Strategy for Wednesday in Summer

[shelemm]

I'll be going to Disneyland on a Summer Wednesday, probably in mid-August. IIUC, there is no EE that day.

I'd like to get on the Nemo Sub ride and Matterhorn with as little waiting as possible. Also will do Mr. Toad, Alice in Wonderland, and Pinocchio ASAP.

How early should I get to the front Gate to be one of the first ones in? I suppose I should go to the Sub ride first, but after that, which ride next to minimize waiting? I don't mind some waiting for Matterhorn, but the small dark rides are so much better if you don't have to wait on line.

After that, everything else in the day will be gravy.

TIA.

 

[tink2dw]

From what I've read here on a really slow day Nemo is 90 minutes any which way.

 

[HydroGuy]

I'll be going to Disneyland on a Summer Wednesday, probably in mid-August. IIUC, there is no EE that day.

I'd like to get on the Nemo Sub ride and Matterhorn with as little waiting as possible. Also will do Mr. Toad, Alice in Wonderland, and Pinocchio ASAP.

How early should I get to the front Gate to be one of the first ones in? I suppose I should go to the Sub ride first, but after that, which ride next to minimize waiting? I don't mind some waiting for Matterhorn, but the small dark rides are so much better if you don't have to wait on line.

After that, everything else in the day will be gravy.

TIA.

Hard to say what Nemo will be like come August, but certainly not as bad as this past summer.

You have two basic options:

1. Be at the DL gates 40 minutes early so you are one of the first in line and ride Nemo first and then maybe get in one or two of the FL dark rides after. The other dark rides and Matterhorn can be done early or mid-evening and lines will be lower

2. Be at the DL gates 20-30 minutes early so you are near the front and ride the FL rides first thing (should be able to do all of your desired rides in 30 minutes) and then do Nemo subs early to mid-evening at which point the line should be down to 30-45 minutes.

 

[DangerMouse]

Another option is do FL first thing and then save Nemo until just a few minutes before park closing. As long as you are in line prior to park closing time, you will be allowed to ride. We did this in Nov. and waited 20 min to get on.

There is a risk involved with this plan (that I'm sure Hydro is taking into account), in that Nemo may be "down", and then you've blown your only chance at riding it.

 

[DangerMouse]

Good grief! What's with all the double posts lately?

 

[DLR29]

Another option is do FL first thing and then save Nemo until just a few minutes before park closing. As long as you are in line prior to park closing time, you will be allowed to ride. We did this in Nov. and waited 20 min to get on.

There is a risk involved with this plan (that I'm sure Hydro is taking into account), in that Nemo may be "down", and then you've blown your only chance at riding it.

I would second this plan, but in Fantasyland I don't really see a need to do Pinocchio early. Even in the summer that and Snow White's lines don't really get that long. However Peter Pan, Mr. Toad, Alice, and Matterhorn are all morning must-do's. Save Nemo for late afternoon/evening.

Get there at least 30 min in advance and hit the Fantasyland rides first. Then hit Tomorrowland (last summer TL didn't fill up until 11AM because of such a strong Nemo pull) you can even grab a FP for Space, Autopia, or Buzz.

Then cross Main Street and do Adventureland. Next tour NOS, Critter Country, Frontierland, the rest of Fantasyland, and Toontown in the afternoon, while returning to Nemo in the evening.

 

[HydroGuy]

Another option is do FL first thing and then save Nemo until just a few minutes before park closing. As long as you are in line prior to park closing time, you will be allowed to ride. We did this in Nov. and waited 20 min to get on.

There is a risk involved with this plan (that I'm sure Hydro is taking into account), in that Nemo may be "down", and then you've blown your only chance at riding it.

Good point. LOL, but I read the OP as someone on a day trip and thought that if they arrived at rope drop then closing with Nemo at midnight would be beyond them. That would tax even a high energy person like me.

For someone on a multi-day trip then I agree riding Nemo at closing is another viable way to avoid crowds.

 

[HydroGuy]

Good grief! What's with all the double posts lately?

Yeah right. What did you really write before we could see it?

 

[blackjackdelta]

Good point. LOL, but I read the OP as someone on a day trip and thought that if they arrived at rope drop then closing with Nemo at midnight would be beyond them. That would tax even a high energy person like me.

For someone on a multi-day trip then I agree riding Nemo at closing is another viable way to avoid crowds.

If it were my nickle, I would not waste the time. But it is not.

Jack

 

[shelemm]

In case you were wondering, this might be a one day marathon of Disneyland, no DCA. Will stay to the bitter end.

Thanks for all your suggestions. IF I can be one of the first families in, then I don't mind trying Nemo first. I mean, SOMEBODY has got to be there first, right? And I personally don't mind, in principle, getting to the front gate SUPER DUPER early and waiting with a good book. I supose my family does not have to get up as early as I do, they can join me on line, d'ya think? Our focus will be attractions not at MK in WDW.

But if it turns out that Nemo first won't work, then will get some of the dark rides out of the way early, as y'all suggest and try to do Nemo at the very end. If we don't make it, I won't be upset.

 

[DLR29]

Our focus will be attractions not at MK in WDW.

Just to say that only a couple rides are exactly the same (Dumbo, Carousel and that's about it). There are HUGE differences in all rides at both parks (most IMO are for the better at DL). Buzz, Space, Pirates, It's a Small World (although closed until late 08) are in no way worse than MK and definitely worth checking out for all WDW vets.

 

[shelemm]

Just to say that only a couple rides are exactly the same (Dumbo, Carousel and that's about it). There are HUGE differences in all rides at both parks (most IMO are for the better at DL). Buzz, Space, Pirates, It's a Small World (although closed until late 08) are in no way worse than MK and definitely worth checking out for all WDW vets.

I have heard that Splash and MAYBE Space are actually better at WDW, but I often hear that DL is overall quite a bit better than MK.

What attractions do you feel are HUGELY different or maybe even better at DL? We're intersted in everything, but we'll have to prioritize. Would especially like to know about Buzz, Autopia, or any of the dark rides. We are almost certain to check out Tom Sawyer Island (do they hide the paintbrushes at DL?) or see if the Tarzan treehouse is much different.

 

[DLR29]

Buzz (IMO) is more fun because the guns are removable, which makes for "easier" aiming.

Autopia is FAR better because you have scenery to look at, you go "off roading", and you're not just in a 4 lane concrete "road" the whole time.

There is no Tom Sawyer Island as of May last year. They closed down the whole island and redid the theme, so now it is Pirate's Lair. I think it's a huge improvement. The caves are nicely themed, there's a ton of piratey interactive stuff around the island, and "Pirate" CM's walk around and interact with the guests. There's also a Pirate show on the island with Jack Sparrow. Now that it's been invaded by pirates, the paintbrushes don't make much sense (though we did like looking/finding one on our WDW trip)

Pirates is 10x better at DL because it is much longer and has several additional scenes that are great. Plus there's another drop. Highly recommend it for WDW vets.

Space is a whole different ride at DL. With complete darkness (MK's has some rather light moments), bigger cars, and music that goes with the ride movement, DL's is more of an experience than a roller coaster. The ride isn't as intense, but it is more smooth.

Tiki Room, while not a "must see", is different from MK's because it is narrated by Jose instead of Zazu or Iago.

I think MK's Splash and Jungle Cruise are better (not to say that DL's are bad though). Peter Pan, Snow White, Winnie-the-Pooh, and Big Thunder are similar each with their small differences (I think Pooh is better at DL, Snow White at MK, PPF and BTMRR about the same). Didn't ride HM when I was at MK because it was closed.

 

[shelemm]

Buzz (IMO) is more fun because the guns are removable, which makes for "easier" aiming.

Autopia is FAR better because you have scenery to look at, you go "off roading", and you're not just in a 4 lane concrete "road" the whole time.

There is no Tom Sawyer Island as of May last year. They closed down the whole island and redid the theme, so now it is Pirate's Lair. I think it's a huge improvement. The caves are nicely themed, there's a ton of piratey interactive stuff around the island, and "Pirate" CM's walk around and interact with the guests. There's also a Pirate show on the island with Jack Sparrow. Now that it's been invaded by pirates, the paintbrushes don't make much sense (though we did like looking/finding one on our WDW trip)

Pirates is 10x better at DL because it is much longer and has several additional scenes that are great. Plus there's another drop. Highly recommend it for WDW vets.

Space is a whole different ride at DL. With complete darkness (MK's has some rather light moments), bigger cars, and music that goes with the ride movement, DL's is more of an experience than a roller coaster. The ride isn't as intense, but it is more smooth.

Tiki Room, while not a "must see", is different from MK's because it is narrated by Jose instead of Zazu or Iago.

I think MK's Splash and Jungle Cruise are better (not to say that DL's are bad though). Peter Pan, Snow White, Winnie-the-Pooh, and Big Thunder are similar each with their small differences (I think Pooh is better at DL, Snow White at MK, PPF and BTMRR about the same). Didn't ride HM when I was at MK because it was closed.

Thank you so much for all the details. The Tiki Room Under New Management at WDW is obnoxious and hideous. I've been to DL once as an adult, for a quarter-day visit (!), and did BTMRR, Enchanted Tiki Room, Haunted Mansion, and Jungle Cruise. Waited 45 minutes each for BTMRR and Haunted Mansion and had enough.

 

[Tensixmom]

I can tell you that I was there over New Years and the line was 3 hours for Nemo. I hate to throw a wrench in the plans, but Nemo was not an available ride during early entry. However, you can certainly stand in the line and wait for park opening to get on it. I would hit the rides you can during early entry, definately Peter Pan, and Dumbo, those lines can be extremely long, and then come back to Nemo prior to opening. Only my suggestions.

 

[shelemm]

I can tell you that I was there over New Years and the line was 3 hours for Nemo. I hate to throw a wrench in the plans, but Nemo was not an available ride during early entry. However, you can certainly stand in the line and wait for park opening to get on it. I would hit the rides you can during early entry, definately Peter Pan, and Dumbo, those lines can be extremely long, and then come back to Nemo prior to opening. Only my suggestions.

I'll be at DL on a Wednesday, so no early entry. I hate waiting on lines, so beleieve me I am not going to do 3 hours for Nemo! But somebedy has to be first to get on, or at least one of the first..... right? Of course, If I get there and it looks like a line, I 'll just shift to the Matterhorn.