Riding TSMM with minimal wait

[Disney Princess]

We were last at Disneyland in May 2009. At that time, DCA opened unofficially at 9:30 and you could ride Soarin', get a FP for Soarin', and then you could line up by GRR for TSMM. A CM would then walk the group in line to TSMM so there was no rush or madness. I was reading another thread and it sounds like this is no longer the case. I know we can still get in at 9:30, do the Soarin' stuff, get a FP for WoC, but then is it just a mad dash to TSMM? I will just plan for that ride later in the day and not worry about getting there right away if that is the case.

Thanks!

 

[sonnyjane]

I have done both and from now on, I have decided to just wait until later in the day. When I did the early line-up and "brisk walking with purpose" to TSMM, my wait was already about 20 minutes because the group from the main entrance beat my group coming from GRR. The wait later in the day for me is usually 30-35 minutes, so it's not really worth the stress of being pushed and prodded or the time spent lining up in the morning for me just to shave 10 minutes off of the wait time.

 

[HydroGuy]

I have done both and from now on, I have decided to just wait until later in the day. When I did the early line-up and "brisk walking with purpose" to TSMM, my wait was already about 20 minutes because the group from the main entrance beat my group coming from GRR. The wait later in the day for me is usually 30-35 minutes, so it's not really worth the stress of being pushed and prodded or the time spent lining up in the morning for me just to shave 10 minutes off of the wait time.

Ditto.

 

[wdwfan22]

When I was there in November we did the TSMM wait by GRR 2 different mornings. It was the same both times. They did not walk us back, but there were CM's lined up everywhere telling people not to run who tried to. So everyone was speed walking. It was pretty civilized. I think we beat the people from the main entrance both times, anyway I did not see a huge group coming from that way. Both times we were not at the very front of the line, but still only waited about 5 mins once, and 10 the other. Lines were 45 mins every other time I walked by during the day, so it was well worth our time.

 

[HydroGuy]

When I was there in November we did the TSMM wait by GRR 2 different mornings. It was the same both times. They did not walk us back, but there were CM's lined up everywhere telling people not to run who tried to. So everyone was speed walking. It was pretty civilized. I think we beat the people from the main entrance both times, anyway I did not see a huge group coming from that way. Both times we were not at the very front of the line, but still only waited about 5 mins once, and 10 the other. Lines were 45 mins every other time I walked by during the day, so it was well worth our time.

So you reduced your wait time from 45 minutes to 5-10 minutes. How long did you wait at the GRR rope drop? That is the issue with many of us. Because some people come to the rope at 9:30 and thus the TSMM wait is not 5-10 minutes but 35-40 minutes when you count total time waited. Hardly worth the effort over a 45 minute wait later in the day...

 

[marcemc]

So you reduced your wait time from 45 minutes to 5-10 minutes. How long did you wait at the GRR rope drop? That is the issue with many of us. Because some people come to the rope at 9:30 and thus the TSMM wait is not 5-10 minutes but 35-40 minutes when you count total time waited. Hardly worth the effort over a 45 minute wait later in the day...

Exactly, somehow you end up even or actually waited longer. I think you should keep your tradition of going straight to Soarin'

 

[DLR29]

So you reduced your wait time from 45 minutes to 5-10 minutes. How long did you wait at the GRR rope drop? That is the issue with many of us. Because some people come to the rope at 9:30 and thus the TSMM wait is not 5-10 minutes but 35-40 minutes when you count total time waited. Hardly worth the effort over a 45 minute wait later in the day...

See for me going with my young athletic friends, we arrive at the GRR rope drop about 5-10 min before 10. I know this is a good thing for my touring technique because we can usually get in front of most of the crowd by people weaving and "running"

I have entered DCA at 9:45, walked to the GRR rope drop, ran (ahem...walked with purpose) to TSMM and been off of the ride by 10:15.

I know I'm not normal, but still... For me it's worth it, especially if I've already had a successful 1-2 hours at DL beforehand and I have 2-4 FPs already in my pocket (lanyard).

I was a little thrown off this past weekend when they didn't have the mad rush, so OP as of this past Saturday, they still do the formal line walk back occasionally. From what I read on the boards, it's often on Saturdays.

 

[Golfing Goofy]

See for me going with my young athletic friends, we arrive at the GRR rope drop about 5-10 min before 10. I know this is a good thing for my touring technique because we can usually get in front of most of the crowd by people weaving and "running"

I have entered DCA at 9:45, walked to the GRR rope drop, ran (ahem...walked with purpose) to TSMM and been off of the ride by 10:15.

I know I'm not normal, but still... For me it's worth it, especially if I've already had a successful 1-2 hours at DL beforehand and I have 2-4 FPs already in my pocket (lanyard).

I was a little thrown off this past weekend when they didn't have the mad rush, so OP as of this past Saturday, they still do the formal line walk back occasionally. From what I read on the boards, it's often on Saturdays.

This is exactly our experience. We first go to DLR, get fastpasses and do a ride or two. Then, head to DCA. I have two boys who never run, but always "walk with purpose" and we are off the ride around 10:25. We grab a fastpass for screamin', ride screamin' and then head back to DLR. It works every time for us.

 

[kiwitravel]

We only did it the once on our last trip and wouldn't do it again... We however followed the rules but as always there were plenty that didn't and so there were runners who went past us.....

Seems like unless you are prepared to run this is not a good option... It is only viable if you are prepared to get there a few minutes before the rope drop then run past those poor people who have been patiently waiting near the front of the crowd thereby basically jumping the queue....Soon there will be Carsland and LM though so this may spread things out a little more... It would be fairer to have CMs walk the queue to each ride every day I feel...

 

[OBDisney]

Wow sounds like we were very lucky. We went this morning and had a great experience. We were running late due to being tired on our last day and got into the park and to the line a bit before 9:45, they had a lined formed for TSMM and told us they would walk us back, then just a couple mins. after we got in line they walked us back to the ride in a line, it was calm and civilized we were a decent ways back but we were off the ride at 10:06 and that included the ride stopping for a bit for some reason.

 

[DahliaRW]

I think time of year plays a role too. We were there by GRR at rope drop, walked, but not quickly because we had my MIL with us who is not very fast, and rode TSMM 2x within the first half hour of opening. This was mid week in January.

 

[kiwitravel]

I think time of year plays a role too. We were there by GRR at rope drop, walked, but not quickly because we had my MIL with us who is not very fast, and rode TSMM 2x within the first half hour of opening. This was mid week in January.

Good point... we were there in August and crowds would have been a lot bigger.... This might be a good tactic in the quieter seasons...

 

[Disney Princess]

Thanks for the opinions and experiences everyone! It sounds like they sometimes walk you back in a civilized fashion, and sometimes it is a free-for-all. It worked very well for us when they walked us back; we collected FP in DL park and rode a bunch, then made it to DCA in time to ride Soarin', get a FP, and ride TSMM two or three times before it really got crowded. If they aren't doing that every day, we'll adjust our game plan. We aren't into running, and my in-laws will be with us. We will just plan on hitting it later in the day. Thanks so much!