Very last minute trip- help!!!!

[rentayenta]

OMG!


After a rough summer and horrible week my DH asked if we wanted to add a little side trip to Disneyland next week after visiting some friends in Arizona.

I booked the Hilton Garden Inn through Getawaytoday.com We own DVC but I have all my points used for an 11 night stay in WDW next October.

I haven't been to Disneyland since 2005 and completely forgot how to tour there.

Because it's such a short trip, only 2 1/2 days, I need help with FPs and a touring plan. Would love to see the fireworks and MSEP if it's playing.

We will arrive about 2 pm on Wednesday (10/7) giving us only 6 hours in Disneyland. We'll do DCA on Thursday (10/8) until close and then hop over to Disneyland. Friday (10/9) we'll do Disneyland all day.


Any and all advice and help is

 

[DangerMouse]

Well hey there stranger!! Long time!

Lucky you on getting a suprise trip to DLR and for your DVC membership (that's news to me anyway!).

As for your trip, the new Halloween Screams fireworks will be showing on Wednesday and Thursday at 8 pm, and I think Friday at 9:25 pm. The DEP isn't playing currently. It stopped after Labor Day. Fantasmic is showing on weekends and they have a new incredible dragon that is the star of the show. If you haven't seen it since 2005, it's definitely worth a look.

DCA is completely torn up b/c of the remodel with lots of construction walls, but they may be refilling the water in the Pier area by the time you get there??
DCA will be closing early for the Mickey's Trick or Treat Party the nights you are there. That can potentially make DL a bit more crowded in the evening.


Anyway, enjoy HalloweenTime at the parks.

 

[rentayenta]

Well hey there stranger!! Long time!

Lucky you on getting a surprise trip to DLR and for your DVC membership (that's news to me anyway!).

As for your trip, the new Halloween Screams fireworks will be showing on Wednesday and Thursday at 8 pm, and I think Friday at 9:25 pm. The DEP isn't playing currently. It stopped after Labor Day. Fantasmic is showing on weekends and they have a new incredible dragon that is the star of the show. If you haven't seen it since 2005, it's definitely worth a look.

DCA is completely torn up b/c of the remodel with lots of construction walls, but they may be refilling the water in the Pier area by the time you get there??
DCA will be closing early for the Mickey's Trick or Treat Party the nights you are there. That can potentially make DL a bit more crowded in the evening.


Anyway, enjoy HalloweenTime at the parks.

Callie, the heck are you? This trip was literally bought about an hour ago and talked about for the first time this afternoon. Having only a few days to plan is beyond unnerving.

We bought DVC this past May. I called today and the GCV has only a one bedroom for a night and then a 2 bedroom for the last 2 nights. Far too many points for a quickie trip.


Think we should attempt the Mickey's Trick or Treat Party? I was wondering why DCA was closing so early. Because the party is in DCA, I could see DH wanting to go. He DCA.


No MSEP? DD will be sad. She watches it on YouTube almost daily.

Definetly want to see F! and if I remember the 2nd showing is less crowded. And for sure the fireworks.

How about FPs and a general touring plan? I am thinking Indy FP first? Then Space? Then Splash? Does HMH have FP? It feels like it's been forever since I have been home. And for DCA; Soarin' FP then Screamin' FP then ToT FP? Too bad TSM doesn't have FP at Disneyland. That ride rocks!

There is SO much I miss about Disneyland and can't wait to see the redone Sleeping Beauty walk-thru, the Tiki Room, IASW Matterhorn, Indy, POTC (WDW's sucks!!!!), HMH, Mr. Toad, Pinocchio, and Alice. Too bad the SBLCB will be closed.




Has it been so long that I am no where near having a decent plan?

 

[DangerMouse]

How exciting Jenny! You will be having some crowds with some AZ and UT fall breaks, so FP's will be imporatnt.

I'd start with Space first. Have you heard about the overlay? They turned it into Ghost Galaxy for Halloweentime, and it is HUGELY popular already. Lines are crazy long, so grab that FP right away. HMH does have FP, so make sure to account for that, but I'd do Space and Indy first.

You might want to check if there are even tickets available to the MToTP. Some dates have already sold out. But it is really fun (we took our kids last year) and oh my goodness, the sheer volume of candy you can take away from that place is CRAZY!

For DCA, I'd get Soarin first at 9:30 (you know they open 30 min early for Soarin, right?, and the FP machines are on), ToT then Screamin. They reconnected GRR to the FP system, so you have to make sure you block some time for that if it's hot out and you want to get wet! TSMM has a great single rider line that my family finds totally worth it. We don't mind riding separately if we can cut the wait time from 45 minutes to 10 minutes.

Any other questions, just ask.

 

[Imagineer5]

Wait DCA opens 30 minutes early for Soarin'??? What?? Explain Pls!!

 

[rentayenta]

How exciting Jenny! You will be having some crowds with some AZ and UT fall breaks, so FP's will be imporatnt.

I figured. Thankfully we will miss the Utah break. Our break is this Thursday and Friday.

I'd start with Space first. Have you heard about the overlay? They turned it into Ghost Galaxy for Halloweentime, and it is HUGELY popular already. Lines are crazy long, so grab that FP right away. HMH does have FP, so make sure to account for that, but I'd do Space and Indy first.

A Space overlay? How friggen cool is that?! So:

• Space FP
• Indy FP
• HMH FP

And then what?

You might want to check if there are even tickets available to the MToTP. Some dates have already sold out. But it is really fun (we took our kids last year) and oh my goodness, the sheer volume of candy you can take away from that place is CRAZY!

There are tickets. I just checked. Need to run it by DH. It would cost another $160 plus costumes. Might be too much stress to throw it together this late in the game.

For DCA, I'd get Soarin first at 9:30 (you know they open 30 min early for Soarin, right?, and the FP machines are on), ToT then Screamin. They reconnected GRR to the FP system, so you have to make sure you block some time for that if it's hot out and you want to get wet! TSMM has a great single rider line that my family finds totally worth it. We don't mind riding separately if we can cut the wait time from 45 minutes to 10 minutes.

Had no idea Soarin' was open 30 minutes early!!! TSM is unreal. In WDW the standby line reaches 120 minutes. Can't even imagine waiting that long.

Any other questions, just ask.

I am feeling a good sense of overwhelmed.

 

[DangerMouse]

Wait DCA opens 30 minutes early for Soarin'??? What?? Explain Pls!!

DCA typically opens both it's main gate and the GCH private entrance at 9:30 for guests to enter the front portion of the park. The stores are open, as is Soarin. They have ropes set up near GRR, at the front of the Hollywood Backlot and at the end of Sunshine Plaza to prevent you from going into other areas of the park until 10 am.

Soarin is open at 9:30, and the FP machines are on. So, if you are at the front of the gates at 9:00 am, you can pretty much be one of the first people on Soarin, then grab a FP for later and then have a jump start to your day.

 

[rentayenta]

DCA typically opens both it's main gate and the GCH private entrance at 9:30 for guests to enter the front portion of the park. The stores are open, as is Soarin. They have ropes set up near GRR, at the front of the Hollywood Backlot and at the end of Sunshine Plaza to prevent you from going into other areas of the park until 10 am.

Can I use that entrance even if we aren't staying at the GCH?

Soarin is open at 9:30, and the FP machines are on. So, if you are at the front of the gates at 9:00 am, you can pretty much be one of the first people on Soarin, then grab a FP for later and then have a jump start to your day.

Soarin' in my very favorite!!!

Thanks again for the info. I am so lost and ashamed!

 

[DangerMouse]

So:

• Space FP
• Indy FP
• HMH FP

And then what?

Splash, then BTMRR. (to me Autopia and Roger Rabbit FP's are useless).

Let's see what else is new since you've been? Have you been on Nemo yet? To me, it was a pretty big disappointment, but if you want to get on it, then I suggest either during the parade time or immediately after fireworks.

 

[rentayenta]

Forgot to ask about Nemo Subs? What's that line like? When it opened I heard the lines were horrendous.

 

[rentayenta]

Splash, then BTMRR. (to me Autopia and Roger Rabbit FP's are useless).

Let's see what else is new since you've been? Have you been on Nemo yet? To me, it was a pretty big disappointment, but if you want to get on it, then I suggest either during the parade time or immediately after fireworks.

You read my mind!!!! Never been on Nemo. During the parade works as I am the only one who loves the parades. I have raised my children poorly.

 

[DangerMouse]

Can I use that entrance even if we aren't staying at the GCH?

No, not in the mornings. Not unless you are an on-site guest or have a receipt from breakfast at Storyteller's Cafe. In the afternoons, they don't check anymore.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Have fun! Perhaps someone can hop over to DL a couple times throughout the day on Thurs. to get some FPs for you to use Thurs. evening. We're headed to Disney for UEA ~ but it'll be the World!

 

[rentayenta]

No, not in the mornings. Not unless you are an on-site guest or have a receipt from breakfast at Storyteller's Cafe. In the afternoons, they don't check anymore.

Awesome, good to know. I will go the other route.

Have fun! Perhaps someone can hop over to DL a couple times throughout the day on Thurs. to get some FPs for you to use Thurs. evening. We're headed to Disney for UEA ~ but it'll be the World!

You have to scan all media to get FPs meaning we would all have to hop over to DCA to get FPs.

Have fun! Where are you in Utah? I am northern too, Clinton, north Davis County.

 

[DangerMouse]

You have to scan all media to get FPs meaning we would all have to hop over to DCA to get FPs.

No, Jenny. Once you have scanned your entrance media at one park, you are good for FP's at both parks. So if your family is inside DCA (since opening), and your dh wants to take your passes and hop over to DL, he can grab FP's, he can. I promise, it works.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Hi neighbor ~ I'm in the North East Ogden area.

Once your media is scanned at 1 park ~ 1 person can take those Park Hoppers, hop to the other park and pick up a set of FPs for your family/group.

 

[rentayenta]

No, Jenny. Once you have scanned your entrance media at one park, you are good for FP's at both parks. So if your family is inside DCA (since opening), and your dh wants to take your passes and hop over to DL, he can grab FP's, he can. I promise, it works.

Can he hop to Disneyland and do the same thing if we are in DCA?

Hi neighbor ~ I'm in the North East Ogden area.

We are close!

Once your media is scanned at 1 park ~ 1 person can take those Park Hoppers, hop to the other park and pick up a set of FPs for your family/group.

OMGosh- since when? I am loving this!!!!! Crazy. I feel so lost.



Keep the insights coming. I am making a huge list.

 

[DangerMouse]

Can he hop to Disneyland and do the same thing if we are in DCA?

Yes, it works both ways. Scan the tickets at one park, and they are good for both.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Can he hop to Disneyland and do the same thing if we are in DCA?

You bet!

 

[rentayenta]

Yes, it works both ways. Scan the tickets at one park, and they are good for both.

I am loving this. It's about time. Poor DH will get his exercise!

You bet!

Fantastic!




Anyone know how the Subs line is? Should we grab FP for Space and then dash to Nemo?