DL/DCA Vets, help me plan my day

[05MM08MM]

We (me and my step-mom) will be doing the parks 9/11/09. We have 1-day PH tickets...that's right only one day to get in as much as we can

FYI: this is my first ever visit to California and my step-mom hasn't been in many years.

Would appreciate some advise/tips in planning our day with rides and shows. We don't plan to eat at any of the Table Service locations, jut quick meals to keep us going. Give me your touring plan for us

Will probably hit DTD Thrusday (9/10) night after the expo to finish up whatever shopping I want to do so I can avoid that in the parks and concentrate on the rides and shows.

We are staying at Portofino Inn near Jolly Roger hotel. Would you recommend us walking or taking the ART? None of the info in the guide (DL for WDW vets) mentioned anything about our hotel as far as distance or anything else. What time should we be at the main entrance? I have to get my tickets printed before entry as mentioned on my other thread.

Disneyland's park hour info doesn't mention anything about EE/MM anywhere and the wdwinfo for Disneyland park hours is not currently updates, so not sure if any of this pertains to 9/11 or not


Disneyland:

park hours: 9 a.m. - midnight

Celebrate! A Street Party Parade: 3:30 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. (any better than WDW?)

Fantasmic!: 9:00 p.m. & 10:30 p.m.

Magical: 9:25 p.m. (don't see being able to do this and Fantasmic!, so what would you rather do?)

Rides we prefer:
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Indian Jones Adventure
Matterhorn Bobsleds
It's a Small World
Tiki Room
*feel free to recommend others (remember, we only have 1 day): Pinocchio & Peter Pan?

DCA park

park hours: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Pixar Play Parade: 5:15 p.m.

Rides we prefer:
California Screamin'
Maliboomer
Toy Story Mania (any different than at WDW?)
Soarin' California
Grizzly River Run - don't mind water, but don't want to get soaked, so may not stay on the list

Best quick service eating locations in each park? Salads, sandwiches, etc?

If I forgot anything I'll add it later.

TIA

 

[Hound 109]

Welcome to the DL board.

Excellent post....telling us your preferences, the day you're visiting etc. really helps in giving accurate info & opinions.

I have opinions below:

....Disneyland's park hour info doesn't mention anything about EE/MM anywhere and the wdwinfo for Disneyland park hours is not currently updates, so not sure if any of this pertains to 9/11 or not

9/11 is a Friday, no MM day. You'll be at the front of the line if you want to be (& you should be ).


Disneyland:

park hours: 9 a.m. - midnight

Celebrate! A Street Party Parade: 3:30 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. (any better than WDW?)

Fantasmic!: 9:00 p.m. & 10:30 p.m.

Magical: 9:25 p.m. (don't see being able to do this and Fantasmic!, so what would you rather do?)

I prefer the fireworks over Fantasmic.

Rides we prefer:
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Indian Jones Adventure
Matterhorn Bobsleds
It's a Small World
Tiki Room
*feel free to recommend others (remember, we only have 1 day): Pinocchio & Peter Pan?

DCA park

park hours: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Pixar Play Parade: 5:15 p.m.

Rides we prefer:
California Screamin'
Maliboomer
Toy Story Mania (any different than at WDW?)
Soarin' California
Grizzly River Run - don't mind water, but don't want to get soaked, so may not stay on the list

Best quick service eating locations in each park? Salads, sandwiches, etc?

If I forgot anything I'll add it later.

TIA

Given you preferences & info above:

- Arrive at the security tents at 8:20-8:25am.
- First at one of the turnstiles at 8:30am (munch on breakfast items, apply sunscreen etc.)
- One of the first on Main St. proceed to Peter Pan (always first). If you're skipping PP, I would first do...
- Alice in Wonderland (quick 4 minute ride & not at WDW).
- A few feet to Matterhorn (do both sides )
- Toady (not at WDW)
- Storybookland (not at WDW)

(note: do IASW & Pinocchio (& possibly a quick visit in toon town) a later in the day...& you can ride the train over there from the front or from the left side of the park)

- nab an Indy FP
- (no Buzz or SM?)
- Then (in any order) Pirates, HM & BTMRR.
- nab a SM, BTMRR, Splash or Buzz FP prior to.....
- ...leaving DL & hopping over to DCA (It will be 10:30-11am at this point).

That's a start.


Also, there've been a couple of similar threads recently with alot of great information that was offered. Check out the threads below & also many of the links inside the threads:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2238269

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2240749


Also all of Hydroguy's tip threads are worth a read (especially his "DLR for WDW vets" thread"):

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

You might also find my linked one day trip report (in my signature below) helpful.


Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's Park.

 

[DLR29]

I agree with Hound's general plan, EXCEPT (yeah, except) I would grab a FP first thing for Indy or Space, then head to Alice and Matterhorn.

As for TSMM, I'm pretty sure the only difference is the queue line, which I've heard is better at DHS. And at DCA there's no FP, which means about 40 min lines all day. Also Soarin is the exact same, but like TSMM does not have nearly as long of lines as at Epcot. But still if you only have one day I think I'd focus on more unique attractions.

As for the Magical/Fantasmic debate. When I was there in June, we waited around the Rivers of America (where Fantasmic is shown) right after the 9:00 show was over. We had a plain view of Magical from over there and the music was playing too. Then we snagged perfect seats for the 10:30 show and just sat there for a while before it started. The only downside to this is that you can't see Dumbo/Tinkerbell flying over the castle. But the fireworks themselves are perfectly visible from the Fantasmic area.

 

[Hound 109]

....I agree with Hound's general plan, EXCEPT (yeah, except) I would grab a FP first thing for Indy or Space, then head to Alice and Matterhorn.....

I was flipping a coin over that as well DLR29. My thought process was:

- it sounds like they weren't wanting SM.
- with a 9am opening, maybe agressive FP collecting wasn't as much needed. (definitely needed in summer!)
- They'll be walking right by Indy after the first 4-5 fantasyland rides anyway at 9:45-10:00 on their way to HM/Pirates.

So i was thinking Fantasyland first & an Indy FP pickup at 9:50am. But you're probably right. Since it's a Friday, they'll probably need 3-5 FPs for a crowded Friday night.


Anyways....if the OP DOES pick up an Indy FP first (before heading to Alice & Matterhorn) then what order should they do the Pirates/HM/BTMRR (or Splash) grouping? (after doing the 4-5 fantasyland rides)?

& what should be the second FP?

(of course if SM is in the mix it should be SM FP pickup at 9am & Indy FP pickup at 9:50am (following the 4-5 FL rides)

 

[05MM08MM]

I'm not sure if the "SM" you're referring to is Splash Mountain or Space Mountain, but Space Mountain & Haunted Mansion are closed on 9/11

Ok, so probably skip TSMM & Soarin since they aren't much different experience than at WDW (where I am going the following week).

Is Alice in Wonderland really worth it with a time constraint? With the park being open till midnight could we hold off until after all the shows?

As for the Magical/Fantasmic debate. When I was there in June, we waited around the Rivers of America (where Fantasmic is shown) right after the 9:00 show was over. We had a plain view of Magical from over there and the music was playing too. Then we snagged perfect seats for the 10:30 show and just sat there for a while before it started. The only downside to this is that you can't see Dumbo/Tinkerbell flying over the castle. But the fireworks themselves are perfectly visible from the Fantasmic area.

How long is the fireworks show? When does Dumbo/Tinkerbell fly; beginning, middle or end of the show? Could it be possible to watch most of the show, and start heading towards Fantasmic! before the crowds start moving and still get half way decent seats

Wondering how crowded it will be with the Expo in town