Tips on Adjusting to the Time Difference: Midwest to CA?

[Little E]

We are headed to DL for our first visit in August, and we are traveling from the midwest. California is three hours behind us, and I'm wondering how to best adjust to the time difference on our very short trip. We fly in at dinnertime on Monday, plan to hit the parks Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and fly home on Friday. After reading lots of threads on the Disboards, it appears that it's wisest to tackle the parks much like we have always tackled the parks at WDW...hit parks as early as possible, bounce back to our hotel for a break in the afternoon, and return to the parks in the evenings.

I'm wondering if there is anything else we should consider in terms of adjusting to the three hour time difference? We aren't in CA long and we want to experience as much as possible, as this might be our only visit to DL, but I'm a little concerned about how the time difference might affect DH, our two DSs and me.

Does anyone have tips, tricks, or things we need to consider? TIA!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

The time difference actually works in your favor. The morning hours are golden at DLR -- you'll be able to get so much done in the parks between opening and noon/early afternoon. Are you staying on or off site? If on site, taking advantage of EMH/EE will be so much easier for you. If off site, try to use your MM on the day it is earliest during your visit (probably the Tuesday, but check DL's hours). If you have the chance at a 7 am MM, go for it! Big advantage for you over sleepy west coasters. Also, stick to eating on your regular schedule (pretty much) -- dining at off peak hours means shorter/no lines at CS. Make sure to drink plenty of water to beat the heat, especially with jet lag (don't wait until you are thirsty -- just keep drinking throughout the day -- most CS locations give free cups of ice water). Rest when you need to -- don't overdo it -- your days will be much more enjoyable, especially if you plan on seeing any nighttime shows. If you sons are still napping, try to keep them on schedule -- makes life much easier and happier for everyone.
Try to see fireworks early in your trip (first night, if possible). It is not uncommon for fireworks to get cancelled for safety reasons (usually weather related), so trying to see them your first night gives you more chances if the show doesn't go on that night.
If you want to do a character meal, but don't want to waste park time, you could try for dinner at Goofy's Kitchen in the DLH on Monday night. That would be a fun way to kick off the magic.
Have you read this thread already: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets? Super helpful!
Have a great trip!

 

[mom2rtk]

Definitely go with the time difference. Try to maximize the early hours. That's one of the reasons we stay onsite, because we know we'll be up anyway and fully maximizing those early entry hours.

Don't plan too much late at night. Pace yourself on when to do the evening shows, and give yourself a couple early nights.

 

[bumbershoot]

Don’t adjust. Early mornings are the best, and they’ll be easier for you.

The more you do at night the harder the morning will be.

I personally can’t stand resort breaks. I am not a napper, and swimming exhausts me. I’d rather have a sit down lunch somewhere to reset. Generally when I get back to the resort I’m done.

If you’re in the Midwest, are you really dealing with a three hour difference? How far west does the eastern time zone stretch?

 

[Little E]

Thanks, everyone, for your feedback! @theluckyrabbit, our boys are teens, so we don't need to factor in napping. With the exception of the night we fly in, we'll be staying at DLH, so we will definitely plan on maximizing the early morning. @mom2rtk we have never been a family that does a lot parades and shows...my boys are all about the rides. Thanks for the tip about not doing too much at night. If we can hit a lot of the rides in the morning, we may be able to just sort of relax in the afternoon/evening, so we can get up the next morning and do it all again! @bumbershoot , we live in Michigan, and we are definitely three hours behind California! When we go to WDW, we don't have to factor in any time changes between Michigan and Florida.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

Waves to Midwest neighbor! We're from Ohio and go to Disneyland every year. We try to burn up as much energy as possible early on the first day and keep on going so we can get back to the hotel early, feeling tired and ready for bed. Naps tend to refresh us too much, then we end up staying out longer and going to bed later in the night. That makes it harder to get up early the 2nd morning.

We start taking mid-day breaks on the 3rd + days when we're better acclimated to the time change.

(@bumbershoot , Ohio, like Michigan, is in the Eastern time zone, +3 hours from PST, -4 from UTC, losing one hour for Daylight Savings. We Midwesterners DO know our own time zone. lol! )

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Even if you aren't normally night show people, I would suggest that you try to see WOC and PTN. Those are two shows that WDW doesn't have -- and really doesn't have anything to compare to right now. The WOC Dessert Party is the easiest, most luxurious way to see the show -- guaranteed seat, generous dessert plate, servers, good view all around. PTN has a super long parade route, so it is not hard to find good viewing spots, but there are dining packages, too, for those who want them. Most WDW vets here comment that they aren't sorry they saw these shows.
(WOC is having some technical issues right now, but we are hoping it will be back in great form by the time of your trip.)

 

[Priory]

Much harder for DL folk to visit WDW (although an exhausting early-to-bed arrival day and sheer excitement has always helped me adjust).

 

[Little E]

@Kittyskyfish Hi neighbor! I really like the "burn up energy and go back to the room tired" approach to the first day in the park. Thanks for the tip...I think that's what we'll shoot for. We're only at DL for three days, so maybe we'll take mid day breaks on day 2 and 3.

@Priory We fly in around dinner time on the first day, which is why I didn't purchase a ticket for that day. I plan on us going to bed early that night, so we can be early and happy hearted risers the next morning. Like you, I'm counting on an early bedtime plus Disney excitement to help us out!

We are staying off site the first night and I had planned on us transferring early in the am on our first park day. I'm now really second guessing that. Our room is at the Anaheim Maingate and is much cheaper than an extra night at the DLH. I'm starting to think it might be worth the extra $$ to suck it up and stay the first night at the DLH so that we don't have to mess with transferring and we can just hit the parks first thing. Ugh...what to do, what to do...