Arriving after rope drop- where to head first?

[todzwife]

We have always ALWAYS arrived before rope drop- even tried to be "first in line" most of the time because I know how the crowds are easier to navigate earlier in the day. Sadly, the earliest flight I could get us, has us landing at LAX at 8:30 with rope drop at 9. We're taking a private car that will pick us up curbside, so we won't be dealing with the long waits of a super shuttle or even a rental car, but I'm still expecting to hit a decent amount of rush hour traffic on the way down. I doubt we'll get to the park until 10:30.

Unfortunately, pirates is going to be closed the entire time we are there and that's where we usually head. We'll have my youngest (2) with us so the big rides will wait until my sister comes the next day to watch her. But I have NO idea where to start with us arriving that late!

Suggestions?

 

[Misskitty3]

With a 2 year old, you could check and see what the wait times are in Fantasyland. Depending on how busy it is, you could do Dumbo or the teacups would be fun! When my kids were 2 yrs old, they loved the Jungle Cruise and Winnie the Pooh and I wouldn't think the lines for those wouldn't be too terrible at 10:30. Another option is to stop and have lunch first thing before doing any rides.

I would also guess it will take you longer than 2 hours between your flight landing and entering DL. Are you going to be dropping bags off at a hotel between the airport and DL?

 

[todzwife]

Yeah we'll be dropping luggage at the hotel. Last year we flew in and landed at 7:30 and we were able to make a 10 AM rope drop even with dropping our luggage. Who knows. The toddler wasn't supposed to come with us so she's kind of thrown a wrench in the plans LOL!

 

[agamble]

Good rides for little ones at DL with lower wait times are: Jungle Cruise, Tarzan's Treehouse (if she'll climb the stairs), Haunted Mansion, Winnie the Pooh plus the M&G starts around 10, Snow White, Pinocchio, Carousel, Teacups, It' A Small World, FP Roger Rabbit and then explore Toon Town, Mickey and the Magical Map, Buzz Lightyear. At DCA the Bugsland area is not too crowded including the show, Mermaid rarely has a line longer than 5 minutes, Monster's has short waits, and Mater's is usually pretty short too. And there are other Meet and Greets. Plus you can use single rider, FP, and rider swap if you want to ride something without baby.