A few questions

[Johnny Quest]

We are in the final countdown for our trip and are planning to spend two days in the parks - 8/29 & 8/30.

Why is the Indiana Jones ride closed from 8/28-8/30? and will this be running at all?

What would be a good strategy with only two days to tour the parks. Our group consists of two teenage boys and two adults - all thrill riders but may want to ride the subs. We are staying onsite at the Grand Californian which allows for an EE on Thursday and will be hitting parks at opening.

We're from the East Coast - non DisneyLand experts but have been to the parks once before a few years back.

We have no idea what to expect re:crowds - what time to line up - and whether to hit nemo on Wed, non ee and use the Thurs EE for the remainder of attractions then hop over to DCA for the day.

Also, can anyone tell me what the "unofficial" DCA park opening would be for a GC guest this Thursday?

thanks for your help.

JB

 

[DLR29]

As a teenage boy, I can probably relate well to your strategy.

When you ride Nemo depends on if you want to ride any Fantasyland rides. If you do such as Peter Pan, Matterhorn (good for thrill seekers), Mad Tea Party, Pinocchio, and Mr. Toad (some of my favorites, but all have long lines, except Pinocchio, during the day), then I'd get to the gates on W 45 minutes in advance and "run" to Nemo. If you could care less for the Fantasyland rides (which I seriously hope not) then ride Nemo first thing during EE, getting to the gates at EE at least 30 minutes in advance.

After Nemo/Fantasyland, I'd suggest touring Tomorrowland, getting a Space Mountain FP, and riding Buzz (you'll want to ride this multiple times), Star Tours (motion simulator), and Autopia? (cars on a track, but well done). Then cross over to the other side of the park. Get a Splash FP (because it will be hot and the line will be long), and ride Haunted Mansion and Pirates. You should also be able to hit Big Thunder Mountain with little wait. If the boys are into the pirate movies, explore Pirate's lair on Tom Sawyer Island with really good special effects in the caves. Roger Rabbit in Toontown is a good dark ride too if you have time.

It's unfortunate that Indy won't be running. If it says that it will be closed, there's probably no chance that it'll open. It's probably just a small rehab/touch up. It really is a good ride for thrill seekers, but then, you'll just have to make another trip!

DCA will open at 9:30 unofficially, but the only ride open will be Soarin until official park opening. Grizzly River Run and Soarin are the two rides that you will want to use FP, or ride early. California Screamin won't open until afternoon because of construction, so hit that one later (you'll probably want to ride this one multiple times too). Tower of Terror rarely has a line and you definitely wno't want to miss it. Also if you want, It's Tough to be a Bug and MuppetVision 3D are both good 3D films.

Also some good entertainment options are the nightly fireworks and Fantasmic! Very good and I almost never miss them.

 

[Albort]

Dont forget the Aladdin show!

 

[Johnny Quest]

Thank you DLR29 for that great reply.

Yes, Fantasyland is included in our day. Nemo seems to be the biggest hurdle here. Your idea is to save it for the EE day - Thursday.
The only problem - if for some unforseen reason it isn't operating at opening that day, we'd be out of luck or forced to head back at night and wait. (I'm sure you can guess what the vote will be at that point!)

We've been debating back and forth on when to tackle the subs.

Option 1: get it out of the way on Wednesday day 1 - a regular operating day. Be at the gates at opening; ride the subs and hopefully the matterhorn, Space and Buzz on standby. Get fastpasses for Space and Buzz as well and follow the rest of DLR29's plan for the day.

This leaves Fantasyland for Thursday - again be at the gates at opening during EE - enjoy Fantasyland and grab a few more space and buzz fastpasses for later. Then head over to DCA around 9:30.

Question: are fastpasses operating during the early entry hour?

Option 2: Reverse the days to ride the subs during EE and hit Fantasyland during opening on Wed. Everything else status quo.

Please everyone, feel free to share any thoughts/experiences on this.

Also, re Autotopia - As WDW vets, the boys (14 & 17) have outgrown the Indy speedway at the Magic Kingdom. How does the Autotopia compare to this?

thanks again.

JB

 

[DLR29]

Thank you DLR29 for that great reply.

Yes, Fantasyland is included in our day. Nemo seems to be the biggest hurdle here. Your idea is to save it for the EE day - Thursday.
The only problem - if for some unforseen reason it isn't operating at opening that day, we'd be out of luck or forced to head back at night and wait. (I'm sure you can guess what the vote will be at that point!)

We've been debating back and forth on when to tackle the subs.

Option 1: get it out of the way on Wednesday day 1 - a regular operating day. Be at the gates at opening; ride the subs and hopefully the matterhorn, Space and Buzz on standby. Get fastpasses for Space and Buzz as well and follow the rest of DLR29's plan for the day.

This leaves Fantasyland for Thursday - again be at the gates at opening during EE - enjoy Fantasyland and grab a few more space and buzz fastpasses for later. Then head over to DCA around 9:30.

Question: are fastpasses operating during the early entry hour?

Option 2: Reverse the days to ride the subs during EE and hit Fantasyland during opening on Wed. Everything else status quo.

Please everyone, feel free to share any thoughts/experiences on this.

Also, re Autotopia - As WDW vets, the boys (14 & 17) have outgrown the Indy speedway at the Magic Kingdom. How does the Autotopia compare to this?

I vote for option #1 if Fantasyland is in your itinerary. A few of my friends and I used EE for Fantsyland a week ago (my TR is below) and it worked perfectly. The only ride during EE that had any line over 10 minutes was Nemo and that was at least 90.

FP for Buzz or Space are not running during EE. The machines begin runnign at official park opening.

Autopia is much better than Indy Speedway. On our first trip to WDW, we skipped the Indy Speedway because it just looked lame. Even the DL cars look cooler. DL's Autopia has off roading and much better scenery; however, I wouldn't call it a must see.