Which parks to open which days?

[egritz]

Need some input. We are in the parks 11/16-11/20 with park hopper tickets. MM for DL are Tue/Thu, MM for DCA are Sun/Mon/Wed. Sunday the park opens at 9, the rest of the trip 10.

Our plan is to use our MM on Tuesday morning for DL....but then it looks like that means we will likely be starting our day in DL every single day except our last day, Thursday, if we are to avoid DCA on MM days. Or am I wrong in wanting to avoid DCA on the days they have the extra MM hour? I'm thinking it will be busy already so what's the use in being behind the crowds. But are the crowds not as bad in DCA on MM mornings? The only thing we'd likely need at DCA for rope drop is Toy Story (DD is just barely 40" so I'm not sure if she'll measure up for Radiator Springs, but if she does I will need to get FP for that ride too).

I just feel like that is A LOT of days with DL first thing for a 5 day trip (Sun/Mon/Tues/Wed at DL for opening) and would rather get one more morning where we start out at DCA (which if we did that, it would likely be Monday).

 

[ArchOwl]

Need some input. We are in the parks 11/16-11/20 with park hopper tickets. MM for DL are Tue/Thu, MM for DCA are Sun/Mon/Wed. Sunday the park opens at 9, the rest of the trip 10.

Our plan is to use our MM on Tuesday morning for DL....but then it looks like that means we will likely be starting our day in DL every single day except our last day, Thursday, if we are to avoid DCA on MM days. Or am I wrong in wanting to avoid DCA on the days they have the extra MM hour? I'm thinking it will be busy already so what's the use in being behind the crowds. But are the crowds not as bad in DCA on MM mornings? The only thing we'd likely need at DCA for rope drop is Toy Story (DD is just barely 40" so I'm not sure if she'll measure up for Radiator Springs, but if she does I will need to get FP for that ride too).

I just feel like that is A LOT of days with DL first thing for a 5 day trip (Sun/Mon/Tues/Wed at DL for opening) and would rather get one more morning where we start out at DCA (which if we did that, it would likely be Monday).

I guess I am slightly confused. Are you staying onsite? If not, you can only use your MM for Disneyland, not DCA.

The crowds for EMH at DCA aren't too bad. Carsland, of course, is busy. But the rest of the park is usually really quite nice. DCA has almost all attractions open for EMH, which really spreads out the crowds. Unlike at DL, where everyone is in Fantasyland or Tomorrowland. Ugh.

If you want another day to start at DCA, I wouldn't sweat it too much. It is quite doable.

 

[egritz]

I guess I am slightly confused. Are you staying onsite? If not, you can only use your MM for Disneyland, not DCA.

The crowds for EMH at DCA aren't too bad. Carsland, of course, is busy. But the rest of the park is usually really quite nice. DCA has almost all attractions open for EMH, which really spreads out the crowds. Unlike at DL, where everyone is in Fantasyland or Tomorrowland. Ugh.

If you want another day to start at DCA, I wouldn't sweat it too much. It is quite doable.

We are off site, and yes I know that the extra hour in DCA is for onsite guests. Your last sentence is exactly what I'm looking for - that it isn't a madhouse in DCA. I think we may start there on Monday too. Thanks!

 

[ArchOwl]

We are off site, and yes I know that the extra hour in DCA is for onsite guests. Your last sentence is exactly what I'm looking for - that it isn't a madhouse in DCA. I think we may start there on Monday too. Thanks!

Ok, yay! I wasn't exactly sure if you knew about the DCA early entry or not. I am glad you did.

I just was at DCA two weeks ago on a EMH morning and I did not have EMH. I walked on Screamin' and TSMM twice. No waits at all. We also did Goofy's Sky School and Ariel's as walk-ons. The whole of Paradise Pier was very uncrowded. Most folks still head for Carsland. We grabbed FPs for RSR about an hour after park opening. No problems at all. Have fun!

 

[egritz]

Ok, yay! I wasn't exactly sure if you knew about the DCA early entry or not. I am glad you did.

I just was at DCA two weeks ago on a EMH morning and I did not have EMH. I walked on Screamin' and TSMM twice. No waits at all. We also did Goofy's Sky School and Ariel's as walk-ons. The whole of Paradise Pier was very uncrowded. Most folks still head for Carsland. We grabbed FPs for RSR about an hour after park opening. No problems at all. Have fun!

Awesome, that is super helpful!

And I only recently learned that the EMH in DCA was for onsite guests. Kinda weird, but apparently helpful for me in this case.