Need 1 day touring plan

[gary4jenn]

my friend is going on Friday- can someone give me an general 1 day touring plan. Not a race around plan but at a casual pace. She has 2 daughters ages 7 and 10.

They will only be going to DL.

Thanks-

 

[iceskatejen]

Ok, DL opens at 8 on Friday. Tell them to get there at least thirty minutes before park opening (which means they'll be parking at 7:30). When the gates open, head straight to Fantasyland and ride Peter Pan, Storybookland, and any of the other rides (Dumbo, other dark rides--they all tend to be slow loaders and just get longer lines as the day goes on). Ride the Matterhorn (if they're interested). Head into Tomorrowland and ride (and/or get fastpasses for) Buzz. They might want to grab FPs then get into the regular line becuae this ride is really addicting and they'll probably want to ride more than once. Do the Autopia and Star Tours. Head across the hub to Adventureland. Grab Indy FPs. Ride POTC, HM, Pooh. If their Indy FP window has opened up, get FPs for Splash if it's reopened (I heard it's supposed to on Fri). Head back to Indy and ride. Ride BTM or get FPs for later. Head back into Fantasyland and ride IASW plus anything else they haven't been on yet, like the teacups. Go to Toontown. Get Roger Rabbit FPs then visit Mickey's House, Minnie's house, Ride Gadget's Go Coaster, the ride Roger Rabbit when the FP time comes around. Ride BTM, Splash and reride anything they want. If they're interested in Fantasmic, they should grab a seat by 6 or so for the first show, or be prepared to get seats right away for the second as the first lets out.

 

[LucyKate]

There are some very good touring plans in the "Unofficial Guide to Disneyland" though these tend to be the crazy "see everything in one day type plans"

I have two girls 6 and 9 and based on what they liked and crowd patters I would do the following:

As above get there before the gates open and head straight up Main Street to Fantasyland and do Dumbo and peter Pan first (these two had the biggest queues all day) - other fantasyland rides like Snow White, Pinocchio etc were worth doing but had small or no queues.

I would skip the canal boats which had a longish queue and a very dull ride (my kids were very bored by it). Casey Junior is the same ride but on a train.

Matterhorn would be next (as it's nearby) then head off to Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion and Splash Mountain and Pooh (and perhaps get a fast pass for Indiana Jones on the way).

Big Thunder Mountain is also worth it for kids that age (at least the eldest). My kids' favorite ride was autopia and that develops long lines, so get to that early, or get a fastpass for it.

I would skip toon town on a tight schedule as the only ride there that intersted my kids was the Gadget coaster.

 

[challada]

I would recommend going to DCA too even if they only have one day...you would really regret missing: Soaring over Ca, the Aladdin show and California Screamin' (the coaster).
(so my recommendation is definitely park hoppers)

As previously stated: get there early, do Fantasyland & Matterhorn; go do Buzz and Autotopia next since they are close. Go across the hub to Adv land, FP Indy and do the jungle cruise while you wait. After Indy, leave the park for lunch (goofy's?) and then return back to DCA park. Go get FP for Soaring, go ride Screamin, go back to Soarin for your FP time and then go over and see Aladdin show...you will be in DCA for Electric Light Parade then too.

 

[Buckimion]

Why does the autopia get special mention from a couple of you? Granted it was one of the first rides at DL, but I don't have any qualms about skipping this one. (Unless they dig out the original style cars.)

 

[iceskatejen]

Kids that age tend to enjoy the Autopia. For me it's no biggie and I rarely go on it.

 

[Buckimion]

Kids that age tend to enjoy the Autopia. For me it's no biggie and I rarely go on it.

Oops. Missed that this was planned for kids. I need to quit playing with people my own age.

 

[LucyKate]

Yes - as a parent I thought Autopia just about the most boring ride in the park.

But my kids loved it and both rated it their favourite! It's the thrill of steering and driving a car that does it I think - makes them feel a bit grown up.

I remember as a kid when I used to watch Dsney on TV that was the one ride I dreamed about doing the most for that very reason.