Rope Drop DCA or Magic Morning at DL?

[Becca1007]

For the days you start in DCA (even though there is EMH) you will be fine. We tend to line up at the rope by the Little Mermaid (very rarely is there a line) then we hit the pier first. We can usually do 3 rides on TSMM and a ride on IC before heading to Carsland and RSR. If you have MaxPass, just grab your RSR FP first. You won't need one for TSMM or IC first thing.

 

[SeaDis]

I vote MM Thursday also-- and it looks unanimous to me so far, which is good.

With 5 day hopper and Maxpass, even just a couple days of MP, you will get everything done with plenty of time for repeating favorites. No stress there.

I agree with others, you won't be that far behind entering DCA on an EMH day. All the EMH guests can only get one Fastpass during their hour. And you can get in on that action as well. Two suggestions:

1) Get to DCA gate early (i.e. during EMH). I'm thinking 30+ minute mark to be safe. They should let you in to your choice of two rope drops as mentioned. Purchase Maxpass immediately after turnstile (have your party created & credit card entered ahead, and memorize your 3-digit code) and make your first FP selection right away (RSR vote for me also).

2) There have been pretty consistent reports of non-EMH guests able to ride Soarin' during the rope drop wait period, since that area is open for guests to pass through to Ariel's. You sound like a "power-rider" so I think it's worth a try. If you can ride it quickly during EMH, it basically gains you one Fastpass window at some point through the day-- either a different ride, or a 2nd Soarin.

MM at DL is just a much better "value". There are a lot more non-Fastpass rides to tackle during that hour. And nothing like a walk down Main Street on first full morning.

 

[Becca1007]

I vote MM Thursday also-- and it looks unanimous to me so far, which is good.

With 5 day hopper and Maxpass, even just a couple days of MP, you will get everything done with plenty of time for repeating favorites. No stress there.

I agree with others, you won't be that far behind entering DCA on an EMH day. All the EMH guests can only get one Fastpass during their hour. And you can get in on that action as well. Two suggestions:

1) Get to DCA gate early (i.e. during EMH). I'm thinking 30+ minute mark to be safe. They should let you in to your choice of two rope drops as mentioned. Purchase Maxpass immediately after turnstile (have your party created & credit card entered ahead, and memorize your 3-digit code) and make your first FP selection right away (RSR vote for me also).

2) There have been pretty consistent reports of non-EMH guests able to ride Soarin' during the rope drop wait period, since that area is open for guests to pass through to Ariel's. You sound like a "power-rider" so I think it's worth a try. If you can ride it quickly during EMH, it basically gains you one Fastpass window at some point through the day-- either a different ride, or a 2nd Soarin.

MM at DL is just a much better "value". There are a lot more non-Fastpass rides to tackle during that hour. And nothing like a walk down Main Street on first full morning.

They have been carefully guarding the Soarin queue lately. They basically start the line of non-MM guests in the standby line area and you are directed over there if you don't have a room key.

 

[VandVsmama]

If you'd like to use an app or service like Touring Plans for DL, Ride Max works far better than Touring Plans does.

 

[LizzyS]

Definitely the MM at Disneyland UNLESS Space Mountain is being refurbed when you're there. If SM is down, it really diminishes the value of MM, which I learned on our last trip.

 

[Faithful Raider]

We did MM at DL last Saturday (which was a very crowded day) and it was awesome! They did not let us in early (we were 2nd in line at our gate and gates opened right at 7) bit we still rode Matterhorn, Space MTN, Buzz, and then was in prime location to hit the first train of the day on BTM. The best part was we got some great pics at the founders statue and of the castle. Warning: Galaxy's Edge was CRAZY packed after that MM. Got some good pics with Stormtroopers and Chewie but that ride line was INSANE!

We hit up DCA about 45 min after it opened, had fast passes booked for soarin then rode incredicoaster twice. Was a super productive morning!

 

[SeaDis]

They have been carefully guarding the Soarin queue lately. They basically start the line of non-MM guests in the standby line area and you are directed over there if you don't have a room key.

Bummer, thanks for the first-hand update.

 

[CharleneTheDM]

Magic Morning at DL on Thursday. You either use it or lose it. It really makes a difference to enter the park an hour early.
I would HIGHLY recommend rope dropping either park every day and take mid-day breaks.

 

[mel2014]

One thing to keep in mind strategically is that if you have MaxPass, you can start accumulating FP as soon as you are scanned into the park. So:

(1) Even on days when DCA has EMH, you will likely be scanned into the parks and held at the ropes around half an hour before park opening and should be able to get your first FP for 15 minutes or so after the regular parking opening and keep accumulating from there; typically in the first few hours, if I'm strategic, we only ride one ride standby at rope drop and can have back-to-back FP and use single rider for a few hours after that, then hit up the smaller rides without FP and the shows as the FP times get more spread out throughout the day.

(2) If you want to, on your MM day in Disneyland, you can snag a FP for DCA as soon as you're scanned in (putting you ahead of the regular rope drop crowd at DCA) and you could hop over to DCA before or at the end of MM with a DCA FP already in hand.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Fair enough, but I have to plan around something - if random things can change it, it doesn't really matter what I do when!...

And part of the beauty of DLR is that with good planning skills and a solid basic idea of what you want to do, you can adjust on the fly and let the magic happen as it happens! Having a good plan, then being flexible with it is the way to have a great day in the parks at DLR. And with MP, this can be even better as you grab cancelled FPs, stack FPs for later in the afternoon and evening, and work your way around the parks the way you want to based on what's happening in the parks and how you feel that day. No need to micromanage the magic right out of your day -- just go with the flow and let the magic happen and enjoy!
There won't be a nighttime parade, but if you can do WOC, especially the Dessert Party, do it! And a F! Dining Package will make for a great nighttime treat! And don't miss Halloween Screams fireworks (fireworks on weekends only, projections on other nights). That is one of the best fireworks shows at DL!

 

[torioritori]

And part of the beauty of DLR is that with good planning skills and a solid basic idea of what you want to do, you can adjust on the fly and let the magic happen as it happens! Having a good plan, then being flexible with it is the way to have a great day in the parks at DLR. And with MP, this can be even better as you grab cancelled FPs, stack FPs for later in the afternoon and evening, and work your way around the parks the way you want to based on what's happening in the parks and how you feel that day. No need to micromanage the magic right out of your day -- just go with the flow and let the magic happen and enjoy!
There won't be a nighttime parade, but if you can do WOC, especially the Dessert Party, do it! And a F! Dining Package will make for a great nighttime treat! And don't miss Halloween Screams fireworks (fireworks on weekends only, projections on other nights). That is one of the best fireworks shows at DL!

Oh, don't worry, definitely going with the flow - same happens at WDW, I have a plan and then spend the whole trip changing ADRs etc etc. Always end up not going to Blizzard Beach for some reason or other! Normally rain But I like to have an initial plan.... stops my recurring nightmare that we aren't able to do everything! It is good to have certain things pinpointed.... especially with DCA closing early for OBB, WoC showings are limited.

Thanks for the info about the fireworks - something else I need to plan for to make sure we don't miss them! When you say weekend, is that religiously just Sat & Sun or do they include Friday as well?

Do you recommend the dessert party over the package with lunch in Carthay Circle? That's what I've booked at the mo.

Thanks!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

... Thanks for the info about the fireworks - something else I need to plan for to make sure we don't miss them! When you say weekend, is that religiously just Sat & Sun or do they include Friday as well?

Do you recommend the dessert party over the package with lunch in Carthay Circle? That's what I've booked at the mo.

Thanks!

Halloween Screams: Fireworks (weather and safety permitting) on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays/Projections only on all other days. Find more information about HS and ask any questions about good viewing spots in this thread: Halloween Time Superthread 2019: "Oogie Boogie Bash" Party to Be Held in DCA ONLY! and Other Halloween Time Information.
WOC: Dessert Party is the only option that has actual chair seating and the least amount of wait time. CCR Dining Package has a very nice viewing area, but it is all standing and does require more wait time for good spots. Both options require much less wait time than the free FPs for good viewing spots. If you want to sit in chairs and have a bit of a luxury splurge, go for the Dessert Party. If you want a full 3 course meal for your money and don't mind standing for the show, go for the CCR package (which is actually a pretty good deal food-wise for the price).
The first post in this thread (World of Color Superthread) has very helpful information for seeing WOC -- ask any questions about WOC viewing in that thread.