1 Day Whirlwind Park Hopper Help!

[SeaKerina]

Hello everyone!

I am going to Disneyland in Sept for only 1.5 days and need some advice! I have been to Disneyland many times but my British fiance has never been to any kind of theme park. We plan to do MHP the first day we are there and enter the park at 3 so we get the full 8 hours. I know it is not recommended to get a 1 day park hopper, but as he did not grow up with Disney he is more interested in the "adult" thrill rides rather than the nostalgic Disney themed rides (i.e. Fantasyland type rides) and I feel like we can get most done if we use our day and the night before at MHP wisely. I really want to see Cars Land but do not want to spend the full day in CA so 1 day park hopper it is!

It will be magic morning in Disneyland the full day we plan on being there so would it be better to start the day in California Adventure? I've usually used the hopper to go to California Adventure in the afternoon but want to make sure we get the most out of it we can!

Some rides we are interested in so you can get a sense: RSR, Grizzly River Run, Soarin, BTMRR, Splash Mountain, Matterhorn, Star Tours, Space Mountain, POTC. We also probably won't be too concerned about catching parades/shows.

Any help or tips you can be provide would be greatly appreciated

 

[DizMe]

Since you'll be in DL for 8 hours the first day during MHP, I think it would make sense for you to start at DCA the next day. You will probably be able to knock out a lot of your DL rides during the party. The next day, if you start in DCA, you can ride and/or get FP for RSR or Soarin, maybe ride Screamin' if your fiance likes thrill rides, and though I don't see it mentioned in your list, Tower of Terror is a must for us! I *personally* don't like riding Grizzly in the morning unless it's really hot, so I'd save that for later. Maybe when DL is having the parade and fireworks you can spend that time in DCA, assuming it's open that late. When I was in DL a few weeks ago they had FPs for Haunted Mansion, which is something you should go on since it's during the Halloween season!

Others will likely have much better ideas than I, but I do hope you and your fiance have a very magical trip!!!

 

[ADLFAN]

I agree, get your Disneyland rides out of the way at the party, then hit DCA on the day that DL does early entry. It is very popular to rides Radiator Springs Racers in the morning via standby and then go collect your Fastpass to ride again later, and it is even better at night!

Once you get your FP for later, head down to the Pier area and go on Toy Story which gets a consistent 30-45 minute line throughout the day and doesn't have a FP option. There are lots of walk on rides at the Pier, and CA Screamin moves their short morning line super fast.

Once your RSR FP matures (2 hours) and you are eligible for another, grab the Tower of Terror FP and maybe walk through A Bugs Land and Cars Land to enjoy the theming.

After TOT and lunch maybe at Flo's V8? Head towards Soarin and GRR.

Have fun!!

 

[SeaKerina]

I don't see it mentioned in your list, Tower of Terror is a must for us!

Oh yes! I have only been on Tower of Terror once when I was 7 in Disneyworld. I had to take the CM elevator down after I started crying. Time to conquer my fear! Thank you for your suggestions, I am looking forward to it

It is very popular to rides Radiator Springs Racers in the morning via standby and then go collect your Fastpass to ride again later, and it is even better at night!

I can't wait to ride RSR! It looks amazing at night so hopefully I can grab a Fastpass for later in the day. Thank you for your help!


I'm worried Disneyland will be too crowded once I hop back over in the afternoon. I know we will be getting quite a bit of time there the day before but I would like to have a little bit of time there the second day. I'm an over planner!

 

[valiamo]

Do the bulk of your DLR rides late in the evening of the Party. They will be very empty around 8 PM, and you will be able to get on most of them in very quickly. We walked on, no waits, all the major rides one after the other. The only one that was always busy was the Haunted Mansion.

DCA, do single rider on RCR, we never waited more than 10 minutes, and 1/2 the time we were in the same car or were racing against each other.