Please Help with 2 Day Itinerary.

[WanderlustNZ]

This morning I woke up to discover that MHP is going to be held on one of the two nights I'm at DLR. I really wasn't expecting this and it's thrown a real spanner in the works. Please help me decide between a few different options, or alternatively suggest a different itinerary altogether.

I apologise in advance for how long-winded this post will be, so a huge thanks to anyone who reads it and offers advice.

Some background info:
- 3 adults and a son who is a few days away from turning 7.
- DH and I have been to Disneyland once, but it was many years ago.
- Was at WDW last year and saw Fantasmic and MNSSHP.
- Sunday 6th is part of Gay Days. The theme of the day doesn't concern us, but the crowds do.
- Beyond general admission, I am happy to spend roughly $150 extra per person to maximise the short time we have and avoid the crowds. Have pretty much decided to do the 'Discover the Magic' Tour and a WOC Meal package. I'm torn on a third option.
- It's important to us to take a short break throughout the day to recoup and escape the crowds. Often a sit down meal suffices.

OPTION 1

Sunday 5th October
Morning
Get to DL at opening. Try to ride a big ticket ride or two (Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain are high on my wishlist).
10am - Discover the Magic Tour
Afternoon
Lunch at Cafe Orleans or Big Thunder BBQ, followed by shows, parade, rides
Evening
A light snack for dinner followed by Fantasmic Dessert Package and the Fireworks.

Monday 6th October
Morning
Pop into DCA to see Cars Land and grab fastpasses.
Back to DL to ride things we couldn't do the day before.
Lunch somewhere
Afternoon
Leave DL about 2pm before all the MHP crowds start pouring in. Enter DCA for the rest of the day.
Evening
WOC Package with dinner at Ariels Grotto
Return to our hotel across the road in time to see MHP fireworks from our balcony.

OPTION 2

Sunday 5th October
Morning and Afternoon
Same as Sunday in Option 1
Evening
Head to DCA for the last few hours of our day to do WOC Dining Package (Ariel's Grotto). Alternatively we could pop across to DCA during the day and do the lunch WOC package at Carthay Circle.

Monday 6th October
Morning
Go to DCA until approx 2pm. Light lunch at Cosy Cone.
Afternoon
Head back to our hotel for a rest and to change my son into his costume.
Make a early dinner reservation for approx 4:30 at Downtown Disney.
Evening
Mickey's Halloween Party

OPTION 3
Pretty much the same as option 1, but do the Happiest Haunts Tour instead of the Fantasmic Package.

TIA

 

[aliceindisneyland]

This morning I woke up to discover that MHP is going to be held on one of the two nights I'm at DLR. I really wasn't expecting this and it's thrown a real spanner in the works. Please help me decide between a few different options, or alternatively suggest a different itinerary altogether.

I apologise in advance for how long-winded this post will be, so a huge thanks to anyone who reads it and offers advice.

Some background info:
- 3 adults and a son who is a few days away from turning 7.
- DH and I have been to Disneyland once, but it was many years ago.
- Was at WDW last year and saw Fantasmic and MNSSHP.
- Sunday 6th is part of Gay Days. The theme of the day doesn't concern us, but the crowds do.
- Beyond general admission, I am happy to spend roughly $150 extra per person to maximise the short time we have and avoid the crowds. Have pretty much decided to do the 'Discover the Magic' Tour and a WOC Meal package. I'm torn on a third option.
- It's important to us to take a short break throughout the day to recoup and escape the crowds. Often a sit down meal suffices.

OPTION 1

Sunday 5th October
Morning
Get to DL at opening. Try to ride a big ticket ride or two (Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain are high on my wishlist).
10am - Discover the Magic Tour
Afternoon
Lunch at Cafe Orleans or Big Thunder BBQ, followed by shows, parade, rides
Evening
A light snack for dinner followed by Fantasmic Dessert Package and the Fireworks.

Monday 6th October
Morning
Pop into DCA to see Cars Land and grab fastpasses.
Back to DL to ride things we couldn't do the day before.
Lunch somewhere
Afternoon
Leave DL about 2pm before all the MHP crowds start pouring in. Enter DCA for the rest of the day.
Evening
WOC Package with dinner at Ariels Grotto
Return to our hotel across the road in time to see MHP fireworks from our balcony.

OPTION 2

Sunday 5th October
Morning and Afternoon
Same as Sunday in Option 1
Evening
Head to DCA for the last few hours of our day to do WOC Dining Package (Ariel's Grotto). Alternatively we could pop across to DCA during the day and do the lunch WOC package at Carthay Circle.

Monday 6th October
Morning
Go to DCA until approx 2pm. Light lunch at Cosy Cone.
Afternoon
Head back to our hotel for a rest and to change my son into his costume.
Make a early dinner reservation for approx 4:30 at Downtown Disney.
Evening
Mickey's Halloween Party

OPTION 3
Pretty much the same as option 1, but do the Happiest Haunts Tour instead of the Fantasmic Package.

TIA

That sounds lovely for the adults but it's a lot of grown up time for the 7-yr-old to wait through - a tour, long lunch/dinner, a very long wait for Fantasmic by most reports I've read on the dessert package, and a long wait for WOC. All of those plus shorter hours = not too many rides.
I absolutely understand that different families do Disneyland in different ways and your son may love every moment of it, but it seems like a lot of waiting around or sitting in restaurants for a kid who has never been to Disneyland.
These are all things you have to commit to as well so there may not be time for playing for an extra hour on Pirate Island because it's just that awesome, or riding Indy standby because he measured himself and he's tall enough, or letting him ride the tire zipline 4 times in a row and explore every square foot of the Redwood Challenge Trail. 2 days at Disneyland goes by very, very quickly.

 

[DHSbutcher]

That sounds lovely for the adults but it's a lot of grown up time for the 7-yr-old to wait through - a tour, long lunch/dinner, a very long wait for Fantasmic by most reports I've read on the dessert package, and a long wait for WOC. All of those plus shorter hours = not too many rides.
I absolutely understand that different families do Disneyland in different ways and your son may love every moment of it, but it seems like a lot of waiting around or sitting in restaurants for a kid who has never been to Disneyland.
These are all things you have to commit to as well so there may not be time for playing for an extra hour on Pirate Island because it's just that awesome, or riding Indy standby because he measured himself and he's tall enough, or letting him ride the tire zipline 4 times in a row and explore every square foot of the Redwood Challenge Trail. 2 days at Disneyland goes by very, very quickly.

I agree with this completely. Especially since you guys haven't been to DL with your son, if it were me I would want to spend time doing more family rides and just exploring and taking in the magic. Last fall we did SO MUCH in 2 days, we felt so accomplished and had a blast. WOC FP can be obtained easily without a long meal. Tours don't appeal to me and would;t maximize emu time unless it was a VIP tour that got me to the front of the lines. The Fantasmic Dessert Package I heard takes forever, and is a ton of waiting around and way too many desserts. The show can be seen without a chair and without waiting for hours. This way of touring isn't bad, but if I only had 2 days in the parks and we didn't visit very often- it just isn't how I would see them. And whether or not to do the MNSSHP- I would do it. I would spend Sunday hopping back and forth between parks commando style, really taking in as much as you can, making the most of FP. Monday I would open DCA at rope drop and do the party at night. Yes, it will be an extremely exhausting 2 days for your son, and depending on park hours you might not get to see everything. Fantasmic usually runs on weekends only in the offseason, and I have no idea if it plays during the party, but hopefully as the dates get closer it will help you better plan your days and incorporating what might be limited night time entertainment. But whatever you decide you are the only one who knows what is best for your family despite all our input. Enjoy your trip

 

[WanderlustNZ]

That sounds lovely for the adults but it's a lot of grown up time for the 7-yr-old to wait through - a tour, long lunch/dinner, a very long wait for Fantasmic by most reports I've read on the dessert package, and a long wait for WOC. All of those plus shorter hours = not too many rides. I absolutely understand that different families do Disneyland in different ways and your son may love every moment of it, but it seems like a lot of waiting around or sitting in restaurants for a kid who has never been to Disneyland. These are all things you have to commit to as well so there may not be time for playing for an extra hour on Pirate Island because it's just that awesome, or riding Indy standby because he measured himself and he's tall enough, or letting him ride the tire zipline 4 times in a row and explore every square foot of the Redwood Challenge Trail. 2 days at Disneyland goes by very, very quickly.

My son is in the forefront of my mind when deciding on the itinerary.

I wouldn't even be considering the Discover the Magic Tour if it weren't for my son. I know he would much prefer to be doing a scavenger hunt for Mickey's Puzzle pieces and then skipping to the front of a few ride queues, than he would be standing in long queues on what is going to be a very busy day. Getting to the front of the queue on some big ticket rides is the same reason I'm considering the Happiest Haunts Tours.

As for taking a break for a meal each day, it's almost a necessity for us. Both parks are likely to be open at least 12 hours on those days (MK could be open as much as 16 hours on the Sunday) and if we go non-stop without a break, we will all get tired and grumpy. I don't think my MIL would actually cope spending that long on her feet. Somehow a quick stop at a busy counter service place never seems that restful.
I would prefer to accept that we won't see everything than risk one of us becoming grumpy or exhausted.


Thank you however for your comment. I will take it into consideration.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

I agree with this completely. Especially since you guys haven't been to DL with your son, if it were me I would want to spend time doing more family rides and just exploring and taking in the magic. Last fall we did SO MUCH in 2 days, we felt so accomplished and had a blast. WOC FP can be obtained easily without a long meal. Tours don't appeal to me and would;t maximize emu time unless it was a VIP tour that got me to the front of the lines. The Fantasmic Dessert Package I heard takes forever, and is a ton of waiting around and way too many desserts. The show can be seen without a chair and without waiting for hours. This way of touring isn't bad, but if I only had 2 days in the parks and we didn't visit very often- it just isn't how I would see them. And whether or not to do the MNSSHP- I would do it. I would spend Sunday hopping back and forth between parks commando style, really taking in as much as you can, making the most of FP. Monday I would open DCA at rope drop and do the party at night. Yes, it will be an extremely exhausting 2 days for your son, and depending on park hours you might not get to see everything. Fantasmic usually runs on weekends only in the offseason, and I have no idea if it plays during the party, but hopefully as the dates get closer it will help you better plan your days and incorporating what might be limited night time entertainment. But whatever you decide you are the only one who knows what is best for your family despite all our input. Enjoy your trip

Thank you for your comment as well.

While DS an I could cope with a commando touring style hopping to and fro between parks, my MIL and DH would scream at me if I put them through that. It's far removed from their idea of fun.

It is a balance trying to keep everyone happy and I'm pretty confident that the plans I have come up will work for all of us. Perhaps not ideally, but an ideal plan for my MIL would look completely different to an ideal plan for my son.

I also should have mentioned earlier that we will be arriving at Disneyland after a very busy road trip around Yellowstone and Grand Teton. We will have energy, but not as much as we would had this been the first 2 days of our trip.

As for the Fantasmic Dessert package, it's sounding already like that's an option I should scratch of the list. Thanks, that helps.

 

[KeKy4]

We went on a Sunday in May, Mother's Day, so more crowded than October. We got to the park around 2:30pm and were surprised how many rides we were able to get on in that first day, we just wandered around and jumped on anything with a short wait, we even watched Fantasmic and the fireworks, then went back to our hotel for the night. I think being there open to close you'll be fine in getting to do a lot. Make a list of must do's and then just see how it goes. One lessons we've learned is: The less we plan our trips, the more we enjoy them! Have fun and don't forget to get a 1st trip button!

 

[WanderlustNZ]

We went on a Sunday in May, Mother's Day, so more crowded than October. We got to the park around 2:30pm and were surprised how many rides we were able to get on in that first day, we just wandered around and jumped on anything with a short wait, we even watched Fantasmic and the fireworks, then went back to our hotel for the night. I think being there open to close you'll be fine in getting to do a lot. Make a list of must do's and then just see how it goes. One lessons we've learned is: The less we plan our trips, the more we enjoy them! Have fun and don't forget to get a 1st trip button!

Thank you. That's good to hear that you found the crowds on Mother's Day manageable.

The stuff I've been reading about Gay Day crowds and MHP crowds has made me a bit nervous and perhaps has me planning more than I need to.

Mainly I guess I'm trying to decide whether or not to do the Halloween Party as this affects which parks I will be in on each day.

 

[CAFarmerGirl]

My kids love the Halloween party. They would do that over WOC in a heartbeat. Also, there is no way my ds would go within 10 feet of Ariel's.

Blue Bayou would be a nice sit down...very cool in the heat.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

ok I guess I am gona say something different here.
My son loved the Party and I would do that again, it does have short lines for some rides. We have gone duering gay days before and never noticed it. The crowds were not to bad.

F- I am finely doing this in NOv I wanted to do it three times now. I don't know if you want to do it or not but if you are a late nigher and if F is doing two a night and you want the Desert and chair, do the late one. I am thinking about doing this, so I can get in line chose my seat and then have a few hours to play around before the show.

WOC id honestly skip the dinner just get a fp and be ready to line up early.

Be ready for rides to be down and for things to go wrong, and be ready to make a change to the plan so you can still have a good trip. Id 100% do the party for the shorter lines on big rides.

Also there is a new tour in dca 100 a person, but it does give you a rsr ride just in case that appeals to you.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

My kids love the Halloween party. They would do that over WOC in a heartbeat. Also, there is no way my ds would go within 10 feet of Ariel's. Blue Bayou would be a nice sit down...very cool in the heat.

Thanks for the feedback.

We have our heart set on WOC as it will be a new experience for all of us. I think when you know that it may well be the one time you'll ever see a show, you're more keen to maximise your chances of a good view. We will be sitting down somewhere for a lunch or dinner regardless, so the good position for WOC makes for an added bonus.

I get what you're saying about Ariels as I don't think anyone of us would particularly like the theming. It's just that the menu looks the most appealing for our budget. There are no characters there in the evening. My son would be most unimpressed if I took him to a princess meal

Blue Bayou looks beautiful. We enjoyed the atmosphere of similar places (San Angel Inn and Biergarten) in WDW for the calm it provided in the middle of a busy day. Unfortunately I just don't think the adults in my group would be happy with BB's prices.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

ok I guess I am gona say something different here. My son loved the Party and I would do that again, it does have short lines for some rides. We have gone duering gay days before and never noticed it. The crowds were not to bad. F- I am finely doing this in NOv I wanted to do it three times now. I don't know if you want to do it or not but if you are a late nigher and if F is doing two a night and you want the Desert and chair, do the late one. I am thinking about doing this, so I can get in line chose my seat and then have a few hours to play around before the show. WOC id honestly skip the dinner just get a fp and be ready to line up early. Be ready for rides to be down and for things to go wrong, and be ready to make a change to the plan so you can still have a good trip. Id 100% do the party for the shorter lines on big rides. Also there is a new tour in dca 100 a person, but it does give you a rsr ride just in case that appeals to you.

Great to hear some positive feedback on crowd levels. I hope we have a similar experience.

I haven't heard of the new tour you mentioned. Off to look at it now

Edited: Do you have a link to that new tour? I can't seem to find any mention of it.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I would do option #2, but I would find some place inside DL to eat before the party. We did the party 2 years ago and will be doing it again this year and we ALL had a blast at it. We also did the Discover the Magic Tour last Nov and my kids had so much fun. The only thing I'll warn about is if there are a lot of other groups on your tour (we had 2 other families on ours) it's easy for some kids to get pushed to the back if they aren't aggressive in personality. I give our tour guides credit that they realized this and made a point to let each kid lead at some point, but we did have some girls who tried to take over everything. Just in case this is something that may upset your son.

If I had to pick a WOC of meal, I'd pick CCR over Ariel's. We've never done the Fantasmic dessert package, so I can't offer any advice on that.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

I would do option #2, but I would find some place inside DL to eat before the party. We did the party 2 years ago and will be doing it again this year and we ALL had a blast at it. We also did the Discover the Magic Tour last Nov and my kids had so much fun. The only thing I'll warn about is if there are a lot of other groups on your tour (we had 2 other families on ours) it's easy for some kids to get pushed to the back if they aren't aggressive in personality. I give our tour guides credit that they realized this and made a point to let each kid lead at some point, but we did have some girls who tried to take over everything. Just in case this is something that may upset your son. If I had to pick a WOC of meal, I'd pick CCR over Ariel's. We've never done the Fantasmic dessert package, so I can't offer any advice on that.

Thank you DisneyJamie for your reply to my question. Very helpful.

Also interesting about the dynamics on the Discover the Magic Tour. I wouldn't have thought of this, so the heads-up is great. My son is very placid and could easily become pushed to the back to avoid pushing others. So I will remember what you said and encourage him to the front every now and then. It's great that the guides are aware of such things

It sounds like the consensus is CCR over Ariels so I think we'll go with that.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

I just saw a post about it, type in search bar new dca tour and it should come up. i learned about it here

 

[JadeDarkstar]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3293889&highlight=new+dca+tour

found it

 

[Escape2Disney]

Both options look good, but I'd likely choose #2. Whichever you choose, just be sure to have a list of must-do attractions. That way you can prioritize your ride time.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[WanderlustNZ]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3293889&highlight=new+dca+tour

found it

Thanks heaps for finding that link for me. I was googling and coming up with nothing

It looks like a great tour, but perhaps not ideal for a child.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Both options look good, but I'd likely choose #2. Whichever you choose, just be sure to have a list of must-do attractions. That way you can prioritize your ride time.

Have a wonderful trip!

Thanks Escape2Disney. We have a list of about 10 rides we really want to do and anything else will be a bonus.

I am leaning towards Option 2, but the Happiest Haunts Tour also looks great. I so wish I could afford the Ultimate package which includes both.

I have pretty much decided against the idea of doing Option 1 with the Fantasmic package due to the feedback about long waits.

 

[CAFarmerGirl]

There is a WOC super thread that details fast passes without the meal. Apparently, the dinner seats aren't too great.

Blue bayou lets you share plates (there is a ton of food!).