Cars Land opening day strategy

[*Seanaci*]

We all know DCA is going to be slammed come June 15th...maybe the rides at DL will all be walk on.

It's going to be slammed every day for a long time.

I would love to see pics of the craziness.

Lol. I'm glad I'm not a local...else I'd be really tempted to go the 15th...and end up at DL.

 

[joelnkelly]

we plan on going in the morning to dca on friday, if its too crazy we are just going to head over to DL. Not to worried as we plan to do DL and DCA earlier in the week.

 

[fctiger]

we plan on going in the morning to dca on friday, if its too crazy we are just going to head over to DL. Not to worried as we plan to do DL and DCA earlier in the week.

Thats the thing though if it gets TOO crazy there is always DL to go! 99.9% of people will have park hoppers of some kind so there is always a place to go if its too nuts!

It is funny though people are now talking about going to DL if DCA gets too crazy! I never thought I would say that about DCA lol.

 

[skier_pete]

Would going on June 17 make any difference? That weekend is the last weekend I"ll be here before moving up North permanetly and I really want to show DBF all the rides in Radiator Springs before we leave Sunday night. I guess I was naive and was expecting to come at 8am on Friday morning and not have that many issues. Some schools including mine are still in session right now and that's our last week so I guess I wasn't expecting it to be crazy at 8am in the morning.

I think someone might have already posted the link, but Al Lutz over on MiceAge had a article about June 17th being the day that DL execs think will be totally insane (because of passholder allowances). They are making the employees park at Anaheim stadium and leaving their lot for overflow.

As someone said previously, if I was going to go any of the days within a few weeks of opening, I would go that first day, because then at least you could say you were there for the opening. I would get there as early as you can drag your butt out of bed, and as others have said "treat it like a party" you can say "I was there for the opening day" at least that way, and tell stories of how crazy it was. If you go the 17th it'll be just as bad, and your story will be, "we went the third day it was open"...much worse story!

Me, I would likely want no part of any of it. I get no kick from "bragging rights" nor pleasure from the party atmosphere and crowds. I'm a WDWer that prides my self in planning around the lowest crowds and in never waiting in line more than 5 minutes. We are taking our first ever DL trip about 5 weeks after opening, and I am hoping the insanity has waned slightly enough that its not just massive lines and crowds from the minute they open. If not, hoping to learn best strategies from those that go before me. If I had the choice, I would be waiting 4 months, or maybe a year to go. But since we are going anyways...I can't wait!

 

[LisainCalifornia]

This is crazy. When we originally planned our vacation (back in Feb.), we thought we would go June 10-14th to avoid all the carsland crazy-ness. I am a DL from way back, so I know the drill. Then, came along the AP preview, which I bought into hook line and extra WOC show thrown in. So now we are going to the Carsland preview on June 10th (with added bonus of a private WOC), and for once I feel like we are in that sweet spot of Disneyland pre-hysteria. Maybe not. I will let you all know when we get home!

 

[momrek06]

I think someone might have already posted the link, but Al Lutz over on MiceAge had a article about June 17th being the day that DL execs think will be totally insane (because of passholder allowances). They are making the employees park at Anaheim stadium and leaving their lot for overflow.

As someone said previously, if I was going to go any of the days within a few weeks of opening, I would go that first day, because then at least you could say you were there for the opening. I would get there as early as you can drag your butt out of bed, and as others have said "treat it like a party" you can say "I was there for the opening day" at least that way, and tell stories of how crazy it was. If you go the 17th it'll be just as bad, and your story will be, "we went the third day it was open"...much worse story!

Me, I would likely want no part of any of it. I get no kick from "bragging rights" nor pleasure from the party atmosphere and crowds. I'm a WDWer that prides my self in planning around the lowest crowds and in never waiting in line more than 5 minutes. We are taking our first ever DL trip about 5 weeks after opening, and I am hoping the insanity has waned slightly enough that its not just massive lines and crowds from the minute they open. If not, hoping to learn best strategies from those that go before me. If I had the choice, I would be waiting 4 months, or maybe a year to go. But since we are going anyways...I can't wait!

That's going to be ONE BIG MESS. The ANGELS are in TOWN from JUNE 15-24. OMG.

It is crazy here on GAME days. That plus The Grove and Amtrak. Brings tons and tons of traffic and cars. NOW DL wants their employees to park at AS.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

ok the only thing i can think of to help is maybe go sat morn at like 4am and line up out side security. If you really need to get on the rsr ride before you move up north.
Most all who want to see it will be there the first day, the second one alot will be there but i dont think as many will be camped out, so maybe its an option for you and your bf before you move. Have fun

 

[xsuki000]

My graduation ceremony is on Saturday and DBF's pass is Deluxe so blocked that day unfortunately. I'll see if he actually wants to go to Cars Land desperate enough to line up early Friday morning because I'm going to the early preview on Monday and i really want to show him LOL but i don't know if he's as excited about seeing it as I am for him to see it.

 

[xsuki000]

I just talked to DBF and he's willing to wait at whatever time we need to on Friday morning to get into the park. What time would people suggest? I don't want to have to camp out there all night cause I don't have equipment to keep myself comfortable/entertained all night and I don't have to be the first in line. Our main priorities would be to get a fast pass for Radiator Springs Racers and anything else in the Cars Land area that's disconnected. Would 4am be okay?

 

[JadeDarkstar]

id say 4am may work but you'd behind the campers, but in front of normal park visitors who are thinking 8am is fine lol

 

[xsuki000]

How does parking work when the park is closed?

 

[fctiger]

I just talked to DBF and he's willing to wait at whatever time we need to on Friday morning to get into the park. What time would people suggest? I don't want to have to camp out there all night cause I don't have equipment to keep myself comfortable/entertained all night and I don't have to be the first in line. Our main priorities would be to get a fast pass for Radiator Springs Racers and anything else in the Cars Land area that's disconnected. Would 4am be okay?

Honestly, no one really knows! Its ALL conjecture and based on past experiences. We will probably hear something before the week is out though. I hear you about not wanting to camp out all night because yeah you are drained by the time the gates open. I never did it but I have no idea how people CAN do it lol. I imagine you get very little sleep with so many people around talking and buzzing around with excitement and sleeping on hard concrete is not exactly sleep worthy. So 4 a.m. MIGHT be ok, but its hard to say until Disney gives out procedures and how early/late people can line up.

Oh and RSR will be the ONLY FP attraction and the FP will not be in CL, but near Its Tough To Be a Bug as well!

How does parking work when the park is closed?

If you mean you can keep your car in the parking lot overnight, usually no, you cant! Technically they can tow it or give you a ticket. BUT if you mean for the 15th arrival, again they will probably allow overnight parking for anyone camping out, so dont worry about that. But cant say what time that would be yet until they announce it!

 

[xsuki000]

^ Thanks for the tip on where the fast passes will be. Good thing you told me, I would have probably wasted time going over to the actual ride if you hadn't.

And yeah I didnt' even think about that. If i had to camp out ALL NIGHT, i'd honestly be irritated and cranky by the time the park open.

 

[720L]

I'm not going to camp out all night....the only thing that will help us is 4AM CA time will be 7AM our time at least we won't be tired. I wonder what time the park will fill to capacity then?

 

[subtchr]

I posted a new thread about it, too, but I thought I'd add it here, since you all will be there to acquire some of it!

How cool is some of this stuff?? MERCHANDISE CATALOG

 

[hurleysweety]

After reading this thread, I'm getting a bit worried - was I crazy to book a trip for the 18-22nd? Its not just a DL trip as we've been many times before (going to beach, LA, and Hollywood for a few of the days). We'll be going for 2 days so we can get in one, maybe two rides on RSR and see the rest of our favs in both parks and take in the new sights.

Any opinions on how this will impact TSMM wait times?

 

[DLR29]

After reading this thread, I'm getting a bit worried - was I crazy to book a trip for the 18-22nd? Its not just a DL trip as we've been many times before (going to beach, LA, and Hollywood for a few of the days). We'll be going for 2 days so we can get in one, maybe two rides on RSR and see the rest of our favs in both parks and take in the new sights.

Any opinions on how this will impact TSMM wait times?

I think you'll be fine because you have gone many times before and if you just focus on some of the new stuff, it won't be that bad.

My guess (total hypothesis) is that Toy Story's lines will be MUCH shorter for the first hour of DCA's opening but lines will get to be normal TSMM lines (40-50 min) quickly. Also because DCA will be opening at 8 now, I predict that the line at 10:30AM right now will be about the same length as the line at 10:30AM come Carsland. The difference will be in those early hours. Who knows? We'll see what actually happens.

 

[Astylla]

I know it can be really feel intimidating trying to plan out the forecasted crowds and what not , but the way I see it is that NO ONE knows how things will pan out. The best strategy if you will , is to be prepared for anything. Be prepared rides may break down. Be prepared lines may be 3 hours long. Be prepared that it will be hot and many many other people have been waiting just like you so some patience will go a long way.

We won't be camping out as we have Carnation cafe reservations at 8am on Friday but may wander over closer to 11:30am before our lunch ressie at Carthary Circle for 1:20pm. We have already prepared ourselves for insane crowds but that's all we can do - prepare for the worst and hope for the best and enjoy yourself no matter what.

 

[fctiger]

After reading this thread, I'm getting a bit worried - was I crazy to book a trip for the 18-22nd? Its not just a DL trip as we've been many times before (going to beach, LA, and Hollywood for a few of the days). We'll be going for 2 days so we can get in one, maybe two rides on RSR and see the rest of our favs in both parks and take in the new sights.

Any opinions on how this will impact TSMM wait times?

Nah you have nothing to worry about just as long as you are prepared! You will have 2 days, so that will still be enough time to basically do everything you want to do. Not EVERYTHING...but everything you want to do!

Look, its going to be busy and insanely crowded, lets not kid ourselves! But it doesnt mean it will be like that ALL day long NOR does it mean everything in the place will be crowded. In DCA the focus will be CL and BVS, but we dont know how its going to affect the rest of the park yet. Everything else might be reasonable or even light! OR the complete opposite and everything is overrun lol.

But for anyone who goes to Disney often or just travels in general, these are all people need to do: Go EARLY, be patient, have a plan and pick your priorities and get FPs as often as you can and you will be fine! You will have to stand in some lines but you will see everything you want to do just the same! And there will be Early Entry for DCA starting that week, so you will have maybe a chance to go on one of those days!

Anyway its going to be a fun week, I hope you have a good trip!

 

[MagicMomma1]

When we originally planned our vacation (back in Feb.), we thought we would go June 10-14th to avoid all the carsland crazy-ness.

Lisa, was reading up on the Cars Land opening over on MiceChat and according to them DCA will be closed to the public on June 14th for "finishing touches and a media event." Maybe you already knew but just in case wanted to give you a heads up! Have a fantastic trip!!

Our next trip is planned for Sept. 9-17. Hoping this will be the perfect time to go... after Labor Day. All the kiddies will be in school. Prior to the start of Halloweentime. Can't wait!