Where would you start? DL or DCA?

[kingshockey04]

So this upcoming Thurs and Friday, we'll be at DLR. We have two day park hoppers. Which park would you suggest starting out on Thursday? I'm thinking DCA because of two reasons - one, we have a PS at Wine Country Trattoria at 1:30 and two, MM is Thursday so there would be people there already, with a head start on us in Fantasyland.

I'm thinking -
10:00am-1:00pm DCA
1:30pm-3:30pm Eat at Wine Country Trattoria (probably not that long)
3:30pm-8:00pm Spend at DL

Good idea?

 

[avalon451]

So this upcoming Thurs and Friday, we'll be at DLR. We have two day park hoppers. Which park would you suggest starting out on Thursday? I'm thinking DCA because of two reasons - one, we have a PS at Wine Country Trattoria at 1:30 and two, MM is Thursday so there would be people there already, with a head start on us in Fantasyland.

I'm thinking -
10:00am-1:00pm DCA
1:30pm-3:30pm Eat at Wine Country Trattoria
3:30pm-8:00pm Spend at DL

Good idea?

Mmmmm... I'm a fan of hopping, myself. I'd start out at DL, on the "left side" and collect a few FPs for later, first. If you get there for rope drop at Adventureland at 10 a.m. you're on a level playing field with everybody else. Grab an Indy FP, ride a couple of things, grab a Space or a Splash FP (should be able to get one 45-60 mins after the first FP), and then hop to DCA. Immediately grab a Soarin' and a GRR FP (GRR is disconnected from the system, so you can get a FP at the same time as you get one for Soarin') and then start exploring the rest, picking up more FPs as they become available. Your lunch at WCT won't take 2 hours. Maybe one hour. Ride the rest of your DCA FP rides, then hop back to DL and use the FPs you collected in the morning. With any luck, especiallly on Thursday, the crowds will still be fairly reasonable and you'll have the wonderful "walk-on" experiences so many have reported lately. Although there may be some early influx of the gay days crowd, which will be arriving for the weekend.

That's my take; but I hope you have low crowd levels anyway, so you won't have to rush! Best of luck and have a fabulous time!

 

[mystic_path]

For me, I really enjoy going to the main park first. It gives me that actual high of being there. Walking under the bridge and being hit by the subtle Disney music wafting through the air and seeing the castle just turns me into that child I have been dreaming about becoming once again. I find it a great start to the day knowing that everything I do will be the best time.

 

[PinkBudgie]

We always go to DL first because it opens first. It is usually more crowded than CA. After we do the "morning prime time of rides", we zip over to CA for the afternoon. It only takes a few minutes or less to leave DL and get over to CA. We will go back and forth between parks several times during the day depending on our FPs. You can have them for CA and DL at the same time. You can easily go to DL for the morning and then head over to CA with plenty of time for your meal.

 

[silence]

We have made a lot of trips, and I have to say, we have only gone to DCA first on ONE trip.

It was.....um....odd. It didn't feel right!

We have spent plenty of time in DCA, we do like the park. But I agree with avalon451, I'd go to DL first, pick up some FP and then hop over to DCA.

 

[kingshockey04]

Thanks for the advice! We're taking two first timers this trip and I really want them to have the best 'first memory' of Disney. And while DCA is a great park that we enjoy, I think I agree with what mystic_path said seeing the castle and hearing the music. We will start on the 'left side' and go from there.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Thanks for the advice! We're taking two first timers this trip and I really want them to have the best 'first memory' of Disney...

Given that extra piece of information...
There is nothing like turning that corner onto Main Street as you can view the castle with the music playing, the sounds of the Park that says "Welcome to Disney." I would make that your first stop.

Just don't go too deep into the Park so you don't have to back-peddle too far for that 1:30pm ressie that will arrive before you know it. LOL

 

[northshoremama]

yep, i agree with the PPs...start off with DL first! have fun this week! i can't wait...we'll be there in about 10 days...i can almost do the single digit danc! whoo-hoo!!!

 

[kingshockey04]

Just don't go too deep into the Park so you don't have to back-peddle too far for that 1:30pm ressie that will arrive before you know it. LOL

That is a good point. Thanks!

yep, i agree with the PPs...start off with DL first! have fun this week! i can't wait...we'll be there in about 10 days...i can almost do the single digit danc! whoo-hoo!!!

Thanks! I hope you have a great trip too!

 

[ballarinamom]

Plus that should give you an hour or two of extra touring time as Dl always opens earlier

 

[mAlien13]

I have to echo the PP's that the best way to start any Disney Day is on Main St.!

Plus that should give you an hour or two of extra touring time as Dl always opens earlier

I used to think this was always the case as well, but I know that for our upcoming trip, on the weekdays both parks open at 10:00am.

 

[ballarinamom]

Ooh- drag!

 

[mAlien13]

Yeah, I hear ya! I'll miss that extra hour or two in the am. It's only M-Th, though. It looks like the OP is going on a Thursday and Friday, so on Friday DL should still open early.

 

[disneyquilter]

DL first, then DCA...always

I've been there over 1000 times and honestly DL in the morning/early afternoon is far less crowded then if you go in the late afternoon/evening.

I hope you have a great time, no matter what park you do first