Trip in 8 Days! Please Review Itinerary!!

[Kirbie]

My trip to Disneyland is in just 8 days!!! I’m super excited, I’ve done a lot of planning. A little about me and my trip – I’m travelling solo! I haven’t been to Disneyland since 2007, so I know so much has changed, especially in California Adventure. I plan on being at the parks early and being there all day, I want to get as much in as possible! Since I am solo, I will take advantage of the single rider option, and of course FP. I have some questions about my itinerary, and the really important questions are in bold font. Thanks for reading and for your feedback!

Tuesday, August 23rd
4:00 pm - Arrive at parks

Get FP for either HSM or ST. Based on my tracking, HSM might not be available, or if it is it will be for near park closing. That’s why ST is the second option.

IJ single rider line! I want this to be my first ride since it is my first Disneyland memory!

Not sure what time dinner will be, or what to do between dinner and next on the list. Probably shop around Main Street. Oh! Get my 60th Anniversary Ears Embroidered! And get a Dole Whip!

I know I want to see the Disneyland Forever Fireworks this night, as well as the second showing of PtN. I’m unsure of where to linger since I won’t be viewing the first PtN. Or should I try to since I’m travelling solo? I have no intention of spending precious park hours camped out on a sidewalk.

After the second PtN, try to get on some Fantasyland Rides! I really want to go on Tea Cups at night.


Wednesday, August 24th California Adventure!

Park Opens at 9:00 AM

I want to head to TSMM right away, should I grab a FP for SATW along the way?

After TSMM, Carsland!!! I’ll do RSR single rider for sure, then check out the other two rides. I want to get a late breakfast/lunch at Flo’s, the tamale chicken breakfast sounds super yummy!

Get FP for TOT before returning to SATW? Breakfast at Flo’s may happen after this, depending on the time of the SATW FP.

After SATW, brunch at Flo’s (?). Then hang out in Paradise Pier. – Use SRL for CS. Maybe go on the Mickey Wheel of Death. Maybe. Go on some of the smaller rides at the Pier.

Meet Oswald! I have a pet bunny, so I’m getting Oswald ears embroidered with her name. I want to wear them when I meet Oswald

After Oswald, Meet Judy!

Go back to Carsland at sunset!! Ride RSR again when it’s dark, and ride TOT again when it’s dark!


Thursday, August 25th Disneyland!!!

Park Opens at 9:00, but there is a Magic Morning at 8:00.

Fantasyland!!! Peter, Alice, and Toady are all on the list. Is this too ambitious?

At official park opening, head to HSM to get a FP.

Head back to Fantasyland to finish up everything there. Check out the new Princess Fantasy Faire – I’ll be checking the app to see if Merida is going to making her 5 minute appearances near there! I also really want to see Mary Poppins, and the Alice/Peter group that roams around. Love them!

Probably go back to Tomorrowland to use HSM FP and maybe get one for ST

Spend some time in Adventure and Frontier Land. Utilize SRL on IJ and SP, use FP for BTMRR. Ride JC, enjoy New Orleans Square.

The Frozen show should end around 5:00. I’d like to see the Pixar Parade, which I believe ends in Hollywood land so this could work out perfectly!

Head back to Disneyland.

Sorry for the long post, and thanks to those that read it and provide feedback! I feel nervous about not having more structure, but since I’m solo I can literally do whatever I want without consulting or planning with anyone. Also, SRL are going to be my best friend!

Can’t wait!!

 

[Rubygoose]

Don't bother getting dropped off at GCH - there is a taxi drop off area on S Harbor, just before where the busses pull in (unless you wanted to stop at Starbucks or White Water Snacks before going to the bag check.) Yes, GCH lets out into DTD next to Sephora.

We like to arrive 30-45 minutes early for rope drop or MM.

Sorry, not too sure about your timing questions, because it really depends on how busy it is. If the gates aren't busy, it usually takes my family about 15 minutes to walk from Toontown to DCA (and that's walking at a six year old pace.) Our family park hops a lot. It's really easy.

DCA doesn't have Monster's Laugh Floor, but they do have a Monster's Inc ride.

Peter Pan, Alica and Toad can all easily be done during magic morning as long as you hustle to PP right away.

(I know you didn't ask this but... ) Little Mermaid is a great ride to do when it's hot out and you need some down time. Rarely any line and the A/C is wonderful!

 

[Kirbie]

Ah yes, I should have specified I want to get coffee before getting in line. So instead of going through security twice, I thought it would be more efficient to get dropped off at GCH, get coffee, then go through security. Glad to hear I can do that!

The timing is kind of my biggest question right now. And unfortunately a lot of it does depend on crowds. But thankfully it's just me so I can make changes without upsetting anyone else.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

You can also get coffee at either Starbucks (Market House in DL, FF&P in DCA) once inside the parks. Both locations are not far from the gates. DL also has a coffee cart near the Hub, by PFF. As for your question about your FP time for WOC, ask the CM at the machines what show is currently being given out and what time you should return for your desired show and section. No one here can predict that for you with accuracy since it will depend on the crowds that day. The CMs answer questions like this all the time, so they can give you the best answer. Being solo really does give you flexibility. If you end up pulling a FP for the wrong show/section, just ask the CM to fix the problem. We've done that before without any problems. And you will need a FP. The area for standby viewing (no FP) is in front of the LM ride. We've done that and found the view to be poor. By the way, there is really good viewing in both the Blue and Yellow sections. Study the map on the first page of the WOC Superthread to know where you want to be. As for the time it takes to walk from DL to DCA, how long does it take you to walk the length of a football field? (It can be longer or shorter for different people.) That's how long it will take you, give or take a few minutes depending on crowds in the esplanade or at the turnstiles.

 

[GlitteryOtters]

Your overall plan looks pretty good! Yesss on Carsland at sunset! Main question on the 25th: are you hitting Magic Morning, or waiting for regular rope drop? If hitting Magic Morning, 7:15 sounds like good timing. When I stayed onsite at PP this past April/May & had the early morning hour access u typically arrived there between 7 & 7:15 for an 8:00 early entry, they let us through security at about 7:30 or so, although one day it was 7:45. I noticed a lot of pepole started showing up around 7:20-7:30, but if I got there by 7:15 I was reasonably close to the start of the security line. I took my breakfast each day, ate it while waiting at security.


Feedback on meeting The Alice group and Peter...I've found them easiest to spot during the first hour or two after rope drop in Fantasyland area, so when you hit that area in the morning, after magic morning is over, keep your eyes open for them! Mary Poppins I've found a bit more elusive (took me stalking her every time she had a scheduled character appearance for 2 days before I found her--not sure if that was my luck or what). If you don't see them when you are ready to leave for the next land, just plan to pop back and do a quick circuit again during the first hour or two after park opening to see if you can find them.


Peter I usually see in the main Fantasyland area (area with his ride, Mr Toad, Dumbo, etc). My friends hit the Peter Pan ride at rope drop this weekend & came upon him standing alone at the exit when they got off (!).


Alice characters I've usually seen walking in the area between Alice ride & Matterhorn or near teacups. I have spotted them as far afield as opposite Storybookland line or nearer to Dumbo, so if you don't see them where indicated on the map, wander a bit. My theory on Mary is that she wanders a bit too, but I don't seem to have super good luck stumbling upon her, so I can't say for sure. The only time I came upon her by accident she was near the bathrooms behind Alice (the ones with the cards on the stall doors). Good luck!

 

[aidansmother]

Looks like a great plan. My favorite breakfast burrito option on the way into the park is from the Jazz Kitchen express. Very tasty.