DL & DCA In A Day

[Ticholas]

Just a few thoughts.

Unless you ride Peter Pan first or happen upon it when it is just coming up after a closure and people haven't realized yet, then I think it's pretty unlikely you are going to find less than a 20 minute wait for it. Forty is what I see most commonly, but I think 30 minutes could be a realistic possibility too.

That RSR single rider line is highly variable. I have heard of times when it took only 20-30 minutes through the single rider, but I have also heard of times when it was a 50 minute wait. We haven't tried the single rider, so I am only reporting second-hand.

Soarin' single rider can also be one of those waits that is unexpectedly long. You might almost do better with fastpass if you are able to get one.

Goofy's Sky School doesn't always offer single rider, so it can't be absolutely counted on.

Toy Story Mania typically has lines of 40-50 minutes during the afternoon on busy days.

Thanks for these notes. Based on this information, how would you edit my itinerary? I would be OK passing on Peter Pan since I've been on the WDW version many times and it's not my favorite.

 

[Angrose]

That RSR single rider line is highly variable. I have heard of times when it took only 20-30 minutes through the single rider, but I have also heard of times when it was a 50 minute wait. We haven't tried the single rider, so I am only reporting second-hand.

Soarin' single rider can also be one of those waits that is unexpectedly long. You might almost do better with fastpass if you are able to get one.

I did the SRL for RSR twice two weeks ago and it was about 30min each time, so not too bad. 1st time was Sat night around 7pm and the 2nd was Sun at 5:30ish. It was a really busy weekend too.

Do not do Soarin' single rider. When I was there on the same busy Sun afternoon the stand by time said 50min, so I got into SRL and it ended up taking me 45min to get onto the ride. If you can, get a fast pass. I definitely didn't feel like the ride was worth the wait.

Other notes about SRL at DL: The CM at Splash said it would be a 20 min wait for SRL but it only ended up being 10. The CM at Indy at first wouldn't give me a SR pass, but I was adamant and she did in the end. So be persistant!

Have fun!

 

[Ticholas]

I did the SRL for RSR twice two weeks ago and it was about 30min each time, so not too bad. 1st time was Sat night around 7pm and the 2nd was Sun at 5:30ish. It was a really busy weekend too.

Do not do Soarin' single rider. When I was there on the same busy Sun afternoon the stand by time said 50min, so I got into SRL and it ended up taking me 45min to get onto the ride. If you can, get a fast pass. I definitely didn't feel like the ride was worth the wait.

Other notes about SRL at DL: The CM at Splash said it would be a 20 min wait for SRL but it only ended up being 10. The CM at Indy at first wouldn't give me a SR pass, but I was adamant and she did in the end. So be persistant!

Have fun!

These are great to know, thanks! I'm almost considering giving into RideMax for the itinerary, but figure all these tips should help well enough. Perhaps I should consider hopping to DCA around 11 and hitting DL's people eater attractions later.

 

[Ticholas]

Updated itinerary. I'm deciding to keep Fantasyland dark rides before obtaining a Big Thunder FP since it's the best chance of hitting these with less of a wait. If waits are long, I'll skip over them. Also, I am making a "If there's time" list in case I end early. My goal is to knock out DL ASAP to get to DCA in order to combat lines. I'm hesitant to try the RSR SRL later in the day since I have a flight to catch and must be on the road by 7 PM (hence the 6 PM conclusion time).

8:00 AM – 1:00 PM (max): Disneyland
• Star Tours (Fast Pass)
• Space Mountain
• Buzz Lightyear (only if <15 min)
• Matterhorn (Single Rider)
• Roger Rabbit
• Mr. Toad
• Peter Pan (only if <20 min)
• Snow White (only if <20 min)
• Pinocchio (only if <20 min)
• Big Thunder (Fastpass)
• Splash Mountain (Single Rider)
• Winnie the Pooh (only if <20 min)
• Haunted Mansion
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Jungle Cruise (only if <20 min)
• DOLE WHIP & SNACK !!!!

1:00 PM-6:00 PM (max) California Adventure
• Tower of Terror (Fast Pass)
• Radiator Springs (Single Rider)
• Toy Story Midway Mania
• California Screamin’ (Single Rider)
• Goofy’s Sky School (Single Rider)
• Soarin’ (Fastpass/Single Rider)
• Grizzly River (Single Rider)
• Monsters Inc.
• Muppets

If there’s time...
• Animation Academy (DCA)
• Aladdin (DCA)
• Castle Walk Through (DL)
• Captain EO (DL)

 

[Ticholas]

So I sprung for RideMax to test out my itinerary. Obviously, I scheduled too much in too little time. Just to compare, here's my Ridemax modification and itinerary. Experts: what do you think?

8:05 AM Peter Pan (est. 3 min wait)
8:11 AM Snow White (est. 3 min wait)
8:16 AM Pinocchio (est. 4 min wait)
8:23 AM Mr. Toad (est. 3 min wait)
8:28-32 AM Obtain Big Thunder Fastpass
8:38 AM Matterhorn SRL (est. 5 min wait)
8:51 AM Space Mountain (est. 0 min wait)
8:57 AM Buzz Lightyear (est. 11 min wait)
9:19 AM Ride Big Thunder (est. 6 min wait)
9:30 AM Pirates of the Caribbean (est. 14 min wait)
10:04 AM Haunted Mansion (est. 14 min wait)
10:26-39 AM Obtain Roger Rabbit Fast Pass
10:48 AM Splash Mountain SRL (est. 6 min wait)
11:08 AM Winnie The Pooh (est. 8 min wait)
11:37 AM Ride Roger Rabbit (est. 5 min wait)
11:55 AM Star Tours (est. 50 min wait)

1:00 PM California Screamin' and/or Goofy's Sky SRL
1:22 PM Toy Story Mania (est. 55 min wait)
2:33 PM Grizzly River SRL (est. 12 min wait)
2:57 PM Radiator Springs (est. 42 min wait)
3:56 PM Soarin' Single Rider (est. 13 min wait)
4:21 PM Monsters Inc (est. 32 min wait)
5:00 PM Twilight Zone (est. 112 min wait)

 

[starshine514]

So I sprung for RideMax to test out my itinerary. Obviously, I scheduled too much in too little time. Just to compare, here's my Ridemax modification and itinerary. Experts: what do you think?

8:05 AM Peter Pan (est. 3 min wait)
8:11 AM Snow White (est. 3 min wait)
8:16 AM Pinocchio (est. 4 min wait)
8:23 AM Mr. Toad (est. 3 min wait)
8:28-32 AM Obtain Big Thunder Fastpass
8:38 AM Matterhorn SRL (est. 5 min wait)
8:51 AM Space Mountain (est. 0 min wait)
8:57 AM Buzz Lightyear (est. 11 min wait)
9:19 AM Ride Big Thunder (est. 6 min wait)
9:30 AM Pirates of the Caribbean (est. 14 min wait)
10:04 AM Haunted Mansion (est. 14 min wait)
10:26-39 AM Obtain Roger Rabbit Fast Pass
10:48 AM Splash Mountain SRL (est. 6 min wait)
11:08 AM Winnie The Pooh (est. 8 min wait)
11:37 AM Ride Roger Rabbit (est. 5 min wait)
11:55 AM Star Tours (est. 50 min wait)

1:00 PM California Screamin' and/or Goofy's Sky SRL
1:22 PM Toy Story Mania (est. 55 min wait)
2:33 PM Grizzly River SRL (est. 12 min wait)
2:57 PM Radiator Springs (est. 42 min wait)
3:56 PM Soarin' Single Rider (est. 13 min wait)
4:21 PM Monsters Inc (est. 32 min wait)
5:00 PM Twilight Zone (est. 112 min wait)

I gotta wonder why they don't have you pick up FPs, rather than some of those long waits. I think I'd try for a TOT and a Star Tours FP... I'm guessing RSR is SRL also?

 

[Ticholas]

I gotta wonder why they don't have you pick up FPs, rather than some of those long waits. I think I'd try for a TOT and a Star Tours FP... I'm guessing RSR is SRL also?

Correct. RSR is SRL. I reworked the planning and managed to fit in Star Tour FP. In exchange, BTMR is scheduled for 10:04 AM with an estimated 20 min wait. I'm thinking I should use this schedule and add FP when it's useful. Plus, I will be done with DLR by 12:10 PM.

I couldn't agree more about ToT FP. This will be my first priority upon entry.

 

[Ticholas]

Here's the itinerary now...

8:01 AM Peter Pan (est. 2 min wait)
8:06 AM Pinocchio (est. 3 min wait)
8:12 AM Snow White (est. 3 min wait)
8:17 AM Mr. Toad (est. 3 min wait)
8:29 AM Obtain Star Tours Fast Pass (est. 8 min wait)
8:39 AM Buzz Lightyear (est. 7 min wait)
8:52 AM Space Mountain (est. 0 min wait)
9:05 AM Matterhorn SRL (est. 5 min wait)
9:17 AM Roger Rabbit (est. 7 min wait)
9:41 AM Use Star Tours Fast Pass (est. 8 min wait)
10:04 AM Big Thunder Mountain (est. 21 min wait) Fast Pass?
10:30 AM Pirates of the Caribbean (est. 20 min wait)
11:10 AM Haunted Mansion (est. 21 min wait)
11:40 AM Splash Mountain SRL (est. 6 min wait)
12:00 PM Winnie The Pooh (est. 10 min wait)

12:15-12:30 PM Grab a Dole Whip & high tail it to DCA

12:30 PM Obtain Tower of Terror Fast Pass
12:40 PM California Screamin' SRL
1:06 PM Toy Story Mania (est. 55 min wait)
2:17 PM Grizzly River Run SRL (est. 12 min wait)
2:41 PM Radiator Springs Racers SRL (est. 42 min wait)
3:40 PM Soarin' SRL (est. 13 min wait)
4:05 PM Monster's Inc. (est. 33 min wait)
4:45 PM Goofy's Sky School SRL
5:30 PM Muppets
6:00 PM Use Tower of Terror Fast Pass

 

[starshine514]

Here's the itinerary now...

8:01 AM Peter Pan (est. 2 min wait)
8:06 AM Pinocchio (est. 3 min wait)
8:12 AM Snow White (est. 3 min wait)
8:17 AM Mr. Toad (est. 3 min wait)
8:29 AM Obtain Star Tours Fast Pass (est. 8 min wait)
8:39 AM Buzz Lightyear (est. 7 min wait)
8:52 AM Space Mountain (est. 0 min wait)
9:05 AM Matterhorn SRL (est. 5 min wait)
9:17 AM Roger Rabbit (est. 7 min wait)
9:41 AM Use Star Tours Fast Pass (est. 8 min wait)
10:04 AM Big Thunder Mountain (est. 21 min wait) Fast Pass?
10:30 AM Pirates of the Caribbean (est. 20 min wait)
11:10 AM Haunted Mansion (est. 21 min wait)
11:40 AM Splash Mountain SRL (est. 6 min wait)
12:00 PM Winnie The Pooh (est. 10 min wait)

12:15-12:30 PM Grab a Dole Whip & high tail it to DCA

12:30 PM Obtain Tower of Terror Fast Pass
12:40 PM California Screamin' SRL
1:06 PM Toy Story Mania (est. 55 min wait)
2:17 PM Grizzly River Run SRL (est. 12 min wait)
2:41 PM Radiator Springs Racers SRL (est. 42 min wait)
3:40 PM Soarin' SRL (est. 13 min wait)
4:05 PM Monster's Inc. (est. 33 min wait)
4:45 PM Goofy's Sky School SRL
5:30 PM Muppets
6:00 PM Use Tower of Terror Fast Pass

Use your own judgement, of course, but you may want to hit Goofy's right after Toy Story - just to save some steps (it's all the way across the park from Monster's and Muppets, but not too far from Toy Story - and I can't imagine a few extra minutes on that side of the park will make much difference in the afternoon).

I do like this plan better!

 

[Ticholas]

Use your own judgement, of course, but you may want to hit Goofy's right after Toy Story - just to save some steps (it's all the way across the park from Monster's and Muppets, but not too far from Toy Story - and I can't imagine a few extra minutes on that side of the park will make much difference in the afternoon).

I do like this plan better!

Nice! I'll bump Goofy's and cross my fingers I can fly through the SRL.

 

[Blue32]

Here's the itinerary now...

8:01 AM Peter Pan (est. 2 min wait)
8:06 AM Pinocchio (est. 3 min wait)
8:12 AM Snow White (est. 3 min wait)
8:17 AM Mr. Toad (est. 3 min wait)
8:29 AM Obtain Star Tours Fast Pass (est. 8 min wait)
8:39 AM Buzz Lightyear (est. 7 min wait)
8:52 AM Space Mountain (est. 0 min wait)
9:05 AM Matterhorn SRL (est. 5 min wait)
9:17 AM Roger Rabbit (est. 7 min wait)
9:41 AM Use Star Tours Fast Pass (est. 8 min wait)
10:04 AM Big Thunder Mountain (est. 21 min wait) Fast Pass?
10:30 AM Pirates of the Caribbean (est. 20 min wait)
11:10 AM Haunted Mansion (est. 21 min wait)
11:40 AM Splash Mountain SRL (est. 6 min wait)
12:00 PM Winnie The Pooh (est. 10 min wait)

12:15-12:30 PM Grab a Dole Whip & high tail it to DCA

12:30 PM Obtain Tower of Terror Fast Pass
12:40 PM California Screamin' SRL
1:06 PM Toy Story Mania (est. 55 min wait)
2:17 PM Grizzly River Run SRL (est. 12 min wait)
2:41 PM Radiator Springs Racers SRL (est. 42 min wait)
3:40 PM Soarin' SRL (est. 13 min wait)
4:05 PM Monster's Inc. (est. 33 min wait)
4:45 PM Goofy's Sky School SRL
5:30 PM Muppets
6:00 PM Use Tower of Terror Fast Pass

Just a couple of things.... I think you will really need to be at the very front of Rope Drop to get a wait time that low for Peter Pan. And I am not real sure how SM is going to be a walk on almost an hour after park opening. I think with BTMRR, you are still going to need a FP. Everything else looks doable. Good Luck! It looks like a fun time!!!

 

[tiffjoy]

Just a couple of things.... I think you will really need to be at the very front of Rope Drop to get a wait time that low for Peter Pan. And I am not real sure how SM is going to be a walk on almost an hour after park opening. I think with BTMRR, you are still going to need a FP. Everything else looks doable. Good Luck! It looks like a fun time!!!

I had to giggle at that as well. I have never seen a 2 min wait for Peter Pan, even right at opening. Perhaps, like you said, if you are right at the front and race.

Otherwise, it looks like fun!

 

[VandVsmama]

I second the suggestion to get to DL early. If you want no wait at Peter Pan, get to park entrance by 7:15am for an 8:00 am park opening.

 

[Ticholas]

The plan is to get at the gate -- Gate 14 to be exact -- by 7:30 AM. I'm driving from Indio Valley and am considering leaving late Sunday night and stopping at a rest stop over night. Or, I'll be departing Indio at 5:30 AM.

As far as Peter Pan, if I get there it's 15 minutes, I will likely skip it. Especially if it's the same as WDW. I'm way more excited for Mr. Toad and would rather ride it twice than wait any amount of time for Peter Pan. I'm traveling alone and will be able to speed walk through the crowds.

I've been observing wait times for a few weeks now and have to agree on the walk on estimation for Space Mountain being inaccurate. In fact, I'm considering swapping Buzz and Space in my itinerary.

 

[Ticholas]

Ok, so I reworked the possibility of missing Peter Pan on Ride Max and it gave me an identical schedule following Peter Pan on my original schedule and the addition of BTMR FP. Below is the updated itinerary, which now includes travel:

5:30 AM: Indio Valley → Disneyland (1hr 45 min)

7:30 AM: Line Up For Disneyland Entry GATE 14

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM Disneyland
• 8:01 AM Peter Pan (if it's walk on)
• 8:06 AM Snow White
• 8:12 AM Pinocchio
• 8:17 AM Mr. Toad
• 8:29 AM Grab Star Tours Fast Pass
• 8:39 AM Buzz Lightyear
• 8:52 AM Space Mountain
• 9:01 AM Matterhorn Bobsleds (Single Rider)
• 9:13 AM Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
• 9:33 AM Grab Big Thunder Fast Pass
• 9:38 AM Use Star Tours Fast Pass
• 10:03 AM Pirates of the Caribbean
• 10:38 AM Use Big Thunder Fast Pass
• 10:54 AM Haunted Mansion
• 11:22 AM Splash Mountain (Single Rider)
• 11:42 AM Winnie the Pooh
• 11:56 PM DOLE WHIP & FOOD ON THE GO!!!

12:15 PM-6:00 PM California Adventure
• 12:20 PM Grab Tower of Terror Fast Pass
• 12:30 PM California Screamin’ (Single Rider Line)
• 12:45 PM Toy Story Midway Mania!
• 1:34 PM Goofy’s Sky School (Single Rider Line)
• 2:00 PM Grizzly River Run (Single Rider Line)
• 2:19 PM Radiator Springs Racers (Single Rider Line)
• 3:25 PM Soarin’ (Single Rider Line)
• 3:50 PM Monsters Inc. (Single Rider Line
• 4:30 PM Muppets
• 5:00 PM Use Tower of Terror Fast Pass

If there’s extra time...
• Aladdin (DCA)
• Redwood Challenge (DCA)
• Animation Academy (DCA)
• Jungle Cruise (DL)
• Castle Walk Through (DL)
• Captain EO (DL)

6:00 PM-7:00 PM: Go back to anything else. Relax. Eat. Get to the car.

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Drive to LAX (45 min) & return rental car.

8:00 PM – 10:15 PM: Check in for flight

10:15PM: DEPARTURE


Question about the ToT Fast Pass: RideMax is saying if I obtain a FP at 12:20 PM, I will not be able to use it until 7:20 PM. If this happens, will a CM let me ride early if I explain my flight situation and it's the last attraction on my list? Again, I am by myself and will not have a group.

 

[christinaspring]

LOVE your plan and ambition. How fun! Please update how it goes!

One thing jumped out at me. I'd be real concerned about still eating and relaxing in the park from 6-7pm, when you have a 10pm flight out of LAX. I know most traffic should be cleared out by then, but this is a Monday in L.A. and you just never know.

Then again, I've missed flights before and get real paranoid about this. Can anyone else chime in?

 

[Ticholas]

LOVE your plan and ambition. How fun! Please update how it goes!

One thing jumped out at me. I'd be real concerned about still eating and relaxing in the park from 6-7pm, when you have a 10pm flight out of LAX. I know most traffic should be cleared out by then, but this is a Monday in L.A. and you just never know.

Then again, I've missed flights before and get real paranoid about this. Can anyone else chime in?

I know the feeling! Once I went to see my favorite band (My Morning Jacket) for New Year's Even in Boston. We had an 8:00 AM flight out of Boston on New Years Day and ended up missing the flight due to traffic. They gave us a 2:00 PM departure time. As we went to the Terminal, we realized we were flying on the same plane as the band! Anyways, yes it's scary but after that experience, I learned not to get too worked up and go with the flow.

Last year, I caught the 10:30 AM out of LAX on a Monday the same time of year coming from Indio. Our ride had some traffic, and airport security was a breeze. Ended up waiting two hours in the terminal to board.

Anaheim to LAX is the real unknown here. Any advice is appreciated!

 

[Ticholas]

In regards to Space Mountain having a walk on estimation at 8:52 AM: Is it possible the reason RideMax's estimation is the first wave of crowds go through the attraction, followed by a lowered wait time, then the second wave of crowds queue after the first hour of opening? By getting there right before 9, I am entering during the lull between the first and second rush of the day.

 

[Ticholas]

Itinerary updated. Hopefully this is the final version after finding out you can replace missing single rider queues with lesser attractions on Ridemax (1 SR Cali Screamin' = 2 King Triton).

5:30 AM: Shadow Hills RV Resort → Disneyland (1hr 45 min)

7:30 AM: Line Up For Disneyland Entry GATE 14

8:00 AM – 12:00 PM Disneyland
• 8:01 AM Peter Pan
• 8:06 AM Snow White
• 8:12 AM Pinocchio
• 8:17 AM Mr. Toad
• 8:29 AM Grab Star Tours Fast Pass
• 8:39 AM Buzz Lightyear
• 8:52 AM Space Mountain
• 9:01 AM Matterhorn Bobsleds (Single Rider)
• 9:13 AM Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
• 9:33 AM Grab Big Thunder Fast Pass
• 9:38 AM Use Star Tours Fast Pass
• 10:03 AM Pirates of the Caribbean
• 10:38 AM Use Big Thunder Fast Pass
• 10:54 AM Haunted Mansion
• 11:22 AM Splash Mountain (Single Rider)
• 11:42 AM Winnie the Pooh
• 11:56 PM DOLE WHIP & FOOD ON THE GO!!!

12:15 PM-6:00 PM California Adventure
• 12:20 PM Grab Tower of Terror Fast Pass
• 12:30 PM Radiator Springs (Single Rider)
• 1:31 PM California Screamin’ (Single Rider)
• 1:59 PM Toy Story Mania
• 3:04 PM Goofy’s Sky School (Single Rider)
• 3:56 PM Soarin’ (Single Rider)
• 4:21 PM Monsters Inc.
• 4:58 PM Muppet Vision 3-D
• 5:34 PM Use Tower of Terror Fast Pass
•
If there’s extra time...
• Aladdin (DCA)
• Redwood Challenge (DCA)
• Animation Academy (DCA)
• Jungle Cruise (DL)
• Castle Walk Through (DL)
• Captain EO (DL)

6:00 PM-7:00 PM: Go back to anything else. Relax. Eat. Get to the car.

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Drive to LAX (45 min) & return car.

8:00 PM – 10:15 PM: Check in for flight

10:15PM: DEPARTURE

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I was just at the park Thursday - Saturday. Saturday felt like the lightest day with regard to crowds. Parks opened at 9 AM instead of 8 AM those days, so that definitely changes things. DL stayed open until midnight. On Saturday at 10:35 AM, I walked past Big Thunder. Standby was 50 minutes. Fastpass return time was 2:30-3:30. I didn't want that time since that's when our RSR fastpasses were for. I went back to Thunder at 11:45 and got fastpass return times of 4:50-5:50. So I'm not convinced that a Big Thunder fastpass even collected as early as you plan will be usable only 1 hour and 5 minutes later. I realize though that the park is opening earlier when you are there, and that will change the metrics a bit.

I would think it is near impossible for waiting, boarding, and riding Space Mountain and then walking to the Matterhorn to take only a total of nine minutes. Really curious how that one works out.

That DCA schedule looks possible to me. I'm not sure you have allowed enough time to get food and hoof it over to DCA though. We encountered few food lines that took less than 5 minutes and few times waiting at the gate took less than that either. At least 50% of the time, these waits were longer than 5 minutes. Maybe you will be lucky.

I look forward to reading about how your ambitious schedule works out.