HydroGuy Tips Compilation

[HydroGuy]

I have numerous tips scattered around DIS that get referenced frequently, and wanted to add a compilation to my signature line for easier access. So I needed a thread to collect them all. There is no need to post responses here, but if you want to then go ahead.


WHERE TO FIND GENERAL INFORMATION

My threads below tend to be pretty specialized, but if you want general DLR information there is a lot of it available on DIS that others have written. First, there is the Disneyland menu bar on the forum. You should be able to see it above and the first entry is Theme Parks (http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/disneyland-theme-parks.htm). Go to the menu items there for lots of great information!

Second there is Mary Jo's sticky thread: * DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1072276) where she gives links to some of my threads below and lots of other links as well.

My threads below tend to be a mixture of the informational and the observational/philosophical with lots of advice thrown in based on my opinion and experience over 40 years. The idea is to help you avoid common pitfalls by understanding park trends.

I am not and do not claim to be a super-duper expert Disney visitor. I only visit DLR about once per year. However, I do have a knack for taking different pieces of information, observation and experience and weaving them together into practical advice. :cool2: I hope it helps you have a more magical visit to the Disney parks. :goodvibes



HYDROGUY TIPS pixiedust:


ABBREVIATIONS

"DLR Abbreviations List" - www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520784 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520784)

"WDW Abbreviations List" - www.wdwinfo.com/abbreviations.htm (http://www.wdwinfo.com/abbreviations.htm) (this is a general DIS thread and not mine)

"Disneyland Resort Lingo for Newbies" - www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2214012 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2214012)


RESORT GUIDES

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599)

"An Introduction To WDW For DLR Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=16541636 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=16541636)


WEATHER

"Detailed Weather Data for DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004158)

"Detailed Weather Data for WDW" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004631 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=23004631)

"Comparison of Weather For WDW and DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1711098 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1711098)


FASTPASS AT DLR

"Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132)

"FastPass for Dummies and Smarties - A Photographic Explanation" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1186052 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1186052)

"Which Fast Pass First?" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1107718 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1107718) (see my post #4 in that thread)

"Strategies For Using DL and DCA Opening Time Differences to Collect More Fastpasses"
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1553197 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1553197)

I did not author this next thread, but I reference it in so many of my other tips that I decided to include it here. It is a sticky thread on MiceChat, and is kept up to date by the author. It is the Bible of FASTPASS.

"The Joy of FASTPASS" http://micechat.com/forums/disneyland-resort/142390-joy-fastpass-2010-edition.html


SEASONAL AT DLR

"Choosing When To Visit DLR: Summary of High and Low Season and When Each Happens" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=36509602

"Understanding AP Blockouts and Impact on Crowds" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365983

"Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

"What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

"HydroGuy's High Season/Off Season Tradeoff Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199852

"List of American Holidays" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1937849

"Historical DLR Park Hours, Entertainment and Refurbs" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2291124

"The Scoop on Grad Nights at DLR in May and June" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2298400


DLR SHOWS

"World of Color Superthread" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=37986447 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=37986447)

"The Best World of Color Viewing Spots" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2655956 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2655956)

"Fantasmic! Superthread" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2671983


DLR DINING

"What WDW Vets Need to Know About Dining at DLR" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2914467

"From DLR to WDW and Back Again: My Challenge With WDW Dining Philosophy at DLR" - www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2449979 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2449979)


GENERAL STRATEGY

"The Official Scoop on DCA's Unofficial Morning Opening Hours" - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2680309

"Hidden Time Losses When Using a Car At DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1381580 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1381580)

"HydroGuy's Hotel Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199862)

"HydroGuy's Fireworks Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199851 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199851)

"HydroGuy's How To Avoid Long Lines Rules" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199856 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199856)

"HydroGuy's Make Sure You Get On Your Favorite Ride Rule" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199860 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1199860)


OTHER DLR TOPICS

"The Psychology of the DLR Annual Pass Holder" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2244322 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2244322)

"RideMax Critique Plus Conventional and Unconventional Usage on August 1-4 Trip" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885134 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885134)

"2010 Theme Park Attendance Data - DL up 0.5%, DCA up 3%" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2742389


OTHER GOOD TIPS I DID NOT WRITE

"Early Admission (MM/EMH/APEE) Super Thread" by DLR29 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403)

"Airport Proximity to DLR and Ground Transportation Information" by 3TinksAndAnEeyore www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2318297)

"Jedi Training Academy Tips" by Hound 109 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1478699 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1478699)

"Why I ParkHop at DLR" by Hound 109 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491961 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491961)

"Critique of MM/EE" by Hound 109 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1392671 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1392671)

"Fantasmic Light Tower Trick" by S. S. Columbia www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2225094 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2225094)

"RideMax FAQs" by bellebookworm9 (note this FAQ is more oriented towards the WDW version but mostly applies to DLR) http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35460390&postcount=945

[Albort]

Sticky Sticky Sticky Sticky Sticky! :)

[Amy&Dan]

That is so great you did that. Now that the search function is so badly set up, this will make it easier. Have you seen the "whats the best tip you got on the disboards" thread? You are mentioned quite a bit. Maybe it should be "Ode to Hydroguy"! My husband still ribs me that I'll always take your word over his when it comes to Disneyland information!

[AJA55]

Hey .... you changed your pix! ! !

[DangerMouse]

STICKY STICKY STICKY STICKY!!!

Please?????:rolleyes1

[SunDevilDaddy]

STICKY STICKY STICKY STICKY!!!

Please?????:rolleyes1

ditto:teeth:

[Danauk]

STICKY STICKY STICKY STICKY!!!

Please?????:rolleyes1

echo.... echo....echo...

Please mods make this a sticky!!!! This info is so usefull.

[SunDevilDaddy]

:worship: seriously... everyone needs these threads committed to memory before attempting to enter the park

[HydroGuy]

Hey .... you changed your pix! ! !Old avatar photo was taken at DCA in 2005 and kids are older now. The new photo is not that great when shrunk down to avatar size, but the best I could find. It was taken at the DL Frontierland Shooting Gallery last month.

[Hound 109]

Thanks for putting all the links in one place, HydroGuy. :thumbsup2

Virtually all are essential reading for anyone wanting to get the most out of DLR.

(Also with all the titles of the threads in one place, it'll prevent me from constantly mis-naming the Link "Titles" in the future :rotfl: )

A remarkable collection of info....& heck....I'm a grasshopper (disciple) & there are two links here I haven't seen before.

& I agree, either a sticky (or a book deal). :cool1:


hound - :cool2:

[kuusimo]

:thanks: :thanks: :thanks: :thanks: :thanks: :thanks: :thanks: :thanks: :thanks: :thanks:

[blackjackdelta]

Thanks again Trey..I read them prior to every trip just to reinforce my feeble mind/\.

Jackpirate:

[Welivefordisney]

:cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:
GREAT Post! Thanks for the gathering of Information....we are planning another trip for 2008 and this is great information to have.

[oscarkitty1]

echo.... echo....echo...

Please mods make this a sticky!!!! This info is so usefull.

another sticky request!!! :goodvibes

[Disneyenthusiast]

Really like your tips! Appropriate for a sticky.

[Beth76]

Thank you. This is most excellent!!!

[debaudrn]

I found this just in time for my family's vacation out west. We are starting in Las Vegas, then on to DLR then San Diego. Thank you Hydro Man and BUMP!
Debbie

[Adam&Alex's Mom]

I am leaving in one week!! party: So I thought it was appropriate to review hydroguy's tips!! Since I was searching I figured I would bump this up!

P.S. STICKY STICKY STICKY

[Mickey Buffet]

Stickify this... Most useful !

:surfweb:

[disneymom3]

This is exactly what I needed!! I used to live in So CA but have not been to DL in oh....20 years almost! Planning on going and taking the kids in Dec(I think I might be insane!) We are value season vets at WDW and have our touring strategies down pat. This is going to help me decide if we are indeed insane and if not how best we can plan things out.

[blackjackdelta]

Bump for a sticky.

Jack

[lil_ragamuffins]

Thanks for taking the time to put this together. This is great!

[blackjackdelta]

Bump again, hate to see this get buried.

Jack

[HydroGuy]

Bump again, hate to see this get buried.

JackAs I have this link in my signature line it will help keep it active.

[Saavy?]

*bump*

Moderators of this board...
Would you please give us your rationale for NOT making this a sticky please.

Many of us "dig" for these links at different times depending on the planning stages of our trips.
They are extremely useful.

So, once again... please "sticky" it.

Thank you.

[Pezalicious]

How are threads made sticky?

I had trouble finding this thread, but it's so helpful and answers many of the questions people have on this board. I knew HydroGuy made the thread, but when when I clicked on his profile and tried to find threads he started, I couldn't find this. :( If it was made sticky, it would be much easier to direct people here (or we wouldn't need to). :)


Edit - Almost forgot... Thanks for putting this together!!

[Just2DisneyKids]

We are going to DL for the first time tomorrow and I was thrilled to find this. :cool1: It really needs to be a sticky! I am a WDW vet and felt like you wrote it just for me! I grew up in Orlando and still have family in the area so we get to WDW quite often! We have just moved to Las Vegas and will be purchasing our AP's for DL so I am expecting it to be just as magical!

One question - have you written a guide to DLR restaurants? Or perhaps you have a good link... I would love to see a list of all of the restaurants at each park plus the hotels with some brief reviews and what to expect. If that info was already in your guides, I may have missed it, I've been scanning as quickly as possible as we are leaving tomorrow!!!

Many, many thanks for all of your time and effort compiling all of this info!!! :goodvibes

[victorandbellasmom]

Thanks Hydroguy. Your tips have made our trips enjoyable.

[HydroGuy]

One question - have you written a guide to DLR restaurants? Or perhaps you have a good link... I would love to see a list of all of the restaurants at each park plus the hotels with some brief reviews and what to expect. If that info was already in your guides, I may have missed it, I've been scanning as quickly as possible as we are leaving tomorrow!!!LOL, but I never put much stock in dining at DLR - which I think is typical of SoCal DL visitors. It was when we made our first WDW trip that my eyes opened up to how dining can enhance the overall experience. On our June trip to DLR I made more effort to get us into more DLR dining spots. Further, dining at DLR is not nearly as cool as dining at WDW.

Bottom line is dining is not my specialty so I cannot help much here. There may be some links around. I think the ones on this site are pretty good. Check out www.wdwinfo.com/Disneyland/dining.htm (http://www.wdwinfo.com/Disneyland/dining.htm)

[Hound 109]

Thanks for taking the time to put this together. This is great!

i agree.

(:jumping2: :jumping2: :jumping2: :mickeyjum bumpity bump, bump.)

[Ally_DeVille]

Thank you for all the tips. I printed out all the pages to the links you provided; a lot of paper but will give me something to read on the plane.

This will certainly help me plan out a strategy plus get "buy in" from the rest of the party; if they see it they will believe it.

I am in agreement with this needing a sticky!

[mystic_path]

Your the best HydroGuy! These tips are fantastic!

[Hound 109]

:bounce: :tigger: :donald: :ccat: :goofy: :figment:

bumping for disney diva.

[DangerMouse]

BUMP! :thumbsup2

[drag n' fly]

Congratulations! Well deserved for all your hard work. You help everyones holiday be a happy and smooth one!

[Anater]

It's about time this became a sticky! No more searching....:woohoo:

[tinkermell]

Yay !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :yay: :yay: :yay:

I know that your info was under Mary Jo's sticky.........................but now it is so much easier to find, and refer to. :goodvibes

Thanks again for all of the hours, and hard work you put in, for ALL of this great information. :woohoo:

Tinkermell/Melody :tinker:

[Gisele]

I will have to make it a point to look into some of the before mentioned links, for any tips and or advice that will make a trip to DL even more affordable, conveinant and pleasurable, sounds great to me! :)

[Lady Trix]

:worship: :worship: :worship: :worship: :worship: :worship:

thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you..And once again...Thank you!!!
I'll read everything over and over again, these are the best tips ever!!!

[ilovefishsticks4]

:thanks:

[Bloodhound]

Here's a dole whip for you for all the great tips. Our group is going this OCT 2008

http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk208/robert42101/dl195.jpg

[fairy8i8]

Thanks sooo much! This sticky is invaluable! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us newbies!

[Bethann23]

I wanted to Thank Hydroguy for all of his tips.... even though we went on a saturday, and even though we only had one day, and even though we did not have early entry, we had a GREAT time last saturday.:banana: :banana:

We arrived at 7am and got in line.... it was hard to watch all the people go thru the maigcal morning lines, but we were the first people thru at 8am. We went straight to Space mountain, collected our fastapsses, and started the process of collecting all of them throughout the park. We used all of the fastpasses after 7pm that we collected thru the day and had a magical evening. We spent the morning at Disneyland, the afternoon at DCA, and then back over to Disneyland by 7pm until closing at 12midnight.

We even rode the subs during the fireworks, and only had to wait 35mins.

Thanks again for all the advice....:yay: :yay: :yay:

[quiltymom]

Your tips on stacking fastpasses was invaluable! It made us able to get in so many more rides, without the hassle of lines.

Thanks!

[MommyLove]

Let my very first post on this board be...

WOW awesome info! Thanks soooooooooooo much!

[Sha]

Looks like I have a LOT of reading to do!!! Thank for putting all this info that a DL novice would want to know about. I have never been and planning a small group trip in 2009 with some of my singles friends (and others). I am familar with WDW really well, and a friend said I should see the original awhile back. (thanks for the link MM)

[Mary Jo]

Hi everyone,

Just a note that this thread is a sticky as an informational, helpful thread. If you would like to add to the tips or add new/changed info here please feel free. If you would like to post a particular question, please start a new thread.

Posts that are off topic from this thread will be deleted.

Questions/concerns regarding the content can be pm'd to the OP of the thread, any of us mods, or to the admin team.

Thanks :)

Mary Jo

[perlster]

How about adding a list of rides with Single Rider lines?

[S. S. Columbia]

How about adding a list of rides with Single Rider lines?

Here's the link: www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/fastpass.htm#single

The above link shows the list of rides with Single Rider lines...

but the list should also include Indiana Jones Adventure and Toy Story Midway Mania.


Single Rider Option

Although FASTPASS is a great way to beat the long lines, Disneyland also offers ‘single rider’ lines. If you’re willing to split up your party, you will be seated in any open seats on the ride.

The below attractions currently offer the ‘Single Rider’ option. If you can’t locate the single rider line, see the Cast Member at the entrance and they will direct you. This is great if you have teenagers who tend to ride the same rider over and over again.

Disneyland Park

- Splash Mountain
- Indiana Jones Adventure

Disney's California Adventure Park

- California Screamin
- Grizzly River Run
- Maliboomer
- Mulholland Madness
- Soarin’ Over California
- Toy Story Midway Mania!


ETA: The above information is from the DL and DCA park maps, dated November 21, 2008.

Hope that helps. :goodvibes

["Got Disney"]

subscribingpopcorn:: :thumbsup2

[cv workout]

I'm going to DLR for only one day in late December (when it will be crazy crowded). I'm spending the night before in Carlsbad and the night of at the Candy Cane Inn (since its Christmas week). Do you think the Candy Cane Inn will let me park in their parking lot that morning since check in time is not until the afternoon? Since I read your hidden time loss rule, that is more of a big deal to me than the money I would save on not parking in the parking lot.

[HydroGuy]

I'm going to DLR for only one day in late December (when it will be crazy crowded). I'm spending the night before in Carlsbad and the night of at the Candy Cane Inn (since its Christmas week). Do you think the Candy Cane Inn will let me park in their parking lot that morning since check in time is not until the afternoon? Since I read your hidden time loss rule, that is more of a big deal to me than the money I would save on not parking in the parking lot.I would call them. I have never stayed at CCI but my experience with BWPPI there on Harbor is they let you if they have space - and they always have when we were there. :)

[evalalich84]

Thanks for putting all these great resources at one place. So helpful!

[perlster]

Toy Story Midway Mania sometimes has a single-rider queue.

[S. S. Columbia]

How about adding a list of rides with Single Rider lines?
Toy Story Midway Mania sometimes has a single-rider queue.

You're right, thanks! :goodvibes

Here's the current list of rides with Single Rider ("subject to availability"):


Single Rider Option

Although FASTPASS is a great way to beat the long lines, Disneyland also offers ‘single rider’ lines. If you’re willing to split up your party, you will be seated in any open seats on the ride.

The below attractions currently offer the ‘Single Rider’ option. If you can’t locate the single rider line, see the Cast Member at the entrance and they will direct you. This is great if you have teenagers who tend to ride the same rider over and over again.

Disneyland Park

- Splash Mountain
- Indiana Jones Adventure

Disney's California Adventure Park

- California Screamin
- Grizzly River Run
- Maliboomer
- Mulholland Madness
- Soarin’ Over California
- Toy Story Midway Mania!


The above information is from the DL and DCA park maps, dated November 21, 2008. :earsboy:

[kesharn81]

thanks for the info - useful thread...

this seems useful information...thanks for sharing...:banana: :scared1: :hug: :headache: :teacher: :dance3:

[MinnieMouse7575]

Awesome! I'm new and these should be pretty handy. Thanks!!!

[dsquarednz]

Thanks for this post, Hydroguy! We're adding a Disneyland visit to our WDW trip this year, and I'm really excited! We just bought DVC, and are quite happy to be able to use our points at the DLR, which means extra morning hours too (hoping they are offered in October...).

It will be my first trip to DL ever, and the hubby's first in quite a few years.

We are only going to be there 2 (weekday) evenings/2 days in late September/early October. Judging from past calendars, the parks should be open from 10am-8pm (6pm for DCA), with an extra MM hour on October 1st (Thursday). No fireworks or Fantasmic, though. :(

So, a couple of questions -

1) are my understandings generally correct? Or are there no MM hours on weekdays during off-season?

2) Will we need to worry about Fastpasses during the off season? There are a lot of tips and tricks, and not sure if I truly need to learn all the info (only so much space in my head ;) ) or if the crowds will generally be small enough to just wing it?
:cool1:

[DLR29]

Thanks for this post, Hydroguy! We're adding a Disneyland visit to our WDW trip this year, and I'm really excited! We just bought DVC, and are quite happy to be able to use our points at the DLR, which means extra morning hours too (hoping they are offered in October...).

It will be my first trip to DL ever, and the hubby's first in quite a few years.

We are only going to be there 2 (weekday) evenings/2 days in late September/early October. Judging from past calendars, the parks should be open from 10am-8pm (6pm for DCA), with an extra MM hour on October 1st (Thursday). No fireworks or Fantasmic, though. :(

So, a couple of questions -

1) are my understandings generally correct? Or are there no MM hours on weekdays during off-season?

2) Will we need to worry about Fastpasses during the off season? There are a lot of tips and tricks, and not sure if I truly need to learn all the info (only so much space in my head ;) ) or if the crowds will generally be small enough to just wing it?
:cool1:

1) There are MMs throughout the whole year no matter if it is off season or peak season. I assume that you will be staying onsite because if you aren't, you won't be able to take advantage of MM with only a 2 day ticket.

2) You may want to use a few FPs, especially because you only will have 2 days and the park hours are kinda short. But most of the "minor" FP rides will have their FP machines turned off during the off season. I believe Space, Indy, and Splash always have FPs running as well as Soarin and California Screamin at DCA.

[HydroGuy]

DLR29 summed it up as well or better than I could have!

[HydroGuy]

I am bumping this because I changed the OP to give make sure folks who come to this thread I wrote know about the great information available on DIS. There is a treasure trove of information that the moderators and others have put together on DIS that has kind of been buried in recent years but is now more accessible. I encourage everyone to look there and point others to this information whenever it comes up.

FWIW, here is what I added to my OP...


WHERE TO FIND GENERAL INFORMATION

My threads below tend to be pretty specialized, but if you want general DLR information there is a lot of it available on DIS that others have written. First, there is the new Disneyland menu bar on the forum. You should be able to see it above and the first entry is "Disneyland Information: (http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/)". Go to the menu items there for lots of great information!

Second there is Mary Jo's sticky thread: * DLR Info/Links - Maps, Hotels, DISer Reviews, Hydroguy's tips, NEWBIE INFO here! (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1072276) where she gives links to some of my threads below and lots of other links as well.

My threads below tend to be a mixture of the informational and the observational/philosophical with lots of advice thrown in based on my opinion and experience over 40 years. The idea is to help you avoid common pitfalls by understanding park trends.

I am not and do not claim to be a super-duper expert Disney visitor. I only visit DLR about once per year. However, I do have a knack for taking different pieces of information, observation and experience and weaving them together into practical advice. :cool2: I hope it helps you have a more magical visit to the Disney parks. :goodvibes

[Judy from Boise]

Can I also add that there is a DLR planning guide in the "header" box. For example here is the link to the "DLR Discounts section.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland/discounts.htm

[paape04]

For a first time visitor these tips are awesome! Thanks for putting this all together in one spot!!

[Cruz Family]

Great info...thanks so much!

[jpow5]

:goodvibes Helped make our trip so great!!! thanks for the great tips!

[Grendalynn]

Subscribing! :surfweb:

[TeddiBarra]

I have a couple of questions that I haven't (readily) found for Hydroguy.

Have you ever written about the WDW resorts you've stayed at? (or visited)

And wondering if you could expound on the EMH debate. You've clearly seen DLR in all it's seasons... and I'm wondering if you could do a comparison for how much more busy WDW parks are with the EMH... and also just the overall waits in general as they compare to DLR waits.

And maybe more on a weather comparison... really starting to rethink the idea of "late september" and wonder if pushing it back to February might be worth it. Never been to FL, and we are Cali born and raised. DH hates the heat.

[HydroGuy]

Have you ever written about the WDW resorts you've stayed at? (or visited)
Nope!



And wondering if you could expound on the EMH debate. You've clearly seen DLR in all it's seasons... and I'm wondering if you could do a comparison for how much more busy WDW parks are with the EMH... and also just the overall waits in general as they compare to DLR waits.

I have never been to an EMH and have only gone to a park that had morning EMH once. And never to a park with an evening EMH. So I have zero direct experience.

I do look at the various subscription sites like TGM and TP and it is clear the EMH parks have more people. I also see the busses in the morning and the parks with morning EMH always have lots more people in line waiting to go.

Most WDW hotel guests are like lemmings that just go to the park that "Disney recommends", which is the EMH park. By skipping EMH we already get enough park hours in to get us extremely tired. Why spend more at EMH?

In any case, there are many experts on the WDW forum who advocate for going to EMHs - at least some of the EMHs.

If you go to WDW in a season with reduced park hours then EMHs may make more sense.



And maybe more on a weather comparison... really starting to rethink the idea of "late september" and wonder if pushing it back to February might be worth it. Never been to FL, and we are Cali born and raised. DH hates the heat.Here you go:

"Comparison of Weather For WDW and DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1711098 (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1711098)

Sept is hurricance season you know. On our first trip to WDW we were there for 10 days in June - the start of hurricance season - and a tropical storm came thru. Whoa. So much wind and rain! We got completely drenched at Epcot even with rain ponchos.

Overall Orlando is warmer which can be nicer in winter (when rain is less). But Orlando can get much more bitterly cold than Anaheim in the winter.

WDW does not have the off-season issues that DLR does. I really liked our trip to WDW in late May. For me I would choose May if I could.

Our trip this year in March was not nearly as crowded as I was expecting from the supposed Spring Break hordes. But we did avoid EMH parks which I am sure helped. And the weather was just perfect. Similar to what you get at DLR in the summer. 80 degree highs and moderate humidity. I doubt March at DLR is that nice.

HTH :wizard:

[skiingfast]

And wondering if you could expound on the EMH debate. You've clearly seen DLR in all it's seasons... and I'm wondering if you could do a comparison for how much more busy WDW parks are with the EMH... and also just the overall waits in general as they compare to DLR waits.

I look at EMH like this. Sure everywhere you can find avoid or go this park on this day because it's less busy. All to avoid the park with EMH. But if you stay onsite EMH is great, not many people get up for the early EMH or stay up for the 2nd and 3rd hour of late EMH. I just hop to avoid the rest of the day in the EMH park. I also like that during the 3 hour night EMH you can still use FPs.

MM crowds in DL feel similar crowdwise. Mostly because MM only lets you into TL and FL, so less people in half the park. And less total parks to tempt people to spend their mornings elsewhere.

Overall I find the lines much worse at WDW. Somewhere around 50% to 100% longer. There are just not enough attractions to spread people out in a WDW park. There are a lot more FP attractions though. While the FPs help you get on more WDW attractions with short waits, in DL I ride more of my favorites with FP multiple times. Using about the same number of FPs per day in WDW as DLR.

[skiingfast]

:)

[HydroGuy]

I look at EMH like this. Sure everywhere you can find avoid or go this park on this day because it's less busy. All to avoid the park with EMH. But if you stay onsite EMH is great, not many people get up for the early EMH or stay up for the 2nd and 3rd hour of late EMH. I just hop to avoid the rest of the day in the EMH park. I also like that during the 3 hour night EMH you can still use FPs.

Ski, the counter-arguments to this - FWIW - is that while there are light crowds especially for morning EMH, the extra people that get drawn to the EMH parks makes the EMH park busy the entire rest of the day. So you get a nice morning EMH followed by heavy crowds. Further, with the effort required to get to a morning EMH that starts at 8AM that means leaving your hotel room even earlier at maybe 7:15AM. And finally many people complain about the limited number of rides open during EMH. Apparently MK is the only one with a reasonable number.

I am not not trying to argue with you, just to let the PP know what the pros and cons are that are commonly given. As I said, many WDW experts believe in EMH and I am not saying they are wrong.

I have been persuaded that avoiding EMH is best for us - but it really depends on your stamina and whether you have kids who like to sleep or young kids that need to sleep - and what value you get getting up extra early or staying late.

:wizard:

[Judy from Boise]

I think lodging makes a big difference in EMH. For example if you are staying at a walking distance resort at Epcot (Like us at the Swan) you have nothing to loose by going to evening EMH at Epcot or Studios. Nothing else is open....and it is a great time to soak in the after dark beauty of the parks. Really it is such an experience to be walking home to your resort after a 2 am ride on Soaring ! Plus the Boardwalk itself is a cool experience at that time in the morning. Evening EMH are literally the only time you can see the night beauty of AK.

But to put it in perspective, we have been there so often we are way past needing to be efficient. We sleep in most days and hit the parks for an early lunch then stay through or "hop" to the EMH park. I am not the typical visitor.

[DangerMouse]

My very favorite memory from my first ever trip to WDW this year was EMH at MK (closed at 3 am). What an incredibly fun and ride packed evening/morning. :goodvibes

Sorry, Trey, but I'm so glad that I didn't take your advice and avoid the EMH altogether. :duck:

[BillyFan]

My very favorite memory from my first ever trip to WDW this year was EMH at MK (closed at 3 am). What an incredibly fun and ride packed evening/morning. :goodvibes

Sorry, Trey, but I'm so glad that I didn't take your advice and avoid the EMH altogether. :duck:


That was definitely the Best. Night. Ever. I wouldn't want to try many EMHs, but the late, late MK night was awesome!!!:yay:

[HydroGuy]

My very favorite memory from my first ever trip to WDW this year was EMH at MK (closed at 3 am). What an incredibly fun and ride packed evening/morning. :goodvibes

Sorry, Trey, but I'm so glad that I didn't take your advice and avoid the EMH altogether. :duck:Glad it worked out for you. We were happy to hit rope drop every single morning. So there! ;)

[tanyaewa]

What does EMH stand for????

[skiingfast]

What does EMH stand for????

Extra Magic Hours. In WDW each day a park opens an hour early for resort guests and one park closes upto 3 hours late for resort guests.

In Disneyland there is Magic Mornings(MM), when DL opens 1 hour early on Sat, Sun, Tue and Thur for resort guests. Also Park Hoppers of 3 days or longer have access to one MM.

[HydroGuy]

What does EMH stand for????Pretty much all the abbreviations around here are listed here:

DLR Abbreviations List (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520784)

[larina]

This is such a great list/tool. Thanks for all the work you put into these tips!!!!

[bakerudall]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I could have interviewed 100 people about their trips and not got as much info as I did from this thread.

[bgbthomas]

I would just like to add to the many who thanked you for taking the time to make our time at DLR even more magic. I know what you have written here will end up putting huge smiles on my son's faces and this is my whole purpose for visiting these parks. You are a good man Hydroguy!

[HydroGuy]

I would just like to add to the many who thanked you for taking the time to make our time at DLR even more magic. I know what you have written here will end up putting huge smiles on my son's faces and this is my whole purpose for visiting these parks. You are a good man Hydroguy!:)

[quantumottle]

I have probably already thanked you for the wonderful tips HydroGuy, but I wanted to thank you again - in advance.

This time, I'm thanking you for going to DL in July. My family and I are going in August, and I'm hoping you come back in July and write a ton of helpful up-to-the-minute information and tips.

So, thanks for all you do for us addicted Dis'ers, and thanks for what you will surely do for us in the future.

[Mary Jo]

:)