Need Some Helpful Information

Katherine

Katherine

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Hey! So it looks like my mom is takinga trip to Anaheim so guess who's tagging along to go see DL... ME!! I went ten years ago (when I was 8/9) so I remember a lot but not everything. I've been doing some research but pictures can only say so much. I'm super excited but I just wanted some opinions.

1) Going Mid-July, is it crowded? How much can I expect to get done?

2) Are there single rider lines on any attractions? What's the fastpass situation like/is it similar to WDW (in reference to which rides have fastpasses)?

3) How do some of the more thrilling rides compare to their WDW counterparts? (specifically Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, and Space Mountain, I'm kinda a baby about "scary rides" and since i'm going to be going by myself it's going to knock down my less-than-adventurous nature down a notch)

4) Any helpful/fun tips!

I'm only going to be spending two days probably in the parks so i'm really looking forward to the experience!
 
primetime52

primetime52

Member
Katherine said:
Hey! So it looks like my mom is takinga trip to Anaheim so guess who's tagging along to go see DL... ME!! I went ten years ago (when I was 8/9) so I remember a lot but not everything. I've been doing some research but pictures can only say so much. I'm super excited but I just wanted some opinions.

1) Going Mid-July, is it crowded? How much can I expect to get done?

2) Are there single rider lines on any attractions? What's the fastpass situation like/is it similar to WDW (in reference to which rides have fastpasses)?

3) How do some of the more thrilling rides compare to their WDW counterparts? (specifically Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, and Space Mountain, I'm kinda a baby about "scary rides" and since i'm going to be going by myself it's going to knock down my less-than-adventurous nature down a notch)

4) Any helpful/fun tips!

I'm only going to be spending two days probably in the parks so i'm really looking forward to the experience!
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I went to DL for the first time last November, and I'm a seasoned WDW vet, so I can answer a couple of your comparison questions.

2) Fastpass is virtually the same at DL. Except some of the rides that carry fastpass are different. One notable example is that Peter Pan's Flight at DL does not have fastpass. When I was there, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage didn't have fastpass either, but perhaps they have added it by now since it's such a popular attraction.

3) I found that most of the thrill rides are better maintained at DL (they undergo refurbs more often). Pirates of the Caribbean is much more enjoyable at DL, because it's twice as long with some cool extra scenes.

Space Mountain is an entirely different ride at DL. It's a much more modern/thrilling roller coaster. You sit two riders side by side, rather than in a single file line of 3. The track is much more smooth and the show building is pitch black. It also contains superior visual effects, and a musical track that plays during the ride.

Splash mountain is slightly shorter at DL, and you sit single file rather than 2 riders side by side. However, the AA's in DL's version were much better maintained than I have ever seen them at WDW. The interior of DL's version had a much fresher look. All in all, I can't decide which version I prefer, since the seating in WDW's version feels more comfortable to me. FYI, the drops are the same in both versions.

Thunder Mountain is exactly the same in DL and WDW. The only difference is that WDW's version has a more elaborate cue.

DL also contains 2 great thrill rides that we don't see in WDW: Indiana Jones adventure (love this ride), and The Matterhorn Bobsleds (a little bumpy, but it's thrilling and a classic!)

As for Haunted Mansion, during my trip to DL, the Holiday version was running (all the AA's are converted into Nightmare Before Christmas Characters) so I couldn't compare it to WDW's version. Personally, I didn't enjoy the Holiday version of this ride, but alot of the So Cal natives seem to go crazy for it.

Have a great trip. You will have fun!
 
Rufus T Firefly

Rufus T Firefly

Well-Known Member
Yes, it will be crowded in mid-July. But, if you arrive as soon as the gates open and use Fast Pass wisely, you will be surprised at how much you can accomplish before the park becomes really crowded in the early afternoon. :cool:
 
Nicole220

Nicole220

Well-Known Member
Rufus T Firefly said:
Yes, it will be crowded in mid-July. But, if you arrive as soon as the gates open and use Fast Pass wisely, you will be surprised at how much you can accomplish before the park becomes really crowded in the early afternoon. :cool:
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Exactly. The parks are empty for the first 2-3 hours of opening. Definitely get there then and stock up on fastpasses!


As for single rider, the only ride I know of that uses it (in DL) is Splash. I almost always use single rider for Splash if I don't have a fastpass. It's quick and easy. Just go through the exit and ask a CM to lead you to the line. If you're going to DCA, California Screamin' uses it as well.
 
Rufus T Firefly

Rufus T Firefly

Well-Known Member
Nicole220 said:
As for single rider, the only ride I know of that uses it (in DL) is Splash. I almost always use single rider for Splash if I don't have a fastpass. It's quick and easy. Just go through the exit and ask a CM to lead you to the line. If you're going to DCA, California Screamin' uses it as well.
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Soarin also has single rider.
 
ClemsonTigger

ClemsonTigger

Naturally Grumpy
CaesarBoxFan

CaesarBoxFan

Member
primetime52 said:
When I was there, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage didn't have fastpass either, but perhaps they have added it by now since it's such a popular attraction.
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Just to clarify, FP is still not available for the Subs. In mid-July expect at least an hour wait for them. My advice would be to either power-walk (gotta follow the rules) for it at opening or save it for the last ride of the night.
 
Katherine

Katherine

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
yay! thanks! yeah i've been looking at DCA a lot since well i've never been there... i'm also excited to see what they've done with the downtown disney area. more questions...

1) The Indiana Jones ride, how intense is it? I've ridden most of the thrill rides at WDW (including Dinosaur and I know they have the same type ride vehicles) and I've been watching videos but how "scary" is it?

2) Where is the best place to start early in the morning in Disneyland?
 
tooltime

tooltime

Member
it's been a few years but i remember California Screaming had a single rider line. my son and i rode so many times it hurt!
 
ClemsonTigger

ClemsonTigger

Naturally Grumpy
Katherine said:
yay! thanks! yeah i've been looking at DCA a lot since well i've never been there... i'm also excited to see what they've done with the downtown disney area. more questions...

1) The Indiana Jones ride, how intense is it? I've ridden most of the thrill rides at WDW (including Dinosaur and I know they have the same type ride vehicles) and I've been watching videos but how "scary" is it?

2) Where is the best place to start early in the morning in Disneyland?
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Indiana Jones is exactly the same as Dinosaur. If you don't have a problem with the bumps, rolls, starts and stops, you will have no problem here...just different "scenery"

Morning in DL...depends on what rides you want. As was said before, if you are planning on doing Nemo, do that first thing, then probably over to Space Mountain. Also do Indy early (in Adventureland). When you do Matterhorn, plan on riding twice (at least), once on each side. Also fun to do at night.
Other rides, Splash, Big Thunder, Pirates, HM similar waits as with WDW....actually everything is similar except Nemo.

California Screamin' gets busier in the afternoon. ToT varies depending on crowd size. Soarin' I usually walk on. Rapids is a fun ride, but I usually avoid it (like AK's Kali) as you often get fairly wet, and sometimes VERY wet...
 
Rufus T Firefly

Rufus T Firefly

Well-Known Member
Katherine said:
2) Where is the best place to start early in the morning in Disneyland?
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OK. Here's my usual summer's day itinerary. I'm through the park gates at opening time. Quickly down Main St and taking a sharp left to Adventureland. Through Adventureland for a Fast Pass at Indy. I walk past Tarzan's Treehouse and Pirates, HM and Splash (single rider) are all within easy access. After enjoying those 3 attractions, I can go back and use my Indy Fast Pass(or save it for later). I would then walk along the Rivers of America into Frontierland to Big Thunder.

After BTMRR I could take the shortcut into Fantasyland. As I walk through Fantasyland maybe I'll try the Alice in Wonderland dark ride (not available at MK). After Alice, how can I miss the Matterhorn? It's right there! After I enjoy the Matterhorn (the first ever steel track roller coaster, by the way) maybe I walk around the corner into Tomorrowland and see about a Fast Pass at Space Mt. After I secure my SM Fast Pass, I can stroll over to the Nemo Subs and see how long the wait is. If the wait is too long I can come back later, maybe during a parade or right before closing. But, since the Subs are right next to the Monorail station, maybe I'll get an opportunity to ride on one of the brand new, retro looking Monorail trains.

I could go on, but I'm sure you get the idea. Hope this helps a little. :cool:
 
Katherine

Katherine

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Rufus T Firefly said:
OK. Here's my usual summer's day itinerary. I'm through the park gates at opening time. Quickly down Main St and taking a sharp left to Adventureland. Through Adventureland for a Fast Pass at Indy. I walk past Tarzan's Treehouse and Pirates, HM and Splash (single rider) are all within easy access. After enjoying those 3 attractions, I can go back and use my Indy Fast Pass(or save it for later). I would then walk along the Rivers of America into Frontierland to Big Thunder.

After BTMRR I could take the shortcut into Fantasyland. As I walk through Fantasyland maybe I'll try the Alice in Wonderland dark ride (not available at MK). After Alice, how can I miss the Matterhorn? It's right there! After I enjoy the Matterhorn (the first ever steel track roller coaster, by the way) maybe I walk around the corner into Tomorrowland and see about a Fast Pass at Space Mt. After I secure my SM Fast Pass, I can stroll over to the Nemo Subs and see how long the wait is. If the wait is too long I can come back later, maybe during a parade or right before closing. But, since the Subs are right next to the Monorail station, maybe I'll get an opportunity to ride on one of the brand new, retro looking Monorail trains.

I could go on, but I'm sure you get the idea. Hope this helps a little. :cool:
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That's great! Thanks!

I'm looking at staying at the Quality Inn and Suites. Is this a good place? I'm looking to keep costs low but still stay somewhere descent, is this a good marriage of the two? Also I can find a fairly good deal if I stay at the Tropicana Inn and Suites, it's a little more expensive but is it worth it? I'm not really planning on spending much time in the hotel (aka I'm literally probably going to be at the parks/on disney property the whole day) so I don't need a tone of extra amenities (free breakfast would be fabulous though).
 
Pongo

Pongo

New Member
Katherine, I'm going to DL this summer as well -- for m first time ever. One thing I've found really helpful (I mean REALLY helpful) is the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland. It answers all the questions you've asked and then some -- it even has some touring plans in it for one and two days so that you see everything. It's also fairly cheap (about 10 dollars on Amazon). I know that I'll be studying it for the rest of the summer and then probably taking it to DLR with me :lol:

EDIT: You're an Engineering Student in Columbus? I'm a Zoology student at Ohio State :wave:
 
Katherine

Katherine

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Pongo said:
Katherine, I'm going to DL this summer as well -- for m first time ever. One thing I've found really helpful (I mean REALLY helpful) is the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland. It answers all the questions you've asked and then some -- it even has some touring plans in it for one and two days so that you see everything. It's also fairly cheap (about 10 dollars on Amazon). I know that I'll be studying it for the rest of the summer and then probably taking it to DLR with me :lol:

EDIT: You're an Engineering Student in Columbus? I'm a Zoology student at Ohio State :wave:
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yeah i'll look into the books. thanks!

I don't go to OSU I go to Syracuse but I grew up/live close by (UA). I have a bunch of friends that go there though. I hope exams went well for you and that you are enjoying your first few days of summer!
 
Pongo

Pongo

New Member
Katherine said:
yeah i'll look into the books. thanks!

I don't go to OSU I go to Syracuse but I grew up/live close by (UA). I have a bunch of friends that go there though. I hope exams went well for you and that you are enjoying your first few days of summer!
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Whoa, weird. My best friend goes to Syracuse. Small world.
 
Pongo

Pongo

New Member
Katherine said:
Who is your friend? maybe (it's a long shot but...) I met him/her.
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Her name is Veronica and she just finished her freshman year. I don't want to give out her last name in public, but if you know a Veronica, I'll tell you which one she is in a PM.
 

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