Morning DCA strategy

[hulamom]

Instead of meticulously planning every detail and step for each day of our visit, I'm thinking of just coming up with morning strategies. DH pleaded that our visit not be as OCD - his words - as our WDW visit last summer and that we be able to just "wing it". Okay, this is my compromise. I figured if I came up with morning strategies that involved heading to everybody's favorite attractions and gathering as many FPs as possible (and I'd be the FP runner) that should make "Mr. I don't make plans" happy.

One of our morning's, we are planning on sleeping in a little and just going to the opening of DCA (opens at 10am). Since we're staying at the DLR, I understand that we can use the DCA entrance. I understand that the gates may open as early as 9:30 (true?).

So, it sounds like Soarin' may actually be open for rides at 9:30. Is the FP machine for Soarin' also open for FP distribution at that time?

What would be the better strategy:
Plan A: Ride Soarin' after the gates open and then head to Toy Story
Plan B: Grap FP for Soarin' (if they're avail) but ride Toy Story first

Mahalo for any tips!

-- Hulamom

 

[wmp.dll]

Grab fast passes for Soarin' then ride Toy Story Mania

There is no fast pass for Toy Story Mania and once the line builds, it is there all day. The line was so bad when we went we just skipped Toy Story all together. If you grab fast passes for Soarin' the Fast Pass line is never too long.

 

[DLR29]

I agree with the PP, however if you do decide to do TSMM also again later, don't worry about a long line. It moves so fast that it usually is not much over 30 minutes.

 

[HydroGuy]

Soarin FP machines do not start until 10AM, but you are right that Soarin is usually open at 9:30AM. The problem with the 9:30 is that if you are not one of the first ones there you will not finish until 10:10AM and be behind some of the surge to rides like TSMM. I usually do the 9:30 anyways because it avoids us having to get a FP for Soarin. But I have not tried this yet with TSMM and might be inclined to get the Soarin FP right at 10AM and then hoof it to TSMM (and skip riding Soarin until later). I also like the idea of having a sleep-in day. We try to do that too with DCA's later opening.

In any case, I share the same strategy of getting those FPs. However, I always caution people that like WDW (which you know) do not feel like you have to get a ton of FPs and then use them all. I treat FPs like "options" and try to collect as many as practical to give us the option to ride those rides later in the day. But I do not force everyone to use all the FPs.

Also, make sure you know the FP tricks at DLR such as not needing to use the FPs during their windows. See "Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

Have fun on your trip and good luck with your compromises!

 

[gatorfreud]

Oh man I was hoping to get a FP before 10 for Soarin'!!??? So that's not going to work I guess??

Kim

 

[skoocher]

Not sure if things have changed...we were last at DCA two years ago. Many people advised us to go to TOT first thing as the lines get crazy at night once more of the locals show up. We did that and litterally walked right on (we were first in line for the day). If that is still true and your groups plans to ride TOT, you can try that strategy.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

Soarin FP machines do not start until 10AM...

Oh man I was hoping to get a FP before 10 for Soarin'!!??? So that's not going to work I guess??

Kim

Re: Getting Soarin’ FP (9:30 to 10:00am)

Reliable sources are divided on this one.

According to the following thread: www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=25112731

You CAN get a Soarin’ FP shortly after 9:30am and before 10:00am.

Everything at DLR is 'Subject to Change,' but I would still give it a try.

HTH

 

[gatorfreud]

Maybe it changes depending on crowds or something... I guess I'll go for it, and then try to slot a time in for it later in case I can't get it. I'll report back on Monday!

Kim

 

[HydroGuy]

Re: Getting Soarin’ FP (9:30 to 10:00am)

Reliable sources are divided on this one.

According to the following thread: www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=25112731

You CAN get a Soarin’ FP shortly after 9:30am and before 10:00am.

Everything at DLR is 'Subject to Change,' but I would still give it a try.

HTH

Thanks for that. I have never heard of it nor seen it myself, but will certainly look for it next time!

 

[hulamom]

Soarin FP machines do not start until 10AM, but you are right that Soarin is usually open at 9:30AM. The problem with the 9:30 is that if you are not one of the first ones there you will not finish until 10:10AM and be behind some of the surge to rides like TSMM. I usually do the 9:30 anyways because it avoids us having to get a FP for Soarin. But I have not tried this yet with TSMM and might be inclined to get the Soarin FP right at 10AM and then hoof it to TSMM (and skip riding Soarin until later). I also like the idea of having a sleep-in day. We try to do that too with DCA's later opening.

Does TSMM actually start loading before 10am, or would I, for example be able to grab FPs for Soarin (in case the FP machines don't start until 10) and have time to hoof it over to TSMM and meet up with the rest of the family?

Yeah, the boys (DH and DS6) are all about sleeping in, while DD11 like me wants to get up early.

In any case, I share the same strategy of getting those FPs. However, I always caution people that like WDW (which you know) do not feel like you have to get a ton of FPs and then use them all. I treat FPs like "options" and try to collect as many as practical to give us the option to ride those rides later in the day. But I do not force everyone to use all the FPs.

Also, make sure you know the FP tricks at DLR such as not needing to use the FPs during their windows. See "Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319

Have fun on your trip and good luck with your compromises!

Thanks Hydroguy! I've prepped myself on your tips and they've been very helpful.

Not sure if things have changed...we were last at DCA two years ago. Many people advised us to go to TOT first thing as the lines get crazy at night once more of the locals show up. We did that and litterally walked right on (we were first in line for the day). If that is still true and your groups plans to ride TOT, you can try that strategy.

Unfortunately, DH doesn't like rides that drop and DS6 wouldn't like ToT either, so it would just be DD and myself. Does ToT have FP? If so, we'll try to grab a few of those for later.

Re: Getting Soarin’ FP (9:30 to 10:00am)

Reliable sources are divided on this one.

According to the following thread: www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=25112731

You CAN get a Soarin’ FP shortly after 9:30am and before 10:00am.

Everything at DLR is 'Subject to Change,' but I would still give it a try.

HTH

Wow, that's good to know! Mahalo!

-- Hulamom

 

[S. S. Columbia]

Just following up from last week.

This past weekend, gatorfreud was able to get Soarin’ FPs shortly after 9:30am on Saturday, October 25.

That's approximately 30 minutes before DCA's official opening time.

HTH

Maybe it changes depending on crowds or something... I guess I'll go for it, and then try to slot a time in for it later in case I can't get it. I'll report back on Monday!

Kim

We were only there Sat/Sun so I don't know about the weekdays. They definitely let people in the front entrance too about 9:30...

On Saturday we got right into the TSM line... it is over by the GCH entrance. I am pretty sure that anyone could walk over and get into it, as DH left the area to get Soarin' FP and came back. I do not know if they advertise that or not... we lead the line into the queue, and there were mobs of people behind us. The line itself was pretty long, and we definitely went in before the rest of the pack.... we left that area at about 9:40 or so.

On Sunday, we went in through GCH and rode Soarin' 1st, thinking that if we were out before 10, we could go back to the rope by the hotel and catch up to the TSM line... no such luck. We got out of Soarin' just before 10, saw a mob of people at the rope right there past the ice cream store. Then there was a rope at the GCH entrance also, and no CM, just a security guard, and the TSM folks had already left. (About 9:40-9:45 I guess). So when they dropped the rope we were in the rush with everyone else and got there to about a 30 min. wait... even longer behind us as we moved pretty quickly!!

So, I would get to the gates about 9:15am, when they let you in at 9:30 send someone to get FP for Soarin' and the others pass Soarin' and get in the TSM line by GCH. Then your FP getter will have plenty of time to join you. Then walk around with the line... ride TSM, and Ca Screamin, Maliboomer, MM, and whatver else in plentyof time before going back to use Soarin' FP at about 10:40, or whenever you want. I posted all our day's details in my TR, just finished.

Does that make sense??

Kim

 

[HydroGuy]

Just following up from last week.

This past weekend, gatorfreud was able to get Soarin’ FPs shortly after 9:30am on Saturday, October 25.

That's approximately 30 minutes before DCA's official opening time.

HTH

Thanks for the update. I may use this new trick next time!

 

[SANDIEGOFAN]

Just following up from last week.

This past weekend, gatorfreud was able to get Soarin’ FPs shortly after 9:30am on Saturday, October 25.

That's approximately 30 minutes before DCA's official opening time.

HTH

And I got mine at 9:38 am on Friday the 24th.

Edit: Also got on TSM about 10:10 that morning - I caught up with my family that was already in line.

 

[gatorfreud]

Aaah good, I was just going to post. Yes, definitely get FP first at 9:30am, then go for TSM, if you can be at the front of the pack. If you aren't at the very front, then I would still FP Soarin', ride like everything else in the park before everyone gets out of the TSM line at 11am, and then do TSM later... seemed to get a shorter line as the day progressed.

Kim