Help me help some newbies...*Update in last post*

[monkeybug]

Please!
I've been reading through Hydro's awesome threads and writing down as much as I can, but I just don't have the time to skim through them all. Too much Christmas baking to be done!

My wonderful friend is taking her family on their first ever vacation. They've literally never had a vacation together.
So she is surprising them on Christmas morning with a trip to Disney! Which they will leave for two days after Christmas.
That's right. The week after Christmas. She told me, and I quote "I figured who goes to Disney for Christmas?"
I'll pause here for a moment so we can all collectivly

Who goes to Disney at Christmas my friend? That would be EVERYONE! Everyone in the whole freakin' world!
Yikes! Newbs...

Anyway, I know a bit about Disneyworld, having gone multiple times in recent years, but I haven't been to DLR since I was a teen, and I wasn't a part of the planning back then. (which is why all I can seem to remember is standing in line and talking sewers...)

I've read the threads about DLR fastpass (not sure I completely understand the connected and "not connected" thing.) so I know they don't expire (well that day) and that DL and DCA are on different systems so you can leave DL and go get fastpasses at DCA even if your return time hasn't opened.

I know they should get there early too.

What else? Any quick tips? I believe they are going for three days, and they are staying at a DLR hotel.
I know it's annoying to answer the same questions over and over when the answer is in a sticky, but I just don't have time to read them all. So if you aren't too annoyed by my asking, I'd love any and all advice I can pass on to them! They've had a rough road, and I really want to help make this a fabulous trip for them.
Thanks!

I'm taking my family this year too, and I hereby solemnly swear to read all sticky's and always do a search before asking anything pertaining to my trip.

 

[Greysword]

I'd say relax and have a good time. You could pull the crowd calendar (which TouringPlans has at a 10 the whole week) and weather. Just as long as they fully understand that is is going to be very crowded and they should plan to arrive at opening, they should be ok.

Maybe tag a few rides that would be "must do" for new people, so they can enjoy a few of them and have a focus as a back-up plan. Maybe get them reservations at a restaurant, just in case. Otherwise, they're doomed

 

[monkeybug]

I'd say relax and have a good time. You could pull the crowd calendar (which TouringPlans has at a 10 the whole week) and weather. Just as long as they fully understand that is is going to be very crowded and they should plan to arrive at opening, they should be ok.

Maybe tag a few rides that would be "must do" for new people, so they can enjoy a few of them and have a focus as a back-up plan. Maybe get them reservations at a restaurant, just in case. Otherwise, they're doomed

The most popular fastpass rides are Indy, Roger Rabbit, and Space mountain right?

Any special instructions for World of Color? Is toontown like Fantasyland is in DW? Slow loading rides they should hit up in the am.

I seriously doubt they have reservations to anywhere...are they doomed for sure?

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

The most popular fastpass rides are Indy, Roger Rabbit, and Space mountain right?

Better add Star Tours to that. On packed days, those fastpasses have been running out by early to mid-afternoon since it re-opened. I would not call Roger Rabbit a "popular" fastpass ride. The good thing to know about Roger is that it for some reason known only to the Disney people is disconnected from the rest of the fastpass system. So you can get a fastpass for another ride and then get one for Roger even if your fastpass window hasn't opened up yet (and vice versa). Also, when we were last there at Thanksgiving, Big Thunder had been disconnected from the rest of the fastpass system too. Don't know if that's still current. At this time of the year, there are also fastpasses for Haunted Mansion. This is only true when HM is the Nightmare Before Christmas version. Your friends will want to ride that early in the day or get a fastpass for it since it's a seasonal favorite.

Any special instructions for World of Color? Is toontown like Fantasyland is in DW? Slow loading rides they should hit up in the am.

Toontown only has 2 actual rides: Roger Rabbit and Gadget's Go Coaster, a really short coaster ride best suited for younger riders. There are lots of meet-and-greets usually in Toon Town, but characters can also be found regularly in Town Square. Fantasyland is important to hit in the am at Disneyland as well for the reasons you mentioned. If your friends are staying on property, they should get up early every morning and be there for the early entry which I think is being offered everyday between Christmas and New Year's Eve this year.

I seriously doubt they have reservations to anywhere...are they doomed for sure?

I would emphasize the importance of eating at off-peak times, carrying in some of their own snacks, and checking out the possibility of getting at least a couple of reservations to make life easier. Carnation Cafe on Main Street in Disneyland or the Big Thunder Ranch barbecue if they like barbecue and all-you-can-eat and the budget allows might be good in-park choices. There are also lots of restaurants in Downtown Disney and at the hotels, and I would highly recommend getting a reservation first if they want to go to one of those places at such a busy time of year.

 

[ArchOwl]

They still have time to make some Priority Seating reservations, but they should probably call right away. I called today to re-arrange some of mine and some places still have availability on New Year's Eve (Blue Bayou excluded), which is the busiest day of all. So there should still be something available for your friend. I would have her call soon and make at least one priority seating per day. You can always cancel if you want, but sometimes you just need a break from the crowds. The counter service spots can just be so crowded during those times, that it is nice to have a reservation somewhere and have a meal.

Please stress to her how busy it is the week after Christmas so she can adjust her expectations. Last year they even closed DL temporarily to new entries and stopped selling some tickets on those days. It is still possible to have fun, but you have to go in with the right frame of mind.

I am glad to hear they are staying on-site. They will get Magic Morning every day it is offered, so they should definitely do that. I would use it to do many of the slow loaders in Fantasyland. Peter Pan first, then the others. Toontown is a different land.

As guests at the resort, they also can get into DCA earlier than the posted time. They can use the entrance in the Grand Californian at 9:15 am to get FPs for World of Color (if they would like to see it), ride Soarin' and get FPs, and go on Little Mermaid. This is a nice little perk.

Being there early is going to be crucial on those days. That way they can start collecting FPs. I would say that the re-vamped Star Tours is still the most popular FP right now. A close second is Space Mountain, followed by Haunted Mansion Holiday. Indy would be next, then Splash, then Big Thunder, Roger Rabbit, and Autopia. Big Thunder and Roger Rabbit are not connected to the main system, so they do not have to wait to obtain one. For example, when they first enter the park, they can grab a FP for Star Tours and then go directly to Big Thunder and get another FP right away. They can then go to Roger Rabbit and get another one right away.

Because it is so busy, they will not be able to see and do everything. It might be best to know what is a must do and what can be skipped. Once you fill in the must dos, including shows and such, you can outline a plan of what you should obtain FPs for and what you can live without. It may be worth it to your friend to subscribe to Ridemax. I think it is about $10-$15. She chooses the rides and the program puts them into an itinerary. It is going to be very busy and this will be very helpful. It also eliminates the standing around deciding what to do part of the vacation.

If characters are a must, I would look into scheduling a character meal of some kind. This will save you much time in the parks going from line to line to see the characters. Plus you get to eat at the same time. It can be pricey, but during busy times it is so nice to see all the characters at once. It frees up your schedule for rides and shows.

Parkhopper tickets would be best. That way they can hop to DCA when DL gets uncomfortably tight.

 

[monkeybug]

Thank you!!! This info is all so helpful!
I can't wait until it's my turn to take my family to Disneyland. We've been to Disneyworld the past three years and we are all itching to start planning for Disneyland...just have to wait for the Coast Guard to tell us where we are moving and when.
Thanks again!

 

[monkeybug]

So I just want to make sure I'm passing on good information, does this sound right?

Go to the park 30 minutes before MM opening, kids and mom head to fantasyland, dad goes and gets FP's to SM, RR, and BTMR. Meets up with mom and kids and they continue through fantasyland and other rides, Dad runs to get FP's to Star Tours, HM, and Indy throughout the day as they become eligible.

On day two they all go to DCA as soon as it opens to resort guests, they get fastpasses to WOC, and go ride Soarin'. Then head back to DL and get FP's for whatever they are interested in and ride the things they missed the day before. If the park gets too busy they can head over to DCA.

I'm also going to tell her to try and get a few reservations if she can.
Anything else?

 

[HydroGuy]

So I just want to make sure I'm passing on good information, does this sound right?

Go to the park 30 minutes before MM opening, kids and mom head to fantasyland, dad goes and gets FP's to SM, RR, and BTMR. Meets up with mom and kids and they continue through fantasyland and other rides, Dad runs to get FP's to Star Tours, HM, and Indy throughout the day as they become eligible.

On day two they all go to DCA as soon as it opens to resort guests, they get fastpasses to WOC, and go ride Soarin'. Then head back to DL and get FP's for whatever they are interested in and ride the things they missed the day before. If the park gets too busy they can head over to DCA.

I'm also going to tell her to try and get a few reservations if she can.
Anything else?

Well, as the FP runner in may family I have a nostalgia for FantasyLand that my teen and early 20's sons tolerate. So think twice before skipping FL to get FPs.

Also, RR is in ToonTown which opens one hour after DL opens. So you cannot get a FP there. And BTMMR is so easy to get a FP I would not bother first thing in the morning. Frankly the only FPs worth diverting from FL are Space Mtn and ST. You can get Indy and Splash later in the day as well.

I would also suggest your illustrative descriptions of "run here" and "run there" may be too aggressive and..well...not so much fun. For you or your family. I do "walk with purpose" to get FPs but I try to keep my FP collecting to the local area where my family is touring. So if we want to go to Buzz LY that is a good time to "time" the ride when a FP window opens and you can grab it on the way.

My suggestion: Slow down, have fun and be careful to not make your DLR pace and FP collecting a negative for your family.

 

[monkeybug]

Well, as the FP runner in may family I have a nostalgia for FantasyLand that my teen and early 20's sons tolerate. So think twice before skipping FL to get FPs.

Also, RR is in ToonTown which opens one hour after DL opens. So you cannot get a FP there. And BTMMR is so easy to get a FP I would not bother first thing in the morning. Frankly the only FPs worth diverting from FL are Space Mtn and ST. You can get Indy and Splash later in the day as well.

I would also suggest your illustrative descriptions of "run here" and "run there" may be too aggressive and..well...not so much fun. For you or your family. I do "walk with purpose" to get FPs but I try to keep my FP collecting to the local area where my family is touring. So if we want to go to Buzz LY that is a good time to "time" the ride when a FP window opens and you can grab it on the way.

My suggestion: Slow down, have fun and be careful to not make your DLR pace and FP collecting a negative for your family.

Thanks! I didn't realize toontown opened later than the rest of the park.
This is actually not for my family, my friend is going with her family and they leave 2 days after Christmas. She was thinking it would be a slow time, and they have no information other than where they are staying. I'm just trying to gather information to pass along.
I will make sure I say "go get" instead of "run to" LOL!
So the only FP's they really need to get in the morning are SM and ST's? Even during the Christmas season?

I was going to suggest to her that because it is such a busy time, they might want to really concentrate on rides in the morning, and then take a slower pace in the afternoon and evenings so they aren't rushing passed all the "magic". That's what my family does at Disney World, and it really works for us (we always have one unrushed morning too), would that same strategy work at Disneyland? Or is it just not as crowded and therefore not necessary even during Christmas?

 

[quikah]

On day two they all go to DCA as soon as it opens to resort guests, they get fastpasses to WOC, and go ride Soarin'. Then head back to DL and get FP's for whatever they are interested in and ride the things they missed the day before. If the park gets too busy they can head over to DCA.

You can also ride TLM at DCA during the early opening. It also wouldn't be a bad idea IMO to line up for rope drop at the bridge to Paradise Pier to ride TSM with a shorter wait.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

FP machines don't work until regular park opening. They won't be open for MM.

 

[monkeybug]

FP machines don't work until regular park opening. They won't be open for MM.

Thanks! Didn't realize that either!

 

[monkeybug]

You can also ride TLM at DCA during the early opening. It also wouldn't be a bad idea IMO to line up for rope drop at the bridge to Paradise Pier to ride TSM with a shorter wait.

Thanks! They're actually staying at Paradise Pier, so with a two day trip would you say they should line up for rope drop at the bridge, ride Soarin', TSM (didn't even realize they had that at Disneyland as well), TLM (little mermaid right?), and get WOC fastpasses before heading back to Disneyland?

 

[BlueBayou]

Thanks! They're actually staying at Paradise Pier, so with a two day trip would you say they should line up for rope drop at the bridge, ride Soarin', TSM (didn't even realize they had that at Disneyland as well), TLM (little mermaid right?), and get WOC fastpasses before heading back to Disneyland?

I would get FF for Soarin and then head over for TSMM - then to Little Mermaid. When we were there in Oct. the lines for Mermaid were not too bad - and the ride is quick loading. The lines at Toy Story were much longer.

We stayed at the PPH on our last visit. Let them know about cutting though the Grand Californian. We did that when going to DL or DCA - you just head in a different way once you get to the lobby. At night it is also nice to rest by the fire on the way back to the hotel.

If they are headed to Disneyland - and don't mind ending up in Tomorrowland - they can cut through the AMC parking lot from the hotel and ride the monorail. You don't get the magic of going through the main gates and main street - but it is a nice experience if you are visiting on multiple days.

 

[BlueBayou]

Also if they are looking for a place to eat in downtown Disney - I would recommend Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen http://www.rbjazzkitchen.com/ Nothing on the menu ever looks that good to me - but it always ends up being the best meal. We are also fans of The Wine Country Trattoria in DCA http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneys-california-adventure/wine-country-trattoria/ , in fact my 11-year-old complained when we returned home that we never made it there this past visit.

 

[HydroGuy]

So the only FP's they really need to get in the morning are SM and ST's? Even during the Christmas season?

For us and most people, these two are the most important in the morning. IMO eventually ST will calm down (by summer 2012?) and then Space will again be #1. Also important is Indy. Splash is important too but in winter it is in much lower demand than summer. In a busy Christmas season those are the FP priorities.

I was going to suggest to her that because it is such a busy time, they might want to really concentrate on rides in the morning, and then take a slower pace in the afternoon and evenings so they aren't rushing passed all the "magic". That's what my family does at Disney World, and it really works for us (we always have one unrushed morning too), would that same strategy work at Disneyland? Or is it just not as crowded and therefore not necessary even during Christmas?

No, your WDW strategy works the same as at DLR.

 

[ArchOwl]

I agree that the morning is definitely the time to collect FPs and go after the rides. After that, I tend to slow down a lot in the afternoon/evening. Go shopping, have a nice dinner, and then start using all my FPs. Since they have a Magic Morning and you can't collect FPs during MM I would have them hit up Fantasyland together. Something like this perhaps:

Peter Pan (always first!)
Dumbo
Mr. Toad
Alice
Matterhorn
IASW holiday (which I believe is open during MM??)

A few minutes before the regular park opening time, make your way to the FP distribution area for Star Tours. Get a FP. Since you are in Tomorrowland, check out Buzz Lightyear, Autopia, or Finding Nemo. As soon as you are eligible for another FP, hit up Space Mountain for a FP.

Now it should be about 9am and you've been up early for your MM. Take a breather, get a snack if necessary, bathroom break whatever.

Then make your way to Frontierland and get a BTMRR FP and ride it if line is short. At this time you can ride Pirates or Haunted Mansion Holiday, both lines should be relatively short. As soon as you are eligible, grab an Indy FP. You can also ride the Jungle Cruise now if you wish.

Now start filling in the rides you haven't been on yet, anything you missed in Fantasyland that you want to ride (Snow White or Pinocchio) and then move on to Toontown to check that out and grab a Roger Rabbit FP.

Now you should be eligible for your next FP, which is Haunted Mansion Holiday. Grab that and you will probably be getting close to the 2 hour window return time. But that is ok. It is almost noon and you have 6 FPs!

Now you can relax. You are set up for the rest of the day. Have a nice lunch somewhere (either get a reservation for table service or hit up a counter service before noon) and then collect another FP (Splash if you want or another Space FP). Then do what you want. Your only goal now is to collect another FP if you want. Go shopping or start using your FPs, it is up to you. You have time to stake out a spot for the parade if you like.

Continue to collect as many FPs as you want and use them as you please. Park hop if DL gets too crazy crowded.

For DCA, definitely get to the GCH entrance before 9:15am. Grab your WOC FPs and then hit up Soarin'. If you are going to try rope drop for TSMM, skip riding Soarin' and just get a FP. Then head over to the Little Mermaid and ride. Then line up for TSMM.

If you want to skip the rope drope for TSMM (my own preference), I would get the WOC FPs first, then FP Soarin', then ride Soarin'. Then I head over to Little Mermaid, ride that and now it is past rope drop. I ride Screamin', FP Screamin' and check out the craziness that is TSMM. Usually it is still nuts, so I go through Bug's Land and hop on Flik's Flyers or Heimlich's Chew Chew Train. Hop on Monster's Inc or watch Muppets and then FP Tower of Terror.

Time for a break! Late breakfast/early lunch (avoid the crowds at noon!) and now I stand in the TSMM line after getting another Screamin' FP. Ride Screamin' using first FP.

Now I can slow down. Schedule in a Aladdin show or go see Crush at the Animation Academy. Grab FPs as I become eligible, the GRR or GSS if I like.

At nighttime there is WOC, elecTRONica, Flynn's, etc. As I do the entertainment, I use my FPs along the way and collect new ones as I am eligible.

Avoid shopping during the last hour of the parks closing, it is a madhouse. Shop in the afternoons when everyone else is standing in line. Eat during off times, unless you have a reservation for a table service spot. Get to the parks early and collect FPs. Basically, do whatever everyone else is NOT doing.

 

[monkeybug]

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all that replied to this thread! My friend and her family are adding 2 days to their trip and having a GREAT time! She sent me a text message saying that thanks to the info and advice I passed her way they rule the park! LOL!
Even though it's been at capacity for the last two days, they've gone on all the rides they wanted, eaten with out waiting in line, and even made time for a nap in the afternoons! They have been collecting fastpasses in the morning and using them in the evening. She said their trip has been amazing!
Her husband even asked if they could buy annual passes! I told her they are going to become addicts like the rest of us!
Thanks again! Your advice has made all the difference on their trip and you have created the next generation of Disneyland super fans!