First Time to DL--MM Advice

[WDID]

Our family of 6: me, DH, DS13, DD9, DD6 and DD2 are going on our first trip to Disneyland (any Disney resort) in a week and a half. We are arriving early afternoon on Sunday, May 11th. Our original plan was to do DTD Sunday evening and then DL on Monday, CA on Tuesday and DL on Wednesday (opposite park of early entry for that day).

Now, I am thinking we might get a 4th day pass and go into DL on Sunday afternoon so that we can catch fireworks and/or Fantasmic (which we wouldn't be able to see M-W). I didn't realize before that we could get 1 Magic Morning entry with single-park passes, so that's why I was planning on entering the parks on days when early entry was not offered. Now that we have the option of doing one MM, I'm wondering if it's worth it. Is getting one MM at DL on Tuesday worth having to go into CA on an early entry day without an early entry pass (i.e. CA on either Monday, May 12 or Wednesday, May 14th)?

I hope that question makes sense. I really appreciate any help/advice/suggestions!

 

[Girimama33]

The only lands open during MM are Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. When staying offsite, I prefer to start at the park that is not offering EMH/MM. I get there before rope drop, and enjoy the first few hours with fewer guests (depending on how late the opening is). MM at DL can be busy too, so results vary with what people can accomplish within that hour.
My thought is...if FL and TL are not incredibly important...skip it and start at DCA.

 

[Misskitty3]

We always do MM as I believe the more time in the parks, the better!

Since you have never been to any Disney park, I think you should get the extra day ticket and plan to do the Fantasyland rides on MM as they will all be new to you!

Start with Peter Pan and Dumbo.....

 

[whoever]

Agreed on the previous poster. Peter Pan and Dumbo should be the first rides. They are slow loaders. After that, I'd recommend Alice, but it will be down for refurb, so Matterhorn would take its place. Then I'd go do anything you want to in Tomorrowland (we typically skip most of TL). You can easily knock out ALL of Fantasyland during MM.... afterwards, we go to NOS via big thunder trail and do pirates/haunted mansion, then to Indy/Jungle Cruise in Adventureland.

 

[WDID]

Thank you all for those responses. Can anyone tell me what entry to CA is like at the regular park opening time on a day with early entry? Our original plan for a non-early entry day was to hit Toy Story Mania first thing and then pull a fast pass for RSR shortly after. I'm guessing the lines for TSM might be huge if we enter at the normal park opening after early entry guests have been there for an hour? If we do the MM at DL we won't have any choice, but to do regular entry at CA on a day with early entry for on-site guests.

 

[Girimama33]

Thank you all for those responses. Can anyone tell me what entry to CA is like at the regular park opening time on a day with early entry? Our original plan for a non-early entry day was to hit Toy Story Mania first thing and then pull a fast pass for RSR shortly after. I'm guessing the lines for TSM might be huge if we enter at the normal park opening after early entry guests have been there for an hour? If we do the MM at DL we won't have any choice, but to do regular entry at CA on a day with early entry for on-site guests.

There will be a significant line for TSMM after the park opens on an EMH day. Your best bet is to get in line for the RSR FR. Maybe have your family head over to the TSMM line and you can meet up with them after you grab the FP's.