Lots of questions for the "gosh darn nice people" ;-)....

[allimaree]

You guy put up with so much, but I am going to ask all my questions too! We are leaving for DLR Nov. 29th and I just haven't spent enough time on these boards lately to feel very prepared. We'll be in the parks Nov. 30 - Dec. 2. The last time we visited was May 08 and we've never been during the holidays. I made a book of tips for may family last time and they're expecting it from me again! Please help!

1. Any good tips for the extra Christmas stuff? Is the hub still the best place to view the fireworks? When/where does it "snow"? Is the castle lighting something to sit and watch or just see as you walk by? Is the FP for HMH "connected"?

2. I finally have a girl old enough to love Princesses. Is getting in line for PFF first thing in the morning to way to go? Or does it die down later in the day? (Shh...don't tell my DD about Pixie Hollow--one line is enough!)

3. What/Where is Anaheim Garden Walk?

4. Is the FP for GRR still disconnected? What about Roger Rabbit?

5. Do you still need a "strategy" for TSMM? Ride Max removed their tips and hints page for that ride.

6. Is GetAwayToday still the best price for tickets? They are $10 cheaper than Disneyland.com for the 3-day park hoppers.

7. Any other key changes I should know about?

Thanks so much!!

[DLR29]

1. There are special holiday treats around the parks. Also some of the decorations are just amazing. The hub is still the best place to see the fireworks. Not sure about the snow, but somewhere on Main Street and also back by IASW. The castle lighting is fun to watch. HMH's FP IS connected.

2. I'm not sure if it dies down later, but I do know that I've walked by several times and the line is super long. First thing would be a good idea, although it doesn't open until an hour after the park.

3. It's on Katella like a block from Harbor. A 10 min walk max.

4. Roger Rabbit is disconnected, GRR unfortunately is connected.

5. First thing when DCA opens or wait until late afternoon. However, the line will stay about 20-40 minutes all day.

6. Check Mousesavers to see if you can get any specific discounts. GAT might be the best option.

7. have fun!!!

[pixiewings71]

DLR has all my answers, just wanted to say have fun!

[Kittyskyfish]

The only thing I want to add to the great responses is that I like to watch the fireworks by IASW. From that vantage-point, you get to watch the light show on the IASW building, you'll see the fireworks toward Toon Town and it'll "snow" there, as well.

The castle is gorgeous but when it comes to waiting around, IASW is more entertaining.

One other thing, fall and winter in CA bring the Santa Ana winds. These can mess up DLR's fireworks schedule because they can't set them off when its too windy. For the past several 3-day winter trips, the fireworks were canceled at least once per trip. One trip they were canceled two days in a row. You'll also not know of the cancellation until the very last minute, so you can't plan around a cancellation. Best advice, don't wait until the last day of the trip to see fireworks. You might miss them!

[Quilter007]

Also Small World & Toon Town close an hour before the fireworks, so don't plan on those 20 minutes before the fireworks. The line for Small World gets long 15 - 20 minutes before they are going to close it, but it goes fast, so if you planned poorly and it's your last night and you haven't ridden it I'd wait in line anyway!

Definitely get to Toy Story right when DCA opens. We did that & rode it twice right away and only waited in line 10 minutes each time. That's the shortest wait time we've seen for it. It is easy to get fastpasses for Screamin, then ride Toy Story and use the Screamin fastpasses. If the Screamin fastpasses aren't quite ready, just hop on the Buckets O Death (Ferris Wheel), Fishy Ride (King Triton's Carousel is it's real name I think) or grab a snack. Or if you're my six year old, you talk your dad into letting you play just ONE of the boardwalk games and you win a stuffed animal Mickey Mouse the same size as you -- the little snot!

[3Minnies1Mickey]

In September we rode IASW right before the fireworks and I don't remember them closing it during the show (we watched from there...great spot).

[allimaree]

Thanks everyone for your replies! Another question....

I've been playing with Ridemax, like HydroGuy did, and making spreadsheets of wait times for the days we're going to be there. For the life of me, I cannot get any times after 8 pm for Alice, Carousel, Mr. Toad, Peter Pan, Pinocchio or Snow White even though the park is open until 9 pm. Does Fantasy Land close early? I could get times for Casey Jr., Storybook Land, Mad Tea Party, Dumbo and Matterhorn but not the others.

[disney-inspired]

Originally Posted by allimaree

You guy put up with so much, but I am going to ask all my questions too! We are leaving for DLR Nov. 29th and I just haven't spent enough time on these boards lately to feel very prepared. We'll be in the parks Nov. 30 - Dec. 2. The last time we visited was May 08 and we've never been during the holidays. I made a book of tips for may family last time and they're expecting it from me again! Please help!

1. Any good tips for the extra Christmas stuff? Is the hub still the best place to view the fireworks? When/where does it "snow"? Is the castle lighting something to sit and watch or just see as you walk by? Is the FP for HMH "connected"?

Yes it is unless you're view is blocked by a tree!
The castle is beautiful when it's all lit up. Great for nighttime photos.
Yes, it is connected

2. I finally have a girl old enough to love Princesses. Is getting in line for PFF first thing in the morning to way to go? Or does it die down later in the day? (Shh...don't tell my DD about Pixie Hollow--one line is enough!)

It definitely does NOT die down. We passed by in the afternoon and the line was VERY long. It's your best bet to hit the Fantasyland rides first thing after rope drop and then go to the PFF.

3. What/Where is Anaheim Garden Walk?

Sorry, IDK.

4. Is the FP for GRR still disconnected? What about Roger Rabbit?

I believe so but I haven't checked lately.

5. Do you still need a "strategy" for TSMM? Ride Max removed their tips and hints page for that ride.

Get there as soon as the park opens. The single rider line is now closed

6. Is GetAwayToday still the best price for tickets? They are $10 cheaper than Disneyland.com for the 3-day park hoppers.

?? I'm an AP holder

7. Any other key changes I should know about?
Murphy, the new dragon in Fantasmic!

Thanks so much!!

My responses in red!

[Albort]

Originally Posted by allimaree

Thanks everyone for your replies! Another question....

I've been playing with Ridemax, like HydroGuy did, and making spreadsheets of wait times for the days we're going to be there. For the life of me, I cannot get any times after 8 pm for Alice, Carousel, Mr. Toad, Peter Pan, Pinocchio or Snow White even though the park is open until 9 pm. Does Fantasy Land close early? I could get times for Casey Jr., Storybook Land, Mad Tea Party, Dumbo and Matterhorn but not the others.

Alice, Mr Toad, Peter Pan, etc needs that extra hour of sleep before they go do their little thing...

they are also scared of the fireworks... :D

[pixiewings71]

Originally Posted by 3Minnies1Mickey

In September we rode IASW right before the fireworks and I don't remember them closing it during the show (we watched from there...great spot).

It does close during the fireworks. They close the line about 30-60 min. prior, anyone already in line can still board and ride but no one else can get in line. We got in line once right before they closed it, the CM saw us coming and waved us to hurry up, once we got in she closed the line. It took us about 20 min to get on (iirc) and by the time we got thru the fireworks were done and the line was reopened.

Originally Posted by allimaree

Thanks everyone for your replies! Another question....

I've been playing with Ridemax, like HydroGuy did, and making spreadsheets of wait times for the days we're going to be there. For the life of me, I cannot get any times after 8 pm for Alice, Carousel, Mr. Toad, Peter Pan, Pinocchio or Snow White even though the park is open until 9 pm. Does Fantasy Land close early? I could get times for Casey Jr., Storybook Land, Mad Tea Party, Dumbo and Matterhorn but not the others.

As Albort said, FL closes for the fireworks, they probably won't the rides unless they extend park hours for higher then expected crowds.

[Albort]

just fyi as i just found this out, storybook closes before the parade too...

[allimaree]

Thanks Albort and pixiewings! I figured it was because of the fireworks, but I couldn't figure out why Alice would be closed and not the teacups.

[PoohBearFriends]

Ok two different answers re: GRR is it disconnected or on the system now for FP? I used the fact it was disconnected to our advantage on the last trip.

[DLR29]

Originally Posted by PoohBearFriends

Ok two different answers re: GRR is it disconnected or on the system now for FP? I used the fact it was disconnected to our advantage on the last trip.

I am absolutely positive that it is connected now. This has been true for the past few months only though.