DCA rope drop: Carsland vs Pixar Pier?

[underminer]

We will be hitting the parks in a few weeks and DCA first. This will be our first time bringing our grandkids (almost 2 and 4yrs old). Our grandson is tall enough for RSR but I’m not sure if we should try to fight the rope drop rush which might be overwhelming for a first timer. So I was thinking either going to Maters and Luigis first or just heading up to Pixar pier where it might be a little less crowded and more attractions to choose from. Thoughts?

 

[DLgal]

With kids that young, don't bother with Rope drop. You will be out of things to do by like noon.

Have a leisurely morning and walk in 30-60 minutes after park open. Go to Hollywoodland. Do the Disney Jr dance party, Monsters Inc and Mickeys Philharmagic. Look in the times guide and try to catch the Spiderman show in Avengers Campus. Hit up Carsland and ride Maters and Luigis and purchase an ILL for Racers. Don't wait in the standby line with kids that young. Break for lunch and an afternoon rest. Return in the late afternoon/evening for Pixar Pier, which is SO much better at night.

 

[monkeypat83]

I am always a fan of rope drop. My daughter is an early riser so it was not a big deal to get there early. She was 20 months and we did Pixar Pier and then Paradise Gardens and then Carsland and everything had no to short waits since we rope dropped.

 

[gelatoni fan]

If you rope drop, I would do Toy Story Midway Mania first. That line is like 5 minutes long for the first hour of park opening then hits an hour and stays that way pretty much all day. Your 4 year old will probably love it but be aware that your 2 year old may not be big enough to pull the string and fully enjoy the game.

There's no point rope dropping Cars Land if you aren't doing RSR and lately, I've noticed Luigi's may not be open until later in the day.

 

[Rich M]

I would do rope drop and hit Pixar Pier. You can hit TSMM, the Whirlwind, swings, Little Mermaid and Ferris Wheel in like the 1st hour. Then hit Mater and Luigi. I recommend Soarin also. It’s a great ride. Kids would like Webslinger but it will be a long wait. If you don’t mind the expense I would recommend doing Lightning Lane. If you do rope drop take a mid day pool break or nap break for sure. If you don’t have them already I would recommend park hoppers.

 

[Kit Jackson]

CarsLand is amazing at night, because it becomes this retro neon fantasy. (To a 2 and 4 year old, it may not be that magical, but to someone older or someone who apperciates vintage culture, it's spectacular) It's also equally amazing during the day. The themeing is top notch and may just be my favorite park based experience that Disney ever created.

 

[CanadaSCM]

We just took my 5yo niece and planned to rope drop RSR but it was closed. We ended up at Pixar pier and it was awesome. We were near the front of the rope and went straight to Midway Mania which we basically walked on and could have walked on again immediately after. The carousel was closed so we played with the granite Pixar ball, went on Sky School, went on Jumping jellyfish a few times and then went on Ariel. All of this was walk on with zero waiting. She loved the no crowds and no waiting and the rides. We went to Cars and got on Mater with a 5 minute wait and Luigi with 15. RSR opened and we ended up waiting 45 but we could have bought ILL with an immediate return time. Then we watched a couple shows in Avengers campus before and during lunch at Pyms while the crowds there were still “low”. We didn’t think they were low until we came back later in the afternoon and found it packed. At least triple the people watching the spider man show. Grabbed an ILL for webslingers and it was time for a midday hotel break.

Afternoon she wanted to go back to Pixar and fortunately her favorite ride was jellyfish which is always a short wait because even sky school was 30-45 consistently.

I would never recommend Pixar Pier at rope drop for anyone except those with young kids but for that group it’s a great time.