How does this arrival day plan sound to you?

[sandymandr]

Hey everyone! We arrive Carousel Inn 3/17 around 1pm, check-in, get situated, then off to the parks Here's my plan for the first evening any suggestions or things you see that won't work? (sorry I don't know all the abbreviations!)

Go to DCA, get FP for Grizzly, MM
Do Monsters Inc (if line not too bad), Muppet Vision if time
Animation building if time (Crush on another day)
Go to DL for 330 parade, view on Main Street or near end of parade (how long does it take for parade to get to the end of route?)
Back to DCA for 515 pixar parade
Pick up TOT FP if any left
Bug's land rides, ITTBAB
Use FP for Grizzly, TOT if we're in the window
Use FP for MM
Then PP rides until 845 DEP (view near jellyfish, exit through golden state and back to carousel for bed....early rise for MM Tuesday )

We'll be there another 2.5 days to hit any DCA that doesn't fit plus DL. Am I trying to squeeze too much into our first evening?? It's just me and teenager. Any opinions/ suggestions would be great! Thanks!!

 

[DangerMouse]

Just a suggestion, when you grab a FP for GRR, also walk across and grab one for Soarin (if you think you want to go on it) -- otherwise get one for ToT. GRR is not connected to the FP computer system, so you can hold one for it at the same time that you are holding one for another attraction.

 

[fairycat]

Ok to be honest more then likely on March 17th you won't need to bother too much with FP's and if you do need one for Grizzly I seriously doubt you will need one for much else. MM should have a short line.

Also make time for Soar'n which I would grab a FP for on the way to Grizzly.

I think you will get in more rides then you think at DCA. Especially in Bugs Land. Also check I think that ITTBB might be closed when you are there. Depending on how old your teen is you might end up skipping Bug's Land anyway its more for 12 and under.

I didn't see you mention California Screamn that is a great ride. Also got to the tortilla factory and boudin factory for your free samples!

Depending on the crowds I think you will get in a whole lot more then you think! Also helpful hint, at DLR you can use FP's past the time marked on the pass. Just not before.

 

[DangerMouse]

Ok to be honest more then likely on March 17th you won't need to bother too much with FP's and if you do need one for Grizzly I seriously doubt you will need one for much else. MM should have a short line.

March 17 is the beginning of Spring Break for many people. DLR is expecting larger crowds based on its operating hours of 8-12 for DL and 10-10 for DCA on a Monday. They are also showing fireworks and 2 showings of F! and the DEP which also shows that they are expecting large crowds.

 

[Spokker]

Operating hours are one of the best indicators of what crowds will be like. If the park is open until midnight, it's probably going to be busier than normal.

 

[DLR29]

Sounds good, but I don't think I would bother with FP for Mulholland Madness. Use it on Soarin, Screamin, and GRR. ToT is ok when you use FP in the early afternoon. Less effective as the evening goes on.

Just a note, Monster's Inc shouldn't have a long line. It never does.

 

[sandymandr]

All great suggestions, I love you guys!!
MM is a must on Monday because my teen says she wants to try that ride before going on any of the "big" rides (wish me luck that she loves it!), but if you all think it will have a relatively short line, I'll get the FP for soarin' instead. I'll do screamin' on another day because she refuses to even try it since it has a loop. She said she'll take pics of me. She's never been on coasters before (my dstepd) and is scared, I will not make her do anything she is afraid of and she has agreed to try some of them....maybe by the end of the trip she'll love em all Weird thing though, she is really excited about TOT and Maliboomer, apparently drops are ok
We went over all of the attractions, and kept bug's land on the agenda so she can see it. I told her that we can go look and if there's anything that interests her we'll do it....if nothing else I know she'll want some pics (she wants to be a photographer or graphic designer). I agree that most of bug's land may be too young for her but as long as she's happy, this trip is all about her!!
Thanks again for taking the time to review and advise!!
Does anyone know how long the DL parade takes to get out to Main Street??

 

[bumbershoot]

"Does anyone know how long the DL parade takes to get out to Main Street??"

In December, we were trying to get to the 4o'clock Billy Hill showing. We found ourselves at the start of Main Street (past where the xmas tree was at the time) as 4 was rapidly approaching, and decided to just sit down and see the parade that was going to be right there, rather than fight the crowds and be late anyway. We probably waited 5 or 10 minutes, so in my experience, the 3:30 parade hits that around around or just after 4.

(which is why "when is the 3:30 parade?" is NOT a stupid question!!!)

 

[Hound 109]

Just a few thoughts:

All great suggestions, I love you guys!!
MM is a must on Monday because my teen says she wants to try that ride before going on any of the "big" rides (wish me luck that she loves it!),

If she (or you) get a little nervous on MM, you won't be alone & don't deter you from the other superior coasters. I don't much enjoy MM because the cars seem top heavy relative to the flimsy track. On other coasters, i don't get that feel at all.


but if you all think it will have a relatively short line, I'll get the FP for soarin' instead.

The "Soarin', Griz Rapid FP pickup" is our first task at DCA. Close to each other & close to the front.


I'll do screamin' on another day because she refuses to even try it since it has a loop. She said she'll take pics of me. She's never been on coasters before (my dstepd) and is scared, I will not make her do anything she is afraid of and she has agreed to try some of them....maybe by the end of the trip she'll love em all Weird thing though, she is really excited about TOT and Maliboomer, apparently drops are ok
We went over all of the attractions, and kept bug's land on the agenda so she can see it. I told her that we can go look and if there's anything that interests her we'll do it

the bumper cars are always fun. & i really like heimlich's "corny" chew chew train. Nice theming & heimlich cracks me up. (not worth a long wait though). & if you haven't done Bugs Life, it's a must do for 7 y/o & up.


....if nothing else I know she'll want some pics (she wants to be a photographer or graphic designer). I agree that most of bug's land may be too young for her but as long as she's happy, this trip is all about her!!
Thanks again for taking the time to review and advise!!

Does anyone know how long the DL parade takes to get out to Main Street??

 

[sandymandr]

Thanks for the parade time bumbershoot and Hound, thanks for the tip about MM! I am putting the final touches on our plan today Then I leave town Thursday 3/6-3/15 for work, and off to DLR 3/17

 

[PoohBearFriends]

My kids are MM addicts and the line can exceed 45 minutes w/o a fast pass. We use fast pass and the wait was only 5 minutes. I think it is needed if you don't want to wait.

I agree that it is going to be busy, week before easter is a huge spring break week.

 

[Disney Hot Mama]

My kids are MM addicts and the line can exceed 45 minutes w/o a fast pass. We use fast pass and the wait was only 5 minutes. I think it is needed if you don't want to wait.

My kids love this ride and usually ride as a single rider.. they get on in a few minutes each time.