DL and DCA possible to do in 2 days?

[SweetSpot]

We are a family of 5 with kids ranging from 12 to 18. None of us like rough roller coasters or thrill rides. Is it possible to see all the shows (within the age group, no kiddie shows) and ride all the tamer rides in both parks in 2 days?

Any stratigies for gettting the most out of 2 days and 2 parks? Also, since this is probably our only chance to get to DL what are the things we should not miss?

 

[VegasMike21]

yes you shouldn't really have a problem at all since your not gonna be going on any thrill rides. i would suggest doing DL in the early morning then heading over to DCA in the early afternoon on each day then heading back to DL for the rest of the night till closing.

 

[deej696]

Two days should be plenty of time. Just make good use of fastpass and you should be in good shape. You mentioned that you want to do the "tamer" rides, so my must sees may not apply to you, but California Screamin, Space Mountain, and Indiana Jones are a must. We are local to WDW, and we absolutely loved DL's version of SM. Otherwise, just enjoy Walt's baby

 

[SweetSpot]

Does DCA get less busy in the afternoon? I was planning on doing DL the first day and staying until closing time and then sleeping in for DCA the next day. Is splitting them up a better plan?

 

[SweetSpot]

Two days should be plenty of time. Just make good use of fastpass and you should be in good shape. You mentioned that you want to do the "tamer" rides, so my must sees may not apply to you, but California Screamin, Space Mountain, and Indiana Jones are a must. We are local to WDW, and we absolutely loved DL's version of SM. Otherwise, just enjoy Walt's baby

I've done space mountain in WDW is pretty tame is it different in DL? I don't like getting sick in the stomach and the kids are the same so no roller coasters that flip or tower of terror. Last time I was in in MGM Indian Jones was a show is it a ride in DL? I think I need to start reading more...

 

[PigletGurl]

DCA is like never busy. Ive ridden tower of terror three times a row on a summer day in june.

I agree with VegasMike, cuz DCA is not a full day park.

 

[VegasMike21]

Does DCA get less busy in the afternoon? I was planning on doing DL the first day and staying until closing time and then sleeping in for DCA the next day. Is splitting them up a better plan?

dca you won't need to use a whole day especially if your not gonna do the thrill rides, that takes out about 4 rides at dca right there. so you should be in good shape no matter what you decide.

 

[DangerMouse]

I would suggest doing DCA in the morning only if you are at DLR on a day where there is MM for DL (Sun, Tues, Thurs, Sat), and when you don't have early entry.

You can line up at the DCA gates at around 9 am, they will open them at 9:30 and only Soarin will be open. You can knock that ride out first thing, and grab a FP for it so you can hit again later. You can also grab a FP for GRR at the same time since it isn't connected. Then head over to DL and start collecting FP's there as well.

 

[deej696]

I've done space mountain in WDW is pretty tame is it different in DL? I don't like getting sick in the stomach and the kids are the same so no roller coasters that flip or tower of terror. Last time I was in in MGM Indian Jones was a show is it a ride in DL? I think I need to start reading more...

As far as the intensity of the ride, SM at DL is not really any different than at WDW. They are both pretty tame. But at DL there is music and different lighting effects that makes it so much better. And yes, Indiana Jones is a ride at DL as opposed to the show at WDW....

 

[AmericanItGirl]

Make sure to take advantage of the fact that your kids can handle staying up late and hit Fantasyland late at night (after it reopens after fireworks).

 

[farmfresh]

I'm not clear on when you are thinking of going and that will make a difference to your plans. You won't catch all the shows in two days, but you will see enough.

As for the rides, again, you will have to pick and choose. Thrill rides tend to have fastpasses, so you can make better use of your time. But sounds like you want to avoid these. Other rides, like peter pan, or haunted mansion, or jungle cruise don't so you'll be queuing, and early is best.

Bear in mind that even with a fastpass, something like Indiana Jones takes around 20-30 minutes to complete. The Aladdin Show, in DCA will take you over an hour.

You should go to DL on the non early entry day, and be there early. You'll be able to get through quite a few rides by 11.00 -12.00 - then you could take in some shows.

Last year we won dream fastpasses - at that time you needed to use them on the same day. So we hit every FP ride in both parks (except autopia - we just couldn't manage it). We had already done the FL rides during MM/EE before we got them. That night we had tickets to Fantasmic/fiireworks.

So - it is possible, but the next day we spent resting!

Use the second day for Dca and do as Dangermouse suggests: ride Soarin, GRR, and see what ever else you want, then head over and pick up any rides in Dl you missed, or gather FP's for them. HAve fun, and if I were you , try a few things that you might otherwise avoid as too thrilling! There isn anything tooo terrfiying(except those swinging cages on the sunwheel.....)

 

[Denton]

You should check the Disneyland calendar if you are only planning on two days. I would pick days that include:

The Electrical Parade
Pixar Play Parade
Alladin
Parade of Dreams
Fantasmic
RDCT Fireworks

 

[tink2dw]

Have you tried Bonine for motion sickness?? It is a 24 hr pill. Take it at bedtime. Then you can fly, or ride, bus, car, train, Or All the Disney Rides with NO Queasiness!!! You can get on the shelf at Walgreens for about $6.00.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

FWIW, the Aladdin Musical in DCA is usually not shown on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Be aware of the Magic Mornings in DL. On Sat, Sun, Tues, and Thurs, guests (who have a 3 day park hopping ticket or stay in 1 of the resort hotels -- GCH, DLH, PPH) can enter Fantasyland and Tomorrowland 1 hour before DL's regular opening time. If you don't have MM privileges, then you'll want to know about this so you can work around it.

HTH

 

[SweetSpot]

We will be at DL in August before a DCL cruise. We are flying in on a Wednesday and will spend time in Downtown Disney and then were planning on going to DL on Thursdays and DCA on Friday. I guess even getting at DL at 8:00AM won't leave us ahead of the pack since we are staying outside the park and won't have early entry.

It's been several years since we've been to WDW and I have to remember how we used the fastpass then. I know it only took us one day to do the Magic Kingdom and see everything we needed but we were a family on a mission. I was hoping to be less intense this time but I think I will need a good gameplan so we can be assured to see as much as possible.

Thanks for the tips everyone!

 

[DangerMouse]

We will be at DL in August before a DCL cruise. We are flying in on a Wednesday and will spend time in Downtown Disney and then were planning on going to DL on Thursdays and DCA on Friday. I guess even getting at DL at 8:00AM won't leave us ahead of the pack since we are staying outside the park and won't have early entry.

It's been several years since we've been to WDW and I have to remember how we used the fastpass then. I know it only took us one day to do the Magic Kingdom and see everything we needed but we were a family on a mission. I was hoping to be less intense this time but I think I will need a good gameplan so we can be assured to see as much as possible.

Thanks for the tips everyone!

I would avoid FL in DL on Thursday morning. It will already be full of people when you arrive.

I would definitely suggest going to DL on Friday morning, if for nothing else but knocking out FL rides first thing when you have an even playing ground. Be at the DL gates about 45 minutes prior to park opening. You should use this order in FL:

Peter Pan first (always first!)
Dumbo
Alice
Matterhorn
Teacups
Toad
Pinochhio, Snow White, Casey Jr., Storybook Canal Boats in any order after Toad.

Have fun!
Then grab some FP's for Space and then head over to DCA. You'll probably get there just about the time it's opening.

Then you can head straight to Soarin (which opens at 9:30 am) and then grab a FP for it and GRR since they aren't linked.

HTH.

 

[tink2dw]

Be Sure to buy Dollar Store[$ Tree, $ General, whatever it is call in your area]
rain Poncho 2 for $1.00 and get 2 per family member. They are great for rain and much cheaper than Disney's and longer.

The 2nd poncho you will need for Grizzly River Run [and Splash Mountain] to stay dry!! Sit on the back, pull up the hood over a baseball hat, do up the seat beat show the operator you have it buckled, then smooth down the poncho over your legs, while pulling your feet up to put on the rail. Now you are in the Stay Dry pose.

WHILE OTHERS ARE GETTING OFF SOAKED THRU AND THRU, YOU WILL BE DRY!!

[sorry about caps but I'm too tired to fix it, so please know I'm not yelling, just excited!]

 

[Hound 109]

We will be at DL in August before a DCL cruise. We are flying in on a Wednesday and will spend time in Downtown Disney and then were planning on going to DL on Thursdays and DCA on Friday. I guess even getting at DL at 8:00AM won't leave us ahead of the pack since we are staying outside the park and won't have early entry.

It's been several years since we've been to WDW and I have to remember how we used the fastpass then. I know it only took us one day to do the Magic Kingdom and see everything we needed but we were a family on a mission. I was hoping to be less intense this time but I think I will need a good gameplan so we can be assured to see as much as possible.

Thanks for the tips everyone!

Have you priced the difference between a 2 day & 3 day park hopper? Why not go into DL on Wed. night?

& you'll get MM for Thursday.

& you should follow DangerMouse's ride order strategy on Friday. (Unless Buzz has no line after picking up SM FPs....then hop onto Buzz....because you can. )

& you should park hop every day. (Starting each each day at DL EARLY....hopping to DCA.....taking a swim/rest break & then going back to the park(s) in the evening). This is SO much easier to do at DLR than at WDW.

& visit DTD before/during or after your mid day break.....or for a meal. (It's a 2 minute walk from the front gate of BOTH parks.

Have fun planning a visit to Walt's Park.

 

[SweetSpot]

I think we will consider the 3 day hopper. I was concerned we would be really tired after waking so early for our flights and then a 6 hour flight from NJ to CA. I looked at the difference and for $30 more each ticket we might be able to get a couple hours out of the park on Wed and then have early morning entrance on Thurs.

I think in the end I will be spending more time trying to plan out our couple days in LA than I do planning a 15 day cruise. I didn't realize how much planning went into getting the most of DL and DCA in such a short time. I really appreciate everyone's help!

 

[tofubeast]

I recommend buying the Unoffocial Guide book to Disneyland. It rates the rides based on intensity etc..etc.. I just would hate to think you are missing out on amazing ride experiences because an assumption they are a "thrill ride." It will break it down for you so you can assess what would please all in the group.