Need some updated touring tips!

[mommyof2boys1girl]

For our trip last year, I needed to know what strategy to use to get on Nemo without waiting for an hour. Now I find that I am needing to get back in touch with the dynamics of the Parks...

So what are the most popular "must get to or lines are insane" rides now? I assume TSM is a big one - anyone have any strategies on this one, or is it not quite as cutthroat as Nemo was, being that it is in CA which seemes a little more low key than DL? (I still remember people vaulting over my 2 kids in their stroller to beat us into the line at Nemo! ) Do I still need to budget for long lines at Nemo, or has it toned down a bit by now? The kids still really want to do it again.
We will, of course, use our MM to do FL, and I think we have that one down pat - I have a couple improvements to make (for example, I hope this year dh won't get lost on his way to PP and waste 10 whole minutes!! )

Thanks for any tips - I feel so out of touch!!

 

[LavenderPeach]

We went on Nemo on a saturday in november and the wait was only 30 minutes. We didn't rush there. In fact, we didn't even plan on going on it because we were only there for a few hours and didn't want to wait in a long line. It was probably around 10am or so when we got in line. I'm sure some days are more crowded than others but I'm guessing that maybe the Nemo line is calming down a bit and might not be too bad. I know that isn't much of a strategy but thought I would let you know what our experience was.

 

[MichaelColey]

We were there last month on a Tuesday-Thursday. We went on Nemo several times. The line seemed long, but the wait was only about 20 minutes or so. We also went on TSM several times, and the wait most times was aroudn 10-20 minutes. The only ride that had really long wait was Indiana Jones. Even with FastPasses, it was quite a bit of walking and waiting (at least 15 minutes). Without a Fast Pass, it was probably well over 30 minutes. Maybe it's just a combination of January and the economy, but the lines were pleasantly short just about everywhere.

 

[DLR29]

It all depends on when you are going. If you are going during Spring Break or Summer, expect Nemo's line to be about 45 min all day (nothing compared to the 60-90+ min a couple years ago). TSMM's will be about 30 min during busy season too. If you are going during "off season" (like late feb, early march, late april, most of may) Nemo shouldn't be longer than 25-30 min on weekdays and TSMM's will be probably 20 min as well.

If you are going during "busy season" and want to ride TSMM w/o a long wait, arrive at DCA about 9:30, which is when they open the gates. Then position yourself as close to the Paradise Pier rope as possible and you should be one of the first ones on the ride once the park opens at 10. Also, later in the day TSMM's line dies down a tad, so you could make it one of your last rides.

For Nemo, I have found that during the parades is the best time to ride this one; however, make sure that you ride it DURING the parade, not AFTER, because there is a huge surge of people that temporarily floods Nemo's line after parades. Either that or late at night.

 

[mommyof2boys1girl]

Sorry DLR - just like me to forget the important details! We're going in late May (probably - no exact dates booked yet).