Help Needed on Planning

[smashndash]

We are planning our first trip to Disneyland in July and I need some help determining which days to do the parks. We will have 4 day hoppers and while we are there from Sunday through Thursday, we have the option of doing early entry at Disneyland On either Tuesday or Thursday.

My question is since DCA has early entry on Sunday, Monday and Wednesday, would it be better to attend DCA on Tuesday and Thursday to avoid being 1 hour behind the crowds during the early entry days and skip the early entry at Disneyland?

We are WDW veterans and are really looking forward to RSR and Guardians at DCA although we are hoping to hit everything at both parks over the 4 days. If possible we are hoping to do Guardians and RSR multiple times.

If you are wondering, I am listing a 5 day window, Sunday through Thursday and we are flexible as to which 4 days we are in the parks. The trip is July 16th - 20th.

 

[chickapin parterre]

you have expressed that RSR is the number one value of your visit, then for sure enter DCA on the tuesday and Thursday. Of course being that you have already dealt with the mulitiple problems of riding RSR on Monday of your visit, you may change your mind about multple trips on RSR and just want to take in the wonder of Disneyland on your very first visit or at least see it on a early morning when Main Street is a very pleasant place to see all the history.

 

[smashndash]

From a time savings perspective, is it better to do early entry at DL or go to DCA at rope drop when there is no early entry?

 

[SMD]

There is very little impact of EMH at DCA because so few people have access to it. Any I'll effects will dissipate with an hour, if that. My guess is that for your dates, Sunday will be light in the morning at DCA because many people at D23 will be on site guests. Monday is the actual anniversary day of DL, but many might do DCA EMH before hopping. You should also check the calendar, there may be days there DL MM is over before DCA opens.

 

[HydroGuy]

From a time savings perspective, is it better to do early entry at DL or go to DCA at rope drop when there is no early entry?

Use your DL MM. If it were me here is what I would do:

• Go to the parks Monday-Thursday. Spend roughly 1.5 days at DCA and 2.5 days at DL to get a good mix.
• Be aware that July 17 is DL's anniversary and crowds tend to be a little higher that day. I think they have some ceremony at some point.
• Monday - Do DL rope drop on Monday (since DCA has EMH) then hop to DCA at a convenient point to avoid the bump in DL crowds because of the anniversary. Hop maybe around 10-11AM. If you have someone energetic it might be worth sending someone over to DCA solo with everyone's park tickets at around 8:30-9 to grab some RSR FPs.
• Tuesday - Use MM on Tuesday and spend they day at DL
  
• Wednesday - Rope drop DL again and probably spend the day at DL
• Thursday - Rope drop DCA and probably spend the day there

I usually have Parkhoppers too but I use them a bit sparingly based on show schedules and FPs we get. When you hop you lose your FP advantage at that park unless it is an evening FP and you plan to hop back to the original park later in the day.

 

[smashndash]

Thanks for all the information. We are huge WDW fans and have been talking about visiting DLR for some time and finally have committed to it. We are really excited for the trip.

Also really appreciate all the info on the site, just adds to the anticipation of the trip.

We are likely going to tour Sunday and follow the schedule HydroGuy shared above during the week.

 

[Winnowill]

Note that, of late, DCA is distributing FPs for RSR and TSMM during EMH. So they may run out earlier, and early morning return times will already be gone by the time the park officially opens (right now, as a for instance, it's half an hour into EMH and they're already distributing return times of 10:50-11:50). So, if you're planning on RSR being your first FP, you won't be able to get any other FPs until two hours later.

 

[HydroGuy]

Note that, of late, DCA is distributing FPs for RSR and TSMM during EMH. So they may run out earlier, and early morning return times will already be gone by the time the park officially opens (right now, as a for instance, it's half an hour into EMH and they're already distributing return times of 10:50-11:50). So, if you're planning on RSR being your first FP, you won't be able to get any other FPs until two hours later.

Really? That would be a first at DLR! Do you or anyone else have any more info on this?

 

[Winnowill]

Really? That would be a first at DLR! Do you or anyone else have any more info on this?

Nope. Just looking at the app. It's been going on at least since they implemented FP for TSMM, so...what, about a month? TSMM and RSR are the only rides they seem to be doing it on at DCA (though I imagine GotG will do it, too - pure conjecture on my part). I haven't checked to see whether any of the DL rides are issuing FPs during EMH/MM - if I think to, I'll look tomorrow. But Wednesday, take a look at it during DCA EMH.

 

[Aladora]

Really? That would be a first at DLR! Do you or anyone else have any more info on this?

I grabbed RSR FP during EMH when we were there the week after Easter.

 

[smashndash]

Would that change the approach we should use for Monday? I would assume that we might need to head over to get the RSR fast pass earlier but sounds like we may end up having to wait the 2 hours before getting another fast pass anyway if they are distributing them during early entry.

Wondering if we need to start day in DCA at least 2 days instead of just Thursday.

Thx

 

[Winnowill]

HSM at DL is currently distributing FPs during EMH/MM. It's the only FP-enabled attraction that is (Matterhorn is down at the moment, so I can't check it).

Would that change the approach we should use for Monday? I would assume that we might need to head over to get the RSR fast pass earlier but sounds like we may end up having to wait the 2 hours before getting another fast pass anyway if they are distributing them during early entry.

Wondering if we need to start day in DCA at least 2 days instead of just Thursday.

Thx

Yes, you will have to wait two hours (likely) before you can get another FP if you get FPs for RSR first thing at DCA if it's an EMH morning and you don't have access. If you start there on Thursday, you're on a level playing field.