Overwhelmed... going in March

[sdaughs]

So we are going in March to DL and as I read all these tips and tricks stuff about MM and FP stuff, any everthing else, I am getting overwhelmed...

what r basic tips to have a good time and experiance, we are there for 5 days......

HUgs

 

[kaoden39]

My only advice isn't really advice. You are going for 5 days and usually that is enough time to see and do everything that you want to. And have a great time!!

 

[LavenderPeach]

Try not to get overwhelmed by all the info. Like PP said, you'll be there long enough that you'll get to do pretty much evrything you want to do.

My biggest tip would be get there before opening. It doesn't matter which day, just get there a little before you're allowed to go in. Even if you aren't doing MM, you can still get a lot done in the first couple of hours. And one siimple rule about MM is if you don't have MM any of your days then do fantasyland rides on a non MM day, first thing in the morning.

My other tip would be to go ahead and use FP, at least for a few rides. You don't have to do anything complicated like have a runner or try to get a bunch in one day. If you want simple, then just pick a ride you want to get FP for first and then get it. You don't even have to get it when the park first opens. You can get it sometime within the first couple of hours as you walk around if that would suit your style better. But it's really nice not to have to wait in a long line for all the big rides (indy, space, splash, soarin' etc) so try to use FP at least a little. It's really not complicated but I know it seems like it when you read about people having all these elaborate plans on how to maximize their FPs.

And last, you still have a few months before you leave so just hang out here on the disboards and absorb the info and feel free to ask as many questions as you want. Don't worry about trying to learn it all but just look at the threads that interest you and you'll start to see a lot of the same info being posted. It will start to seem less overwhelming as you read it over and over.

Hope that helps!

 

[BC Disney Lover]

My advice would be to relax a bit because having 5 days is perfect! Since it's your first trip I would make sure you don't rush straight down Main Street on the first day, take a few minutes to let it all soak in once you walk through the gates. Enjoy Main Street, there's usually quite a few characters in that area at opening.

Make sure you know how to use the fast pass system before you go, it's a lifesaver some trips.

We always pick one thing every morning to get done right away. Usually it's things that are guaranteed a huge line minutes after opening, that way we go straight to the spot and get in line. Peter Pan, Dumbo,Nemo Subs, Princess Fantasy Faire, Pixie Hollow, Toy Story Mania...

Have a great time planning!

 

[HydroGuy]

Try not to get overwhelmed by all the info. Like PP said, you'll be there long enough that you'll get to do pretty much evrything you want to do.

My biggest tip would be get there before opening. It doesn't matter which day, just get there a little before you're allowed to go in. Even if you aren't doing MM, you can still get a lot done in the first couple of hours. And one siimple rule about MM is if you don't have MM any of your days then do fantasyland rides on a non MM day, first thing in the morning.

My other tip would be to go ahead and use FP, at least for a few rides. You don't have to do anything complicated like have a runner or try to get a bunch in one day. If you want simple, then just pick a ride you want to get FP for first and then get it. You don't even have to get it when the park first opens. You can get it sometime within the first couple of hours as you walk around if that would suit your style better. But it's really nice not to have to wait in a long line for all the big rides (indy, space, splash, soarin' etc) so try to use FP at least a little. It's really not complicated but I know it seems like it when you read about people having all these elaborate plans on how to maximize their FPs.

And last, you still have a few months before you leave so just hang out here on the disboards and absorb the info and feel free to ask as many questions as you want. Don't worry about trying to learn it all but just look at the threads that interest you and you'll start to see a lot of the same info being posted. It will start to seem less overwhelming as you read it over and over.

Hope that helps!

What she said.

 

[Surroundedbyboys]

The best thing we do is: mid-day we leave the park and go back to the hotel to swim/read/relax for a couple of hours before heading back to the parks. It's a nice break and rejuvenating- allows us to stay later without everyone getting irritable.

 

[gethane]

Learn one thing a day or at a time. I too am going for the first time in March.

First I decided on date. To do that I researched hotels on every thread and disney board I could find. Only after I did that did I start to look at the Early Entry and Fast Pass threads. Yesterday I read through the Jedi Academy thread. Don't worry about learning it all at once, once you have your hotel, you have plenty of time to learn about everything else !

I think part of the fun of any vacation is planning it, learning about the best way to maximize your fun while minimizing your annoyances (line waiting).

There's lots of stuff I still have to learn, yay! Because its so fun to learn it and dream about our upcoming trip!

 

[KCmike]

If your going on the weekends make sure you show up for each nights fireworks...sometimes they get cancelled for weather or high winds. You wouldn't want to miss Remember Dreams Come True. It's the best Fireworks display ever.

 

[raftislander]

I agree that with five days that you will have plenty of time to do everything, but depending on the park schedule, some events may not be an option everyday. Look at the posted calendar on the park website. Fireworks are likely to be only on the weekends (and know that they frequently get cancelled due to winds). I highly recommend catching the Aladdin show at DCA. It is wonderful and, unfortunately, will be closing this August for a new show to come in. Again it is usually only offered on weekends. Basic advice, be at the gates early and make good use of the mornings as crowds (lines) will build. If you want some advice about touring plans I would need a little more information about your family? Do you have young children, tweeners, teens, or a mix? You are there for five days, how many MM days occur during your stay? Are you staying on property or will you just have one early entry on a multiday pass? If you have young kids that will want to focus on the Fantasyland rides, know that some of these lines can become quite long and there are no Fastpasses for them. If you have teens that like thrill rides, these can also have long lines but most have FPs. Whoops- look at me - questions like that are probably the type that make you feel overwhelmed. Please don't feel that way. Many of the people on these boards revel in the detailed planning of our trips and we love sharing our knowledge/opinions with others. There is no one "right" way to see the parks. For example, I don't like waiting in lines, so I try to minimize that. But sometimes I read these boards and realize that I have missed some wonderful theming and details in the queues because I walked right by them and onto the attraction. You are going to have a fabulous trip because you are in a place that is filled with delights. If "planning" for your trip is ruining the anticipation of it, then cut back - or stop- the process.

 

[Anj]

I just wanted to say that I feel your stress! We're also going for our first time in March and I feel like there is a lot to learn. We're going for 6 days, so I'm hoping that's enough time to catch anything we might miss. I just wish that the March schedule was posted on the Disney site so I can figure out what days the 'do not miss' events are. ie the fireworks.

 

[californiamomof4grls]

I am going for the third time in March also. In way I don't feel like I even know half of the stuff some people know. But as much as it's intimidating it's also really neat to know that there are always new things to learn about DL. I can not tell you how excited you will be while you wait in the line to hear the little ding as you go in. SO take a deep breath and realize you are about to do a beautiful thing for your family!
Here are a few things that have worked for my family that we have learned that may work for you guys also! : )
1.Have the attitude that if you can't do everything that's ok. This is just the first to many trips you'll take with your family over the years. Sometimes we have no choice during the off season about what rides are up and running.
2.Have a plan! We have a "Things We Want See" list for each day of the week we will be there. I type it up on the computer and have the children look at the calendar and give there in put too. It also has our ressies on it.
3. Use the DL site to research the times that parks are open and what they are offering on those days. For instance the Alladin show (which will be closing soon to make room for Toy story) is available Turs and Fri when we are ther and not Tues and Wed. We will have to put that down on our things to do list for Thurs and Fri. So we may not want to the Jedi Academy on the same day we see Alladin because that is a lot of waiting around and less time in the park. Get it?
4. Take it slow we don't run around like Stroller Nazis pushing through the crowds to get in line after line. There is plenty of time in the day to do it all and you will last longer that way.
If you have kids pack snacks into your stroller and Sippy cups or water bottles. There are places you can go in the park and refill. I think a friend told me Carnation Cafe and Minnie and Friends Plaza in refills water.
5. Look over the map and I highly recommend this book http://www.amazon.com/Birnbaums-Dis...1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1264372834&sr=1-1-spell. It helps you to take your planning slow and it's organized. Sometimes we overwhelm ourselves by looking on so many sites! I did it and felt better when I had a book to highlight to my little OCD content! LOL!
6. Write things out so that you have your thoughts organized and then come back here with questions to ask these lovely and informative disboard friends!! Along with my book this is my best tool for planning! Sorry to write a novel I hope I helped you just a little.

 

[HydroGuy]

I would add that a majority of people are still pretty clueless on how to tour DLR. If you learn a little here it will be morre than most people who arrive with no real plan and get there one or two hours after the parks open.

 

[californiamomof4grls]

I would add that a majority of people are still pretty clueless on how to tour DLR. If you learn a little here it will be morre than most people who arrive with no real plan and get there one or two hours after the parks open.

SO very true!!

 

[goldies 5]

What everyone else said. And make sure you take the time to take pictures in all the wonderful spots. Just relax and enjoy.

 

[sdaughs]

Thanks for all the helpful tips... i appreciate it...

I know we will have a good time...

we are there Saturday thru Wednesday.... our kids will be 11 and 9years old.. We are staying onsite at DLR so we will be able to use MM any day its available...

What is jedi acedamy?? and what is Princess Fantasy Faire, Pixie Hollow???

 

[goldies 5]

Jedi a Academy is pretty neat. They pick kids randomly out of the crowd to become Jedi Masters. They get a neat certificate at the end of the ceremony.
I thought Princess Fantasy Fair was not in operation anymore. Not real sure about that one.
There is the BBB which the kids get there hair, nails and some very cute dresses in Fantasyland. There are different package options. I walked into the place and thought it was very cute.
Pixie Hollow Faries gets very busy. It is located to the right side of the castle closer to Buzz Lightyear. They have photo ops with all the Pixie Hollow Faries and Tinkerbell. The boy fairy shows up at certain times too. Really cute and elaborate set up. Long lines usually too.

 

[kaoden39]

Jedi a Academy is pretty neat. They pick kids randomly out of the crowd to become Jedi Masters. They get a neat certificate at the end of the ceremony.
I thought Princess Fantasy Fair was not in operation anymore. Not real sure about that one.
There is the BBB which the kids get there hair, nails and some very cute dresses in Fantasyland. There are different package options. I walked into the place and thought it was very cute.
Pixie Hollow Faries gets very busy. It is located to the right side of the castle closer to Buzz Lightyear. They have photo ops with all the Pixie Hollow Faries and Tinkerbell. The boy fairy shows up at certain times too. Really cute and elaborate set up. Long lines usually too.

There are boy fairy's now? Why weren't there boy fairy's when my son was little?

 

[rszdtrvl]

Do you have any of the Disney books? Like "The Unauthorized Guide to Disneyland" or anything?

If you would like the 2008 version (not much different than the 2010 version) send me a PM with your address and I will gladly RAOK you mine! It has been highlighted some throughout the book, and may have some notes written in it. But if you want it, it's yours!

We are going at the end of March - from the 27th until the 31st. We are overnighting in Portland on the 26th and flying out early on the 27th.

You have plenty of time, as others have said, to see both parks. We did all Disneyland last year, 4 or 5 days, and we saw it all!

 

[HydroGuy]

What is jedi acedamy??

See "Jedi Training Academy Tips" by Hound 109 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1478699

 

[sdaughs]

rszdtrvl, I have no clue how to PM you... LOL sorry new to all this on here... You would really send me the book, that would be fantastic of you.......