DLR Questions

[Duffy Lover]

We’re planning our first trip to Disneyland for this July (I know, not the most ideal time to go, but what can you do?), and I need some input from veterans. We are booking a package through my favorite Disney travel agent, Terrisue at Magical Journeys, and will be staying three weekday nights at the HoJo. We’re planning on three day passes, with no park hopping, and we’ll be going into the parks on Tuesday through Thursday. Here are my questions:

1. I am planning on day 1 at DL, day 2 at DCA and day 3 at DL. Is one day enough for DCA? I plan on hitting the parks at rope drop.
2. Since I am hitting the parks at rope drop, should I take our girls (ages 6 and 9) back to the HoJo’s for a break, or power through to maximize touring time? We are hoping to see WOC, the new parade at DL and their fireworks.
3. Is Fantasmic worth seeing if we’ve seen it many times at WDW?
4. Where can I find a good Fastpass strategy?
5. Any pieces of quality information anyone would like to share?

TIA!

 

[SMD]

You can do a lot in 3 days. Depending on when in July that you go having the hopper option can be helpful there because it allows you to be more flexible with crowds. In lieu of the hopper I'd consider adding a 4th day if you arrive early enough, then you could see WOC on arrival day and not worry about staying late on your DCA day. We don't know yet how long ROA will be closed for SW land construction and if F! will even run next summer. They've also been testing FP lately, so we really don't know how FP will work next summer either. HoJo is walking distance for midday breaks. Some people need them, some don't. If you leave part of the day without any ADR scheduled you can play it by ear.

 

[Astylla]

We’re planning our first trip to Disneyland for this July (I know, not the most ideal time to go, but what can you do?), and I need some input from veterans. We are booking a package through my favorite Disney travel agent, Terrisue at Magical Journeys, and will be staying three weekday nights at the HoJo. We’re planning on three day passes, with no park hopping, and we’ll be going into the parks on Tuesday through Thursday. Here are my questions:

1. I am planning on day 1 at DL, day 2 at DCA and day 3 at DL. Is one day enough for DCA? I plan on hitting the parks at rope drop.
2. Since I am hitting the parks at rope drop, should I take our girls (ages 6 and 9) back to the HoJo’s for a break, or power through to maximize touring time? We are hoping to see WOC, the new parade at DL and their fireworks.
3. Is Fantasmic worth seeing if we’ve seen it many times at WDW?
4. Where can I find a good Fastpass strategy?
5. Any pieces of quality information anyone would like to share?

TIA!

1. DCA could be enough for just one day but it depends on crowd levels and what types of rides you like and your fmaily does. It has a few of the more thrilling ones like Tower of Terror , Screamin' and Soarin'( this varies on thrill depending on who you talk to !)
I personally believe it's more than one day easily at least 1.5 especially given all the changes. I understand you stated you won't be getting parkhoppers however as a seasoned DL AP holder I HIGHLY suggest them as park hopping is literally a few hundred feet not an hour away. Just consider it or as the previous poster stated adding a 4th day.

2. Rope drop is a great strategy and especially in any kind of heat , breaks are amazing. It's just DH and I but we love rope drop - midday break - close the parks. It really makes such a difference and I'm confident with kids those ages it would be beneficial for them even to use the water park at HoJo which is great. I would not try to power through , just have a priority list ahead of time but willing to be flexible is key. It's part of why I suggest parkhoppers because if one park is so busy you need a break or maybe want to catch the nighttime entertainment you have options.

3. While I usually would recommend Fantasmic , I am sorry to say that due to construction on Star Wars Land , The Rivers of America , Railroad , Tom Sawyer Island and therefore Fantasmic will all be down until sometime in 2017 I believe it's been stated.
I've seen both and while I do think DL has the upper hand it just won't be showing

4. The best strategy for Fastpass is to know what rides have them honestly and form your own plan. So many WDW vets get confused with no FP for Haunted Mansion ( only in Holiday season and return of Hatbox ghost so it remains to be seen after) or Pirates only to be confused and end up frustrated. Keep in mind also WOC FP and NOT connected , so they don't affect your wait windows or other FP. You do however have to have had your ticket scanned for DCA that day to pull a WOC FP , again why I suggest parkhoppers to allow flexibility.

5. DL is not like WDW at all. You don't have to camp ADR's , they only open 60 days ahead and typically aren't impossible to get.
If character dining is important I highly recommend Minnie and Friends Breakfast for the amount of characters and food is good imo.

Take time to read these boards thoroughly there is an abundance of information and some guides for WDW vets too.

 

[Metalliman98]

1. One day can be enough at DCA if you get there at rope drop and use FP wisely. I believe the recommended rope drop strategy is to get a FP for Radiator Springs Racers, then go do Toy Story, CA Screaming, then circle back to the other big rides (Soarin, Tower of Terror, and Grizzly River Run) in some order. Going in July you'd probably be wise to hit Grizzly sooner rather than later when it gets hotter. And other than WoC.....that's pretty much it for DCA big-ride wise. The Aladdin show will be gone by next July. The other rides in Paradise Pier are throwaways, with exception of the little mermaid. Cars land is cool to walk around and it should have a brand new ride by then, Luigi's Festival of the Dance. Bug's land probably won't entertain anyone in your party, even your 6 yo, unless she is afraid of regular rides. They do have a parade, the Pixar Play Parade, around 5 or so. So DCA in one day, even during peak summer season, is certainly doable.

2. The HoJo is a bit of a walk. Not far, but probably a solid 15 minutes from gate to hotel, maybe 10 if you walk quickly. Breaks are doable, but whether you need them will depend on how much stamina your kids have. Personally, I'd probably take my break at a sit down restaurant in the parks or DTD, or the lobby of the Grand Californian. If you are doing two days at DL and one at DCA, you can afford to incorporate breaks; with DCA though you may not get to do some of the bigger attractions more than once.

3. I've never seen F! at WDW, but everything I've read says that the DL version is much better! That said, you won't need to worry about it, because unfortunately F! will be going dark for more than a year beginning in early January 2016 as part of the Star Wars expansion.

4. At DCA the only FP you need to get is for Radiator Springs Racers; FPs for that ride are gone by noon each day, sometimes before. Tower of Terror FPs also run out in mid-late afternoon. You'll also need to get a FP for WoC, but that doesn't effect your ability to get other FPs. With two days in DL, you shouldn't need to worry about FPs too much, you will have time to do everything. That said, there are sites that detail the best order in which to do the rides and get FPs.

5. General advice, let's see.......by the time you go, hopefully some of the crowds for the 60th will have died down a bit, and make it a bit easier for you to get good spots for the parade and fireworks without a crazy wait. It has been insane so far this year ever since May. Definitely book a few table service restaurants; in my opinion WDW definitely has superior table service options but there are some gems at DLR, like Blue Bayou, Carthay Circle, Napa Rose, and Carnation Cafe. For character meals, Minnie and Friends at the Plaza Inn has the best amount/diversity of characters, while I think Goofy's Kitchen has the best food. That said, the meals at Ariel's Grotto are princess character meals, so your daughters may prefer that. Other than that.......just remember to have fun!