Newbie - one full day and 2 1/2 days.....

[mdurette]

I decided to add a couple days onto our San Diego and go to DL to get a taste of it. I'm struggling with the planning and the trip is less than a month away.

mom, dad and 9 YO

Our flight arrives at SNA at 1:30pm on a Friday. We are coming in from the East Coast - so it will already be a long travel day for us. About 8 1/2 hours on flights. Add another 3 to get us to/from the airports.

We will have the rest of the day on Friday all day Saturday and partial day on Sunday (we leave for San Diego that day)

At first I was thinking DTD with and ADR on Friday and then to bed early (not sure how 9YO will do with the 3 hour time change). Then CA on Saturday and DL on Sunday until we have to leave.

Now I'm thinking I should fit in park stuff on Friday and just do it until DD tired. Which would probably be around 7pm or 8pm because of the time change. But, really paying for tickets for 4-5 hours doesn't seem worth it.

Anyone have suggestions for making the most out of a short visit?

 

[JasonShannon76]

CA Adventure is a much smaller park than Disneyland, so if you have a whole day Saturday and only half day Sunday, then I would do Disneyland on Saturday and California Adventure on Sunday. Plus Fantasmic is not to be missed, it's way better than the WDW version of Fantasmic.

 

[mdurette]

Thanks for the advice...much appreciated. It only made me question things more. I thought for sure DA on Saturday because it would be a bit "newer" to us and we could have the whole day. We are WDW veterans...so I was thinking DL would be on some level same old same old. Same stuff, just slightly different versions.


Back to staring at the park schedule!!!!!

 

[3monkeys4me]

Maybe get 2 day park hopper tickets and skip the parks on Friday. Then you can hop back and forth and needed/wanted on Saturday and Sunday until you leave for San Diego.

 

[JasonShannon76]

I've been to both WDW and DL tons of times. The DL version of Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, Fantasmic, Space Mountain, and Thunder Mountain are all far better than the WDW versions. Also, Disneyland has things that WDW doesn't have (Indiana Jones Ride, Matterhorn, Mr. Toads Wild Ride, Alice in Wonderland Ride, Snow White ride, and Toontown (which WDW no longer has). Not to mention New Orleans Square. Also, the guns come off the cars on the Buzz ride (unlike WDW version where they are stationary). California Adventure park has Toy Story Mania (which is identical to the WDW version) and also has Tower of Terror. A lot of stuff at CA Adventure they do not have at WDW though, so it's important to see both parks. Good Luck! Hope you can fit a lot in.

 

[mdurette]

Thanks.....my kid is not a "ride" person. I'm hoping to get her to try a few more this time around....but I know it is probably not going to happen. She afraid of the unknown.....

What she does at MK
Buzz, Laugh Floor, Carousel of Progress, Speedway, barnstormer, dumbo, Carousel, small world, flying carpets, swiss tree house.

Wow, what a pathetic list! She is more into parades, shows, meet greets, etc. (but I know DH will want to go on the different versions of the others).

The park hopper may be the answer, I just hate the spend the extra money on it......yeah, I try to save a dollar wherever I can!

I have decided that Friday we will NOT do a park. To get there around 3 and end up leaving around 7 or 8 just isn't worth it. Will be DTD and making the most of that.

 

[JasonShannon76]

The Go Gadget Coaster in Toontown is the Disneyland version of Barnstormer.

Disneyland Swiss Family Treehouse was turned into Tarzan's Treehouse a few years back, so she will like that.

 

[JasonShannon76]

Oh, and there is also a Monsters Inc. ride at California Adventure if she likes those characters (you mentioned laugh floor).

 

[Canuck16]

I agree with the OP. If you do not get hopper tickets then do DL on Saturday so that you can take in one of the night time shows........Fantasmic is way better at DL than at WDW
Since you mention that your trip is less than a month away WOC at CA will be in refurb when you are there and won't be showing so that is other reason to go to DL on Saturday and then CA on Sunday.

Have a great trip and enjoy all that DLR has to offer!