Best Nemo strategy

[AndyLL]

So, the plan is to hit drive down Sunday afternoon, swim & check out DTD. Do DL at rope drop on Mon. and stay until closing, doing DCA at rope drop the next day since it opens a bit later morning, then stay 'till closing and drive 1-1/2 hours back to my parent's house. Whew! Thankfully the kids have the stamina to do this sort of touring. I've trained them well.

I would personally both day always do DisneyLand at opening and hit DCA mid-morning - afternoon when DL becomes crowded. Collect Fastpasses at DL during the morning and use them at DL in the evenings.

Unlike many I love DCA but I don't think I have ever spent the full day there.

Andy

 

[bumbershoot]

So having said that, can anyone tell me how the ride compares to the one at EPCOT? We were on that one last week, and well, all I can say is if the one at DL is anything like it, our no waiting over an hour for anything might have turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Isn't the Nemo ride in EPCOT more like a haunted mansion sort of ride, where you're sitting in a vehicle and just looking at things?

Nemo at DL took over the old submarine ride. You're down in a submarine (of course the top of the sub is above water, no worries to the borderline claustrophobics out there!!! (though if you're beyond borderline, there's an area where you can view it as a movie, just ask the CMs for the accessible viewing room/area)) going past everything. You are much more, ha, immersed in the ride than what I've read/seen of the nemo ride at WDW.



LauraAnn630, you can hop back and forth all day long if you have a hopper.

 

[DLR29]

I'm sorry. I'm confused.

Is it better to get to Nemo when it IS EE/MM days or when it IS NOT EE/MM days?

I would say depends on your situation. If you have 2 or more MM days (staying onsite/special ticket) than I would say go for Nemo on one of your MM days. If you have none or 1 MM day, I don't recommend riding Nemo in the morning at all. The evening/late afternoon has been reported much less crowded.

 

[brenda1966]

Isn't the Nemo ride in EPCOT more like a haunted mansion sort of ride, where you're sitting in a vehicle and just looking at things?

Yes, the two rides are completely different.

Nemo at Disneyland is the old Subs ride with a big rehab.

Nemo at WDW is a kiddie ride, like Pooh, where you just sit in a clamshell and glide past scenes. It's quite short and not something I would stand in a long line for. (I wouldn't compare it to HM even though the car is similar as HM is a headliner and Nemo is a side attraction.

Now the Nemo Subs -- are they worth the long wait? Well, there is that nostalgia factor for us who remember them as a kid. But, no, they're probably not worth a long wait.

I managed to ride them last summer after the mad morning dash. We were one of the first through the gates and were on maybe the 3rd or 4th sub. It still took up a huge chunk of time.

 

[heatherleigh]

The Nemo ride is STILL a long wait? I figured it would have petered out by now. We waited an hour back in October. I'm glad we did the ride just because I'm not sure when we'll get an opportunity to return. We went right around closing time. In fact, we were the last group on the boat. Our wait wasn't as bad as it was during the day though.

 

[quiltymom]

I received my Unofficial Guide to Disneyland in the mail yesterday, and here's what they recommend.

If you are entering DL on either a regular or MM day (where you are entering early), do it first thing. As in move around Go and forget collecting the $200.00. Get there as fast as either the CM's with the rope will let you, or if they do drop the rope, move those legs, and even then you'll have a wait. They also suggest that at the same time sending someone in your party to get FastPasses for Space Mountain, then have them meet you in line. (I'm not sure how that would work - I'd have a hard time having someone joining me in an already-long line.)

If you are entering on a MM day and are entering regular time - forget it.

I do like the idea of going to the room to view it, instead. But I'll bring it up to the kids and see what they want to do. If I say they'll get on more rides if we skip Nemo, they just may choose that option. Otherwise late in the day is the key.

IMHO - no ride is worth that kind of wait. But I remember when it was just the sub ride at how horrible the wait was. That's why we never went on it - a big time eater.

 

[brenda1966]

The Nemo ride is STILL a long wait? QUOTE]

I beleive Nemo is always going to have a long wait as it is a slow loading ride and a time consuming ride.

 

[oregonmoonrise]

We were there last Saturday. We had early Entry & got there at 7:30. We were second in line. As soon as we got in the gates we went as fast as we could over to Nemo. We were 3rd in line & got on the first Sub of the day. By the time regular opening time the line was already at about an hour wait.

 

[sandymandr]

If you are up to it, you should definitely do DL before and after your DCA time. I got a great tip from here on the DIS. Since your 2nd day will be a MM and you will enter at regular time, go directly to your favorites in Adventureland, Critter Country, NOS, or other non-MM attractions, it will be just like entering with the first crowds! Or at least send someone over to DL and grab some FP's for your fav ride in the morning so you can walk on after your time at DCA! Have fun and good luck!! And even better, tell your hubby that it is really a waste of money if you don't use the hoppers to their full potential!

 

[Lovin' Lorne]

Yes, the two rides are completely different.

Nemo at Disneyland is the old Subs ride with a big rehab.

Nemo at WDW is a kiddie ride, like Pooh, where you just sit in a clamshell and glide past scenes. It's quite short and not something I would stand in a long line for. (I wouldn't compare it to HM even though the car is similar as HM is a headliner and Nemo is a side attraction.

Oh, we know all about the subs; we used to ride them all the time. I guess what I was trying to get across in my question was do they follow the same basic story? Do you pretty much see everything in the sub that you do in the clamshell? Because to be honest with you, the Nemo ride at WDW, for lack of a better word seemed kinda stupid. I was hoping that the difference between riding in a clamshell and going "underwater" in a sub would change the story up a bit. If I hear "Where's Nemo?" every 10 seconds and Nemo giggling every 12, I'll spit.

 

[LauraAnn630]

I have to agree with that. Wheres Nemo? Over and over. Nemo at DW was a disappointment.

I remember the subs from years ago. So I will still want to ride it. I just hope its better than DW.

 

[ksoehrlein]

We were there last Saturday. We had early Entry & got there at 7:30. We were second in line. As soon as we got in the gates we went as fast as we could over to Nemo. We were 3rd in line & got on the first Sub of the day. By the time regular opening time the line was already at about an hour wait.

Hi there, OregonMoonrise! I was on that same sub Saturday morning! Wish I'd known I was sailing with a fellow DISer. I was surprised they made us walk through the entire queue area until I saw the huge line of people following behind us.

 

[tkitty]

[QUOTEI would personally both day always do DisneyLand at opening and hit DCA mid-morning - afternoon when DL becomes crowded. Collect Fastpasses at DL during the morning and use them at DL in the evenings.

Unlike many I love DCA but I don't think I have ever spent the full day there.

Andy
][/QUOTE]

Only been to DCA once so far, and I agree that this is the way to go. We'll be giving it our best shot soon. We don't plan on more than a 2 day ticket, so no EE for us. But we're staying 3 nights so that we can spend the first day relaxing at the hotel, and checking out DTD.

 

[bumbershoot]

Only been to DCA once so far, and I agree that this is the way to go. We'll be giving it our best shot soon. We don't plan on more than a 2 day ticket, so no EE for us. But we're staying 3 nights so that we can spend the first day relaxing at the hotel, and checking out DTD.

3 nights but only two days in the parks? If I didn't have an AP I would be buying a 5 day hopper. But I guess the fact that I live in WA but have an AP, and have spent something like 13 days total there since mid-September shows you my feelings.

Where are you staying?

******
Nemo questions, I don't know the answer to those. I haven't been to WDW yet. But I the story IS about finding nemo (surprise!), so I do think you hear "where's nemo" a few times. Though I have a problem hearing the specific words in it, so maybe I'm protected from great annoyance, b/c I still liked DLR's Nemo.

 

[quiltymom]

If you are up to it, you should definitely do DL before and after your DCA time. I got a great tip from here on the DIS. Since your 2nd day will be a MM and you will enter at regular time, go directly to your favorites in Adventureland, Critter Country, NOS, or other non-MM attractions, it will be just like entering with the first crowds! Or at least send someone over to DL and grab some FP's for your fav ride in the morning so you can walk on after your time at DCA! Have fun and good luck!! And even better, tell your hubby that it is really a waste of money if you don't use the hoppers to their full potential!

I like the way you think! I did take you advice and told him this, and he actually was quite receptive to it. I do believe that Disney is finally getting under his skin!

And all that I can say, is that it's about time!

 

[sandymandr]

I do believe that Disney is finally getting under his skin!

And all that I can say, is that it's about time!

Super Congratulations!!! Now you can look forward to a life full of Disney trips

 

[keishashadow]

I have to agree with that. Wheres Nemo? Over and over. Nemo at DW was a disappointment.

I remember the subs from years ago. So I will still want to ride it. I just hope its better than DW.

We enjoyed Where's Nemo in Epcot (agree it is short, although most of the Disney dark rides are-pooh, snow white, etc.)...the wait (while nicely themed) is consistently over-long - they should FP it imo...along with turtle talk/Crush (although the new set up where you at least have exhibits to look @ to occupy you helps pass the time.

 

[kkheburn]

We were @ DL last weekend and pretty much ran to Nemo. We waited about 30-45 mins. Not worth it! I miss the old ride. My 5 year old hated it. It was dark and loud! She loved SM and the Matterhorn. Go figure. I would not wait longer than 25 mins. Even a cast member said that.