Two days only, end of June

[sweet maxine]

We will have only two days to visit the parks, which will be at the end of this month. Not familiar at all with DL, and have no map in hand. (Should I go by the local printer and have one printed before we leave?) I haven't set out a game plan for the two days yet, as we are usually laid back when we are at WDW. Some questions I have---

* We decided to stay off-site this trip, so would have no early morning opportunity. If we are at the gates early, say ~ 1/2 hr. before park opening, would that be early enough?

* We'd like to stay at the Hojo for the fun pirate pool area. Is it worth changing hotels just for that, and also would you do this at all or use the time for staying busy at the parks? I'm leaning toward the thought that it would be senseless to change for only having time at the pirate pool. The hassle of moving early in the morning, combined with trying to get to the parks early might prove to be our undoing, right?

*Should we stick with Hydroguy's list of Not To Be Missed at Disneyland Resort rides/attractions? Should we concentrate on those things which are at DL, but not at WDW? We want to make sure to have some spontaneity time built into our days, even though we realize our time in the parks is short.

*How much time should we build into our schedule for rest during our days? We will be at a walkable hotel location, so it should be fine for a break.

*If we want to see WOC one night, then Fantasmic the next, should our priority be getting FP's for both first thing in the morning?

Thank you for any help. I would like to be at least somewhat prepared before we get there.

 

[Misskitty3]

How many people are in your group and what are their ages?

We stayed at HoJo's last time and my kids loved the pirate pool. I don't know that I would have switched hotels for it though....especially with only 2 days at the park.

Please note that Fantasmic does not have a FP.

I am sure others will jump in to answer your other questions. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[HydroGuy]

We will have only two days to visit the parks, which will be at the end of this month. Not familiar at all with DL, and have no map in hand. (Should I go by the local printer and have one printed before we leave?) I haven't set out a game plan for the two days yet, as we are usually laid back when we are at WDW. Some questions I have---

I wouldn't go that far to get a map printed. But it depends on how you like to approach things I guess.

* We decided to stay off-site this trip, so would have no early morning opportunity. If we are at the gates early, say ~ 1/2 hr. before park opening, would that be early enough?

30 minutes should be good. Pay attention to which days are Magic Mornings and use that info. For example, do Fantasyland at DL on a day without MM as you will be on a level playing field with everyone else.

* We'd like to stay at the Hojo for the fun pirate pool area. Is it worth changing hotels just for that, and also would you do this at all or use the time for staying busy at the parks? I'm leaning toward the thought that it would be senseless to change for only having time at the pirate pool. The hassle of moving early in the morning, combined with trying to get to the parks early might prove to be our undoing, right?

Maybe. Depends on how much time you plan to spend at the hotel. But I am not sure what you are saying. You are asking whether you should change hotels in the middle of your trip? Usually I would avoid that unless you had a very good reason. And a pool is not a good enough reason IMO.

*Should we stick with Hydroguy's list of Not To Be Missed at Disneyland Resort rides/attractions? Should we concentrate on those things which are at DL, but not at WDW? We want to make sure to have some spontaneity time built into our days, even though we realize our time in the parks is short.

Personally I like the philosophy of "planned spontaneity". While it sounds like an oxymoron, what it means is that you set up some goals and a rough plan, and then you adapt spontaneously based on how the day goes. True spontaneity means you walk in with no plan, no ideas and just wander around doing things on a whim. Personally that may be fun - until you realize you have to wait 90 minutes for Splash Mountain because you never took time to get a FP. Planned spontaneity means you work in knowledge about FP, early arrival, Magic Morning and then allow spontaneous events to unfold.

Should you focus on things different from WDW? Since there is very little at DLR which is exactly the same as WDW then you will have to choose.

*How much time should we build into our schedule for rest during our days? We will be at a walkable hotel location, so it should be fine for a break.

It depends on your stamina but I think most groups with kids will top out at 10-12 hours per day inside the parks. I like to do 5+ hours in the morning and then 5+ at night after 6PM. That leaves a break of 3-5 hours. Go for a swim if the weather is especially warm, and lay down for a nap. Head out at 5-6PM refeshed and ready to go.

See "Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

*If we want to see WOC one night, then Fantasmic the next, should our priority be getting FP's for both first thing in the morning?

No FP needed for Fantasmic - just an early arrival.

If you have enough energy you can see both on the same night. That is my personal plan for tomorrow night BTW. WOC at 9PM and F! at 10:30PM.

See

"World of Color Superthread" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=37986447

"Fantasmic! Superthread" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2671983

 

[sweet maxine]

Maybe. Depends on how much time you plan to spend at the hotel. But I am not sure what you are saying. You are asking whether you should change hotels in the middle of your trip? Usually I would avoid that unless you had a very good reason. And a pool is not a good enough reason IMO.

Personally I like the philosophy of "planned spontaneity". While it sounds like an oxymoron, what it means is that you set up some goals and a rough plan, and then you adapt spontaneously based on how the day goes. Planned spontaneity means you work in knowledge about FP, early arrival, Magic Morning and then allow spontaneous events to unfold.

Go for a swim if the weather is especially warm, and lay down for a nap. Head out at 5-6PM refeshed and ready to go.

See "Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

Thank you, thank you! You have been so incredibly helpful, and I'm getting a clearer picture of how to make a rough plan. I'd say we are more the "planned spontaneity" type of people, so I'll make a list of the "Don't Miss" rides, then add in a few we feel would be "must sees".

What I mean by changing hotels is staying one night in one hotel, then changing to the Hojo, though it would be just for the pool area. Probably not worth all the hassle I'm guessing.

It would be awesomeness to see both WOC and Fantasmic on the same night, but I'm thinking we'll be lucky to actually make it to one or the other. I'm sure time will play a factor in how things turn out.

Again, I appreciate your time in responding with so many helpful ideas.

 

[sweet maxine]

I thought I would return to this thread and post about our trip.

Thanks to all of you for your generous help! We actually had only a day and a half to tour the parks, but we managed very well. Since we arrived so late (2:30 pm), I followed a plan from one of the moms on this board. I simply picked up the plan she had posted for about the same time of day, and we proceeded in that order. It worked out fantastically well for us. We did not see Fantasmic, but did see the fireworks the first night.

The second day, we were at the parks on a MM day, but only had a 2-day hopper. We waited at the turnstiles at ~7:15 am and got some great advice from a sweet young lady and her mom. I had printed up Hound's Perfect Storm One-Day plan posted here, then followed along, modifying it to fit our needs. Again, as the day before, we simply followed the plan as closely as possible and found we were walking onto many rides, going on several of them 2 to 3 times apiece. Hound's plan, combined with the advice we got the from young lady and her mom in line, helped us to maximize our time.

We were able to get WOC fastpasses easily, and very much enjoyed the show! Of course there were a few things we didn't get to do, but that is what return trips are for, right?

So to all of you who have helped me with my questions here, thank you! We really had a great time, even if only for a day and a half---and we loved every minute of it!

 

[skiingfast]

Sounds sweet!