How to handle DL w/o rushing?

[seagodess]

I have only been to DL once, march of 05. DH and I had a wonderful time. Weather was nice (mostly overcasted) and it wasn't crouded at all. Most lines weren't more than 15ish minutes long and we never used a fast pass (didn't know what they were). I'm guessing it was because it was right before the 50th anniversary and people were holding off on coming until that.
We will be heading there next month and taking our 5yr old DS for the first time and I am hoping some people will be holding off on going until cars land opens, so it wont be that bad.
Assuming I'm wrong, what are normal wait times on the majority of the rides like? I know some of the more popular ones can be a long wait, but what about others?
Also, how do people usually go about deciding what attractions to go on and such? When we went last time, we did one area (tomorrowland, fantasyland, etc) at a time. We didn't go on or see everything, but a lot of things and we enjoyed ourselves a lot and didn't rush at all. I have been reading a lot about how people pretty much run from one ride to the next and get a fast pass here, then go here. Seems so rushed to me. I want to be able to take it all in but also do as much as we can. What is the best way to do that without rushing and practically running from one side of the park to the other after each thing?
ETA- We have 3 day park hopper tickets and will be using them between 5/20-5/23

 

[TinkFreak988]

I think one of the most important things to remember when taking a child for the first time is they do not know what they may be missing. So, take it at the child's speed. My DD and I go on a girls trip every year since 2001(skipped last year in anticipation of going all out this year) I LOVE DL and now my dtr loves it as much as I do. But when she was younger (12 now), I tried to get to EVERYTHING creating a hurried, not so enjoyable time. When I began to let her lead the way, and do the things that were more important to her, we always enjoyed our time so much more. Now, that being said, it was not always easy to put my own wants aside, knowing it was in her best interest to leave before the fireworks, etc. I loved the year I spent 50 dollars for balcony viewing for her for Fantasmic and she slept through almost the whole thing!
Try to get a plan together before you go, just don't get so crazy sticking to it that you don't allow for changes, like the year my DD only wanted to play in the Redwood Creek Trail challenge at DCA for hours at a time! Flexibility is the key, IMHO

 

[Disneylandfanatic]

We usually run from one ride to the next, could be on different sides of the parks or in different parks. We don't mind running around, because we arent actually running! when we are walking from one land to the next we are taking the park in and enjoying it. Sometimes we feel like we need to get everything done and other times we are just there to get a few important things done.

Wait times VARY throughout the day. Early morning when the park first opens is a great time to get some big rides done as well as start your fastpass collection so that you can ride the big rides again later at night.

you can expect wait times to be between (approx.) 30-80 minutes I would say.... utilizing the fast pass system and getting there early is the best way to get the most done. If you plan on taking a break during the day, do so when it is the most crowded, around 3ish. Also take advantage of the rides while the parades, or shows are going on, the lines tend to be shorter then, but remember that some rides are closed during the shows.


We find it easy to get everything we want to get done in a 2 day period, so have some fun!

 

[pixiemomof3]

It can feel really rushed, esp the first time you take a child. The last two times we went it was rushed 7 days, all day, no breaks!! We are taking my youngest this summer for the first time (really his second, but he was a baby when we first went.) We are going to try to slow down this time, as well as taking pool breaks during the day this time. We usually do one land to the next because I wanted them to do every ride, show, etc. The last time we went we stood in really long lines for autographs most the day! That took up alot of time.
This time we are going to try some character dining to get some autographs out of the way and have a fun experience of something we have never done before. ( I can't believe we have never done the dining after all the times I have been!)
Try to make a list of things you really want to do or see that would be dissapointing if you missed them. The top rides, any fireworks or shows, etc. Anything you don't really want to ride on, don't do the first day (or at all)
Try to get those out of the way first and then once you do the stuff you have planned the rest will be "extras" you can enjoy. Remember to get as many fp's as possible to cut down on waiting in line. Just remember to enjoy your time there and don't make it to stressful. Have fun!

 

[mrswh]

I could never do a touring plan, but it does help to have a general plan. We try to hit the ride/attractions with the longest waits (anything in Fantasyland, Pixie Hollow, Soarin', etc.) done first thing in the morning. The later opening time for DCA is brilliant (I am sad that it will purportedly be the same once CL opens) because it means you can go to DLR for the first two hours and ride whatever you want with pretty short lines, and then go over and do the same at DCA when it opens. We find that by 11:30 or noon, the park can get pretty crowded and the wait times are pretty long. That's a great time to take a lunch break and then go do the things that don't (typically) require waiting in a long line - Animation Academy, Turtle Talk, and the Beast's Library; Aladdin (esp. if you have VIP tickets); IASW; Redwood Creek Challenge Trail; etc. Monsters, Inc. and Little Mermaid typically have short lines no matter what time of day it is. In the late afternoon when it is crowded, catch a parade, take a swim, shop, eat dinner, and then check out the fireworks or WOC.

I think the very best way to avoid crowds and long lines is to start early and take a break during the hottest, most crowded part of the day.

 

[Disco]

I don't think it will be too busy around that time. Probably moderate days but it is too late to verify on touringplan.com (not that it is real accurate) for free. As long as you get there early enough in the morning you should be able to knock out a bunch of rides at a leisurely pace before it gets busy.
Still popular rides can get up to an hour wait at the peak in the day. Just get an entire land out of the way in the morning and fast pass the big rides after that. With a young one I wouldn't be running back and forth all over the place collecting passes. I would just get the pass as you go into a new land ride all the other rides first than hopefully you'll be up.

 

[seagodess]

If you plan on taking a break during the day, do so when it is the most crowded, around 3ish. Also take advantage of the rides while the parades, or shows are going on, the lines tend to be shorter then, but remember that some rides are closed during the shows.

We were planning on taking a break and going back to the hotel for lunch and maybe nap (DS isn't a napper, but he may with so much during the trip). We also will probably be skipping WOC and Fantasmic since we aren't really interested in waiting for so long. Might catch a couple minutes if we can from afar, but not a biggy to us.
We do have a short list of must do's. We are also doing the surfing breakfast with mickey, so that will help with meeting the charactor's. We are not doing a autograph book, I just want pictures with some of our favorites.

 

[gis]

I would say that it may be a rush to see all the attractions, parades and shows - but I doubt many people even plan on that when they go. It's also a rush to fit in multiple visits to the same attraction. But with 3 days, you should be able to take it very calmly with little to no rushing, even if the park is busy.

I would say that you should visit the website, pick out the attractions you want to see, and just make an effort to see as many of those you can in the first day while taking your time to see the shows in the evening. You'll rush to see both World of Color and Fantasmic, but if you separate them over two days, it'll be no issue.

I just spent two days at the park and didn't feel rushed at all. I didn't see everything in a day, but I was able to see what I wanted over those two days.. with lots of time spent sitting around, socializing, shopping, and meandering. Other people's advice is pretty spot on too.. just ensure that you visit high volume attractions first. If the queue is too long on a given day, either plan ahead with a FP or just see it the next day first thing.

You'll be fine. There much more to be said about Disneyland at a good pace than to be rushing from attraction to attraction constantly.