First Time Questions

[only hope]

I have a few more first time questions. We are long time local WDW passholders taking our dream trip to DLR Oct 11-13 and 15. Mom went once as a teenager and barely remembers it, and I've never been. I'm so excited!! I've been reading threads for months but still have a few questions.

1. I asked in the Fantasmic superthread but did not receive an answer. I know Oct. 11 will be very busy, with CHOC walk and Monday being a holiday. We would prefer to see the second showing of Fantasmic, but we are taking the Welcome to Disneyland tour and so will not be able to pull a fastpass between 10:15-1ish. On busy days, about what time do FP run out? Will a little after one o'clock definitely be too late?

2. Are Mickey and Minnie regularly meeting in their 60th outfits in the afternoon? I've read they usually change after the Soundsational parade. Where does Minnie meet? I notice the description of her house doesn't include "and meet Minnie" like Mickey's house does.

3. If a FP machine is disconnected, how do you know? I read recently the Astro Blasters was disconnected. I know this is subject to change at any time. When the FP comes out, does it just list the next time you are eligible to pull a FP as the current time?

4. How early do people start lining up for the Soundsational parade towards the back of the park (I assume Main Street is more popular)? I don't want to waste an hour standing around but I do want to be able to see...

5. Same as above but for PTN. I've seen reports of people lining up 2-3 hours early. Is that really necessary?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

1. If you really want a F! FP and don't want a BB or RBT package (providing one is available), try the meal at Aladdin's Oasis. I think you can request the second show, but someone else can confirm that. Then you will be guaranteed your FP.

2. The Big 5 characters meet in Town Square. You'll find them no problem -- they're easy to spot around the square. M&M should be in their 60th outfits in the afternoon.

5. On the 11th, there will be a long wait for the first parade. If you can do the second parade, it will be easier to find a spot, especially if you don't need a bench or curbside seating. If you can be 2 or 3 rows back, you might be able to get a spot with a short wait by finding a spot and going under the rope. (You can ask a CM to help you.)

Have you read this: A DLR Guide for WDW Vets? Lots of helpful info there.

 

[egritz]

3. If the Fastpass is Connected, the FP itself will state that you can't get another FP until after a certain time (either the time that your FP window opens, or 2 hours from then, whichever is later). I don't know that there is a way to know beforehand, except perhaps asking the CM who is managing the line.

 

[figment_jii]

1. It's hard to say when FP will run out on any given day. I'm generally inclined to say that they will probably still have FPs at 1:00 pm, but they may run out early due to CHOC walk.

2. Minnie and Mickey should be meeting guests in their 60th anniversary outfits in the Town Square area of DL after Soundsational finishes up (there are no characters out while the parade is enroute). There really aren't any set locations around Town Square, but they are pretty easy to find (just look for the lines). Before Soundsational, they're in their Halloween costumes (at least right now they are for HalloweenTime).

3. Astro Blasters is the only disconnected attraction FP at this point. The other FPs that are "disconnected" are WoC, F!, Frozen at the Royal Theater, and the A&E M&G.

4. People don't really start lining up that early for Soundsational. While a cute parade, it's not "new" like PtN. I think you could probably get there about 15-30 minutes before the start and still find a good spot (not necessarily a front row or curb spot). Given the current schedule, Soundsational goes from Main Street to IaSW, but I don't know if that really impacts how fast viewing locations fill up.

5. PtN is a different issue all together. It really depends on whether you want a front row/near front row viewing spot or if you're okay with being further back in the crowds. When I was there last (late September) there were guests already sitting on the parade route as soon as Soundsational finished up. I do think most front row/curb spots will be gone over an hour before the parade is slated to start. The second show is usually a lot easier to see with less of a wait. If you watch Disneyland Forever from Main Street and then move to a curb spot immediately after the fireworks ends, you'll have a curb spot with only about an hour wait (PtN's second presentation starts on MS and goes to IaSW). However, this would mean missing the second F!.

 

[only hope]

Thank you everyone. I have read that guide, though not recently. I'll give it another skim before we leave. Are the floats large enough for PtN that they can be seen well enough if you're in the second row? I don't think we'll try to catch it Sunday.

 

[SMD]

Thank you everyone. I have read that guide, though not recently. I'll give it another skim before we leave. Are the floats large enough for PtN that they can be seen well enough if you're in the second row? I don't think we'll try to catch it Sunday.

They're all above eye level, some more than others. The CMs will try enforce sitting at the curb. Then you'll have the row behind the curb which also fills up pretty quickly (can't speak to how quickly this happens at MHP). Ad adult would probably be able to see the floats even if they had someone standing in front of them, depending how tall/wide that person is. But you might have amore difficult time seeing all of the dancers. But I don't think you need to see every dance move and ever aspect of every float to enjoy this parade.

 

[rms123]

2. Minnie does meet in her house, but in her polka dot dress. The wait is usually quite long and she does take a long lunch break.

 

[only hope]

They're all above eye level, some more than others. The CMs will try enforce sitting at the curb. Then you'll have the row behind the curb which also fills up pretty quickly (can't speak to how quickly this happens at MHP). Ad adult would probably be able to see the floats even if they had someone standing in front of them, depending how tall/wide that person is. But you might have amore difficult time seeing all of the dancers. But I don't think you need to see every dance move and ever aspect of every float to enjoy this parade.

Thank you. I really don't want to spend several hours waiting for anything! I know the days will go by quickly.

Wait, so Minnie & Mickey meet at Town Square and in Toontown, but Town Square is where the Halloween and 60th outfits are found?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

...Wait, so Minnie & Mickey meet at Town Square and in Toontown, but Town Square is where the Halloween and 60th outfits are found?

Correct.

 

[Sagginit]

3. Astro Blasters is the only disconnected attraction FP at this point. The other FPs that are "disconnected" are WoC, F!, Frozen at the Royal Theater, and the A&E M&G.
.

I have been a bit puzzled by FP in DL as I am used to the new WDW system. So this means if I pull a FP for F! or WOC, I can get it early in the day and then still get more FP after for rides? I was wondering why people would pull a FP so early for a show if it ruled out rides but this makes more sense. I also understand the two parks aren't connected, so if you get FP in one park for later in the day you can go back to the other, do some rides and get some FP for later that day and hop over for the first set right?

 

[only hope]

Correct.

But how can they be in two places at the same time? Seriously though, that seems very strange to me. They make a point of not having characters in multiple spots in one park at WDW, because of course there is only one Mickey, Minnie, etc. The only exception I can think of is Epcot because of the Visa meet n greet.

I have been a bit puzzled by FP in DL as I am used to the new WDW system. So this means if I pull a FP for F! or WOC, I can get it early in the day and then still get more FP after for rides? I was wondering why people would pull a FP so early for a show if it ruled out rides but this makes more sense. I also understand the two parks aren't connected, so if you get FP in one park for later in the day you can go back to the other, do some rides and get some FP for later that day and hop over for the first set right?

That's correct. You can immediately obtain a FP for a ride after you obtain one for F! or WOC, as those are disconnected. Also correct about the park hopping. I really miss the Legacy FP at WDW. We're looking forward to the FP system at DLR.

 

[Sagginit]

That's correct. You can immediately obtain a FP for a ride after you obtain one for F! or WOC, as those are disconnected. Also correct about the park hopping. I really miss the Legacy FP at WDW. We're looking forward to the FP system at DLR.

Oh I am thrilled to hear this! I was a pro at the old FP system in WDW and hated the new system when i was last in WDW. This was partly because it was new and glitchy, but I like that with the old system if you plan well you could get as many as you wanted. I feel like the new WDW system doesn't reward those who plan but forces everyone to plan and not do well. Its like FP communism of sorts, no one wins lol.

 

[only hope]

We like that it's paperless, but not the preplanning and the jump the resort guests get. If they changed FP+ so that it worked the same way as before except it's digital, it would be fine. Heck, even let us book 3 FP initially- but not ahead of time. The one advantage of the new FP system is if there are FP+ left, you can get many FP+ in a row. We often obtain a FP that is valid within minutes. That only works for the less popular rides though. We've been able to use 6-7 FP+ that way, with 3 pre-booked.