for the links and encouragement! I am SO overwhelmed right now - I spend like 6-9 months planning our WDW trips so having like 2 weeks for DLR is making me CRAZY! Ha!

We will be staying at a hotel using points accumulated from my husband's work travel. One of the few perks of having a traveling husband! Because that will keep costs down so much I've decided to splurge on 3-day park hoppers, which will give us one MM and will allow us to spend one evening in the parks (on the day we arrive in Anaheim from San Diego) in addition to the 2 days already planned. For some reason I find that extra evening very calming - like maybe we can knock out some stuff we really want to do then and it won't feel so rushed on the other two days. I am expecting ENORMOUS crowds b/c of the Carsland opening - that way if it's surprisingly not as crowded it will be a bonus.

Well, the good news is that the DLR lends itself to last minute trips. I am glad that you are giving yourself an extra night. I would use it to see the shows. Do you mind giving us your exact dates? We could probably give you more precise advice regarding APs and crowds.

The first night you are there, I would consider World of Color a viable option. If you will be there early in the day, you could grab the free FPs for the show. However, if you won't be there until the evening, you will need to make other arrangements to get the FPs. This means either the picnics or preferred dining.

If we know your dates, we can also give you some advice on when to use your MM. APs will be allowed MM beginning June 18th, so that is something to consider.

I am glad the PP gave you those links. I think you will do fine with the boards, honestly any tour book is going to be outdated because of Carsland, etc.

Have fun!

 

[Butterfly123]

Okay, so with an extra evening in the parks I would try to see WOC. It is unique...it is unfortunate it takes so much time. Are you planning to see Fantasmic as well? I've heard the one in DL is better than the one at WDW (I've never seen that one) and is my favorite show. ArchOwl is right...DL is much easier to plan on short notice!

 

[ldymcbth]

I was able to get WoC dining reservations (not the picnic one, the one at the Wine restaurant) for the later WoC show that night. I am still mulling over whether or not that's a good plan, but will call back and cancel if we decide against it.

We are arriving 5/15 evening (the night of Carsland's opening), and then leaving Mon am - so we will have Fri evening, Sat day and Sun day in the parks.

I've seen Fantasmic! a couple of times at WDW. I would love to see it at DLR (b/c I love the villians) but it is probably at the bottom of our list of things to do. I want to make sure we are able to do the things the kids are dying to see - Little Mermaid ride, Carsland, Merida M&G, etc etc. before worrying about anything for me.

 

[CamoMama]

I've seen Fantasmic! a couple of times at WDW. I would love to see it at DLR (b/c I love the villians) but it is probably at the bottom of our list of things to do. I want to make sure we are able to do the things the kids are dying to see - Little Mermaid ride, Carsland, Merida M&G, etc etc. before worrying about anything for me.

Oh I suggest you see Fatasmic. Because it uses the Rivers of America, along with the Columbia and Mark Twain River Boat it's just so much more amazing (and the dragon!). I just saw it last Sunday and I'm still in awe of it.

 

[Butterfly123]

Not to keep piling things on, but if you need a place to sit and rest mid day, you might consider seeing the Aladdin show at DCA. It is a really impressive broadway type show. It is funny, and very entertaining. It is really worth the time, and is a nice break from standing in lines! It's great for kids and adults.

 

[ldymcbth]

Not to keep piling things on, but if you need a place to sit and rest mid day, you might consider seeing the Aladdin show at DCA. It is a really impressive broadway type show. It is funny, and very entertaining. It is really worth the time, and is a nice break from standing in lines! It's great for kids and adults.

We actually just saw the Aladdin show on the Disney Fantasy about a month ago. The shows are not exactly similar, but similar enough that I feel comfortable skipping it at DLR giving our short time frame. Thank you for the suggestion, though! If we had more time we would definitely work it in as we loved it on the cruise!

 

[DLR29]

Just chiming in to say that just because you have a WoC dining package does not mean that you get a reserved seat or even a good view, technically. All that it entitles you to is a standing spot in a reserved section of the viewing area. You will still have to show up pretty early in order (45+ min during a very busy time) to get a decent spot within that section. Granted most of the reserved section, in my opinion, has a really good angle of the show, and you can get really close if you arrive early.