Touring Plans Worth it for off Season? + other important entertainment questions

[Royal Consort]

We will be taking a trip to the US in November/December this year and visiting both Disney World AND Disneyland (our first time to the US). We have 8 days in Disney World before we fly from MCO to LAX and spend 4 days (3 nights) at Disneyland.

I've been going nuts with developing touring plans and deciding what ADR's I want to make for Disney World. The Nov hours for Disney World have recently been released so I'm pretty confident I have done everything in my power for a smooth trip, maximizing all we want to do and see. However, for Disneyland I'm just getting started and there doesn't seem to be as much planning necessary.

We'll be in Disneyland from the Tues the 4th until the Friday 7th of December (during the day only on the Friday as we're leaving in the evening to fly home). Because this is mid-week and considered low season, how important is developing a touring plan for these weekdays? I've only visited Disneyland Paris during off-season, during weekdays and never needed a touring plan there because you can walk on to anything. Is DLR somewhat similar?

In terms of entertainment (I've read Hydroguy's superthreads), it's my understanding that although we're there during weekdays we'll be able to see A Christmas Fantasy parade and Believe in Holiday Magic Fireworks. Is that right? They both seem to play each night? From the previous years it seems the parks remain open until 9pm (DCA 8pm) with the occasional 11pm close. I imagine that's unlikely to change this year?

I know we'll most likely miss Fantasmic! and although I'd much prefer to see this version than WDW's version, I can't do everything and am trapped with flying out back home on the Friday night. In saying that, I noticed they had Fantasmic! playing on Thursday December 8th in 2011. Can anyone tell me why that was and does that mean there's a likelihood they'll be performing Fantasmic! early December this year too?

Finally, does Disneyland often take rides down for refurb during the first week/weeks of December?

Thanks for all your assistance!

 

[skiingfast]

What I would plan to do is ride things that are DLR only or different, these are described in the DLR guide for WDW vets by Hydroguy. Then whatever else you want.

When you are looking at WDW ADRs you may want to ask about it here and see how one of us who have been to both parks, may suggest something different as the dining at DLR may be better.


Crowds will be light but it won't be empty, it should be pain free.


The parade and fireworks do run nightly during the holiday season.


DCA will likely have different hours as it's expansion will be complete this June and expanded hours have been announced.

You may miss Fantasmic and surely a couple rehabs either small but possibly large will be taking place.

Also it's possible you trip will overlap with CM Christmas parties that have taken place in DL, though could be very different this year.

 

[Royal Consort]

When you are looking at WDW ADRs you may want to ask about it here and see how one of us who have been to both parks, may suggest something different as the dining at DLR may be better.

Thanks skiingfast. Interesting you mention dining. I've not heard a great deal about Disneyland dining and what I have heard is that it's not as important as it is in WDW. Certainly something I'll look into.

 

[skiingfast]

Thanks skiingfast. Interesting you mention dining. I've not heard a great deal about Disneyland dining and what I have heard is that it's not as important as it is in WDW. Certainly something I'll look into.

DLR tends to have better CS, variety and quality. WDW tends to have better TS variety, mostly due to Epcot and slightly so AK. The big difference is the captive WDW guests need breakfast and dinner, at DLR you can walk offsite or eat at home for most guests. There is not a proportional amount of breakfast locations or dinner TS.

The particular thing I consider vastly better at DLR is characters meals. Food is about the same, but the characters are much better. There are a few WDW characters meals without a comparable DLR counterpart.

 

[bakerudall]

I hadn't thought about this before, but you are right. The high concentration of showbiz hopefuls in SoCal provides quite the talent pool for DLR.