RANDOM DL Questions!

This week (spring break) and last August when we were here, DCA opens two hours later than DLR. DLR at 8, DCA at 10. However, you can walk into DCA at 9:30. Soarin' is the only ride I know of that is open before 10, but that's a great time to walk on with no wait, then zip down to TSMM when the rope drops in Sunshine Plaza at 10.

I'll give you another hint, and hope that I don't spoil my little secret. Instead of going on Soarin' when they let you in at 9:30, keep walking past Soarin up to where the entrance to the GCH is located. The last two times I stayed there, they formed a queue outside the hotel entrance. It's mostly hotel guests who are in line there, but at 5 to 10:00 they walk the whole line over to TSM and you get on the ride before all the people waiting in Sunshine Plaza. You'll see them sprinting over the hill to Paradise Pier as you are exiting the ride. ;)
 
I appreciate you sharing that hint! It might be our best approach. I think we're using one of our GAD vouchers for FP's, so we'll have Soarin covered.

Thanks!:thumbsup2
 
I appreciate you sharing that hint! It might be our best approach. I think we're using one of our GAD vouchers for FP's, so we'll have Soarin covered.

Thanks!:thumbsup2

Just so you aren't disappointed - they don't always do this. The times we have been there, we have been at the rope drop at GRR prior to 10:00 and they have not walked the line over to TSMM early. Not sure what is the deciding factor as to when they do it and when they don't, either way, I think it's still a good idea to be at the rope drop by 10.
 

Just so you aren't disappointed - they don't always do this. The times we have been there, we have been at the rope drop at GRR prior to 10:00 and they have not walked the line over to TSMM early. Not sure what is the deciding factor as to when they do it and when they don't, either way, I think it's still a good idea to be at the rope drop by 10.

Thanks! Either way if we can make it over there then, we'll still be in good shape. Better study my map. I'm not familiar at all with how to get around DCA!

We plan on doing one or 2 things at DL first. What time would you suggest leaving that park to get there in time?
 
We plan on doing one or 2 things at DL first. What time would you suggest leaving that park to get there in time?

When we go to DCA we always go by 9:15 or so, so we are near the front when they open the gates at 9:30. We get on the first "flight" of Soarin' and are in line for the rope drop at GRR by about 9:50. When we have done this before, it's always the off season, so I am sure with higher crowds it might be tougher to get Soarin' done before rope drop.
 
NEW RANDOM QUESTION:

We're checking in to HoJo the night of June 10th for 3 nights. I told my husband we didn't need a view of the park because we'll be in the parks the following 2 days. He wanted a view so we could watch fireworks that first night.
Someone else posted recently that the 10th is a Grad Night. Will there be fireworks? If so, will they be the normal time? If not, we don't really need the view.
 
NEW RANDOM QUESTION:

We're checking in to HoJo the night of June 10th for 3 nights. I told my husband we didn't need a view of the park because we'll be in the parks the following 2 days. He wanted a view so we could watch fireworks that first night.
Someone else posted recently that the 10th is a Grad Night. Will there be fireworks? If so, will they be the normal time? If not, we don't really need the view.
That point is discussed around here and is uncertain. On grad nights DL closes at 9PM. Usually fireworks are held at 9:25PM. In the mid-summer it will not get dark until almost 9PM. It seems that sometimes DL has the fireworks on grad nights and sometimes not. I would not count on it at this point. But it may happen. If they do they are earlier than 9:25.

FWIW, there will be fireworks in the middle of the night for grad nights. I heard they may do it twice. You may be able to see these from Hojo between midnight and 6AM. If you would prefer to sleep they may wake you up if you are on that side of the hotel. Something to think about.
 
That point is discussed around here and is uncertain. On grad nights DL closes at 9PM. Usually fireworks are held at 9:25PM. In the mid-summer it will not get dark until almost 9PM. It seems that sometimes DL has the fireworks on grad nights and sometimes not. I would not count on it at this point. But it may happen. If they do they are earlier than 9:25.

FWIW, there will be fireworks in the middle of the night for grad nights. I heard they may do it twice. You may be able to see these from Hojo between midnight and 6AM. If you would prefer to sleep they may wake you up if you are on that side of the hotel. Something to think about.

How late does grad night run?
 
I'll give you another hint, and hope that I don't spoil my little secret. Instead of going on Soarin' when they let you in at 9:30, keep walking past Soarin up to where the entrance to the GCH is located. The last two times I stayed there, they formed a queue outside the hotel entrance. It's mostly hotel guests who are in line there, but at 5 to 10:00 they walk the whole line over to TSM and you get on the ride before all the people waiting in Sunshine Plaza. You'll see them sprinting over the hill to Paradise Pier as you are exiting the ride. ;)

Unfortunately this doesn't work so well when it's super crowded! We tried that one day and it turns out it takes longer to go around the back way than to just start out in Sunshine Plaza. We actually saw the opposite of what you experienced - when we came down from Sunshine Plaza we saw all the people coming around the other way trying to catch up!
 





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