Radiator Springs Racers: Latest Wait Times?

[MichaelColey]

We've been here all week, and the lines are definitely diminishing with school back in session. Disneyland and the rest of California Adventure have been excellent, and Carsland has been busy but better than what I've seen reported up through this point.

Most days, the standby line has ranged from 60 to 90 minutes. FastPasses haven't been running out until 10am - 10:30am. Single rider line has been 20-30 minutes much of the day, although it does get considerably longer later in the day.

This morning, we had APEE so we were there an hour before the park opened to the public. We didn't get there early enough to take full advantage of it (about 8:30am ) but the kids and I rode RSR with the single rider line TWICE in half an hour, and my wife get in the FP line. Our return time was 10:20am and FPs didn't run out until about 10:30am, so we actually got TWO sets of FPs today.

We've seen breakdowns several times.

 

[Blue32]

Thanks for the update. Sounds like we may be able to ride altogether and still have time to get a Fastpass before they run out then when we go....

 

[MichaelColey]

If you have early entry, definitely. With normal entry, it'll depend on the crowd level. We rode standby with early entry (and were pretty close to the rope) and were getting off the ride at about 9:50am. Another day, RSR was broke down the first hour or two we were here.

 

[RaceCar]

It was even more fun in dark

Hello! How can we make it so that our fast passes are for nighttime? Is that a tricky proposition or do the machines open again at a later time?

 

[Momrow]

Hello! How can we make it so that our fast passes are for nighttime? Is that a tricky proposition or do the machines open again at a later time?

They don't expire within the day. We used fastpasses that were at 8:45am at 8:00pm because we wanted to ride at night.

 

[LisaT91403]

Hello! How can we make it so that our fast passes are for nighttime? Is that a tricky proposition or do the machines open again at a later time?

One word of caution -- if you wait until dark, and then the ride breaks down, you are out of luck. We waited, and we were about 2 minutes away from getting onto the ride. But then it broke down. You should have heard the moans and groans! The people in front of us had used their FastPasses earlier in the day, but the ride broke down and they didn't get on (nor did they get their FPs returned to them). So they were trying again, and then it broke. This time, they decided to wait it out, and it was down for about 40 minutes.

Anyway, if you are only going to have one chance to ride, it's risky to wait until dark.

 

[RaceCar]

One word of caution -- if you wait until dark, and then the ride breaks down, you are out of luck. We waited, and we were about 2 minutes away from getting onto the ride. But then it broke down. You should have heard the moans and groans! The people in front of us had used their FastPasses earlier in the day, but the ride broke down and they didn't get on (nor did they get their FPs returned to them). So they were trying again, and then it broke. This time, they decided to wait it out, and it was down for about 40 minutes.

Anyway, if you are only going to have one chance to ride, it's risky to wait until dark.

That sounds terrible! What's the trick to getting 2 fast passes in a day? Maybe that's the way to go. That way we can ride in the day and have a spare in case we're lucky enough for a working ride at night. I guess we could just brave the standby lines.

 

[MichaelColey]

What's the trick to getting 2 fast passes in a day?

At this time, it requires a combination of a slow day (so that there are still FPs available later in the morning) and early entry (so your first FP has an early return). Here's how it worked out for us on Thursday:

This morning, we had APEE so we were there an hour before the park opened to the public. We didn't get there early enough to take full advantage of it (about 8:30am ) but the kids and I rode RSR with the single rider line TWICE in half an hour, and my wife get in the FP line. Our return time was 10:20am and FPs didn't run out until about 10:30am, so we actually got TWO sets of FPs today.

I totally agree about riding it when you get a chance. There are just too many breakdowns right now.

Personally, I didn't think there was a huge difference between riding during the day and at night. Radiator Springs itself is much cooler at night, with all the neon lights, but RSR is about the same either way, IMHO.

 

[RaceCar]

Thanks so much for the tips Michael. We're very excited for our upcoming trip!

 

[DisneyJulieZ]

Thanks for the info! Can't wait till our October trip...hoping the crowds are more manageable then and that we can possibly ride standby AND get at least one (maybe 2?!?) sets of FP's...
(well, one can dream anyway! We are going mid-week...fingers crossed!)

 

[BriannaRuth]

We were there from Monday through Friday this week and did not have a lot of luck with RSR. We had early entry every AM as DLH guests.

On Monday we arrived at 7:30 for 8:00 EE. Were about 20 people back in line. We were hoping to try the "wide right" technique, but this didn't happen as there was no rope drop. RSR had a 20 minute wait when we arrived. Made it off the ride at about 7:45, by that time the wait was showing 60 minutes. DH got in the FP line. We checked back a couple times during the day and RSR was closed each time, including the last time about 8:30 (10pm park closing). Waited til about 9:15 and decided to go do something else. It finally opened back up sometime after that, maybe around 9:30, but by that time half of us had already left the park. DH and DD did get to ride as they hung around and waited.

(Although there was no rope drop for EE, there was a rope drop for regular entry guests, with MUCH bigger crowds at that time and wait times on RSR already at 60+ by the time they entered the park.)

We had similar situations the rest of the week, waiting in line for FPs then going back and finding the ride closed. Standby times were about 90 minutes most times we checked.

Also had no luck with Luigi's. Wait times were 40+ by the time we got off RSR and remained so every time we checked. We didn't think it was worth the wait so never rode it. We were able to ride Mater's without much wait after doing RSR on EE days.

In spite of the RSR problems, the rest of the park was great. Monday through Thursday we hardly had to wait more than 20 minutes for anything. Wait times did go up quite a bit on Friday in both parks.

 

[mrswh]

Today was a crazy day. No EE for either park; both parks opened at 9:00 but they allowed guests into DCA (allegedly for Soarin' and WOC FPs only) starting around 8:35. We were at the main entrance and the lines to get into DCA were backed up to the DL turnstiles. Got in line around 8:35 and into the park a few minutes before 9:00. There was no rope drop and about a million people in line for RSR FPs already. The CM at the end of the line told my DH that the line for FPs was an hour and we wondered if he'd even get any. Turned out not to be true - he got FPs at 9:25 with a 1:00-2:00 return time. By 9:15 the standby line was 120 minutes.

We checked back a few times and the standby line was never less than 90 minutes - usually more in the 120 range. We used our FPs around 1:30 and waited maybe 15 minutes - and LOVED the ride!

We are supposed to get EMH tomorrow (though they told us we were supposed to get DL EMH today and they canceled it at the last minute, so I'm not holding my breath). I hope we do . . . we are hoping to ride RSR and be done by 9:00 to hop in the FP line. We want to ride again at night.

 

[elaw]

Today was a crazy day. No EE for either park; both parks opened at 9:00 but they allowed guests into DCA (allegedly for Soarin' and WOC FPs only) starting around 8:35. We were at the main entrance and the lines to get into DCA were backed up to the DL turnstiles. Got in line around 8:35 and into the park a few minutes before 9:00. There was no rope drop and about a million people in line for RSR FPs already. The CM at the end of the line told my DH that the line for FPs was an hour and we wondered if he'd even get any. Turned out not to be true - he got FPs at 9:25 with a 1:00-2:00 return time. By 9:15 the standby line was 120 minutes.

We checked back a few times and the standby line was never less than 90 minutes - usually more in the 120 range. We used our FPs around 1:30 and waited maybe 15 minutes - and LOVED the ride!

We are supposed to get EMH tomorrow (though they told us we were supposed to get DL EMH today and they canceled it at the last minute, so I'm not holding my breath). I hope we do . . . we are hoping to ride RSR and be done by 9:00 to hop in the FP line. We want to ride again at night.

We were there today too ... Got into the park around 8:45 and thats when rope drop happened. So we basically headed straight for rsr ... They held us back at the beginning of the RSR entry until 9:00am .... The ride was not "operational" yet but they let us fill the queue. We probably waited another 15 minutes in line and then they started filling cars and the line started moving. One of the shortest waits we've had yet .... By the time we exited 9:30ish, the stand by sign showed a 120 wait.

 

[jen541]

Are there any strategies you all can share as far as getting fast passes for RSR? We will have EE. Which line should we get in, how early... what is "stay wide right" mean? Where should I head when we enter the turnstiles (aside from following the herd)? Can we (should we) use the GC entrance? We are staying at DLH.

Thanks for any help!

 

[Amommy21]

We just got back from 6 days at DL and DCA.

Radiator Springs just requires an hour and a half wait period, if your lucky. Either you wait at the ride or you wait at the gate. For best results you should be among the first in line on an early entry.

We used our Annual Pass one time Early Entry on Tuesday morning. We had to register ahead of time and they checked us in to certain gates roped off only for AP holders. We arrived 7:15 for our 8am EE and were held by baggage check for a time before they let us line up by the gates. It was obvious that most people in line were locals coming to check out the new Cars Land. We were about 6th from the gate.

Once the park was opened everyone walked directly to the back of Cars Land. Lots of employees along the way telling people not to run, of course people do anyway. Really, for better crowd control they should just have a couple of employees do the slow walk with the rope.

By the time we hit the entrance for the ride the operators said it was down, but expected it to be up shortly and let us line up... many people walked out. In reality the wait time wasn't much more than it took us to walk through the queue and then just a few minutes of loading those in front of us... but if you add that with the time we waited to get in the park it was really just over an hour.

Although we were among the first 50 on the ride, by the time we got off the ride was already at a 95 minute wait and park opening wasn't until 9am! We were a little stunned at the crowd and wanted to look around. DH went to figure out the FP line and DS and I peaked in a shop (in retrospect we should have gotten directly in a line for on of the smaller rides) DH then found out the FP machines didn't open until official park opening time (which was 9am that day) and the line was already forming, so he decided to get in line.

DH and I then basically walked on going through the single rider line two times (both time we were in the same car, just front and back seat). So in the first hour we were able to go 3 times. WARNING - Results not typical!

FP opened up and DH met us and we got in line for the Luigi ride with a 30 min wait (which really needs the kinks worked out... rides best with at little weight as possible, like one adult, thus a MAJOR slow loader). Then we did the tractor ride after a 40 min wait, got a drink and it was time to use our FP for our 4th time through Radiator Springs. At that point both the regular and single rider line were over any time I would consider reasonable.

It was super hot, there is little shade to be found, we were anxious to explore the shops and take a few photos and next thing we knew it was 1am and time to head over to Carthay Circle for our lunch reservations.

So basically it took us 3 hours to go on RS 4 times, and once each the other two rides, peak in the shops really quick and take a couple photos.

DH and DS went early entry the next day at DL and park hopped over to DCA at main opening rode once or twice then ate at FLO's because DS thought it would be fun. DH didn't think the food was anythign special. They tried to get FP's, but no luck. Later in the day the ride was down off and on. Dissapointing. I guess we figured it would only be torture to go over and look around in the evening and not have FP's to ride, even though we wanted to see the lights come on. And because it had been down off and on all day we chose to do other things.

We are anxious to go back in a few months when crowds are lighter to explore Cars Land more. Honestly I wasn't all that excited about going, but the big new ride was super well done, it's a classic and will last.

 

[DisneyJulieZ]

Thanks for the great, detailed info amommy21!

Really hoping mid-week crowds in mid-Oct. will be more manageable...we don't have any EE/EMH :-( Just a 2-day PH staying off-site....
(sigh)....

 

[cobbler]

Today was a crazy day. No EE for either park; both parks opened at 9:00 but they allowed guests into DCA (allegedly for Soarin' and WOC FPs only) starting around 8:35. We were at the main entrance and the lines to get into DCA were backed up to the DL turnstiles. Got in line around 8:35 and into the park a few minutes before 9:00. There was no rope drop and about a million people in line for RSR FPs already. The CM at the end of the line told my DH that the line for FPs was an hour and we wondered if he'd even get any. Turned out not to be true - he got FPs at 9:25 with a 1:00-2:00 return time. By 9:15 the standby line was 120 minutes.

We checked back a few times and the standby line was never less than 90 minutes - usually more in the 120 range. We used our FPs around 1:30 and waited maybe 15 minutes - and LOVED the ride!

We are supposed to get EMH tomorrow (though they told us we were supposed to get DL EMH today and they canceled it at the last minute, so I'm not holding my breath). I hope we do . . . we are hoping to ride RSR and be done by 9:00 to hop in the FP line. We want to ride again at night.

It was canceled today due to the half marathon this morning. There were signs put outside of each park on Thursday saying Saturday would be EE for DL & Sunday for DCA. All the running events are done now so EE is back for both parks starting tomorrow.

 

[marcemc]

If we are able to ride it both early in the morning and then at night with FP I would be soooo happy

IMHO I actually think you did pretty good

We were there from Monday through Friday this week and did not have a lot of luck with RSR. We had early entry every AM as DLH guests.

On Monday we arrived at 7:30 for 8:00 EE. Were about 20 people back in line. We were hoping to try the "wide right" technique, but this didn't happen as there was no rope drop. RSR had a 20 minute wait when we arrived. Made it off the ride at about 7:45, by that time the wait was showing 60 minutes. DH got in the FP line. We checked back a couple times during the day and RSR was closed each time, including the last time about 8:30 (10pm park closing). Waited til about 9:15 and decided to go do something else. It finally opened back up sometime after that, maybe around 9:30, but by that time half of us had already left the park. DH and DD did get to ride as they hung around and waited.

(Although there was no rope drop for EE, there was a rope drop for regular entry guests, with MUCH bigger crowds at that time and wait times on RSR already at 60+ by the time they entered the park.)

We had similar situations the rest of the week, waiting in line for FPs then going back and finding the ride closed. Standby times were about 90 minutes most times we checked.

Also had no luck with Luigi's. Wait times were 40+ by the time we got off RSR and remained so every time we checked. We didn't think it was worth the wait so never rode it. We were able to ride Mater's without much wait after doing RSR on EE days.

In spite of the RSR problems, the rest of the park was great. Monday through Thursday we hardly had to wait more than 20 minutes for anything. Wait times did go up quite a bit on Friday in both parks.

 

[mrswh]

It was canceled today due to the half marathon this morning. There were signs put outside of each park on Thursday saying Saturday would be EE for DL & Sunday for DCA. All the running events are done now so EE is back for both parks starting tomorrow.

Right - as of Friday night the information was that there would be EE at DL on Saturday morning and DCA on Sunday morning. But Saturday morning they canceled EE at DL so there was no EE anywhere.

 

[thankudrivethru]

Last time i went, which was last week, the wait time was 40 some minutes and that was at like 5pm ish...