Please Critique our Christmas Trip (Leaving Wed. December 21)

[Julia M]

It's been a long time since we have been at Disneyland...most of our recent trips have been WDW. This is a"splurge" trip for 2 reasons....we didn't do a family vacation last summer, as everyone had different summer schedules and I had planned to take dh on a Disney Adventures tour (the Backstage Magic), but he felt it was too pricey. So we have some "extras" planned

Our family (dh and I and three teens) are driving to LA, leaving Wednesday about 12:30 (as soon as our kids are done with finals) Please share any info you can for us, regarding our plans!

WED: drive to LA, check in at Anaheim Marriott (2 rooms-the kids and us), late dinner at the hotel (looking for a place that will deliver)

THURS: Breakfast at Concierge Lounge, Magic Morning, no specific lunch plans as of yet, no specific dinner plans as of yet, Fantasmic dessert buffet

FRI: maybe sleep in, Breakfast at Concierge Lounge and go to DCA (I am worried the 2 younger kids will still be wiped from finals and a big day yesterday...we'll see), dh and dd have lunch with princesses (her request), me with ds's somewhere, dh and I on holiday tour (teens off doing their own thing), no specific dinner plans as of yet

SAT: Starbucks breakfast, no specific lunch plans as of yet, WOC dinner package at 5pm for 8pm show

SUN: sleep in a bit, mass, breakfast offsite (need suggestions, would prefer not Mimi's), go to DD??, dinner at 7pm at Storytellers Cafe

MON: Breakfast at Concierge Lounge, go to parks for a little while, back to hotel to pack up (late check out) and drive home.

Should I try and book some additional reservations for meals?
Any suggestions for game plan at parks?
Any other comments or suggestions?

Julia

 

[ArchOwl]

First of all, have fun! Sounds like a good trip. Comments in bold below...

It's been a long time since we have been at Disneyland...most of our recent trips have been WDW. This is a"splurge" trip for 2 reasons....we didn't do a family vacation last summer, as everyone had different summer schedules and I had planned to take dh on a Disney Adventures tour (the Backstage Magic), but he felt it was too pricey. So we have some "extras" planned

Just FYI there is a one day mini-Backstage tour offered now. I am not sure on all the details, but it is much cheaper and gives you a taste of the larger tour. Might want to check it out!

Our family (dh and I and three teens) are driving to LA, leaving Wednesday about 12:30 (as soon as our kids are done with finals) Please share any info you can for us, regarding our plans!

WED: drive to LA, check in at Anaheim Marriott (2 rooms-the kids and us), late dinner at the hotel (looking for a place that will deliver)

I am not a 100% sure that they deliver anymore, but I have ordered from Thai California Kitchen. It was pretty good. We weren't in the mood for pizza. I would double check with the front desk, they can probably give you a list of delivery options.

THURS: Breakfast at Concierge Lounge, Magic Morning, no specific lunch plans as of yet, no specific dinner plans as of yet, Fantasmic dessert buffet

FRI: maybe sleep in, Breakfast at Concierge Lounge and go to DCA (I am worried the 2 younger kids will still be wiped from finals and a big day yesterday...we'll see), dh and dd have lunch with princesses (her request), me with ds's somewhere, dh and I on holiday tour (teens off doing their own thing), no specific dinner plans as of yet

SAT: Starbucks breakfast, no specific lunch plans as of yet, WOC dinner package at 5pm for 8pm show

Good timing, gives you plenty of time to eat and line up for WOC.

SUN: sleep in a bit, mass, breakfast offsite (need suggestions, would prefer not Mimi's), go to DD??, dinner at 7pm at Storytellers Cafe

Highly recommend the brunch at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in DD. Amazing Blood Marys and lots of choices for brunch. Live jazz. Some people like the House of Blues Gospel Brunch in DD. I went to the HOB brunch in Vegas and it was fine, but much prefer the Jazz Kitchen.

MON: Breakfast at Concierge Lounge, go to parks for a little while, back to hotel to pack up (late check out) and drive home.

Should I try and book some additional reservations for meals?

Normally I would say you could play it by ear, unless you wanted to eat at Blue Bayou or Cafe Orleans, but it will be pretty busy while you are there. I would make some reservations if you think you might want to eat at a sit down place. You can always cancel the reservation.

Any suggestions for game plan at parks?

since it will be busy, you should get to the parks early, collect FPs and ride slow loaders during the morning. You have a Magic Morning, so that will be nice. Do you have priorities that we should know about?

Any other comments or suggestions?

Sounds like a nice trip! Plan on extra time to park and ride the tram/bus into the parks. It will be busy and this will probably take more time than you are used to.
Julia