DL 1st timer

[Texasfam4]

Hey Disers!
My fam of 4 (ds6 and ds9) are going to spend 2 days at DL on 7/31 and 8/1. We spent 3 days at WDW in 2012, so I SORT OF get the whole "Disney planning" thing. This is our 1st DL visit, and my boys are now a little older, so it's a different game now.
As of now, we are going to spend 7/31 (Sunday) at DCA and 8/1 (Monday) at DL. However, I don't have any "subscriptions" to different Disney plans, so I have no idea what the crowd calendars are for those 2 days. I imagine both days will be equally crowded!
My 1st (of many) question is...I keep reading that when we get to DCA, we should go straight to the Radiator Springs Racer FastPass, then immediately go get in line for the ride. Why??? Doesn't getting in line for the ride defeat the purpose of the FP?

 

[JavaDuck]

Welcome! You want to get a fast pass for RSR and then get in line because it is the most popular ride in the park and this plan will allow you to ride it twice that day. Enjoy your trip.

 

[Texasfam4]

Ooohh! Duh! That makes sense. When we went to WDW, we managed to go 3 days without using any FP; and we only waited in 1 long line the whole time. So, I'm still trying to "master" the FP strategy, and I kept thinking that maybe there was something about the RSR FP that I wasn't understanding. But cool, we'll definitely use this approach to get on RSR 2 times that day!

 

[seth_r]

you could also do the single riders line if anyone wants to ride it again, and do not mind the possibility of being split up. also be sure you know where you are going for the RSR fastpass. it did not really seem the line was organized when we were there back in march.

 

[Liam'sMimi]

Ooohh! Duh! That makes sense. When we went to WDW, we managed to go 3 days without using any FP; and we only waited in 1 long line the whole time. So, I'm still trying to "master" the FP strategy, and I kept thinking that maybe there was something about the RSR FP that I wasn't understanding. But cool, we'll definitely use this approach to get on RSR 2 times that day!

We are going to DL for our first time too. My plan is to head to RSR first thing for a daylight ride. I hope to snag an evening time FP around noon before they run out. I understand the neon lighting in Cars Land is very cool!

 

[Texasfam4]

I'm hoping for the same thing! I've heard that Cars Land is even cooler at night. According to Ride Max, if we grab a FP right after we ride it in the morning, the FP will have about an 8pm return time.

 

[avalon451]

I would download the Disneyland app if you haven't already, and start keeping an eye on when RSR FPs run out. I do think Ridemax is not as accurate about that. For example, it's 11 am there right now, and I just checked the RSR line-- it's a 90 minute wait, but the fast passes going right now are for 4:30-5:30 p.pm. Quite a bit earlier than Ridemax's predictions.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Get the "first visit" button. I know whenever I see someone wearing it, I step aside and let them get ahead of me, as I've already seen the place many times. Hopefully, other people do the same.

 

[Texasfam4]

Get the "first visit" button. I know whenever I see someone wearing it, I step aside and let them get ahead of me, as I've already seen the place many times. Hopefully, other people do the same.

Great advice! Thanks!!