2 Parks, 1 Day. Will this work?

[buyerbrad]

We are coming to Disneyland for our second time ever. Last time we were able to spend 3 full days. This time, we only have one day, Thursday, August 2, to do both parks. These are all of the rides/parades/shows we would like to do. We are both in our early 30s. Do you think this plan is possible?

Start at DCA at 8am.

Grab Radiator Springs Fastpass. Get California Screaming Fastpass (hopefully still disconnected) and ride Toy Story Mania. If not, ride both. Ride Goofy’s Sky School(possibly not ride and get a FP depending on earlier RS & CS timing). Run and grab WOC Fastpass (and run to grab a Space Mountain Fastpass) and ride Little Mermaid. Watch Muppets 3D. Grab another Fastpass as we leave the park for Soarin or Radiator Spings if time window allows for it (depending on how close we are to the time, eat lunch before leaving and then grab a Fastpass). Leave park.

Enter Disneyland

Ride Train to Splash Mountain and get a FastPass. Ride Pooh if line is “short”. Ride Haunted Mansion, Pirates, and Big Thunder. Cut through Fantasy Land and ride anything with a “short” line. Ride Buzz and use earlier Space Mountain Fastpass. Ride train and use Splash Fastpass from earlier. Watch Soundsational Parade at 6:30pm…leave park.
Return to DCA and use the 3 or 4 Fastpasses we collected earlier. Watch WOC.

Will this work? Suggestions?

 

[Lissame]

You don't want to ride Indiana Jones? Star Tours?

Another thing--if it's hot, and you're not collecting a Splash FP until after lunch, the return time might not be until evening, if there are any left by that time.

 

[DLR29]

It's ambitious but probably doable. The running to get a Space FP might take a bit longer than anticipated, but not that long. Also you might look into getting a FP for BTMRR if your Splash window opens up. BTMRR's FPs pretty much never run out and with FP I've never waited more than 5 min for the ride.

Also if you watch Soundsational at 6:30 (dinner beforehand?), and hop over to DCA, you'll want to ride Screamin first because it closes early for WoC. Also you might have to use one of your DCA FPs after WoC, assuming you get FP for the first WoC show.

 

[buyerbrad]

You don't want to ride Indiana Jones? Star Tours?

Another thing--if it's hot, and you're not collecting a Splash FP until after lunch, the return time might not be until evening, if there are any left by that time.

I don't think we will have time. The wife and I made a list of rides we really wanted to do and they were both expandable. Also, I'm not a huge fan of the motion simulator rides and I think Indy is kinda boring.

 

[buyerbrad]

It's ambitious but probably doable. The running to get a Space FP might take a bit longer than anticipated, but not that long. Also you might look into getting a FP for BTMRR if your Splash window opens up. BTMRR's FPs pretty much never run out and with FP I've never waited more than 5 min for the ride.

Also if you watch Soundsational at 6:30 (dinner beforehand?), and hop over to DCA, you'll want to ride Screamin first because it closes early for WoC. Also you might have to use one of your DCA FPs after WoC, assuming you get FP for the first WoC show.

I will try and grab one for BTMRR if possible. As soon as a window opens we will get one. If we are running behind schedule I had 2 "alternatives".
1) Save Muppets til after WOC
2) Hop back and use the Space and Splash FP's after WOC.

I don't forsee us coming back for many, many, many years, so we will stay until close if need be.

 

[zeferjen]

I guess I would just keep your eyes open for possible changes in Fastpass return policy. I am not sure if people expect this to change after Carsland opens.

 

[pixiewings71]

You realize you're going to have to go to DL to get the Space FP right? Why not just ride TLM and get your FP for WoC on your way to DL. And yes, you will probably get a late return time if you get a Splash FP after noon. You said you don't like motion simulators, have you ridden the new ST? If not you might want to consider adding it, it's vastly improved over the old ST.

 

[buyerbrad]

I guess I would just keep your eyes open for possible changes in Fastpass return policy. I am not sure if people expect this to change after Carsland opens.

I really hope they don't change. If they do, I'm sure it will force lots of people back to the drawing board.

 

[buyerbrad]

You realize you're going to have to go to DL to get the Space FP right? Why not just ride TLM and get your FP for WoC on your way to DL. And yes, you will probably get a late return time if you get a Splash FP after noon. You said you don't like motion simulators, have you ridden the new ST? If not you might want to consider adding it, it's vastly improved over the old ST.

Yes I realize I will need to change parks to get a Space FP. It will be worth the 15 minutes to have it for later.

We may do TLM and go straight to DL option, but we would like to watch Muppets before we go to. Also, if I run and grab the Space FP and then do TLM and Muppets, it will allow some time to run off before we can get another FP when we do eventually make it to DL.

How late do you think the first showing of WOC Fastpasses will run out?

 

[DisneyMomma81]

*Here's* how we did that, mid July 2009.

 

[buyerbrad]

*Here's* how we did that, mid July 2009.

Thanks for the advice. I just don't think we will be able to get a FP for Radiator Springs if we wait until the afternoon. I remember when TSMM opened at Disney World and FPs would be gone by noon.

I think with both parks opening at 8am, and the majority of people running to Carsland when DCA opens, we should be able to do TSMM and CS really quickly to start the day.

 

[PigletSeeker]

I would totally skip Goofy's Sky School. It's really terrible...neither fun nor thrilling and leaves me with a headache all day. I only ride because my 5 year old loves it , but I can't imagine anyone over 5 loving it -LOL.

 

[buyerbrad]

I would totally skip Goofy's Sky School. It's really terrible...neither fun nor thrilling and leaves me with a headache all day. I only ride because my 5 year old loves it , but I can't imagine anyone over 5 loving it -LOL.

It is certainly not a must do. We will do it if the line is still really short or if we are walking by and can get a FastPass. I think it will be empty, so it will be a good opportunity to add to the total amount of rides we do in the day.

 

[pixiewings71]

Yes I realize I will need to change parks to get a Space FP. It will be worth the 15 minutes to have it for later.

We may do TLM and go straight to DL option, but we would like to watch Muppets before we go to. Also, if I run and grab the Space FP and then do TLM and Muppets, it will allow some time to run off before we can get another FP when we do eventually make it to DL.

How late do you think the first showing of WOC Fastpasses will run out?

I think it will take you more like 20-30 minutes to get a Space FP, it depends on lines going into DL I guess. I understand your thinking, I just wanted to be sure you remembered they were in different parks.

As for GSS, it's fun. I wouldn't say skip it if you have time, but if it comes down to that one and something like Soarin', go with Soarin'.

 

[Princess Sleepy]

Is GSS the CA equivalent of Barnstormer at WDW?

 

[DLR29]

Is GSS the CA equivalent of Barnstormer at WDW?

No, Gooy's Sky School is more like Primeval Whirl at AK but without the spinning cars.

Gadget's Go Coaster in DL's Toontown is more like the Barnstormer.

 

[LisainCalifornia]

You realize you're going to have to go to DL to get the Space FP right? Why not just ride TLM and get your FP for WoC on your way to DL. And yes, you will probably get a late return time if you get a Splash FP after noon. You said you don't like motion simulators, have you ridden the new ST? If not you might want to consider adding it, it's vastly improved over the old ST.

I totally agree with Pixiewings on all points--but especially the Star Tours thing. This ride is nothing like it use to be. It is incredible! Only second to my beloved Pirates, and that is saying something!

 

[mysteriouspnai]

I would also reconsider the getting FP for both Racers and Screamin as I would imagine they will reconnect Screamin over summer.