The Radiator Springs Racers Wait-Time Minimization Discussion Thread

[Ridewatchers]

Phew! That's a mouthful.

Radiator Springs Racers (RSR) is currently Disney California Adventure's (DCA) top attraction. It is so popular that some days see 75-90 minute stand-by waits within minutes of the park's opening! And it is safe to say that minimizing one's wait for RSR has become a science.

Because of the attention this ride generates--and its potential to make or break thousands of itineraries--I would like to propose a threaded discussion for minimizing the wait time for RSR. The goal is to provide first- and second-timers with objective data; posts that are merely anecdotal or tangential ought to be avoided--there's a lot of junk out there!

With this proposal, how can we help others get out of the traffic jam?

 

[jsilvers]

With this proposal, how can we help others get out of the traffic jam?

For starters, try discussing the topic in the Disneyland board, not the board for the WDW theme parks?

 

[DizDaD7]

For starters, try discussing the topic in the Disneyland board, not the board for the WDW theme parks?

Hahaha... Too funny.....BTW.....Kinda interesting for a 1st or 2nd Post.

 

[Dr.Mickey]

I'll bet the wait would be way shorter if they did a Tron overlay - like the one in Florida

I do love the topic, though. As an East Coast resident, I've only been to DLR for one fantastic trip...about 6 months before RSR opened. I will get back some day.

 

[DebbieB]

We either do fastpass or single rider.

 

[mamapenguin]

If we tell you, the line will get longer.... ^^ the poster above has the right idea. Do it early the line only gets longer.

 

[bumbershoot]

Single rider. We've never ridden any other way.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Fastpass if you want to ride together. Single rider if you don't care about being split up. Just make sure to pick it up first thing in the morning (or 2nd thing in the morning if Frozen the play is the bigger priority to you). And voila no touring plans foiled. (Admittedly I'm confused how it blows people's touring plans as it's been open with this wait time for years now.)

 

[bumbershoot]

(Admittedly I'm confused how it blows people's touring plans as it's been open with this wait time for years now.)

Agreed.

Also not sure what "junk" the OP is concerned about, or how anecdotal info (single rider has never steered us wrong!) is bad.

 

[Geemo]

Phew! That's a mouthful.

Radiator Springs Racers (RSR) is currently Disney California Adventure's (DCA) top attraction. It is so popular that some days see 75-90 minute stand-by waits within minutes of the park's opening! And it is safe to say that minimizing one's wait for RSR has become a science.

Because of the attention this ride generates--and its potential to make or break thousands of itineraries--I would like to propose a threaded discussion for minimizing the wait time for RSR. The goal is to provide first- and second-timers with objective data; posts that are merely anecdotal or tangential ought to be avoided--there's a lot of junk out there!

With this proposal, how can we help others get out of the traffic jam?

With the number of people that crowd the parks these days, longer wait times for many rides is noticeable.
Until the attendance decreases there will continue to be "Traffic Jams" in certain areas of both parks.

Looking at the Disneyland wait times app right now (Sunday 7-3 @ 10:40am)
Disneyland is open 8am to midnight. The current wait times are - PP is 35 min, ST 60min, HyperSM 55min, Astro Orbitor 45min
California Adventure is open (EE 7am) 8am to 10pm. Current wait times are - Soarin 60 min, RSR 60 min, Screamin 30min, Toy story 30 min
The wait times will only grow as the day goes on. Keep in mind this is a Holiday Weekend in the middle of Summer Break.

There are few ways to avoid Traffic Jams and DisBoard members have always shared their secrets.
*** Remember the "Wide Right Technique" for RSR, in my opinion this was was GENIUS!
*** How to get on PP right after the fireworks with little wait.
*** The NUMBER ONE TIP (and this isn't a secret) get up and hit rope drop! You snooze.... You loose.......

Disney has tried to help the lines move too. Single rider line rides have two benefits. It gets a single person on a ride faster (usually) and it shortens the standby line by keeping the single ride in a different line.

You're right there is a lot of junk out there.
First and second timer's need to do their research to design a plan to meet their needs and interests.

That is the nice thing about the DisBoard, new or old member, if you have a question there are plenty of people to help with an answer.

Geemo

 

[disneychrista]

Ride first things after the park opens on a non-EMH day.

Get FP.

Single Rider.

 

[JulieNMM]

Just got back from Disneyland. My DD went on the Ariel ride and it broke down while she was on it and she was given a FP for any ride in the park. We used it on RSR. The next day, she was on California Screamin and it broke just after she got strapped in (but before they left the station). She and everyone in her group got a FP for 6 people for any ride. So we used that for RSR. So not something you can plan for but if it happens, be smart and use it for a ride with a long wait (like this one!)

 

[lk2500]

*** How to get on PP right after the fireworks with little wait.

Oh, no! I was just there and REALLY wish I had this tip. What exactly is the strategy?

 

[Arnir]

I like touring DCA after dark and then use the single rider line (solo traveler). The wait is usually quite short, but this August will be the first time I've gone in the summer months. I assume, however, that the result will be proportional the same. (Longer line than January nights but shorter than the daytime).

 

[Geemo]

Oh, no! I was just there and REALLY wish I had this tip. What exactly is the strategy?

One night we saw people standing by the ropes in Fantasyland, near King Arthur Carrousel, blocking things for the fireworks.
I asked the CM if this was a line for something, they said it was the line for PP once the fireworks was over.
There were only a few people, so we decided to join the line. We watched the fireworks from there. Once the fireworks were over and things were deemed safe, the CM escorted the line over to the ride entrance. People on the hub side of the castle were still roped off and watched as we entered the que for PP.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I've never done single rider for anything. Do they fill another group's car with the single rider?

 

[disneychrista]

I've never done single rider for anything. Do they fill another group's car with the single rider?

Yes. You will fill in an empty seat, if they can't fill it from the regular line. You will always be on the right hand side.

 

[HundredAcreWoodResident]

My personal theory is that the SR line is the largest contributor to RSR wait times. People who disagree with this will claim that they are just taking places in a partially filled car and, thus, not increasing waiting times. I disagree; using the SR line to fill a car has become the norm for CMs loading the rides, but if you think about it, loading the cars to full capacity can be done through the regular line. The CMs load and call for "party of 2," or "party of 3," etc. This is standard for SM, BTMRR, Pirates, and even Indy, which has a SR, but I notice the CMs always check the front of the line for smaller parties.

If the SR were eliminated, it would reduce the lines by deterring some individuals or families from riding multiple times in one day just because SR is easier than getting a FP or shorter than stand-by.

 

[disneychrista]

The CMs load and call for "party of 2," or "party of 3," etc. This is standard for SM, BTMRR, Pirates, and even Indy, which has a SR, but I notice the CMs always check the front of the line for smaller parties.

Are suggesting that they should split a party of two, so one sits in front one sits in back of the same car?

 

[lk2500]

Are suggesting that they should split a party of two, so one sits in front one sits in back of the same car?

We have a family of 4. We rode RSR 3 times with Fast Passes. We told the CM we were going to ride 2-2 each time - so they added a party of 2 single riders (a party of 2 that were together). The first 2 times we decided to go 3-1 at the last minute (makes for a better ride photo) and let the single riders ride together in the back. The last time we stayed 2-2 and the single riders rode 1 in the front and 1 in the back on the right hand side.