What do I do first in DCA and DL

[mnasf]

We usually go to WDW and it's been a long time since we've been to DCA and DL. So the fast passes and strategy are all different. We have early entry. Would should we do first in each park? Feeling pretty unsure of myself. It'll be my 13 year old and me. Thanks!

 

[chickapin parterre]

what are your dates? early entry by ticket or onsite lodging?

 

[Shanti]

what are your dates? early entry by ticket or onsite lodging?

I'm not the OP but want to know this, too. We're staying onsite with park hoppers, & will be at the parks November 4th & 5th.

 

[chickapin parterre]

dca is all about RSR in the morning, riding and securing fastpass.....but remember, there is no guarantee that RSR will be operating at gate opening on Sunday,

on Saturday you will be entering security at an hour before opening, going directly to the gates, that at 40-35 mintues will open early onto a rope drop. doing fantasyland first, then at end of hour, securing tomorrowland fastpass and riding standby. Now any advice about fastpass could change and historical advice like mine here, will no longer be valid, so important that you read about the fastpass system before arriving.

Fantasyland first because there is no fastpass, on a saturday this area will fill up quickly with small children, as Tomorrowland not so children friendly.

 

[mnasf]

what are your dates? early entry by ticket or onsite lodging?

We are staying at PPH. We arrive this Friday afternoon and plan to go to CA. Then DL on Sat. and CA on Sun, and DL on Mon. We plan to do EE each day and have no problem being early as we are use to WDW. I'm sure we'll get a little confused between MK and DL. There was no Cars Land last time we were there. We have done Toy Story Mania. I think my daughter will appreciate attractions not available at WDW like the Matterhorn. Can FP be gotten during EE hours? Thanks everyone!

 

[Westcoastwild]

I don't think fastpass is open during ee. Lines move faster because of this.

As mentioned, rsr for DCA. Guardians second. If it's like tower, the line is slow.

DL: Peter Pan, space mountain, Indiana jones, Matterhorn, jungle cruise in roughly that order. Indy because it breaks down often in the afternoon and even though it has fast pass and single rider, it's worth going through the queue. and the other two because they're slow lines. As mentioned fantasyland lines have no fast pass and get crowded with kids later.

I usually hit big thunder after Peter Pan and Indy because riding early means I might get to ride it multiple times that day.

Then do whatever you you want except- and this may not be currently true due to construction- you need to do Tom Sawyer and the canoes and Columbia and storybook boats by the afternoon. These all close early.

 

[chickapin parterre]

so on Sunday take advantage of the EE into DCA and explore RSR. Is it running,??? when will it open.??? There will be a crush of folks, so if crowds put you off, then grab a fastpast the hour after opening as FP start at the second hour on early entry mornings. or make preparations to stand in line. I understand there are issues with standing in line, so do some research how that works. You will be there Friday afternoon, so look where those fastpass machines are located. Catch the Sh-boom at sunset , when the neon lights come on

On Saturday, take in fantasyland, and then second hour fastpass tomorrowland. Do you have park hoppers?

 

[chickapin parterre]

Peter pan is a great ride, always my first, do you know how it works? Because if you don't, then save it for Monday.
The problem with Peter Pan, is that is the last inspected attraction in Fantasy land and is given the final okay right at rope drop. so what happens is that a CM is at the chain maze, directs folks straight to loading instead of in the maze, as a result, a long line develops down to the castle gate. This long line hinders strollers being parked and if new to the process, it gives the impression that the line is long, it is not, just very mismanaged by Disney. Sometimes I board straight to the pirate ship,sometimes i walk the maze to board. The end result is that Peter Pan is a mess, and stays that way all day......and that is why I UPS shuffle from rope drop to Peter Pan.

 

[nutshell]

All the above answers are wrong. The first thing you do is take a deep breath, shed a tear, and realize you're at the Happiest Place on Earth!

 

[chickapin parterre]

that has to be the saddest graphic.....no wonder your answer is so correct!!!!!

 

[Winnowill]

Note - the "no FP during EE" rule is not true any longer. Currently, the following rides are issuing FPs during EE:
At DCA: RSR and TSMM (I'd imagine GotG will be when it opens, but don't know for sure)
At DL: (H)SM, Matterhorn

Generally, there are RSR CMs at the ropes at DCA. Ask them if it's running. If not, don't waste your time with it.

 

[chickapin parterre]

thank you Winnowill for the additional notes. I now understand how it can be confusing about the fastpass. I did some online researching and after 10 sites I gave up on finding the corrected fastpass system. Even the Disneyland site is hard to read and I have yet found the mm fastpass info. I however did discover that Disneyland recommends arriving 1 hour.......and 15 mins before regular opening to fully experince MM......while folks here recommend arrive 1 hour and.....45 mins before regular opening....thank you for making folks happy....one post at a time.

 

[mnasf]

Wow thanks everyone. I think we're ready to go! Today we took DCA easy. Tomorrow EE! I appreciate all your time!