November 14 or 15?

[KellifromCanada]

Hey!

Haven't been to Disneyland for FOREVER and as we are going to be in LA for 3 days, I thought we might take 1 day and go to the park with DD (14).

I am trying to decide between November 14 or 15th. I am leaning toward the Tuesday thinking people may be taking Monday the 14th off, as the 11th is Veterans Day.

What day would you go?

And, a 2nd question - transportation. I'm thinking we will hire a car service because I'm too lame to drive - what time in the morning would you recommend we leave the Santa Monica area in order to avoid the bulk of the traffic and get to DLR in plenty of time? I don't mind getting to DLR really early as dd and I can just kill time having breakfast at Downtown Disney, etc. Will we be flowing WITH the horrible traffic, or opposite?

Thanks for your thoughts!

Kelli

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I'd pick Tuesday too. MOnday is the official start of the holiday season.

 

[skiingfast]

Traffic is bad in every direction in LA, you are always going with the flow.

With the park opening at 10 you will have to leave when traffic is present. I think leaving at 7:30 should give you time to get there, time to get in line at the gates. If the drive is smooth plenty of time for breakfast, if not, time to grab a counter service meal.

As far as days, Veteran's Day is on Friday so will have only a tiny, probably unnoticeable effect on Monday. Maybe some afternoon crowds as people show up for the debut of the season's Holiday Parade still a small effect. If there was a big difference in crowds the hours would be greater on Monday not the same offseason hours.

One problem on Tuesday is MM crowds will already be in the park, so you enter and Fantasyland and Tomorrowland are already busy.

On either day you could start at 9:30 in DCA when it unnoficially opens, allowing you to ride Soarin, Little Mermaid and get WoC Show tickets. So you might want to leave 30 minutes earlier to do this.

One suggestion if you want to arrive and eat is go to Minnie and Friends at the Plaza Inn in DL. You can get a 9:10 reservation, eat quickly and walk out into the last minutes of MM. You would probably want to leave at 7am to be walking up to the DL gates at 9 to make you reservation.

If you do my later suggestion, ask to be dropped off at the Harbor side drop off.

If going to RFC the normal DTD taxi drop off. If any other part of DTD the GCH drop off will be closer.

 

[KellifromCanada]

Traffic is bad in every direction in LA, you are always going with the flow.

With the park opening at 10 you will have to leave when traffic is present. I think leaving at 7:30 should give you time to get there, time to get in line at the gates. If the drive is smooth plenty of time for breakfast, if not, time to grab a counter service meal.

As far as days, Veteran's Day is on Friday so will have only a tiny, probably unnoticeable effect on Monday. Maybe some afternoon crowds as people show up for the debut of the season's Holiday Parade still a small effect. If there was a big difference in crowds the hours would be greater on Monday not the same offseason hours.

One problem on Tuesday is MM crowds will already be in the park, so you enter and Fantasyland and Tomorrowland are already busy.

On either day you could start at 9:30 in DCA when it unnoficially opens, allowing you to ride Soarin, Little Mermaid and get WoC Show tickets. So you might want to leave 30 minutes earlier to do this.

One suggestion if you want to arrive and eat is go to Minnie and Friends at the Plaza Inn in DL. You can get a 9:10 reservation, eat quickly and walk out into the last minutes of MM. You would probably want to leave at 7am to be walking up to the DL gates at 9 to make you reservation.

If you do my later suggestion, ask to be dropped off at the Harbor side drop off.

If going to RFC the normal DTD taxi drop off. If any other part of DTD the GCH drop off will be closer.

Thanks-this really helps.

I had noticed the MM hours too and factored that in to my (in)decision between Monday (opening day of Holidays) and Tuesday (MM).

Great tips about how to start off the day. As I haven't been there for so long (2006) I confess I have major "what to do, when to do it" doubts and jitters...@_@

For example, I can't decide if we should try to do WOC or keep it simple and stay at DL for fireworks. So, appreciate your thoughts!

I've been reading the WOC thread -wow-but I can't really get a sense of present day "doability" - it would be "easy" to go to see WOC, don't be silly - or it would be pretty daunting, I will be tired, better to just be happy with the f/w at DL.

See what I mean? ^_^

Thanks!

Kelli



Kelli

 

[skiingfast]

I've been reading the WOC thread -wow-but I can't really get a sense of present day "doability" - it would be "easy" to go to see WOC, don't be silly - or it would be pretty daunting, I will be tired, better to just be happy with the f/w at DL.

It's a tough decision when you don't get to DLR often and don't know how soon until you return. Also with only one day you don't have a lot of time, but with low crowds you can get a lot of stuff done. Also being from far away do you visit WDW?

Do you want to pay the extra $25 to park hop, I wouldn't suggest it if it was a busy day but think on a slower day for you, you should. If not I would just do DL.

But with hopping you can see Toy Story Midway Mania, which is great, and perhaps you haven't ridden it in WDW. Also Little Mermaid, it's just a basic dark ride but much better than what's in Fantasyland, though in a year WDW will have its open too. DCA has a lot of construction going on, but a lot, a whole lot that is new for you to see.

Then there is WoC. Problem is for your time of year you can't get two night shows in on the same day, with remotely decent views. While Believe in Holiday Magic Fireworks will be showing I'd suggest spending more time to see WoC with good view. Those fireworks are not even close to being the best fireworks Disney has, and WoC is a great show and there is nothing comparable to experience elsewhere.

 

[KellifromCanada]

It's a tough decision when you don't get to DLR often and don't know how soon until you return. Also with only one day you don't have a lot of time, but with low crowds you can get a lot of stuff done. Also being from far away do you visit WDW?

Do you want to pay the extra $25 to park hop, I wouldn't suggest it if it was a busy day but think on a slower day for you, you should. If not I would just do DL.

But with hopping you can see Toy Story Midway Mania, which is great, and perhaps you haven't ridden it in WDW. Also Little Mermaid, it's just a basic dark ride but much better than what's in Fantasyland, though in a year WDW will have its open too. DCA has a lot of construction going on, but a lot, a whole lot that is new for you to see.

Then there is WoC. Problem is for your time of year you can't get two night shows in on the same day, with remotely decent views. While Believe in Holiday Magic Fireworks will be showing I'd suggest spending more time to see WoC with good view. Those fireworks are not even close to being the best fireworks Disney has, and WoC is a great show and there is nothing comparable to experience elsewhere.

I know! One day is just killing me! And having to chose WOC OR fworks - can't do both. Ugh. But, one day is better than zero days. ^_^ and Jiminy Cricket always makes me cry.

WDW IS so far away....but has been our "go to" holiday spot for the last few years - so we are totally onboard with park hopping! I have missed DLR a ton and when I told my DD we were going to California for a few days, what did she want to do, she immediately said DLR, so that made me happy! ToyStory ride is a favorite for me and it would be fun to do it in CA. Must read up on the Little Mermaid ride - sounds fun too. It would be great to ride Soarin'.

I guess I should buck up, formulate a plan and figure out where to view WOC and then I know what to do if that's the way things work out.

As exciting as "new" things are, it throws me off because I get comfortable with how to navigate, get FPs, etc. and so "new" feels ... ack...KWIM?

Also, a question about DLR FPs: in WDW, the FP return times have not been strictly enforced. As long as we are "past" the FP return time, it is acceptable - and return during the window is not necessary. Is this the "FP culture" to expect in DLR as well, or should I be more diligent about FP system usage?

Leaning more and more toward Monday as you suggested. Is it a stretch to think that WOC would be quieter, as many guests will want to stay in DL to experience the Christmas themed fworks, snow, etc....??

Many thanks,

Kelli

 

[skiingfast]

1. ToyStory ride is a favorite for me and it would be fun to do it in CA. Must read up on the Little Mermaid ride - sounds fun too. It would be great to ride Soarin'.

2. I guess I should buck up, formulate a plan and figure out where to view WOC and then I know what to do if that's the way things work out.

3. As exciting as "new" things are, it throws me off because I get comfortable with how to navigate, get FPs, etc. and so "new" feels ... ack...KWIM?

4. Also, a question about DLR FPs: in WDW, the FP return times have not been strictly enforced. As long as we are "past" the FP return time, it is acceptable - and return during the window is not necessary. Is this the "FP culture" to expect in DLR as well, or should I be more diligent about FP system usage?

5. Leaning more and more toward Monday as you suggested. Is it a stretch to think that WOC would be quieter, as many guests will want to stay in DL to experience the Christmas themed fworks, snow, etc....??

1. Good news is both Soarin and TSMM don't get nearly as long lines as they do in WDW. Though TSMM does not have FP.

2. If it were me, I'd go to DCA to enter at 9:30, grab a WoC show ticket which will be for the Blue Zone and then hope to sneak in that night to the spot by the green (used to be yellow) firehydrant, with some risk 45 minutes before the show time.

3. Keep in mind a lot about DLR and WDW is simliar. Adventureland is right, and Fantasyland is strait. Don't panic too much, crowds won't be crazy so no need to overplan. Focus on the most important things.

4. FPs work the same. It takes really strange situations to enforce them. The main thing to know is that FPs in DL and DCA are not connected so getting one in DCA does not effect when you get one in DL. The same is true at WDW, but it's so hard to get one in MK and then AK within two hours. Also know the WoC show tickets, Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin and BTMRR are disconnected.

5. Yes a stretch.

 

[KellifromCanada]

1. Good news is both Soarin and TSMM don't get nearly as long lines as they do in WDW. Though TSMM does not have FP.

2. If it were me, I'd go to DCA to enter at 9:30, grab a WoC show ticket which will be for the Blue Zone and then hope to sneak in that night to the spot by the green (used to be yellow) firehydrant, with some risk 45 minutes before the show time.

3. Keep in mind a lot about DLR and WDW is simliar. Adventureland is right, and Fantasyland is strait. Don't panic too much, crowds won't be crazy so no need to overplan. Focus on the most important things.

4. FPs work the same. It takes really strange situations to enforce them. The main thing to know is that FPs in DL and DCA are not connected so getting one in DCA does not effect when you get one in DL. The same is true at WDW, but it's so hard to get one in MK and then AK within two hours. Also know the WoC show tickets, Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin and BTMRR are disconnected.

5. Yes a stretch.

You.are.awesome!!! Thank you SO much.

Good to know about FP and about BTMRR - The Daughter could ride that thing eleventy-gazillion times.

Kelli

PS. That is so....weird... about the parks' coastal differences -- especially with respect to Toy Story. Right? It's a gong show at HS ropedrop, getting a TSMM FP is THE prize of the day! I usually send the triathlete husband but I'm on my own this time. Glad I won't have to do the FP dash! :3 Thanks again skiingfast!