Plan of Attack

[araes2102]

We are going on our very first trip to DLR (first Disney vacation ever, for any of us!) July 8-14th. Having never been to Disney, I have no idea how to plan oir days. I am a planner, have our dates, hotel, tickets, drive, ect all planned out. I would like to have a plan of attack for the parks too! I understand the basics: use FP as much as possible, ride FL and the other "big" rides early (SM, screamin, TSMM), get to PFF and PH early, use MM early in the trip. What is a good way to plan the other rides and attractions? Is buying a TP membership worth it? Will they even be relevant after CL opens? Any other way you think a newbie like me will be able to create a good plan of attack? Thanks so much for any help/advice!

 

[skiingfast]

Forget TP.


Since you are vising a little into Summer, I would not plan right now. A lot may change with the opening of Cars Land.

Wait a couple weeks until the hours in the official calendar give clues on Summer operations.

Then wait until the end of June when we know how Summer traffic patterns work out to firm up your plans.

 

[KCmike]

First things first. Where are you staying (onsite or offsite) and how many days do you want in the parks?

 

[Carrie in AZ]

I agree, let us know more info first. Also, is your youngest tall enough to go on some of these attractions?

You are already way ahead of the game on having a magical trip because you are here on the DIS learning all you can!! Trust me, the knowledge you glean here will make your first trip to DL awesome!!

 

[303]

Going EARLY in the morning and trying get on as many rides as you can is a good idea. Have early lunch in the park, then go back to the hotel, rest, take a nap, swim, and re-energize for the night. Go back about 4:30-5, go look to get on a couple rides, eat dinner, and plan out when you want to watch whichever shows you are trying to make. Then during the shows you are not going to watch take advantage of that time to get on the rides with the smaller lines.

 

[SpaceMan5]

I am a big planner myself but realized that when you add kids to the equation plans can change rapidly. My best advice is to go with the flow. You are on vacation and have fun.

If you miss something because you ran out of time it will give you a good excuse to plan another trip to DL

 

[limace]

I think ridemax would be worth it for you-it was for us on our last July trip. It will let you plan what order to do rides based on your preferences. You won't do this til closer to your trip, which will be good when it comes to Carsland as it should give them time to adjust their plans for it.

 

[nannyz]

The best Plan of Attack is Don't Plan.
Buy as many days as you can and have fun.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

Another vote for Ridemax.

 

[araes2102]

Thanks guys! I will look into Ridemax but it sounds like I will have to wait until the end of June? We are planning to buy 6 day hoppers and spend 4 full days plus 2 half days in the park (I have to get some beach time in and DBF wants to see Universal), and we are staying at Park Vue in order to maximize our park time and be able to easily take breaks during the day.

 

[Pixiafurie]

I would plan for a pretty crowded park in the middle of summer, so try to hit up your favorite rides early!

 

[kailuagirl]

Plan to get at the gates before opening, makes a huge difference to get there early. We like to park hop and focus on "lands" of the parks depending on how crowded they are so we aren't running all over the place back and forth. Go onto www.disneyland.com and look at the ride descriptions, requirements, etc. and see what your family would or can ride and where they are and you can start to get a game plan of what you want to ride.

 

[Lissame]

Ridemax is another thing I'd personally hold off on until Carsland opens. Everything is going to change with DCA when that happens.

We're going at the same time as you are, staying at the Park Vue also. We'll probably see you there

 

[Goofy_Mom]

I'm "play it by ear" type mostly. I have one or two reserved meal per trip with only one ressey per day. Get as many must do's done in the morning collecting FP's till about noon and the rest is enjoy the area we are in and get on the not-so-popular rides and use our FP's.