Just 1 day....could use some advice

[kmorgida]

My husband (33), my son (3 1/2) and myself (30) will be there on Nov 16th. I already know about all the events that are happening so I know it will be busy. We are driving up the night before and staying at Anaheim Portofino Inn & Suites. Am I correct in saying that we wont get to take advantage of Magic Hour or Early Mornings? If that is the case, we plan to be there 45 mins before the gates open which as of right now is 9:00. Is there a difference of time from when the ticket gates open to rope drop?

Our plan is to head over to Adventureland and get a FP for Haunted Mansion and while we wait for that do Pirates, Splash Mountain, Jungle Cruise. Once done we plan to head over to Fantasyland and I would imagine spend a couple hours over there. I really have no plans to do anything in Tomorrowland. We might take advantage of the FP with Star Tours but that's about it. Then I was thinking about heading to Autopia and Nemo. At this point I think we should take a break from the rides and see some shows and grab so food after the lunch crowd. After this I am pretty lost as to what to do. We wont be park hopping.

I am open to any suggestions or advice. TIA

 

[figment_jii]

Mondays typically have EMH in DCA (i.e., no EMH or MM in DL on Mondays normally), so I don't think you'll have to contend with EMH/MM crowds in DL on 11/16 (so far, the calendar still shows EMH in DCA only).

Yes, sometimes (often), they open the ticket gates a little before the official opening of the park. They'll let guests onto Main Street and hold them somewhere near the end of Main Street until the park official opens. Things like Starbucks, Carnation Cafe, the Plaza Inn, and some of the shops will already be open. At 9:00 am, they'll allow guests to disperse into the rest of the park.

Truthfully, I don't know that the crowds are going to be huge that morning outside of Tomorrowland. I think there is a good chance that the HM FP will be for the earliest return time (about 40 minutes later), so you might just consider doing walk-on. Otherwise, given that it's the first day of Season of the Force, I would think about getting a Star Tours FP at opening (or soon thereafter) and then plan the rest of the morning attractions around that return time.

 

[nikkislaght]

Keep in mind . the fast pass machines don't open until the park opens to the general public, whatever that time may be, and they are enforcing the time on the fastpasses. Hope you have a great trip

 

[ArchOwl]

It is generally considered better to visit Fantasyland first thing. None of those rides have FP and the lines increase throughout the day. I would make a beeline for Fantasyland, do that and then head over to New Orleans/Adventureland. Use FP and alternate FP rides with Pirates, Jungle Cruise, etc.

Maybe send a runner over to get a Star Tours FP if you can. Or do Fantasyland first and then Tomorrowland.

Before you shop or sit down to eat, be sure you have pulled a FP so that you can maximize your waiting time. Shows and other entertainment are good things to do while waiting for a FP to become valid.