Planning Question about Weekend vs. Weekday

[Littleprincess2010]

We're going in early November 6-12ish and Im hoping to get some feedback on our plan.

Right now 5 day park hoppers through LMT will save us almost $200 off the DLR price for our group (3 adults, 1 child). We had originally planned to get 6 day PHs but a savings of $200 is making me want to ditch the 6th day.

Our current plan is to drive down to Medford on the 4th and then drive the rest of the way to DL on the 5th. We would go to the parks on the 6(Sat), 7(Sun), 8(Mon), 10(Wed) and 11th(Thurs). We would use the 9th (Tues) to go check out some other sights around Anaheim and Los Angeles. This would give us 3 "weekend type" days to see fireworks/parades not held during the week.

Im wondering if its better for us to drive down on the 5th, arrive in DL on the 6th and spend the 7-11 in the parks. This would give us 2 days (the Sunday and the 11th, veterns day) to see the fireworks and other parades that dont normally show on weekdays during off-season. This would also mean taking my daughter out of school for 6 days instead of 7 (we're driving to SanFran on our way back)

What do you guys think?

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I think your plan of including weekend days to see parades and fireworks is good, but I would point out that the dates you are considering are kind of a transitional time at Disneyland. It is hard to predict with any certainty which nighttime shows will be going on. I remember reading that there were in fact fireworks for a few days during your timeframe last year but in years past, sometimes there has been a gap in the fireworks, Fantasmic, or parades schedules as things transition over from Halloween to Christmas. Also, sometimes during that timeframe there are Christmas parade tapings going on which may or may not affect your touring plans during one of the days. It's a Small World will be closed for the holiday makeover. You may also find a few other rides are down for quick refurbishments before Christmas season goes into full swing. These are just possibilities to be aware of when planning. You can still have a great time and possibly enjoy lower crowds since you will be in between "peak" times.

 

[ocmommy]

I would try to avoid Saturday and go for the fireworks on Sunday if you can. Veteran's Day is really busy too. During the week days you should have no problem seeing everything.

 

[Littleprincess2010]

I think your plan of including weekend days to see parades and fireworks is good, but I would point out that the dates you are considering are kind of a transitional time at Disneyland. It is hard to predict with any certainty which nighttime shows will be going on. I remember reading that there were in fact fireworks for a few days during your timeframe last year but in years past, sometimes there has been a gap in the fireworks, Fantasmic, or parades schedules as things transition over from Halloween to Christmas. Also, sometimes during that timeframe there are Christmas parade tapings going on which may or may not affect your touring plans during one of the days. It's a Small World will be closed for the holiday makeover. You may also find a few other rides are down for quick refurbishments before Christmas season goes into full swing. These are just possibilities to be aware of when planning. You can still have a great time and possibly enjoy lower crowds since you will be in between "peak" times.

Thank you for your thoughts, we are going at this time of year for a bunch of reasons but mainly for my daughters 7th birthday.

It would be cool if we could check out the tapings while we were there, hey, maybe we can ever get on TV!!

I assumed IASW would be closed during our trip and that there might be other rides down for refurb, I guess its the price we pay for avoiding the crowds

 

[Littleprincess2010]

I would try to avoid Saturday and go for the fireworks on Sunday if you can. Veteran's Day is really busy too. During the week days you should have no problem seeing everything.

Thank you!! Our plan was to do everything we wanted to do before Veteran's day and then spend Veteran's day relaxing, shopping and using fast passes. Mostly just take a day to enjoy the magic that is Disneyland before we leave.

 

[skiingfast]

The weekend will be busy because it is of the three day type were a lot of people like to take trips but veterans day is not always a school holiday so it may be negligable. The following days will be a nice slow time.

Because it is slow their may be a lot of rehabs going on. But that is the trade off you take for shorter wait times. I'd really wait until disney posts their entertainment schedule for that time to decide.

If you only have the weekend for F!, Fireworks and World of color you may want to be there there that saturday to get in all those night shows.

The attractions will be easy on the wed and thur.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Thank you for your thoughts, we are going at this time of year for a bunch of reasons but mainly for my daughters 7th birthday.

It would be cool if we could check out the tapings while we were there, hey, maybe we can ever get on TV!!

I assumed IASW would be closed during our trip and that there might be other rides down for refurb, I guess its the price we pay for avoiding the crowds

Great attitude! I wasn't trying to be a wet blanket, just pointing out things I would want to be aware of. There are pros and cons to any time of year. And we all have our own opinions and preferences. I, for one, wouldn't avoid Saturdays. We've had some of our best times on Saturdays. We love to ride a bunch early in the morning before the locals get up, take a long break, and then go back in the evening and do things like listen to the swing music and watch the dancers, something that doesn't seem to be offered any other night of the week.

 

[Littleprincess2010]

Great attitude! I wasn't trying to be a wet blanket, just pointing out things I would want to be aware of. There are pros and cons to any time of year. And we all have our own opinions and preferences. I, for one, wouldn't avoid Saturdays. We've had some of our best times on Saturdays. We love to ride a bunch early in the morning before the locals get up, take a long break, and then go back in the evening and do things like listen to the swing music and watch the dancers, something that doesn't seem to be offered any other night of the week.

Those are totally the little things I want to know!!! And thats something that would work really well for us because my mom has knee issues and uses a cane sometimes so doing things were we can sit down are great!! And dont worry, nothing could dampen my excitement for this trip!!

Im really hoping that DLR has a sale on tickets for when we go, Id love to just go for all 6 days!! I think the best plan for us is to plan for the longer trip and then wait for the schedule to come out (I think they come out 6 weeks beforehand???)

 

[Sleestack]

Im no expert on calendars... but we just got back and we had fireworks every night all week. We didnt know that months ago when we planned our trip. I am not a big fan of weekends in the park. Much too crowded for me.

 

[Littleprincess2010]

Im no expert on calendars... but we just got back and we had fireworks every night all week. We didnt know that months ago when we planned our trip. I am not a big fan of weekends in the park. Much too crowded for me.

Thanks for that!! Its really hard trying to plan when they dont release the schedules until a few weeks out. I'd love it if they had the fireworks every night, but Im also ok with seeing them on either the Sunday or the Thursday (Veterans Day). It will probably be the only trip my mom gets to take so I want to make sure she gets to see lots

 

[Sleestack]

We watched the fireworks three times. Once the normal way, standing packed like sardines on Main Street. Once in passing as we went from ride to ride. And the most awesome show we got was one night we got stuck back between Casey Jr and Dumbo when the fireworks started. There were only about 20 people and the show was just great! Some would shoot off from behnd you, right over you head (behind Casey) and some would shoot off form the castle. WOW!!! You could FEEL the booming! (you dont get to see all the fun stuff they do on the actual castle front, so if you only get to see them once... it might not be the best place.)