More Assistance with Must Do's

[Hollymom1229]

Below is our list of must do's while at DL for one day, if any of these are a waste of time please let me know because we have just one day. We'll be going on a Thursday in August, so we have no idea what the crowds will be like. Thank you all, I can't wait to go.

Enchanted Tiki Room – Adventureland
Indiana Jones Adventure – Adventureland
Haunted Mansion – New Orleans Square
Pirates of the Caribbean – New Orleans Square
Alice in Wonderland – Fantasyland
"it's a small world" – Fantasyland
Matterhorn Bobsleds – Fantasyland
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride – Fantasyland
Pinocchio's Daring Journey – Fantasyland

This is the list of would be nice if we have the time. Please let us know what here is not worth it or should be moved to the must do.
The Walt Disney Story Featuring "Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln" – Main Street
Tarzan's Treehouse – Adventureland
Casey Jr. Circus Train – Fantasyland
Storybook Land Canal Boats – Fantasyland
Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin – Toontown

 

[disneychrista]

Are you planning on being there all day?? My advice is to get there about 30 mins before opening. (~ 7:30am, opening 8:00) Go to Fantasyland first you should be able to do everything in about an hour. Then go to adventureland pick up FP for Indy (if wait more then 30 mins) and then just do the "circle" of Adventureland, NOS, Critter Country etc. Take the train from NOS/Frontierland Station to Toontown do RR, tour TT, take the train from TT to Tomorrowland walk through just so you can say you were there (see Autopia if you choose). Then walk up Main Street for Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (GREAT audio effects).

Depending on time, see the parade, enjoy Fantasmic etc.

I can not stress though how important it is to get to the park at opening to maximize your time. This will allow you time to "smell the roses a bit, and even take an afternoon break (if you choose).

And most importantly HAVE FUN!!

 

[nicolem]

While I definitely agree with your "must dos" (particularly Indiana Jones, the Matterhorn and POTC), I think you should consider bumping the Storybook Land Canal Boats closer to the top. I know they're one of the older attractions, but they really are adorable - my husband and I always try to ride them at least once per visit. If you have kids, I'm sure they'll love them too.

 

[Hollymom1229]

Thank you for the advice. I really want to do the Canal boats, I remember loving them when I was younger. We intend to arrive prior to park opening and get as much done as possible in those first couple of hours. We probably won't get a sit down meal and instead hit up counter service. I'd love to fit in Fantasmic and the parade too. That will depend on how we do with the rides. With just one day, stopping to smell the roses is unfortunately the first thing that will be cut due to time constraints. What are past mid-week hours in early August?

 

[disneychrista]

Originally posted by Hollymom1229
What are past mid-week hours in early August?

I would guess 8am - 11pm.

 

[Grog]

I would put Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin on the "must do" list. This ride is a lot of fun, and has one of the best themed queue areas of any Disney attraction.

 

[msteddom]

I agree with Grog. Roger Rabbit is a must do.

 

[macbaby]

Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Carribean, Roger Rabbit, and Star Tours are all "unconnected" FastPass rides. You can hold FastPasses to one or all of them while holding FastPasses to another "connected" rides, such as Indiana Jones. If you use the FastPass system (connected and unconnected) and visit Fantasyland first thing in the morning, you can easily make all of your "must-do's".

 

[Sonya in Boise]

Do you have kids? ages? are there two adults (including yourself)?

Assuming you have kids that will enjoy Fantasyland and there are two adults, here is my two cents.

Get to the park 30 minutes before open (so you get in the minute they allow). One adult and the kids head to Fantasyland while the other adult takes all the tickets and heads to get Fast Passes. (if you both want to see the kids reactions to the rides, the second adult can head to fantasyland for a bit first, then head off to get the passes)

Depending on which rides the kids will enjoy the most.....Fast pass to Indy and fast pass to Pirates (since pirates is not connected to the computer system you can have both of these at the same time) The Fast Pass getter then heads to Star Tours and gets a Fast Pass (also not connected to the system). The fast pass getter could then head to Toon Town/ Small world area to meet the rest of you. Some days Toontown opens later than the park (but I don't know how this is determined) You can all ride Small world together then head to Toon Town. Get a fast pass for Roger Rabbit then see the sights in Toon Town. Hopefully your fast pass for Roger rabbit is valid before you are done with meeting Mickey and Minnie and checking out the gags. Jump on the train and get of in New Orleans Square.

***Note for us if we have gotten to the park at 8am and follow this plan it is now around 11am and we have ridden every ride in Fantasyland, Small world, Goofy's bounce house, meet Mickey AND Minnie, played with the houses in Toon Town and ridden Roger Rabbit.

Since the Indy FP is going to be valid you could head to get a FP for Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain or Pooh if the kids will like any of these. If you find that the lines aren't too long, I would suggest grabbing a FP for one then getting in the line. So maybe ride one of those big rides and get a FP for a different one.

Then head to lunch someplace on that side of the park.

After lunch see the Tiki Room, ride Jungle Cruise, maybe send someone to pick up a fast pass for a NOS ride you don't already have or one you will want to ride twice while the rest of the group is checking out the Tree house.

After the tree house, maybe catch the Parade, then start using the Fast Passes you have collected during the morning.

If you are not aware, you can use the fast passes after the window of time. We have done this MANY times over the last year and have never had a problem. We collect Fast Passes all morning and use them in the afternoon/evening.

If you are in the park during the evening parade, head to some more rides while the majority of the crowds are watching the evening parade.

I think you will find plenty of time to slow down and enjoy the sights and sounds. I actually would encourage you to. There is so much more to Disneyland than just the rides.

You might want to keep open the possibility of letting the kids (if there are any) play on Tom Sawyers Island. I have always thought it a waste of precious Disneyland time, but the kids still talk about it and I remember being able to take a break and enjoy the sights.

I just realized how long winded I became. Remember to have fun and enjoy the day.

 

[HaleyB]

We were there last July on a Wendesday, perfect weather. Our attack plan was pretty much identical to above and we were able to do everything. The fastpass stuff is the key. If you have never used it the system only lets you get one per ticket on the connected rides. But as long as you know which rides are not on the system you can get several at one time. I can also confirm that they will be valid after the return window "expires". Actually CM's have expired FP's to use as thank yous or pacifiers for guests, we got some on our last trip when we turned in something we found to a CM (we knew to find a manager to give it to, they are the ones that have the FP's).