First trip this coming Mon.

[captain america 2003]

need tips and suggestions for trip my wife and I will take to DL and DCA on Mon.
My beautiful wife and I are only able to do both parks on Mon. and could use any and all advice on how to attack this proposition especially considering the crowd predictions . Specifically if anyone could give us good viewing spots for WOC and Fantasmic we'd really appreciate it .
Thanks in advance
Captain America

 

[sonnyjane]

Yikes. With only one day to do a first visit to both parks during Spring Break...

Here's how I would attack it... I wouldn't see Fantasmic! or World of Color unless it is absolutely positively a priority. Even if you dished out $59pp for the preferred seating at Fantasmic!, you'd still have to show up early to check in and sit for the 30 minute show. If you don't pay for the premium seating, you'd need to show up at least an hour if not more to get a spot to see the show - some people line up 3 hours in advance! And WOC will take even more time, since you have to dedicate not only 30 minutes for the show, but up to a full hour of waiting before the show starts, not to mention the fact that you have to have a FP that you get either for free in the morning or for $15pp with the advance purchase of a picnic (I'm not suggesting the premium dining package b/c you don't have time to spare for an hour sit-down meal in my opinion, either). WOC is not like Fantasmic in that you can't just show up, you need to have a FP to view it. You have such limited time, I don't think you can spare it on even one of the shows, and certainly not on both!

It's going to be very crowded, so make sure you get there BEFORE the park opens to maximize your time. Use Fastpasses whenever possible and if you can, utilize the late-night hours after fireworks when a lot of guests tend to go home for the night. Make sure you park hop so that you can collect FP's for both Disneyland AND DCA at the same time and then use them throughout the day. Remember you don't have to use them during the window on the ticket, you can use them anytime after that window.

 

[captain america 2003]

Great tips . I appreciate your quick reply . I was wondering though if we might be able to see the 8:00 WOC , 8:45 fireworks , 10:15 Fantasmic or is this just wishful thinking ? Mondays forecast calls for rain and I thought that if it rains most of the day and then stops late afternoon that the crowds might be smaller and thus this would help our touring considerably as well as make our evening plans more likely . What do you think ?

 

[sonnyjane]

I was wondering though if we might be able to see the 8:00 WOC , 8:45 fireworks , 10:15 Fantasmic or is this just wishful thinking ?

With WOC starting at 8:00, the show won't be over until 8:30. I just don't think you'll make it out of DCA and into a decent viewing spot at DL in time without physically running, and you know that's not allowed at the happiest place on earth You can probably get a decent spot for Fantasmic! after the 8:00 WOC, but you'd have to go grab your spot literally right after the show ended. That's why I was saying it might not be worth it, since the hours between 7:00 (line up for WOC) and 10:45 (end of Fantasmic!) will be devoted entirely to waiting for and seeing those two shows. That's almost four hours of your very short day. If, however, you feel up to that, don't let me stop you. Just please remember that you MUST have a FP to view WOC, so if you want to go to that first showing at 8:00, you will HAVE to get a free FP right away when DCA opens to make sure you get the first showing, or pay for a picnic, but the picnics might be sold out so close to your trip - not sure.

Basically, you can do the early WOC and late F! if you plan very well, or you can do fireworks and F!, but it would be almost impossible to do all three.

ETA: I'll clarify that it is almost impossible to do all three with a good view. You can be likely be physically present for all three, but might not be happy with your views.

 

[skiingfast]

Great tips . I appreciate your quick reply . I was wondering though if we might be able to see the 8:00 WOC , 8:45 fireworks , 10:15 Fantasmic or is this just wishful thinking ? Mondays forecast calls for rain and I thought that if it rains most of the day and then stops late afternoon that the crowds might be smaller and thus this would help our touring considerably as well as make our evening plans more likely . What do you think ?

You man you want to go for the triple whammy?

Yes possible. But not easy. Be prepared to walk quikly and not have a great view of the fireworks.

You will want to watch WoC from the furthest back tier and in order, Blue, Preffered dining, Yellow and lasty red section. This is so you are at the back and one of the first out, because you will have 4,000 people going out just a handful of exits from Paradise Park(the WoC viewing area).

You will have about 25 minutes to get out of DCA and near the hub of DL. This area will be packed already with people waiting for the fireworks, but I would aim for anywhere around the perimeter but best towards the Castle and not the Adventureland entrance.


Here is why, when first Fantasmic lets out tons of people will stream toward the Hub. Causing a crush on the west side of the hub. So I would stay toward the far side. When fireworks end use the walking path that is kept clear on the outside of the loop around the hub going counter clockwise toward the front of the Castle.


Here you can go in the entrance to Frontierland, though if it is still thick with people there is a second option. Cut through from the hub closer to the castle by the Plaza Garden Stage. It takes you around the Frontieland exit, and right between a men's and ladie's room, just in case. Then you come out near Rancho Del Zocal and can walk into the ROA area behind what is left of the exiting F! crowd.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Follow skiingfasts directions then This also may be a very good time for the light tower trick for Fantasmic. We used this in the Christmas crowd and were able to get this spot 15 minutes before the 2nd showing of Fantasmic! Can someone explain this trick I just tried to type it out and it sounded confusing..I will go see if I can find the link...

found IT!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2225094&highlight=light+tower

 

[LisaT91403]

I am not sure if this is good news or bad news for you (?), but the forecast right now is for a 90% chance of rain on Monday. That could mean lighter crowds, making it easier for you to see both parks in one day.

 

[captain america 2003]

to all of you for those great tips and your insights . Our plan for the day starts with us getting to DL for opening and doing 9 or 10 attractions/shows that are unique to DL (since we are WDW veterans) and then head over to do 7 or 8 attractions/shows at DCA . At around 7:15 we planned on getting in position to see WOC and then head back to DL and hopefully find a decent position at the front of the park on Main St. to view the fireworks . After which we will make our way towards ROA and look for a spot to view Fantasmic . Any other tricks or tips that anyone has to make this plan work would be greatly appreciated .
Thanks
Captain America

 

[sonnyjane]

Our plan for the day starts with us getting to DL for opening and doing 9 or 10 attractions/shows that are unique to DL (since we are WDW veterans) and then head over to do 7 or 8 attractions/shows at DCA . At around 7:15 we planned on getting in position to see WOC

I just want to again make sure that you understand that you do not just line up for WOC like you do for Fantasmic!, you will have to have a Fastpass for it, which you'll have to get first thing as DCA opens if you want to ensure a ticket to the early WOC show. That will put a wrench in your plan of doing 9 or 10 attractions at DL then jumping to DCA, because you will have to get that FP from DCA in the morning. If you don't get a FP for the first showing, you won't be able to do all three shows that night.

I just checked the website and the 8:00 WOC picnics are sold out, so your only option is the free FP in the morning or calling to see if there is any availability or the early seating premium dining package, but again there may not be with this short notice. Just don't want you to miss WOC if it's really important to you!

 

[captain america 2003]

where you said we needed FP for WOC , and I know you said it more than once - lol . Thanks for reminding me again ! I guess we'll have to re-evaluate our plan and see what our best strategy would be . Maybe we'll have to see the later WOC and forget fireworks and Fantasmic .

 

[Disneyland 1951]

How to get free Blue Section Fastpasses for the first Show.
[These work EXACTLY the same as a Picnic Fastpass]

Go the the right side entrance of California Adventure at 9:15 with all of your parties tickets (After entering DL).
Follow the large signs to the GRR fastpass machines.
Stand in Line 2-4 minutes, do whatever you want until the WOC Show.

Example from 3/17:
9:23 Arrived at CA entrance
9:30 Entrance Opened.
9:35 Arrived at Fastpass line
9:38 Received BLUE Fastpasses
9:40 Arrived at Soaring Fastpass machines
9:41 Received Soaring Fastpasses
9:43 Exit CA

At 7:10-7:20 go to the WOC Blue section. Go the my "Secret Spot" just inside the entrance.
This will also allow you to be the FIRST to leave. You may want to wait to see the TRON display, then quickly head back to DL.

 

[Hound 109]

I'm thinking you're biting off more than you can chew regarding seeing 3 different shows.

If it was me I'd pick one show.

Regarding One day at DLR.....know HG's FP threads backwards & forwards:

"Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

"FastPass for Dummies and Smarties - A Photographic Explanation" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1186052

"Which Fast Pass First?" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1107718 (see my post #4 in that thread)

"Strategies For Using DL and DCA Opening Time Differences to Collect More Fastpasses"
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1553197


Also my trip report linked in my siggy below might be helpful.


Finally if you haven't seen these threads, I'd read them as well:


Here's your starting point since you've been to WDW:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599


& the rest of Hydroguy's tip threads:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483


& Mary Jo's sticky:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1072276



Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's Park.