Quick Logistics Question :)

[sonnyjane]

I can't even tell you how excited I am for my solo birthday trip tomorrow! I promise to take lots of photos and post a trip report now that I know how to post images! (honestly it was so easy I can't believe I hadn't before).

My question is, since I'll have to wait in line for my birthday entrance ticket, what time should I get to the park to wait both in line for the ticket, and in line at the turnstiles? The park is only open from 10-8 tomorrow so I want to maximize my time (and it's a MM day so I'll be an hour behind others).

I'm leaving from San Diego in the morning, so I'm thinking if I leave by 7:00, I should get to the parking lot around 9:00-9:30 (building in an hour for traffic, it's usually 90 minutes). Should I leave even sooner? I'm not sure how long lines will be for tickets on a Thursday during off-season.

Oh, and one more question. Which parking lot do I want? Last time I went, we stayed at a nearby hotel and just walked. I always hear you guys say Mickey & Friends?

Thanks!

 

[marcemc]

I can't even tell you how excited I am for my solo birthday trip tomorrow! I promise to take lots of photos and post a trip report now that I know how to post images! (honestly it was so easy I can't believe I hadn't before).

My question is, since I'll have to wait in line for my birthday entrance ticket, what time should I get to the park to wait both in line for the ticket, and in line at the turnstiles? The park is only open from 10-8 tomorrow so I want to maximize my time (and it's a MM day so I'll be an hour behind others).

I'm leaving from San Diego in the morning, so I'm thinking if I leave by 7:00, I should get to the parking lot around 9:00-9:30 (building in an hour for traffic, it's usually 90 minutes). Should I leave even sooner? I'm not sure how long lines will be for tickets on a Thursday during off-season.

Oh, and one more question. Which parking lot do I want? Last time I went, we stayed at a nearby hotel and just walked. I always hear you guys say Mickey & Friends?

Thanks!

Happy Birthday one day in advance

Regarding leaving time I think you should be fine, traffic would have to be worse than it is to actually take you more than 2 & 1/2 hours.

Usually you don't get a choice on where to park, once you get there, a CM will direct you and basically show you where you park. Somebody please correct me if this has changed.

Have a magical time. I'll be waiting for your TR!

 

[bumbershoot]

For me, the question is...what part of San Diego are you leaving? Are you *right* next to the highway? Or are you, like my brother is, all the way out in Chula Vista where it takes 20-30 minutes just to get to SD proper?

I personally, and I like to get places early if I can, would leave earlier. Even if the parking isn't open I'd still like to be in the area early.

And yes, just go where they direct you. We went with my brother in June, and later on I found out that people coming from different directions, or people who jut ignored the signs, were parkign in Mickey/Friends well after we got into town, but we were directed into the GardenWalk lot (we though it was just somehow THAT busy that early in the AM).

Since MM opens at 9, the ticket booths will be open before that, and lines get long (if you end up at GardenWalk, that's good, b/c you can easily just stop at the Harbor-side ticket booths to get your funcard! That side tends to be much less busy than those who take the tram in, land in DTD, and just go to the DTD side ticket booths.


Have SO much fun! And remember, coming in after MM just means you're late to FL and TL. If you start your day in other lands, you're ahead of them! So get over to Indy, Splash, etc, well before anyone else is there (b/c they're stuck in line for Dumbo or Peter Pan)!

 

[sonnyjane]

For me, the question is...what part of San Diego are you leaving? Are you *right* next to the highway? Or are you, like my brother is, all the way out in Chula Vista where it takes 20-30 minutes just to get to SD proper?

Thanks! I live in Fashion Valley RIGHT on the 5, so I think if I leave a little before 7 I should still be okay.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Don't worry about the park hours being "only" 10-8. We were there yesterday for a bit and the crowds have died way down. You will have plenty of time to enjoy! And remember, the shops on Main Street are open LATER than 8pm if you want to buy anything on your way out. (Or steal some extra time in the park just enjoying the lights and the castle. )

Happy Birthday and have a great time!

- Dreams

 

[disneynerd420]

Hope you have a great time. There is nothing like a solo trip to disneyland.


I definitely reccommend the mickey and friends parking structure.

 

[LuvIt]

First of all, SonyJane, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU What a fun way to celebrate your day!

DH, DS9 and I are driving over on a Thursday in mid-Oct to celebrate DH's Friday birthday at DL. I was hoping to be able to head over to a ticket booth Thursday night to get tickets for all 3 of us so we could just head straight to the turnstiles Friday a.m., but from what I understand you can only get a birthday ticket (we're upgrading it to a 1-day park hopper) on your actual birthday so we'll have to head to Guest Services first thing Friday morning. I wonder if my son and I should get our tickets Thursday night? Guess there's no point since we can just get ours at Guest Services when my husband is getting his birthday paperwork processed.

Does anyone know if Guest Services is open before the park opens and if long lines tend to form there?