I am back! But need help

[B3rlingirl]

Hello everyone,

I am going back to DLP and I am back to the world of Disney parks and the DIS boards! Hooray!
Covid and work completely interfered with any Disney planning and I honestly couldn’t stand reading the DIS boards without even a faint idea when I might be able to go back to a Disney Park, but now I am back!

Even though I don’t have any free time this year, I squeezed a 4-day trip to DLP in it (I needed some motivation earlier this year and I just booked it without much thinking… totally impromptu)


My mom and I are arriving in the morning of Sept 11th and leaving in the evening of the following Wednesday (we are flying into CDG from Berlin with the first/last flight). I am soo stoked but even though I booked it some time ago, this will be pretty much an unplanned and spontaneous trip because I can't spare any time to properly prepare...

I hope the crowds will be ok and the queues won't be too bad...The shorter hours surely won't help, but at least I can rest and sleep a little longer (my mom and I are planning on going full power rope drop till closure time)
I have no idea how to tour without the use of FP and I feel completely lost and like a newbie again... Any solid tips on how to tour the parks without FPs? I guess we just have to wing it and enjoy it...(but still, I am a little worried to end up with hour-long waits all-day...)

My last trip was pre covid and my Disney knowledge is sadly completely outdated…so I have a couple of questions…

Do I recall correctly, that there is nothing like those free ice water cups in DL California from quick service restaurants? And that the tap water is slightly chlorinated? Is the “Dream... And shine brighter” show comparable to the former jungle jive so dance action with Disney characters on those stages in front of the castle and some floats going around on the street? I am wondering if a spot on the plaza in the middle is still a good viewing location...?

Does anyone know a direct E-mail address to the Santa fee hotel? We booked standard rooms, but I was thinking about asking for ones that are located as close to the walkway to DLP as possible instead of being close to the hotel facilities... (though I don't actually know where the standard rooms are located because last time we booked river side)

Does anyone know if there is still a mad rush at rope drop to crush or did it change with the opening of the avengers campus? I don't want to spend too much time waiting for that one because my one won't ride it with me (she is only doing thunder Mountain... No other coasters)
I can't figure out a game plan for the studios...
We want to do ratatouille (a couple of times), the new cars road trip, I want to do the twilight tower(a couple of times if possible), and we want to check out the avengers land a do the WEB slinger and I want to ride the new avengers coaster (once is enough)...
How about the frozen musical? Is it worth it, or is it better to skip it?
I don't know if it's smart to rope drop the studios and “waste” the magic extra time, or better to park-hop midday? (without FPs I am completely lost on how to plan a day and tour the parks). I think we could spend most of one of our days at the studios, but want to be back to the castle in time for illuminations and Disney d-light...

Are single rider still a thing or did they stop that due covid?

I just can't wait to be back and am so excited but also a little nervous if everything works out and we have nice fun filled days...
I have to remind me, to just enjoy it no matter what... To be honest, just sitting on a bench all day somewhere with a view of the castle and listening to the Main Street music loop will be enough to fill my day with joy and happiness... Everything else is a added bonus...

Thanks for reading all of that and please excuse my bad English, it's a bit rusty after all that time...
I thank you for any help and any tips you might share...

 

[Karin1984]

Don't you worry, you are mainly going during the week while schools are just back in session. You will have plenty of time. And besides those handful of people who pay for premier access, the majority won't use fastpasses either. So you are equal to most people

`1. Water at quick service
That is correct, no water from quick services, there are a few taps around the park. It's slightly chlorinated, but not nearly as bad as US tap water. (From a European perspective)

2. Dream and Shine Brighter
Yes, the set up is like Jungle Book Jive. The floats come from Main Street only and there is a show at the hub. I personally wouldn't stand in the center as you do not know where to look. So much going on. I prefer to stand on the sidewalk. Between the popcorn stand and Main Street. But if you do not mind spoilers, go to youtube, have a look at the show and see what you prefer. If you love Tiana for example, there are better places to stand than when you love Nick and Judy from Zootopia.

3. Direct e-mail address Santa Fe
Hard to get, this should be the phone and fax number.
Tel: +33 (0) 1 60 45 78 00
Fax: +33 (0) 1 60 45 78 33

4. Rope drop Studios
I haven't been to DLP for the last few months. So not sure. But I would assume yes. People tend to go for the new rides, so it should at least be quieter at Crush.
I would download the app and monitor the wait times at opening the coming week. Crush has a single rider line. It helps a bit. Not as much as on other rides, but worth it. Single rider is back.

5. Frozen musical
It's fun, but it's standing in a room, listen to Kristoff and Anna, then go to the next room, stand sing let it go, celebrate Elsa and then go out again. You need to be there on time.

6. Studios or Park
Usually the Studios close earlier than the park. I would check this first.

 

[B3rlingirl]

Thank you! Your answers help a lot and ease my mind…
I think I the lack of proper preparation just scares me but it’s gonna be awesome! I can’t wait to enjoy the main street music loop… that’s all I need…
Only one week left…

 

[Karin1984]

Oh, one more thing, the new Cars ride that replaced the Studio Tram Tour, it's really bad. Don't waste too much time on it, unless you have time left. It's meant for 5 year olds who love Cars. If you are not a 5 year old, I am willing to bet that you will come off the ride thinking 'this was it'?