Summer 2019

[sdrsdd]

Ok--we are coming to DL for 3 days -Aug. 1-3. We have a family of 5 (kids are 17, 14, 11). TO be honest we had NO idea that Star Wars was opening....we haven't been to DL in a decade. My boys (17 and 11) are super excited though. We are NOT flexible with travel dates (this is the week we get off from high school sports so this is when we vacation). We know it will be hot and busy. Any tips? Our last trip was in late JUne 2009 and we only had 2 much younger kids with us at the time...we loved it and remember the weather was great and don't remember the crowds being terrible). We have been to WDW at least 5 times...

As of now we are not doing PH I plan on ONE Day at DL and 2 at California Adventures....since it will be the busiest. Should I do PH? Max Passes? Would love ideas on where to eat with older kids? We are past all the character meals...

 

[katyringo]

I’d deff plan on maxpass.

Get there everyday at opening.

Check out Disneyland daily- her blog has the best touring plans.

 

[HydroGuy]

Ok--we are coming to DL for 3 days -Aug. 1-3. We have a family of 5 (kids are 17, 14, 11). TO be honest we had NO idea that Star Wars was opening....we haven't been to DL in a decade. My boys (17 and 11) are super excited though. We are NOT flexible with travel dates (this is the week we get off from high school sports so this is when we vacation). We know it will be hot and busy. Any tips? Our last trip was in late JUne 2009 and we only had 2 much younger kids with us at the time...we loved it and remember the weather was great and don't remember the crowds being terrible). We have been to WDW at least 5 times...

As of now we are not doing PH I plan on ONE Day at DL and 2 at California Adventures....since it will be the busiest. Should I do PH? Max Passes? Would love ideas on where to eat with older kids? We are past all the character meals...

My boys are in their 20s now - I had four boys close together like you. I am sure you will have a blast!

There are lots of ways to handle lodging, but I became (and still am) a huge believer in walking distance hotels. You will want to plan for afternoon breaks, pool time to cool off, and, yes even for teens time to nap. It is not too late to change hotels if you have already booked.

Teens can be really hard to get out of bed early. But it is essential to maximize your days. So drill into them that you can sleep-in before and after Disney. Disney is not the time to sleep in.

Here are some links to help:

"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862

"Choosing the Right DLR Area Hotel for You" www.disboards.com/threads/choosing-the-right-hotel-for-you.3656512/

"Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

Bite the bullet and get MaxPass - over three days it will be worth it just for the photos, even at the increased price just announced today.

"Maxpass/Fastpass: an overview and some strategy" by @Skyegirl1999 - www.disboards.com/threads/maxpass-fastpass-an-overview-and-some-strategy.3726246/

Also, bite the bullet and buy parkhopper tickets. It will help with the DL park crowds from Star Wars Land formally known as Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.

Good luck!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Absolutely reverse those days. 2 in Disneyland, 1 CA Adveture. SWL will most likely take a ton of time out of your DL day anyway & CA Adventure doesn’t require more than one day if you’re in the park all day- especially if you have MP. 3 is the magical day trip where I don’t think a PH is a must. But I would get MP ($15/day/person) for your DCA day and at least 1 day in DL since you need to make the most of your 3 days given how rarely you all get to this park.

And it will be packed, it is what it is for you & knowing that going in you know to make any dining reservations you want ahead of time and to plan your days out a bit. Looks like you’ll have at least a month to get an idea of how SWL affects planning a day at DL. Throw EVERYTHING you read about how to order your rides out the window until after SWL has been running for a while. Touring Plans, Disney blogs & websites- all of it. It will be useless for anyone visiting post SWL until we start seeing how crowds interact with SWL.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

The bright side on your trip dates: Disney knows the crowds will be heavy at that time so they will prepare as well as they can. You will benefit from longer hours, more staffing, rides running at full capacity, fewer/no refurbs, full/er entertainment schedule, nightly entertainment, restaurants more fully staffed and more fully stocked, etc. When DLR is prepared for the crowds, things really can run more efficiently than they do during non-peak times. Your kids are all old enough to take advantage of park hopping, so I would invest in park hopper tickets. And hoppers will allow you to get the most out of MP since you can book FPs for one park while in the other park. CS at DLR is pretty good -- learn how to use Mobile Ordering so you can get your meals more quickly. With 3 day tickets (purchased in advance, not at the booths) you should get a Magic Morning in DL (FL and TL only; Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays). Study up on MM to get the most out of yours and go on the first one you can when your family is the least tired. Good for you for researching and planning early! All this hard work is going to pay off and you'll have a great trip.

 

[azdisneylover]

My food tip is to check the menus and see if there are any foods/treats you want to try. This way, you can split meals, not fill up and snack your way through the parks. We do enjoy nachos from Whitewater Snacks (in the Grand Californian Hotel). Easy to get to from DCA (the entrance into the hotel is across from Grizzly Rapids). Tortilla Joe's in DTD is a must eat at at least once. Earl of Sandwich was a hit with my daughters. Carnation Cafe is a must do for an early lunch at least twice when we have gone.