What attractions are considered 'afternoon fillers' at DLR?

[Lisa0503]

Hi Everyone - I am so excited to be planning my first trip to DLR next month and could use some help. DH, myself and DD (10) & DS (9) are arriving at LAX at noon on a Wednesday, renting a car and staying at Disney's Grand Californian. I plan on buying 3 day park hopper tickets and we hope to see as much as we can in the little time we have at Disney (We are leaving at 2pm on Friday).

I hope that we can realistically be in the park by 4pm on Wed. and have no idea what rides are considered 'afternoon fillers'? Which rides at each parks would be good bets for us to try to attempt to cross off our list with such a late arrival? Is there any chance fast passes will be available at any rides that late in the day? We would love to see WoC so what are the chances of them still having fast passes available at 5pm? I feel like I can handle my tour plans for the two rope-drops but I am struggling with the late arrival on our first day. Also are there any table service restaurants that are worth giving up park time for?

I would love any advice as this is a once in a lifetime trip for my family. While we are lucky enough to get to WDW every few years, I don't for see us getting back to DLR with any such frequency so seeing/experiencing as much as possible is our priority.

 

[GatorChris]

Since you don't get to DL at all, the first "filler" I'd hit is Toad's Wilde Ride, since it doesn't exist at WDW. Also, DL still has Snow White's Scary Adventure, although it's not as good as the one WDW had before. There's also the Nemo Subs, but that one may have a pretty good line because it's such a slow loader. Pirates and It's a Small World usually have a line at 30 minutes or less, and these versions kick the tail of their WDW counterparts. Hope this helps. I'm sure a DL vet will come along and give a lot better advice. My tips are just the tips of a WDW vet who hit DL last year.

 

[Xenorye]

I'm sure others will respond with more experienced advice, but I'll just throw out there you could probably look at doing Fantasyland dark rides (minus Peter Pan), Haunted Mansion, Pirates...

In DCA, Little Mermaid, Bug's Land...

As far as WoC goes, there will possibly still be Fastpasses left, but if there's not, just behind the official viewing area is a spot that's not too bad. No Fastpass required.

 

[SMD]

You can probably still get FP for BTMRR, Star Tours, maybe Indy, but it will be late, and if you're doing rope drop the next day... Try single rider for Matterhorn, Indy, RSR, no FP needed. It would also be a good day to stake out spots for Fantasmic or fireworks.

 

[figment_jii]

Given that you'll be there next month (August) I would expect full entertainment to be running on all of your days. That means you can go see WoC, Fantasmic, and fireworks on whichever nights work best for you. I would highly recommend seeing Fantasmic and fireworks even if you've already seen them in WDW. Fantasmic, aside from the viewing area, is a much better show at DL. Fireworks is always fun and I like seeing Dumbo fly! Aside from the Fantasmic Dessert Party, viewing is first-come-first-serve for both of these, so they can take considerable amounts of time (think like two hours at a minimum).

WoC is unique to DCA and pretty popular; personally, I'm not a big fan unless you're willing to sink in a considerable amount of time to see the show properly (think like 90 to 120 minutes). If you're in the back of the viewing area, of behind someone taller than you, or you cannot see the water surface, you'll miss out on half of the show. The show itself is good, but the viewing area is a mess. Even with a FP, that only gets you access to a specific viewing area. It does not guarantee you a good spot within that viewing area.

In terms of the "filler" rides, I would say that you can probably get in a lot of rides as long as you avoid the slow loaders and the E Ticket rides. I would start by going to the Times Board in whichever park you're at and seeing what the line lengths look like. I generally find that PotC and HM move pretty quickly even if the line looks long. Buzz Lightyear (again, much better in DL) generally has a short line (except right after the parade ends). Over in DCA, Monster's Inc is often pretty short.

 

[Angrose]

I would go straight to Pirates, it's the best of the best and always my first ride, no matter what! I've heard that the line on the right side is quicker, and most of the time the wait time is less than what is posted. After that, I would grab a FP for Splash and/or ride BTMRR if the wait time is around 30min. While waiting for FP return time, you could do HM and break for dinner. After dinner, hop over to DCA to explore Carsland and do RSR single rider since your kids are old enough and the wait would only be 20-30min. I'm not sure if there will be WoC fastpasses left, but you could always check as you enter DCA.

You may want to download one of the wait time apps to help you decide which direction to head when you are in the park and to check on ride closures.

No matter what you do, it will be great to just BE IN THE LAND

 

[Midnightred]

Here are mine:

Lincoln
Tiki Room
Tarzan's Tree House
Pirates and HM because they are quick loaders and the line moves fast
Pooh
DL Railroad
Tom Sawyer's Island
IASW
Snow White
Pinocchio
Monorail
Main Street Cinema
Main Street Vehicles
Castle Walk-Through
Flag Ceremony

Midnightred

 

[Midnightred]

Oh, and I forgot to add the Riverboat and the Sailing Ship Columbia!

Midnightred

 

[2tinkerbell]

I just noticed that you are flying to LAX from the East Coast. Flying West is always harder on me that flying East. Crazy, I know. The time difference really comes into play here. For example, your 4 o'clock is really 7 o'clock. If you had to get up earlier than normal to catch your flight, you are up for a really long day.

If a character meal is something that you might do, I would suggest that you schedule it for that night and maybe forgo the Parks. Or you could schedule a couple of rides/dinner at BB and either the Fireworks, WOC, or Fantasmic. Just be realistic about your energy level - especially if you plan on making EE the next morning.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

If you're arriving at LAX at Noon, you can realistically be in the parks by 2. It just depends on how you travel from LAX (or in your case, how fast you can get your car), and how fast you can check-in at your hotel. We travel from Chicago and usually make it from LAX to the parks in about 2 hours. We use Karmel (a shared van service), stay within walking distance on Harbor, and don't dawdle. So you may want to assume you're going to have even more time in the parks than you originally thought.

 

[Chrisfilm]

Days like that are good for a relaxing train ride around around DLR and a chance to go slow and enjoy the atmosphere and details before the inevitable rushing of the days that follow.

 

[Lisa0503]

If you're arriving at LAX at Noon, you can realistically be in the parks by 2. It just depends on how you travel from LAX (or in your case, how fast you can get your car), and how fast you can check-in at your hotel. We travel from Chicago and usually make it from LAX to the parks in about 2 hours. We use Karmel (a shared van service), stay within walking distance on Harbor, and don't dawdle. So you may want to assume you're going to have even more time in the parks than you originally thought.

Awesome!!!! I hoped that I was overestimating the amount of time it would take to get from the airport to the parks. Being in the parks by 3pm would be fantastic

I just noticed that you are flying to LAX from the East Coast. Flying West is always harder on me that flying East. Crazy, I know. The time difference really comes into play here. For example, your 4 o'clock is really 7 o'clock. If you had to get up earlier than normal to catch your flight, you are up for a really long day.

If a character meal is something that you might do, I would suggest that you schedule it for that night and maybe forgo the Parks. Or you could schedule a couple of rides/dinner at BB and either the Fireworks, WOC, or Fantasmic. Just be realistic about your energy level - especially if you plan on making EE the next morning.

I am anticipating some type of jet lag. I know the kids will be excited so we want to get right into the parks to get some rides/shows done and then a nighttime show and bed. I know it will be a long day but so super excited to be in Disneyland!!! We plan on taking a mid-day break on Thurs so we will nap if needed.

 

[TulipsNZ]

I have no idea I've never been but if you wil be tired/ are interested in a restaurant what do the veterans think of going to a WOC dining so you can sit and watch WOC?

 

[nunzia]

I have no idea I've never been but if you wil be tired/ are interested in a restaurant what do the veterans think of going to a WOC dining so you can sit and watch WOC?

I'm all for doing the WOC dining experience, but you will not get a seat. WOC is a standing viewing show. :/. If you want to spring for the Fantasmic! dessert seting, you get a seat, and I think it's worth every penny.

 

[2tinkerbell]

I am anticipating some type of jet lag. I know the kids will be excited so we want to get right into the parks to get some rides/shows done and then a nighttime show and bed. I know it will be a long day but so super excited to be in Disneyland!!! We plan on taking a mid-day break on Thurs so we will nap if needed.

I was thinking about this after I posted and I realize that the excitment of being there will carry you though the day. I am sure you will have a great time!

 

[ultraawesome]

If you're willing to do single rider GRR is just like a five minute wait, where in the normal line it. Can be closer to 45 minutes.

 

[scrapshappen]

When we arrive mid day, our first thing we do is take a ride on the train, all the way around the park from main street. Then we get off and walk up main street. Except if you are getting there at 4, I believe that is when the parade is, so don't walk up Main Street. Ride it around one more stop to NOS and then do what others have suggested in that area: Pirates, HM, BTMRR, etc.

 

[chrisaman]

Buzz is usually a reasonable line. We usually walk the stores, check out a show or two, eat dinner, then start hitting rides when I get there at that time. Make sure u grab whatever fast pass is available that u wanna ride first thing when u get there.

 

[starshine514]

We often start in DCA on those days. On an ideal day, we might grab a FP to GRR, ride Little Mermaid, the Silly Symphony Swings (my girls live that ride) and Screamin' use our GRR FPs, ride Mater, grab TOT FPs, visit Bug's Land and the Animation academy, maybe ride Monsters, ride TOT, try to catch TSMM during WOC. Then hop to Disneyland for fireworks, ride Pooh (DD7 loves Pooh) and maybe BTMRR or POC before park closing. Fantasyland is also generally great after fireworks - we've had 5-minute waits for the Storybookland Canal Boats at 11:00 at times. Coming from the east coast, you probably won't make it that late, though...

 

[Carrie772]

If you're willing to do single rider GRR is just like a five minute wait, where in the normal line it. Can be closer to 45 minutes.

When we arrive mid day, our first thing we do is take a ride on the train, all the way around the park from main street. Then we get off and walk up main street. Except if you are getting there at 4, I believe that is when the parade is, so don't walk up Main Street. Ride it around one more stop to NOS and then do what others have suggested in that area: Pirates, HM, BTMRR, etc.

Just catching on to the Disneyland lingo, so bear with me! What are GRR and NOS? I checked the abbreviations list and they are not on there...
TIA!