Upcoming DLR trip in June - questions!

[Ray LeBlanc]

My wife and I are taking our 4-year old son and 5-month old daughter to DLR in June. My wife and I are WDW vets and have a good handle on what to expect at DLR. We are staying at the DLH for 4 nights and are getting the SoCal CityPASS, so we have a 3-day park hopper (we are visiting family in Oceanside after our DLR stay, so figured it was worth the nominal extra $ as our son… and I… love Legos). Our park days are June 6-8 (Wednesday-Friday). We will have a stroller and a baby carrier for our daughter. As for our schedule, we plan to hit the EMH at DCA on Wednesday and Friday, and we might even skip the EMH at DL on Thursday and hit DCA again on Thursday morning, just because I’m sure Cars Land will be our favorite part of the trip.

Our general daily plan is to be at the gate for rope drop, back to hotel for pool/nap after lunch, then back to parks around 4/5. We would like to get back for bed by 10 on Wednesday and Thursday since we will be up earlier Friday, but Friday night we can shut the place down

I am a long-time reader of the DIS boards and have been devouring information from the Disneyland forum for several months, but now have a few specific questions that I haven’t found an answer to or simply need personal advice on.

1. Using Maxpass/FP with Rider Switch. Having used FP+ at WDW the last couple times I’ve been, I’m sold on making FP reservations on the phone in the park. Well worth an extra $10/day for me, plus we get all photos. However, our baby daughter obviously cannot ride on virtually all of the attractions we need a FP for. We plan to use Rider Switch to ride these with my son. My thought is that I would just buy the MaxPass for my son and me. We would set up our FastPasses using MaxPass for the two of us, and my wife would get a Rider Switch pass when we go into the queue. She could then ride with our son after I rode with him. Will this work? Or does she need to have a FP registered to her as well to get the Rider Switch pass?

(Note: my son is 43 inches tall, so he qualifies to ride everything except for California Screamin’/Incrediocoaster, which will be closed anyway during our trip. We also took him to MK at WDW for one day last November, and he LOVED BTMRR and SDMT, so I have no reservations about him on any of the ‘big’ rides… although my wife and I do not like Space Mountain, so we will be skipping that one anyway.)

The two nighttime shows we’d definitely like to see are the Paint the Night Parade and the new Together Forever Fireworks at Disneyland. First…

2. Paint the Night Parade – Dining Package? My wife and I visited DCA for one day over 6 years ago (our only visit to the DLR resort) and saw WOC with a dining package from Ariel’s Grotto. With the kids, we really think a Dining Package will be the way to go, but we weren’t sure how much of a necessity it truly is. We would just do the Wine Country Trattoria lunch, as that is the cheapest option.

3. Together Forever Fireworks – viewing location. During our trip to MK last November, we were close to the entrance of the park for the fireworks and didn’t have a great view of the castle (bad planning on my part). I didn’t realize that the ‘show’ on the castle was a big part of the attraction; it looked really cool, but we were really far away.

Given the new Pixar theming of the fireworks at DL, we wouldn’t want to miss out on that again. I’m a little confused as to how the fireworks at DL work, though. Should we expect ‘screens’ to see the attraction elsewhere? Understanding that we have two kids, where/when should we consider ‘setting’ up? I’ve read about watching them from IASW; do you still see the visuals that will be projected on the castle from over there? Or from anywhere else? Or do we HAVE to be in front of the castle to see everything?

I’ve also read about parlaying a F! Dining Package seat into a nice viewing area for fireworks. Any suggestions there? We don’t care to see F!, as my wife and I have seen it at WDW (I know people say DL is better…), and our focus is the two shows listed above. However, if it gets us a guaranteed/better fireworks seat, then it could be worth it.

4. Which nights for Paint the Night Parade and Together Forever Fireworks. Knowing that these are the two shows we would really like to see, when should we plan to see them? I’ve read that fireworks are canceled due to wind with some regularity, so I know we’ll have to flexible with those. However, for the Paint the Night Dining Package, we will need to choose a night. That will leave two potential nights for fireworks—hopefully the weather cooperates on those.

It looks like Paint the Night is at 8:45 nightly, at least through mid-May (with a later show on the weekends). And the fireworks are at 9:30 nightly. Keep in mind our desire to be back to the hotel by 10ish on Wednesday & Thursday.

5. Grad Nights. The Wednesday and Friday we are visiting happen to be grad nights. There is nothing I can do about that schedule-wise; this is when we can go. I’ve looked at posts on grad night on this board, and feel like it will be fine. However, would that impact any of the above plans, particularly the Paint the Night Parade and/or Together Forever Fireworks? Will DCA close early on these nights?


To summarize:
1. MaxPass just for my son and me to save $10 per day?
2. Need a Dining Package for PTNP?
3. Plan for Together Forever Fireworks viewing?
4. Schedule for PTNP & Fireworks
5. Grad night impact

That covers it for now… thanks for any help you can offer!

 

[DLgal]

1. Rider switch passes only work when you use the standby line, as far as I know. The whole point of it is to avoid both parents having to wait a long time. Rider Switch passes use the FP line anyway. So, if you and your son already have a FP and enter the FP line, they will not issue you a rider switch pass, as presumably, your wife would also just get a FP. The rider switch pass is not designed to simply get your kid a free second ride. Now, admittedly, I haven't used a Rider Switch pass since MaxPass came online but that's how it worked in the past. Spend the extra $10 on MaxPass for your wife and take turns riding with the 5 year old.

2. You don't NEED a dining package for PTN. Just a Fastpass. The dining package viewing areas are not that much better. To be honest, though, your kid will have a very hard time seeing this show from any of the viewing areas. You need to be tall to actually see the show. We tried to watch it when our kids were about 7 and 5 and they couldn't see a thing. Unless you get a spot in the front row right by the railing, they won't be able to see anything. It is hard to get a front row spot and requires waiting about an hour before they open the area and then another 30 min before the show starts. That's a lot of waiting for little ones. I would suggest booking the DESSERT PARTY instead. You get actual seats at tables in an area with a guaranteed clear view of the show, plus desserts, cheese, and alcohol included!

3. You need to be about halfway down Main Street for the best view of the fireworks show. The show is not the same at Small world plaza or Frontierland. This show will rely heavily on projections and they will NOT show the same projections in all areas. You will also miss the "flight" around the castle from the other viewing areas and this one is supposed to be really cool.

4. Plan to watch the fireworks on the first night. It's like 50/50 on any given night that they actually go off due to winds. If you plan for night one and they get cancelled, you have two more chances. Paint the night is scheduled for, I believe, 8:45pm most nights. Fireworks are typically at 9:30.

5. Grad night means WAY more people in DCA all day. DCA will close at 10, I think. Not much impact because that is typical park close time.

 

[Ray LeBlanc]

I'll take a closer look at the Dessert Party for the parade, thanks for the tip. Also appreciate the fireworks intel, that helps!

On the FP/Rider Switch, know that I'm not trying to 'game' the system; I'm just trying to figure out how it really works. I don't have a problem spending the extra $10 per day on a MaxPass for my wife, if needed (Lord knows that extra $30 is basically a rounding error at Disney).

I suppose there's 3 possible answers I can think of here.
1. Just my son and I have a FP for an attraction. My wife gets a Rider Switch pass because she is staying behind with our baby. After we ride, she takes her Rider Switch pass and takes my son, while I stay back with the baby.
2. We all have FP for an attraction. My wife gets a Rider Switch pass because she is staying behind with our baby. After we ride, she takes her Rider Switch pass and takes my son, while I stay back with the baby.
3. You can't get a Rider Switch pass if you're using the FP line. My son and I ride with FP, but then it's just my wife that has a FP, so she has to ride alone...? Why bother with FP at all then?

#3 seems to be your suggestion, unless I'm reading it wrong.

I understand Rider Switch is not designed to get anybody's kids "free" rides, but it is designed for families exactly like mine (i.e. those that have children too small to ride). And the way I understand it, the result is "free" second rides for the kids who are big enough to ride it. It wouldn't be nearly as fun for my wife or me to ride by ourselves after the other got to ride with our son. That's why Rider Switch exists and is designed the way it is, right?

 

[SeiterClan]

I'll take a closer look at the Dessert Party for the parade, thanks for the tip. Also appreciate the fireworks intel, that helps!

On the FP/Rider Switch, know that I'm not trying to 'game' the system; I'm just trying to figure out how it really works. I don't have a problem spending the extra $10 per day on a MaxPass for my wife, if needed (Lord knows that extra $30 is basically a rounding error at Disney).

I suppose there's 3 possible answers I can think of here.
1. Just my son and I have a FP for an attraction. My wife gets a Rider Switch pass because she is staying behind with our baby. After we ride, she takes her Rider Switch pass and takes my son, while I stay back with the baby.
2. We all have FP for an attraction. My wife gets a Rider Switch pass because she is staying behind with our baby. After we ride, she takes her Rider Switch pass and takes my son, while I stay back with the baby.
3. You can't get a Rider Switch pass if you're using the FP line. My son and I ride with FP, but then it's just my wife that has a FP, so she has to ride alone...? Why bother with FP at all then?

#3 seems to be your suggestion, unless I'm reading it wrong.

I understand Rider Switch is not designed to get anybody's kids "free" rides, but it is designed for families exactly like mine (i.e. those that have children too small to ride). And the way I understand it, the result is "free" second rides for the kids who are big enough to ride it. It wouldn't be nearly as fun for my wife or me to ride by ourselves after the other got to ride with our son. That's why Rider Switch exists and is designed the way it is, right?

You can definitely use option #1! We use FP & rider switch with my kids all the time & my understanding is that it still works the same with Max Pass. You should be able to only buy Max Pass for two of you & use it in conjunction with Rider Swap. Keep in mind there may be a few rides that use Max Pass/FP that you all might want to ride together like Toy Story Midway Mania in DCA which does sometimes get long lines if you don't get there first thing at park opening or get FP!

 

[SeiterClan]

1. Rider switch passes only work when you use the standby line, as far as I know. The whole point of it is to avoid both parents having to wait a long time. Rider Switch passes use the FP line anyway. So, if you and your son already have a FP and enter the FP line, they will not issue you a rider switch pass, as presumably, your wife would also just get a FP. The rider switch pass is not designed to simply get your kid a free second ride. Now, admittedly, I haven't used a Rider Switch pass since MaxPass came online but that's how it worked in the past. Spend the extra $10 on MaxPass for your wife and take turns riding with the 5 year old.

2. You don't NEED a dining package for PTN. Just a Fastpass. The dining package viewing areas are not that much better. To be honest, though, your kid will have a very hard time seeing this show from any of the viewing areas. You need to be tall to actually see the show. We tried to watch it when our kids were about 7 and 5 and they couldn't see a thing. Unless you get a spot in the front row right by the railing, they won't be able to see anything. It is hard to get a front row spot and requires waiting about an hour before they open the area and then another 30 min before the show starts. That's a lot of waiting for little ones. I would suggest booking the DESSERT PARTY instead. You get actual seats at tables in an area with a guaranteed clear view of the show, plus desserts, cheese, and alcohol included!

3. You need to be about halfway down Main Street for the best view of the fireworks show. The show is not the same at Small world plaza or Frontierland. This show will rely heavily on projections and they will NOT show the same projections in all areas. You will also miss the "flight" around the castle from the other viewing areas and this one is supposed to be really cool.

4. Plan to watch the fireworks on the first night. It's like 50/50 on any given night that they actually go off due to winds. If you plan for night one and they get cancelled, you have two more chances. Paint the night is scheduled for, I believe, 8:45pm most nights. Fireworks are typically at 9:30.

5. Grad night means WAY more people in DCA all day. DCA will close at 10, I think. Not much impact because that is typical park close time.

@DLgal In your #2 point are you talking about PTN parade or WOC? I think you might mean WOC...

 

[Ray LeBlanc]

Thank you for the confirmation! I don't mind getting MP for my wife, but if I don't need to, might as well save the $!

You can definitely use option #1! We use FP & rider switch with my kids all the time & my understanding is that it still works the same with Max Pass. You should be able to only buy Max Pass for two of you & use it in conjunction with Rider Swap. Keep in mind there may be a few rides that use Max Pass/FP that you all might want to ride together like Toy Story Midway Mania in DCA which does sometimes get long lines if you don't get there first thing at park opening or get FP!

Thanks for bringing this up, this is the ONE ride that concerns me! My son will LOVE this ride! I know we *could* ride it altogether, but I've ridden it before and know it can be jerky. Some people don't mind taking babies on it, while others say they would not... We are leaning towards not, but I've also read that sometimes people haven't gotten a Rider Switch because there is no height requirement on the ride. If we insist that we aren't comfortable taking our baby on it, could we get a Rider Switch? Does it just depend on the CM? The only way we would consider taking her on it is if we could leave her in her baby carrier on my wife or me, but I've also read that some CM's insist you take the carrier off... so yes, I've been worried/wondering about this one. Thanks for bringing it up. Any thoughts?

 

[DLgal]

@DLgal In your #2 point are you talking about PTN parade or WOC? I think you might mean WOC...

Oops! Yes, my bad.

IMO, no, you do not need a dining package for PTN. The parade route will be LONG. There will be plenty of spaces to watch from.

However I am personally booked for the PTN dessert reception in May. It seems like a fun way to watch and you get seats!

 

[DLgal]

Good to know about rider switch and FP. My sister's family must have gotten bad CMs because they would not give them rider switch passes in the FP line. They were told it was only available in the standby line on 2 different attractions last May. We haven't used RS passes for over 5 years now so don't have recent experience. They also were told it is only for attractions with height requirements.

 

[Ray LeBlanc]

IMO, no, you do not need a dining package for PTN. The parade route will be LONG. There will be plenty of spaces to watch from.

That's good to know, and keeps our plans much more flexible. Thanks!

 

[SeiterClan]

Thank you for the confirmation! I don't mind getting MP for my wife, but if I don't need to, might as well save the $!

Thanks for bringing this up, this is the ONE ride that concerns me! My son will LOVE this ride! I know we *could* ride it altogether, but I've ridden it before and know it can be jerky. Some people don't mind taking babies on it, while others say they would not... We are leaning towards not, but I've also read that sometimes people haven't gotten a Rider Switch because there is no height requirement on the ride. If we insist that we aren't comfortable taking our baby on it, could we get a Rider Switch? Does it just depend on the CM? The only way we would consider taking her on it is if we could leave her in her baby carrier on my wife or me, but I've also read that some CM's insist you take the carrier off... so yes, I've been worried/wondering about this one. Thanks for will bringing it up. Any thoughts?

I think it depends...how old is your baby? It seems like I have worn my baby in a carrier on this ride before BUT my babies were older like around 15 months??? It's not really jerky per se but will abruptly but smoothly spin. It's a super fun ride & a family MUST RIDE favorite at least once a day when in DCA on our trips! Maybe watch some you tube videos of the ride to see what you think? Also I've never tried to use Rider Swap on this ride but it couldn't hurt to ask! Most CM's will bend over backwards to help you especially if you ask nice.

 

[Ray LeBlanc]

I think it depends...how old is your baby? It seems like I have worn my baby in a carrier on this ride before BUT my babies were older like around 15 months??? It's not really jerky per se but will abruptly but smoothly spin. It's a super fun ride & a family MUST RIDE favorite at least once a day when in DCA on our trips! Maybe watch some you tube videos of the ride to see what you think? Also I've never tried to use Rider Swap on this ride but it couldn't hurt to ask! Most CM's will bend over backwards to help you especially if you ask nice.

Only 5 months... I think she would be okay in the carrier, though. She is awfully secure in there. For this ride alone, we may get my wife a MP so we can all go together. Might try it once in standby earlier in the day to see.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Thank you for the confirmation! I don't mind getting MP for my wife, but if I don't need to, might as well save the $!

Thanks for bringing this up, this is the ONE ride that concerns me! My son will LOVE this ride! I know we *could* ride it altogether, but I've ridden it before and know it can be jerky. Some people don't mind taking babies on it, while others say they would not... We are leaning towards not, but I've also read that sometimes people haven't gotten a Rider Switch because there is no height requirement on the ride. If we insist that we aren't comfortable taking our baby on it, could we get a Rider Switch? Does it just depend on the CM? The only way we would consider taking her on it is if we could leave her in her baby carrier on my wife or me, but I've also read that some CM's insist you take the carrier off... so yes, I've been worried/wondering about this one. Thanks for bringing it up. Any thoughts?

This is the list of attractions offering Rider Swap and TSMM isn't on it: https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/#/rider-switch/

If you wanted, though, you could still just buy Maxpass for yourself/son and then book FPs for TSMM on two different occasions. Your wife could just use your pass to ride. Or, as you mentioned, book for all three of you on one day so you can ride together.

 

[Niltiac]

Only 5 months... I think she would be okay in the carrier, though. She is awfully secure in there. For this ride alone, we may get my wife a MP so we can all go together. Might try it once in standby earlier in the day to see.

You can certainly go this route if you want, but if you don't want to spend the extra money for the third MP which you will only be using on one ride, you can just pull paper FP for that ride. Paper FP are free for everyone, so just for that one ride go to the kiosks and pull paper FP for all three of you (if you book two from MP and pull paper for the third your times might not match up).

 

[agamble]

My thought is that I would just buy the MaxPass for my son and me. We would set up our FastPasses using MaxPass for the two of us, and my wife would get a Rider Switch pass when we go into the queue. She could then ride with our son after I rode with him. Will this work? Or does she need to have a FP registered to her as well to get the Rider Switch pass?

(Note: my son is 43 inches tall, so he qualifies to ride everything except for California Screamin’/Incrediocoaster, which will be closed anyway during our trip. We also took him to MK at WDW for one day last November, and he LOVED BTMRR and SDMT, so I have no reservations about him on any of the ‘big’ rides… although my wife and I do not like Space Mountain, so we will be skipping that one anyway.)


5. Grad Nights. The Wednesday and Friday we are visiting happen to be grad nights. There is nothing I can do about that schedule-wise; this is when we can go. I’ve looked at posts on grad night on this board, and feel like it will be fine. However, would that impact any of the above plans, particularly the Paint the Night Parade and/or Together Forever Fireworks? Will DCA close early on these nights?

You can definitely use Max Pass and Rider Swap together. We have done this as well as with the previous FP system. I think it is a great idea. If you do want to use FP for a ride like Toy Story or Buzz you can always pull paper FP for those rides.

Just wanted to note that your son also cannot ride Indiana Jones in Disneyland. Even though the ride is similar to Dinosaur at WDW the height at DL is 46".

Grad Nights are not too big of a deal. DCA will close at 10. You'll have park hoppers and Max Pass so you should be fine.

 

[Niltiac]

If you wanted, though, you could still just buy Maxpass for yourself/son and then book FPs for TSMM on two different occasions. Your wife could just use your pass to ride. Or, as you mentioned, book for all three of you on one day so you can ride together.

I actually think riding twice might be the better option. TSMM is one of the few rides that might be more fun if you don't all ride together. The reason I say that is that if you all ride at the same time, it will be your son with one parent on one side of the vehicle and the other parent with the baby on the other side. The parent with the baby won't be able to see the rest of the family, compare scores throughout the ride, etc. - it's not much different from riding solo. It might be more fun for each parent to ride with the son separately, but of course that means using up two rounds of FP for the same ride, so it's a tough call.

 

[Ray LeBlanc]

Indiana Jones in Disneyland. Even though the ride is similar to Dinosaur at WDW the height at DL is 46".

Thanks for the note! I had overlooked that one.

I actually think riding twice might be the better option. TSMM is one of the few rides that might be more fun if you don't all ride together. The reason I say that is that if you all ride at the same time, it will be your son with one parent on one side of the vehicle and the other parent with the baby on the other side. The parent with the baby won't be able to see the rest of the family, compare scores throughout the ride, etc. - it's not much different from riding solo. It might be more fun for each parent to ride with the son separately, but of course that means using up two rounds of FP for the same ride, so it's a tough call.

Thanks for this idea. I think you're right, it wouldn't be all that fun this way. We can just trade off with our son and both enjoy the experience with him more. We can manage our Fastpasses appropriately, but I feel like I've read that some folks have done a Rider Switch at TSMM, even though it's not on the official list. If not, that's ok, just asking.

 

[Niltiac]

but I feel like I've read that some folks have done a Rider Switch at TSMM, even though it's not on the official list. If not, that's ok, just asking.

It could be up to CM discretion. When you go to use the first set of FP, it wouldn't hurt to ask if they can give you a rider switch. If they say no, then book your 2nd set of FP.

 

[DLgal]

It could be up to CM discretion. When you go to use the first set of FP, it wouldn't hurt to ask if they can give you a rider switch. If they say no, then book your 2nd set of FP.

Why would the CM have a rider switch card on a ride that is not listed as offering it?

Serious question. Not being snarky.

 

[Niltiac]

Why would the CM have a rider switch card on a ride that is not listed as offering it?

Serious question. Not being snarky.

I wouldn't imagine they have an actual rider swap card, but I could see a scenario where someone says they don't want to take their baby on the ride, and the CM says "ok, wait here while your husband rides and then I'll let you skip the line." Or they might let you all wait in line together and then physically swap the baby when you get to the loading area. That is to say, the CM's might be able to accommodate the request without a formal rider swap system if they're feeling so inclined. I don't know if this actually ever happens, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Also, I'm not sure but I think rider swap is digital now so I don't think they need cards anymore. They could essentially just load a FP onto someone's ticket if they wanted to grant them a "rider swap" on a ride that doesn't normally offer it.

 

[agamble]

I wouldn't imagine they have an actual rider swap card, but I could see a scenario where someone says they don't want to take their baby on the ride, and the CM says "ok, wait here while your husband rides and then I'll let you skip the line." Or they might let you all wait in line together and then physically swap the baby when you get to the loading area. That is to say, the CM's might be able to accommodate the request without a formal rider swap system if they're feeling so inclined. I don't know if this actually ever happens, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Also, I'm not sure but I think rider swap is digital now so I don't think they need cards anymore. They could essentially just load a FP onto someone's ticket if they wanted to grant them a "rider swap" on a ride that doesn't normally offer it.

It is digital now. And since everyone is allowed to wait together for Toy Story it is probable that the CM would allow a rider swap at the ride. But it would be up to CM discretion. They're pretty nice most of the time. We always took our babies on the ride. Wearing them is allowed on most rides that they can ride. A baby must be able to sit up on his/her own on Roger Rabbit, so that ride would be out for baby to ride and they'll do a rider swap.