RideMax CA Adventure Trouble

[SunDevilDaddy]

Let me start off by saying although we haven't gone to the park yet, I'd recommend RideMax to anyone for DLR trip planning.

Now... on to the problem spots. We will be spending one day of our trip in CA Adventure and I am trying to plan out our day but the big problem I am running into is that the majority of the shows are not included in ridemax's database. So in order to schedule in our Character Meal at Ariels Grotto, Aladdin, Playhouse Disney Live, the Brother Bear ceremony, and the DEP I have to stray from Ridemax's suggestions quite heavily and rely on what estimates I could come up with. I think I have a plan on attack (I will list below), but it takes us down to the wire... I have heard repeatedly that you can do everything at CA Adventure in about 1/2 a day. Do these estimates include all the shows?

Here is the agenda I could come up with:
1000 Monsters Inc
Get FPs for GRR & Soarin Over CA
1030 Animation
1100 SOARIN (assuming the fp are active by then)
1130 CHARACTER MEAL
ARIELS GROTTO
Get FPs for CA Screamin & GRR (again)
100 Muppet Vision
145 Mission Tortilla Factory
215 Francis Lady Bug
230 Tuck N Rolls Drive EM Buggies
245 Fliks Flyers
300 Its Tough to be a Bug
330 GRR(using fp)
415 Playhouse Disney
500 Brother Bear
600 ALADDIN
700 Redwood Creek Trail
745 King Tritons Carousel
800 Sun Wheel Gondola
815 SCREAMIN (using fp)
830 DEP

Obviously this is largely based on the assumption that we will be able to get fastpasses for each of the fp rides and I estimated the ride time frames close enough to work.

Again, I am stumped.. if anyone has any ideas or tips on how to attack CA Adventure on a Saturday during the summer I am all (mickey)ears!

 

[stagemomx3]

Here is the agenda I could come up with:
1000 Monsters Inc
Get FPs for GRR & Soarin Over CA
1030 Animation
1100 SOARIN (assuming the fp are active by then)
1130 CHARACTER MEAL
ARIELS GROTTO
Get FPs for CA Screamin & GRR (again)
100 Muppet Vision
145 Mission Tortilla Factory
215 Francis Lady Bug
230 Tuck N Rolls Drive EM Buggies
245 Fliks Flyers
300 Its Tough to be a Bug
330 GRR(using fp)
415 Playhouse Disney
500 Brother Bear
600 ALADDIN
700 Redwood Creek Trail
745 King Tritons Carousel
800 Sun Wheel Gondola
815 SCREAMIN (using fp)
830 DEP

I don't think you can do DCA in 1/2 a day and see all the shows. Of course my family LOVES DCA and spent more time there than DL on our last trip.

The thing I noticed most about your itinerary is that you will be doing a lot of back tracking and criss crossing the park. Do you have a fast pass runner? The Animation building is down by Monsters Inc. and GRR and Soarin are a good little walk across the park from there.

Here's another idea-

FPV- Grab Fast Passes for Soarin and GRR
Monsters Inc
Muppet Vision(It's right next to Monsters Inc.)
PlayHouse Disney
Soarin w/FP Grab second set for later
GRR w/FP Grab second set for later
*Mission Tortilla Factory* if time before Ariels
Ariels Grotto
FPV- Run get FP for Screamin
Bugs Land rides
Aladdin
Animation Building- Could spend A LOT of time here, depends on your interests! Be sure to check out downstairs!
Soarin w/FP
GRR w/FP
Brother Bear/Redwood Trails
Sun Wheel of Death
King Tritons
Screamin w/FP
DEP

This is a VERY VERY FULL day and you all will be exhausted! I would split it into two days, but you may not have that possiblity, or skip some things.

 

[SunDevilDaddy]

The crisscrossing is in large part due to the fact that I am breaking up or ridemax itinerary into blocks of time so that we can account for the shows that are not included in ridemax. So when I enter a new block of time it doesn't know what part of the park I've been to and where I am currently coming from.

In your experience is CA Adventure easy to do in the standard rotate counterclockwise through the park stopping at the next ride along the path way? Or, would having a plan for CA Adventure (like we have for Disneyland) be beneficial? I read that the lines don't get too long at CA because it isn't as popular, but I'm skeptical.

 

[stagemomx3]

We have gone at very uncrowded times of the year, early June and late October so I'm not to sure of how it would compare. Because you can fast pass the biggies there I would focus on each area and then move on.

I'm thinking that if you have kids young enough to enjoy Playhouse Disney you might want to skip Aladdin(though it's a fabulous show.)


I also didn't see dinner on your schedule?

I just think trying to fit in all the rides you want to, plus a character meal, plus the shows is going to be to much in one day, and things could turn less than magical towards the end of the day.

 

[hlbtimes2]

In this instance, I think you would be better off ditching the ridemax plan. I would look over their info, get an idea of when a good time to ride which ride. I wouldnt try to use their plan and see that many shows. By trying to follow their plan you are going to waste a lot of time walking back and forth across the park.

I would probably get a FP for soarin and GRR, then head over and ride TOT and monsters inc. While in that area see the shows in the back lot area- play house disney, muppets (or go to bugs land at this point-I would rather ride the bug rides then go to muppets or playhouse disney). See what you have time for before your lunch at Ariels. After lunch, I would do screamin',or at least get a fp while you are back there. Check out the rest of the pier area, then head over to GRR and soarin' and catch Aladdin.

 

[SunDevilDaddy]

In this instance, I think you would be better off ditching the ridemax plan. I would look over their info, get an idea of when a good time to ride which ride. I wouldnt try to use their plan and see that many shows. By trying to follow their plan you are going to waste a lot of time walking back and forth across the park.

I would probably get a FP for soarin and GRR, then head over and ride TOT and monsters inc. While in that area see the shows in the back lot area- play house disney, muppets (or go to bugs land at this point-I would rather ride the bug rides then go to muppets or playhouse disney). See what you have time for before your lunch at Ariels. After lunch, I would do screamin',or at least get a fp while you are back there. Check out the rest of the pier area, then head over to GRR and soarin' and catch Aladdin.

Thanks for confirming my suspicions. The more I think about it the more I agree that with all the shows we're attaching ridemax isn't going to provide the best possible itinerary. We are skipping TOT (I hate heights, kids are too timid) but my assumption is that we will ride GRR somewhere around a billion times - these types of rides always seem to be favorites with my entire family. I will start by getting fps for Soaring and GRR 1st thing and then just work our way around the park.

That being said - I was discussing with DW last night and she said "I dont care about the rides so much at CA. I want to make sure we see the shows."
Well... we're doing CA our last day and I think by that time the kids might not be so awestruck with the atmosphere and their attention will turn to RIDES RIDES RIDES... so I guess its going to be a careful balance.

 

[blackjackdelta]

We actually really enjoy CA but never try to do it on our last day since the focus turns out to be DL and we won't be back for awhile. Shows are important but the rides are fun for us because of the mix and TOT and screamin are probably our favorites. Aladdin is not to be missed.

Jack

 

[Hound 109]

We actually really enjoy CA but never try to do it on our last day since the focus turns out to be DL and we won't be back for awhile. Shows are important but the rides are fun for us because of the mix and TOT and screamin are probably our favorites. Aladdin is not to be missed.

Jack

I agree with BlackJackDelta. Aladdin is not to be missed.

(& don't follow the sheep onto the ground floor...ask the CM when you enter the Aladdin line about Mezzanine....we sat front row center Mezzanine because we saw there was already a long line for downstairs & asked the CM & he pointed to a small group of about 10-15 people who were lined up for the Mez.)

With the ages of your group, I'd consider the following on one of your "DL days" (especially if you got there early and got alot in.....& now it's getting crowded) :

- Stroll on over to DCA at 11ish.

- See if there are characters near the front fountain (we saw Tourist Mickey & Tourist Goofy).

- Have the kids & wife sit near the fountain (kind of a hub) for a few minutes while you pick up a Soarin & Griz FP (very near each other).

- When you return in 5 minutes stroll on over to Bugs Land (or whatever it's called). 4 themed kiddie rides & the 3D Bugs life show.

- Ride Soarin &/or Griz. Who cares if you get wet, it's warm and you're probably going to your room soon for a break anyways.

A great 2 hour "break" from DL before returning (or before going to your room for a break).

hound

 

[brenda1966]

Great suggestions here. I think your ridemax plan is too jam packed and you won't be able to do it.

I've experienced LONG, slow moving lines at the sunwheel. The line just stands there!

I also second the opinion of saving DL for your last day and hopping over to DCA at opening after a DL morning. Spent part of the day at DCA, back to the hotel for a nap/swim and then back over to DL for the evening. I like to spend my last day in DL, not DCA (although I do like DCA.) We've always hopped over to DCA for partial days and been able to do and see everythign there we wanted to.

I'm just stumped at the Monster's Inc lines being long. Have people just discovered this ride? Do the lines really get long for it? It was walk on last July -- we rode it over and over and over.

 

[HydroGuy]

I have heard repeatedly that you can do everything at CA Adventure in about 1/2 a day.

You heard wrong or heard from people who do not like DCA or do not know DCA. If you really want to do DCA you need at least one day and probably a bit more. But rather than spend a solid day at DCA it is usually best to fit in the 1+ day as pieces over a 3+ day trip. You can probably do all of the rides at DCA in less than a day, but then you would miss shows and parades - shows such as

Aladdin (I agree - do not miss it)
Block Party Bash (lots of fun)
High School Musical Pep Rally (haven't seen it yet - will see it next Thursday )
Disney Electrical Parade

Plus, if it is your first time and you have kids then plan for 90 minutes at the Animation Studios which includes 20 minutes for Turtle Talk With Crush. DO NOT MISS TTwC (unless you have already seen it).

 

[VWCat]

I agree,don't miss Aladdin...also you can get on the sunwheel super fast if you DO NOT have a swinging gondola and it's less nausea

 

[brenda1966]

I agree,don't miss Aladdin...also you can get on the sunwheel super fast if you DO NOT have a swinging gondola and it's less nausea

Ah, but what's the point if your gondola doesn't swing! Then I wouldn't be screaming in fright. (And I wouldn't even bother to ride).

 

[fairycat]

I am an AP and I am always sad (until I see some of the shorter lines ) what some people say about DCA, I find its a fun park.

I agree with some of the planning hints you have already been given. I also agree don't miss Aladdin it really is an great show! I personally thought Muppets was a fun show too.

I also agree give time to the Animation building I love it!! It is cool and comfortable inside, go see Turtle Talk, the kids will love it, I also have had so much fun at the new show were they teach you to draw a charector. They changes charectors every show. Also as pointed out go play downstairs. I always end up spending a lot more time then I originally think I will in there.

Bugs Life is also a great show and I enjoyed the California Dreams show but not sure if everyone in your party would.

Some of the Carnival style rides and the little rollercoaster are also a lot of fun. And for the first time me and DH on NYE (it was VERY busy in both parks that night) had a lot of fun on the Bear Trails. And if its hot go hit the water area by the Big Orange its a blast!

 

[Misskitty3]

We are skipping TOT (I hate heights, kids are too timid) but my assumption is that we will ride GRR somewhere around a billion times - these types of rides always seem to be favorites with my entire family. I will start by getting fps for Soaring and GRR 1st thing and then just work our way around the park.
.

If you hate heights, you may not want to do the sun wheel...

Also, Playhouse Disney should only be seen if time permits, IMO. I wouldn't skip the DEP or GRR or Soarin' to see this show as it isn't that great. However, it is inside and air conditioned so that is a plus...

 

[SunDevilDaddy]

If you hate heights, you may not want to do the sun wheel...

Also, Playhouse Disney should only be seen if time permits, IMO. I wouldn't skip the DEP or GRR or Soarin' to see this show as it isn't that great. However, it is inside and air conditioned so that is a plus...

Ohhh... I wont be on the sunwheel. I HATE ferris wheels! But DW wants to go on it and take the kids... I will be found waiting at the exit line chomping on a corndog.

DW also wants to see Playhouse Disney badly.. and what DW wants.. DW gets! (it was part of the conditions laid down when she agreed to let me get a plasma tv)

 

[disneyscootergal]

Plus, if it is your first time and you have kids then plan for 90 minutes at the Animation Studios which includes 20 minutes for Turtle Talk With Crush. DO NOT MISS TTwC (unless you have already seen it).

Can you JUST go see Turtle Talk, or is there an order of activities that you must follow? (I'll be by myself, and I don't want to devote 90 minutes to the Animation Building, but I do want to see Crush!)

 

[HydroGuy]

Can you JUST go see Turtle Talk, or is there an order of activities that you must follow? (I'll be by myself, and I don't want to devote 90 minutes to the Animation Building, but I do want to see Crush!)

Yes, you can just see TTwC. You do not need to see the rest of the Animation Studios. For most adults that is probably the best thing, and even TTwC is not quite as fun without kids along.

 

[fairycat]

Can you JUST go see Turtle Talk, or is there an order of activities that you must follow? (I'll be by myself, and I don't want to devote 90 minutes to the Animation Building, but I do want to see Crush!)

I have to say personally without kids I found the drawing class more fun but that is me. I also think even as an adult you should leave downstairs so you can find out what charector you are.

One other thing, if there is no charectors in the side gallery go see the displays, it only takes as long as as it takes for you to walk but there is some great artwork that shows how charectors looked in the inital stages od designs. I love the Alice and Tinkerbell pieces the best, which is funny cause Tinkerbell is not my favorite.

My suggestion is go in and find out what the wait time is for Crush (usually I believe shows go about every 20mins) and if you have time go walk around a bit then go see the show.

 

[disneyscootergal]

My suggestion is go in and find out what the wait time is for Crush (usually I believe shows go about every 20mins) and if you have time go walk around a bit then go see the show.

That sounds good!

 

[DisneyDotty]

Sorry to butt in--are the Soarin and River Rapids FPs NOT connected? You can get both at the same time?
Thanks!