2 Park, One Day Touring Strategy

[jrtoastyman]

Will be arriving around 9:30-10:00 on a day where I have a single day to hit the highlights of both parks, by myself. Have been to both before. Looking for ideas re strategy that you all might have. I'm not averse to going back and forth between the parks to grab FPs, and use the single rider lines whenever available. Would ideally like to hit, in no particular order of priority:

Radiator Springs
California Screamin'
Soarin'
Toy Story
Monsters Inc
Grizzly River Run
Indy
Haunted Mansion
Space Mountain
Matterhorn
Pirates
Big Thunder
Splash Mountain
Small World
Alice
Star Tours
Buzz


So, what FPs should I grab first, and which park should I hit first?

Thanks!

 

[figment_jii]

When are you going? When do the parks open? That will greatly impact what you can do (and potentially when).

RSR, Screamin', Soarin', GRR, Indy, Matterhorn, and Splash have a SRL, so I would probably opt to do that whenever possible (even over using a FP). RSR, Screamin', Soarin', GRR, Indy, HM (maybe), Space, BTMRR, Splash, Star Tours, and Buzz have FPs. I would probably use the FP for Space and Star Tours in DL and RSR in DCA (if you want to select your row or don't want to use the SRL).

For me, I would probably opt not to criss-cross back and forth that much if possible. While park hopping doesn't taking a lot of time, it does take time, especially if there are lines to get into the parks. I think the biggest time sinks will be Toy Story (no SRL or FP - so probably a 45 to 60 minute wait throughout the day, except maybe while WoC is being presented) and Alice (slow loader, probably 30+ minutes). The thrill rides also tend to have long(ish) lines, but FP and SRL can often help with those. In my experience, Space runs out of FPs first in DL and RSR runs out of FPs in DCA first.

I would probably either do the DCA rides first (assuming that park closes earlier than DL) and then hop over to DL for the rest of the day. I would see what the return times for RSR look like when you arrive and then either grab that FP or forgo it and focus on SRL in DCA. Over in DL, I would grab a Space FP first. Then maybe do the rides in TL and move on to other attractions depending on the return time for Space.

 

[jrtoastyman]

Thanks for the insight. This would be next Wednesday (June 17th) when DCA closes at 10 and DL closes at midnight. I won't be there in time for park opening, which is 8 at Disneyland and 7 with early entry at DCA.

 

[Disney Kidd]

This is how I would do it:

I would first grab a FP for Big Thunder (the return time should be pretty fast), then go on IJ SRL. If the BT RT has arrived, grab a FP for HM, then ride BT. If the RT has not arrived, wait in line for Pirates then do the above mentioned. While waiting for HM RT ride Pirates and/or Splash Mountain SRL. I would then grab a FP for Space Mountain (the return time will probably be about 4-5 hours later). Then, head to DCA since the lines at DL will be really long now.

I find the lines in DCA to move quickly, especially with SR. Go through all of the DCA rides you want to ride using SR or just waiting in line. Remember you can SR Soarin', GRR, California Screamin', and RSR. The SRL for RSR is sometimes as short as 25 minutes, but can be MUCH longer. Also, for TSMM, they have a new thing where you can answer Toy Story trivia and get to cut the line so check and see if the CMs are out doing that. If you're able to get another FP, I would do so for Soarin' (if the RT is feasible or just SR).

Return to DL when it's time for your Space Mountain FP. I would get a FP for Star Tours, and do all of the Fantasyland rides after 10:00. We waited in Matterhorn SR for about 10 minutes around 11:00, Alice was about 25 minutes at this time.

 

[jrtoastyman]

This is how I would do it:

I would first grab a FP for Big Thunder (the return time should be pretty fast), then go on IJ SRL. If the BT RT has arrived, grab a FP for HM, then ride BT. If the RT has not arrived, wait in line for Pirates then do the above mentioned. While waiting for HM RT ride Pirates and/or Splash Mountain SRL. I would then grab a FP for Space Mountain (the return time will probably be about 4-5 hours later). Then, head to DCA since the lines at DL will be really long now.

I find the lines in DCA to move quickly, especially with SR. Go through all of the DCA rides you want to ride using SR or just waiting in line. Remember you can SR Soarin', GRR, California Screamin', and RSR. The SRL for RSR is sometimes as short as 25 minutes, but can be MUCH longer. Also, for TSMM, they have a new thing where you can answer Toy Story trivia and get to cut the line so check and see if the CMs are out doing that. If you're able to get another FP, I would do so for Soarin' (if the RT is feasible or just SR).

Return to DL when it's time for your Space Mountain FP. I would get a FP for Star Tours, and do all of the Fantasyland rides after 10:00. We waited in Matterhorn SR for about 10 minutes around 11:00, Alice was about 25 minutes at this time.

Thank you! Couple of quick follow-ups:

1. Does Haunted Mansion use FP? I thought that was standby only
2. How does one find out if the CMs are doing this Toy Story Trivia game? Is it something out in the open, or do you have to ask them?

Thanks again!

 

[figment_jii]

1. Does Haunted Mansion use FP? I thought that was standby only

The HM does have FP machines, but they aren't always in use. They've been in use lately (since HM re-opened with the Hatbox Ghost addition).

2. How does one find out if the CMs are doing this Toy Story Trivia game? Is it something out in the open, or do you have to ask them?

This is the first time I've ever heard of this, so it is either some very new or something that they are doing very quietly. I would ask the CM at the entrance, but my guess is that they don't do this very often.

 

[Disney Kidd]

Thank you! Couple of quick follow-ups:

1. Does Haunted Mansion use FP? I thought that was standby only
2. How does one find out if the CMs are doing this Toy Story Trivia game? Is it something out in the open, or do you have to ask them?

Thanks again!

Yes, Haunted Mansion has FP! The CMs were to the side of the entrance holding white cards. I believe you have to ask them or they might randomly grab people. I also don't know if they're always out there or if they only do it at different times.

 

[Disney Kidd]

The HM does have FP machines, but they aren't always in use. They've been in use lately (since HM re-opened with the Hatbox Ghost addition).


This is the first time I've ever heard of this, so it is either some very new or something that they are doing very quietly. I would ask the CM at the entrance, but my guess is that they don't do this very often.

Yes, it is new! I went last Thursday and did it. They said it was a new thing they were doing for the 60th anniversary!

 

[figment_jii]

Yes, Haunted Mansion has FP! The CMs were to the side of the entrance holding white cards. I believe you have to ask them or they might randomly grab people. I also don't know if they're always out there or if they only do it at different times.

White cards? HM has regular FP machines that are located to the left of the attraction entrance, close to the train station. They are connected to the rest of the DL FP system, so keep that in mind if you're also considering use/getting FPs for other attractions.

Yes, it is new! I went last Thursday and did it. They said it was a new thing they were doing for the 60th anniversary!

Given the length of that line for TSMM, I hope the trivia is something fairly difficult and makes the guest really "earn" the perk! Hopefully it isn't like when they were doing the trivia for the Carsland buttons and "close enough" was good enough to get the button.

 

[Disney Kidd]

White cards? HM has regular FP machines that are located to the left of the attraction entrance, close to the train station. They are connected to the rest of the DL FP system, so keep that in mind if you're also considering use/getting FPs for other attractions.


Given the length of that line for TSMM, I hope the trivia is something fairly difficult and makes the guest really "earn" the perk! Hopefully it isn't like when they were doing the trivia for the Carsland buttons and "close enough" was good enough to get the button.

The white cards are in reference to TSMM. They were kinda hard! You had to answer 3 out of 5 questions correctly. When we walked up to the line, a CM stopped us and asked if it was just the 2 of us, then began reading the questions. Again, I don't know if they're always out there, and if you have to be randomly chosen, but it's worth a look!