Touring Plan for both DL and DCA?

[martinp13]

I'm making a solo trip to Disneyland after Thanksgiving, and I've been checking out touring plans, both free and subscription-based. Lots of plans for DL, some for DCA, both of which often mention that get-a-FastPass time limits are not connected between the two parks. Good info!

But the one thing I can't find is any touring plan that visits attractions in both parks on one day. Even the DL two-day plans only hit DL attractions. It's probably because even though the parks are so close together, it's still a logistic nightmare to shuttle a party back and forth through turnstiles/etc.

Does anyone know of any two-park Disneyland touring plans?

 

[ssuriano]

I don't know of any multi-park touring plans. However I will say that as long as your trip isn't in the first few days right after Thanksgiving you should be fine making your own touring plan. You can take advantage of both the FP system and the single rider lines at the attractions that offer them. The only thing that might be difficult is making the shows (F!, WoC, fireworks) if they only have one show per night and you only have one day in the parks.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[LisaT91403]

It's probably because even though the parks are so close together, it's still a logistic nightmare to shuttle a party back and forth through turnstiles/etc.

I can't answer your question. However, I personally do not think going from one park to the other is by any means a logistical nightmare. I supposed if you are on such a tight/rigid schedule that you need a touring plan, then perhaps you don't want to waste the few minutes that it takes to walk from one park to the other. But it really is very simple to park hop, IMO.

 

[ArchOwl]

I don't think hopping is a logistical nightmare, since a lot of people do it all the time. I have shuttled large groups between the parks and since you don't have to go through security, it really isn't a problem.

To answer your question, the only one I know of that would make it possible to plan both parks in one day would be Ridemax. But even there you have to do a work around. You would have to tell it what part of the day you would be either park and set the hours manually. It is doable, though. Most people would go to DL in the am and then end the schedule. Then you pick up in DCA and set the hours for that park. Ridemax then orders the rides for you.

Honestly, though, a touring plan is best for the morning. It tells you which rides to go on first and which order to collect FPs. Once you have gotten the slower loading rides done and have a nice stack of FPs, you can ride the "people eaters/fast loaders" and mix those with FP redemption.

ETA: Ridemax also takes into consideration several single rider lines that you might find useful.

 

[martinp13]

Thanks for the replies. I'll have plenty of time, and the single park plans should be fine. I'm pretty commando even at Disney.

I have signed up for Ridemax, just to try it, but my window isn't open yet.

The "logistical nightmare" comment was of course based on herding cats... er, my friends... at WDW. Really, they were fine, but getting a hungry crew from POTC to Epcot in a downpour is no fun. We actually lost two from the group in the dash and monorail ride! Thank goodness for cell phones. I didn't realize you skipped security when hopping at DL... sweet!

 

[Hound 109]

Thanks for the replies. I'll have plenty of time, and the single park plans should be fine. I'm pretty commando even at Disney.

I have signed up for Ridemax, just to try it, but my window isn't open yet.

The "logistical nightmare" comment was of course based on herding cats... er, my friends... at WDW. Really, they were fine, but getting a hungry crew from POTC to Epcot in a downpour is no fun. We actually lost two from the group in the dash and monorail ride! Thank goodness for cell phones. I didn't realize you skipped security when hopping at DL... sweet!

A few random thoughts:

- You'll be solo, so no "herding cats". (but herding cats is much easier at DLR than WDW for lots of logistical reasons).

- Agree with ArchOwl. On RideMax, plug in the first 1.5 - 2.5 hours (each day) at DL. Then plug in the next couple of hours for DCA. Then play with it a bit for the afternoon or evening (depending on where you'll be when).

- Regarding the "window not being open". Tell us what dates you'll be in the parks (& are you staying onsite?) & we'll be able to give you dates you can use that would be similar so you can "play with the touring plans".

- I would read all of Hydroguy's tip threads (especially his "DLR for the WDW veteran" thead & all of his FP threads. Know these.

- Since you're semi-commando (& solo)....Take a look at my trip report (in my signature below) & other Solo trip reports to get a feel how one can "work the parks". I know you said you have plenty of time, but if you tour effectively, you avoid LOTS of lines & can use that extra time to "go with the flow" or check out alot of the details of DLR & of the park that Walt' built.

- Know all the single rider rides & use them. Most are better than using FP. (like Splash & Screamin')....but some aren't. Either way, going solo gives you LOTS of flexibility.

Have fun planning a visit to Walt's park

(& let us know the dates you'll be in the parks & if you are staying onsite (or not).

 

[martinp13]

Sun Nov 27 - Thu Dec 1, Fairfield Inn across the street. I get in Sun early and leave 6pm Thu, with a ticket for each day. Currently planning Knotts on Wed since I've never been there and want to ride their coasters. But as soon as I've ridden all of their stuff, I'm headed back to Disney.

I've read most of Hydroguy's stuff, and I'm a big FP user at WDW... definitely a time-saving tool that many folks ignore.

Re: Ridemax window - I've looked at days with crowd factor similar to my dates, and it's very encouraging. Two years ago I attended these same dates at WDW and it was heaven. 5 minutes wait for Everest all day long.

I learned my lesson to look for and use single rider lines at Univeral. We didn't know they existed, until we accidentally discovered MiB's when retreating from a downpour. After that, I lost track how many times we rode Mummy.

I'm really excited about the trip. I didn't really get to explore DL on my previous trips, since they were one day quickies. And my DCA trip was one day but there wasn't much to see back then (pre-ToT, Mulholland was closed, etc). Thanks for your input!

 

[Hound 109]

To all:

What will be the likely Hours of Operation (for both parks) for Sunday 11/27 (the sunday after Thanksgiving) through Thurs. 12/1.

(Obviously Sunday would be typical Holiday / Summertime Schedule)


Other comments below:

Sun Nov 27 - Thu Dec 1, Fairfield Inn across the street.

Good, convenient, typical Fairfield (no bfast though) on Harbor Blvd. A 5-7 min. walk from the turnstiles. Good choice.


I get in Sun early and leave 6pm Thu, with a ticket for each day. Currently planning Knotts on Wed since I've never been there and want to ride their coasters. But as soon as I've ridden all of their stuff, I'm headed back to Disney.

My recommendation would be to go into DLR for 2-2.5 hours at gen. adm. opening & enjoy the parks in uncrowded bliss (& pick up 3-5 FPs).....& THEN bail & head over to Knotts for a few hours. Return to DLR for a couple of hours in the evening.


I've read most of Hydroguy's stuff, and I'm a big FP user at WDW... definitely a time-saving tool that many folks ignore.

Then you're already ahead of 80% who visit. Using FP is even MORE handy at DLR because the rides & parks are SO close together.


Re: Ridemax window - I've looked at days with crowd factor similar to my dates, and it's very encouraging. Two years ago I attended these same dates at WDW and it was heaven. 5 minutes wait for Everest all day long.

I learned my lesson to look for and use single rider lines at Univeral. We didn't know they existed, until we accidentally discovered MiB's when retreating from a downpour. After that, I lost track how many times we rode Mummy.

I'm really excited about the trip. I didn't really get to explore DL on my previous trips, since they were one day quickies. And my DCA trip was one day but there wasn't much to see back then (pre-ToT, Mulholland was closed, etc). Thanks for your input!

As you probably know, the time zone change is your friend. Very easy to get up each morning.

- Sunday will be crowded.....but do single rider, collect FPs & zig when others are zagging & you'll still get alot done.

- Hopefully others will chime in regarding the Monday after Thanksgiving. (i would guess moderate crowds).

- Tuesday will be your best MM opportunity. Do it. You'll be up early anyway (& i would guess it would be an 8am (or 9am?) MM opening. I don't know why....but i think i would do Knotts (from say 11am - 3pm) on Tuesday after enjoying MM & another 90 min. at DLR (instead of Knotts on Wed.). Hopefully others will comment on your Knotts day visit.


It might be worth a separate thread to specifically ask:

- What the hours of operation for Mon-Thurs. will likely be.
- If the WOC/Fireworks etc. are running on Mon - Thurs of that week.


Have a great time, & report back on what worked, what didn't & how you would do it next time.