Here Today

[Nole95]

DW is running the half this weekend so today was our first park day with DD 10 and DS 8. Staying at Paradise Pier.

This morning we were the first ones at the DCA gates at 7:15 for early entry. Around 7:45 we were picked to open the park. Very exciting for everyone.

Everyone was then briskly walked to the internal rope drop, and we positioned ourselves in the wide right position. I have to say that it worked to perfection. We were on RSR within 5 minutes of entering the queue.

As for the rest of our morning here is what we accomplished after RSR.

DW/DD ride Screamin twice with no wait while DS and I rode TSMM. We then switched off and DD and I rode Screamin twice with no wait while DW/DS rode TSMM.

We then got to Soarin shortly before 9am and rode that with about a 5 minute wait. After this we pulled RSR FPs with a return of 1155am.

We then rode Monsters Inc with no wait. Walked back over and rode Fun Wheel with 15 minute wait. DW then went back and rode Screamin two times with no wait while kids and I rode Grizzly with 10 minute wait. 11am we pulled WOC FPs Blue area.

Lunch at Flo's about 1115, and then used our RSR FPs.

We then hopped over to DL around 12:45. Much more crowded. Pull Star Tours FP for 1:25. Rode Buzz with 15 minute wait, Matterhorn with 15 minute wait. Used Star Tours FP, and then had some ice cream. At this point it seemed really crowded so we are relaxing for a little at the hotel. All the big rides at DL were well over 30 minute waits at 2:30.

All in all a very productive morning/early afternoon.

 

[Butterfly123]

It sounds like you are having an amazing visit!

 

[SMD]

I went to DL this morning too. Parking and traffic on Harbor were awful (the construction at Ramada taking Harbor down to 1 lane didn't help. He trams to the park were practically empty, as many people at M&F were headed to the expo. Around 2pm the crowds really picked up. Then they started to rope off Main St for the parade and the castle and Tomorrowland got crowded. I remembered that at the last expo the initial rush died down around 1pm, which would coincide with people picking up their park tickets and heading into the parks. I was planning to leave to beat traffic anyway. I will NOT be headed into the parks this weekend or Monday. I'm thinking of doing a trip report. How an AP with no plan spends money for 4 hours.

 

[Cheshirecatty]

DW is running the half this weekend so today was our first park day with DD 10 and DS 8. Staying at Paradise Pier.

This morning we were the first ones at the DCA gates at 7:15 for early entry. Around 7:45 we were picked to open the park. Very exciting for everyone.

Everyone was then briskly walked to the internal rope drop, and we positioned ourselves in the wide right position. I have to say that it worked to perfection. We were on RSR within 5 minutes of entering the queue.

As for the rest of our morning here is what we accomplished after RSR.

DW/DD ride Screamin twice with no wait while DS and I rode TSMM. We then switched off and DD and I rode Screamin twice with no wait while DW/DS rode TSMM.

We then got to Soarin shortly before 9am and rode that with about a 5 minute wait. After this we pulled RSR FPs with a return of 1155am.

We then rode Monsters Inc with no wait. Walked back over and rode Fun Wheel with 15 minute wait. DW then went back and rode Screamin two times with no wait while kids and I rode Grizzly with 10 minute wait. 11am we pulled WOC FPs Blue area.

Lunch at Flo's about 1115, and then used our RSR FPs.

We then hopped over to DL around 12:45. Much more crowded. Pull Star Tours FP for 1:25. Rode Buzz with 15 minute wait, Matterhorn with 15 minute wait. Used Star Tours FP, and then had some ice cream. At this point it seemed really crowded so we are relaxing for a little at the hotel. All the big rides at DL were well over 30 minute waits at 2:30.

All in all a very productive morning/early afternoon.

WOW!!! I'm impressed!

That is surely a great many things to have accomplished in a morning/early afternoon!

Getting up and getting to the Parks at opening really pays off!

Hope the rest of your trip goes as well as the first day!

Thanks for the positive feedback!

 

[MaleficentRN]

I appreciate your report. I am planning on going the week before Labor Day next year and I am anticipating the crowds. I'd love to hear from anyone that was there early this week.

 

[Nole95]

Did WOC last night, and we were with a friend who has an AP. We all waited for the mass of people to enter and clear out before we even tried going into the blue area.

We walked right in around 9 and found a family sitting on the ground along the rail about midway down that had a couple strollers. Five minutes before the show they all stood up and since the strollers were right along the rail our kids could stand behind them for a perfect view of the direct center of the show. Worked out quite well, and no one seemed packed in like sardines last night either.

 

[whoever]

We are always the first ones there in the morn and have never been picked to open . So great that you got to do this!!

 

[phil1914]

We did DL Thursday morning until about 3 or 4. Never had more than a 15 min wait for any ride. Definitely felt more packed late afternoon.

 

[kkmcan]

DW is running the half this weekend so today was our first park day with DD 10 and DS 8. Staying at Paradise Pier.

This morning we were the first ones at the DCA gates at 7:15 for early entry. Around 7:45 we were picked to open the park. Very exciting for everyone.

Everyone was then briskly walked to the internal rope drop, and we positioned ourselves in the wide right position. I have to say that it worked to perfection. We were on RSR within 5 minutes of entering the queue.

As for the rest of our morning here is what we accomplished after RSR.

DW/DD ride Screamin twice with no wait while DS and I rode TSMM. We then switched off and DD and I rode Screamin twice with no wait while DW/DS rode TSMM.

We then got to Soarin shortly before 9am and rode that with about a 5 minute wait. After this we pulled RSR FPs with a return of 1155am.

We then rode Monsters Inc with no wait. Walked back over and rode Fun Wheel with 15 minute wait. DW then went back and rode Screamin two times with no wait while kids and I rode Grizzly with 10 minute wait. 11am we pulled WOC FPs Blue area.

Lunch at Flo's about 1115, and then used our RSR FPs.

All in all a very productive morning/early afternoon.

Wow! You had a dream morning! I hope for that for our DCA day in October. Thanks for posting your rundown of rides. Maybe we can duplicate it.

 

[Nole95]

Here was our Saturday list for Half Marathon weekend. It pays to get to the parks early.

Disneyland early entry. Got a little late start and arrived by monorail at 8:15.

DD and I rode Space with 5 minute wait, while DW and DD rose Star Tours with no wait.

Switched off and DW/DD rode Space, while DS/I rode Buzz
Thunder at 9am no wait
Grabbed FP IJ
Pirates no wait
Tarzan treehouse no wait
Grabbed FP thunder
IJ
Jungle Cruise (15 minutes)
Thunder
FP Space
Lunch
Train
Small world (5 minutes)
Tried riding Space, but it broke down right as we were getting on
Buzz
Jedi training (2:25) where both kids picked
DW/DD rode Space/ DS/I rode Buzz
Monorail to Downtown Disney around 3:30
ESPN Zone for some college football. Park was crowded so it was a good time to go.
Wine Country Trattoria for a 7:30 reservation
Soarin at 9pm (10 minutes)

 

[Nole95]

Sunday morning report.

Watched DW finish the half and then took the kids right to DCA. It was early entry day, and we arrived about 8:15.

I really think the half must keep the early crowds away. I was surprised to be able to walk to RSR and find only a 10 minute wait. We hopped on to ride, and then rode a second time with only a 10 minute wait.

By this time it was 9am. We could have ridden a third time with little wait, but wanted to move on elsewhere. We did see the 9am rope drop crowd, but even that did not look bad. Maybe a hundred people.

We then proceeded to ride TSMM, Goofy Sky School, Golden Zephyr, Grizzly Rapids and Soarin with 0-10 minute waits.

DW then met up with us for lunch around 11:00. After lunch DD and I rode Screamin while DW/DS rode the Swings.

Hopped over to Disneyland and pulled FPs for Space.
Rode Buzz with 10 minute wait
Rode Thunder with 10 minute wait
Rode Carousel with 5 minute wait
Then finally got DS on Space, which he proclaimed was awesome. Figured he would like it if he just got on it.

Heading home tomorrow after a great first trip out west.