1st time to Disneyland and have a few questions

[Lucyfan84]

It's finally happening. I am going to DLR for the very first time and could not be more excited. Not even the ever growing list of rehabs can dampen my day.

So, of course, I have a few questions and knew the DISers would be the perfect people to ask.

1. I'm a big guy. 6'4" 350 lbs. However I am no issue fitting on any of the adult rides at WDW. Some are tighter fits than others but never been too big/tall to fit.

My question is do I need to worry about fitting in the rides at DLR? I've read SM, Matterhorn. Etc could be questionable but I thought I would ask your advice.

I know at WDW the front of test track and Rock n roller coaster have more leg room, does the same hold true for RSR and California Screamin?

2. What is the process at the turnstiles?
Does DLR do biometrics like WDW does or is it just enter your ticket it comes out and you go in?

Also is there a dedicated line/ turnstile for the early entry into the parks?

3. Since I'm going in April and DCA food and wine is happening does that happen only on the weekends? I know the special events are only on the weekends but will the food for the event be available during the week?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Matt892]

1. The vehicle design for RSR is exactly the same as Test Track (minus the Cars movie details). I want to say the very front of Screamin' has more leg room due to the nose cone, but I'm not 100% sure.

2. If you are using a single or multi-day ticket, they will scan your ticket with an Ipod then take a photo of you. This insures that it is in fact you using the ticket and that no one is selling unused days or trying to get in with a multi-day they found on the ground.

3. Food and Wine is only weekends right now. That could change based on popularity, at least I'm hoping it does, it brings money...

 

[avalon451]

You need to talk to Bumbershoot; her DH is a big guy and she's posted about what rides do/do not work well for him.

No biometrics yet; they take your picture, though.

The turnstiles for Early Entry are usually to the right; they are indicated by a rotating sign above each turnstile. When it comes time for regular park opening, they flip them to the normal entrance sign.

http://thatdisfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Disneyland-Opening.jpg

Hope you have a great time! Maybe do a trip report? It's always great to hear the story of your first trip.

 

[Niltiac]

I could be mistaken but I seem to remember the front seat in the Matterhorn has less leg room than the other seats, so that might be something to watch out for. I'm short though, so I'm not really sure how tight it is for taller folks. I would generally expect that you can fit in all the rides, and the question would just be how comfortable it is. If you don't have knee or hip issues such that being cramped or getting in and out of cramped vehicles would cause problems, then most of the rides are probably worth a few minutes of discomfort. I've heard that some people have difficulty with Goofy's Sky School and the swings, but I think the issue there is width more than height, so it depends how you're built.

I don't know if your question about Food and Wine has been definitively answered, since this is the first time in years that they're holding the event so we can't just look at last year as an example. I would hope that some special food offerings would stick around during the week. If it's been said for certain which way they're going with this, I haven't seen it. I'm curious about this as well.

 

[coaches24]

Im a big guy but not quite as big as you (6' 280-290) and I am able to do most of the rides fine. Gadgets Go coaster (is it still open?) was an issue for me but I was able to ride, sitting with my legs sideways (DD was 3 or 4 when I did that) but I never tried it again after that because it was a very uncomfortable ride. I haven't ridden Goofys sky school but have heard its a tight fit and might be difficult for bigger people.

Matterhorn isn't too bad for me but there isn't a lot of leg room. At 6'4 your knees might be pretty tight in there I'm guessing but I think you could ride it.

Space I never have an issue with. I fit fine in that.

If you have little ones who want to ride Winnie the pooh make sure you ask for the front row because there is no leg room in the back row. Tthe front row has a lot of space because of the shape of the cars.

Some of the kiddie rides in bugs land are hard to get in and out of for me so I try to avoid those now that DD is old enough to ride them without me.

 

[Happyjenz]

Some rides like Alice in Wonderland, Mister Toad, Peter Pan, etc.... Have narrow lines. Someone might be able to chime in if they've had a problem, but there is very little space, and the turnstiles are small too. I bet you'll have no problem with most everything at DCA.

 

[Lucyfan84]

I knew you guys would be awesome in handling my questions.

Thanks for the quick replies.

It's nice to be reassured that problems with ride vehicles probably won't be a problem at all.

I'll definitely be doing a trip report on my first visit. Lord knows I have enjoyed reading first timers talk about their trip to DLR so I might as well add to the conversation.

It's funny though. I've grown up in Florida going to WDW since I was a kid in the late eighties, so I've become very familiar with those parks. Now I actually find myself nervous about a Disney trip and that's so new to me. Lol. It's going to be a blast and even though I'm a huge fan of WDW FP+ since I'm a local AP holder and just like not having to not run everywhere, I'm liking the fact DLR has legacy FP but then again the parks are smaller and the temps not as high/humid.

 

[nikkislaght]

Just to tack on about Goofys school of flying ride . or what every its called , Im 5.10" and it was horrible.... no leg room at all..

 

[gottalovepluto]

Matterhorn has more space upfront. My dad 6'4" was placed upfront by CM who said there was more leg room there.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

This thread should have some good info for you: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets

 

[bookgirl]

Tim from @thetimtracker was just in DLR, he's long and lanky and his legs did not fit in the Gadget GoCoaster and he talked about it being really uncomfortable.

I'm pretty sure it was in the Vlog he just put up.

 

[smartlabelprint]

If you can't fit comfortably in the ride lines at Peter Pan, etc you can request a disability program at city hall.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If you can't fit comfortably in the ride lines at Peter Pan, etc you can request a disability program at city hall.

What are you talking about? A DAS? That isn't appropriate for someone too large to fit on certain rides.

 

[smartlabelprint]

What are you talking about? A DAS? That isn't appropriate for someone too large to fit on certain rides.

What if they're too large for the queue?

 

[bookgirl]

I would imagine that if they are too large for the queue then they are too large for most rides. (I say this as a plus size person and you'd have to really be large not to fit in most queues)

I guess the Grand Fiesta Tour in Mexico is a bit narrow and they do have a separate entrance for wheel chairs but I imagine if you're too big to fit it would be a matter of talking to the CM. Really if you're too big to fit, then what good would waiting somewhere else do you, at the end of the wait, you'd STILL have to go through the queue.