WDWer with questions re: DL/DCA

[wickey's friend]

Hi - I know there is a newbie thread, but it's sooooooo long.

My DS1 and his wife are going to DL/DCA late Jan, early Feb. He's been to WDW many times, she's only been onece. They have done a lot of research on DL/DCA, but were wondering which attractions they should try to FP to make sure they get them in - they are only in the park two days (with hoppers).

Also, they have picked Carthay Circle for a sit-down meal in DCA, but they have't decided on DL yet. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Wick

 

[bumbershoot]

They should read the Unofficial Guide for Disneyland to get a feel for what rides they want to go for. Remember that FPs are done at the park, not ahead of time like WDW is now forcing us to do. And there aren't FPs for every ride.

 

[Elima2015]

I would FP Radiator Springs Racers and Soarin in DCA, and either Indiana Jones or Splash Mountain and Space Mountain and/or Star Tours in DL. We found that if we rode a few right at rope drop and began gathering FPs an hour or so in, we could easily hit all the big rides and some a few times! Just have them download the Disneyland app and monitor the FP return times so they get them before they run out for the day. Also note that the two parks are disconnected from each other for FPs.

 

[Nevada Jen]

Blue Bayou for the sit down meal in DL. It is inside Pirates. I would say the only ride that really must be fastpassed is RSR. Personally I would ride in the morning (first thing) and then aim to get an evening fastpass for it (which will likely be starting to distribute a couple of hours after opening. Other potential fastpasses in DCA are Soarin and TOwer of Terror (if its open when they are there). In DL They are probably going to want to fastpass Space Mountian and Indy. There are tons of others there to fastpass but those are the ones that tend of get giant lines and run out of fastpasses. The Disneyland app is a great tool. If they click on the ride they can see if it is still distributing fastpasses. If you want it for a week or so at some point before you come, that gives you a good idea of when fastpasses run out.

 

[VandVsmama]

if they are there for only 2 days, then they should absolutely get to the parks at rope drop on both days in order to maximize their time. Sleeping in is for afterwards.

DL:

• FP's are available for Star Tours, Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, sometimes Haunted Mansion when it's the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Roger Rabbit, Splash Mountain, Buzz Lightyear (but the Buzz FP's are disconnected, so you can have Buzz FP's at the same time that you have a FP for another ride).
• SINGLE RIDER LINES - Some attractions have single rider lines. Indiana Jones, Matterhorn, Splash Mountain. If it's just your DS and his wife, they could also use Single Rider lines for those 3 attractions to cut down on wait times and maximize # of attractions they get on per day. I did single rider on IJ this past Friday at about noon and waited about 5 minutes. Waited 5 minutes in single rider line on Matterhorn that same day about 5:15pm and the regular stand-by line for Matterhorn was 30-45 min at that time.
• TS restaurant - everybody should eat once in their lifetime at the Blue Bayou. Cafe Orleans is also popular. We've eaten at Carnation Cafe and enjoyed it, especially when sitting outside so we can people watch (but it might be a tad chilly for that in Jan/Feb).
• A sample itinerary could be something like this....get to turnstiles for rope drop (~30 min before official park opening). Get FP for Space Mountain (if it's still Hyperspace Mountain), go on Star Tours, Autopia, get FP for Buzz. Go to Fantasyland and go on Mr Toad's Wild Ride, Dumbo, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, Pinocchio, then Matterhorn single rider. Get FP for Indiana Jones or BTMRR, then go back to Tomorrowland to use your Space Mountain FP. After Space Mtn, go visit the Tiki Room, then get a prescription from the Shrunken Ned machine in the Adventureland Bazaar shop. Then go on IJ in single rider line. Then Pirates and/or HM. Before going back to IJ to use your FP, get a Splash Mtn or BTMRR FP. THEN use your IJ FP.

DCA:

• FP's are available for CA Screamin', Goofy's Sky School, Grizzly River Run, Radiator Springs Racers, Soarin' Around the World, and Tower of Terror. RSR FP's will run out each day, so don't wait until evening to get FPs for that because they will be out.
• SINGLE RIDER - available for Radiator Springs Racers, Grizzly River Run, Goofy's Sky School, California Screamin'.
• Since they will only be there for 2 days, if I had to prioritize FP attractions, I would skip Goofy's Sky School at DCA. And since I hate rides that drop, I'd skip Tower of Terror. But you might not even be able to get on Tower of Terror when your DS is there because I think it's going offline in December? I can't remember for sure.
• Pick 1 day to start @ DCA...preferably a day that's not EMH for DCA. Get to the turnstiles early for rope drop. Get a RSR FP first (FP distribution is right near Bugsland), then go on RSR in the Single Rider line. Then go on Toy Story & CA Screamin (single rider, but skip CA Screamin' if they don't like roller coasters that go upside down). Then head back to Carsland and go on Luigi's and Mater's. When FP window opens for RSR, grab a FP for Soarin' Around The World and THEN go on RSR. Lather, rinse, repeat through the day to maximize FP opportunities.

 

[tzeitel]

For a TS in DL I would do Blue Bayou - it is a bit like eating in the Mexico pavilion in Epcot (atmosphere wise), except the ride that goes by is Pirates Only time they guarantee a waterside table is for the earliest available (11:30AM). After that they give you first available unless you choose to wait for a table by the water. We really like Cafe Orleans as well and they also have the Monte Cristo plus they have pomme frites

 

[figment_jii]

In terms of FPs, I would also aim for RSR (first priority) and Soarin' in DCA and Space/Hyper Mountain or Indy in DL. Splash is another option in DL, but I'm not a big fan of water rides in the winter, so I'd probably give that one a pass (same for Grizzle River Run in DCA).

In terms of dining in DL, I'd probably go with Blue Bayou because it's one of the quintessential dining locations in Disneyland. As PP said, the best way to get a waterside table (which I highly recommend) is to book an ADR for opening (usually 11:30 am). I do also really like River Belle Terrace, Cafe Orleans, and Carnation Cafe, but it's worth noting that with these locations, some of the seating (or almost all in the case of Cafe Orleans) is outdoor. So if it raining, that will impact the wait for tables (or in Cafe Orleans case, they may close).

 

[Canuck16]

Hi - I know there is a newbie thread, but it's sooooooo long.

My DS1 and his wife are going to DL/DCA late Jan, early Feb. He's been to WDW many times, she's only been onece. They have done a lot of research on DL/DCA, but were wondering which attractions they should try to FP to make sure they get them in - they are only in the park two days (with hoppers).

Also, they have picked Carthay Circle for a sit-down meal in DCA, but they have't decided on DL yet. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Wick

Definitely book and ADR for Blue Bayou at DL. We go there every trip as we love the atmosphere of being inside Pirates while eating lunch. We usually book the 11:30 am time which is the first available time for lunch so we can get a waterside table.

 

[kellyarms20]

Try to rope drop Peter Pan at DL- that line gets crazy, and Toy Story Mania at DCA (the queue outdoors can be long/uncomfortable).

The FPs that stand out in my mind are:

DCA: Radiator Springs Racers (this is the most important one).
Soarin'

DL: Indiana Jones
Space Mountain
Star Tours

I also think Blue Bayou is an absolute must!