okw2012
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2012
- Messages
- 496
I had a weekend by myself in California and had never been to Disneyland. I also never had the opportunity to visit a Disney park on my own. I did both this weekend.
I am perhaps not a WDW vet but have been to all WDW parks multiple times.
My goal was to hit all of the major attractions that are not at WDW plus the ones that differ or are decorated for Xmas.
Thanks to DIS I got plenty of hints on how to do this, unfortunately I did not follow them all. The parks were super busy as it was the last weekend that AP holders could access the parks this year. So a good FP strategy was needed.
I spent the 1st day at DL and the 2nd at CA. I found the layout of DL very similar to MK so I got around very easily and despite the crowds my FP strategy worked really well and I never waited more than 15 min for a ride. Overall I had a great day! My preferred DL rides are Haunted Mansion (nightmare before xmas version) and Space Mountain (star wars version). I even managed to walk in at Blue Bayou for a very nice meal.
During the afternoon, instead of waiting in line at some attraction while waiting for my Space Mountain FP window I decided to hop over to CA. It is so convenient compared to WDW! I took advantage of the fact that the FP systems are not connected and got a FP for Soarin'. I also visited the VGC where I absoslutely want to stay some day!
The 2nd day was not so good. Same level of crowds so I should have been there at rope drop except I wasn't. Especially since I had to leave at 1pm to catch a 4pm flight at LAX! I arrived around 8:15 but by the time I'd gone thru security and the turnstiles it was almost 9am. I went to the Cars FP booth and got a FP... for 1pm! I had not checked and now had an unusable FP that prevented me from getting any other! Boy did I miss the FP+ system. Plus I did not at all need a FP 'cause when I got there the single rider line was 5 min. I then went to Screamin', waited in line for 30 min then the ride closed! I went to TOT which I really wanted to see before it closes. Standby time was posted at 60min. I waited 2 hours!!! After that I only had time for Animation Academy which was fun. And then it was time to go!
Things I learned:
1) it makes a difference to know the lay of the land - I lost a lot of time walking around at CA. and I got confused by the FP system even if I had used the paper FPs at WDW way back when. Now I understand better the newbies. I should have studied the map more.
2) you need a smartphone at DL! I only have a tablet and DL does not have wifi! My Touring Plan subscription was all for nothing. Should have printed my plan, I know.
3) I should go to sleep earlier so as to be able to make it to rope drop fully rested. On the other hand on Saturday nignt I did 5 rides in 1 hour after the night parade which all had 60min+ wait times during the afternoon...
I am perhaps not a WDW vet but have been to all WDW parks multiple times.
My goal was to hit all of the major attractions that are not at WDW plus the ones that differ or are decorated for Xmas.
Thanks to DIS I got plenty of hints on how to do this, unfortunately I did not follow them all. The parks were super busy as it was the last weekend that AP holders could access the parks this year. So a good FP strategy was needed.
I spent the 1st day at DL and the 2nd at CA. I found the layout of DL very similar to MK so I got around very easily and despite the crowds my FP strategy worked really well and I never waited more than 15 min for a ride. Overall I had a great day! My preferred DL rides are Haunted Mansion (nightmare before xmas version) and Space Mountain (star wars version). I even managed to walk in at Blue Bayou for a very nice meal.
During the afternoon, instead of waiting in line at some attraction while waiting for my Space Mountain FP window I decided to hop over to CA. It is so convenient compared to WDW! I took advantage of the fact that the FP systems are not connected and got a FP for Soarin'. I also visited the VGC where I absoslutely want to stay some day!
The 2nd day was not so good. Same level of crowds so I should have been there at rope drop except I wasn't. Especially since I had to leave at 1pm to catch a 4pm flight at LAX! I arrived around 8:15 but by the time I'd gone thru security and the turnstiles it was almost 9am. I went to the Cars FP booth and got a FP... for 1pm! I had not checked and now had an unusable FP that prevented me from getting any other! Boy did I miss the FP+ system. Plus I did not at all need a FP 'cause when I got there the single rider line was 5 min. I then went to Screamin', waited in line for 30 min then the ride closed! I went to TOT which I really wanted to see before it closes. Standby time was posted at 60min. I waited 2 hours!!! After that I only had time for Animation Academy which was fun. And then it was time to go!
Things I learned:
1) it makes a difference to know the lay of the land - I lost a lot of time walking around at CA. and I got confused by the FP system even if I had used the paper FPs at WDW way back when. Now I understand better the newbies. I should have studied the map more.
2) you need a smartphone at DL! I only have a tablet and DL does not have wifi! My Touring Plan subscription was all for nothing. Should have printed my plan, I know.
3) I should go to sleep earlier so as to be able to make it to rope drop fully rested. On the other hand on Saturday nignt I did 5 rides in 1 hour after the night parade which all had 60min+ wait times during the afternoon...
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