Newbie going at Christmas!

[Tinker74]

Hi Everyone!..Iam a WDW vet coming to DLC for the first time arriving 23rd Dec to Dec 26th!..I know, I know...

We are staying paradise pier so will have early entry..me dh ds21 and dd13. Iam sure I will have many many questions over the next few months. But first off...will it be possible to knock out Radiator Springs then TSMM then Soarin in the early entry hour?
We plan to be using GC hotel entry and be there for 6.45am!! Christmas eve!

What do you guys think?

We usually go to WDW in July and get so much done in the first couple of hours...is it similar at Cali..even at Christmas?

 

[figment_jii]

will it be possible to knock out Radiator Springs then TSMM then Soarin in the early entry hour?

I've not been to the early entry hour, but my instinctive guess says that you won't be able to get all three attractions done within that time frame. Personally, I would focus on RSR and ride it as many time as possible. While TSMM and Soarin' are fun, they are identical to the rides in WDW (the queue's are different, but the ride itself is the same). Of these two, I would probably focus on TSMM during the morning because it does not have a FP and the line stays pretty long throughout the day. Soarin' has a FP, so you can do that instead of waiting stand by.

There is a guide to DLR for WDW vet's that is pretty helpful and will give you a pretty good sense of the differences (and similarities) between the two resorts: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Also, given that you're going during Christmas, you might hop over to the Christmas Superthread and give it a look. It's long, but there are lots of cool pictures and useful information. Sherry E (the moderator), keeps the most up-to-date information on the Superthread.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3035529&page=94

 

[kirstie101]

Since you're definitely going during an extremely busy time, you might want to consider booking the holiday tour at Disneyland. Not only is it interesting and fun but you get to ride HM an IASW which both have their holiday overlays and you get reserved seats for the parade. Even DD5 loved it.

We've only done one Christmas trip, and it was the weekend before Christmas, and this is what we did. Without it there is no way we would have seen IASW as the standby line was crazy.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Hi Everyone!..Iam a WDW vet coming to DLC for the first time arriving 23rd Dec to Dec 26th!..I know, I know...

We are staying paradise pier so will have early entry..me dh ds21 and dd13. Iam sure I will have many many questions over the next few months. But first off...will it be possible to knock out Radiator Springs then TSMM then Soarin in the early entry hour?
We plan to be using GC hotel entry and be there for 6.45am!! Christmas eve!

What do you guys think?

We usually go to WDW in July and get so much done in the first couple of hours...is it similar at Cali..even at Christmas?

RSR, TSMM and Soarin all in one hour? No. They are in three opposite sections of the park...you would have to be running! There is no fastpass for TSMM, but there is for RSR and Soarin. You can certainly do them all but probably not in under an hour (maybe close if you are really fast). You can also use the single rider lines for RSR and Soarin. I would use your early morning for RSR, then head over to the other two. Keep in mind fastpass doesn't start running till the park opens. Mornings are still definitely the best tine to get a lot of big attractions out of the way. The first few hours you can get a lot done. I have never been on Christmas Eve though, so maybe others have tips. Be sure to check out the Christmas Super thread that Sherry E puts together. It is so fun! Disneyland is amazing at Christmas.

Don't forget to get you World of Color fastpass if you aren't doing a package (it won't interfere with any other fastpasses. Good luck!

 

[figment_jii]

We usually go to WDW in July and get so much done in the first couple of hours...is it similar at Cali..even at Christmas?

When do you go in July? Does it encompass July 4th? Christmas at DLR is one of the high times, with large park crowds. So I would say it's similar to that of WDW during the major holidays. If you talking about the week between Christmas and New Year, that is one of the busiest times of the year. You'll definitely need to make use of FP, early morning hours, and late night hours.

 

[becd]

I am a WDW vet going for the first time at Christmas also, but am going Thanksgiving weekend.

Check out the Christmas Super Thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3035529 and definitely read at least the first few pages. It has been so incredibly helpful for me that words cannot describe it. The moderator has put an incredible amount of work into it and it shows.

Also, a book I have on my kindle that I also found to be helpful is The Disneyland Book of Secrets 2013. Tons of background on Walt and the resort. Written by Leslie Le Mon.

 

[Cheshirecatty]

Hi Everyone!..Iam a WDW vet coming to DLC for the first time arriving 23rd Dec to Dec 26th!..I know, I know...

We are staying paradise pier so will have early entry..me dh ds21 and dd13. Iam sure I will have many many questions over the next few months. But first off...will it be possible to knock out Radiator Springs then TSMM then Soarin in the early entry hour?
We plan to be using GC hotel entry and be there for 6.45am!! Christmas eve!:scared

What do you guys think?

We usually go to WDW in July and get so much done in the first couple of hours...is it similar at Cali..even at Christmas?

First of all--Don't be scared!!!!

It is a busy time, but a wonderful time to go, as well!

You should definitely check out SherryE's Christmas Time super thread--she is the expert on most everything Christmas Time!

As to doing the three attractions you listed at DCA in an hour, I, personally think it is doable--IF you get over to DCA and get in line about 40 minutes before it opens for Extra Magic Hour.

Don't use the GCH entrance--it is crazy busy, and only has two bag check people, and two turn stiles to enter--you will be at a huge disadvantage if you stick with this plan!!

Instead, use the main entrance turnstiles at DCA--make sure you line up at one marked properly for Extra Magic Hour(it might be marked Magic Morning--it will still work)!

It's harder for people to get going in the morning(especially those with small children) for Extra Magic Hour, when it starts at 7:00am! If you get there well before entry time, you will be OK!

We did this last year, the days before Christmas, and had no problem getting on RSR, and TSMM during EMH.

You can't achieve something if you don't set a goal for it! Is it possible it might not work the way you want it to?--Yes! But there is also a good chance that it will--if you plan and prepare for it!

When they open Carsland, just check with a CM, if RSR is running, if it isn't--go do the other big attractions you want to, and simply get back to the fast pass line about 10 minutes before DCA opens at 8:00am.

If RSR is running, and you are towards the front of the line, go ahead and ride, OR if you aren't set on riding together as a family, you can utilize the single rider line to get on pretty darn quickly!

 

[Tinker74]

Thank you all so much for the tips! You are all so helpful here....I have made a not NOT to use the entry at GC hotel (thanks for that) And we will be sure to be there as early as possible for the 7am open Hopefully 6.30.
Iam rethinking Radiator springs at rope drop. There is a chance it could be down/ and I don't want to waste time? WE could do single rider here? What would the single rider be like at the regular 8am opening time? TSMM is a fave o my son so maybe we should ride that at rope drop ?

At least Iam prepared for the crowds...at tis point I will be thankful to get on ANYTHING!

I have seriously been considering the holiday time tour...but what day? I don't really want to do xmas eve as that's our DCA day BUT if we do it xmas day we would have to push our meal at blue bayou to 6.30 ish? As the tour finishes with the 5.30 parade. We will have been out for 12 hours at that point.

Hmmm....maybe the tour on xmas eve after all?...Maybe we could stay at DCA till 12 ish have a break and go into DL for the 3pm tour? This is so difficult to work out!...

 

[Cheshirecatty]

Thank you all so much for the tips! You are all so helpful here....I have made a not NOT to use the entry at GC hotel (thanks for that) And we will be sure to be there as early as possible for the 7am open Hopefully 6.30.
Iam rethinking Radiator springs at rope drop. There is a chance it could be down/ and I don't want to waste time? WE could do single rider here? What would the single rider be like at the regular 8am opening time? TSMM is a fave o my son so maybe we should ride that at rope drop ?

At least Iam prepared for the crowds...at tis point I will be thankful to get on ANYTHING!

I have seriously been considering the holiday time tour...but what day? I don't really want to do xmas eve as that's our DCA day BUT if we do it xmas day we would have to push our meal at blue bayou to 6.30 ish? As the tour finishes with the 5.30 parade. We will have been out for 12 hours at that point.

Hmmm....maybe the tour on xmas eve after all?...Maybe we could stay at DCA till 12 ish have a break and go into DL for the 3pm tour? This is so difficult to work out!...

We did the Holiday Time at Disneyland Tour on Christmas Eve last year, and felt like it made the evening really special. We're planning the same thing this year as well!

I know, it's sometimes stressful to place/plan everything "just so" in order to get the most mileage out of your day. Your possible plan of doing DCA all morning, then taking a break before doing the Tour on Christmas Eve, sounds good--if that's what you decide to do.

On your DCA day, during EMH, if RSR is running, you absolutely can do Single Rider, if your family is willing. When we've done this, we've gotten on in as little as five minutes, or waited at most about 25 minutes(depending on how close we are to the beginning of the line.) Others may have had a different experience.

If TSMM is the number one priority, I might just go do that first, and then go back to Carsland and check the Single Rider line. If it is huge, go get in line for a fast pass--but I absolutely would not waste the entire EMH, waiting in the fast pass line--it is not necessary!

 

[figment_jii]

Iam rethinking Radiator springs at rope drop. There is a chance it could be down/ and I don't want to waste time? WE could do single rider here? What would the single rider be like at the regular 8am opening time? TSMM is a fave o my son so maybe we should ride that at rope drop ?

There is always a chance that a ride could be down at any given moment. I would not necessarily let this worry stop you from going there if you want to ride RSR. I would head towards Carsland and see if RSR is up (or down). If not, then head on to TSMM. They're at least kind of in the same direction (Soarin' is in the opposite direction).

As a rule of thumb, the single rider line is about a third to a half of the wait of the stand-by line. I've seen the line exceed an hour, and that was not even during the busiest times of the year. Yes, your family could do single rider because no one is a young child. Note that your family will be split up...you might get lucky and get two in one car, but I have seen the CMs make sure that groups get split up even if was possible that they could have ridden together.

If TSMM is your son's favorite, then yes, I would make a beeline for that one (if you're willing to sacrifice RSR). TSMM does not have a FP, so the line builds up pretty quickly and remains for most of the day. It's not uncommon to see waits of 45 minutes or more during non-busy days. During Christmas break, I would imagine that it could be much longer.

 

[Cheshirecatty]

There is always a chance that a ride could be down at any given moment. I would not necessarily let this worry stop you from going there if you want to ride RSR. I would head towards Carsland and see if RSR is up (or down). If not, then head on to TSMM. They're at least kind of in the same direction (Soarin' is in the opposite direction).

As a rule of thumb, the single rider line is about a third to a half of the wait of the stand-by line. I've seen the line exceed an hour, and that was not even during the busiest times of the year. Yes, your family could do single rider because no one is a young child. Note that your family will be split up...you might get lucky and get two in one car, but I have seen the CMs make sure that groups get split up even if was possible that they could have ridden together.

If TSMM is your son's favorite, then yes, I would make a beeline for that one (if you're willing to sacrifice RSR). TSMM does not have a FP, so the line builds up pretty quickly and remains for most of the day. It's not uncommon to see waits of 45 minutes or more during non-busy days. During Christmas break, I would imagine that it could be much longer.

Well said!!!(Although we've had really good luck in using Single Rider--we've waited longer in the fast pass line, than the SR line(at times)--and of course, we do not mind being split up.

 

[Tinker74]

Thanks again!...Hey cheshirecatty we might be in the same tour group on xmas eve! Iam leaning toward Christmas eve for this...it will be great to be able to ride HHM and IASW with no wait and have those lovely seats for the parade!...sounds magical for Christmas eve!

we are there for such a short time and at such a busy time that Iam just going to have to pick what my priorities are and not stress about the rest.

If I go with my plan to leave DCA at 12pm and return to DL at about 2-3pm will be be able to get into the park to take the tour? Iam worried it might close to capacity?

 

[Cheshirecatty]

Thanks again!...Hey cheshirecatty we might be in the same tour group on xmas eve! Iam leaning toward Christmas eve for this...it will be great to be able to ride HHM and IASW with no wait and have those lovely seats for the parade!...sounds magical for Christmas eve!

we are there for such a short time and at such a busy time that Iam just going to have to pick what my priorities are and not stress about the rest.

If I go with my plan to leave DCA at 12pm and return to DL at about 2-3pm will be be able to get into the park to take the tour? Iam worried it might close to capacity?

It certainly wasn't at capacity last year, on Christmas Eve, but I don't think it would matter---if you have Tour tickets, I'm pretty sure they would allow you in(You could call and double check this if you like).

We thoroughly enjoyed the Parks last year, during the days leading up to Christmas, and Christmas Day itself. A couple of days beyond that, and things really started to pick up, and for our tastes, get uncomfortable. That is just our opinion however, some really like the week between Christmas and New Years(we don't)!

You are right about not stressing--it won't do you any good, and it is still possible to have a marvelous time, in spite of it being very busy.

We find that some "Mental Preparation", along with making a general plan(and your dining reservations of course), go along way to alleviating anxiety.

 

[luulu1999]

We were there those exact dates last year, it was a little rainy all three mornings we were there so that might have helped with the crowds but DCA was pretty easy to get around in and we spent most of our time there I have DD4 & DS5 so they liked it there DL we went on our magic morning and got a lot done(all though a lot of the FL rides were closed because it was raining) but we walked right on PP and Buzz but later in the day DL was pretty busy so we went back to DCA....have a great trip!!

 

[Cheshirecatty]

We were there those exact dates last year, it was a little rainy all three mornings we were there so that might have helped with the crowds but DCA was pretty easy to get around in and we spent most of our time there I have DD4 & DS5 so they liked it there DL we went on our magic morning and got a lot done(all though a lot of the FL rides were closed because it was raining) but we walked right on PP and Buzz but later in the day DL was pretty busy so we went back to DCA....have a great trip!!

Great reminder luulu!--I had forgotten to mention that.

I feel the same as you--we were able to get around pretty easily at DCA, and certainly in the mornings(at both DCA and Disneyland) when it was drizzling/raining(we love this, because it does tend to keep the crowds down).