What would you do? This week DL and DCA

[GoofyChickie]

Hi - Been a total lucker for months and months and my trip is this week and I have a bit of dilemma. We are WDW vets and I am taking DS11 and DD9 to Anaheim this week for the first time. We have only Thursday 3/24 and Friday 3/25 and have 2 day park hopper tickets with no MM. My original plan is Thursday DCA and Friday DL. I have WOC picnics for 8pm show Thursday. Wasn't sure if I was going to use the park hopper feature or not.

Besides the typical Spring Break level crowds which I was already dreading, I just saw the March Madness West Regional games are in Anaheim this week. I have no clue to what affect this will have at the DL resort area. We are huge on getting to the parks before they are open to be there when the rope drops.

Anyone have any suggestions as to what would be the best plan of attack? Still stick with my original plans and follow my touring plan? Seriously starting to wish I hadn't scheduled this. No parades, no splash mountain, no goofy sky school or little mermaid and now crowds that I am not sure what to expect. We are coming all the way from Wisconsin so I need to make the best of it.

Thanks for any suggestions anyone may have.
Shannon

 

[TheColtonsMom]

We went at Christmas and were there in crowds that broke DL records. We still did almost all we wanted to do, Still made lasting memories & wouldn't have missed it for the world. Be prepared for crowds, try not to stress too much, make a couple of PS (maybe 1 each day) so you don't wait too long to get food and end up with cranky hungry kids & waste park time. If the crowds get too crazy escape to somewhere like the pirates lair on tom sawyer island or the recreation area in DCA where the kids can run around a bit and you can rest away from the crowds for a bit. or hop into one of the shows like Alladin, Tough to be a bug, Disney Jr or Tiki Room these also make nice breaks from crowds. Spend some DCA time in the Animation Academy also a nice break. Use FP when available.

You likely won't need the whole day in DCA..If you are rope drop types hit DL first on your "DCA day" and then hop over to DCA at opening. It is much easier to hop at DL! There is lots of construction to deal with in DCA but once you have done DCA you can hop back over to DL which usually closes later.

Without a MM the best time to do Fantasyland is after the fireworks when most of the people with littler kids have left for the day almost as good as MM time even better than MM time when we were there at Christmas!

If your hotel is close take a break at the pool during the busiest part of the day and go back refreshed and close the park...lines are short even on busy days near closing.

Read Hydroguys tips for WDW vets...it will save your life...

You WILL have a great vacation as long as you go in prepared & knowing what to expect.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Welcome to the DISBoards!

At DLR, the Main Entrances of DCA and DL are about 50 steps from each other. You will want to parkhop. Now, that said, others on the boards here will advise you to jump back and forth throughout your day. We do not find this effective as, although the main gates are seconds from one another, if you are deep into one Park, it does take some time to go deep into the other. That said, you CAn hop as you wish.

You will want to start your day in DL as it opens first. Use the FP system where applicable, but remember there are LOTS of attractions, shows, and parades, that do NOT have FP so you do not want to limit yourself to only FPs.

Try to eat during "off" times and do things while others are eating. Same is true to parades, and such if you are not interested in them - although we are "show" people who LOVE parades, fireworks, etc.....

March Madness may have some affect, but for the most part, just know you are going during a crowded, busy time. Be open-minded about what to do when and know that you probably wont be able to do everything. I would focus on the things you don't have at WDW and a few of the things you want to compare (because it's natural to do).

If you have specific questions, let us know. You have lots of people willing to help here.

- Dreams

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Here is the link to Hydroguys tips I mentioned above http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

Good Luck!

 

[skiingfast]

You will cant to start your day in DL as it opens first. Use the FP system where applicable, but remember there are LOTS of attractions, shows, and parades, that do NOT have FP so you do not want to limit yourself to only FPs.

This is the key. Go to DL first each day because it opens before DCA. At the end of the day DCA closes first and you can go to DL again for a hour or two since it closes later.

On Thursday because it's a MM day. Go into DL and to the left. Frontierland or Adventureland, though I'd hit Indy, JC and PTOC first BTMRR later. Grab FP's to use later along the way. Why go left, because the MM people are only in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, so there will already be lines in that area. Make those land a priority on Friday morning.

 

[GoofyChickie]

Thank you....great suggestions here and have rethought my plan!!! I wasn't really grasping the closeness of the parks and I am going to utilize this and FP to a greater extent. Now....I just need to relax and enjoy our time there!

 

[mbb]

...... I wasn't really grasping the closeness of the parks and I am going to utilize this and FP to a greater extent. Now....I just need to relax and enjoy our time there!

ITA!!!

We dont' go until next year, and until I read your thread, had no idea they were so close to each other either.

Welcome to the DIS, and have a wonderful vacation!!!

 

[Hound 109]

Hi - Been a total lucker for months and months and my trip is this week and I have a bit of dilemma. We are WDW vets and I am taking DS11 and DD9 to Anaheim this week for the first time.

Definitely read HG's thread linked above. Ask questions here if there is anything you don't understand.


We have only Thursday 3/24 and Friday 3/25 and have 2 day park hopper tickets with no MM. My original plan is Thursday DCA and Friday DL.

As others mention above.....Park Hop each day (this is a must with only two days). Think of DCA as "CaliforniaLand".


I have WOC picnics for 8pm show Thursday. Wasn't sure if I was going to use the park hopper feature or not.

Besides the typical Spring Break level crowds which I was already dreading, I just saw the March Madness West Regional games are in Anaheim this week. I have no clue to what affect this will have at the DL resort area. We are huge on getting to the parks before they are open to be there when the rope drops.

Anyone have any suggestions as to what would be the best plan of attack?

Getting to DL early is # 1. Knowing how FP works in DLR & using it effectively is #2. Know the following FP threads completely:

"Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132

"FastPass for Dummies and Smarties - A Photographic Explanation" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1186052

"Which Fast Pass First?" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1107718 (see my post #4 in that thread)

"Strategies For Using DL and DCA Opening Time Differences to Collect More Fastpasses"
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1553197



Still stick with my original plans and follow my touring plan?

Of course not . See the FP threads above. Also...read the first page of my trip report link in my siggy below. Park Hop each day.


Seriously starting to wish I hadn't scheduled this. No parades....

Say what??!!! ....with only two days, no need to waste time on parades anyway?


no splash mountain.....

It's pretty similar to WDW....so no worries.


no goofy sky school or little mermaid......

But there's Toady, Pinocchio, Alice, Storybookland, Matterhorn, Screamin, Griz Rapids, Monster's Inc, Heimlich & others (not found at WDW) & also a better SM, Buzz, Soarin' & Pirates (& others) that are better versions at DLR . I wouldn't worry about missing a couple of (probably) kind of lame (but new) rides that will be crazy crowded when you are here......there are MANY classic & "DLR unique" rides to enjoy. Two days won't be enough to enjoy all of them anyways.

Ask all the folks who stood in line for 3-5 hours for Nemo (3 years ago) if they would do that today.


and now crowds that I am not sure what to expect. We are coming all the way from Wisconsin so I need to make the best of it.

Thanks for any suggestions anyone may have.
Shannon

Shannon....the time zone difference is your friend. Be VERY productive the first 2-3 hours of each day. You can zig when others are zagging. Stop & smell the roses when it gets crowded later in the day.....but have a plan & be productive the early part of each day.

If you don't understand HG's FP threads completely or the need to park hop completely.... you should come back here & post specific questions about your touring plans for each day.

Have a great time at Walt's Park.

 

[Hound 109]

This is the key. Go to DL first each day because it opens before DCA. At the end of the day DCA closes first and you can go to DL again for a hour or two since it closes later.

On Thursday because it's a MM day. Go into DL and to the left. Frontierland or Adventureland, though I'd hit Indy, JC and PTOC first BTMRR later. Grab FP's to use later along the way. Why go left, because the MM people are only in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, so there will already be lines in that area. Make those land a priority on Friday morning.

I 100% agree with skiingfast.

On MM days (assuming you don't have MM)....head to the left side of the park.

On non MM days, knock out the slower loading FL rides first thing.

But on BOTH days....always be mindful of FP collecting the first 2-3 hours in DL.

 

[JasonShannon76]

California Adventure is under major construction right now. There is no way you need an entire day in that park, considering all the rides under construction.
The only rides that are "musts" in CA Adventure are Soarin Over California (best ride ever, especially if you can get in row B-1), Toy Story Mania, California Screamin, Tower of Terror (the other new "must" rides are not done being built yet). Turtle Talk with Crush is a good ride to go sit and relax on a busy day. Monsters Inc is cute for younger kids.


The bulk of your time will definitely be at Disneyland, so I would definitely get a park hopper. Go do Disney when it opens at 8am and hop over to CA Adventure right before it opens at 10am. Run to Toy Story Mania (because that line gets crazy long as the day goes on). Then do the rides at CA Adventure and hop back over to Disneyland.

Have FUN!! Spring Break Crowds are in full force, so try to use Fast Passes for sure!

 

[My<3BelongsToMickey]

Everyone on this board is crazy educated about the parks! (Man oh man how I love the Disboards!) Here are a few point from a fellow wdw vet!

1. This may sounds like a no-brainer, but don't forget when you are park-hopping that DL and DCA both use separate FP systems! This is verrrry key and verrrrry helpful.

2. Go see Aladdin A Musical Spectacular at DCA. I don't want to hype it up too much... but it is my favorite disney park musical (minus Tarzan from AK back in the day...). Aladdin also serves as a great break time activity. (For first timers, Try and be in the Mezzanine seating.

3. Holy crow there is a ton of construction going on. Whenever I've been to the parks this year, I think about how disappointed newbies would be to see so many construction walls.... that being said, Disney is Disney, and you're going to have a great time regardless!

4. I hate to admit it, but Space Mtn. at Disneyland is far superior to Space at WDW. But using a fastpass is really the only way to go...

 

[Mary09]

I think Grizzly River Run is a must-do (if you have panchos or like getting wet). Mickey's Fun Wheel is, too.

They sell panchos for around $6 at the gift shops but you have to ask, as they're behind the counter. These are handy to sit on while waiting for Fantasmic or WOC, for if it rains, and for wet rides. They're beefy enough to keep and use again and again on future trips, unlike the dollar store, trash bag panchos.

Space Mountain AND Big Thunder Mtn. are much better at DL. So is Fantasmic, but you'll miss the amphitheatre WDW has for it.

The parks are much, much closer than WDW parks. Hop! Hop!

My DD is 10 and her favorite thing in DL is Cafe Orleans Pomme Frites (french fries). We went two days at 11:30 and got right in and were out by noon, and the third day at 5 and were out by 5:30. That's for full service! Two bottomless sodas, a huge basket of parmesan covered fries and a bowl of soup came to around $21, or $25 with tip. Great deal and it's nice to relax and be served at a table, especially when the park is mobbed!

 

[ktlm]

Shannon....the time zone difference is your friend. Be VERY productive the first 2-3 hours of each day. You can zig when others are zagging.

So true!!! Being WDW vets and having a 2 hour time difference from our home, we were shocked at how empty the parks seemed the first couple of hours in the morning. You can really get a lot done then. We wondered if it was because more people drive in to DL for the day where at WDW, a big chunk of the crowd is staying in all the resort hotels.

Even though people are telling you how close everything is together you aren't going to really get a grasp until you get there. They MEAN it! You might as well just think of the whole thing as one park. I read somewhere that DL is 85 acres and California Adventure is 55 acres. To put it in perspective, Epcot at WDW is 300 acres, which means it is twice the size of DL/CA put together. I think DL/CA together are right around the size of DHS at WDW. DL/CA just really pack those attractions in the limited space they have. That is one of the things we LOVE about DL/CA!

I agree with the PP that said don't miss Aladdin if you can help it. I think it is the best show I've ever seen on Disney property anywhere (and yes PP I saw Tarzan and I still think this one is much better! ). Don't miss POTC thinking it is the same as WDW, because it is much better at DL. The Indiana Jones ride is fantastic too (supposedly it has the same cars and track as Dinosaur at WDW, but I don't like Dino and I LOVE Indy).

If you are a Peter Pan fan, try to catch Fantasmic if you can. DL's version has a whole Peter Pan section in place of the Pochahontas section at WDW. We really preferred DL's version of Fantasmic to WDW's version.

I have to disagree with the PP who said Monsters' Inc. is cute "for little kids"--- I'm not a little kid and it is on my must do list! Actually, if you like dark rides, at DL you also have Alice, Pinochio, Mr. Toad, and those Nemo Subs (still think WDW made a mistake in prematurely ripping out that ride- so much better than Epcot Nemo- of course now I guess that WDW area will be the 7 Dwarves roller coaster anyway).

Oh just FYI- TSM and Peter Pan do not have FPs at DL. That is the one thing we found to be a bit of a pain. You will want to hit those early in the day!

 

[vew-tori]

As a WDW vet myself I was a little skeptical of the whole hop everyday thing. I'm sold now. We did spend one whole day in CA but DD loves Animation Academy and I think we did it 6 times this trip . She would have done it more if we would let her.

It was crowded but to me the lines moved faster than WDW. WE never waited more than 40 min and most of the time it was about 20. We did get lots done in the morning, used our FP's, took an afternoon rest and closed the parks. Those last 2 hours at DL were awesome!

Have fun . We had a blast.