DL Newbie--Help! I've hit a wall!

[PHamrick]

OK, I think I'm officially driving myself crazy. We will be at DCA and DL for two days during Spring Break (April 12 and 13). I can usually do a touring plan for WDW on my own, but I have am having major "touring block" when it comes to planning out this vacation. We are staying at GCH and will have access to EMH for both DCA and DL. I am honestly at a loss of how to move forward though. Does it matter? Do I really *need* a touring plan? I mean, we've got a trip planned to WDW in the fall too. I wonder if I should rejigger my priorities and not try to do it all, but rather concentrate on fewer, unique experiences at DL? I'm all over the map! Reassurances, suggestions, criticisms, ideas are all welcome! THANKS!

 

[Karyanne30]

You should have a basic idea of where you want to start, what rides are important to you to see. Like on your emh mornings, just have an idea of what you want to do then. Make dining reservations if you want to do any that require them. Besides that, we've just made sure to utilize fp and gone with the flow.

 

[SMD]

You should have a basic idea of where you want to start, what rides are important to you to see. Like on your emh mornings, just have an idea of what you want to do then. Make dining reservations if you want to do any that require them. Besides that, we've just made sure to utilize fp and gone with the flow.

The only thing I would add to this is since it's prime spring break and the last few days of F&W, try to plan to park hop far ahead of anything you might be trying to avoid. So if you want to be in DCA during any afternoon parades in DL, there will be a crush of people hopping both ways 15-20 minutes before the start time in DL. I'm not sure what would drive people the other way right now, because they're charging for the larger events at F&W this year.

 

[Winnowill]

A basic tour framework is really all you need. I made myself crazy planning DL after our WDW trip, and it was a waste of time. DL doesn't need set-in-stone touring plans.

 

[Khokhonutt]

A basic tour framework is really all you need. I made myself crazy planning DL after our WDW trip, and it was a waste of time. DL doesn't need set-in-stone touring plans.

This is the kind of advice I've been taking for our first trip to DLR. I do plan to try one of the planning guide apps (most likely ridemax), but not for a hard core touring plan. I see it as more of what Captain Barbossa said about the code. The plan will be more what you call guidelines, than actual rules. For me, since I don't know the layout of the parks like I do WDW, my thoughts are having a touring plan from one of the apps will give me some suggestions to work with as I get my bearings.

Other than that, even though folks say you don't need to, I have an idea which restaurants we want to eat at and when we need to make reservations. I'll likely call at 60 days, just so I have something new to do. But I know those plans are potentially more flexible at DLR.

 

[VandVsmama]

You don't really need one if you don't want one. But it's a good idea to have a general idea of the more popular rides that you want to hit up each day.

Here's 1 option for Wed, starting out at DCA:

• line up at regular park entrance 30 min before EMH starts. Don't use the GCH entrance to DCA. It's often slower than the regular entrance.
• walk with purpose to RSR in Carsland. Ride it first.
• Then go on Luigi's and Mater's rides in Carsland.
• Go on Toy Story next, followed by California Screamin' if you are a roller coaster enthusiast.
• By this point EMH will be done (it might be before you get on CA Screamin'). Go and get a FP for Soarin'.
• Then go on Grizzly River Run.
• Little Mermaid next on Paradise Pier.
• go on Luigi's again if you are so inclined.
• Get a RSR FP when your Soarin' FP window opens. It'll be around 10:15 or so by now.
• Monsters, Inc in Hollywood Land
• Now use your Soarin' FP to go on Soarin'.
• get in line around 11:45 for the 12:30 pm performance of the Frozen musical at the Hyperion theater (if you want to see it).
• 1:50 pm - about 4:50 pm --> free time to do whatever you want. Go on Bugsland and Paradise Pier rides, eat lunch, shop, more rides.
• then get a CA Screamin' FP.
• go on Mickey's Fun Wheel
• when your CA Screamin' FP window opens, get FP for Goofy's Sky School. THEN go on CA Screamin'.
• then use your RSR FP!
• repeat whatever rides you want until your Goofy's Sky School FP window opens.
• see World of Color at 9:45 pm. Get FP for this earlier in the day. Those FP will be "disconnected" from the rest of the FP attractions.

 

[PHamrick]

Wow! that is a detailed plan! Thanks for all the advice. You really can drive yourself crazy trying to map out how to get things done. It's taken me 40 years to get to Disneyland (grew up in Florida, so my parents never understood why we would go to CA...) and I want to make the most of it!! This does make me feel better.

 

[Nevada Jen]

I would make a couple of dining reservations. My suggestion, assuming you will be using EMH at both parks (which you 100% should) is that you make late breakfast or early lunch reservations at the park with EMH. We generally find that when we hit EMH at about 11 we are ready for a sit down meal. There is actually plenty of CS in DCA that doesn't have horrible lines but DL can get dicey with line length and if you are starving, that's not good. Maybe try for as late as possible PLaza Inn Character Breakfast at DL (amazing character interaction) and early lunch at Carthay Circle (if you want something truly California unique) in DCA. I would also book WOC dessert party (since you only have two nights). You will be able to get in all the rides at DCA in a half day with EMH but really try to get an evening fastpass for RSR (watch the return times on the app). Its another west coast only amazing thing. You really don't need to plan much. Just with SPring Break crowds and such a short time, I would plan your food and whether you want to hit Tomorrowland or Fantasyland in DL during EMH.

 

[Kindermouse]

A touring plan is never necessary at DLR. Can you get more done with one-sure- but it is not the only way to be able to do anything worth doing. If you want a reservation at BB, a "pay for a better view" dining package or dessert party you should make them at the 60 day mark-but I have never not been able to get the reservation that I wanted as long as I went for it near the 60 day mark. I wont even worry about the 60 day mark if it wasnt spring break.

Since you are on limited time and will be visiting the other Disney soon enough I would make a basic plan to see the things that make DLR special-ya know, the things you wont be able to do on your fall trip to WDW. The Dis Unplugged has some good shows on the best rides that DLR has the WDW doesn't and one about rides that DLR has that they would like to see come to WDW.

I would make a plan to enjoy all that Carsland has to offer-not just the rides. Get you RSR FP early-and watch the app for when you can get one to ride at night. I would also be sure to include an easy to get FP on Buzz when you enter Tomorrowland for other rides since it is the better Buzz and the FP's are so easy to get, not connect to the system and thus dont prevent other FP's and its on the way into Tomorrowland.

Otherwise just utilize the paper FP system to the best of you ability, make use of the EMH to try to hit your must do's. Park hop when the crowds start getting on your nerves-it will be crowded so go in with the mindset that that is what you are expecting.

 

[Khokhonutt]

I would also be sure to include an easy to get FP on Buzz when you enter Tomorrowland for other rides since it is the better Buzz and the FP's are so easy to get, not connect to the system and thus dont prevent other FP's and its on the way into Tomorrowland.

I'd double-check this info. I'm pretty sure a week or so ago it was announced Buzz is now a connected FastPass or is going to be shortly.

 

[Kindermouse]

What a GIANT bummer.

 

[Khokhonutt]

What a GIANT bummer.

That was pretty much the consensus on the post I saw.

 

[pblack]

I'd double-check this info. I'm pretty sure a week or so ago it was announced Buzz is now a connected FastPass or is going to be shortly.

This is true. It is now a connected FastPass. I'm not sure of the exact start date, but when i was there a few weeks ago it was connected.

 

[dshimel]

2 days is not enough to get everything done, so don't even try. Pick you priorities. Arrive before opening. Take an afternoon break. Close the park out.

Last week we were able to do a ton in the last 2 hours. In the hour after 2nd MSEP we did Teacups, Dumbo, Pinoc, Casey Jr, Mr Toad, Alice and Storybookland. In 2 hours at closing at DCA we did Anna, Elsa meet, Capt America and Spiderman meet, Monsters Inc, all 4 rides in Bugs land, Mater's and Lugi's in car's land and Little Mermaid.

Wednesday we rode BTMRR twice during fireworks(9:25-9:45). Then mansion, pirates, jungle cruise, Indy, got Dole Whips and watched Tiki Room in the next 2 hours.

Our one big time jam was trying to fit in all the mid-day stuff that occurs during the time we were in the room. The last day we had to do 12:30 frozen, 2:40 Moana meet, and 4:30 Soundsational.

 

[PHamrick]

2 days is not enough to get everything done, so don't even try. Pick you priorities. Arrive before opening. Take an afternoon break. Close the park out.



Our one big time jam was trying to fit in all the mid-day stuff that occurs during the time we were in the room. The last day we had to do 12:30 frozen, 2:40 Moana meet, and 4:30 Soundsational.

This is a major deal for us. But Moana isn't on the app. How did you know where to meet her? And don't worry...I don't plan on doing everything! I'm mostly trying to do things we can't do at WDW, since we go there often and are in fact headed back to WDW in the fall. Thanks!!!

 

[goooof1]

Do NOT assume that the rides are exactly the same as those at wdw.....there are very few that are the same. It is very easy to spend many days at DLR and so very many details to enjoy!!

 

[SplashMo]

Enter DCA in the morning through the main gates.

 

[SplashMo]

Park hop as the parks are so close.