Ist trip to DL......

[Snow Shoe]

what can we expect? My wife and I will be arriving on 6/1 and departing on 6/5/08. We're staying at the Grand Calif. What will the crowds and weather be like. This may be our only trip to DL, so what are the must see's & do's.
Thanks.

 

[bumbershoot]

Have you seen Hydroguy's tips? http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

He even has one especially for you:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599


Have fun!

 

[Hound 109]

Bumbershoot is right, Read all of Hydroguy's Tips. Essential reading.

You'll love the GCH.

We were there this 6/3 - 6/5 (this past year). Crowds were a 4 out of 10 in the morning & 6-7 out of town in the afternoon & evening. We employed HydroGuy's "How to do DLR on a Busy Day" tips & never was in line more than 10 min. (& had a nice rest each afternoon).

Basic strategies:

- Use EE.
- Pick up 3-5 FPs the first 3 hours.
- Hop to DCA for a couple hours (& pick up a FP or two).
- Stroll into the GCH (via the secret entrance from DCA) & enjoy your beautiful hotel for a couple of hours.
- Then use the FPs in the evening when it's more crowded.

Two things to keep in mind:

- The GCH is very close to the parks & the parks are close to each other. Hopping is much easier than WDW.
- The pink castle is wonderfully very small. It's the original. It's got character & it's Walt's. (But it's small )

Have fun planning & you'll love Walt's park.

hound -

 

[HydroGuy]

I hope you have time to visit the parks on June 1, as it is a Sunday and will likely be the only day you can see the RDCT fireworks (absolutely, positively not to be missed IMO) and Fantasmic. These will likely be dark on weekdays in early June and during June 1-5 only will be shown on June 1.

See "What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

Also, do not miss the Aladdin show at DCA. It is outstanding. It is dark Mon and Tue every week high season and low. You should save that for Wed or Thurs.

 

[Snow Shoe]

Thanks for all of the info. Lots to read and learn before going!

 

[DLR29]

Crowds will be decent, as most schools won't have gotten out yet. And weather will be nice. I see you're from Texas, so you will love the weather. It will probably be warm (80s-90s), but not muggy at all. Very nice weather for theme park touring.

Now even though the crowds won't be huge, you still want to make it to park opening each day (which will probably be 9AM every day except Sunday which will be 8AM). And early entry (because you're staying at the GCH, you can maximize your EE privileges) will be offered on the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th of your stay, which means on Monday, Tuesday, AND Thursday, you can enter DL an hour before other people. Having 3 EE's is very nice and here's how I suggest you use them:

Doesn't matter the day:
1 EE- Fantasyland (Peter Pan and a ton of rides that WDW doesn't have such as Alice in Wonderland, Mr. Toad, Pinocchio, and Matterhorn.)
2 EE- Nemo. This one ride (unique to DLR) will probably take up your entire EE, but since you have multiple, it is ok.
3 EE- Tomorrowland. This is a good time to ride Space or Buzz repeadetly with no lines for an hour. However, if you're really tired, using your 3rd EE could be overkill. I'm sure you will be able to ride Space and Buzz some other time during your trip.

Also don't miss Indy, Matterhorn (already mentioned), and California Screamin if you're into thrill rides. They are unique to the DLR and are all great. Some other unique rides include Storybookland Canal Boats and Casey Jr. Circus Train in Fantasyland, Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin in Toontown, and Monster's Inc. at DCA. You will be very impressed with Buzz, Pirates, Autopia, and Tom Sawyer Island/Pirate's Lair because IMO, they are much better at DL than MK. Rides like Star Tours, HISTA, Bug, Muppets, and Soarin are the exact same. Unfortuneately, I believe IASW will be closed most of the 08 year, which includes June so you won't be able to see the original version; However, probably everything else will be open.

 

[Hound 109]

I hope you have time to visit the parks on June 1, as it is a Sunday and will likely be the only day you can see the RDCT fireworks (absolutely, positively not to be missed IMO) and Fantasmic. These will likely be dark on weekdays in early June and during June 1-5 only will be shown on June 1.

See "What You Should Know About Off-Season at DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=18462889

Also, do not miss the Aladdin show at DCA. It is outstanding. It is dark Mon and Tue every week high season and low. You should save that for Wed or Thurs.

We specifically booked a Sunday/Monday/Tuesday trip (instead of a MTW trip) for the reasons Hydroguy mentioned. On Sunday we enjoyed Aladdin (front row mezzanine) in the afternoon & the amazing RDCT fireworks that evening (since they wouldn't be available on Mon. & Tues.)