confusion....what should I ignore?

[hsmamato2]

wondering,as a WDW vet,I understand it all inside and out,the threads,secrets,etc. But planning a trip to the much smaller DL,I am intimidated! I know once we get there,things will be nice,as they always are at Disney,but I just don't understand magic mornings,various opening times,and fastpass stuff for DL. I don't know what to ignore,and what to pay attention to.... I purposely got 6 day passes so we could do various things,and we want to do it all-
what is most vital? fp's for WOC? the shows at night,how hard is it to get to see them? fp's for different rides? we have one early entry day,when to use it? weekday? weekend? and if we do,then what time do we get there?
so far I was thinking get the Dl area on a Sat. afternoon-chill at hotel,check out DTD and nearby, maybe hit a park for a night show (?) visit Universal on Sunday- maybe DL for a night visit after that- then hit DL seriously starting Monday...then....what???
is it possible to walk into DL and wander and see a night show,just for the show? that's why I got the extra time, for flexibility....any advice?

 

[DisMike]

Well, I can't give you the full lowdown but here's what I would do if I were in your situation.

1st - read Hydroguy's treatises here:

2nd - Hit the things that are different/better at DL than at WDW. Partial list:

Indiana Jones - must do
Buzz Lightyear - much better
Star Tours
WOC
SM
Matterhorn (if open) - lower on the list.
California Screamin
Aladdin

Do these either:
a) first thing in the morning
b) via fast passes anytime
c) last thing at night.

3rd - Hit the fast passes early and often.

Frankly, I don't worry too much about the early entries. In DL you only get into Fantasyland for an hour. For me and my family (mostly teenagers) the stuff in Fantasyland doesn't get our adrenaline going. The best day of the week for this is probably Tuesday or Wednesday. Someone with a bit more insight than I have could probably steer you better.

The unpublished early entry into DCA is 1/2 hour before the published time. You can only go to Soarin which is good because you can do that without a horrendous line.

If you have a valid pass/ticket you can wander in and out at anytime during the day. If you want to see a show you'd better get there early though.

Also, review the maps. There's little/no construction in DLR at the moment. It's laid out basically the same as MK but things are a lot closer.

Check the map for DCA and be advised that there's a TON of construction going on there that you're going to have to navigate around. If you have Google Earth the latest picture of DLR is from March or April and you can see the barriers.

Hope that helps. Have fun!

 

[CarolAnnB]

wondering,as a WDW vet,I understand it all inside and out,the threads,secrets,etc. But planning a trip to the much smaller DL,I am intimidated! I know once we get there,things will be nice,as they always are at Disney,but I just don't understand magic mornings,various opening times,and fastpass stuff for DL.

We are in the same situation as you, having been to WDW many times and making our first trip to DL next month. I would definitely read Hydroguy threads as mentioned by PP. Magic Mornings at DL is the same idea as EMH as WDW except it is only DL, not DCA, and it is on Tues, Thurs, Sat and Sun. If you are staying at a DL hotel, you can go all these days. If you are not staying at a DL hotel but buy a PH bonus ticket of 3 days or more, you get ONE MM entry with your ticket. That is a big diff from WDW, where WDW hotel guests only get EMH. Fastpass works the same way but if you have a PH, you can collect FP in both parks, which is way too hard to do at WDW with the distance between the parks. Definitely read those threads though, everything is in there.

 

[hsmamato2]

hydroguy does seem to know it all I've been reading quite a bit, thanks for the replies so far! I like the list of betther than WDW things to hit first,that's helpful- is there any way to see a night show/fireworks without getting a pass in the morning for it? in WDW there was always some out of the way place to watch stuff,even last minute.....anything like that at DL?

 

[ktlm]

When are you going because I can tell you that if it is a time when the annual passholders are blocked on the weekends, you want to spend your weekend time at DL/CA. We have been the last 2 summers, and have been surprised by how low the crowds were on Saturday and Sunday, and how high they suddenly got on Monday and Tuesday.

The night shows, Fantasmic and WOC take planning, but they are definitely worth doing. Fantasmic is so much better than at WDW, and WOC (which I had low expectations for) is spectacular. You must have a fast pass to get into the viewing area for WOC. People start lining up really early. If it is in your budget, I would recommend the WOC dining package (for dinner as lunch gets you a FP, but not into the preferred viewing area). We did that a couple of weeks ago at Wine Country Trattoria. We really enjoyed the meal, and we did not have to line up horribly early and still got a decent spot. You stand for WOC so if you are short like me, getting a good spot can mean the difference between whether you see the show, or just the person standing in front of you. Fantasmic, we saw people start staking out spots hours ahead of the show. It is not in an arena like WDW. You just have to find a spot near the river. Again, if you are in the mood to completely splurge the Fantasmic dessert package is nice. You get a chair; you don't have to stake out a spot for hours; and you get desserts, crackers, cheese and fruit.

 

[HydroGuy]

hydroguy does seem to know it all I've been reading quite a bit, thanks for the replies so far! I like the list of betther than WDW things to hit first,that's helpful- is there any way to see a night show/fireworks without getting a pass in the morning for it? in WDW there was always some out of the way place to watch stuff,even last minute.....anything like that at DL?

If you take the time to read the DLR Guide for WDW vets thread mentioned a few times already you can get answers to these questions and also be much better informed so you ask the right questions going forward.

World of Color is the only show you need a pass for. Read more about it here:

"World of Color Superthread" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=37986447

 

[Hound 109]

I was a WDW veteran DLR newbie. I know what you're feeling.

IMO, you are 2-3 days (& several hours of reading with a DLR map handy for reference) away from getting it down. Don't worry, you'll get there.

Are you coming from the Central or Eastern US? If so, it will be EASY to get up the first 2-3 days. DO SO.

I can get as much done riding rides & collecting FPs the first 2 hours of the morning as i can get down THE NEXT 5 HOURS.....so if you decide you want to "wander in"....make sure you do some of your "wandering in" in the early AM.

When are you visiting? & are you walking to the parks each morning? (If not why not???)

wondering,as a WDW vet,I understand it all inside and out,the threads,secrets,etc. But planning a trip to the much smaller DL,

Yes, it's smaller.....but it has almost as many attractions. Plus it's different in many ways than WDW (in regards to strategies)....so it rewards the visitor / reader who takes the time to understands how to tour. (w/o WDW misconceptions)

I am intimidated! I know once we get there,things will be nice,as they always are at Disney,but I just don't understand magic mornings,various opening times,and fastpass stuff for DL.

Have a plan for MM. (Read DLR 29s MM thread found in many of the sticky links & my MM tip thread linked below).

Read ALL of HG's tip threads (probably ought to read them twice) & have a plan (that you can easily junk) for the first two hours of each day.

I don't know what to ignore,and what to pay attention to.... I purposely got 6 day passes so we could do various things,and we want to do it all-
what is most vital? fp's for WOC? the shows at night,how hard is it to get to see them? fp's for different rides? we have one early entry day,when to use it? weekday? weekend? and if we do,then what time do we get there?
so far I was thinking get the Dl area on a Sat. afternoon-chill at hotel,

What hotel?

check out DTD and nearby, maybe hit a park for a night show (?)

Classic WDW mindset. imo, you should also get a lay of the land the first day. Try out FP, identify where the lands are. Yes, see a show, but also enjoy a magical afternoon checking out Walt's park.....instead of walking RIGHT BY THE GATES of DL on your way to DTD.

visit Universal on Sunday

Sure.....but stop in DL for 90 before you to to Universal. Pick up 2-3 FPs early Sunday morning & ride 3-5 rides.

- maybe DL for a night visit after that

(You bet.....but you'll have 2-3 FPs if you stopped in for 90 min. that morning.

- then hit DL seriously starting Monday...then....what???
is it possible to walk into DL and wander and see a night show,just for the show? that's why I got the extra time, for flexibility....any advice?

Read the linked tip threads a few times & post back. Make a couple of "early morning 2-3 hour touring plans" to get a feel for where things are. Make a list of the shows you want to see. Let us know the dates (so we can advise how local APs affect your plans).

Here some additional info:

If you are a WDW veteran, then here is your primer.....a must read!!:

HydroGuy's DLR for the WDW veteran tip thread. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1478699


Also, lots of good info for the WDW vet in Mary Jo's tip thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=802084


Regarding touring DLR....the two most important things to remember is to:

- Get to the parks BEFORE opening &
- Know how to use FP at DLR.


30 minutes early is typically when security opens (so getting in THIS line 5-15 minutes prior to security opening is best). Being one of the first 8-10 families at Security will get you up front (probably first thru third family) in line at the DL turnstile. Being very near the front of the turnstiles is important (to me) so that:

- For MM I'm always first on Peter Pan...if i'm first on PP then the rest of MM flows easily. & even if i'm not doing PP, i would want to be first on Matterhorn...or StarTours or SM (or whatever) during MM.

"Critique of MM/EE" by Hound 109 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1392671

Note - one now might want to get in the Star Tours 2.0 line for a FP at the :50 min. mark of MM if it's important to you.

- Even on a non MM day, I want to be one of the first few the turnstiles so i can get to StarTours, SM (or Indy) FP machine first (to start the FP collection clock). Then we'll hop on our first ride a minute or two later & begin the important first 90-120 min. of the day at DLR.



KNOW THESE FP THREADS:

"Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

"FastPass for Dummies and Smarties - A Photographic Explanation" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1186052

"Which Fast Pass First?" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1107718

"Strategies For Using DL and DCA Opening Time Differences to Collect More Fastpasses"
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1553197


"Why I Park Hop" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491961


If you have kiddos ages 4-11, then Jedi Training is a must:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1478699


Regarding getting to the Security Tent 35-45 min. prior to general admission (or MM) opening.....in other words... 5-15 min before SECURITY opens:

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

Read all the tip threads & then post back with 2-3 questions per post. You'll get alot of opinions & info.....& in 2 weeks you'll have 90% of the info you'll need to know & you'll be golden.

 

[PHXscuba]

The fireworks and Fantasmic don't have tickets, as others have said. Waiting for DL fireworks is much like waiting for fireworks at MK. For Fantasmic, go to the later show if you can; you won't have to stake out a spot (bring a blanket to preserve your space) as early. Or get the dessert package if that appeals to you.

My biggest advice would be to get a parkhopper, even if you don't usually at WDW. The parks are thisclose, no buses or monorail. Spend a couple hours in DL, then hop across the plaza to CA and spend some time there. Walk to DTD for dinner, then back into DL for a night show. Or the opposite.

And get a hotel within walking distance, even if you plan on renting a car for Universal. You'll save a lot of time and the $15 parking fee.

Honestly, if you can master the sheer volume of WDW, you won't have any trouble with the intricacies of DLR.

PHXscuba