so confused. How does a newbie plan touring DCA?

[AmyK]

It seems like the DL side of thigns won't be that hard to plan which rides we want and when between the boards and ridemax and looking at maps but DCA? I'm so confused.

I have no spatial reference since I've never been there. I have a map from last summer but obviously it's all being changed with the renovations. So, how do I figure out what we're doing? I'm not even sure where to begin.

We'll be there June 22-24.

Thanks.

 

[HydroGuy]

It seems like the DL side of thigns won't be that hard to plan which rides we want and when between the boards and ridemax and looking at maps but DCA? I'm so confused.

I have no spatial reference since I've never been there. I have a map from last summer but obviously it's all being changed with the renovations. So, how do I figure out what we're doing? I'm not even sure where to begin.

We'll be there June 22-24.

Thanks.

Not sure why you think DCA will be so much harder than DL. If it is your first trip they both will be a challenge. In general DL is more of a challenge (because it offers more and is more crowded) but with the DCA construction in 2011 that will add a special albeit temporary challenge.

I think if you stay active on these boards, read about the DCA offerings, make a list, maybe buy RideMax (to test drive different touring options) you will be fine. And much further ahead of the casual tourist who wanders in without any research at all.

 

[AmyK]

I suppose it is because with DL I can "study" the map and get a sense of where things are. When we went to WDW in 2008 I could look at the maps and kind of understand where to go without looking at the map the whole time we walked. Does that make sense? I think it's the whole "construction blocking walk ways" thing so I don't know where things will be.

But then I haven't gotten Ridemax yet as we're still 6 months out... does that print a map or just a list of rides and the order?

After reading another thread about waiting til after construction... I do have to say that this will likely be our only trip, and know we'll miss out on some stuff. But we've been waiting to go since 2008 really and have a whole 2 week vacation planned, so we're definitely committed. lol I've told my kids, and remind myself, that this is a different park, not a west coast WDW, and it is what it is. It'll have plywood and construction, and that's o.k. We'll deal. It's still Disney!

I just feel better knowing where we're going, and that prior knowledge helped SO much at WDW that it made the trip so much fun.

Thanks.

 

[HydroGuy]

I suppose it is because with DL I can "study" the map and get a sense of where things are. When we went to WDW in 2008 I could look at the maps and kind of understand where to go without looking at the map the whole time we walked. Does that make sense? I think it's the whole "construction blocking walk ways" thing so I don't know where things will be.

If your concern is primarily about constuction then I can understand it. Kind of. But I do not see how DCA's map is any more or less confusing than say DHS's or AK's map.

But then I haven't gotten Ridemax yet as we're still 6 months out... does that print a map or just a list of rides and the order?
...
I just feel better knowing where we're going, and that prior knowledge helped SO much at WDW that it made the trip so much fun.

RideMax creates a custom itinerary for you. Customized for the actual day you visit and the actual rides you want to ride and the actual time you plan to arrive.

Further, when I went to WDW for the first time RM was helpful in letting me "test drive" different touring scenarios. It helped me get a feel for the parks before I ever arrrived - and really influenced how I approached Epcot.

It is not for everyone but I well remember how helpful it was to me at WDW for the first time. Well worth the $20-25 cost IMO - compared to all other costs of visiting WDW or DLR, it is nothing really.

 

[AmyK]

If your concern is primarily about constuction then I can understand it. Kind of. But I do not see how DCA's map is any more or less confusing than say DHS's or AK's map.

Only because a map I can look at today, or in March, isn't going to be the same as what's on the ground in June with all the expansion/construction.

I'll definitely get Ridemax. Probably in late March to play with it even tho I won't be able to do definite plans til closer to the trip.

Thanks for your help.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Construction will cause surprises for all of us, even those who have been there before. In November one path way was closed off but they had large signs telling you how to get to certain attractions.

To me, the important part will be knowing which rides to get to first and what can wait. Ridemax should help with that, and also reading on these boards about what people report. Right now TSMM is the most popular and is our longest wait because there is no FP. Little Mermaid is supposed to be open by the time you go ( also no FP) so we all have to see how affects the other lines. All of my regular touring patterns may go out the window between now and then so I'll have to wait and see to.

I wouldn't stress about it. Most people just show up and you'll already have more info than them just reading these boards.

 

[AmyK]

You're right of course that the most important is knowing the rides. I'll have to let go of having the visual part of it for now and just learn about the rides and figure out what we really want to go on.

I have other parts of our vacation to plan still... like figuring out which beach between Anaheim and San Diego we want to visit.

I got worried reading about all the new attractions for this summer (after being away from the board for a few months) but it'll work out.

Thanks,

 

[HydroGuy]

You're right of course that the most important is knowing the rides. I'll have to let go of having the visual part of it for now and just learn about the rides and figure out what we really want to go on.

I have other parts of our vacation to plan still... like figuring out which beach between Anaheim and San Diego we want to visit.

I got worried reading about all the new attractions for this summer (after being away from the board for a few months) but it'll work out.

Thanks,

While you are of course correct about the construction making things confused, PinkBudgie is right that it will be confusing for everyone.

This overhead map will become increasingly out of date this year but may help in the meantime...

http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=33.8092124&lon=-117.9188132&z=19&l=0&m=b

 

[AmyK]

Thanks a ton for that map. It will really help. Especially since it states things like "future site of" so that I can visualize where things will be.

 

[paape04]

We are taking our trip to DL/DCA in March. Although the thought of construction can seem overwhelming! We are more excited about finally taking our kids there and creating some magical memories!!

I have decided to keep active on the boards to know what is going on, but not to overplan our visit and see what we can see when we are there!! Then if unexpected things happen, we won't know any different!!

 

[Hound 109]

We are taking our trip to DL/DCA in March. Although the thought of construction can seem overwhelming! We are more excited about finally taking our kids there and creating some magical memories!!

I have decided to keep active on the boards to know what is going on, but not to overplan our visit and see what we can see when we are there!! Then if unexpected things happen, we won't know any different!!

I kind of disagree. Especially if one is coming from the central or eastern time zones, I would have the first 2-3 hours of each day "planned out". It is easy to get up (because of the time change) & enjoy a productive early part of the day before it gets crowded if one has a 2-3 hour "plan".

& to the OP....how many days will you be there? If 3 days or less, one should consider visiting DL first thing in the morning each day then HOP to DCA each day late morning or early afternoon. (Prior to a mid day rest or prior to hopping back to DL in the evening).

DCA might be easier to plan if you take it in 2-3 hour chunks (each of your 2-4 days of visiting). I recommend reading Hydroguy's FP tip threads as a start to your plan (before even ridemax). He gives some good strategic advice.

Have a great time at Walt's Park.

 

[ironpig70]

I also had trouble trying to plan DCA and Ridemax was a help but the shows there are not factored into Ridemax so you have to make a bunch of plans around each show which for us turned into a mess. Secondly when we where there we must have hit a odd time as what we did Ridemax couldn't match.

Construction can be a problem but it was still easy to navigate. Only long lines we found where for California Screaming and Toy Story Mid Way.

 

[paape04]

I kind of disagree. Especially if one is coming from the central or eastern time zones, I would have the first 2-3 hours of each day "planned out". It is easy to get up (because of the time change) & enjoy a productive early part of the day before it gets crowded if one has a 2-3 hour "plan".

& to the OP....how many days will you be there? If 3 days or less, one should consider visiting DL first thing in the morning each day then HOP to DCA each day late morning or early afternoon. (Prior to a mid day rest or prior to hopping back to DL in the evening).

DCA might be easier to plan if you take it in 2-3 hour chunks (each of your 2-4 days of visiting). I recommend reading Hydroguy's FP tip threads as a start to your plan (before even ridemax). He gives some good strategic advice.

Have a great time at Walt's Park.

Thanks for these suggestions. We will have a 5 day park hopper so not having enough time is not really a concern of mine, even if the park is busy and there is construction.

We are on vacation and i know that we might not see everything this time, but that gives us an excuse to come back! We are going to enjoy what we can while we are there!

 

[AmyK]

& to the OP....how many days will you be there? If 3 days or less, one should consider visiting DL first thing in the morning each day then HOP to DCA each day late morning or early afternoon. (Prior to a mid day rest or prior to hopping back to DL in the evening).

DCA might be easier to plan if you take it in 2-3 hour chunks (each of your 2-4 days of visiting). I recommend reading Hydroguy's FP tip threads as a start to your plan (before even ridemax). He gives some good strategic advice.

Have a great time at Walt's Park.

Thanks! 3 days. My tentative plan now is the first day be all DL. 2nd and 3rd day start at DL and hop over to DCA later for a while. I think the early entry day will be our 2nd day, so I'd definitely use that and do the Fantasyland stuff.

I've read all of Hydroguy's tips and will be re reading them soon!

 

[dptabrown]

Hey OP, looks like we'll be there at the same time! I *think* our dates are going to be June 19-23!
Anyways, thanks for asking this as we haven't been in YEARS and are taking our 2 & 4 year old so I definitely need "a plan"!!!!!
What is Ridemax???

 

[HydroGuy]

Hey OP, looks like we'll be there at the same time! I *think* our dates are going to be June 19-23!
Anyways, thanks for asking this as we haven't been in YEARS and are taking our 2 & 4 year old so I definitely need "a plan"!!!!!
What is Ridemax???

It is a software product you can buy that creates custom touring plans for DLR and WDW theme parks.

See

www.ridemax.com

and

"RideMax Critique Plus Conventional and Unconventional Usage on August 1-4 Trip" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885134

 

[dptabrown]

It is a software product you can buy that creates custom touring plans for DLR and WDW theme parks.

See

www.ridemax.com

and

"RideMax Critique Plus Conventional and Unconventional Usage on August 1-4 Trip" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885134

Thanks!