1-day PH, what to do?

[05MM08MM]

My step-mom and I (2 adults) will be going to Anaheim for 3 nights in September to attend the D23 Expo and DL/DCA parks. We will arrive on a Wednesday, plan to attend the Expo on Thursday and then have 1-day PH's for the parks on Friday.

With 1-day only, what would you recommend as must see/do for a first timers?

How late do the parks usually stay open in September?

TIA

 

[bumbershoot]

How fun!

First, read HydroGuy's DLR info for WDW people here.

Actually this is his full tips compilation including the above link. Good stuff! Though looking at one of the pages seeing the old Jack Sparrow stuff makes me sad, as he's gone gone gone from DL. Sigh.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I hope others will chime in with details.......I'll just do broad advice
1. Get in line 30 minutes prior to opening
2. Ride Indy
3. Ride SM
4. get a FP for SM
5. Ride Matterhorn, then work through FL rides
6. When window opens get FP for Indy
7. Head over to DCA get FP for Soaring
8. Single rider Screaming
9. Eat something
10. Head to Animation building
11. Ride Monsters
12. As soon as FP is up ride Soaring
13. Head back to DL
14. Work through must do's until closing, and of course use FP previously collected.

 

[Sherry E]

Some may join in here and say that you should totally skip DCA and only focus on DL because of all the great details and things to see at DL which may differ from the Magic Kingdom. BUT I, being a firm believer that you don't necessarily have to see everything in one trip in order to have fun, really hope you do stick to both parks. Sure, you will never be able to see every single thing in both DL and DCA in one day - you can't even see everything in DL alone in one day - but you can get a really full day and sample both parks on a sort of highlight tour in one day. My friend did exactly that last year, and other DIS-ers have done the one-day park hopping experience, and it can be done with proper planning and lists and priorities and Fast Passes and Priority Seating for dining - and with the knowledge that you will have to miss a lot of things. But, to me, DCA is definitely worth seeing, especially since it is changing dramatically in the next few years and will only look this current way for a short time. Also, it is a good place to go when the crowds begin to get a little thick in DL. DCA is easier to walk around in without being sandwiched in random mobs of people here and there.

So kind of make a list of absolute musts for you, and other things that are not as important. Are shows, parades or fireworks important to you at all? If not, leave them off the list. Is shopping important? Is PhotoPass important? Do you need to wander around Downtown Disney (I would skip that on your park hopping day and do it on the other nights) or the 3 DLR hotels? Do you want to do a character meal? Do you need to do all the thrill rides? All the rides in Fantasyland? Just kind of use a process of elimination system to determine which things are really important and which things can be missed if you don't have time. Also be aware of which rides have long lines and maybe no Fast Passes (like the Nemo Submarine).

 

[toocherie]

Well, I would definitely also want to do Pirates (because it's so much longer than WDW version) and the Haunted Mansion (if it's open then and not closed for overlay). Also Tiki Room (again because different from WDW. As is Buzz.

I think it depends on what kind of "rider" you are--I would not be doing SM or Matterhorn, so for me I would head first to Fantasyland (peter pan first) and do all of those rides. Maybe send a FP runner to Indy first. (though I don't go on that one either). What about Splash Mountain?

 

[05MM08MM]

Thanks everyone

I know we won't be able to do everything on one day. Just want to do the main/more popular rides. Will just eat quick meals, no long sit downs, and plan to throw in a little shopping. Already printed menus for the CS locations I'm interested in.

Just wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything. BTW, I love coasters and thrill rides.

 

[Sherry E]

Well, I would definitely also want to do Pirates (because it's so much longer than WDW version) and the Haunted Mansion (if it's open then and not closed for overlay). Also Tiki Room (again because different from WDW. As is Buzz.

I think it depends on what kind of "rider" you are--I would not be doing SM or Matterhorn, so for me I would head first to Fantasyland (peter pan first) and do all of those rides. Maybe send a FP runner to Indy first. (though I don't go on that one either). What about Splash Mountain?

Toocherie - I never realized - you are a girl after my own heart! No SM, no Matterhorn and no Indy! Yay!

 

[DLR29]

Rides I'd ride if I were a WDW vet and only at DLR for a day:
-Indy (definitely would not miss out on this, use FP)
-Space (also use FP)
-Pirates
-Matterhorn
-Pinocchio, Mr. Toad, Alice, and Roger Rabbit (Roger Rabbit is disconnected from the other FPs so you can get one even if you are already holding onto another FP)
And in DCA:
-Monster's Inc.
-California Screamin (if you like thrill rides)
-maybe Toy Story Midway Mania and Tower of Terror just because they're so fun!

Other than that, anything else is extra fun! But those would be my top priorities.

I wouldn't necessarily make Splash, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan, Jungle Cruise, or Soarin a major highlight unless they are your favorite rides. They are similar and, although fun, there are more fun and unique attractions at DLR.