Going for every ride and show in three days - How would you approach it?

[Vexorg]

Earlier today, I found out that a number of people in my extended family are making plans to take a trip down to Disneyland on the weekend of May 20-23 (which just happens to be the same weekend I went last year.) I am looking into the possibility of joining them, but I haven't decided one way or the other yet, since I'm tentatively planning a trip for September with some friends. On the other hand, if I do decide to take this trip, I will most likely end up purchasing a deluxe annual pass while I'm there since two trips in a year would just about pay for it, and there are no blockout dates during the planned September visit.

Anyway, regardless of whether or not I end up going, one of the stated goals they have set for themselves is to try to go on every ride and see every show that's open during the three days they are planning to visit. To be honest, I'm not sure if I'd actually want to go along with this approach (sounds suspiciously close to some of the "Death March Tourism" I've heard stories of on the WDW boards,) but it does present an interesting challenge to figure out the logistics of something like this. I'm not asking for a touring plan or anything like that, but I'd be interested in getting some people's input on how you'd accomplish this if you set out to do it.

A few things to keep in mind:
-Closed rides obviously don't count. Splash Mountain will be closed during this trip, so that one's out.
-I'm expecting that there's going to be a group of around 10 or so.
-There will be a number of small kids in the group. Thus I'd plan on there being a meltdown or two along the way.
-My uncle is retired military, so I'm guessing most (if not all) of the people going will be getting tickets on the currently offered military discount. As far as planning goes, this means they probably aren't going to be able to count an early entry, which might make the Fantasyland stuff tricky.
-Perhaps the most challenging part of figuring this out is getting the three big nighttime shows (Fantasmic, WoC and the fireworks show) into the schedule, plus stuff like the parades and Aladdin.
-Crowd levels on touringplans.com for these days seem to be showing between 4 and 6, not too bad.
-If there's a soft opening on Star Tours this weekend as the rumors seem to suggest, this could throw the proverbial wrench into the whole thing.
-It sounds like they're planning to stay at a hotel some distance away from the parks, so getting that many people to a rope drop might be tricky (see earlier comment on meltdowns.)
-They're planning to be in the parks on Monday, but this will be a short day, as they plan to head back to Seattle from LAX on an evening flight.
-If at any point I find myself getting dragged into a line to see Princesses and/or fairies, I may have a meltdown.

Anyway, I personally think they're crazy, and don't think I'd want to spend three days rushing around like crazy (three days in Disneyland is enough of a workout as is) but I'd be interested to see what people think of this one.

 

[skiingfast]

Hardest part, which will probably make it impossible is satisfying 10 people. Are you really going to march them into the ground, in particular the parents of the little kids?

To get to the park, on Harbor near the entrance is a drop off spot. Pull up there, let them get in line, go back south on Harbor to the Toy Story lot ($15) if you don't have parking added to your delux($99 option), and you can meet them 15 minutes later.

I would do the triple wammy and see all three night shows on Friday. WoC then RDCT then F!. Get out and away from Paradise Park quickly by watching from the back. Because these shows can each take 2 hours of time, if you push to combine them you won't be taking big blocks out of each night.

Also do all the long line rides on the first day and watch Alladin. To get the big stuff out of the way.


Use FP, hold 2 at a time, 1 for each park. Remember after you get one you can get another 2 hours later.

Aim to get most done right away so you can relax later.

 

[jacs1234]

I think that if it was just 2 adults, it may be possible, but with such a large group including kiddies, it will be very difficult. I wish them every bit of luck and I am sending them short line, low crowd, happy kid vibes. There's a book called the unofficial guide to disneyland, and it has a number of different plans. It has a one day do everything plan and it also has 3 day plans. We roughly followed it and it was very helpful. It tells you the order you should do/see the attractions.

 

[bumbershoot]

In my second year of an AP, I spent a total of 18 days in the parks.

Even in all that time (not to mention the year before) I still haven't done anywhere near everything.


The ONLY way I personally would attempt it is if I were doing the Micechat Gumball Rally (this year on May 14th), either alone or with a really solid, small, group of people...so I'd be bowing out of this big family trip that's pretty much doomed from the start!

They aren't doing it this year, but other years the Gumball has had a shorter family-friendly rally...they know that most kids aren't able, willing, or game for trying to hit everything...

 

[taaren]

My brother made my then-10-year-old-nephew do this a few years back. Three days was just enough time for the two of them to hit everything once and some favorites twice. But they were experienced, have been to the park every 2 or 3 years, had 1 MM that trip; this was my brother's way of reminding his son that you're never too old or too cool to enjoy the little kids rides (they're both big guys so it made for some very cute pix on the smaller rides). Its possible, but they said about that experience that once was enough and honestly I've never enjoyed commando-style touring of the parks. With a group that's over four we prefer to divide and conquer. Good luck to them, if I were you I'd just prioritize what I wanted to do and check in with them when they're going on your favorite rides join 'em.
Oh, and 2 trips almost always makes an AP worth it ...

 

[BekkilovesMickey]

I think it's a lofty goal. Last November I went with my two kids and my sister and we wanted to ride every ride in both parks. We were there for three days. We came close, but didn't succeed. And we didn't even try to see all the shows. Good luck to them!

 

[kimara]

I'm going to share a quick story from the other side....
A few years back I had my 2 little kids plus 2 kids I babysit for a day at Disneyland. My sister was there to help also, allowing us to split up when the kids were too short for some rides.

About 1 hour before the park closed, while we were waiting for a parade, we checked off all of the rides we had done that day. We realized we were incredibly close to having done all the rides and the major shows. So, we then picked up speed so we could finish EVERY ride in that one day.

It is possible, even with little kids. It is probably easier with kids, because they are used to being told where to go and what is next. They are used to scheduled potty breaks and meals. I haven't tried to repeat it because there wasn't a need.

If you do go, make sure you all have your cell phones so you can easily split up if you need to take a break. I love a challenge and it could be great

As for the cost of an AP for the two trips-- don't just calculate the cost for those 2 trips. Also figure in the cost of the other trip or two you might decide to take during the 12 months since you have a pass. An AP has always turned my "two trips" into 4 or 5 trips and I don't regret it at all

Good Luck!!

 

[Vexorg]

On further consideration I'm definitely thinking that this is a bit of an overambitious goal, given how much effort even three days of regular Disney touring can take, and I'm thinking that bringing little kids along probably isn't going to help matters any. To be honest, I'm not sure I'm even going to go on this trip in the first place, although if I know I'm going to be going in September it would make it a lot easier to take this trip at a slower pace. At least it would be if I wasn't going end up attached to a horde of manic tourists, that is.

And if I did end up getting an AP I'd probably try to sneak in a third trip somewhere around January or so.