First-Time DCA Strategy?

T

twitch

DIS Veteran
Joined
Jun 20, 2007
Good morning!

Looking forward to our (me & DW) first visit to DCA tomorrow. I have to stop at a Box-Office to get tickets first (already paid an SoCal AP Select, but the e-tickets aren't visible to me). I'm hoping to arrive at the parking lot by 8:15... I know that doesn't put us at the rope, but that's OK with us.

We're going to end our evening in DL for PTN & D:F.
But we're going to spend most of our day in DCA.

Looking for a morning strategy to help us hit the highlights and maximize our FPs. I know that Frozen is supposed to be a big deal right now, but I don't know how important it is to us. We'll have plenty of opportunity to see it during the year, so I'm thinking we might leave it out of the plan for tomorrow. Also, DW isn't crazy about water rides unless it's really hot -- so I think we may save GRR and do it on a day when we also do Splash in DL.

The things we definitely want to do are:
Soarin'
TSMM
California Screamin'
RSR
ToT
Mike & Sully's

I'm sure that we'll fit in a couple of other things, but if we do all of those with minimal waits, we'll consider it a good day.

How would you start your day?
 
Ugh. Jealous. Want to be at DCA right now!

Anyway - here's what I would do:

1. Head straight to RSR and ride once
2. Grab RSR FP for later in the day
3. Tower of Terror
4. Head to Paradise Pier
5. TSMM (does not have FP)
6. California Screamin' (does have FP, but don't bother with it at this point)
7. Grab Soarin' FP when you can (or ride standby, depending on the line)
8. Mike & Sully

Frankly, with early entry at Disneyland tomorrow morning, you should be able to get a lot done pretty quickly at DCA - maybe all of this by lunchtime with relatively minimal waits. ToT has been a lot higher lately, which I'm sure is because it's going away, so just keep an eye on FP return times that fit with what you want to do!
 
What they said ^^

Hit RSR first before the crazy crowds as it will be busy all day..... TSMM is a good one to do early also, we did it twice with walk on times during early entry the last day of our stay and it was wonderful.
California Scream' wasn't crazy busy while we were there, but still a good one to get done early same with TOT
Mike and Sully is always an easy ride to get on.....I would worry about that one the least as it is not hard to work into a day at DCA.

Grizzly River is a blast.....definitely don't overlook it, it is easily as much fun as splash.

The Frozen show was great, sure Aladdin will be missed but Frozen definitely will not disappoint.

So for your FP's I would grab one for RSR early, and then maybe depending on the wait times look into FP for Soarin' also.

Keep in mind also I think that the Frozen FP's are separate from "Ride" FP's....might look into that.
 
DO NOT ride RSR first., Everyone heads there first. By the time you are off of RSR, TSMM will be much longer especially with a 9am opening.
- Arrive at the entrance 15-30 minuites before the park opens. For a 9am opening there will be more people there. So expect longer lines at the security area as well. I would get to parking by 8am to be on the safe side. Arriving at the parking area at 815 could get into the park at around 915-930 (Tram line, Security Line, Ticket Line, Entrance Line).

You want to be at rope drop because with a 9am opening that initial crowd will be big

- Grab a FP for Soarin first
- Head around Grizzly Trail to Paradise Pier
- Ride Toy Story Mania 1st
- Then California Screamin
- Mickeys Fun Wheel
- Goofy's Sky School
Save Symphony Swings and Mermaid for later as those lines tend to not be long all day.
- It should be around 10am by now
- Next grab a FP for World of Color if you plan to watch it.
- Then ride Grizzly River no need for FP, the sun will start to come out and it will be getting warmer. If you still do not want to ride, grab a FP for it later in the day.
- Before you use FP for Soarin, grab a FP for Frozen (no need to get it early since there will be a line and it will eat into that precious first hour) and then immediately grab a FP for RSR
- Now use FP for Soarin

It should be around 11am by now, grab a early lunch and when that is done you can ride Monsters Inc, grab a FP for Tower or Terror when that 2 hour window is up, visit Bugs Land, see the Frozen show, and then explore Cars Land until it is time to use that RSR FP.

ME
 
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My current plan would be to do these, in order, first thing.

Head to the Frozen FP distribution point and get FP's (near the Mad Tea Party)

Head to the Radiator Spring Racers FP Distribution and get those (Next to a bug's life)

Head to the World of Color FP distribution and get those (next to Grizzly River Run).

Note, the Frozen and WOC Show Passes don't count towards FP limits.

Then since you are near Soarin', do that and then start with the Paradise Pier area and things like Midway Mania, Screamin' and Little Mermaid, and watch the time you are allowed a second FP printed on the RSR FP and then work my way east, depending on what show you got for Frozen.
 
I would absolutely follow DLR expert's plan with one exception, after riding Soarin, get a TOT fastpass and then eat lunch. I agree with the others. TOT seems to be having longer waits lately. I think it is worth grabbing a fastpass for. I suspect it will work out that you can do lunch, Monsters and then TOT with very little wait.
 
Nevada Jen said:
I would absolutely follow DLR expert's plan with one exception, after riding Soarin, get a TOT fastpass and then eat lunch. I agree with the others. TOT seems to be having longer waits lately. I think it is worth grabbing a fastpass for. I suspect it will work out that you can do lunch, Monsters and then TOT with very little wait.
Click to expand...

They won't be able to get a FP for Tower after riding Soarin because of the RSR FP. They wouldn't be riding Tower immediately after lunch.

ME
 


We were there two weeks ago and you can easily get all this done. Our strategy was a little different from the above. I would NOT do RSR first because you'll be spending that valuable early morning time in line. And if you're not there at rope drop, there will be a line. Our strategy was much like DLRExpert's.

We grabbed Soarin' FPs on our way into the park, then rode TSMM first because it doesn't have FPs and the line can get long as the day goes on. Soarin' return times that early in the AM will be fast but the non-FP wait time will build to 30-40 minutes fairly quickly.

Ride Screamin right after TSMM; there shouldn't be much wait that time of day. You may even have time to ride another Paradise Pier ride after Screamin.

By the time you're done, your Soarin' FPs should be good to go, so head over there but grab RSR FPs on your way.

Ride Soarin', then get ToT FPs as soon as you're able. That should be about an hour and a half after you get off Soarin'. Ride Monsters Inc. either before or after getting ToT FPs.

The most important thing is to maximize FPs, no matter what order you do things in. Keep an eye on when you're able to get the next FP and be sure you're getting one right around that time. As long as you do that, you should be fine.

Finally, even if you don't do rope drop, I would definitely aim for being at the park (not the parking structure) by no later than 8:20. The security line will already be long by then and you still have to do tickets. When we got off the parking bus at 8:20 two weeks ago for a 9 am opening, we walked into the park at 8:40 so were actually there for rope drop (we weren't early enough to be up at the rope) but we didn't have to get tickets first. Getting there much later will throw your whole plan off because crowds build quickly when there's a 9 AM opening.

If you want to do Frozen, get that FP whenever you're able but before 11. We didn't do it, and with only one day keep in mind how long you'll have to wait in line for that to decide if it's worth it. I assume you won't be doing WOC if you're closing the night with DL.
 
If we did do Frozen, how long should I plan for pre-show waiting and actual show?
 
As with anything, there are multiple factors in regards to Frozen.

At first, the FP's disappeared right at opening due to the fact it was brand new and limited shows. They have since added shows, but have stated that they will reduce them after summer.

Frozen, like Aladdin is a popular local (think AP's) attraction, so they do have a main impact on waits.

Crowd size in general, there are only so many seats in the theater, and they can't add shows easily on the same day, basically only in the future.

I still recommend getting the Frozen FP first, especially since it doesn't count towards your regular FP limits.

If you are going to Frozen with and FP, the line starts about an hour before scheduled, so it depends how good of a seat you want and what level do you want to sit in. Basically every seat gives you a good view, but of course, some are better than others.

You will exit the Theater about 1 hour after the show is scheduled to start, adding the exiting time after the show.

If you don't have an FP, the issue gets a lot more complicated, and based on crowd size, shows that day and more. You might get lucky with the Stand By line, though Disney does issue almost as many FP's as seats in the theater, but then folks have waited 2 hours and have been turned away. No easy answer...

Hope that helps.
 
Thanks for all of the detailed help!!! I think we're going to skip Frozen this time, so we can focus on the rides. Frozen next time. :) We'll do the grab-FP-for-Soarin' and go to TSMM strategy... that looks good to me.

One more question: I remember that most Disney rides allow you to bring on bags/personal belongings and place them in netting or hang on to them. Are there any exceptions to this in DCA? For instance, do I need to stash personal belongings in a locker before Cali Screamin' or RSR? If so, are there lockers or cubbies near those attractions?

(context, we rarely use an all-day locker -- mostly DW carries a small cross-body bag and I have a little tote with sunscreen and her hoodie.)
 
Yes, Grizzly River Run uses the same system Universal Studios does in regards to lockers, makes them available near the entrance at no charge for a period of time that is based on the current stand by line, with some added time, but will charge you if you leave it their longer, to prevent all day use.

Screamin' has a storage area similar to what Knott's/Cedar Fair/Six Flags does, and claims no responsibility, and others can easily access, since they run multiple trains.

Silly Symphony Swings and Jumpin Jellyfish have bins, but since the rides are single loading and visible from the ride at all times, not a big issue.
 
Thanks for the help everyone. I just thought I'd report back on how it went, mostly in case someone stumbles across this in the future and wants to know how it worked out.

  • Left home by 6:45
  • Arrived in the parking lot at 8:10
  • Printing e-Ticket & AP took a little while, but no biggie.
  • Entered the turnstile just behind the first rush of people at 8:30 -- we probably went through about 8:35
  • Walked through some shops up to the Soarin' rope drop area.
  • Got FP for Soarin (return time 9:45 - 10:45)
  • Walked by Grizzly Peak to TSMM
  • Rode TSMM - 5 minute wait... probably should have ridden 2x.
  • Rode California Screamin 2x, with 5 minute wait
  • Grabbed RSR FP (9:45, return time 10:50 - 11:50)
  • Used Soarin' FP (finished just about 10:10)
  • Got Water
  • Watched the News Boys sing near Carthay Circle
  • Rode Mike & Sully
  • Rode the Golden Zephyr x2
  • Snack (Corn Dog)
  • Rode Goofy's Sky School
  • Grabbed ToT FP (10:51 - return time 1:05-2:05)
  • Rode Mater's Junkyard Jamboree
  • Rode Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters
  • Used RSR FP
  • Picked up another ToT FP (1:05 - return time 3:05-4:05)
  • Used First ToT FP
  • Got Water
  • Rode Ariel's Undersea Adventure
  • Rode Silly Symphony Swings
  • Rode Mickey's Fun Wheel
  • Had a late lunch/early dinner @ Flo's V8 (2:30ish?)
  • Used second ToT FP (3:20)
  • Browsed shops & killed time
  • Five & Dime while waiting for parade (5:00)
  • Pixar Play Parade (5:30)
  • Crossed over to DL
  • Peter Pan (Initially advertised as a 30 minute wait... breakdown made it closer to an hour wait) Rode about 7:30
  • It's a Small World - 10 minute wait (or less) - 7:45
  • Found a spot to stand behind two sitters on Main Street (8:00)
  • Got cocoa & cream cheese filled pretzel
  • PTN - 8:45
  • D:F - 9:30
  • Left parking lot by 10:15
  • Home by 11:30
TL;DR? 16 DCA rides on 13 attractions (used 4 FPs), 2 DL rides, 2 street performances, 2 parades, 1 fireworks show
 
wow, ok if I copy your DCA itinerary exactly for my trip in 3 weeks? Sounds wonderful! Glad it all worked out for you!
 
Sounds like a good day.


Darkbeer1 said:
Screamin' has a storage area similar to what Knott's/Cedar Fair/Six Flags does, and claims no responsibility, and others can easily access, since they run multiple trains.
Click to expand...

I have never seen or heard of this. Where is it? And why would you use it? You can take bags on the ride.
 
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