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

[Sherry E]

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?

You do not need a confirm #, as they told you. You should arrive before 10:30 rather than exactly at 10:30, and you will probably be seated right away or within minutes.

Here is a link to WazowskiLOVER's Trip Report, specifically a page she just updated today, with lots and lots of photos from Minnie & Friends. Also, if you flip back a page or two in her TR, you will see even more M&F pictures where the Mad Hatter has teacups on her head and it is very fun:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1986026&page=38

Here is a character meal photo thread, with more Minnie & Friends and lots from Goofy's and the other meals too:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2170088

Just in case anything changes with dining plans, here is a link to lots of pictures (several posts' worth) of the Goofy's breakfast/brunch buffet, supplied by J.C.andAli'sMom:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1253888&page=82

And some Goofy's dinner buffet pictures, provided by Pose2pose:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=27365123&postcount=781

And the Lilo and Stitch breakfast buffet pictures, from Got2travel:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=18126978&postcount=200

Hope that helps! (My character meals are high priority to me - they totally enhance the whole Disney experience!)

 

[Sleepless Knight]

There are some who believe that DCA does not have the nightmare lines for TSMM precisely because it does not offer FP. While I don't know one way or another, I can say that I've never waited more than 45 minutes, even last summer when it had barely been open for 2 months.

Be advised that while Buzz offers FP, it's usually no more than 1 hour from the current time. Depending on your strategy, it may or may not be worth it to grab a Buzz FP especially if attractions such as Indy, Splash, Space, and BTMRR are more important.

In my opinion, the Space FPs tend to go the quickest, followed by Indy and then BTMRR. I travel solo or with adults frequently, so I almost always use single rider for Splash to conserve those FPs(also available on Indy again). I talk with my friend or family member in line, but we get a much shorter wait because we're willing to be split up for the ride itself. Depending on the group, single rider may be a great option. I've had occasions where I've gone with adults and we've sat right next to each other doing single rider and I've also been separated from them. It's a great way to beat long lines, but you need to know that your group may(but won't necessarily always) be separated. Of the DCA must dos, Soarin' and Screamin' offer single rider, and TSMM sometimes (but not always) offers single rider.

As far as character meals go, I've done 2 character meals at the DLR my entire life and I've been visiting since 1978 and had an AP since 2006. By contrast, I've done 6-7 character meals at WDW in my 3 visits there in '94, '06, and '09. In December, Minnie's had Minnie, Dale, Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Rabbit, Captain Hook, Rafiki, and Max(Goofy's son).

 

[HydroGuy]

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.

I recognize my words there. When I have visited MK it opened at 9AM and the first FP return windows were always 10AM (or 10:05). After that they followed the DLR model of 40-120 minutes between windows. The other WDW parks did not do this and just had the first windows 40-45 minutes from park opening.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

In my opinion, the Space FPs tend to go the quickest, followed by Indy and then BTMRR. I travel solo or with adults frequently, so I almost always use single rider for Splash to conserve those FPs(also available on Indy again). I talk with my friend or family member in line, but we get a much shorter wait because we're willing to be split up for the ride itself. Depending on the group, single rider may be a great option. I've had occasions where I've gone with adults and we've sat right next to each other doing single rider and I've also been separated from them. It's a great way to beat long lines, but you need to know that your group may(but won't necessarily always) be separated. Of the DCA must dos, Soarin' and Screamin' offer single rider, and TSMM sometimes (but not always) offers single rider.

What would the estimated wait be at say 2pm for Screamin in the single rider line? Comparable to RnRc? Because the RnRc SR line would be at least 30 mins at that time.

Indy is not a priority for us.

Right now I'm looking at:
FP SM at 8am (probable return time 9am?)
Ride Alice
Ride Matterhorn (only 1 side)
Toad's
all the above by 9am?
FP Buzz
Ride SM
IASW
Pinocchio
Canal Boats
the above 4 rides by 10am?
Ride Buzz
FP BTMRR
check in for Breakfast-eat til 11:45am or so?
Ride BTMRR
FP Splash (around noon?)
then hop to DCA around 12noon?
FP Soarin & GRR (it's not connected right?) around 12:15
Monsters Inc.
TSM
above 2 rides done by 1pm?
Kids to Bug Land while I hop to DL (will my FP window be open by now?)
FP BTMRR?
Hop back to DCA by 1:30?
FP ToT around 1:30?
Ride Soarin
Ride GRR
It's now 2pm? and I'm holding Splash FP and Poss. BTMRR FP and ToT FP

That's as far as I've gotten, still working on it. Look ok?
Any problems? Am I accounting for enough wait time? Do you NOT suggest I have a touring plan like this but just wing it?

Thanks!

 

[HydroGuy]

My comments in bold...

What would the estimated wait be at say 2pm for Screamin in the single rider line? Comparable to RnRc? Because the RnRc SR line would be at least 30 mins at that time.

Indy is not a priority for us.

Right now I'm looking at:
FP SM at 8am (probable return time 9am?) 8:40-8:45 return time
Ride Alice
Ride Matterhorn (only 1 side) ride the Tomorrowland side as it will likely be shorter
Toad's
all the above by 9am? Maybe - I would ride in your order but be prepared for it for it to take longer than 9AM
FP Buzz Buzz FPs are easy to get all day long. Splash is much more in demand especially when it is warm out. I always get Splash FPs second in the summer.
Ride SM You can use your FP here but I try to never use FP until at least 10-11AM when all other lines get longer. This early in the morning there will still be lots of short lines elsewhere that will build while you are taking the 30 minutes to use your FP and ride Space
IASW FYI this is a fast loading ride. The line will stay fairly reasonable until 11AM or Noon. You can do this later if you want and still be OK.
Pinocchio
Canal Boats
the above 4 rides by 10am? No way. Space will take 30 minute to go all the way from entrance to exit. The Canal boats would be better done earlier in the morning - especially before IASW
Ride Buzz
FP BTMRR
check in for Breakfast-eat til 11:45am or so?
Ride BTMRR
FP Splash (around noon?)
then hop to DCA around 12noon?
FP Soarin & GRR (it's not connected right?) around 12:15 GRR is now connected and this trick no longer works Get Soarin FP first. If I had to guess a return window for a noon pickup I would say 5PM.
Monsters Inc.
TSM
above 2 rides done by 1pm? Maybe but tight
Kids to Bug Land while I hop to DL (will my FP window be open by now?)
FP BTMRR?
Hop back to DCA by 1:30?
FP ToT around 1:30? If you get Soarin FP at Noon the next FP pickup will be 2PM - probably - the two hour window will be in effect by then
Ride Soarin
Ride GRR
It's now 2pm? and I'm holding Splash FP and Poss. BTMRR FP and ToT FP

That's as far as I've gotten, still working on it. Look ok?
Any problems? Am I accounting for enough wait time? Do you NOT suggest I have a touring plan like this but just wing it?

Thanks!

It might be worth looking into RideMax to help with this. For $15 it will give you a plan that works. www.ridemax.com

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

I ordered Ridemax this morning. August 18th info isn't released yet. A few more days and then I work the plan.

Thanks for all of your advice.

In WDW we never wait more than 20 minutes for each ride (unless it's an emergency ) so I am sort of worried about the long waits. I'll have to play around RM to see if I can get a plan that works for us!

So, no 3 o'clock parade at DL?
And no one's mentioned the character meet n greets in the park, are they swamped and have long lines? Such as Princess Fantasy Faire and how long is the DL: the 1st 50 years show and is it worth seeing?

And ok this may be my dumbest question of all, where does the monorail in DL go to?

 

[Sherry E]

I ordered Ridemax this morning. August 18th info isn't released yet. A few more days and then I work the plan.

Thanks for all of your advice.

In WDW we never wait more than 20 minutes for each ride (unless it's an emergency ) so I am sort of worried about the long waits. I'll have to play around RM to see if I can get a plan that works for us!

So, no 3 o'clock parade at DL?
And no one's mentioned the character meet n greets in the park, are they swamped and have long lines? Such as Princess Fantasy Faire and how long is the DL: the 1st 50 years show and is it worth seeing?

And ok this may be my dumbest question of all, where does the monorail in DL go to?

Did you ever get a chance to look at the character meal links I gave you yesterday? You didn't say. Do the characters at Minnie & Friends look good to you?

I have a feeling this is something we are ALL on the same page about now - I think we would say, unless you want to take something else off of your list in DL and DCA to make room, skip the Princess Fantasy Faire. I think you have a jam-packed schedule now as it is, and you will get character interaction at Minnie & Friends. The Princesses are at Ariel's Grotto, and some of them also appear at Goofy's meals, so if you want a character meal that includes Princesses, you could try one of those instead of Minnie & Friends.

But I honestly don't think you will be able to squeeze in much else in such a short trip. I think that if PFF is a priority, take something else of the list.

The Monorail goes from DTD to Tomorrowland.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Did you ever get a chance to look at the character meal links I gave you yesterday? You didn't say. Do the characters at Minnie & Friends look good to you?



The Monorail goes from DTD to Tomorrowland.

Yes I saw the pics, they were great. So many characters. I guess that's why the meal takes so long. I am enjoying her TR.

Princesses are not mandatory.

So if the monorail goes from DTD into TL, is the park turnstile in DTD bevfore you get on the Monorail? How does that work? And is it a secret way into the park at rope drop or anything like that?

If you estimate a Soarin FP at noon to have a 5pm return time, how would it be if I got the FP right before breakfast, at 10amish? That's park opening time at DCA so would the return time be a lot sooner?

Thanks!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Disneyland's parades usually start at 3:30pm and 6:30pm. Right now, they have no parade, but are running the Celebrate: A Street Party event at the same times that stops and has all sorts of dancing and high energy in the streets for about 15 minutes or so. I believe, though am not sure, that's it's very similar to the Celebrate thingy that the MK runs. With a very tight schedule, I would not recommend it.

DCA has the Pixar Play Parade at about 5:15 that's very well done should you need a parade fix.

As far as characters go, you can find short lines to meet characters (aside from the princesses, Tink and friends). Because Disneyland has a lot of local visitors who visit all the time, they're not going to overwhelm the characters. The lines form and move fairly quickly. Be aware that sometimes the characters will leave even when people are still in line. The handler or the character (if a face character) will announce this and you can ask when they'll be back. If Mickey is a priority, I would try to see him in his house shortly before ToonTown closes at 8:30pm (if there are fireworks). I've been able to see Mickey 3 times with virtually no line in his house after dark.

 

[Eeee-va]

Just one more Splash Mountain comment--the FPs probably will not technically run out early, but if it's a warm day at all, they will definitely have late return times early. You can get a FP later in the day, but I'm not sure that anyone really wants to get one with an 11 PM return time. (I'd be careful with the water rides...I rode Splash Mountain and was soaked through for about 2 hours. It was OK, as my feet didn't get wet, but it wasn't quite what I'd wanted.)

I think Hydroguy is right on! I don't remember if I told you, but remember that at DLR, you can almost always (like 99.8% of the time) use a Fastpass that has passed its window. I've only heard a very few stories about them being denied and that is generally when the park is crazy-busy. I only used the trick on Space Mountain, and never had any issues at all. Ridemax will give you an option to do this, or not.

And with Ridemax, you can make plans for a week or two before your trip and the estimates will likely be similar, if you want to start playing around. I found that they were pretty much the same throughout my summer trip, weekdays and weekends, except for non MM days are different than MM days (and I'm assuming they take into account when Toontown opens early too). So just make sure you use the same day of the week as you're planning.

Given it's a one-day trip, yes, I say follow Ridemax completely and use it to get as many things in as possible. If you were staying longer, I'd suggest winging it a bit more, as the most fun can sometimes be had doing things you hadn't planned on...but if the goal is to see as much as you can because you won't be back for a long time, Ridemax all the way!

 

[HydroGuy]

If you estimate a Soarin FP at noon to have a 5pm return time, how would it be if I got the FP right before breakfast, at 10amish? That's park opening time at DCA so would the return time be a lot sooner?

RideMax should be able to estimate it for you. If you got Soarin FP at 10AM then that is first thing and the FP window would be 10:45-11:45AM. By Noon I think it will be 3-5PM. Depends on the day. Soarin FPs are the most popular at DCA and will run out most quickly.

RM tracks these things. Make some test itineraries with a few DCA rides - RM requires you to add at least three rides. See how soon it thinks you can use Soarin FPs.

 

[Amy&Dan]

The Disneyland First 50 Years is no longer showing. Sad to say, it was wonderful! But they took that out to put back in the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln that will start back up in December.

I don't find character meet and greets at DL quite as well organized as WDW's. I do also agree however, that the lines are generally not as long as the ones in WDW since so many locals do frequent DL.

I think its great you got Ridemax, it can really help you come up with a plan that will maximize the day. I also think Ridemax's DL version is superior to the WDW one, it seems like they know DL a bit better and the information is better. Just my experience of course!

Have fun with your planning, you have a lot planned but a solid gameplan and I bet you will be able to experinence quite a bit and have a ball!

 

[Eeee-va]

RideMax should be able to estimate it for you. If you got Soarin FP at 10AM then that is first thing and the FP window would be 10:45-11:45AM. By Noon I think it will be 3-5PM. Depends on the day. Soarin FPs are the most popular at DCA and will run out most quickly.

RM tracks these things. Make some test itineraries with a few DCA rides - RM requires you to add at least three rides. See how soon it thinks you can use Soarin FPs.

I believe you can get Soarin' FPs as early as 9:30 because they let people into that area then. We got ours at 10:03 AM on Tuesday, 6/23, and the return time was 11:15 - 12:15. I believe 6/23 was a busy day, though. (A friend and I actually stood near the area around 9:45 or 9:50 and watched the FP times get later and later, as we were waiting for my mom to get into the park so we could get FPs together. If she'd been 10 minutes early to DCA, instead of getting to the park right at 10, I'm pretty sure our return time would have been 11 AM or earlier.)

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

How long does it take at a pretty efficient pace to walk from, say Fantasyland to Soarin in DCA? I'm trying to get a distance perspective.

Do you have to stop at turnstiles?

 

[Amy&Dan]

Yes, you'll have to exit the DL turnstiles, they'll have the exits off to the side, walk across the Espanlande and through the turnstiles of DCA which could be a bit backed up it its park opening, but it moves fast. You won't have to do a bag check since there is only one bag check for both parks and as long as you don't exit beyond those, you will be fine.

From Fantasyland to the Soarin fp machines, I am going to put the walk at around 10-15 minutes. Its not that far, esp since Soarin is near the front of DCA. That timeframe might be a bit less or more, depending on how crowded the DCA turnstiles are.

 

[HydroGuy]

From Fantasyland to the Soarin fp machines, I am going to put the walk at around 10-15 minutes. Its not that far, esp since Soarin is near the front of DCA. That timeframe might be a bit less or more, depending on how crowded the DCA turnstiles are.

If there is no line at the DCA turnstiles and you power walk then it might be less than 10 minutes (7 or 8?). But 10-15 minutes sounds about right to me too.

 

[HydroGuy]

I believe you can get Soarin' FPs as early as 9:30 because they let people into that area then. We got ours at 10:03 AM on Tuesday, 6/23, and the return time was 11:15 - 12:15. I believe 6/23 was a busy day, though. (A friend and I actually stood near the area around 9:45 or 9:50 and watched the FP times get later and later, as we were waiting for my mom to get into the park so we could get FPs together. If she'd been 10 minutes early to DCA, instead of getting to the park right at 10, I'm pretty sure our return time would have been 11 AM or earlier.)

I understand that FPs are made available now at 9:30 for Soarin. That would explain why the window was out to 11:15 so quickly that day.

For the FP newbies, FP windows always start the day 40-45 minutes away from park opening time. That is why I said 10:45-11:45 for a Soarin FP when DCA opens at 10AM. But the dispensing of FPs for Soarin before the park officially opens must muck that up. I can only guess that if you get a Soarin FP at 9:30AM the window would be 10:45-11:45 because it would be tied to park opening (10AM) and not Soarin's early opening (9:30AM).

 

[Eeee-va]

I can only guess that if you get a Soarin FP at 9:30AM the window would be 10:45-11:45 because it would be tied to park opening (10AM) and not Soarin's early opening (9:30AM).

I don't remember, but I would guess that as well. If the first return time was 45 minutes after 9:30 AM, that would be 10:15 AM. Going through an hour of FPs (10:15 - 11:15) in 33 minutes, when the park is only officially open for 3 of those minutes, and a lot of people are choosing to ride standby instead, sounds like a bit much to me. I didn't see that many people even go to the FP machines so early in the day. But I could be wrong about the start time.

 

[Hound 109]

So if the monorail goes from DTD into TL, is the park turnstile in DTD bevfore you get on the Monorail? How does that work? And is it a secret way into the park at rope drop or anything like that?

Not really. It's a good perk for late risers at the DLH & for folks coming back from their break (or lunch at DTD).

If you estimate a Soarin FP at noon to have a 5pm return time, how would it be if I got the FP right before breakfast, at 10amish? That's park opening time at DCA so would the return time be a lot sooner?

The only problem with a 10amish FP pickup for Soarin' is the possible line at the DCA gate (waiting to get in). Might be better at 10:20 or so. (either way count on a 5-10 min. hold up at the turnstile between 10am - 10:30am


& here was your possible Tuesday itinerary (with HG's comments):

Quote:
Originally Posted by GraceLuvsWDW
What would the estimated wait be at say 2pm for Screamin in the single rider line?

10-15 minutes. Screamin' is a good single rider ride because once the ride starts you're pretty much on your own....& because if traveling with little ones, they can ride on Triton's carousel next door while you're screamin' (Is Triton's working or closed for refurb??)

Comparable to RnRc? Because the RnRc SR line would be at least 30 mins at that time.

Indy is not a priority for us.

Right now I'm looking at:

FP SM at 8am (probable return time 9am?) 8:40-8:45 return time

Probably closer to 8:55 - 9am return...there will be a few MM'ers already picking up FPs before you get there.

Ride Alice (Any way a runner can pick up FPs for Splash while the rest of the group heads to Alice or Matterhorn?)

Ride Matterhorn (only 1 side) ride the Tomorrowland side as it will likely be shorter

Toad's - all the above by 9am?

Maybe - I would ride in your order but be prepared for it for it to take longer than 9AM

If you send a runner for SM FP (while te rest of you head to Alice/Matterhorn) then i think you'll be done before 9am

FP Buzz

Buzz FPs are easy to get all day long. Splash is much more in demand especially when it is warm out. I always get Splash FPs second in the summer.

Agreed, FP Buzz later.

Ride SM

You can use your FP here but I try to never use FP until at least 10-11AM when all other lines get longer. This early in the morning there will still be lots of short lines elsewhere that will build while you are taking the 30 minutes to use your FP and ride Space

Totally agree. At 9am, you should be either picking up your second FP, or riding Storybookland Canal Boats or riding Buzz or BTMRR w/o FPs.

IASW

FYI this is a fast loading ride. The line will stay fairly reasonable until 11AM or Noon. You can do this later if you want and still be OK.

Agreed.

Pinocchio

I'd do Storybookland Canal Boats & then Pinocchio.

Canal Boats

the above 4 rides by 10am?

No way. Space will take 30 minute to go all the way from entrance to exit. The Canal boats would be better done earlier in the morning - especially before IASW

Agreed. After Pinocchio, I'd be wanting my second FP. Assuming you don't want Indy, Splash would be next. But if Splash is too long a hike at this time, then I'd head to BTMRR & pick up a FP AND then ride standby (since you mentioned that you'll ride it multiple times.

Ride Buzz

I'd get a FP for Buzz a little later & ride it when crowds build in the afternoon.

FP BTMRR

Already rode it....& got a FP for it.

check in for Breakfast-eat til 11:45am or so?

With only one day, I'd be knocking out HM, & Pirates & nabbing a FP at Splash between 10 - 11am....then hopping over to DCA & grabbing my first FP over there prior to a meal....but that's me.

Ride BTMRR

Already did it....& you have a FP for it.

FP Splash (around noon?)

Nabbed it at 10:15 - 10:30am.

then hop to DCA around 12noon?

FP Soarin & GRR (it's not connected right?) around 12:15

GRR is now connected and this trick no longer works Unfortunately correct. Get Soarin FP first. If I had to guess a return window for a noon pickup I would say 5PM.

& if you get over to DCA by 11am it would be closer to 2-3pm return...possibly allowing you to FP Griz Rapids afterall.

Monsters Inc.
TSM

Many have reported (including me) good luck at TSMM between 12:30 - 1:30pm. Do TSM (along with Screamin single rider) first, on your way back to Monsters, check out the Flick's kiddie rides for the little ones. Great theming & Heimlich's choo choo is a crack up.

above 2 rides done by 1pm? Maybe but tight

Kids to Bug Land while I hop to DL (will my FP window be open by now?)
FP BTMRR?

Shouldn't need to Hop back for FP, but if you do (& already have SM, BTMRR & Splash FP in your pocket, get one for Buzz....or just wait till you hop back later in the afternoon.

Hop back to DCA by 1:30?

FP ToT around 1:30?

If you get Soarin FP at Noon the next FP pickup will be 2PM - probably - the two hour window will be in effect by then

Ride Soarin
Ride GRR

It's now 2pm? and I'm holding Splash FP and Poss. BTMRR FP and ToT FP

That's as far as I've gotten, still working on it. Look ok?

Any problems? Am I accounting for enough wait time? Do you NOT suggest I have a touring plan like this but just wing it?

Given your makeup....A touring plan makes sense....BUT know that it will end up changing (or blowing up altogether ). BUT if you have 3-4 FPs from DL in your pocket prior to hopping to DCA, you'll have a much more enjoyable time when you hop back over to DL in the late afternoon or early evening.

Thanks!

Looks like you're on the right track.

I'm curious how RideMax will be recommending all of this.