The Plan So Far--what do you think?

[E(ticket)lizabeth]

I realize we're going to be scrambling a bit here, but this is the best general plan I can come up with now, being new to DL and all. I am planning on heading back to the hotel each day for a break when we need it, so although we're hitting things pretty hard, we should have some rest!

Thurs., March 30--arrive LAX 9:45, pick up car & drive to DLH (I'm hoping to make a quick milk-yogurt-fruit stop on the way, if I can figure out where a grocery store is!). Check in at DLH, collapse into bed (we'll be running 2 hours behind our usual bedtime, thanks to the time difference).

Fri., March 31--go to DL. Try to be there before the gates open (I think even though we'll be tired the night before, that time change will wake us up early this morning). Grab a snack in the room or on the way, hit a couple of big rides, then have a late breakfast at 10:30 at Carnation Cafe. Continue attractions until early afternoon, then go back to the hotel to rest. 5:30 dinner at Napa Rose, back to DL to see a bit more (but take it slowly!), then 9 pm Fantasmic dessert buffet. Whew!

Sat., Apr. 1--early entry to Fantasyland. We'll be tired, but with a toddler along, I think we're going to try to do this. It depends on how we feel the night before, and how much the time change is still affecting our sleep. After Fantasyland, go to DCA. Lunch at Storyteller's when we get hungry. 8 pm dinner at Brennan's Jazz Kitchen.

Sun., Apr. 2--catch up. Do we want to hit DCA's opening? Have we seen both parades? What do we need to do? Finish at DL with dinner at Plaza Inn, and don't miss the fireworks!

Mon., Apr. 3--8:50 breakfast with Goofy! Check out, shop Downtown Disney. If we get done in time, head for a beach not too far from LAX (suggestions?), just so we can pop our toes into the Pacific (having just done the Atlantic in Dec.!). Drop off car, depart LAX at 6:30 pm. Get home and collapse again.

So, other than killing ourselves

, what are we doing wrong? Any changes you feel I should make? And about that beach--if we want just an hour or so on a beach, and we don't want to take the time to drive very far out of our way, where should we go?

Thanks much!

 

[hlbtimes2]

I would not wait until Sunday to see the fireworks. If they are canceled that night due to weather, you will miss your only chance to see them. I would try to do them on Saturday night, with Sunday as a back up. You would need to move your dinner reservation to a different night or earlier, but I think it would be worth it.

 

[tigger0215]

The fireworks are a Must- See thing!!
Best spot to see them is when you can see the fron of the castle and the Matterhorn at the same time

 

[disneyholic family]

it seems you're just going to DL and then back to the airport (except for a possible one hour beach stop)...

why are you renting a car?
have you driven in LA before? If not is it all that advisable to drive late at night in a place that you've never driven before?

When we were there, it didn't seem all that easy to drive around.

 

[azgal81]

Well I don't think it's tough to drive around the DL/LA area at night as long as you know where you are going you should be fine. The only time I have ever had trouble is when there was construction and I coudln't see the detour signs so we went in a circle for awhile. I don't think it's all that necessary for you to rent a car if you are just going to stay at DL the whole time. Unless you are getting a really really good deal and in the long run it would be cheaper to buy a car then to take a taxi/shuttle.

I also agree with the others don't leave your fireworks until the last day they might be cancelled or you might want to see them again.

Have fun!

 

[E(ticket)lizabeth]

Just FYI--we can rent an intermediate car for $50 less than taking a shuttle. I've got a great deal through Costco, and this way, we can work in a grocery stop and maybe a quick hour or two at the beach. I was originally going to use one of the shuttle services, but since we're already paying to park at the hotel, whether we have a car or not, it's MUCH cheaper to rent the car. I'm pretty good at maps and sign-reading, so I think we'll be okay.

As far as the fireworks go--we'll see part of them after Fantasmic! on Friday. Should we still change our dinner ressies Sat. and go back in to DL for the fireworks? If the fireworks are at 9:25, then what if we just move dinner up to 7? Would that work?

 

[kjh]

We did the drive from LAX to Disneyland area during the start of rush hour (we picked up our car at about 4ish). The drive didn't seem to bad. My dad was driving and I was navigating while my mom & husband entertained DD in the back. I am assuming you're not driving since you mention reading maps. But the drive was not so bad (although it was lighted and traffic was slow so maybe it was easier for us). There is a grocery store on Harbor. I never stayed at DLH so I don't know how to tell you to get to Harbor (or if there is one closer to you) but if you go North on harbor (Disneyland on your left and motels on the right) there is a Food 4 Less on the right just behind orangefair mall. That's where we went. We stayed on harbor though at Carousel so the drive was REALLY easy for us.

The fireworks is a must. I can't help with your reservation time and what not cause we showed up just in time to get in a roped off area around the main street end of the hub (not the greatest seating but good enough). DD fell asleep while waiting (and no, I did not try to wake her just to see the fireworks, that wasn't me) but we did stay to enjoy the show before we headed back to the motel. We only got to see the fireworks one night while we were there and we loved it! Someone will help you figure out how to make sure you'll be able to see them. And hey you know what....we'll be there at the same time .

 

[lenshanem]

You have to pay for parking at DLH even if you don't have a car?!? Maybe we'll go ahead and rent a car, too...

We're going in June and your plan sounds very similar to ours.

 

[Snow Brite]

Just FYI--we can rent an intermediate car for $50 less than taking a shuttle. I've got a great deal through Costco, and this way, we can work in a grocery stop and maybe a quick hour or two at the beach. I was originally going to use one of the shuttle services, but since we're already paying to park at the hotel, whether we have a car or not, it's MUCH cheaper to rent the car. I'm pretty good at maps and sign-reading, so I think we'll be okay.

As far as the fireworks go--we'll see part of them after Fantasmic! on Friday. Should we still change our dinner ressies Sat. and go back in to DL for the fireworks? If the fireworks are at 9:25, then what if we just move dinner up to 7? Would that work?

I have used both Fox and Ace for car rentals and done a LOT better than saving $50 off the shuttle. Of course we tooled around all over the place so it was kinda neccessary. LA is not hard to get around in if you know which freeway you want to be on and when to get out of the carpool lane and start moving over to exit. Drivers are not very courteous here, they wont let you merge into their lane very often, but if you take the same attitude and just kinda push your way in (being careful to not have an accident) its ok. No one here will wave thanks if you let THEM merge in either. Also, few people one here can give you directions to someplace. So dont ask the clerk at the grocery store how to get back to Disneyland. Because even though its blocks away...my experience is...they wont know how.

Watching the fireworks after Fantasmic on the balcony will just make you anxious to see them from the hub. They are always pretty, but you dont get the full-effect of some parts unless you are in the hub. I think the idea of moving dinner up to 7 is good, or can you switch the Plaza for the Jazz Kitchen?

 

[hlbtimes2]

You will see the arial fireworks from the balcony, but you will miss so much! You wont be able to see Tinkerbells flight, the pryo around the hub, the lasers, the projections on the castle, etc. Be sure you watch them from the hub- its a must! If you get right into dinner at 7, and get out quickly you can probably get an ok standing spot. We usually try to get to the hub at 8-8:15 for a good spot.

 

[DisneyMom&Fan]

Where's the hub? Last time we watched the fireworks from the balcony after our Fantasmic buffet. We aren't doing the buffet this time, so I need to know where the best spot is to view the fireworks. I don't want to miss Tink this time!!