Feedback on a new itinerary

[damaris13]

I know this is long, but could you give me feedback on this new itinerary? Guests visiting are DD2, DH, and me. DD2 loved ALL the rides at WDW last year (that she could ride), so we're not too worried about taking her on anything this year. Obviously she can't go on Indi, SM, CS, and Soarin'. We're skipping Star Tours (not because it will be crowded, but because we do not like that style of ride), ToT (no random drops=same ol' ride at WDW...and I couldn't even tell the difference there with the random drops), the river rapids (can't see getting we by ourselves), Aladdin (difficult to put into words, but we're okay missing it), the Bug land (may swing by, but we'll be okay missing it to see everything else).

I would just like to see if this is doable the way it's set up. I've given chunks of times to ride rides, and we'll be using MouseWaits to check the line times. Thank you in advance!

Itinerary…Plan B
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
6:15 … Leave Anabella to go to the park
6:40 … Be in line for security check (get front gate pictures LATER)
7 … Gates open—head straight back to FL
7-8… All 3 ride the following (in this order):
• Peter Pan
• Dumbo
• Alice
• Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
• Maybe Snow White/Tea Cups
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
• Finding Nemo (depending on line)
8:01… I grab a FP for SM while DH and DD head to Indi.
8-9:45… Ride choices…not sure what order yet:
• Indi—single rider/child swap (Tarzan’s Treehouse to entertain DD)
• POTC
• JC
• HM
• Winnie the Pooh (w/Character Greet?)
9:45-10…Partner’s Statue Picture
10-11:30… Minnie and Friends Character Meal
11:30-1… Head into Tomorrowland
• Use FP for SM
• Check line for FNSV (if short, hop on)
• Tiki Room
1-5… Back to the hotel; on the way back, check MouseWait for line times
5… Enter DCA; swing by Soarin’ to check on FP times.
5:15-6…Ride any low wait time ride(s) from following list: CS, Soarin’ (hahaha), MFW, TSMM, Monsters, Inc, Muppets, Turtle Talk OR get pictures (what doesn’t get accomplished now will be accomplished in the morning)
6-6:20…scout out WOC viewing on the way to dinner
6:20-7:50…Dinner at Ariel’s Grotto
7:50-8:15…ride/picture opportunities
8:15-9…waiting for WOC
9-9:30…WOC
9:30…ride CS, if have FP, and then head back to the hotel.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011
7:15…leave hotel
7:40…arrive at DL security tables
8…enter DL and head straight to Toontown for MTTMM
8:20-9… MTTMM parade and festivities
Note: Grab a FP for RR before leaving unless the line is ultra-short (grab one for good measure, anyway)
9… (or earlier, but NO later), snag FP to SM before leaving DL
9:15… leave DL to stand in line for DCA entry
9:30… enter DCA and go straight to Soarin’. SR/Swap Redwood Creek Challenge Trail with DD while waiting…if open?)
10-1…Ride any DCA must-rides missed yesterday: i.e., MFW, CS, TSMM, Monsters, Inc, Muppets, Turtle Talk OR get pictures
1…head back to the hotel for a nap.
5:30-6…back in DL
6-6:30…grab a bite to eat while watching the parade (suggestions)
6:30 watch Parade (which way will it head?)
After parade-9…use FP and ride any low wait rides
9-9:30…Find a spot to watch the fireworks (where again for the Dumbo/Tink views?)
9:30…Magical
10…swing around to watch Fantasmic. Get a spot to the left of the stage (near reserved seats) to see Peter Pan fight Hook!
10:30…Fantasmic
11…head back to the hotel

Thursday, June 23, 2011
Pack up
Get to the park first chance available (no rush)
Ride whatever we missed in either park
Leave between 12 and 2 to head to Grandma’s

 

[DLR29]

1. You won't be able to do all of that plus Nemo before 8. Nemo, the ride itself, is 15 min, plus adding any wait time, it'll take up at least half of your MM. It's line also won't be short at 1PM. Best to check back in the evening.

2. Your best bet for short lines at DCA during your first afternoon is Monsters, Muppets, Turtle Talk. Screamin, Soarin, Toy Story, etc. will have 30+ lines at least.

3. You can't ride CS after WoC. It closes for WoC and doesn't reopen.

4. For your second morning, the Roger Rabbit line will be short, especially during MTTMM. No need for a FP, unless you wanna come back and ride again.

5. I'm pretty sure the second parade of the day goes north, from Main Street to It's a Small world.

6. No Ariel's Undersea Adventure??? I'm sure DD2 would love it, as well as you guys! It's looking like it's gonna be a really awesome ride.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Wow. This is detailed! I agree with DLR29 that Nemo will take you longer than you're thinking. The line never seems to be less than 15-20 minutes and late in the day, I think it will be between 30-60 minutes depending on crowds. The ride itself is pretty long, as is the loading and unloading process. Even with short lines, Nemo will probably take you at least 30 minutes. It's very possible that your Fantasyland rides + Buzz will take your entire early entry hour, depending on crowds, how close to the gates you are when waiting to enter the park, and how speedily you walk to Fantasyland.

Winnie the Pooh meet and greets in Critter Country do not start before 10 AM, sometimes even 11 AM. Since you'll be there in June with 8 AM opening, I'm thinking the characters will probably start appearing at 10.

Since CS isn't open after WoC, you might do better to try Toy Story then.

Turtle Talk is every half hour on the half hour.

I don't believe Redwood Creek area opens before official park opening time of 10 AM.

I really think you want to have found your spot and started waiting for the parade at least an hour before it begins. There has been no parade at Disneyland for a while now, and people are going to be eager to see the new offering. If you want to stake out a decent spot with a good view, I'm thinking you'll need to invest an hour, minimum. As far as good eating during the parade, our family enjoys the pasta from Pizza Port or the fried chicken from Plaza Inn. You can ask for your food there to be packaged to go.

Again, if you want to see the fireworks, you'll certainly be able to find a spot between 9 and 9:30 from which to get a decent view. The prime views of the castle with the best vantages to view Dumbo from will be gone by then though I expect.

I hope you have a good trip. Try not to sweat it if things don't go quite as planned.

 

[DLR29]

You've got a lot crammed into that 9-9:45 time frame too. I think you'd probably do better with single rider than child swap for Indy, but I could be wrong. At any rate, it looks like you're suggesting that you each ride Indy, then Pirates, JC, HM, and Winnie the Pooh and be back at the Partner's Statue in a 45 minute period. Indy single rider can get you on fairly quickly, but there will still probably be a few minutes of waiting each time plus the time of the ride itself. The wait for Pirates should be short at that time of the day, but the ride itself lasts for 15 minutes. I know you want to fit everything in, but you also don't want to be wearing yourself out racing between everything and missing those little moments of just being happy to be at DL.

OP has that scheduled from 8-9:45. An hour and 45 min. This is a reasonable amount of time to ride all of that, especially in the morning.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

OP has that scheduled from 8-9:45. An hour and 45 min. This is a reasonable amount of time to ride all of that, especially in the morning.

Whoops, sorry. Yeah I misread that.

 

[Hound 109]

You've done some good research.

(Is the Anabelle - Turnstile walk THRU the GCH?)

Comments below:

I know this is long, but could you give me feedback on this new itinerary? Guests visiting are DD2, DH, and me. DD2 loved ALL the rides at WDW last year (that she could ride), so we're not too worried about taking her on anything this year. Obviously she can't go on Indi, SM, CS, and Soarin'. We're skipping Star Tours (not because it will be crowded, but because we do not like that style of ride), ToT (no random drops=same ol' ride at WDW...and I couldn't even tell the difference there with the random drops), the river rapids (can't see getting we by ourselves),

Griz Rapids is a great ride & can be done Single Rider. Might want to do it one at a time (single rider) while DD romps next door in the Redwood Creek area. (especially if you can time it before a mid day break).

Aladdin (difficult to put into words, but we're okay missing it), the Bug land (may swing by, but we'll be okay missing it to see everything else).

Bugs land is a 10-30 min. wonderfully themed diversion & it's smack in the middle of DCA. Do it. (& give Heimlich some candy corn for me ).

I would just like to see if this is doable the way it's set up. I've given chunks of times to ride rides, and we'll be using MouseWaits to check the line times. Thank you in advance!

Itinerary…Plan B
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
6:15 … Leave Anabella to go to the park
6:40 … Be in line for security check (get front gate pictures LATER)
7 … Gates open—head straight back to FL
7-8… All 3 ride the following (in this order):
• Peter Pan
• Dumbo
• Alice
• Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
• Maybe Snow White/Tea Cups Teacups before Snow White....& no Pinocchio??
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
• Finding Nemo (depending on line) Agree with others...no way to ride it & pick up a FP at SM at :01.
8:01… I grab a FP for SM while DH and DD head to Indi.
8-9:45… Ride choices…not sure what order yet:
• Indi—single rider/child swap (Tarzan’s Treehouse to entertain DD) I agree that Tarzan's is good for kiddo entertainment while you all do Indy one at a time.
• POTC
• JC
• HM HM first THEN Pirates then JC.
• Winnie the Pooh (w/Character Greet?) Need to do later probably.
9:45-10…Partner’s Statue Picture
10-11:30… Minnie and Friends Character Meal
11:30-1… Head into Tomorrowland
• Use FP for SM
• Check line for FNSV (if short, hop on) Glance over at Buzz too.
• Tiki Room (I'd do Winnie before Tiki room...& don't forget to get a Dole Whip. )
1-5… Back to the hotel; on the way back, check MouseWait for line times

Before heading back to Hotel. (Do you walk back to the hotel THRU the GCH??).....Hop to DCA & grab a FP at Soarin (or whereever) & then do Griz Rapids & THEN walk back to hotel.

....

 

[damaris13]

Thank you! I know it's detailed, and it definitely won't get followed to the last little letter and second (DH won't let me do that), but it's good to know what we will be able to and won't be able to do in certain time blocks.

Didn't realize CS closed for WoC, but that does make sense. I always forget how long Nemo really is, and I never seem to plot in the right amount of time for that on anything, so good reminder. Little Mermaid will be one of those wait and see things. If we don't get to it this year, this will not be the only DLR trip we make with DD. We'll probably return in about 10 years, we'll see it then. Can't imagine it will disappear that quickly (and maybe Matterhorn will be up and running that year )

I keep forgetting about Pinocchio, and that's probably what I meant to have in my plans instead of Snow White.

Hound 109--Couple of questions
1. Why Pooh later? Is this swamped in the morning? Or just not enough time.
2. The order of HM, JC, and POTC...because that's how it goes in the park?

Thank you Hound 109, longtimedisneylurker and DLR29 for suggestions and comments! This is fantastic help!

 

[ArchOwl]

Winnie the Pooh is almost never swamped, but you probably don't have enough time and additionally, if I remember correctly, Pooh and friends don't come out until 10am-ish. So they probably won't be out at that time.

I would definitely check out the Bug's Land area in DCA with a little one. Heck, I enjoy the theming in that area. One of my nieces loved this area of the park and wanted to ride Flik's Flyers and Heimlich's Train a billion times when she was 3.

Have fun!

 

[damaris13]

Winnie the Pooh is almost never swamped, but you probably don't have enough time and additionally, if I remember correctly, Pooh and friends don't come out until 10am-ish. So they probably won't be out at that time.

I would definitely check out the Bug's Land area in DCA with a little one. Heck, I enjoy the theming in that area. One of my nieces loved this area of the park and wanted to ride Flik's Flyers and Heimlich's Train a billion times when she was 3.

Have fun!

Thank you! Where can I find out what time characters usually come out? I know that it can change, and sometimes some of the characters aren't out (I've been seeing Pooh has been closed on MouseWaits).

 

[blabbermouth]

Winnie the Pooh is almost never swamped, but you probably don't have enough time and additionally, if I remember correctly, Pooh and friends don't come out until 10am-ish. So they probably won't be out at that time.

I would definitely check out the Bug's Land area in DCA with a little one. Heck, I enjoy the theming in that area. One of my nieces loved this area of the park and wanted to ride Flik's Flyers and Heimlich's Train a billion times when she was 3.

Have fun!

Just chiming in to say that Bug's Land is SOOOO cute and I'm sure your DD will love it!