One night in LA - what to do?

[marisabuzz]

Hey everyone! I'm in need of some insight. I am taking my DH to the LA area for his 40th birthday in a couple weeks. I was able to snag a room at the Grand Californian for one evening. We won't be able to get to the resort until about 5:30-6 pm and we will need to leave the following morning no later than 9 am. I am a Disney fan, and DH is by association (because of me and the kids).

He said he wouldn't mind spending the evening at Disneyland, but he also said it wouldn't matter if we didn't. We don't **need** to do Disney, but it would be nice to get to do the rides sans kids. We haven't been since 2013 when I was preggers with #2 and my eldest was 1.5 yo. If we choose to do DL, the plan would be to do DCA for Cars Land and other things, but they're only open until 9 pm that evening. Then we would hop to DL from 9-midnight and hit up those rides while we can.

Is this a crazy plan? We realize that we'd be spending on tickets for 1-day PHs and only get 3 hours at each of the parks. Can we do all the good stuff in such little time? Or should we just screw it and just spend the night at the resort and DTD? Our plan is to come back to Cali in the next year with the kids and spend a couple days at DLR anyway.

 

[cruisehopeful]

You will have fun going to Disneyland at night without kids. You won't be able to do everything, but 6 hours is a nice amount of time when you don't have kids in tow. Less restroom breaks, less needing to discuss where to go to next, etc. - less people in your group = more time doing actual stuff.

 

[Baptist]

It sounds like an incredible waste of money. If you are arriving at 6pm, fast passes for RSR will be sold out. You will need to go stand by or single rider. That will consume your time.

If you go this route, you might want to only get a single park ticket and maximize the longer hours at DL. It reduces the fun of staying at GC (it's nice walking out the resort and into the park).

I would ask the question, why would you pay to stay at GC when you can't take advantage of the location? Plus, you can't take advantage of the nice pool.

 

[BrianL]

Maybe instead of the park, just go to Downtown Disney. They do have that new Star Wars VR thing, which could be fun.

 

[erinn]

I would do this and I wouldn’t consider it to be a waste of time or money for me and my husband. Especially with no kids, you could probably get a fair amount done.

Last year, I did a solo afternoon in DL only. It was wonderful and just enough to tide me over until our next trip coming up this April. It sounds like you have plans for another trip in the not-so-distant, so I doubt you will regret the things you don’t get to in those few hours. You can just add anything you miss during this trip to your priority list for your next trip!

If you think you guys would find enjoyment out of this plan then absolutely go for it! I know I would!

 

[marisabuzz]

I would ask the question, why would you pay to stay at GC when you can't take advantage of the location? Plus, you can't take advantage of the nice pool.

Because we are DVC members and one night on points is better than cash anywhere else (IMO at least). And we've never been to the Grand Cali...we're in the area so might as well check it out.

 

[marisabuzz]

You won't be able to do everything, but 6 hours is a nice amount of time when you don't have kids in tow. Less restroom breaks, less needing to discuss where to go to next, etc. - less people in your group = more time doing actual stuff.

This was our thoughts exactly, but I'm now second guessing how much time we'd save if we can't have FPs.

Which leads me to my next question. How busy is it on a Tuesday evening?

 

[jammyjam25]

This was our thoughts exactly, but I'm now second guessing how much time we'd save if we can't have FPs.

Which leads me to my next question. How busy is it on a Tuesday evening?

If you're going in a couple weeks and they're open until Midnight I'm guessing you're going President's Day week? That's the only upcoming Tuesday with extended park hours that I can see. My guess is it will be fairly busy as its a) a holiday week and b) extended park hours that entire week indicating they're expecting higher crowds (other weeks in February and early March DL closes at 8!! most other Tuesdays).

But with no fireworks, crowds might lighten up after 9-10 as families leave. I think if you use fp where you can, use single rider, etc. you should be able to hit your "must rides" in those 6 hours.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Would your husband like dining at the Chef's Counter at NR? You'll arrive in time for the second seating (8 or 8:30 pm?). You can call the restaurant directly to make reservations for this (make sure to tell them it's your husband's birthday if you do this!). He might really enjoy a nice dining experience with you when you don't have to rush or look after little ones. And you could enjoy a wine flight without worrying about having to drive anywhere afterward. If you do get park tickets, you could enjoy the park/s before dinner and afterward, too, to walk off some of the wonderful food. (Even if you can't get seats at the counter, dinner --maybe the Vintner's Menu? -- in the main dining room could be romantic and fun, too!)

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

You would spend at least that much to get mediocre seats for a two-hour concert. You’ll have six hours worth of fun in the parks. I say go for it!