DLR in one day?

[dkerwood]

I'm sure this question has been posted, but I can't get the search tool to work for me right now...

My DFi and I are going to California on our honeymoon in late May/early June. First we're doing a 4 day cruise from Long Beach to Ensenada, and we'll come back on a Friday. We'll then stay for a few more stays in SoCal. We have cousins who live in San Diego, and we're trying to keep costs down as much as possible by staying with them. So let me ask this:

If we come up to DLR on Monday, June 2, and ASSUMING DL is open 9a-11p and DCA is open 10a-8p (like it is the week before), can we realistically hit everything (the big highlights) if we stay from open-close and park hop? Is 14 hours enough to cover DL and DCA?

Our other option is to go ahead and stay an extra day, then catch a second day at DLR on the 3rd. We certainly don't mind doing this, but it is another 3 hours on the road to and from San D, plus the gas affiliated and the extra day for a rental car (or the rudeness of asking the cousins to drive us up). It'll probably cost us about $200 more when all is said and done.

We're already going to be doing Universal (probably on Friday after we get back from the cruise), and hopefully doing a little bit of the Hollywood thing during the weekend (cousin's wife grew up in LA, and she loves giving tours). We also plan on hitting the SDZoo while we're down there, so we're trying to get in as much of this Southern Cali thing as possible.

 

[HydroGuy]

If you mean hitting all the headliners, yes it is quite possible to do this in one day - especially if you use Fastpass a lot. You should be able to FP almost all the major rides if you do things right. You will of course miss a lot in one day. Even two days is not enough for DLR. Three is considered the minimum to get a solid visit in. But heck, one day is better than none at all, and two is better than one. Have fun and congrats.

 

[mystic_path]

Yeah I would totally agree with HydroGuy on this one and say during that time you definately need 3 days to see it all.

If you are going for just 1 day, make a list of things you want to see and try to maximize your time by using fast passes and using the full park hours which should be from 9-11 (DL) and 10-8 (DCA). Some will say to you, try Ridemax to help you get in as much as you can.

 

[Hound 109]

If you are one of the first in the park (DL) & tour methodically the first 2-3 hours while picking up FPs, you can get an awful lot done.

When it gets crowded (noonish), hop to DCA for a few hours, then back to DL in the evening (with 4-6 FPs in your pocket from your morning pickup).

Note - The Trattatoria (snack dab in the middle of DCA) is a nice place to have moderate italian pasta or sandwich, rest the dogs, have a glass of wine, & sit outside if a nice day. For Honeymooners i would recommend it over counter service (assuming you don't want to waste 2 hours at an upscale eatery).

Below is an example of a 1 1/2 day blitz i enjoyed last month. It is NOT a recommended touring plan, but gives you an idea of how much can be done if you:

- Get there at opening.
- Pick up FPs immediately (early & often).
- Get Fantasyland "out of the way" early.
- Hop to DCA.
- Back to DL at night (it will be more crowded) with FPs in your pocket.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1660025

Have fun at Walt's Park.

 

[DoomBugger]

Just enjoy it and don't stress too much about missing things. Think of it this way, in the time you have you won't be able to see and do everything so look at it as the place has more to offer you in the time you have so you should have a great time!

 

[dkerwood]

In January of last year, we spent 8 days at WDW. The park crowds were light, and we were really able to do everything we wanted to do, with a few exceptions (Splash Mountain was in refurb, and Rockin' Roller Coaster went to refurb after the first day). We wanted to do the behind the scenes tour, but it was booked. We found that the low crowd level made it easiest to do everything that we wanted.

My biggest concern - on a Monday in early June, shouldn't DLR crowds be fairly light? Cali schools are still in session, plus it's a weekday... that should discourage most of the locals.

I'm really hoping to get the full DL experience here, because the cousins are military and are being transferred to Denver next year!

 

[Hound 109]

In January of last year, we spent 8 days at WDW. The park crowds were light, and we were really able to do everything we wanted to do, with a few exceptions (Splash Mountain was in refurb, and Rockin' Roller Coaster went to refurb after the first day). We wanted to do the behind the scenes tour, but it was booked. We found that the low crowd level made it easiest to do everything that we wanted.

My biggest concern - on a Monday in early June, shouldn't DLR crowds be fairly light? Cali schools are still in session, plus it's a weekday... that should discourage most of the locals.

I'm really hoping to get the full DL experience here, because the cousins are military and are being transferred to Denver next year!

Yes they should be "fairly" light, but....:

- In the evening SoCal A/P residents might show up (if it's a nice day).
- Texas & AZ (& other areas) could be/might be already out of school.

fwiw, i was at DLR Sun 6/3 - Tues 6/5 (i think those were the dates, but it was that Sun-Tues.) All 3 days the parks were EMPTY the first 2-3 hours. Sunday evening was crazy crowded & Monday evening was kinda crowded.

But...we had several FPs in our pocket, so neither evening's crowds affected our touring. (instead of a 40 min. standby line at SM or Indy, a 5 min. FP line for example)

You guys will have a blast.

 

[bumbershoot]

I was reading your post, and I notice SD Zoo, Universal, and one or two days of DLR. Have you looked into whether you can get any savings from buying the Southern California CityPass? Something worth at least checking out.

Our first two trips to DL as adults were one-days. And we had a kid with us, and two extra adults in the form of my brother and SIL (from san diego).

Leave EARLY from San Diego, by the way. early early early. Otherwise you walk through the gates at 10:30 and you feel stressed.

You might also check out my solo trip report (still in progress) to see what can be done and experienced in a shorter trip. Now you as honeymooners will need extra time to stop and smooch, and I had none of that in my solo trip. And you might not want to take advantage of the Single Rider lines, though hey, if you want to maximize the stuff you do and minimize the waits...it might be a good thing to do, knowing you probably won't be on the same coaster car (thinking of California Screamin' here) or sitting near each other (thinking of Soarin' here).

If one or two days is all you have, you can make a good dent. Though FYI, if you do the trip "smart" using FP and such (as opposed to getting there very late, ignoring FP, and doing almost nothing with long lines for everything) it will likely just make you want to go back again. Soon.

 

[HydroGuy]

In January of last year, we spent 8 days at WDW. The park crowds were light, and we were really able to do everything we wanted to do, with a few exceptions (Splash Mountain was in refurb, and Rockin' Roller Coaster went to refurb after the first day). We wanted to do the behind the scenes tour, but it was booked. We found that the low crowd level made it easiest to do everything that we wanted.

My biggest concern - on a Monday in early June, shouldn't DLR crowds be fairly light? Cali schools are still in session, plus it's a weekday... that should discourage most of the locals.

I'm really hoping to get the full DL experience here, because the cousins are military and are being transferred to Denver next year!

If you are hoping to get the "full DLR experience" then one day is not nearly enough. Plus, DLR has some really awesome shows many of which are better than WDW. This includes their fireworks show, Fantasmic and Aladdin stage show. You will miss all of these on a Monday in early June as they will not be offerred.

See

"What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889