WDW vet heading to DLR for one day. Where to start?

[Epcot Mom]

We are very well versed at WDW. My 16 year old DD is going to be in LA for something and has one day to be at DLR. She would like to see as much as she can that is DLR specific. We were just at WDW last week (crazy but just how it worked out) so no need to hit something she just did. \I have read through the WDW vets DLR guide but still aren't sure where to begin. For WDW, if someone said they had a mountain range lover and Disney enthusiast and one day at the park I would know where to begin their fast passes and how to set up their day. Anyone offer advice for one DLR day so my daughter can experience the DLR specific things? Please?

 

[keltiesmom]

I'm no expert, and I am surprised no one has given you advice, but cars land can't be missed, radiator springs is very similar to test track but better themeing. The Matterhorn is exclusive to DL as well and should not be missed, but is a bit slow in my opinion. I seem to think that pirates is different at DL than wdw as well. Maybe someone else will give you better info than I have.

 

[superlarz]

I wouldnt miss Pirates of the Caribbean or Space Mountain. They are different enough from WDW to be completely different rides. Indiana Jones is amazing. The Matterhorn, Alice in Wonderland, Mr Toads Wild Ride, Snow Whites Scary Ride, Roger Rabbits Toon Town Spin, Finding Nemos Subs, and Pinocchio shouldnt be missed if you like the classics. Over in DCA, you could skip Soarin and Tower of Terror if they arent your cup of tea. ToT is different but if time is tight it is skippable.

 

[Mom of a princess]

There is a thread that is specifically for WDW vets by Hydroguy.
It is really helpful just do a search for Hydroguy.

 

[bswift]

There is a thread that is specifically for WDW vets by Hydroguy.
It is really helpful just do a search for Hydroguy.

I have read through the WDW vets DLR guide but still aren't sure where to begin.

Sounds to me like they've already read that thread

I'm interested to hear everyone's advice because I'll be going to DL for the first time later this year for 2 half days and will then be spending a week at WDW afterwards and want to maximise my time at DL as much as possible.

 

[SplashMo]

We are very well versed at WDW. My 16 year old DD is going to be in LA for something and has one day to be at DLR. She would like to see as much as she can that is DLR specific. We were just at WDW last week (crazy but just how it worked out) so no need to hit something she just did. \I have read through the WDW vets DLR guide but still aren't sure where to begin. For WDW, if someone said they had a mountain range lover and Disney enthusiast and one day at the park I would know where to begin their fast passes and how to set up their day. Anyone offer advice for one DLR day so my daughter can experience the DLR specific things? Please?

Check for ride closures. I assume she is staying offsite. Is onsite then she should start at the park that opens early for hotel guests.

Get a park hopper ticket.

Be at the gate 30 mins early for the park that opens first.

in DCA single rider line RSR. Eventually ride Screaming.

In DL rope drop and grab Fantasmic (F!) FP or arrive with a reservation for Blue Bayou F! package.

She should ride INDY either as a single rider or with FP

You can have FP in both parks at the same time.

You will need to choose between WOC and F! (Mabe you could do both on some nights ????) WOC FP are easier to get. If there are two shows that night she may actually try and time it to get the later show....

Lots of other tweaks I am sure but this is a starting place...

 

[Woodskeeper]

If you're choosing between Fant and WOC, definitely go for WOC. The Fant differences aren't enough to justify it, imho. WOC however is completely different from anything at WDW.

Do Matterhorn, and all the classics in Fantasyland that they either never had at MK, or that were removed (Mr. Toads!) Space is also completely different than the WDW version. If Indy is open, don't miss it! Pirates is worth the ride if you like the one at MK- the one at Disneyland is much longer, and has an extra drop!

For California Adventure, don't miss Cars land and RCR. Screamin' is worth a visit too!

 

[Epcot Mom]

This is FANTASTIC! And Fantasmic! She has one day and is arriving and departing with a large group so she can't control either time. She is being told they are leaving their hotel (near LAX) at 6:00 am so I'm assuming they will hit DLR pretty early. They have park hopper passes and will be entering through backstage (as they will be performing later in the day at DCA). They are leaving around 7:00 so will miss the evening stuff. After looking at the WDW Vets thread (really awesome) and reading around a lot, including the great tips above, we are thinking she will do the following:

Grab Space Mount FP then hop and either grap RSR FP or ride it if it is short.
Then maybe head to Screamin' or Fantasyland depending on how the Space and RSR FP have worked out.

The performance is in DCA between 1:45-2:15. She isn't performing herself but is going to watch those who are. Following is a list of what she would really like to see, if anyone has any suggestions on routing, I'd love to hear it.

in DL:
Space
Indiana Jones
Pirates
Mr. Toad
Mickey and Minnie's houses (she misses them from WDW) and maybe Roger Rabbit while she is there
Storybook Canal Boats (no one mentioned this, is it neat or skippable?)
Tea Party because it's in the open
Carrousel because it is an original
Mr. Lincoln because it is an original but is it worth it?

If time,
Nemo
Snow White
Pinocchio
Alice
Small World (is it different enough inside, or just go check out the outside?)
Big Thunder (different enough?)
Buzz (different enough?)

At DCA:
Cars Land including RSR
Should she try to do Mater?
Screamin'
Mickey's Fun Wheel (because it's part of the icon)
Aladdin (because they are musical theater performers and she dreams of working for Disney)
Monster's Inc. (worth it?)

This sounds really ambitious but it all seems to close and the wait times seem so short to what we are used to at WDW it seems do-able. They are doing counter service meals so that won't take much time.

Bottom line though, I have told her enjoy just being there and walking where Walt walked. If she rides anything, that's a bonus.

So, anyone care to suggest a route or critique our list?

 

[Epcot Mom]

I forgot to say she will be there next Thursday, April 2.

 

[Epcot Mom]

Another question, is the parade in DL worth seeing or should she go out of her way to avoid it (and the congestion they usually create)?

 

[Amommy21]

SO sad I think Matterhorn is closed. OH and tell her if the canoes are open in the rivers of America to do that attraction! VINTAGE WALT!

 

[SplashMo]

Another question, is the parade in DL worth seeing or should she go out of her way to avoid it (and the congestion they usually create)?

Parade is OK. I would likely skip it. Lines are shorter during the parade....

 

[SplashMo]

Grab Space Mount FP then hop and either grap RSR FP or ride it if it is short.
Then maybe head to Screamin' or Fantasyland depending on how the Space and RSR FP have worked out.

in DL:
Space (FP should work fine if grabbed early enough. Your return time will be under an hour likely if you get it in the morning. Which means next FP in that park can be grabbed within an hour.) Park FP machines are not connected and you can have them in both parks at the same time...
Indiana Jones (there is a single rider line or FP.)
Pirates (This can wait until lunch or afternoon.)
Mr. Toad
Mickey and Minnie's houses (she misses them from WDW) and maybe Roger Rabbit while she is there (Love this)
Storybook Canal Boats (no one mentioned this, is it neat or skippable?) (This can take a long time... Better to skip)
Tea Party because it's in the open
Carrousel because it is an original
Mr. Lincoln because it is an original but is it worth it?

If time,
Nemo (This will take too long likely)
Snow White
Pinocchio
Alice
Small World (is it different enough inside, or just go check out the outside?) Check the outside for sure... Inside if time allows...
Big Thunder (different enough?)
Buzz (different enough?)

At DCA:
Cars Land including RSR (Single Rider line can be short or use FP)
Should she try to do Mater? (I would skip)
Screamin' (Very easy to FP or Single Rider Line).
Mickey's Fun Wheel (because it's part of the icon)
Aladdin (because they are musical theater performers and she dreams of working for Disney)
Monster's Inc. (worth it?)

This sounds really ambitious but it all seems to close and the wait times seem so short to what we are used to at WDW it seems do-able. They are doing counter service meals so that won't take much time.

Bottom line though, I have told her enjoy just being there and walking where Walt walked. If she rides anything, that's a bonus.

So, anyone care to suggest a route or critique our list?

 

[RemainSeatedPlease]

I would say she should not miss Aladdin, because of her interest and because it's just an awesome show in general.

Also don't miss Indy! I consider that the best ride among DLR and WDW! I also love the Storybook Land Canal Boats, but the line is usually pretty slow loading, so it's hard to recommend it when you have only one day. Mickey's Fun Wheel is also very slow loading and lasts a long time, so she may want to skip that as well. The Nemo subs is also very slow loading. Even when the line looks short, you will be waiting quite a while. It is a unique ride, but honestly I don't find it all that appealing or interesting. I skip it most times I go. I don't think Buzz is different enough to warrant riding it. Mater is not that interesting really and I would personally skip it. Monster's Inc. is a well done dark ride and usually has a very short line or none at all, so she should ride it. Same for Little Mermaid - rarely a line and really well done.

I can't remember if the WDW train has the Grand Canyon diorama, but if not then I would suggest taking a ride on the train between Tomorrowland and New Orleans Square. NOS is one of my favorite areas of DLR, and I just enjoy walking through the shops and taking in the atmosphere. Even if she decides not to ride Pirates (which I suggest she does), she shouldn't skip this area!

I enjoy the Mr. Lincoln show, but if she doesn't have time for the show itself, she should at least go into the lobby and take a look at all of the great historical DLR exhibits they have up, there's some really interesting stuff.

Parades can be skipped, the current one running is not all that special or impressive.

Regarding Mickey and Minnie houses, just walking through the house usually fulfills my nostalgia quotient. The line to actually take a picture with Mickey/Minnie is usually too long to justify waiting. So, I walk through the house and take my own pics on the furniture, then when I get to the line part I use one of the exit doors. Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin is okay but she shouldn't waste her time on it if the line is long.

Keep in mind that DLR is a little more laid back, go with the flow type of place. I am a planner, so I always have an idea of what order I want to do the Lands in, but I also download a wait times app (I use Disneyland Wait Times) and check it periodically to see what the crowd levels are in the park. If there is a ride in a different land with short lines, I don't hesitate to switch things up and head over to that one instead. With everything so close together, this kind of flexibility is not only possible, but easy.

 

[Nicolette11785]

You might want to look into getting ridemax to give you a specific plan. You tell it what you want to see and when you want breaks and it will gice you the best route.

 

[Davey Jones II]

The very first thing you should do (at rope drop, of course) is line up at DCA and make a beeline for the Radiator Springs Racers standby line or fast pass line. Then score a fast pass for WOC. After that, I would head to Disneyland to score a fast pass for Space Mountain, then do as many attractions as you can while wait times are reasonable.

 

[Epcot Mom]

Thanks for the great tips everyone! Her big day is tomorrow and I'm sure her trip will be better because you all took the time to share your thoughts. Thanks so much!