WWYD? I can't decide.

[WannaseePooh]

Ok I need some advice, here is my dilema. I am getting 3 PH through Airmiles and I am buying one. Airmiles offers 5 or 7 day PH. Our plane arrives at 7:40pm on a Sat at Long Beach. We are renting a car. I was planning on going for 6 days. So my first option is to get the 5 day PH's and add a day when I get there, use Sat as a travel day, take it easy, go to Target and just putter around. My second option is to purchase the 7 day hopper rush from the airport to Disneyland, with everything going perfect arrive about 9:30 pm, exchange the vouchers for tickets and fight the crowds leaving after the fireworks and fantasmnic, for 2- 2:30 hours on that Sat night. Is it worth it? I just can't decide, and I could use some advice Oh I almost forgot, I was planning on doing MM on the Sunday so that means a 6:00 am wake up call. On the other hand, we only do DLR every 3 or so years, so every minute counts. Oh, I'm so confused

 

[aristocat65]

I would just get the 5 day Parkhopper and start early on the Sunday, but everyone is different. I think 5 days is enough, but if you want to go to the parks on Sat night, I think you can add a day later, as long as you have days left on the parkhopper. I'm sure someone else will know more about this, but I would think the cost would be minimal.

 

[kailuagirl]

If I were you, I wouldn't go to Disneyland on Saturday, I'd wait for Sunday. Get to california, get your supplies, water, snacks, etc., get settled in and organized, get a good nights rest and hit the parks 1st thing Sunday morning. You could even cruise around Downtown Disney or GCH Saturday night if you have energy, but I would wait until Sunday to start hitting the parks. Then you'll be nice and fresh!!

Have a wonderful time!!!

 

[KBelle5]

I suppose it depends on when you are going. Non peak season, I might go in on Saturday night to get a little extra in because it's probably not that busy, but if it's peak season, I would wait. However, I would pick up my tickets and such the night before if I waited until the next morning, so everything would be ready for the MM.

The ticket booths are open until the park closes, and even on peak season nights, there's not usually much of a line by the time 10:30 rolls around (or during fireworks), so it's really easy to pick up the tickets, and if there are any problems, they can be dealt with at that time, and won't take away from the MM.

 

[GrandBob]

Be aware that when you upgrade a ticket, you're only credited with the original value of the original ticket. So if the Airmiles hoppers are considered "discount" tickets, you only get the discounted value, and may end up paying much more than you expect for the upgrade.

I agree with the sentiment of not rushing to get there on Saturday night. And you may decide you only want 5 days after all. But if you really want 6 days, I'd just get the 7-day Airmiles hoppers anyway.

JMHO,
Bob

 

[Brady's Mom]

Ok I need some advice, here is my dilema. I am getting 3 PH through Airmiles and I am buying one. Airmiles offers 5 or 7 day PH. Our plane arrives at 7:40pm on a Sat at Long Beach. We are renting a car. I was planning on going for 6 days. So my first option is to get the 5 day PH's and add a day when I get there, use Sat as a travel day, take it easy, go to Target and just putter around. My second option is to purchase the 7 day hopper rush from the airport to Disneyland, with everything going perfect arrive about 9:30 pm, exchange the vouchers for tickets and fight the crowds leaving after the fireworks and fantasmnic, for 2- 2:30 hours on that Sat night. Is it worth it? I just can't decide, and I could use some advice Oh I almost forgot, I was planning on doing MM on the Sunday so that means a 6:00 am wake up call. On the other hand, we only do DLR every 3 or so years, so every minute counts. Oh, I'm so confused

We've flown to LGB and rented a car and even though the car rental places are right across the street, they were not super fast. It probably took us about 30 minutes to get the car rental taken care of. But, waiting for our luggage was super fast. I think they were almost ready to start the luggage carousel by the time we got there and it is very close to where you come out of the building. They seemed to have unloading the plane down to a science.

It took us 25-30 minutes to drive from LGB to the HoJo and we used surface streets. We took Ball Rd. all the way through. You could, if the stars all align, be at DLR by 9 pm. That does give you 3 hours to play around - and to ride some of the fast loaders. BUT you have to make it through Main St. with all the people camped out to see the fireworks and make sure you are on the correct side of the street in order to get where you want to go. AND if you don't get there as early as you hope you would be fighting exiting crowds from the fireworks and that is a zoo.

You could just putter around and get your tickets like a PP suggested, get whatever food stuff you want at the grocery store on your way to the hotel (there are several on Ball Rd.) and then unpack and get a good night's sleep and be ready for MM on Sunday.

I would probably hang out at World of Disney and/or maybe just watch the fireworks from the esplanade if I got to DLR in time, get my tickets, walk through DTD, get some kettlecorn (yummy) and then get to be early.

 

[brookies_mommy]

The longer at DL the better

 

[Shimmer]

I vote for starting fresh on Sunday. That way if your flight is late, your luggage is lost, or you are otherwise delayed you won't be stressed as much. And, it is a lot of rushing for kids. My kids want to check out the hotel, get settled, try the pool, etc. That's just as much fun as Disneyland to them.

Also, I like to start my trip with that first walk through the gates in the morning with the crowd. It is just so Disneyland.

5 days is a good amount of time. You might consider scheduling an "off" day where you sleep in and relax by the hotel pool in the middle of your stay.

Enjoy!

 

[brookies_mommy]

I vote for starting fresh on Sunday. That way if your flight is late, your luggage is lost, or you are otherwise delayed you won't be stressed as much. And, it is a lot of rushing for kids. My kids want to check out the hotel, get settled, try the pool, etc. That's just as much fun as Disneyland to them.

Also, I like to start my trip with that first walk through the gates in the morning with the crowd. It is just so Disneyland.

5 days is a good amount of time. You might consider scheduling an "off" day where you sleep in and relax by the hotel pool in the middle of your stay.

Enjoy!

Good point! Plus you can do DTD if everything goes according to plan, or pool time. Start like the last poster said.. start fresh

 

[Lorinda]

Agree start fresh! Not fun starting off a trip with jet lag and cranky kids! I would think it would be more magical after a good nights sleep!

 

[ironpig70]

I say 5 days is plenty. Way to many variables arriving to consider.

 

[dalepool]

what is the price difference between 5 and 6 days. If I figured it correct $6.00 for that extra day does not seem so bad. You can do a lot of attractions when the park starts to thin out. Just food for thought.

Patty

 

[mellers]

Ok I need some advice, here is my dilema. I am getting 3 PH through Airmiles and I am buying one. Airmiles offers 5 or 7 day PH. Our plane arrives at 7:40pm on a Sat at Long Beach. We are renting a car. I was planning on going for 6 days. So my first option is to get the 5 day PH's and add a day when I get there, use Sat as a travel day, take it easy, go to Target and just putter around. My second option is to purchase the 7 day hopper rush from the airport to Disneyland, with everything going perfect arrive about 9:30 pm, exchange the vouchers for tickets and fight the crowds leaving after the fireworks and fantasmnic, for 2- 2:30 hours on that Sat night. Is it worth it? I just can't decide, and I could use some advice Oh I almost forgot, I was planning on doing MM on the Sunday so that means a 6:00 am wake up call. On the other hand, we only do DLR every 3 or so years, so every minute counts. Oh, I'm so confused

I agree with the others--I wouldn't fight the crowds. I'd exchange my ticket, get the souvenir shopping out of the way at Downtown Disney, and get a good night's sleep for the next day. Honestly, if you were getting in a bit earlier and traveling with kids, I'd recommend dinner at Goofy's Kitchen, but I think it would be too late at that time.

 

[WannaseePooh]

Thank you all for your replies. I have decided to take it easy on that Sat night. We are going in july, so it will be busy I thought it was a crazy idea, but I guess I just needed conformation. I will be thanking you guys on that sun morning when we are well rested and rearing to go, instead of tired and cranky from being out late the night before. Thanks

 

[Karenann*]

Which air mile plan has parkhoppers? I have Alaska.

 

[kitntrip]

Which air mile plan has parkhoppers? I have Alaska.

You can get PH passes for california or florida from Airmiles, It's an AmEx prgram I believe.

 

[Karenann*]

Thanks I'll check it out!

 

[WannaseePooh]

The Airmiles I am refering to is a Canadian program. There might be one in America, I just am not familiar with any. Sorry

 

[disneychrista]

Remember that you lose any discount you got on the purchase of your ticket if you upgrade. You pay the difference between what you paid (or the value) and the higher priced "gate" price for the 6 days.

The cost is not worth it for a couple hours.

 

[WannaseePooh]

I understand, thankyou I get the tickets for free from this program, so spending a bit to upgrade is ok, considering I will be getting 3 adult 5 day parkhoppers for free We are planning to spend 6 days in the parks, I was considering adding a 7th,(that was the sat night). I have decided to get the 5 day hoppers and add the 6th day,at the ticket booths, as opposed to getting the 7 day hoppers and rushing around.