First time in DL - need help with plans

[Dduckmom]

This is actually the first time that I have asked for help on DIS but I have been a lurker for years and really appreciate all of the wonderful advice. I have traveled to WDW many times but am traveling to DL for the first time this summer. It will be myself, DH and 2 DD (13 and 15). We are visiting DL as part of a longer trip to So Cal. We are departing SD on Friday, 8/1 and heading to DL. We are staying 2 nights. I know that it is not long enough and I know that summer weekends will be CRAZY. But, that's the way the intinerary worked out this time. Here is my question - we plan on getting 2 day park hoppers and getting into the parks on Friday (probably early/late afternoon). And then getting there for rope drop on Saturday and spending the whole day/evening there. Friday we will probably only be able to stay until about 9 pm. So, are there rides that will be less crowded on a late Fri afternoon/early evening? Should I just hit one park on Friday and then crisscross the parks on Sat? If so, which park would be best at night? Will any rides still have Fastpasses available in the afternoon. I need help planning this very quick visit. Any suggestions are most appreciated.

 

[Butterfly123]

Well, a short visit will just make you want to come back for a longer visit, and it is certainly long enough to get a feel for the magic!

Since you are WDW vets what I would do is sit down as a family, and come up with a list of all the things you would really like to be able to experience. Then you can work from that list to come up with a plan of how to best get those done.

There are rides that often have short lines and are quick loaders in both parks. So even if the big ticket rides with FP have long lines, there are still plenty of things you can get done. And since your kids are older, you can also take advantage of single rider lines to get more rides done quickly.

I realize I didn't help with a plan. Do you want to see more of DCA or DL? Carsland is very pretty at night, and at dusk they have a lighting ceremony. RSR has single rider, and is extra special at night.

 

[Cinderpamela]

If you haven't already, I would start with reading Hydroguys thread "A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" -tons of great planning info, tips, and information to get you started:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

He talks a bit about crowd patterns, so you might find that helpful. Since you are planning a Friday afternoon/early evening & Saturday trip, the good news is that local So Cal Annual Passports will be blocked out both those days and Deluxe APs are blocked for that Saturday, so you won't have as many locals hitting the park for at least that Saturday.

I agree with PP Butterfly123- talk to your group and get a feel for priorities. Your plan and the advice we give will really depend on what you all personally see as your priorities since it is a quick visit.

 

[Dduckmom]

Thanks so much for the link to Hydroguys thread, Pam, I read all of it and bookmarked it to check out later. I also talked to the kids and the most important area we would like to explore is Carsland. Are we better off starting there on Friday evening or early Saturday am? We will not have any early morning privileges.

We are also excited for Pirates of the Carribean and TSMM (we love both of these rides in WDW). And, I would like to take the kids on a few rides that I rode in the MK when I was younger that are no longer there but are at DL - like Mr Toad and Snow White.

Thanks again for the feedback.

 

[crystal1313]

If you don't mind not riding RSR together, and doing single rider, you could do RSR Friday night. In my experience, single rider is usually a shorter wait than stand by. I'm sure in some cases, they could almost be the same. You can tell when you get up to see the waits for both.

You could also grab a fastpass for RSR Saturday morning, and be able to ride all together as well. There are SO many details in Cars Land. You will love it!!

In my experience with Saturdays in summer, they aren't that bad. the last two years we have gone for the day on a Saturday in July and it was much less crowded than what we expected. Most of the APs are blocked so I think that helps a lot. I think you all will have a fantastic time!

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks so much for the link to Hydroguys thread, Pam, I read all of it and bookmarked it to check out later. I also talked to the kids and the most important area we would like to explore is Carsland. Are we better off starting there on Friday evening or early Saturday am? We will not have any early morning privileges.

We are also excited for Pirates of the Carribean and TSMM (we love both of these rides in WDW). And, I would like to take the kids on a few rides that I rode in the MK when I was younger that are no longer there but are at DL - like Mr Toad and Snow White.

Thanks again for the feedback.

CarsLand can be experienced any time of course. It is RSR that is the difficult thing to do. And the best bet for that would be Saturday morning when EMH is at DL to hit DCA early and get FPs 30-45 minutes after the park opens for a mid-day or afternoon. The rest of CL you can do Friday night if you want.

 

[Dduckmom]

Awesome feedback. Thank you so much. I feel so out of my element heading to DL. For WDW, I am the one that helps everyone else with their plans. So excited to go and I am sure I will have more questions.

 

[HydroGuy]

Awesome feedback. Thank you so much. I feel so out of my element heading to DL. For WDW, I am the one that helps everyone else with their plans. So excited to go and I am sure I will have more questions.

It could be much worse. You could be a DLR vet headed to WDW for the first time. That is 10 times harder than the other way around.

 

[Ride Junkie]

It could be much worse. You could be a DLR vet headed to WDW for the first time. That is 10 times harder than the other way around.

Totally!! As DL vets, our first trip to WDW was pretty overwhelming. We mostly just winged it!

The advice I would give is to ride as many rides as you can that are unique to DLR, like the Matterhorn, Indiana Jones, and all the Cars Land rides. Many of the rides are very similar to the ones at WDW. Well, except Pirates and Space Mountain -- Disneyland's are waaaayyyy better.