Thank you DISers

[Jkpark]

We just got back from our short trip to DLR. We go often, so we usually have a handle on things, but how to adjust for Cars Land had me nervous - and I became absolutely addicted to the DIS. Thank you for all the various advice that allowed us to have a great trip!!!

We spent 1 1/2 days in the parks and had EE each day. RSR and Matterhorn weren't operating during EE, but I was expecting that so it didn't freak me out. We rode LT once and MJJ twice and knew I didn't need to be in the FP line until just before 8. We then hit the rest of the park and rode everything we wanted to, some several times. We got the most of the PhotoPass + with the various tips I read here. We did find Baloo at Goofy's Kitchen and DD4 and DD6 loved him. He even photo-bombed our Cinderella photo which I thought was hysterical. If I learn how to post pics here I will post that one. We watched them light up Cars Land which I wouldn't have known about otherwise and it gave me chills. We also walked the park a few times to come into Cars Land from the wharf b/c it really is so impressive! We chose to ride RSR at night since we might only get one ride and LOVED it

Monday we did EE at DL and rode most of FL. DH took off and got into RSR FP line just before 8. He actually called me that they were directing him to the "regular" FP line held at rope drop and I told him to go back and try again and he made it! He then came back to DL and grabbed Star Tours FP and met us right at 8:30 as Merida appeared! We rode everything we wanted at DL and then went back to DCA around noon to ride RSR before getting on the road.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Question: Has anyone else felt this way around TSMM: It's based on a movie where when Andy gets Buzz, Woody fears that with the new toy in town, he would be forgotten and discarded? And then the toys again worrying when Andy gets a puppy? Walking by TSMM at 8:10 am with NO LINE at all, a CM outside asking people to come it - no waiting, 8:20 - still 5 minutes. All because of the new toy in town (RSR). Granted it was busier later in the day, but just for a moment I felt sorry for those toys inside who were used to being slammed all day every day and are now inside wondering where everyone was.

 

[DizFan13]

We just got back from our short trip to DLR. We go often, so we usually have a handle on things, but how to adjust for Cars Land had me nervous - and I became absolutely addicted to the DIS. Thank you for all the various advice that allowed us to have a great trip!!!

We spent 1 1/2 days in the parks and had EE each day. RSR and Matterhorn weren't operating during EE, but I was expecting that so it didn't freak me out. We rode LT once and MJJ twice and knew I didn't need to be in the FP line until just before 8. We then hit the rest of the park and rode everything we wanted to, some several times. We got the most of the PhotoPass + with the various tips I read here. We did find Baloo at Goofy's Kitchen and DD4 and DD6 loved him. He even photo-bombed our Cinderella photo which I thought was hysterical. If I learn how to post pics here I will post that one. We watched them light up Cars Land which I wouldn't have known about otherwise and it gave me chills. We also walked the park a few times to come into Cars Land from the wharf b/c it really is so impressive! We chose to ride RSR at night since we might only get one ride and LOVED it

Monday we did EE at DL and rode most of FL. DH took off and got into RSR FP line just before 8. He actually called me that they were directing him to the "regular" FP line held at rope drop and I told him to go back and try again and he made it! He then came back to DL and grabbed Star Tours FP and met us right at 8:30 as Merida appeared! We rode everything we wanted at DL and then went back to DCA around noon to ride RSR before getting on the road.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Question: Has anyone else felt this way around TSMM: It's based on a movie where when Andy gets Buzz, Woody fears that with the new toy in town, he would be forgotten and discarded? And then the toys again worrying when Andy gets a puppy? Walking by TSMM at 8:10 am with NO LINE at all, a CM outside asking people to come it - no waiting, 8:20 - still 5 minutes. All because of the new toy in town (RSR). Granted it was busier later in the day, but just for a moment I felt sorry for those toys inside who were used to being slammed all day every day and are now inside wondering where everyone was.

So glad to hear what a fun trip you had! If anything could increase my own excitement about our upcoming trip, it is hearing stories like this. That picture with Cinderella and a surprise Baloo sounds terrific. It reminds me of one time when Captain Hook "kidnapped" my DS (he was eleven at the time) to escort him to Ariel, where he pointed out the skull and crossbones on my DS's shirt and did a little happy dance. Sometimes the characters can bring such extra magic and build special memories!

I haven't heard about the lighting up of CL...when does this happen? Where is a good place to watch? This is why this DIS boards are so amazing. I feel like I spend so much time reading as many threads is I can, but there are always little gems like this that surprise me.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Jkpark]

They say it starts 5 minutes after sunset time ( which you can look up online). We got there right around 8 and camped out towards the entrance to Cars Land on Route 66 - just a little ways down. They start playing "sh boom sh boom" and the neon starts coming on from one end if the street to the other. It felt like you are in the movie and the area just looks amazing afterwards. And I know what you mean - I read and read and keep learning new things! Have a great time!

 

[krispin41]

My DH and I also just got back, and I also agree one of the most magical moments was when the neon was lit in CarsLand. I also teared up. We were standing right near Luigi's. We happened to be there the 12th when RSR was pretty much down all day, they had RSR CMs all out letting people know that it was closed, but the group of them also posed for pictures which was really cool since they were all in their red uniforms, and all saying "Ka-chow!!"

For people who think CarsLand is only RSR, try again, I saw so many tiny little details that I was in awe. Just signs in the windows, the traffic light flowers, the tires in line at Luigi's, the radiator caps on the ropes in the queue of Mater's. Cone shaped flowers (*real* flowers!) at the Cozy Cone Motel, and CMs telling us to drive safely.

AND Red's Apple Freeze. My new favorite drink ever.

 

[las3888]

Hello,

I am glad and relieved to hear that you had a great time. We are leaving in a little over a week and I am still in that nervous state, mostly about CL!

I was a little confused about something you wrote. You used EE to go to DL one morning while DH went to get FP's for RSR--did you need to have had your tickets registered through at DCA, or was having them registered through DL okay? I guess I would have figured that all the tickets used to get a FP would have needed to go through the gates at that park. Does that make sense? Also, you mentioned that the CM's tried to direct DH to another line--what line was that?

Finally (yes, I am pretty nervous as you can tell!), you didn't need to get in the FP line until 8? If you do get in line around 8, about how long does it take to get through the line and what time is your FP for? I didn't know that RSR wasn't running during early entry either. I haven't been able to read as much on the disboards as I would like to.

Thanks for your post and if you have any suggestions regarding the above, please post!

 

[Jkpark]

las3888 - I'll try to hit on each question - I was super nervous about Cars Land, too!!

RSR is supposed to be running during EE and for some it is, but on the two days we were there - it happened to be down. They did tell us this upon entry so we could plan accordingly - which was nice that we didn't have to walk all the way there to find out it was down.

The first day we used early entry to DCA. We rode a few rides and then I got in the RSR FP line at 7:45. It started moving at 8. I had my fastpass in about 6 or 7 minutes and the return time was 9:05-10:05 (but I didn't use it until night time).

The second day we used early entry into DL (all 4 of us). Around 7:35 - DH left and took all 4 passes to DCA. Only he was registered in DCA but we were all still registered in the FP system for having been in DL that morning. Because he entered after 7:30 - all the 8:00 guests were in the park and being held at rope drop (one group for Cars land and one group in sort of a pre-line for the RSR FP machine). Once there he asked a CM where to go for FP and they directed him to the end of the line that was being held back until 8. He called me and I asked him to try again b/c that was different than what we experienced the day before. He walked back around and found another CM who directed him to the FP line for EE guests. Basically the people being held are at a piece of green tape and the guests already in the park for EE in the FP line were in line all the way back to that green tape - so it did appear as one line. When he got over there other guests helped him get into the right line. So Monday he was in line at 7:50; had his fastpass at 8:10 with a 10:00 - 11:00 return time.

If you have early entry - I think it makes sense to get in that line for FP just before 8 and you will be ahead of the guests being held back. If you don't have early entry, I would just get in line as soon as you get into the park, hopefully there for rope drop at 8. I think on most days they are all gone a little after 9, maybe lasting a little later on Saturdays.

That was my experience - but it seems to vary day to day. Some people have been lucky and rode RSR during EE and other rides, and still have time to get in the FP line. Some have reported that the lines merged before 8 - which wouldn't mean you don't get a FP, you would just be waiting in that line longer and have a later return time.

I think if you are reading threads here and go in with a plan - you will be fine and have time to experience everything in Cars Land (and the rest of DLR for that matter). Reading others' experiences really helped me have a game plan for a couple different scenarios that I might find during EE and it worked great! Good luck!

 

[HydroGuy]

Hello,

I am glad and relieved to hear that you had a great time. We are leaving in a little over a week and I am still in that nervous state, mostly about CL!

I was a little confused about something you wrote. You used EE to go to DL one morning while DH went to get FP's for RSR--did you need to have had your tickets registered through at DCA, or was having them registered through DL okay? I guess I would have figured that all the tickets used to get a FP would have needed to go through the gates at that park. Does that make sense? Also, you mentioned that the CM's tried to direct DH to another line--what line was that?

Once the park entrance media are scanned at either park they are enabled for both. So it is possible for one FP runner to leave the group and go to the opposite park to get FPs even though no on else in the group has entered the opposite park. It has been this way for many years and I have done it myself many times.

 

[pixiewings71]

We just got back from our short trip to DLR. We go often, so we usually have a handle on things, but how to adjust for Cars Land had me nervous - and I became absolutely addicted to the DIS. Thank you for all the various advice that allowed us to have a great trip!!!

We spent 1 1/2 days in the parks and had EE each day. RSR and Matterhorn weren't operating during EE, but I was expecting that so it didn't freak me out. We rode LT once and MJJ twice and knew I didn't need to be in the FP line until just before 8. We then hit the rest of the park and rode everything we wanted to, some several times. We got the most of the PhotoPass + with the various tips I read here. We did find Baloo at Goofy's Kitchen and DD4 and DD6 loved him. He even photo-bombed our Cinderella photo which I thought was hysterical. If I learn how to post pics here I will post that one. We watched them light up Cars Land which I wouldn't have known about otherwise and it gave me chills. We also walked the park a few times to come into Cars Land from the wharf b/c it really is so impressive! We chose to ride RSR at night since we might only get one ride and LOVED it

Monday we did EE at DL and rode most of FL. DH took off and got into RSR FP line just before 8. He actually called me that they were directing him to the "regular" FP line held at rope drop and I told him to go back and try again and he made it! He then came back to DL and grabbed Star Tours FP and met us right at 8:30 as Merida appeared! We rode everything we wanted at DL and then went back to DCA around noon to ride RSR before getting on the road.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Question: Has anyone else felt this way around TSMM: It's based on a movie where when Andy gets Buzz, Woody fears that with the new toy in town, he would be forgotten and discarded? And then the toys again worrying when Andy gets a puppy? Walking by TSMM at 8:10 am with NO LINE at all, a CM outside asking people to come it - no waiting, 8:20 - still 5 minutes. All because of the new toy in town (RSR). Granted it was busier later in the day, but just for a moment I felt sorry for those toys inside who were used to being slammed all day every day and are now inside wondering where everyone was.

Love the neon lights coming up at CL!!!! DD and I hung out just to see that and we danced in the middle of the street and sang the song. It was so cute!! The "right" entrance is definitely the one through the wharf, especially at night....OMG we would walk that way just to see it! LOL And RSR is amazing at night, we love that the cars have headlights on! LOL I just love CL!!
I'm confused on the FP thing tho, there should only be one line........
As for TSMM, I doubt you have to worry, the ride had lines of 45 minutes regularly when we were there. LOL

My DH and I also just got back, and I also agree one of the most magical moments was when the neon was lit in CarsLand. I also teared up. We were standing right near Luigi's. We happened to be there the 12th when RSR was pretty much down all day, they had RSR CMs all out letting people know that it was closed, but the group of them also posed for pictures which was really cool since they were all in their red uniforms, and all saying "Ka-chow!!"

For people who think CarsLand is only RSR, try again, I saw so many tiny little details that I was in awe. Just signs in the windows, the traffic light flowers, the tires in line at Luigi's, the radiator caps on the ropes in the queue of Mater's. Cone shaped flowers (*real* flowers!) at the Cozy Cone Motel, and CMs telling us to drive safely.

AND Red's Apple Freeze. My new favorite drink ever.

YES! So many little things that if you don't look you will absolutely miss! We were walking down Route 66 one night and the people in front of us were walking slowly, I said "hey, the speed limit is 25, speed up!" and we all had a good laugh.

OP I'm glad you had such a good time, and very glad you got to ride RSR twice, we were there for 5 days, rode it 4 times, it was amazing!! I can't wait to go back in a few weeks.

 

[Jkpark]

I'm confused on the FP thing tho, there should only be one line........

It sounds like different people have seen different things here - and I know in trying to explain what we had for RSR FP lines, it is so confusing I can barely follow what I'm writing - and I'm writing it . But I'll try

We were there for EE this past Sunday and Monday (no other days in the parks so its only based on what we saw those two days)

If you had EE into DCA, you were allowed into the park at 7. You could get in the RSR FP line at the machines anytime after 7, but they didn't start distributing until 8. At 7:30, they start letting "regular" guests into the park but they were held at rope drop. They could choose which "rope" - one to follow CMs into Cars Land or a separate "rope" to be led into the RSR FP line once the park opened. So although there were "regular" guests in a RSR FP line starting at 7:30 - they were still held behind a rope. If you were in for EE, you could get in the actual FP line anytime before 8 and be in front of those people, who wouldn't merge until 8. So until 8 - there were the two lines. On Sunday I got into this line at 7:45 and I could see the crowd waiting, but I was still physically a good ways apart from that line.

The confusion my DH found on Monday was that the end of the first line and beginning of the "rope" line were up against each other with no gap. So when he asked a CM where to go - she thought it was all the same line and directed him to the back (which was at Animation Academy). When he came back the 2nd time (still before 8 and using EE), the 2nd CM told him about this green tape on the ground which separates the actual line (for EE guests) and the people waiting for rope drop to move into that line.

Sorry if this is more confusing than helpful. I didn't think to take pictures

 

[Kiwianna]

We entered the park on Thursday July 5 shortly after 7.30 and I joined what appeared to be the one and only queue for RSR fastpasses. The others in my group, who headed to the rides, were held behind a rope until 8am.

 

[Jkpark]

We entered the park on Thursday July 5 shortly after 7.30 and I joined what appeared to be the one and only queue for RSR fastpasses. The others in my group, who headed to the rides, were held behind a rope until 8am.

I've read other reports like yours, too. And others who experienced what we did. I wish there was a way to know what causes the different scenarios so people heading there could plan accordingly... I had read other reports more similar to mine and planned to be in line between 7:45 and 7:55 depending on what else we could get done. I would have been frustrated/surprised to find myself at the back of a much longer line - although it sounds like that was the case even the day before my visit.

Does it have to do with the prior distinction between APEE and Hotel guest APEE? Actual # of people in the park for EE? Whether RSR is up and running for EE? Or just different CMs working that day?

 

[pixiewings71]

That helped, thanks for explaining. I did honestly think there would only be 1 line, weird that they did it the "other" way. lol

 

[las3888]

Thanks, OP, and others for answering my questions. I am still confused about the lines--do you have any advice? Do we wear a badge that says I am an EE person, so that we can avoid any unnecessary lines? (just kidding, but honestly, it wouldn't be a bad idea!!!).

I am curious as to what time to go for the lighting of Cars Land, as well as what the earliest hour would be for a night-time ride. We are on Central time and it gets dark probably 8-8:30....not sure what to expect out there.

Thanks for your great post. It has been very helpful...