Fast pass advice for Disneyland?

[kray]

Heading to the Land this weekend. It will be the first time for my two teenaged boys. As I understand it, DL still uses the kiosks that allows for one FP at a time. Which attraction should we head to first in DL and DCA?

We will be there for two days and I want to make sure we can get on their favs, like Space Mtn and ToT, but also new rides like Indiana Jones.

Do attractions "run out" of FPs like they do at the World?

[daveypoo]

OMG!! You're going without Brenda?!?!? Tee Hee!!

Ok, in DCA, at rope drop, head straight to Radiator Springs Racers for your FP (actually, the FB machines are near the entrance to Flik's Fun Fair). Otherwise you're either not riding or waiting 2+ hours. It's like TestTrack in the ride system, but it is SO AWESOME! Soarin' is another you might want to try and get FP's for. If you like water rides, GRR is awesome too. To the left of teh ride entrance are free lockers, so use them if you want to keep your stuff dry. Also, if you're a fan of ToT, ride that since they will be taking that attraction out soon.

As for DL...Splash is good to get a FP for early. Those go quick. Actually, if you're a rollercoaster fan, any and all of the mountains are good to get FP's for. HM MIGHT have the FP machines open, but if not, wait until parade time to head there. Oh, and Indiana Jones...another one to get as early as possible. We usually get the Indy FP, head to HM, then Pirates and then it's usually time for Indy. if you like the Fantasyland dark rides, get Peter Pan FP (I think they have it there).

Timing is everything in DLR. I'm all for getting there at rope drop and staying until they close the park. Depending on the time and days of the week, crowds will be different. Make sure you know the park layouts.

But most of all...HAVE FUN!! (I'm jealous!!)
_________________
When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do.
--Walt Disney

[kray]

Thanks so much!! Can't wait to show the boys around!! The last time we were there, Carsland and World of Color were under construction (water was drained and lights were being installed). Can't wait to see it all!!!!

Btw, I think Brenda is pretty jealous too!!😂

[leaveittobeavs]

Unfortunately Peter Pan does not have a FP here in California and has a minimum 40 minute wait all day. There is a large number of people that run right there at rope drop, so it's possible to beat the crowd, but only if you are willing.

Space Mountain also runs out of FPs on high capacity days now since it has the Star Wars/Hyperspace Mountain overlay. My recommendation is head West in the park and knock out Indy/Pirates/Mansion/Splash/Big Thunder and then head to Space. That way you avoid everyone that goes straight to Space at rope drop (they have cast members walk everyone all the way into Space since so many people go there first). But that is just my preference

The app has gotten a lot better and now shows the FP return times for rides, in addition to the wait time. It helps avoid walking across the park to only find that a ride is out of FPs for the day.

Have fun!

[kray]

Thanks so much for the advice - can't believe we will be there tomorrow!!!!

[bison74]

Kray, please provide detailed outline of your visit. Those of us who want to live vicariously through you would appreciate it!

[kray]

Just touching down at the airport. Will post a report ASAP!!

Bottom line, we had a great time and my teenaged boys LOVED California Screamin!!!

[WDWFan]

Jealous.....

[daveypoo]

[kray]

So we arrived to some really hot weather, but did not let that get in the way

Landed at LAX, got our rental and headed to Anaheim. Checked into the Fairfield Inn, but as it was only 11 am, our room was not ready. We purchased our tickets and headed over to Disneyland.

This was my boys first trip to DL and they were looking forward to it. They were really taken aback by the size ( especially since they could see both parks from our hotel).

We headed straight to Space Mointain, currently named HyperSpace Mountain die to the Star Wars overlay. The Star Wars theming wa good , but IMHO, did not take full advantage of the amazing sound system. This ride is much smoother than its east coast counter part and we really enjoyed it.

From there we headed to Indiana Jones, Pirates and Big Thunder Mountain. Our room was ready, so we took a break from the 100+ degree heat and went back to the room. Dinner was at Naples in downtown Disney - food was ok- they had a large private party going on and that seemed to impact the operation (our water came in plastic cups as they were behind in washing the glassware). Returned to DL until it closed at 11 pm.

Next morning we headed to Californai Adventure. Park opened at 9 and we got our Fast passes at 9:30 for Radiator Springs Races, our return time was 1-2 pm!! The boys loved CA Screamin and due to the heat, our wait was less than 20 min. In fact, despite the fact that it was Fathers Day weekend, our longest wait time was 45 (HyperSpace Mtn) and that was only once. When it was time to go ride Radiator Springs, we zipped through the Fast Pass return lane and waited only a few minutes before getting into our race car. Unfortunately, the ride stopped 3 times and we all had to be escorted out of our cars to the exit. We did get a fast pass good for anytime that day so we could ride again when it re-opened. Decided to head back to hotel - it really was hot - with a quick ride on Monsters Inc. , but it was closed due to the heat as well. When we rode it at night, it was clear that the a/c was not working in one section of the ride.

The monorail was not running either. There is no a/c in the monorail, so it cannot run above a certain temperature. Did I mention that it was hot? 😎

Dinner at Ralph Brennan's and return to Disneyland for the rest of the evening. Waited 45 for Space Mtn, 20 min for Thunder, but walked onto Indy and Pirates to close out the evening.

Best day we went to Dana Point for whale watching - it was fantastic!! Most action packed whale watch I have even been on.

Got back to Anaheim earlier than expected, and it felt much cooler, so we upgraded our 2 day tix to 3 days and headed back to DL. At the ticket booth, the cast member took the FP for Radiator Springs ( it was good for Sunday only, but we never made it back) and gave us a new one so we could ride it.

So was that detailed enough? 😉

On a side note, we are really spoiled at WDW with all the hotel choices. While the Fairfield Inn was clean, had Disney themed rooms and was a close walk, it did not have the amenities of a value resort (food court, nice pool). The walk was short, and it was nice to not have to wait for a bus, but walking through street vendors, pan handlers and homeless people sleeping on the bus top benches definitely takes you "out of the magic"

[ocmsma]

What a great trip even with the heat - so glad your boys enjoyed the trip - I am not familiar with the hotel you stayed in, when we stay "off" property we usually stay at Tropicana or Carousel Inn - both on Harbor and a short walk to the Plaza and entrance - we usually choose to eat in the Parks as we have favorite spots for dinner and plan accordingly, but find the cost is not any more than eating in DTD except for Carthay Circle which is a special treat for us with friends ... Anxiously looking forward to my next trip to The Land and hope to see some of my UAB friends there ...

[daveypoo]

Thanks Kray! By the way, was it hot?

Because we have DVC, we rarely stay off property anymore. But when we did, we'd stay in whatever fit teh budget, and since we rented a car (and usually had an AP), where we stayed was less important for us. But there are some really nice off-property places and for some reason, I've never felt that the places not being Disney detracted from the vacation.

In DCA, Radiator Springs is my FAVORITE! Not just the attractions, but the entire land. My favorite part of Cars is when they light up the neon and cruise. I feel like I'm there in he movie when we walk through at night.

Only being there a couple of days is tough to see it all (I know it's smaller, but there is still a lot), and with it being so hot (wait, was it hot), and having to take breaks throughout the day, that also takes away from being able to see it all.

DLR is my favorite, and if ever given a choice, I'd to to DLR in a heartbeat. I could spend weeks there at a time and not get bored or tired of it all.

I'm glad you all had a great time! Sounds like an amazing visit!

Hey, while you were there, was it hot?
_________________
When you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do.
--Walt Disney

[brendafitz24]

See Kray - if you invited me along on your trip, I bet it wouldn't have been so hot. I have a reputation for going on vacation and having the weather drop 20 degrees (sometimes that is good and sometimes it is really bad )

BTW...I was totally jealous. I have never been to DL!

[kray]

Brendafitz24, I think our next sisters trip should be to the Land!

[daveypoo]