StorybookLand Canal Boats: How Do Lines Vary?

[HydroGuy]

I know, I know, HydroGuy is not supposed to ask questions - only answer them. But I have a question.

There are certain rides I like to do at certain times of day. If it is a FP ride then that is easy to do anytime. But the ride I have the most trouble with in this regard is the StorybookLand Canal Boats (SLCB).

Because I now have high schoolers, I am stuck visiting DLR during standard vacation times which means high season. And the lines for SLCB can get pretty long during high season (45-60 minutes middle of the day). To get a short line for SLCB you need to ride it early morning or later at night, but my favorite time is near dusk.

So here is my question: Do any of you have a feel if the lines for SLCB drop off temporarily during afternoon/evening parades or evening fireworks?

 

[DisQueen]

It's ok to ask questions. We all need information.

SLCB closes for parades. They usually stop letting people enter the line about an hour before the parade. I think it also closes for fireworks. We are going tonight so I'll see if it's open during the fireworks.

 

[KirklandTutu]

We usually go to DL during school vacations, and I can honestly say that i've never seen a line for the Love Canal. That said, we never go into Fantasyland until later in the evening when it's started to clear out...usually about the time that they rope the area off for fireworks. We usually get a boat all to ourselves, and then it's like a game of make the castmember crack up and say all the things they're not supposed to say. I think we've only gotten the 'true' speech on that ride once, and that was when we were the guinea pigs for a newbie's first trip alone. He refused to be swayed from his verbal path.

I've also never had to wait more than two go rounds for Dumbo or the Teacups, despite being only a couple of days before Christmas.

 

[DangerMouse]

It's ok to ask questions. We all need information.

SLCB closes for parades. They usually stop letting people enter the line about an hour before the parade. I think it also closes for fireworks. We are going tonight so I'll see if it's open during the fireworks.

I just read recently that someone enjoyed viewing RDCT from the SLCB ride. So I am assuming it remains open.

 

[HydroGuy]

It's ok to ask questions. We all need information.

Maybe you are new to this board, but on the rare occasion I ask a question I usually get people saying soemthing like "Wow! HydroGuy ia asking a question!". So I tried to avert that this time.

SLCB closes for parades. They usually stop letting people enter the line about an hour before the parade. I think it also closes for fireworks. We are going tonight so I'll see if it's open during the fireworks.

I guess the question is what happens after each parade. If SLBC closes about an hour before each parade, then if you get in line right after the parade, I would assume the line must be pretty short. If so, that is the time I want to ride it. Either right after the afternoon parade in the winter and right after the evening parade in the summer.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Trey, I have had good luck riding this one right after fireworks. No idea if it closes or not during RDCT, but since we frequently see that over by IASW, dd and I have often headed over there just after for a last ride of the night. We have also ridden it even later in the evening, that and Casey Jr. Circus Train are generally decent after about 11:00. Dumbo and Peter Pan are always nasty even at 11:58 p.m. but everything else is nice and slow. I also like to ride it when it first opens but the sun is always in my eyes (which is why June Gloom can be a good thing). I agree, dusk is the best.

My goodness gracious, did I just answer a question for you!?! Tis always better to give than receive as my mom always said!

 

[sterlingbird11]

Maybe you are new to this board, but on the rare occasion I ask a question I usually get people saying soemthing like "Wow! HydroGuy ia asking a question!". So I tried to avert that this time.

I guess the question is what happens after each parade. If SLBC closes about an hour before each parade, then if you get in line right after the parade, I would assume the line must be pretty short. If so, that is the time I want to ride it. Either right after the afternoon parade in the winter and right after the evening parade in the summer.

We always hop in line right after the afternoon parade ends. I can't handle waiting in the queue because it's so tight and crowded. We usually end up being in one of the first 2 boats, and it's also nice because the boats just line up at the dock to load, since there is no one to unload.

I've never seen the ride open during fireworks either.

 

[HydroGuy]

We always hop in line right after the afternoon parade ends. I can't handle waiting in the queue because it's so tight and crowded. We usually end up being in one of the first 2 boats, and it's also nice because the boats just line up at the dock to load, since there is no one to unload.

I've never seen the ride open during fireworks either.

Thank. That is my new plan.

 

[queenrollog]

Our game plan has been to watch the parade from just outside the Storybook Canal entrance. As the parade ends, the ride opens (maybe a 5-minute delay). We hop in line, wait for the boats to come around and enjoy the ride. This is the only way we'll ride this one, as the line is so long and so slow.

 

[HydroGuy]

Trey, I have had good luck riding this one right after fireworks. No idea if it closes or not during RDCT, but since we frequently see that over by IASW, dd and I have often headed over there just after for a last ride of the night. We have also ridden it even later in the evening, that and Casey Jr. Circus Train are generally decent after about 11:00. Dumbo and Peter Pan are always nasty even at 11:58 p.m. but everything else is nice and slow. I also like to ride it when it first opens but the sun is always in my eyes (which is why June Gloom can be a good thing). I agree, dusk is the best.

My goodness gracious, did I just answer a question for you!?! Tis always better to give than receive as my mom always said!

Thanks Amy for your input.

It looks like I will get in a day trip during Wednesday of Thanksgiving week. We have another exchange student, this one from South Korea, and he really wants to go to DL. We will be out there already for the holiday visiting family.

Sunset is 4:45PM at that time of year, and the afternoon parade will likely be 3:30 based on last year's schedule. The afternoon parades start at IASW and thus will be through Fantasyland by 3:45-3:50, and that may have to be good enough for me. I would rather ride it at 4PM with a 5-10 minute wait, than at dusk at 4:45PM with a 45 minute wait. So I think we will plan to arrive there at about 3:50.