Rope drop at DCA on EMH day?

[TheDaysGoBy]

I'm taking my parents to the parks on Friday 9/9, and I see that DCA has EMH that day. We're coming from Huntington Beach so we won't have access to that. I know from everything I've read that there are quite a few fast passes that need to be grabbed at DCA first thing. My question is, do they still do a rope drop for the guests who weren't part of the EMH?

Should I still do DCA first thing even with it having EMH? Or should I make it a point to head to DL first and just head over to DCA at a decent time in the morning? We're only going to have just one day, and I bought the park hopper ticket so we can move between both. I definitely want to make the most of the day, which is why I was thinking still go to DCA in the morning first to grab fast passes and take care of (hopefully) most of the main attractions there before hopping over to DL and then returning to DCA for WOC. I'm definitely open to suggestions though if there's a better way of doing it, especially with EMH at DCA.

And as an aside, I've been to both parks once about two years ago so I at least have a general lay of the land/idea of which rides are the must-dos.

 

[DLRExpert]

The good news is that the parks shouldn't be to crowded. The bad news is that you are going to have a busy and probably tiring day if you are seeing both parks in one day. However, it is doable, but you may miss some key attractions.

Which attractions are most important to you?
Which attractions can you skip?
How important is going to Fantasyland or Toontown?

ME

 

[TheDaysGoBy]

Here's what I figured are must-dos that I would love to try to get in:

At DCA
- RSR
- Soarin
- California Screamin'
- ToT
- Monsters Inc
- Toy Story Mania

At DL
- Indiana Jones
- Matterhorn
- Pirates of Caribbean
- Haunted Mansion
- Mr. Toad
- Small World
- Finding Nemo
- Star Tours
- Space Mountain
- Peter Pan (Mom's request lol)
- Big Thunder Mountain

I think those all the ones I'd really like to try to get in. I was trying to focus on getting the ones that aren't at WDW as well as some favorites from the ones we liked at WDW (like Toy Story). Besides those if we can fit in other things then great, but if not, I don't think it'll bum any of us too bad. There's not a huge interest in Fantasyland (things like Dumbo or the tea cups or anything).

My goal is to try not to completely kill my parents with this day while still getting as much in as we can, lol. They're fairly young (not even in their 50s yet), but I already told them I'd be the fast pass runner so they can just relax and take in the sights a bit.

Oh, and I know I'm missing some of the water rides (Splash Mountain, Grizzly River Run). I'm just not sure if anyone is going to want to get wet/do them. So I guess they might be tentatively added to the list, but I think it'll really boil down to time and/or if they want to get wet or not, lol.

 

[DLRExpert]

Make sure you download the official Disneyland App to keep track of FP times.

Starting at Disneyland
- Buy your tickets online
- Get to the entrance by 830am. Keep in mind that it takes at least 30 minutes to get from parking lot, to tram, through security
- Get as close to the rope as you can for rope drop.
- As soon as the rope drops and the park opens head to Peter Pan through the drawbridge entrance, then Matterhorn, and finish with Mr Toad.
Should be around 945am
- Grab a FP for Indiana Jones, ride Big Thunder Mountain, Mansion, Pirates, then grab FP for Hyper Space Mountain, use FP for Indiana Jones
Should be around 1130am... Keep an eye on the RSR FP times. Im guessing by this time it should be in the 4-6pm return range
- Have a early Lunch, you will need to head over to DCA as FP runner and grab a WOC of FP and a RSR FP then head back for lunch.
**** Note WOC FP may be sold out by then. Look into the WOC dinner option, or if you have the funds the WOC dessert option. Or get the WOC FP while your family is on Peter Pan
- After lunch grab a FP for Star Tours, then immediately a FP for Buzz (Buzz is disconnected). Now use FP for Space Mountain,
ride Small World, use FP for Buzz, use FP for Star Tours.
Sorry but you will need to miss Nemo Submarines. Unless you come back later at night when that line dies down.
Should be around 3pm-4pm at this time
- Now Head to DCA, Grab a FP for Soarin, The next FP you should get is TOT, then Screamin,
fit in the other attractions while you wait to use those FP's
- Toy Story Midway Mania will be the only ride you should wait more than 30 minutes for.

ME

 

[TheDaysGoBy]

Wow. Your username is no joke - you really seem like a DLR expert, lol. I appreciate such a detailed plan! You're amazing

In regards to WOC, I've been considering/looking into the dessert party or the dining options. I'm not sure what would be better. From what I've been reading, it sounds like the dessert party is nice in that you don't really have to line up ahead of time (at least not an extreme amount of time beforehand). Whereas the dinner option it sounded like you may still have to line up as early as they recommend the WOC FP people to (anywhere from an hour to 90 minutes I read). But then too everyone seems to say don't do table service dining if you're trying to fit a lot into the day. Do you have any thoughts or experience on the WOC dining vs dessert or suggestions?

 

[Darkbeer1]

OK, in regards to DCA, yes, there is a rope drop on most days (some issues and special events can change it). The main Entrance does open, and then the Carthay Circle area is available, similar to the Main Street access at Disneyland, including some shops and food outlets being open.

The big difference, there isn't one rope drop, but three done at the same time, one is the pathway to Soarin', the second is the main pathway and how to get to the Radiator Spring Racers and it's FP's, and then a rope drop on the east that is the main entrance to Hollywood Land and Frozen and it's FP's.

So it does come down to your priorities.

Since your date is Friday the 9th of September, you should be fairly lucky in crowd size as no special events are scheduled and most kids will be in school (Home Schoolers do have a conference in Anaheim that month, to allow those students a chance to visit during a slower period). But then there will be less show times and parades offered, and attractions might not be fully staffed and running at a reduced capacity.

 

[DLRExpert]

In regards to WOC, I've been considering/looking into the dessert party or the dining options. I'm not sure what would be better. From what I've been reading, it sounds like the dessert party is nice in that you don't really have to line up ahead of time (at least not an extreme amount of time beforehand). Whereas the dinner option it sounded like you may still have to line up as early as they recommend the WOC FP people to (anywhere from an hour to 90 minutes I read). But then too everyone seems to say don't do table service dining if you're trying to fit a lot into the day. Do you have any thoughts or experience on the WOC dining vs dessert or suggestions?

You actually will need to wait with whatever WOC option you choose. The way you wait is just different.

With the dessert you will need to wait in a line to assign your seating area. However, once the show is about to start it is nice to sit and watch instead of standing.

With the dining you will still need to wait a bit before but it is a bit easier than the standard WoC FP option.

If sitting is important get the dessert option.
If having a full meal and standing is ok then get the dinner. I like the Wine Country option because the viewing area is a bit better than Cathay. Unless that was changed in the last 6 months.

ME

 

[smartlabelprint]

You're not really missing anything to skip finding nemo IMO.

 

[TheDaysGoBy]

Yeah, I wasn't really impressed with it when I went two years ago. My parents just knew it was something that wasn't at WDW and threw it on the list. I did tell my mom it was pretty tight too (she's claustrophobic), but she seemed open to trying it. So yeah, not sure how that will play out but I doubt it'll be a huge disappointment if we don't get it in.

 

[BriannaRuth]

If your mom is claustrophobic, do not ride Nemo. I'm mildly claustrophobic and it was awful. She could sit in the wheelchair area which is a little better but IMO it's just not worth it.

Honestly I don't know why Nemo is such a thing with anyone other than the preschool crowd. Between the wait and the smell (they pack you in like sardines, heaven forbid you're next to someone who didn't use enough deodorant) -- one of my all time least favorite rides. Actually when we were there the whole sub smelled really bad.

With your schedule and older parents who may really appreciate sitting by that time of night, I'd do the dessert party. The view is great and as long as you don't mind which table you get, you can arrive just before 8:15 go to your table without much wait. They serve you right away, so although there's 45 minutes before the show starts, you're sitting and eating.

 

[SMD]

9/9 is the first day of the SM Ghost Galaxy overlay. If you want to ride that, I'd do that first.

 

[TheDaysGoBy]

I just booked the dessert party. I talked to my mom when I got home from work, and she really liked the sounds of the dessert party (she's a snacker so cheese and desserts are right up her alley lol). So definitely thank you all for your input on that - it helped me sell it to her. Normally we like to do everything pretty cheap, but our theme for this trip (because we're spending time in the LA area and Vegas) is "who knows when we'll do it again so we might as well do it right". Or at least they might not make it again, but somehow I think I'll find myself back at Disneyland at some point.

Again though, I thank you all for the input. I love hearing everyone's suggestions, and everyone on this board is just amazing.

 

[DLRExpert]

nm