Need some help with Parks/Shows schedules

[ttfn2u2pooh]

I'm trying really hard to not plan out our days too much. I'm going with my DD (3) and my mom (72) so we won't be running all over to grab FP's and looking at hitting a lot of the faster type rides.

However after looking over the park hours for the time we'll be there I'm wondering just how I should work out some of our days. We arrive around 2:00pm on a Monday into John Wayne and I figure it will take us until 3:30 or so to get to the hotel (GCH) and check-in. We will be at DLR Monday - Friday and both parks are going to be open 10-8pm every night. We have 4-day park hopper tickets so it's deciding on using that either when we arrive or just before we leave. Our flight on Friday is not after 4pm so we would have time to be in the parks that morning. So, what would you do??? Go to the park the first day after arriving or using that 4th day in the morning of our last day?

Tuesday will be our first full day there and it is a Morning Madness which we will take advantage of. However, I really want to see the Aladdin show and Tuesday will be the only day that we will be able to catch it (it's dark the other day's we're there). Would it be wise to go to MM, take an mid-morning break then head over to DCA for Aladdin in the afternoon and then stay for WOC that night? Tuesday is also the only day that we would be able to catch the DCA Pixar Parade and the Phineas & Ferb Dance Party.

Is it even possible to think that we would be able to catch the 4:45 or 6:20 Aladdin show and then catch WOC? It seems like we'll have to get the FP tickets for WOC (I've tried to read through the mega WOC thread but have not been able to get 100% through it). Will we still have to line up 90+ minutes prior to the show to have a shot at decent seats?

This was really long, sorry about that but it's just so much to figure out. And seeing that we only have 1 day to catch some of the shows makes it a bit much to juggle.

Thanks for any help that can be offered.

 

[HydroGuy]

Don't try and see the late Aladdin show at 6:20 then WOC at 8:15. See an earlier one. Yes plan to be at WOC 90 minutes before if you want the best shot at a good viewing location.

There does not seem to be a clear reason to choose Monday evening vs. Friday morning for your fourth day. I guess with your DD I would tend to use it Friday so that Tuesday is more of an anticipation in the morning as opposed to going in Monday for a few hours and then having to leave.

That would leave Monday for resting up on your flight and visiting DTD. Maybe do the Grand Quest at GCH. Maybe catch a movie at the DTD theaters. Explore the GCH or maybe the DLH and PPH. Eat at one of the DTD or hotel restaurants.

HTH

 

[IBLarsen]

On our arrival days, we often will not go into the parks, but we generally will schedule dinner at Goofy's Kitchen. So we spend time in DTD that day and have our character dinner to kick off our trip.

 

[NiceOneSimba]

Also, I'm almost positive that because you're staying onsite, you get to take advantage of all of the MM days during your visit. So, you could do MM on Thursday morning, too. So, Tuesday isn't your only chance for MM.

We are going in October, and we have been talking about doing the MM over at DL, which is from 7-8 when we would use it, staying until about 9 a.m. to get there for the 9:30 "soft opening" at DCA, and then spending the rest of the day there. I think that's a do-able plan, and if you plan on catching all of the parades and shows, and spending a good chunk of time in the Animation Building, I think there's enough to fill up a day. (I'm expecting that my daughter will want to ride the Flik's Fun Fair rides multiple times.)

Also, you might want to decide if you want to use the tickets on arrival day or departure day based on a couple of factors:

1) How many hour's worth of park time will you be able to get on each day? If you're arriving on a Monday with short hours (There are a couple in October where the park is only open until 6), it might be better to save the ticket to Friday morning. But if the park is open until 10 or later, you may want to go then.

2) You might also want to consider how tired you're going to be after travelling with a toddler. My daughter is usually great on planes, but the last flight, OH BOY. I needed some serious "down time" to relax after that, and even though DL is amazingingly fun, there is still an element of stress with a toddler (do you have snacks, where's the potty, big crowds, lines...). It might be more relaxing to play at the pool, go out for a nice leisurely dinner and do the Grand Quest on your arrival day. Then you can be rested and relaxed and ready to enjoy your time in DL, instead of starting out stressed.

3) Then again, it might be better to use that extra ticket when you are relatively fresh and your feet don't hurt. ;-) You may be wiped out and "done" by the time Friday rolls around, and you may just want to sleep in and have a relaxing morning, with some pool time before heading out.

4) Also, you might want to think about how the Halloween Party at DL is going to affect the crowds at DCA that day. DL will close at 6 p.m., so there will likely be a stream of traffic over to DCA. You will want to make sure you have your WOC FPs early, and I would make sure you have the "must rides" out of the way before 6 p.m. (But I'm a crazy planner like that.)

It's not a one-size-fits-all answer. You know your family better than anyone else! Those are just some of the things we thought about when planning our trips.

Have a great trip!

 

[wdwfan22]

Well, if it were me, I would use the pass Monday when you get there, and if you still want to go into the parks Fridays, add a day to your passes on Thursday. It is only about $10 more for another day. Even if you just do a few rides on Friday, it would be worth it to me. But that's me. I can't be there and not go into the park. I might have an axiety attack You could ride the train around and have a first look. That is a fun way to start with a little one.

As far as trying to do Aladin and WOC on the same day, why? Since Tuesday is a Magic morning, you don't want to miss that, so start at DL, head over to DCA whenever you want, but get there at least 30 - 45 mins before the Aladdin show. I also would try to go to the earlier show, just in case something happens and you miss it, you have another one later. It is just an amazing show. Then you can start at DCA and get WOC fp's on Wednesday and watch it Wednesday. Then back for another mm on Thursday at DL. You don't want to miss one of those. It is a great time to do Fantasyland, which will be a focus for you anyway with a 3 yr old. (of course, it's my favorite land too!)

 

[ttfn2u2pooh]

Thanks to all for the insights. I like the idea of exploring the hotel and having a look around DTD. That sounds like the best plan for the day of our arrival. I'm not sure how my DD will do with the plane travel and it would probably be best to keep that day open for rest and let the craziness begin in the morning. I am planning on using the MM on both days it is available during our stay along with the Toon Town early opening (I forget the name) since the parks will not be open late.

The WOC thing still has me in a pickle. I really want to see Aladdin so we might have to get over to see an earlier showing. But I'm also not sure how my DD is going to handle a 90+ minute wait to see the show that, according to some reading, she may not have the best view of because of the way it all works. Guess I'll just go, keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best. I've looked into the dining packages but I think they might just be out of our price range on this trip. However, we are staying on the concierge level so... if we change our mind about a dining package, what are the chances we'd be able to request one through concierge and have one be available??

After reading the responses I'm thinking using the 4th day pass on Friday morning might be best. Our flight is not until late afternoon so we would have a couple hours to go in and have breakfast... maybe that restaurant by the Rivers of America that you can watch the boats from.

I feel a lot better now. Thanks again for helping me see the light.