Really think I can do both parks in one day - TP info included in post

[SteveMP]

That plan looks doable to me. There is no way to tell for sure but I would estimate 1.5 -2 hours for Space Mountain, 45 min for Star Tours, and then roughly 30-45 min for most of the others. Snow White and Pinochio shorter, castle walkthrough could be 2-5 min start to finish. Star Wars launch bay I could spend hours in. But if you aren't a SW fan or don't care about M&Gs then could be 30-45 minutes to see most stuff.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

As AP holders we often go for just one day. Obviously you can't see or do everything or even close to everything but it's still fun. The only thing that would worry me is if you get a random high-crowd day. The crowd calendars are so notoriously off. I have been to the parks on a day that I expected to be low crowds and it was high and it's not as fun. When it's crowded, it's hard to just move from one part of a park to another never mind hopping between parks. If you are flexible I would go for two days. After all, it's your birthday, why not enjoy it?

 

[tiffjoy]

As everyone else has said, toss out believing TP, especially on the crowd level. I don't think 2/3 crowds even exist anymore, and when low crowd days do, it's very random and doesn't line up with TP.

I think it's definitely possible to do both parks in one day, but only if you let some rides go and decide what you really want to focus on doing. It's a great way to spend a little time and see quite a bit, but not everything, and have time for other activities, like Malibu. SoCal isn't just Disney, much as I love it.

Your wait times for some rides seem off to me, which is where following TP will get to you. I don't think a 6 minute wait for Alice an hour after opening is realistic at all. More like 15-20ish for a weekday in Oct. Same with Nemo subs- no way it will be 10 minutes in the afternoon. That is at opening. You could wait 40 min for that, and btw, I so wouldn't bother. Matterhorn seems a little optimistic to me, as well, but it is possible. I guess what I am saying is that be prepared to not get done as much as you have listed. I would also consider that you don't have time to stop and grab meals and snacks, which are really great at DLR.

 

[Jedi Mouse]

I would suggest downloading the Disneyland App and checking wait times during various times of the day on the mid-week days a few weeks out from your trip. That will give you a little better idea of realistic wait times.

 

[Geemo]

Here's my Touring Plan for Disneyland

I tried TP once.....

You know what interests you in each park. TP can give you a vague idea of a plan. Use it as a guideline and see how it goes.
Since you are on a limited time schedule, you might want to buy the MaxPass option. This will save you from having to actually walk to a FP machine.

You've heard opinions of TP, read up on how MaxPass (MP) is coming along in the parks.
Check this thread out. https://www.disboards.com/threads/maxpass-digital-fastpass-discussion-thread.3592571/page-60
On page 60 post #1181 has an outline of their experience of MP from yesterday.

I anticipate the parks to be quite busy on October 4th. I'll be there from the 2nd to the 7th with two of my adult grandkids.
With the MHP on Tuesday and Friday, plus Gay Days Fri., Sat and Sun, things will be hopping in both parks!

Along with Touring Plans there is also another one called RideMax. I've never used it and am not sure of how people feel that have.
Here's a link to their website. http://www.ridemax.com/order You might do a search on the board to see the opinions of members.

Good luck with you planning.

Geemo

 

[PHXscuba]

Haunted Mansion won't be 5 minutes that time of year with the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay (although it does have a FP). And even with a FP for Indiana Jones, just the walk *back* to the loading zone (after the FP merge) will take 5-10 minutes alone -- kind of like the Ariel ride at MK.

The price of a one-day parkhopper on Oct 4 is $157. The price of a 2-day single park ticket ticket is only $199. Would having an extra day to take it all in be worth $42 each?

PHXscuba

 

[minnieralyks]

If you're going for only one day and plan on eating in park and taking a quick break every few hours or so (if park hours are from 8 am to 10 p.m.), I would suggest picking out your top 12 rides overall and anything over is a plus.


We were able to knock out these in one day (in almost exact order) when we were there in October with some newbies. However, we have been to Disneyland many, many, many times and know precisely where everything is. We also utilized FP and I was the FP "runner" while everyone was walking to the next destination. It can get very overwhelming if you've never been before and are trying to race, so keep that in mind as well.
Peter Pan
Alice
Snow White
Mr. Toad
Pinocchio
Dumbo
Indy FP
Haunted Mansion
11:30 lunch
Jungle Cruise
Big Thunder FP
Star Tours FP
Autopia
Buzz
*BREAK at hotel* 2:30

We did a Halloween party after this, but I assume we could have gotten the following done if we never went back to the hotel and pushed through the whole day:
Soarin'
RSR - without FP, this one can be a PITB for wait times in the afternoon
Mater's
TSMM -same as above
GRR
8pm midweek close

*We would have substituted a few of these rides for the fireworks/Fantasmic/parade, though. However, midweek there would only be a parade available.

 

[Nicmitt]

Thank you all for your input. I will go back to the original plan of spending a day in each park, with MaxPass.

After Disney we head to CalJam and then 3 days in La Jolla/San Diego so I will just stay focused on Disney for those 2 days.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Since your dates will be midweek, there is a good chance that you won't have fireworks or F!. But, if the budget allows, I highly recommend trying the WOC Dessert Party. That would be a really fun way to end an evening in DCA. And WOC shows nightly pretty much throughout the year.