Attraction Recommendations for Solo: DCA

[Jennafoo]

Okay, so I'm going to DLR solo in October (yay)! One of my days will be a DCA day (with dinner at Carthay Circle and WOC at the end).

I've been scouring the boards - especially since the change to RSR - but most of the advice is for more than one (FP runners, etc.) and doesn't take into account single rider, which I will be doing. I know TSMM doesn't have it, but RSR and Soarin do. I was wondering how much that changes strategy and attraction order.

For example: Should I run to RSR first thing to pull a fast pass, or should i run there and just get in single rider?

What would you do if you were a single rider? What order would you go to the attractions in DCA?

Must Do: I have no real "must do"; I'm about even on everything. I'd like to do things like Little Mermaid, the PP rides, see the shows, etc.

Out: I am 50-50 on Screamin; I have motion sickness problems so I'll see how I feel on the day. My recurring nightmare is actually getting stuck in a plunging elevator, so....ToT is probably out.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

RSR single rider line is considered to be a good idea. Soarin's often is not a good idea; you could actually end up waiting longer. Even as a single rider, fastpass is the way to go with Soarin'. Other rides in DCA with single rider are Goofy's Sky School and Grizzly River Run. If you are interested in either/both of those rides, single rider works well for them.

I probably would do TSMM first thing after park opening because the line builds quickly on that one. Maybe you might want to stop first and grab your Soarin' fastpass. Then you could ride Soarin' after you've gotten a couple rides in on Toy Story.

 

[whoever]

RSR single rider line is considered to be a good idea. Soarin's often is not a good idea; you could actually end up waiting longer. Even as a single rider, fastpass is the way to go with Soarin'. Other rides in DCA with single rider are Goofy's Sky School and Grizzly River Run. If you are interested in either/both of those rides, single rider works well for them.

I probably would do TSMM first thing after park opening because the line builds quickly on that one. Maybe you might want to stop first and grab your Soarin' fastpass. Then you could ride Soarin' after you've gotten a couple rides in on Toy Story.

This.

I will say... 2 HR standbye on RSR = 11 minute waits (including the ride time and walking back down the queue for me as a SR). That's right... 11 minutes from first getting in a car to being in the car again... SR is pretty darn sweet for RSR. (see my solo trip report).

For California Screamin', it will be faster than queue, but not necessarily faster than FP. AND... the SR wait area is in direct sun and not a nice place to have to stand.

 

[hpfan100]

I would hit TSMM first thing then grab a racers fastpass. Sometimes the singles line can be long later in the day. After that just pull fastpasses or ride singles as you see things you want to do. Should be fine. I love going solo to disney!!!

 

[superlarz]

I never use single rider for Screamin or Soarin. Depending on the time of day, Screamin doesnt usually have a huge line and it moves pretty quickly. I will only go on Soarin with a FP. Single riders seem to alway be waiting and it seems like the CMs working the queue always leave seats that could be filled by single riders accidently. RSR single rider line can get long, I have waited 45 minutes in it before, but it is usually more like 15 and it moves consistently. GRR single rider is typically very short in my experience, usually less than 5 minutes

 

[whoever]

Surprised at the RSR comments. Here's an excerpt from my solo trip report earlier this month...

After I grabbed my FP, I headed over to RSR and jumped in the single rider line at 12:00. I rode it back to back as single rider, and ended up averaging 11 minutes per ride including the wait in line. That was pretty darn awesome.

 

[Cholula]

I was there last week and there were times I was surprised how long the SR line was. Of course, it's still way faster than standby so PP should totally take advantage of it, but grabbing a FP if possible is a great back-up plan.

 

[Amilo]

Thank you for this post! I have all the same questions!

 

[Jennafoo]

INTERESTING! Thanks so much for everyone who's responded so far.

I didn't know that about Soarin' or Screamin'. Sounds like single rider isn't great there.

Here's what I'm thinking so far:

At rope drop, grab a Soarin' pass fast and head toward TSMM
Ride TSMM
Go over to Carsland and ride single rider at RSR
Ride some PP or Ariel on my way back to Soarin if I have time on the FP
Use Soarin FP
After that, pull another FP and go from there...

Thoughts?

 

[superlarz]

IF you do that your Soarin FP is going to be for about 40 minutes after park open. Soarin FPs are usually readily available throughout the day for 1-2 hours after you pull them. If you are at DCA at rope drop, you can pretty much ride everything by 1. Dont stress yourself out over planning. Sometimes attractions dont open on time so you have to be able to go with the flow.