Our FastPass and Single Rider review for RSR + June 20th DCA Crowd Video

[hurleysweety]

Note: Both these RSR ride experiences are from EE days, meaning that the park opened at 7AM to any guests of the three Disneyland hotels. MM tickets do not qualify for this early morning entry. Only guests of the hotel were allowed in and had to show a room key. There were several cast members outside the entrance to ensure everyone understood. However, they seemed confused as well...

Took this video from the RSR FP line on Weds, the 20th, at 8AM, right after the rope had been dropped. We arrived at the entrance to DCA at 7:15 and lucked out when they opened a "special ticket line" to a regular "entrance" line and became first in line.

Click on the Video to View it



Gates opened at 7:45. I then booked it for the RSR FP distribution line and lucked out again by being right by where it started, on the left hand side, siding the carthay circle theater building. We could see the RSR line in front of us. Everyone else that was in that line was an EE (any guest of the three DLR resort hotels). The line behind me grew very fast and I was second in the line. The EE line for RSR also grew as we stood there. But it was also moving as well, that was a great sign.

At 8 AM, a CM escorted our line to merge with the EE FP line and we got through the line in about 10 minutes. Our FPs were for 11:15 AM. Surprisingly, we actually went during our time. We went through the FP line in 15 minutes and had an excellent time on the ride.

Turns out waking up at 5:45 AM has its benefits.

On Friday June 22nd, we returned to DCA, but didn't arrive until after 9AM. We strongly doubted the chance of FP for RSR being available, but had to check anyway. Unfortunately, DH had the FP distribution line closed on him, but said no one was in the area ahead of him, so at least he wasn't part of the line that got turned away, after waiting for who knows how long. It was around 9:06 AM. I later overheard a CM in Cars Land say that FPs officially ran out at 9:04 AM.

Later in the afternoon we got in a "45 min" posted wait for single rider. Even with two breakdowns while in line (the second came while we were in the queue to be on the next vehicle), we still made it through in 45 minutes. Also, since we were with a family of four, two in the front, two in the back, we lucked out and got in the same car! It was great and worth the wait, much better than a 3 1/2 hour wait.

So either get there EARLY and get a FP right away, so that you have a morning return FP time. Afternoon FP riders have a similar wait time as single riders; READ: the FP line moved at the same rate as our single rider line at 4 PM. OR, do single rider. Or wait in a way too long line, with chances of it breaking down. I heard that it was closed for 2 hours one day. Yuck.

Hope this helps anyone prepping for their trips! Feel free to ask any questions!

 

[gypg]

This is awesome info and sounds like a great strategy! Sounds like I will have to try this for myself.

 

[lcasa]

Fastpass line this morning - also an EE morning -- were 45 min long at opening per a Red Car trolley operator. Saw it snaking down past Playhouse Disney at 9am and the FPs were for 9pm.
We rode 2nd thing in the morning - got on Luigi first during the EE and then went to RSR - the ride didn't even start up properly till about 7:45 -- took about an hour (the CM at the gate was saying 2!)
At 2pm the standby line was 150 min - we did Single Rider - 30 min ( exactly as posted). My son and I even wound up in the same car - I was behind him.
Great ride - esp the dark ride part. Enjoyed Luigi too - reminded me pretty much exactly of the original Saucers but larger. Not confusing at all to move - we just leaned slightly in tandem where we wanted to go.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Thanks for the great info! As AP holders who probably won't be able to get in to an APEE, we'll be behind the crowds every single day. This is exactly the info I was looking for. Wow, that video! I can't believe the massive crowd of people! I can't believe I will be IN that massive crowd!

 

[rtfelt]

Thanks. I was going to ask just this question--what kind of wait to expect for the FP distribution if you get there for rope drop, and you answered it before I asked. As a follow up, if you don't happen to be lucky enough to make it to the front of the non-EE FP line, how long should one expect to wait?

 

[hurleysweety]

Thanks for the great info! As AP holders who probably won't be able to get in to an APEE, we'll be behind the crowds every single day. This is exactly the info I was looking for. Wow, that video! I can't believe the massive crowd of people! I can't believe I will be IN that massive crowd!

I just re-watched the video for the first time today and thought, maybe this would help anyone who has trouble getting up early. I'm not a morning person so being there at 7:15 AM was a miracle for me. Its one thing to read how crowded the park opening is - its another to see it!

Fastpass line this morning - also an EE morning -- were 45 min long at opening per a Red Car trolley operator. Saw it snaking down past Playhouse Disney at 9am and the FPs were for 9pm.
We rode 2nd thing in the morning - got on Luigi first during the EE and then went to RSR - the ride didn't even start up properly till about 7:45 -- took about an hour (the CM at the gate was saying 2!)
At 2pm the standby line was 150 min - we did Single Rider - 30 min ( exactly as posted). My son and I even wound up in the same car - I was behind him.
Great ride - esp the dark ride part. Enjoyed Luigi too - reminded me pretty much exactly of the original Saucers but larger. Not confusing at all to move - we just leaned slightly in tandem where we wanted to go.

Wow - 45 mins long at opening? Guess I lucked out more than I thought. Glad to hear a positive review of the tires. The line was always so long so we always passed right by it. We watched a whole cycle - people getting off, waiting for the all exit, people loading into the cars, the ride starting, the ride stopping, and those people getting off - it took so long!! Now I knew why the line was always so long.

This is awesome info and sounds like a great strategy! Sounds like I will have to try this for myself.

You're welcome!

 

[PrincessIM]

Wow! Can't believe the size of that crowd. Thanks for all the info!

 

[Wazzu Coug]

My 18 year old daughter and I decided to get to California Adventure early on our last day in the area. We had spent a couple of evenings at the parks: Wednesday (Magic Kingdom) and Thursday (California Adventure).

We didn't have early entry tickets for CA, and we entered the park right a little before 8:00 a.m. (not sure why they let us in a few minutes early?) We didn't have much luck riding the popular rides at CA on Thursday night (FastPasses were even gone), so we were anxious to get to our favorite ride, Tower of Terror. We didn't understand all of the lines forming behind the ropes. We eventually figured out that one herd was planning to ride Radiator Springs and the other was a line for a FP for RSR. We decided to go to Tower of Terror instead with the intention of returning for a RSR FP afterwards when the line would be smaller (!), so we rode Tower of Terror a couple of times. Then got into the line for a RSR FP. At that time the cast member was announcing that there were no guarantees that those in the line would be getting a FP, and if they did, it might be late in the evening before it could be used. So DD and I began discussing whether it was worth standing in line for something so uncertain. A woman in line ahead of us with a child in a stroller said the standby line for the ride was currently three hours, and the single rider wait was 45 minute. DD and I are big fans of single rider opportunities so we decided to go that route. The woman said she would do the single rider line if she could.

I didn't time our wait, but I think 45 minutes was probably about right. And, as so often happens as "single riders", we even rode in the same car (she was in the front seat, and I was in the backseat).

I would definitely recommend taking advantage of the single rider line!

Also, in our opinion, the ride was cute but not something we would've waited in line for longer than we did. We didn't have the desire to ride it again. But, as I said the Tower of Terror is our favorite ride, so we are more interested in a different type of ride. I am glad that we rode it so we could see for ourselves what all of the hoopla was about. It still has that new Car smell.

 

[hurleysweety]

Thanks. I was going to ask just this question--what kind of wait to expect for the FP distribution if you get there for rope drop, and you answered it before I asked. As a follow up, if you don't happen to be lucky enough to make it to the front of the non-EE FP line, how long should one expect to wait?

I think it all depends on the day. If there are a lot of people who get to EE late, around 7:50 and hop in line, that pushes back the regular FP distribution line. I have read reports of people waiting up to an hour for the FP, which usually ends up being at 9pm, and makes their FP line another additional hour. The earlier the better. Just keep your expectations low and expect to wait. That is what we had in mind. An hour to get the FP and maybe another hour to ride. Somehow we only waited 30 mins and I'm discovering more and more how rare that is.

If you can, I think it might be better to go on a non EE day (Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun), but maybe others can chime in on this?

 

[lilpooh108]

How long is the Single Rider line for RSR if you get there during EE? Is it possible to do the Single Rider line AND get a FP for RSR if we have EE tomorrow?

 

[PinkBudgie]

I think it all depends on the day. If there are a lot of people who get to EE late, around 7:50 and hop in line, that pushes back the regular FP distribution line. I have read reports of people waiting up to an hour for the FP, which usually ends up being at 9pm, and makes their FP line another additional hour. The earlier the better. Just keep your expectations low and expect to wait. That is what we had in mind. An hour to get the FP and maybe another hour to ride. Somehow we only waited 30 mins and I'm discovering more and more how rare that is.

If you can, I think it might be better to go on a non EE day (Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun), but maybe others can chime in on this?

The problem is, everyday is an EE for someone. If not APEE, then for hotel guests. I wonder which group is the least crowded.

 

[kmedina]

My husband was in the fastpass line for over 45 minutes on 06-22-12. We arrived at the GCH entrance at 7:06am. The line to enter the park was so long that we did not enter until 7:24am. He booked it over to the fastpass line by around 7:30am. After standing there for a while, he realized the line was not moving. It did not open until 8am even for the hotel guests. We wasted our extra park hour by first going through GCH, then by getting in a fast pass line that did not open until 8am. He left the line with a fastpass return time of 10:30 to 11:30 just after 8:15am. By the time he came around, all three ride lines were already getting long. We did not have anyone to watch Connor that early, so fastpasses were still our best bet to ride together. We saw the single rider line hit 60 minutes twice during our trip. We had two single riders in our first car, and three single riders in our second car. It is easy to sit with your partner in the single rider line. It was still better than the 55 minutes he stood in it on 06-21-12, so there was some improvement. I am guessing the fastpasses were gone, because the hotel guests had almost an hour jump on getting in line for them on 06-22-12 but not 06-21-12.

 

[HydroGuy]

How long is the Single Rider line for RSR if you get there during EE? Is it possible to do the Single Rider line AND get a FP for RSR if we have EE tomorrow?

Since RSR FPs are not distributed until after the EE, then no. Since RSR seems to get started late each day, then the chance of riding RSR thru standby or SR and then making it in time to get a FP after 8AM depends entirly on whether the ride opens on time. Which seems to not happen very often.

 

[kmedina]

Since RSR FPs are not distributed until after the EE, then no. Since RSR seems to get started late each day, then the chance of riding RSR thru standby or SR and then making it in time to get a FP after 8AM depends entirly on whether the ride opens on time. Which seems to not happen very often.

The ride was not open by 8am either day we were there (06-21-12 or 06-22-12). When the ride was down, cast members would not even let new people in the line.

 

[janatmovies]

Hi, I have not been to DL for over 10 years so please forgive me. These threads are making me so nervous for my trip I thought Good neighbor hotels are also entitled to the Magic Morning? On what days would that be? I am staying at a good neighbor hotel in one week.
We fully plan on being at DL by 7 AM, we are traveling with our infant son.
I am still confused on this whole fast pass thing, yes I know what they are, and the mad dash to the line, I don't want to be running and racing other people and missing the whole magic morning to wait in line for FP? This seems crazy.
Can someone please give me some advice?
Also, my husband and I are more than willing to ride single, but can we go on the line with our baby and then child swap?
I don't think I would have booked this trip on a whim if it wasn't for Cars Land...(just booked today)...I could use any advice on how to make this easier for us...
I don't think we would even need a FP if we could do single rider, but wait together and then child swap our son.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Hi, I have not been to DL for over 10 years so please forgive me. These threads are making me so nervous for my trip I thought Good neighbor hotels are also entitled to the Magic Morning? On what days would that be? I am staying at a good neighbor hotel in one week.
We fully plan on being at DL by 7 AM, we are traveling with our infant son.
I am still confused on this whole fast pass thing, yes I know what they are, and the mad dash to the line, I don't want to be running and racing other people and missing the whole magic morning to wait in line for FP? This seems crazy.
Can someone please give me some advice?
Also, my husband and I are more than willing to ride single, but can we go on the line with our baby and then child swap?
I don't think I would have booked this trip on a whim if it wasn't for Cars Land...(just booked today)...I could use any advice on how to make this easier for us...
I don't think we would even need a FP if we could do single rider, but wait together and then child swap our son.

You don't get on site perks with good neighbor hotels. You get one Magic Morning to DL with a 3 day or more ticket. Here is what Disney says:
Disneyland Resort Guests with 3-Day, 4-Day or 5-Day Theme Park Tickets and 2012 Southern California CityPass

Disneyland Resort guests who purchase 3-Day, 4-Day or 5-Day theme park tickets prior to arrival at the resort and those with valid 2012 Southern California CityPass can choose one day during the duration of their Theme Park ticket or Southern California CityPass to enter Disneyland park (only) one hour prior to scheduled opening on any of the following days: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays or Sundays.

 

[kmedina]

Hi, I have not been to DL for over 10 years so please forgive me. These threads are making me so nervous for my trip I thought Good neighbor hotels are also entitled to the Magic Morning? On what days would that be? I am staying at a good neighbor hotel in one week.
We fully plan on being at DL by 7 AM, we are traveling with our infant son.
I am still confused on this whole fast pass thing, yes I know what they are, and the mad dash to the line, I don't want to be running and racing other people and missing the whole magic morning to wait in line for FP? This seems crazy.
Can someone please give me some advice?
Also, my husband and I are more than willing to ride single, but can we go on the line with our baby and then child swap?
I don't think I would have booked this trip on a whim if it wasn't for Cars Land...(just booked today)...I could use any advice on how to make this easier for us...
I don't think we would even need a FP if we could do single rider, but wait together and then child swap our son.

Early entry at DCA is Monday, Wednesday or Friday. It is Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at Disneyland. I know park hoppers of three days or more get one Magic Morning. That only applied to Disneyland before to my knowledge. I never got out of bed that early on any previous trips, except when we had breakfast with Minnie at Disneyland park. Since the early entry just increased for AP holders (have to be assigned) and Disney hotel guests (can enter anyday and everyday), I am not sure how that affects good neighbor hotels.

Fastpasses do not start distributing until the official park opening time. I would forget the fastpasses in your case, since you two cannot ride together anyway. My DH stood in line 55 minutes and 45 minutes just to get fastpasses, then we had to go through the fastpass lines as well. I would rush over to the single rider line as soon as you enter the park. Have one of you go through while the other one stays with the baby, then vice versa.

They will not allow the baby in the line. You have to clear the height requirement to even pass by the cast member. Even if they did allow it, there would be no one to watch the baby while the second person rode. The first person would not be allowed to skip through the line to assist with that.

The best advice I can give is do Carsland as early as possible. It only gets busier as the day moves along. RSR first, then LFT getting a rider swap pass, then MJJ also getting a rider swap pass. The second person can always come back later in the day with the rider swap passes, since you enter through the back of the ride on both those. You can do other things like TSMM and use the rider swaps later. We did this with our baby at Cars Land, except for RSR, since we had someone watch him while we rode with our older son.

 

[HydroGuy]

Hi, I have not been to DL for over 10 years so please forgive me. These threads are making me so nervous for my trip I thought Good neighbor hotels are also entitled to the Magic Morning? On what days would that be? I am staying at a good neighbor hotel in one week.
We fully plan on being at DL by 7 AM, we are traveling with our infant son.
I am still confused on this whole fast pass thing, yes I know what they are, and the mad dash to the line, I don't want to be running and racing other people and missing the whole magic morning to wait in line for FP? This seems crazy.
Can someone please give me some advice?
Also, my husband and I are more than willing to ride single, but can we go on the line with our baby and then child swap?
I don't think I would have booked this trip on a whim if it wasn't for Cars Land...(just booked today)...I could use any advice on how to make this easier for us...
I don't think we would even need a FP if we could do single rider, but wait together and then child swap our son.

In addition to the previous answers this may help:

"Early Admission (MM/EMH/APEE) Super Thread" by DLR29 www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403

 

[NovemberMom]

Just wanted to share my RSR experience. I wanted to go on this ride bad so at around 3 p.m. last Thursday I told my husband I would ride single rider while he waited with our girls for our niece to get out of the Aladdin show. Single rider posted a 60 minute wait time when I got there. I waited 20 minutes and was next in line to ride when the ride had technical difficulties. That added another 15 minutes to my wait. There was a woman and her small son behind me that waited 2.5 hours
Around 5 p.m. My husband takes his turn in the single rider line while the girls and I check out Cars Land. He texts me that the wait time for single rider line was 45 minutes long. 30 minutes later he texted me that he was done.
Hope that helps! Our exception was that our girls dont care for the movie Cars so they had not one bit of interest in RSR. If they liked the ride I would have taken the FP advice. It was hard for us to figure out what to do because usually I come up with a game plan through this board. Since we went opening week we had to wing it!

 

[AZwldcats]

Hope the crowds die down some by October!