More Questions in Planning my FIRST Trip. . .

[Adi12982]

1. Does anyone know how much a cab ride from LAX to DL would be (we will likely do the bus or super shuttle – but I would really love to know).
2. Do the lines for Soarin’ at DCA get as insane as the ones at EPCOT? (i.e. should we frantically run then and get FP’s).
3. In touring DCA which rides are MUST FP (particularly in the summer)? What touring plan do you follow?
4. Is it still true that when staying at GCH you are sometimes let into DCA early?
5. Should you order birthday buckets when you make reservations (PS/ADR – whatever they are called at DL)?
6. Can you do a character breakfast (particularly PCH) early enough to still get to park opening?
7. Fantasmic is not in a stadium like at WDW – where do you recommend sitting – where’s **the** spot? How early should we get there (it would just be two adults)? (We are going to be in the parks June 18th – 22nd (leave the 22nd, so cannot watch fireworks that night)?
8. Like question 7, but about the Electric Light Parade?
9. Like question 7, but about the Bash at DCA and the parade at DL?

Those are all for now, but there will be more!

THANKS for all of your help!!

 

[got2travel]

Wow, a lot of questions.

I'll try a few.....


2. Do the lines for Soarin’ at DCA get as insane as the ones at EPCOT? (i.e. should we frantically run then and get FP’s).

The lines do get long, but not outrageous. You won't have to run to get FPs, but the sooner you get them, the better. They will usually run out by early afternoon. Wait times can be an hour or more. There is also a single rider option. Go to the FP Return line, they'll give you a slip, head down the FP line but then they'll put you in a separate queue. This is a hit or miss. Sometimes I've waited close to 30 minutes going this route. Sometimes I'm on in 5.

3. In touring DCA which rides are MUST FP (particularly in the summer)? What touring plan do you follow?

Don't really have a touring plan for DCA. We are never there at opening.
And when we do make it, we just get on what we can. CA Screamin and Tower of Terror will work best with a FP. Grizzly River Run, either a FP or single rider, bonus - the FP is not connected to the network so you can get one any time, even if you have one for another ride. CA Screamin, Mulhulland Madness and Maliboomer all have single rider queues as well, if you don't mind splitting up the group.


4. Is it still true that when staying at GCH you are sometimes let into DCA early?

Not only GCH, but many times they will open the gates early but only let you in the Sunshine Plaza area (similar to being held on Main Street). But many times when they do this, they'll let you over to Soarin.

6. Can you do a character breakfast (particularly PCH) early enough to still get to park opening?

Yes, depending on park opening. The breakfasts often start at 7am or 8am. But consider a late breakfast instead of an early one. Get to the park before opening. Get in as much ride time as you can. Then about 11am or so, head over to your breakfast/brunch just as everyone else is just starting to get to the parks. This works great for us. Gets us out when the crowds start growing, and is a good mid day break.

7. Fantasmic is not in a stadium like at WDW – where do you recommend sitting – where’s **the** spot? How early should we get there (it would just be two adults)? (We are going to be in the parks June 18th – 22nd (leave the 22nd, so cannot watch fireworks that night)?

I know many people say front and center on the Rivers of America is the best. But I am NOT camping out 3-4 hours early for those spots. Usually about 1 hour before the show if watching the first one, or right after the first one if we're staying late, I get a spot stage left near the Haunted Mansion. Very near the preferred seating area. There's another water projection screen over there and you can still see the main stage.


8. Like question 7, but about the Electric Light Parade?

We always watch from the Paradise Pier area. It's less crowded back there. We can usually find a bench on the parade route as late as 8:30 for an 8:45 parade.

9. Like question 7, but about the Bash at DCA and the parade at DL?

Only watched this once, but just like the Electrical Parade, the Paradise Pier area was much less crowded.

Those are all for now, but there will be more!

 

[PattiPB]

Bumping this for Andrea...she lives for this stuff.

 

[AZMickeyfans]

Here is what I can help with.

1.

2. Yes they can be bad at least an hour, I've seen much longer. I recommend picking ToT or Soarin' first thing grab a fastpass and head over to the other. If you are like us you could grab a fastpass for Soarin', go on Soarin' then head over to ToT for anyone in our group who likes to ride that. Sometimes we skip ToTbecause too scary for dd and dh or I have to go alone. We always go to Soarin' right when they let us in the morning!

3. Ok, Soarin', ToT and California Screamin' are my must do's for FP's. We usually go in that order too.

4. I'll let someone else answer here because I've never stayed at GCH

5. We have always gotten birthday buckets when we arrive at the restaurant. I've never had a problem doing this.

6. Yes, I think the character breakfasts in the resorts start at 7am.

7. Yeah I'm one of those people that camp out so my kids get front row center!!! They can't see over heads! For 2 adults you don't need to get there that early though. I still like center so you can clearly see the pinocchio puppets but that's about all you miss off to the sides.

8. I think back by Jumpin Jellyfish is the best in Paradise Pier. I've never been crowded out there and can usually take my spot 15 minutes before the parade starts.

9. Pretty much anywhere along the route for Blockparty Bash. We usually catch the DL parade by Matterhorn and Teacups. I never seem to be down in Main Street by that time so I dont know if it's any better there.

Hope this helps. I'm sure you will get a bunch of other suggestions from the great DIS people!

 

[tinkermell]

Be sure to check out Hydro Guys section on WDW vets coming to DL. Has lots of good info for folks like you! I'd give you the link, but don't know how to do that. Watch the fireworks in the hub in front of the castle, to the right as you are looking at it. Don't let any trees block your view. 2nd showing of Fanatsmic is usually not as crowded. Be sure to do Indianna Jones. The queing area is great also. You will find DL way more compact and intimate than the MK. It is not so open. There is something to see around every nook and cranny because that is the only choice DL has with limited space. I think you will like it. But I will have to say, that I liked the Tommorrow Land area better at MK. A nicer lay out. You will find the Castle at DL WAY smaller than WDW. People who have gone to DL for years use the Matterhorn as their icon to look for as they are coming to the park instead of the Castle. For ride plans, I aways use RideMax.com. It has always worked great for us. Have alot of fun and keep the questions coming.
PS The DIS is the greatest. When we made our first trip last year WDW, I don't know what I would have done without all of the great people willing to share their info.

 

[HydroGuy]

Be sure to check out Hydro Guys section on WDW vets coming to DL. Has lots of good info for folks like you! I'd give you the link, but don't know how to do that.

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

In answer to the OP's question about Soarin, it is not like Epcot where everyone stampedes to Soarin to grab their FPs. However, as others have said, it is the most popular FP ride at DCA and you should get over there and get your FP soon.

Another item that makes Soarin at DCA different is that when DCA opens at 10AM, they actually open the park at 9:30AM to everyone and open the line for Soarin at 9:30AM. Thus if you cruise in at regular park opening (say 10AM) and got to Soarin, it might surprise you the line is so long. But the reason is that it has already been open for 30 minutes.

In any case, last August I grabbed a Soarin FP at about 20 minutes after the park opened and I was fine, with pretty short return time. As long as you get over there in the first hour to get your FP, you will be fine. Even if you get there after that, they will still be available for several hours.

Finally, take time to enjoy the setting for Soarin. It draws you in much more than at Epcot.

I justed wanted make sure here that you know you can use the FP at DLR anytime that day after the window. DLR enforces the opening of the one-hour FP window, but not the ending. Make sure you know the FP differences at DLR - it has some kinks that WDW does not have. The DLR Guide link above has a section on FP you may want to read.

In the summer, here is what I would consider DCA Must Do's for a WDW vet:

1. California Screamin (if you are into roller coasters)
2. Grizzly River Run
3. Soarin Over California (ride is identical to Epcot's, but the location at DCA's Condor Flats draws you in much more that at Epcot)
4. Disney Animation Studios
5. Monster's Inc
6. Maliboomer
7. Sun Wheel
8. Golden Dreams
9. Aladdin Show (better than any show at WDW in my opinion - does not show every day though)
10. Block Party Bash
11. Disney Electrical Parade

Tower of Terror is not as good as MGM 's, but is still fun and worth riding once as it is different.

Regarding Fantasmic, go to the second show 45 minutes early and you can get a spot on the ground down in front in the center. And do not see it on a weekend night unless you have no other choice.

Parade of Dream spots... I like the spots over between the hub and Tomorrowland/Fantasyland, because there are seats there (concrete) and the road narrows so you get a closer view of the parade. Be aware that the parade runs in opposite directions between the afternoon and evening.

 

[Adi12982]

Bumping this for Andrea...she lives for this stuff.

Anything Andrea

Thanks for the link HydroGuy

I was wondering one more thing - we are staying at GCH - Park View - should I call or fax in requests for a certain area or floor? ANY advise would be appriciated