Sun-Fri or Mon-Sat?

[nkereina]

Might be splitting hairs here, but we'll be flying in and out of LAX and wondering what the best arrival/departure days are. We'll be using Uber. We will not be going to the parks on our arrival day, and will go only for the morning of our departure day.

Option 1:
Arrive LAX Sunday around 4:30pm
Depart Friday - flight is at 5pm, so leave DL around 1pm - too early/late to leave? Will we catch the start of rush hour traffic at that time?

Option 2:
Arrive LAX Monday around 4:30pm - concerned about rush hour traffic at this time
Depart Saturday - flight is at 5pm, so leave DL around 1pm

Thanks!

 

[smartlabelprint]

OPtion 2

 

[tarheelalum]

Go with #2. No question even with the traffic.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Depending on what time of year, option 2 might be the only option that gives you the opportunity to see nighttime entertainment (Friday night).

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Option 2 -- I wouldn't want to start my park days on a Monday. Mondays have become very crowded days in the parks now. That might not be the best way to kick off your visit.

 

[nkereina]

Thanks all! I was actually leaning towards #1, but the unanimous vote for #2 has me reconsidering. Other than the evening entertainment and potentially crowded Monday, is there any other reason why #2 is the better choice?

FWIW, the flights for #1 would be about $75 cheaper and we'd arrive home on the east coast around 1am Saturday, which gives us an extra day to recover/readjust once home before having to go back to work on Monday. Option #2 puts us home at 1am Sunday. Not a big deal, but we're not used to traveling with time changes either.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Just a thought here: since you won't be going into the parks on your arrival day, regardless of plan 1 or 2, maybe you could do a character dinner on your first evening (Goofy's Kitchen at the DLH is the only option for this right now) to get the magic rolling on your trip. This would let you get some character photos before entering the parks, too. When are your trip dates? Having at least the Friday for nighttime entertainment during the off season is a big deal at DLR -- they do nighttime entertainment very well in both parks! I understand that this is a different perspective/mindset from WDW, where there may not be such an emphasis on nighttime entertainment. At DLR, F!, fireworks, and WOC (and any nighttime parades, if there are any on the schedule, like PTN) are not to be missed!

 

[nkereina]

Just a thought here: since you won't be going into the parks on your arrival day, regardless of plan 1 or 2, maybe you could do a character dinner on your first evening (Goofy's Kitchen at the DLH is the only option for this right now) to get the magic rolling on your trip. This would let you get some character photos before entering the parks, too. When are your trip dates? Having at least the Friday for nighttime entertainment during the off season is a big deal at DLR -- they do nighttime entertainment very well in both parks! I understand that this is a different perspective/mindset from WDW, where there may not be such an emphasis on nighttime entertainment. At DLR, F!, fireworks, and WOC (and any nighttime parades, if there are any on the schedule, like PTN) are not to be missed!

Thanks for the tips! Is Goofy's Kitchen one that should be booked at the 60 day mark? We'll be going the last week of April/first week of May - so arriving either Sunday 4/28 or Monday 4/29. Would evening entertainment typically only be on Fridays during that time of year?

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Thanks all! I was actually leaning towards #1, but the unanimous vote for #2 has me reconsidering. Other than the evening entertainment and potentially crowded Monday, is there any other reason why #2 is the better choice?

FWIW, the flights for #1 would be about $75 cheaper and we'd arrive home on the east coast around 1am Saturday, which gives us an extra day to recover/readjust once home before having to go back to work on Monday. Option #2 puts us home at 1am Sunday. Not a big deal, but we're not used to traveling with time changes either.

I still vote for option 2! Avoiding Monday and seeing the nighttime entertainment would be worth it to me!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Thanks for the tips! Is Goofy's Kitchen one that should be booked at the 60 day mark? We'll be going the last week of April/first week of May - so arriving either Sunday 4/28 or Monday 4/29. Would evening entertainment typically only be on Fridays during that time of year?

Yes, GK can be booked at the 60 day mark (like most dining at DLR). Easter is late next year, so I don't know if nighttime entertainment will still be on the Spring Break nightly schedule or if it will be back to the low season weekend only schedule by your dates. To be safe, I'd choose option 2.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Option 2. Yes, traffic will suck coming from LAX. But Monday’s are notoriously horrible for crowds at DL. Also having a full Fri in your schedule will give you a shot at seeing weekend only entertainment.