Please critique my plan: Nov 27-30

[rentayenta]

With only 3 park days, my goal is to maximize, plan but not overly so, and most importantly have a magical trip while trying to meets everyone's must-do list. I think I've got a decent plan but would love some feedback. I have added some questions in red if anyone can help with the answers.

We'll be staying at the GCV so luckily the only morning we have to deal with a strict arrival time is our first day.

I still have a few details to work out and PS to cancel but thus far......

Sunday:

• leave friend's by 5:30 am arriving at the GCV by 5:45
• check in, drop luggage, take it all in (for a minute anyway), send DH to drop car of at Alamo in DTD. Alamo doesn't open until 8 am, can we drop the car off earlier? Do they have a lot and drop key box option?
• security by 6:30 for MM at 7 am. DIS approved ride order of Fantasyland of course
• Disneyland all morning
• midday break
• Carnation Cafe at 5:10
• Fireworks/snow at 8:45 Good time to start staking out a spot?
• F! at 10:30 if DD insists (this is her must-do). If not then ride, ride, ride and close the park down at midnight.

Monday:

• DCA by 9:30, official opening is at 10 am Do GCV/DLR hotel guests get in earlier than 9:30?
• send DH for WoC and Soarin FP while the rest of us run like the wind Bullseye for TSMM
• DCA all day
• no midday break unless they want to
• WoC at 8:15 if I can stomach the chaos of the line up situation What color FP do the machines provide vs the picnic and dining options? What time should we "line up"?

Monday: How is it already the last day?

• Disneyland by 7:30 am for 8 am MM. Not sure if we'll do the Tomorrowland MM plan or half FL/TM. Suggestions?
• Ride baybee ride
• Holiday Tour for DS and myself at 2:45. The others head back to DCA for ToT and Screamin' over and over and over
• Meet back up about 6:30
• ride and end the night with BTMRR during the fireworks

The only meal I added was Carnation Cafe as that's the only set time we have to eat aside from departure day when we've got a Storyteller's PS. The rest will be counter service. Times and places as we see fit but at Disneyland our musts are The Plaza Inn and Stagedoor Cafe. I would like to try Rancho del Zocalo and possibly Riverbelle for breakfast. At DCA our must is the Pacific Wharf Cafe. I'd like to try Paradise Garden Grill. I'm sure DH will talk the girls into hot dogs during their DCA afternoon.

I'd love to squeeze in the Reindeer Round-up and any cookie making going on and of course the kids have to visit Santa at each park. Candy Canes are no longer on the list as they begin Nov 30 which is the day we leave.

Any amazing holiday events that I'm missing?


Thanks again for any feedback and insights.

 

[skiingfast]

Alamo doesn't open until 8 am, can we drop the car off earlier? Do they have a lot and drop key box option?

Not sure, I've never noticed a drop box, but wasn't looking.

[*]Fireworks/snow at 8:45 Good time to start staking out a spot?
[*]F! at 10:30 if DD insists (this is her must-do). If not then ride, ride, ride and close the park down at midnight.
[/LIST]

About an hour early. I'm not sure why the Castle Lighting isn't nightly on the calendar if it runs that night this would put you good position to see that too.

Try to view from the front of the hub and near a path to easily get out and to F!.

[*]DCA by 9:30, official opening is at 10 am Do GCV/DLR hotel guests get in earlier than 9:30?
[*]send DH for WoC and Soarin FP while the rest of us run like the wind Bullseye for TSMM
What color FP do the machines provide vs the picnic and dining options? What time should we "line up"?

It sounds like 9:15 for hotel guests is still happening. Consider you are going for a slow period, I wouldn't wait 30 minutes at the rope drop to skip a likely 30 minutes at max, wait anytime during the rest of the day for TSMM. Do a ride or two first, before going to the RD spot.

As far as WoC viewing sections Picnic and WoC lunch at WCT is for Yellow, Dinners are the Preferred Dining location. The machines will have blue right away if you enter early that is what you will get. All 4 viewings sections from east to west, Blue, Dining, Yellow and Red, have good views available except the far side of the red area. It's more important to get on a rail in any area, than what area.

[*]Disneyland by 7:30 am for 8 am MM. Not sure if we'll do the Tomorrowland MM plan or half FL/TM. Suggestions?
[*]Ride baybee ride
[/LIST]

Whatever is more important. With FP on Space and ST. You might opt for FL since PP and Matterhorn don't have FP.

Any amazing holiday events that I'm missing?[/COLOR
Thanks again for any feedback and insights.

Go back to Small World in the evening and see the lights and watch the holiday version of the Magic, Memories and You.

 

[mydisneymoney]

Monday:

• DCA by 9:30, official opening is at 10 am Do GCV/DLR hotel guests get in earlier than 9:30?
• send DH for WoC and Soarin FP while the rest of us run like the wind Bullseye for TSMM

• 
  
  Someone tell me if this has changed, but the last time I knew everyone in your party had to be present when getting FP for WOC. Also, I was told that DCA opened an hour early for anyone staying at a DL property. If so, get in line at the DCA entrance before 9am and be ready to get WOC PC then you can sometime get on Soarin at 9:30 or so. Then go to TSMM.

 

[skiingfast]

Someone tell me if this has changed, but the last time I knew everyone in your party had to be present when getting FP for WOC. Also, I was told that DCA opened an hour early for anyone staying at a DL property. If so, get in line at the DCA entrance before 9am and be ready to get WOC PC then you can sometime get on Soarin at 9:30 or so. Then go to TSMM.

A. No you don't need everyone to get your WoC Show Tickets. All ticket must be activated by entering either park on the same day. In fact when WoC was busy after opening it was encouraged that one person take the tickets to the group.

B. DCA does not open 1 hour early for Resort Hotel guests. It opens 30 minutes early for all guests, and over the Summer was 1 hour early but this Fall45 minutes for resort guests. It's not all of DCA, it is for Soarin, WoC show Tickets and in a limited manner LM. There are rope drops set up to the rest of the park which opens at the normal, published time.

 

[rentayenta]

Not sure, I've never noticed a drop box, but wasn't looking.

Thanks. I'll call tomorrow.

About an hour early. I'm not sure why the Castle Lighting isn't nightly on the calendar if it runs that night this would put you good position to see that too.

I was wondering why it isn't on there. Where do they seat us for the parade during the Tour?

Try to view from the front of the hub and near a path to easily get out and to F!.

I was thinking either that or near the train station on Main St and then hopping the train to NOS? I am thinking the path of least resistance but not sure how the view is from Main St vs the actual hub.

It sounds like 9:15 for hotel guests is still happening. Consider you are going for a slow period, I wouldn't wait 30 minutes at the rope drop to skip a likely 30 minutes at max, wait anytime during the rest of the day for TSMM. Do a ride or two first, before going to the RD spot.

Good point, we wait or we wait. Think it will be that slow on Monday?

As far as WoC viewing sections Picnic and WoC lunch at WCT is for Yellow, Dinners are the Preferred Dining location. The machines will have blue right away if you enter early that is what you will get. All 4 viewings sections from east to west, Blue, Dining, Yellow and Red, have good views available except the far side of the red area. It's more important to get on a rail in any area, than what area.

Great. We've seen it twice with dining and had an amazing view the first time (WCT) and a good view the second (picnic). We were on the rail the first time and the view was tons better. It's the madness of the waiting and then the cattle call non-line like atmosphere that doesn't sit well with me.

Whatever is more important. With FP on Space and ST. You might opt for FL since PP and Matterhorn don't have FP.

Oh yeah Matterhorn. That line can be painful.

Go back to Small World in the evening and see the lights and watch the holiday version of the Magic, Memories and You.

What time is that show? I don't recall it being listed.

B. DCA does not open 1 hour early for Resort Hotel guests. It opens 30 minutes early for all guests, and over the Summer was 1 hour early but this Fall45 minutes for resort guests. It's not all of DCA, it is for Soarin, WoC show Tickets and in a limited manner LM. There are rope drops set up to the rest of the park which opens at the normal, published time.

An hour would sure be fun though!





I guess we'll know more Monday about cookie making and such.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Holiday tour seats you across from Small World (at least for the 2nd parade).

 

[pinktink83]

We are going to be there on the same days! I'll send you my rough draft plans so far, maybe it will help.

I've read you need to stake out a spot by the castle at least an hour, if not 2-3 hours earlier for fireworks and snow.

 

[pinktink83]

Also...where is the candy cane schedule? I didn't know it was out yet!

 

[rentayenta]

Holiday tour seats you across from Small World (at least for the 2nd parade).

There will only be one 5:30 parade but I'm guessing the seats are the same.

We are going to be there on the same days! I'll send you my rough draft plans so far, maybe it will help.

I've read you need to stake out a spot by the castle at least an hour, if not 2-3 hours earlier for fireworks and snow.

I've staked out a spot 2+ before but it's supposed to be slower so was curious if maybe 45 minutes would suffice?

Send your plan. I'd love to look it over.

Also...where is the candy cane schedule? I didn't know it was out yet!

It's on the Disney Parks Food Blog. I have the link in my ptr. It's also in the Christmas Superthread I think.

 

[rentayenta]

Bumping to ask where the new Little Mermaid ride would fit into the DCA morning attack?