Which rides first?

[Minnie824]

We'll be going the week of 4th of July to DL for the first time. We're staying at GC. We'll be there at park opening for both parks, different days. I'm used to going to WDW, and know which rides to hit first, which to FP, etc, but here, I'm lost. We have 2 DDs ages 10 & 8, so they don't care about the smaller rides, they'll want to do Matterhorn, Space Mtn, Splash, etc. Can you help me plan what order we want to get to the rides at each park? Also, I saw Matterhorn is closed til mid-June? Any speculation on if it'll be open by July for sure? Thanks!

 

[skiingfast]

The Matterhorn should be open, I wouldn't worry about that.

For DL, go either right or left. Going left, get an Indy FP and ride it, then move on to POTC, HM then Splash ride and get a FP. Going right(also if it's a Magic Morning), go to ST, and SM, grab a FP for either one to use later. Then onto the Matterhorn. Tomorrowland and Fantasyland are open during Magic Mornings. Ride Big Thunder Mountain or FP it.

For DCA, it's not known when that park will open or if hotels guests will have special entry or other privileges. With all the changes going on, this Summer will be different and operation may change as well.

Go to Carsland first. FP and ride Radiator Springs Racers, this line may be multihour and FPs gone in a few hours. Then TSMM, get a FP for California Screamin. FP Goofy's Sky School. FP Soarin and get a World of Color Show Pass. FP ToT.

Really pay attention to what Happens at DCA before your visit. When it opens and closes and if there are hotel perks.

Know how to use FP. Use a runner, a person who holds all the tickets and splits from the group to collect the FPs at different times in the day. Remember that you can get a new FP when the return window opens, or 2 hours later, which ever comes first. You don't have to use the FPs within the return window, only after it opens until the park closes.

 

[wdwfan22]

I know you said you dont care about smaller rides, but if you are going to be there multiple days, I would still do Fantasyland 1st thing one morning. You will find it much different and far superior to MKs Fantasyland.

Peter Pan does not have a FP at DL, so do this first. Then there are many rides unique to DL that are worth doing and some have pretty good lines later in the day. Ride Dumbo next (if you want to, this ride is pretty much the same as at MK, except the water under the elephants) Mr. Toad next, then Alice, then Storybook Land Canal boats ( I LOVE this ride), then Snow White and Pinoccio. Then you will be close to Matterhorn and can move on to big rides, but I think its worth the hour or so first thing in the morning to do FL. I will take 3 times (at least) longer later in the day to do the same rides.

Even though there is a Peter Pan and Snow White at DW, they are very different in DL. You will see the difference in the theming and charm at DL. It is a truly magical land.

 

[HydroGuy]

We'll be going the week of 4th of July to DL for the first time. We're staying at GC. We'll be there at park opening for both parks, different days. I'm used to going to WDW, and know which rides to hit first, which to FP, etc, but here, I'm lost. We have 2 DDs ages 10 & 8, so they don't care about the smaller rides, they'll want to do Matterhorn, Space Mtn, Splash, etc. Can you help me plan what order we want to get to the rides at each park? Also, I saw Matterhorn is closed til mid-June? Any speculation on if it'll be open by July for sure? Thanks!

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Also see "Getting The Most Out of a Summer Visit To DLR" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1345319