Best strategy for "Twilight Touring?"

[Future_WorldPhonencian]

My work is sending me to a convention this summer in Anaheim. I am heading up a day early to get a full day in the parks before my conference, but the conference is also selling many different discounted tickets including ones that will let you in to the parks after 4PM. I am hoping to get an additional 2 or 3 evenings in DL/ DCA and wanted some advice on strategizing? Is it possible to experience a handful of the "classic" Disneyland attractions each evening so I can see most of what the parks have to offer? or will the parks be slammed so badly every night that most lines will be an hour or more? Im a WDW veteran so I really want to experience things unique to California.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Start with this classic thread which has very helpful information for you: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets.
I'll move your post to the trip planning forum -- Disneyland (California) -- where you'll get more answers.
Some questions:
What are your trip dates?
Will you be able to get into the parks early, maybe for RD, just to activate your ticket? If you purchase MP, this would allow you to stack FPs throughout the day (as long as the return times worked with your schedule) so that you could have several FPs ready to go in the evenings when you return to the parks. See this thread for great information and ask all MP questions there: Maxpass/Fastpass Superthread: an overview and some strategy
Are you willing to use the Single Rider lines? These can help you get more rides done and get repeat rides on favorites.
Will you be wanting to see nighttime shows? If so, consider booking a dining package so that you will have very good/great viewing with the least wait time. Look into the F! dining packages (HB, RBT, BB -- $, $$, $$$ in that order) and the WOC Dessert Party (the only WOC package that gives you a guaranteed seat).

 

[Future_WorldPhonencian]

Thanks for moving my thread to the right place!
More Details: My dates are June 26th to July 1st (I will be traveling June 25th and July 2nd).
I would be able to scan in in the mornings and potentially tour for about an hour and stack FP's (Im not exactly sure how this would work since my understanding of DL FP is that its like classic WDW FP)
I am going to this conference solo so yes I will be able to use any and all single rider lines
Yes, I will consider the dining packages, but normally in world I skip them because they are too pricey, but again, its just me

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Thanks for moving my thread to the right place!
More Details: My dates are June 26th to July 1st (I will be traveling June 25th and July 2nd).
I would be able to scan in in the mornings and potentially tour for about an hour and stack FP's (Im not exactly sure how this would work since my understanding of DL FP is that its like classic WDW FP)
I am going to this conference solo so yes I will be able to use any and all single rider lines
Yes, I will consider the dining packages, but normally in world I skip them because they are too pricey, but again, its just me

Join the ** June 2020 Check In ** thread to keep up with news and events for your trip dates! Read through that MP/FP Superthread -- that will help you understand how stacking FPs works at DLR -- you'll be doing this with the DLR app after activating your ticket at the park gates, so you'll be able to do this while you're at your convention, then return to the parks in the evening to use your FPs. (Download the free app now to start playing with it -- look at the maps to get used to where things are located -- check menus and prices -- have a credit card on file so that you'll be able to use Mobile Ordering and buy MP -- and, if this interests you, you'll be able to "play along at home" in the ROTR Boarding Group palooza -- see Rise of the Resistance BOARDING GROUPS Superthread *No Ride Spoilers Please* *PLEASE READ POSTS 1-4*)
Look into the Hungry Bear Dining Package for F! -- that is the most economical package and has very good viewing. For F!, the dining packages have the best viewing -- standby cannot compare and takes much more time waiting. And I think you'd rather be riding rides than waiting for a viewing spot? For WOC, you can do a free FP, but it will require a LOT of wait time to hold your spot. A regular dining package will give you a better spot with medium wait time. And the Dessert Party will give you a very good spot (and a chair) with the least wait time -- which can be worth it for this show. You can look at a WOC video on YouTube to see if the show is something you'd like to see. Almost all WDW vets agree that DL has the better F! (but everyone agrees that WDW has better seating!).

 

[WaterLinds]

Thanks for moving my thread to the right place!
More Details: My dates are June 26th to July 1st (I will be traveling June 25th and July 2nd).
I would be able to scan in in the mornings and potentially tour for about an hour and stack FP's (Im not exactly sure how this would work since my understanding of DL FP is that its like classic WDW FP)
I am going to this conference solo so yes I will be able to use any and all single rider lines
Yes, I will consider the dining packages, but normally in world I skip them because they are too pricey, but again, its just me

You mentioned convention tickets that are good after 4 pm only. I’ve never used them but I would assume with those you can’t scan in early and start stacking FPs for the evening, since the tickets aren't valid in the mornings. Single rider might be a better bet for you on the days you have that type of ticket.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

You mentioned convention tickets that are good after 4 pm only. I’ve never used them but I would assume with those you can’t scan in early and start stacking FPs for the evening, since the tickets aren't valid in the mornings. Single rider might be a better bet for you on the days you have that type of ticket.

Good catch! OP: if you are interested in comparing prices on your convention tickets vs. other discounted tickets, check the last few pages of this thread for authorized discount ticket vendors for DLR: LMTC Disneyland tickets no longer available?/UPDATE: Now Available by Phone!. If a vendor is recommended on this board, they are legit -- and we'll warn people about any non-legit or questionable vendors. (Also note that DLR tickets are not taxed in CA, so don't let anyone charge you tax on your tickets!)

 

[Blue32]

You mentioned convention tickets that are good after 4 pm only. I’ve never used them but I would assume with those you can’t scan in early and start stacking FPs for the evening, since the tickets aren't valid in the mornings. Single rider might be a better bet for you on the days you have that type of ticket.

yep...you’d only be able to stack FP with Maxpass on a day you were using a full days admission NOT the days you came after 4pm of the twilight ticket. SR lines will help you quite a bit though...and staying late into the evening.

 

[ironband74]

yep...you’d only be able to stack FP with Maxpass on a day you were using a full days admission NOT the days you came after 4pm of the twilight ticket. SR lines will help you quite a bit though...and staying late into the evening.

And if it is crowded, and you like to "gamble", evening maxpass roulette (picking up canceled fast passes) is a fun adventure that can take you all over the place.

 

[cruisehopeful]

You can still do plenty in the evenings. The locals pour into the parks in the evenings after work, but as a solo, you can do all the single rider lines and get around easily.

Most FPs will be gone for the day when you get there. You may be able to pick up one or 2, but don't plan for that. You cannot enter early to book a FP if you have a twilight ticket. Are you planning to watch shows? As a solo, it's easier to get a good viewing spot closer to showtime/parade time.

 

[Future_WorldPhonencian]

I wanted to add that the convention is selling all types of tickets at a discount... I assumed that buying full-day tickets would be the best route since i will be spending one full day in the parks at the start of my trip, but i will crunch the numbers and see. I will probably get maxpass for my one full day and maybe one additional day if i can scan in early and stockpile some fastpasses for late in the day

 

[Blue32]

Make sure to check if your ticket includes Magic Morning. The time I purchased a convention ticket, even though it was a 5day ticket did not include it. Just an FYI...

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Make sure to check if your ticket includes Magic Morning. The time I purchased a convention ticket, even though it was a 5day ticket did not include it. Just an FYI...

And 3+ day tickets purchased through the authorized discount vendors should include one MM. Tickets purchased at the ticket booths do not include a MM.