Help me...I'm confused!

[nannyz]

We're heading to DLR this month.
I am not a big planner but we were talking yesterday and I have a few questions:

1. We are staying off-site and have 6-day hoppers. If I am correct, we can use our MM only for DL, not for DCA. Should we do this on Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday? (Tuesday not an option for us).

2. On non MM days, I understand that we all have to enter one of the parks before we can get FP's. So if we all go into DL, and then send our runners over to DCA, can they get FP's for Soarin' and RSR, then come right back to DL and get FP's for attractions there or do we have to wait? And do we all have to go with the runners to enter DCA with our tickets?

3. One more question, please. My husband has health issues that make a lot of walking difficult for him (not enough to need any kind of vehicle).
If we enter DL and go to Fantasyland first, what is the best route to follow to wind around DL without having to walk back and forth between the areas? (I hope I have made myself understandable.)

Thanks so much!!

 

[Girimama33]

We're heading to DLR this month.
I am not a big planner but we were talking yesterday and I have a few questions:

1. We are staying off-site and have 6-day hoppers. If I am correct, we can use our MM only for DL, not for DCA. Should we do this on Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday? (Tuesday not an option for us).

2. On non MM days, I understand that we all have to enter one of the parks before we can get FP's. So if we all go into DL, and then send our runners over to DCA, can they get FP's for Soarin' and RSR, then come right back to DL and get FP's for attractions there or do we have to wait? And do we all have to go with the runners to enter DCA with our tickets?

3. One more question, please. My husband has health issues that make a lot of walking difficult for him (not enough to need any kind of vehicle).
If we enter DL and go to Fantasyland first, what is the best route to follow to wind around DL without having to walk back and forth between the areas? (I hope I have made myself understandable.)

Thanks so much!!

1) Thursday. It is usally recommended on this board to do the MM as early in your trip as possible.
2) You will not be able to obtain FP's for your entire party if one person goes to another park for the FP. The passes need to be activated at the turnstiles in order to get Fp's with the tickets.
3) I am a little confused...If you are in FL (which is in the center) you are going to have to criss-cross over other lands. You could travel to Fronteirland first using the back road from FL and then head to Critter Country, NOS, Adventureland...then over to TL and you can end in Toontown. That would be somewhat of a loop.
Hope that helps. Have a great time!

 

[pixiewings71]

We're heading to DLR this month.
I am not a big planner but we were talking yesterday and I have a few questions:

1. We are staying off-site and have 6-day hoppers. If I am correct, we can use our MM only for DL, not for DCA. Should we do this on Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday? (Tuesday not an option for us).

2. On non MM days, I understand that we all have to enter one of the parks before we can get FP's. So if we all go into DL, and then send our runners over to DCA, can they get FP's for Soarin' and RSR, then come right back to DL and get FP's for attractions there or do we have to wait? And do we all have to go with the runners to enter DCA with our tickets?

3. One more question, please. My husband has health issues that make a lot of walking difficult for him (not enough to need any kind of vehicle).
If we enter DL and go to Fantasyland first, what is the best route to follow to wind around DL without having to walk back and forth between the areas? (I hope I have made myself understandable.)

Thanks so much!!

1- we have APs so we don't do MM/EE but I imagine doing it Thursday will be better.
2- once your tickets have been scanned at the DL turnstile they are active in both parks (the same also works if you enter DCA first), you do not need to all go to DCA to get FP's if you have all entered DLR as guests. This strategy will work. (unless something has changed since March and I missed it)
3- if you want to go straight to FL you simply walk down MS and through the castle. You can grab a ride in the morning on a ride vehicle that will be waiting on MS that might help with the walking. Also you can take the train to get places in the park, but if you're trying to do a MM/EE just walk to FL and avoid the train, it won't help and it will slow you down. Also, if your DH has problems walking, it might be good to consider a wheelchair or ECV, I know you said he doesn't need that but it might turn out that he would appreciate it more than he thinks.

2) You will not be able to obtain FP's for your entire party if one person goes to another park for the FP. The passes need to be activated at the turnstiles in order to get Fp's with the tickets.

This is incorrect! Passes are activated upon entrance into either turnstile so the full party does not need to go to DCA to get FP's, someone just has to take the tickets and make the run.

 

[Girimama33]

This is incorrect! Passes are activated upon entrance into either turnstile so the full party does not need to go to DCA to get FP's, someone just has to take the tickets and make the run.

My mistake...I was basing it on the scenario that if someone went into the park to get FP's (but everyone else wasn't in the parks yet), it couldn't be done. Good to know that someone could be a runner while you are in the other park.

 

[nikkislaght]

also, just a hint that may help your husband.
If he goes to city hall when you get there.. he can ask for a GAC a guest assistance card..

This card is for hidden disabilities.. so you will be able to use the wheelchair entrance rather than the able bodied one.. this will not get you to the "front" of the line so to speak, but will cut down on standing etc..
I use a cane and have trouble with stairs and standing so it was great to use this card.

You do not need a doctors note to get this card, but you will be asked what you need it for...( they cant ask you what is wrong with you, goes against the disabled act) I.E cant stand for long periods etc.. some of the CM's may tell you to hire a wheel chair.. (you dont need the card then) but stand your ground so to speak. lol they will then stamp the card for what you can use it for... It was lovely using it on Autotopia.. I used the elevator.. way cool lol. I may be 42 but still a kid at heart.

They will ask you how many people in your party.. and write that on the card, which will allow you to have your party together on the ride.. with a max of 6 people...

Most of the rides in CA are wheelchair accessible, so you will not be able to use the card there.. cept when using elevators to get to rides etc..

I have a cane that has a seat attached which helped so much.. although the screener's at security nearly had a fit when I went through and told me I couldnt use it at the parks , and that I would have to get a wheelchair..

Told them that if they insisted that I get a wheel chair they would be paying for it... they let me in... crazy I say...

Hope you have a great time

 

[subtchr]

1. We are staying off-site and have 6-day hoppers. If I am correct, we can use our MM only for DL, not for DCA. Should we do this on Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday? (Tuesday not an option for us).

Yes, as others have noted. My advice would also be to use it Thursday.

2. On non MM days, I understand that we all have to enter one of the parks before we can get FP's. So if we all go into DL, and then send our runners over to DCA, can they get FP's for Soarin' and RSR, then come right back to DL and get FP's for attractions there or do we have to wait? And do we all have to go with the runners to enter DCA with our tickets?

Yes, you can all enter DL, then send your runners to DCA to get FPs, but they cannot get them for BOTH RSR and Soarin' in short order. Once you have obtained a fastpass (at least a "connected" one), you have to wait until the return time or 2 hours later, whichever is first, to obtain another.

3. One more question, please. My husband has health issues that make a lot of walking difficult for him (not enough to need any kind of vehicle).
If we enter DL and go to Fantasyland first, what is the best route to follow to wind around DL without having to walk back and forth between the areas? (I hope I have made myself understandable.)

Even though you say he does not "need" any kind of vehicle, touring DL is not like walking around the mall, even with the most efficient planning. May I suggest renting a scooter to ensure he does not get too overwhelmed walking around? We just returned from a few days at DLR with my SIL, who has a bad knee. She can function fine in everyday life, but if we had not had an ECV for her in the parks, she would have been miserable. We used Deckert's (714-542-5607), and it was fantastic. They dropped off the scooter at our hotel bell services before we needed it, and when we were finished we just had to drop it back off at the bell desk and give them a call to come pick it up. It was in great shape, very maneuverable, and even fun for her to use. Just a thought; it certainly helped make our days much more enjoyable!

 

[nannyz]

Thank you all so much for your help.
I will talk to my husband about an ECV; sound like a good idea.

 

[BlueBayou]

She can function fine in everyday life, but if we had not had an ECV for her in the parks, she would have been miserable. We used Deckert's (714-542-5607), and it was fantastic. They dropped off the scooter at our hotel bell services before we needed it, and when we were finished we just had to drop it back off at the bell desk and give them a call to come pick it up. It was in great shape, very maneuverable, and even fun for her to use. Just a thought; it certainly helped make our days much more enjoyable!

We are a fan of Deckert's too. We rented one for 4 days last October when my mom joined us. It was wonderful to have. (and less than $40 compared to Disney prices)

 

[disneychrista]

3. One more question, please. My husband has health issues that make a lot of walking difficult for him (not enough to need any kind of vehicle).
If we enter DL and go to Fantasyland first, what is the best route to follow to wind around DL without having to walk back and forth between the areas? (I hope I have made myself understandable.)

Make use of the train to go from one side of the park to the other. Unfortunetly you can not avoid criss-crossing completely. Its just the way it is.

 

[chrissiecutie]

OP- I think alot of which direction you head after FL has to do with what you're touring plans are. Are you "commando" style or more, "relax & enjoy"? Do you have kids traveling with you? You get the idea here...

For me, when we travel, we have DS and my sister who is in a wheelchair. She's able to walk but not for long Disney touring. An ECV is the way to go!

We always start in Fantasyland because of DS. Then hit Matterhorn & Small World on our way to Toontown. You can grab the train from Toontown and then hit either NOS or Tomorrowland. But you cant take the ECV on the train. Unless they've changed this policy in the last 2 years....So when we travel with my sister, we don't take the train at all unless we do a scenic full loop and come back to the same station where we left her ECV.

We typically take the "back route" from Fantasyland and drop down at BTMMR in Frontierland. We get FP's for this and head straight to Indiana Jones. Do Indiana & POTC, then HM in NOS and Splash in Critter Country. We save Tomorrowland for the evening.

This is our MM touring plans. So on our 2nd day or non-MM day, we head straight to Frontierland by way of MainSt and just start from the Indiana Jones point on the schedule. We have also sent a FP runner to Space while the rest of the group head to Indiana.

My logic behind this is that their are more "Big ticket" rides on the left side of the park. So I want to get in & get out before the majority of the crowds. And if you've ever walked "the gauntlet" on a sunny summer afternoon....you'll know you never want to do THAT again!