Arriving 11:00 am Th, Aug 2-Help w/ best strategy...?

[disneyscootergal]

My flight got moved up (from 12:15 arrival to 9:35), and I could really use suggestions on how to best utilize my first day in DL/DCA.

I know this is an EE day, and I'm determined to "make" myself stay away from Nemo (until maybe closing). From what I've read on here, Thursday is usually a lower attendance day than Friday, so even though I'm tempted to just spend the day at DCA (because it won't have been open long when I arrive), I'm thinking that I should stick with DL to take advantage of fewer people. I'll be by myself, and I will have all of Friday, and then the following Tue from opening (yes, I have one EE!) until about 1:00.

I think I'll do okay on my full day (planning to use a plan from Hydroguy), and my EE day, but this first day has me stressing a little, because I'll miss the rope drop; won't that mess up my fast pass acquisitions (HUGE fan of fast pass!)? Oh, and BTW, I don't want to spend ANY time at my motel (Hojo) except to sleep! LOL

Thanks for ANY ideas/suggestions (this is only my 3rd trip to DL, and I need all the help I can get! )

 

[DLR29]

If you are arriving at 11:00 on an EE day, I would just not go to DL first thing and hit DCA only an hour after its opening. if you will be by yourself, it's even better because DCA has 5 rides with Single Rider lines (Soarin, GRR, Screamin, Maliboomer, Mulholland Madness). I would think that even though Friday will be crowded at DL, Thursday will be almost if not as crowded because of EE. If you finish all that you want at DCA, by all means, head over to DL but expect the crowds.

 

[disneyscootergal]

But that would probably mean no fast passes at all for DL, correct? I see what you're saying, but would it be better to go to DL first, get a fast pass for, say Space, and THEN hotfoot it over to DCA?

 

[Hound 109]

But that would probably mean no fast passes at all for DL, correct? I see what you're saying, but would it be better to go to DL first, get a fast pass for, say Space, and THEN hotfoot it over to DCA?

That is exactly what i would do.

- Walk down Main St. and enjoy.
- Pick up a SM or Indy FP.
- See if there's a line at Star Tours or Jungle Cruise. (& if no line...ride it)
- Get a Dole Whip float.
- Say hello to Cruella if she's hanging out near the fire station on your way out & back over to DCA.

15 min. well spent.

hound

 

[LittleWoodenHead]

First of all: DON"T STRESS! Consider this first day a gift and just enjoy it for what it is.

FYI, I go to DLR all the time by myself, so here are some suggestions:

Unlike the other posters, I'd probably spend the whole time Thursday at Disneyland. I never seem to spend more than half a day at DCA. (Between FP and Single Rider, I can cover a lot of ground there). And you'll have the opportunity to visit DCA on your other days. (Personally, I'd start Friday in DL, then cross over to DCA late morning.)

FastPasses might be a problem, especially for Space or Indy. Though they probably won't have run out by the time you get there, they might be for much, much later in the day. Grab whichever one you want first; when it's time to get your next one, just see what is still available. Remember: Roger Rabbit is not on the same FP system, so you can be holding that one, too.

Splash Mountain has a SINGLE RIDER line. By all means, use it!

Other than that, I'd probably try to do some of the major non-FP rides (POTC, Mansion, Matterhorn, IASW, Jungle Cruise). Save Nemo until later that night and/or first thing on one of your mornings.

Whenever I have an extra partial day at the Park, I usually throw in a few of the "take it easy" attractions I might otherwise skip: Tiki Room, Mark Twain/Columbia, Innoventions, Main Street Vehicles, Disneyland Railroad, etc.

Watch the Parade. I'd be inclined to catch the afternoon one on Thursday. Then, when the evening Parade is running that night, you can hit Fantasyland and do several of those rides.

Plan on seeing Fireworks (from the Hub) and Fantasmic! (the second, less-crowded showing would be preferable -- if you're not beat.)

Most of all: ENJOY!

 

[CalGal]

That is exactly what i would do.

- Walk down Main St. and enjoy.
- Pick up a SM or Indy FP.
- See if there's a line at Star Tours or Jungle Cruise. (& if no line...ride it)
- Get a Dole Whip float.
- Say hello to Cruella if she's hanging out near the fire station on your way out & back over to DCA.

15 min. well spent.

hound

I absolutely agree. If I arrive midday, this is almost my exact strategy. I always hit the info board at the end of Main St. to get a feel for the crowds either before or after picking up a FP.

 

[disneyscootergal]

<Unlike the other posters, I'd probably spend the whole time Thursday at Disneyland. I never seem to spend more than half a day at DCA. (Between FP and Single Rider, I can cover a lot of ground there). And you'll have the opportunity to visit DCA on your other days. (Personally, I'd start Friday in DL, then cross over to DCA late morning.)>

That is exactly what I was thinking to begin with, LittleWoodenHead. Since Screamin' doesn't open until 1:00 p.m. on Friday, I wanted to be there for the first ride of the day. Does Screamin' have a single rider line, do you know? And what other rides in DCA have single rider lines? Is Splash the only one in DL that does?

<First of all: DON"T STRESS! Consider this first day a gift and just enjoy it for what it is.>
<Most of all: ENJOY!>

Okay...whew! (deep breath) Now I'm good.

I will try not to stress...I think I am because this is the shortest amount of time I've ever had to spend in the parks (had 5-day parkhoppers the other 2 times), and it makes me nervous to think I might miss something that I'll regret. I know...silly, when anything I get to do is cake, gravy, whipped cream--pick your metaphor!!

 

[disneyscootergal]

I have to figure out how to do the quoting correctly, don't I?

 

[Hound 109]

<Unlike the other posters, I'd probably spend the whole time Thursday at Disneyland. I never seem to spend more than half a day at DCA. (Between FP and Single Rider, I can cover a lot of ground there). And you'll have the opportunity to visit DCA on your other days. (Personally, I'd start Friday in DL, then cross over to DCA late morning.)>

That is exactly what I was thinking to begin with, LittleWoodenHead. Since Screamin' doesn't open until 1:00 p.m. on Friday, I wanted to be there for the first ride of the day. Does Screamin' have a single rider line, do you know? And what other rides in DCA have single rider lines? Is Splash the only one in DL that does?

<First of all: DON"T STRESS! Consider this first day a gift and just enjoy it for what it is.>
<Most of all: ENJOY!>

Okay...whew! (deep breath) Now I'm good.

I will try not to stress...I think I am because this is the shortest amount of time I've ever had to spend in the parks (had 5-day parkhoppers the other 2 times), and it makes me nervous to think I might miss something that I'll regret. I know...silly, when anything I get to do is cake, gravy, whipped cream--pick your metaphor!!

Walking down Main St. & strolling over to pick up a FP (at SM or Indy) then nabbing a Dole Whip is the definition of NOT stressing.

Regarding CA & Screamin (during the week). I rode it twice as a SINGLE, both times in the afternoon. For me it was a WALK ON both times. A good ride for the single rider.

Have fun.

 

[disneyscootergal]

Walking down Main St. & strolling over to pick up a FP (at SM or Indy) then nabbing a Dole Whip is the definition of NOT stressing.

Regarding CA & Screamin (during the week). I rode it twice as a SINGLE, both times in the afternoon. For me it was a WALK ON both times. A good ride for the single rider.

Have fun.

Sounds like good advice to me!

(Quite a coincidence that you suggest having a Dole Whip, as it is on my list of Haven't-Done-Yet things to try at DL!)

 

[LittleWoodenHead]

Does Screamin' have a single rider line, do you know? And what other rides in DCA have single rider lines?

Screamin'
Maliboomer
Mulholland Madness
Soarin'
Grizzly River Run

Just check with the Cast Member at the head of the line to get a Single Rider ticket.

Tower of Terror doesn't have Single Rider, but it does have FP.

Since I usually ride Screamin' multiple times, I use both Single Rider and FP (so I can choose either the front or the back). But the ride is good no matter where you sit.

Also, I usually get a FP for Soarin' instead of using Single Rider. Once again, it's a matter of being able to choose where I sit (in this case, the center section).

Is Splash the only one in DL that does?

Yes (unfortunately). But it can save you a huge amount of time on a busy day.