Cars Land opening day strategy

[ldymcbth]

You know, my plan is this: we're just going to expect the worst and hope for the best. We are hitting DCA on Sat 16th (since AP holders will mostly be blocked out that day) and then DL on the 17th. We have a MM we can use on Sunday for DL. We have hoppers. We technically have 3 day hoppers so we can go into a park on the evening of the 15th assuming it's not at capacity. We have priority lists about what we want to see and do (which include totally non-carsland related things like Merida and Little Mermaid, etc). We will do our best and have a good attitude. That's all we can do! We didn't pick these dates - it just happens to be when we will be there due to a conference. So we will just do our best with them!

 

[rtfelt]

Anyone planning on being there at the beginning might want to also prepare for breakdowns. According to the CM's working the RSR during this test period, it's been going down multiple times each day. I sure hope they get all the kinks worked out before the 15th. I remember all the breakdowns they had with SM during the test period after they completed the last refurbishment. There's nothing worse than waiting in line for 70 minutes to just be told it broke down.

 

[fctiger]

Anyone planning on being there at the beginning might want to also prepare for breakdowns. According to the CM's working the RSR during this test period, it's been going down multiple times each day. I sure hope they get all the kinks worked out before the 15th. I remember all the breakdowns they had with SM during the test period after they completed the last refurbishment. There's nothing worse than waiting in line for 70 minutes to just be told it broke down.

Yep true! That actually happen to me the first time I rode Indiana Jones back in 95! I think we were in line for about an hour, maybe anothere 20 mins before we were to board and it broke down. It was frustrating to see the jeeps and know how close you were after that wait, but thats life! We got 'Fast passes' so to speak and came back that night and did it but it broke down often that first year...and 17 years later it still breaks down pretty regularly! Hell I took two friends from abroad on it a few years back and it broke down when we were line twice lol! They loved it though when they finally rode it.

I wouldnt be shocked to see RSR down pretty often, especially the first year! Theme park rides isnt rocket science but for some Disney rides, it comes pretty close!

 

[Kathymford]

There is no way I will be able to get DBF to agree to even a 6 am arrival time. Oh well, and I'm with the PP that is loving the merchandise catalog. I think I'm more nervous about that stuff selling out than riding the other stuff the first day! At least we have our Carthay dinner reservations!

 

[Disney Dreams]

I have resisted commenting on here, but since all the focus seems to be on FP and the three rides, I just have to post.

There is SOOOOO much to see in CarsLand besides three rides. I am beyond sad that I am not going to be able to be there on opening weekend, but if I were to be there --- there would be ZERO part of me that would even think about riding the three rides. Wander around. Looks at all the details. Take in the ambiance. Meander through the shops. Enjoy the entertainment. People watch. Appreciate all the little (and big! -- mountains! -- ) decor elements that have been worked on for four years. There is so so so much more than just three rides.

For those of you who will be there on opening weekend (jealous) - takes time to enjoy everything around you. Remember, it's everything around the sun that makes a sunset amazing, not just the sun.

That would be my strategy advice,
Dreams

 

[Kathymford]

I have resisted commenting on here, but since all the focus seems to be on FP and the three rides, I just have to post.

There is SOOOOO much to see in CarsLand besides three rides. I am beyond sad that I am not going to be able to be there on opening weekend, but if I were to be there --- there would be ZERO part of me that would even think about riding the three rides. Wander around. Looks at all the details. Take in the ambiance. Meander through the shops. Enjoy the entertainment. People watch. Appreciate all the little (and big! -- mountains! -- ) decor elements that have been worked on for four years. There is so so so much more than just three rides.

For those of you who will be there on opening weekend (jealous) - takes time to enjoy everything around you. Remember, it's everything around the sun that makes a sunset amazing, not just the sun.

That would be my strategy advice,
Dreams

Thanks for the reminder of this. You are totally right; especially being a local, I guess I will have many chances to ride everything eventually. I am amazed at just the little pieces that I get to see that have been unveiled already!!

 

[azdoughboy]

We'll be there on the 15th, but I'm not terribly sure how much we're going to be able to enjoy the ambiance with 2389356215035 people all doing the same. We plan on devoting most of our day there, and will attempt to do just this, but I'm concerned it's not going to be that easy. But worth trying regardless.



BC

 

[nana50]

I'm one of those people who hate going during the crowds. I almost always plan my trip in early November or February. I miss parades and stuff, but I've seen many of the parades over the years when my kids were teens and pre-teens. My grandkids don't even know about the parades, WOC, Fantasmic or fireworks. I figure as they get older they will have new things to look forward to. When they are old enough to stay up late by themselves and take the shuttle back to the hotel where nana is sound asleep.

 

[kikiq]

I have resisted commenting on here, but since all the focus seems to be on FP and the three rides, I just have to post.

There is SOOOOO much to see in CarsLand besides three rides. I am beyond sad that I am not going to be able to be there on opening weekend, but if I were to be there --- there would be ZERO part of me that would even think about riding the three rides. Wander around. Looks at all the details. Take in the ambiance. Meander through the shops. Enjoy the entertainment. People watch. Appreciate all the little (and big! -- mountains! -- ) decor elements that have been worked on for four years. There is so so so much more than just three rides.

What she said!!! If you must be there opening day, then get there early, be ready for the hordes and then remember to immerse yourself in the atmosphere, after all you're in Radiator Springs!

 

[fctiger]

I have resisted commenting on here, but since all the focus seems to be on FP and the three rides, I just have to post.

There is SOOOOO much to see in CarsLand besides three rides. I am beyond sad that I am not going to be able to be there on opening weekend, but if I were to be there --- there would be ZERO part of me that would even think about riding the three rides. Wander around. Looks at all the details. Take in the ambiance. Meander through the shops. Enjoy the entertainment. People watch. Appreciate all the little (and big! -- mountains! -- ) decor elements that have been worked on for four years. There is so so so much more than just three rides.

For those of you who will be there on opening weekend (jealous) - takes time to enjoy everything around you. Remember, it's everything around the sun that makes a sunset amazing, not just the sun.

That would be my strategy advice,
Dreams

No thats my plan as well. I plan to spend about 4-5 hours in CL just walking through all the shops, trying the food out, taking pictures etc. And to be more honest, althought RSR is really the most important ride to do, the other two I will simply play it by ear and decide depending on the lines and what people are saying. I'm not in a rush to do those considering I have an AP and live about 30 min from the place. I will see them eventually lol.

 

[MrsPinup]

I booked our trip for the 24-29th before the CL date was announced. Is it too much to hope that SOME of the ferver has died down by then? We really expect the worse, but are hoping that DL crowds are a bit lighter than usual.

 

[Argento]

Here's my strategy.

 

[isisisme]

We are going to be at DLR from the 13th to the 16th. Luckily my DH won tickets for Thursday's media event. So, we will see BVS and CL on Thursday during the event. That is our priority, and then we will head to DL for the evening.
On Friday, we will be skipping DCA, even though a part of me really really wants to get my morning Starbucks instead of the crude at DL.
But, we have reservations at Carnation Cafe for 9:30am and we will spend the day in DL. I am prepared for nutty crowds.
We "might" head back to DCA in the evening, just to see CL's lights and check out Mad T Party...or we might just wait to see that in a few months when we are back for Halloween.

We are not big crowd people. My DH had never been there when it was busy until this past Halloween season when it was insane on the Sat before Halloween. He was a grumpy pants.

 

[DLR29]

Here's my strategy.

OT: Great movie!

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

I have resisted commenting on here, but since all the focus seems to be on FP and the three rides, I just have to post.

There is SOOOOO much to see in CarsLand besides three rides. I am beyond sad that I am not going to be able to be there on opening weekend, but if I were to be there --- there would be ZERO part of me that would even think about riding the three rides. Wander around. Looks at all the details. Take in the ambiance. Meander through the shops. Enjoy the entertainment. People watch. Appreciate all the little (and big! -- mountains! -- ) decor elements that have been worked on for four years. There is so so so much more than just three rides.

For those of you who will be there on opening weekend (jealous) - takes time to enjoy everything around you. Remember, it's everything around the sun that makes a sunset amazing, not just the sun.

That would be my strategy advice,
Dreams

Excellent points!!

My DH and I plan to be there bright and early- lining up at 7. There is no way I could get him there any earlier, we have AP's... But like you are just so excited to take it all in and enjoy the details!

We plan to get a FP for the racers, shop, enjoy our lunch at Carthay Circle, and that's about it! And hit up the Angels game Friday night, and Saturday.

 

[HydroGuy]

I booked our trip for the 24-29th before the CL date was announced. Is it too much to hope that SOME of the ferver has died down by then? We really expect the worse, but are hoping that DL crowds are a bit lighter than usual.

I am afraid that is in fact too much to hope. It will be busy but IMO more focused on DCA's new areas.

 

[BeccaG]

I am guessing the crowds for Carsland will in fact emerge. but I remember when DCA opened and they were expecting folks to camp out...and hardly anyone did. So few people showed up that I walked in and road/saw a dozen attractions after I got off work and showed up around 4pm!

But a quick question...are there height requirements for two rides in Carsland besides RSR? Will they allow child switches early on?

 

[fctiger]

I am guessing the crowds for Carsland will in fact emerge. but I remember when DCA opened and they were expecting folks to camp out...and hardly anyone did. So few people showed up that I walked in and road/saw a dozen attractions after I got off work and showed up around 4pm!

But a quick question...are there height requirements for two rides in Carsland besides RSR? Will they allow child switches early on?

Well thats mostly because when DCA opened, it SUCKED!

CL is actually worthy of a Disney theme park and with ALL the great reviews for it, I think it will carry over big time from next week on! I forsee ridiculous amount of people camping out for this thing! I still dont know if enough will come to shut down DCA, but they did it at DL for OMDD easily and that park can hold about 40,000 more than DCA can so it wont be hard, put it that way!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

But a quick question...are there height requirements for two rides in Carsland besides RSR? Will they allow child switches early on?

All official information that has been released by Disney is on our DIS Disneyland pages. The Official Cars Land website for this board is http://www.wdwinfo.com/california-adventure/cars-land.htm

We here at the DIS will be providing full coverage, blogs and podcasting for all Cars Land Previews on June 9, 10, and 11, as well as the Red Carpet Premiere of Cars Land on June 13 and the Media and Opening Day events on June 14-15.

Make sure you follow it all here on the DIS and also on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+

We have a new SuperThread for firsthand info, photos, tips, dining, and reviews. Links to our Facebook Groups are in the first post!

 

[momrek06]

Last night I was at DCA around 6pm. They had a Special Event Night for Employees to tour CARSLAND.

The line started at Pacific Wharf down by "Lucky Fortune Cookery" and went all the way through Pacific Wharf over the bridge and passed Ariel's Grotto (where Duffy is) all the way to TOY STORY MANIA … and as I passed TSM, the line was getting longer and longer. YIKES.

I spoke to a CM and he said he was in CARSLAND earlier and he was smiling from ear to ear and he said "wait until you see it, you feel like you are IN the movie"!!!