Some DLR Help

[Jwhee]

Ok, so i know that I put myself in a very bad situation here, I will be going to DLR for ONE, only ONE day this SUMMER. So I know it will be extremely crowded and adding to that I only have one day... So I am trying to make a little game plan. Here are the list of attractions that I really want to/must do:

California Screamin'- DCA
Finding Nemo Submarines- DL
Goofy's Fly School- DCA
Indiana Jones Adventure- DL
Matterhorn Bobsleds- DL
Mr. Toads Wild Ride!- DL
Radiator Springs Racers- DCA
Rodger Rabbits Cartoon Spin- DL
Tower of Terror- DCA

As a WDW AP, I'm trying to do the different things that we don't have here in WDW. Are there any rides you think I should add on that list? I'm thinking that I won't be able to get on the subs, I don't care to wait 2 hours in a hot boring queue for any ride... But! I would possibly do that for RSR & Indy. Now here are the rids I would like to do but they don't matter so much:

Space Mountain- DL
Thunder Mountain- DL
World of Color/Fantasmic

Is there anything I should add? Now, the question is, what park should I go to at opening? Keep in mind I will wait an hour or so for some of my must do's. I don't really mind missing Soundsational if it would get me on some more of the attractions. Please share your thoughts! If I can I will give myself two days at DLR and then I won't be so worried, thanks!

 

[Travel Junkie]

Ok, so i know that I put myself in a very bad situation here, I will be going to DLR for ONE, only ONE day this SUMMER. So I know it will be extremely crowded and adding to that I only have one day... So I am trying to make a little game plan. Here are the list of attractions that I really want to/must do:

California Screamin'- DCA
Finding Nemo Submarines- DL
Goofy's Fly School- DCA
Indiana Jones Adventure- DL
Matterhorn Bobsleds- DL
Mr. Toads Wild Ride!- DL
Radiator Springs Racers- DCA
Rodger Rabbits Cartoon Spin- DL
Tower of Terror- DCA

As a WDW AP, I'm trying to do the different things that we don't have here in WDW. Are there any rides you think I should add on that list? I'm thinking that I won't be able to get on the subs, I don't care to wait 2 hours in a hot boring queue for any ride... But! I would possibly do that for RSR & Indy. Now here are the rids I would like to do but they don't matter so much:

Space Mountain- DL
Thunder Mountain- DL
World of Color/Fantasmic

Is there anything I should add? Now, the question is, what park should I go to at opening? Keep in mind I will wait an hour or so for some of my must do's. I don't really mind missing Soundsational if it would get me on some more of the attractions. Please share your thoughts! If I can I will give myself two days at DLR and then I won't be so worried, thanks!

Do you have a specific date yet? That could help us help you a little bit in terms of planning. The Nemo subs will be down at least thru September and probably longer and depending on the day you are coming other rides may also be down. DLR is in refurb hell right now.

I would add Pirates and Big Thunder to your list. Pirates is much better at DLR and Big Thunder just got a very good upgrade making it different than WDW. Also Space is much different than WDW (and most people think much better.)

I recommend going to DCA first strictly because of Carsland. RSR has the longest line at the resort so getting it when it has its shortest wait of the day is worthwhile.
The best tip I can give is use single rider. There are many more rides with single rider at DLR compared to WDW. Off the top of my head single rider is available at RSR, California Screaming, Soarin, Grizzly River Run, Goofy’s Sky School, Indy, Splash and Matterhorn.

 

[JediMasterMatt]

Getting the attractions on your list (and more) should be able to be done with smart use of Fast Pass and single rider and maximizing your day by getting to the park before opening. I would also recommend starting in DCA and then working your way over to DLP.

In my opinion, RSR's single rider line can still be a lengthy wait (can be more than 40 mins), so it may be better to grab a FP for it at opening. You will lose a bit of time waiting to get the FP, but you should more than make up for it when the time to ride becomes available.

You don't list a lot of the dark rides that are possible in both of the parks in your must ride list. DLR has the largest collection of dark rides in the world, so it would be shame to miss out on some of the classics - but, if you've only got a limited amount of time, I can certainly understand. It would be a shame to miss out on many of the classics that are either unique (like Alice) or far superior (like Pan) compared to WDW.

Your list also has a few attractions that I would consider dropping (pun intended for one of them) from your list since you have limited time.

Tower of Terror - I would take this off the list if pressed for time since you are a WDW vet. DHS's version is the far superior attraction, although you could argue the actual ride experience in the drop shaft is a wash minus the random profiles in Orlando. This is one of the (VERY) few head-to-head battles where WDW trumps Anaheim. In my opinion, Splash and with the recent refurbs Haunted Mansion being the other (although DLP's Mansion is still very good).

Goofy's Flight School - unless you are a complete coaster nut that is just trying to pad your ride count, I wouldn't waste valuable time on bagging this. It's a production model Mack mouse with some Disney cutout themeing. I'm a coaster enthusiast with 450+ credits across the world and it took even me until the 2nd multi-day vacation to spend time waiting for this credit.

You don't mention some other key things about visting DLR that may help save time as well like:

- Are you going to stay at a Disney resort and then could make use of Early Entry?
- Do you mind spending more money to potentially save time for things like Fantasmic! and World of Color?
- Are you goign to be in a group where one person could be the Fast Pass runner while others are in line or eating?
- When are you going to be visting and what day of the week?

Oh, and I would agree - any first time visitor must make time to ride Pirates. It is VASTLY superior to WDW's attraction and in my opinion - the perfect execution of the dark ride concept.

 

[Jwhee]

Thanks for the help! I do not know the exact dates yet but it will be before September. So I guess I'll take the subs off, and move Flying school and TOT to my wants. I was also thinking about Alice when I first made the list, but I guess I'll add it now.

-No, not a DL resort.
I would spend more money for WOC and Fantasmic
It would just be a friend and I, yes we can things like that.

 

[Californian Elitist]

It's just DL, not DLP.

I'd take Goofy's Sky School off the list and add something else, like the Swings. I'd also catch Fantasmic!.

 

[westie]

If your going to do WoC I'd recommend having dinner at one of the restaurants that provides a dinner/show package. Its worth it but it also sounds like your under a time crunch and want to get as much in as possible. DLR/DCA have some nice restaurants like Blue Bayou(PotC), Steakhouse 55 and Carthay Circle.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

I'd recommend hitting DCA before opening, doing RSR single rider (get a FP for later if you want but it will just take up time) and getting a WOC Fastpass (although Fantasmic is a superior show and WAY better than WDW's - if you have to choose between WOC and Fantasmic, think about it long and hard to make the decision). Get on Screamin' after RSR and then hightail your hiney back to DL. Hit Indy (Fastpass if line is too long), Big Thunder (ditto), Mansion, Pirates and anything else on the West Side. After your Fastpasses have been used, go to Toontown to do Roger Rabbit (FP is available if needed). Continue to Tomorrowland and do Space and Buzz. That should leave you plenty of open evening time to hit other things, eat and then see a show. After Fantasmic/WOC is a great time to hit Fantasyland rides like Mr. Toad, Snow White, small world (if open), etc.

As long as you're quick, take advantage of single rider/FP where available, there's no reason you wouldn't be able to hit all your must-do's in one day. I don't recommend booking a big dinner anywhere - it will take too long and none of the restaurants are at WDW signature level.

 

[gboiler1]

At a quick scan I don't believe anyone already me

So I am trying to make a little game plan. Here are the list of attractions that I really want to/must do:

California Screamin'- DCA
Finding Nemo Submarines- DL
Goofy's Fly School- DCA
Indiana Jones Adventure- DL
Matterhorn Bobsleds- DL
Mr. Toads Wild Ride!- DL
Radiator Springs Racers- DCA
Rodger Rabbits Cartoon Spin- DL
Tower of Terror- DCA

Sorry if someone already mentioned it but Nemo Subs are down for refurb till fall at least.

 

[gsrjedi]

I'd say DCA first thing, get there early and get FPs unless you're near the front of the holding area and can get to the ride quickly before the line fills up (if it's an early morning for hotel guests at DCA that day then don't bother, just get a FP). Ride California Screamin, then check out Goofy's Sky School to see if you're interested. Head to Grizzly River Run to pick up FP for WOC (hopefully it's still early enough to get the first showtime if they are doing two shows that day). I know a lot of people don't like it, but if the line is short (like <10 minutes) I'd check out Monster's Inc if only for the fact that it's unique to California. Head to DL and FP Indy if the line is too long, Pirates if the line is ~20 minutes/Big Thunder. Head to Toon Town for Roger Rabbit's. Then head to Tomorrowland for Space Mountain. Depending on FP times and line times it might be around the afternoon. I'd recommend waiting until after Fantasmic to ride Matterhorn & Toad's and any other Fantasyland rides, so fill the rest of the time doing whatever strikes your fancy. Depending on the showtimes (which you won't know until much closer to your trip) they might be doing 2 shows of WoC & Fantasmic and you might be able to hit up the 2nd Fantasmic after the 1st WoC & end the evening in DL.

That should get your must-do's done (though you may be running around like a chicken with it's head cut off) and the stuff that's either considerably different or better than the WDW counterpart. If you can squeeze a 2nd day (even a half day) it'll help to give you some breathing room

 

[Jwhee]

Thanks for all the help, ill tell you the dates when they are final

 

[BubbaQuest]

This would be my plan of attack:

1. Radiator Springs Racers- DCA. I'd head directly to the single rider line in the morning. FP return time would probably be after 3pm and I'd assume you'll already be in DL by then. Maybe try for a ToT FP on the way to the queue?
2. California Screamin'- DCA. Should be pretty quick in the morning.
3. Mickey's Fun Wheel - DCA. Take a look and see if it is worth it. This is an extremely slow loading ride.
4. Goofy's Fly School- DCA. Can be a slow loader. I haven't tried single rider on this so not sure how quick that might be.
5. Monsters, Inc - DCA. This used to be a walk-on but often has 20 minute waits since the release of Monsters U.
6. Tower of Terror- DCA. Maybe have a FP from earlier.
Optional-DCA Grizzly River Run

7. Rodger Rabbits Cartoon Spin- DL. Since Toontown closes for the fireworks and does not reopen later try for a FP or just do the wait.
8. Mr. Toads Wild Ride!- DL. This will have a long line all day. You can try to wait until after the fireworks, but the line is often 20-30 minutes even at park closing.
9. Matterhorn Bobsleds- DL. Try for single rider.
10. Space Mountain- DL. Try for a FP after Cartoon Spin for this or BTMRR.
11. Indiana Jones Adventure- DL. This should be easy late at night (after the first Fantasmic show).
12. Pirates- DL. This should be a walk-on late at night.
13. Finding Nemo Submarines- DL. Closed otherwise would recommend this in the evening.

14. WoC/Fantasmic - I doubt you can do both. The problem is the first WoC show ends around 9:45pm. This is also about the same time as the Fireworks and DCA closing. This means the esplanade and Main Street are gridlocked between 9:30 and 10:15. I'd recommend WoC, but it also means losing a couple of hours you could be spending at DL in the evening.

Have a great time!!! May the short-queue-gods be with you!

P.S. Try to hop on the train at New Orleans square on the way out of the park at night. The diorama is always a great way to end the day and takes you right to the front of the park.

 

[thomas998]

First you should probably pick either WOC or Fantasmic.... No point in wasting the time you will spend on them if you are only there for one day. If you just want what you can't get at WDW then skip Fantasmic, I know the die-hard DL fans love to claim DL's version is superior, but the reality is your time is limited and even if you pay for the premium seating (which is the only way to do the Fantasmic at DL) you would still need to get there and stand in line an hour just to insure you didn't get bad seats. As for world of color, I'll leave that up to you. My family saw it once and never had any desire to see it again... if you do decide you want to do it then you need to get a fastpass for it ASAP, because the bring you in to see it in groups and the earlier fastpass you get the better your group will be.

Understand the fastpass system. RSR and WOC don't count against you getting fast passes for other rides. Also Roger Rabbit offer a fastpass and sometimes it is necessary because the lines in toontown can get long.... assuming you get your RSR fastpass early I would then go hit some of the DL rides like Indy and Pirates, they aren't nearly as crowded early in the morning as they are in the afternoon.

Matterhorn, honestly I would probably cross it off or put it on the want list. The lines for it can get long quick and it is can also randomly stop working for a while and there is nothing more annoying than standing in line for an hour only to find that the ride has died for the day.... It's also a very rough ride that will jar your teeth out.

And if RSR doesn't look like it is going to be doable thing then don't let it bother you. It isn't really much different than Test Track... to me it is what Test Track would be if they put a Cars theme on it.