Help planning our first DL trip!!

[hart6066]

Hi--we are planning our first DL trip for July--we will be there on a weekend. We are VERY familiar with DW, but I'm not quite sure how to plan for DL. We will spend Sat in DL and Sun in CA. We're staying at the Sheraton Suites. Our kids are 9 and 6 and will most likely go on everything--we do it all at DW including RnR. My questions:

How to plan your day as far as which rides first--we've used Tour Guide Mike so much for DW that we know exactly which order to ride, get FP, etc, but I feel at a loss for DL.

When do the hours come out? I was so surprised that the DL hours are only posted through June right now.

The Sheraton Suites is considered a "good neighbor" hotel--will that help us with the morning magic hours? Can you get morning magic hours by getting tix through AAA or something?

Thanks for all of the help!

 

[damaris13]

Check out the sticky at the top of this forum: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1072276

So many good advice threads that I've been using for the past couple of months to plan our trip in June. Don't be afraid to ask specific questions. Everyone here has been very helpful!

 

[PinkBudgie]

We are going in July too! That is our favorite time to go.

Hours are not posted until about 4-6 weeks out. However, you are going in the summer, the hours for DL will be 8-midnight.

If you arrive before gate opening and collect FPs every chance you can, that alone gives you a big advantage. If we are going to Fantasyland on a non mm day, we go to Peter Pan first. With Star Tours and Little Mermaid being new this summer, I'm not sure how that will affect lines. Assuming Star Tours has a FP, I'd pick that up first thing in the morning. Little Mermaid in DCA will not have FP so I don't know when it is best to head over there. I'm looking forward to hearing the first reports!

It doesn't matter what hotel you are staying at or if they are a "good neighbor" as far as magic mornings. Anyone who buys a parkhopper for 3 or more days gets one MM. Those staying onsite can go to MM every time it is offered.

 

[HydroGuy]

Hi--we are planning our first DL trip for July--we will be there on a weekend. We are VERY familiar with DW, but I'm not quite sure how to plan for DL. We will spend Sat in DL and Sun in CA. We're staying at the Sheraton Suites. Our kids are 9 and 6 and will most likely go on everything--we do it all at DW including RnR. My questions:

How to plan your day as far as which rides first--we've used Tour Guide Mike so much for DW that we know exactly which order to ride, get FP, etc, but I feel at a loss for DL.

When do the hours come out? I was so surprised that the DL hours are only posted through June right now.

The Sheraton Suites is considered a "good neighbor" hotel--will that help us with the morning magic hours? Can you get morning magic hours by getting tix through AAA or something?

Thanks for all of the help!

Glad to see you will be visiting DL (the park) and all of DLR (Disneyland Resort).

Here are some links:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Sheraton will not help with MM. But you park ticket will. See "Magic Morning (Early Entry) Super Thread" by DLR29 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403

For rides consider RideMax www.ridemax.com or www.touringplans.com which have versions for both DLR and WDW.

 

[Hound 109]

Welcome to the left side of the DisBoards. Quite a few WDW vets (& DLR newbies) post here....definitely read the links posted above. Other comments below:

Hi--we are planning our first DL trip for July--we will be there on a weekend.

Which weekend?


We are VERY familiar with DW, but I'm not quite sure how to plan for DL.

Read all the links (some of them twice). You might consider altering your current plans after reading them.


We will spend Sat in DL and Sun in CA.

Can you stay an extra day? Lots of reasons why you might want to.

Oh.....& "Sat. in DL and Sun in CA" is a WDW mindset. You should Park Hop each day. (read the links). Smart Dis'ers start EACH day in DL if time is at a premium (& with less than 4 days in July, your time will be at a premium).


We're staying at the Sheraton Suites.

Did you consider other hotels? Why not onsite or on Harbor Blvd?


Our kids are 9 and 6 and will most likely go on everything--we do it all at DW including RnR. My questions:

How to plan your day as far as which rides first--we've used Tour Guide Mike so much for DW that we know exactly which order to ride, get FP, etc, but I feel at a loss for DL.

Read all of HG's FP links that I will post below....then read them again.


When do the hours come out? I was so surprised that the DL hours are only posted through June right now.

Everyone here knows that DL will be open from 8am - midnite & DCA (unless a change is made for all the new attractions) will open at 10am (actually 9:30)....on a weekend in July.


The Sheraton Suites is considered a "good neighbor" hotel--will that help us with the morning magic hours?

Nope.


Can you get morning magic hours by getting tix through AAA or something?

Nope. Only way to get them would be to stay ON Site.....or to buy a 3 day Park hopper (which will get you ONE MM).


Thanks for all of the help!

Here's some info that i posted last week:

If you are a WDW veteran, then here is your primer.....a must read!!:

HydroGuy's DLR for the WDW veteran tip thread. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1478699


Also, lots of good info for the WDW vet in Mary Jo's tip thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=802084



Regarding touring DLR....the two most important things to remember is to:

- Get to the parks BEFORE opening &
- Know how to use FP at DLR.


30 minutes early is typically when security opens (so getting in THIS line 5-15 minutes prior to security opening is best). Being one of the first 8-10 families at Security will get you up front (probably first thru third family) in line at the DL turnstile. Being very near the front of the turnstiles is important (to me) so that:

- For MM one should be first on Peter Pan...if i'm first on PP then the rest of MM flows easily. & even if i'm not doing PP, i would want to be first on Matterhorn...or SM (or whatever) during MM.

"Critique of MM/EE" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1392671


- Even on a non MM day, I want to be one of the first few the turnstiles so i can get to SM (or Indy) FP machine first (to start the FP collection clock). Then we'll hop on our first ride a minute or two later & begin the important first 90-120 min. of the day at DLR.



KNOW THESE FP THREADS:

"Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

"FastPass for Dummies and Smarties - A Photographic Explanation" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1186052

"Which Fast Pass First?" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1107718

"Strategies For Using DL and DCA Opening Time Differences to Collect More Fastpasses"
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1553197


"Why I Park Hop" http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491961


If you have kiddos ages 4-11, then Jedi Training is a must:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1478699


Regarding getting to the Security Tent 35-45 min. prior to general admission (or MM) opening.....in other words... 5-15 min before SECURITY opens:

The one time that I strolled up 5 min. before MM opening (instead of arriving 35 minutes before opening), I was way back (40-50 families back) at the turnstiles when i walked up. 2-3 rides could have been ridden by the time I've made it thru the turnstiles 10-12 min. after opening.

Plus there's lots to do while you wait the 30 min.... Pics to take, maps (& touring plans) to study, sunscreen to put on, McBreakfasts to munch on, people watching to do, talking to others in line who are as pumped up as you.

If you're only going to be there 2 days, my trip report linked below might be a useful read. Read all of the links provided (some of them twice) & post back.

Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's park.