Timing question

[Shannon131]

I've been reading on these boards for quite some time and ya'll have given me such great info! Thanks so much!!

I have a timing question that I'm hoping those of you with lots of on site experience can help with.

Our flight is due into SNA at 5 (it got pushed back a half hour). We're having a car service pick us up and we're staying at the Grand and have to check in before we go to the parks to get our park tickets. This really would be the best day for us to see WOC. If I pre-ordered the picnics do you think we could get into the park in time to pick up the boxes and get in line for WOC?

Thanks in advance for any advice you can share on this one. I'm debating trying to change my flight times to make this work out but I'm pretty sure there would be some fairly large change fees...

 

[Kittyskyfish]

Hi! Welcome to the disboards!

Is your car service a non-shared ride? What I mean is, is the ride just for your party? If so, I really think it's doable. SNA is pretty close to DL and there usually aren't any long baggage waits. The picnics are available until 8:00 p.m. so between baggage, shuttle and check-in, you should have enough time to walk to DCA and pick up your picnics!

 

[LisainCalifornia]

I agree, that should be fine. Check in at the GC can be slow, but if you are running late, you can just have them hold your luggage and go on over to the park--and then check in later.

The ride from SNA to Disneyland Resort is a quick one!

 

[Shannon131]

We'll be taking a private car service (just our happy little family) and we won't be checking luggage.

Thank you all so much for the advice. I just don't know that much about how bad the traffic can get at that time of night in this area.

 

[Lissame]

I don't know...coming from experience with the whole WOC picnic thing a couple of weeks ago--you really need to be waiting in line to get into your color section at 7 in order to get a good spot where shorter people can see.

That's going to be a decent rush for you to get out to your car service (saying your plane arrives exactly on time), even with the short ride to your hotel to drop your luggage, then get your tickets, get into DCA, pick up your picnics--it's up to you whether you think you can do that without becoming a stress case (I can't...LOL)

 

[Lissame]

I'm debating trying to change my flight times to make this work out but I'm pretty sure there would be some fairly large change fees...

Which airline are you flying? I know that many airlines have an "unadvertised" rule that if they move your flight time more than a certain amount they will change you to another flight for free. I just experienced this with JetBlue--they monkeyed with our return flight a ton, and when I called them they changed our arriving flight for free due to all of the changes (even though it wasn't on the same leg of the flight, does that make sense?) And I know Southwest doesn't have any change fees at all.

 

[Shannon131]

We're flying on United. They didn't change the flights enough to make it a big change (from their end) so I don't think they'd waive the change fees. It would amount to several hundred dollars. So, I think we're just going to give it a try. I guess if we miss it, we miss it but I think it's worth taking the chance. Now, if the trip would just hurry up and get here.

 

[LavenderPeach]

Yeah, I don't know if there would be enough time. Assuming your flight lands at 5, it seems like it usually takes another 20-30 minutes before you actually get off the plane and then it might be another 30 minutes to find your car service, get your stuff loaded and everyone settled and drive to DLR. Then of course it will take time to check in, especially if there are others ahead of you. So that seems like it's already at least 6:30. Even though you're at the GCH, it will still take a little time to go through security (depending on how many people) and make your way over to get the picnics. It might be doable but i know i would be stressed out.Also, is there a cut-off time for how late you can pick up the picnics?

Another option would be to not preorder the picnics but just go see if you can get them once you're there. I believe those give you tickets for the 2nd show that would give you more time to line up for a good spot for the show but not sure if you have kids who can't stay up that late.