Radiator Springs Strategy

[Ann-CA]

My son LOVES Cars (as many preschool boys do). We think he’s finally tall enough to ride Radiator Springs Racers as he’s been clearing 40” mark at other theme parks we’ve been to. My CM friend was able to get a reservation to bring us starting at CA. Our only priorities that day will probably be RSR and maybe BTMRR as I think those are the rides he’d like now that he’s tall enough.

We can try for it if it’s our only option, but I’m not feeling likely that we’ll make RD. We have an hour drive plus parking with two toddlers. If we did do RD, how early would we need to be there? We also would need to do Rider Switch as my daughter is still too little. Would that set us back even if we tried to RD?

If we couldn’t RD and didn’t want to buy ILL, is there a time of day (this will be a Saturday) that would be best to try to ride? Or are lines just crazy long all day?

 

[JerrodDragon89]

You can try to rope drop it but if it's a day when Hotel guests get to go into DCA early then the line will be over 40 mins even then.

But rope drop is your best bet or after the ride closes and comes back up

 

[nlenguyen]

I have been to DCA quite a bit where Park opening does not have RSR open. Usually it has always been 9am which is an hour after park opening. Not sure if that was just a fluke each time I go or if that is how it works

 

[OlliePop27]

I have been to DCA quite a bit where Park opening does not have RSR open. Usually it has always been 9am which is an hour after park opening. Not sure if that was just a fluke each time I go or if that is how it works

I agree with this 100%. RSR is often not open at rope drop when I go, nor when I look on days I'm not there. I personally do not believe it's a good investment of time to wait for it at rope drop and hope it's open on time. You will miss out on short lines everywhere else. Also, the stampede to RSR is also a lot to handle with preschool age children.

I realize this leaves no great option to ride RSR with a short wait without paying for ILL - blame Disney for the stupidity of ILL. Others may disagree, but just my two cents. I pay for ILL and plan for the cost in advance.

There's actually been recent research that with people paying for ILL and Genie+, many are not actually spending more money at the parks, but shifting their spending around. Maybe you opt to eat at a QS instead of TS or forego merchandise. Maybe Disney will finally do away with the horrible ILL system and add it to regular Genie+ (I do not have as much issue with Genie+).

 

[crystal1313]

this is a tricky one. We attempted RSR in June 2023 at rope drop. It was a hot mess! Everyone was going there. It was intense. People pushing and shoving. By the time we got down there, we were lined up to flos. We knew the line was going to be slow, so we hopped out of line and went to guardians (pretty much a walk on). Our friends stayed in the RSR line. It took them over 3 hours to get on RSR. It broke down twice while in line. Meanwhile, my DH and I rode Guardians twice, Incredicoaster once, shopped, went to Earl of Sandwich and Starbucks and had a leisurely breakfast. All during the time our friends were in the RSR queue. As an adult, I don’t want to wait in a line that long. As a kid, it’s got to be even worse. I am not a fan of genie or ILL, but I would suggest budgeting for an ILL for RSR. Unless you are able to catch it coming back up after it has broken down. Hope you have a great trip!!!

 

[PiratesOfTheSea]

In November we were staying onsite and were planning on getting in line during EE. The ride ended up being down until late morning by which time we decided to do other things. It kept going down intermittently and one of the times they were down for a while and we noticed they were testing the cars so we hung around Cars Land and Pacific Wharf to jump in line when they opened back up. We managed to get in relatively early but with how backed up ILLs were we still ended up waiting almost an hour.

 

[starlite_]

No magical perfect times to ride it. Especially not on a Saturday. I would just buy an ILL if the whole point of the trip is to ride that.

 

[SpaceMan5]

I realize this leaves no great option to ride RSR with a short wait without paying for ILL - blame Disney for the stupidity of ILL. Others may disagree, but just my two cents. I pay for ILL and plan for the cost in advance.

Same here. Since we visit infrequently I am willing to pay.

 

[disny_luvr]

I agree with this 100%. RSR is often not open at rope drop when I go, nor when I look on days I'm not there. I personally do not believe it's a good investment of time to wait for it at rope drop and hope it's open on time. You will miss out on short lines everywhere else. Also, the stampede to RSR is also a lot to handle with preschool age children.

I realize this leaves no great option to ride RSR with a short wait without paying for ILL - blame Disney for the stupidity of ILL. Others may disagree, but just my two cents. I pay for ILL and plan for the cost in advance.

There's actually been recent research that with people paying for ILL and Genie+, many are not actually spending more money at the parks, but shifting their spending around. Maybe you opt to eat at a QS instead of TS or forego merchandise. Maybe Disney will finally do away with the horrible ILL system and add it to regular Genie+ (I do not have as much issue with Genie+).

Hi! Can you tell me approximately how much it costs to buy an ILL for Radiator Springs? We are from the east coast and have never been to Disneyland and while I hate to spend the money on ILL, I'm willing to do it once for this ride so we know we'll actually get to ride it. Thank you!

 

[Ann-CA]

Thanks all! Looks like my best bet is to plan on an ILL. I’m not against paying for it since we aren’t paying for admission. I will need to figure out how that works since my friend is a CM and it’s on her account and I know our admissions are different (ie can’t link MDE for myself).

I guess the good news doing rider switch is my son can ride twice so if we pay for ILL at least he can enjoy double value.

i! Can you tell me approximately how much it costs to buy an ILL for Radiator Springs?

I think it’s $20 per person.

 

[laugard]

Hi! Can you tell me approximately how much it costs to buy an ILL for Radiator Springs? We are from the east coast and have never been to Disneyland and while I hate to spend the money on ILL, I'm willing to do it once for this ride so we know we'll actually get to ride it. Thank you!

It can vary, but usually is between $15 and $22. For instance today it's $16. But it's usually closer to $18 in general and during busy times $20+.

 

[disny_luvr]

It can vary, but usually is between $15 and $22. For instance today it's $16. But it's usually closer to $18 in general and during busy times $20+.

Thank you!

 

[Mle8308]

It won't work in your situation, but when I was there, we did the single rider line. We were on in about 20 minutes when the standby line was 140 minutes. If single rider is an option, and you don't want to pay for an ILL, it's great.

 

[Ann-CA]

It won't work in your situation, but when I was there, we did the single rider line. We were on in about 20 minutes when the standby line was 140 minutes. If single rider is an option, and you don't want to pay for an ILL, it's great.

Funny thing, I’ve probably personally ridden Radiator Springs pre-kids at least a dozen times. I don’t think I’ve ever used the regular line, always single rider!!!

I even thought could I put my 4 year old and get him strapped in to avoid the line but they have a minimum 7 year old to ride alone rule… which is probably good to avoid kids feeling traumatized by being left alone.

 

[chezcurrie]

Thanks all! Looks like my best bet is to plan on an ILL. I’m not against paying for it since we aren’t paying for admission. I will need to figure out how that works since my friend is a CM and it’s on her account and I know our admissions are different (ie can’t link MDE for myself).

I guess the good news doing rider switch is my son can ride twice so if we pay for ILL at least he can enjoy double value.


I think it’s $20 per person.

With rider switch as an option so your son can ride twice I would definitely plan on buying the $LL!

Enjoy your trip!!!

 

[Mle8308]

Funny thing, I’ve probably personally ridden Radiator Springs pre-kids at least a dozen times. I don’t think I’ve ever used the regular line, always single rider!!!

I even thought could I put my 4 year old and get him strapped in to avoid the line but they have a minimum 7 year old to ride alone rule… which is probably good to avoid kids feeling traumatized by being left alone.

Oh, I meant you probably wouldn’t want to do single rider with young kids because you are not likely to be able to ride together. Not that you couldn’t do single rider. I’ve never bought an ILL for it or used the standby line, always single rider, too!

 

[Ann-CA]

Oh, I meant you probably wouldn’t want to do single rider with young kids because you are not likely to be able to ride together. Not that you couldn’t do single rider. I’ve never bought an ILL for it or used the standby line, always single rider, too!

You were clear!

I’ve always wondered who uses the regular line but now that I have kids, I know!