1 day visit around Christmas - help!!

MandyJ72

Mouseketeer
Joined
Jul 4, 2008
Messages
222
Hi all!!

Been asked by a friend who is going to USA for a BIG trip with her BF for Christmas and New Year for my advice on a single day visit to DLR.

Now, if she has asked me about WDW I would have been able to help her off the top of my head! but never been to DLR and other than the usual, get there before park opening, get fastpasses, Im not sure what advice to give her.

They would do the Mountains rides and stuff Im sure, would get a kick out of things like Soarin, Pirates, Buzz Lightyear, Toy Story (is that on at DLR?) that sort of thing - don't see them doing the things like Tikki Room, Peter Pan etc etc as they are early-mid 20s.

Can you help me plan / give her advice? What's the must do's for a single day visit?

Arghh!! Not sure what day she's going on but will ask for things like parades and stuff.

Thanks
Mandy
xx
 
Hi all!!

Been asked by a friend who is going to USA for a BIG trip with her BF for Christmas and New Year for my advice on a single day visit to DLR.

Now, if she has asked me about WDW I would have been able to help her off the top of my head! but never been to DLR and other than the usual, get there before park opening, get fastpasses, Im not sure what advice to give her.

They would do the Mountains rides and stuff Im sure, would get a kick out of things like Soarin, Pirates, Buzz Lightyear, Toy Story (is that on at DLR?) that sort of thing - don't see them doing the things like Tikki Room, Peter Pan etc etc as they are early-mid 20s.

Can you help me plan / give her advice? What's the must do's for a single day visit?

Arghh!! Not sure what day she's going on but will ask for things like parades and stuff.

Thanks
Mandy
xx

Mandy, find out what date she's going (&/or day of the week) & if she's staying at one of the 3 DLR properties.

It makes a BIG difference on what tips / info to give.

- (& DLR has buzz....& it's better at DLR than at WDW.)
- & if they're visiting near Christmas, it will be crowded. Tell them to arrive AT THE GATE 40-50 min. BEFORE opening.

:)
 
Right, they are going on Friday 19th December :scared1: so will be mental busy I presume.

Not staying on site - staying in the LA area but not sorted out hotels as yet but said they don't mind driving down early and staying late!!

Yikes!
 
Right, they are going on Friday 19th December :scared1: so will be mental busy I presume.

Not staying on site - staying in the LA area but not sorted out hotels as yet but said they don't mind driving down early and staying late!!

Yikes!

Friday early in the morning will be the best time to try to tour. Friday evening will be PACKED.

They should be prepared to tour DL early & try to collect 3-5 FPs by 11am (that they will be able to use at night).

Here's a link for you (or them) to read that is essential reading for the WDW vet:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

& here's a link to compare WDW & DLR attractions:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=802084

I would identify 10-15 rides attractions that they would want to enjoy.... & also 5-7 that they would NOT want to ride & post it here.

Also, they should consider a park hopper so they can enjoy DCA when DL gets too crowded. Here's a link regarding how hopping is effective touring at DLR:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491961

Walt's Park is very special......especially during the holidays. :thumbsup2

:)
 

Thank you so much for your help - wouldn't know where to start otherwise!!

Take it the FPs work same as at WDW - i.e. get your FP then can't get one for another attraction for 2hrs or until your FP return window starts? or do they work differently?
 
Right, Suzie (my friend) and I are quite similar probably in what we will do - anything!! and her BF is up for it as well so went with "if it was me, what would I like to do" so here goes:

19th December

Disneyland Park (opening hours 8am - midnight
Must Do's
Thunder Mountain
Indiana Jones
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Star Tours
Buzz Astro Blasters
POTC
Fantasmic - I wouldn't miss it if it was me!

Next choice of things to do if time
Christmas Parade - would be nice
Matterhorn Bobsleds
Haunted Mansion OR Haunted Mansion Holidays
Honey I Shrunk the Audience (I get well scared at this at WDW!!)

Totally bypass
Anything for little ones!!

California Adventures

Must Do's
California Screamin
Soarin
Tower of Terror
Toy Story Mania
Electrical Parade (clash with Fantasmic ??)

Next in order of preference if there is time
Tough to be a Bug
Mailboomer
Mulholland Madness
Grizzly River Run (I think will be too cold)

Totally bypass
Anything for little ones!!


Too much for 1 day? I don't need to "plan" absolutely everything for her and have got links to maps, opening hours and stuff for her but need to show her how to get round it all and get the FPs with semi realistic times and I obviously don't know at all since not been!!

What do you think?
 
Right, Suzie (my friend) and I are quite similar probably in what we will do - anything!! and her BF is up for it as well so went with "if it was me, what would I like to do" so here goes:

19th December

Disneyland Park (opening hours 8am - midnight
Must Do's
Thunder Mountain
Indiana Jones
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Star Tours
Buzz Astro Blasters
POTC
Fantasmic - I wouldn't miss it if it was me!

Next choice of things to do if time
Christmas Parade - would be nice
Matterhorn Bobsleds
Haunted Mansion OR Haunted Mansion Holidays
Honey I Shrunk the Audience (I get well scared at this at WDW!!)

I WOULD ADD ALICE IN WONDERLAND, MR. TOAD & PINOCCHIO SINCE THEY ARE DLR EXCLUSIVE.

Totally bypass
Anything for little ones!!

California Adventures

Must Do's
California Screamin
Soarin
Tower of Terror
Toy Story Mania
Electrical Parade (clash with Fantasmic ??)

Next in order of preference if there is time
Tough to be a Bug
Mailboomer
Mulholland Madness
Grizzly River Run (I think will be too cold)

Totally bypass
Anything for little ones!!


Too much for 1 day? I don't need to "plan" absolutely everything for her and have got links to maps, opening hours and stuff for her but need to show her how to get round it all and get the FPs with semi realistic times and I obviously don't know at all since not been!!

What do you think?

Looks like a good plan. Here's my thoughts given the above preferences:

- Arrive 7:20 Standing in line at security. (Which means get to parking garage at 6:55am).
- They're in luck.... NO magical mornings on Friday.
- 8AM - Hopefully they'll be one of the first ones thru the tunnel & go to SM.
- Pick up SM FP (for later)....& ride SM if they feel like it.
- Matterhorn (perhaps both sides)
- Alice
- Mr. Toad
- BTMRR (or if time to pickup next FP at approx. 9am.....pick up an Indy FP...then ride BTMRR)
- Holiday HM. (unless the line is 20+ min. then pick up a FP a little later).
- Splash (unless it's cold) & then a bakery item at Pooh Corner...next to Splash.
- Pirates
- Buzz (unless the line is 20+ min....if it is, then do Star Tours across the way.)
- Time to pick up a third FP at either Buzz, BTMRR or Holiday HM.

HOP TO DCA

- Soarin' FP
- Grizz FP (it's disconnected)
- TS Mania (perhaps single rider)
- Screamin Single Rider (& perhaps nab a FP afterwards)
- TOT (unless line is over 20 min. then FP if you didn't get one at Screamin')
- If no line at Monsters Inc., do it. Very cute. Also Crush which is close to Monsters is cute.
- Soarin' (using FP)

That's a start....it will be noon - 1pm. They'll have 3 FPs in pocket for DL for later.

Have lunch at Paradise Pier or the Trattoria (which i recommend highly for a nice moderate, quiet, sit down meal outdoors).

After lunch they can decide if they want to do Maliboomer or Mullholland Madness.....or if they want to ride Screamin again or TOT or Grizz Rapids with their FPs.....or watch Tough to be a Bug which is 30 feet from the Trat....or maybe the Aladdin show it it's running again.


After finishing DCA, Hop back to DLR:

- Pick up a FP immediately (Buzz, BTMRR, HM, SM whatever)
- Consider IASW holiday, Roger Rabbit (collect a FP which is disconnected & ride it later), Pinocchio (rarely a line), possibly Storybookland.

In Late afternoon & evening, parades, events, & use the 4-5 FPs that they collected earlier. It will be VERY crowded at night...lots of locals out for the holiday lights & events.

See my unfinished trip report & HydroGuy's FP on a busy day report for ideas:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1975805

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

Hopefully others will provide opinions.....also, investing in Ridemax might be a good option for them.

Tell them to have a great time visiting Walt's Park. :thumbsup2

:)
 


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