Need experts to prep for 2 1/2 day trip

[dr&momto2boys]

It's been a few years since we've been to DL. What's the major stuff I should know to make the most of our very short trip? Just me and an 11 year old who rides everything except ToT and Screamin'.) We're staying at Paradise Pier. Will arrive about noon on a Tuesday in April and leave Thursday night.

Please recommend a full day rough itinerary for each park (no hopping.)
What rides should we head toward first? When and which FPs should we grab?

I know we should...
-Take advantage of EMH (What time should we be at the gate?)
-Get FPs as often as we can (But want tips please)
-Know we should get a WOC FP and it's not linked to others

I need updates on changes please! I think I heard TSMM has FPs now, true? How do we best work this in? Cars FP and ride it then ride or FP TSMM?

Any new must have snacks or food?

Thanks! Not much time to prepare and I feel like I've totally lost the lay of the land!

 

[agamble]

FP is coming to Toy Story and Matterhorn, but not there yet. I would get to the gates at least 30 minutes prior if possible, especially for Disneyland. You will have EE Wednesday to DCA and EE Thursday to DL. I would assume then that you also plan to go to DL for half the day Tuesday afternoon?

 

[Winnowill]

At DCA, if you're there for rope drop and close to the rope on the way to Cars Land, I would ride RSR, grab a FP for it, then do TSMM (a couple times if you want). Then, when your RSR FP window opens, grab a FP for Soarin'. If you're not close to the rope at Cars Land, I'd skip riding RSR first thing but leave everything else.

At DL, my plan for this Friday, as a for instance, is to ride HSM, grab FP for Indy, ride BTMRR, ride HM, use grab an FP for something else, then use the Indy FP.

RSR FPs run out early. HSM ones do, too, though not quite as fast as RSR.

FP rule: you can grab another when the return window opens for one you're holding, or two hours later, whichever comes first. (The time you can get your next one is at the bottom.) Rule of thumb is to always be holding a FP - as soon as the window opens, get one before you use the one you're holding. You cannot hold two FPs for the same attraction at the same time. What this means is that: Say it's noon. At 10:00 am, you pulled a FP for RSR with a return time of 2:30 pm. Even though your two-hour window has opened, you cannot pull another FP for RSR because you have one in hand. Something to keep in mind if you're looking to ride it after dark.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Don't forget about the MSEP! If you will be wanting to do a dining package for reserved viewing (either BB or AO), look into making reservations now. Village Haus now has a BATB theme (Red Rose Taverne) with a new menu. There is a thread here discussing the food. Also, there are some cute treats themed for MSEP and for BATB. The Food & Wine Festival will be going on in DCA while you are there. Lots of yummy things to try. Is your son open to doing single rider? That and FP will add to the number of rides you both will be able to do in your short visit.

 

[Nevada Jen]

DCA will be pretty empty during EMH because only hotel guests get it. Personally, I would ride Toy story a couple of times during EMH. Then ride soarin (if you have time) and then ride RSR at the end of EMH (get in line about 15 minutes before regular park opening). Watch the fastpass return times and get a FP for an after dark slot for RSR. Unless your 11 year old thinks it is the worst idea ever, I would make sure to hit the Frozen Musical. You will have plenty of time. If you are at all open to getting hoppers, with EMH, I think DCA is a half day park (assuming everything is running during EMH), unless you like the carnival type rides on the pier. I will not do WOC without the dessert party. The seat is priceless! There is enough counter service in DCA that you probably don't need TS reservations.

DL is going to be harder to pull off because the EMH is still very crowded. Your first day, I would try to get a fastpass for space or star tours and then do fanstasyland. On your last day, for EMH I would do the rides in tomorrowland, minus space during EMH and then grab a space fastpass for space as soon as the park opens and head for indy. Ride that. My new strategy is to finish as much as possible on the Indy side of the park and be out of that side by noon. Moving around over there is nearly impossible with crowds even at a 7 level. Maybe on Tuesday, make a lunch reservation at AO or BB for the parade package. THat ensures you will be able to see the parade and eat. That is prime spring break season and counter service lines have been crazy long there, so I would also have a lunch or early dinner reservation for Thursday also.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Don't forget about the MSEP! If you will be wanting to do a dining package for reserved viewing (either BB or AO), look into making reservations now. Village Haus now has a BATB theme (Red Rose Tavern) with a new menu. There is a thread here discussing the food. Also, there are some cute treats themed for MSEP and for BATB. The Food & Wine Festival will be going on in DCA while you are there. Lots of yummy things to try. Is your son open to doing single rider? That and FP will add to the number of rides you both will be able to do in your short visit.

Good info! I'll look into Red Rose Tavern Yes, he would do single rider.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

FP is coming to Toy Story and Matterhorn, but not there yet. I would get to the gates at least 30 minutes prior if possible, especially for Disneyland. You will have EE Wednesday to DCA and EE Thursday to DL. I would assume then that you also plan to go to DL for half the day Tuesday afternoon?

Helpful! Thanks! I didn't know which day would be which, so now with your info I know that will be the plan!
Any advice on how to maximize our 1/2 day at DL?

 

[dr&momto2boys]

DCA will be pretty empty during EMH because only hotel guests get it. Personally, I would ride Toy story a couple of times during EMH. Then ride soarin (if you have time) and then ride RSR at the end of EMH (get in line about 15 minutes before regular park opening). Watch the fastpass return times and get a FP for an after dark slot for RSR. Unless your 11 year old thinks it is the worst idea ever, I would make sure to hit the Frozen Musical. You will have plenty of time. If you are at all open to getting hoppers, with EMH, I think DCA is a half day park (assuming everything is running during EMH), unless you like the carnival type rides on the pier. I will not do WOC without the dessert party. The seat is priceless! There is enough counter service in DCA that you probably don't need TS reservations.

DL is going to be harder to pull off because the EMH is still very crowded. Your first day, I would try to get a fastpass for space or star tours and then do fanstasyland. On your last day, for EMH I would do the rides in tomorrowland, minus space during EMH and then grab a space fastpass for space as soon as the park opens and head for indy. Ride that. My new strategy is to finish as much as possible on the Indy side of the park and be out of that side by noon. Moving around over there is nearly impossible with crowds even at a 7 level. Maybe on Tuesday, make a lunch reservation at AO or BB for the parade package. THat ensures you will be able to see the parade and eat. That is prime spring break season and counter service lines have been crazy long there, so I would also have a lunch or early dinner reservation for Thursday also.

Great recommendations! DS ha no interest in the parades. We've seen MSEP a few times at WDW. Probably a good time to finish up rides.
Even with the crowds, I think DL will feel easier to us, because we're used to doing Disney with all of us (7 and always having a toddler). We will feel free as a bird without the other 5!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

FP is coming to Toy Story and Matterhorn, but not there yet. I would get to the gates at least 30 minutes prior if possible, especially for Disneyland. You will have EE Wednesday to DCA and EE Thursday to DL. I would assume then that you also plan to go to DL for half the day Tuesday afternoon?

Any estimate when FP is coming? More than a month away?

 

[agamble]

Any estimate when FP is coming? More than a month away?

No. We're all kind of in a wait and see mode. I would say before summer. Matterhorn and Pirates are both closed right now, when they open they'll be FP ready. A lot of other rides have been getting new FP posts for using the digital codes.

 

[scrapshappen]

No. We're all kind of in a wait and see mode. I would say before summer. Matterhorn and Pirates are both closed right now, when they open they'll be FP ready. A lot of other rides have been getting new FP posts for using the digital codes.

Is Pirates getting FP? I thought it was just Matterhorn and TSMM that were getting them soon. But I could have missed something.