DCA day plan

[michellelars]

I'm trying to work out the details and day planning for our trip coming up (Sept 21-23). We will be spending the first two days at DL, and the last day at DCA. No park hopper tickets because we will have my 1yo son and IL's, who have never been and would rather take it a little slow.

I have never been to the parks with my own kid before, so I am not used to looking out for kid friendly rides. I have only been to DCA a few times, and it has been a while. I know that I definitely want us to get on TOT, Screamin', Soarin', RSR, probably Toy Story (for the LO), maybe GRR, and some of the bug's land stuff. MIL doesn't mind waiting with LO outside of the rides that he can't go on because she doesn't like thrill rides. I plan on likely skipping a few of them myself, to hang out with LO and MIL. I am trying to figure out what we should rush to first (I've been told Toy Story or RSR fast pass) and what order to do everything in.

The park opens at 10 (does Soarin' still open at 9:30?) and I am hoping to head home by at least 5pm. Is that doable? We have a 4-5 hour drive and I was hoping to leave early enough to be out of the LA area well before dark, mostly because I hate driving in unfamiliar places in the dark. Our other option is to stay an extra night at the hotel. The only problem with that is my MIL would have to request another day off of work. So, ideally, I would like to figure out how to comfortably cram those rides in that day. We won't be taking pool breaks, but we obviously will want at least a lunch break.

Where are some good places to eat in DCA? We will be doing Goofy's Kitchen before DCA opens. Also, not DCA related: at the Plaza Inn, are the characters only there for breakfast? I thought we would do lunch there on our first day because I heard the fried chicken is amazing, but was mostly looking forward to the characters. Is it worth the sit down if there are no characters at lunch? If not, are there better counter service options? What are other places you would recommend for lunch or dinners? So far, I only have Big Thunder BBQ down for Monday.

 

[figment_jii]

Your time constraint makes things a little harder to plan because I would general say to head straight to TSMM at rope drop (assuming this is not an EMH morning) and then double back to get the RSR FPs. It will probably be for a late afternoon time at that point, which might not work for you. TSMM does not have a FP and line builds quickly and remains long. So I would probably opt to do TSMM first and then chance RSR FPs. If only you are going to ride RSR or your party doesn't mind being split up, then I would do single rider for that and forgo the FP.

You've listed almost all of the major rides in DCA, which means you're going to be pretty busy that day. Accroding to the Disneyland.com calendar, DCA opens at 10:00 am that day. So, you have seven hours to get in six big rides, plus Bug's Life. I would almost suggest splitting up (the thrill rider head to the big rides and someone takes the the 1 year old to Bug's Life Land). Bug's Life Land is cute, but they're almost all slow loader rides, so it can eat up a good chunk of time. I think you can (probably) get through a good portion of your list, but you might not get to all of them. I would prioritize so that you get to ride the ones that matter the most.

Also, not DCA related: at the Plaza Inn, are the characters only there for breakfast? I thought we would do lunch there on our first day because I heard the fried chicken is amazing, but was mostly looking forward to the characters. Is it worth the sit down if there are no characters at lunch? If not, are there better counter service options? What are other places you would recommend for lunch or dinners? So far, I only have Big Thunder BBQ down for Monday.

Plaza Inn only has characters at breakfast. It becomes a counter service for lunch and dinner. The fried chicken is very good. I also really like the French Market for lunch or dinner (same menu). Big Thunder BBQ is an all-you-care-to-eat, so I would probably have that and then a smaller second meal (like a counter service somewhere).

In terms of character meals, there really aren't a lot of options. There is Goofy's Kitchen, Storytellers (breakfast only), Surf's Up (breakfast only), Ariel's Grotto (breakfast and lunch), and Plaza Inn (breakfast only).

 

[michellelars]

If it does sound impossible to do in the 7ish hours that we have that day, I have no problem convincing my MIL to take another day off. I was hoping to hear if people thought that was a possibility before I asked her to do that.

As for splitting up, I don't think it's really an option. It will be me, DH, BIL (who is special needs and won't ride alone), and then MIL and LO, who won't be going on the thrill rides anyway.

I think I remember Surf's Up. So are all character breakfasts going to pretty much have the same food? Is it worth doing two character meals with a 1yo or should we just do Goofy's?

 

[figment_jii]

If it does sound impossible to do in the 7ish hours that we have that day, I have no problem convincing my MIL to take another day off. I was hoping to hear if people thought that was a possibility before I asked her to do that. As for splitting up, I don't think it's really an option. It will be me, DH, BIL (who is special needs and won't ride alone), and then MIL and LO, who won't be going on the thrill rides anyway.

Okay, I wasn't sure if it was you plus the LO and MIL only or if there were others. You're going on Tuesday, which isn't going to be super crowded, so you might be able to get in most of the rides. I do think TSMM and RSR are going to be the hardest to work into the schedule just because they're very popular and the lines tend to be long. Will your MIL ride TSMM? If she doesn't, I would consider having her get the RSR FPs while the rest of you ride TSMM. At least that way, you should get a early-afternoon return time.

I haven't tried riding all of those rides in the first seven hours of the day before. My guess is that if you keep moving you can do them, but I wouldn't take a long lunch or spend to much time just looking around.

I think I remember Surf's Up. So are all character breakfasts going to pretty much have the same food? Is it worth doing two character meals with a 1yo or should we just do Goofy's?

Has you little one ever met a character before? I just ask because the characters can scare some children, in which case the character meals aren't really worth it.

 

[michellelars]

Okay, I wasn't sure if it was you plus the LO and MIL only or if there were others. You're going on Tuesday, which isn't going to be super crowded, so you might be able to get in most of the rides. I do think TSMM and RSR are going to be the hardest to work into the schedule just because they're very popular and the lines tend to be long. Will your MIL ride TSMM? If she doesn't, I would consider having her get the RSR FPs while the rest of you ride TSMM. At least that way, you should get a early-afternoon return time. I haven't tried riding all of those rides in the first seven hours of the day before. My guess is that if you keep moving you can do them, but I wouldn't take a long lunch or spend to much time just looking around. Has you little one ever met a character before? I just ask because the characters can scare some children, in which case the character meals aren't really worth it.

I am kind of considering adding the park hopper option and/or another night at our hotel. Do you think the park hopper and having the rest of that night to spend at the parks would be worth the $200-$250 extra? How would our days change if we had the park hopper?

We are planning on arriving at DL on Sunday between 10-11am. Someone suggested we take that first day to leisurely get on whatever rides have short waits, maybe a fast pass or two, and just enjoying the park. Then on Monday there's the extra magic hour, so we were gonna hit Fantasyland and then all the mountain (splash, space, etc) fast passes after that. Tuesday was gonna be just all DCA. I am open to suggestions. I wonder how the park hopper would change things.

 

[michellelars]

Oh, and my son did really well with the Easter bunny and Santa, but those are the only 'characters' he's met. He gets really excited whenever he sees Mickey on TV or anywhere, but I'm sure that doesn't mean much. I just have a feeling he will do good with them. I guess that's the good thing about doing Goofy's our last day, though. If he freaks out with characters in the park, we can cancel our GK reservations.

 

[figment_jii]

I am kind of considering adding the park hopper option and/or another night at our hotel. Do you think the park hopper and having the rest of that night to spend at the parks would be worth the $200-$250 extra? How would our days change if we had the park hopper?

We are planning on arriving at DL on Sunday between 10-11am. Someone suggested we take that first day to leisurely get on whatever rides have short waits, maybe a fast pass or two, and just enjoying the park. Then on Monday there's the extra magic hour, so we were gonna hit Fantasyland and then all the mountain (splash, space, etc) fast passes after that. Tuesday was gonna be just all DCA. I am open to suggestions. I wonder how the park hopper would change things.

Are you staying onsite? Onsite guests have access to EMH (extra magic hour). The current schedule (according to Disneyland.com):

• Disneyland Park: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
• Disney California Adventure Park (including access to Cars Land): Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays

So based on this, Monday is likely to have EMH at DCA, which is only available to onsite guests. DL has EMH/Magic Morning (available to guests with select 3-day or more park tickets) on Tuesday.

Having a park hopper would allow you to spread out RSR and TSMM a little more, but it would mean giving up the DL EMH/MM. Basically, you could do TSMM on the DL EMH/MM (TSMM is included in DCA's EMH, so by the time regular park guest are allowed into the parks, the line has increased). You could do RSR FP on any morning because the FP machines aren't open until the park open to everyone (no FPs distributed during EMH).

I do like having the ability to park hop because it gives me more flexibility. The parks are only about 110 yards (one football field) apart, so it's very easy to get from one to the other.

 

[michellelars]

Are you staying onsite? Onsite guests have access to EMH (extra magic hour). The current schedule (according to Disneyland.com): [*]Disneyland Park: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays [*]Disney California Adventure Park (including access to Cars Land): Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays So based on this, Monday is likely to have EMH at DCA, which is only available to onsite guests. DL has EMH/Magic Morning (available to guests with select 3-day or more park tickets) on Tuesday. Having a park hopper would allow you to spread out RSR and TSMM a little more, but it would mean giving up the DL EMH/MM. Basically, you could do TSMM on the DL EMH/MM (TSMM is included in DCA's EMH, so by the time regular park guest are allowed into the parks, the line has increased). You could do RSR FP on any morning because the FP machines aren't open until the park open to everyone (no FPs distributed during EMH). I do like having the ability to park hop because it gives me more flexibility. The parks are only about 110 yards (one football field) apart, so it's very easy to get. from one to the other.

Oh no! I had my days mixed up! I'm so glad you said something. I knew when the magic morning was, but for some reason I thought it was our second day. So that changes everything. I definitely want to be at DL for the MM because it's the best time to get LO on the Fantasyland rides. So that puts us at DL on Tuesday, at least definitely in the morning if we do get park hoppers. Now I'm torn. I kind of wanted to watch Fantasmic (might be okay with skipping it), but that only shows on Sunday. We could do DL on Sunday and Tuesday, but I wanted to have a full day at DL. I guess if we add a night to our hotel stay, Tuesday could count as a full day.

We aren't staying onsite, so we just have the DL MM on Tuesday. I did just get the okay from DH to add a night to our hotel. So we have all of Tuesday free, but instead if being at DCA like the OP says, we will probably be at DL, due to the MM. Now I need to figure out if doing the park hopper would be beneficial for us or if it would really matter, and what day we should be where.

 

[michellelars]

DCA opens at 8 on Sunday and we won't be there until close to 11 most likely. So from what I've read, the fast passes for RSR will probably be sold out and the line for Toy Story will probably be crazy already. So I guess it wouldn't be smart to do DCA on Sunday?

 

[michellelars]

If we do get park hoppers, would it be wise to do mostly DL on Sunday, DCA in the morning on Monday, maybe hop to DL later that night? And then DL MM on Tuesday, using mostly fast passes, plus whatever we missed the first two days? How would you do it? Sorry if I'm asking a lot and thank you for your help!

 

[figment_jii]

I think there is a chance that you might get a RSR FP on Sunday even if you arrive three hours after park opening. However, I would guess it would be for close to closing (late at night), so that might not work with a little one. Yes, I think the line for TSMM will be long.

If seeing Fantasmic is something you want to do, then yes, Sunday is the only chance. I would probably opt to start the trip in DL. See what the ride lines look like when you get there and then get a FP (they strictly enforce return times) for whatever ride(s) you want/can. I would probably plan to FP Space and Indy (maybe also Splash).

Given your schedule, I don't think you really have any plan that can avoid a line at TSMM. So, I would just ride that whenever you're nearby because the line is going to be lengthy throughout the day. Tuesday AM is pretty much your only shot at "walk-on", but if you're over in DL for MM, you won't be able to take advantage of the rope drop at DCA. So, I would just plan on a line of 30-45 minutes at TSMM.

I would probably opt to do a mixture of parks on all days (except maybe Sunday). Plan busy mornings (to take advantage of lower crowds at rope drop) and then slower afternoons/evenings.

 

[djanddisneygirl]

If you want to do Radiator Springs Racers- (and of course you do- it is really great) you have to prioritize that fast pass. The other fast passes you can get later in the day.
Even though the park opens at 10, they usually start letting people in by 9:30.
I would say by 10am you need to be in that line. The fast passes are often gone for the day by 11- and the standby time can reach 3 hours.
For bigger kids I usually recommend the Single Rider line- but with little ones you need those fast passes.

 

[figment_jii]

I would say by 10am you need to be in that line. The fast passes are often gone for the day by 11- and the standby time can reach 3 hours.

The procedures for the RSR FPs changed back in May or so. They no longer allow guests to line up pre-park opening to get FPs. So when rope drop occurs (at this case, 10:00 am), there is a mass of folks that head towards the RSR FP machines. As a results, more recent reports indicate that FPs last up to 3 or 4 hours now (obviously depend on how buy the day is and how late the park is open). I probably wouldn't count on four hours, but three is possible. Even prior to the change in procedure, FPs lasted about 90 minutes or so, so it was possible to head straight to TSMM (at rope drop) and then return to get a late evening RSR FP. It is also worth noting that they do not distribute RSR FPs when the ride not running. So if RSR does not open with the park, they will not distribute RSR FPs until the ride opens.

 

[Rubygoose]

You mentioned that your BIL is special needs - you should do some research on the DAS system for special needs. You should also make use of Rider Swap since you have a 1yo. I'm not very familiar with the DAS system, but I think it works like a FP. I have done Rider Swap several times and found it very beneficial - you just ask for a swap card when you enter the queue and show the CM the baby. Then after you ride once, the adult with the baby can switch and ride. Now, your MIL may not want to ride, but this could benefit the others in your group. For example, you and DH could go on TOT while MIL and BIL take the 1yo to bugs land. Then, you and DH can take BIL on TOT later in the day with the swap card.

 

[michellelars]

Thanks for the advice, everyone! We went ahead and added two nights to or hotel stay. So, we have three full park days. We will probably leave home Saturday afternoon and do some Downtown Disney shopping after we check in. Then, Sunday we will do all day at DL, starting at rope drop, and I hope to stay past 9-10 to watch Fantasmic. Monday we will do DCA, heading straight for RSR fast pass and then TSMM after that? We will probably also want to see World of Color. Then, we have the MM at DL on Tuesday, our final day, and we will hit Fantasyland in the morning and then whatever else we missed at DL. Is that a good plan? We could also do DCA on Sunday instead and then do DL on Monday and Tuesday, but that would mean missing Fantasmic (which isn't really a huge deal I guess), but I did want to spend most of our time at DL because there's not too much LO can do at DCA.