Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters?

[kugelette]

We are headed to Disneyland on Tuesday. We will only be spending one day in the park. My kid is really excited about two specific attractions - the Jedi Training Academy, and the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. I read the mega thread on the JTA and plan to implement the tips (sign, bright shirt, lots of enthusiastic jumping) but I wanted to know whether or not the Buzz Lightyear ride is particularly popular and a long wait, and what our strategy should be to make sure he gets a chance at both of these activities.

For a 6 year old boy very into Cars, Star Wars, and anything space-related, what would you recommend as a must see/do, and how do you recommend we increase our chances of being able to do it?

I really want to do the canoe ride where you paddle out with guides and guests - is that age appropriate for him also? Is that a popular attraction as well?

Many thanks! We have been to WDW when he was much younger but he doesn't remember it at all, so this will be a "first" trip to disney and he is SUPER excited!

 

[starshine514]

Astro Blasters is a high capacity ride. I think the longest I've waited for it is about 15 minutes (though I have seen it longer, but not often). He'll probably love Star Tours and (if you're doing DCA also) Carsland.

 

[alex881]

Canoes are perfect for him. He can paddle as much or little as he wants. My kids liked it. But be prepared to get more wet then expected as kids tend to splash a bit.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Fastpass Star Tours, which often has a significant wait, but use the standby line for Buzz, which usually has a pretty short wait (10-15 minutes.) Star Tours has pretty neat randomized storylines now, too, so you may want to plan to ride it more than once.

 

[pharmama]

Fastpass Star Tours, which often has a significant wait, but use the standby line for Buzz, which usually has a pretty short wait (10-15 minutes.) Star Tours has pretty neat randomized storylines now, too, so you may want to plan to ride it more than once.

Just to clarify- there are no longer FPs for Buzz so there isn't a 'standby' line. Just one line.

As mentioned, Buzz is a fast loader so the line is usually pretty short and moves well. But be careful about post parade and post firework times. The line can get long at these times because it's near the hub so people naturally head there after these events.

Agree with PPs on canoes- fun and age appropriate but be prepared to get wet.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Just to clarify- there are no longer FPs for Buzz so there isn't a 'standby' line. Just one line.

As mentioned, Buzz is a fast loader so the line is usually pretty short and moves well. But be careful about post parade and post firework times. The line can get long at these times because it's near the hub so people naturally head there after these events.

Agree with PPs on canoes- fun and age appropriate but be prepared to get wet.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Ha! That makes sense why I couldn't find the machines in March!

 

[kugelette]

Fastpass Star Tours, which often has a significant wait, but use the standby line for Buzz, which usually has a pretty short wait (10-15 minutes.) Star Tours has pretty neat randomized storylines now, too, so you may want to plan to ride it more than once.

Disney classifies Star Tours as a "thrill ride" but there's no video...what's the experience like? Is it mild enough for young kids? Scary? Fast?

 

[spellhex]

Disney classifies Star Tours as a "thrill ride" but there's no video...what's the experience like? Is it mild enough for young kids? Scary? Fast?

It's a motion simulator. You sit in a room with theater seating that tilts and rocks in conjunction with the film that's playing. It doesn't go anywhere (so it's not fast), but it creates a feeling of accelerating and diving and whatnot.

It was my favorite ride when I was younger and hated roller coasters. There are parts that are a little intense, but nothing crazy frightening. It depends on your kids - some kids would hate it, while some would think it's the best thing ever.

 

[lana772]

Disney classifies Star Tours as a "thrill ride" but there's no video...what's the experience like? Is it mild enough for young kids? Scary? Fast?

Someone should point out to you this ride is BAD for those of us who suffer from motion sickness.
The 3D makes it even worse.

 

[lana772]

It's a motion simulator. You sit in a room with theater seating that tilts and rocks in conjunction with the film that's playing. It doesn't go anywhere (so it's not fast), but it creates a feeling of accelerating and diving and whatnot.

It was my favorite ride when I was younger and hated roller coasters. There are parts that are a little intense, but nothing crazy frightening. It depends on your kids - some kids would hate it, while some would think it's the best thing ever.

Don't forget that it's now 3D.

 

[ronandannette]

Astro Blasters is a high capacity ride. I think the longest I've waited for it is about 15 minutes (though I have seen it longer, but not often). He'll probably love Star Tours and (if you're doing DCA also) Carsland.

Cars land will be tricky if you're trying to do both parks in only one day; the lines there are long. You'll need to be in DCA first thing in the morning if you want to get FP's for RSR (unless you use single rider, which you probably wouldn't with a young child) and then be prepared to be back there several hours later to ride. Maybe use your wait time to do stand-by on the other rides there but it will take hours and will all need to be arranged around the schedule for Jedi Academy back at DL if that is an absolute "must do". Don't worry if you encounter a huge line at Buzz Lightyear; it moves incredibly fast and I like it as much as Toy Story over at DCL (it is an interactive game where you astroblast Zurg and the bad guys).

My personal advice is to not try to cross the parks too much; do everything you want in one Land and then move on. What you might save in wait time you can lose trying to make your way around if it is a heavily crowded day. This happened to us three weeks ago and it completely blew my "efficient" touring plan. Hand a great trip.

PS: FWIW, we planned a whole day around Jedi Academy two years ago when we took my little nephew (8 at the time) only to have him go "meh" when he saw it and have no interest in participating. It's neat, but not that neat, if you know what I mean.