June 2013 Backstage ABD trip

[itsmuggsie]

Originally Posted by kgibbler20

My mom and I will be on the trip too and we are trying to decide to stay post night or just take a late flight on the return day. I want to make sure we have time to do stuff and from what I've been reading I think we might just take a late flight home.

This is our first trip to Cali and Disneyland and I am so excited to share it with this group!!!

Having just come back from the BSM, if I were to do it again I would definitely add at least 2 nights extra. I had a late flight out on the last day and it was just not enough time to see everything I wanted to.

[OKW Lover]

Originally Posted by kgibbler20

My mom and I will be on the trip too and we are trying to decide to stay post night or just take a late flight on the return day. I want to make sure we have time to do stuff and from what I've been reading I think we might just take a late flight home.

Originally Posted by itsmuggsie

Having just come back from the BSM, if I were to do it again I would definitely add at least 2 nights extra. I had a late flight out on the last day and it was just not enough time to see everything I wanted to.

I'd agree with Muggsie on this. We stayed two extra nights after this year's ABD and it was great to have those extra days to do the regular stuff in the parks.

I'd also suggest arriving a day early for this trip, especially if you're traveling a long way. We flew in on Saturday from the east coast (early flight) and were pretty much wasted by the time we got to the hotel. Nonetheless we felt obligated to go out and take in the sights. We were tired puppies that night. The actual ABD portion doesn't start until Sunday afternoon but once it starts its packed with activities and you should go into it a bit rested.

[kgibbler20]

Originally Posted by itsmuggsie

Having just come back from the BSM, if I were to do it again I would definitely add at least 2 nights extra. I had a late flight out on the last day and it was just not enough time to see everything I wanted to.

Originally Posted by OKW Lover

I'd agree with Muggsie on this. We stayed two extra nights after this year's ABD and it was great to have those extra days to do the regular stuff in the parks.

I'd also suggest arriving a day early for this trip, especially if you're traveling a long way. We flew in on Saturday from the east coast (early flight) and were pretty much wasted by the time we got to the hotel. Nonetheless we felt obligated to go out and take in the sights. We were tired puppies that night. The actual ABD portion doesn't start until Sunday afternoon but once it starts its packed with activities and you should go into it a bit rested.

Thanks guys... I think I need to do some real research into our options. As I read more trip reports, there is more and more that I want to do, but I need to be financially responsible. I'm really thinking though that we might do a day before and after. Even if we don't spend our extended departure day at the park it would give us that whole last ABD day without having to leave for the airport. I would also like to have a little more time in Hollywood and we are looking at a minimum 5 hour flight if we get a direct flight.

[OKW Lover]

Originally Posted by kgibbler20

I'm really thinking though that we might do a day before and after. Even if we don't spend our extended departure day at the park it would give us that whole last ABD day without having to leave for the airport. I would also like to have a little more time in Hollywood and we are looking at a minimum 5 hour flight if we get a direct flight.

If you are talking about simply spending all day Friday (last official ABD day) at the park and flying home on Saturday (no park time), consider booking a cheaper hotel at the airport for Friday night. You'll find some very good prices for Friday night stays at airport hotels. If you do that you should still qualify for free ABD transfers from DLR to the airport. Once at the airport you can take the hotel shuttle, which is typically free, for your stay. In the morning, catch their shuttle back to the airport for your flight home.

[DisneyKevin]

Originally Posted by OKW Lover

If you are talking about simply spending all day Friday (last official ABD day) at the park and flying home on Saturday (no park time), consider booking a cheaper hotel at the airport for Friday night. You'll find some very good prices for Friday night stays at airport hotels. If you do that you should still qualify for free ABD transfers from DLR to the airport. Once at the airport you can take the hotel shuttle, which is typically free, for your stay. In the morning, catch their shuttle back to the airport for your flight home.

The last ABD shuttle leaves the Grand Californian at 4:00pm.

[AndyPok1]

Originally Posted by DisneyKevin

The last ABD shuttle leaves the Grand Californian at 4:00pm.

Fact. However, one of our guides on this last one were nice enough to set up later shuttles for those of us with red-eye flights. I think someone had a 6:30 and I had a 7:00. But this isn't something you can set up through ABD pre-adventure. So as always, your luck may differ.

[k5jmh]

WooHoo! Only 10 days until we head back to Disneyland!!

[OKW Lover]

Originally Posted by k5jmh

WooHoo! Only 10 days until we head back to Disneyland!!

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