Please critique our itinerary for December trip!

[beachdweller]

We have 3-day park hoppers (so, one MM) and we're staying off-site. I've really been thinking about how to maximize our mornings and would love any input from you Disney experts on whether this seems like a good plan and how we can make it better. Our kids are 7 (girl) and 9(boy), and are get-up-early and go-to-bed early people, and we will try to nap most afternoons. Our priorities on this trip are PtN and the Fireworks, seeing the new Space Mountain and StarTours, riding RSR at night, riding Indy, and TSMM. Also, no trip would be complete for us without Peter Pan. Besides those, I'd like to see Mickey and the Magical Map, Aladdin and Viva Navidad, and we always love meeting characters.

Sunday 12/6/15: Arrival at hotel; explore Downtown Disney, visit hotels, dinner @ Goofy's Kitchen

Monday 12/7/15 9am openingisneyland. Get to gates by 8:30am.
- If we are early in line, go straight to Peter Pan. Then do other FL rides. (Alice, Dumbo, Teacups, IASW,possibly Matterhorn, etc.)
- If there's still time, hit Adventureland and ride Indy, HM, Pirates, etc., whatever we can fit.
- Hop to DCA in time to pick up RSR fast passes for evening return (call Otto). Q: what time do you think we should plan to be there to get evening fast passes?
- Q: can we pick up other FPs in DCA if our RSR window isn't until evening? If so, pick up Soarin' and other FPs.
- Have quick lunch at DCA -- where?
- Animation Academy area
- Meet Elsa, Anna, Olaf
- See Aladdin
- Ride RSR at night using FP
- Dinner @ Flo's
- Viva Navidad

Tuesday 12/8/15: MM at DL: 8am (9am public opening)
- Pick up StarTours and Buzz fast passes
- Ride Space Mountain
- Ride StarTours
- Ride Buzz
- Autopia

At 9am:
- Get Indy Fast Pass
- Ride Haunted Mansion
- Ride Jingle Cruise
- Ride Indy
- Ride Pirates
- Beignets for snack

Lunch @ Plaza Inn or Jolly Holiday
Return to hotel for nap
- Take train to closest station to BTMRR
- Pick up BTMRR Fast Pass
- Tom Sawyer Island, canoes, etc.
- Winnie the Poo
- Ride BTMRR
- Dinner @ Rancho del Zocalo or Hungry Bear

Wednesday 12/9/15: Opening time 8am.
- Start at DCA
- Ride TSMM as many times as possible!
- Pick up RSR fast pass
- Little Mermaid
- Soarin'
- Ride RSR
- Anything else we missed at DCA
- Lunch @ DCA
- Nap at hotel
- Disneyland:
- Princess Faire and show
- Mickey and the Magical Map
- Stake out parade/fireworks spot in the hub curb by 5pm, taking turns holding down spot, grabbing dinner to eat while waiting etc. This will be a long wait but we figure it will be worth it to see the parades and we'll be tired by then anyway. Adults can take the kids to explore & meet characters etc.
- 8:50: PtN
- 9:30: Fireworks

Thanks for whatever input you might have!

 

[figment_jii]

Hop to DCA in time to pick up RSR fast passes for evening return (call Otto). Q: what time do you think we should plan to be there to get evening fast passes?

It's hard to say how quickly FPs will be going on any given day, but I'd aim to be there with one hour to 90 minutes of park opening if you want an evening RSR FP. I just checked at today (DCA opened at 9:00 am and closes at 8:00 pm) and they just ran out of FPs - so about 2 hours after opening. I would call "Ask Otto" or check the Official Disneyland App around the 45 minute to 1 hour mark after DCA's opening to the general public to see where the FP return times are at.

- Q: can we pick up other FPs in DCA if our RSR window isn't until evening? If so, pick up Soarin' and other FPs.

The RSR FP is now connected to the rest of the DCA FP system. So if you get an RSR FP, you cannot get another DCA attraction FP for two hours or until the time window opens, whichever comes first. Only the A&E M&G (assuming they're still using it) and WoC FPs are disconnected in DCA.

Tuesday 12/8/15: MM at DL: 8am (9am public opening)
- Pick up StarTours and Buzz fast passes, - Ride Space Mountain, - Ride Star Tours - Ride Buzz, - Autopia

At this point it's hard to say how the crowds will be in a few weeks, but given that Seasons of the Force just opened, my guess is you're to see big crowds heading towards Space and Star Tours at park opening (both at 8:00 am for MM/EMH and at 9:00 am when the general public is allowed in). So, I think this is an ambitious plan - my guess is you'll get either Star Tours or Space done, but probably not both. I would pick one for during EMH/MM and then get a FP for the other as soon as the park opens to general public (there are no FPs distributed during EMH/MM).

In terms of the Aventureland/NOS attractions, I'd consider going on Jingle Cruise as close to park opening as possible. All of the attractions with holiday overlays tend to be popular, but Jingle Cruise is not a super fast loader. So by mid-morning, I would expect the line to on the longer side (>30 minutes).

For the afternoon activities, there is a chance that the canoes might not be operating. They don't operate on a daily basis year-around, so they might only be available on weekends. Also, there is no train station close to Big Thunder. It'll be faster to walk to BTMRR from the entrance.

Wednesday 12/9/15: Opening time 8am. - Mickey and the Magical Map

For Mickey and the Magic Map, you might want to keep and eye on the schedule. Currently, there are show times listed for Monday and Friday of that week, but nothing for Tue to Thu.

 

[chickapin parterre]

Always plan for rope drop and not gate entry, so your arrival time at the gate should be 8:15 for release into Main street for rope drop

Peter pan time is in relation ship to how fast you use your feet- running, jogging or using the fast delivery service shuffle. one of these three will put you in line for Peter Pan short wait. It you just meander and take photos and lolly-da, you will have a long wait.

On bullet number 2 you say "if we have time" what is your time/ hour reference to make that decsion.

try to catch the lights coming on in RS

tuesday there is no fast pass distriubtion during MM so your plan of attacke will work before park opening

at 9:00 you can leave tomorrowland and start FP gathering in your 9:00 scheme

there is no train to BTMRR, best to walk the two blocks from plazza, though Jolly is close to train station then wait in line at the train stations and plus the 3 blocks to Main street and four blocks to toontown station. Plus you will have to walk longer from NOS station to BTMRR

 

[beachdweller]

It's hard to say how quickly FPs will be going on any given day, but I'd aim to be there with one hour to 90 minutes of park opening if you want an evening RSR FP. I just checked at today (DCA opened at 9:00 am and closes at 8:00 pm) and they just ran out of FPs - so about 2 hours after opening. I would call "Ask Otto" or check the Official Disneyland App around the 45 minute to 1 hour mark after DCA's opening to the general public to see where the FP return times are at.


The RSR FP is now connected to the rest of the DCA FP system. So if you get an RSR FP, you cannot get another DCA attraction FP for two hours or until the time window opens, whichever comes first. Only the A&E M&G (assuming they're still using it) and WoC FPs are disconnected in DCA.


At this point it's hard to say how the crowds will be in a few weeks, but given that Seasons of the Force just opened, my guess is you're to see big crowds heading towards Space and Star Tours at park opening (both at 8:00 am for MM/EMH and at 9:00 am when the general public is allowed in). So, I think this is an ambitious plan - my guess is you'll get either Star Tours or Space done, but probably not both. I would pick one for during EMH/MM and then get a FP for the other as soon as the park opens to general public (there are no FPs distributed during EMH/MM).

In terms of the Aventureland/NOS attractions, I'd consider going on Jingle Cruise as close to park opening as possible. All of the attractions with holiday overlays tend to be popular, but Jingle Cruise is not a super fast loader. So by mid-morning, I would expect the line to on the longer side (>30 minutes).

For the afternoon activities, there is a chance that the canoes might not be operating. They don't operate on a daily basis year-around, so they might only be available on weekends. Also, there is no train station close to Big Thunder. It'll be faster to walk to BTMRR from the entrance.


For Mickey and the Magic Map, you might want to keep and eye on the schedule. Currently, there are show times listed for Monday and Friday of that week, but nothing for Tue to Thu.

 

[beachdweller]

Thank you so much for these excellent tips! Wow!

Knowing that we need to get our RSR fast passes pretty early (like 10:30), I'm thinking of switching up the schedule and having Monday be our California Adventure morning. I know that the EE guests will be in there already, which is a bummer. then we need to head back to DL in the afternoon to catch Mickey and the Magical Map.

Thanks again!

 

[tlcdoula]

Hop to DCA in time to pick up RSR fast passes for evening return (call Otto). Q: what time do you think we should plan to be there to get evening fast passes?
- Q: can we pick up other FPs in DCA if our RSR window isn't until evening?

Great Question This is what we are thinking about as well. Our first day is Sat Dec 11th, and we are in the park ours selves before we meet with the rest of our party that evening. I was thinking of going to do a few rides in DL then go over to DCA to grab a fast pass for a return time before 4pm. From the times they have been running out the past few days I am leaning towards riding Big thunder and Pirates maybe grab a fast pass for space mountain or Indiana Jones before going over for RSR fast pass. I don't know if it will work out or not but I figure it is worth a try. Let me know how it works out for you.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[beachdweller]

Great Question This is what we are thinking about as well. Our first day is Sat Dec 11th, and we are in the park ours selves before we meet with the rest of our party that evening. I was thinking of going to do a few rides in DL then go over to DCA to grab a fast pass for a return time before 4pm. From the times they have been running out the past few days I am leaning towards riding Big thunder and Pirates maybe grab a fast pass for space mountain or Indiana Jones before going over for RSR fast pass. I don't know if it will work out or not but I figure it is worth a try. Let me know how it works out for you.

Have a great trip!!!

Hi there! Based on what I saw on another thread, it appears that your plan will work and I think I will steal it! The DCA and DL Fast Pass systems are not connected. So you could pick up a Space Mountain or Indy Fast Pass and then go get an RSR Fast Pass at DCA. You have a great trip too!

 

[texasgingerbread]

And once you're in the gates you can send a runner, you don't all have to go.

 

[chickapin parterre]

Hi there! Based on what I saw on another thread, it appears that your plan will work and I think I will steal it! The DCA and DL Fast Pass systems are not connected. So you could pick up a Space Mountain or Indy Fast Pass and then go get an RSR Fast Pass at DCA. You have a great trip too!

the problem is that a morning Indy fast pass could very well expire during your travel to grab that RSR fast pass, a space mountain fast pass, gathered at 9;00 has a good chance of expiring during your RSR trip

 

[texasgingerbread]

the problem is that a morning Indy fast pass could very well expire during your travel to grab that RSR fast pass, a space mountain fast pass, gathered at 9;00 has a good chance of expiring during your RSR trip

Thanks.

 

[figment_jii]

The soonest FP window is about 35 minutes after you pull the FP (i.e., if you pull it at 9:00 am, the earliest it would be good is at about 9:35 am) and then you have an hour after that to get back to the attraction. So, if you pull an Indy FP and head over to DCA to get the RSR (and WoC if desired) FP, and then head straight back to DL, you should be fine. I've done that in the past (in our case, we grabbed at Star Tours FP right at opening, sent the runner to DCA to get the RSR and WoC FPs and then returned to DL for Star Tours). Unless you're one of the first people to get an RSR FP, you return time is likely to be more than 35 minutes later.