A bunch of questions!

[blabbermouth]

Okay, hope you guys can help me out with a few of these:

1. Does it sound reasonable that on the morning we go to DCA that we grab FPs for Soarin' first and then go to TSM?

2. I know one 'should' do Fantasyland first, but how busy is it at night? Would we be able to do most rides with reasonable waits after 9ish?

3. How busy are Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion at DL?

4. Fiance 'demands' a restaurant like Sonny Eclipse's at MK in WDW.. basically he wants chicken and/or ribs (not so much the singing dude). What do you recommend?

P.S. We'll be there for 4 days (DF just decided he'd rather a 4th day at Disneyland than go to Universal).

Oh, and P.P.S. Thanks, you guys are awesome

 

[DizNee Luver]

Okay, hope you guys can help me out with a few of these:

1. Does it sound reasonable that on the morning we go to DCA that we grab FPs for Soarin' first and then go to TSM?

Depending on crowd sizes, I would go to TSMM first, then grab FP's for Soarin' (unless you were hoping to ride it in the first hour of park opening)...or you could have one person head to TSMM & the other grab the FP's & meet you.....but having someone cut in line is a hot topic.


2. I know one 'should' do Fantasyland first, but how busy is it at night? Would we be able to do most rides with reasonable waits after 9ish?

Fantasyland is most successful first thing in the morning, you're able to get on a large number of them in the first hour......I have never walked thru Fantasyland at any time of day & not seen long lines.


3. How busy are Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion at DL?

When we were there in March & again in April, the longest wait time we saw for POTC was 20 mins. HM was running about the same....the lines can be deceiving....they move & load people pretty quickly


4. Fiance 'demands' a restaurant like Sonny Eclipse's at MK in WDW.. basically he wants chicken and/or ribs (not so much the singing dude). What do you recommend?

Can't really help on this one, as I've never been to WDW


P.S. We'll be there for 4 days (DF just decided he'd rather a 4th day at Disneyland than go to Universal).

Giving yourself an extra day will be great for hitting favorites again & catching some you may have missed. Definately take advantage of the FP's & gather as many as you can early in the day, take a break mid-day & then come back & ride on all your FP's!!!! Early morning & late evenings is a great time to be in the parks. Sometimes you catch a break during the parades & fireworks as well.


Oh, and P.P.S. Thanks, you guys are awesome

YW, hope that helps!!!

 

[pixiewings71]

I've never been to WDW so I have no idea what the food is like there but for ribs & chicken I love Rainforest Cafe in DTD. There is also a Tony Romas on Harbor, walking distance and it's a good BBQ place.

 

[KrazyKat4DIS]

I haven't been there yet (it just opened), but perhaps the new BBQ Round-up restaurant might fit the bill for you fiance.

 

[mechurchlady]

Fantasyland consists of slow loaders. No matter what they do there are only so many of Casey Jr, and Dumbo that can be run. Fantasyland has the mild rides that guest take the whole family on. Most guests can do Fantasyland rides. The only time it is not backed up is very late at night when everyone is heading home that last hour or early morning.

Plaza Inn has fried chicken. I agree with the offsite suggestions and you can take a monorail to ESPN or Rainforest Cafe but remember they are not good with celiac and some other special diets. My friend, Calvin, loved the ribs at Taste Pilot Grill and they come with slaw and choice of fries or onion rings which are both tasty. It cost about $25 for two drinks, cheddarburger, large ribs. If Calvin likes it then your guys should like it also.

 

[Zoemakes5]

Today was PACKED at DL. HM and Pirates both had lines of about 25-30 minutes (or more) BTMRR had over an hour! And, at 1:30 Indy was Fast Passing for 9:50! But, that's all unusual. I'd say typical busy time for Pirates is about 15-20 min.

There's not anything specific that would fit the bill at DL for the food. There are different places with different offerings, but not really any bbq places except the aforementioned Round Up. I've not eaten there, so I can't say whether it's any good. Though, my guys really like grabbing the monorail from Tomorrowland and taking it to ESPN Zone for lunch. Not as busy as dinner time and really good food (I've had some ESPN that's just ok, but the one in DtD is great!). I'd recommend any of the DtD restaurants for lunch for those who want a sit down place. For a number of reasons...often lunch is cheaper than dinnner, it is markedly less busy at lunch than at dinner, you can walk off the larger meal the rest of the day or use it as a nice break to go rest or hang out at the pool for mid day, AND, I feel that the food places in the parks, especially counter service, is much quicker to get through at dinner than at lunch. Taste Pilot's (in DCA) has good ribs, but inconsistently good ribs. I'd rather go to Mimi's off site for really good food at a portion of the cost.

You will have slower lines in Fantasyland later evening, especially after the fireworks. They do close a number of rides during the fireworks, though, so beware. However, the lines will be nothing like you'll get going right there after opening. Especially for Peter Pan and Alice. When we were there in April, we were able to do PP, Alice, Snow White, and Teacups all in 25 minutes when we went straight there at opening. I'm not an early morning person, but even I have to admit that doing it one morning first thing is soooo worth it.

If TSMM is important to you, get to the turnstyles at 9, get through and go to the Soarin area and get a FP and then get in the line to head over to TSMM. If you're not there that early, then don't bother taking the time to get the FP first. Go directly back to TSMM and then go get FP. Actually, go on the ride, then go through the Single Rider line (it should be up by that point) if you want. Then go get FP for Soarin. You should have more than enough time.

With the extra time, take time to do some of the smaller stuff, like the Sleeping Beauty walk through in the castle, some shows/parades you wouldn't normally, and have some planned down time.

 

[Disneylvrforever]

1. Does it sound reasonable that on the morning we go to DCA that we grab FPs for Soarin' first and then go to TSM?

I'd go to TSM first, then get FPs for Soarin'. Even though FPs for Soarin' go fast, you'll still have time to get some before they run out.

2. I know one 'should' do Fantasyland first, but how busy is it at night? Would we be able to do most rides with reasonable waits after 9ish?

Fantasyland is still busy even after fireworks. Crowds don't wear down until the 10-11:00 hour.

3. How busy are Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion at DL?

I've caught these rides at a 5-10 min wait during the late afternoons the past couple of weeks. But depending on how the crowds are when you're there, it'll probably change.

4. Fiance 'demands' a restaurant like Sonny Eclipse's at MK in WDW.. basically he wants chicken and/or ribs (not so much the singing dude). What do you recommend?

I'm not sure what Sonny Eclipse's is like and even though Celebration Roundup has awesome BBQ ribs and chicken, I don't think he'll want the entertainment. There are plenty of singing ppl there. Taste Pilots in DCA has BBQ ribs and the other thing that DL has in terms of BBQ is a BBQ pork sandwich at the Riverbelle Terrace.

 

[blabbermouth]

Thanks everybody. You really helped me with my planning. I guess if the first night we don't get on all the fantasyland rides we can do them on one of the other mornings, so that works out fine DF will just have to suck it up and have ribs at taste pilot or find something else he likes.... the monte cristo perhaps?

 

[mystic_path]

Okay, hope you guys can help me out with a few of these:

1. Does it sound reasonable that on the morning we go to DCA that we grab FPs for Soarin' first and then go to TSM?

Sure why not? It only takes seconds to grab Fast Passes, and then you can make your way to TSM. Personally I think getting fast passes first are great. The sooner your time is up, the sooner you can grab another. Kill some time while your waiting for you fast pass to expire at TSM. TSM has carts that come and go constantly. So the line should move at a decent pace. Specially if your there first thing in the morning. You would probably have a 10 minute wait at best if its like one of the first things you do.

2. I know one 'should' do Fantasyland first, but how busy is it at night? Would we be able to do most rides with reasonable waits after 9ish?

Fantasyland is good if you are using a Magic Morning. Then you can wait minimal times for the rides. But personally I LOVE Fantasyland at night. This is my favorite time to go there. Its just beautiful all lit up, and it gives off a more "Magical" feel to the park. The lineups arent as bad as the rest of the day. Peter Pan might have a bit of a wait (15 min or so), as well as Alice in Wonderland, but Mr. Toads wild ride, Pinocchio, Snow White are usually walk on.


3. How busy are Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion at DL?

These rides move FAST! Each boat for the Pirates holds like 15 people and the boats fill up and move out every 30 seconds. The Haunted Mansion... well it depends... What time of year are you going, If your going during the day, it can be quite busy, and your wait time can get up to an hour. But if you go first thing in the morning or at night your wait time is considerably shorter.


4. Fiance 'demands' a restaurant like Sonny Eclipse's at MK in WDW.. basically he wants chicken and/or ribs (not so much the singing dude). What do you recommend?

Ok well there is this new BBQ celebration round up in Frontierland where its an all you can eat buffet. Sure there is entertainment but the food isnt supposed to be that bad, and for a man and an all you can eat... Cant beat it.

Hope some of this helps

 

[Quilter007]

There really isn't great BBQ @ DL right now (sorry but I just can't see paying the Celebration BBQ prices). However, if you can get off property, then go get DF some In-N-Out!!!!! If he's got to have chicken, get El Pollo Loco. Warning -- once you get a taste for those, it's tough to be away! DH went so far as to find a recipe on-line for making El Pollo Loco at home. He's tried it about 4 times and doesn't quite have the secret, but he's still trying. He's also working on matching In-N-Out...

 

[mystic_path]

OOOH How can I forget There is a Tony Romas right across the street from the main gate on Harbor.