One-Day Only questions

sallysmom

Mouseketeer
Joined
Apr 13, 2005
Messages
207
Hi all,

Myself and DD12 are going to be in LA and have only 1 day to do DL. We want to make the best of it so I'm asking the experts (that's you guys!) some probably lame questions but appreciate the input as I try to plan out our day...

Is Finding Nemo worth the wait time -- even if we head there the second the park opens?
Is the Honey, I Shrunk the Audience worth the wait time?
Is Indiana Jones considered "scary" for timid-types?

thanks for all advice.
 
IMHO Nemo isn't worth the wait and a poor use of park opening time.

There is no HISTA anymore. It was replaced by Captain Eo.

Indy isn't "scary" unless you are terrified of snakes. I really don't like snakes and it doesn't bother me, but I do know it bothers some.
 
I'll second the above. Nemo is not worth the wait if you only have 1 day. Captain EO is fun, but there are so many other things that are more fun, I'd prioritize. Check the attractions list and decide what are must-dos and what you'll fit in if you have time. Indy is awesome, btw, I recommend putting it on the must-do list.
 
I would not do Nemo at park opening. If you love Finding Nemo (and/or the submarines) and if you are in the area in the evening and the wait time is under 20 minutes, then I might think about it then if I were you. (Sometimes the wait time goes down at night.)

But first thing in the morning, you will still probably be waiting 5-10 minutes to ride, and then spending about 15 minutes on the sub itself. All the while, everything else in the park is slowly getting busier. I just don't think it's a good investment of the early morning park time. Whereas riding with a 20 minute wait in the evening is probably a better investment, since everything nearby will also have a wait as well.

If you and/or your DD find Star Tours scary, Indiana Jones would be worse, since it's basically a cross between the most elaborate dark ride ever (complete with real fire) and a simulator vehicle. I find it fun but I've ridden it so many times I can hardly remember the feeling of going through it the very first time. It can be jerky, which bothers my mom. Anyway, I definitely think it's worth a try, but if you're concerned you might look for a ride-through video to be sure.

I enjoy Captain EO (your DD might find it too hokey). But again, if you want to experience it, do it in the afternoon or early evening, when the rest of the park is busy. You can ask them at the entrance how long til the next show if you don't want to wait through the pre-show video. If you want a cool place to rest for 20 minutes or so, I think it is TOTALLY worth it. But if you don't need a rest, then it's a question of personal opinion.

If you are in line for a ride when the park closes, they will let you ride that ride (provided it doesn't break down or anything). So you can get in line for, say, Peter Pan or Space Mountain or what have you a few minutes before park closing, if you're not too tired. That's a good way to make the most out of your time.

Have a great trip!
 

Well, it appears that I am in the minority here...not the first time, :lmao: I enjoy Nemo, I think the imagin"ears" did a great job on this ride. I would grab a Fastpass for Space Mountain and ride Nemo. Be sure and take advantage of the Fastpass system and you'll get a lot in. I also agree with Camomama and plan! Look at an attraction list or map and decide what your "must-do's" are. Anyway you look at it you'll have a wonderful time at the "Happiest Place On Earth". :tink:
 
Agree with the above. I think the best rope drop strategy for being there one day is to go straight for Peter Pan and then hit up the rest of Fantasyland dark rides then. In the past I have been able to get Peter Pan, Mr Toad, Pinocchio, Snow White, Dumbo and the teacups all in during the first hour (Or try to sneak Alice in if its not too busy).

Use the info Hydroguy put together, or think about an attraction-planning tool (i.e., ridemax or something). You can see a whole lot during one day if you have a plan and are willing to move quickly. Or just take your time and enjoy yourself.

Hope you have a great time!
 
Only reason we go on Nemo is DD likes it but she is 3. I myself find it boring and not worth it. Certainly wont wait in a long line for it.

Capt EO I wont ever watch again. Not that its terrible but I am not a Michael Jackson fan in anyway and do not care to see EO at all.

Indiana Jones was a little intense the first time but still a lot of fun. I HATE most roller coasters (wont even try screamin) but I LOVE indiana Jones. I never found it scary at all. Very bumpy and intense but not scary, especially if you have seen the movies. Then you will understand and relate to the things in the ride.
 
I agree with getting something like Ridemax. If I only had one day; I would be sure to purchase this tool. I think you will find that you can put together a plan that will allow you to hit almost all the rides you want in in one park and one day and still have time for a mid-day break for a show or shopping!

I really enjoyed Nemo. Last time we were there for 4 days and did it first thing in the morning. This time we only have 2 days and will save it for evening.

I also HATE rollercoasters but LOVE Indy!!!
 
I like Nemo......but, I hate the wait for Nemo for instead I suggest asking the CM at the head of the line for access to the handicapped room. Because this ride is 100% wheelchair inaccessible there is an alternative viewing room that rarely has a wait, simply ask and you will be shown to the room where you can view the ride without boarding a sub. :) I really think it's an adorable ride but the line takes forever.....
 
I just completed a 1-day whirlwind trip last Monday (when attendance was expected to be a 9 out of 10). I had a 10 year old girl and my boyfriend with me. Neither had been to Disneyland but both were at WDW last March, and our plan was to see stuff that was different or that we missed at WDW (Space Mountain, for example) as a priority and then do other stuff. Park hours were 8am-midnight, but we left after the second showing of Fantasmic as we were beat. Here was our day:

Arrived at parking prior to 8:00, stopped and bought our tickets, and were on Main Street by 8:05 or so. Grabbed a FastPass (FP) for Star Tours and headed to Nemo Subs. Waited about 3 minutes for the ride. After that ride, we walked on to Buzz Lightyear (posted 5 min wait) and then returned to Star Tours. I grabbed FP for Space Mountain and we shopped for pins/lanyard for 10 year old. After Space, we headed to Toon Town (which was gone from WDW last year). We did Roger Rabbit first, and then literally walked straight through Mickey's house to the screening room, where we had maybe a 5-7 minute wait, and then we had a similar wait next door at Minnie's House. I've never seen both Mickey and Minnie in under 30 mins before! After that, we decided to grab lunch, and Pinocchio's in Fantasyland was close to opening. 11:00 was a perfect time to grab lunch as it wasn't crowded at all. After lunch, we stopped at Pinocchio (5 minute wait) and Snow White (about 15 mins). After the castle walkthrough, we decided to save the rest of Fantasyland for later and headed to Haunted Mansion. HM had a posted 5 minute wait, and Pirates had a 15 minute wait. We also got Winnie the Pooh in Critter Country with a 5 minute wait. Splash was posted as 45 minutes at this time, but temp was in the 50s and none of us wanted to be wet. Big Thunder was at a 30 minute wait, and we could have grabbed FP, but it is not my personal favorite, so we skipped it. Indy had our longest wait at 35 minutes, and FP was available, but we opted to just wait it out since we didn't want to return to Adventureland in 2.5 hours with the FP. After Indy, we had about a 5-7 min wait at Jungle Cruise. The 10 year old really wanted to go on Peter Pan at this point, so we went back to Fantasyland via Snow White Grotto and did wait about 30 minutes to please her. I would have prefered to do this after fireworks and during the first Fantasmic, but didn't want the battle. The Tangled meet and greet only took about 20 minutes, and the Tea Cups had a short 5-10 minute wait. After Tea Cups, we staked out parade spots by the Matterhorn and had some popcorn. After the parade, we went to the Mexican restaurant near Frontierland for dinner and then did some shopping on Main Street. We grabbed last minute spots for the fireworks. After fireworks, we went back to Fantasyland for Storybook land boats and Dumbo before cutting through by Big Thunder to go around to Fantasmic seating. Seating was pretty full, but we were able to stand right at the rope behind the handicapped seating just right of the big light/sound rig. Handicapped seating wasn't full, and everyone else in front of us was seated, so we had a great view. We made our way to the exit after the show and were back to our car around 11:00. I know we missed some stuff (Tiki room, Mr. Lincoln) but I felt we accomplished a lot in our one day.

ETA: This was NOT a Magic Morning with early entry for resort guests. I know that can affect big-name rides.
 
Last time I was there was right after Finding Nemo opened so the lines were loooong. We ended up never actually going on it, but from what I've seen it's best to go super early when there's almost no line or late at night. I say if when you're there the line looks to long, don't waste part of the day for that. I'd rather go on multiple rides over and over again, rather than wait in a line for a long time for one ride. But that's just me. :)

As for Indiana Jones, the first ride is pretty scary. I distinctively remember the scariest part for me being when you go though a really dark hall and all you see is spiders. (they're projected onto the walls) After that initial ride though, it's so much fun! You're not really scared anymore. It's definitely worth going on, just be sure to get a FP if the lines are super long. :D
 
Thank youall so much. I'm having so much fun planning and learning everyone's strategies. :cool1:
 
Thank youall so much. I'm having so much fun planning and learning everyone's strategies. :cool1:
 
If you are want to see Nemo but don't really care about the "sub ride" try the alternative experience. They have a room that has the ride in video form. It is pretty much the same experience.
 
I actually like the Nemo sub :) I think it's very cozy and beautiful... So yeah.. I think the wait is worth it - but maybe try to hit it in the morning, evening or maybe at noon.

I Don't think Indy is scary or thrilling like eg Screamin', it's kind of bumpy :)
 












Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE






DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top Bottom