Both parks-1 day?

[KrisTX]

Hello! I need some help please. I am going to be in SoCo Thanksgiving week and will be driving up to DL for just one day. We will get there at opening and stay until closing. We just spent a week at WDW in Aug so this is more about hitting all the rides we love from WDW and the ones that are specific to DL/DCA. Here are the facts:

2 adults, 2 kids (7 & 9)
last trip to DL 5 years ago-one day
will skip the slow loading fantasy land rides
love coasters/thrill rides
fastpass queen
skip shows and parades
no issues with walking or tired kids
no need for much of a break more than lunch

SO-do we go Monday 11/24 to avoid ee/mm? or is Tues 11/25 better?
Is there a touring plan that includes hopping for chunks of time for only 1 day?

Am I crazy to think that we can do this?

Thank you!

 

[BlueBayou]

I think a annual pass holder might offer better insight - but for us Oct 13th and 14th were a toss up in terms of crowds. If you are not going for the Fantasyland rides - I thing MM/EE would not really be an issue.

We messed up and got to DL 40 minutes prior to opening on the Monday we were there. We had a breakfast where we were meeting friend at 10:00 at Ariels Grotto at DCA. We had been told DL opened at 8am - so we thought we would have two hours to mess around before our lunch.

It ending up being a 9am opening so we did the Matterhorn and some Fantasyland rides and ran to DCA.

We had EE on the Tuesday and did not make it there in time. We were at the parks from opening to nearly closing on the Monday. The crowds were fine on the Tuesday.

 

[ballarinamom]

Just know that your crowds are going to be bigger as it's Thanksgiving week.

 

[tink2dw]

Since you are getting to DL early, Monday will probably be best, go in at opening, get all DL exclusive rides done first including POTC it is different than WDW, then do as many of your favorates done as possible before it starts to crowd up, then cross over to DCA, do TOT, Soaring, then head to the back on the right side, Stop and get Corn Dogs for lunch[the best Disney food of all time!] then head to Screaming, after go to the Sun Wheel Unlocked Side, this is thrilling, just wait and see!! Go to Toy Mania. Then head back to DL You can do alot of rides especially all the Mountain, including Matterhorn and Nemo during parades, fireworks, stay till closing! have fun. 3 days is a better way to see everything.

 

[KrisTX]

Thank you all for the info. I know WDW crowds were not as bad on Monday, as they were on Tuesday, as they were on Wed, etc leading up to Thanksgiving. I am hoping that this is the same!

I wish there was a tour guide mike type of thing that does both parks in 1 day Hey...one can dream!

 

[LittleWoodenHead]

Am I crazy to think that we can do this?

Yes, but don't let that stop you.

Definitely go on the Monday. It will be crowded, but you have extended park hours to help offset that. Disneyland is open from 8:00AM to Midnight that day, so get there early!

Here's a suggested morning Plan of Attack: Get near the front of the crowd at rope drop and head to Finding Nemo immediately, while sending a runner to get FPs at Space Mountain. Once done on Nemo, you might consider hitting either Buzz or the Matterhorn or using the Space FP. (Personally, I'd probably opt for Buzz, save that Space FP, and plan on doing the Matterhorn at night, even though the wait will be longer then.)

Next priority is a FP for Indy. Get it as soon as your window opens, sending a runner if necessary. I'd probably head over to the AdventureLand/New Orleans Square side of the park anyway about now, as the lines for Pirates and the Mansion should still be fairly light to moderate. It's up to you whether you want to head over to Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island. (Not really worth the time, imo.) Splash is fairly different at DL than MK -- endless debate about which is "better" -- but the lines (or the weather) might not be conducive. You might be able to FP it, if your window is open.

BTMRR is fairly similar, so I wouldn't make it a priority. You can always pick up a FP for later. But you might want to check out the "slow-loading" Fantasyland rides that you won't find at WDW: Pinocchio, Mr. Toad, and Alice. Lines should be decent for much of the morning on those (as everyone else will be waiting for Pan or Dumbo). Also, Roger Rabbit in ToonTown is another worthwhile non-WDW ride (and can be FastPassed even if your other FP window is not open.) And you mustn't forget IASW with its holiday overlay. (Make sure you stop back by it in the evening, too, to catch a wonderful lightshow.)

If you save the FPs for later, and skip stuff like Pirate's Lair, you should be able to do most of the above before lunchtime -- which would be an excellent time to head over to DCA for a few hours before returning to DL in the late afternoon. You might find you have time after all for the Parade, Fireworks, and/or Fantasmic! (the 10:30PM show)

Enjoy your day!

 

[KrisTX]

Thank you so much! It looks like my mother in law will be joining us, so I will really need a good plan of attack since we will need to stop along the way for her. I guess telling her that she could really 'wait to use the bathroom until after we ride' or 'that we eat lunch at 11 to avoid the crowds' wont go over as well as it does with my kids But on the bright side, I will have one extra fast pass for all the coasters

Does DL honor fast passes after the return window like WDW does?

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

Some have said Mondays are actually getting quite crowded lately. Not sure if that trend will continue.

It is possible of course, I just wouldn't plan on seeing everything. It takes a good 3 days to do it all, and with just doing rides only I wouldn't even say less then 2 days. But it's DL so of course you'll still have fun!

 

[Random Villains]

Me, my wife, my nephew, and 5 friends all did Cali Adventure and Disneyland in 1 day, stayed from open till close. A nice hint....

the monorail is your friend. Take the station in downtown Disney, itll drop you off in the heart of Disneyland almost. We took it back and forth quite a few times and got everything done by closing.

 

[fairycat]

Yes DL honors FP's after the window.

Extra hints, several FP machines are not linked to the others so you can get two passes, I know that Grizzly Rapids and Roger Rabbit are two of them but I think there is one more.

Here are the busiest rides on any given day;

DL-
Nemo- slow loading, no FP= Long lines!
Splash Mountain- tends to run out of FP's first very popular, but on off weather not as long of lines
Indiana Jones- fun equals lines here, but loads fast so never terrible lines
Space Mountain- Note this kicks SM at WDW's butt! Smoother, Darker and better seats! Get a FP early, though unless its insanely busy these don't run out quite as fast
Peter Pan- popular slow loading
Matterhorn medium loader and can get a line built up fast
Thunder Mountain- the shortest line of the mountains, can be short or long but worth a ride!
Haunted Mansion #1 suggestion hit this at night! The line for this one always seems to drop as it gets dark, we heard 45 minute lines at around 2pm at 8pm the sign was at 13 minutes.

DCA-
Toy Story- new= lines, but it loads quick
Scream'n popular so long lines but loads quick
Soaring- get a fast pass its long but a great ride
Sunwheel- this might be closed due to the remodel its a love hate right but long lines
Grizzly Rapids long wait when its hot, otherwise not to bad
Monster's Inc- A great dark ride that is a lot of fun!
TOT- is not as popular as it was on off season but lines can build during the busier seasons

I want to add don't miss out of things like Mr. Toad!!! Alice, Jungle Cruise, and Potc the lines on these tend to be ok and are all so fun!

With easy park hopping (can I suggest morning at DL, afternoon at DCA, evening at DL), you can get a lot done if you have a rough plan and are flexible.

A good restful meal that is yummy and nice is Wine Country Tratoria I love that place

 

[Hound 109]

Yes, but don't let that stop you.

Definitely go on the Monday. It will be crowded, but you have extended park hours to help offset that. Disneyland is open from 8:00AM to Midnight that day, so get there early!

Here's a suggested morning Plan of Attack: Get near the front of the crowd at rope drop and head to Finding Nemo immediately, while sending a runner to get FPs at Space Mountain. Once done on Nemo, you might consider hitting either Buzz or the Matterhorn or using the Space FP. (Personally, I'd probably opt for Buzz, save that Space FP, and plan on doing the Matterhorn at night, even though the wait will be longer then.)

Next priority is a FP for Indy. Get it as soon as your window opens, sending a runner if necessary. I'd probably head over to the AdventureLand/New Orleans Square side of the park anyway about now, as the lines for Pirates and the Mansion should still be fairly light to moderate. It's up to you whether you want to head over to Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island. (Not really worth the time, imo.) Splash is fairly different at DL than MK -- endless debate about which is "better" -- but the lines (or the weather) might not be conducive. You might be able to FP it, if your window is open.

BTMRR is fairly similar, so I wouldn't make it a priority. You can always pick up a FP for later. But you might want to check out the "slow-loading" Fantasyland rides that you won't find at WDW: Pinocchio, Mr. Toad, and Alice. Lines should be decent for much of the morning on those (as everyone else will be waiting for Pan or Dumbo). Also, Roger Rabbit in ToonTown is another worthwhile non-WDW ride (and can be FastPassed even if your other FP window is not open.) And you mustn't forget IASW with its holiday overlay. (Make sure you stop back by it in the evening, too, to catch a wonderful lightshow.)

If you save the FPs for later, and skip stuff like Pirate's Lair, you should be able to do most of the above before lunchtime -- which would be an excellent time to head over to DCA for a few hours before returning to DL in the late afternoon. You might find you have time after all for the Parade, Fireworks, and/or Fantasmic! (the 10:30PM show)

Enjoy your day!

I agree with virtually all of these thoughts & especially the strategies.... but would (for a variety of reasons) skip Nemo. Because of this, I would attack the first couple of hours differently:

- Family heads to Matterhorn (does one side), with a runner to Space Mt. to pick up your first FPs (at 8:04am)
- Runner catches up to family & does the other side of Matterhorn with family.
- Alice.
- Toady.
- Pinocchio (or wait til later)
- Buzz or BTMRR
- Pick up Indy FP between 8:45 & 8:55am.
- Splash/Pirates/BTMRR/HM (any or all).
- (also a possible thing to do at this time would also be the StorybookLand/IASW & Roger Rabbit FP pickup.... since these rides can get crowded later in the day).
- pick up another FP at BTMRR, HM or Splash (at probably (9:30-9:40am).

Hop to DCA with 3 FP in pocket to use that evening.


Yes, you can use FPs after the return time (the same day).

That's a good start.


If you haven't stumbled across these threads, these are essential reading for the WDW Vet. (DLR newbie):

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=802084

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

& the rest of HydroGuy's tip threads:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483


Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's Park.

 

[tink2dw]

This the Mike's of DL - www.ridemax.com/

 

[KrisTX]

This the Mike's of DL - www.ridemax.com/

Thanks! I did see that when I googled touring plans. But it did not look like i could do a 2 park-1 day plan. I might check it out and see if i can.

 

[KrisTX]

OK-I am messing around with ridemax and think I might have figured out that if i block 3 or 4 hours of DLR time and do another plan for DCA, I can get a basic plan.

I am however a little alarmed that, unlike Tour Guide Mike, Ridemax is suggesting that I wait in a 45 minute Indiana line or Matterhorn line within 2 hours of the park opening. That seems like a crazy waste of valuable time so early in the morning! TGM never has me waiting in a line. Is it that there are just more fastpass options at WDW? Any other TGM/Ridemax person around to shed light on this? Why would I wait in Indiana when I can FP it for later? Oh wise touring folks, please shed some light

 

[tink2dw]

 

[Hound 109]

OK-I am messing around with ridemax and think I might have figured out that if i block 3 or 4 hours of DLR time and do another plan for DCA, I can get a basic plan.

I am however a little alarmed that, unlike Tour Guide Mike, Ridemax is suggesting that I wait in a 45 minute Indiana line or Matterhorn line within 2 hours of the park opening. That seems like a crazy waste of valuable time so early in the morning!

You're right. It is.

TGM never has me waiting in a line. Is it that there are just more fastpass options at WDW?

It's probably that they're expecting a busy day.....& that there are more FP options in WDW.

Any other TGM/Ridemax person around to shed light on this? Why would I wait in Indiana when I can FP it for later?

You shouldn't....(if ridemax is suggesting a long wait)....imo, better to grab a FP at the :45 - :50 minute mark (after picking up FPs for SM at opening).

Oh wise touring folks, please shed some light

Ride Max is a good "tool" & provides alot of useful info (ride waits at certain times of day, etc.). Many of us use it as a tool & create our own "plans".....often with flexibility & touring logic built in. (such as the couple of touring plans....including mine.... mentioned above).

 

[KrisTX]

Ride Max is a good "tool" & provides alot of useful info (ride waits at certain times of day, etc.). Many of us use it as a tool & create our own "plans".....often with flexibility & touring logic built in. (such as the couple of touring plans....including mine.... mentioned above).

Gotcha! I use my own plan based on TGM ideas when I go to WDW. Just did not know if I was missing something big regarding Indy and some fastpass snafu. Did not mean to belittle Ridemax. It is a very cool program with great data. Fun to play around with it all and see what happens. Thanks again!

I like the plans that many of you posted and will probably do them with a little ridemax data in the mix.