In each park?

[5lilfish]

Which ride should we do first and which ride should we get a fast pass for first? which rides run out of fast passes early? How will the crowds be on Aug 23/24? any tips on Fantasmic and World of Color without a package?

Also...we get an early entry morning with our resort stay....does that get us into Disneyland 1 hour early (just like at wow)? What will be open?

Thanks...
Jess

 

[TahoeMom]

We go in October every year so our experiences may be a bit different BUT we always go on Peter Pan first thing at least one morning because it generally has long lines all day long. We used to do Nemo first but I think those lines have gotten more reasonable now that it is not so new. I would imagine that Star Tours fastpasses are going pretty quickly these days. We generally try to get some Space Mountain fastpasses early (although this is partly because this ride is pretty popular in Oct. with the Halloween overlay).

At DCA, if we are there early we ride Soarin' first because it opens 30 mins. before the rest of the park. We try to ride Toy Story first thing when the rest of the park opens - again long lines most of the day and no FPs. In our experience FPs aren't too tough to get at DCA but we generally get Tower of Terror ones early on.

As for early entry - with your park hoppers you get one early entry. Early entry mornings are available on Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, or Thursday. You get into the park one hour early and most of the Fantasyland and Tomorrowland rides are open.

 

[cougarfan84]

Which ride should we do first

Slow-loaders without FP's are good rides to consider first. A lot of this depends on what you are planning to ride and when you are going, though. Peter Pan is one that you should definately hit first thing as the line gets long fast and stays long the rest of the day. Also, that and other Fantasyland rides are good to hit during Magic Morning if you have access. Other than that, it's a good strategy to make sure

and which ride should we get a fast pass for first?

Here's some great threads on this topic:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1107718

which rides run out of fast passes early?

See above links.

How will the crowds be on Aug 23/24?

One one hand, some schools will be starting and you may see a decrease due to that. However, next week is the 1st week that many AP's will be unblocked so you may see swarms of locals coming in to visit after being black-out for the summer. The general consensus is that it will be very busy that week and to plan accordingly. Here's a thread on this:

www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2365983

any tips on Fantasmic and World of Color without a package?

Here are some threads w/ all the info you need for Fantasmic and WoC:

www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=37986447

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2671983

Also...we get an early entry morning with our resort stay....does that get us into Disneyland 1 hour early (just like at wow)? What will be open?

MM is available at DL on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. It is available for those staying on-site at DLR for every day it's offered. For many staying off-site, their tickets allow them to have access to 1 MM day during thier trip. As far as what's open, it's basically Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. Here is a great thread talking about MM:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1392671


And just in case you're inclinde to more reading, here are some more threads to help you along your way:

www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

 

[Hound 109]

CougarFan & TahoeMom provided you with great info. (& CF provided you with lots of essential links). Lots of great info to read.

Some other answers to questions in your post below:

Which ride should we do first and which ride should we get a fast pass for first?

It depends. How many days will you be there? Where are you staying? Any kids? What rides are most important to you?


which rides run out of fast passes early?

ST first. Then SM.


How will the crowds be on Aug 23/24? any tips on Fantasmic and World of Color without a package?

Also...we get an early entry morning with our resort stay....does that get us into Disneyland 1 hour early (just like at wdw)? What will be open?

Just to clarify.....are you staying onsite? Then you are entitled to MM every day that you're staying onsite....as long as it's an S day or T day. (& you can enjoy MM both the day you check out AND the day you check in (assuming you arrive early enough for it).

Read the MM links that CougarFan provided. MM is different from WDW EMH in that MM is universally enjoyed by all diser's (it's a GREAT way to knock off multiple slow loaders in Fantasyland in less than an hour that would take 3-4 hours to ride on a crowded afternoon)......where as EMH is often avoided at WDW.

Thanks...
Jess

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