DCA this Saturday (because we're morons) strategy-UPDATE W/MINI TRIP REPORT

[emtink]

Morning friends! Me, hubby, and our almost 4yo daughter will be doing DCA on Saturday. We plan to be there for rope drop, and I've been checking out different touring plans. What would be the best strategy if we wanted to do RSR and Soarin? I'm thinking we could get RSR fastpasses, then go on Soarin. Then we could head over to Cars Land and do the other rides there before it gets insane. I know it will be insane but we'll just have to deal Thoughts? Tips? Thanks!

 

[jeffg4]

4yo is probably too young for CS, so I would do TSMM x 2 at rope drop, then head over to get a RSR FP. When your RSR FP return window opens up or after 2 hours, then pull a FP for Soarin'.

 

[Baptist]

I would go for a RSR FP right out of the gate. Have your husband stand in line for the FP while you push the stroller towards Toy Story Mania (meet at the entrance). Once able, get a FP for Soarin (be sure to measure your daughter, it's a 40" height requirement). Get the FP before you ride RSR. You will have 3 main rides covered all within the first few hours.

Have a magical time!

 

[MICKEYFIL]

I would go for a RSR FP right out of the gate. Have your husband stand in line for the FP while you push the stroller towards Toy Story Mania (meet at the entrance). Once able, get a FP for Soarin (be sure to measure your daughter, it's a 40" height requirement). Get the FP before you ride RSR. You will have 3 main rides covered all within the first few hours.

Have a magical time!

I concur. With two kids (DD6 and DS5), I pulled FPs for RSR and then ran to toy story mania. We did it four times and grabbed new fast passes for RSR since we were then in the fastpass window and then did the ride. I would suggest that I will be altering this strategy to make sure I get a fastpass for RSR in the evening. I found that you couldn't get the third FP for RSR because they were all gone two hours after pulling the second one. RSR in the evening is a wonderful change.

 

[emtink]

yes, she's just barely 40" so that knocks out some, but she can definitely do RSR and Soarin. I don't think she'd like TSMM because its blows air in your face, so hadn't planned on going on it. I've heard reports that RSR fastpasses can all be gone within an hour. Have you seen this?

 

[emtink]

Also, any suggestions for the best spot for the sh-boom neon lighting in Cars Land? She is currently obsessed with Cars!

 

[SMD]

I would get FP for Soarin, then have one of your do RSR single rider, get a rider swap (they will ask to see your daughter), then use the rider swap for all 3 of your later.

 

[crystal1313]

Also, any suggestions for the best spot for the sh-boom neon lighting in Cars Land? She is currently obsessed with Cars!

We like to stand by Flo's in the street for the neon to come on. You can watch all of the lights come on as they go down the street just like the movie. My boys LOVE it! Have fun!!

 

[CateinPhoenix]

We stand in front of Flo's also! Love watching the lights in Carsland

 

[emtink]

I would get FP for Soarin, then have one of your do RSR single rider, get a rider swap (they will ask to see your daughter), then use the rider swap for all 3 of your later.

I'm not that familiar with rider swap. How would that work if she's coming on the ride with us? I thought it was just so the adults could ride.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

We stand a bit closer to the entrance to watch the neon so we can watch it all. It's the best!

 

[mich311e]

We sat on a bench outside of Flo's. We weren't even trying to time it...just having a beer on a bench. And it started and it was awesome.

 

[Nevada Jen]

Unless she is really nuts about having a small puff of air blown in her face, I don't think she will notice it on toy story. I had to think really hard to remember when that even happened in the ride. I think it is only the balloon dart part. Being on the short side, I'm not sure she would even get the air puff. She can just duck down if it really bothers her. I definitely wouldn't skip it. It may well be her favorite ride. I think I would get have one person get RSR fastpasses, while the others plan to ride toy story. The fastpass runner might be able to catch up with you in line for the first toy story (or could go ride CA Screamin while you ride Toy Story) and then catch up with you for a second ride on toy story until the line gets too long. If you happen to get an early time for RSR, try to get another fastpass when your window to ride opens (you can only pull a second RSR fastpass when your window to ride opens, not after two hours) so you can get a night ride. The truth is that strategy really depends on when your first RSR fastpass time is. But you won't have trouble hitting RSR and Soarin if those are your main goals.

 

[DLgal]

If she doesn't like air blowing in her face, will she tolerate an open air car race at 40mph? It feels extremely windy...

 

[SMD]

I'm not that familiar with rider swap. How would that work if she's coming on the ride with us? I thought it was just so the adults could ride.

Basically it's a loophole that Disney should but hasn't closed. One of you would ride via single rider and show your daughter and say she's not riding. Then the other can take her on Mater's or go meet whoever is at Cozy Cones. Since the rider swap pass allows 3 people, you could all ride again later in the day. One of you would end up riding twice. This assumes they still give rider swaps to single riders, which last time I checked, they did.

 

[emtink]

she doesn't like surprises. even getting splashed on pirates upset her, and that was just a tiny bit of water. if we describe it ahead of time, she might be ok with it. i guess we can just try and if she does't like it we won't go one again.

 

[emtink]

Basically it's a loophole that Disney should but hasn't closed. One of you would ride via single rider and show your daughter and say she's not riding. Then the other can take her on Mater's or go meet whoever is at Cozy Cones. Since the rider swap pass allows 3 people, you could all ride again later in the day. One of you would end up riding twice. This assumes they still give rider swaps to single riders, which last time I checked, they did.

Ah ok, I didn't realize they gave passes for rider swap. I thought it was a thing that literally happened in real time, like you have to stand there and wait with the kid while the other people ride. Thanks!

 

[emtink]

Hey all! Mini trip report:
We were the first people at the gate at 6:55. We went straight to RSR, rode that. The kiddo freaked towards the end. Next we did Luigi's and Mater's. She cried on both of those as well. So, then we hit Bug's Land, which was more her speed. She loved those rides and it was probably a much better warm up to the more intense stuff. We were able to FP for Soarin later in the day without any problems. We ate dinner at Flo's and had just finished up when they turned on the neon. Overall, we were able to do everything we wanted to do. DCA crowds are no where near DL crowds!

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

YAY!! I was thinking about your post the other day. Thanks for updating I'm glad she had some cool down time in Bug's Land (I adore that place...good break for me too haha)

So glad you got to see the neon!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Glad it worked out so you could all have a nice time.