Would anyone please critique my plans?

[fiddlefaddle2]

Originally Posted by chrissiecutie

OP- arrange to have groceries delivered to your hotel room on arrival day. That way you don't have to bother with it after a long travel day.

Place your order online, select a time frame for them deliver it (just make sure the time frame is well after you've arrived) and viola!

I suggest using Vons and look online for coupon codes for FREE delivery!

I do this everytime we fly and we always stay at HoJo's. Never had any problems!

I may be wrong but I thought I read that you needed to be a US resident to order from Vons? If not that's a great idea! Although, lame as this may sounds, I absolutely love visiting American supermarkets!

[fiddlefaddle2]

Originally Posted by quantumottle

I hope I'm wrong about this, but doesn't Disney have a policy against adults dressing in costume of Disney characters? Again, I'm not trying to rain on anyones plans, just hoping to help you avid an issue - if indeed there is one.

To the experts out there, am I mistaken about this policy?

:

Adults are allowed to wear costumes for the party but not all day. . Though I think it depends what the people at the gates consider a costume. When I went to Florida a few years ago I wore a red and white polka dot dress like Minnie Mouse for several park days and everyone as lovely, cast members called me Miss Mouse and I even got a drink 'On Mickey' because the server said I'd brightened her day Then I went to Disneyland Paris and even though I was just wearing a red and white polka dot skirt and mouse ears (purchased from the park) and nothing else Minnie related the cast members pulled me out of the line and were really mean to me about it. They called some other member to come and check if i was appropriate and refused to talk to me. I was so embarrased at being singled out and people in the line (which they made me stand right next to) were staring at me like I was a criminal. Eventually I started crying and just made my friend take me back to the hotel. It was a horrible experience and now I'll never be Minnie again

[fiddlefaddle2]

Originally Posted by abdgeek

Your plan looks good. Super Shuttle has reasonable rates and will probably run about $34 round trip. Check into taking the metro to Hollywood. That will give you more time there.

Thank you, I'll look into Super shuttle now. I had a look at the metro but... I don't know, it sounded a little complicated. I like the simoplicity of the shuttle and I'll think we'll be ok with 6 hours. We're going to do a one hour walking tour that will show us most of the main sites. Thanks for the suggestion anyway!

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Originally Posted by KateDrake

You guys are going to have so much fun! Southern Cal is quite a change from the UK, but both are two of my favorite vacation destinations.

I think your plan sounds really good. Here are just a couple of musings, but even if you don't do them, you'll have a great trip.

On arrival day, I would recommend staying up and going to bed at a regular time. So if you go to bed at 11 p.m. in the UK, go to bed at 11 p.m. California time. This has always been the best way for me to avoid jet lag, even if it meant touring Westminster Abbey on no sleep I'm worried if you take a nap, you won't be tired when it is bed time in Cali.

I think you will do fine with public transportation to get to Hollywood. It's certainly worth looking into so you can have more time, especially when you are coming from so far away.

Lastly, SoCal is a vegetarian paradise! You are going to find some great stuff to eat, especially on your non-Disney days. Disney does OK for vegetarians, but you are going to find some really great food off property.

I hope you have an awesome trip! Especially at the Halloween party, it is so fun to dress up. You'll have to post pictures of your costumes!

Thank you so much for all your suggestions!

I agree about it being best to stay awake to beat the jetlaf\ but I honestly don't think We'll stay awake until our usual bedtime if we don't have a nap!I don't cope well on little sleep
I think if we just have a short nap we'll be ok to still go to bed around 11. Hopefully!

I've heard CA is good for vegetarians, so I'm not worried about eating. If the worst comes to the worst the hotels right near a Denny's so I can live off pancakes and waffles :D

[fiddlefaddle2]

Originally Posted by munchkin322

I think it is ok for Halloween party...there were lots that dressed up during those events...at least on the east coast so I assume it's fine there too. They don't want adults to dress up during the day (especially the elaborate costume) because they don't want children to mistaken them as one of the "character" (or a cast member).

Yes, I've checked and adults are definately allowed to wear costumes at the Halloween party. And it's a great excuse to get free candy!

[fiddlefaddle2]

Originally Posted by Eeee-va

Yes, adults can dress as Disney characters during the Halloween party (and the 3 hours early you can get in for the party). That's one of the big perks! The costumes just have to be family-friendly.

Fiddlefaddle2, I'd suggest you go to Toontown before the party officially starts (so after 3 but before 6) and get some really cool photos of yourselves there! Toontown will almost certainly close for the party.

If you want to get the most Disney time in as possible, I'd move your Fantasmic! day to a day you can be at the parks full-time, and do your shopping/relaxing the same day as your Hollywood day. Right now you're basically spending a little more than 4 days' worth of hours in the parks, when you have a 5-day hopper and a Halloween ticket that adds 8 hours to that. If you want a more relaxing trip, nothing wrong with your schedule, of course. I just like to go go go on vacation and stuff in as much Disney fun as possible, so I try to use as many hours of my park hoppers as I can.

Have a great trip!

Sadly I think our Jessica/Roger plans will fall through due to lack of time to make our costumes (and heat/comfort factors) But we'll be cartoon characters I'm sure so we'll definately take photos in Toon Town!

That probably would be a better idea but I'm nervous of crowds and know the weekends will be the worst, so for me it makes sense to spend time away from Disney at the weekend and just pop in in the evening for Fantasmic. I will suggest it to my friend though as she likes to fit in as much Disney as possible and doesn't mind crowds

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Originally Posted by Diegosmom

Why dont you make your halloween party day a non park day? Sleep in relax do some shopping then get to disney at earliest possible time with party tix...you could even do the character meal on this day. No sense in wasting a park day when you are already going for the party.

Wait, don't you need a separate ticket for entry to the park or does the Halloween party ticket also get you access to the park? If it does then you're right, it would be silly to use one of my 5 days on the hopper ticket when I'll get in later with the Party ticket.

[aimathy]

I just think that maybe on one of your non-Disney days, you should check out doing a tour that will show you the highlights of the area in a short amount of time. When we were there last week, my husband and two older kids (16 and 12) went on a tour with Rasta Bus (rastabus.com). They had a GREAT time and loved seeing the sights of the area. They were so happy they did that. They had a rental car to drive to the meeting point, but if you look on their website, they will actually pick you up at your hotel....or you can take a cab to meet them. It's just an idea, but I think it will definitely be more memorable than another day of shopping! Have fun!!

[DisneyMomma81]

Originally Posted by fiddlefaddle2

Wait, don't you need a separate ticket for entry to the park or does the Halloween party ticket also get you access to the park? If it does then you're right, it would be silly to use one of my 5 days on the hopper ticket when I'll get in later with the Party ticket.

The party is in Disneyland park, we're going to the party on the 23rd of Oct too! Party starts at 6, with our party ticket we'll be allowed in Disneyland at 3 *maybe 4* We're gonna have a lazy morning *we're driving to Anaheim all day Monday, we'll get there late* we're having a late breakfast/early lunch @ Goofy's @ 11am, I'm going to Mandara Spa @ 1pm then we'll head to Disneyland for some Halloween fun.

[fiddlefaddle2]

Originally Posted by aimathy

I just think that maybe on one of your non-Disney days, you should check out doing a tour that will show you the highlights of the area in a short amount of time. When we were there last week, my husband and two older kids (16 and 12) went on a tour with Rasta Bus (rastabus.com). They had a GREAT time and loved seeing the sights of the area. They were so happy they did that. They had a rental car to drive to the meeting point, but if you look on their website, they will actually pick you up at your hotel....or you can take a cab to meet them. It's just an idea, but I think it will definitely be more memorable than another day of shopping! Have fun!!

Thanks! That's a great idea, I'll definately look into it I do like shopping though :P

[fiddlefaddle2]

Originally Posted by DisneyMomma81

The party is in Disneyland park, we're going to the party on the 23rd of Oct too! Party starts at 6, with our party ticket we'll be allowed in Disneyland at 3 *maybe 4* We're gonna have a lazy morning *we're driving to Anaheim all day Monday, we'll get there late* we're having a late breakfast/early lunch @ Goofy's @ 11am, I'm going to Mandara Spa @ 1pm then we'll head to Disneyland for some Halloween fun.

So you don't need another Disney ticket to get into the park for the Halloween party? I thought I read somewhere that you needed park admission as well.
Hmm this changes my plans!

[DisneyMomma81]

Originally Posted by fiddlefaddle2

So you don't need another Disney ticket to get into the park for the Halloween party? I thought I read somewhere that you needed park admission as well.
Hmm this changes my plans!

If you enter before 3pm yes you need a seperate admission. From 3pm on you're good to go with your Halloween ticket.

[fiddlefaddle2]

Originally Posted by DisneyMomma81

If you enter before 3pm yes you need a seperate admission. From 3pm on you're good to go with your Halloween ticket.

Oh that's great! I'll relax until the party then

[fiddlefaddle2]

I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for your great advice!