Weekend cross country trip to DL—misguided?

[quandrea]

Is it crazy to consider an October long weekend trip to DL from Toronto? Five hour flight, 3 hour time difference. We would arrive Thursday evening and head home Monday or Tuesday?

Would Thursday to Monday or Thursday to Tuesday be better.

Never been. Done WDW at least 70 Times.

 

[lalasmama]

I'vedue it before and had a great time. Of course, I was only coming from Oregon, so a 2-hour flight. I'd fly in Friday morning as early as possible, and fly back as late as possible Sunday night. It was different than most of my other trips--so much fun, but so much more rushed feeling that first day--but still a great time!

 

[Geemo]

Is it crazy to consider an October long weekend trip to DL from Toronto? Five hour flight, 3 hour time difference. We would arrive Thursday evening and head home Monday or Tuesday?

Would Thursday to Monday or Thursday to Tuesday be better.

Never been. Done WDW at least 70 Times.

For the distance and cost, I'd choose Thursday to Tuesday.
Remember there will (most likely) be a Halloween party while you're there.
Dates will be announced mid-July and go on sale late-July.

Go for it you'll have a great time!!

Geemo

 

[isabellea]

I would do it without any hesitation. I’ve done Mtl-Vancouver and Mtl-Victoria for long weekends and both were worth it. As for DLR, we’re going for the first time end of April and we reserved a total of 3 days for it (+3 days to do Sequoia National Park and Red Canyon State Park). Personally, I find jet lag going west very manageable, it’s coming back home (east) that I struggle a little with.

 

[gillep]

I agree with the pp, I have no issue with jet lag going West and am usually perfectly happy with 3 days at DLR, your trip sounds fantastic. I do long weekends going back East to visit family (live in NorCal) and find that much harder with the time difference.

 

[gottalovepluto]

It just depends on how you handle flying. Flying exhausts me and my fam so I would not. Other people it’s nbd. If it’s nbd for you the trip sounds viable. If flying is tiring for you I would wait until you have more time.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Go for it! As long as everyone is healthy and has the stamina for the trip, you should be (tired, but) fine.
Read this very helpful thread to get an idea of what you're getting into: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets. Come back with further questions!

 

[MommaBerd]

When DH surprised me with our trip in October 2015, we left ATL on Friday mid-day and returned home on Monday evening. It was just the two of us. Granted, we didn’t see *everything*, but we covered a lot of ground in those 2 1/2 days. And, we sort of chose not to see and do everything; there were attractions that we wanted to do twice. It was totally worth it - and you will have even more time than we did! I recommend going for it!

 

[chickapin parterre]

how physically fit are you to recoup from the flying and time zone. 20 years ago my international traveling sister said she could do it, she just posted FB that this trip out of Africa ,at the age of 58, is the final straw, they can no longer do the flying and time zones like they once could.

as a first time visitor it is possible if you were more into touring for the texture of Disneyland instead of grabbing as many fastpass you can for the attractions.

* you don't know where the attractions are located
*you don't have a concept of what time in the day to avoid stand-by for attractions
* could be very warm weekend
* don't know what your favorite eating locations are located
* do you even know the environment of your location choice for lodging?

 

[tarheelalum]

I'd do Thursday til Tuesday.

 

[sherilaine]

I'd do it but I'd not book a connecting flight as that can make for a very long travel day especially if you run into any delays. I'd also do the Thursday to Tuesday as that would give you 4 full days in the parks which is plenty of time to get a lot in. We just had 5 full days and I am pretty much Disney'd out!!

 

[quandrea]

Wow. So many replies! Thank you everyone. We are a family of five—seasoned travelers. My kids are 14, 9 and 9. We are all fit. I worry most about my daughter, 14. She is starting high school in the fall and would have to be back at school first thing Wednesday morning. She also swims competitively and would have practice early (4:55 am wake up) next morning.

 

[sherilaine]

Wow. So many replies! Thank you everyone. We are a family of five—seasoned travelers. My kids are 14, 9 and 9. We are all fit. I worry most about my daughter, 14. She is starting high school in the fall and would have to be back at school first thing Wednesday morning. She also swims competitively and would have practice early (4:55 am wake up) next morning.

Yeah that would be tough - I always find flying East way more tiring the next day than West and with an early rise like that would be pretty hard!

 

[chickapin parterre]

...well....in 1959 they had competitive swimming at Disneyland, and the winners were paid $45 a week...and they had to be 5'4 to 5'7 with long hair....today swimming in the lagoon is frowned upon.