Quickie trip this Saturday? Need opinions please!!!

[initiation]

Here's my dilemma.

I live in Stockton, which is just south of Sacramento, CA. I really, really want to see Fantasmic! and I'm afraid it's going to shut down before Oct 2009, which is the next trip we (My boyfriend and I) have planned. I was thinking about doing a quick 1 day trip this Saturday 12/13, and have it look like this:

Friday: Rent a car, go to work, sleep after work, start driving around 1am. (Drive is 6-8 hours depending on traffic)
Saturday: Arrive in Anaheim around 7-8am, drive straight to Disneyland and go to the park all day. Park closes at midnight. Get a cheap hotel room for sleeping purposes, just for the night
Sunday: Wake up, start driving home (another 6-8 hours), get ready for work on Monday AM.

Am I crazy? Is it too much to do the parks in one day? I don't care about getting on all the rides, I want to see the decorations, F! and the christmas fireworks. I'd love your honest feedback... thanks!!

 

[goofycathy]

Just go, enjoy yourself and be spontaneous! My husband and I were talking the other day that if we lived within 5 hours of DL we would go on mini-trips all the time!

Have a great time if you do decide to go!

 

[Sherry E]

Are you only planning on doing Disneyland or California Adventure too? Either way, a one-day trip is possible as long as you kind of single out the main things you want to do on a list and plan them out time-wise so you know exactly what time you have to be at Fantasmic or what time the fireworks start, etc. My friend took her son and mom to DLR in late July for one day only, and they went in to both parks and got a lot done. Of course, I kind of tipped them off as to the highlights they should see and things to NOT MISS (like TSMM), so they knew what to look for. They didn't get EVERYTHING done that they had planned to see, but they got about 80% of it done, which is pretty good. It is definitely possible. And if you are only doing Disneyland and not California Adventure, you can get a lot done in one day - again, with the proper planning!

 

[pixiewings71]

Ok, you need a quick lesson on the joys of AP's and quickie trips. LOL We live in Suisun so we are a bit farther away than you are but not much. We had AP's from July 07-July 08 (we are getting new ones activated next month) we made 14 trips.....yes, 14. We did 1 long trip of a full week and then we did 2 or 3 more that were 3 or 4 days (long weekends) and then we did a LOT that were driving down Friday night and coming home Sunday afternoon. We would leave after DBF got home from work and drive all night, sleep in on Saturday and stay until midnight, sleep until around 9 on Sunday, check out of our hotel (usually the HoJo) leaving our car parked in their lot, walk to the parks until somewhere between 2-4 and head for home. So ya, do it, you'll be happy you did!!!!!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

you've received some good advice.

If this is something you want to do, then I say go for it, and like the others said, plan on the must'do's and don't worry about missing some things. There's always next time.

 

[initiation]

Thank you so much, all of you! It's been very reassuring for this over-worrier. =)

I booked a room through Priceline for about $70, which I'm comfortable with, and we're going to just enjoy the holiday decor, F!, and maybe get on a few rides. Since we're definitely going for 5 days in Oct 2009, we'll buy some AP's before Saturday and who knows.. maybe a few more weekend sprinklings in the future?!?

Thanks again. I'm stupidly excited about it now. I've never driven so far in one sitting. ::hugs::

 

[smeecanada]

Quick trips are fun. I would drive as far as I could tomorrow night and then crash at a cheap place for some shut eye. Better than trying to drive all that way and then do the parks all day, especially when you want to see Fantasmic. Have a great time.

 

[bumbershoot]

Instead of sleeping and then driving, I would just drive. That way you get some solid sleep before the parks, and the day will feel MUCH better.

If you can't get to a Costco to get the Deluxe APs there (full price but $50 disney gift cards for each AP), use this link for $30 off each AP instead. Print the vouchers out at home and take 'em with you! Go right up to the gates and they'll be turned into ticket-like things which you then exchange at the "bank" for proper APs with your pictures and everything.

Glad you went through priceline...we got the Hilton through hotwire for 55 base rate for last Friday night, only booked on Wednesday very late. Of course, there was a $15 parking fee, but that was OK in the grand scheme of things...kept us from having to keep our motel 6 reservation!



I remember growing up in San Jose, thinking that the drive to Disneyland was about a year in length. And then I went away to college and routinely drove from Tacoma to Santa Cruz without stopping to sleep. It's all relative!

That said, you should look into flights, just to see if there are any amazing last minute deals out there.

 

[pixiewings71]

Definitely check out that link unless you think you can get them with the $50 gift cards!! That $30 savings is actually quite a bit! And having the AP's, you will go more often!! A great hotel is the HoJo, get yourself the Ent Card for Modesto and use that for the $59-74 rates!!

 

[audrabolster]

Go for it

Also, I read on another community that Saturday is Raver day at Disneyland, which might make your day extra interesting

 

[tracer]

Do it, DO it, DO IT! I hate the drive, we are in Sac, but if I didn't have kids it wouldn't be as bad. Also if I were going with adults or alone, I would go more often for quick trips. We made it down there this last Sunday in 7 hours with 3 kids. We left at 7am and arrived at 2pm. Didn't hit any traffic.

The magic in the air at DL right now will be worth the drive and your one day there. I have to agree with the PP, drive down there and then sleep...you will get a better nights rest. Have fun and enjoy yourselves!

 

[Brancaneve]

O.K., your trip sounds a little crazy but I am a little jealous at the same time! We did a quick trip to L.A. to visit family(we're from Sacramento) but didn't make it to DL, just DD. I was pretty exhausted but I suggest doing the following:
Leave Saturday at 4 am and arrive around 11:00 or 12:00. Check into the hotel, rest for one hour and then go to the park. Stay until Midnight.

Go to sleep, go to the park for just a few hours and then drive back to STockton. You will only need one night at a hotel instead of two and it will be easier to get up at 4 am versus 1.

Have a great time!

 

[perlster]

Keep your fingers crossed (hope for some ), but be prepared for closures or cancellations

Right now the forecast is Cloudy with a few showers. High around 60F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Go for it

Also, I read on another community that Saturday is Raver day at Disneyland, which might make your day extra interesting

We went to DLR last year during Raver Day and it was very interesting.

There weren't as many raver people like the crowds during Gay or Bats Days though. So it doesn't impact the crowds too much.