Need suggestions -- both parks opening at 9 AM

[Svenson]

I've found lots of great advice here for how to maximize the all-important morning hours by hopping when DL opens at 9 AM and DCA opens at 10 AM, but now I've learned that BOTH parks open at 9 AM on all five days we will be there. Any advice for how to do the "best" morning routine in order to minimize wait times in both parks? Just pick a park each day and be there at 9 AM???

Here's the scenario: We will be there Monday through Friday, the last week of April. We are staying at VGC, so we'll have access to the "side door" of DCA and also access to Magic Morning Hours on both Tuesday and Thursday. Family of four, DD is 8, DS is 10. We've never been to DLR, but we've been to WDW dozens of times. We are very high energy, always ready at opening time (especially when 9 AM is still noon in our "body clocks"), and I'm an extreme planner . . . thanks to hours of reading (lurking?) on the DIS.

Any advice? Thanks!

 

[HydroGuy]

We have the DCA 10AM opening down. With it opening earlier we will not be able to help much. I guess it is like the slow times at DLR when DL and DCA both open at 10AM. Choose whichever park you want to start and do that one I guess.

 

[Svenson]

Darn, I love strategy.

Okay, so here's another question . . . at WDW, the particular park with the Magic Morning Hour (I think it's called ExtaMagicHour at WDW) tends to be the most crowded park that day. So we avoid that park completely (if we aren't eligible for EMH) or we start at that park during the extra hour and then hop to another park mid-morning. Would that be smart here too -- to start at DL on Tue and Thur morning, but hop over to DCA because it would be overall less crowded that day because everyone went to DL? . . . and then do DL on Mon and Wed because everyone who did the MMH on Tue and Thur is now at DCA on Mon and Wed?

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I'd probably start most days at DL if I were you. I assume DL will have more guests to deal with. No ? about it on the MM days ~ go to DL 1st, we too avoided EMH parks when we visited WDW last Oct. but there's no reason to skip MM @ DL. Maybe one morning you could start at DCA. Have fun.

 

[HydroGuy]

Darn, I love strategy.

Okay, so here's another question . . . at WDW, the particular park with the Magic Morning Hour (I think it's called ExtaMagicHour at WDW) tends to be the most crowded park that day. So we avoid that park completely (if we aren't eligible for EMH) or we start at that park during the extra hour and then hop to another park mid-morning. Would that be smart here too -- to start at DL on Tue and Thur morning, but hop over to DCA because it would be overall less crowded that day because everyone went to DL? . . . and then do DL on Mon and Wed because everyone who did the MMH on Tue and Thur is now at DCA on Mon and Wed?

DLR is entirely different. See "Magic Morning (Early Entry) Super Thread" by DLR29 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403 for more info on this.

 

[Huff]

Disneyland is much different than WDW as far as park hopping is considered. If one park is too crowded then just walk over to the other. They're only a 5 minute walk at most between each other. We almost always visit both parks several times in the course of a single day.

 

[Svenson]

If one park is too crowded then just walk over to the other. They're only a 5 minute walk at most between each other. We almost always visit both parks several times in the course of a single day.

That sounds awesome. I just can't convince my husband that the parks are THAT close. Too many years at WDW. Maybe once we have "lived" it, he'll finally believe me.

Thanks for the link, Hydroguy. I read that thread many months ago when I had just started planning, but I have been so overwhelmed trying to absorb all this new West Coast information, I had forgotten about it. So now I re-read it and it makes more sense to me now!

We'll do the Fantasyland strategy one day. Any particular strategy for the Tomorrowland attractions? Probably only three rides will be open since it's low season, so how does this look:
1. Nemo
2. Space Mtn.
3. Buzz
4. Star Tours or Astro Orb (if they are open)

Nemo is the one ride we don't have at WDW, so that's our priority. Thanks again to all of you!

 

[HydroGuy]

That sounds awesome. I just can't convince my husband that the parks are THAT close. Too many years at WDW. Maybe once we have "lived" it, he'll finally believe me.

They are so close that I encourage visitors to think of them as one large park that happens to have two gates. Once you grasp that you do not even think about it as park hopping anymore than going from Tomorrowland to Fantasyland feels like park hopping.

We'll do the Fantasyland strategy one day. Any particular strategy for the Tomorrowland attractions? Probably only three rides will be open since it's low season, so how does this look:
1. Nemo
2. Space Mtn.
3. Buzz
4. Star Tours or Astro Orb (if they are open)

Nemo is the one ride we don't have at WDW, so that's our priority. Thanks again to all of you!

My particular philosophy is that if a ride has FP do not do it early morning. Focus on rides without FP. Even with that belief, sometimes we do it anyways because I cannot stop the stampede which are my kids. They know it is a bad idea but push for it anyways. The guiding philosophy (but not absolute, unbreakable rule) is that it is better to get FPs for the TL attractions (Space Mtn, BLAB) and ride them later in the day.

As for Nemo, if you have multiple DL mornings then it is a good idea to dedicate one to Nemo Subs. The thing I dislike about it though is that, unlike the Fantasyland rides, Nemo takes so long. You will spend 30+ minutes of morning time doing that ride. When we go in July we will probably do Nemo one of our mornings too. But it still bothers me to be tied up so long for a ride during those precious morning hours.

 

[Svenson]

Hydroguy, thanks so much for pointing out the time involved with Nemo. Having never experienced that one, I would have never expected it . . . until I was sitting looking at my watch and not truly enjoying it as I watched the valuable first half hour of the day tick by. Now I will be prepared mentally and we will choose one morning as "Nemo Morning," maybe even a non-MM day.

Fantasyland is so efficient first thing in the morning. In past years, we've covered virtually every attraction in Fantasyland at WDW within the first 70 minutes of the day, and then snickered as we passed thru later in the afternoon and saw the 50 minute wait times at several rides. It is SO worth waking up early!

Thanks so much for all the advice. I feel much better now!

 

[GrandBob]

That sounds awesome. I just can't convince my husband that the parks are THAT close. Too many years at WDW. Maybe once we have "lived" it, he'll finally believe me.

Maybe this wikimapia map will help convince your husband. It shows part of each park, from Main Street in DL to Sunshine Plaza in DCA, with the Esplanade in between. If you use the ruler tool, you'll see that gate-to-gate is under 100 yards!

Wikimapia Map

 

[Svenson]

Very cool! Thanks, GrandBob! I loved the Wiki map! I've never tried the ruler tool.

So I guess it's kinda like going from Epcot's World Showcase to Future World.

I think that WDW veterans need to go thru some intense hypno-therapy to erase all of the WDW info from our brains once we start planning a DLR vacation.

 

[tholczer]

I was just reading on another thread about "Condor Flats". When DCA opens at 10:00, visitors staying at the GC line up an hour ahead of park opening, 9:00 sharp, and ask to see the Condor Flats. They are then taken to Soarin' and let loose in the park after that. You might want to check and see if this is still available with the park opening an hour early.

Since you'll be there five days, I'm not sure I'd give up precious morning time to Nemo. Early on in a trip, I don't like to wait in lines because I feel like I'm missing out on other things. But if you wait until your last day, you'll have already seen most everything else and maybe won't mind the wait. When we waited in the Nemo line, I sent DH off with our youngest so she could get her wiggles out. They came back when we got closer to the front.

Have fun!

Tracy

 

[HydroGuy]

Since you'll be there five days, I'm not sure I'd give up precious morning time to Nemo. Early on in a trip, I don't like to wait in lines because I feel like I'm missing out on other things. But if you wait until your last day, you'll have already seen most everything else and maybe won't mind the wait. When we waited in the Nemo line, I sent DH off with our youngest so she could get her wiggles out. They came back when we got closer to the front.

I hear ya! Nemo and TSMM are the two hardest rides to do at DLR without a longer line. Either do them first thing or wait until later in the day and hope it dies down - which they often do die down to 30 minutes. Not short, but not brutally long either.

 

[Hound 109]

Hydroguy, thanks so much for pointing out the time involved with Nemo. Having never experienced that one, I would have never expected it . . . until I was sitting looking at my watch and not truly enjoying it as I watched the valuable first half hour of the day tick by. Now I will be prepared mentally and we will choose one morning as "Nemo Morning," maybe even a non-MM day.

Fantasyland is so efficient first thing in the morning. In past years, we've covered virtually every attraction in Fantasyland at WDW within the first 70 minutes of the day, and then snickered as we passed thru later in the afternoon and saw the 50 minute wait times at several rides. It is SO worth waking up early!

Thanks so much for all the advice. I feel much better now!

Svenson, you have a very good handle on how the crowd patterns will likely be. Your thoughts on how "effieceint" an early morning Fantasyland tour is exactly how many frequent posters here also think.

Many of us shake our heads at the 45-60 min. mid afternoon lines at Peter Pan, Dumbo, Alice & Matterhorn when "those in the know" would ride all four of those attractions the first 25-30 min. of park opening (& also during MM).

Hydroguy & I have long bit our tongue on Nemo. (not knocking it, but kind of not recommending it). Yeah, it's worth riding (maybe once)....but it takes 8-10 min. to load & 10 min. to ride...then another 5 min. to unload. It drives me crazy to be sitting there on this fairly lame ride when there are cooler attractions to ride & FPs to pick up during the important first hour of park opening.

I frankly find Storybookland, Alice & Pinocchio (& of course the Matterhorn) more of a "must do" for the WDW vet than Nemo. I suspect that you would too. (Heck...I think IASW is more of a must do than Nemo...& I LOVE the Nemo movie & cringe a little at the IASW song .)

If you visit when BOTH parks open at 9am, report back your thoughts on which park was best to tour between 9am & 10am. (But as others have said, absolutely DO MM each day it's offered (assuming you have the privilidges....& get to the turnstile 30 min. before MM opens.....it's easy to get up early when you're traveling from the Eastern or Central time zone.)

 

[jernysgirl]

That sounds awesome. I just can't convince my husband that the parks are THAT close. Too many years at WDW. Maybe once we have "lived" it, he'll finally believe me.

In addition to the map that you got earlier, I found this pic I took a couple of years ago.... not the best but you can definitely see how close the parks are.

This was taken from on board the train in DL. You can see the DL entrance booths at the bottom. If you look to the very center you can kind of make of the CA letters in front of DCA and you can definitely see the Golden Gate bridge inside of DCA. HTH!

 

[Huff]

That sounds awesome. I just can't convince my husband that the parks are THAT close.

Any particular strategy for the Tomorrowland attractions? Probably only three rides will be open since it's low season, so how does this look:
1. Nemo
2. Space Mtn.
3. Buzz
4. Star Tours or Astro Orb (if they are open)

They really are that close!! The two parks are on opposite sides of a plaza concourse that sits between them. Downtown Disney is also 5 minutes away on the west end of the plaza. Very easy to walk out of one park to have lunch at Downtown Disney then back to the parks. If in California Adventure use the Grand California gate and go through the hotel to Downtown Disney.

Nemo does not have fast passes. Go very early in the morning or very late at night. Either way the line will be short then. Otherwise it averages a 40 minute wait.

Space Mountain has one of the longest lines almost daily and gets longer as the day goes. Fast passes can easily run out by 2pm on a moderate day. Best plan is to get a fast pass very early in the morning.

Buzz generally does not have a long line. 20 minutes mid afternoon. Shorter early or late. Grab a fastpass, go ride Star Tours which rarely has a line, then go on Buzz with fastpass.

Indiana Jones can get a very long line especially at night.

Big Thunder is usually short early or very late. Splash is short very late.

Remember that you can have Disneyland fast passes at the same time as California Adventure fast passes and like WDW you can use them any time after the return time. This helps considerably since park hopping is so easy!

 

[Svenson]

Wow, you guys are so helpful and informative! I have been copying many of your tips into my handy little "cheat sheets" that I carry around in my backpack. What a shame we won't have the long monorail line/ride or the long parking lot tram rides that we're used to at WDW (that's when I whip out my cheat sheets and refresh my memory).

Thanks for the photo, jernysgirl. It looks like the walk from DL to DCA is closer than the walk from the Magic Kingdom to its own monorail station (at WDW)!

Tholczer, I'll be interested to see if the "Condor Flats Tour" will be available with the 9 AM opening. I'll let you know.

Hound 109, is the reason for getting to the turnstile 30 minutes early because they open it 30 minutes early (8:30?), or because the "bottleneck" at that time is so huge? Do you think maybe the Nemo lines get smaller during the parade? (This Celebrate parade sounds a little chaotic to me -- probably a whole new thread)

I'd probably start most days at DL if I were you. Maybe one morning you could start at DCA.

DisneyMomma81, I think we'll follow this advice and start every day at DL. We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Soarin' but we've ridden it dozens of times at WDW. I think it's exactly the same at DCA?

Space Mountain has one of the longest lines almost daily and gets longer as the day goes. Fast passes can easily run out by 2pm on a moderate day. Best plan is to get a fast pass very early in the morning.

Huff, I think I'll skip one (or two) of the Fantasyland attractions during the Magic Morning hour and dash over to Space Mtn for Fastpasses.

The toughest part will be convincing the kids to try something new (Storybookland, Alice, Pinocchio, Matterhorn) when they will be SO excited to see their old favorites (Space Mtn, Buzz Lightyear, Mad Tea Party - ugh!).

Oh well, as long as I have a Dole Whip (or two) each day, I'll be happy.

 

[HydroGuy]

Wow, you guys are so helpful and informative! I have been copying many of your tips into my handy little "cheat sheets" that I carry around in my backpack. What a shame we won't have the long monorail line/ride or the long parking lot tram rides that we're used to at WDW (that's when I whip out my cheat sheets and refresh my memory).

Yes! We are slowly converting over your thought processes to DLR-centric!

Tholczer, I'll be interested to see if the "Condor Flats Tour" will be available with the 9 AM opening. I'll let you know.

Me too! I know they used to do this but have not heard anything about it lately. And with the changes in DCA start time they are playing around with (and possible early opening of Paradise Pier when WoC starts) I am even more curious. Lucky for me our trip is not until the end of July so I can get lots of feedback from all you folks!

Hound 109, is the reason for getting to the turnstile 30 minutes early because they open it 30 minutes early (8:30?), or because the "bottleneck" at that time is so huge? Do you think maybe the Nemo lines get smaller during the parade? (This Celebrate parade sounds a little chaotic to me -- probably a whole new thread)

No, that is not what Hound means. Speaking on his behalf because we think so much alike on Disney matters... 30 minutes early is just to get a good place in line and be one of the first into the parks. Similar to advice you hear about WDW parks.

Whether DL lets people in early... it really depends on the day and whether it is a MM and whether the regular park opening is 8AM, 9AM or 10AM. They do not seem to have a morning opening sequence that they always follow. It varies.

Do parades make the Nemo line smaller? Maybe. A little. It is a low capacity ride and a slow moving line.

DisneyMomma81, I think we'll follow this advice and start every day at DL. We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Soarin' but we've ridden it dozens of times at WDW. I think it's exactly the same at DCA?

To be more specific, the DCA Soarin came first so it is Epcot that is the same as DCA. But in answer to your question, the ride itself is the same. However, the experience is different. Soarin at Epcot has a sterile entrance and queue. Soarin at DCA is in Condor Flats and the whole feel is different. The queue is also different and for that reason the experience at DCA is better IMO.

Huff, I think I'll skip one (or two) of the Fantasyland attractions during the Magic Morning hour and dash over to Space Mtn for Fastpasses.

Like WDW, no FPs during EMH (at WDW) or MM at DL. FP machines open at regular parks hours. And what you describe is exactly what we do. Hit MM hard and at the end of MM be ready to get Space Mtn FPs.

The toughest part will be convincing the kids to try something new (Storybookland, Alice, Pinocchio, Matterhorn) when they will be SO excited to see their old favorites (Space Mtn, Buzz Lightyear, Mad Tea Party - ugh!).

Here is a tip on Storybookland if you have enough time... The best time to ride it is at dusk. It is one of the few rides I am willing to let slide and wait in a longer line to be able to ride at a certain time of day. Whenever I mention my preference for SBLCB at dusk around here I find many DL vets have the same preference.

 

[Dizneydaz]

When we get there early in the morning (with AP with arrive in the afternoon sometimes) here's what we usually do (this is when the parks have different openings but still should work when both open at 9 ):

Go to DL first and usually ride either Space or Indy. We grab a FP for a later return before we get in line. Usually the return time is pretty soon so when we get off the ride we can get another FP for another ride. Space and Indy tend to have the longest lines and run out off FP earliest so you'll want to grab those early.

Then if we are in TL we'll ride Buzz and grab another FP. Then onto Indy (and another FP) Next could be BTMR (another FP if possible). Then we will most likely cross over to DCA.

We'll ride and grab more FP at DCA. Cross back over to DLR. Back to DCA.

We'll "cross over" several times during our day. Sometimes just to eat lunch or dinner. It's that close. Nothing like WDW.

FP may not even be an issue while you are there as the parks are closing fairly early and that means the parks won't be crowded. Once DCA close at 7 you can cross back over to DL and use the FP you gathered in the a.m.

Personally, Nemo isn't that much of a thrill for me but I do think it's worth doing at least once. We'll usually watch it from the "observation" room especially if it's a hot day. The subs don't have air but the "room" does.

Have a great time!

ADDED-the last time we were there at park openings we did enter DCA 1/2 hour before opening (10) and we're able to ride Soarin' before the park opened. However that was a time when the parks opened at different times. Don't know if they'll still do it when both parks open at the same time.

 

[Hound 109]

Originally Posted by Svenson
Hound 109, is the reason for getting to the turnstile 30 minutes early because they open it 30 minutes early (8:30?), or because the "bottleneck" at that time is so huge? Do you think maybe the Nemo lines get smaller during the parade? (This Celebrate parade sounds a little chaotic to me -- probably a whole new thread)

RESPONSE FROM HYDROGUY: No, that is not what Hound means. Speaking on his behalf because we think so much alike on Disney matters... 30 minutes early is just to get a good place in line and be one of the first into the parks. Similar to advice you hear about WDW parks.

Whether DL lets people in early... it really depends on the day and whether it is a MM and whether the regular park opening is 8AM, 9AM or 10AM. They do not seem to have a morning opening sequence that they always follow. It varies

.

Hydroguy & I are almost always on the same page when it comes to touring & FP strategies.

30 minutes early is typically when security opens (so getting in line 35-40 min. early is best ) so getting to Security before it opens will get you up front (probably first thru third family) in line at the turnstile. Being very near the front of the turnstiles is important (to me) so that:

- For MM I'm first on Peter Pan...if i'm first on PP then the rest of MM flows easily. & even if i'm not doing PP, i would want to be first on Matterhorn...or SM (or whatever) during MM.

"Critique of MM/EE" by Hound 109 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1392671


- On a non MM day, I want to get to SM (or Indy) FP machine first (to start the FP collection clock). Then hop on my first ride a minute or two later & begin my important first 90-120 min. at DLR.

"Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

"FastPass for Dummies and Smarties - A Photographic Explanation" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1186052

"Which Fast Pass First?" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1107718 (see my post #4 in that thread)

"Strategies For Using DL and DCA Opening Time Differences to Collect More Fastpasses"
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1553197


I've lined up 5 min. before opening, & I'm normally way back (40-50 families back) at that point. 2-3 rides could have been ridden or lots FPs have been spit out by the time I've made it thru the turnstiles 5-7 min. after opening.

Plus there's lots to do while you wait the 30 min.... Pics to take, maps (& touring plans) to study, sunscreen to put on, McBreakfasts to munch on, people watching to do, talking to others in line who are as pumped up as you.

& if they "let people onto Main St." early.....the first ones thru the turnstile are the first ones on the rope on Main St.

Some may think that this thought process is a tad anal (& they're right )....& prefer to "go with the flow". HG & I (& many others here) "go with the flow".......but we tour (& collect FPs) very scientifically the first 2-2.5 hours, & then because we are so productive, we are able to "go with the flow" the rest of the day.