Help with a touring plan!? It's been 8 years!

[disneywifey]

So, I need help. I've been to WDW often enough to know my way around, but I found out yesterday that I'm going on a Mother-daughters trip March 14-18 to the LA area. It's my mother, my 16 year old sister, and myself, a 26 y/o Disneyholic! Shopping is the only thing on my sister's agenda, mine is: I HAVE to go to DL & DCA for one of the days!!!! No matter what! That's just over 2 weeks to plan a trip, much less figure out how to do DL in one day (which I know I can't do it ALL, but I want to fit in as much a posible of course because it's highly unlikely I'll be back this way anytime soon!)

I just returned from WDW on Jan 24th, so to get this news is GREAT but now I'm freaking out all over again! I have no idea about crowd patterns, what it's like trying to do both parks in one day, and which is the best day to go and why. I'll list my favorite WDW rides and what I remember from my DL/DCA trip in 2001 for reference. Any help is SOOOO greatly appreciated!

In WDW I love :
Haunted Mansion
Carousel of Progress
Buzz Lightyear
TSMM
Space Mt
Do NOT like Splash Mt
Pirate of the Caribbean
Monsters Inc Laugh Floor
Star Tours
Rock N Roller Coaster
Tower of Terror
Soarin-more on this later
ALL of epcot-every little piece of it
Expedition Everest
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Shows -Lights Motor Action, Festival Of The Lion King, Finding Nemo
All of the Fireworks, Wishes, Illuminations and Fantasmic
There's not much I don't like there obviously!
I'm ok with not doing the little kid rides, Pooh, and all those, unless they're so much considerably different than WDW.

What I remember and know I want to do again from DL/DCA:
Soarin, OH MY GOSH I love this ride, It makes me tear up it's so great! This was the first palce I ever rode it.
Indiana Jones-Oh godh I hate Dinosaur's storyline but I ride it since it's the same ride mechanism as this! I loved this bumpy fun ride!
Mr Toads Wild Ride-1 ride is all it took and I long for this ride all the time!! It's so fun!
California Screamin-I love the fast take off like RNRC
I didn't get to do the bobsleds for some reason but I want to!

What I don't want to do :
Any water rides
It's tought o be a bug-Been there done that(BTDT)
Muppet Vision(BTDT)
Maliboomer
Anything in Frontierland -really not much into BTMRR
Splash Mt-hate it
Dumbo
IASW
Autopia
Honey I shrunk the Audience

SOOOO, does it seem do-able to do the things I liked again, and add in the staples I left off the not to do list AND the new stuff too(Nemo and whatnot)? And, what would be the best day to try and go during a Sunday-Tuesday? Thanks so much for any advice!!

 

[Dizneydaz]

In WDW I love :
Haunted Mansion-DLR is better
Carousel of Progress wish we had it back
Buzz Lightyear-about the same
TSMM-get there early-no FP. Single rider line is a great option
Space Mt-get there early, grab FP for later, ride if line is short
Do NOT like Splash Mt
Pirate of the Caribbean-lines are pretty short for this
Monsters Inc Laugh Floor-Nothing at DLR like it.
Star Tours-exactly the same
Rock N Roller Coaster-wish they would bring it here
Tower of Terror-I like the one here best, goes straight for the drops!
Soarin-more on this later-Same, has single rider line too
ALL of epcot-every little piece of it-Nothing like it here.
Expedition Everest-Oh, I wish....
Kilimanjaro Safaris Ditto
Shows -Lights Motor Action, Festival Of The Lion King, Finding Nemo
All of the Fireworks, Wishes, Illuminations and Fantasmic-Fireworks and Fantasmic are great. May not have FW during your visit. Check the calendar.
There's not much I don't like there obviously!
I'm ok with not doing the little kid rides, Pooh, and all those, unless they're so much considerably different than WDW.

What I remember and know I want to do again from DL/DCA:
Soarin, OH MY GOSH I love this ride, It makes me tear up it's so great! This was the first palce I ever rode it.
Indiana Jones-Oh godh I hate Dinosaur's storyline but I ride it since it's the same ride mechanism as this! I loved this bumpy fun ride!-Very popular since newest movie-grab FP
Mr Toads Wild Ride-1 ride is all it took and I long for this ride all the time!! It's so fun!
California Screamin-I love the fast take off like RNRC-Get FP, ride TSM, then use FP for CSI didn't get to do the bobsleds for some reason but I want to! Matterhorn-the original. No FP.

What I don't want to do :
Any water rides
It's tought o be a bug-Been there done that(BTDT)
Muppet Vision(BTDT)
Maliboomer
Anything in Frontierland -really not much into BTMRR
Splash Mt-hate it
Dumbo
IASW
Autopia
Honey I shrunk the Audience

SOOOO, does it seem do-able to do the things I liked again, and add in the staples I left off the not to do list AND the new stuff too(Nemo and whatnot)? And, what would be the best day to try and go during a Sunday-Tuesday? Thanks so much for any advice!!

See notes in Bold

I would rec. either Monday or Tuesday. You probably won't be able to do all you want so make a list of your priorities. Grab as many FP as you can in the a.m. to use later in the day.

Okay, so I just checked the calendar for the time you'll be there. Good news and bad----the parks are open late (must be Spring Break)---that means they expect crowds. DL is open 8-11 on Mon. and 9-11 on Tuesday. DCA is 10-7 both days. Of course with the extended hours the fireworks will be going.

Get there and get in line before the park (DL) opens. Go to the most popular rides firest (Space, Indy) ride them and get FP for later. Do as many as of the rides at DL as you can. Cross over to DCA when it opens (if Monday) if Tuesday, cross about 11 a.m. Ride TSM, Screamin, and Soarin' first. To save time for more rides eat a late lunch-we like to eat lunch at The White Water Snacks in CG-you can access it through DCA.

HTH. Have fun!

 

[S. S. Columbia]

...what would be the best day to try and go during a Sunday-Tuesday? ...

Here's the DLR calendar:
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dis...span=3&parkDCA=true&parkDLP=true&parkDTD=true

Is Fantasmic a "must see" for you? F! is only showing on Sunday, March 15 (and not on Mon or Tues).

Otherwise I think Monday (Mar 16) is good. Given Sun-Mon-Tues, Monday is the only day without a Magic Morning.

 

[avalon451]

Hydroguy has the best tips all in one place, esp. for WDW vets: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

If you want a pre-made one-day touring plan, you could check out the Unofficial Guide to DL (available in bookstores or check one out of your library; it doesn't have to be ths year's, necessarily). They have a pretty good one-day plan to get it all in, although it's a Looooooong day. Just leave out the stuff you don't want to do.

Too bad you only have one day. It really requires 3 days to see it right. You will just need to pick and choose the things you want most to see-- and you may just want to concentrate on DL rather than California adventure.

Hope you have a great time!

 

[S. S. Columbia]

Indiana Jones has Single Rider.

TSMM, Calif Screamin', and Soarin' have Single Rider.

DLR may not have something like Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, but DCA has Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! If you ride Monsters Inc., please say "Hi" to Roz.

I think you should add the following to your list:

Alice in Wonderland
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Enchanted Tiki Room (Under Walt's Management )
Turtle Talk with Crush (in DCA)
Toy Story Zeotrope (Animation Bldg in DCA)
Pixar Play Parade (in DCA)
The Aladdin Show (in DCA)

It might be helpful to try RideMax.com. It's only $15 and it comes with a 30-day money back guarantee. JMHO I think RideMax's touring itineraries are more helpful than the touring lists that are found in the back of the Unofficial Guide.

HTH

So, I need help. I've been to WDW often enough to know my way around, but I found out yesterday that I'm going on a Mother-daughters trip March 14-18 to the LA area. It's my mother, my 16 year old sister, and myself, a 26 y/o Disneyholic! Shopping is the only thing on my sister's agenda, mine is: I HAVE to go to DL & DCA for one of the days!!!! No matter what! That's just over 2 weeks to plan a trip, much less figure out how to do DL in one day (which I know I can't do it ALL, but I want to fit in as much a posible of course because it's highly unlikely I'll be back this way anytime soon!)

I just returned from WDW on Jan 24th, so to get this news is GREAT but now I'm freaking out all over again! I have no idea about crowd patterns, what it's like trying to do both parks in one day, and which is the best day to go and why. I'll list my favorite WDW rides and what I remember from my DL/DCA trip in 2001 for reference. Any help is SOOOO greatly appreciated!

In WDW I love :
Haunted Mansion
Carousel of Progress
Buzz Lightyear
TSMM
Space Mt
Do NOT like Splash Mt
Pirate of the Caribbean
Monsters Inc Laugh Floor
Star Tours
Rock N Roller Coaster
Tower of Terror
Soarin-more on this later
ALL of epcot-every little piece of it
Expedition Everest
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Shows -Lights Motor Action, Festival Of The Lion King, Finding Nemo
All of the Fireworks, Wishes, Illuminations and Fantasmic
There's not much I don't like there obviously!
I'm ok with not doing the little kid rides, Pooh, and all those, unless they're so much considerably different than WDW.

What I remember and know I want to do again from DL/DCA:
Soarin, OH MY GOSH I love this ride, It makes me tear up it's so great! This was the first palce I ever rode it.
Indiana Jones-Oh godh I hate Dinosaur's storyline but I ride it since it's the same ride mechanism as this! I loved this bumpy fun ride!
Mr Toads Wild Ride-1 ride is all it took and I long for this ride all the time!! It's so fun!
California Screamin-I love the fast take off like RNRC
I didn't get to do the bobsleds for some reason but I want to!

What I don't want to do :
Any water rides
It's tought o be a bug-Been there done that(BTDT)
Muppet Vision(BTDT)
Maliboomer
Anything in Frontierland -really not much into BTMRR
Splash Mt-hate it
Dumbo
IASW
Autopia
Honey I shrunk the Audience

SOOOO, does it seem do-able to do the things I liked again, and add in the staples I left off the not to do list AND the new stuff too(Nemo and whatnot)? And, what would be the best day to try and go during a Sunday-Tuesday? Thanks so much for any advice!!

 

[disneywifey]

See notes in Bold

I would rec. either Monday or Tuesday. You probably won't be able to do all you want so make a list of your priorities. Grab as many FP as you can in the a.m. to use later in the day.

Okay, so I just checked the calendar for the time you'll be there. Good news and bad----the parks are open late (must be Spring Break)---that means they expect crowds. DL is open 8-11 on Mon. and 9-11 on Tuesday. DCA is 10-7 both days. Of course with the extended hours the fireworks will be going.

Get there and get in line before the park (DL) opens. Go to the most popular rides firest (Space, Indy) ride them and get FP for later. Do as many as of the rides at DL as you can. Cross over to DCA when it opens (if Monday) if Tuesday, cross about 11 a.m. Ride TSM, Screamin, and Soarin' first. To save time for more rides eat a late lunch-we like to eat lunch at The White Water Snacks in CG-you can access it through DCA.

HTH. Have fun!

Thanks so much for those tips! I really appreciate the info it'll help making a "plan" of my own for what to do when.

Here's the DLR calendar:
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dis...span=3&parkDCA=true&parkDLP=true&parkDTD=true

Is Fantasmic a "must see" for you? F! is only showing on Sunday, March 15 (and not on Mon or Tues).

Otherwise I think Monday (Mar 16) is good. Given Sun-Mon-Tues, Monday is the only day without a Magic Morning.

No, Fantasmic isn't a must see. I'm ok without it. Thanks for the Magic Morning info. That helps!

Hydroguy has the best tips all in one place, esp. for WDW vets: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

If you want a pre-made one-day touring plan, you could check out the Unofficial Guide to DL (available in bookstores or check one out of your library; it doesn't have to be ths year's, necessarily). They have a pretty good one-day plan to get it all in, although it's a Looooooong day. Just leave out the stuff you don't want to do.

Too bad you only have one day. It really requires 3 days to see it right. You will just need to pick and choose the things you want most to see-- and you may just want to concentrate on DL rather than California adventure.

Hope you have a great time!

Thanks for that, I'm about to go check that out. I know, I wish I could spend 3 days there too but this is a shared trip, so ANY disney is ok by me! I'm glad they're indulging me this, otherwise I'd have to escape the room and go missing for a day!

Indiana Jones has Single Rider.

TSMM, Calif Screamin', and Soarin' have Single Rider.

DLR may not have something like Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, but DCA has Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! If you ride Monsters Inc., please say "Hi" to Roz.

I think you should add the following to your list:

Alice in Wonderland
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Enchanted Tiki Room (Under Walt's Management )
Turtle Talk with Crush (in DCA)
Toy Story Zeotrope (Animation Bldg in DCA)
Pixar Play Parade (in DCA)
The Aladdin Show (in DCA)

It might be helpful to try RideMax.com. It's only $15 and it comes with a 30-day money back guarantee. JMHO I think RideMax's touring itineraries are more helpful than the touring lists that are found in the back of the Unofficial Guide.

HTH

Thanks for the suggestions. One more question, since all 3 of us will be going, how far would we have to wait between each person on any of the single rider lines? I know my mom and sis will probably want to ride together, i.e. not with strangers (doesn't bother me, though!) but any idea of how far apart we'd get if we DID do single rider lines?

 

[Hound 109]

.....One more question, since all 3 of us will be going, how far would we have to wait between each person on any of the single rider lines? I know my mom and sis will probably want to ride together, i.e. not with strangers (doesn't bother me, though!) but any idea of how far apart we'd get if we DID do single rider lines?

Depends on the ride (& the day & how crowded it is). I'd say you'd get separated ALOT. Screamin' might have a 50 min. standby & a 5 min. single rider line for example.

A couple of random thoughts:

Is the hotel set? Any chance of staying one night (Monday night) at one of the 3 DLR hotels?

Not only would it get you to the park early, but it would get you MM & it would allow you to commando while the others wouldn't have to. Ya gotta stay somewhere.


Here's a helpful link that would describe how one could tour in one day:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132


& here's a link that describes the importance of parkhopping & how it differs from WDW (alot):

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491961


& here's my last "one day vist" at DLR with a recap with the WDW veteran in mind:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1975805


As others have mentioned, getting there early is VERY important. A good general plan is to:

- arrive at DL 30-45 min. before opening.
- tour & collect FPs for 2-4 hours.
- hop to DCA & collect FPs & tour.
- perhaps a rest or a DTD/GCH stroll or meal.
- Back to DL in the evening with 4-6 FPs in your pocket.

As far as a specific touring plan, imo it depends on which day you decide on & if you have MM privildges (or not).


Have a great time visiting Walt's Park.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

Thanks for the suggestions. One more question, since all 3 of us will be going, how far would we have to wait between each person on any of the single rider lines? I know my mom and sis will probably want to ride together, i.e. not with strangers (doesn't bother me, though!) but any idea of how far apart we'd get if we DID do single rider lines?

Indiana Jones, Soarin', and Calif. Screamin' have FastPass. For a party of 3 it would probably be better to use FP (and stay together) instead of maybe getting split up using the Single Rider.

HTH

So, I need help. I've been to WDW often enough to know my way around, but I found out yesterday that I'm going on a Mother-daughters trip March 14-18 to the LA area. It's my mother, my 16 year old sister, and myself, a 26 y/o Disneyholic! Shopping is the only thing on my sister's agenda, mine is: I HAVE to go to DL & DCA for one of the days!!!! No matter what! That's just over 2 weeks to plan a trip, much less figure out how to do DL in one day (which I know I can't do it ALL, but I want to fit in as much a posible of course because it's highly unlikely I'll be back this way anytime soon!)

I just returned from WDW on Jan 24th, so to get this news is GREAT but now I'm freaking out all over again! I have no idea about crowd patterns, what it's like trying to do both parks in one day, and which is the best day to go and why. I'll list my favorite WDW rides and what I remember from my DL/DCA trip in 2001 for reference. Any help is SOOOO greatly appreciated!

In WDW I love :
Haunted Mansion
Carousel of Progress
Buzz Lightyear
TSMM
Space Mt
Do NOT like Splash Mt
Pirate of the Caribbean
Monsters Inc Laugh Floor
Star Tours
Rock N Roller Coaster
Tower of Terror
Soarin-more on this later
ALL of epcot-every little piece of it
Expedition Everest
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Shows -Lights Motor Action, Festival Of The Lion King, Finding Nemo
All of the Fireworks, Wishes, Illuminations and Fantasmic
There's not much I don't like there obviously!
I'm ok with not doing the little kid rides, Pooh, and all those, unless they're so much considerably different than WDW.

What I remember and know I want to do again from DL/DCA:
Soarin, OH MY GOSH I love this ride, It makes me tear up it's so great! This was the first palce I ever rode it.
Indiana Jones-Oh godh I hate Dinosaur's storyline but I ride it since it's the same ride mechanism as this! I loved this bumpy fun ride!
Mr Toads Wild Ride-1 ride is all it took and I long for this ride all the time!! It's so fun!
California Screamin-I love the fast take off like RNRC
I didn't get to do the bobsleds for some reason but I want to!

What I don't want to do :
Any water rides
It's tought o be a bug-Been there done that(BTDT)
Muppet Vision(BTDT)
Maliboomer
Anything in Frontierland -really not much into BTMRR
Splash Mt-hate it
Dumbo
IASW
Autopia
Honey I shrunk the Audience

SOOOO, does it seem do-able to do the things I liked again, and add in the staples I left off the not to do list AND the new stuff too(Nemo and whatnot)? And, what would be the best day to try and go during a Sunday-Tuesday? Thanks so much for any advice!!

 

[disneywifey]

Another question, generally how long are the waits for the Nemo Subs Mid morning or after we come back from DCA opening to ride screamin and soarin? This is a DL exclusive and I'd like to try it our since I love Nemo the film and enjoyed Turtle Talk with Crush at WDW.

 

[avalon451]

Another question, generally how long are the waits for the Nemo Subs Mid morning or after we come back from DCA opening to ride screamin and soarin? This is a DL exclusive and I'd like to try it our since I love Nemo the film and enjoyed Turtle Talk with Crush at WDW.

In mid March, if you go on a weekday.. could be anywhere from 30-75 minutes. Some say that the line moves faster than the reported wait time. It's usually one of the worst lines in the park, so most people try to do it right at opening... but maybe it won't be so busy the week you're there, if you haven't hit spring break time yet.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

Another question, generally how long are the waits for the Nemo Subs Mid morning or after we come back from DCA opening to ride screamin and soarin? This is a DL exclusive and I'd like to try it our since I love Nemo the film and enjoyed Turtle Talk with Crush at WDW.

Finding Nemo, on a Monday in mid-March...

In the mid to late morning the lines may be up to 60 minutes.

After lunch, until late afternoon, the lines may be up to 40 minutes.

After dinner the lines may be approximately 30 to 35 minutes.

Right before closing, the lines may be 25 minutes. If you get in line just before DL closes, then you will still be able to ride Finding Nemo after DL closes (as long as there aren't any technical snafus, and usually there aren't).

FWIW, if you're short on time, you could see the attraction at the MOO (Mobile Observation Outpost) -- it's located near the Nemo entrance. This would allow you to see the video presentation, but you wouldn't actually go on the subs. Just a thought....

HTH

 

[disneywifey]

Depends on the ride (& the day & how crowded it is). I'd say you'd get separated ALOT. Screamin' might have a 50 min. standby & a 5 min. single rider line for example.

A couple of random thoughts:

Is the hotel set? Any chance of staying one night (Monday night) at one of the 3 DLR hotels?

Not only would it get you to the park early, but it would get you MM & it would allow you to commando while the others wouldn't have to. Ya gotta stay somewhere.


Here's a helpful link that would describe how one could tour in one day:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132


& here's a link that describes the importance of parkhopping & how it differs from WDW (alot):

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491961


& here's my last "one day vist" at DLR with a recap with the WDW veteran in mind:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1975805


As others have mentioned, getting there early is VERY important. A good general plan is to:

- arrive at DL 30-45 min. before opening.
- tour & collect FPs for 2-4 hours.
- hop to DCA & collect FPs & tour.
- perhaps a rest or a DTD/GCH stroll or meal.
- Back to DL in the evening with 4-6 FPs in your pocket.

As far as a specific touring plan, imo it depends on which day you decide on & if you have MM privildges (or not).


Have a great time visiting Walt's Park.

Thanks We're staying in Santa Monica the whole trip so no chance of staying near DLR. I did tell them we have to be there before rope drop, or whatever the west coasters call it I've been really tough and cut it to just my must-dos and the rest of the time I want to explore and take photos so I can convince my DH it's worth a trip!

Indiana Jones, Soarin', and Calif. Screamin' have FastPass. For a party of 3 it would probably be better to use FP (and stay together) instead of maybe getting split up using the Single Rider.

HTH

Thanks I appreciate it. My mother may not want to ride all of the rides anyways so we could get FPs and if she didn't use it, give it away or one of us could ride it again later solo

In mid March, if you go on a weekday.. could be anywhere from 30-75 minutes. Some say that the line moves faster than the reported wait time. It's usually one of the worst lines in the park, so most people try to do it right at opening... but maybe it won't be so busy the week you're there, if you haven't hit spring break time yet.

Is it worth the wait? I really have no clue what it is and if the wait is long I'm not sure it's worth the time

Finding Nemo, on a Monday in mid-March...

In the mid to late morning the lines may be up to 60 minutes.

After lunch, until late afternoon, the lines may be up to 40 minutes.

After dinner the lines may be approximately 30 to 35 minutes.

Right before closing, the lines may be 25 minutes. If you get in line just before DL closes, then you will still be able to ride Finding Nemo after DL closes (as long as there aren't any technical snafus, and usually there aren't).

FWIW, if you're short on time, you could see the attraction at the MOO (Mobile Observation Outpost) -- it's located near the Nemo entrance. This would allow you to see the video presentation, but you wouldn't actually go on the subs. Just a thought....

HTH

What is the ride exactly? Is it a video? Do you think it's worth the wait or should I just see the video and then get on with the other things? You guys have obviously done this so you'd know better than me whether it's worth it on such a short trip. Is it great, or just a more kid themed Nemo experience like the Seas with Nemo and Friends? I enjoy how the Turtle Talk interacts with the kids, it's pretty entertaining to watch even if the kids aren't yours, but the Clam-mobiles in Epcot-the seas are a snooze to me. I just like looking at the actual fish and getting off my feet on that ride but on a short trip i definitely would skip it!

Thanks again everyone for all the great tips!!!

 

[Hound 109]

I know some like Nemo. & some here like it "ok"...but wouldn't invest more than 30 min. in a line for Nemo.

Me....I wouldn't ride Nemo unless i was there for 3+ days AND the line was 30 min. or less. And if i was going to be visiting for ONLY ONE DAY, there is NO way i would waste even 10 min. on Nemo....much less 60-75 min. (btw, it's a long line AND a long ride).

One can ride the Fantasyland rides of PP, Dumbo, Alice, Matterhorn, Toady AND Pinocchio in the time it would take to ride Nemo....& each of these rides i much prefer over Nemo.

Might want to You Tube the Nemo ride if you want to see what it's like.


hound <-----also loves Crush & always makes time for this very cool turtle dude.

 

[disneywifey]

I know some like Nemo. & some here like it "ok"...but wouldn't invest more than 30 min. in a line for Nemo.

Me....I wouldn't ride Nemo unless i was there for 3+ days AND the line was 30 min. or less. And if i was going to be visiting for ONLY ONE DAY, there is NO way i would waste even 10 min. on Nemo....much less 60-75 min. (btw, it's a long line AND a long ride).

One can ride the Fantasyland rides of PP, Dumbo, Alice, Matterhorn, Toady AND Pinocchio in the time it would take to ride Nemo....& each of these rides i much prefer over Nemo.

Might want to You Tube the Nemo ride if you want to see what it's like.


hound <-----also loves Crush & always makes time for this very cool turtle dude.

Thanks for those tips. I just went on youtube and I think it's not a must-do for this trip. I've got bigger fish to fry on this trip (pun intended )