Our first summer trip ... lots of ???

[camouseketeer]

I've been to DLR many times with my girls, but this July will be our first trip with just the three of us. It will be me, DD6, DD4. I've also never gone when it's really busy, so I want to be really prepared. I know how to work the FP system. It's the non-FP rides I have questions about. We will have 3 days in DLR and will have 2 EE/MM.

What days are the Toon Town Madness Mornings (I don't have that and want to go to TT on a day that is not a TTMM)?

What NON-FP DL rides would you hit first (besides FL, Matterhorn, and Nemo which I will hit on our 2 EE/MM days)?

What time would you line up for DCA to get to the new TS ride first?

When first getting into DCA, would you first stop to get a FP for Soarin, or head straight to TSMM?

How would we be seated for Splash and Matterhorn?

Would my DD6 be safe seated in a Matterhorn seat by herself?

I'm sure I'll have more Q's later.

TIA

 

[dizneekrazee]

I think for the non-FP rides I would go towards Adventureland and NOS, do things over that way. Like JC, POTC, HM, etc.

For Splash, with 3 off you, you guys can ride in the back of the log. We did this in October with me, DS8 and DS4. Me and my 4yo rode side by side, with DS (now 9) right in front of us. Worked out great!!! I loved it. It was perfect for us.

Matterhorn is another question. I dont know how they would do that. My son is 9 and I am wondering how that would work out this year being that we can all ride on it now. I dont know if I would feel comfortable with him riding alone, even if it was right in front of me.

That is the only answers I can provide, HTH!!

 

[DLR29]

I think for the non-FP rides I would go towards Adventureland and NOS, do things over that way. Like JC, POTC, HM, etc.

For Splash, with 3 off you, you guys can ride in the back of the log. We did this in October with me, DS8 and DS4. Me and my 4yo rode side by side, with DS (now 9) right in front of us. Worked out great!!! I loved it. It was perfect for us.

Matterhorn is another question. I dont know how they would do that. My son is 9 and I am wondering how that would work out this year being that we can all ride on it now. I dont know if I would feel comfortable with him riding alone, even if it was right in front of me.

That is the only answers I can provide, HTH!!

I would highly disagree with the first statement. I would suggest the exact opposite. Riding JC, HM, and Pirates during the busier part of the day and NOT at opening because they hardly have long lines and if they do, they move very quickly. Other than Fantasyland, Matterhorn, and Nemo I can only think of Star Tours and Astro Orbitor that are rides that generate long lines and don't have FP.

TTMM is on the opposite days of MM (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) along with Saturday as the only overlap day.

To get to TSMM first, I would line up at least by 9:15. DCA will probably open at 9:30 (it usually does) so that people can ride Soarin. I would recommend you grab a FP for Soarin during that first half hour (yes, they do distribute during that time) and then try and make it as close to the rope as possible for the 10AM rope drop and hoof it over to TSMM.

For Matterhorn, of course she will be safe on it as long as she meets the height requirement. They'd probably put you and your DD4 in one seat and your DD6 in the other, but it should be fine. She will have a seat belt. Disney is all about safety.

 

[camouseketeer]

DCA will probably open at 9:30 (it usually does) so that people can ride Soarin. I would recommend you grab a FP for Soarin during that first half hour (yes, they do distribute during that time) and then try and make it as close to the rope as possible for the 10AM rope drop and hoof it over to TSMM.

I'm confused. I thought DCA opened for onsite guests at 9:30. I am offsite. How can I get in at 9:30 to get a FP for Soarin?
Where do they do the rope drop?

Riding JC, HM, and Pirates during the busier part of the day and NOT at opening because they hardly have long lines and if they do, they move very quickly. Other than Fantasyland, Matterhorn, and Nemo I can only think of Star Tours and Astro Orbitor that are rides that generate long lines and don't have FP.

We'll do Astro Orbitor during MM. Forgot about Star Tours. Ok, we'll do that closer to opening.

Is JC really a fast moving line? I've seen that line be very long and intimidating. Does it move quickly? I was going to hit that ride earlier in the day because I was worried about a long wait.

And with Indy being down, do you think JC will be more crowded? People will flock to Indy, see it's closed and get in line for JC instead.

I'm not going to do POTC early. I know that that one moves quickly. My kids are too scared for HM, so that's not one to worry about either.

 

[DLR29]

I'm confused. I thought DCA opened for onsite guests at 9:30. I am offsite. How can I get in at 9:30 to get a FP for Soarin?
Where do they do the rope drop?

Is JC really a fast moving line? I've seen that line be very long and intimidating. Does it move quickly? I was going to hit that ride earlier in the day because I was worried about a long wait.

And with Indy being down, do you think JC will be more crowded? People will flock to Indy, see it's closed and get in line for JC instead.

DCA opens for everyone at 9:30, not just onsite people. They do 3 rope drops I think. One by Soarin to get to the path that leads to Grizzly River Run. One by Hollywood Pictures Backlot. And one that leads to the main path on the way to A Bug's Land and Paradise Pier which is the one you will want.

JC's line is really fast (each boat holds like 30 people) and in my experience during pretty crowded times (summer twice, right before christmas, president's week, spring break) I have not really seen the queue be longer than maybe 25 minutes. I do remember one year I went during extremely packed Christmas time and the line was like an hour, but JC lines have dropped off lately. It is possible that with Indy down JC will be a bit more crowded, but nothing major that will greatly affect the lines.