What do you think? Will be there in less than 2 weeks!

[MommyMissy]

I have read many trip reports, most of the sticky threads and all of Hydroguy's tips and many others' as well. So now I am trying to sort it all out and make a loose itenerary for our time at DLR 9/11-9/13. There will be 3 adults (me, DH, and my sister who lives in SO CAL) and 3 kids (DS1 4yrs, DS2 almost 3 years, and DD almost 1) This is what I have come up with. Everything in parenthesis I would love advice on.

Sunday 9/11
8:30 be at DL gate
9 pick up FP for ST

(NOT sure what to do next, but am planning on avoiding FL as it is a MM day and we don't have MM passes, we do plan on going to TT today at some point. Also want to go on SM as it will be closed the other days of our visit)

11:30 Lunch possibly Pacific Warf
12:10 Line up for Aladdin (Is 30 minutes the right amount of time to get a good seat?)

2:30ish Head back to hotel for nap/rest
5:10 Dinner at Goofy's Kitchen (thinking of switching to Cafe Orleans instead)
6:30 Soundsational Parade (would we have enough time to make the parade afere dinner?)

More rides (or do we need to get a spot for the fireworks?)

9:00 Grab a spot for fireworks (Is near Frontierland the best place to stand in order to head to F! afterwards?)
9:30 Fireworks show starts
10:30 F! starts

Monday 9/12 (My sister will not be joining us until about 3pm)
9:30 Be at front gates
10:00 Hit FL first: PP, Dumbo, Alice, others (is this the best order?)
We will be grabbing FPs during our ride time, but won't use most of them until the evening.
Lunch-Big Thunder BBQ
head to DCA for Bugsland, pixar Pals, Phinneas & Ferb, etc

5:00 dinner DTD (Rainforest Cafe or Tortilla Jo's?)
after dinner sis will be taking the kids back to the hotel while DH and I get some time to ourselves.
Ride some adult rides and close the park then head to DTD (what do you reccomend for our night out? How late is DTD open?)

Tuesday 9/13
7:30 Surf's Up Breakfast
9:15 or earlier Line up at gates
9:30 ride Soarin (if they open early)(How early can we get FP for WoC?)
10:00 TSMM (this is my favorite and I want to minimize my wait)
any rides we missed before (or should we head back to DL)
Lunch-Carnation Cafe
Ride favorites or ones we have missed
6 Dinner (Cafe Orleans or Steakhouse 55?)
7:30 Find seats for WoC
8:15 WoC starts

Thank you reading this crazy long post. I would love any feedback on how I could improve my plan or reccomendations for dining, or anything else you could offer. Thanks so much!!

 

[skiingfast]

Sunday.
Make sure you use rider swap and FP, use the two kids tickets to get FP too even if they can't meet the height limit. I'd try to do space early after ST. Line will grow quickly.

I would do Cafe Orleans, that is very tight to get from GK to DL for the parade since character meals take a while and it's a decent march back to the park.

When fireworks end with a huge rush of people will be coming from Frontierland, they just watched the first F!. Is this with strollers, that will make it tough to go through there. Most important for the best view be able to see the Matterhorn and Castle clearly. Tink will fly about 20 below the lines in the sky. I would also try to sit near a path(roped access area left clear during the show. I prefer the right side of the hub so I can see the Matterhorn down the path toward the Nemo Lagoon, this is the spoke with the parade route on it, on your map. In either case your best bet is to get moving quickly and go forward to the Plaza Gardens. There is a cut through the buildings that will drop you out on the other side of the crowds by Rancho Del Zocal.

For Aladdin 30 minutes should work. You might try to work it to be first in the Balcoy section. You look down at the show but some things happen right in front of you. This is my preferred spot many like the floor too.

Monday.
Looks good, like the FL order. I'd suggest RFC for the kids. DTD doesn't just close, it's a little staggered depending on the business.

Tuesday.
I'd look at steak house 55 because of my recomendation to do CO earlier in the week. Still might want to eat closer to be near WoC when the time comes.

 

[ArchOwl]

I have read many trip reports, most of the sticky threads and all of Hydroguy's tips and many others' as well. So now I am trying to sort it all out and make a loose itenerary for our time at DLR 9/11-9/13. There will be 3 adults (me, DH, and my sister who lives in SO CAL) and 3 kids (DS1 4yrs, DS2 almost 3 years, and DD almost 1) This is what I have come up with. Everything in parenthesis I would love advice on.

Sunday 9/11
8:30 be at DL gate
9 pick up FP for ST

(NOT sure what to do next, but am planning on avoiding FL as it is a MM day and we don't have MM passes, we do plan on going to TT today at some point. Also want to go on SM as it will be closed the other days of our visit)

After getting FPs for ST, the kids are going to want to get on a ride, so I would hop on Buzz or Autopia, since it is close. I would want to get a SM FP as soon as possible, so hang out on that side of the park until you can get a FP for SM. Perhaps by riding Alice (if you are lucky, the lines may still be short), Storybookland Canal Boats, It's a Small World, etc. If you have someone willing, they can go collect the SM FPs while the rest of you ride.

After that getting the SM FP, consider a stop in Toon Town for pics with Mickey/Minnie and a ride on Gadget Go Coaster and Roger Rabbit. If line for RR is too long, get a FP (since that FP machine is disconnected from the network, you can get a FP without affecting any other FP). There is also a lot of fun stuff for the kids to do in the different houses and lots of little gags. Have your camera ready!

After this, if you want lunch in DCA, you will probably have time to grab another FP from DL. So perhaps Indy or Splash (again, use a runner if you have one willing). If there is extra time, maybe Jungle Cruise or something like that. Alternatively, you could leave DL as soon as you have your third FP and enter DCA early to grab a Soarin' FP or another FP of your choice.

11:30 Lunch possibly Pacific Warf
12:10 Line up for Aladdin (Is 30 minutes the right amount of time to get a good seat?)

Should be fine. People like different areas, I like the floor myself.

2:30ish Head back to hotel for nap/rest
If you picked up a FP on your way in, you probably have time to use it and get another one if you want before the nap.

5:10 Dinner at Goofy's Kitchen (thinking of switching to Cafe Orleans instead)
6:30 Soundsational Parade (would we have enough time to make the parade afere dinner?)
That would be cutting it close, I might feel better about having more breathing room between dinner and the parade.

More rides (or do we need to get a spot for the fireworks?)
Depends on how good of a spot you want. I will let others chime in here, because I am not a fireworks expert. But I think it probably isn't necessary to wait 2 hours. I would alternate using FPs and riding the stuff kids can ride.

9:00 Grab a spot for fireworks (Is near Frontierland the best place to stand in order to head to F! afterwards?)
9:30 Fireworks show starts
10:30 F! starts

Monday 9/12 (My sister will not be joining us until about 3pm)
9:30 Be at front gates
10:00 Hit FL first: PP, Dumbo, Alice, others (is this the best order?)
Yes, that is the recommended order.

We will be grabbing FPs during our ride time, but won't use most of them until the evening.
Good plan!

Lunch-Big Thunder BBQ
head to DCA for Bugsland, pixar Pals, Phinneas & Ferb, etc
Don't forget Monster's Inc and Animation Bldg with Turtle Talk

5:00 dinner DTD (Rainforest Cafe or Tortilla Jo's?)
after dinner sis will be taking the kids back to the hotel while DH and I get some time to ourselves.
Ride some adult rides and close the park then head to DTD (what do you reccomend for our night out? How late is DTD open?)

Some options: Napa Rose at the Grand Californian for fine Californian cuisine. But they also have beautiful lounge and bar area for cocktails and apps. Trader Sam's at the Disneyland Hotel is kitchsy Tiki fun with giant Polynesian inspired drinks, funny bartenders, and a bar stuff to the brim with Adventureland knick knacks. There are several funny gags that happen in the bar, but I won't spoil them here! There is also Uva Bar in DTD which is right in the middle of the action and they have really good cocktails.

Tuesday 9/13
7:30 Surf's Up Breakfast Maybe only have one or two cocktails,
9:15 or earlier Line up at gates
9:30 ride Soarin (if they open early)(How early can we get FP for WoC?)
Same time, 9:30

10:00 TSMM (this is my favorite and I want to minimize my wait)
Well, if you are waiting for rope drop, not sure how much time you save, but if you are in the first wave of folks to TSMM, you might come out ahead on this

any rides we missed before (or should we head back to DL)
I would just play it by ear at this point and see what the kids feel like

Lunch-Carnation Cafe
Ride favorites or ones we have missed
6 Dinner (Cafe Orleans or Steakhouse 55?)
I would probably do Cafe Orleans earlier and Steakhouse 55 now...

7:30 Find seats for WoC
Hopefully since you are going in the off season an hour would be okay, but since you have little ones, you might err on the conservative side and show up 90 minutes before. I know, that is crazy. But if you get stuck behind a group of taller people, your kids will not see anything. I would hold the spot in line, let the kids ride Little Mermaid, etc with another adult.

8:15 WoC starts

Thank you reading this crazy long post. I would love any feedback on how I could improve my plan or reccomendations for dining, or anything else you could offer. Thanks so much!!

Have fun!

 

[LittleWoodenHead]

ArchOwl has some good suggestions, so I'll just weigh in on a few points.

Sunday
Sunday will be busy, so you'll want to maximize your FP opportunities. Definitely pick up SM early (or, better yet, just go on the ride after grabbing your ST FPs. The wait in the early morning is usually minimal.) Also, if you intend to go on Splash, grab a FP for that sooner, rather than later. The line for that can easily hit 2 hours on a warm, weekend day.

Any particular reason why you want to do lunch at Pacific Wharf? It's not that close to Aladdin (if that's what you were thinking). And I'd shoot for getting to Aladdin a hair earlier. They will start letting people in about 12:30, so 12:10 puts you there only 20 minutes early. 30-40 would be better, imo. (Orchestra floor is good. I also like the front of the Mezzanine -- and the line for there is frequently shorter. Ask a CM to direct you, if necessary.)

Don't think there's any way you'd make the 6:30 Soundsational from a 5:10 dinner at Goofy's Kitchen. Cafe Orleans in the park would be better, though still iffy -- people start grabbing viewing spots at least an hour early -- but check the parade route that day. When I was there earlier this month, the evening parade ran from Main Street to IASW, so that could help with your timing/planning.

For fireworks, the best place is as close to the center hub/front of the castle as you can get. Standing too near the Frontierland or Adventureland entrances might put a lot of trees in your way. (You won't be running towards Fantasmic afterward, anyway. Between the crowd control and the CMs, you'll be moving like a herd of cattle.) Time-wise, I really can't say. Like the parades & Fantasmic, people start camping out way in advance. But that doesn't mean you can't luck out and find a good viewing spot. A half-hour might be cutting it close, however.

Monday
Nothing really to add here.

Tuesday
Again, a question: Why Cafe Orleans or Steakhouse 55 for dinner, instead of doing the WoC dinner package from either Ariel's Grotto or Wine Country? You will pay the same (or less) AND have WoC taken care of, to boot. (I haven't done Ariel's but have done Wine Country. It was very good -- and the ability to have preferred viewing and avoid standing in the horrendous WoC FP lines was certainly worth it.) (Alternately, you could do the picnic lunch from either place and get your WoC ticket that way. It's not in the same section as the dinner package, but you can get Yellow -- which, imo, is the next best thing.)

 

[MommyMissy]

Sunday.
Make sure you use rider swap and FP, use the two kids tickets to get FP too even if they can't meet the height limit. I'd try to do space early after ST. Line will grow quickly.
Yes we will definitely use rider swap and FP. Do you think doing space right after getting a FP for ST would work if we are in the park early enough or will the line already be fairly long?
I would do Cafe Orleans, that is very tight to get from GK to DL for the parade since character meals take a while and it's a decent march back to the park.
Just changes our reservations to Cafe Orleans, no GK this trip
When fireworks end with a huge rush of people will be coming from Frontierland, they just watched the first F!. Is this with strollers, that will make it tough to go through there. Most important for the best view be able to see the Matterhorn and Castle clearly. Tink will fly about 20 below the lines in the sky. I would also try to sit near a path(roped access area left clear during the show. I prefer the right side of the hub so I can see the Matterhorn down the path toward the Nemo Lagoon, this is the spoke with the parade route on it, on your map. In either case your best bet is to get moving quickly and go forward to the Plaza Gardens. There is a cut through the buildings that will drop you out on the other side of the crowds by Rancho Del Zocal.
Yes we will have strollers, does Dumbo fly the same route that tink does, Magical is the fireworks show we will be seeing? We will try the cut through, but can you give me a few more details, I guess I am not familiar with the Plaza Gardens so I am having a hard time picturing the route
For Aladdin 30 minutes should work. You might try to work it to be first in the Balcoy section. You look down at the show but some things happen right in front of you. This is my preferred spot many like the floor too.

Monday.
Looks good, like the FL order. I'd suggest RFC for the kids. DTD doesn't just close, it's a little staggered depending on the business.
Made reservations for RFC!
Tuesday.
I'd look at steak house 55 because of my recomendation to do CO earlier in the week. Still might want to eat closer to be near WoC when the time comes.

Thank you so muc for all of your feedback!!

 

[MommyMissy]

Have fun!

Thank you for all the fabulous suggestions!! We will definitely check out Trader Sam's, sounds like a great time. Good tip on having only a few cocktails

 

[MommyMissy]

ArchOwl has some good suggestions, so I'll just weigh in on a few points.

Sunday
Sunday will be busy, so you'll want to maximize your FP opportunities. Definitely pick up SM early (or, better yet, just go on the ride after grabbing your ST FPs. The wait in the early morning is usually minimal.) Also, if you intend to go on Splash, grab a FP for that sooner, rather than later. The line for that can easily hit 2 hours on a warm, weekend day.
I think we will try to get on Space right after getting FP for ST.
Any particular reason why you want to do lunch at Pacific Wharf? It's not that close to Aladdin (if that's what you were thinking). And I'd shoot for getting to Aladdin a hair earlier. They will start letting people in about 12:30, so 12:10 puts you there only 20 minutes early. 30-40 would be better, imo. (Orchestra floor is good. I also like the front of the Mezzanine -- and the line for there is frequently shorter. Ask a CM to direct you, if necessary.)
Yes I was thinking that Pacific Wharf was fairly close to Aladdin and we enjoyed eating there when we were there last year. Do you have any suggestions on where to have lunch instead? We will aim to get to Aladdin a bit before noon, thanks for the tip
Don't think there's any way you'd make the 6:30 Soundsational from a 5:10 dinner at Goofy's Kitchen. Cafe Orleans in the park would be better, though still iffy -- people start grabbing viewing spots at least an hour early -- but check the parade route that day. When I was there earlier this month, the evening parade ran from Main Street to IASW, so that could help with your timing/planning.
We changed our reservation to Cafe Orleans instead and will try to catch the parade. Depending on the parade route, might it be possoble to catch the train in NOS to TT or TL and get a seat at the end of the route?
For fireworks, the best place is as close to the center hub/front of the castle as you can get. Standing too near the Frontierland or Adventureland entrances might put a lot of trees in your way. (You won't be running towards Fantasmic afterward, anyway. Between the crowd control and the CMs, you'll be moving like a herd of cattle.) Time-wise, I really can't say. Like the parades & Fantasmic, people start camping out way in advance. But that doesn't mean you can't luck out and find a good viewing spot. A half-hour might be cutting it close, however.
We will plan to be near the hub and play it by ear, if it seems that people are camping out early we can try to do the same
Monday
Nothing really to add here.

Tuesday
Again, a question: Why Cafe Orleans or Steakhouse 55 for dinner, instead of doing the WoC dinner package from either Ariel's Grotto or Wine Country? You will pay the same (or less) AND have WoC taken care of, to boot. (I haven't done Ariel's but have done Wine Country. It was very good -- and the ability to have preferred viewing and avoid standing in the horrendous WoC FP lines was certainly worth it.) (Alternately, you could do the picnic lunch from either place and get your WoC ticket that way. It's not in the same section as the dinner package, but you can get Yellow -- which, imo, is the next best thing.)
We did the WoC package last year. We had dinner at AG but it wasn't excellent and I thought we would like to see the show from a different vantage point, I am thinking the yellow fire hydrant.

Thank you for all the help, very valid tips!

 

[MommyMissy]

Alright after reading all of your suggestions this is the revised plan. I am still open to any and all suggestions.

Sunday 9/11
8:30 be at DL gate
9 pick up FP for ST
~ride space, Buzz, Autopia, other rides in the area
~Toon Town
~Ride DLRR from TT to NOS
~get FP for Splash, maybe ride other rides in the area
11:15 Head for DCA
lunch-Pacific Wharf?
maybe grab FP for Soarin or GRR
noon Line up for Aladdin
12:40 Aladdin
Maybe ride some rides at DCA
2:30ish Head back to hotel for nap/rest (debating heading back earlier then we could catch the 4:00 parade fisrt thing on returning)
5:30 Dinner at Cafe Orleans
6:30 Soundsational Parade (if we don't make the 4:00 parade, possibly take train from NOS to TT to catch the parade at the end of the route)

More rides (or do we need to get a spot for the fireworks?)

8:45 Grab a spot for fireworks (Still not sure the best route to take to get to F!)
9:30 Fireworks show starts
10:30 F! starts

Monday 9/12 (My sister will not be joining us until about 3pm)
9:30 Be at front gates
10:00 Hit FL first: PP, Dumbo, Alice, others
We will be grabbing FPs during our ride time, but won't use most of them until the evening.
Lunch-Looking for suggestions
head to DCA for Bugsland, pixar Pals, Phinneas & Ferb, etc

5:00 dinner DTD Rainforest Cafe
after dinner sis will be taking the kids back to the hotel while DH and I get some time to ourselves.
Ride some adult rides and close the park then head to DTD

Tuesday 9/13
7:30 Surf's Up Breakfast
9:15 or earlier Line up at gates
9:30 ride Soarin/Grab FP for WoC
10:00 TSMM (this is my favorite and I want to minimize my wait)
any rides we missed before
Lunch-Carnation Cafe
Ride favorites or ones we have missed
2:30 Alice & Mad Hatter musical chairs
5:30 Dinner Big Thunder BBQ
7:15 Find seats for WoC
8:15 WoC starts

A few more questions...
What is the best time to visit Pixie Hollow?
Any advice for taking my DD 11 months on rides? Last year she was only 5 weeks old so she slept through most things but now she is a wiggly worm so I am not sure how she will do. Obviously she can't go on the thrill rides, but will she have to be on a lap or can she basically sit on the seat next to us on most rides?

 

[MommyMissy]

I knew I was forgetting something last night...
Both my DD and DS2 will be celebrating birthdays shortly after we return from our trip, should I mention this at any of the resturants or to any CM or do they celebrate with you only if you are there on your actual birthday?

Is the Mark Twain or SS Columbia preferred over the other, are there major differences in the rides?

Thanks again

 

[Alex2kMommy]

They celebrate it if it is the actual day in the park. You can stop at City Hall and pick up a button indicating it's your birthday, and CMs and other guests will greet you all day.

Not a HUGE deal, but kinda fun, especially for the kids. My DS forgot he was wearing the pin, and was amazed at all the greetings and congratulations. He asked me, "How do they know my name, Mama?"

 

[jenniferrose]

We will be there the same days! Our loosely planned agenda is very different than yours

 

[skiingfast]

I knew I was forgetting something last night...
Both my DD and DS2 will be celebrating birthdays shortly after we return from our trip, should I mention this at any of the resturants or to any CM or do they celebrate with you only if you are there on your actual birthday?

Is the Mark Twain or SS Columbia preferred over the other, are there major differences in the rides?

Thanks again

When you are making reservations they will ask if you are celebrating anything special. You are welcome to say your daughters birthdays. You can also get the button for them and they can wear it the whole trip and be wished happy birthday many times.

Take which ever boat shows up.

For fireworks some people will keep their spots after watching the parade. You don't have to guard a spot for 3 hours. Being back at 8:45 may work alright. The key is to watch for the ropes going up and get behind one right then. It's tricky and gradual as they mark off the viewing and walking areas. So it depends on timing. Just want to be in the hub or mainstreet area sooner than later, so don't be a white rabbit.

 

[MommyMissy]

We will be there the same days! Our loosely planned agenda is very different than yours

How fun! I am curious to know what your agenda looks like.

 

[MommyMissy]

When you are making reservations they will ask if you are celebrating anything special. You are welcome to say your daughters birthdays. You can also get the button for them and they can wear it the whole trip and be wished happy birthday many times.

Take which ever boat shows up.

For fireworks some people will keep their spots after watching the parade. You don't have to guard a spot for 3 hours. Being back at 8:45 may work alright. The key is to watch for the ropes going up and get behind one right then. It's tricky and gradual as they mark off the viewing and walking areas. So it depends on timing. Just want to be in the hub or mainstreet area sooner than later, so don't be a white rabbit.

Thanks again, we will not be white rabbits, love that!

 

[jenniferrose]

How fun! I am curious to know what your agenda looks like.

We arent making TOO much of a plan. We are doing such a short trip, and buying APs, we know we will be back. It is a last minute thing we are doing for my daughters birthday. We are staying at PP (the 30% off they have right now was the dangling carrot for me) so I want to spend some time at the pool. Oh, also.. my kids have NO idea. They will figure it out when we get to the hotel

Here is our plan.... anyone else... feel free to critique.

Sunday we are leaving our house around 6am, should get there around 10 or so. Check in at PP, leave our bags at the front desk and go to the ticket booths to buy our APs. Go into DL, and really just go with the flow, whatever the kids feel like riding. I know we for sure want to hit Matterhorn and Small World, other than that, we'll see. Around 3ish, go back to the hotel, spend an hour or two at the pool. Clean up, have dinner either in DTD or something. Go back into the parks and find a spot for fireworks.

Monday (my daughters birthday) we are going to head to DCA, get a WOC fast pass. Go to the Visa photo shoot thing, ride TSM, Ariels and we have Ariels Grotto lunch seating at 12:50.At some point we need to see the Phineas and Ferb show because my son LOVES them. Get dinner at some point, watch WOC.

Tuesday we will check out, leave bags at hotel, try and make it early enough for MM and do whatever is left or the kids want. We plan to leave by around 3 or 4 to make the drive home.

Also, we have to see Rapunzel at some point. Anyone know the best time to do this on Sunday or Tuesday?

 

[MommyMissy]

Monday (my daughters birthday) we are going to head to DCA, get a WOC fast pass. Go to the Visa photo shoot thing, ride TSM, Ariels and we have Ariels Grotto lunch seating at 12:50.At some point we need to see the Phineas and Ferb show because my son LOVES them. Get dinner at some point, watch WOC.

What is the Visa photo shoot thing? My boys LOVE Phineas & Ferb too! How fun for your daughter to have lunch with the princesses on her birthday!