When to do the parks???

[carolannec]

Hi everyone. New to this area, and it's our first vacation(and all of our first times to go to Disneyland.). Background info:

DH, DD, DS, MIL, FIL, SIL, and BIL(yes I get along with my ILs lol), and myself are heading to DL in June. We got the Freedom Salute 3day park hopper tickets and will be checking in Thursday, leaving Sunday. Obviously we would use 2 of the park hoppers on Fri and Sat, but what day should we use the other one, and which day should we roam around DTD?? I don't know if we should just relax our first night there, or relax the day we leave.

I know you can't decide what would be best for us, but I would like to hear opinions on what usually works best for your family??? TIA!!!

 

[ballarinamom]

Welcome! And it's not wierd to be friends with your in laws. We took MIL to DL for her 1st trip (and birthday) in November and had a blast! If you can give us a little more info, I know you will get lots of helpful feedback. Are you flying or driving? Where are you staying? What time will you be getting into the Anaheim area?
I would say, DTD your first night. It's not as big as the one at WDW if you have ever been there. You could easily get through it in a couple of hours. That way any purchases can be taken back to the hotel.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Welcome!

Mostly it is personal preference but I have one point. Mornings are usually less crowded than afternoons. So if you got there at opening on Sunday morning you would probably be able to get in some rides. Not sure what time you are leaving. Thurs afternoon when you arrive will be more crowded than first thing in the morning. But I think it comes to personal preference. Will it be too hard to pack up and check out of the hotel and then get to DLR? Maybe you would like to use that last day to relax, have a nice breakfast, look around DTD and go?

 

[DLR29]

From personal experience, I would say spend the first night relaxing, exploring DTD and getting to sleep early. On most trips I've gone to the park on my departure day, and it makes the departure just slightly better. On my October trip we spent 3 days and then the next day we left, and it was so hard waking up and seeing everyone head to the parks and we didn't. But I also think it depends on when you arrive/leave. You want the most time in the parks!

 

[charmama4]

Thursday- DTD, check into the hotel, check out the shops and area, grab something to eat and go to bed early

Friday-DL early in the morning, ride what you can, go back to room and rest, go back to DL and check out DL at night (it's a different experience)

Saturday-DCA

Sunday-DL

This is our schedule, just starting on a Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, check out on Wednesday. Where are you staying? The Salute...deal doesn't include the MM unless you are staying at one of the 3 DL properties. We are also taking advantage of that deal!!!

We are traveling with 4 kids (ages 5-12) and meeting up with the grandparents there. My advise would be since it will be your first time, is relax, take it all in, stroll don't walk fast so you can look at all the little hidden treats around the park. Take lots of pictures and feel the magic!!

 

[mystic_path]

Where are you staying? Do you need to take a shuttle back to your hotel? This can make a difference. If you are staying at an off site hotel, and need to take a shuttle back to your hotel, then the shuttle only runs for an hour after park closing. So if this were the case I will not suggest taking in DTD after park closing, unless you want to pay for a taxi.


What time are you getting in and leaving at on the Thursday & Sunday?
I would suggest whatever day you have more time on then use your other park ticket that day. Get in as much time as you possibly can. If you can visit DTD on the day that you have less time in the parks then it gives you that option of wandering around there but still having a fun disney experience before you start your trip or to finish it off.

 

[carolannec]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

We will be driving. We live about 2 1/2 hours away or so(we live at Ft. Irwin), but with traffic it's around 3 1/2 hours/4 hours or so. We won't be in anyrush to get there since check in is at 3 at most hotels.

We have NO idea where we'll be staying yet. I typed up a bunch of hotel info and sent it to my IL's. My FIL has holiday inn ponts so we might stay there, another place we are looking into is the Hyatt or the Carousel Hotel. IL's will be calling tonight and we will make our reservations tomorrow.

We would have been staying on Disney property either at PP or DH, but the military discount ends the 13th(our last night)- so we would have to pay regular room rate with a 10% discount, it is way to expensive for us though.

Thanks for your opinions, I think we might hang around DTD our first night and take a swim at the Hotel. Check out is 11am Sun, but we don't have to leave at that moment.

 

[carolannec]

Where are you staying? Do you need to take a shuttle back to your hotel? This can make a difference. If you are staying at an off site hotel, and need to take a shuttle back to your hotel, then the shuttle only runs for an hour after park closing. So if this were the case I will not suggest taking in DTD after park closing, unless you want to pay for a taxi.

Thanks! We don't know yet where we're staying. Waiting for word back from the ILs. It will be off-site though so we will be using the ART bus.

We will be getting into town I'M thinking around 3 or 4 pm(leaving our house around noonish) so we can check in as soon as we get there. We'll leave Sunday mid-afternoon.

 

[mystic_path]

Well just so you know... even if check in isnt until 3pm the hotel you stay at, the hotel will hold your luggage in a locked back luggage room while you go have some fun at the park while your waiting for a room to become available. This could possibly give you more park time too. Giving you Sunday morning to go to DTD have some breakfast, do some shopping and all else before checking out at 11.

But if you have a car and drive to DL one day then you have all the time in the world after park closing to not be rushed to find a shuttle to head back when you want to go to DTD to do some shopping.

If you stay at the Carousel its probably the closest out of the ones you have listed. Although while others love it, for untrustworthy personal reasons I do not want to recommend this place. It also only has a small rooftop pool so if you want to go swimming in the evening it might be a bit chilly.