Tips for Splash

[Mom2Joce]

Ok, for the past several trips I've haven't gone on Splash because of the long line I've been on it several times and I know there is a FP but I never seem to get to that end of the park in time. This trip DD is 6 and wants to go so I'd like to make that a priority.
HOWEVER, I want to do Indy and Space (the last few trips Space was under refirb and then I was pregnant...grrr) so I want to make THOSE a priority too??

What's the best plan of attack if those 3 are a must??

Also, with Space & Indy, I think my 6 year old can handle it but if we get all the way to the front and she freaks can we do a "child swap" even though she's older?? Do they frown upon this?

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[dancindisneyLuver]

First I would say to head to space mountain and get a FP. They usually run out pretty quickly. Then once you get a fastpass look at the time on the bottom and it will tell you when you can get a new FP. When that time comes go and get a Splash fastpass. If you don't think you can make it to Splash Mountain in time, don't worry. They let you use fastpass after the time expires, only for that day. I would say you would probably want to wait in line for Indy while you wait for the fastpass time.
I don't know anything about the child swap, but I hope this info helps!

 

[ter-moo]

They will allow for the "freak-out" right at the last minute thing. Generally, they'll have one parent wait with the child near the boarding area while the other goes on.

I always buy cheap ponchos at the Dollar store (generally 2 for $1) for Splash Mtn. That way, you can just toss 'em or hand them off to another family when you get off. Garbage bags with arm and head holes cut out work well, too.

Our plan of attack at Disneyland has always been to buy (or get at the library) "The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland" and then follow one of its touring plans in the back. They ALWAYS work. They'll tell you exactly what order to do things, so it takes the pressure off having to figure out/make decisions between rides. The kids like it, too, because it cuts down on fighting over everything. You just say, "The book says next we do this!" We always find that we have extra time later in the day to just sort of do whatever we want.

Also, if you buy a multi-day hopper pass, you'll get one Early Entry. Generally Space Mountain is open during that, and you'll be able to just walk right on first thing in the morning. Once the park opens, you can grab a Fastpass for either Splash or Indiana Jones and then get in line for the other.

 

[Mom2Joce]

Thanks for the info...I knew about EE but didn't know Space was an option at that time...we usually head for Fantasyland and tackle Peter Pan and Dumbo...but I will consider that...many thanks!

Just out of the blue...do you know if I upgrade my hoppers to the Deluxe AP if I'll get an EE with that ticket?

 

[Dukland]

Use your early entry on your hoppers, THEN upgrade to AP. AP does not have early entry. Lots of people "work the system" this way.

 

[Mom2Joce]

Ok, let me see if I get what you're saying: First thing is to get the Space FP and then whatever time it says at the bottom (when to ride Space) that is when my ticket will be available for another FP and I should go and get my Splash FP...maybe ride Indy after Space and before getting the Splash FP? Am I getting it?? That would make sense...I don't want to ride Splash first thing or last thing due to chilly weather

 

[kiwitravel]

We were there in late June and early July and had no probs getting on any of the rides. If EE day then go do SM and PP and all the other FL rides, then head over to Splash and get FP then go to Indy and wait in line. If the line at Indy is not outside then FP is no faster. If a non EE day I would go to Splash first get FP then Indy via line as soon as you are able (FP ticket says at the bottom when you can get another FP) get a FP for Space. Plan to be there just before or as soon as the park opens. Our quietest day in the park was 4 July, we rode Splash 3 times without having to get off! Awesome fun and got to choose from three photos... We found the AP blackout days quieter and going at 8am on non EE days was brilliant. One morning we had ridden Splash, Indy, HM, Space, Thunder by 1000 plus had FPs in our pocket to ride a couple of them again in the afternoon.

 

[Mom2Joce]

Thanks that sounds like what I had in mind...do you know if taking the train to New Orleans would be faster than walking back to Splash or just time consuming?

Also, it seems that Indy is best done on its own without a fast pass...maybe a faster moving line?

Thanks again for all your input

 

[prncssmel]

Thanks that sounds like what I had in mind...do you know if taking the train to New Orleans would be faster than walking back to Splash or just time consuming?

Also, it seems that Indy is best done on its own without a fast pass...maybe a faster moving line?

Thanks again for all your input

I think walking is faster than waiting for a train. My plans of attack would be:
EE Day - Space, then back walkway to Fantasyland for Dumbo and Peter Pan. Be at entrance of Adventureland by the time the park is going to open, then head to Indy and ride. Get an FP for Splash after this and ride later. A great time time to ride Splash is during the fireworks; you can see them from the logs when you are on the outside part of the ride.

Non-EE Day - Get there 30 min. prior to opening. Go to Space first and get FP. Then head to Indy and ride, then to Splash. You may be able to get an FP this soon. If you are really close to getting another FP time and don't want to ride Spalash right then, going on Pooh uses up about 5 minutes and is right there. If not, you can ride Splash then. If you sit in the back, you shouldn't get too wet at all.

Line at Indy - With FP, you only skip the outside portion of the line, not the inside. So, if there is no outside line, using an FP isn't really worth it.

 

[bumbershoot]

Ok, let me see if I get what you're saying: First thing is to get the Space FP and then whatever time it says at the bottom (when to ride Space) that is when my ticket will be available for another FP and I should go and get my Splash FP...maybe ride Indy after Space and before getting the Splash FP? Am I getting it?? That would make sense...I don't want to ride Splash first thing or last thing due to chilly weather

You can get another FP *either* after the time on the first FP you have, *or* something like 2 hours after you got that first one. So if your first FP is for something like 6 hours later, you don't ahve to wait until then to get another, just something like 2 hours.



Since Indy's line is pretty cool, and since you miss what SEEMS to be about half of it, AND since you really don't miss all of it, I'd actually just wait in line for Indy. It's a fun line. Just perhaps do it as early as you possibly can.

 

[kiwitravel]

Walking will be faster than train. Indy certainly isn't a fast moving line especially if its outside, however you don't need a FP if the line is inside so ride early without.

 

[Adi12982]

I had similar thoughts - how do I do it all without being in line for hous and hours - I got ridemax and have been tinkering with it and for me it was worth the $15 because it is helping me know how to do it all

 

[Mom2Joce]

Could you PM me on how to obtain Ridemax? I searched but couldn't find it??

 

[Danauk]

The address for ridemax is www.ridemax.com I too have bought it and it is very good. Using it I have been able to work out both plans and work out the approximate ride times for all the rides we are interested in for every hour of the day just in case for some reason we go off plan.

 

[CalGal]

I don't really agree to the EE approach of getting onto Space Mtn before the Fantasyland rides, primarily because SM has FP, and it takes so much longer to ride than the FL rides. Peter Pan will be pretty backed up during EE by the time you get off of SM. I will generally ride Peter Pan first, followed by Dumbo, Matterhorn, Mr. Toad, Alice, Buzz, and the rest of the FL rides all before normal park opening. Sometimes I can also squeeze in a Space Mtn ride during EE, but I don't usually do this until at least 1/2 way through EE. If I do ride Space during EE, I do want to be finished with Space by normal park opening so I am ready to start getting FPs as soon as the park opens.

I agree that it's a good idea to get a FP for Space Mtn as soon as the park opens for normal opening whether or not it is an EE day; FP machines don't operate during EE. If possible, send a runner to get all the FPs for Space while the rest of your party goes to FL or starts walking to Splash You can ride some FL rides (recommended on non EE days if FL is important since these rides back up quickly). Or, on EE days or if FL rides aren't as important, ride Splash and a couple of rides near Splash, (Winnie the Pooh and/or Haunted Mansion) until the time comes to grab another FP. Splash lines aren't bad first thing in the morning, but you can't dawdle since it will start backing up quickly. If you got the Space Mtn FP as soon as the park opened, you should be able to get another FP in less than an hour after opening. Grab a FP for Splash as soon as the time comes available and definitely before you ride Space Mountain. As soon as you can grab your next FP, get one for Indiana Jones. You should have gotten FPs for these key rides all well before noon. As noted by another poster, you are able to use the FPs any time after the start of the FP window time up until the park closes.

 

[HydroGuy]

I don't really agree to the EE approach of getting onto Space Mtn before the Fantasyland rides, primarily because SM has FP, and it takes so much longer to ride than the FL rides. Peter Pan will be pretty backed up during EE by the time you get off of SM. I will generally ride Peter Pan first, followed by Dumbo, Matterhorn, Mr. Toad, Alice, Buzz, and the rest of the FL rides all before normal park opening. Sometimes I can also squeeze in a Space Mtn ride during EE, but I don't usually do this until at least 1/2 way through EE. If I do ride Space during EE, I do want to be finished with Space by normal park opening so I am ready to start getting FPs as soon as the park opens.

I agree that it's a good idea to get a FP for Space Mtn as soon as the park opens for normal opening whether or not it is an EE day; FP machines don't operate during EE. If possible, send a runner to get all the FPs for Space while the rest of your party goes to FL or starts walking to Splash You can ride some FL rides (recommended on non EE days if FL is important since these rides back up quickly). Or, on EE days or if FL rides aren't as important, ride Splash and a couple of rides near Splash, (Winnie the Pooh and/or Haunted Mansion) until the time comes to grab another FP. Splash lines aren't bad first thing in the morning, but you can't dawdle since it will start backing up quickly. If you got the Space Mtn FP as soon as the park opened, you should be able to get another FP in less than an hour after opening. Grab a FP for Splash as soon as the time comes available and definitely before you ride Space Mountain. As soon as you can grab your next FP, get one for Indiana Jones. You should have gotten FPs for these key rides all well before noon. As noted by another poster, you are able to use the FPs any time after the start of the FP window time up until the park closes.

I agree. CalGal has her head in the game.

 

[brenda1966]

I don't really agree to the EE approach of getting onto Space Mtn before the Fantasyland rides, primarily because SM has FP, and it takes so much longer to ride than the FL rides.

.

I agree with this. Since Space has FP and you can use your FP any time after the window, I wouldn't waste precious EE time on it if you have kids who love Fantasyland. I'd concentrate on FL during EE time and then go grab a FP. Or I'd hit Space on a non-EE day first thing and then grab a FP for Splash. We were there in July last year, peak crowds, and we didn't have any trouble working in Space and Splash. IT works especially well if you have 2 mornings -- one to do EE in FL and one to go toward SM first thing.

 

[hopesethigh]

I just got back from Disneyland this morning.

Splash Mountain's line is CRAZY! It got up to a 90 minute wait this past week. I got a fastpass which easily lets you cut around 500 people on a busy day.

My advice, get a fastpass for Splash and then ride Pirates, Pooh, Haunted Mansion, and maybe browse. Then when you are able to use the FP, go for it! (This way, you don't have to walk to the other side of the park and then back again.)

After you are done with Critter Country, New Orleans, and Splash, head over to Tomorrow Land and grab a FP for Space Mountain. (FYI, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland were the busiest areas next to New Orleans during Friday.) Maybe at this point grab something to eat and ride the Astro Orbitor and/or Star Tours, then make your way to Space Mountain. This game plan worked out well for me!

Have an awesome trip!

 

[Mom2Joce]

Thanks for your tips...I wondered about waiting that long to get a space FP? I heard they run out quickly? Approx. what time did you get your space FP? I think I'm going to make one of my days a FOR SURE Space Mt. FP day and another a FOR SURE Splash Mt. day...and "IF" it works out that I get them on the same day then to me that will be a bonus

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks for your tips...I wondered about waiting that long to get a space FP? I heard they run out quickly? Approx. what time did you get your space FP? I think I'm going to make one of my days a FOR SURE Space Mt. FP day and another a FOR SURE Splash Mt. day...and "IF" it works out that I get them on the same day then to me that will be a bonus

I get Space Mtn first thing. The I usually get Splash. I want to be able to ride Splash in the afternoon.