Best plan of attack for DL

[underminer]

Less than a month to go and I just got my new Unofficial Guide to DL! ( I know it's low tech but I like having the book. I am sure that their touring strategies work well but does involve a lot of jumping around early on. I have not been for 3 years so with some of the changes (star tours 2, matterhorn refurb and no Indy) I am wondering about some early morning attack strategies that don't involve dragging kids all around the park but still make best use of the early hours after the park first opens. We will be there for 3 days (wed, thurs, and sat) in mid October and I have 3 boys 7, 12, and 15. Thanks!

 

[ArchOwl]

Less than a month to go and I just got my new Unofficial Guide to DL! ( I know it's low tech but I like having the book. I am sure that their touring strategies work well but does involve a lot of jumping around early on. I have not been for 3 years so with some of the changes (star tours 2, matterhorn refurb and no Indy) I am wondering about some early morning attack strategies that don't involve dragging kids all around the park but still make best use of the early hours after the park first opens. We will be there for 3 days (wed, thurs, and sat) in mid October and I have 3 boys 7, 12, and 15. Thanks!

The early morning attack strategies are all about hustling in the morning to make the most of the low crowds and plentiful FastPass (FP) opportunities. Then it usually relaxes as the day goes on. If you commit to a busy morning, it usually makes the rest of the day quite pleasant. Otherwise, you will find yourself in longer and longer lines as the day goes on, which for me isn't very fun.

Everyone has different priorities of course, so it is up to you. If you would rather go slowly and have longer lines, then go for it. Most people here and those who read the books, though, are looking for the shortest amount of time spent in line, even if that means criss-crossing the parks. You can also use the runner strategy to get FPs so you take turns on who is walking far to get FPs.

Maybe you could give us an idea of what you want to do and how many days and what days you will be there. We can probably give you a good idea about your touring strategy and tell you if the touring plans in the book are overkill or necessary.

 

[underminer]

Planning 3 days at DLR with park hoppers. We love rides more than shows and the more thrilling the better! We want to for sure see the new stuff: carsland, star tours, WOC and fantasmic. Character interactions and parades are not a priority. We will do wed and thurs at DL and probably Friday at universal and back to DL on Saturday. Thanks!

 

[Mary09]

Wed and Thurs should be low crowds. Forget Indy, it's closed. I would say do what you want in Fantasyland and Carsland as early as poss., and the 'big' rides early, then tour at your leisure if you don't want to race around following a plan.

 

[KateDrake]

One thing that works really well for us when using touring plans is to designate a FP runner, so we aren't dragging the entire family across the park. For example, if we just got off a ride in Fantasyland and are scheduled to grab a FP and then head over to Adventureland, we just send one person to get the FPs while the larger group (which of course moves much slower) makes their way to Adventureland. You just have to be sure that person has all the park tickets, so be sure it's someone you trust! It really cuts down on the time trekking around the park.

And those touring plans really do pay off. It tough when you are running all over in the morning, but so nice when you can relax later in the day and just go use your FPs!

 

[Here4mydisneyfix]

I wanted to make a little suggestion. If you guys like thrilling rides, you should really check out Six Flag Magic Mountain! Some of the very best roller coasters in the world are there! It really doesn't get more thrilling than that! lol Universal is fun too, but the rides are very limited. There are only just a few actual thrill rides, the rest of the experiences are mostly shows, and it sounds like maybe that's not your family's kinda thing. Six flags is pretty much ALL thrill rides! My husband and I are heading there on one of our non-disney days next week. We are doing Universal too, but are FAR more excited about Magic Mountain! We've been checking out all the ride videos on youtube. WOW! lol

 

[Here4mydisneyfix]

Oh, and btw, if you are looking for a GREAT solution to lines, without having to run around all over the place. Checkout Ridemax! ridemax.com
It's a software program that you input the rides you want to do for the day into and based on the company's extensive park research at all times of the year, it then prioritizes and puts the attractions you want to do in the order that is the best for no waits. It tells you where to be when, and if you miss a step because you want to meander more slowly, when you are ready to pickup the pace again, you can just move down to the time for the next attraction on the list! It's excellent for very busy times at the parks because if you follow it as they say, you REALLY never have to wait, but it is also lovely to have during slower times too, as it is usually the slowest in the morning, so you can do whatever you'd like at your own pace instead of following the itinerary in the am, and then, as it gets busier in the afternoon, you can just start following the plan again for no lines! We've used this in the past and it is was incredible! You really truly don't wait for longer than a few minutes in each line! We also did this with 3 kids in tow! We had an infant, a 3 year old and a 5 year old and we never found the pace to fast for us to keep up! LOVE this program!

 

[ArchOwl]

Ok, for Wednesday I would start at Disneyland because Wednesday is early entry at DCA.

If you have any desire at all to see Fantasyland, then hit it first thing and send a runner to grab a Space Mountain FP (it will have a ghost galaxy overlay and is pretty cool).
Peter Pan
Dumbo
Mr. Toad
Alice
Matterhorn
Rest of Fantsyland as you wish
(as soon as you are eligible for your next FP, send a runner to get a Star Tours FP)

Haunted Mansion Holiday
Pirates
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Pooh
(pick up Splash FP)

Lunch

Start cashing in your FPs as you like and pick up new ones for repeats

When you head to Tomorrowland to ride Star Tours and Space, do Buzz, Autopia

When you head back to ride Splash, do Jungle Cruise, Treehouse, hop over to Tom Sawyer's Island if you want or do the canoes. Ride BTMRR again if you wish.

Don't forget to continue to pick up FPs as you are eligible.

I always like to schedule a nice sit down dinner someplace as a good rest, but it is up to you.

Thursday, I would head to DCA since early entry is over at DL.

If you are okay with splitting up your party, you could forget the Radiator Springs Racers FPs and go with the single rider line. If you want RSR FPs, you need to get in line for those first.

Then Luigi's and then Mater's

Send runner to get TOT FPs and then head the other direction to Paradise Pier

Ride and get Screamin' FPs (they are disconnected) and head to Toy Story Midway Mania

Circle round to Goofy's Sky School and Ariel's

Grab WOC FPs (they are also disconnected)

Then Soarin' FPs

Lunch

Start using your FPs and get new ones for the rides you want to repeat (except RSR, you will not be able to get another set of those, so use single rider)

When you head over to Hollywood land to use TOT FPs, ride Monster's Inc and check out the Animation Building

When you use your Soarin' FPs, pick up a set of Grizzly River Rapids FPs

When you use your Screamin' FPs, remember to pick up another set because they are disconnected from the rest of the FP machines. Ride Mickey's Wheel of Death, er, I mean Fun! And the Swings.

If you need a break in the afternoon, try to catch Aladdin, it is a really great show and it is nice to sit for awhile.

Continue to use your FPs and pick up new ones as needed, riding other rides in the area when redeeming the FPs.

Read the WOC Superthread for WOC viewing tips: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2542717&highlight=world+of+color

On either of the days above, you could also hop over to the opposite park and grab FPs in the afternoon for your favorite rides. I just wasn't sure which ones you would want. You could send a runner and alternate, so everyone isn't running over there every time.

On Saturday, I would start at DCA because DL has early entry.

I would use Saturday to repeat favorite rides, so this day can be much more casual. Get FPs for your favorites in either park and hop back and forth as needed.

This is your only Fantasmic day, so here is the F! thread on how best to see it: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2671983&highlight=fantasmic

Overall, be flexible and enjoy your time. Just remember to grab FPs as soon as you are eligible and save them to use when you want. Then work in the other rides around the FP rides. Have fun!

 

[underminer]

Wow thanks for all the great advice! We probably won't hit magic mountain this trip ( I think our 7 year old would be terrified of the big coasters) but they really want to do transformers over at universal. I will checkout ride max too. I am assuming if we have one early admission day we should use it at DCA for carsland right?

 

[ArchOwl]

LOL, I totally spaced on the fact you get one Magic Morning with your ticket!

So you get early entry to DL on either Thursday or Saturday. Some people say you should do it early in your trip so you will be ready to get up early. I think you should save it for Saturday because my best experiences have been when Magic Morning is at 7am. Most people don't make a Magic Morning that early, so you can get a lot done.

For Magic Morning, you can focus on Fantasyland or head over to Space Mountain and Star Tours and Nemo Subs (I believe those are still running during Magic Morning). Your choice!

 

[ArchOwl]

Wow thanks for all the great advice! We probably won't hit magic mountain this trip ( I think our 7 year old would be terrified of the big coasters) but they really want to do transformers over at universal. I will checkout ride max too. I am assuming if we have one early admission day we should use it at DCA for carsland right?

Your Magic Morning can only be used at DL, sorry.

Check out this thread for more info: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403

 

[underminer]

Ok bummer that we can't do early DCA but that is good to know. Thanks again!