Disneyland and CA in one day

[goingtotheworld]

We have one day (Feb 27) to do both parks and plan to focus on DLR exclusive rides, and those that are a bit different than their WDW counterparts. We do not plan to do any spinning rides but plan to ride Incredicoaster. We are staying offsite at the Hyatt on Harbour and will probably Uber to the park. We are planning to purchase LLMP. Early entry will be at DL on the day of our visit. Questions:

1. What time should we plan to leave the hotel to be close to the front of the rope drop crowd?

2. Should we rope drop the Fantasyland dark rides, or do Pixar Pier to avoid the EE folks?

 

[Jawwdoc]

There are 3 Hyatt properties on Harbor near DLR so a departure time will vary slightly depending on which Hyatt you are staying at. If you want to be at or near the front of the non-EE crowd at DL I would recommend arriving at the Harbor ride share drop off between 6:30-6:45 AM. They typically open the Harbor gates around 6:30 AM, there is often a small queue at the gates that the reforms at the tent that is about 100 yards down the sidewalk that bisects the Esplanade. At 7:00 AM guests are released to go through security and then queue up at DL or DCA. The park with EE typically starts scanning guests in around 7:20 am and then the true rope drop queues form in the hub. The non-EE park may start scanning guests closer to 7:30. DLRExpert has an excellent EE guide here

https://www.disboards.com/threads/r...multipass-and-singlepass-2024-update.3863236/

If you are interested in maximizing your LLMP there are some great tips in this thread.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/fishing-accelerating-modifying-and-mep.3920707/

Disregard the “accelerating” LLMPs information as that is no longer a thing at DLR.

 

[Jawwdoc]

There is some good information regarding the difference in attractions between WDW and DLR.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/1st-time-questions.3950397/#post-65676203

 

[goingtotheworld]

We are at the Hyatt Regency Orange County.

 

[LKing]

We are at the Hyatt Regency Orange County.

There is some discussion about the Hyatt Regency shuttle on this thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/disneyland-offsite-hotel-recommendations.3959593/post-65912318

Pixar Pier at rope drop is relatively empty. Most people head to Carsland or Avengers Campus. That said, there isn't much on Pixar Pier. If you start in DCA, you need to stay in that park until 11 am. After you ride Indredicoaster a half dozen times, what else do you want to do in DCA?

 

[Pluto468]

I'd do Fantasyland first. You can get alot done in the morning, and if you've never been to Disneyland there's nothing like starting out your day by walking down Main Street

 

[goingtotheworld]

Thanks for all of the great info! I think we will plan to start at DL, hop over to DCA, and then back to DL.

 

[Dfoerch]

Can anyone speak to a good strategy at Disneyland Park (we will have LLMP) for a 1:00pm arrival on a Tuesday in late April? Flying from Chicago that morning of April 22nd. We have a 3 day park pass w/ LLMP that I bought through Member Magic Beyond.