Doom Buggys, Pirates & Singing Birds our first night?

[Hound 109]

Hi all,

My other two strategy questions were answered so well, i thought i'd try another. 7 y/o son, his favorite aunt & me will arrive on Monday (early afternoon) & will tour DCA for a couple of hours before moving over to DL at 6pm. Since we'll be doing Fantasyland (& SM, Buzz & Matterhorn) early the next morning, I thought I'd veer to the left for our 6-11pm (this monday eve. 3/12) tour of DL.

I think i heard that Splash, the train & Twains island are closed & no Fantasmic or Fireworks on Monday (am i right?) It's been 40 years since i've been to DL, so i'd love to have our first 4 hours planned out. Assuming we want to do the following, what order would you think makes sense:

(I'm thinking...walk down main st. hang a left - grab a whip to share - & then)

- Jungle Cruise
- Treehouse (while i grab an Indy FP)
- Haunted Mansion
- Pirates
- Big Thunder
- Winnie Pooh
- (Fess Parker's Canoes?)
- Back to Indy.
- Annoying singing birds (while slurping on whipped floats)

Is there an order (or strategy) that you would use (given it will be 6pm - 11pm on a Monday). What counterservice would you nab (if we get hungry) so we don't eat the Rabbit at Pooh. Have i forgotten a "must do"? Any "must do" counter food in New Orleans - or anywhere else on the "left side" of the park?

Thanks in advance!

hound

 

[HydroGuy]

When are you going again? It may influence how you handle FASTPASS.

Tiki Room should go first as that will be the least crowded early evening.

Counter service restaurants on that side of the park include Rancho Del Zocalo and Hungry Bear.

 

[Pirate-Emery]

I just returned from DLR this past weekend, and let me say: there is absolutely no line for Haunted Mansion. It's walk-on.

As is Pooh and Annoying Birds. Jungle Cruise is hit or miss: it was walk-on early in the morning, but it may have the Late Night Crowd.

I went on Pirates late at night last Saturday and it wasn't that bad (for Pete's sake, GO RIGHT when you come to the choice).

Big Thunder and Indy are your biggest lines. BTM is REALLY fun at night (best ride at night, in my opinion), so it might be a little crowded: but it is well worth the wait.

A Fastpass for Indy is wise. You chose.... wisely.

 

[Hound 109]

When are you going again? It may influence how you handle FASTPASS.

Requesting info for this monday. 3/12.

Planned trip so far:

Arrive This Monday @ 2pm at Fairfield.

(DCA 3-6pm) (DL 6pm - 11pm)

Tuesday - DL EE 8am - 10am.
DCA - 10am - 1pm rest from 1pm - 4pm
DL - 5pm - 10pm.

Wed. morn - 9am - 11am.

Thanks HydroGuy (& others).

hound

 

[HydroGuy]

They may run out of Indy FASTPASS (FP) by the time you get there, in which case you will need to ride it standby. The FP availability depends on how busy it is that day. BTMRR FP will not run out, but if days are not that busy they do not even turn on the FP machines.

If you can get an Indy FP, you will be able to get a BTMRR FP 2 hours later if the FP machiens are open. So keep that in mind.

The early evening will be more crowded, and it will get progressively less crowded as the evening progresses. With that in mind, consider doing this:

1. Get an Indy FP if they have any left - if not get a BTMRR FP
2. Do Tiki Room and Treehouse first - lines will be shortest
3. POTC, HM and Winnie the Pooh - lines usually not bad after 6-7PM
4. Jungle Cruise
5. Indy and BTMRR

Canoes usually close at dusk, and I am not sure if they are operating with all of the work on the island.

 

[Hound 109]

I just returned from DLR this past weekend, and let me say: there is absolutely no line for Haunted Mansion. It's walk-on.

Big Thunder and Indy are your biggest lines. BTM is REALLY fun at night (best ride at night, in my opinion), so it might be a little crowded: but it is well worth the wait.

A Fastpass for Indy is wise. You chose.... wisely.

Thanks for the info, Pirate. Your post reminded me of when we were at WDW MK last year. On an evening EMH we decided to "do rides" during the parade & fireworks that day.....we were on BTM when the fireworks began...it was really cool....almost psychedelic.

Obviously fireworks are best enjoyed the "in front of the castle" more traditional way, but we still talk about watching them from a "runaway mountain train".

 

[Hound 109]

1. Get an Indy FP if they have any left - if not get a BTMRR FP
2. Do Tiki Room and Treehouse first - lines will be shortest
3. POTC, HM and Winnie the Pooh - lines usually not bad after 6-7PM
4. Jungle Cruise
5. Indy and BTMRR

Canoes usually close at dusk, and I am not sure if they are operating with all of the work on the island.

Thanks HydroGuy.

If they run out of FP for Indy, we'll just do it one of the other 2 days. We will follow your advice above.

hound

Anybody recommend the New Orleans counter service? (Monte Cristos?, Po Boys?) thanks.

 

[iceskatejen]

Last night, they still had Indy FPs even after the fireworks (and at 9:45-9:50pm they were for 10:30-11:30pm). Even the stand-by was only 25 minutes.