Early Entry Day at DL

[Hound 109]

We will enjoy an early entry day this coming tuesday at DL (opening at 8am - & we'll be there at 8am). Given that i DON'T want to do Matterhorn or SM first - I want to ease into the bigger rides. I was thinking that I would do the following with my 8 y/o & his favorite auntie (in order):

- Dumbo.
- Senor Toad.
- Peter Pan.
- Snow White (& that mean ol' witch)
- Pinocchio
- Matterhorn (if he's ready for it)
- Alice
- Buzz Lightyear.

Pick up a FP @ SM at 9am.

(& ride teacups sick: ), carousel & perhaps matterhorn again after 9am)

Am I thinking right? Would you attack Fantasyland different during this crucial early hour?

Thanks.

Hound

 

[dizzyami]

I would hit Peter Pan first - this ride always seems to get a line right away. After that, any order is good!

 

[got2travel]

I would move Peter Pan to the top of your list and put Alice before the Matterhorn. Otherwise, looks like a great plan.

 

[Hound 109]

I would hit Peter Pan first - this ride always seems to get a line right away. After that, any order is good!

Peter & Wendy before that Flying Elephant?

I thought it was best to get that lame carnival ride...er.... i mean.....that sweet elephant ride out of the way first?

< & Moved Alice & her psychedlic friends ahead of Matterhorn per Got to Travel's instruction >

& I just read that SM has lights on???!!! I'm thinking i need to move it up the list since the factor isn't as great.

I'm so looking forward to DL....it's been 40 years for me.

 

[dizzyami]

Peter & Wendy before that Flying Elephant?

I thought it was best to get that lame carnival ride...er.... i mean.....that sweet elephant ride out of the way first?

& I just read that SM has lights on???!!! I'm thinking i need to move it up the list since the factor isn't as great.

I'm so looking forward to DL....it's been 40 years for me.

If you want to look at it from that perspective - then you are 100% correct (I won't tell Dumbo what you said). In terms of efficiency and getting through the rides - it is Peter Pan all the way. If you don't get there first, you will spend a decent chunk of time waiting for it later. Also remember that you can FP SM, so you might want to knock out the fantasyland rides first.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[HydroGuy]

Peter & Wendy before that Flying Elephant?

I thought it was best to get that lame carnival ride...er.... i mean.....that sweet elephant ride out of the way first?

& I just read that SM has lights on???!!! I'm thinking i need to move it up the list since the factor isn't as great.

I'm so looking forward to DL....it's been 40 years for me.

Yes, Peter Pan will build up most quickly in the morning followed by Dumbo. After these two the next two to do are Alice and Matterhorn.

Try very hard to have your bodies standing in line at the DL gates at least 15 minutes before EE starts - 30 minutes early is better. If you do that, you will zip through your EE time. If you get to the gates right when they open, you will be behind lots of people and that will significantly restrict what you can get done during EE.

I believe Space Mtn only has lights in the evening, but during the day it is the regular Space Mtn. Does anyone know if this is in fact the case? And this is only until late April.

 

[Hound 109]

Try very hard to have your bodies standing in line at the DL gates at least 15 minutes before EE starts - 30 minutes early is better. .......

I have printed many of your rules & posts, HydroGuy.

The "bodies" will be up & in line per your instructions.

Thanks for all the advice, guys.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

Yup, another vote for Peter Pan then Dumbo right after. They will both fill up quickly. I would put Snow White and Pinocchio on the bottom of your list, they never seem to have much of a line while we are there.

 

[Hound 109]

(I won't tell Dumbo what you said). In terms of efficiency and getting through the rides - it is Peter Pan all the way. /QUOTE]

Thanks dizzyami...i WAS kidding......swear.

With all this most excellent advice (from the many experts above)....I hearby revise the Tuesday morn. schedule as follows:

- up at the crack of dawn. (what time should we walk out of the Fairfield Suite in order to be in line at 7:30 am?)

- Will move up Main St. & into Fantasyland like George Constanza exited the burning (birthday party) girlfriend's apt.

- Peter Pan.

- Dumbo. (if he'll have me)

- Alice.

- Matterhorn.

- Senor Toad.

- Snow White.

- Pinnochio.

- Buzz and/or SM. (and/or FP for these).

- Breathe & enjoy this most magical place the rest of morning.

- (will take a mid day rest per HydroGuy's rules).

hound

 

[dizzyami]

(I won't tell Dumbo what you said). In terms of efficiency and getting through the rides - it is Peter Pan all the way. /QUOTE]

Thanks dizzyami...i WAS kidding......swear.

With all this most excellent advice (from the many experts above)....I hearby revise the Tuesday morn. schedule as follows:

- up at the crack of dawn. (what time should we walk out of the Fairfield Suite in order to be in line at 7:30 am?)

- Will move up Main St. & into Fantasyland like George Constanza exited the burning (birthday party) girlfriend's apt.

- Peter Pan.

- Dumbo. (if he'll have me)

- Alice.

- Matterhorn.

- Senor Toad.

- Snow White.

- Pinnochio.

- Buzz and/or SM. (and/or FP for these).

- Breathe & enjoy this most magical place the rest of morning.

- (will take a mid day rest per HydroGuy's rules).

hound

I am sure Dumbo will have you - just watch out for the Dumbo in front of him - you don't want to be down wind of a mad elephant!!!

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks dizzyami...i WAS kidding......swear.

With all this most excellent advice (from the many experts above)....I hearby revise the Tuesday morn. schedule as follows:

- up at the crack of dawn. (what time should we walk out of the Fairfield Suite in order to be in line at 7:30 am?)

- Will move up Main St. & into Fantasyland like George Constanza exited the burning (birthday party) girlfriend's apt.

- Peter Pan.

- Dumbo. (if he'll have me)

- Alice.

- Matterhorn.

- Senor Toad.

- Snow White.

- Pinnochio.

- Buzz and/or SM. (and/or FP for these).

- Breathe & enjoy this most magical place the rest of morning.

- (will take a mid day rest per HydroGuy's rules).

hound

You forgot the part about having your "bodies" in line. Seriously, I say that because some people think it means walk out the hotel or be at the security line. As you have obviously grasped, it means be standing in line.

On days where DLR has shorter hours (closes at 8 or 9PM) then the afternoon break idea is not as worthwhile. It works best when DL is open until 11PM or midnight.

FWIW, when we enter DL in the morning we do not run. We do not even "walk fast". What we do is "walk with purpose".

And it is all a tradeoff. Some people think it is too stressful to do all of this. By being more "relaxed" about things they end up waiting in long lines later in the day. Well, they have traded one kind of stress for another kind of stress, IMO.

Although we do walk with purpose in the morning, we typically are not stressed about it. It usually has a more relaxed feeling to it.

Now, the Fairfield. I believe you are talking about the Fairfield behind the McDonald's on Harbor. If it were me, I would try to be walking out the hotel room door at 7:15AM. But I would not get too stressed about that. I have four kids and it is hard to get everyone out the door. The last time we did EE we were out the door 15 minutes late and "we got our bodies in line" about 15 minutes before EE started. Even so, we were about the 10th group in line and were through the gates by two minutes after the gates opened. Peter Pan and Dumbo were walk-ons - zero lines. So if you shoot for 7:15AM and run a few minutes late, do not sweat it. Just make sure you are in line by 7:45AM at the latest. If you make it by 7:30AM, all the better.

 

[Hound 109]

On days where DLR has shorter hours (closes at 8 or 9PM) then the afternoon break idea is not as worthwhile. It works best when DL is open until 11PM or midnight.

And it is all a tradeoff. Some people think it is too stressful to do all of this. By being more "relaxed" about things they end up waiting in long lines later in the day.

Now, the Fairfield. I believe you are talking about the Fairfield behind the McDonald's on Harbor. If it were me, I would try to be walking out the hotel room door at 7:15AM.

Even if only for an hour to hop in the pool or nap for an hour we like to take a rest. Allows us to enjoy the park at 8AM (when it opens) AND until 11PM (when it closes that week). I've learned the hard way a mid day "rest" is needed for my family (& i suspect most families).

I "stress" when i don't have a plan. When I have a plan I'm relaxed ...w/o a plan, I'm not

Yes, behind the McDonalds...(we'll need to give ourselves a few extra minutes to grab some coffee & mcmuffins to consume as we wait PATIENTLY IN LINE AT 7:30 AM. )

Thanks for all the help guys. And if any newbie is reading this, follow the advice of HydroGuy & the others here.

hound

ps - Can't wait to have a dole whip float & see ol' Mr. Toad....i'll report back & let you know how it went.