Please help, trying to plan our first trip...

[pnwprincess]

Hi all, I need your help and vast experience! We are planning our first trip to DLR/DCA on March 16-20 (Wed- Sat). We have 2 DD's 3 and 6.

I know that I am an overplanner, but I'd like to make the most of the time we have there. I don't know how busy this time is, it is Spring Break in OR, but not locally. Any insight to crowd levels would be greatly appreciated.

I haven't been to DLR in 20 years, and obviously never to DCA. I'm not really sure how to best divide our time between the parks. I bought 4 day PH tix and I bought one of the touring plans, so we can make a 'game plan'.

We won't get there until about 3 pm Wed., so really we'll really only have 3.5 days. Would you do more than 1 day at DCA, or is that enough? Where would you spend Saturday, since this will be the busiest day? Right now, I am thinking we do:
after 3 pm Wed.: DLR
Thurs.: DLR
Fri.: DCA
Sat: DLR

But, wondering if we should either, also spend the partial day Wed. at DCA? Or, if we're better off going to DCA on Sat, avoiding the crowds in DLR? Will there be a big difference in attendance at DLR between Fri and Sat?

Do I sound a little OCD? My DH thinks so , just getting so excited for our trip and don't want it spoiled by long lines. Or at least, try to be prepared for it.

Thanks so much for your help and advice!

 

[CrazyDuck]

I know that I am an overplanner

You are not an overplanner! If you were you would have had this all figured out 6 months ago!

I'd do the partial day at DCA as well... Order the lunch boxes and get WOC out of the way...

 

[Peace.love.mickey]

Personally, I like to do both parks in a day, etc. Especially on MM, I go to DL for MM, do our thing, then go for the opening of DCA. Also, I do DCA at night, when it closes go over to DL, etc.

I think that having the park hoppers make it great to go back and forth

 

[pnwprincess]

Thank you! I hadn't thought of doing both parks in one day, that's definitely a good option. We plan to take a break (hopefully nap) in the afternoon, so that would work out well.

 

[Funball]

You are not an overplanner! If you were you would have had this all figured out 6 months ago!

I'd do the partial day at DCA as well... Order the lunch boxes and get WOC out of the way...

i 2nd that. the lunch picnics are easy and yummy! and guaranteed to get you a ticket to WOC!

also DCA will only take half a day anyway! but still a fun park!

 

[pnwprincess]

So, if we get to DCA at 3 pm, will we be too late to get a FP for WOC?

 

[Peace.love.mickey]

Thank you! I hadn't thought of doing both parks in one day, that's definitely a good option. We plan to take a break (hopefully nap) in the afternoon, so that would work out well.

I generally go to one park...go take a nap during the lunch time super busy hours...then go back to a dif park!!! I heart naps!

 

[Bungle]

So, if we get to DCA at 3 pm, will we be too late to get a FP for WOC?

Probably, unless you want the red zone. If you have park hoppers why not just go over in the morning, grab your fp and head back to DL?

 

[Bungle]

Probably, unless you want the red zone. If you have park hoppers why not just go over in the morning, grab your fp and head back to DL?

Also ordering a picnic package might work.

 

[clairabell29]

Last August we bought a picnic at about 3pm and we got great tickets. We actaully stood on the stairs so there was no one too tall in front of us That is a good option if you like the picnic foods that are offered.

 

[Boo Bear]

I always go back and forth between parks they're right across the plaza area from one another.

 

[Briarrose1306]

How do the picnic lunches work for WoC? The show is at night, right? So is this just a little meal you can buy and then get the tickets too or?