How much can I pack into a day at DL?

[TheChapman6]

My head is spinning from everything I have read. I want to stay 3 days and visit the parks 2 day thinking we ride all the rides and see a parade and do a little shopping. Now I'm thinking 3 days. Then I want to also take my boys to the beach as we have always lived in Wyoming and just moved to Colorado and they have never seen the beach. So it will be Myself, my Mom and my 2 boys 8 and 9. Can we skip the characters and shows and do all the rides in 2 days? I am not sure if we will cross over to Cali Adven but.... I just want to make sure we get to do all the rides. I have read about fast pass and such and plan to use it per Hydroguys plan. Also would you pay for that ridemax or skip it? Does anyone have experience with it????

I really wanted to do morning magic and looks we need a 3 day pass or to stay in DL hotel. Which would you do spend 2 days in the parks at disney hotel or stay offsite and 3 day parkhoppper to get MM passes?

 

[skiingfast]

When do you plan to go? It can make a big difference in wait times and open and close the possibilities. Time of year and what days of week? That also will affect the 3day/2day on of off site decision because of MM being on Tues, Thurs, Sat and Sun.


Do you really want to ride everything? Do boys 8 and 9 want to ride Snow White?

 

[Raindown]

I think you can get a good amount done in 2 days at Disneyland. You can surely get all the 'E-ticket' attractions done in one day. Unless it is really busy I don't see a problem tackling most/all of the rides in 2 days. However, I wouldn't skip the shows to ride everything. Some of the shows are fantastic. The fireworks, Fantasmic and World of Color could end up being some of the highlights of your trip. I also think you can also work in California Adventure or at least the major attractions over there. I'm not sure how tall your kids are, but if they can ride Soaring, Scream'in, and Tower of Terror, those are great rides.

 

[ArchOwl]

Yeah, I was going to say, is your goal to ride every ride? Maybe give a list of the rides and/or shows that you really want to see, along with the days you will be there.

Ridemax can be particularly helpful for busier times of the year, so it would depend on your dates and the rides you are interested in.

As far as Magic Morning goes, it is only offered certain days, so it would really depend (again) on what days of the week you are planning to be there.

 

[DLR29]

My head is spinning from everything I have read. I want to stay 3 days and visit the parks 2 day thinking we ride all the rides and see a parade and do a little shopping. Now I'm thinking 3 days. Then I want to also take my boys to the beach as we have always lived in Wyoming and just moved to Colorado and they have never seen the beach. So it will be Myself, my Mom and my 2 boys 8 and 9. Can we skip the characters and shows and do all the rides in 2 days? I am not sure if we will cross over to Cali Adven but.... I just want to make sure we get to do all the rides. I have read about fast pass and such and plan to use it per Hydroguys plan. Also would you pay for that ridemax or skip it? Does anyone have experience with it????

I really wanted to do morning magic and looks we need a 3 day pass or to stay in DL hotel. Which would you do spend 2 days in the parks at disney hotel or stay offsite and 3 day parkhoppper to get MM passes?

With a 2 day ticket you automatically get the hopper, so might as well go over to DCA because they have some really cool rides there too!

 

[skiingfast]

With a 2 day ticket you automatically get the hopper, so might as well go over to DCA because they have some really cool rides there too!

You can get a 2 day hopper or 2 day, 1 park per day ticket. With the second you can use both days at the same park so you can do DL only.

 

[The Mad Planner]

My family stays off site (can't justify the on site prices given we are never in our room) during the peak summer season and buy 3 day park hoppers. With the help of this board, ridemax, fastpass and early entry. We ride everything we want multiple times (we have a list of about 10-15 rides we are no longer interested in). We see all the major shows and nearly all the minor shows.

In my opinion, you must park hop to maximize your days (leaving Disney without going to DCA and riding Soarin', GRR, TSM, Screamin' and seeing WOC and Alladin would be very disappointing).

In regards to your question of 2 or 3 days. We have accomplished nearly everything by the end of day 2, but that is mainly because we have taken advantage of Early Entry and knocked off all the Fantasyland rides during that time. So I'm a big believer in having early entry. Day 3 we spend hitting all our favourite rides and spending some time shopping.

Hope that helps!

 

[TheChapman6]

I think we have decided to go early July or late June and go during the week. We will get to California on Monday I hope we can have a MM on Tuesday and go to the parks on wed/possibly thursday too. I'm still trying to plan and work out a budget.

 

[skiingfast]

Then it will be busy. You might want to use RideMax but it will take some flexibility out of your days.

If you can visit the parks on arrival day I would suggest a 3 day hopper offsite since you will only be able to have Tuesday for the MM anyway. But if you can raise the cost and stay through Thursday it might be worth considering staying onsite to get the second MM.

Did you see this that Mad Planner wrote?
"In my opinion, you must park hop to maximize your days (leaving Disney without going to DCA and riding Soarin', GRR, TSM, Screamin' and seeing WOC and Alladin would be very disappointing).'

That is a lot of E ticket that you will be missing out on if you don't also visit DCA.

 

[TheChapman6]

Yeah, I was going to say, is your goal to ride every ride? Maybe give a list of the rides and/or shows that you really want to see, along with the days you will be there.

Ridemax can be particularly helpful for busier times of the year, so it would depend on your dates and the rides you are interested in.

As far as Magic Morning goes, it is only offered certain days, so it would really depend (again) on what days of the week you are planning to be there.

I don't have a list of rides we want to go on, but I really want to try to see most of them. The boys have nixed the carosel so far LOL but otherwise they have never been or seen the rides. I don't think we really want to see the shows?? Just not really our style.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I don't have a list of rides we want to go on, but I really want to try to see most of them. The boys have nixed the carosel so far LOL but otherwise they have never been or seen the rides. I don't think we really want to see the shows?? Just not really our style.

It is possible to ride every single ride at DL in a single day. Many people have done it and lived to tell about it. However, those who do it are doing it for bragging rights and most agree it really isn't most people's definition of fun.

On the other hand, last June, using MM, we did 19 rides by 11:30 (it would have been 20 but Splash Mountain broke down when we were 2nd in line). Then went back to hotel and swam for several hours before going back for dinner and WOC. A great time was had by all (including the adults who got to nap!).

You can have wonderful trip with only 2 days at DL and CA, but you would be better off to prioritize than to try to do everything. Include at least some of the major "shows" such as the firworks, Fantasmic! and WOC. That way, next time you come to DL, you will be in a better position to know whether they can be skipped.

Best of luck -- Suzanne

 

[sandysue]

Besides all the information on the site, I've found the Unofficial Guide to DL the best source for prioritizing and getting a realisitic view of the parks . Also, you can decide if this is 'once in a lifetime' or if you'll be back in a couple years. That may shift things for you.

 

[Dobie]

I think you can be selective about what you see, use good planning, and have a fantastic 2 days.

You might want to try Ridemax to try rough out a schedule...I also second using the Official Guide to get a fairly unbiased account of the attractions and pick out the best ones for your family...

I wouldn't waste time or money on a character breakfast, but a dinner reservation at Carnation Cafe would be a time saver as well.

Make sure you have your tickets in hand before you hit the gates, to maximize those precious morning hours, and be in line 15 minutes before the gates open.

I would not miss the Aladdin show or Turtle Talk in DCA, or Pirates, Soarin, GRR, Jungle Cruise, Buzz Lightyear, Splash Mountain (if it is open), BTMRR, or Toy Story Mania. Or Indy. Indy is the best!!!!!! You can easily do all of these in two days!!!!

 

[ArchOwl]

I don't have a list of rides we want to go on, but I really want to try to see most of them. The boys have nixed the carosel so far LOL but otherwise they have never been or seen the rides. I don't think we really want to see the shows?? Just not really our style.

Then I think Ridemax would help you plan out your day. Ridemax isn't very good for incorporating a lot of shows, but it is excellent for planning rides. Plus it would let you know ahead of time what your day would look like and if it looks like too much, you could add or delete items as necessary.

I would parkhop if at all possible to really get the most out of your trip. There are some excellent rides in DCA that I think your boys would really enjoy (Soarin', Toy Story, Grizzly River Rapids, and Screamin').

Only you really know if you want to do shows, but they don't attract thousands of people everyday because they are bad. They are very well done and you might want to try one or two if you can. It might change your mind! I don't know if your boys like Star Wars, but there is a Jedi Training Academy show at DL that is very popular.

Have fun!

 

[TheChapman6]

I think my Mom wants to go with the flow. I feel that if I plan really well and have a schedule of sorts then we could see and do more while we are there. My feelings are that this is more of a once in a lifetime kind of trip. I have 5 kids but I'm planning to take my little ones when they are old enough to ride all the rides in a few years. I'm trying to plan a trip more for the benefit of my big kids who want to ride the big stuff and see it all.

I do plan to go again next summer or later this fall with the little kids. My husband has a heart condition that makes it so he can't go on the rides and he also hates crowds. I can't take 5 kids to Disneyland by myself LOL. I also think it would be crazy to try to make 5 kids happy when my little ones can't ride or won't.

Where can I find this unofficial guide???

 

[SuzanneSLO]

[snip]Where can I find this unofficial guide???

At your library, an online or brick and mortar bookstore.

Of course, the forward to that book starts out with "you either need a good plan or a frontal labotomy' and "Sponteneity and self-discovery work about as well at Disneyland as they do on your tax reutun."

But you have already found DISBoards, so you are well on your way to putting together a very enjoyable vacation. If you start with a plan and its not working for you, you can alway chuck it and try something else. if you start without a plan, its hard to create one on the fly at the theme park.

Best of luck -- Suzanne

 

[Hound 109]

I think my Mom wants to go with the flow. I feel that if I plan really well and have a schedule of sorts then we could see and do more while we are there.

These are NOT mutually exclusive strategies. Planning out the first 2-3 hours of each day (& the highlights like Aladdin & the Fireworks) allows a family to "go with the flow" during typically unproductive (afternoon/early evening) hours.

My feelings are that this is more of a once in a lifetime kind of trip. I have 5 kids but I'm planning to take my little ones when they are old enough to ride all the rides in a few years. I'm trying to plan a trip more for the benefit of my big kids who want to ride the big stuff and see it all.

As others have mentioned. Get there EARLY (30 - 40 min. early) each day & have a plan of attack the first 2 hours. Tell the "go with the flow" folks to meet up with you after you've picked up 4 sets of FPs & ridden 8-10 slow loaders those first two hours.

I do plan to go again next summer or later this fall with the little kids. My husband has a heart condition that makes it so he can't go on the rides and he also hates crowds.

Did i mention to GO EARLY to DL before the crowds build?

& as virtually everyone says....park hop (to DCA) when DL starts to build crowds around noon.

I can't take 5 kids to Disneyland by myself LOL. I also think it would be crazy to try to make 5 kids happy when my little ones can't ride or won't.

Where can I find this unofficial guide???

The Guide is good (for background info). Ride Max is good (for making a ride schedule during specific blocks of time). But nothing beats the tips given by HG & others here. Know FP. Get to the parks early each day. Have a plan the first 2.5 - 3 hours each day.

Other random opinions:

- Defiinitely 3 days over 2 days (with preferably 3 full mornings...one of them a MM).
- Get Park hoppers (& plan to park hop to DCA each day when DL starts to get crowded).
- 5 (out of 8) of DLR's E Ticket attractions & events are in DCA (& some cute stuff that isn't E ticket but worth doing).....get park hoppers!
- Keep the "plans" to yourself. Guide those who want to ride where they need to be. Let the stragglers sit & rest....or meet up with them after the important first 2.5 hours.
- Plan a mid day rest each day if you're starting early (& you SHOULD start early). Either at the motel or rest in the GCH lobby for an hour.
- Have a map out while you read the tip threads. Your head hurts now, but after reading a HG or DLR 29 (or others) plan (or strategy) for the second or third time with a map, it starts to make sense.

Here are some tip threads & opinions that i posted in a similar thread a week ago:

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



& 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 (see my post #4 in that thread)

"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


& read the rest of HG's tip threads as well.


Also, the first page of my trip report might be helpful. (linked in my signature below). Probably best to have a DLR map handy when reading all tip threads. After reading many of these tip threads you'll get an idea how easy it is to Park Hop between the parks and also to slip into DTD or the GCH for a little break.....& you never have to get on a stinkin' bus!!

After you read the above tip threads (with a map in front of you) 2-3 times & it starts to make sense....then do the following:

Plug in one event (Aladdin, Fireworks etc.) & one late morning or late afternoon meal per day. Then do a plan for the first 2.5 - 3 hours of EACH of the three mornings that you're visiting. (You did decide on three days..... right?) ). Then post your plans here & we'll critique.

Have a plan each morning. Smell the roses & go with the flow each afternoon. Have 3-5 FPs in your pocket each evening.

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

 

[rokstedy]

It is possible to do all the rides in two days, sure. But I would caution against the effort in so much as making sure it doesn't impede actually enjoying everything. The parks have been quite busy this year, and I suspect that if one puts in 8 hours, you'll likely do to 12-15 rides a day. That's a fairly ride-centric day IMO as well. You're not rushing, but you're also not spending an hour waiting for a show like Aladdin, or parking for Fantasmic in advance as well.

 

[Hound 109]

....Of course, the forward to that book starts out with "you either need a good plan or a frontal labotomy' and "Sponteneity and self-discovery work about as well at Disneyland as they do on your tax reutun."

But you have already found DISBoards, so you are well on your way to putting together a very enjoyable vacation. If you start with a plan and its not working for you, you can alway chuck it and try something else. if you start without a plan, its hard to create one on the fly at the theme park.

Best of luck -- Suzanne

That's Brilliant!!

& so true.