Desperation planning mode - HELP! About This Page:

[kmurburg]

I got great news at work last week but now I'm panicking at the short time available to plan some quality time at Disneyland! I am being sent for training for some new equipment for work and the company uses one of the Disney Good Neighbor hotels for the trainees. My classes begin on Monday April 11 and I have already got my airfare booked to arrive in CA on Saturday the 9th. I will have Saturday afternoon/evening and most of Sunday (til about 4 or 5 pm) to enjoy the parks. How do I make the most of these few precious hours? Where should I start? I would like to see as much as possible and would love to see World of Color.
Can I rent an ECV? Where do I do that and can I use it at both parks with just one rental. I may be able to get back to the parks one evening during my training week but the time would be pretty limited. Also the evenings are open for Downtown Disney too. What would be good to do there?
What would be the best kind of ticket to get? I have an unused ticket from my last WDW trip, can that be used toward my ticket price in CA?
So many questions and not much time!! But I'm so excited to be able to go - even solo and at the last minute! I sound like such a newbie and I am (at least to DL!) Thanks for any help you can give me!

[chezp]

I would make a beeline for those attractions that are different at Disneyland. Off the top of my head, some that spring to mind are:
- Indiana Jones Adventure
- Finding Nemo Submarines
- Alice in Wonderland
- Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
- Enchanted Tiki Room (it's the original here)
- Monsters Inc.
- Grizzly River Run
- California Screamin'

I know there are others, but that's all I can think of right now.

[Shari2137]

How exciting. In addition to the list above, some others that have differences, Pirates, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, TOT, Buzz (guns are not stationary). You have to see Aladdin at CA if you have a chance, check the schedule of shows.

[zacksmom_1993]

I'm so excited for you! With your limited time, I'd highly recommend ordering a World of Color picnic as soon as possible. It guarantees you admission into one of the preferred viewing areas and you don't have to waste your limited time on a sit down meal. I've ordered the European Antipasto twice now and enjoyed it just fine.

I just looked at the schedule and if it was me, I'd try to make it to the 4PM showing of Aladdin at California Adventure. It really is an amazing show. I'd tour California Adventure in the early evening looking for things that are unique to that park (i.e. I'd skip Soarin', Toy Story Mania, etc. since they're time sucks.) I'd pick up my picnic lunch around 7:30 (you could get a nice glass of wine at the winery right there too) and then head over to World of Color. I do think it's worth it to get there 45 min to an hour early because from the front, it is truly spectacular. (Although we once found an awesome location in the back that was empty until about 15 minutes before the show.) If you have the energy, I'd leave DCA after World of Color and go over to Disneyland to try to catch some of the 10:30 showing of Fantasmic. It's just so much better at Disneyland.

Sunday, I'd get to the park as early as possible. We Californians just don't move too fast in the morning so you'd be able to get a TON done at Disneyland in the first three hours the park is open. On that note, I'd make sure to get a 3-day ticket at least so you had a Magic Morning. It'll let you into Disneyland at 7 on Sunday morning (and trust me, you'll be the only one there.) You could easily knock out all the big rides before lunch on Sunday, and then just spend the afternoon enjoying more minor attractions and the flowers. Disneyland is gorgeous in the Spring! Right now, they have a special on the 3-day tickets for $169. Then, you could have the luxury of heading back into the parks after one of your training sessions to see fireworks or ride rides if you wanted to. I have heard that people have converted WDW tickets to Disneyland tickets, I just don't know what the specifics are. However, I believe the $169 price is a promotion that's only good for pre-purchases online.

There's not a ton in Downtown Disney. It's more of an open air mall than anything that screams Disney. I'd prefer to spend evenings relaxing in the lobby of the Grand Californian. They have a huge open hearth and usually have storytellers and a pianist performing throughout the evening. Feel free to ask if you have more questions! I got so excited writing this that I need to figure out when I'm going next!

[kmurburg]

Cheryl and Shari - Thanks for the tips about the rides! I get overwhelmed reading about everything and trying to put it all in perspective. This list will help me to prioritize.

Karen - Your schedule is just what I need! I was so up in the air about which park to start in so this gives me a solid plan to build on. Thanks for the picnic tip to get preferred seating for World of Color - that sounds like something that will work for me. I like the idea of getting to DL early on Sunday - I'm so woried about crowds and not getting to see the things I want. Do you have any info about ECV rentals?

Thanks for all the help!!

[Tink and co.]

I do know you can rent ECVs although I don't recall the price...The rental is good for the day, but I'm not sure if you leave it one park and pick up a new one at the other park or if you can just motor between. I know when we rented a wheelchair for my daughter we were allowed to take it between the parks and out to the bus stop (but my other DD had to run it back and turn it in).

And I agree with Karen. You'll get more done in those early Sunday morning hours than the rest of your visit! Have fun!