2 Days, both parks, mid-August

[megankj]

My friend and I are visiting next month, taking a side trip while visiting my brother and his girlfriend in San Diego (we're from the East Coast). He's been to WDW a couple times over his lifetime and generally likes theme parks, but has never been to California. I grew up visiting Disneyland every year or two (my grandparents lived nearby) but have only gone once since childhood- a day trip during a conference a couple years ago. I've never been to DCA, and I have been to WDW a couple times as an adult. We're both in our 30s.

We're staying in walking distance from August 15-17th, doing DL on the 16th (Wed) and DCA on the 17th (Thurs) before driving back to SD, exhausted I'm sure, after WOC. My plan right now is to rope drop both parks, and take advantage of efficient morning touring and FP to hit mostly headliners. I realize that with FP being in flux and MaxPass possibly starting by then, we'll have to play it by ear. We do plan to purchase MaxPass if available. Does this sound reasonable?

Wednesday/DL/9am-11pm:

Arrive around 8:30, breakfast already eaten. After rope drop, using FP as applicable: Space Mountain, Star Tours, Buzz, Matterhorn (single rider if necessary), Indiana Jones, Jungle Cruise, Splash Mountain, Pirates, Haunted Mansion. Lunch at Rancho del Zocalo whenever we get hungry. When things get busy, focus on nice-to-dos like Railroad, Mr. Toad, It's a Small World, Tiki Room, etc. Is there a logical place to fit in Peter Pan? I'd love to fit it in but I realize it's the most logical cut.

Break for Trader Sam's in the late afternoon. Hang out a while, have a drink or two, then early dinner. Return for more nice-to-dos, musicians in New Orleans Square, etc. By 8 or so start looking for a spot for the 8:45 parade and 9:30 fireworks. (We don't have to have perfect spots but do want to see them). Having grabbed a FP earlier, see 10:30 Fantasmic (once again- want to see it, but don't want to sacrifice hours of park time to have perfect spot). Snacks: beignets and dole whip!

Thursday/DCA/9am-9pm:

Arrive around 8:30, breakfast already eaten. After rope drop, using FP as applicable: Radiator Springs Racers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Soarin, Grizzly River Run, California Screamin, Toy Story, Mickey's Fun Wheel. Planning to make bars/appetizers our dining/hangout plan, FPing rides we didn't finish in the morning (and nice-to-dos like It's Tough to be a Bug, Monsters Inc, Little Morning, etc) to break them up. Probably Alfresco Tasting Terrace for a light lunch, Cove Bar to split the lobster nachos for a mid-afternoon snack, and then Carthay Lounge for dinner. Making a point to be in Cars Land around 7:30 for the lights, and we'll catch WOC at 9 (probably with a churro in hand).

I realize these are packed days, but at least at first glance it seems doable for two adults who move quickly? Especially if we have MaxPass at our disposal! Does my strategy seem like a decent one?

 

[Winnowill]

Eminently doable, assuming that when you say "Arrive" you mean at the gates, not at the parking garage. At DL, if you do Space Mountain at rope drop, you should be able to follow up with Star Tours and Buzz in pretty quick succession, and Matterhorn shouldn't take long, either. I'd be surprised if those four at rope drop took much longer than an hour. If you want to do Peter Pan, I'd recommend doing it during the afternoon parade, assuming you're not going to watch the parade.

At DCA, if you rope drop Guardians and FP RSR (or single rider if you prefer), everything else should be super-easy, especially with the fun new instant FPs.

 

[chickapin parterre]

no logical visit to peter pan other being in the ropes to ride peter pan after the fireworks, an hour after fireworks ending, entrance is possible, you will have seen the fireworks , but out of postion for F, then aftewards everyone heads over to Peter Pan for the death march chains.

 

[megankj]

Thanks! I thought the same thing about potentially knocking out Tomorrowland and probably even Matterhorn in the first hour, but then I thought maybe I was just being naive. It seems like with the exception of Peter Pan, we should be able to tackle most of our list without making ourselves crazy. And maybe with Peter Pan, we can just keep an eye on the line and hop in (you're right- the afternoon parade might be the best bet!) if we feel like it in the moment. Or skip it, because it's not going to make or break the trip.

Is MSEP/fireworks/Fantasmic (w/ FP) logical too? I'm thinking we should try to watch from the Adventureland side of Main Street, just before the Partners statue, and make a break toward New Orleans Square as soon as the fireworks end. I'm sure we won't be alone, but hopefully then we'll be toward the front of the throng.

ETA- yes, by "arrive" I mean aim to be standing at the gates around 8:30, breakfast in our bellies but coffee possibly still in-hand ;-). We're staying at the Anaheim Desert Inn & Suites unless I can find a better deal somewhere almost as close, so it's just a quick walk.

 

[Winnowill]

Last month, when we rope-dropped Space Mountain, we were in the second train. Then we went straight to Star Tours and basically walked on. We were out of there by 8:30. We didn't ride Buzz then, but it still looked like a walk-on, too.