To make the trip or not....

[Stitch35]

Sunday would be busier, but much longer hours, 8am-midnight. Monday and Tuesday would be less crowded, but only open from 10am-8pm on Monday and DL opens at 8am would close at 6pm on Tuesday for the TOT party. DCA gets swamped once DL closes and is open until 8. I love Sundays because mornings and nights are quiet. Mid day and early event does get very busy (great time to use FP and single rider). Once fireworks ends it clears out. Sunday would be the only day for fireworks and f! If those interest you.

Attractions that are must do that are different that I remember from my one trip to wdw are: Matterhorn, wild toad, small world, POC, pooh, roger rabbit, BRMRR, storybook canal, jungle cruise, Indy, sm, splash, Snow White, Pinocchio, Peter Pan, Alice in wonderland, Casey jr, autopia, all of cars land, monsters inc, TOT is different but wdw is better, bugs land are kiddie rides (but himlicks chew chew train is fun!) red trolley, and screaming California. I hope that helps! Also for a unique eating experience, blue bayou is actually inside the POC ride. Pricey, but good.

 

[f15robyn]

WDW Obsessed,

My hubby and I are heading out from the east coast on Oct 26 for a wedding on Oct 27. Heading to DL on Oct 28 (our third trip). Planned to fly home on Wednesday, Oct 31. When we went to book the flights, out of Long Beach cause we prefer the smaller airport, one of the options was Long Beach to Orlando, Orlando to home.

My husband says, "flying through Orlando on Wednesday night, getting home at midnight makes no sense, working Thur/Fri and then having Sat/Sun off anyway."

So we booked Long Beach to Orlando on Wednesday, flying home Sunday

Both parks in one week? Not enough for us. We'll be in line to go into DL at 8am on Halloween. Book in to Haunted Mansion and take photo in front of it on 10/31/12. Drive to Long Beach. Fly to Orlando. Check in at WDW and head over to MNSSHP at Magic Kingdom. Book in to Haunted Mansion and take photo in front of it on 10/31/12.

 

[bumbershoot]

Do it!


But do NOT worry about TSMM like you do at DHS. The wait FOR a FP can be as long as you'll wait at DCA, LOL. I think the max I've waited at TSMM is 40 minutes, and it hasn't been a bad 40 minutes.


Honestly I'd just do it solo. Why hope against hope that you have a coworker who likes Disney?


If you don't want to drive, and especially if you could sneak in a night's stay in Anaheim, check out Amtrak's Surfliner. Leave nice and early, and have a pleasant trip north. The Anaheim station is literally in the Angels parking lot. There will be cabs there, and it will be around $15 or so, maybe less, to get to Disney.

The reason I encourage a night's stay is because the Surfliner doesn't go back to SD as late as I'd like on a one-day visit. It didn't impact me when I did the Surfliner from SD because I was flying out of Orange County anyway that evening.

 

[rsleleux]

We went to San Diego in may for our vacation, we ended our trip with 2.5 days in DLR! It was so awesome, we are going back in October! We go to WDW every year! It's so different, there are similarities but you have to experience the difference! Go to DCA, experience carsland and watch WOC! Park hopping is super easy! When we go to WDW we never park hop but I can't imagine going to DLR w/o a park hopper! Go to DLR, you won't be disappointed!

 

[rsleleux]

what are the 3 main attractions that I need to FP? At WDW toy story mania is a must FP first due to the lines in the AM. Is there anything comparable for DL?? Also, what would be the best place to eat? I'm a steak and potatoes guy, no fufu food for me. TIA!

Skip TSM, it's exactly the same as WDW and there is no FP! Ride California screaming single rider instead!

 

[lcasa]

If you don't have a car - Amtrak goes from downtown SD to Anaheim stadium - you could take a cab from there or maybe there's even a DL shuttle.

Definitely do it- and while the area of DL and DCA is about the same as Epcot, we have nearly as many attractions in those 2 parks as all 4 parks in WDW do.

 

[Geemo]

Your travel from SanDiego to Anaheim, is the part to focus on. Find the shortest distance on a MAIN FREEWAY to travel.

There are sooo many options.... Once you are in the parks.
Having a loose plan might be helpful.
Anymore, I like to go with the flow. I find it more relaxing.

However, for me it's a no-brainer to make the time to visit the parks.

Enjoy!

Geemo

 

[Mary09]

Thanks. I plan on going either the 21,22,or 23 of Oct.

What are the "must do's" that are 100% different than the WDW rides. Those are the ones I HAVE TO DO.

These are just based on our prefs but at DCA, I would not miss the carousel and Grizzly River Run and Screamin. And World of Color.

At DL, POTC, BTMRR (better than WDW), Jungle Cruise (for the cheesy humor and nostalgia factor), and Fantasmic. F! is different at DL.

 

[WDW Obsessed]

I'm aiming to go on Sunday, but have to weigh things out. My meeting is basically the 20th-23rd. My flights are on the 19th and 24th, so can't do either. I know that Sunday would be the best day, but gotta "sneak" out without co-workers really noticing. Thank goodness the SD convention center is huge!!!

 

[rsleleux]

These are just based on our prefs but at DCA, I would not miss the carousel and Grizzly River Run and Screamin. And World of Color.

At DL, POTC, BTMRR (better than WDW), Jungle Cruise (for the cheesy humor and nostalgia factor), and Fantasmic. F! is different at DL.

Agreed! I would add HM and Space with the holiday layovers!