One Day-DLR Commando Style

[natfrac]

It's been a long time since I've done DLR in one day, but the adult kids and I are planning on going in May. We'll have one day, a Sunday, before the 60th anniversary starts. My question is, which park do we hit first? Normally I'd go to DL since CA has magic morning for resort guests, but I'm wondering if we should get a Radiator Springs FP before heading to DL. Other option would be to do DL first, then CA in the evening, close to closing time. Thoughts? Besides the fact I'm crazy to do two parks in one day?

DD lives on the NW side of LA, so we can get to the park before opening.

 

[tarheelalum]

The way to do it, to ride the most rides, would be to go back and forth between the parks getting fast passes since the two parks are not connected. But bring some comfortable shoes if you want to do that. Sundays are usually very crowded so it will be challenging. Be there when the gates open.

 

[HydroGuy]

It's been a long time since I've done DLR in one day, but the adult kids and I are planning on going in May. We'll have one day, a Sunday, before the 60th anniversary starts. My question is, which park do we hit first? Normally I'd go to DL since CA has magic morning for resort guests, but I'm wondering if we should get a Radiator Springs FP before heading to DL. Other option would be to do DL first, then CA in the evening, close to closing time. Thoughts? Besides the fact I'm crazy to do two parks in one day?

DD lives on the NW side of LA, so we can get to the park before opening.

Either do RSR Single Rider or FP. If you get FP, I would plan to get those for a time you want to be at DCA. For example, if you get an RSR FP early (in the first 30 minutes) it will be for earlier in the day (like before noon). So plan to get in your other DCA rides before and after RSR.

Where to start also depends on what rides you want to do and whether any of them are high demand and no FP - like PP and, to some degree, Nemo Subs and JC. I think just about everything at DCA would either have FP, SR, or the line will not be that long. The only exceptions would be Monsters Inc (maybe) and Mickey's Fun Wheel.

 

[Imdboss]

Do you have a list of must-do rides, shows, parades, etc?

 

[Epek]

I was there yesterday with dh, ds4, and dd11months. We started in DCA which had MM, but we did not. We would have been able to hit every major FP ride had they been open. splash and Matterhorn were not. We did Olaf, TOT, RSR (FP gotten at opening), Mater's. Hopped about noon to DL, got Space FP, then did standby for a bunch of other rides. We would have been able to get Big Thunder no problem, but did it the night before. We had two little ones and managed, I bet you'll have a great day!

 

[natfrac]

Thanks for the suggestions. Our must do list will be RSR, Soarin, Grizzly River Run, California Screamin at DCA. At DL, must dos will be Matterhorn, Indiana Jones, Alice, PP, Toad, Space Mtn. Everything else will be gravy. We plan being there at rope drop until they kick us out. We used to do this when the kids were little, but back then there was only one park and I was a lot younger

 

[Amommy21]

I haven't done a one day marathon since RR opened. I think I might do DCA first. Running back and forth multiple times between parks can be exhausting. And at times there is a line to get through entering the parks. I would avoid that as much as possible.

 

[vratiana]

Since nearly all of your must do rides are fast passable, I would start with the ones that aren't. Plus I hate starting at DCA when the hotel guests are already there. I would start at DL and do (in order) PP, Alice, Toad, Matterhorn and grab a FP for something else before heading over to DCA. You'll still get there with plenty of time to get a FP for RSR. I would also consider single rider lines for any super long standby lines for Matterhorn, Soarin, Indy, Splash, CA screamin.

 

[Imdboss]

Start at DCA - grab FP for RSR, get on Soarin, CS, GRR, then RSR if it's your FP return time. Then I would go to DL and grab a FP for SM or IJ then head to PP, Alice, Toad, then if it's FP time do that ride and grab another FP for SM or IJ whichever you didn't do yet then go on Matterhorn. After that you should have time to go back to DCA to hit RSR single rider line to experience it at night which is a totally different experience from day time. Then since DL is likely open til midnight I would head back over there for a last hurrah!

Have fun!!!

 

[Gisele]

If you have the option, stay a second day. Visit Disneyland one day, then DCA the next. Or visa versa, depending upon MM and EMH.

 

[natfrac]

Thanks all! I'll let you know how it goes

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks for the suggestions. Our must do list will be RSR, Soarin, Grizzly River Run, California Screamin at DCA. At DL, must dos will be Matterhorn, Indiana Jones, Alice, PP, Toad, Space Mtn. Everything else will be gravy. We plan being there at rope drop until they kick us out. We used to do this when the kids were little, but back then there was only one park and I was a lot younger

Most of these rides and all the ones at DCA have single rider lines. That may help when used together with FP.

 

[natfrac]

I wanted to report back on our "commando" day at DLR. We were there before opening on Sunday (5/17) and went to Disneyland first. We stopped for coffee on Main Street, then walked on Mr. Toad, Alice, Casey Jr, BTMRR, Splash Mtn, Pirates, and Jungle Cruise. We did all these rides by 9:30 am. The kids got a fast pass for Indy, but it broke down while they were in line. So we then headed to CA and got fast passes for RSR. Our fast passes weren't until 7:00 pm, so we had an early lunch rode Mermaid, CA Screamin, & Sunwheel before heading back to DL. By this time both parks were packed and we weren't able to do many rides. We went through the shops, sat for awhile while eating ice cream, then rode the train. We did Star Tours, Winne the Pooh, and DS did the single rider on Splash. We then went back to CA for our RSR fast pass, which was our last ride for the day.

We knew the crowds would thin out as the night wore on, but we were all tired and decided to call it a day. With DD living in the area, I think I need to buy an annual pass so we can go the parks in the morning and leave when it gets busy.

 

[taniahappy]

I thoought you were going to ask aboiut not wearing underwear in the parks