Need thoughts re: fireworks timing after break

[Linkura]

They FINALLY released the entertainment schedule for our trip, our first ever to Disneyland. As expected, the only chance for us to see R: DCT is our first day at 9:30 PM. We do have Halloween Party tickets for later in the trip, so we're planning on seeing Halloween Screams as well, at least. We are not interested in WOC or F!. Also, it's just my husband and me, so no children to worry about.

Because we're coming from the East Coast on an early Sunday morning flight landing at 10:30 AM at LAX, we imagine that we're going to be too tired to stay up for the fireworks without taking a nap, even if we manage to get some good shut-eye in on the flight. We're staying at the Hyatt House and check-in is 4PM, so let's assume that they stick to that time and don't let us in our room early for the purposes of this thread. If they do let us in our room upon arrival, I'm thinking we might just nap right then and there.

Assuming we can't check in early, we'd be headed right to the parks and expect to get there around 1PM or slightly after (no bags checked, Lansky private car to/from hotel). Now here's where the timing comes in. I'm thinking we'd need to leave the park no later than 4-4:30ish to get back to the hotel 4:30-5, get two hours or so of sleep (so 6:30-7), then head back (around 7:30-8). Even this seems like it might be cutting it close, since we'd likely need to eat dinner as well (probably in the parks at Plaza Inn or something) and I'm sure we'll want to take a shower at some point too after being on a plane for six hours plus being in the parks. So tack on an hour to that and we get 8:30-9. Also, I'm interested in watching the fireworks at IASW to avoid the crazy Main St crowds. Would the train be running at that time so we could take it to Toontown Station and avoid the Main St insanity?

Thoughts? Would it just be a disaster to do a break like this? Should we just skip the fireworks? It seems like the timing might just be too close for comfort, unless we only want to spend 2 1/2 hours at most in the parks in the afternoon, which almost seems like a waste to me. What would you do?

in advance for any advice!

 

[SMD]

I think it's kind of pointless to shower and then go back to the parks. If you shower in the morning, you won't get so dirty on a plane and in a few hours in the parks that you can't choose to shower after fireworks or the next morning. I can understand wanting to have dinner in the park when you'll have less than a half day. But my plan would be, drop bags, go to parks for late lunch, plan to stay in the parks, but leave if necessary at hotel check in time, ADR at Carnation or some QS on Main St for dinner, leave after fireworks. If you go back to the room, you could always just have snacks for dinner. If fireworks are at 9:30, I'd be walking out of the hotel no later than 8pm and expect it to take you an hour to get to the parks and you'll have 20 min or so to get a spot on Main St.

 

[Linkura]

The problem is there's no way I wouldn't be exhausted if I just powered through. If we didn't take a nap, we'd be running on fumes. We'll be getting up at 5am or slightly before that our time, and the fireworks are at 12:30 am our time. I know my body and it just doesn't work like that. But 8pm sounds like a good cutoff to leave after the nap if we take it. Obviously there are a lot of variables involved and we'll be playing it by ear- I just want to make sure my information is as complete as possible. I appreciate the advice.

I do plan on showering before the plane flight (my hair just looks awful if I don't shower after sleep). So we could potentially skip that and I can just have my hair in a ponytail or something to save time.

 

[smartlabelprint]

No one cares what you look like at Disneyland. I would most certainly go to the parks. 2.5 isn't a waste to me. But I live a plane ride away and usually get an AP. We go once in nov of the first year and once in oct of the next year, usually.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Have you called the hotel to request an early check in? If not, do so. If you have, repeat the request the day before your departure to make sure that it is noted on your reservation. This will improve your chances of being able to go right to a room when you arrive. There are pros and cons to viewing from IASW. Pros: usually not as crowded as the Hub or Main Street, Cons: but you will be stuck at the furthest end of the park after the show and have to go with traffic to get out of the park (unless you plan on doing some rides to end your day). The crowds on Main Street aren't always so bad (especially if you don't have to be at the Hub). If you are fine with being about halfway down Main Street or even closer to the train station, you should have a much easier time finding a viewing spot (and, consequently, a much easier time exiting the park afterward). I wouldn't skip RDCT if you don't have to. It is a very different show from Halloween Screams, and both shows are very good.

 

[SMD]

Other things you can try are taking something so you sleep on the plane. If you keep thinking about what time something is "your time" it will be a self-fulfilling type thing. You also don't have to power through. Riding the train or having a long sit down meal can be just as relaxing as walking all the way back to a hotel, sleeping for a few hours, and then walking all the way back to the park, which involves much more walking. I'd have several "what if" plans.

 

[Linkura]

Thanks guys! If we leave for a nap and come back for the fireworks, we'd definitely stay and do some rides with the last hour as opposed to trying to fight the crowds. Seems like all the more reason to be at IASW instead.

Good idea on calling the hotel regarding early check in! I will definitely do that.

 

[Linkura]

Update: Was able to add an early check-in request online, and I'll call the day before to make sure they got it. It'd be so much easier if we have the option to crash at the hotel for a couple hours right after the flight. Would be able to stay late in the parks without having to leave!