First day plan and a couple of questions

[Rebekkap]

Hi folks,

My initial plan for my first day was skipping the parks as I'll have just got off a 14 hour flight, but having realized I can add an extra day to my pass for $5, I'm going to do that!

I won't be there for opening, as my plane lands at 6.55am at lax, so I'm figuring on an hour at least to collect bags and get through customs/immigration, another hour at least on the bus to the hotel, and probably another hour to wait for bus/drop bags at hotel/walk back to Disneyland etc - I wouldn't be there before 10am at the earliest. So there willbe queues by then for the most popular things!

My plan is to get a fast pass for star tours if the return time isn't too late or space mountain if it is, walk around and soak up some atmosphere, go on Pirates, HM, Indiana Jones single rider line, get a dole whip, maybe go on the Mark Twain river boat... Any other suggestions? I'll probably not last that long in the park and will want to head back to the motel late afternoon for an early night!

My first question (not related to the first day necessarily) is how much scarier than space mountain is California Screamin?

Second question is about any spots I can get a relatively good view for fantasmic/ fireworks without staking out a spot ages before?

Can't wait for the magic to begin - only a few days now!

Cheers
Rebekka

 

[thealfi]

With regards to your first question, I find Space Mountain scarier than California Screamin' while I find California Screamin' more fun than Space Mountain. That's just me though California Screamin' as a loop while Space Mountain does not, plus CS gives a really nice view of the park while SM is completely dark hence why I think it's scarier (that 'will-my-head-hit-a-metal-bar' feeling )

As for your second question, I say watch Fantasmic from the bridge in front of Pirates of the Caribbean. Spots should still be available even 20 minutes before the show. It's a nice elevated spot. Don't watch from the middle of the bridge. Go down towards Tarzan's Treehouse where tree branches won't block your view.

Have a fun trip!

 

[Rebekkap]

With regards to your first question, I find Space Mountain scarier than California Screamin' while I find California Screamin' more fun than Space Mountain. That's just me though California Screamin' as a loop while Space Mountain does not, plus CS gives a really nice view of the park while SM is completely dark hence why I think it's scarier (that 'will-my-head-hit-a-metal-bar' feeling )

As for your second question, I say watch Fantasmic from the bridge in front of Pirates of the Caribbean. Spots should still be available even 20 minutes before the show. It's a nice elevated spot. Don't watch from the middle of the bridge. Go down towards Tarzan's Treehouse where tree branches won't block your view.

Have a fun trip!

Thanks, great tip, and I'm pleased to hear screamin doesn't sound that bad!

 

[Jkpark]

As the 1st Fantasmic show ends, we hang out near Tarzan's Treehouse. After the show, CMs with flashlights are directing everyone off the bridge and as soon as they are done, we move into our spots. Agree with PP, beware of tree branches in your line of sight.

As to your 1st question, I love Space Mtn but have been too scared to try CS. I'm not a fan of drops so if you ride it - let me know your thoughts!

 

[Rebekkap]

As the 1st Fantasmic show ends, we hang out near Tarzan's Treehouse. After the show, CMs with flashlights are directing everyone off the bridge and as soon as they are done, we move into our spots. Agree with PP, beware of tree branches in your line of sight.

As to your 1st question, I love Space Mtn but have been too scared to try CS. I'm not a fan of drops so if you ride it - let me know your thoughts!

Now you've scared me again! How big are these drops??

How long is the wait between the two fantasmic shows?

 

[HydroGuy]

Now you've scared me again! How big are these drops??

How long is the wait between the two fantasmic shows?

Click the link in my signature line for tips and look for the Fantasmic Superthread. It gives advice on all the questions you are asking about Fantaamic.

 

[Jkpark]

Don't listen to me about the drops - I was scared to ride Go Coaster the first time... We will need someone who has actually been on it to tell us

 

[TotalDreamer]

While I definitely don't think Space Mountain is scarier than California Screamin' CS is fun!

I definitely used to be a "ride wimp" and I enjoyed it even before I conquered that. The first time I rode it I was terrified, but it wasn't half as bad as I thought and I rode it like 3 times right after that. And my cousin who hates Tower of Terror loves it too.

 

[Rebekkap]

While I definitely don't think Space Mountain is scarier than California Screamin' CS is fun!

I definitely used to be a "ride wimp" and I enjoyed it even before I conquered that. The first time I rode it I was terrified, but it wasn't half as bad as I thought and I rode it like 3 times right after that. And my cousin who hates Tower of Terror loves it too.

Oh dear... How bad is tower of terror??

 

[mousiegirl]

CS is scarier. More/longer drops and a loop! It's really fun though, and you can see the whole thing, so you can decide if it looks like too much for you when you are there. I am often dizzy when I get off. The blast off at the start also builds anticipation.

I am a really anxious type of person, so ToT scares me only because of the anticipation. The drops are really fun.

 

[fitzaboo]

None of the rides are scary unless you let them be. have a great time!

 

[Rebekkap]

Click the link in my signature line for tips and look for the Fantasmic Superthread. It gives advice on all the questions you are asking about Fantaamic.

Thanks Hydroguy, your links are v helpful!

 

[Eeee-va]

I think your plan is good (though in the unlikely chance your room is available when you check in, I think I'd rest first and stop by the parks in the afternoon or early evening!). I wouldn't worry so much about what to do on your first day, but just look at it as a "bonus" day. That way you won't get nearly as upset if your flight is delayed or something else changes your plans for you. But IF you are there at 10 AM, the park actually won't be too bad at that point. You should be able to get a good FP, maybe even 2 with windows you can use before you would want to call it a day.

But even without any FPs, you could have a lot of fun just wandering, with or without a plan. There are several rides and attractions that aren't very busy on any but the very busiest days, and so many things to see. And as you alluded to, Single Rider line will help quite a bit. By all means, there's nothing wrong with coming up with ideas of what you might want to do, but I wouldn't plan anything very structured, personally.

I think the drops in California Screamin' are much more severe than Splash Mountain's drop, and it has the loop and a really fast launch. I consider it much scarier than Space Mountain, but I'm not scared of the dark. (Loops are fine for me, but I'm not fond of heights and I hate drops.) I've only ridden Screamin' once; it didn't make me sick but I didn't really enjoy it and I felt a bit light-headed at the end.

Many other people think it's not scary at all, of course, and as we've seen, some people find Space Mountain scarier, so it definitely varies. The only way to know for sure is to try it.

If you're worried about Screamin', I'd try riding it at night. I've heard that might make it a bit easier, since it doesn't feel quite so high...I might try that on my next trip, only because I'm sure my friend will want to ride...

 

[krispin41]

I can only do SM once. It spirals around inside and gets me dizzy. I haven't ridden CS, but I've been getting braver with ToT.

 

[lorieintucson]

I want to echo Eeee-va's suggestion of taking it a little less structured your first day. Of course this depends on how long you are actually going to be there, but a first day to walk around and see what pops up is a real luxury if it really is a bonus day.

 

[Rebekkap]

I want to echo Eeee-va's suggestion of taking it a little less structured your first day. Of course this depends on how long you are actually going to be there, but a first day to walk around and see what pops up is a real luxury if it really is a bonus day.

I know I should just walk around and soak it up, but I'm so nuts about going on rides, and just can't wait, particularly to try Indiana Jones, which wasn't there last time I was in Disneyland (a loooong time ago)!

 

[rljtwong]

you should take it all in as much as you can as lines are quite long now.

 

[Rebekkap]

you should take it all in as much as you can as lines are quite long now.

As well as half a day or so the day I arrive, I have five more days. I plan to use fastpasses and single rider lines where I can, and I have one early entry, which I'll use to do all the fantasy land rides - I think I've got enough time, despite the lines!

 

[A Small World]

I think the drops in California Screamin' are much more severe than Splash Mountain's drop, and it has the loop and a really fast launch. I consider it much scarier than Space Mountain, but I'm not scared of the dark. (Loops are fine for me, but I'm not fond of heights and I hate drops.) I've only ridden Screamin' once; it didn't make me sick but I didn't really enjoy it and I felt a bit light-headed at the end.

I agree with this- I think CS is way more scary. I hate drops and loops. I did it once but had no urge to do it again whereas Im happy to ride SM several times in a trip. I also find CS worse than TOT.

We hit the parks last yr and the yr before after an 11 hour flight - and didnt get into the parks til mid afternoon but still got on several rides. Im sure we got on Jungle cruise right away and IJ as well (without FP or single rider) so you should be fine.

As already mentioned see it as a bonus day and do what you can manage - it will all depend on how your flight has been /if youve slept on the flight/if its delayed etc so just take it as it goes as you will also have a time difference to cope with as well

Where are you flying from?

 

[Rebekkap]

I agree with this- I think CS is way more scary. I hate drops and loops. I did it once but had no urge to do it again whereas Im happy to ride SM several times in a trip. I also find CS worse than TOT.

We hit the parks last yr and the yr before after an 11 hour flight - and didnt get into the parks til mid afternoon but still got on several rides. Im sure we got on Jungle cruise right away and IJ as well (without FP or single rider) so you should be fine.

As already mentioned see it as a bonus day and do what you can manage - it will all depend on how your flight has been /if youve slept on the flight/if its delayed etc so just take it as it goes as you will also have a time difference to cope with as well

Where are you flying from?

Melbourne, Australia - and I WLL sleep, I always take a sleeping tablet on long flights

The time difference going to the US doesn't bother me much - going home is always much worse (same with Europe too - going to Australia is much worse for jetlag than going the other way)