Quick Sunday Trip

[Chiasgirl]

I know there have been a lot of questions about crowds, weather and everything else lately. So, here is a quick review of yesterday (Sunday March 20th).

We live about 2 hours away and made it to the drop-off area around 9:30. 5 of us (3 adults and 2 five year olds) headed into the park while DH parked at Mickey and Friends.

We went straight to DL, grabbed FP for Indy right around 10 and then went to ride BTMRR. It was about a 15 min wait with 1 side loading and 2 trains running. About 5 mins before we got to the steps they opened the second side and had 4 trains running. We got off, met up with DH and rode POTC (5 min wait).

We grabbed FP for Space, rode Indy, Matterhorn (both sides running with about a 20 min wait at about 11:15.)

After the Matterhorn, the adults grabbed chimichangas at the stand there and we got the kids meals from Tomorrowland Terrace. (There was no line at either place at this time. By the time we finished eating at Tomorrowland Terrace there was a very longl ine to order food and a lot of people waiting to receive theirs.) After lunch, we rode Buzz (10 min wait around noon although it was posted as 20 mins) and Space. There was a brief downpour around 12:30 for maybe 15 mins.

Then we headed over to DCA. We tried to ride Soarin with FPs grabbed earlier but it was shut down. Too bad we didnt make it in because there was another rain shower as we headed to Screamin. After Screamin, we waited about 35 mins for TSMM.

Quick stop for adult beverages in the Pacific Wharf area (beer cart open, Rita's was closed) then on to Flik's. Neither of the kids like TT so three of the adults tried to ride with FP while the kiddos and 1 adult did Heimlich's (walkon). TT only had 1 elevator running. The FP line stretched way down the street and the stand-by was posted as 60 mins. We think FP would have taken at least 30 mins from the length of the line (around 2:50). So, everyone rode the bumper cars and Flik's Flyers before heading back to Soarin.

We got to Soarin, rode with our FP and finished up in DCA around 3:45. We had a 4:00 reservation for ESPN Zone for my friend's brithday. It started pouring while we were in Soarin and we were soaked by the time we got to ESPN. We checked in at ESPN right at 4 and were told it would be about 20 mins for a table. Fortunately it was much less. The food was good but our waitress was not. She was very slow on the drinks etc. (For the record, they don't do anything for birthdays in there.) We bought a dessert for my friend and had the waitress bring it out. It was a delicious molten lava cake but the waitress didn't even look at her when she plunked it down in front of her, let alone say Happy Birthday. (My friend was wearing her pin, it was noted on our reservation and we told the waitress it was her birthday when DH found the waitress to order the dessert without my friend hearing. We weren't expecting anything for free but when we pay $8 for a birthday dessert you could at least say Happy Birthday...)

After our meal, we headed upstairs for a while. Around 6 when we came out, it was still pouring rain We hit the Lego store (had to get a few more Mystery Minis) and walked back to Mickey and Friends. We got to our vehicle around 6:30 and stopped for gas and Starbucks before heading home.

All in all, we got a lot accomplished in our 6 hours without getting too wet. We were prepared for the rain and are AP holders who understand how traffic patterns work in the parks and how to maximize our rides using FP etc.

The ride home was about 2h40 which is about 40 mins longer than usual. The winds were heavy and there was a lot of pooling water from the rain. We did drive through one section of road with a little bit of debris on it from a small slide. The I-5 was closed not far past our exit due to weather conditions.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

I dont think yesterday was a good measurement as the weather we had as just AWFUL! I saw that the park was pretty empty most of the day! This week will see chilly rainy days as well so I dont think many locals will be out in it. Last week seemed busier and I am guessing next week after this icky rain will be busy too.

 

[Chiasgirl]

I completely agree that yesterday was not a typical March Sunday.
We go to Disney at least once a month. Sometimes on weekends, weekdays, over Thanksgiving, Christmas, a random week in September etc. We have also done many multiday trips as well as countless day trips.

I have seen many threads on here with people asking whether or not they should brave Disney in the rain, what they can expect on certain days etc. What I was hoping to do was give people wondering about these things a personal report of what CAN be accomplished on a rainy Sunday in March. The more information people have the better decisions they can make for their families. The weather definitely kept people away. But if you have already booked flights etc or want to celebrate a special day in the parks your trip doesn't have to be ruined by bad weather.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Nice report. I think it is helpful to read various accounts of park experiences under different circumstances. It helps to show people the range of possibilities and things to think of when planning their trips.

 

[Hound 109]

Excellent report. Thanks for posting this.

I agree it's always good to get experiences & wait times...especially from experienced Dis'ers who know how to "work" the parks.

I've got a few random questions below:

I know there have been a lot of questions about crowds, weather and everything else lately. So, here is a quick review of yesterday (Sunday March 20th).

We live about 2 hours away and made it to the drop-off area around 9:30. 5 of us (3 adults and 2 five year olds) headed into the park while DH parked at Mickey and Friends.

We went straight to DL, grabbed FP for Indy right around 10.....

Do you remember what the "return time" was for Indy at that pickup time?


....and then went to ride BTMRR. It was about a 15 min wait with 1 side loading and 2 trains running. About 5 mins before we got to the steps they opened the second side and had 4 trains running. We got off, met up with DH and rode POTC (5 min wait).

Great way to start the day.


We grabbed FP for Space.....

Again...curious what the return time was....thanks.


....., rode Indy, Matterhorn (both sides running with about a 20 min wait at about 11:15.)

Great info....not too bad for Matterhorn. Did you happen to look over at Storybookland (when you were at the Matterhorn)? Always curious what wait times are for this ride.....one of my faves, but for me, hard to nail down a time to ride.


After the Matterhorn, the adults grabbed chimichangas at the stand there and we got the kids meals from Tomorrowland Terrace. (There was no line at either place at this time. By the time we finished eating at Tomorrowland Terrace there was a very longl ine to order food and a lot of people waiting to receive theirs.)

This is great info & has also been my experience. If i wait to get counter service until i'm hungry, there's always a line.....but if i eat between 10:30-11:15 am.....never a line.


After lunch, we rode Buzz (10 min wait around noon although it was posted as 20 mins) and Space. There was a brief downpour around 12:30 for maybe 15 mins.

Then we headed over to DCA. We tried to ride Soarin with FPs grabbed earlier but it was shut down. Too bad we didnt make it in because there was another rain shower as we headed to Screamin. After Screamin, we waited about 35 mins for TSMM.

Quick stop for adult beverages in the Pacific Wharf area (beer cart open, Rita's was closed) then on to Flik's. Neither of the kids like TT so three of the adults tried to ride with FP while the kiddos and 1 adult did Heimlich's (walkon). TT only had 1 elevator running. The FP line stretched way down the street and the stand-by was posted as 60 mins. We think FP would have taken at least 30 mins from the length of the line (around 2:50). So, everyone rode the bumper cars and Flik's Flyers before heading back to Soarin.

We got to Soarin, rode with our FP and finished up in DCA around 3:45. We had a 4:00 reservation for ESPN Zone for my friend's brithday. It started pouring while we were in Soarin and we were soaked by the time we got to ESPN. We checked in at ESPN right at 4 and were told it would be about 20 mins for a table. Fortunately it was much less. The food was good but our waitress was not. She was very slow on the drinks etc. (For the record, they don't do anything for birthdays in there.) We bought a dessert for my friend and had the waitress bring it out. It was a delicious molten lava cake but the waitress didn't even look at her when she plunked it down in front of her, let alone say Happy Birthday. (My friend was wearing her pin, it was noted on our reservation and we told the waitress it was her birthday when DH found the waitress to order the dessert without my friend hearing. We weren't expecting anything for free but when we pay $8 for a birthday dessert you could at least say Happy Birthday...)

After our meal, we headed upstairs for a while. Around 6 when we came out, it was still pouring rain We hit the Lego store (had to get a few more Mystery Minis) and walked back to Mickey and Friends. We got to our vehicle around 6:30 and stopped for gas and Starbucks before heading home.

All in all, we got a lot accomplished in our 6 hours without getting too wet. We were prepared for the rain and are AP holders who understand how traffic patterns work in the parks and how to maximize our rides using FP etc.

The ride home was about 2h40 which is about 40 mins longer than usual. The winds were heavy and there was a lot of pooling water from the rain. We did drive through one section of road with a little bit of debris on it from a small slide. The I-5 was closed not far past our exit due to weather conditions.

Thanks again for posting this. I love the data given on ride times & all the rest of your great info.

 

[Chiasgirl]

Hound - When we grabbed our FP for Indy it must have been about 9:50 because our return time was 10:30.
I grabbed the Space FP at 10:30 and our return time was 12:30. (Absolutely certain on those numbers as I tried to grab our FP at 10:28 and had to wait two minutes...)
When we were over at the Matterhorn the line for Storybook filled the queue area but did not spill out into the walkways.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

I also live nearby and go several times a month and apologize if I took your post the wrong way. The last posts I've seen have all been spring break crowd related and I dont want to give the wrong impression that it wont be crowded when they arrive is all. I stated that a super chilly rainy day doesn't give a great impression of what spring break crowds really are like.

 

[Krissy Marissy]

Also I do agree people should still go in the rain. We've spent many a great day at dl in the rain. I guess I just didn't take your post the way it was intended.

 

[Hound 109]

Hound - When we grabbed our FP for Indy it must have been about 9:50 because our return time was 10:30.
I grabbed the Space FP at 10:30 and our return time was 12:30. (Absolutely certain on those numbers as I tried to grab our FP at 10:28 and had to wait two minutes...)
When we were over at the Matterhorn the line for Storybook filled the queue area but did not spill out into the walkways.

Thanks Chiasgirl.

Wow a 9:45-9:50 FP pickup still yields a 10:30 return. For someone who was at the front of the turnstile, that could be their THIRD FP.

So on your day, one could have gotten to DL at 8am, toured & picked up 4 FPs & hopped to DCA at 10:30 am.


RE Storybook.....I've plugged in ridemax scenarios & asked a dozen dis vets & darned if i can figure out the best time to ride this ride. (probably line up when a parade is passing by & ride it when it re-opens).

Thanks again.

 

[Chiasgirl]

I also live nearby and go several times a month and apologize if I took your post the wrong way. The last posts I've seen have all been spring break crowd related and I dont want to give the wrong impression that it wont be crowded when they arrive is all. I stated that a super chilly rainy day doesn't give a great impression of what spring break crowds really are like.

No worries - The number of locals with AP are obviously a huge factor when looking at crowds and the weather will definitely keep them away. With all the "What Can I Expect" threads I thought I'd relate our exerience so that others can see what is possible on a rainy Sunday in March. Definitely much more than a beautiful day...

 

[Chiasgirl]

Thanks Chiasgirl.

Wow a 9:45-9:50 FP pickup still yields a 10:30 return. For someone who was at the front of the turnstile, that could be their THIRD FP.

So on your day, one could have gotten to DL at 8am, toured & picked up 4 FPs & hopped to DCA at 10:30 am.

Wonderful isn't it? We usually grab Space and Indy first thing when the return times are still fairly short and then grab Big Thunder later on since it is rarely more than an hour wait until your return window.