Kelly Ann
07-25-2005, 09:41 AM
We're going on Thursday (7/28). I'm a native so I wouldn't normally set foot in the park this time of year and I'm a bit intimidated by the crowds. :eek: This is the first time ever that I'll be at Disneyland with kids! And the first time in a long while I'll be there with a group larger than 3 or 4. My friend's children are 5, 7, and 9 - first time at Disneyland for all of them. Mom & dad plus several aunts and uncles are going to be there with us - they've all been a few times before - so there will be a total of 8 or 9 in our group.
I don't have any priorities for myself on this visit other than Space Mountain. I'd like the family to able to "use" me to hold places in queues and viewing areas. I'm perfectly content to sit and people-watch all day, just as long as someone relieves me now and then so I can "relieve" myself (heh). I haven't been since spring, so I will probably be there at rope drop and will stay till midnight, although I know the kids won't be there that long.
My plan is to head to Space at rope drop for a FP (I'll ride if the standby queue is less than 45 minutes or so, but I'm guessing it won't be because of Early Entry). After that I'll try to claim a locker for us at the Fantasyland Theater lockers. I'll meet my friends when they enter around 10ish, and it's their call from then on.
1. At 5:00 I'm going to try to stake out a place (curbside?) in the Hub for the 7:00 PM parade. Is that too early? Too late?
2. Is there a place in the Hub for the parade that will also be a good fireworks-viewing spot? (The kids don't have any problems with loud noises, I asked.) I thought I'd just plop myself down and stay there from 5:00 through the fireworks. Or should I find a good parade-viewing spot and then try and scramble for a fireworks-viewing spot as soon as the parade ends? Or would it be better to see the 3:15 parade and then pick a spot on the west side of the Hub (what time?) for the fireworks?
3. How exactly do I hold a spot for 9 people? The only thing I can think of is to lay down a blanket.
4. They might want to see the 9:00 Fantasmic! Can they do that and then rejoin me in the Hub for the fireworks, or will it be impossible for them to make it to the Hub with the crowds?
5. I sunburn VERY easily, even with sunscreen. Will security object to me bringing in one of those large, 2-person umbrellas, to keep the sun off, mainly just in queues and waiting areas (especially if they decide to see the afternoon parade and I have to sit in the sun for two hours)? I'll put the umbrella away before the show starts, of course.
After the fireworks, they'll head back to their hotel. I'm going to try to slip over to see the 10:30 Fantasmic! then just see what I can ride on the west side until closing, unless I'm too tired, then I'll just head home.
I promise to post a trip report when I get back, even though it might just include a lot of observations about summer crowd behavior.
I don't have any priorities for myself on this visit other than Space Mountain. I'd like the family to able to "use" me to hold places in queues and viewing areas. I'm perfectly content to sit and people-watch all day, just as long as someone relieves me now and then so I can "relieve" myself (heh). I haven't been since spring, so I will probably be there at rope drop and will stay till midnight, although I know the kids won't be there that long.
My plan is to head to Space at rope drop for a FP (I'll ride if the standby queue is less than 45 minutes or so, but I'm guessing it won't be because of Early Entry). After that I'll try to claim a locker for us at the Fantasyland Theater lockers. I'll meet my friends when they enter around 10ish, and it's their call from then on.
1. At 5:00 I'm going to try to stake out a place (curbside?) in the Hub for the 7:00 PM parade. Is that too early? Too late?
2. Is there a place in the Hub for the parade that will also be a good fireworks-viewing spot? (The kids don't have any problems with loud noises, I asked.) I thought I'd just plop myself down and stay there from 5:00 through the fireworks. Or should I find a good parade-viewing spot and then try and scramble for a fireworks-viewing spot as soon as the parade ends? Or would it be better to see the 3:15 parade and then pick a spot on the west side of the Hub (what time?) for the fireworks?
3. How exactly do I hold a spot for 9 people? The only thing I can think of is to lay down a blanket.
4. They might want to see the 9:00 Fantasmic! Can they do that and then rejoin me in the Hub for the fireworks, or will it be impossible for them to make it to the Hub with the crowds?
5. I sunburn VERY easily, even with sunscreen. Will security object to me bringing in one of those large, 2-person umbrellas, to keep the sun off, mainly just in queues and waiting areas (especially if they decide to see the afternoon parade and I have to sit in the sun for two hours)? I'll put the umbrella away before the show starts, of course.
After the fireworks, they'll head back to their hotel. I'm going to try to slip over to see the 10:30 Fantasmic! then just see what I can ride on the west side until closing, unless I'm too tired, then I'll just head home.
I promise to post a trip report when I get back, even though it might just include a lot of observations about summer crowd behavior.