park touring/park hopping

[tarheel]

We'll be visiting in July, the 13th-18th, and will have 5 day hoppers. We have visited once before, almost 5 years ago. We are 2 40ish adults, and 2 kids, 14 and 11. I know about the attractions, and all the tips have been read. What confuses me the most, is how I plan my days. Do most people like to start at DL, then hop over to CA? With the trip being several days, should I plan one to be at CA at opening? Anyone want to help me plan the days out? We will arrive in town Monday afternoon, so late afternoon and evening is available to plan something, then the next 4 full days/evenings. Thanks for any help!

 

[DizNee Luver]

When we've gone & had 5 day park hoppers, we've always scheduled a full-day at DCA. We do a character meal early & then get to DCA for opening. We gather FP's for rides like Soarin', CA Screamin' & GRR early in the day. We go thru each "land", riding rides, taking in shows/entertainment, & looking around. We've found plenty of things to keep us busy for an entire day there. At closing we head back over to DL.

EXAMPLE: Mon-DL, Tue-DCA, Weds-DL, Thurs-DL/DCA, Fri-DL/DCA

We use the last 2 days to go back & catch whatever we've missed & re-ride the rides we love.

There's no right or wrong way to go back & forth. You can always start at one park (DL opens earlier) & then head to DCA for the afternoon & back to DL to finish the evening.....what ever works for you & your family. Some families don't find a lot to do at DCA & spend the majority of their time at DL...some families find tons to do at DCA & spend a good amt of time there. It's what your likes & dislikes are.

 

[DangerMouse]

I agree with Diznee's plan above, but I would add that if you are staying off-site and only have one MM, and plan on starting a day at DCA, you make sure it's a day where DL has MM and you are not able to take advantage of it. In other words plan DCA for a Tues, Thurs, Sat or Sun. If you are staying on-site, and have MM each day it is offered, I would recommend using MM's each morning they are available at DL, and starting DCA on a non-MM day. Also, DCA typically opens it's gates at 9:30 (even though official opening is at 10). They have Soarin open for the first 30 minutes, and then do a rope drop at official park opening. Soarin FP machines are on at 9:30 as well, so you can pick up your first FP early.

 

[tarheel]

Thanks for the help so far. I will be staying off site, so I'll only have one MM. I think it would be best to do that Tuesday because of the time difference from home, I'm sure we'll be up early. Thanks for the advice to go to CA on the next available MM. That's a good idea.

Since the July schedule isn't out yet, can anyone give me an idea of the nightly entertainment times? Do most people get to see both Fantasmic and the fireworks in one night, or split them up?

 

[MAH4546]

Thanks for the help so far. I will be staying off site, so I'll only have one MM. I think it would be best to do that Tuesday because of the time difference from home, I'm sure we'll be up early. Thanks for the advice to go to CA on the next available MM. That's a good idea.

Since the July schedule isn't out yet, can anyone give me an idea of the nightly entertainment times? Do most people get to see both Fantasmic and the fireworks in one night, or split them up?

The summer schedule is identical everyday between June 12th and August 22nd, at least when it comes to park hours, fireworks, Fantasmic! and parades. There is rarely ever flux. So what you see for June 12th, is what you will see every single day unless there is some sort of special event (i.e. Grad Nite).

It is very easy to see the Fireworks and then go directly to the 10.30 Fantasmic!.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

Do most people get to see both Fantasmic and the fireworks in one night, or split them up?

Like MAH posted, seeing the fireworks and the 10:30 Fantasmic in one night can be done without much difficulty, but it can make for a late night.

In Aug. '07 we watched the 8:45pm Electrical Parade in the Paradise Pier area in DCA, and then we quickly walked, pushing strollers, to the hub to see the 9:25 fireworks. It was fun, but the next morning I didn't have a whole lot of spring in my step.