what day of week for a 1 day visit? etc.

[szvers]

I need some advice from some vets. I have never been to DLR as an adult and my wife and I are going to be in SC for an anniversary next week.

If we only go for one day, should I go on a Thursday or a Friday? I have been reading many threads on this board and know that magic mornings are Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Since I am not staying at Disney and only will purchase a one day hopper or one day ticket I can't get in early and I have read that if I don't go early for MM then I should choose a different day b/c of crowds.

But I've also read in Unofficial Guide that Fridays at DL are packed and I should avoid those as well.

So I guess what I'm asking is what is better: Thursday MM day w/o being able to get in early v. Friday-big crowd day but non MM day?

I'd prefer to go Thursday for my hotel situation.

I think I really want to do Disney Land instead of California Adventure b/c it is open later.

Thanks so much for your help.

 

[oc_tony]

If you're going in the summer, then I would suggest going on Thursday even w/o MM privileges. Fridays are busier, particularly in the afternoon/evening. Plus, you'll still have Fantasmic, Electric Parade, and fireworks as these run everyday during the summer.

However, if you're coming in the fall, then Friday may be better if you are interested in the aforementioned shows as they only run Fri-Sun. DL crowds are largely made up of locals, so as a general rule, the further you are away from the weekend, the lighter the crowds will be.

 

[DaddyDeuce]

Ok, you are trying to choose between Thursday 7/30 and Friday 7/31.

• Both days are blacked out for Southern California AP holders.
• Both days are open for Deluxe and Premium AP holders.
• Thursday has Magic Morning, but you do not have access.
• Friday does not have Magic Morning.
• For hotel reasons, you have a slight preference for Thursday.

I think you will find that the overall crowd levels for these two days is generally comparable. The big difference will be the impact of Magic Morning. If you go on Thursday you will find that the day begins with lines already formed for many rides in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. If you go on Friday you will have the opportunity to be first in line for whatever rides you want.

My opinion is this:
If the Fantasyland dark rides are important to you, you need to be there on Friday (the non-MM morning) and get those rides done first thing in the morning.
If the Fantasyland dark rides are not important to you, then go with Thursday since you had some hotel factor that makes you prefer that day, and the "big people" rides will be slightly less crowded in the afternoon and evening.

The difference between trying to do the Fantasyland rides on Friday versus Thursday is probably around two extra hours standing in line.

 

[szvers]

Ok, you are trying to choose between Thursday 7/30 and Friday 7/31.

• Both days are blacked out for Southern California AP holders.
• Both days are open for Deluxe and Premium AP holders.
• Thursday has Magic Morning, but you do not have access.
• Friday does not have Magic Morning.
• For hotel reasons, you have a slight preference for Thursday.

I think you will find that the overall crowd levels for these two days is generally comparable. The big difference will be the impact of Magic Morning. If you go on Thursday you will find that the day begins with lines already formed for many rides in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. If you go on Friday you will have the opportunity to be first in line for whatever rides you want.

My opinion is this:
If the Fantasyland dark rides are important to you, you need to be there on Friday (the non-MM morning) and get those rides done first thing in the morning.
If the Fantasyland dark rides are not important to you, then go with Thursday since you had some hotel factor that makes you prefer that day, and the "big people" rides will be slightly less crowded in the afternoon and evening.

The difference between trying to do the Fantasyland rides on Friday versus Thursday is probably around two extra hours standing in line.

Wow, this is good stuff. Thanks. I have done the FantasyLand dark rides enough at the MK so I like your advice.

What is your opinion of starting with California Adventure on Thursday and then hopping over to DL for the late afternoon and evening festivities?

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Wow, this is good stuff. Thanks. I have done the FantasyLand dark rides enough at the MK so I like your advice.

What is your opinion of starting with California Adventure on Thursday and then hopping over to DL for the late afternoon and evening festivities?

DCA doesn't open until 10, so I'd start with DL either day.

 

[disneynerd420]

Wow, this is good stuff. Thanks. I have done the FantasyLand dark rides enough at the MK so I like your advice.

What is your opinion of starting with California Adventure on Thursday and then hopping over to DL for the late afternoon and evening festivities?

With only one day in the parks I recommend being at Disneyland approximately 30 minutes prior to opening. Enjoy the original magic kingdom from when the park opens until the lines start becoming long and unbearable. For me the lines become intolerable around noon. At this point, I would head over to DCA and enjoy it for the afternoon. Normally I take a small afternoon break at my hotel, but If I only had one day... I could do without. It just depends on how you and your wife feel. In this case I would chill in DCA until the evening and head back over to DL when the evening hits. Finish your night in DL with fireworks and the second showing of fantasmic. I hope you and your wife have a great time.

 

[disneynerd420]

DCA doesn't open until 10, so I'd start with DL either day.

I'm too lazy to actually confirm it on the Disneyland website but I bet you the hours for the parks on either day will be:

DL: 8:00 AM to Midnight
DCA: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM

 

[LavenderPeach]

My vote is thursday, even w/o MM privilages. I think friday will be crazier.

And, like PPs said, definitely start with DL and then head over to DCA later in the day. You don't want to miss out on the prime-time for shorter lines at DL. And don't forget to collect FPs!

 

[szvers]

I'm too lazy to actually confirm it on the Disneyland website but I bet you the hours for the parks on either day will be:

DL: 8:00 AM to Midnight
DCA: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM

You are correct. Thanks.

 

[disneynerd420]

Not a problem! You will have an awesome time.

 

[szvers]

My vote is thursday, even w/o MM privilages. I think friday will be crazier.

And, like PPs said, definitely start with DL and then head over to DCA later in the day. You don't want to miss out on the prime-time for shorter lines at DL. And don't forget to collect FPs!

But if I don't have access to early entry MM won't the lines be long by the time I get there?

Brings to mind another question. Do the FP's work the same at DLR as at WDW? By that I mean, do they give a time frame to return and ride the attraction, or can the FP be used at any time until park close?

Thanks again everyone!

 

[LavenderPeach]

They only open Fantasyland and Tomorrowland for MM so the lines in those lands will already be "established" by the time you get there but the rest of the park doesn't open until the official opening time. I guess it also depends on which rides you're thinking about and how long you think is too long to stand in line. You might have slightly longer lines in those 2 lands first thing in the morning but the rest of the day should be slightly less crowded (but you never know). You have to remember that a lot of locals go to DLR so they are more likely to show up on a friday and in the evenings.

The FPs show a time frame but you can use it anytime after the first time. For example if your FP said "10:30-11:30" you could use it anytime after 10:30.

 

[szvers]

They only open Fantasyland and Tomorrowland for MM so the lines in those lands will already be "established" by the time you get there but the rest of the park doesn't open until the official opening time. I guess it also depends on which rides you're thinking about and how long you think is too long to stand in line. You might have slightly longer lines in those 2 lands first thing in the morning but the rest of the day should be slightly less crowded (but you never know). You have to remember that a lot of locals go to DLR so they are more likely to show up on a friday and in the evenings.

The FPs show a time frame but you can use it anytime after the first time. For example if your FP said "10:30-11:30" you could use it anytime after 10:30.

But do I only have until 11:30 to use before it expires in your example?

If I can use anytime, then I could gather them and save for like 8pm.

Is that possible?

 

[disneynerd420]

But do I only have until 11:30 to use before it expires in your example?

If I can use anytime, then I could gather them and save for like 8pm.

Is that possible?

Yes. In this case it would be anytime after 10:30 until park close.

 

[disneynerd420]

But if I don't have access to early entry MM won't the lines be long by the time I get there?

Brings to mind another question. Do the FP's work the same at DLR as at WDW? By that I mean, do they give a time frame to return and ride the attraction, or can the FP be used at any time until park close?

Thanks again everyone!

I personally love the fantasyland and tomorrowland attractions. So for me, being able to have to wait less time in the lines when I am able to is a draw. I still say friday. In the middle of summer, I don't think it is going to make a huge difference.

 

[szvers]

Yes. In this case it would be anytime after 10:30 until park close.

Wow, and in this example, I can get another FP for another ride anytime after 10:30?

thanks so much

 

[LavenderPeach]

But do I only have until 11:30 to use before it expires in your example?

If I can use anytime, then I could gather them and save for like 8pm.

Is that possible?

Yes, you can use it anytime up to the park closing so collect FPs early and use them later.

Wow, and in this example, I can get another FP for another ride anytime after 10:30?

thanks so much

It says on the FP ticket when you can get another one. I just looked at one unused FP I have for 2:30-3:30 and it says the next FP is available at 1:15 so just look at your FP and you'll know when you can get another one. I think there is a sticky at the top that gives you an overview on how to use FPs efficiently.

 

[szvers]

Do you guys think it is worth the extra 50 it would cost for two to get the one day hopper as opposed to the 1 day 1 park DL option? I would like to hop like you guys mentioned in PP's, but just want to know if it would be worth it. Opinions please. Thanks so much. I think we decided to go on Thursday rather than Friday.

 

[DaddyDeuce]

Do you guys think it is worth the extra 50 it would cost for two to get the one day hopper as opposed to the 1 day 1 park DL option? I would like to hop like you guys mentioned in PP's, but just want to know if it would be worth it. Opinions please. Thanks so much. I think we decided to go on Thursday rather than Friday.

That's completely up to you and what you really want to see.

On the one hand, you would have no problem keeping yourself busy all day in DL.

On the other hand, there are things in DCA that you can't see in DL.

- California Screaming
- Soaring over California
- Grizzly River Run
- Tower of Terror

Some think there are better (or less crowded) dining choices in DCA.

I think you have to make the call based on what you want to see.

FYI - Fastpass in DCA is unconnected to fastpass in DL. You can pick up a fastpass in DL, go to DCA, and immediately pick up another there.

 

[szvers]

That's completely up to you and what you really want to see.

On the one hand, you would have no problem keeping yourself busy all day in DL.

On the other hand, there are things in DCA that you can't see in DL.

- California Screaming
- Soaring over California
- Grizzly River Run
- Tower of Terror

Some think there are better (or less crowded) dining choices in DCA.

I think you have to make the call based on what you want to see.

FYI - Fastpass in DCA is unconnected to fastpass in DL. You can pick up a fastpass in DL, go to DCA, and immediately pick up another there.

Is buying the 1 day hopper cheaper on the Disney website compared to the front gate? $94