New to the boards...first time back to DL in 10 years...have a few questions.

[Keyframer30]

Hello!

Long time reader, first time poster. I'd like to say this board is awesome and a wealth of great info in helping to plan a trip...so thank you to all that post and share their knowledge!

I used to go to Disneyland every year in my 20's and 30's but I moved abroad for several years and had a kid 3 years ago so I haven't been able to get back since 2008. We've moved back to the West Coast and my kid is finally hitting 40 inches so it's time to finally head back! I've booked a trip for 4 days starting Sept 4 (day after Labor Day) staying at VGC. It'll be my wife and my kid's first time to DL...can't wait!

Since it's been 10 years since I was last there...I know a lot has changed...so I have a few questions...

I have scoured the boards and did a lot of searches to find the answers to most of my questions but here are a few I couldn't find...

1) I know everyone says not to trust DL crowd calenders anymore and to just plan to enjoy the parks regardless of crowds. I also know the opening of Pixar Pier will be an X factor but based on the past few years, can anyone give me an educated guess on what crowds will be like right after Labor Day? This is more to get my wife in the right mindset for when we get there.

2) My kid is at that stage where anything he loves he just wants to do over and over. Are there limits or caps on any particular ride when pulling FP's? We will be getting MP...so if my son ends up loving RSR and wants to ride it over and over...can pull FP's as soon as I redeem my current one for the same ride (until they run out) and repeat that process or are there caps?

3) My kid may not be the best at waiting in lines. We'll try to keep him distracted and such with toys and puzzles but in a worst-case AKA "melt down" scenario, is it bad form to wait in line myself and as I near the boarding area, have my wife and kid join me to board the ride? Don't want to cheeze off other guests...

4) As we will be staying at VGC...everyone says not to use the GC Entrance to get into DCA on EMH days and to use the Main Entrance instead. Where would we be going through security if we are coming out of GCH and into DTD to get to the Main Entrance? Also, how long is the security line if we are going for Rope Drop on a EMH for DCA nowadays?

Thank you all in advance for any info you can provide!

Keyframer

 

[Winnowill]

In answer to #2 - in theory, no. The rules state that you cannot hold active FPs for the same attraction at the same time. That is, say it's 10:00 am. You can't have a FP for RSR with a return time of 3:00 pm and then pull another with a return time of 8:00. You have to use the first one before you can get another for that attraction and, in practice, by that time, RSR FPs will all be gone (unless you get lucky and someone returns one - it happens). Best strategy for maximizing FPs for RSR would be to get one as soon as you buy your MaxPass, then get another right away as soon as you scan in the first one. If you're lucky, the return time on that one will be early enough in the morning that there will still be some available when your window opens again.

And welcome to the Boards!

 

[Keyframer30]

In answer to #2 - in theory, no. The rules state that you cannot hold active FPs for the same attraction at the same time. That is, say it's 10:00 am. You can't have a FP for RSR with a return time of 3:00 pm and then pull another with a return time of 8:00. You have to use the first one before you can get another for that attraction and, in practice, by that time, RSR FPs will all be gone (unless you get lucky and someone returns one - it happens). Best strategy for maximizing FPs for RSR would be to get one as soon as you buy your MaxPass, then get another right away as soon as you scan in the first one. If you're lucky, the return time on that one will be early enough in the morning that there will still be some available when your window opens again.

And welcome to the Boards!

Thanks Winnowill! Good to know!

 

[gmboy95]

#3....yeah, I think folks would frown on that, and in many places there would be no way for them to access where you would be in line at the end

 

[Keyframer30]

#3....yeah, I think folks would frown on that, and in many places there would be no way for them to access where you would be in line at the end

Good to know! We'll avoid doing that then!

 

[figment_jii]

1) I know everyone says not to trust DL crowd calenders anymore and to just plan to enjoy the parks regardless of crowds. I also know the opening of Pixar Pier will be an X factor but based on the past few years, can anyone give me an educated guess on what crowds will be like right after Labor Day? This is more to get my wife in the right mindset for when we get there.

Crowds are hard to guess because there may be special ticket offers or special activities that can impact the park crowds. On a very general level, I would guess that crowds will be moderate (assuming there is no such thing as empty anymore) right after Labor Day. Most of the summer entertainment will be over and it won't yet have gone into HalloweenTime mode. There is a chance that Haunted Mansion and Space will both be down (Space depends on when HalloweenTime is slated to start). They probably won't announce the start of HalloweenTime until mid-summer, but either the first or second Friday after Labor Day is probably a good guess. The parks will be crowded (mostly on the weekends and in the evenings) once HalloweenTime starts.

2) My kid is at that stage where anything he loves he just wants to do over and over. Are there limits or caps on any particular ride when pulling FP's? We will be getting MP...so if my son ends up loving RSR and wants to ride it over and over...can I keep pulling FP's as soon as I redeem my current one for the same ride (until they run out) or are there caps?

There are no caps (as in you can't get more than one FP for the same attraction in a day). More likely, if your trying to get multiple FPs for popular attractions, they'll run out before you can get more than one or two.

3) My kid may not be the best at waiting in lines. We'll try to keep him distracted and such with toys and puzzles but in a worst-case AKA "melt down" scenario, is it bad form to wait in line myself and as I near the boarding area, have my wife and kid join me to board the ride? Don't want to cheeze off other guests...

This tends to be a pretty sensitive topic here on Disboards. Some don't mind, others think of this as a form a line cutting. I suppose I would personally rather you take the child out the line than have to listen to a "melting down" child for any prolonged period of time, but I'm of mixed mind about rejoining the group later on. I (personally) would have someone take the child out of the line and then have that person and the child meet everyone at the exit. The person and child would miss out on the attraction, but unfortunately, that's the price of a melt down (that's what we did with the kids we were with - if they couldn't wait in the line, then they didn't get to ride). Also, it's worth noting that many of the attractions do not have easy access near the loading zone (you'd need to walk the entire length of the queue to re-join your family) or you might not even be able to see the loading area from outside the queue. Other attractions, like many of those in FL, have very narrow queues which make it quite difficult to squeeze past other guests to re-join your family. In these cases you will have to decide whether you want to try and squeeze past other guests to get back to your family.

 

[sherilaine]

For #2 - how old is your son, because if he's old enough than single rider line might work better since fast passes for RSR can run out earlier on in the day. I believe a single rider has to be 7.

#3 - this has been discussed on other posts that most people do frown upon, leaving a line to take a child to the washroom and returning is one thing but having 1 person hold a place in line for 2 others could result in some comments.

 

[Keyframer30]

Figment, thanks for the crowd info!

Sherilaine, no, my kid is 3 so no Single Rider for him...but that's for the tip!

This info has been very helpful. Hoping for "moderate" crowds. Fast Passes will run out...will likely get to ride twice at most. No place holding, bad form. Got it! Thank you very much all!

 

[Niltiac]

2) My kid is at that stage where anything he loves he just wants to do over and over. Are there limits or caps on any particular ride when pulling FP's? We will be getting MP...so if my son ends up loving RSR and wants to ride it over and over...can pull FP's as soon as I redeem my current one for the same ride (until they run out) and repeat that process or are there caps?

In theory, yes, you can do this, but in practice it will depend on the ride. With your example being RSR, it's really tough to get more than two FP before they run out for the day because the return times tend to be a ways out. However, with less popular attractions where the return time is nearly immediate, it's absolutely doable. If you have MaxPass you will want to pull the next FP as soon as you enter the line using your current FP (before you board the ride if possible), and that way by the time you get off the ride it will be time for your next FP. I've done this recently on California Screamin, though that ride might be more in demand once the re-theme is finished, and I could definitely see it working on various other rides (just not RSR, Guardians, Space Mountain, or Indy because of demand).

3) My kid may not be the best at waiting in lines. We'll try to keep him distracted and such with toys and puzzles but in a worst-case AKA "melt down" scenario, is it bad form to wait in line myself and as I near the boarding area, have my wife and kid join me to board the ride? Don't want to cheeze off other guests...?

This one is tricky and it has been discussed at length elsewhere, but I'll try to sum up the general sentiment I've seen people express. Most people don't seem to mind a parent and child leaving and rejoining a line because of a bathroom emergency or similar unexpected incident. Most people seem to find it bad form to have part of the group wait outside the line from the beginning (i.e., send one person through the line as a place holder and only join at the end). The meltdown scenario is kind of in the middle and hard to say - personally I would just skip the ride if I found myself in that situation since it would be hard to say whether the child would even calm down in time to ride. If you're concerned about this issue because your child has specific needs or issues that go beyond normal crankiness, then you might want to go to town hall and inquire about getting a DAS pass which would allow you to wait outside the queue.

 

[DizneyMommy]

Hello!

Long time reader, first time poster. I'd like to say this board is awesome and a wealth of great info in helping to plan a trip...so thank you to all that post and share their knowledge!

I used to go to Disneyland every year in my 20's and 30's but I moved abroad for several years and had a kid 3 years ago so I haven't been able to get back since 2008. We've moved back to the West Coast and my kid is finally hitting 40 inches so it's time to finally head back! I've booked a trip for 4 days starting Sept 4 (day after Labor Day) staying at VGC. It'll be my wife and my kid's first time to DL...can't wait!

Since it's been 10 years since I was last there...I know a lot has changed...so I have a few questions...

I have scoured the boards and did a lot of searches to find the answers to most of my questions but here are a few I couldn't find...

1) I know everyone says not to trust DL crowd calenders anymore and to just plan to enjoy the parks regardless of crowds. I also know the opening of Pixar Pier will be an X factor but based on the past few years, can anyone give me an educated guess on what crowds will be like right after Labor Day? This is more to get my wife in the right mindset for when we get there.

2) My kid is at that stage where anything he loves he just wants to do over and over. Are there limits or caps on any particular ride when pulling FP's? We will be getting MP...so if my son ends up loving RSR and wants to ride it over and over...can pull FP's as soon as I redeem my current one for the same ride (until they run out) and repeat that process or are there caps?

3) My kid may not be the best at waiting in lines. We'll try to keep him distracted and such with toys and puzzles but in a worst-case AKA "melt down" scenario, is it bad form to wait in line myself and as I near the boarding area, have my wife and kid join me to board the ride? Don't want to cheeze off other guests...

4) As we will be staying at VGC...everyone says not to use the GC Entrance to get into DCA on EMH days and to use the Main Entrance instead. Where would we be going through security if we are coming out of GCH and into DTD to get to the Main Entrance? Also, how long is the security line if we are going for Rope Drop on a EMH for DCA nowadays?

Thank you all in advance for any info you can provide!

Keyframer

#1 local schools will be back in, crowds should be just lovely and small that week!

2 there are no caps, but RSR will run out of FP’s so that’s one ride you won’t be able to do that on. You can pull as many as you want until they run out

3 yes, IMO bad form. Unless someone has a potty emergency, we wait. My kids have always waited in line or we don’t ride and they HATE when people jump into line in front of them. Some rides it’s not possible due to the path of the line too.
Bring distractions, snacks, or even a soft carrier like a Tula and wear him!

4 The GC entrance to DCA can be very slow in the mornings. When we’ve stayed there we have always gone in the main entrance because it was a mile long. I haven’t stayed there since the security changes but I would go out through DTD and enter that way.

 

[Keyframer30]

This one is tricky and it has been discussed at length elsewhere, but I'll try to sum up the general sentiment I've seen people express. Most people don't seem to mind a parent and child leaving and rejoining a line because of a bathroom emergency or similar unexpected incident. Most people seem to find it bad form to have part of the group wait outside the line from the beginning (i.e., send one person through the line as a place holder and only join at the end). The meltdown scenario is kind of in the middle and hard to say - personally I would just skip the ride if I found myself in that situation since it would be hard to say whether the child would even calm down in time to ride. If you're concerned about this issue because your child has specific needs or issues that go beyond normal crankiness, then you might want to go to town hall and inquire about getting a DAS pass which would allow you to wait outside the queue.

Thanks Niltiac for the insight. Nah, I think my kid will be fine. I just wanted to know what the thoughts of people were in a worst case scenario. Although I have been to DL and WDW many times...it'll actually be my first time with a kid so I want to make sure we are not doing any "faux pas" kid related...

 

[agamble]

Maters is a ride my younger kids like to ride over and over. It doesn't have FP, but early in the morning it is a walk on and easy to ride several times.

 

[Nonsuch]

4) As we will be staying at VGC...everyone says not to use the GC Entrance to get into DCA on EMH days and to use the Main Entrance instead. Where would we be going through security if we are coming out of GCH and into DTD to get to the Main Entrance? Also, how long is the security line if we are going for Rope Drop on a EMH for DCA nowadays?

Welcome Home
The security screening exiting GCH into DTD opens early in the morning (5AM?) so there is seldom a line, although (sadly) there were lines during the peak holiday season (Xmas to New Years).

Make sure to make a view request at VGC, more information in the VGC Superthread
There is also lots of good information in the GCH Superthread.

 

[Keyframer30]

Welcome Home
The security screening exiting GCH into DTD opens early in the morning (5AM?) so there is seldom a line, although (sadly) there were lines during the peak holiday season (Xmas to New Years).

Make sure to make a view request at VGC, more information in the VGC Superthread
There is also lots of good information in the GCH Superthread.

Good to know! Perfect! Thanks Nonsuch! Also, yes, I've viewed your maps...very helpful and I have indeed put in a view request!

And thanks Agamble...My kid loves Mater so hopefully he'll love the ride!

 

[8lovesmickey]

Hello!

Long time reader, first time poster. I'd like to say this board is awesome and a wealth of great info in helping to plan a trip...so thank you to all that post and share their knowledge!

I used to go to Disneyland every year in my 20's and 30's but I moved abroad for several years and had a kid 3 years ago so I haven't been able to get back since 2008. We've moved back to the West Coast and my kid is finally hitting 40 inches so it's time to finally head back! I've booked a trip for 4 days starting Sept 4 (day after Labor Day) staying at VGC. It'll be my wife and my kid's first time to DL...can't wait!

Since it's been 10 years since I was last there...I know a lot has changed...so I have a few questions...

I have scoured the boards and did a lot of searches to find the answers to most of my questions but here are a few I couldn't find...

1) I know everyone says not to trust DL crowd calenders anymore and to just plan to enjoy the parks regardless of crowds. I also know the opening of Pixar Pier will be an X factor but based on the past few years, can anyone give me an educated guess on what crowds will be like right after Labor Day? This is more to get my wife in the right mindset for when we get there.

2) My kid is at that stage where anything he loves he just wants to do over and over. Are there limits or caps on any particular ride when pulling FP's? We will be getting MP...so if my son ends up loving RSR and wants to ride it over and over...can pull FP's as soon as I redeem my current one for the same ride (until they run out) and repeat that process or are there caps?

3) My kid may not be the best at waiting in lines. We'll try to keep him distracted and such with toys and puzzles but in a worst-case AKA "melt down" scenario, is it bad form to wait in line myself and as I near the boarding area, have my wife and kid join me to board the ride? Don't want to cheeze off other guests...

4) As we will be staying at VGC...everyone says not to use the GC Entrance to get into DCA on EMH days and to use the Main Entrance instead. Where would we be going through security if we are coming out of GCH and into DTD to get to the Main Entrance? Also, how long is the security line if we are going for Rope Drop on a EMH for DCA nowadays?

Thank you all in advance for any info you can provide!

Keyframer

Hi! Thought I'd respond to a few of your questions. First, traditionally the week after Labor Day is among the lowest crowds of the year. Even with Pixar Pier opening, most locals are back to school and there aren't as many travelers. So I would say you'll have very reasonable crowds. Plus honestly Pixar Pier won't have anything new, so I don't think it will pack the punch of Star Wars Land or anything close. Besides a bunch of re-theming, I don't think it will be that huge of a draw.

Next, there are no limits on FPs except the usual one - either you use the one you have or enough time elapses - after that you can repeat until they run out.

As far as having someone hold a place in line, you'll get some looks. I think that's because too many people "pretend" to be catching up with their family and they're actually just cutting in line. That doesn't mean you can't try, but also remember that some of the lines are impossible to join without just plowing over everyone else (either they're inside a building or winding around things or whatever). You might try downloading a fun app onto the phone to help with line times -- we love "Heads Up" and it can be played with as many people as you want. We've had many a stranger join our game in line.

I'm not sure about your DCA question, but I can tell you that the security lines seem to be much faster since they moved them to outside DTD. Maybe they're more spread out or something -- we rarely had much of a wait, even at rope drop. Of course we had to wait to get into the park, but not for security.

 

[Keyframer30]

Hi! Thought I'd respond to a few of your questions. First, traditionally the week after Labor Day is among the lowest crowds of the year. Even with Pixar Pier opening, most locals are back to school and there aren't as many travelers. So I would say you'll have very reasonable crowds. Plus honestly Pixar Pier won't have anything new, so I don't think it will pack the punch of Star Wars Land or anything close. Besides a bunch of re-theming, I don't think it will be that huge of a draw.

Next, there are no limits on FPs except the usual one - either you use the one you have or enough time elapses - after that you can repeat until they run out.

As far as having someone hold a place in line, you'll get some looks. I think that's because too many people "pretend" to be catching up with their family and they're actually just cutting in line. That doesn't mean you can't try, but also remember that some of the lines are impossible to join without just plowing over everyone else (either they're inside a building or winding around things or whatever). You might try downloading a fun app onto the phone to help with line times -- we love "Heads Up" and it can be played with as many people as you want. We've had many a stranger join our game in line.

I'm not sure about your DCA question, but I can tell you that the security lines seem to be much faster since they moved them to outside DTD. Maybe they're more spread out or something -- we rarely had much of a wait, even at rope drop. Of course we had to wait to get into the park, but not for security.

Thanks 8lovesmickey! Good to hear that crowds will "likely" be not too bad...that was what I was aiming for.

As for holding a place in line...now that I know its frowned upon, we won't do it. I think my kid will be fine but if he does have a melt down, we'll just leave the line and try again later.

That's pretty much what I wanted to know about security...if it was a long line to get into the secured area first thing in the morning (how much time is needed to buffer for security to get to rope drop)...thanks!

 

[smartlabelprint]

I still have a carrier for my 3.5 which we’ll be bringing next month. I recommend that or a stroller. We have a Lenny lamb toddler. You can check bst on Facebook or clothdiapertrader.com for used ones.

 

[Keyframer30]

I still have a carrier for my 3.5 which we’ll be bringing next month. I recommend that or a stroller. We have a Lenny lamb toddler. You can check bst on Facebook or clothdiapertrader.com for used ones.

Thanks Smartlabelprint! I took a took...are they warm in the SoCal heat?

 

[smartlabelprint]

Thanks Smartlabelprint! I took a took...are they warm in the SoCal heat?

Maybe. We haven’t had a major issue with it. They’re not in the whole time. It can be easier than a stroller. We don’t spend a lot of time in the park. Max 3 hours. So if we can get away without the double stroller it’s easier. Ours will be 2 & 3 this trip. Last trip they were 1&2 so I’ll know how things are different in 3 weeks.

 

[DizneyMommy]

Thanks Smartlabelprint! I took a took...are they warm in the SoCal heat?

I’ve used one with all of my kids year round in SoCal and never felt overheated. A hot day is a hot day, but to me a tiny human sweating on you is hot whether you carry them or wear them.