Slight change in plans; what would you do?

[LizzyS]

So we have a trip planned for late February, including our anniversary. Normally for a trip that time of year, I like to have three park days. This includes three days off work (Wednesday through Friday) and the weekend. On Wednesday, we would drive to Anaheim, leaving our house about 8am, and check into our hotel (the Red Lion) mid-afternoon, have the next three days in the parks, and then just drive back home on Sunday.

My husband just started a new job about 6 weeks ago, so we will probably only take two days off of work. I have Wednesday night booked at the hotel, but I may cancel that night. We have driven to Anaheim after a full day of work before and did DL only, but it was kind of rough as we like to be there at rope drop, as usual. So, what I'm thinking of doing is maybe still driving over after work on Wednesday, but NOT getting up early the next morning. Since we always do rope drop/MM when we have it, what are some things you focus on if you are a "late arriver" to the parks? I'm well aware of which attractions get busy later in the day, but I'm trying to formulate a potential plan if I decide to go into the parks later. I thought about some dining reservations (which I hate to do with my park time, but hey, maybe this is a good chance to do it!) and getting some shopping done that day, but what else do you recommend?

TIA!

 

[KalamityJane]

How late of an arrival to the parks? Just go to the opposite park of MM, and you should be fine.

 

[LizzyS]

I mean closer to lunch time, probably. Maybe like, give or take, 11am.

 

[LizzyS]

I guess I'm asking what to do on an anti "go-go-go" day, lol. That could be the other two days.

 

[KalamityJane]

Maybe go to a movie in DTD? Ride the monorail, go to shows like Mickey and the magical map or whatever replaces Aladdin?

 

[KalamityJane]

Mandara spa day?

 

[figment_jii]

The parks don't usually open all that early in late February on the weekdays. I looked at this year's calendar and it shows a 9:00 am or 10:00 am opening time on Wednesdays and Thursdays in the latter half of February. So, if that's the case and you're arriving around 11:00 am, you've only missed 1 to 2 hours of the morning, which isn't all that much. You might even get in early enough to still get an RSR FP. I would do what you would normally do, starting with whatever you'd normally be doing about 1 to 2 hours after opening.

 

[chickapin parterre]

Main street...take in all the little shows, musical chairs, mary poppins, music groups, comedy skits, watch the horses leave, watch folks meet Mickey for the first time, take a photo of the light bulb, windows, corn dog, cannons, light post, and the only traffic accident ornament at Disneyland and the cast iron pipe. And it is February , what would be a better time to see Abe

 

[LizzyS]

The parks don't usually open all that early in late February on the weekdays. I looked at this year's calendar and it shows a 9:00 am or 10:00 am opening time on Wednesdays and Thursdays in the latter half of February. So, if that's the case and you're arriving around 11:00 am, you've only missed 1 to 2 hours of the morning, which isn't all that much. You might even get in early enough to still get an RSR FP. I would do what you would normally do, starting with whatever you'd normally be doing about 1 to 2 hours after opening.

Yeah, I know that park hours are later in the morning on weekdays, but we're big e-ticket standby line people VERY first thing in the morning, lol. That's why I'm asking the question for maybe an intentionally slower (for us) day.

 

[tarheelalum]

That first day there just take it all as it comes. You might be a bit tired with the long day before so just go with the flow especially your husband with the new job.

As soon as you get there, get a fast pass and then maybe go get lunch and sit down for a while and take it all in. Maybe do something you normally would not do when you go to DL.

 

[LizzyS]

Thanks for the ideas, everyone!

 

[LizzyS]

That first day there just take it all as it comes. You might be a bit tired with the long day before so just go with the flow especially your husband with the new job.

As soon as you get there, get a fast pass and then maybe go get lunch and sit down for a while and take it all in. Maybe do something you normally would not do when you go to DL.

That's exactly why I was thinking of scheduling some ADRs in park if we do this; it's something we normally wouldn't do!