Need Cars Land Strategy Help

[mgd]

Thanks Benjo.

Are Magic Morning early entry people already inside somewhere else waiting for the FP before 8? Or is that special FP line outside the gates the only one allowed? I should have one MM pass from my hopper but probably wouldn't get there until only a little before 8. Wondering if that would make a difference for either the regular line or FP wait. If the standby wait is under an hour during all of MM, I might just go there even if I enter at 7:55.

 

[ttig34]

Thanks Benjo.

Are Magic Morning early entry people already inside somewhere else waiting for the FP before 8? Or is that special FP line outside the gates the only one allowed? I should have one MM pass from my hopper but probably wouldn't get there until only a little before 8. Wondering if that would make a difference for either the regular line or FP wait. If the standby wait is under an hour during all of MM, I might just go there even if I enter at 7:55.

mgd - MM on a park hopper will only get you into disneyland early, not dca.

 

[Breyean]

Thanks Benjo.

Are Magic Morning early entry people already inside somewhere else waiting for the FP before 8? Or is that special FP line outside the gates the only one allowed? I should have one MM pass from my hopper but probably wouldn't get there until only a little before 8. Wondering if that would make a difference for either the regular line or FP wait. If the standby wait is under an hour during all of MM, I might just go there even if I enter at 7:55.

Assuming you mean the EE people who are staying at the DLR hotels or have the APEE (on alternate days), then yes, there is a separate line for the RSR fp in that those people have access to the section of the park where the fp are distributed. The non EE people do not until 8am.

So there is a line for the EE people, then a gap back to where the non EE people are held behind a rope in the fp line, which at 8a is then let into the park and it tacks onto the end of the EE fp line.

But your ticket alone won't get past the holding area until 8a. There's no MM early entry for DCA on any day. You have to be staying at a DLR hotel (and have your room key with you) or have signed up for the APEE if you have an AP.

If that's the case, get there around 7a so you can be toward the front of the group of non EE people. We had EE and were at the gates at 6:30a and they have some turnstiles open for EE and some marked for regular entrance, and there were already people lining up at those at 6:30a.

 

[mybestieismickey]

Thanks for all the tips! I am an AP holder, but this is a crazy trip to California for us. We have a wedding to attend and didn't get final plans from my family until just this week, and so didn't really know which days would be park days. Lucky me, the one and only day that DH and I can attend APEE at DCA is sold out. I'm so bummed and am now trying to figure out the best plan of attack for us. I should have just gone with my gut and booked, but I didn't want to be wrong and miss out all together. Looks like I'll miss out anyway...

 

[MsDisATC]

You'll be able to get a FP as a regular entry person, don't worry. But you do want to arrive early. I'd say 7:15 at the latest to be lined up at the entry gates. Just head on in when they open the turnstiles (around 7:30) and follow the CMs to the FP line which will be ahead and to your left as you enter, and it wraps around the CCT building. Distribution starts at 8, of course with the EE people getting priority from their line ahead of yours, but then you'll be at the front of your line anyway so no big deal! When I did this I had my FP by 8:15 with a return of 11:30ish. I do believe they were out between 9 and 9:15 the day I was there.

 

[JeriLee]

How is the single rider line for RSR at Rope Drop? If I am at the front of the herd and head straight for the single rider line - what can I expect? Is this a better option than FP's if one is willing to ride single?

Thanks!

JL

 

[mgd]

Thanks for the info. From what I'm hearing, it seems like you have to show up early and will be waiting about 45 minutes to an hour just to get into the fastpass line. Then later when you return to ride, the fp entry line will be about another half hour. I'm beginning to think there's not much difference in total waiting time if you just forget about the fp and go stand in the regular line and wait your 2 hours when you want to ride (or shorter for single rider), plus you don't have to get up so early. I might just bite the bullet and do that. I've got 3 days there, so 2-3 hours wasted won't ruin the trip. And I will probably gain them back in the shorter waits I am seeing at every other DLR ride since everyone's in CL. 5-10 minute waits for Pirates and Haunted mansion, and easy FP for Indiana or Star Tours? Not bad at all.

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks for the info. From what I'm hearing, it seems like you have to show up early and will be waiting about 45 minutes to an hour just to get into the fastpass line. Then later when you return to ride, the fp entry line will be about another half hour. I'm beginning to think there's not much difference in total waiting time if you just forget about the fp and go stand in the regular line and wait your 2 hours when you want to ride (or shorter for single rider), plus you don't have to get up so early. I might just bite the bullet and do that. I've got 3 days there, so 2-3 hours wasted won't ruin the trip. And I will probably gain them back in the shorter waits I am seeing at every other DLR ride since everyone's in CL. 5-10 minute waits for Pirates and Haunted mansion, and easy FP for Indiana or Star Tours? Not bad at all.

There is certainly logic in what you are saying. One huge difference is that only one person in a group needs to wait in a FP distribution line while everyone must wait in the normal line. plus the FP let's you ride whenever you want.