We had an incredibly quick 2.5 day trip to DLR this past weekend (flying in Thursday night and flying out Sunday at 2). I did a ton of research here and really appreciated all the tips. I thought I'd share a few thoughts here to help future DLR visitors!
1. Use the Disneyland app! Even if you don't spring for MaxPass (which is worthwhile if you don't have a designated FP runner), you can check out when rides are temporarily closed, when rides have a shorter than usual standby wait time, etc. I personally think MaxPass is worthwhile, especially if you plan to park hop. I got shin splints on one of our last trips as I was the FP runner and going from Splash Mountain to California Screamin' and then back to Space Mountain was a LONG walk. I didn't have a pedometer that trip, but this trip, without running back and forth for any FP, I still averaged about 11 miles per day. We didn't even park-hop as much as usual!
MaxPass is also a good value if you plan to ride the big "E-ticket" rides as the ride photos are included in the cost. Even though we were only in the park 2.5 days (not even 30 hours total!), we have so many hilarious ride photos from GOTG, Incredicoaster, SM, Splash, RSR, etc. We also stopped for a few family photos taken by the Photopass photographers. There aren't that many around these days, but I know I always saw one by the Carsland billboard and on the bridge to Pixar Pier. I didn't see any in DL!
2. Make the most of Mobile Ordering for your food from any DLR place that offers it! I was amazed how long the lines were at the Tiki Room for Dole Floats any time we walked by and at Flo's V8 Diner for breakfast on Sunday. You don't need to plan it 20 minutes in advance, as I kept forgetting about this new service until I showed up and saw the sign "Mobile Order pick-up here." Thus, I ordered our food while standing at the venue. Once I placed the order (and paid for it via credit card), I just clicked on "I'm here now" and then waited 2-3 minutes for them to prepare the food. This effectively helped me "skip" the line of 20+ people. I also really appreciate the tips from DISBoard members about using Starbucks Mobile Ordering app as our order was waiting for us each morning to just grab and go. Once again, skipping the line and saving time was awesome!
3. Wake up early and get into the park as soon are you're able to do so! It's painful getting up early on vacation, but I found it worthwhile as we got so much done. I'm talking about 5 minute waits for Toy Story, Incredicoaster, and Guardians during Early Magic Hour. And before 9 am, those rides only had 30-45 minute standby waits (versus 120 minutes and up later in the day!). If you time your Fastpasses and aren't trying to do the entire park, you can certainly avoid waiting in standby longer than 20 minutes. We never did a standby line that had a longer than 20 minute wait. Instead, we'd go for a food break, nap break, or take photos with a Photopass photographer until our Fastpass window opened. I couldn't believe it when I saw nearly 3 hour standby waits! I don't think any ride is worth that long of a wait.
4. Make sure you're being a "defensive walker" and staying alert for people who stop suddenly or who rush behind you and then clip your ankles with their stroller/wheelchair/feet. I was clipped by a wheelchair when the man pushing it was distracted and staring up at the windows on Main Street. He didn't realize I had stopped because a family in front of me stopped. I limped for a good 20 minutes after that as it really hurt my ankle. I just hated being in the park after lunch and in the evenings as it was SO crowded. I made sure we had fastpasses for the afternoon/evening and would leave the park every day for a nap and time to relax/recharge in our hotel room. During the busiest times, you're dodging strollers, ECVs, and families who stop in the middle of narrow walkways (like in Frontierland and near the Pirates ride!) to chat/consult a map. When a family of 7 stops while in a narrow pathway, almost everyone behind them has to stop, too. Please move to the side if you need to stop and consult a map or have a lengthy conversation! Before 10 am, you could actually walk without being worried about a stroller or wheelchair clipping your ankles. It's even worse after Fantasmic/WOC/fireworks/parades.
5. We stayed at GCH and had EMH 3 days. I saw a LONG line in the GCH to DCA entrance so we walked around through Downtown Disney to the main esplanade, which has far more turnstiles. I didn't time it exactly, but I know the GCH entrance line is very slow as they have to go through security (which only had 2 cast members) and then the ticket turnstiles (which I think may have had 3 CM). It was fine when we used it outside of EMH. I was thrilled when we were able to get back to our room after WOC in less than 10 minutes!
6. I saw several Splash Mountain riders with disposable ponchos. That makes sense if you plan to stay in the park all day. We ended up timing our Splash Fastpasses for right after lunch so that we could immediately return to GCH to shower, change into dry clothing, and relax during the "busy" period in the park.
7. If you can, time for your FP to enjoy certain rides at night. I love seeing Carsland at night and stopped using FP for daytime RSR rides. Instead, I kept an eye on the app and would grab a FP after sunset.
8. If you're on a budget, pack some snacks to bring in with you. We love snacking on certain Disney treats (e.g., churros and Dole Whip Floats) so I still indulge a bit. Yet for times when you're just a little hungry, nonperishable snacks will help you save money. Also, bottled water is ridiculously expensive ($4.25 per bottle!) so bring a reuseable bottle and fill it up yourself with free ice water!
9. Pre-buy some Disney souvenirs as the stuff in the parks is very expensive. One pair of Minnie ears costs nearly $30! DH bought a 3 pack of licensed Disney ears off Amazon for $25.
10. Stop and take breaks regularly. There is often pressure to make the most of this very expensive trip. I know I felt it. Yet, just sitting outside GOTG and listening to the good music (instead of Disney music ,which I normally like but not after we heard it the entire time we were in the rest of the park), was relaxing and made us a bit more cheerful. When we didn't have a FP to use and didn't want to wait for 90-120 minutes on our favorite rides, we would take a Dole Whip Float or Churro break.
Hope these tips help some folks. Have a GREAT time!
1. Use the Disneyland app! Even if you don't spring for MaxPass (which is worthwhile if you don't have a designated FP runner), you can check out when rides are temporarily closed, when rides have a shorter than usual standby wait time, etc. I personally think MaxPass is worthwhile, especially if you plan to park hop. I got shin splints on one of our last trips as I was the FP runner and going from Splash Mountain to California Screamin' and then back to Space Mountain was a LONG walk. I didn't have a pedometer that trip, but this trip, without running back and forth for any FP, I still averaged about 11 miles per day. We didn't even park-hop as much as usual!
MaxPass is also a good value if you plan to ride the big "E-ticket" rides as the ride photos are included in the cost. Even though we were only in the park 2.5 days (not even 30 hours total!), we have so many hilarious ride photos from GOTG, Incredicoaster, SM, Splash, RSR, etc. We also stopped for a few family photos taken by the Photopass photographers. There aren't that many around these days, but I know I always saw one by the Carsland billboard and on the bridge to Pixar Pier. I didn't see any in DL!
2. Make the most of Mobile Ordering for your food from any DLR place that offers it! I was amazed how long the lines were at the Tiki Room for Dole Floats any time we walked by and at Flo's V8 Diner for breakfast on Sunday. You don't need to plan it 20 minutes in advance, as I kept forgetting about this new service until I showed up and saw the sign "Mobile Order pick-up here." Thus, I ordered our food while standing at the venue. Once I placed the order (and paid for it via credit card), I just clicked on "I'm here now" and then waited 2-3 minutes for them to prepare the food. This effectively helped me "skip" the line of 20+ people. I also really appreciate the tips from DISBoard members about using Starbucks Mobile Ordering app as our order was waiting for us each morning to just grab and go. Once again, skipping the line and saving time was awesome!
3. Wake up early and get into the park as soon are you're able to do so! It's painful getting up early on vacation, but I found it worthwhile as we got so much done. I'm talking about 5 minute waits for Toy Story, Incredicoaster, and Guardians during Early Magic Hour. And before 9 am, those rides only had 30-45 minute standby waits (versus 120 minutes and up later in the day!). If you time your Fastpasses and aren't trying to do the entire park, you can certainly avoid waiting in standby longer than 20 minutes. We never did a standby line that had a longer than 20 minute wait. Instead, we'd go for a food break, nap break, or take photos with a Photopass photographer until our Fastpass window opened. I couldn't believe it when I saw nearly 3 hour standby waits! I don't think any ride is worth that long of a wait.
4. Make sure you're being a "defensive walker" and staying alert for people who stop suddenly or who rush behind you and then clip your ankles with their stroller/wheelchair/feet. I was clipped by a wheelchair when the man pushing it was distracted and staring up at the windows on Main Street. He didn't realize I had stopped because a family in front of me stopped. I limped for a good 20 minutes after that as it really hurt my ankle. I just hated being in the park after lunch and in the evenings as it was SO crowded. I made sure we had fastpasses for the afternoon/evening and would leave the park every day for a nap and time to relax/recharge in our hotel room. During the busiest times, you're dodging strollers, ECVs, and families who stop in the middle of narrow walkways (like in Frontierland and near the Pirates ride!) to chat/consult a map. When a family of 7 stops while in a narrow pathway, almost everyone behind them has to stop, too. Please move to the side if you need to stop and consult a map or have a lengthy conversation! Before 10 am, you could actually walk without being worried about a stroller or wheelchair clipping your ankles. It's even worse after Fantasmic/WOC/fireworks/parades.
5. We stayed at GCH and had EMH 3 days. I saw a LONG line in the GCH to DCA entrance so we walked around through Downtown Disney to the main esplanade, which has far more turnstiles. I didn't time it exactly, but I know the GCH entrance line is very slow as they have to go through security (which only had 2 cast members) and then the ticket turnstiles (which I think may have had 3 CM). It was fine when we used it outside of EMH. I was thrilled when we were able to get back to our room after WOC in less than 10 minutes!
6. I saw several Splash Mountain riders with disposable ponchos. That makes sense if you plan to stay in the park all day. We ended up timing our Splash Fastpasses for right after lunch so that we could immediately return to GCH to shower, change into dry clothing, and relax during the "busy" period in the park.
7. If you can, time for your FP to enjoy certain rides at night. I love seeing Carsland at night and stopped using FP for daytime RSR rides. Instead, I kept an eye on the app and would grab a FP after sunset.
8. If you're on a budget, pack some snacks to bring in with you. We love snacking on certain Disney treats (e.g., churros and Dole Whip Floats) so I still indulge a bit. Yet for times when you're just a little hungry, nonperishable snacks will help you save money. Also, bottled water is ridiculously expensive ($4.25 per bottle!) so bring a reuseable bottle and fill it up yourself with free ice water!
9. Pre-buy some Disney souvenirs as the stuff in the parks is very expensive. One pair of Minnie ears costs nearly $30! DH bought a 3 pack of licensed Disney ears off Amazon for $25.
10. Stop and take breaks regularly. There is often pressure to make the most of this very expensive trip. I know I felt it. Yet, just sitting outside GOTG and listening to the good music (instead of Disney music ,which I normally like but not after we heard it the entire time we were in the rest of the park), was relaxing and made us a bit more cheerful. When we didn't have a FP to use and didn't want to wait for 90-120 minutes on our favorite rides, we would take a Dole Whip Float or Churro break.
Hope these tips help some folks. Have a GREAT time!
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