How Crowded will California Adventure be and ......

[Elmo007]

I mistakenly posted this on the WDW board. I have not been to CA for a long long time, so I ma sorry If I sound like a rookie.

I am planning to come west for the Rose Bowl Parade and find that I may have an extra day to visit CA, likely January 2.

1. How crowded does CA get then? I know that DL and MK back eats actually close out to visitors for a while. Is it the same there? Will it be so crowded that I won't get to experience the park in a single day? Are we talking 3-4 hour waits per attraction?

2. I think they are still using FP there not FP+. Its been a while. Is that still one Pass at a time until its used or every two hours? Do they strictly enforce return times?

3. If I decide to dive in, whats the best resource for planning? I believe there are some rides with single rider lines and wonder if I should skip FP and use those. If i get a package for WOC (if they even have it then) and I get an FP for that time, how do I handle that.


I am used to how it works out east at WDW. Appreciate the help for the 1 day west trip.

Thanks

 

[Mysteryincorp]

1. Yes it will be very crowded. Be there at rope drop to get big ticket rides done early. I don't think there will be 3-4 hour wait times but 1-2 will be common.
2. Fast passes are still pulled one at a time. They strictly enforce return times. It will say at the bottom of your fastpass ticket when you can pull another one. I think it's two hours after you pull the first one?
3. Using fast passes to your advantage and single rider are great ways to get more done. Some rides with single rider line at Matterhorn, Indy, RSR. For some reason I'm blanking out and can't think of anymore.
Pick the rides you really want to do, do them at rope drop and then utilize fast passant single rider.
Have fun!

 

[Lionsy]

Jan 2 will be very busy, so you'll need to do some homework in advance to determine what are the "must do"s" and what are the "like to do's". The other step will then be to find out which one of the must do's are the most popular, and either do them first thing, or get FPs if possible. You won't be able to see everything, and the harder you try, the emptier the experience will be. Focus on a limited number of attractions and really enjoy them.

 

[figment_jii]

In terms of FPs, you can get another FP when the time window opens or two hours later, whichever comes first. So, if you pull a FP for RSR at 9:00 am with a return time of 5:00 pm, you can get your next DCA FPS at 11:00 am (two hours after you pulled the FP). There is one caveat that I'be heard about, which is you cannot hold two FPs for the same attraction. So, in theory you cannot get another RSR FP a until 5:00 pm (when the window opens). I haven't tried this, but it's something to keep in mind.

It's also worth noting that the two parks are "disconnected" from each other, meaning you can get a FP in DCA and then immediately get a FP in DL. Also, some of the shows (WoC, F!) and character m&g (A&E) are not connected to the system.

Lastly, yes, they are strictly enforcing return times. Any grace period is at the discretion of the CM at the entrance, so there is no set amount of time (if any). I would plan to return during the window.

In terms of SRL, the Disneyland website has a list:
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/#/single-rider-line/

Most folks highly recommend the SRL for RSR a because it tends to be quick and it means you can a FP for some other DCA attraction. My only caveats are that guests in the SRL will almost always be split up (sometimes in same car, but often into different cars) and you cannot select a row. I find the ride to be much better in the front row (especially for children and shorter adults), so I would choose FP over SRL so I can request the front row.