DL and DCA do you have to go in with a plan?

[SweetSpot]

When we took the kids to WDW I had all the days mapped out, knew which ride to go on when and where we needed to be for parades, etc. Florida has 4 parks you need to see so I was so crazy about planning. We have 2 days to see DL and DCA, do I need to become completely obsessive to see it all like WDW or is 2 days enough to be able to breath in between rides?

If I need a strict plan, anyone willing to share the stragedy that worked for them that allowed them to see as much as possible. We are planning to book Fantasmic Priority seating so we don't waste hours holding a spot, any other tips or tricks.

We're attaching a 15 night DCL Magic trip to this so the planning can be overwhelming. Any tips or tricks to make DL and DCA easier are really appreciated.

 

[ballarinamom]

Read the sticky with tips from Hydroguy. It will be very helpful. I think you need to have some sort of plan. It helps that you've been to MK so you have a little bit of an idea of the layout. DL is a little different but you can understand FP and what side of the park is which land. When are you going? How many will be in your group? Will you be doing any character meals? The more info the better the good people here can help

 

[stopher1]

The best place to start would be to go to the DL website and print out the calendar for the days you are there. You'll find the park hours, entertainment schedule and any possible closures while you're there.

DL by itself is a much more filled park than Magic Kingdom... there are more attractions (rides and and shows) inside this single park, than at MK. There are something like 80 attractions in DL alone to MK's 40ish. Having a plan will be very helpful.

DCA is by no means as full of attractions as DL - but it is also filled with things to do.

Hydroguy has some good tips in the stickies above which can help you figure it all out. You don't "HAVE TO" have a plan and still be able to experience DL - but it will help in the long run, if you want to be able to experience a lot more.

 

[avalon451]

You might want to pick up the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland. It could be just right for you, because its touring plans that are already laid out for you are right there in the book. They're based on a two day tour, as well. Well, wait, I take that back--they're based on 2 days of touring DL, and they recommend 1 day for CA. If you go by Hydroguy's rules, you can do it all, but you will not see EVERYTHING. You'll have to decide ahead of time what your priorities are.

If you only have 2 days to do DL and CA, I would definitely go with a plan.

Have fun planning, and I hope you have a great trip!

 

[abby]

I have found having a plan is soooo helpful, but don't be a slave to the plan, be willing to go off the plan to do what comes along.

 

[ironpig70]

i'm not a pro but have been to dl and dca several times and would not go with out a plan. atleast have an idea of the rides and shows you must see. in 2 days you can do everything you truely want(with in reason) at both parks.

 

[lulubelle]

Yes, you do need a plan. Start with the most important things and shows and events that are only once a day (parades and fireworks) and work around that. With only two days you don't want to miss anything you really want to see. I agree with the others, please read Hydroguys tips and print them out. Good luck and have fun!

 

[Sienna]

When you don't have a lot of time (basically a day in each park), I think a plan is a good idea. It doesn't have to be carved in stone, but you should make a list of things you MUST see/do, and work around that. If parades or shows are important, make sure you know what times those are, and whether or not the rides you want to do are on the fastpass system, etc. A little research ahead of time will make it a lot easier.

 

[Hound 109]

When we took the kids to WDW I had all the days mapped out, knew which ride to go on when and where we needed to be for parades, etc. Florida has 4 parks you need to see so I was so crazy about planning. We have 2 days to see DL and DCA, do I need to become completely obsessive to see it all like WDW or is 2 days enough to be able to breath in between rides?

If I need a strict plan, anyone willing to share the stragedy that worked for them that allowed them to see as much as possible. We are planning to book Fantasmic Priority seating so we don't waste hours holding a spot, any other tips or tricks.

We're attaching a 15 night DCL Magic trip to this so the planning can be overwhelming. Any tips or tricks to make DL and DCA easier are really appreciated.

Would you visit Epcot, MK, & Studios (in 2 days) w/o a plan? (But planning for DLR is alot easier than WDW....but it will be new for you.)


Read HydroGuy Tip Thread first & then consider telling us the following:

- What are your dates?

- Will you be staying at a DLR hotel or off-site?

- Why not 2 1/2 days?

- Have you bought your park tickets yet?


Have fun planning a visit to Walt's Park.

 

[stacymomof2]

Not much more to add, but definatly have a plan.

I agree with Hydroguys tips & The Unofficial Guide....both together should get you the info you need to put together a great plan.

So is the DCL Magic the cruise?? If so, how lucky for you!

I hope you have a wonderful and unforgettable vacation!

 

[NWPrincess]

I also agree that the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland is worth its weight in gold if you are trying to cram it into two days.

One thing to keep in mind--UG advises you to spend a whole day at DCA. We got there early and were done by about 11am doing everything on the plan. DCA is not as crowded as DL. Depending on when you go, what I would do would be to use UG's two day plan for DL and then just split up the DCA plan in the afternoons when DL gets crowded anyway (anyone try this). This is especially good if you go at a time when DL closes later. He even has a arrive in morning one day to DL and arrive in evening other day at DL. If you go during high season when the parks close, you could theoretically do DL morning day 1, do DCA plan morning of day 2 and do DL afternoon plan day 2 also.

If you decide to get the book, just play around with it. He also has a DL Adult Select One Day plan for DL which is quite good at picking out the best attractions at DL instead of trying to cram all of them in.

If you don't see everything, take my attitude: this just leaves you something new to see on your next trip to DL!

 

[S. S. Columbia]

Here’s my 2 cents:

Thursday:
On Thursday, since you won’t have Magic Morning (MM) privileges, I would be at the DL entrance at 7:30 and have fun in the left side of DL from 8:00 to 9:30ish (avoid Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, since it will already be crowded because of MM). While in DL I would collect 2 FastPasses and then I would park hop to DCA. At 9:30, DCA will have the front area and Soarin’ open. At DCA I would get a FastPass for Soarin’ and then ride Soarin’ in the standby line. At 10:00 DCA shouldn’t be too crowded. Have fun in DCA, and at some point plan to return to DL and use the 2 FastPasses from the morning.

Friday:
Friday doesn’t have Magic Morning, so on Friday morning I would be at the DL entrance at 7:30 and have fun in Fantasyland and/or Tomorrowland. Following HydroGuy’s Tips, I would start collecting FastPasses early to use in the late afternoon or evening.

HTH

 

[SweetSpot]

Wow, thank you everyone! I've just started really looking into DL and DCA because I had to spend time planning for the cruise. We will be in CA for 4 days in August before the DCL cruise are planning on only doing 2 days because we think we will be too tired after flying across country our first day. We would really like to take a day to see the sights in LA so that leaves us with only 2 days. I didn't realize that DL was packed with double the rides of WDW, which I guess is why I was so surprised when I started reading this board.

I guess I better get to planning. I love the suggestion of doing DL in the morning, heading to DCA and then back to DL. Thank you S.S. Columbia, those are great tips. I haven't been to WDW since 2001 and totally forget how fast pass works. I guess I know what I will be doing every free moment this summer, devising the best plan to see as much as possible.

 

[SweetSpot]

I just spent time reading HydroGuys Tips, amazing! What great tips to get to see everything. I remember having to use FastPass within the timeframe on the ticket. Has using a FastPass on a different time, sometimes several hours later, really worked?

 

[bumbershoot]

Has using a FastPass on a different time, sometimes several hours later, really worked?

Oh definitely!

It works at WDW, too, except sometimes on Soarin', or so I've read.


"You don't "HAVE TO" have a plan and still be able to experience DL - but it will help in the long run, if you want to be able to experience a lot more."

That is a sentence that sums up my thoughts perfectly.


I"m sure there are many many people who just walk in and do whatever they think to do, but I bet those are the people I see waiting in HUGE lines. They might be having their own sort of fun (I remember as a child waiting for an hour or two to go on Space Mountain, and my brother and I had fun of a sort), but it's not the kind of fun I want!

 

[SweetSpot]

That FastPass trick is priceless. What a time saver.

I really don't like lines either. Unfortunately, I can be an over obsessive planner because I'd hate to miss something. Since I know it is highly unlikely that we will make it back to DL, especially as a family, I want to see it "all". I was trying to not submit my poor family to the crazy lady who dragged them around the Orlando parks. I had it all mapped out, with where to best see everything, etc. We didn't miss a thing, had a great time, but we wanted to see but we were exhausted.