Spring Break trip itinerary, Day 1 at DCA--first timers!

[PHamrick]

My family and I are headed to DL for the first time in April. We will have two days to tour the parks. I'm hoping you can give me any advice necessary to help us with our first visit.

Particulars: Family of four (son--8 and daughter--6). Staying at GCH Tues. and Wed. nights. So, we will have EMH for DCA and DL.

Day #1--DCA with EMH
According to the website, EMH is from 8 to 9 am. (I thought it would be earlier since this is prime spring break time?) We are rope droppers and will be at either the GCH entrance or the main entrance before 8 am.

1. TSMM (we've never ridden it and it currently doesn't have FP?)
2. Carsland for RSR, Luigi's and Mater. Try to get FP for another go on RSR (assuming all of this takes an hour?)
3. Soarin' (and/or get FP if able)
4. Grizzly River Run (assuming refurb is finished. and/or get FP if able)
5. Head to Paradise Pier
6. Goofy's Sky School
7. Single rider line for California Screamin' for me and husband
8. Kids can ride carousel and/or jumpin jellyfish and/or swings while we switch off on #7
9. Little Mermaid ride
10. Mickey's Fun Wheel
11. Head to A Bug's Land for Heimlich's Chew Chew (my daughter is weirdly fixated on this ride)
12. Flik's flyers or any other Bug's Land attraction
13. Meet some characters if possible
14. Check on Bakery Tour or Mike and Sulley to the rescue

Anything else to add and/or change? I don't think we will make world of color at 9:45 if we start before 8 and DL has EMH at 7 am the next day.

Thanks in advance!

 

[3DisMunchkins]

I find the line for Mickey's Fun Wheel to always be very slow and boring. I might move that up before Grizzly River or at least check it out if you FP GRR. Just my thoughts.
Have fun!

 

[DL_Forever]

Personally I would head to RSR/Cars Land first instead of TSMM. You can walk on to RSR first thing and get in and out of the ride in about 10 minutes. The other rides will be walk on's as well. Then head over to the Pier and knock out TSMM and Screaming before EMH ends.

 

[Winnowill]

Use the main entrance rather than the GCH one. The GCH entrance gets backed up quickly.

Fastpass is not available during EMH.

I would switch up your first things - try to do RSR first (if you get close to the ropes). Even on EMH days, TSMM doesn't get TOO backed up early, but RSR sure does.

 

[Nevada Jen]

Actually, Your plan is pretty close to what I would do. Definitely start with Toy story first. Ride it a couple of times. Then do rider swap for Sceamin, Ride Soarin. Then head for RSR fastpass machine or get in line if it is still EMH (really, it might be). I just think you lose a lot of time walking to rsr and riding it first thing. I've tried it both ways and I find I can either knock out a good portion of the park or ride rsr first thing during emh. Rsr at night is awesome. I like to watch the app and grab a night time fast pass for it. Don't be afraid to go back to your hotel for a rest this day. Use the gch exit. My favorite is to basically come back at night just for an rsr night fastpass ride and woc dessert party.