What rides do you rope drop at DL and DCA?

[Tink3rbell86]

What are your top 2 or 3 rope drop rides at each park? Whats your strategy to make the most of the morning?

We are going in a week and I want to make the most of the mornings. We got to WDW often and have it down pat, I’m getting worried I won’t plan well and end up making the wrong choices we’ll have Genie+ at least one day.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Epump]

Following! We go in 2 weeks for the first time too (WDW vet) and I'm starting to get nervous. We will have Genie+ all 3 days.

Day 1 - DL. I was going to rope drop all the Fantasyland dark rides (we have a 3 and 12 yr old) since they're not on Genie...? Good idea or no? And make an Indy Genie + first and hope it goes down to get a MEP. Thoughts?

Day 2 - DCA. I have no idea what to rope drop and book Genie+ first for. Help!

Day 3 - no rope drop, hope to hit all our favorites again.

 

[halcyean]

DLR - Rise of Resistance and Peter Pan
DCA - Radiator Springs Racers and Soarin

 

[Porsche4]

At DL I would rope drop the dark Fantasyland rides (perhaps skip Peter Pan unless you are one of the first twenty or so people in the line) but ride Alice, Snow White, Toad & Pinocchio which at rope drop should take you well less than an hour. Then we usually hit Big Thunder and start using G+ to book things like Space Mountain, Indiana Jones etc.

At DCA we do Soarin, followed by a couple of Toy Story rides then Goofy's Sky School, Little Mermaid and then use G+ to ride Web Slingers. This list also suits us because we don't do inversion coasters so Incredicoaster is out for us along with Guardians which we did once and will NEVER do again but if those are priorities for you you should do those early.

We always buy ILL's for Rise of the Resistance and Radiator Springs Racers as you just waste too much time rope dropping these. In the time you spend in line for these even at rope drop you can achieve 3 or more rides that don't have G+ or rides that you can rope drop once and then re ride with G+.

This is just what we do but it depends upon what sort of rides you like to do.

 

[PHXscuba]

When I go with adults, here's what I rope drop and why. (Main criteria is things I want to ride more than once -- early in the day and then again with Genie+):

DL: Indiana Jones or Space Mountain
DCA: Guardians or Incredicoaster

All of those are generally more reliable at open than Radiator Springs, Toy Story Mania, Rise of the Resistance, etc. I especially hate trekking all the way to the back of the park for a ride and finding it down, landing you behind everyone else who went to an open ride. Soarin would be a good choice but it takes awhile for the wait and full ride cycle, plus the cell service in that building (and Indiana Jones) is very bad, makign it hard to check other rides or Genie+.

Also it depends on if you have Early Entry or are avoiding Early Entry.

Ultimately it's what matters most to you -- less backtracking, multiple rides, total wait times. There's no perfect way because of ride downtime, opening times, etc.

PHXscuba

 

[wabbott]

DCA: Radiator Springs Racers, Incredicoaster
DLR: Rise of the Resistance, Matterhorn Bobsleds

 

[Pluto468]

DLR: Peter Pan and Fantasyland for me because I can't ride roller coasters.

The rest of my family does:
Indy, Pirates,big Thunder, HM (when it's running. )

DCA: Guardians

 

[BriannaRuth]

At DL I would rope drop the dark Fantasyland rides (perhaps skip Peter Pan unless you are one of the first twenty or so people in the line) but ride Alice, Snow White, Toad & Pinocchio which at rope drop should take you well less than an hour. Then we usually hit Big Thunder and start using G+ to book things like Space Mountain, Indiana Jones etc.

At DCA we do Soarin, followed by a couple of Toy Story rides then Goofy's Sky School, Little Mermaid and then use G+ to ride Web Slingers. This list also suits us because we don't do inversion coasters so Incredicoaster is out for us along with Guardians which we did once and will NEVER do again but if those are priorities for you you should do those early.

We always buy ILL's for Rise of the Resistance and Radiator Springs Racers as you just waste too much time rope dropping these. In the time you spend in line for these even at rope drop you can achieve 3 or more rides that don't have G+ or rides that you can rope drop once and then re ride with G+.

This is just what we do but it depends upon what sort of rides you like to do.

This is pretty much exactly what we've always done.

We used to try to do TSMM first at DCA, but it's so far back in the park and half the time it wasn't open by the time we got there even though it seemed to be open at rope drop, too often it was a waste of time, so we switched to Soarin' first before heading over to that area.

 

[LKing]

Rise is often not open at rope drop.

 

[crazycatlady]

About how bad would the wait be for RR if we are one of the first at the turnstiles for EE, ride either Guardians or Spiderman, and then head back to wait with the masses for RR to open? That was our strategy two years ago and it worked really well because we always beat the non-EE peeps back to RR so was able to ride with only a 10 to 15 minute wait, plus knocked out a big ride on the way. Is this still a feasible plan?

 

[mdmost]

DL: Space Mountain
DCA: Incredicoaster, you can ride it 3 times in a row in under 30 minutes

 

[RunnerMom71]

VERY IMPORTANT:

1)Are you on property and have EE?
2) If you do not have EE then make sure you rope drop the opposite park that has EE that day as you'll kind of be screwed for rope drop *although* I always recommend rope drop
3) No matter which of the above two make sure you are *in* the parks before rope drop 20ish min: I am to be at the turnstiles 30 min before rope drop and I send someone else to grab starbucks as I head to the turnstiles: they meet up with our group/fam then coffee & breakfast items in hand

For me I always go to Fantasyland in DL and 2nd choice is Space Mountain - then head back to Mickey's Railroad (I am a firm believer in Genie+ and maximizing the app - some great videos out there and tips on this board)

For DCA if I have EE it's either RSR / Carsland or Toystory Mania / Guardians of the Galaxy - You can get a lot done in DCA in particular if you have EE

Have fun in Disneyland!

 

[LKing]

Have you looked at @BrianL 's list of ride differences between Disneyland and WDW? That might help you prioritize.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/ride-differences-between-dl-and-wdw.3942831/

DL Exclusive Attractions:
Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye (uses same ride system as DINOSAUR at AK)
Snow White's Enchanted Wish
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Mister Toad's Wild Ride
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Alice in Wonderland
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
Roger Rabbit's Car-Toon Spin
Chip & Dale's Gadget Coaster
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
The Matterhorn (note this uses the same ride system as Space Mountain at MK)
Space Mountain (same theme but completely different ride)

DL Similar but not exactly the same:
Enchanted Tiki Room - longer show
Pirates of the Caribbean - longer with more show scenes
Haunted Mansion - even without the Nightmare overlay it is slightly different
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Big Thunder Mountain - some additional effects and scenery
Autopia - much longer than the Tomorrowland Speedway, but basically the same
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters - removable laser blasters make it a little better

DL Exactly (or basically) the same:
Peter Pan's Flight - technically some minor differences
Dumbo
King Aruthur Carousel
Milennium Falcon: Smugglers Run - all of Galaxy's Edge is practically identical
Rise of the Resistance
Mad Tea Party
Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway - The queue is very different and cool - may be new to you and is worth it if so.
Star Tours
Astro Orbitor - though at ground level

CA Exclusive Attractions:
Monsters Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue
Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout - based on Tower of Terror, though the DL version works a little differently
WEB Slingers
Radiator Springs Racers - this is like a massively bigger Test Track
Luigi's Rollicking Roadsters
Incredicoaster
Inside-Out Emotional Whirlwind
Silly Symphony Swings - though this is an off-the shelf "wave swinger" ride
Jumpin' Jellyfish
Golden Zephyr
Goofy's Sky School

CA Similar but not exactly the same:
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree - the same as Alien Swirling Saucers
Grizzly River Run - longer version of Kali River Rapids - definitely a wet ride!

CA Exactly (or basically) the same:
Mickey's Philharmagic! - smaller screen though
Turtle Talk with Crush
Ariel's Undersea Adventure - same as Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
Jessie's Critter Carousel
Soarin'

 

[mdmost]

What are your top 2 or 3 rope drop rides at each park? Whats your strategy to make the most of the morning?

We are going in a week and I want to make the most of the mornings. We got to WDW often and have it down pat, I’m getting worried I won’t plan well and end up making the wrong choices we’ll have Genie+ at least one day.

Thanks for your help!

To OP, what are you wanting most to ride in each park? There really is no wrong answer. Genie+ really isn't necessary until after 11am. If you want to ride the dark rides, go to Fantasyland first as none of those use Genie+. Peter Pan is always 40 minutes but you can quickly get to it at rope drop. If you want to ride thrill rides, go to Space Mountain or Indy first. Big Thunder is a walk on for most of the early morning. I wouldn't recommend Matterhorn for RD because it is constantly down and it's a better ride to use Genie+ on so you can maybe get a multipurpose pass when it eventually goes down. If you ride Space Mountain first, I would then go to Matterhorn since they are close by. Definitely do not go to Rise first. It's constantly down first thing and honestly, the ILL is worth the money, simply because it grants you a dedicated return if the ride breaks down.

For DCA, it's really what you want to ride the most. The obvious choices are Radiator Racers, Guardians, and Incredicoaster. Most people will opt for the first two. We go to Incredicoaster, ride it 3 times, and then go clockwise around Pixar Pier. We typically have Genie+ so we just use it for Guardians and buy the ILL for Radiator Racers.

For Indy, a tip. If you approach the queue and the sign says 30 minute wait, walk up and see what the exterior queue looks like. If there's no one outside, just walk in the normal queue. The Genie+ selection only helps you avoid the outside queue. Once you enter the building, you are in the normal queue so the benefit is small. Save it for when the ride is more backed up.

 

[VandVsmama]

What are your top 2 or 3 rope drop rides at each park? Whats your strategy to make the most of the morning?

We are going in a week and I want to make the most of the mornings. We got to WDW often and have it down pat, I’m getting worried I won’t plan well and end up making the wrong choices we’ll have Genie+ at least one day.

Thanks for your help!

At DL, we always head straight for Fantasyland. Often have been able to get on Dumbo, Mr. Toad, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White in the 1st hour. Occasionally also able to get on Matterhorn before the 1st hour after park opening is done.

 

[Philsfan77]

DCA - Guardians and Spider-man (my boys love both and then we can genie+ them later in the day)

DL - Fantasyland Rides (when we went last July, we skipped Peter Pan...started at Snow White and went right around the horn...Knocked out Snow White, Pinocchio, Dumbo, Mr. toads and Alice in Wonderland. Finished right around park opening for other guests and made it back to Toontown and were first in line to meet Mickey. Saw Mickey, then Minnie, did chip and dales gadget coaster before Runaway Railway. I'd have to check my timestamps, but pretty sure we did all of this by 10AM. Set us up for the rest of the day to do genie+ rides.

 

[SoloJim]

About how bad would the wait be for RR if we are one of the first at the turnstiles for EE, ride either Guardians or Spiderman, and then head back to wait with the masses for RR to open? That was our strategy two years ago and it worked really well because we always beat the non-EE peeps back to RR so was able to ride with only a 10 to 15 minute wait, plus knocked out a big ride on the way. Is this still a feasible plan?

I did exactly this two weeks ago. I rode both Webslingers and Guardians at rope drop, then over to RSR at about 9, for which I waited no more than 10 minutes.

 

[Philsfan77]

I did exactly this two weeks ago. I rode both Webslingers and Guardians at rope drop, then over to RotR at about 9, for which I waited no more than 10 minutes.

Don't want to cause confusion...but I'm assuming you mean RSR - Radiator Springs Racers? All the acronyms are getting crossed in this thread.

 

[SoloJim]

Don't want to cause confusion...but I'm assuming you mean RSR - Radiator Springs Racers? All the acronyms are getting crossed in this thread.

YES! Thank you, you're exactly correct. I'm having acronym dysfunction.

 

[crazycatlady]

I did exactly this two weeks ago. I rode both Webslingers and Guardians at rope drop, then over to RotR at about 9, for which I waited no more than 10 minutes.

Wow, you got both in before RSR? Great to hear! We will be trying this in November!