1 day, 1 park, no midday break...

[Mugglemama]

We haven't done just one day in one of the parks since we had AP's and lived close to the parks several years ago. We always do 2-5 days, both parks. We are just squeezing in a surprise, fun day for the kids because we'll be in the area, Disneyland ONLY.

Suggestions for what rides are best to hit during the hottest, most crowded part of the day? We generally spend this time back at our hotel. We'll likely avoid peak meal times, so we'll need non-restaurant stuff to do....so, what would you fill that time with? (trying to keep in mind that we are skipping traditional keep-cool-time-fillers like Lincoln, etc. that day because we only have the one day).

So far, all I've come up with is to use Splash Mtn. FP's at that time, and then ride HM to get nice and chilly. But, that will only take up like...an hour. I guess if POTC has short enough lines at the time, we can squeeze in another ride on that after HM to stay rested, and nice and cool.

Any other suggestions? THANKS in advance!!

 

[skiingfast]

Pirates rarely has a huge line. Jungle Cruise doesn't get too long either. The Disneyland Rail Road from Main Street is always a good bet.

 

[Mugglemama]

Thanks!

The more I think about it, the more I think we're going to spend some time resting/snacking/shopping during these hours. Considering we'll be going from 6am to after Midnight that day, I realized I've got to schedule some down time for the 6 year old, or he'll never make it till closing.

 

[brenda1966]

I don't think it's fair to say Pirates never has a long ling. When we were just there, midday, they line was snaking back and forth in the hot sun in front of the rivers of america. I'm sure it moved fast, but I would not have wanted to stand in the hot sun!

I think the most important thing for a marathon day is to get off your feet for a while. So, things like the train ride around the park, sitting down and having snacks, maybe spending some time in the cool innovations building will help. Sitting down can really rejuvenate you.

 

[jacs1234]

How about the tiki room? That's a nice bit of a break.

 

[tinkermomma]

I think your plan sounds great then just add POTC, JC and Tiki. Maybe head on over to Tom Sawyer Island. I've always wanted to do that but never have. It seems peaceful and like it would be a good "break" but I can't vouch for it. Maybe someone else can.

 

[Mugglemama]

I don't think it's fair to say Pirates never has a long ling. When we were just there, midday, they line was snaking back and forth in the hot sun in front of the rivers of america. I'm sure it moved fast, but I would not have wanted to stand in the hot sun!

I think the most important thing for a marathon day is to get off your feet for a while. So, things like the train ride around the park, sitting down and having snacks, maybe spending some time in the cool innovations building will help. Sitting down can really rejuvenate you.

We'll probably check the line at POTC multiple times throughout the day (I expect to be able to ride it up to 3 times in a single day, even in the middle of Summer - we did it every one of our 5 days last Summer - sometimes even more). Like you though, I have definitely seen the line when it's quite long, but we never go on it unless the line is no longer than where it goes under the footbridge. It's so easy to catch a short line there (especially very late at night), that we just avoid the longer lines.

We haven't done a "marathon day" in....well, I don't think we've really ever done one. We are always in line at the security tables an hour before opening, go back to the hotel midday for a 2 or 3 hour nap, and then head back into the parks from about 7pm to 10pm, before calling it a night. I think you are right about taking rest breaks. I want to utilize 10pm-Midnight on this trip (I haven't gotten to do FL at night in YEARS, and I'm looking forward to it!), so I want to make sure everyone is rested enough to do that.

How about the tiki room? That's a nice bit of a break.

How long would you say you usually find the Tiki Room line to be? In all these years, we've never been in it.

 

[Brady's Mom]

How about hanging out at Tomorrowland Terrace and watching Jedi Training? You can usually find a shady spot and it's fun to watch the Jedi Master interact with that one child, you know, the one teeny little person on the stage who doesn't have a clue!?! We'll sometimes get a couple of extra chairs at or near our table and use them to prop our feet up for a short time. It makes a big difference. (And yes, we are THOSE people, hogging all the chairs for a short time!)

 

[Mugglemama]

I think your plan sounds great then just add POTC, JC and Tiki. Maybe head on over to Tom Sawyer Island. I've always wanted to do that but never have. It seems peaceful and like it would be a good "break" but I can't vouch for it. Maybe someone else can.

Thanks - I'm still trying to figure out whether to do JC at this time or not. I'd had it scheduled for earlier in the day....hmmmm.

How about hanging out at Tomorrowland Terrace and watching Jedi Training? You can usually find a shady spot and it's fun to watch the Jedi Master interact with that one child, you know, the one teeny little person on the stage who doesn't have a clue!?! We'll sometimes get a couple of extra chairs at or near our table and use them to prop our feet up for a short time. It makes a big difference. (And yes, we are THOSE people, hogging all the chairs for a short time!)

Yeaaahhhh...no. Before I even read the end of your post, all I could think of was how impossible it always is to find a seat anywhere at Tomorrowland Terrace.

It's a bummer, because we used to eat there often when we had AP's and were in the parks a couple times per week. My oldest son loved it. Now we can never go there because there's never anywhere to sit (so, thanks for being part of the reason that my son can never eat at his favorite Disneyland restaurant anymore, lol).

 

[brenda1966]

Tiki room doesn't really have a line, it's just a matter of waiting for the next show. And it's nice and cool inside!
Jungle cruise had a fairly short line when we were there on a Saturday afternoon, surprisingly.
Tom Sawyer island can be really hot, although much of it is shady, there really isn't a lot of sit down area. Waiting for the boat ride back and forth can be pretty hot.
Mr. Lincoln might be a good option for the sitting, A/C, and cat nap.

 

[PinkBudgie]

The wait for the Tikki Room is as long as the show. So while the previous show is on, you wait in outdoor waiting area. If you can, try to get a seat in a back row so you can lean back. It's a great cool place to sit and have a snack and rest.

I've been in a massively long POTC line that went all over the waterfront and it only took 30 min. It is a fast loader.

If you plan on doing ST, go get a FP for that first thing. Then you can hop on Buzz a couple times with no waiting. Or, if you wanted to do Peter Pan with a short line, and probably only ride ST once, you could go to PP first thing then over to get a ST FP. Your return time would probably be around 10 or maybe 11.

The afternoon might also be a good time to do a little quick shopping.

Oh yeah, The Columbia ship is a great afternoon ride. Just keep your eye open and when you see it come in hop on. We liked it better than the Mark Twain, which felt hotter to us. It was fun to ride a "pirate ship" and to go below deck and look around.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Why just Disneyland?? Well *here's* how we spent 1 day in both parks, you can just ignore what what did in DCA and do more in DL I suppose....

 

[Mugglemama]

Why just Disneyland?? Well *here's* how we spent 1 day in both parks, you can just ignore what what did in DCA and do more in DL I suppose....

We only *want* to do Disneyland. We were in DCA for 5 days last Summer, and are going to go back when CarsLand opens. Our vacations are always go, go, go....very commando. We've designed this entire short vacation to be much more relaxed. It's only 3 days total, and we don't want to spend the entire time trying to cram a million things into it (which is what we always do). Because while we usually have fun on a vacation....the LAST thing I'd say we ever do is relax.

Hence, one day, one park. I'm REALLY looking forward to the simplicity of it.

When I was a kid, that's ALL we ever did. DCA didn't exist yet, and I grew up only 2 hours away - so we never did anything more than "just" one day, one park. I don't remember ever being disappointed about going, lol.

Thanks for your trip report, I will take a look!