Do DLR Dis'ers Park Hop or NOT?

[tksbaskets]

Here's a Hint (Shhh no tell anyone else)... Tell the CM's that you have PS reservations for Ariels Grotto at 9:45. They will let you through, then wait at Ariels till you see the mad rush of people then run for Toy Story... Don't go too early then will make you go back to the ropes...

I might suggest borrowing a little girl in a princess dress...the cast members are also waiting for you outside the Grotto

 

[tksbaskets]

Please tell me more about this. This will be our first time at DLR, so please bear with me. From what I know, I'm supposed to be waiting by the park turnstiles, lets say at 9:15 am or earlier. Then they will let us in at 9:30 am and I'm supposed to walk to Soarin to get FP. Where do I go from there? Where am I supposed to find this special line?

Thanks

Are you staying at one of the Disney Land hotels? Supposidly this entrance is for hotel guests although we were never asked for our room key. You need to be waiting by the Grand Californian Hotel entrance to Disney California Adventures at by 9:20 or so. It's easy to find on the map.

If you are going with a friend/group, have the group get in line for toy story after they let you though the turn style (it's on the far left) and one person take all the tickets to get the fast passes for Soarin' and then come back with your group in line. Disney Security is right there to assist you as to what line to be in. There is really no reason NOT to get in the Toy Story line (unless - gasp - you really don't want to ride it) because you get escorted back to the ride and come out right by California Screamin' and the merry-go-round back on Paradise Pier.

Ask as many questions as you like!

 

[monicatb]

Are you staying at one of the Disney Land hotels? Supposidly this entrance is for hotel guests although we were never asked for our room key. You need to be waiting by the Grand Californian Hotel entrance to Disney California Adventures at by 9:20 or so. It's easy to find on the map.

No, we're staying off-site. So this can't be done if you're inside the park? Is there any way we can "join" this line at some point?

 

[tksbaskets]

No, we're staying off-site. So this can't be done if you're inside the park? Is there any way we can "join" this line at some point?

You may be let into the park at 9:30 if you go to the regular turnstyles and then will be in the 10 am line to go back to TSMM. It might be worth a shot of going through the Grand Californian and lining up at that entrance like you belong.

 

[monicatb]

You may be let into the park at 9:30 if you go to the regular turnstyles and then will be in the 10 am line to go back to TSMM. It might be worth a shot of going through the Grand Californian and lining up at that entrance like you belong.

So then I would have to go inside the hotel first, right? If we're coming out of DL, how do we get there? And once inside, where would this entrance to the park be?

Thanks for your help.

 

[tksbaskets]

So then I would have to go inside the hotel first, right? If we're coming out of DL, how do we get there? And once inside, where would this entrance to the park be?

Thanks for your help.

Go out of Disney Land and head into Down Town Disney. Turn left right before Disney Studio 356 (on the left) and you'll be in a courtyard outside DGC hotel. (red line on the map)

Turn right and enter the lobby of the conference center. Turn left and continue to the main lobby. At the lobby turn left and go by the gift shop and out the doors to the courtyard. Building on your left, pool on the right. Keep walking (and turning to the right) and you'll come to the entrance.

It looks like this at 9:15 am minus my family and their delish breakfast:

TK

 

[monicatb]

Thanks a lot! This is great. Were there a lot of people later on? Kind of hard to get mixed in like this! As long as we're there like what? 9:30 am? They open this door at 9:45 am?
I just wonder if someone else has done this, without being a hotel guest? I just don't want to be turned away and miss regular entry. It may be worth a try, though.

 

[bumbershoot]

Not that you are calling my a fibber but the first line from the DGC entrance starts marching back at 9:45. Anyone who isn't in the first wave is stopped there at the rope for the 10 am drop..

I have heard of this.

Alas, it did NOT work for us, and we were in line from approx 9am* there at the Grand/DCA entrance. It really sucked, b/c I got my family up even earlier than normal to do this special thing, and they did NOT let anyone in specially. They opened the DCA entrance at 9:30, same as the front gates, and NO ONE was let into the TSMM area, unless they had Grotto PS, until the rope dropped at 10.


*actually earlier b/c I got my times goofed up, but let's not talk about that in front of DH who tried to tell me but was rebuffed b/c it was my birthday and all must listen to Molly on her birthday even when she's steering them wrong.


And monicatb, we have had keycards checked at that entrance early in the morning. I personally would not feel comfy possibly messing things up if they were checking keycards, b/c you'll have already missed being among the first at the main DCA gates.

And if you don't wind up being let in early-early, as happened (or did not happen) with us, then you've really wasted some time.

 

[pixiewings71]

Here's a Hint (Shhh no tell anyone else)... Tell the CM's that you have PS reservations for Ariels Grotto at 9:45. They will let you through, then wait at Ariels till you see the mad rush of people then run for Toy Story... Don't go too early then will make you go back to the ropes...

When we had PS at AG they walked us there, they also had a list at the entrance that had our name on it, if your name wasn't there you didn't get in. Not worth it.

Please tell me more about this. This will be our first time at DLR, so please bear with me. From what I know, I'm supposed to be waiting by the park turnstiles, lets say at 9:15 am or earlier. Then they will let us in at 9:30 am and I'm supposed to walk to Soarin to get FP. Where do I go from there? Where am I supposed to find this special line?

Thanks

Here's what we do, we rarely stay on site. We get to the DCA gates at a little after 9, usually 9:15 or so, we go in and head to the GRR area, as we pass Soarin' we grab a FP. We then get in line with everyone else. We are in line by 9:35. We have NEVER seen them escort anyone back first, not once. The CM's there also have clipboards and if you have a PS at AG they will escort you or have you wait for an escort, they did not allow anyone to just walk on back. At 10 am they literally drop the rope and everyone goes to TSMM, we did this a few times and we were never able to ride 3 times in 30 min. We were able to ride 2 times then the girls wanted to go on Screamin so we gave them our APs for FPs for later and DBF and I were on TSMM again but it wasn't 30 min, it was more like 50 by the time we got on the 3rd time. And another time we did the same thing but we didn't even do the 3rd time, it took us 50 min to get on the 2nd time. So it varies based on when they drop the rope and how many people are waiting. Keep in mind there will be people coming from the Sunshine Plaza area as well so you've got crowds merging.......

Thanks a lot! This is great. Were there a lot of people later on? Kind of hard to get mixed in like this! As long as we're there like what? 9:30 am? They open this door at 9:45 am?
I just wonder if someone else has done this, without being a hotel guest? I just don't want to be turned away and miss regular entry. It may be worth a try, though.

I really don't suggest you try to get in thru the GCH entrance unless you have a room key. We heard a loud argument there once from someone who was trying to get in that way, the CM's didn't let them in and had to threaten calling security to get the person to go away. Now, IF you eat at WWS or Storyteller's you should be able to show your receipt and use the GCH entrance but I've never done that so I can't say for sure. The only time we used that entrance in the morning was when we were guests of the GCH.

 

[CrazyDuck]

When we had PS at AG they walked us there, they also had a list at the entrance that had our name on it, if your name wasn't there you didn't get in. Not worth it.

We always go through the GCH entrance. They didn't have a list. The CM escorted us half way then went back to the rope. When we got to Ariels we wandered outside for a while... TSMM is only a hop and skip from there.

 

[monicatb]

Hmmm... I guess it's a hit or miss then. Something else to think about.

 

[pixiewings71]

We always go through the GCH entrance. They didn't have a list. The CM escorted us half way then went back to the rope. When we got to Ariels we wandered outside for a while... TSMM is only a hop and skip from there.

Well that happened with you but not with us. Every person's story will be different and what I decscribed is what we experienced. We were escorted all the way to AG and our name was absolutely on a list, just like if you're going to M&F's before park opening, they have a list with your name and you are escorted to the Plaza Inn. In fact we were a few min. late because the CM with the clipboard had wandered and they wouldn't let us thru until they confirmed we had a ressie, we were worried we might have been skipped because we were late but we weren't, we did have to wait a little longer but the escort CM explained what happened and made sure we still had a table.

 

[Mom2micayla]

Depends on the day, but we probably hop around 8 out of 10 days. If we don't hop, we're at Disneyland all day.

 

[blackjackdelta]

The 3 times we used the GCH CA entrance(at opening), everyone was being carded/ticketed and there were some very unhappy people being told to go an alternate route. Later on different story.
The folks with AG ressies were escorted all the way to again and matched against a list(us 1 time). When the rope drop took place 80% took off running????Mom's dragging the little ones fast as they could. It was a road course(I-5 anywhere in Cali), bobbing weaving, pandamonium. One little got a good case of road rash from an over zealous parent. I saw the first 3 in the race get held until the pack passed.
All I could do is shake my head and laugh.
This was last August after the AP's were unblocked ****************************Its a great ride but.......................

Jack

 

[PineapplePrincessCA]

But it is so easy to hop, I don't see why anyone would choose to not hop.

OK, I'm just not "getting" this whole hopper thing. (???)

We have 2 days in Anaheim.
Day 1 we're planning on spending at DCA.
Day 2 we're planning on spending at DL. (w/ MM)


We have 3 little ones (ages 3, 4, and 5). Just seems like that would be a lot more walking if we went from one end to DL to one end of DCA.

Also, we're big planners and it just seems so much easier to plan DCA stuff one day and DL stuff the next day.


No??

I've read most of this thread, but (besides the margaritas at DCA ) I really don't understand why so many people "hop" if they're there for multiple days.

There seems to be enough to do at DCA for the day and I KNOW there is enough to do at DL for at least a day.

Obviously its just a preference, but I'm trying to decide if I should rethink our trip.

 

[LavenderPeach]

OK, I'm just not "getting" this whole hopper thing. (???)

We have 2 days in Anaheim.
Day 1 we're planning on spending at DCA.
Day 2 we're planning on spending at DL. (w/ MM)


We have 3 little ones (ages 3, 4, and 5). Just seems like that would be a lot more walking if we went from one end to DL to one end of DCA.

Also, we're big planners and it just seems so much easier to plan DCA stuff one day and DL stuff the next day.


No??

I've read most of this thread, but (besides the margaritas at DCA ) I really don't understand why so many people "hop" if they're there for multiple days.

There seems to be enough to do at DCA for the day and I KNOW there is enough to do at DL for at least a day.

Obviously its just a preference, but I'm trying to decide if I should rethink our trip.

I think the hopping has more to do with strategy than with running out of thins to do. DL opens earlier so you can start there and get lots of rides done and collect FPs in the morning before it gets crowded. Then, some people like to hop over to DCA when DL starts to fill up since DCA is usually less crowded. Then, you can hop back over to DL in the evening to use the FPs and see the fireworks or F!. That is a typical strategy but obviously not everyone does this.

Also, it used to be that DCA always opened at 10am (it's only recently that they open early sometimes) so even if someone wanted to be at DCA for rope drop, they could still get some things done at DL first.

Hope that helps.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I hop because traditionally in summer DL always opened at 8am while DCA opened at 10am. I say traditionally because WOC may cause them to change the DCA opening to 8am also. We will see. Anyway, assuming DL opens first, that is two extra hours of park time you don't get if you just go to DCA. First thing in the morning at DL is prime time. It is the best time to get FPs and get on those Fantasyland rides that are so long later in the day. As DL got more crowded around lunch time, we make sure we have a FP if we can get one, and then head over to DCA because it was always less crowded. We then pick up a FP for Soarin first thing. In our experience, TSMM has a slightly shorter line after 2pm and Monsters was often walk on around early evening.

If you find your little ones would love to go on FL rides again the second day, you may want to start over at DL too, at least for a little while.

Like I said, WOC may change everything- time and crowds. We will have to see.

 

[HydroGuy]

OK, I'm just not "getting" this whole hopper thing. (???)

We have 2 days in Anaheim.
Day 1 we're planning on spending at DCA.
Day 2 we're planning on spending at DL. (w/ MM)


We have 3 little ones (ages 3, 4, and 5). Just seems like that would be a lot more walking if we went from one end to DL to one end of DCA.

Also, we're big planners and it just seems so much easier to plan DCA stuff one day and DL stuff the next day.


No??

I've read most of this thread, but (besides the margaritas at DCA ) I really don't understand why so many people "hop" if they're there for multiple days.

There seems to be enough to do at DCA for the day and I KNOW there is enough to do at DL for at least a day.

Obviously its just a preference, but I'm trying to decide if I should rethink our trip.

Hopping at DLR actually makes for more efficient touring. You can collect more FPs and do more to dodge crowds. And walking from Main Street in DL into DCA is closer that walking from Main Street all the way back to Toontown or Splash Mtn in DL. It is so close it is not like you are hopping at all but more like going to a new "land".

 

[rentayenta]

We hop! The parks are so close together, nothing like WDW.

 

[disneychrista]

OK, I'm just not "getting" this whole hopper thing. (???)
We have 3 little ones (ages 3, 4, and 5). Just seems like that would be a lot more walking if we went from one end to DL to one end of DCA.

I think you find with little one's you won't have enough to do to fill up an entire day at DCA. Because of this you can easily hop over/back over to DL to fill up the day.