How much is EE really worth(DL expert needed)?

[mhelsley]

Here's the facts

We've done WDW many time but first time to DL and most likely won't be our last.

No kids and we tend to spend all day in the park when at WDW.

Our trip dates are Dec 7-12. We will only have 3 days to give to DL/DCA(Sat-DCA and Mon/Tues.-DL).

So with the above info. i can get 2-3 day tickets for $310 with one EE day or $250 without. Would the cost increase be worth it and why?

Will we be able to see most of it and what would you skip if you've been to WDW?

Please feel free to add in tip info. that you think will help.

Thanks for your help

 

[BillyFan]

It really depends on how important Fantasyland is to you. Unlike WDW, there are no FP in FL, so your best option for seeing the attractions there is the EE. That being said, I would start each morning, about 30minutes before official park opening, at Disneyland. Stay there until it starts getting crowded, collecting FP all along the way. Around noon or 1:00, head over to DCA and enjoy yourselves until the evening, going over to DL to use those FP for the night time. We do this every time we're at the parks. Since the two parks are so close together, park hopping is not the hassle that it is at WDW.

 

[disney-super-mom]

EE may be worth it to you simply because there's several rides in Fantasyland that you won't find at WDW, plus the new Nemo Sub ride. Once the gates open at regular opening time (for all those not doing morning EE) those lines are going to get LONG!

 

[Master Mason]

If it were me, I'd save the $60 bucks, that is lunch at BB. It should be relatively slow during those times. You should be able to do everthing you want.

The only thing that I would do, is don't plan a day for DCA and 2 for DL, you should hop, go to DL in the morning, DCA in the afternoon, then go back to DL in the evening or after DCA closes.

As for what to skip, nothing, try it all, some of the same rides are better at DL the WDW or worse not as good, depends on the ride, but they are all worth doing.

Make a PS for Blue Bayou. That is a not to be missed that you can't get at WDW, jungle cruise is quite a bit different, even if the bad jokes are the same. Pirates is better, splash is not as good. Ride BTMRR at night. If you can watch fantasmic, it is better at DL although the seating isn't as good.

 

[DangerMouse]

I agree with the Master. . . we're saving money using Gay Days' tickets and skipping EE this time around. You just have to a be a bit more savy getting your FPs and getting to the gates real early on non EE days. We'll have a character breakfast with the money we save.

 

[DLR29]

Last December, we went later than you and we still got on a total of 60 something rides in 2 days (my TR is in my sig). Save the $. It's not that important in slower seasons. In peak season I wouldn't go without it.

 

[MATTERHORN]

I agree, save the money!! It shouldn't be too bad crowdwise while you are there!!

Andrea

 

[MATTERHORN]

Quick question!! I have yet to see a 3 day pass come without EE, where are you getting such a creature?

Thanks

Andrea

 

[bumbershoot]

It's the Gay Days special tickets that don't have EE.

 

[MATTERHORN]

Ahhh, thanks!!

Andrea

 

[disney-super-mom]

Of course if you're staying at one of the Disney hotels, then you don't need to spend the extra $$ for tickets with EE. Disney hotel guests get EE everyday it's offered as a perk.

 

[Hound 109]

Here's the facts

We've done WDW many time but first time to DL and most likely won't be our last.

No kids and we tend to spend all day in the park when at WDW.

Our trip dates are Dec 7-12. We will only have 3 days to give to DL/DCA(Sat-DCA and Mon/Tues.-DL).

So with the above info. i can get 2-3 day tickets for $310 with one EE day or $250 without. Would the cost increase be worth it and why?

Will we be able to see most of it and what would you skip if you've been to WDW?

Please feel free to add in tip info. that you think will help.

Thanks for your help

Welcome to the DL board!

A couple of questions (that will help us):

Where are you staying?

Why a Sat/Mon/Tues visit? (& not Sunday?)

Which of these 3 days will you be there at EE or regular Rope Drop?

Are either ticket option(s) mentioned above "park hopper" tickets?

As a Texan who had been to WDW several times & now has been to DLR twice & who far prefers Walt's park (& who also tends to "tour" all day), I (at first blush) disagree with the above knowledgeble posters.

- The three days you've mentioned are ALL EE days. You'll be walking in AFTER the lines have formed.

- FL is SO much better at DL than at MK.....but even better if you don't have to stand in long lines at PP, Alice & Materhorn & Toadie.

- Saturday will be the only day (i think) for both Aladdin & for the fireworks (both are DO NOT miss). Thus the park hopper question.

-If you haven't already read HydroGuy's tip threads (one of the stickys at the top of the Disneyland page) do so.....especially the "DLR for WDW vets" thread. (and go ahead and print his abbreviation thread, you'll need it).

- DL rides (that you'll ride during EE) not at MK - Alice, Pinocchio, Matterhorn, Mr. Toad. (& Buzz, & SM are better at DL than at MK)

- Also better at DLR - HM, IASW, Soarin', Tiki Room & Pirates

- Non FL rides unique to DLR - Storybookland Canal Boats, Roger Rabit, Indy, Nemo, Pirate's Lair, Griz Rapids, Screamin'. (I'm sure i'm forgetting some).

As Disney Super Mom mentioned above.....is there any way you can nab a night or two at one of the 3 DLR hotels? You'd be wise to if it makes sense.

Have a great time at Walt's Park.

hound -

 

[mhelsley]

I feel very lucky to even have the days listed as DL was not the main reason for us going to LA(just saying that leaves a bad taste in my mouth).

Sunday is taking by our main purpose going to see Wicked. We have killer tickets.

Due to this not being our main vacation(Doing WDW/Panama Canal cruise)we had to cut cost somewhere so no Disney Hotel. I booked entertainment rate at Hojo then DH change us to BWPPI.

I did skim though Hydroguy's thread and still need to figure out how the different fastpasses work and how you can collect so many. I still find it odd that you can use them after there expired time.

How long will the lines be for the ride in fantasyland be if we don't do EE? Is there a time of day that the lines there are better say late afternoon when young kids are taking nap breaks?

Master-My thoughts exactly on saving the money to eat lunch at BB.

Danger Mouse- Thanks the gay day ticket are what i'm thinking of using thanks to a post i saw saying you've used them.

Thank any keep the info. coming.

 

[DangerMouse]

Oooooh, killer tickets to Wicked, DLR and WDW/Panama Cruise???

WANT TO ADOPT ME????? You are living my dream life!

 

[DLR29]

How long will the lines be for the ride in fantasyland be if we don't do EE? Is there a time of day that the lines there are better say late afternoon when young kids are taking nap breaks?

I would guess that the lines for FL rides on Saturday would be 30+ minutes by the time you walk in (for Peter Pan, Alice, Dumbo, Mad Tea Party, Matterhorn. Less for Mr. Toad (though not much) and Snow White and Pinocchio). Also the Nemo line will almost certainly be at least 60 minutes by the end of EE on any of those days.

However, on the Monday or Tuesday the lines should be very manageable because it's the off season even with EE goers. One way to see FL with very minimal waits is to go immediately after the fireworks, though you have to watch them from back by Storybookland. We walked onto Dumbo and waited 5 minutes for Peter Pan 5 minutes after the fireworks finished in Dec. However if you want to see the fireworks from the hub, this is not a good idea.

 

[Hound 109]

It's the Gay Days special tickets that don't have EE.

Do they allow park hopping?

 

[mhelsley]

Yes it is a hopper

 

[Hound 109]

.....DH change us to BWPPI.

..... I still find it odd that you can use them after there expired time.

.......How long will the lines be for the ride in fantasyland be if we don't do EE? Is there a time of day that the lines there are better say late afternoon when young kids are taking nap breaks?

.....Thank any keep the info. coming.

Random thoughts given a Sat. / Mon. / Tues. visit with NO EE.

- Great that you are at BWPPI, an easy walk (5 -7 min.) to the DL/DCA front gate.

- The ability to pick up FPs early & use them during the crowded evening hours will be VERY helpful to you. It is a great feature for those who use it correctly.

- FL rides will be jammed (except for SW & Pinocchio) most of the time except for late at night - imo. They are "slow loaders" so even a smaller line takes awhile. (Thus the reason that many of us Dis'ers recommend that they be toured during EE.)

- Unless someone can confirm otherwise, the wonderful & unique DL Firework spectacle will only be available on Saturday night. pencil that in.

- The Aladdin show, which is great btw, (in DCA) will only be available on Sat. pencil that in.....so it's good that you have Park Hoppers.

- Park Hopping is VERY easy to do in DLR (as opposed to WDW) & should be considered to avoid crowds. Read HydroGuy's "How to use FP during High Season" thread & this thread: www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1491961 .....for background.

- The comment of touring DL or FL during the afternoon "when families go back for naps" works at WDW, but not so much at DLR. HydroGuy elaborates on this in his threads. The parks (DL in particular) are most crowded from 11am - 8pm because of SoCal day trippers. Touring early (& gathering FPs early) & hopping over to DCA when DL gets crowded is the best way to zig while others are zagging (imo).

- The hours for DL are 8am-midnite on Sat., 9-9 on Mon & Tues. (during your trip)

- If you don't have EE, you might try to tour FL (in particular PP, Toadie, Alice & Matterhorn - & dumbo if you're a dumbo rider) from 11pm - midnight on Sat. I'm curious what others might think about this??

- I'll let others comment on how crowded the park may be with December events etc., but it would seem that the collection of FPs at DL early & often would be helpful (have 4-5 in your pocket by noon) when touring during the 5pm-9pm hours.

- Use DCA as your crowd "valve" during busy hours.

- On Sat, get in line for DL at 7:30am & begin touring NonFL (since FL will be crawling with EE'ers) rides. Start riding & collecting FPs (starting at rope drop at 8am) before the SoCal daytrippers arrive at 10ish. By 11am you should be able to ride BTMRR, Pirates, HM, Indy, Jungle Cruise, Pooh (for example) AND have FPs in your pocket for Indy, SM, Splash (& you probably would have ridden one of these 3 majors as well.) Then hop to DCA when it gets crowded.

That's a start. Have fun.

hound

 

[mhelsley]

Ok another question lets just say i have EE and i'm in line at 7:30(is this the correct time that i need to be in line)how long will the waits be for the rides in FL?

 

[HydroGuy]

Ok another question lets just say i have EE and i'm in line at 7:30(is this the correct time that i need to be in line)how long will the waits be for the rides in FL?

If you have EE and DL opens at 8AM, then EE is 7AM and you need to be in line by 6:30AM. And if you want to ride Nemo Subs during EE you need to be there even earlier.

So, lets say you skip Nemo and go straight to the FL rides at 7AM. If you do the FL rides in the optimal order, the lines will never be more than 2-3 minutes for any ride.

What is the optimal order?

1. First do PP - always
2. Dumbo
3/4. Alice and Matterhorn, either order
5/6. Tea Cups/Toad, either order
7/8/9. Carrousel/Snow White/Pinocchio, any order

If DL opens later, adjust everything 1-2 hours based on opening time.