Which is better to avoid...AP or resort early entry?

[BeccaG]

At APEE right now in the pre fastpass line for RSR. Figured that can then go on luigi and matwr before ee is over. Apee for Carsland /ca appeara far more popular than apee at disneyland and, it's hard to judge. Maybe more crowded than hotel ee foe those of you who have a choice. For what it's worth i think rsr was up for most or all of ee yesterday and that seemed to help flow the rest of the day. This will be unpopular but enforcing fast pass return times may help with the long fastpass lines to board in the evening.
St of

 

[elaw]

Thanks for all the great info elaw and everyone else on this thread!!

 

[LVTiffy]

The challenge will be him getting his ticket to you before you reach the machines. Not impossible just challenging.

aha..ya i would have to tell him where i will be and once he gets through the gates probably a little after 730 then he needs to run to find me cuz he has less than an hr to do so lol..I figured people will understand someone finding someone else in a FP line jsut to give their ticket for a FP verus, just waiting in the SR line to open, and then him finding me and cutting. Got to be fair for everyone and the only way to do so is for him to race over to find me in time lol

 

[seaglass]

if you are planning to ride Radiator Springs. Don't bother with the l-o-n-g fast pass lines. Too much wasted time in line. We were not at the head of the line at rope drop, but rode single-rider in under 25 min. both early in morning and later in afternoon....both times last week.

 

[BeccaG]

OP, I was at APEE today. It felt busy, definitely more people than yesterday for APEE for disneyland, but manageable. As the summer continues and more APs are blocked out my guess is APEE might have slightly less people, but it may be a push with hotel or it may have a slight advantage.

FWIW, I keep reading "go single rider" and it is a great strategy for those without young kids. However a few things to consider if you are like me and have a few littles to consider:
1. They do shut down the single rider line on occasion, or block additional people from entering it.
2. If RSR breaks down during EE, which it did for us, gathering your parties tickets and getting in the beginning of the fastpass line, made life later easier. Then everyone went on Mater's and Luigi's, a combined 3 times, during EE before the crowds arrived.
3. Both yesterday without EE and today with EE, the person waiting for fast passes only waited 6-25 minutes after the park opened to get our fastpasses. Yes, if you are in the back of the line you will wait an hour, but if you are there at 7:30 you won't.

One caveat, if you are the only adult with a bunch of kids, my suggestion would be don't get in the fast pass line at 7:30 if you have early entry. Take them on Mater's and Luigi's and then get in the line so they at least do something.

 

[gjpc2006]

I have been reading through the boards to figure out the best plan for my 7 yo and I. We will go to DCA during APEE, so your advice about best plan for one adult with children (or in my case a child), was great! Thanks for the tip

 

[BeccaG]

I have been reading through the boards to figure out the best plan for my 7 yo and I. We will go to DCA during APEE, so your advice about best plan for one adult with children (or in my case a child), was great! Thanks for the tip

Glad to help! If you are there for EE and check in as early as possible, like as close to 6:30 as possible, then you should be able to hit luigi's and maters, and I suggest that order, and then get in the fastpass line before the regular entry people. The check in BTW is over by the lost in found in the esplanade. You have to go through a line they set up using the ticket booth queue and get your AP cards scanned.

 

[Princess Sleepy]

For 2 adults and 2 kids (6 & 8) single rider is not an option. We are not AP holders or hotel guests. If we are entering at rope drop on a Monday, is our better strategy to head right for RSR and ride it, or right to the FP line to get FPs for later?

 

[BeccaG]

For 2 adults and 2 kids (6 & 8) single rider is not an option. We are not AP holders or hotel guests. If we are entering at rope drop on a Monday, is our better strategy to head right for RSR and ride it, or right to the FP line to get FPs for later?

Totally understand and a good question! First, if you were considering fast passes, I would enter at 7:30, non EE guests can enter at that time and get in the fast pass line although they won't distribute fastpasses until 8. If you want to ride all 3 Carsland rides, I think I would have someone get fastpasses by getting in line as close to 7:30 as possible. Then I would send the rest of my group ahead to Luigi's and meet up with them, if possible, once you got your fastpasses. Then I would hit Mater's later in the afternoon, or anytime the wait time was below 30 minutes. If you don't have to go on all three rides, then just go straight to RSR and skip the fast pass lines. I only say this because I don't think Luigi's is worth a 90+ minute wait, and its line seems to build and stay long after rope drop. That would be how I would do it, but others may have a better idea!!

 

[Gisele]

OMG! Whose on first?

~~ I love you Phil and you will forever be with me! Forever my very best and most special friend! I love you to no end. ~~​

 

[disneycrazycatlady]

I will be visiting LA next week and plan to go to carsland on Monday, July 2nd. What time should I plan to arrive to park the car. I do not have an annual pass and I am not a hotel guest. Will the Annual Pass Holders be blocked on the July 2nd? Thanks so much!!

 

[HydroGuy]

I will be visiting LA next week and plan to go to carsland on Monday, July 2nd. What time should I plan to arrive to park the car. I do not have an annual pass and I am not a hotel guest. Will the Annual Pass Holders be blocked on the July 2nd? Thanks so much!!

See Blockout calendar:

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/passes/blockout-dates/

If it was me I would arrive to park by 6:30AM and try to be in line for DCA by 7AM.

 

[Princess Sleepy]

Totally understand and a good question! First, if you were considering fast passes, I would enter at 7:30, non EE guests can enter at that time and get in the fast pass line although they won't distribute fastpasses until 8. If you want to ride all 3 Carsland rides, I think I would have someone get fastpasses by getting in line as close to 7:30 as possible. Then I would send the rest of my group ahead to Luigi's and meet up with them, if possible, once you got your fastpasses. Then I would hit Mater's later in the afternoon, or anytime the wait time was below 30 minutes. If you don't have to go on all three rides, then just go straight to RSR and skip the fast pass lines. I only say this because I don't think Luigi's is worth a 90+ minute wait, and its line seems to build and stay long after rope drop. That would be how I would do it, but others may have a better idea!!

Hmmm. That brings up the question of whether or not it is worth it to do the other two attractions. Are either Mater's or Luigi's worth a chunk of our day? Or should we do RSR and just soak up the atmosphere of the rest of CL?

 

[gypg]

Mater's is actually a fun ride and the line moves decently fast. As for Luigi's Tires, people have mixed feelings.

 

[LVTiffy]

i think we are only going to plan to ride the racers..We are 3 adults..me, my fiance, and my little brother who is 18. I looked at POV videos on youtube on the tire ride and mater ride and looks more for kids so I think we are gonna back out of those. We would rather do CS and TOT vs. having to wait in line, even if they are brand new rides. Just not worth the wait i dont think. me and the fiance have annual passes but this will be the last visit we have before it expires and we are not planning on renewing. from what every is saying, the best advice to just wait in the standby line for the racers instead of waiting in the FP line. We do have early entry into DCA but my little brother iwll have a regular ticket so I dont think i have theheart to go into the parks without him lol