Help planning first real Disneyland trip

[wareagle57]

Hi! I am making my second trip to DLR at the end of August. My first time there I only had one day. I consider myself an expert on WDW and the more efficient way to tour. I also consider myself a "commando." I walk fast all day and don't really take breaks on short trips.

But I know from last time, Disneyland is not the same. And knowing wait times, using the paper FP system, is completely different than WDW.

So I have a few questions. And assume for all questions, I will be park hopping every day. I know I won't stick to just one park with them a stones throw away from each other. I mostly want to focus on exclusive to Disneyland rides/shows. Specifically Radiator Springs, Hyperspace Mountain (assuming it's still there) and Indiana Jones. To a lesser extent Pirates and Splash Mountain and the Matterhorn. I'd like to ride all of those multiple times.:

1. What are your rope drop strategies for both parks?

2. What are your FP strategies at both parks?

3. What do you consider to be the optimal use of time for a full day in general?

4. I want to see Paint the Night and the Fireworks twice if possible, and also World of Color. What are the best spots for the parade and fireworks and how early do I need to get there for them?

5. Is there any news at all on how long Hyperspace Mountain will be running? I really hope I get to see it. Same for Haunted Mansion, but to a lesser extent since it's mostly the same was at WDW, but I still hope to get there before they shut it down to add the overlay.

Thank you so much in advance for your help. I am so excited for my trip. I love WDW but Disneyland just had something special I couldn't put my finger on and I can't wait to experience it again!

 

[BadPinkTink]

ok, the first thing I do is open Google Maps in one tab, the list of attractions page on Disneyland website in another tab, and the list of restaurants in another tab.

Google Maps will actually give you walking times between rides. For example put Pirates as your starting point and then say you want to go to Buzz. It will show you the route and approx walking time. But bare in mind this does not factor in crowds, just literally the distance between two points.

You also need to factor in crowd levels for the days you are there. Weekends are busiest, but there are also things like black out days for APs. Disneyland California is very much a "locals" park, meaning the majority of the people are Californians, unlike Florida, which has a higher percentage of people not from Florida and internationals.

4. I want to see Paint the Night and the Fireworks twice if possible, and also World of Color. What are the best spots for the parade and fireworks and how early do I need to get there for them?

The best place to see Paint The Night and The Fireworks is at the top of the hub, facing the parade route coming from Matterhorn / Its A Small World area. This is prime area and fills up from about 6pm. You see the Paint The Night first, then turn to face the Castle For Fireworks

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Are you visiting by yourself, or with others?

 

[wareagle57]

Are you visiting by yourself, or with others?

One day I will be by myself, the other 2 days I will be with my sister, BIL, and possibly my mom.

I'm mainly interested in what wait times look like throughout the day (Touringplans looks way too optimistic. It shows almost everything under 30 minutes all day. Nothing reaching an hour, even RSR) and when FPs for rides run out. I have a pretty good feel of the park from my first visit, the similarity to MK, and studying the park maps.

 

[gottalovepluto]

One day I will be by myself, the other 2 days I will be with my sister, BIL, and possibly my mom.

I'm mainly interested in what wait times look like throughout the day (Touringplans looks way too optimistic. It shows almost everything under 30 minutes all day. Nothing reaching an hour, even RSR) and when FPs for rides run out. I have a pretty good feel of the park from my first visit, the similarity to MK, and studying the park maps.

That's ridiculous lol! I like the Mousewait Disneyland app to get ideas of what current wait times are at different times of day.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

A few tips:

Unless you have early entry yourself, start with the park that doesn't have early entry each day, otherwise your rope drop advantage will be significantly lessened.

In DCA, everyone rushes to the RSR FP line immediately, so the FP line can take 20-30 minutes by itself. It's generally better to just go straight to the single-rider line, do that, and then go back after the FP line dies down and get a FP so you can ride later.

Currently, if you want an actual curb spot for Paint the Night, you have to get there very early, but 30 minutes before the show, you can still get pretty good spots (just a row or two back) on much of Main Street. Of course, this depends on how crowded the park is, etc. Anywhere on Main Street (even by the train station) is good for Paint the Night, and as soon as it's over, try to get as close to the center of Main Street as possible - that way you get the projections up and down MS and also can see the fireworks centrally. If you're going to be there multiple nights, you can try two different viewing areas for variety. I'd also recommend trying for fireworks on night 1, since they can be cancelled, and that way you'd know to prioritize them on night 2 if needed.

The CM I talked to last week said Hyperspace Mountain is there through September and there's even discussion that they won't swap it out for Ghost Galaxy.

At DL, I'd probably hit Tomorrowland (Hyperspace and Star Tours, get a FP for one and ride the other immediately) - honestly, it's Fantasyland that fills up soonest and never dies, so if you have a desire to do any of those rides (Storybook Land or anything), I'd also go there early. Indiana Jones is a good use of a FP, and the Splash single-rider line CAN go quickly, but it's a crapshoot. We've done it in under 15 minutes (with a 70 minute standby line), and also had to wait closer to 40. If you're comparing to DW, don't forget to at least take a peek at Toontown.

 

[avalon451]

The CM I talked to last week said Hyperspace Mountain is there through September and there's even discussion that they won't swap it out for Ghost Galaxy

Yayyyyy! Been wondering about this for our Sept. 13th-17th trip. Thanks!

 

[HydroGuy]

1. What are your rope drop strategies for both parks?

Unless you have early entry yourself, start with the park that doesn't have early entry each day, otherwise your rope drop advantage will be significantly lessened.

In DCA, everyone rushes to the RSR FP line immediately, so the FP line can take 20-30 minutes by itself. It's generally better to just go straight to the single-rider line, do that, and then go back after the FP line dies down and get a FP so you can ride later.

I agree with Skye on choosing your starting park. If you arrive an hour after normal opening then park choice does not matter. 30 minutes late? It matters a little.

I would also add that a good option is to head to Toy Story Midway Mania first then come back for RSR FP. Yes, TSMM is at WDW and you said your priority are things different from WDW, but keep it in mind.

Soarin is likely to be busy this summer with the transition to Soarin Over the Horizon in June. That would be worth targeting by FP since it is a new show you probably will have not seen yet at WDW.

Also, with a 3 day ticket you will have one Magic Morning early entry to DL on Tues/Thurs/Sat. If possible that (going to DL for MM) would be a good choice on your solo day since presumably the others would have 2 day tickets and no MM.

2. What are your FP strategies at both parks?

In addition to the other good FP advice by the PPs, see this:

"Thoughts on Maximizing FASTPASS in Today's Disney Parks" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=50089263

Also, on your solo day be sure to know about all the single rider lines:

Fastpass & Single Rider Information

3. What do you consider to be the optimal use of time for a full day in general?

If at all possible get a hotel within easy walking distance to DLR. Next best is one with a shuttle or close to a Disney shuttle (e.g., Toy Story lot). And then take afternoon breaks for 2-4 hours each days to conserve energy.

See "Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

Be aware of rides you may want to ride once in day and once at night. I would say ones to consider for this are RSR, CA Screamin, ToT (maybe), BTMRR and Matterhorn.

Optimal use of time involves, like WDW, getting there at RD and focusing on rides for the first 2-3 hours of each day.

4. I want to see Paint the Night and the Fireworks twice if possible, and also World of Color. What are the best spots for the parade and fireworks and how early do I need to get there for them?

With three nights I would suggest you would be best to not schedule three night times filled with shows. Probably best to scale back to one viewing of PTN and DLF. As long as there are two PTNs schedules (likely in August) then if you can handle the late hour for the second showing it is best to see DLF first and then PTN after. Seeing PTN first showing is hard to get a good spot without a long wait. And while both are good, PTN is special so do not miss that.

I like seeing DLF from MS itself so you can see the projections on the buildings. Somewhere out in front of Gibson Girl ice cream.

WOC, see the Superthread in my signature line for viewing advice.

5. Is there any news at all on how long Hyperspace Mountain will be running? I really hope I get to see it. Same for Haunted Mansion, but to a lesser extent since it's mostly the same was at WDW, but I still hope to get there before they shut it down to add the overlay.

The PP's guess is as good as mine. I suspect it will go until Sept when Ghost Galaxy comes back.

 

[wareagle57]

try to get as close to the center of Main Street as possible - that way you get the projections up and down MS and also can see the fireworks centrally. If you're going to be there multiple nights, you can try two different viewing areas for variety. I'd also recommend trying for fireworks on night 1, since they can be cancelled, and that way you'd know to prioritize them on night 2 if needed.

it's Fantasyland that fills up soonest and never dies, so if you have a desire to do any of those rides (Storybook Land or anything), I'd also go there early.

Indiana Jones is a good use of a FP, and the Splash single-rider line CAN go quickly, but it's a crapshoot. We've done it in under 15 minutes (with a 70 minute standby line), and also had to wait closer to 40. If you're comparing to DW, don't forget to at least take a peek at Toontown.

I had the same mindset for fireworks night one. Last time I chose them over WOC (biggest regret of the trip) and they ended up being cancelled. How far up Main Street do I need to go to be able to see the Matterhorn? I assume I'll want to be able to see it. And I'm pretty sure I want to see PTN from Main Street anyway, but just in case it's too crowded (my mom is short and says she can't see if she's not on the front) are there less crowded areas to view it?

Fantasyland does not die down late at night like it does at WDW? I was counting on being able to knock those out in the evenings. Of course, with it being late August I'm worried there might be early closure times. How soon do the Indy and Space FPs usually run out? I think I'll probably want to get FPs for them each day, maybe more than once for Space.

Also, with a 3 day ticket you will have one Magic Morning early entry to DL on Tues/Thurs/Sat. If possible that (going to DL for MM) would be a good choice on your solo day since presumably the others would have 2 day tickets and no MM.

I get a MM even if I don't stay on property? Just for buying a 3 day ticket? That's awesome. Is it only for DL or can it be used at DCA also?

If at all possible get a hotel within easy walking distance to DLR. Next best is one with a shuttle or close to a Disney shuttle (e.g., Toy Story lot). And then take afternoon breaks for 2-4 hours each days to conserve energy.

I think I know the answer to this already but... is there anywhere close by I can park for free (like a wal-mart) and take an uber? Strictly asking on the off chance I can park somewhere to hail an uber for cheaper than parking at the park.

With three nights I would suggest you would be best to not schedule three night times filled with shows. Probably best to scale back to one viewing of PTN and DLF.

Is it possible to do both WOC and DLF in the same night? I know I was going to attempt that on my last trip but decided not to subject my friends to running between the parks that much.

 

[wareagle57]

Thanks for all the responses guys! I know wait times are a crapshoot and no one can really know. I'll just have to make my best guess and plan for them being a little worse than I expect.

But could someone give me a general idea of what time FPs run out for the more popular rides? Can I count on getting RSR FPs in the late morning? Indy in the afternoon?

 

[wareagle57]

Thanks for all the responses guys! I know wait times are a crapshoot and no one can really know. I'll just have to make my best guess and plan for them being a little worse than I expect.

But could someone give me a general idea of what time FPs run out for the more popular rides? Can I count on getting RSR FPs in the late morning? Indy in the afternoon?

Oh, and I keep seeing that RSR, WOC, and I think CS are "separate" from the FP system. Does that mean I can collect all of them at the same time without having to wait an hour between obtaining a new FP?

 

[SMD]

WOC is disconnected, meaning it doesn't affect your ability to pull another FP. The only ride that is also disconnected is Buzz Lightyear in DL.

Indy FP isn't really a guarantee in the afternoon, it depends what other FP rides are up, and then if the ride goes down for 20 minutes a couple times in the morning that helps extend. You can use the Disneyland app to see what time the FPs are going for. If you see return times within 2 hours of park closing, they're about to run out.

Right now Hyperspace Mountain is the most popular FP. I've gotten them as late as 3pm for 7pm or later returns midweek. But again the ride has been timing out a lot because people aren't exiting fast enough and it's running at such high capacity right now, so I'm not sure if I got FP because it was down a few times or what. The other day I pulled an FP around 10:45am and the return time was increasing as I walked up the ramp. When I went to use the FP around 2:30 the ride was down. About an hour later it was back up and FP were gone. In that case I think the fact that it kept going down was driving people to get the FPs, and probably allowed people to get a 2nd FP because their window had opened when the ride came back up.

 

[HydroGuy]

I had the same mindset for fireworks night one. Last time I chose them over WOC (biggest regret of the trip) and they ended up being cancelled. How far up Main Street do I need to go to be able to see the Matterhorn? I assume I'll want to be able to see it. And I'm pretty sure I want to see PTN from Main Street anyway, but just in case it's too crowded (my mom is short and says she can't see if she's not on the front) are there less crowded areas to view it?

You will need to be in the hub to see the Matterhorn. IMO seeing the buildings on MS during DLF is MUCH cooler than seeing the Matterhorn.

Fantasyland does not die down late at night like it does at WDW? I was counting on being able to knock those out in the evenings. Of course, with it being late August I'm worried there might be early closure times. How soon do the Indy and Space FPs usually run out? I think I'll probably want to get FPs for them each day, maybe more than once for Space.

FL does die down a little but it gets complicated because most of the rides close down before and during the fireworks.

Indy FP usually lasts into the late afternoon. As others have said Space runs out sooner these days.

I get a MM even if I don't stay on property? Just for buying a 3 day ticket? That's awesome. Is it only for DL or can it be used at DCA also?

Yes. Only for DL. See "Early Admission (MM/EMH/APEE) Super Thread" by DLR29 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403

I think I know the answer to this already but... is there anywhere close by I can park for free (like a wal-mart) and take an uber? Strictly asking on the off chance I can park somewhere to hail an uber for cheaper than parking at the park.

I would not know but do you have a hotel already? I often say that driving to the parks is the probably the worst time wasting choice you can make. There is a Target down Harbor if memory serves but I am not sure I would want to park anywhere "for free" as nothing is really free and you might get snagged.

Is it possible to do both WOC and DLF in the same night? I know I was going to attempt that on my last trip but decided not to subject my friends to running between the parks that much.

With how things are scheduled now, no.