September Visit - Your Help & Suggestions?

[mollymouse]

Hi!

We are a family of 4 (2 adults with 1x 2001 Disney visit under our belts and 2 very excited Disney fans aged 5 & 7) visiting from Australia in Sept 2011. We will be in Anaheim for 9 nights (arriving Wednesday the 14th early morning), staying at the Residence Inn Maingate. We have 14 day park hopper tickets so were planning to break up our days. I have a few questions as we try to plan our Disney visit.

I understand that we will be there in the 'low season' so the shows will be mainly on the weekend - we were originally planning on skipping the parks over the weekend to minimise crowds but we now think we could just go over in the afternoon/evening to see Fantasmic, World of Colour and the Fireworks. I also understand that we will be there over the opening of Halloween so it may be more crowded over that Fri/Sat/Sun. What would you suggest as a plan for these - which days for which show?

We were planning on getting the Fantasmic dessert & seating (especially now we will potentially only get one chance at seeing it - and Master 5 is impatient on a good day!) - so I will need to prebook this. We also thought that we would get the WOC picnic to try and get a 'good' vantage point.

Any other suggestions as to days that wold be better to do one activity versus another - our bucket list would include the Aladdin show, the Princess Coronation (?) ceremony, Character Breakfast @ PCH Grill, Character Lunch @ Ariels' Grotto, the Soundsational Parade, Bibbity Bobbity Boutique and of course any & most rides (we are pretty disappointed to read of the POTC closure but such is life.....).

I have read through (0000's of) posts and was wondering if anyone can confirm the availability of the 'voucher' booklets from the Disney Travel Centre in Downtown Disney are available - I had read that this is a way to get priority seating at some of the popular events. Can I purchase them over the counter at the storefront?

My little boy also was very excited about collecting some 'unique' (to Australia anyway!) Mr Potato Head accessories - but now I have read that Engine Ears Toys will be closed as part of the ongoing changes to DCA - will there be somewhere in the parks where I can still buy the 'box' of Mr Potato Head parts - I have a little man who has been saving up in earnest just for the chance to 'fill his box'!!

Thank you for taking the time to try & help!!

 

[skiingfast]

You sounds very well prepared about what will happen. September weekends are not super busy but more so than the calm weekdays. Just remember the weekend includes Friday.

You can easlily double up on shows. Particulariily F! and Remember. I think the hard part may be staying up because of the time changes. When you trip is 60 days out you should be able to see the schedule and plan for that.

As far as Halloween starting it just means HM and SM will have thier layovers and the decorations will be up. They will have bigger then usual crowds but you can FP Space and ride either on a weekday. This also helps pull people away from the other attractions.

Maybe the Mr. Potato Head parts will be in the TSMM exit shop.

 

[mollymouse]

Thank you for your reply - I wasn't sure if we could do both Fantasmic & Fireworks on the same night - that will help. Although we are happy to just go over to the parks specifically for the night time entertainment over the weekend - so maybe a nice long afternoon nap and we can stay up to enjoy something each night!! We will arrive on a Wednesday so hopefully by the weekend we will have adjusted to the time difference!

I hope that we can find the elusive Mr Potato Head parts - my 5 year old will be thrilled!

 

[SeansMom]

We'll be down there at the same time. Is this your first trip? Are your kiddos brave, or will you be doing some swapping (one person rides while the other stays with kids?) Just wondering as I have...somewhere...some tips I wrote for a friend that I'd be happy to share if you are interested. Just PM me.

I believe the Haunted mansion will be closed until that week-end for the holiday overlay, as will space mountain. Plus, if it is true, not only POTC but screamin' will also be closed. The good news: plenty of little gems to be seen, and hopefully warm weather but shorter lines!

Enjoy your trip. And if you haven't already, check out the "sticky" at the top of the thread for Aussie info

 

[SeansMom]

We'll be down there at the same time. Is this your first trip? Are your kiddos brave, or will you be doing some swapping (one person rides while the other stays with kids?) Just wondering as I have...somewhere...some tips I wrote for a friend that I'd be happy to share if you are interested. Just PM me.

I believe the Haunted mansion will be closed until that week-end for the holiday overlay, as will space mountain. Plus, if it is true, not only POTC but screamin' will also be closed. The good news: plenty of little gems to be seen, and hopefully warm weather but shorter lines!

Enjoy your trip. And if you haven't already, check out the "sticky" at the top of the thread for Aussie info

 

[mollymouse]

Thank you for your offer of tips - I would love to read them! I cannot send PM's as I am only a 'new member' - this is my first 'question'!!

We aren't sure how we will go with rides - my 5 year old tends to be more of a daredevil than my 7 year old!! There are a few rides that I know she will give a miss - but he is another story!!

Thanks again!

MM