Planning 2016 DL Trip...need some advice

[mhowens]

Planning 1st trip to DL in September 2016 for DL Half. I know it is crazy early planning but I don't have any big trips planned between now and then so it is my travel focus right now. Would likely arrive at LAX around 9:30 am on Friday, September 2nd. I have booked the BW Stovalls (with a fully refundable rate) for three nights checking out Monday, September 5th. From there we are going to Vegas to meet some friends for the rest of the week.

Originally I was considering a 3 day park hopper so we can hit the parks, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. But then I thought my DH might like to see some of LA area (I have been there before he has not). So here is the question: Would you rather have more time at DL or do you think it is worth renting a car from LAX to see some of LA? Possibly Venice Beach and/or Santa Monica, Rodeo Drive/Beverly Hills and Hollywood Blvd. If we did LA I would still go to BW Stovalls on Friday evening and we would rent a car for the day as opposed to shuttle from LAX.

Seeing LA would mean only a 2 day park hopper and we would likely not be able to stay in a park late Saturday due to the early race time on Sunday. Therefore, we could only see one set of nighttime shows. If we skip LA we could stay late in a park on Friday to see either WOC or F!/Fireworks/Paint the Night and then catch the opposite on Sunday.

Just torn on which option...more park time and seeing all nighttime shows or seeing LA/Hollywood.

Thanks for any input

 

[nikkislaght]

it really does depend on what you want to do, if you like shows etc.. then do Disney.. if you want some of LA then do that.. we go to Cal for Disney, so very rarely venture out.. we have done San Diego Zoo etc. but nothing round SD itself... we come down from WA for our DL fix. if you are thinking that you wont be back in the LA area, then perhaps doing LA is the way to go.
Hope you have a great trip no matter what you decide

 

[neonderlyn]

We went for our first time this past April and we had four full days in the park, we didn't do or see everything even with four days. Disney has enough stuff to do that you don't have to go anywhere else to feel like you had a full/worthwhile vacation. It really comes down to personal preference and what you think you family will enjoy more, extra time at Disney or sight seeing else where. For my family I think the extra time at Disney wins out every time because there is just so much to see, enjoy, and experience. I don't think you could ever regret spending an extra day at the happiest place on earth!

 

[StormyCA]

I'd always go for more park time, but then again I grew up in So Cal so 'doing LA' wouldn't be something I'd give park time up for!

I'd suggest you think about when you plan to be back to DL and/or So Cal. If you think you'd be able to afford a trip back to So Cal just to 'do' LA (which would be much cheaper than another DL vacay), then I'd spend more time at DL. If you're sure you'll be doing another DL vacation in the near future, then do the 2 days.

But a suggestion, if I only had what amounts to 1 full and one early day, depending on park hours and depending on exactly how early your 'early' is, I'd consider getting a 2 day 1 park ticket to save money. If 'early' is mid afternoon, I'd spend the 'early' day at DCA since, to me, you can adequately do DCA in less than a day anyway and spend the 'full' day at DL since it's a rope drop to closing kinda place. But if 'early' is early evening then go for the hopper.

 

[mhowens]

Thanks for your replies. We are WDW vets and I have seen all of the nighttime shows there many times. I would guess we would want to be out of the parks by 7ish on Saturday night so we would miss any shows that night. If you had to choose would you do DL on Sunday night and try to see F!, Paint the Night and the Fireworks (is this possible?) or go over to DCA to see WOC?

I am leaning towards going straight to DLR from LAX via the shuttle on Friday. Staying at DCA late on Friday to see WOC and then staying late at DL on Sunday to try to catch everything else. Hopefully we can make another trip to LA sometime in the future.

 

[StormyCA]

Well, I'm not really a 'show person' other than fireworks. Frankly I was a bit underwhelmed by PTN, but then my ringtone is 'Baroque Hoedown' so you might say I'm a bit prejudiced. But I'd say I'd probably do the DL shows over WOC (although it's really neat). Check the time for WOC on your 'early day'. Again depending on park hours, it can be as early as 8:15 or as late as 9:45. It may be worth your while to plan on leaving later if WOC is at 8:15.

Whether or not you can get in the three shows depends on the show schedule. And that depends on park hours permitting second showings. In May, we did the first PTN, watched the Fireworks, then hustled over to see the 2nd F! using fast passes. Check the show schedule when you first arrive to determine if there will be a 2nd PTN and the times for the shows, then make your decision.

 

[Troopers]

Hard to say, really depends on what you want to do.

If I were in your shoes, I would go visit LA (as much as I dislike it). Nothing against DLR (it's my favorite) but the world offers so much more.