Maximizing my one day?

[grannyminnie]

Hello, DLR "vets"...
I'm a WDW "vet" and will be visiting DL for the first time in 40-something years! I'm so excited, but need to maximize my time since I only have ONE day. I know this will be hard, but am determined to have a wonderful time.
A couple of questions, please...
I will be there around July 20. I've not yet decided whether or not to go on a Sunday or Monday and that is my first question. I've read most of HydroGuy's tips (excellent, BTW) but can't remember seeing which would be better. A guide I bought yesterday says that both days are very crowded in the summer. Any comments?
Also, I would be willing to take a tour. Would that be a total waste of my one day's time, or would it be to my advantage in that it would take me all around, plus give me a couple of Fastpasses?
I ride most rides except the big roller coasters..which means I won't have to stand in the longest lines, I guess.
The main thing I want to do is "wallow in nostalgia", but I sure want to get my money's worth too.
Any comments will be appreciated.
BTW, I'm not staying near DL, but will be brought to the park so I don't have to park, etc.

 

[camouseketeer]

I would go on Monday since it is not a MM day. If you get there early, you will be able to get on rides in FL without much wait. If you go on Sunday, lines will be 40 min plus on rides like Peter Pan and Dumbo by the time you get into the park.

I would not take a tour. It eats up valuable time that you don't have.

Have a great trip!

 

[PoohBearFriends]

If you have been to WDW a lot stick with rides that are different at DLR, Pirates, Alice, Pinocchio, Storybook canal, Nemo. I agree with getting FL done early the waits are so long later.

 

[DLR29]

I would go on Monday since it is not a MM day. If you get there early, you will be able to get on rides in FL without much wait. If you go on Sunday, lines will be 40 min plus on rides like Peter Pan and Dumbo by the time you get into the park.

I would not take a tour. It eats up valuable time that you don't have.

Have a great trip!

Yep. Monday over Sunday. The hours are the same during the summer and entertainment is offered every night, so there isn't really an advantage of going on a more crowded MM weekend day than a less crowded non-MM weekday.

Rides that I would recommend for a WDW to not miss on a one day trip would be:
-Indy (you say you don't like the roller coasters, but do you like Dinosaur at AK? It's the same type of ride with a much better theme)
-Pirates (10x (at least) better than MK's pirates)
-Pinocchio
-Mr. Toad
-Alice in Wonderland
-Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin
-Matterhorn (but since you aren't into roller coasters I'm not so sure)
-Storybookland Canal Boats
-Buzz Lightyear (removable guns makes for easier aiming and a more enjoyable ride)

 

[Master Mason]

If you want to bask in nostalga you should go in the theater on Mainstreet where they are showing the 50 magical years show, (used to be Mr Lincoln and I wish they would bring him back) there are so very cool displays in there, even if you just look around and don't see the show.

 

[grannyminnie]

If you want to bask in nostalga you should go in the theater on Mainstreet where they are showing the 50 magical years show, (used to be Mr Lincoln and I wish they would bring him back) there are so very cool displays in there, even if you just look around and don't see the show.

Thanks for the suggestion. I just read about that this morning in the UG to DL and it's on my list..

 

[grannyminnie]

Yep. Monday over Sunday. The hours are the same during the summer and entertainment is offered every night, so there isn't really an advantage of going on a more crowded MM weekend day than a less crowded non-MM weekday.

Rides that I would recommend for a WDW to not miss on a one day trip would be:
-Indy (you say you don't like the roller coasters, but do you like Dinosaur at AK? It's the same type of ride with a much better theme)
-Pirates (10x (at least) better than MK's pirates)
-Pinocchio
-Mr. Toad
-Alice in Wonderland
-Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin
-Matterhorn (but since you aren't into roller coasters I'm not so sure)
-Storybookland Canal Boats
-Buzz Lightyear (removable guns makes for easier aiming and a more enjoyable ride)

I know what I said about roller coasters, but I'm willing to do everything on your list! (I just don't need or want to do SM or Splash Mt.) I love Buzz at WDW, so that's a must. Also, Mr. Toad, since it's been gone from WDW for 10 years, is a nostalgia spin...
Some of the others will be new to me, and I have to enjoy the better version of POTC!

 

[HydroGuy]

Go Monday. And consider using RideMax www.ridemax.com

 

[grannyminnie]

I would go on Monday since it is not a MM day. If you get there early, you will be able to get on rides in FL without much wait. If you go on Sunday, lines will be 40 min plus on rides like Peter Pan and Dumbo by the time you get into the park.

I would not take a tour. It eats up valuable time that you don't have.

Have a great trip!

Thanks lots! I will not do a tour, then. I'll just run to the most popular rides first, and get FPs when I need to.
I will be taken to the park from my offsite hotel by a tour company, so I don't know exactly what time I will be able to get in. It will most likely be too late to do all the superheadliners without an FP, unfortunately.
BTW, what is does MM stand for?

 

[bumbershoot]

MM is Magic Mornings, which means that Disneyland park opens one hour early to those who have the benefit. (which means people with 3+ day parkhoppers, or anyone staying on site)

You sure you can't just catch a cab to get there before everything opens? Your title says you want to maximize your day, and by getting there late you're doing the opposite (trust me! I have a brother and SIL who drove us from San Diego, and each time we were at least an hour after opening, and the crowds were already much higher than they would have been otherwise, and I spent the whole day feeling like I was playing catchup). Or take ART?

I was going to say, until you said you couldn't get there early, that one tour that would be fun would be the DCA Segway tour. Not that the other tours aren't fun, but the Segway tour starts before DCA opens (ends before it opens, too, I believe).

 

[grannyminnie]

bumbershoot, I have another question..
I'm actually checking into other ways to get to the park earlier. We're staying at a hotel/motel in El Segundo ( I know, it's too far away!!), and am considering either a cab or an airport shuttle to the DL area. (www.airportbus.com)
Do you think it's possible to take a cab from that far away? Or should I plan on trying to get to LAX and take that airport bus? Our motel is only a mile or so from the airport.
In checking that tour company I was planning on, it looks like they won't even pick me up until close to 9 am scared1: ) and I'll be soooooo stressed about not getting there early enough to get the most done during my day!

 

[Janomi]

You can take a cab from your hotel, but a shuttle would be much more economical.

Some shuttle services also have private pick up (right from your hotel) in a Honda Element (1-3 ppl) for about $60-80.

Xpress Shuttle does this: http://www.xpressshuttle.com/services.htm

Checking with different companies and calling them will let you price out what is the best options for your day at DLR.

Hope this helps!

 

[grannyminnie]

Go Monday. And consider using RideMax www.ridemax.com

I will, if I can figure it out. Never heard of it.

 

[grannyminnie]

You can take a cab from your hotel, but a shuttle would be much more economical.

Some shuttle services also have private pick up (right from your hotel) in a Honda Element (1-3 ppl) for about $60-80.

Xpress Shuttle does this: http://www.xpressshuttle.com/services.htm

Checking with different companies and calling them will let you price out what is the best options for your day at DLR.

Hope this helps!

It does. Thanks. And if you come up with any other thoughts, please pass them on. I looked up the link you provided already but didn't put in a request yet.
I'll tell ya my concern (other than price!)...ok, so the van/shuttle picks me up at 8 or whatever, but then they go by three other hotels to pick up others, and we still don't arrive at the front entrance until 9:30 or so..
Then, I'm still behind the game already even tho I've shelled out over $50 to be gotten there "early".

 

[ballarinamom]

We always believe that time is money. If it is a little higher to take a cab, it can definately get you there earlier. Which airport is the El Segundo closest to?
Monday definately as DLR has more Ap holders compared to WDW and they are mostley there over the weekends

 

[grannyminnie]

We always believe that time is money. If it is a little higher to take a cab, it can definately get you there earlier. Which airport is the El Segundo closest to?
Monday definately as DLR has more Ap holders compared to WDW and they are mostley there over the weekends

El Segundo is right at LAX. I could conceivably take an airport shuttle to Disneyland, I bet, but I'd of course have to arrange to get back to the airport to catch it, and I'd rather have door-to-door service.

 

[Janomi]

It does. Thanks. And if you come up with any other thoughts, please pass them on. I looked up the link you provided already but didn't put in a request yet.
I'll tell ya my concern (other than price!)...ok, so the van/shuttle picks me up at 8 or whatever, but then they go by three other hotels to pick up others, and we still don't arrive at the front entrance until 9:30 or so..
Then, I'm still behind the game already even tho I've shelled out over $50 to be gotten there "early".

This shuttle company actually has a private pick up option. For that price, you really are going by yourself, and not with other people. This cuts out going to other hotels, etc. Make sure to request it.

Unfortunately, I do not recall what the option is called, but if you describe it to them, they will understand. It's best to talk to someone directly on the phone, I've found them to be helpful and friendly (maybe a little confused with the request though, they may not get this request all the time )

 

[grannyminnie]

This shuttle company actually has a private pick up option. For that price, you really are going by yourself, and not with other people. This cuts out going to other hotels, etc. Make sure to request it.

Unfortunately, I do not recall what the option is called, but if you describe it to them, they will understand. It's best to talk to someone directly on the phone, I've found them to be helpful and friendly (maybe a little confused with the request though, they may not get this request all the time )

So you think if I use this option, it will be less than a cab? A lot less? I have no idea what a cab ride would run me, and of course I'd have to pay the same to come back!
When I used Googlemaps, it looked to be about 40 minutes, given a normal ride. (which, based on the chatter here, is never available in LA!! )

 

[grannyminnie]

Shuttle update for those helping me out...
I emailed Zippy Shuttle and received an answer...$160 for a RT to Disneyland from my hotel and back. I think I'll check a bit further...
Could a cab be more than that??

 

[labagit]

For my upcoming solo trip, I had planned on taking the Disneyland Express from LAX. Because of my flight times, I was likely to miss the first bus and need to wait an hour. I checked into rental cars and was shocked to find dirt cheap economy cars available. I didn't book yet, but the base rate is listed at $11/day, but with taxes and such I'll need to pay about $45 from 9:30am one day until about 7pm the next day. I do have the advantage of having a hotel to park at with free parking and no extra cost to get to the airport, but you might be able to swing something.