1 day for DLP, could use some advice

[trpltongue]

Hi all!

Let me start by saying that I am pretty well versed in traversing WDW and can easily get through the MK in 1 day with my wife, DD8, and DS4 hitting all the "highlights". However, I know nothing about DLP.

I have used tour guide mike as well as touringplans.com for our previous 5 visits to WDW which really helped outline all the rides, attractions, shows, etc. but I haven't found anything like that for DLP (online anyway).

Soooooo, I thought I would ask the experts. If you had only 1 day to spend in DLP (either Monday Aug 6, or Tues Aug 7) which day would you choose and what would you do (rides, attractions, shows, food?)

Oh, I should specifiy that we'll likely spend the whole day in Disneyland Park as hopping between the 2 will likely take too much time.

Also, if there is a good concise resource for all things DLP, please let me know and I'd love to read up!

Thanks in advance all!

Russell

 

[Carrie_Cat]

Either day as the hours, crowds, shows etc will be exactly the same.

It's high season, all Europe on summer holidays and normally good weather

You can do both parks if you plan well and choose only (or as priority) those that you don't have over there or that have major differences.

The 2 gates are 5 minutes walking distance apart

The Studios have Crush which is unique and Cinémagique and Animagique as shows that are well worth seeing.

Acoording to those who have done the US parks and DLP, BTM, POTC and Phantom Manor are all different. Then there's the castle that you can go and look round and the dragon underneath.

 

[trpltongue]

Carrie,

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize the entrances were so close! I had read a lot of good reviews about Cinémagique and Animagique and was kind of bummed to not be able to see them, but if the 2 parks are that close I'm sure we can accomodate

I know it's going to be crowded, but that's the price we pay for visiting Paris on my daughter's birthday Of course she is also named Paris so it's a nice blessing to be able to visit her namesake city on her birthday. I actually thought about doing 1 night in a Disney hotel just to get the EMH but it's tough to justify that kind of extra expense just for a couple of hours earlier access for 1 day.

We definitely want to see the castle dragon and the stained glass, etc. It's also interesting to hear that POTC and Phantom Manor are different. My DS4 loved POTC and my DD8 loved Phantom Manor so I'm sure we'll hit both of those. Oh and I forgot my DS4 also LOVED BTMR. I think we rode it 5 times straight last time we visited WDW in January.

I remember when Disney used to have a downloadable park map that showed all the rides / attractions / etc, but now it seems to be these interactive maps which are nice, but a pita to actually quickly see all that there is to do.

 

[Carrie_Cat]

POTC has 2 drops and no Jack Sparrow in the ride. Phantom Manor is a lot darker and BTM goes under the lake and round the island

That's what I've heard the main differences are and I'm sure that the people who have done both parks will come along and tell you more differences

It's true that it's very expensive to stay overnight for 2 extra hours in the morning especially as the main park will be open until at least 23.00

I know what it's like birthday wise as mine is in August too

 

[Rachandgarry]

Hiya

I would agree with Carrie - 2 parks are easily do-able, if you plan well and don't try to literally ride every single ride.

Major things I would aim for, would be:

DL Park:
Castle - upstairs and underneath
Space Mountain (Discoveryland (same as Tomorrowland)
Its a small world (Fantasyland)
Casey Junior (Fantasyland)
Storybook boats (Fantasyland)
Pirates (Adventureland)
Indiana Jones rollercoaster (Adventureland)
Railroad (stops at Main St, Frontierland, Fantasyland and Discoveryland)
Big Thunder Mountain (Frontierland)
Phantom Manor (Frontierland)

Studios:
Stitch Live! (Nothing like WDW's Stitch escape thing - this is a show with Stitch on an interactive screen, talking to the audience. It is absolutely amazing)
Cinemagique show
Animagique show
Crush's coaster

You'll find it a bit weird at the end of Main Street, Casey's Corner hot dogs are on the left, where you will be expecting the Crystal Palace. Off to your immediate left at the hub in front of the castle, is Frontierland not Adventureland. That, for me, is the strangest thing. It does actually work, though.

For me, the theming of DLP is way superior to Florida - as much as I love WDW, the Paris parks are just gorgeous. The intricacy of the architecture and theming is unlike anything I've seen.

One difficult thing I found was that cast members from anywhere, walk anywhere else, because there are no utilidors to get them around the place. It is so un-inspiring seeing a Phantom Manor CM walking through Fantasyland or Discoveryland.

Other noticeable differences in MK and Disneyland Park - there's no Winnie the Pooh ride, no Splash Mountain, no Country Bear Jamboree or Hall of Presidents, no Toontown at all, no Carousel of Progress, no TTA (really miss this ride) and.... sob, sob... no monorail!

It is gorgeous, hope you like it!

Rachel x

 

[disneylandarchives]

I only have one day, although not peak, you do have the problem of queues in the summer.

But for me, a non coaster junkie. Im heading to

Autopia
Star Tours
Captain Eo
Small World
Dumbo
Phantom Manor

as my priorities, know a few rides are closed on my trip so il fill in my other time with a head over to WDS to check out Toy Story Playland!

 

[trpltongue]

Thanks for the additional info! I'm going to try to spend some time looking through all the activities and reading some more here for "must-do" things and then I'll put together a plan for everyone's review

 

[Kikifromscotland]

Also thought you may like to check out the DLRPMagic online guidebook, it has helpful information on all the rides and attractions (including things like age suitability and length of queues!).

 

[trpltongue]

Kiki,

Thank you so much! That is a great resource. I don't know how I didn't find it before.