Soooo, I'm lost, a bit dazed, a little confused

[Susan2771]

Never have we ever been to California. We got up this morning and our family said, hey, the universe is speaking to us, let's switch out Florida and head to Disneyland instead in 5 nights. Sure why not. We have booked Disneyland hotel, 3 day tickets with park hopper. I have been reading posts all day and my head is in a tizzy and I'm reaching for the Advil. I'm feeling very nervous about this sudden turn around with such a short time frame to figure things out.
Can anyone help me prioritize what we should be booking, studying up, mentally preparing ourselves for the 2 parks? Also, has anyone done the Covid 19 testing at city hall? Is it far away from Disneyland? Easy to navigate when you get there? I will be booking those appointments as well over the weekend. Thank-you so much in advance

 

[Skyegirl1999]

You’ll be fine! You have come to the right place for advice.

When is your visit?

 

[GBRforWDW]

We just got back from a week in California. This was our first trip as well. Are you being required to get tested upon arrival? That's not something we had to do 2 weeks ago.

Here's a link to my trip report:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/we’re-off-to-see-the-magic-tr.3847377/
We ate at most in park table service restaurants. Most, if not all, have a walk up wait list if you're interested and unable to get a dining reservation.

I also added rope drop information and times to find characters and locations. Characters probably change depending on the day, but times should remain consistent.

 

[Wesley815]

Are you being required to get tested upon arrival? That's not something we had to do 2 weeks ago.

No testing required to visit California, unless she's referring to personal reasons or out of country I'm not sure.

 

[DLgal]

Why do you need testing done during your trip? For travel?

If you don't NEED it for travel, I can tell you that testing is easy right now in the area. If it's just for peace of mind, I suggest purchasing some Binax Now tests from CVS and use those instead. Results in 15 minutes.

As for planning, try and relax and just make sure you know how to get boarding groups for Rise of the Resistance and Webslingers. Figure out (using the app) which food places you want to eat at and be prepared to mobile order a but ahead of when you actually want to eat. Other than that, you really don't have to plan much. Just go with the flow. Disneyland is pretty easy compared to WDW.

 

[22Tink]

Never have we ever been to California. We got up this morning and our family said, hey, the universe is speaking to us, let's switch out Florida and head to Disneyland instead in 5 nights. Sure why not. We have booked Disneyland hotel, 3 day tickets with park hopper. I have been reading posts all day and my head is in a tizzy and I'm reaching for the Advil. I'm feeling very nervous about this sudden turn around with such a short time frame to figure things out.
Can anyone help me prioritize what we should be booking, studying up, mentally preparing ourselves for the 2 parks? Also, has anyone done the Covid 19 testing at city hall? Is it far away from Disneyland? Easy to navigate when you get there? I will be booking those appointments as well over the weekend. Thank-you so much in advance

We're heading to DLR in a week and a half and plan to use the City Hall testing site. We're going to do the 24 hour PCR test and test right as close to the 72 hour mark as we can in case the results take longer than anticipated. It looks like it's not far from Disneyland so we'll just grab an Uber or taxi. If you go to the Canadian forums there are lots of helpful threads there! Do you have your park reservations yet? Other than that just any dining reservations you may want. DLR is so much easier than WDW as far as planning goes!

 

[Matrixleos]

@Susan2771 I have created a Disneyland Planning and Information thread. I have it broken down like a cliff notes version to make it easier.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...d-information-thread-updated-8-14-21.3843617/

 

[22Tink]

Why do you need testing done during your trip? For travel?

If you don't NEED it for travel, I can tell you that testing is easy right now in the area. If it's just for peace of mind, I suggest purchasing some Binax Now tests from CVS and use those instead. Results in 15 minutes.

As for planning, try and relax and just make sure you know how to get boarding groups for Rise of the Resistance and Webslingers. Figure out (using the app) which food places you want to eat at and be prepared to mobile order a but ahead of when you actually want to eat. Other than that, you really don't have to plan much. Just go with the flow. Disneyland is pretty easy compared to WDW.

We Canadians need to test before we go back home unfortunately and it has to be a PCR or NAAT test. Canada doesn't accept the rapid antigen tests but it would be so much easier if they did.

 

[DLgal]

We Canadians need to test before we go back home unfortunately and it has to be a PCR or NAAT test. Canada doesn't accept the rapid antigen tests but it would be so much easier if they did.

Gotcha! Pretty sure the major pharmacies in the area do Travel testing. Look at Walgreens and CVS because there are locations much closer to DL than City Hall.

 

[22Tink]

Gotcha! Pretty sure the major pharmacies in the area do Travel testing. Look at Walgreens and CVS because there are locations much closer to DL than City Hall.

Yep they do. DH is having his done at a CVS in San Diego because he's skipping DLR and heading home a few days before we are. DD and I are planning to do City Hall because they have a PCR test with 24 hour results rather than the 1-2 days that the CVS offers. I'm just paranoid that our results won't be back in time because it has to be within 72 hours of our departure time! Same with Walgreens, they don't have the 24 hour PCR either. Also the pharmacies require you to be in a vehicle for PCR testing and DH is returning the rental car when he goes home. City Hall doesn't require you to be in a vehicle. Fingers crossed it all works out!

 

[DLgal]

Yep they do. DH is having his done at a CVS in San Diego because he's skipping DLR and heading home a few days before we are. DD and I are planning to do City Hall because they have a PCR test with 24 hour results rather than the 1-2 days that the CVS offers. I'm just paranoid that our results won't be back in time because it has to be within 72 hours of our departure time! Same with Walgreens, they don't have the 24 hour PCR either. Also the pharmacies require you to be in a vehicle for PCR testing and DH is returning the rental car when he goes home. City Hall doesn't require you to be in a vehicle. Fingers crossed it all works out!

Just to clarify one thing, so you don't stress about it too much, for Travel, the SPECIMEN must be collected 72 hours or less from travel. You don't need to get the results that soon. Labs turnaround time in OC right now is super quick. I took a PCR test 2 weeks ago at Walgreens and had my result in 22 hours. It wasn't specifically a rapid result test, just a regular one.

 

[22Tink]

Just to clarify one thing, so you don't stress about it too much, for Travel, the SPECIMEN must be collected 72 hours or less from travel. You don't need to get the results that soon. Labs turnaround time in OC right now is super quick. I took a PCR test 2 weeks ago at Walgreens and had my result in 22 hours. It wasn't specifically a rapid result test, just a regular one.

Thank you for this, I'm so happy to hear that they're quick. I know I don't need the results 72 hours ahead, I just really don't want miss my flight because of delayed test results! The cost difference between City Hall and CVS isn't bad and the car thing is an issue for DD and I so we'll probably stick with City Hall but I'm happy to hear DH should get his CVS results in plenty of time. I tend to be a worrier

 

[BayGirl22]

In terms of planning, if you are WDW veterans then DL will feel easier to plan and navigate. Agree with the advice above, also focus on the things that are different in DL. Fantasyland feels quite different to me, DCA is different, obviously with Carsland and Avengers Campus but really most of it has a different feel. Check out the classics like Matterhorn, Pirates, Indy, etc. that are different. Great Moments with Lincoln building also has an exhibit of the history of DL that we really like. If you have time you could even do a tour like Walk in Walt's Footsteps (if they are being offered) to hear some of the history.

You'll have time to do a lot with 3 day hoppers, but if you are there for 5 nights can you get 4 days in? Even for a long weekend we'll usually add on that half of a 4th day just to relax and fit in the extras we missed. Its really easy from DLH to get to either park and hop back and forth so not much planning needed.

 

[Courtney Disney 2019]

We Canadians need to test before we go back home unfortunately and it has to be a PCR or NAAT test. Canada doesn't accept the rapid antigen tests but it would be so much easier if they did.

We are coming from Canada on August 22nd. I found booking the PCR test the most stressful, wish Canada excepted the rapid test so we could have gotten tested at the airport We are having a company come to DLH to test us at 7:45 am on one of our park days. we won’t have a car either.

 

[22Tink]

We are coming from Canada on August 22nd. I found booking the PCR test the most stressful, wish Canada excepted the rapid test so we could have gotten tested at the airport We are having a company come to DLH to test us at 7:45 am on one of our park days. we won’t have a car either.

I know. I had such a hard time finding somewhere to test! These boards are always a wealth of knowledge for me. I love how helpful everyone is! Can I ask what company you’re using? That sounds so convenient! I don’t mind the CVS or City Hall options since we’ll just do it during our afternoon break but it would be nice to have them come to our hotel.

 

[Susan2771]

@Susan2771 I have created a Disneyland Planning and Information thread. I have it broken down like a cliff notes version to make it easier.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/d...d-information-thread-updated-8-14-21.3843617/

This is so awesome. Such an incredible resource. Thank-you I will be going over all of it.

Yes, the testing is to return home to Canada. Florida is a second home to us so we knew of a number of options, but I am feeling anxious about where to find a testing facility in Anaheim. We will have a car rental because we are going To San Diego first to take in the ocean and kind of reset our internal clocks to California time. I find it hard to adjust to jet lag.

So besides the helpful link posted by Matrixleos, review webslingers, and do a review on attractions that are different from WDW , so that we don't miss out. Figure out some interesting sit down dinner venues and get those reservations in order.These are fantastic homework assignments that will help us Thank-you all so much for the assistance

 

[gelatoni fan]

I know. I had such a hard time finding somewhere to test! These boards are always a wealth of knowledge for me. I love how helpful everyone is! Can I ask what company you’re using? That sounds so convenient! I don’t mind the CVS or City Hall options since we’ll just do it during our afternoon break but it would be nice to have them come to our hotel.

I recommend you ask your airline on which labs they accept and specify to the testing location that you need it for international air travel. You will typically have to pay $100-$200 to get the proper documentation of your test results and a PCR test without the correct documentation wouldn't work. Airlines almost always accept the rapid PCR tests done at the airport and check in agents tend to be most familiar with those. Passport Health supposedly specializes in travel related vaccinations and medical care in the US so most of their clinics should also have COVID tests for travel. CVS may require you to do drive-through so you'd have to rent a car and they tend to be a bit riskier with the turnaround time.

 

[22Tink]

I recommend you ask your airline on which labs they accept and specify to the testing location that you need it for international air travel. You will typically have to pay $100-$200 to get the proper documentation of your test results and a PCR test without the correct documentation wouldn't work. Airlines almost always accept the rapid PCR tests done at the airport and check in agents tend to be most familiar with those. Passport Health supposedly specializes in travel related vaccinations and medical care in the US so most of their clinics should also have COVID tests for travel. CVS may require you to do drive-through so you'd have to rent a car and they tend to be a bit riskier with the turnaround time.

Thanks for the recommendation, but I've already done my homework! I'm aware of the requirements to return to Canada and I already know that CVS and Walgreens are drive through only for PCR tests. In my other posts on this thread before the one you've quoted I've already explained our plans. DH will go to a CVS in San Diego 72 hours before his flight for his PCR/NAAT test with our rental car since he's going home after dropping DD and I off at DLR. If CVS doesn't pan out for some reason, Anaheim City Hall also offers 1 hour rapid PCR test that he will be able to do since he's spending the night in Anaheim with us before flying out. DD and I will Uber or taxi to Anaheim City Hall for our 24 hour PCR tests 72 hours before our flight. City Hall does not require you to be in a vehicle. I do not want to wait till the last minute to test at the airport, which is why we are testing ahead of time.

 

[Nonin]

Make sure you have some comfortable masks good for hot weather, A personal fan and a cooling towel for each person as well as reusable insulated water bottles. You really need to keep hydrated. Sunscreen will be very important. Apply in the morning and bring some non greasy spray sunscreen for reapplication. I wear good shoes and I take a naproxen and Tylenol in the morning before I start walking and my feet are still able to walk the next day. I did not have my Disney feet back when we went last month and day three was hard and we were so ready to go home at the end of our trip because it was hot. We only live about an hour away and had annual passes before.

 

[Susan2771]

I have a question about restaurants. Is the air conditioning really strong and a jacket is required? Thanks so much