What park...what day?

[cerilene]

We're headed to DL this weekend!!!! We'll arrive sometime on Saturday and we'll do a half day then and 2 full days on Sunday and Monday. Which park should we go to what day? We're looking for the least crowded park, not so much the park with all of the shows. I'd like to see WOC and we MUST see the fireworks, but other than that we just want to meet characters, ride rides, and absorb as much of that wonderful Disney magic as we can. Thanks!

 

[sonnyjane]

Do you have parkhoppers? If so, don't think of doing a park each day - just bounce back and forth between the two - they are so close to each other it is silly not to. In fact I so highly recommend it that if you don't have 3-day parkhoppers and only have 1-park-per-day tickets, you should upgrade them. I tend to start off at Disneyland, collect FP's, then head over to DCA. That's what many people do, as DCA opens later than DL.

If you have any interest in seeing Fantasmic! you'll need to do that on either Saturday or Sunday night, but other than that WOC and fireworks will be available on any of your nights.

 

[cerilene]

Yeah we love to park hop at WDW so we'll definitely be doing that at DL. We're getting the SoCal City Pass. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what it's like when we get there, but I'm thinking my dad will have a hissy fit if we try to hop too many times in one day.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Yeah we love to park hop at WDW so we'll definitely be doing that at DL. We're getting the SoCal City Pass. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what it's like when we get there, but I'm thinking my dad will have a hissy fit if we try to hop too many times in one day.

He shouldn't. The parks are a short walk across the esplanade from each other. It takes almost no time at all.

 

[cerilene]

He shouldn't.

You would think...but you never know with him.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

You would think...but you never know with him.

Not sure if this is your first trip or not, but distance-wise its like switching lands in WDW.

 

[cerilene]

It is our first trip so I'm nervous that we won't get as much done as I'd like.

 

[skiingfast]

It is our first trip so I'm nervous that we won't get as much done as I'd like.

Having a plan to let a runner get FPs at DL and DCA at the same time and hopping to use them will let you get plenty more done than not hopping.

 

[sonnyjane]

It is our first trip so I'm nervous that we won't get as much done as I'd like.

In that case it's even more important to hop. Since you've never been to Disneyland before, as the PP mentioned, it's really almost laughable how close they are to each other. When you get there and see it you'll be like "oh, duh".

 

[cerilene]

In that case it's even more important to hop. Since you've never been to Disneyland before, as the PP mentioned, it's really almost laughable how close they are to each other. When you get there and see it you'll be like "oh, duh".

So 2.5 days is enough to get most of everything done even though it's CP weekend?

 

[sonnyjane]

So 2.5 days is enough to get most of everything done even though it's CP weekend?

Now now, nowhere did I say that it's enough to do everything!! How many are in your party? Is it just the two of you? Small groups can accomplish much more than large ones.

Read the stickies on here about using fastpass. Understand how they work and that you don't have to return during your exact window - it can be anytime that day after the window comes up. Understand how WOC works by reading the WOC super thread (do a search, I'd post links but I'm on my phone.). If it's just the two of you, be familiar with Single Rider Lines on Splash, Indy, screamin, soarin, grizzly, and sky school. You won't ride together but you'll be able to fill in anytime there is an empty seat for one. 2.5 days is not enough time to see everything, but you can do a lot. You can accomplish tons in the late hours after shows.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Though there are only 2 parks, there is almost as many rides as WDW's 4 parks. Things are much closer together so that'll help a lot. If you haven't yet, read Hydroguys tips for WDW vets.

 

[skiingfast]

Here is some links others mentioned.
DLR guide for WDW vets
FP for dummies, and intordution to using FP
Strategies to use FP in DL and DCA
WoC superthread Read the OP and last couple pages for current experienceds.
Fantasmic Superthread F! is better in DL don't skip it because you have seen it in WDW.

 

[cerilene]

I've read most of those stickies and I think we understand how the FP system works at DL.

It's going to be me, DH, DD (almost 3yrs), my mom and dad. I'll be 7 months preggo so there's a lot of rides that I can't go on, my mom doesn't do thrill rides. DH and my dad may ride some, but I'm sure there are a lot that they'll probably skip.

I know we won't get everything done. We can stay at WDW for over a week and still miss out on some things. But I'd like to do everything that WDW doesn't have and then some of our favorites.

 

[sonnyjane]

I've read most of those stickies and I think we understand how the FP system works at DL.

It's going to be me, DH, DD (almost 3yrs), my mom and dad. I'll be 7 months preggo so there's a lot of rides that I can't go on, my mom doesn't do thrill rides. DH and my dad may ride some, but I'm sure there are a lot that they'll probably skip.

I know we won't get everything done. We can stay at WDW for over a week and still miss out on some things. But I'd like to do everything that WDW doesn't have and then some of our favorites.

Ahhhh thanks for those additional details! Knowing that you're 7 months pregnant and not worried about catching the big thrill rides will definitely help your cause, and I rescind my advice to close down the parks knowing that! Take it easy and sit down for breaks when you need them. Not having to worry about catching the thrill rides means you'll have much more time to enjoy the other rides. Basically anything without a height minimum should be okay for you to ride.

 

[cerilene]

Ahhhh thanks for those additional details! Knowing that you're 7 months pregnant and not worried about catching the big thrill rides will definitely help your cause, and I rescind my advice to close down the parks knowing that! Take it easy and sit down for breaks when you need them. Not having to worry about catching the thrill rides means you'll have much more time to enjoy the other rides. Basically anything without a height minimum should be okay for you to ride.

We actually enjoy closing down the parks! Even with a 2 year old and this big ole belly, we'll probably stay pretty late.

I know DH wants to ride Indiana Jones, California Screamin', Matterhorn and he has to ride ToT at least once for me. But those are the only major thrill rides that are high on the priority list.

 

[quantumottle]

Keep in mind cerilene, parkhopping at DL is nothing at all like parkhopping at WDW. It takes about 1 minute to switch parks at DL. It took us literally an hour and a half to get from Magic Kingdom to Animal Kingdom. Parkhopping is INFINITELY more convenient at DL.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

We actually enjoy closing down the parks! Even with a 2 year old and this big ole belly, we'll probably stay pretty late.

I know DH wants to ride Indiana Jones, California Screamin', Matterhorn and he has to ride ToT at least once for me. But those are the only major thrill rides that are high on the priority list.

YOur almost 3 year old may be tall enough for Matterhorn and gadgets go coaster in Toontown.

 

[cerilene]

YOur almost 3 year old may be tall enough for Matterhorn and gadgets go coaster in Toontown.

Yeah I would LOVE that, but she's what we call pocket sized! She got measured the other day at the doctor and she's almost 35 inches so we'll be keeping our fingers crossed that she gets to ride.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Yeah I would LOVE that, but she's what we call pocket sized! She got measured the other day at the doctor and she's almost 35 inches so we'll be keeping our fingers crossed that she gets to ride.

Love that!!