Just a few hours to spend in the park... thoughts?

[jernysgirl]

It's been ages since I've been on here!

I have a VERY quick solo trip to Fullerton in April coming up. My plane lands at John Wayne at 9:30am and I don't have to be in Fullerton until 4pm. I have been tossing the idea around about buying a 1-day ticket. It would be on a Friday, and I'd be able to spend 4ish hours around lunch time, and then be able to come back to the park from 8ish until closing. I would also be in a rental car, so I would be parking onsite. My choice would be DL over DCA. What would you do in that short amount of time? For a DL veteran, what would be a realistic amount of things to accomplish in that time?

 

[citruscurtis]

Define ages?

 

[jernysgirl]

Lol- I haven't posted on here since 2012.

 

[Iceman93]

Okay, so let me think... er, WRITE out loud here, please.

You land at 9:30am. Assuming the flight is on time, you can pick up your rental car, drive to Disney, park, and walk to the park entrance by 11am. Then you need to be in Fullerton at 4pm, so let's say you'd be heading out of the park at 3pm to be safe, so four mid-day hours in the park. Then you'd return to the park around 8pm and stay until closing, and for the sake of argument I'm going to say that's midnight so four more hours.

Those four mid-day hours are going to be busy in the park, and we probably need to plan lunch in there somewhere. The later hours should be less busy, especially after fireworks and Fantasmic!, so I would probably save headliner e-tickets until then when the waits are likely to be shorter. It goes without saying that if you want to watch the nighttime spectaculars, you need to carve out time for those.

To really answer your question though, I think we need to know more about what you LIKE to do in the park. Thrill rides? Dark rides? Character experiences? Are you a power walker or someone who's going to take it slow? What are some of your favorite attractions and/or must-do's that we should help you plan around? Do you want to focus on what's new since 2012, or what's clearly different from WDW, or just what's good at Disneyland regardless?

 

[jernysgirl]

Being solo, I'd skip characters. If I'm on a tight schedule, I'd definitely be more of a power walker lol. I'm just thinking about sneaking in a few rides, (utilizing single rider status ) and maybe trying to squeeze in somewhere to catch the second Fantasmic. I don't know if I have a preference as to what rides except that I'd probably skip Dumbo. I may try to mobile order something quick for lunch. My only requirement is that I get a churro somewhere.

 

[Iceman93]

Okay, so you understand mobile order, and you know you want a churro--that helps. Viewing for second Fantasmic is generally easy. And if you know which rides have single rider (you do, right?) then you can probably prioritize those during the early afternoon when standby lines are long.

To be clear, is it the DIS you haven't been to since 2012, or Disneyland itself?

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I wonder which Friday in April? Spring Break/Dapper Day weekend, or a different day?

I’d do it for sure since it sounds like you just want to go with the flow. FYI, parking and security can take 30 minutes to an hour depending on when you arrive and how crowded it is that day.

 

[AstroBlasters]

It's been ages since I've been on here!

I have a VERY quick solo trip to Fullerton in April coming up. My plane lands at John Wayne at 9:30am and I don't have to be in Fullerton until 4pm. I have been tossing the idea around about buying a 1-day ticket. It would be on a Friday, and I'd be able to spend 4ish hours around lunch time, and then be able to come back to the park from 8ish until closing. I would also be in a rental car, so I would be parking onsite. My choice would be DL over DCA. What would you do in that short amount of time? For a DL veteran, what would be a realistic amount of things to accomplish in that time?

No chance to do a park hopper with LL?

 

[Jawwdoc]

When I’m in town for business, I often scan into the park, ride a couple of rides (single rider or high capacity attractions) and then stack LLMPs (while I’m in meetings) for the evening hours when I’m planning to return to the park.

 

[LKing]

Sounds like fun. If you park in any Disney owned lot during the day (Mickey & Friends, Pixar Pals, or Toy Story), save your receipt and show it when you enter in the evening. You don't need to park in the same lot and you won't be charged twice.

 

[jernysgirl]

Okay, so you understand mobile order, and you know you want a churro--that helps. Viewing for second Fantasmic is generally easy. And if you know which rides have single rider (you do, right?) then you can probably prioritize those during the early afternoon when standby lines are long.

To be clear, is it the DIS you haven't been to since 2012, or Disneyland itself?

Haven't been on the DISboards since 2012. Disneyland itself was a little later than that... I think April of 2013 was our last trip.

And I believe Matterhorn, Smuggler's Run, and Space are the only single riders, correct?

Yes, I understand mobile order. Even though I haven't been to the parks in awhile I still keep up with news and updates.

 

[jernysgirl]

I wonder which Friday in April? Spring Break/Dapper Day weekend, or a different day?

I’d do it for sure since it sounds like you just want to go with the flow. FYI, parking and security can take 30 minutes to an hour depending on when you arrive and how crowded it is that day.

April 11th is when I'll be there. Dapper Days is that weekend, but technically doesn't start until the 13th. I would love to go for it. We have loved participating in Dapper Days in the past and I am bummed that I'll just barely miss it.

I am a little worried about crowds because of how close it will be to Easter/Spring Break.

 

[jernysgirl]

No chance to do a park hopper with LL?

What would you feel would be worth upgrading to a parkhopper in DCA on this short of a trip that I should be considering?

 

[jernysgirl]

When I’m in town for business, I often scan into the park, ride a couple of rides (single rider or high capacity attractions) and then stack LLMPs (while I’m in meetings) for the evening hours when I’m planning to return to the park.

Good to know. I was just going to get a basic ticket, but I am considering adding the LL option now.

 

[jernysgirl]

Sounds like fun. If you park in any Disney owned lot during the day (Mickey & Friends, Pixar Pals, or Toy Story), save your receipt and show it when you enter in the evening. You don't need to park in the same lot and you won't be charged twice.

Thanks for the tip! Good to know.

 

[Pluto468]

I'd stick with your Disneyland only plan and not bother with a hopper. For 4 hours around lunch time, I'd choose ahead of time where you want to eat, enjoy a nice meal and then wander the park and enjoy the atmosphere. Since you haven't been since 2012 I'm sure just being IN the park will be amazing! You could have a couple rides in mind if time allows, but I think planning on a go-with-the-flow afternoon will be the most relaxing. You'll have more time in the evening, so I bet you'll be able to do everything you want. Have a great time!