DL Vets answer some ?s please...1 day trip soon.

[Sherry E]

I agree with Amy&Dan in that I almost think you should do Goofy's the night before and not break up your day at DL to go over to the DLH and eat. It may be a day when Goofy's closes at noon for the breakfast/brunch shift, or it could be 2:00 p.m. - make sure to check with Disney Dining. If you really want to pack as much punch into your day at DL, I would either get Goofys out of the way the night before (and I also agree with Amy there too - it is also my favorite character meal or meal in general at DLR) or that morning. But if you really have your heart set on lunch, then just check to be sure how late they are open in that first shift. And yes, they do re-open at 5:00 for dinner. But they have a wide variety of options at the buffet, so everyone should be happy there - lots to choose from!!

 

[Kayla's Mom]

I don't feel that Aladdin is that great that it's a make or break. We saw it once, that's enough. Hubby liked it more, but none of us has made ANY effort to see it again. Others love it, us, not so much. But DCA, we love. We love the feel of it, just walking into it.

I thought we were the only ones that felt this way! I am glad there are others like us.

 

[Sherry E]

I thought we were the only ones that felt this way! I am glad there are others like us.

I liked it but I don't know if I would go back and see it every time at DCA. I would like to see it again to get better seats than what we had last time, and I did think the Genie was hilarious, but I don't need to do it on every trip. There are enough other things at DCA to keep me occupied to where I could skip Aladdin here and there. But I do like it! However, if it is nicely air conditioned in the threater, then it may be worth doing in a couple of weeks when I am at DLR (I know the Animation Building is nicely air conditioned, so I definitely plan on going in there for a bit!)

 

[Kayla's Mom]

I liked it but I don't know if I would go back and see it every time at DCA. I would like to see it again to get better seats than what we had last time, and I did think the Genie was hilarious, but I don't need to do it on every trip. There are enough other things at DCA to keep me occupied to where I could skip Aladdin here and there. But I do like it! However, if it is nicely air conditioned in the threater, then it may be worth doing in a couple of weeks when I am at DLR (I know the Animation Building is nicely air conditioned, so I definitely plan on going in there for a bit!)

The Genie WAS funny. I totally agree that I liked it, but don't feel the need to do it every trip. It is a GREAT spot to cool off and also to take a nap! My youngest was 1 at the time and she got a very nice nap in there!

 

[Sherry E]

The Genie WAS funny. I totally agree that I liked it, but don't feel the need to do it every trip. It is a GREAT spot to cool off and also to take a nap! My youngest was 1 at the time and she got a very nice nap in there!

You mean she got a nap in Aladdin or the Animation Building? I can totally see taking a nap in the Animation Building, even though the CMs may not like it! When we were in there, it was so dark and cool inside, and some people were curled up on the floor, while some were stretched out across the seats. It is a good place to go and not only cool down and relax but also just rest your eyes. It is nice and quiet (other than the Disney films' music playing) in that the people are not talking....then again, there was one annoying girl who decided to let us all know that she knew the words to the songs and when the Aladdin clip came on, she started singing "A Whole New World" very badly and loudly and kind of broke the nice, relaxing mood!

 

[Kayla's Mom]

You mean she got a nap in Aladdin or the Animation Building? I can totally see taking a nap in the Animation Building, even though the CMs may not like it! When we were in there, it was so dark and cool inside, and some people were curled up on the floor, while some were stretched out across the seats. It is a good place to go and not only cool down and relax but also just rest your eyes. It is nice and quiet (other than the Disney films' music playing) in that the people are not talking....then again, there was one annoying girl who decided to let us all know that she knew the words to the songs and when the Aladdin clip came on, she started singing "A Whole New World" very badly and loudly and kind of broke the nice, relaxing mood!

No, in Aladdin! I think the show barely started and she was out cold. Although the Animation Building would be a great spot too!

So nice of the girl to serenade you all!

 

[HydroGuy]

Sorry friend (and you know I mean that ) I don't think comparing CS to EE is fair. Only in that, due to the way DCA was built, it could never compete with other, themed Disney coasters. I do agree, they should have built something better and like Sherry I think they could have done an indoor coaster that would have knocked RNRC's socks off.

But for now, its themed for what it was supposed to be, the boardwalk thing which is just a cheap way to give a bit of theming without pulling the stops out!

Maybe Carsland etc., will give DCA some much needed Disney-worthy theming!

Whew! Still friends!

Of course I agree with you. I am looking forward to seeing all the CarsLand and other stuff. I think it will help DCA.

 

[Eeee-va]

I agree that IF you can do Goofy's Kitchen the day before, you will get the most possible time in the parks.

There are lots of approaches you could take for your itinerary. Things that people here tend to do are, get a FP first thing in the morning, get a second as soon as it's available, and don't be afraid to use them later than the return window, as they will be accepted probably 99.8% of the time. (The only time I've heard of them consistently being denied is if the park is COMPLETELY PACKED.)

I like your list--there are lots of nice things to do at DL but it's good to keep things limited. Then anything else you see is a bonus! Most people (including myself ) think that Splash Mountain is better in WDW, so while you should definitely keep it on your list if you want to see it, that's the "E-ticket" I would drop if time becomes a problem. I don't think you WILL have a problem, though.

I agree with doing Fantasyland first, especially since you are not staying until midnight (right? or did things change?). Even if you are staying very late, Toad may still have a 10 minute wait or so, even shortly before park closing.

I also agree with the walk-through at Sleeping Beauty's Castle--it should only take a few minutes, I THINK you can do it fine even when the park is busy, and it's pretty to look at. Definitely a DL exclusive!

Have a delightful time!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

If time is a major factor and you're just looking for a character meal, Minnie & Friends at the Plaza Inn is a very fun character breakfast inside Disneyland, so you won't lose all that time walking to the Disneyland Hotel.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Well, here I go changing my plans again...

I can get a one day hopper for
1 day park hopper is normally $94 and I can get it for $69 (10+) and $61 (normally $84 for age 3-9).

So we're going to do the hoppers.

So I will be adding DCA rides to my touring plan.

Are the FP's still not connected between DCA and DL?

So it would be good for me as the runner to hop over and obtain FP's?

Rides not to miss at DCA:
GRR
Soarin
Monsters Inc.
ToT
TSM


I am going to check on the Minnie & Friends Breakfast. Thanks for that pointer!

 

[Sherry E]

Well, here I go changing my plans again...

I can get a one day hopper for
1 day park hopper is normally $94 and I can get it for $69 (10+) and $61 (normally $84 for age 3-9).

So we're going to do the hoppers.

So I will be adding DCA rides to my touring plan.

Are the FP's still not connected between DCA and DL?

So it would be good for me as the runner to hop over and obtain FP's?

Rides not to miss at DCA:
GRR
Soarin
Monsters Inc.
ToT
TSM


I am going to check on the Minnie & Friends Breakfast. Thanks for that pointer!

Yay!!!! I think you are making an EXCELLENT choice! And you will see that the price of that Hopper is worth it when you get there. I told you, my friend almost didn't take my advice last year and was just going to take her son and mom to DL, but I convinced her to do DCA too and they were very happy they listened to me!! Plus, they also did Goofy's Kitchen and loved it.

Now, I suggested Goofy's before because you said you liked buffets, and Goofy's has the largest buffet with the most variety of all the character meals. It is serve yourself, all you can eat, but the servers bring the drinks to you. Amy&Dan and I have both said this is our absolute favorite (it is not just my favorite character meal but my favorite meal in DLR, period! I am a 17 year devotee of GK!). I work GK into every DLR trip - even this upcoming 1/2 day extravaganza to get my Fun Card on the 21st!

BUT, that said, if it is not so much vast food options but rather lots and lots and lots of characters you want, then Minnie & Friends would be the better choice, and also, in the interest of time and the fact that your schedule will be limited, I wouldn't want you to have to break up your day and go to the DLH (which is close but still takes time) and eat at Goofy's when M&F is right there in DL. However, keep in mind, that Minnie & Friends does not stay open for breakfast/brunch as late as Goofy's does (because it has to revert back to the Plaza Inn restaurant for the rest of the day), so where you may be able to eat breakfast/brunch at Goofy's as late as 12:30 or 1:00, or dinner after 5:00 p.m., you will only be able to eat breakfast at Minnie & Friends. Storytellers and Lilo and Stitch are breakfast only as well, and Ariel's Grotto serves food all day.

But I am very happy you are going with the Park Hoppers and I think you will have a great time!

 

[Amy&Dan]

I agree with Sherry as always. The Minnie breakfast is a great way to see lots of characters inside DL. Although even that on your one park day (that will now have two parks to see) will use up a lot of time. I like Minnie's and the Plaza Inn is a favorite of mine, Walt Disney's wife Lillian decorated that restaurant and its very pretty in there. But I would still give Goofy's the night before as my better recommendation. I think its just critical you use your morning at DL to see Fantasyland and then hop over to DCA for a bit. Using up an hour to 90 minutes for breakfast will really cut into that. Minnie's doesn't open early before the park does the way Crystal Palace does. Although you could do a later seating and sort of count that as your lunch. But for sure if you do a character meal the day of your park visit, Minnie's will save time.

And I have to say, I am thrilled you will be hopping over to DCA. Even if you only do a couple of things, to me its worth a visit over to see what I assume is the only Disney park in the United States you havent' seen yet.

And yes, as far as I know, fastpasses are not connected and GRR isn't even connected to the rest of the rides in DCA. Also, you can enter DCA alone, you'll have to scan your ticket to get in, but everyone else's ticket can be used for fp's at DCA even if they have not yet entered that park. I have done this several times where I go over myself and as long as all tickets were scanned at DL, they'll work for fp's at DCA. If that has changed (I haven't been to DL in 18 months) somebody chime in and correct me!

Sherry and I think alike on GK! I absolutely love it. I have done all but one character meal between DL and WDW (Garden Grill at Epcot is the only one I havent' done) and its my favorite.

And remember, having AAA will save you 10% at Minnie's or Goofy's. And you pay before you enter both of those which is nice. That way when you are ready to leave, you don't have to wait for the bill.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Well, here I go changing my plans again...

I can get a one day hopper for
1 day park hopper is normally $94 and I can get it for $69 (10+) and $61 (normally $84 for age 3-9).

So we're going to do the hoppers.

So I will be adding DCA rides to my touring plan.

Are the FP's still not connected between DCA and DL?

So it would be good for me as the runner to hop over and obtain FP's?

Rides not to miss at DCA:
GRR
Soarin
Monsters Inc.
ToT
TSM


I am going to check on the Minnie & Friends Breakfast. Thanks for that pointer!

The fastpasses between the parks are not connected. However, in order to get FPs for everyone, they will all need to enter the park with you in order to activate the tickets, so I don't think you can hop over to DCA with their tickets while they remain in Disneyland. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Of the can't miss you listed, TSMM does not have FP, so you would need to be there when DCA opens to have a short wait time assuming the park is not crowded. Otherwise you could end up with a 45 minute wait. It's worth it for that attraction, but not if you have limited time and have already experienced/will experience it soon at WDW.

Monsters, Inc. also does not have FP, but it's usually a very short wait all day long. Keep in mind that because of FP return windows, you may have to skip some attractions depending on how the return windows play out. As I've said before, the very best rides in DCA are at WDW (or at least similar)as well except for Monsters, Inc.

 

[Hound 109]

The amount of information & tips & opinions in this one thread is pretty impressive. It's also kind of cool to see minor disagreement (or different opinions) from posters you'd figure would always agree.


Sleepless Knight. I (& i think others) have confirmed that once all members of a party have entered ONE of the two parks.....then a runner can go to the OTHER park (with all the tickets) to pick up FPs. They key is that all tickets have to be scanned in the first place.


Have we confirmed if the OP is enjoying DL & DCA on Tuesday or Wednesday?

If it's Tuesday.....then why the change from Wednesday (if only visiting for one day)?

& if it IS Tuesday...then my plan (from 2 pages back) wouldn't make sense.

 

[Amy&Dan]

For sure I have been able to enter DCA and fastpass with my family's tickets even though they have only entered DL. Now again, the last time I did that was in January of 2008. So if anyone has more recent information correct me please! They make you scan a ticket to enter the park, but the ticket is actually already activated. This is one of the best things about DL and park hopping. Only one person needs to do the running and they aren't connected.

 

[HydroGuy]

The fastpasses between the parks are not connected. However, in order to get FPs for everyone, they will all need to enter the park with you in order to activate the tickets, so I don't think you can hop over to DCA with their tickets while they remain in Disneyland. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

We do this all the time. Enter DL or DCA and the tickets are activated for FP collection from both parks simultaneously.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Have we confirmed if the OP is enjoying DL & DCA on Tuesday or Wednesday?

If it's Tuesday.....then why the change from Wednesday (if only visiting for one day)?

& if it IS Tuesday...then my plan (from 2 pages back) wouldn't make sense.

Yes, we are visiting on Tuesday. 1. That's my brother's birthday (free admission for him) and 2. we fly out of SD Wednesday morning at 9am.

I am trying to put together a touring plan. If MM is that morning and we arrive right at regular gate time (8am), what is the order of attack for rides? I am assuming Fantasyland first. Any particular order? And should we swing by Tomorrowland for a SM FP first?

TSM has no FP??? I am used to 3 hr lines at WDW if you don't have a FP so we could definitely miss this if it's too long of a line.

Do the FP's work like WDW? I read in the WDW vet tips that it doesn't automatically lock you out of your next for 2 hrs like WDW. So if we swing by SM at 8am and the return time is say 8:45, would I be eligible for another FP at 8:45? And if so, could I impose on one of you to rate the order that I should get the FP's in order to minimize wait and maximize # of FP's. I'm not opposed to zigging and zagging (DL is smaller than MK in WDW right?) but I'd like to do it in an optimum order. I've perfected this at WDW but at DL I'm guessing the rules are just not the same.

I called and got a PS for Minnie & Friends Breakfast at 10:30. That's the latest they had for our party size. )WOW is DL different! WDW would have absolutely NO ADR left one month out!) That might be a good time for a break and rest for the young ones. They didn't give me a conf #, said I didn't need one. So you just assume it's all good? And how long will we wait once we arrive at the podium at 10:30am? I'm used to say CP where you're seated pretty quickly and can eat and get all autographs in about 45-55 mins. Also, does anyone know what characters are at this meal? Or do they vary by day?

Thanks for all your help!

 

[Sherry E]

Yes, we are visiting on Tuesday. 1. That's my brother's birthday (free admission for him) and 2. we fly out of SD Wednesday morning at 9am.

I am trying to put together a touring plan. If MM is that morning and we arrive right at regular gate time (8am), what is the order of attack for rides? I am assuming Fantasyland first. Any particular order? And should we swing by Tomorrowland for a SM FP first?

TSM has no FP??? I am used to 3 hr lines at WDW if you don't have a FP so we could definitely miss this if it's too long of a line.

Do the FP's work like WDW? I read in the WDW vet tips that it doesn't automatically lock you out of your next for 2 hrs like WDW. So if we swing by SM at 8am and the return time is say 8:45, would I be eligible for another FP at 8:45? And if so, could I impose on one of you to rate the order that I should get the FP's in order to minimize wait and maximize # of FP's. I'm not opposed to zigging and zagging (DL is smaller than MK in WDW right?) but I'd like to do it in an optimum order. I've perfected this at WDW but at DL I'm guessing the rules are just not the same.

I called and got a PS for Minnie & Friends Breakfast at 10:30. That's the latest they had for our party size. )WOW is DL different! WDW would have absolutely NO ADR left one month out!) That might be a good time for a break and rest for the young ones. They didn't give me a conf #, said I didn't need one. So you just assume it's all good? And how long will we wait once we arrive at the podium at 10:30am? I'm used to say CP where you're seated pretty quickly and can eat and get all autographs in about 45-55 mins. Also, does anyone know what characters are at this meal? Or do they vary by day?

Thanks for all your help!

I will answer this question - correct, TSMM has no FP at DLR, BUT the line moves very quickly! It never seems to say any longer than 45 minutes wait time on the sign, but you always get on the ride faster than what the stated time is. SO if it say 40 minutes, you will likely get on in 30 minutes. It's my friends' and my new favorite ride at DLR, and there is NO way they would ever wait in a 3 hour line - or even one hour. It moves fast.

Now if you will give me just a moment, I will be back with two links for you that will be very helpful for one of your other questions!

 

[bumbershoot]

I thought we were the only ones that felt this way! I am glad there are others like us.

Most people don't want to know how I feel about Fantasmic, either...let's just say I'm glad DS was passed out entirely, or we wouldn't have seen it at all, and even with that, hubby and I could not BELIEVE how scary the images and even music were... It's definitely not something we'll need to see again, and it's the one thing we'll likely skip when we go to WDW. (maybe Block Party Bash, too, since we saw it a few times in DCA)



"If MM is that morning and we arrive right at regular gate time (8am), what is the order of attack for rides? I am assuming Fantasyland first."

No. Well, expect lines if you do it. If it's MM that morning and you do NOT have access to MM, you will have an hour's worth of people packing those lines. That's the problem with not having MM on a MM day... Then again, I just don't know when lines would diminish, and maybe that hour would be the lowest lines...just don't expect to walk on...Peter Pan (no FP at d'land) will likely be over 40 minutes wait, Dumbo will have a wait, etc...


"I read in the WDW vet tips that it doesn't automatically lock you out of your next for 2 hrs like WDW. So if we swing by SM at 8am and the return time is say 8:45, would I be eligible for another FP at 8:45?"

It works the same at WDW as it does in DLR. The time you can get another FP will be listed on your FP, at the bottom, that makes it really simple to determine at any given moment at the parks. At WDW from everything I read, if your return time is in under 2 hours, you don't have to wait 2 hours...as soon as you can use that FP, you can get another if it's inside of 2 hours...

Oh, is this what you're referring to? "One other difference from WDW is that DLR does not add artificially long return times at certain parks in the morning." OK, well if WDW adds time for no reason, then yes, that's different from DLR.

REgardless, the time you can get another FP is listed on the bottom of your FP, so you don't need to memorize anything, just look at the FP.

 

[HydroGuy]

Yes, we are visiting on Tuesday. 1. That's my brother's birthday (free admission for him) and 2. we fly out of SD Wednesday morning at 9am.

I am trying to put together a touring plan. If MM is that morning and we arrive right at regular gate time (8am), what is the order of attack for rides? I am assuming Fantasyland first. Any particular order? And should we swing by Tomorrowland for a SM FP first?

If you want to ride Space then yes get the Space FP first thing.

Hitting Fantasyland after MM may not be a good idea. There will be lines already formed. I did this on a Saturday last May and the lines were way shorter than I expected. I only did it because we wanted to ride Matterhorn and when we got on we saw how short everything was in Fantasyland. So if you can take a peek do, but my guess is that the lines will be too long for PP, Dumbo, etc., by then. They might not be too bad for the other rides. If it was me and the lines were too long I would come back in the evening - the later the better - with the understanding that much or all of FL closes during the fireworks.

TSM has no FP??? I am used to 3 hr lines at WDW if you don't have a FP so we could definitely miss this if it's too long of a line.

No FP for TSM. The lines seem to top out at 40 minutes these days. They do have single rider lines though which have been discontinued at WDW.

Do the FP's work like WDW? I read in the WDW vet tips that it doesn't automatically lock you out of your next for 2 hrs like WDW. So if we swing by SM at 8am and the return time is say 8:45, would I be eligible for another FP at 8:45? And if so, could I impose on one of you to rate the order that I should get the FP's in order to minimize wait and maximize # of FP's. I'm not opposed to zigging and zagging (DL is smaller than MK in WDW right?) but I'd like to do it in an optimum order. I've perfected this at WDW but at DL I'm guessing the rules are just not the same.

I am pretty sure that DLR and WDW work the same in this regard. If you get a Space mt FP for a window that opens at 8:45AM you can get a second Space FP at 8:45 or a FP for anything else.

However, if you get a Space FP at say 10AM with a 3-4PM return, the FP will say you can get your next FP after two hours - at 12Noon. You can get a FP for any ride at 12Noon except for Space Mtn. You cannot get that until 3PM.

For FP order see:

"Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132 (Note that all FP info in this three-year-old thread is still valid)

"Which Fast Pass First?" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1107718 (see my post #4 in that thread)

I called and got a PS for Minnie & Friends Breakfast at 10:30. That's the latest they had for our party size. )WOW is DL different! WDW would have absolutely NO ADR left one month out!) That might be a good time for a break and rest for the young ones. They didn't give me a conf #, said I didn't need one. So you just assume it's all good? And how long will we wait once we arrive at the podium at 10:30am? I'm used to say CP where you're seated pretty quickly and can eat and get all autographs in about 45-55 mins. Also, does anyone know what characters are at this meal? Or do they vary by day?

Sorry, never done a character meal in my life! Since DLR caters more to locals on day trips, anything food related is just a much lower priority for the average visitor. On planning our first trip to WDW I could not figure out why everyone was so obsessed with ADRs. Then I got there and now I know!