ACK!! We leave in a week!

[Anal Annie]

I think getting to the show area 60 minutes ahead is plenty of time to grab a good viewing spot. That thread is overwhelming...but the map I referred to is in the first post, I think.

I would definitely stop stressing so much. I've never been to WDW, but I am a long-time DL vet. The DL parks really don't require as much planning as WDW does...go with the flow and enjoy yourself!

Somebody did just confirm that the RSR FP's are connected to the system now - so good to know. I think I wouldn't be so stressed about not having a plan if we had more time. But we only have 2 1/2 days. Right now our plan is to hit DL on our first afternoon when we arrive then CA on day #2 since it's early opening there. Then our last day we will park hop depending on what we didn't get done yet and what we want to ride again etc. By not having our ADR on our last night we can be more flexible in that respect and can finish up at whichever park we want. I am planning to pack everything for these 3 days in our carry-ons so we don't have to even open our checked bags (hopefully). That will help me get us packed back up fairly quickly then when we get back to our room that last night (we head to the airport at 7 AM the next morning). I just hope RSR opens early and doesn't have maintenance problems!!! That will really throw us for a loop!!

I didn't really have a plan a few years ago when we visited Disneyland Paris and it worked out OK - we did both parks in 2 days. The one thing I wished we'd done differently was to have gotten to Crushes Coaster right at park opening. Instead we hit the other park first for early opening and ran about 30 minutes behind getting over there. By the time we got to Crushes Coaster it already had a 90 min. wait and then it broke down for awhile while we were in line. So we spent a good 2 hours at that ride and then didn't have time to ride it a 2nd time. We would've liked to have had time to ride it 2x. It was a good ride. C'est la vie!!

 

[Fantaluminishes]

Somebody did just confirm that the RSR FP's are connected to the system now - so good to know. I think I wouldn't be so stressed about not having a plan if we had more time. But we only have 2 1/2 days. Right now our plan is to hit DL on our first afternoon when we arrive then CA on day #2 since it's early opening there. Then our last day we will park hop depending on what we didn't get done yet and what we want to ride again etc. By not having our ADR on our last night we can be more flexible in that respect and can finish up at whichever park we want. I am planning to pack everything for these 3 days in our carry-ons so we don't have to even open our checked bags (hopefully). That will help me get us packed back up fairly quickly then when we get back to our room that last night (we head to the airport at 7 AM the next morning). I just hope RSR opens early and doesn't have maintenance problems!!! That will really throw us for a loop!! I didn't really have a plan a few years ago when we visited Disneyland Paris and it worked out OK - we did both parks in 2 days. The one thing I wished we'd done differently was to have gotten to Crushes Coaster right at park opening. Instead we hit the other park first for early opening and ran about 30 minutes behind getting over there. By the time we got to Crushes Coaster it already had a 90 min. wait and then it broke down for awhile while we were in line. So we spent a good 2 hours at that ride and then didn't have time to ride it a 2nd time. We would've liked to have had time to ride it 2x. It was a good ride. C'est la vie!!

Are you going to watch Fantasmic? If so, and since you're hopping, I'd try to switch BB to the first night. Eat dinner, and then grab a spot for the show. Since you'll be so close. You can also ride POTC, HM, and possibly Splash Mtn. Before Fantasmic begins. Them you'll have 2 full days without ADR's to worry about. You really don't need them at DLR.

 

[Girimama33]

You get the Extra Magic Hour for staying onsite, it will not be tied to your ticket. Each guest just shows their ticket and room key at entrance.
It is best to use the Main gate entrance at DCA vs. the GCH entrance in the morning. The rest of the day, use the DCA entrance.

I am going to offer you some different advise as to how to begin your day at DCA. I have done wide right, and it can be a madhouse...sometimes, the ride isn't up and running first thing too. Make sure to ask the CM at the rope if you plan to do wide right. TSMM does not have FP, and usually has a big line throughout the day. My suggestion is to head straight there. Everyone else is heading to Cars Land. You could get a few rides on TSMM, and the other Paradise Pier rides. Get a FP for RSR once the park opens. If everyone in your party is over 7, you could use the single rider line for RSR.

WOC is not connected to the other FP's. There is an area in the WOC Superthread that discusses viewing...read about the fire hydrant spot.

Have a great trip!

 

[Anal Annie]

Are you going to watch Fantasmic? If so, and since you're hopping, I'd try to switch BB to the first night. Eat dinner, and then grab a spot for the show. Since you'll be so close. You can also ride POTC, HM, and possibly Splash Mtn. Before Fantasmic begins. Them you'll have 2 full days without ADR's to worry about. You really don't need them at DLR.

Hadn't really thought about seeing Fantasmic - we've seen it so many times at WDW we're kind of down to only watching it every 2 or 3 times that we go. We can take it or leave it. I'll consider switching BB to the first night but thought that with with the time difference we might want to ride until we're tired & then chill early the first night. We land at LAX around 11:30 AM I think and I was hoping we'd be to the resort by 1:00 or 1:30 and to the park by 2:00 or so. But probably the first thing we'll want to do is eat some lunch as I'm sure after a 5 hour or so flight we'll be hungry. We will be leaving for the airport at 6:20 AM eastern that morning so by 9:00 PM or so that night it will feel like midnight to us. If we want to get up for early opening the next morning we probably won't want to be out TOOOOO late. (I'm thinking we'll want to shower that night before bed too.) But I'll think about it… Thanks for the ideas.

 

[Anal Annie]

You get the Extra Magic Hour for staying onsite, it will not be tied to your ticket. Each guest just shows their ticket and room key at entrance.
It is best to use the Main gate entrance at DCA vs. the GCH entrance in the morning. The rest of the day, use the DCA entrance.

I am going to offer you some different advise as to how to begin your day at DCA. I have done wide right, and it can be a madhouse...sometimes, the ride isn't up and running first thing too. Make sure to ask the CM at the rope if you plan to do wide right. TSMM does not have FP, and usually has a big line throughout the day. My suggestion is to head straight there. Everyone else is heading to Cars Land. You could get a few rides on TSMM, and the other Paradise Pier rides. Get a FP for RSR once the park opens. If everyone in your party is over 7, you could use the single rider line for RSR.

WOC is not connected to the other FP's. There is an area in the WOC Superthread that discusses viewing...read about the fire hydrant spot.

Have a great trip!

First time anyone has mentioned that there is a single rider line for RSR. We often use that feature for a ride once we've ridden it at least once together as a family unit. We do that all the time at HS in WDW for RNR. Will keep that in mind for a 2nd or 3rd ride on it!! Thanks!!

 

[Girimama33]

If you can use the single rider line, I would definitely avoid doing the wide right. Head to TSMM and try and grab a FP with an early return time once the park opens. Previously, they would allow hotel guests to line up for the FP first, but I believe they stopped doing this and now they line up with the masses. Don't let the FP line scare you. It moves really fast. Maybe someone that has been recently can confirm. At least with the FP, you know you will have at least one ride together. We often will be in the same car (one in front row, one in back row) or racing against each other when we have used the SR line.

 

[Mommy to Kayla]

Here now and just want to confirm that RSR IS now connected to the fast pass system!!!

 

[Anal Annie]

Just thought of another question. Way back when WDW didn't enforce the FP return window so that you could come back late and they didn't care. Then before they started the whole magic band thing they started enforcing the return windows so you HAD to return within that 2 hour window or else you were up the creek... How is it handled at DL now? Do they enforce it or do they cut you a little slack if you're running late getting back?! Thanks!!

 

[Fantaluminishes]

FP is enforced at DLR.

 

[Anal Annie]

FP is enforced at DLR.

Thank you!!

 

[Soccermom-Cheri]

Annie dear, take a couple of deep breaths. DLR is NOwhere near the hustle and bustle of DWD in July '08 .

After riding Test Track, RSR was no big deal (to me) I would rather ride TSM twice. JMO

Have a wonderful trip

 

[Anal Annie]

Annie dear, take a couple of deep breaths. DLR is NOwhere near the hustle and bustle of DWD in July '08 .

After riding Test Track, RSR was no big deal (to me) I would rather ride TSM twice. JMO

Have a wonderful trip

Thanks, Cheri! ((xx)) Are you trying to bust my bubble about RSR!? I'm expecting great things doncha know!?! I must stop futzing with the DISboards and finish my cleaning SO I CAN START PACKING!!!

 

[Fantaluminishes]

Thanks, Cheri! ((xx)) Are you trying to bust my bubble about RSR!? I'm expecting great things doncha know!?! I must stop futzing with the DISboards and finish my cleaning SO I CAN START PACKING!!!

"Different strokes..." I guess. I've ridden both several times. The exterior portion of TT is great because it's long and fast.

But I think RSR blows TT away. It's hands down the best ride Disney has introduced in more than a decade. And this is coming from someone who's NEVER seen "Cars".

 

[Anal Annie]

Do you get very wet on Grizzly River? I don't want to ride that TOOOO early in the morning or too late in the evening if you get soaked… At WDW I am always the one to get 100% DRENCHED on Kali River so I wasn't sure if they were similar or not?! That would be my choice for mid-day if you get really wet… If I let the TouringPlans.com site optimize our day they have us riding Grizzly River at like 8:15….but they also have us starting our day with Soarin' and getting 6 rides in before 9:00. Their way says we'll have 220 min. of extra free time in our day while when I try to rearrange it to start with RSR we only have 68 min. free. Their way has us spending only 191 min. in lines for the day and my way has us spending 340 min. in lines. YIKES!! That's a huge difference!!

 

[Girimama33]

You CAN get wet on GRR. The bright side would be that you are staying in the villas, so it will be a quick trip to the room if too wet.
Honestly, TP should just be thrown out the window. It will not optimize right in DCA. I don't think a TPs are necessary at DLR. I think it is good to have a morning plan of attack, and do what you want after that...just my two cents.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Do you get very wet on Grizzly River? I don't want to ride that TOOOO early in the morning or too late in the evening if you get soaked… At WDW I am always the one to get 100% DRENCHED on Kali River so I wasn't sure if they were similar or not?! That would be my choice for mid-day if you get really wet… If I let the TouringPlans.com site optimize our day they have us riding Grizzly River at like 8:15….but they also have us starting our day with Soarin' and getting 6 rides in before 9:00. Their way says we'll have 220 min. of extra free time in our day while when I try to rearrange it to start with RSR we only have 68 min. free. Their way has us spending only 191 min. in lines for the day and my way has us spending 340 min. in lines. YIKES!! That's a huge difference!!

It's a crap shoot, just as it is on Kali, sometimes I'm soaked and sometimes I'm dry. Not trying to throw another wrench in your plans but.......are you planning on riding Maters Junkyard Jamboree? It generally only has a 15-20 minute wait and in my opinion, (no flames please folks - remember to each their own), is better than RSR. It's just a fun ride that I never stop laughing on. Enjoy your trip and enjoy the GC, it's an amazing hotel.

 

[Girimama33]

Yes....can't miss MJJ...it is so fun. My favorite part of the ride is when Mater provides the safety instructions in Spanish.
MJJ and RSR are like comparing apples to oranges IMO. Definitely enjoy both.

 

[Cinderpamela]

Do you get very wet on Grizzly River? I don't want to ride that TOOOO early in the morning or too late in the evening if you get soaked… At WDW I am always the one to get 100% DRENCHED on Kali River so I wasn't sure if they were similar or not?! That would be my choice for mid-day if you get really wet… If I let the TouringPlans.com site optimize our day they have us riding Grizzly River at like 8:15….but they also have us starting our day with Soarin' and getting 6 rides in before 9:00. Their way says we'll have 220 min. of extra free time in our day while when I try to rearrange it to start with RSR we only have 68 min. free. Their way has us spending only 191 min. in lines for the day and my way has us spending 340 min. in lines. YIKES!! That's a huge difference!!

You guys are staying at the VGC, right? So the hotel park entrance is basically right next to the GRR. It's super easy to go on the ride a bunch of times.... get drenched... and then do a quick change of clothes back in your room at the VGC.... at least this is what we did one evening just for fun.

I think we went on it 6 times in a row.... we were totally drenched, then just went back to our villa to change into dry clothes and were back in the park. It was a really fun memory.

Also- TP for DL is not as accurate as it is for WDW so I wouldnt totally go by what they are saying as truth. I think hitting RSR standby first thing is the way to go. Totally agree with Girimama33 on her assesment.

 

[Anal Annie]

OK, so we will wing it thru DCA. We usually wear super lightweight clothes when we go to AK and know we'll be riding Kali River so maybe I should plan for the same thing at DCA for GRR?! I can wear a sports bra rather than a "real" bra and some running shorts or something. I hadn't planned on bringing any of those shorts thinking it wouldn't be as hot as in FL (I wear those a lot down there 'cuz they're light & dry fast) but I can throw a pair in. Yes, we're at VGC but we will probably just walk around soaking wet until we dry off if we get that wet. I don't see us wanting to spend a lot of time going back to change and we'll deal with it unless we're cold. And yes, the Mater ride thing is on our list to ride…pretty much all of Cars Land is. Of course we should probably clean up a little bit before we head to dinner at BB...

ONE MORE DAY!!!

 

[Girimama33]

Have a great trip!