Yikes unexpected Disney day next week!

[traveljunkie]

Hello,
DH has a business trip in California next week and my daughter and I are joining him at the last minute. Our only Disney day available is Friday. As of right now we are only going to DCA because my DH hasn't been since Carsland opened and they're open much later than DL. Thinking about maybe adding a hopper(??) but for $55 more don't know if it's justified especially since Disneyland closes at 7:00pm for the Halloween party. Not sure if it's worth hopping. I will have to convince DH. I am a 'get there right when they open' gal but he seems to think there's no rush LOL!!!! I can usually get him to see the errors of his thinking and get there at opening

Couple of questions, I have a 2014 Unofficial Guide, do you think the plan is pretty close to target since it includes Carsland? My DD is 16 so we don't have to do the Frozen show which looks like is a must for some. Also, the last time we went Thanksgiving week 2014, we parked in the Toy Story lot because it was recommended. It was also a much busier time of year. I think that worked pretty well (we came from San Diego). We will be coming from L.A. and fighting the morning traffic. There is early entry at DCA but of course we cannot utilize this. I appreciate any last minute help you can give Thanks!!

 

[Nevada Jen]

I think you have the right idea going to DCA only. I do think it will be extra crowded in the evening. If I were you, I would make a dinner reservation in the park now. I suspect leaving at dinner time and getting back in will be a huge issue and the extra crowds from people leaving DL to go to DCA because of the Halloween party might make the quick service places have huge lines that will eat all your time. As for resources, I think reading threads here is always your best bet.

 

[Googly]

the thing that I love about RSR is the single rider line. the only time you'll be separated from your group is on the ride itself. We've never waited more that 20 minutes in the line.

Also, I'm going to cast the contrary vote. I love hoppers! DL will probably open early and you could get a lot done and then hop over to DCA later. I just think the hoppers are worth it.

 

[traveljunkie]

Thank you for your replies. Still trying to formulate a plan. Does anyone know if you can still purchase tickets at the Toy Story lot? I have some old notes saying you can (I didn't on our last trip) but curious in case we don't prebuy from Disney's website.

 

[Disney Dad ADL]

Thank you for your replies. Still trying to formulate a plan. Does anyone know if you can still purchase tickets at the Toy Story lot? I have some old notes saying you can (I didn't on our last trip) but curious in case we don't prebuy from Disney's website.

I don't know the answer to your question, but it's probably best to buy online if you can rather than wait in line. Last Monday we stood in line at the ticket booth and it probably took 30 minutes (we were buying APs). If you have a smart phone , you could even buy the ticket on the Disneyland app while you're on the shuttle if you wanted to, you get the eticket pretty much instantly .

 

[Happyjenz]

I would watch Frozen! I'm not a big Frozen fan, and was pretty bummed when Aladdin left.....but I think Frozen is a really good show. My dd (15) and I were there in July and it was great! Not something we really planned to do, but well worth it

 

[BrianL]

The Frozen show is pretty good even for adults and older kids (think of like a mini Broadway level production), however it takes a LOT of time. You have to get a "FastPass" for it and still get in the line an hour early. They hold you forever. The show time is actually the time they open the doors to load the massive theater. The show is about 30 minutes I'd guess, then exiting with the herd is difficult as well. If you only have one day, I'd say skip it.

I'd also vote for the hopper. I generally treat DL and CA as one BIG park and hop frequently as my whims dictate. Plus, with the early DL close for the party, you can hit DL in the morning, then hop to CA for evening.

 

[traveljunkie]

I will consider buying the tickets on my phone. I want to wait until the last minute (call me a pessimist) but last year we were supposed to go to Universal Orlando around this same time, bought 3 day hopper passes and we had to cancel 48 hours before our trip because of a family emergency. Still holding those tickets now for our 2017 summer trip . If I purchase them in the parking lot, you're saying they can scan them at the turnstile vs. having to go to the ticket window to get a paper ticket?

DH is now open to Hoppers so I just need to come up with my plan of attack. Thinking about all going in to DL and having DH & DD go to Space Mtn (I'll pass these days ) then go to Indiana Jones to get FP and then go over to DCA and get FP for RSR or Soarin. Will the Haunted Mansion have FP since they will have the Night before Christmas overlay?

We may watch Frozen, guess I'll have to decide whether to take the time for the experience. It sounds really good and we like shows. Thanks for the details about the process--that REALLY helps! I can't really gauge how busy it'll be since the parties have started. This week it's showing 2/10. That would be GREAT but I'm not thinking a Friday will be even close to that.

Thank you!

 

[tlovesdis]

I'm in the minority, but we didn't really care for the Frozen show. It was just ok, but not worth the almost 2 hours for it (the show is 58 minutes long!!!). We all thought the Anna character was a bit much. I think she was trying to be like the Genie roll, but it wasn't happening! LOL

 

[Nevada Jen]

I think your plan is good but I would start the day with an hour or so in DCA. Get Soarin Fastpass, ride toy story, family rides CA Screamin while you get WOC and Frozen fastpasses. Meet them at Soarin and ride that and grab RSR Fastpass on your way out of the park (if they are disbuting for afternoon). Head to DL, get Space and buzz fastpass and go ride Indy and then play it by ear. Ideally, you would hang around DL until your RSR fastpass is good. But those might be going slow enough that day that you actually have send a runner over the pull one. In my mind, you finish at DL around 3 and then spend the rest of the day and evening in DCA but you will have taken care of Toy Story, RSR, CA Screamin and soarin before DCA gets crowded from DL closing early. And again, get dinner reservations in DCA.