Epic, One-day Park Hopping Plan w/Lightning Lane Multipass - Thoughts?

[Duffy Lover]

Alrighty, peeps! We are going to California in October and we have one day, yes, just one day to park hop DL and DCA. I've already bought the park hopping tickets with Lightning Lane Multipass and we cannot add extra days due to the schedule we need to keep. It is me, my DH, and two older teenage kiddos who have been to WDW lots, but only DLR once when they were little. We want to do unique experiences that are not duplicated over at WDW, so we have no desire to Galaxy's Edge as an example. I will be buying a single pass for Radiator Springs Racers, too.

I'm a big fan of Chat GPT in situations such as this, so I asked it to write us a park plan and then updated it a number of times until we settled at the plan listed below. Here's where you come in as humans... What would you tweak? Recommend? Change? I feel like it isn't the best use of LLM (are we calling it that?). We are going to be there from open to close. I do have a reservation at the Lamplight Lounge in the late afternoon as a break and we will also be eating all the quick-service and snacks we can as our breaks.

So here's what Chat GPT came up with:
Here’s your updated one-day touring plan for Disneyland and California Adventure, now including "Web Slingers":

### Morning: Disneyland Park
1. **Rope Drop (Park Opening)**
- Arrive at Disneyland Park before opening. Head straight to **Indiana Jones Adventure**, a thrilling ride exclusive to Disneyland.

2. **Pirates of the Caribbean**
- Experience the original and longer version of this classic attraction.

3. **Haunted Mansion**
- Enjoy Disneyland’s version, which has unique features and seasonal overlays different from Walt Disney World.

4. **Lightning Lane Selection: Matterhorn Bobsleds**
- Use your Lightning Lane to skip the line for the Matterhorn, a Disneyland-exclusive roller coaster.

5. **Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage**
- Dive underwater in this unique submarine ride, exclusive to Disneyland.

6. **Big Thunder Mountain Railroad**
- Experience the original and slightly different version of this classic roller coaster.

### Late Morning: Park Hop to California Adventure
7. **Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!**
- Head over to California Adventure and use your Lightning Lane for this thrilling and reimagined version of the Tower of Terror.

8. **Radiator Springs Racers**
- Experience this exciting and immersive Cars-themed attraction.

9. **Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure**
- Engage in an interactive experience where you help Spider-Man capture rogue Spider-Bots.

### Lunch:
10. **Pym Test Kitchen (California Adventure)**
- Enjoy a meal with oversized and tiny food portions inspired by Ant-Man and The Wasp.

### Early Afternoon: California Adventure
11. **Incredicoaster**
- Ride this thrilling roller coaster themed to The Incredibles, offering great views of the park.

12. **Lightning Lane Selection: Toy Story Midway Mania**
- Use Lightning Lane for this interactive 4D shooting game, with a slightly different experience than the Walt Disney World version.

13. **Soarin' Around the World**
- Experience this popular ride with breathtaking views, offering a different experience than at Walt Disney World.

### Late Afternoon: Park Hop Back to Disneyland
14. **Space Mountain**
- Use Lightning Lane for the original Space Mountain, which has different theming and track layout compared to Disney World.

15. **Indiana Jones Adventure**
- If you want to revisit this thrilling attraction, now is a good time to do so.

### Evening:
16. **Enchanted Tiki Room**
- Enjoy a classic Disney show with a tropical flair unique to Disneyland.

17. **New Orleans Square**
- Explore this unique area of Disneyland with its charming shops and atmosphere.

18. **Matterhorn Bobsleds**
- If you want to experience the Matterhorn again, this is a great time to ride it with fewer crowds.

### Night:
19. **Fireworks and Nighttime Shows**
- Watch Disneyland’s fireworks from Main Street, or head over to California Adventure for **World of Color** (make sure to secure a viewing spot early).

20. **End of the Day**
- Revisit favorite attractions or explore more unique shops and experiences in both parks.

### Tips:
- Keep an eye on the Disneyland app to check wait times and make additional Lightning Lane selections throughout the day.
- Prioritize attractions with shorter waits during the morning and use Lightning Lane for popular rides later in the day.
- Stay hydrated and take breaks as needed, especially if it’s a hot day.

This plan should give you a full day of unique experiences at Disneyland and California Adventure, with "Web Slingers" included!

 

[LKing]

My thoughts. Too much time spent walking and criss-crossing across the parks.
1. Indy is often not open first thing in the morning.
2. Haunted Mansion is VQ. If you have a reservation at Disneyland as your starting park, try for VQ at 7 am. You ride when they tell you that you can ride.
3. Use LLMP for Big Thunder
4. If you are starting in Adventureland and NOS, do Big Thunder then rather than walking to the other side of the park and back.
5. RSR - since your kids are older, if you don't need to be in the same car, I would try for single rider before purchasing LLSP.
6. Use LLMP for all of the DCA rides you have listed
7. If you aren't using LLMP, do Guardians and then Webslingers (or vice versa) before heading into CarsLand and then walking back to Pyms.
8. Why Soarin? It is the same as WDW.
9. Afternoon hop back to Disneyland... Space Mountain should have been done in the morning when you are around Matterhorn and Nemo. It is an easy single rider line when it first opens.
10. No reason to hoof it to Space Mountain and then across the park to Indy. Are you doing Indy twice? At rope drop and in the afternoon?
11. Lines for Matterhorn are long in the evening as well.
12. Are you going to view Fantasmic, WOC, fireworks or any parades? If so, which ones?
13. You have a Lamplight reservation for late afternoon, yet this has you in DL in the late afternoon.
14. Do you have no interest in the Fantasyland rides that are not at WDW?

Have you seen Brian L's list comparing the rides at WDW and DL?

DL Exclusive Attractions:
Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye (uses same ride system as DINOSAUR at AK)
Snow White's Enchanted Wish
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Mister Toad's Wild Ride
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Alice in Wonderland
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
Roger Rabbit's Car-Toon Spin
Chip & Dale's Gadget Coaster
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
The Matterhorn (note this uses the same ride system as Space Mountain at MK)
Space Mountain (same theme but completely different ride)

DL Similar but not exactly the same:
Enchanted Tiki Room - longer show
Pirates of the Caribbean - longer with more show scenes
Haunted Mansion - even without the Nightmare overlay it is slightly different - likely VQ in October
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh - likely closed in October
Big Thunder Mountain - some additional effects and scenery
Autopia - much longer than the Tomorrowland Speedway, but basically the same
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters - removable laser blasters make it a little better

DL Exactly (or basically) the same:
Peter Pan's Flight - technically some minor differences
Dumbo
King Aruthur Carousel
Milennium Falcon: Smugglers Run - all of Galaxy's Edge is practically identical
Rise of the Resistance
Mad Tea Party
Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway - The queue is very different and cool - may be new to you and is worth it if so.
Star Tours
Astro Orbitor - though at ground level

CA Exclusive Attractions:
Monsters Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue
Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout - based on Tower of Terror, though the DL version works a little differently
WEB Slingers
Radiator Springs Racers - this is like a massively bigger Test Track
Luigi's Rollicking Roadsters
Incredicoaster
Inside-Out Emotional Whirlwind
Silly Symphony Swings - though this is an off-the shelf "wave swinger" ride
Jumpin' Jellyfish
Golden Zephyr
Goofy's Sky School

CA Similar but not exactly the same:
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree - the same as Alien Swirling Saucers
Grizzly River Run - longer version of Kali River Rapids - definitely a wet ride!

CA Exactly (or basically) the same:
Mickey's Philharmagic! - smaller screen though
Turtle Talk with Crush
Ariel's Undersea Adventure - same as Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
Jessie's Critter Carousel
Soarin'

 

[irlandaise]

1. Indy is often not open first thing in the morning.

Which means they might not be able to ride it first thing, but on the other hand, they might end up with a Multi-Experience Pass from it being down, right?

 

[LKing]

Which means they might not be able to ride it first thing, but on the other hand, they might end up with a Multi-Experience Pass from it being down, right?

I do not know much about MEP. Doesn't the ride have to be open and then go down in order to receive a MEP?

 

[Duffy Lover]

My thoughts. Too much time spent walking and criss-crossing across the parks.
1. Indy is often not open first thing in the morning.
2. Haunted Mansion is VQ. If you have a reservation at Disneyland as your starting park, try for VQ at 7 am. You ride when they tell you that you can ride.
3. Use LLMP for Big Thunder
4. If you are starting in Adventureland and NOS, do Big Thunder then rather than walking to the other side of the park and back.
5. RSR - since your kids are older, if you don't need to be in the same car, I would try for single rider before purchasing LLSP.
6. Use LLMP for all of the DCA rides you have listed
7. If you aren't using LLMP, do Guardians and then Webslingers (or vice versa) before heading into CarsLand and then walking back to Pyms.
8. Why Soarin? It is the same as WDW.
9. Afternoon hop back to Disneyland... Space Mountain should have been done in the morning when you are around Matterhorn and Nemo. It is an easy single rider line when it first opens.
10. No reason to hoof it to Space Mountain and then across the park to Indy. Are you doing Indy twice? At rope drop and in the afternoon?
11. Lines for Matterhorn are long in the evening as well.
12. Are you going to view Fantasmic, WOC, fireworks or any parades? If so, which ones?
13. You have a Lamplight reservation for late afternoon, yet this has you in DL in the late afternoon.
14. Do you have no interest in the Fantasyland rides that are not at WDW?

Have you seen Brian L's list comparing the rides at WDW and DL?

DL Exclusive Attractions:
Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye (uses same ride system as DINOSAUR at AK)
Snow White's Enchanted Wish
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Mister Toad's Wild Ride
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Alice in Wonderland
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
Roger Rabbit's Car-Toon Spin
Chip & Dale's Gadget Coaster
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
The Matterhorn (note this uses the same ride system as Space Mountain at MK)
Space Mountain (same theme but completely different ride)

DL Similar but not exactly the same:
Enchanted Tiki Room - longer show
Pirates of the Caribbean - longer with more show scenes
Haunted Mansion - even without the Nightmare overlay it is slightly different - likely VQ in October
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh - likely closed in October
Big Thunder Mountain - some additional effects and scenery
Autopia - much longer than the Tomorrowland Speedway, but basically the same
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters - removable laser blasters make it a little better

DL Exactly (or basically) the same:
Peter Pan's Flight - technically some minor differences
Dumbo
King Aruthur Carousel
Milennium Falcon: Smugglers Run - all of Galaxy's Edge is practically identical
Rise of the Resistance
Mad Tea Party
Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway - The queue is very different and cool - may be new to you and is worth it if so.
Star Tours
Astro Orbitor - though at ground level

CA Exclusive Attractions:
Monsters Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue
Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout - based on Tower of Terror, though the DL version works a little differently
WEB Slingers
Radiator Springs Racers - this is like a massively bigger Test Track
Luigi's Rollicking Roadsters
Incredicoaster
Inside-Out Emotional Whirlwind
Silly Symphony Swings - though this is an off-the shelf "wave swinger" ride
Jumpin' Jellyfish
Golden Zephyr
Goofy's Sky School

CA Similar but not exactly the same:
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree - the same as Alien Swirling Saucers
Grizzly River Run - longer version of Kali River Rapids - definitely a wet ride!

CA Exactly (or basically) the same:
Mickey's Philharmagic! - smaller screen though
Turtle Talk with Crush
Ariel's Undersea Adventure - same as Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
Jessie's Critter Carousel
Soarin'

Amazing advice! Thank you!!!

 

[irlandaise]

I do not know much about MEP. Doesn't the ride have to be open and then go down in order to receive a MEP?

Hmmm, I'm pretty sure I've seen people in the DL forum report that they got an MEP first thing because Indy didn't open in time. Hopefully someone who's done that can drop in here and tell us whether Indy was up before it went down or was down at opening.

 

[MonocularVision]

If you have a LL for Indy at opening and it doesn’t open, it will usually convert to a MEP. This is true with most rides. Sometimes they might know a ride will open shortly after opening so it won’t convert but generally I see it work

 

[OlliePop27]

My initial reaction is that it's not the best plan for DLR exclusive attractions. Soarin and Toy Story Mania are near clones of their WDW counterparts.

If your family is interested, rope dropping the Fantasyland dark rides is a great use of time. Some people don't like these, but to me this is quintessential Disneyland. The old, classic slow moving dark rides. Most of these are DLR exclusive (at least domestically) - Alice, Toad, Snow White, Pinocchio, Casey Jr., Storybookland. Most of the other rides are LLMP, so easier to do later in the day, whereas none of the Fantasyland dark rides have LL (I omitted Peter Pan because it's substantially the same as the Magic Kingdom version and usually has a long line).

I recommend doing Pirates at DL, as it's much different than the WDW version. HM will be holiday mode, which is a completely different ride.

 

[farmfresh2]

I think you got a very ChatGPT list there! I love the suggestion for NOS at night - don't try exploring it if Fantasmic is on!

Indy is definitely better as LL. VQ HM as OP said. I'd hit Matterhorn first, then on to BTMRR, POC. Try for Space Mountain earlier.
Nemo is a big time sink and not that great a ride. I'd take the FL dark rides over it anytime.
In DCA, I would use an ILL for RSR and try to get close to your Lamplighter's time. I would do Webslingers, Guardians, Grizzly , Incredicoaster. Then back to DL.

A better strategy might be to start with the OP's Brian's list, then figure out what you actually want to do. That will give you a very different plan. For example, most here would do the dark rides listed above at rope drop, while booking something like Indy to follow. But if you don't want to do those, then your plan will look very different. LLs will be your friends here, but best to be very familiar with the system so you can have a plan but can modify as you refresh the app and hopefully find better times.

You don't say you will be staying at a Disney Hotel. That means you have to factor in potentially starting behind an Early Entry group. You also are coming in October - guessing you have allowed for DCA early closing days for OGBB. October is very busy now, so expect big crowds, even on non OGBB days. And do allow time for moving d round the parks. It's not that easy to move around during parades etc, although park hopping is easy.

Still, even with the best plan, you have a lot to cover in one day. The 'DL/DCA only' list is 25 rides. So I'd suggest there are a few 'DL Only' rides you might skip (or at least not prioritise) either because of given your kids' ages, the time they take, or because they aren't that hugely popular or a bit of each!. (marked with an * - they match up quite well with your list)

DL Exclusive Attractions:
Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye (uses same ride system as DINOSAUR at AK)
Snow White's Enchanted Wish
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Mister Toad's Wild Ride
*Casey Jr. Circus Train
*Storybook Land Canal Boats
Alice in Wonderland
*Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
*Roger Rabbit's Car-Toon Spin
*Chip & Dale's Gadget Coaster
*Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
The Matterhorn (note this uses the same ride system as Space Mountain at MK)
Space Mountain (same theme but completely different ride)

CA Exclusive Attractions:
*Monsters Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue
Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout - based on Tower of Terror, though the DL version works a little differently
WEB Slingers
Radiator Springs Racers - this is like a massively bigger Test Track
Luigi's Rollicking Roadsters
Incredicoaster
*Inside-Out Emotional Whirlwind
*Silly Symphony Swings - though this is an off-the shelf "wave swinger" ride
*Jumpin' Jellyfish
*Golden Zephyr
Goofy's Sky School

That would leave you with a tighter list of headliners. Good luck - it will be a great trip!

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

What day in October? Is it an Oogie Boogie Bash night? That would make a big difference to the plan.

 

[Duffy Lover]

My initial reaction is that it's not the best plan for DLR exclusive attractions. Soarin and Toy Story Mania are near clones of their WDW counterparts.

If your family is interested, rope dropping the Fantasyland dark rides is a great use of time. Some people don't like these, but to me this is quintessential Disneyland. The old, classic slow moving dark rides. Most of these are DLR exclusive (at least domestically) - Alice, Toad, Snow White, Pinocchio, Casey Jr., Storybookland. Most of the other rides are LLMP, so easier to do later in the day, whereas none of the Fantasyland dark rides have LL (I omitted Peter Pan because it's substantially the same as the Magic Kingdom version and usually has a long line).

I recommend doing Pirates at DL, as it's much different than the WDW version. HM will be holiday mode, which is a completely different ride.

Thanks for the tip on Soarin'. I had thought they were still running the California version. We may or may not want to do the classic dark rides... Teenagers and all...

 

[irlandaise]

Thanks for the tip on Soarin'. I had thought they were still running the California version.

Unfortunately, they only do that version during the Food & Wine Festival in the spring.

We may or may not want to do the classic dark rides... Teenagers and all...

I remember once looking at a Disneyland tour guide book that rated attractions by how popular they were with each age group. A lot of them took a nose dive among teenagers.

 

[nalababybear]

High level questions....what date? Ooggie boogie runs Tuesday Thurs Sundays and DCA closes.down early AND mayhem after 3pm during the mixin.

Staying on property? Early entry is available.and.changes the equation.

Teens and wdw. What's your Marvel love? AC has a lot of shows and they are pretty good...especially deadpool storyline limited run.

Fantasmic! Interest is very different. Dining package with 2nd show would be my suggestion and hit rides.post 2nd show.locally easily.

Fireworks at GE. Unique and not what you experience at WDW. Vs world of color show.

Onto the rides with LLMP

700AM. VQ HM.
800. Tap in. LL. Indy. Will.flip MEP if not open
800. RS ILL.
800 Rope drop. Space
900 ride matterhorn
Skip submarines until afternoon
930. Ride big thunder mountain
1000 ride indy if notlLL already. Ll gotg
1100 pirates if you have want. Longer buy nice. Order Bengal BBQ quick service.
1200 move to dca
1300 mix in depending on ll and wait times. Websljngers ac shows, mater and gotg.
1600. Single rider incredicoaster.
1700 vomit circle of death swinging wheel.

Since wdw...would skip unless.must do
Rotr
Sr
Mania
Mickey run away
Star Tours

If you're really into cars. The evening lightup of carsland is unique and a great experience.

Would time that with ac stuff and a quick meal at lightlamp or quicmservixe pyms kitchen. Grab outside seating. And time with assemble or wakanda shows.

Back to disneyland nights shows and hit submarine and toontown before closing and fanasyland rides.

After 2nd show pirates big thunder at night and fantasyland whatever left and space again since you'll love.it.compared to wdw.

 

[Duffy Lover]

You guys are the best! You truly can only trust Chat GPT to get you some ideas, but not for a full-on accurate plan. That's why I asked y'all!

Here are some further details. We're going on a Monday and there is not an OBB - that is the night before, and early entry is for DCA. Totally aware about the crowds, I was originally shocked at how much more the tickets were than those for September, so that was a big indicator. We're staying at the Sheraton across from the Toy Story lot and we plan to use that bus as I understand it has its own bag check at rope drop.

I love all your ideas! This one is interesting as we weren't planning on even entering SGE:

Fireworks at GE. Unique and not what you experience at WDW. Vs world of color show.

This also makes sense, as I see WOC is down when we're there.

I'm so excited for this mini-vacation... I started a very new, stressful job in July and to have a long weekend in California with my family is just what I needed to fill up my bucket. Thanks again!

 

[OlliePop27]

You guys are the best! You truly can only trust Chat GPT to get you some ideas, but not for a full-on accurate plan. That's why I asked y'all!

Here are some further details. We're going on a Monday and there is not an OBB - that is the night before, and early entry is for DCA. Totally aware about the crowds, I was originally shocked at how much more the tickets were than those for September, so that was a big indicator. We're staying at the Sheraton across from the Toy Story lot and we plan to use that bus as I understand it has its own bag check at rope drop.

I love all your ideas! This one is interesting as we weren't planning on even entering SGE:



This also makes sense, as I see WOC is down when we're there.

I'm so excited for this mini-vacation... I started a very new, stressful job in July and to have a long weekend in California with my family is just what I needed to fill up my bucket. Thanks again!

As you seem to know, Mondays are the most crowded day of the week. You'll still have a great time, just be mentally prepared.

Disneyland is weird in that the lowest price ticket days are actually more crowded than the higher price ticket days. This is partially by design, but crowd flow has been really out of whack in recent years.

 

[Duffy Lover]

 

[Duffy Lover]

Crappy pic of partial fireworks from our room!

 

[nalababybear]

You're going on Monday rifht?

so another chance to see tomorrow if you're around and just watch from the Mcdonald parking lot off harbor down the street from you.

May the force be with you.

 

[lalasmama]

Haven't read through all the responses because it's bedtime, but as I was reading this with my husband, he pointed out the use of LLMP without it necessarily paying attention to the time frames-- the chance you're going to be getting LL times in close succession would mean there were really short wait times. I wouldn't really count on the ability to use you LLMPs one after another like that.