Need Some Help with July Touring Plans Please!!!

[apulk]

This this will be our 3rd Southern California family trip in nearly 28 years of marriage. Know WDW like the back of my hand.....but when planning this July's trip to Disneyland and California Adventure I'm feeling like a novice. I added Disneyland to my Touringplans.com subscription and will start to read info there but wanted to see what the DIS experts have to say for general touring plans for the two parks. Probably only going to get 2 day passes and will NOT take advantage of the early opening days. Will be in SoCal Saturday thru early the next Saturday but mid-day Wednesday heading further south toward San Diego for a wedding. So looking to fit in beach, whale watching cruise, Disney and some time in Hollywood, etc. Fully expect the park crowds to be at their highest but was hoping we could come up with some strategy to help a bit at least. NOTE: Will be a total of 7 of us in our family.

Dates staying at Disney - Saturday July 9th thru Wednesday July 13th.

Saturday
Sunday -- thinking Disneyland all day????
Monday
Tuesday -- thinking California Adventure all day???
Wednesday (thru about 6 or 7pm probably)

Historically--is there a better day for DL vs DCA? Dining packages (WOC, etc.) -- must do or not? If so, which would you pick and which restaurants. Any tips would be appreciated. Have a few weeks before I can make advanced dining plans but need to develop the week's touring plan by then to be ready.

Thanks in advance.

andy

 

[mom2rtk]

In general, I think DCA handles bigger crowds better than DL. The lowest crowd days right now tend to be Tues, Wed, Thurs. I would try to do DL on Tuesday if you can.

 

[apulk]

In general, I think DCA handles bigger crowds better than DL. The lowest crowd days right now tend to be Tues, Wed, Thurs. I would try to do DL on Tuesday if you can.

So what do you think about DCA on Sunday then? Trying to break up the Disney days -- or maybe we shouldn't?? DCA on Monday, DL on Tuesday then? Wish we had more time but with SOOOO many other things to do in SoCal -- just can't make it a 5 day visit like we usually do at WDW.

 

[mom2rtk]

So what do you think about DCA on Sunday then? Trying to break up the Disney days -- or maybe we shouldn't?? DCA on Monday, DL on Tuesday then? Wish we had more time but with SOOOO many other things to do in SoCal -- just can't make it a 5 day visit like we usually do at WDW.

The only issue you might have (with DCA on Sunday or DL on Tuesday) is that those are the early entry days in those parks. If you are onsite, you won't have trouble as you could use EE yourself both days. If you are offsite, you have to know others will be in the park ahead of you (although you could use your magic morning at DL on Tuesday if you have one and want to).

 

[apulk]

Great point.....thinking we're only getting 2 days of passes so won't have the magic morning offered I don't think. At WDW - we usually stay away from the early open park because it tends to draw the bigger crowds. OK - have to check those hours and early opens. Don't think July hours are up yet so will keep looking. Especially on Sunday (first morning with jet lag) just don't see me getting the 7 of us moving to get to the park 15-20 mins for magic morning rope drop.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

This thread has lots of good info to help with your planning: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets

 

[apulk]

This thread has lots of good info to help with your planning: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets

Thanks for sharing this....a great read. Have to refresh myself on the FastPass strategies since we've gotten used to MDE and the FastPass+ system at WDW and still need to just pick a best day for each park. I think the one big take-away for me from reading this great Guide is that with one spending 1 day at each park -- I think we'll focus on what is uniquely DL/DCA vs. WDW and make sure we get those things in. Might mean skipping Tower of Terror (our all-time Hollywood Studios favorite) to make sure we get in the things that are not there. Super excited to think we might get to see the new Soarin' though (we're visiting in July). And I think we'll pick up some time because of the dining differences......WDW touring means making sure we had at least a dinner at Sci Fi or 50's PT, evening ressies at Rose and Crowne to catch Illuminations, dinner at Boma, etc. Think counter service (aka, quicker) is going to be the way to go at DL/DCA. Thanks again for the tips.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

The one TS you might want to consider at DL is Blue Bayou. Not so much for the food (rather rich, but definitely shareable to make things easier on tummies and on the budget), but for the atmosphere. Where else can you eat inside POTC? Also, in DCA, you might want to consider CCR (either the lounge or the dining room). The atmosphere is lovely and it really is a nice break from running around in the parks. For food inside a theme park, it's rather amazing.

 

[apulk]

The one TS you might want to consider at DL is Blue Bayou. Not so much for the food (rather rich, but definitely shareable to make things easier on tummies and on the budget), but for the atmosphere. Where else can you eat inside POTC? Also, in DCA, you might want to consider CCR (either the lounge or the dining room). The atmosphere is lovely and it really is a nice break from running around in the parks. For food inside a theme park, it's rather amazing.

LOVED Blue Bayou exactly for the experience -- but that was only me when there for a conference and I could expense the dinner With 7 of us traveling it might be out of the price range.....but I think I might try to get a reservation. Could be a memorable splurge. Was looking at the Wine Country Trattoria for the World of Color package - not even sure if that package is worth it. Might not work since 4 of our family members are gluten free followers....pasta place might not work. The CCR looks gorgeous inside. Thanks much.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Wherever you choose to dine, make sure to note on your reservation that members of your party are gluten free. TS restaurants have an allergy menu that lists ingredients and what is/can be made GF.