Rattling off some DLR questions...

[Elias1901]

My trip dates are October 20th - 27th (of which the 21st -26th are full park days). I am just curious when the Disneyland Resort Calendar will be filled out with not only the operating hours of the parks and major events such as parades and fireworks, but also the scheduling details for smaller entertainment offerings around the park (Pearly Band, Dapper Dans, Laughing Stock, etc). So I guess I am just looking for a sure-fire date I should check back so I can start planning properly.

I'm planning to make a few dining reservations for our trip. What date will they start taking reservations? I am also considering things like the Fantasmic! Dessert Package and maybe a tour as well... what about those? Which viewing of Fantasmic! with the package is best? I am thinking the first because I heart that we'd be able to stay and view the fireworks too! Speaking of Fantasmic! though, what ever happened to the Flotsam and Jetsam eels? I never see them anymore, sometimes I don't even see Tic-Toc chasing Hook's ship. Also with regards to the Maleficent Dragon, I think it is so cool when she actually spits fire, but I have noticed more often than not she just opens her mouth and spits nothing... which is kind of lackluster. Any information on this or the probability of getting fiery breath? Is it more likely to happen during the first show or something? Maybe the natural gas or whatever is better/stronger then... I don't know...

Okay, next... I have an Disney Premier Annual Passport but the person I am traveling with only has a 5-Day Park Hopper Ticket. Since we arrive early on the 20th and leave late on the 27th, I technically could visit the parks for any extra time I'd like to squeeze in, but I'd hate to leave my party member with no options. So, I might just have to resist the temptation of extra park time. Anyway, the main question regarding all that is this. We both have tickets to the Halloween Party on Friday but I don't want my friend to waste her full day admission on a day at the park that will end early and we would be able to enter anyways at like 4 PM for the 7 PM party anyhow... do you agree that it would be wisest to utilize her pass only on days we can stay the full operating hours of the park (not Halloween Party days) and for days that have the Halloween Party going on, spend time at DCA or elsewhere on property? I was thinking we could maybe make a breakfast reservation at Goofy's Kitchen on the Friday morning and take our time and enjoy the meal thoroughly. Is there a certain time of the morning that is the best time to visit, perhaps based on better character interaction, fresher food, etc? Then we could browse Downtown Disney a bit or catch a movie at the AMC... then mosey on back to our hotel on Harbor to change into our costumes for the Halloween Party. Sound OK? Just to be clear, we will be able to enter the party by 4 PM, correct (7 PM party, like I said).

Any other suggestions or recommendations are welcomed!

 

[figment_jii]

My trip dates are October 20th - 27th (of which the 21st -26th are full park days). I am just curious when the Disneyland Resort Calendar will be filled out with not only the operating hours of the parks and major events such as parades and fireworks, but also the scheduling details for smaller entertainment offerings around the park (Pearly Band, Dapper Dans, Laughing Stock, etc).

Disneyland usually releases the operating calendar about 45-days in advance. The daily entertainment and EMH/MM information is often not loaded until about four weeks in advance. They're usually pretty good about loading the operating calendar (i.e., park hours) at the 45-day mark, but there have been periods when the information was not released "on time". So I would start checking about 45-days out, but know that it could take longer and the calendar posted at that point, may not be complete.

I'm planning to make a few dining reservations for our trip. What date will they start taking reservations?

Dining reservation open 60-days in advance. You can make some reservations online on Disneyland's Dining Page. Others, like Fantasmic! Dessert Package can only be made via the phone.

I am also considering things like the Fantasmic! Dessert Package and maybe a tour as well... what about those?

Fantasmic! Dessert Package and Tours can be reserved 30-days in advance, via the phone.

Any information on this or the probability of getting fiery breath? Is it more likely to happen during the first show or something?

I don't know...I always see the second show and as far as I can remember, I've seen the fire effect.

We both have tickets to the Halloween Party on Friday but I don't want my friend to waste her full day admission on a day at the park that will end early and we would be able to enter anyways at like 4 PM for the 7 PM party anyhow... do you agree that it would be wisest to utilize her pass only on days we can stay the full operating hours of the park (not Halloween Party days) and for days that have the Halloween Party going on, spend time at DCA or elsewhere on property?

She would need a ticket to enter DCA.

I was thinking we could maybe make a breakfast reservation at Goofy's Kitchen on the Friday morning and take our time and enjoy the meal thoroughly. Browse Downtown Disney a bit or perhaps catch a movie at the AMC... then mosey on back to our hotel on Harbor to change into our costumes for the Halloween Party. Does that sound alright?

That sounds fine.

Just to be clear, we will be able to enter the party by 4 PM, correct (7 PM party, like I said).

Yes. It's printed on the MHP tickets.

 

[Elias1901]

Oh! I almost forgot. Is there anywhere else on property besides the parks that I could pick up a Happy Birthday and 1st Visit buttons? I mean, I guess could pop into the parks for a second if need be. But, just thought I'd ask.

 

[SMD]

Oh! I almost forgot. Is there anywhere else on property besides the parks that I could pick up a Happy Birthday and 1st Visit buttons? I mean, I guess could pop into the parks for a second if need be. But, just thought I'd ask.

The hotels and World of Disney will have them.

 

[PiratesMansion]

It takes awhile for DLR to post the schedules in full. Park Hours will come first, then bigger entertainment options (Fireworks, Fantasmic, etc.), and finally smaller atmospheric things.

I'm going to be there from the 12th through the 15th of this month and the atmospheric entertainment schedule for the 14-15 was only posted in full yesterday.

You can always check the entertainment schedule of a week before or so if you want to have a rough idea of what it will look like. The times seem fairly consistent to me week to week.

 

[McNs]

If you are looking to do the 9pm Fantasmic dessert package I would book as soon as you are able to. I tried this morning for 3 weeks out, 9/27, 9/28 and 10/4 were all booked. Managed to get a booking for 10/5, our penultimate night there...

Plenty of space at the later sessions but no way kids would last that long.

 

[Elias1901]

Thanks for the input fellas! So, does anybody know what happened the Flotsam and Jetsam?