"first ride" question

[disney_bob]

Hi all,

My wife and I will be visiting DL for the first time starting the 27th of this month. We're WDW vets for sure and are a little confused about what rides get busiest quickest. I also want to keep in mind that my wife is 4 months pregnant and can't go on a lot of the "big name" rides.

We had kind of planned on getting a fastpass for Indiana Jones and then heading on over to Fantasyland to get all of those in early on. Is that ok? Or would it be better to hit all the "big names" first or all of the fantasyland ones first? I also read that Nemo was pretty busy but that may have died down.

I know we'll be there for one MM and one non MM.

Any advice is appreciated!

 

[ArchOwl]

Generally speaking, it is better to ride the slow loading rides (such as the ones in Fantasyland) in the morning. Using your MM to do this is also best if possible.

As far as a first ride I think Pirates is always a good choice. Indiana Jones is pretty bumpy, I think it may have a warning for expecting mothers.

Nemo is a good one to do earlier in the day rather than later. You may also want to check during parade times as the line tends to be shorter during parades.

 

[disney_bob]

Thanks. She won't be going on Indiana along with several others, but she's going to try to go through the queue to at least experience the theming if its allowed.

 

[SeattleRedBear]

The wait for Nemo has nothing to do with how recent it is. Nemo will always have a long line....it's one of the slowest loaders in the park. Either go early in the morning or during a parade.

Indy is comparable to Dinosaur: Race to Extinction (ie, it's a pretty bumpy ride). Not sure it's a great choice for a pregnant woman, but every woman's pregnancy is different.

A good time to hit FL is after the fireworks. Most of FL is closed down for the fireworks and takes a little while to fill up again after the area opens backs up.

Are you also going to DCA? That will affect your plans in DL.

 

[asmarykay]

My husband and I are in the same boat as the OP. We are WDW vets, but I am not sure how to attack DL. We are coming for one day and plan to do DLP and CAP. I know we can't do everything, but what do you all think is the best plan?
Thanks!

 

[kailuagirl]

In Fantasyland, Peter Pan always has a long line. We were there for 6 days in Dec. and we only got to ride it once. On your MM day, go to Peter Pan first as fast as you can. Hydroguy has a sticky about how to do MM and what order to ride the rides, it really helps. Also, if you are in line before the park closes you get to ride the ride, so keep that in mind for those long line rides. Indy has a single ride line which I have found to be great and fast. That might work great for you.

Have fun!!!

 

[SeattleRedBear]

WDW vets going to DLR for the first time must read Hydroguy's Guide (it's also linked from the DLR Info/Links sticky). After reading this, then you might have more specific questions.

Personally, I would focus on the the things that are unique, either because they don't exist at WDW (eg, Indy) or they're better at DLR (eg, Space Mountain, POTC). With one day and two parks, there's only so much you can do, but read the guide first.

 

[asmarykay]

Thank you for directing me to the Guide - I will take a look at it tonight! Can't wait to see the original!

 

[coaches24]

Space mountain is another good one to do first as it gets busy quickly.

But I like POC and fantasyland rides first myself. I'm not huge into the fast rides but will do SM once a trip.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

My husband and I are in the same boat as the OP. We are WDW vets, but I am not sure how to attack DL. We are coming for one day and plan to do DLP and CAP. I know we can't do everything, but what do you all think is the best plan?
Thanks!

*Here's* how we spent one day mid July 2009.

 

[todzwife]

When we get there, if it's NOT a MM, we always do Nemo first because the line gets SO LONG.

If it is a MM, we'll do Peter Pan, then Dumbo first then the rest of the FL rides.

This time though, we'll be arriving at about 4 PM (8 PM close) so we'll probably see how the lines are and go from there.

 

[ktlm]

As WDW vets that love DL too, we always do Nemo and Peter Pan first at DL. Unlike at WDW, Peter Pan is not a fast pass ride at DL which means the line seems to be consistently huge.

You might want to fast pass Star Tours first thing (I'm sure your wife won't be riding that one). Unlike at WDW where the Star Tours line is usually pretty short, it seems to be generally pretty long at DL.

Indiana Jones has a single rider line, so we don't usually Fast Pass that one. DH and I take turns while the other watches DD (which generally means climbing up and down Tarzan's treehouse multiple times as she loves that place). You should be able to singler rider that one. Don't miss it! It is probably my favorite ride of any WDW park.

Are you going to be there more than one day? If so, I would say that one day you will want to hit Soarin and Toy Story Mania at California Adventure early. I would say grab fast passes for soarin and then head to TSM. Unlike WDW, TSM is not a fast pass ride at DL/CA. In our experience, the lines at TSM are not insane like they are at WDW, but they are still long. Usually around 40 minutes when we have been there.

Have fun!

 

[coaches24]

As WDW vets that love DL too, we always do Nemo and Peter Pan first at DL. Unlike at WDW, Peter Pan is not a fast pass ride at DL which means the line seems to be consistently huge.

You might want to fast pass Star Tours first thing (I'm sure your wife won't be riding that one). Unlike at WDW where the Star Tours line is usually pretty short, it seems to be generally pretty long at DL.

Indiana Jones has a single rider line, so we don't usually Fast Pass that one. DH and I take turns while the other watches DD (which generally means climbing up and down Tarzan's treehouse multiple times as she loves that place). You should be able to singler rider that one. Don't miss it! It is probably my favorite ride of any WDW park.

Are you going to be there more than one day? If so, I would say that one day you will want to hit Soarin and Toy Story Mania at California Adventure early. I would say grab fast passes for soarin and then head to TSM. Unlike WDW, TSM is not a fast pass ride at DL/CA. In our experience, the lines at TSM are not insane like they are at WDW, but they are still long. Usually around 40 minutes when we have been there.

Have fun!

Yea we do the same with Indiana Jones. I think my DW uses the time just to sit and rest and gives DD a snack, but I take her through Tarzan's tree house on my turn to wait.

I forgot about Star tours as it was closed on my last trip. I am excited to see it for the first time. That may end up being our first ride instead of POC.

 

[heatherleigh]

Peter Pan, Dumbo, Nemo, and Alice in Wonderland. Stick w/ FL.

 

[disney_bob]

Thanks for all the replies. We are well aware what my wife will and won't be going on and that does include several rides mentioned. We'll be there for one MM and one non MM. We'll also be at DCA at least 1 day. Maybe its just me, but I didn't find hydroguys guide for WDW vets terribly useful but to each their own.

That being said and given all the advice, we will likely do Nemo/Peter Pan & FL first. I don't mind hopping in the single rider line for some of the other rides.