How to visit Disney California Adventure. On Non-EMH and EMH Days (8am Official Opening)

[DLRExpert]

Non-Extra Magic Hour / Magic Morning Day

730am: Arrive at the Main Entrance before the day starts. The park will open its gates 30 minutes before the park officially opens. You want to head down Buena Vista Street make a right towards Soarin Around the World, then take the path to Little Mermaid, grab FP for World of Color and wait for the rope to drop at 8am.

The majority of guests will be heading to Guardians and Racers you want to avoid that.

8am-930am: Head directly to Toy Story Midway Mania and grab FP for it, grab FP for California Screamin, ride Mickey's Fun Wheel, use FP for Screamin, then use FP for Toy Story Midway Mania, grab FP for Goofy Sky School, ride Jumpin Jellyfish, Symphony Swings, use FP for Goofy, and ride Golden Zephyr.

930am-1130am: Ride the Little Mermaid, Grab FP for Grizzly River Run, then grab FP for Soarin Around the World, then grab FP for Guardians: Mission Breakout (you now have two hours until your next FP, which will be for Racers). Next ride Monsters Inc., use FP for Grizzly River Run, use FP for Soarin Around the World.

1130am: Lunch

1230pm: Now grab FP for Radiator Springs Racers. However, check the official Disneyland App and see if you can grab 2-3 quick FPs (Usually available for Screamin, Goofy, and Grizzly) before you grab that Racers FP. This way you will be able to use FP without waiting for that two-hour window.

Save Bugs Land and other Cars Land attractions until 5pm or later.

Extra Magic Hour / Magic Morning Day Access

630am: Arrive at the Main Entrance before the day starts. The park will open its gates early. You want to head down Buena Vista Street make a left towards Hollywood Land and get in the Stand-By line for Guardians: Mission Breakout.

7am-8am: Ride Guardians first, then Radiator Springs Racers, Luigi's Rollicking Roadsters, and Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. The goal is to complete these attractions before the park officially opens.

8am-930am: Head directly to Toy Story Midway Mania and grab FP for it, grab FP for California Screamin, ride Mickey's Fun Wheel, use FP for Screamin, then use FP for Toy Story Midway Mania, grab FP for Goofy Sky School, ride Jumpin Jellyfish, Symphony Swings, use FP for Goofy, and ride Golden Zephyr.

930am-1130am: Ride the Little Mermaid, Grab FP for Grizzly River Run, then grab FP for Soarin Around the World, then grab FP for the second ride on Guardians: Mission Breakout (you now have two hours until your next FP, which will be for Racers). Next ride Monsters Inc., use FP for Grizzly River Run, use FP for Soarin Around the World.

1130am: Lunch

1230pm: Now grab the second FP for Radiator Springs Racers. However, check the official Disneyland App and see if you can grab 2-3 quick FPs (Usually available for Screamin, Goofy, and Grizzly) before you grab that Racers FP. This way you will be able to use FP without waiting for that two-hour window.


Have a great time,
ME

 

[lmhall2000]

Thank you!! A great help! We just have one day there, hoping to make the most of it!!!

 

[choover2576]

Non-Extra Magic Hour / Magic Morning Day

730am: Arrive at the Main Entrance before the day starts. The park will open its gates 30 minutes before the park officially opens. You want to head down Buena Vista Street make a right towards Soarin Around the World, then take the path to Little Mermaid, grab FP for World of Color and wait for the rope to drop at 8am.

The majority of guests will be heading to Guardians and Racers you want to avoid that.

8am-930am: Head directly to Toy Story Midway Mania and grab FP for it, grab FP for California Screamin, ride Mickey's Fun Wheel, use FP for Screamin, then use FP for Toy Story Midway Mania, grab FP for Goofy Sky School, ride Jumpin Jellyfish, Symphony Swings, use FP for Goofy, and ride Golden Zephyr.

930am-1130am: Ride the Little Mermaid, Grab FP for Grizzly River Run, then grab FP for Soarin Around the World, then grab FP for Guardians: Mission Breakout (you now have two hours until your next FP, which will be for Racers). Next ride Monsters Inc., use FP for Grizzly River Run, use FP for Soarin Around the World.

1130am: Lunch

1230pm: Now grab FP for Radiator Springs Racers. However, check the official Disneyland App and see if you can grab 2-3 quick FPs (Usually available for Screamin, Goofy, and Grizzly) before you grab that Racers FP. This way you will be able to use FP without waiting for that two-hour window.

Save Bugs Land and other Cars Land attractions until 5pm or later.

Extra Magic Hour / Magic Morning Day Access

630am: Arrive at the Main Entrance before the day starts. The park will open its gates early. You want to head down Buena Vista Street make a left towards Hollywood Land and get in the Stand-By line for Mission Breakout.

7am-8am: Ride Guardians first, then Radiator Springs Racers, Luigi's Rollicking Roadsters, and Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. The goal is to complete these attractions before the park officially opens.

8am-930am: Head directly to Toy Story Midway Mania and grab FP for it, grab FP for California Screamin, ride Mickey's Fun Wheel, use FP for Screamin, then use FP for Toy Story Midway Mania, grab FP for Goofy Sky School, ride Jumpin Jellyfish, Symphony Swings, use FP for Goofy, and ride Golden Zephyr.

930am-1130am: Ride the Little Mermaid, Grab FP for Grizzly River Run, then grab FP for Soarin Around the World, then grab FP for the second ride on Guardians: Mission Breakout (you now have two hours until your next FP, which will be for Racers). Next ride Monsters Inc., use FP for Grizzly River Run, use FP for Soarin Around the World.

1130am: Lunch

1230pm: Now grab the second FP for Radiator Springs Racers. However, check the official Disneyland App and see if you can grab 2-3 quick FPs (Usually available for Screamin, Goofy, and Grizzly) before you grab that Racers FP. This way you will be able to use FP without waiting for that two-hour window.


Have a great time,
ME

Thank you! This is exactly what I was looking for.

One question though, it says to "Head directly to Toy Story Midway Mania and grab FP for it, grab FP for California Screamin" - I thought that you couldn't hold 2 FP's at the same time?

Also, is DCA EMH only for resort guests, or can those with 3 day park hopper use it at DCA?

 

[DLRExpert]

Thank you! This is exactly what I was looking for.

One question though, it says to "Head directly to Toy Story Midway Mania and grab FP for it, grab FP for California Screamin" - I thought that you couldn't hold 2 FP's at the same time?

Also, is DCA EMH only for resort guests, or can those with 3 day park hopper use it at DCA?

If your at the opening of the park, you will have a quick return time for Toy Story which means you should be able to get your next FP relatively fast.

May have to wait 5 minutes or way less.

DCA EMH is for Disney Hotel guests only.
3 day tickets aka Magic Morning works for Disneyland only.