Where to Start? First DL Experience

[LKing]

I found out they will be visiting and while July 18th

Fantasmic is at 9 pm and 10:30 pm, and fireworks are at 9:30 pm.

Disneyland offers three dining packages for Fantasmic.

• Blue Bayou - nothing available for July 18
• River Belle Terrace - brunch and dinner are currently available for both shows on July 18
• Rancho del Zocalo - both first and second show are currently available for July 18

All three dining packages offer guaranteed seating on the (concrete) ground. After your meal, you are given a ticket and told to line up next to Harbour Galley by 8 pm. Realistically, it is better to get there earlier as they have been walking guests to their seats closer to 7:45 pm. Walking to your seats means that they will take you to a region that is roped off. You can choose where you want to sit. Those that are first in line usually sit in the front and closer to the center.

Immediately after Fantasmic, guests are asked to stand to view the fireworks. While some like to watch fireworks from in front of the castle or Galaxy's Edge, if your friends are only there for one day, they will get a double whammy of shows if they do Fantasmic and fireworks from Rivers of America.

There is a lot of info in the Fantasmic thread, starting on post #474. https://www.disboards.com/threads/fantasmic-thread.3936261/page-24

I would make Fantasmic dining reservations ASAP. They can always cancel if they change their minds.

 

[OlliePop27]

Fantasmic is at 9 pm and 10:15 pm, and fireworks are at 9:30 pm.

Disneyland offers three dining packages for Fantasmic.

• Blue Bayou - nothing available for July 18
• River Belle Terrace - brunch and dinner are currently available for both shows on July 18
• Rancho del Zocalo - both first and second show are currently available for July 18

All three dining packages offer guaranteed seating on the (concrete) ground. After your meal, you are given a ticket and told to line up next to Harbour Galley by 8 pm. Realistically, it is better to get there earlier as they have been walking guests to their seats closer to 7:45 pm. Walking to your seats means that they will take you to a region that is roped off. You can choose where you want to sit. Those that are first in line usually sit in the front and closer to the center.

Immediately after Fantasmic, guests are asked to stand to view the fireworks. While some like to watch fireworks from in front of the castle or Galaxy's Edge, if your friends are only there for one day, they will get a double whammy of shows if they do Fantasmic and fireworks from Rivers of America.

There is a lot of info in the Fantasmic thread, starting on post #474. https://www.disboards.com/threads/fantasmic-thread.3936261/page-24

I would make reservations ASAP. They can always cancel if they change their minds.

The second fantasmic is always at 10:30, not 10:15. Excellent info otherwise!

The second WOC is always 10:15!

 

[LKing]

The second fantasmic is always at 10:30, not 10:15. Excellent info otherwise!

The second WOC is always 10:15!

Oops sorry! Typing too fast. I'll correct it.

 

[twodogs]

If you think that can be savy enough I would try to get them to schedule a LL for smugglers and buy their ILL for rise around the same time.

Another thing- genie+ doesn't go nearly as quick at DL. There is no "slinky dog" madness. I would spend some time reading the genie thread on here.

1. They don't book super fast- you will be tempted to book right away at 8am- I would wait until you start seeing 830-9am return times. Genie+ at park open is. Waste.

2. Space mountain and Indian jones will be the genie rides that do "sell out" first- usually by mid afternoon. So those are good rides to rope drop and/or book for an earlier return time so you can keep booking all day.

3. If they are a family with older teens- single rider might be helpful for them. Matterhorn and space mountain have them.

Do you think they will want a sit down reservation?

On point 1- I agree that you should not need a LL at that time of day. But DO book one! Just book something you want to ride later with LL as soon as you scan in. That “starts” the 2 hour lock out clock for booking your next LL. Then, BEFORE that LL window expires, make sure to MODIFY it to a later time or even a different ride with a later time. This way, your 2 hour clock does not reset, and you can book the next one sooner. And you don’t have to waste a LL ride early in the morning when stand by is short. If you wait to book your first LL until you really need it (say 10 am), and you entered the park at 8am, you could have made a LL at 8am, modified it to a later time, and then made a second LL at 10am. If you wait to book your first LL at 10am, you only have one LL now. Hope this makes sense!!

If you MODIFY, your 2 hour window starts from when you booked the LL. If you CANCEL and rebook, your 2 hour window lock out starts over.

Here is an example:
8am-scan into park, book BTMRR for 8-9am return, next LL booking at 10am or when this LL is used.
8:50am-stand by is short, you don’t want to burn that LL yet, so MODIFY it to 10-11am or whatever it is at that time (you can modify over and over to get a later or earlier time, as needed); next LL booking is still at 10am
10am-book next LL (now you have the BTMRR one and this one active, and can get a 3rd LL if you now use BTMRR LL; if you are not ready to use BTMRR LL, MODIFY it again to later time; your next LL booking is at noon)

If you wait to book your first LL:
8am-scan into park, don’t book anything
10am-lines getting long, book BTMRR LL for 10-11am or whatever time it is offered, next LL can be booked at noon (now you only have one LL at this point and have to wait 2 hours to book next one or use this one first)

 

[scrappinginontario]

On point 1- I agree that you should not need a LL at that time of day. But DO book one! Just book something you want to ride later with LL as soon as you scan in. That “starts” the 2 hour lock out clock for booking your next LL. Then, BEFORE that LL window expires, make sure to MODIFY it to a later time or even a different ride with a later time. This way, your 2 hour clock does not reset, and you can book the next one sooner. And you don’t have to waste a LL ride early in the morning when stand by is short. If you wait to book your first LL until you really need it (say 10 am), and you entered the park at 8am, you could have made a LL at 8am, modified it to a later time, and then made a second LL at 10am. If you wait to book your first LL at 10am, you only have one LL now. Hope this makes sense!!

If you MODIFY, your 2 hour window starts from when you booked the LL. If you CANCEL and rebook, your 2 hour window lock out starts over.

Here is an example:
8am-scan into park, book BTMRR for 8-9am return, next LL booking at 10am or when this LL is used.
8:50am-stand by is short, you don’t want to burn that LL yet, so MODIFY it to 10-11am or whatever it is at that time (you can modify over and over to get a later or earlier time, as needed); next LL booking is still at 10am
10am-book next LL (now you have the BTMRR one and this one active, and can get a 3rd LL if you now use BTMRR LL; if you are not ready to use BTMRR LL, MODIFY it again to later time; your next LL booking is at noon)

If you wait to book your first LL:
8am-scan into park, don’t book anything
10am-lines getting long, book BTMRR LL for 10-11am or whatever time it is offered, next LL can be booked at noon (now you only have one LL at this point and have to wait 2 hours to book next one or use this one first)

I get this and support what you’re saying but it feels like a lot for a first timer who has never visited Disney. It depends on how much I can assist them from home. Appreciate and understand your suggestion for those with a little more experience.

 

[twodogs]

I get this and support what you’re saying but it feels like a lot for a first timer who has never visited Disney. It depends on how much I can assist them from home. Appreciate and understand your suggestion for those with a little more experience.

Oh yes you are right!!!! I forgot this was for a first time person! Disregard for them, but hopefully it helps a more seasoned person make the most of G+! Sorry about that!