Possible first trip. Help!

[Twinklee]

My husband is running in the Avenue of the Giants marathon the last of April. We had originally planned tofly into San Francisco and spend a few days there, drive to Yosemite for a couple of days and then meander up highway 1 to Eureka.

This morning my dh mentioned an alternate plan in case there is too much snow in Yosemite........A couple of days in Disneyland. I can't believe he sprang this on me now with only 6 weeks to plan.....and then its only a maybe. Of course, now i'm going to try to talk him into this alternate plan. LOL

Am I crazy to think we can drive down from San Francisco, spend a few days then drive all the way up the coast to Eureka? Too much to fit into 10 days?

We're from the east coast and have been to Disney World many times, but this is our first trip to California and I need HELP! If we go, I would like to spend at least 2 days in the original park. Are there affordable hotels nearby? How are the crowds the last week of April?

Thanks,
Toni

 

[femommy]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1072276

Especially check Hydro Guy's tips. They are the best.

 

[Raindown]

If you can manage the drive its not bad. SF to LA is not bad especially if you have an alternate driver. Going back up is a bit of a ways.

 

[PinkBudgie]

You can do the drive in a day. We live south of Eureka, and takes us 8 hours. So add on maybe another hour and half. I forget, because I don't usually go up that way. Google maps should be able to give you a rough idea of the time. I've never been to WDW and if I was anywhere in Florida I know I'd be trying to figure out how to get to WDW as long as I was that close! So, I think it is worth a try to make it work.

 

[HydroGuy]

Last week of April will probably be low crowds. You will be doing a lot of driving and burn two of your days going back and forth. If that is OK with you there are affordable hotels very nearby. I always recommend walking distance hotels. See these threads for more info:

"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

* DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here!

Also, not to discourage you but just to make you are aware, there will be a lot of things down during late April. That includes BTMRR, Fantasmic and all the Rivers of America area.

See MousePlanet: http://www.mouseplanet.com/9195/Disneyland_Resort_Update

Current Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Disneyland

• Rivers of America – closed through May 6 for major refurbishment. This also closes all attractions requiring use of the river: Sailing Ship Columbia, Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island and Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes, Mark Twain Riverboat (closed until May 14), as well as the Fantasmic! nighttime show (closed until May 27).
• Tomorrowland Terrace – closed through July 2 for refurbishment. The Jedi Training Academy show will be offered while the restaurant is closed.
• Matterhorn Bobsleds – closed April 12–16 and April 19–23 for additional work following a recent refurbishment.
• Little Red Wagon (Corn Dog Wagon) – closed through May 4 for refurbishment.
• Disneyland Monorail – closed April 19 & 20 for refurbishment.
• Disney Showcase – closed April 20 & 21 for refurbishment.
• Disney Showcase Annex – closed April 26 & 27 for refurbishment.
• Newsstand – closed April 26 through May 20 for refurbishment.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – closed April 26 through May 16 for refurbishment.
• King Arthur Carrousel – closed May 8 through 10 for refurbishment.

Disney's California Adventure


Seasonal refurbishments:

• Golden Zephyr – closed through April 2 for refurbishment.
• Award Weiners – closed through April 14.
• Princess Dot Puddle Park – closed April 12–16 and April 19–23 for refurbishment.
• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail – closed April 12 through May 20 for refurbishment.

Construction-related closures:

• The Vineyard Room – closed. No announcement has been made about a potential replacement for this restaurant, though work to expand the venue is reportedly part of the refurbishment that has the Golden Vine Trattoria closed through April 26.
• Golden Dreams – closed. The building that once house this film-based attraction has been demolished, and will eventually be replaced with the new Little Mermaid ride.
• Burger Invasion – closed. No announcement has been made about a potential replacement for this former McDonald's location, but an employee publication lists May 24, 2011 as the return date.
• Paradise Pier Lagoon – work continues on the World of Color installation.
• Golden State Amphitheater – area closed for construction of new viewing area for Disney's World of Color water show. The area is now scheduled to reopen in Spring 2010.
• Corn Dog Castle – closed due to construction in the area. An employee publication lists March 24, 2011 as its return date. During the renovation, corn dogs are available at Bountiful Valley Farmer's Market.
• Souvenir 66 – closed due to construction in the area. An employee publication lists March 24, 2011 as its return date, and "Seaside Souvenirs" as the new name of the store.
• Orange Stinger – closed through May 28 for refurbishment and renovation into the Silly Symphonies Swings.
• Golden Vine Trattoria – closed through April 26.
• Tower of Terror Fastpass – not offered April 15 through August 15 due to construction of the connector between Bug's Land and Tower of Terror.
• Bug's Land / Tower of Terror connector – the temporary connector path will be closed April 19 through August 15 to allow construction of a more permanent route between the two lands.