Couple Questions?

[ARC]

I am so sorry I ask so many!! We are going September 16th & 17th to DL. What are some good things to do the last few hours of the park opening (6-8pm)? What are the least crowded things during that time? We will plan to do the parade one of the nights. Also, how early do you suggest I stake out a location for both Pixar & Dreams parades? About how long are each? Thanks again!!

 

[mikayla73]

Those days are right in the middle of the week, which are usually less crowded, plus it's "off" season, so I would think that crowds shouldn't be too bad. I'd redo favorites or rides that I missed earlier in the day. A couple of rides that I like to do at night, BTMRR and the Matterhorn. If you plan on doing some shopping, wait until 8p to do on Main St. as it stays open an hour later just for that.

We aren't parade space stakers, except for the EP, so I can't help with those.

Have a great trip!

 

[BillyFan]

For the Pixar parade, you should be able to grab a fine spot 15 minutes before it starts. Just go down near the Corn Dog Castle or Jumpin' Jellyfish, and you will be fine. Over at Disneyland, you have to stake out a spot sooner.

 

[TahoeMom]

Just to agree with an earlier poster, BTMRR is great to do at night!

 

[ARC]

Thanks for all your info! I need to add another question!?

When there is only one parade during this September time, what direction with the Dreams parade come from?

THANKS!!

 

[mikayla73]

I am not sure, but if I had to guess, I'd say it would just be opposite each day. I can't imagine that they are moving all the floats each night just so the parade will start from the same location every day. But someone else here may know for sure.

 

[Rainforest_Elf]

If you plan on doing some shopping, wait until 8p to do on Main St. as it stays open an hour later just for that.

This may seem like a silly question, so forgive me, but if the park closes at 8, don't you have to be out of there by 8? Or is it one of those things where the rides and such shut down by 8pm and they let people trickle out of the park until around 9pm?? How does that work?

 

[mikayla73]

Yes that is correct, you can even get in line for a ride at 7:59p and you'll get to ride. Or at least this has been my experience.

The shops on Main St. are open an hour after park closing for guests "convenience" (in other words so you can buys some stuff ), except the bakery and ice cream shop, those close a 1/2 hour after park closing.

HTH!

 

[yunique4u]

First of all, don't forget to take advantage of Fast Pass. Even if you get the Passes earlier on in the day, keep them until you want to use them (in the same day). The rule is, as long as you don't come before your comeback time, they really don't expire. We used ours as late as 3 hours after our expiration time.

Next, there are a couple of lines that might seem long, but they go pretty fast. At Disneyland, check out the Jungle cruise, Pirates, Haunted Mansion and Buzz lightyear astro blasters. I think Haunted mansion will be closed for refurb.

Also, I agree with some of the posters- Big Thunder Mt. RR. is great at night! My boyfriend is a definate fan of it!

You can get a good seat for the Pixar Play Parade pretty easily. So, maybe 20 min ahead of time, or even 15 would work. It's a water parade and the water shoots pretty far. For the disneyland parade, maybe 30 min, if you're waiting until the last minute. 45 would be better. I'm not sure how long each are. Hmm.. although, I think weekdays in Sept would make those wait times less. They probably last about 20 min. I'm not too sure.

Check the map and schedules for that day to determine which way the parade route will be or ask a cast member. Knowing the routes will help you get a good seat too because people tend to sit where there are people sitting already so there are generally gaps that people don't sit (mabe they don't know it's part of the route).

Good Luck

 

[avalon451]

Some people swear that the best time to get on Nemo submarines is at 7:55 for an 8 p.m. closing time. This is because if you are in line ANY time before closing, they will keep the ride open to finish letting those in line ride. It may take 30-40 minutes, but that's better than the 60-90 minute wait it often posts during the afternoons!

Another fun thing to see is "Disneyland: The First 50 Years" on Main street. It's the movie that is hosted by Steve Martin and Donald Duck. Because it's a pretty large theater, it's usually easy to get in the next showing, every 15 minutes or so. We like to start out our trips seeing it, on the first evening.

 

[TahoeMom]

Some people swear that the best time to get on Nemo submarines is at 7:55 for an 8 p.m. closing time. This is because if you are in line ANY time before closing, they will keep the ride open to finish letting those in line ride. It may take 30-40 minutes, but that's better than the 60-90 minute wait it often posts during the afternoons!

This is generally true - however they sometimes will close a line before closing - i.e. they won't let a ride have a 2-hour wait time right at closing and they may close the line 30-45 mins. earlier if they foresee this problem.