Pretty Last Minute Quick and Dirty Trip - Pointers?

[CaliDisneyMama]

I won a giveaway that included two one-day park hoppers and a night at the Hotel Pepper Tree. I'm taking my best friend and we're buying tickets for our two little boys (hers is three, mine is six), and we're so so SO excited. We haven't had a trip together since the whole marriage and kids thing started happening about a decade ago.

Anyway! It has to be just the one day, for a few reasons. One, it's so close neither of us really has much time to save any money, and two, she's an elementary school counselor, so she's trying to take as little time off as possible from work (she's already compromised and is going mid-week so the lines aren't as bad).

I haven't been since March of 2013, and I know lots has changed in that short period of time (short... ha! it feels like it's been forever!). I'm scouring the boards (which have also changed lol), but I was hoping someone could give me a quick rundown of any big changes that I need to be aware of? I know lots is closed right now to prepare for the Diamond Celebration, which is a bummer, but I'm not complaining about a virtually free trip. Any tips about trying to fit both parks into one day would be MUCH appreciated, too. It seems like it would be virtually impossible, even with lots of closures. Two and a half years on, is RSR still crazy busy all the time? Should we be doing CA before DL in the morning to get on that? What is the general consensus on the Fantasmic fast-pass system?

I'm sure I have more questions, but that's all I can think of right now. Thanks so much in advance!!

Krystal

 

[figment_jii]

I would make a list of the attractions and shows you want to see the most and then prioritize. With only one-day, there is no way to see everything. You mentioned you're going mid-week, so my guess is the parks will be operating on short hours (10 am to 8 pm seems common, except during the week of President's Day).

In terms of RSR, it depends a little on whether you're going on a day when DCA has EMH. If so, I would probably grab a FP for RSR when the park first opens and then go do other things until my FP time (either in DCA or DL). If it's a non-EMH morning, then I would head to TSMM first (if you planned to do that) and then get a RSR FP afterwards. Alternatively, you could try to get there pre-rope drop, use the wide-right technique and try to be first to ride RSR and then head to TSMM. Remember that TSMM does not have FPs.

DLR has started enforcing return times for FPs (I can't remember quite when they started that). Also, all attractions within a given park are now connected (primarily, RSR is now connected to the rest of DCA). DL and DCA remain disconnected from each other.

In terms of F!, I would probably opt to get a FP even if you only think you want to see it. It's better to have one and change your mind than not have one and want to see the show.

 

[Disneyluvr2]

Make sure the 3 year old is tall enough for RSR before you go. He need to be at least 40 inches. Even with all the closures, you won't be able to do everything at both parks in one day. I just tried my best to do that this weekend. I think the rides that are open are feeling the impact of all the ones that are closed for refurb. It seemed like every time we went to ride something, it had just broke down. This happened all day long at both parks. A lot of time was wasted trying to find something up and running that we wanted to ride. Even the Aladdin show was down,for some reason. It was very frustrating when you're on a tight schedule, so keep in mind you might need to just go with the flow.

Like figment_jii said, make a list of all the rides you want to do most, and go from there. Saturday morning, Disneyland was empty until about 10:00 so we got a lot done in the first 2 hours! We walked on to every ride, even Space Mt and the subs! Just make sure you're at the gate before it opens and hit the Fantasyland rides first, if you decide to do Disneyland first. Have a great time and congratulations on your win!!

 

[ranman1973]

We're also heading down last minute... This Saturday in fact. Saw some flight prices that we couldn't resist. Now I need to plan and strategize. You guys are all very awesome. Looking forward to all your help.

 

[CaliDisneyMama]

Thanks so much for the replies!

Good to know that RSR is now connected to the rest of the FP system (Disneyluvr2, the 3yo is definitely too short, we were thinking we'd do the switch and let my 6yo go twice, once with me and once with his Auntie).

Does anyone know how late the ticket booths are open? I'm sure they close before the park, right? We're getting in late (probably around 8pm) the night before we hit the parks, but I want to buy the kids' tickets that night if at all possible so we don't have to waste time in the morning, so I'm considering seeing if BFF can get off work a little early that day to get us there before the ticket booths close.

 

[MommyJKM]

It might be easier to buy the kid's tickets online so you don't waste any time; https://disneyland.disney.go.com/tickets/

You can also purchase park tickets if you live near a Disney Store at the store.

As Disneyluvr2 said, it's probably easier to go with the flow since you are short on time. We went once for only one day when I was a kid with my cousin and our parents let us each pick 3 rides we REALLY wanted to do and we circled them on the map and the rest of the day we just did what popped up. (This was 100 years ago before DCA was around but the point is it makes sure the kids see what they want )

Congrats on the trip!

 

[Lizzards]

Yeah for a disney trip! It is hard any more to get both parks done in one day. There is just so many fun things to do! I agree with pp on have each person pick a must do and aim for those first. Things can get slowed down when navigating parks with kids. I have a 4 and 6 year old! But it is disney so you will have fun! Timesaver I use is pack tons of my own snacks in back pack including treats and things my kids don't usually get. Then while waiting in line we snack and save money. So they see a popcorn cart....oh I have a certain bag of chips they rarely get and we eat in line for a ride. Or donut holes or fruit snacks. Special things for them and it helps to pass time in line. Then they get something special. Works for my kids.

 

[Gisele]

Yeah for a disney trip! It is hard any more to get both parks done in one day. There is just so many fun things to do! I agree with pp on have each person pick a must do and aim for those first. Things can get slowed down when navigating parks with kids. I have a 4 and 6 year old! But it is disney so you will have fun! Timesaver I use is pack tons of my own snacks in back pack including treats and things my kids don't usually get. Then while waiting in line we snack and save money. So they see a popcorn cart....oh I have a certain bag of chips they rarely get and we eat in line for a ride. Or donut holes or fruit snacks. Special things for them and it helps to pass time in line. Then they get something special. Works for my kids.

That would work for me too! Yummy......

 

[Mom2Joce]

I won a giveaway that included two one-day park hoppers and a night at the Hotel Pepper Tree. I'm taking my best friend and we're buying tickets for our two little boys (hers is three, mine is six), and we're so so SO excited. We haven't had a trip together since the whole marriage and kids thing started happening about a decade ago.

Anyway! It has to be just the one day, for a few reasons. One, it's so close neither of us really has much time to save any money, and two, she's an elementary school counselor, so she's trying to take as little time off as possible from work (she's already compromised and is going mid-week so the lines aren't as bad).

I haven't been since March of 2013, and I know lots has changed in that short period of time (short... ha! it feels like it's been forever!). I'm scouring the boards (which have also changed lol), but I was hoping someone could give me a quick rundown of any big changes that I need to be aware of? I know lots is closed right now to prepare for the Diamond Celebration, which is a bummer, but I'm not complaining about a virtually free trip. Any tips about trying to fit both parks into one day would be MUCH appreciated, too. It seems like it would be virtually impossible, even with lots of closures. Two and a half years on, is RSR still crazy busy all the time? Should we be doing CA before DL in the morning to get on that? What is the general consensus on the Fantasmic fast-pass system?

I'm sure I have more questions, but that's all I can think of right now. Thanks so much in advance!!

Krystal

Krystal, I was just wondering how your stay at Pepper Tree was? I'm considering it but wondered how you liked it? Does ART stop near by?

 

[DisneyMom234]

Krystal, I was just wondering how your stay at Pepper Tree was? I'm considering it but wondered how you liked it? Does ART stop near by?

Same question