How should we conquer DCA?

[dohgusgus]

Do people tend to go a certain direction at DCA (clockwise vs. counterclockwise) when they arrive? Just cause I'd like to go against the opposite. Or do people just run all over the place?

thanks,

 

[rentayenta]

I would get FP for Soarin' and GGR first, they are disconnected. Then I would hit ToT. By then Soarin' should be good and go clockwise from there. We have been to DCA all different times during the year and have never found it remotely as crowded as DL.

 

[Danauk]

Is Soarin also disconnected? I thought the only 2 disconnected FP rides were the river run in DCA and Roger Rabbit in DL. If soarin is also disconnected that would help us out!
Sorry to hijack the thread!!

 

[LittleWoodenHead]

Is Soarin also disconnected? I thought the only 2 disconnected FP rides were the river run in DCA and Roger Rabbit in DL. If soarin is also disconnected that would help us out!

You are right: the only "disconnected" FP rides are Grizzly in DCA and Roger Rabbit in DL.

Soarin' is on the same FP system as ToT, California Screamin', and Mulholland Madness.

 

[ibouncetoo]

I believe that rentayenta ment that Soarin and Grizzley are disconnected from each other (not that they both are disconnected from the system), hence the confusion.

 

[DLR29]

What we usually do is get Soarin and GRR FPs and then ride ToT. We then ride MI:M&SttR and see Turtle Talk and MuppetVision. Then we use the FPs and then get Screamin FPs. We then tour Paradise Pier and see ITtbaB. We then use our Screamin FPs.

 

[rentayenta]

I believe that rentayenta ment that Soarin and Grizzley are disconnected from each other (not that they both are disconnected from the system), hence the confusion.

Thank you, that is exactly what I meant.

 

[HydroGuy]

In answer to the OP, DCA is not organized in such a way you can do it clockwise or otherwise. That is a flaw in the park design. Essentially you can go left at the Sun Wheel, or right. I do no think there is a typical direction. Don't worry about it.

 

[hlbtimes2]

You'll find you do a LOT of back tracking in DCA. It doesnt flow well at all.

While it doesn't matter if you go right or left, I would make it a point to get soarin' fast pass early in the day.

 

[auntyjenn]

I heard Soarin is almost always open a half an hour before the rest of the park, so we plan to do that first, and after about 3pm the Backlot is pretty empty. Is that true? Is Monsters still busy?

 

[50thisyeartoo!]

If you're a Mr. Potato Head fan hit the toy store first...have them hold your stuff. Then go and get your fast pass for the rafting ride...come back later that day when it is HOT. Get on Soarin Over California (definitely ask for the front row...that way you will not see feet dangling in front of you). Then go towards the beach boardwalk, ride the Screamin rollercoaster (my favorite) and maybe get another fast pass for that one too! Check out the other stuff around the bend..eat one of the biggest corndogs you've ever seen...sit a spell and then go back to the rapids ride and get totally soaked. By then that will feel great! Don't forget to ride Mulholland Madness. It is a freaky ride...you might just go over the edge on that one! If you want to eat again I highly recommend the Sonoma Chicken Salad in the sourdough bread bowl. It's over at the "food court". Check out the bugs land...it's really cute. And don't forget to see ALLADIN! IT's AWESOME! and CRUSH too!

 

[DLR29]

I heard Soarin is almost always open a half an hour before the rest of the park, so we plan to do that first, and after about 3pm the Backlot is pretty empty. Is that true? Is Monsters still busy?

Monster's is almost never busy anymore since its opening. The only drawbacks about going to the Backlot later is that ToT might have a decent line, and the Animation exhibits could be crowded.

 

[auntyjenn]

The only drawbacks about going to the Backlot later is that ToT might have a decent line, and the Animation exhibits could be crowded.

We'll already have FPs for TOT and I just want to peek at the Animation exhibits. Will it be hard to get into Turtle Talk late in the afternoon?

Whoops, is this considdered hijacking a thread?

 

[nurse.darcy]

I agree with Hydroguy, no general direction. You can do a loop between Soarin, then through GRR and on through Paradise Pier, but its not really a complete circle. The Hotel kinda gets in the way and makes for an ackward design. My preferred method of touring is head right to Soarin and ride it if the line is short and then on the way out pick up another fast pass. Then I head over to tower of terror which first thing in the morning can sometimes be only a 5 minute wait. After that I will visit most of the Hollywood backlot and plan for Turtle Talk and Aladdin. After this I head toward Paradise pier and go on California Screamin (I usually use the single rider line or get a fast pass (depending on my mood). Then head on over to the rest of the rides at the Pier. I like to go on all of them just for fun. I try to see all the shows if I can and since I have a couple days this time I probably will be able to. Then its on to GRR then on Soarin again (love this ride). If I get a chance before heading back over to DL I will get another fastpass for TOT for nighttime (soo fun after dark. . .)

 

[SamIAm21]

You'll find you do a LOT of back tracking in DCA. It doesnt flow well at all.

While it doesn't matter if you go right or left, I would make it a point to get soarin' fast pass early in the day.

Definitely on both accounts. I probably backtracked through that park a dozen times in one day...

 

[Sleeping Becca]

I've never been to DLR, and will be going for the first time in May. Can anyone tell me how big the parks are compared to WDW parks? I'm hoping the parks are much smaller and the attractions are closer together.

Thanks for all of the tips for CA! I'm getting excited!

 

[HydroGuy]

We'll already have FPs for TOT and I just want to peek at the Animation exhibits. Will it be hard to get into Turtle Talk late in the afternoon?

Whoops, is this considdered hijacking a thread?

My experience is that you can usually get into whatever is the next TTwC cycle. Sometimes if you arrive right when they are about to load the theater they make you wait another 20 minutes. So 20 minutes is about the max you will have to wait. If you time it right it might only be a couple minutes.

 

[HydroGuy]

I've never been to DLR, and will be going for the first time in May. Can anyone tell me how big the parks are compared to WDW parks? I'm hoping the parks are much smaller and the attractions are closer together.

Thanks for all of the tips for CA! I'm getting excited!

DCA is of a similar size to MGM, maybe a bit smaller. DL is about 25% smaller than MK.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

DCA is of a similar size to MGM, maybe a bit smaller. DL is about 25% smaller than MK.

This is great news! Thank you so much!

 

[DLR29]

DCA is of a similar size to MGM, maybe a bit smaller. DL is about 25% smaller than MK.

However, DL has about 30-40% more attractions than MK.