Pre trip report 18th - June to 22nd June

[Kirsty_UK]

Hi everyone, my name is Kirsty and as my username suggests I am from the UK. I am flying out to Denver, Colorado on the 16th June to visit my younger sister and my brother in law who live out there. I am traveling with my parents and we will be in the States until the 1st July. Now being the only child (of 26 years old) who isn't settled down and married I am unwilling to play the 5th wheel for an entire 2 weeks so I have booked myself a little trip to the original 'happiest place on earth'!!!

I shall be flying with United Airlines on the 18th June to LAX and will be staying at Abby's Anaheimer Inn which looks to be around a 20 minute walk to the parks. Reviews of my motel don't look great but I figure its only going to be a place for me to rest my head for a few hours each night so what the heck. I aim to be in Disney California Adventure by 3pm and if I can I would love to squeeze in a ride before my 4pm reservation for food at Ariel's Grotto.
No real plan that day except that I will not be hitting Disneyland, will try and remain in DCA until park closing time and hopefully will get to watch World of Colour and have a good wander really. I want to save DL for the next day so I can really take it all in. I have a breakfast reservation at the Plaza Inn on the 19th which I am really looking forward to. I have eaten at the Plaza Gardens restaurant in Disneyland Paris and this looks very similar to that so I don't think i will be too disappointed!
I know Space Mountain will be closed whilst I am there which I am gutted about as it was one ride I really wanted to experience and see the differences between that and the version at DLP

I know its probably going to be heaving with people so I hope to just take my time, do as much as I can and have a lot of fun! I am a bit of a character hunter so I hope to do a bit of that and I have a few Disney bounds planned which should be fun!
I am quite an independent person but I am not gonna lie, I am very nervous about being alone on this trip, as its so new for me. but then its half the fun too! I have one more meal reservation booked for my final night at Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue and the rest of the time I will be using quick service places I guess.

I leave on the 22nd from my hotel around 4 so hoping to stay in the park until 1 - 2 pm and will then be flying back to Colorado! if theres anything you guys could advise me best on like any didning experiences i should do or certain rides etc please do, I'm all ears and always looking for hints and tips. I was wondering, I know you can get a first timer button from City Hall but is there anywhere in DCA I can get one as I really dont want to enter DL until the next day?

Anyway thats me in a nutshell and hopefully I can give you guys a great TR in a few weeks time!

 

[TP2000]

Upon entering DCA, to your immediate left is the Chamber of Commerce office, which is DCA's Guest Relations office. You can get your 1st Time button there. It's just behind a 1930's Packard parked at Oswald's Service Station, you can't miss it.

Double-check that your Ariel's Grotto dinner includes a Fastpass for World of Color. (They used to give those out with every dinner entrée) If it doesn't, you'll want to see if Fastpasses are still available for World of Color at the distribution area near Grizzly River Run.

Also, take advantage of Single Rider at Radiator Springs Racers! The wait is usually 30 minutes or less for Single Riders, instead of the usual 120 standby wait. You have to be in DCA first thing in the morning to score a Fastpass for Racers, but as a Single Rider you don't need to worry about them. Study this picture and remember where the Single Rider entrance is!

 

[Kirsty_UK]

thanks for the speedy reply!!! Am pretty sure my reservation doesnt include a fast pass so I know I will have to get one from Grizzly river run. and thanks for telling me about where I can get a first timer button. in the UK we call them badges so I hope I dont slip up and confuse people when I ask for one! Have studied the picture and will make sure I get in the right line for Radiator Springs! it wasnt a ride that originally appealed to me but having watched videos of it on youtube, it definitely looks like one I want to try out!

 

[croboy82]

Yes as you go alone you are also very lucky. Use the single ride line wherever you can! Eventhough I was not alone our party used the single ride line for Radiator Springs Racer pretty much every time. You can save a lot of time that way! And please do check out that ride, it's probably the best one in that park.

I see your question about 1st time button was already answered. I just wanted to say that I was shopping next to "Disney Animation" in a shop and the lady at the checkout asked us where we were from and if we've ever been here and when we said: no first time and then she brought out a 1st time button. A truly magical experience

Talking about the Disney Animation building make sure to enter it and check out the "sorcerer's workshop". You should not miss it if you are a beauty and the beast fan

You might consider getting a photopass plus if you like to look out for characters. Photographers will take a picture of you and it will be saved on your card. It also includes the pictures that are taken on ride which imo was a big plus and also if you have character meals.

 

[Kirsty_UK]

Thank you for your tips. Anyone know what time I need to get the fast pass for the world of colour?

 

[TP2000]

Thank you for your tips. Anyone know what time I need to get the fast pass for the world of colour?

The sooner the better. They tend to run out for the day by late afternoon. It doesn't count as a Fastpass on the Attractions network though, so you can get one and go right over to a ride like Soarin' and get another Fastpass.

 

[croboy82]

Also if you want to watch the 2nd show of WOC you have to ask the CM that handles out the fastpasses when he will gives those away. He will tell you so you can get tickets for that one if you prefer.

 

[Kirsty_UK]

I believe there's only 1 WOC show a night when I go there so I will do my best to get a fast pass as soon as I enter DCA! So excited now it's only another 2 and half weeks!

 

[Kirsty_UK]

Hey guys I have just realised I missed out on buying photo pass plus cheaper before I go next week and I just wanted to know if anybody thought it was worth the $99.95 it will cost to buy when I get there? Or should I just buy photos individually? I don't know what to do. If I pay the $99 it makes a huge dent in my budget. Anybody used PPP?