Strategy when you don't have MM and that's the only park you're going to...

[todzwife]

We're hoping to hit Disneyland for ONE glorious day in October during our fall break. Unfortunately, the only day this could happen is on a Thursday, which is MM day. Because we'll only have 1 days tickets we won't get MM. What's the best strategy? The kids are dying to go on Pirates, Haunted Mansion Holiday and Ghost Galaxy. We can't afford to to Maxpasses for everyone, I'm pinching pennies as it is to get us there for the one day.

 

[mom2rtk]

Start in Tomorrowland/Frontierland since those areas aren't open during MM.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Start in Tomorrowland/Frontierland since those areas aren't open during MM.

I assume you mean Adventureland/New Orleans Square/Frontierland since Tomorrowland is open during MM. That's our strategy too. The only trouble is that Indy and Big Thunder are sometimes not quite up and running yet, so you have to just be willing to be flexible and keep on moving. If there are no technical difficulties, you should be able to knock out Indy, Pirates, Mansion, and Thunder pretty quickly. OP, at some point between rides though, like maybe after your first ride, I would send a runner to grab a fastpass for Space Mountain since it's a priority for you and its fastpasses go quickly.

 

[mom2rtk]

I assume you mean Adventureland/New Orleans Square/Frontierland since Tomorrowland is open during MM. That's our strategy too. The only trouble is that Indy and Big Thunder are sometimes not quite up and running yet, so you have to just be willing to be flexible and keep on moving. If there are no technical difficulties, you should be able to knock out Indy, Pirates, Mansion, and Thunder pretty quickly. OP, at some point between rides though, like maybe after your first ride, I would send a runner to grab a fastpass for Space Mountain since it's a priority for you and its fastpasses go quickly.

Yep, that. My mind said one thing, and the fingers did another! But yes, starting on that side of the park at least they won't have lines full already.

 

[az4boys]

I assume you mean Adventureland/New Orleans Square/Frontierland since Tomorrowland is open during MM. That's our strategy too. The only trouble is that Indy and Big Thunder are sometimes not quite up and running yet, so you have to just be willing to be flexible and keep on moving. If there are no technical difficulties, you should be able to knock out Indy, Pirates, Mansion, and Thunder pretty quickly. OP, at some point between rides though, like maybe after your first ride, I would send a runner to grab a fastpass for Space Mountain since it's a priority for you and its fastpasses go quickly.

I agree with this!

 

[HydroGuy]

I assume you mean Adventureland/New Orleans Square/Frontierland since Tomorrowland is open during MM. That's our strategy too. The only trouble is that Indy and Big Thunder are sometimes not quite up and running yet, so you have to just be willing to be flexible and keep on moving. If there are no technical difficulties, you should be able to knock out Indy, Pirates, Mansion, and Thunder pretty quickly. OP, at some point between rides though, like maybe after your first ride, I would send a runner to grab a fastpass for Space Mountain since it's a priority for you and its fastpasses go quickly.

This!

 

[az4boys]

Also, get there early, well before the regular park opening. You will get so much done the first few hours if you get there early and keep moving. Eat breakfast before you come and bring snacks to tide you over until lunch. Use the Disneyland app. It has useful information on ride times and FP times, even if you aren't using MP. You can also watch the app for fast pass times for the few days before you go so you have an idea of what might be available and when you need to send a runner. You might consider getting MP for just one person, just for the pictures. $10 for all the memories! Just make sure they are linked to the one ticket that has MP. Have fun!

 

[SteveMP]

Well is it a day with the halloween party that night? Cause that can be a trainereck for those not attending the party.

Assuming its not, i would go there, get a fp for SM, then standby on pirates. HM usually gets busiest at night, standby in the day shouldn't be too bad for the most part, but you can get your next fp for that if you want.

 

[todzwife]

Well is it a day with the halloween party that night? Cause that can be a trainereck for those not attending the party.

Assuming its not, i would go there, get a fp for SM, then standby on pirates. HM usually gets busiest at night, standby in the day shouldn't be too bad for the most part, but you can get your next fp for that if you want.

Nope, no party that night, just the nights before and after

Thanks everyone...I was thinking the same as everyone posted. Glad to see I wasn't too far off. We can skip Fantasyland for the most part, my 4 year old likes IASW and the carousel but other than that, she's fine with whatever we're doing.

 

[Frozen2014]

We just completed 4 days at Disney and can recommend MaxPass. It's a huge time saver and lets you grab a Fastpass for headliners much quicker.

 

[todzwife]

We just completed 4 days at Disney and can recommend MaxPass. It's a huge time saver and lets you grab a Fastpass for headliners much quicker.

Unfortunately I just can't swing it this time...I'm already saving everything I can to get us there for ONE day. ($648 for ONE park)

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I'd recommend getting a fastpass for Ghost Galaxy, ride Star Tours, then head over to Haunted Mansion, then Pirates.

 

[DLRExpert]

I'm not sure when the park will open but I'm guessing it's 9am. If it's 8am that will be better for you.

830am
Get to the park entrance 30 minutes early. Don't focus on only your most requested attractions or you will miss out on shorter lines for the attractions not listed.

Use the app to see what the wait times in Fantasyland are like before the park opens.

9am-945am
When the park opens get Fastpass for the Matterhorn.
You should have about 30 minutes until that Fastpass is up.
Now head to Fantasyland and do a few attractions there. The lines may be a bit longer due to MM but you can probably get a few done with low waits. The waits will be even longer later in the day. Also, keep in mind that Casey Jr. is not open during MM.
Use FP when the time is up for the Matterhorn

945am-12pm
Now head to Adventureland and grab FP for Indiana Jones, ride Jungle Cruise, Pirates, grab FP for Haunted Mansion Holiday.
Use FP for Indiana Jones, Have FP runner get FP for Ghost Galaxy, ride Splash Mountain, Winnie the Pooh, use FP for Haunted Mansion Holiday
Should be Lunch time.

Next FP should be for Star Tours, then Big Thunder Mountain, Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters, and close with Roger Rabbit if you get to that area.

Tiki Room should have no line, Small World and Autopia should all have a line but they will move very fast.

Have Fun
ME