We're heading there soon, and I have a few questions

[Safari23]

Me again. So we booked our trip last minute and we'll be there in a couple of weeks. We haven't been since 2019! We're so excited to finally be able to make a trip. I've been reading lots on here and Genie+, and I think I understand how it works and how it's different from MP. But I have one question about it, when you buy it, can you make LL ride reservations for both parks if you have PH? You would just have to make the time to ride past 1pm for rides in the other park? Or it only lets you make them for the park you start in for the whole day?

If we want to rope drop ROTR, any strategies on where to stand, and what's the fastest route? I just don't see us spending $60 for the 3 of us to ride it with a ILL. As Canadians, that hurts even more! And for rope drop in DCA, are most people going towards RSR or Web Slingers? We'll probably try and rope drop there for RSR at least once. Also, what time should we be at security for rope drop? We've never actually made it before for it!

I read that character interactions are back, does that mean they'll sign books as well?

Where is the best place / best selection of the Loungefly backpacks and Minnie ears? In either of the parks or even DD? Is the store in DD just as good for either of these items? We'll likely do DD the day we arrive, so if it's just as good at that store there, it might be good to get them there.


Sorry for all of the questions. I really appreciate any help at all!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Haven't been to Disneyland yet (but soon!), but that's the way Genie+ works at WDW - you can book LL after 2:00 (since park hopping starts at 2 at WDW) for a park you don't have reservations for.

 

[Kerr84]

You can make LL for both parks.

 

[DLgal]

Regarding merchandise, you just have to look in all the stores, really. They spread out things so you can't just focus on one or two places. If you are looking for something specific, ask a CM and they can often locate the item for you and tell you exactly where to find it.

 

[smartlabelprint]

A lot of the things I liked in Disney home was in world of Disney.

Yes, characters are signing autographs. Not all do, for example we were in line for the fox from zootopia and the handler told the people in front he doesn’t sign.

 

[Ladyslug]

If we want to rope drop ROTR, any strategies on where to stand, and what's the fastest route? I just don't see us spending $60 for the 3 of us to ride it with a ILL. As Canadians, that hurts even more! And for rope drop in DCA, are most people going towards RSR or Web Slingers? We'll probably try and rope drop there for RSR at least once. Also, what time should we be at security for rope drop? We've never actually made it before for it!

Definitely head for the "middle" entrance to Galaxy's Edge (via Frontierland past Big Thunder Mountain). I thought the left entrance would be best (since that leads to the "Resistance" side of Batuu), but the line for RotR at park opening forms off toward the right of the entrance to the attraction, so if you want to join it quickly, you want to be approaching RotR from the right. Being on the left hand side of the hub near the entrance to Frontierland would be my recommendation.

We arrived at the Harbor security check around 7:20 (with bags that needed to be inspected) and were still able to be about 50th in line at one of the turnstiles and get a seat on one of the benches in the hub with about 20 min until official park open. If you want to be more toward the front of the line, arrive earlier, but I don't think security starts letting people through to the esplanade much earlier than 7:15 (for an 8am park opening). While we were waiting for rope drop, we had time to make mobile food orders, buy Genie+ for the day, and book an LL in the other park. You don't have to time it -- if you have parkhopper tickets, the app will automatically give you the earliest available return time after 1pm, regardless of the return time listed in the app at that moment, and then you can count down the 2 hours until your next booking (even before official park opening). So if you book a 9am Guardians LL at 7:42am, it will turn into a 1pm LL and you can book your next LL at 9:42am.

I didn't have reservations for DCA on either of my days, but just from looking at the wait times in the morning, it seems like RSR usually has the longer line at rope-drop (and for much of the rest of the day as well). Both RSR and WS also have single-rider lines, if that is something that would work for your group.

 

[Safari23]

Wow thanks for your replies! This really helps.

 

[Kit Jackson]

Yes, characters are signing autographs. Not all do, for example we were in line for the fox from zootopia and the handler told the people in front he doesn’t sign.

What I love is that when a character doesn't sign autographs, the handler (in my experience) gives a reason for why they can't sign autographs. I think the reason the characters from Zootopia can't sign had something to do with thier role as law enforcement. The reason Buzz Lightyear couldn't sign was that Star Command wouldn't permit it.

 

[starlite_]

For Minnie ears check the mad hatter shop in fantasy land. I would also check the big store in downtown disney. The entrance farthest away from the esplanade had a giant wall of maybe 90% of the minnie ears I saw inside the park during my last visit.