Fast Pass Strategy for DCA (and a entrance ticket question)

[PCat64]

Hi Everyone!

I haven't been to the DLR in a few years and my boyfriend hasn't been to DCA ever! We're planning to be there on July 5th (DCA) and July 6th (DL) - I usually like to start with DL but we don't have early entry with the 2-Day Hoppers. We would like to be able to do Radiator Springs Racers, the new Soarin' and the Frozen Show (preferably around 1pm) but not sure how to swing this in the most efficient way. If we can get Toy Story in there too, even better and maybe WOC FPs as well. Ideally, we'd ride all the rides before getting in line for the Frozen Show...is this possible? We do plan to be there at 7:30am (or earlier?) Is there a rope drop strategy?

I know I read around here (or was it the podcast) and it sounds like we don't have to rush right in for the Frozen FP, so I thought of going straight to either Soarin' or RSR and then getting the FP for Frozen, and then snagging a FP for whichever ride we didn't get to right off. Would this work, or what's a better way?

Also, we bought our DLR tickets via the DL website (with a Kaiser employee discount) and printed out the eticket, but it says we can use these straight away at the gate. If so, do they give us the actual ticket right when we scan in? I don't want to waste any time getting the actual ticket and slowing us down to get to a ride/FP! We were thinking of going to the ticket booths the night before to exchange ahead of time.

Thanks in advance for your seasoned advice!! We're so excited!

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Hmm. Just based on park layout, I'd ride one, grab a FP for the other, and then go and get the Frozen FP. Less backtracking and plus, that will put your FP return window sooner, opening up a ride FP for you earlier than if you grab Frozen first.

I don't know about getting a show at the time you want (July 5 might be crazy busy), but in general, that sounds like a good strategy to me.

 

[mom2rtk]

I wouldn't delay very long getting your Frozen FP. You have one day in DCA. And if you don't get a FP, you won't get to see the show. And since it will be the day after a holiday, you might find it pretty busy. There's no way to know.

Also keep in mind, you have no control over which show you will get tickets for. You'll really just have to roll with it to make sure you see it.

 

[bcla]

The question is where do you want to sit. We ended in the balcony. Lower would have been nicer.

My suggestion is head for Frozen first, the RSR FP, and then get in the standby line for Soarin'. The wait shouldn't be too long first thing in the morning.

 

[Geemo]

I wouldn't delay very long getting your Frozen FP. You have one day in DCA. And if you don't get a FP, you won't get to see the show. And since it will be the day after a holiday, you might find it pretty busy. There's no way to know.

Also keep in mind, you have no control over which show you will get tickets for. You'll really just have to roll with it to make sure you see it.

Does the Disney app indicate the FP show time for Frozen?
Can you get Frozen-FP info from OTTO?
Do the FP's assign you to a certain section of the theater?

TIA
Geemo

 

[bcla]

Does the Disney app indicate the FP show time for Frozen?
Can you get Frozen-FP info from OTTO?
Do the FP's assign you to a certain section of the theater?

TIA
Geemo

It will say orchestra, mezzanine, or balcony. They are issued in order. When the next show time comes up, it goes from balcony to orchestra.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Does the Disney app indicate the FP show time for Frozen? No
Can you get Frozen-FP info from OTTO? No.
Do the FP's assign you to a certain section of the theater? Yes.

TIA
Geemo

The Frozen FPs are very similar to WOC, as they will tell you the section and time of the show. They are not connected to other FPs so you can get them without having to worry about waiting 2 hours to get Soarin' or RSRs.

 

[dcfromva]

On July 5th, it looks like DCA opens at 8:00am. I believe the security screening line opens 30 mins before early entry hours (looks like Disneyland opens early on Tues at 7am), so that would be 6:30am--get in line at 6:00am. Then, I would try to get to be first in one of the lines for DCA (there will be a sign that says General Admission above the turnstiles). Once the gates open to the turnstiles, I would ask to get pre-scanned (I've noticed the cast members seem to do that anyway).

Here, my strategy breaks down. I'm not sure if I would try to go on an attraction first thing. Well, I'm never the first one at the attraction even if I am at the front of the line --Generally RSR instant 45 min line ahead of me at opening, but single rider line was much more manageable.

When I was there (15 Jun) I was told that all the Frozen FPes were generally gone within the first 1 to 1.5hrs after the park was open. I was advised to split the team--have one person get FPes for RSR and the other stand in line for Frozen (Note: you need your passes to get the FPes at both attractions, but the Frozen FPes were not linked). As it turned out I got the FPes for both attractions: RSR first and then joined the line for Frozen just a few minutes after park opening and it took me 30 minutes to get through the line. I got the first show (12:30pm mezzanine level). After you get both those, I would swing by and get WOC FPes and ride on Toy Story Mania, CA Screamin' and pick up a FP for Soarin' when the next FP window opened.

 

[ekatiel]

On July 5th, it looks like DCA opens at 8:00am. I believe the security screening line opens 30 mins before early entry hours (looks like Disneyland opens early on Tues at 7am), so that would be 6:30am--get in line at 6:00am. Then, I would try to get to be first in one of the lines for DCA (there will be a sign that says General Admission above the turnstiles). Once the gates open to the turnstiles, I would ask to get pre-scanned (I've noticed the cast members seem to do that anyway).

Here, my strategy breaks down. I'm not sure if I would try to go on an attraction first thing. Well, I'm never the first one at the attraction even if I am at the front of the line --Generally RSR instant 45 min line ahead of me at opening, but single rider line was much more manageable.

When I was there (15 Jun) I was told that all the Frozen FPes were generally gone within the first 1 to 1.5hrs after the park was open. I was advised to split the team--have one person get FPes for RSR and the other stand in line for Frozen (Note: you need your passes to get the FPes at both attractions, but the Frozen FPes were not linked). As it turned out I got the FPes for both attractions: RSR first and then joined the line for Frozen just a few minutes after park opening and it took me 30 minutes to get through the line. I got the first show (12:30pm mezzanine level). After you get both those, I would swing by and get WOC FPes and ride on Toy Story Mania, CA Screamin' and pick up a FP for Soarin' when the next FP window opened.

Are you recommending getting in line at 6am for an 8am opening?! That seems a little early. We have only done DL/DCA once, but we're WDW vets, and 45 minutes early at the turnstiles has always been plenty for us. Here's our plan: We're sending DH to run for Soarin' FPs at opening while we head to RSR. We will all meet up at RSR and ride stand by (wait will likely be 20 minutes by the time we all get there). Then, we'll do Lugi's and Mater's rides, and by that time, if DH did his job well and got us 8:45am return time Soarin' passes, we can pull an RSR FP for later in the day. Then, we'll head over just before 9am and get Frozen FP, WOC FP, and Ride Soarin' with our FPs. We are hoping for the 1:35pm showing of Frozen and the first showing of WOC. Hopefully, 9am will be enough for both.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Are you recommending getting in line at 6am for an 8am opening?! That seems a little early.

No kidding! What are they going to do for two hours?

 

[dcfromva]

Are you recommending getting in line at 6am for an 8am opening?! That seems a little early. We have only done DL/DCA once, but we're WDW vets, and 45 minutes early at the turnstiles has always been plenty for us. Here's our plan: We're sending DH to run for Soarin' FPs at opening while we head to RSR. We will all meet up at RSR and ride stand by (wait will likely be 20 minutes by the time we all get there). Then, we'll do Lugi's and Mater's rides, and by that time, if DH did his job well and got us 8:45am return time Soarin' passes, we can pull an RSR FP for later in the day. Then, we'll head over just before 9am and get Frozen FP, WOC FP, and Ride Soarin' with our FPs. We are hoping for the 1:35pm showing of Frozen and the first showing of WOC. Hopefully, 9am will be enough for both.

Yes, I agree it is a little early, but I am thinking it might be kind of busy and I think it might be easier to achieve the goals if first in line. If they head over there at 7:30am they will not be first in line.
Your plan may work out, but I would be nervous about getting FPes for Frozen if you head over there at 9am as the cast member I spoke with said that "sometimes" they are gone within the first hour.

 

[clm10308]

when I was there this past Thursday, we picked up FP for Frozen around 10:45am for the 4:00 show, and there was no wait at the FP machines, so unless you really want the first show, I wouldn't wait 30 min in line just to get the FP.

 

[PCat64]

Wow, thank you all for the suggestions! So, now I'm thinking to get to the gates a little earlier (but there's no way in heck that we will get there are 6am! )

ekatiel- I do like your plan! Too bad we can't just follow you around haha! I'm assuming you don't have early entry?

I guess we won't die if we can't see Frozen and we could actually see it the next day possibly. We'll figure this out one way or another and have fun whatever happens!

Can anyone answer my question about our printed eTickets - do they just give you the 'regular' card type ticket as you enter? Again, I don't want this to hold us up at all, especially if we can just go the evening before to the ticket booths and exchange.

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[dcfromva]

Wow, thank you all for the suggestions! So, now I'm thinking to get to the gates a little earlier (but there's no way in heck that we will get there are 6am! )

ekatiel- I do like your plan! Too bad we can't just follow you around haha! I'm assuming you don't have early entry?

I guess we won't die if we can't see Frozen and we could actually see it the next day possibly. We'll figure this out one way or another and have fun whatever happens!

Can anyone answer my question about our printed eTickets - do they just give you the 'regular' card type ticket as you enter? Again, I don't want this to hold us up at all, especially if we can just go the evening before to the ticket booths and exchange.

Thanks everyone!!!

Given that you can go either way on Frozen, I think your plan sounds fine.

 

[ekatiel]

Wow, thank you all for the suggestions! So, now I'm thinking to get to the gates a little earlier (but there's no way in heck that we will get there are 6am! )

ekatiel- I do like your plan! Too bad we can't just follow you around haha! I'm assuming you don't have early entry?

I guess we won't die if we can't see Frozen and we could actually see it the next day possibly. We'll figure this out one way or another and have fun whatever happens!

Can anyone answer my question about our printed eTickets - do they just give you the 'regular' card type ticket as you enter? Again, I don't want this to hold us up at all, especially if we can just go the evening before to the ticket booths and exchange.

Thanks everyone!!!

No, we get one MM entry, but we chose not to use it because the way our dates worked out (Using the MM entry at DL would make us have to go to DCA on a day where they had early entry and we weren't eligible). We'd rather go on a non-early entry morning and be among the first to enter the park (so we're doing DCA on a Saturday). We only have one day at DCA, so hopefully our plan works for us. We don't have any die-hard Frozen fans, so it won't be a huge deal if we miss it, but I'm pretty confident that there will be FPs left at 9am, probably even for the 1:35pm show.

 

[bcla]

Wow, thank you all for the suggestions! So, now I'm thinking to get to the gates a little earlier (but there's no way in heck that we will get there are 6am! )

ekatiel- I do like your plan! Too bad we can't just follow you around haha! I'm assuming you don't have early entry?

I guess we won't die if we can't see Frozen and we could actually see it the next day possibly. We'll figure this out one way or another and have fun whatever happens!

Can anyone answer my question about our printed eTickets - do they just give you the 'regular' card type ticket as you enter? Again, I don't want this to hold us up at all, especially if we can just go the evening before to the ticket booths and exchange.

Thanks everyone!!!

They're going to issue you the tickets and take your pictures. Don't believe you can do it at the ticket booth at all.

 

[figment_jii]

Does the Disney app indicate the FP show time for Frozen?
Can you get Frozen-FP info from OTTO?
Do the FP's assign you to a certain section of the theater?

Just to answer the first two questions...unfortunately, no, neither the Disneyland App or Ask Otto will tell you which show time/section they're distributing FPs for currently.

 

[pinkprincess30]

Can anyone answer my question about our printed eTickets - do they just give you the 'regular' card type ticket as you enter? Again, I don't want this to hold us up at all, especially if we can just go the evening before to the ticket booths and exchange.

Thanks everyone!!!

You will NOT have to stand in the ticket booth line. Present your e-ticket print outs at the turn styles and they will snap your photo and issue you real tickets right there at the gate. Have fun!

 

[PCat64]

Thanks, bcla and pinkprincess30 for the ticket answers! I don't feel like it's been that long since I've been to the parks but have never had my photo taken for a ticket before! Less than a week to go!

 

[DLRExpert]

Park opens at 8 be at entrance by 730
Once entrance opens head to Soarin FP line. Make sure you ask which one it is sice Soarin Standby and WOC FP lines will be nearby.
Once park opens get a FP for Soarin.
Head immediately to Toy Story Midway Mania through Grizzly area path.
After TSMM do Screamin, Fun wheel, and Goofy. Should be around 930 at this time.
Should be almost time to use Soarin FP, but grab a FP for WOC, put belongings in free lockers near Grizzly and ride Grizzly.
Then grab FP for RSR, FP for Frozen, then use FP for Soarin.
Once the 2 hours are up get a FP for Tower of Terror hopefully ycan time it so you can ride it before or after the Frozen sho.

ME