Busy Saturday questions

[Jaina]

I will probably have a few more questions to add as my trip gets closer, but I wanted to ask you experts some things I am wondering. We are going on December 1, Saturday, and I have never been on a Saturday. At least not in the last 20 years… I know it will be busy! So I am stalking the Disneyland app today and the Sat after Thanksgiving to see how things flow.
Mickey and Friends will open at what time to accommodate Disneyland’s early entry? And does anyone have a diagram of how I should approach that parking structure? We almost always either stay close enough to walk or parking toys story, but I want to get there earlier than Toys Story will open probably, since we just have one day.
We will be starting our day at California Adventure, and want to ride Soarin’ standby first. (After grabbing a MP for Incredicoaster) Where do we need to go to rope drop to get to Soarin’? Do they not let you through right there by the restaurant anymore? Also, which row in the middle section is best? Top or middle-middle? And can I just ask for those, or do I need to ask for a specific section like B-2 or whatever?
Also, I see that Mater’s and Luigi’s are not running yet today at 8:45. Are those often not running first thing?
Last thing for now is we want to try to get fast passes for the second (10:30) Fantasmic showing. When should we hop over to make sure those aren’t gone yet? I was thinking by 10 from what I read, but that’s not something I can check on the app to see when they’re gone.
Thanks so much for any and all help!

 

[deannaf87]

Following this! I'll be there Dec 1 too!

 

[midnight star]

Mickey and Friends will open at 6:30 am that day, since the parks open at 8 am. I am not sure about how it works for walkers though..hopefully someone can chime in on that for you.

What I love about Saturdays and starting at DCA is that they begin scanning tickets 30 minutes before..the sooner they scan, the sooner you can begin booking fastpasses.

For Soarin', I believe you stand in the actual ride's line, and wait until 8am to go in. Go to the right on Buena Vista street. Most people recommend Gate B. I like row 1 because I don't like feet , but I think as long as you're in Gate B, you are centered. You can ask to be seated in a certain section and row, but depending on how it is filled before you, you may have to wait until the next flight to accommodate your request.


I'll let someone else answer the Fantasmic question and Mater question since I am not too sure about those.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

For the F! FPs, ask the CMs at the FP machines when they estimate the second show FPs should start being given out. Of course, one way to guarantee FPs for the second show is to book a dining package -- HB is the least expensive and the most flexible with their menu (you can order off the dining package or regular menu -- the dining package price holds no matter what you order). That way you would know you'd have FPs for the second show and you'd have great viewing without a long wait.
Where will you be staying? That will help with giving directions on approaching M&F.

 

[Jaina]

Following this! I'll be there Dec 1 too!

Yay! If you have any tips people give you, share!

Mickey and Friends will open at 6:30 am that day, since the parks open at 8 am. I am not sure about how it works for walkers though..hopefully someone can chime in on that for you.
What I love about Saturdays and starting at DCA is that they begin scanning tickets 30 minutes before..the sooner they scan, the sooner you can begin booking fastpasses.
For Soarin', I believe you stand in the actual ride's line, and wait until 8am to go in. Go to the right on Buena Vista street. Most people recommend Gate B. I like row 1 because I don't like feet , but I think as long as you're in Gate B, you are centered. You can ask to be seated in a certain section and row, but depending on how it is filled before you, you may have to wait until the next flight to accommodate your request.
I'll let someone else answer the Fantasmic question and Mater question since I am not too sure about those.

Thanks for the Soarin advice! We will definitely be in line at the gate by 7-7:15!

For the F! FPs, ask the CMs at the FP machines when they estimate the second show FPs should start being given out. Of course, one way to guarantee FPs for the second show is to book a dining package -- HB is the least expensive and the most flexible with their menu (you can order off the dining package or regular menu -- the dining package price holds no matter what you order). That way you would know you'd have FPs for the second show and you'd have great viewing without a long wait.
Where will you be staying? That will help with giving directions on approaching M&F.

We're definitely starting at California Adventure, so we'll be hopping over to Disneyland between 9:30 and 10 probably. I did look at the dining packages and obsess over booking a package, but we decided it's not worth another $60 to us. We want to stay more flexible, and not -HAVE- to go see Fantasmic if we've had enough closely packed crowds by then, or don't want to leave CA until it closes at 10. We are staying over on Ball Rd and Beach a few miles away, so we'd be approaching from the west. Probably just go straight down Ball. We are early risers, so I'm guessing we'll get to M&F about when it's opening.

 

[Nonsuch]

December 1 and 2 have performances of the Candlelight Processional
Search this forum for “Candlelight” for more details and strategies

 

[Jaina]

December 1 and 2 have performances of the Candlelight Processional
Search this forum for “Candlelight” for more details and strategies

Yeah, I’m very aware of that! I’m thinking we’ll hop over to DL about 10, fit in what we can between then and 2, when we have a late lunch reservation at Cafe Orleans, then hop back over to CA for the evening about 4, where hopefully we’ll have some fast passes set up. Then back to DL sometime between 9 and 10, depending on what we’re in the mood for.

Does anyone know if the Disneyland railroad stops running during Candlelight or at any other time?

 

[dina444444]

Yeah, I’m very aware of that! I’m thinking we’ll hop over to DL about 10, fit in what we can between then and 2, when we have a late lunch reservation at Cafe Orleans, then hop back over to CA for the evening about 4, where hopefully we’ll have some fast passes set up. Then back to DL sometime between 9 and 10, depending on what we’re in the mood for.

Does anyone know if the Disneyland railroad stops running during Candlelight or at any other time?

I believe it stops for candlelight from before the first performance through the end of the second one. It also sometimes doesn’t run during fireworks depending on the wind.

 

[Nonsuch]

...Does anyone know if the Disneyland railroad stops running during Candlelight or at any other time?

The railroad does not run during Candlelight. Main Street Station is closed all day, although railroad might run part of the day

 

[Jaina]

The railroad does not run during Candlelight. Main Street Station is closed all day, although railroad might run part of the day

That is good to know! I wonder what part of the days it does run. We would definitely like to ride! Probably something to do earlier in the day it sounds like.

 

[Malcon10t]

Does anyone know if the Disneyland railroad stops running during Candlelight or at any other time?

It stops running about 2-3 pm and resumes after fireworks I believe.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... I did look at the dining packages and obsess over booking a package, but we decided it's not worth another $60 to us. We want to stay more flexible, and not -HAVE- to go see Fantasmic if we've had enough closely packed crowds by then, or don't want to leave CA until it closes at 10. We are staying over on Ball Rd and Beach a few miles away, so we'd be approaching from the west. Probably just go straight down Ball. We are early risers, so I'm guessing we'll get to M&F about when it's opening.

For F! with free FPs or doing standby: definitely aim for the second show. As two adults without kids, you should have lots of flexibility. Sometimes we can get pretty good/very good viewing by asking CMs and squeezing in one of the standby areas. The area in front of CO on the raised terrace is pretty good, especially if you can get to the front.
For M&F: just get to the intersection of Ball Rd. and Disneyland Dr. From there, go south on Disneyland Dr. and follow the signs into M&F. Don't worry if it looks like there is a long line for bag check. They snake the line now outside the structure and take guests in large groups. The line moves pretty quickly. Once you're inside the structure, the lines move fast.