[Question] I'm getting nervous...

[Dalia3001]

I actually posted the majority of this post at another site, I hope that's not considered bad form, and apologize if it is, but I'm sort of desperate, and could use all the help I can get!

I have been getting more and more nervous about the trip my husband and I are taking to the parks this Sunday, October 25th. We picked this day because I work 6 days a week, and this is absolutely the only day we could make it to the parks.

I know it is going to be super crowded, and my nervousness is coming in waves bordering on terror.

My goals for this trip were to ride the Halloween rides and see the fireworks, as well as to hopefully park hop over to DCA to ride Midway Madness and California Screamin'.

I am trying to use a Ridemax Saturday plan, and one thing that scares me silly is that Saturdays are now less crowded than Sundays, so doesn't that mean that you can no longer easily substitute a Saturday for a Sunday when making a plan?

My plan seems to be saying that if I get a Space Mtn FP at 8:05 I should be able to get another one at 8:54, and then a third at 9:45, and then a HMH FP at 12:26. Does this seem like it might be reasonable, assuming that all rides stay functioning the whole time?

Does this seem like it's in line with the FP return times that have been seen over the past Sundays? I know last Sunday was CHOC walk and SM closed in the morning because there was a problem, but the previous Sunday might be comparable, so I am just hoping that someone might be able to help me out here with their greater FP knowledge.

I know my plan of getting three SM FP's in the morning is overkill, but I like to put the rides I really want to get on into the plan a couple of times to make sure that they happen at all.

I also just read that the Happiest Haunts Tour DOES include slightly blocked fireworks seating, and I'm heartbroken that I missed out on this. The tour is sold out for the day we will be there.

I didn't see fireworks listed on the Disney.com site, and due to the start time of 4:45 and the length of the tour posted on the Disney.com website being 3 hours, I couldn't see how it included fireworks. But it does, and now I'm bummed, because a reserved bench would have made me so much more able to deal with crowds to see the fireworks! I am so scared that by 9:25 will be so fed up with the crowds I have been reading about that I will just want to go back to the hotel and crash.

We are planning a break at our hotel (Motel 6) from 2:00 to 3:30, then on going back to DCA to ride Midway Madness and California Screamin, then have a bite to eat and head back to DL at around 6:00 to hopefully use a FP to ride Space again at 7:00.

If we finish up using our FP's around 8:00pm, (at HMH) would we be able to get to the middle of Main Street to watch the Fireworks?

My husband is pretty set on trying out the Cove bar, but if we skipped that and had dinner instead at the Plaza Inn getting in line around 8:15 would we be able to see the fireworks from there?

From the middle of Main Street would we be able to get to Fantasmic afterwards to watch the 10:30 show?

I know this is a very ambitious plan. I am trying to psyche myself up for the crowds, but they do make me exhausted, and I am in a tizzy trying to figure out the best way to do all that we want to do.

[Datameister]

Re: I'm getting nervous...

I'd be nervous, too, if I were trying to put together such a detailed plan for a day in the park! For what it's worth, I strongly recommend just...relaxing. It's fine to put together a list of things you want to do and even a rough order to do 'em in, but figuring stuff out down to the minute is futile because confounding variables will inevitably screw with your carefully laid plans. I think it's a lot more fun to just go with the flow. Try to hit the rides you want, of course, but realize that there's always something else to do, and not everything is necessarily gonna work out exactly how you think it will. It's very freeing! Just my opinion.

[Dalia3001]

Re: I'm getting nervous...

I know that the "to the minute" thinking won't pan out in reality, but I would love to know if those FP return times are at all in line with the reality of the parks on a Sunday during Halloween time. The people at Ridemax don't make plans for Sundays, so you are supposed to substitute the Saturday before for a Sunday. In light of the fact that Sundays are now more busy than Saturdays, I am worried that the FP return times might be off by a matter of hours rather than minutes.

I know that my plan seems super detailed, and it is! But I allow a few hours of "free time" during which we can hang out and do whatever we want. I just like to have a good grasp of how to manage my FP's when I am there, as we only have one day available.

Once I am in the parks, armed with as much knowledge as I can get beforehand, I can relax and have a wonderful time. I just want to be armed with as much information as I can gather since it it seems like this Sunday might be a bit of a "perfect storm."

: )

[Brisal73]

Re: I'm getting nervous...

Here is what I recommend:

Get to the Main Entrance of the park by 7:45
Once you get into Disneyland Head to Space Mountain and get a Fastpass
Ride Star Tours and then get a 2nd Fastpass for Space Mountain
Ride Buzz and get a third Fastpass for Space Mountain
DO NOT RIDE SPACE MOUNTAIN until LATER in the day...SAVE THE FASTPASSES
Ride MAtterhorn
Make your way through Fantasyland and ride anything that has a short wait.
Ride Big Thunder Mountain
Have early lunch at the Golden Horseshoe (11am) and watch Biilly Hill
Use the Single Rider Pass and ride Splash Mountain (it should be hot on Sunday)
Get Fastpass for Haunted Mansion (DO NOT USE BASED ON TIME ON THE TICKET)
Ride Pirates
Ride Jungle Cruise
Get a Dole Whip at the Tiki Room... Watch the show if you like
Head back to hotel... Honestly I wouldnt do that... I would go to DCA

Once in DCA
Get Fastpass for California Screamin
Ride Toy Story and other Pier Attractions.. even Screamin if it has a short wait. (DO NOT USE SCREAMIN FASTPASS)
Cover Bar
Then use Fastpass for SCREAMIN
Ride other things in DCA... if its SOARIN USE SINGLE RIDER

I would try getting back to Disneyland by 6pm
Use 2 of the 3 Fastpasses to ride SPACE MTN (Try front car, back and middle)
by 8:30pm get a spot for the fireworks... My favorite is between Main Street and Walts Statue. Look for the blue umbrellas and the speaker posts. DO NOT worry if the sitting area is full. Before the show starts they will ask people to stand. This is where you get a good spot. TIP stand near the curb on the right side, so you can see the best parts of the show

After fireworks head for Fantasmic. If there is a 3rd show...wait for that one by taking the train from Tomorrowland Station to New orleans Square. Going on Haunted Mansion or Indiana Jones. If the 2nd show is the last show get to THE SPOT ASAP DO NOT USE TRAIN.

THE SPOT = Between the river and the middle light structure. Look for a pot hole and maybe a guy with a hat on, white mustache and sitting in a wheelchair. For some reason this guy and his wife are always there. Put your back near the rope and spread out your legs. Guests will try to squeeze in and you need to make sure that you have your own space.

After 2nd Show of Fantasmic:
Use Fastpass to ride Haunted Mansion and the Third Fastpass for Space Mountain.
This would also be a good time to ride the Submarines if you want too.

I guide guests all the time and barring any ride down time the plan will work. Hope this makes sense. Let me know how it works for you.

-Brian

[mycroft16]

Re: I'm getting nervous...

I would highly recommend getting to the park at opening and beelining it to Space Mountain. Grab a FP and go on the ride (don't use the Fast Pass, just ride right then without the FP). Then use the FP when it's time comes up for a 2nd ride. Lines have been very long lately. As soon as your SM FP is up, get a HMH FP. Lines for both have been rather long lately and you may only get on them 1 or 2 times. When we were there 2 weeks ago, FP return times were up to 3 and 4pm by 9am. HMH times fluctuate throughout the day and you may catch it relatively short.

For the fireworks, we got there about 30 - 40 minutes early and found a spot on the ground at the front of the hub off to the left to sit down in. About 15 minutes before they start they make everyone stand up and that is when everyone moves closer together and you end up pretty near the front center.

That's my two cents worth.

[Micoofy Duck]

Re: I'm getting nervous...

Just wing it. Make the fireworks and Haunted Mansion your top 2 Must Sees and let the rest happen as they may. Do you seriously want a stressful day on your day off or just a day to relax, enjoy a Disneyland day as it pans out and leave the park happy and content you had the chance to visit the parks. With this plan I know for sure it won't pan out perfectly and I'm already seeing you leaving the park upset and fighting over the stupidest things and your "list", OMG your list!

[Dustysage]

Re: I'm getting nervous...

You've got some really good advice above. Just a general tip from me for enjoying busy days. Make sure you speak with your family in advance and let them know that the park will be busy and that you are determined to have a good time anyway. If you go expecting crowds and are prepared to move at a slower pace, you aren't as likely to experience the frustration of not being able to make it from point A to point B in the time you may be use to.

Also, keep the high capacity rides and shows in mind. Once the park becomes too busy to stand in line for a Nemo or Star Tours, switch to rides like Tiki Room, Tarzan Tree House, Tom Sawyer Island, Castle walk-through, Train, Innoventions, Riverboat, etc. Don't forget to make good use of Fastpass and Single Rider lines and simply stroll at a pace which matches the crowds. Eat at off times (early or late) to avoid the longest lines at the restaurants.

Find your fireworks spot early and bring some snacks along so you can enjoy them while you are waiting. If you also wanted to see Fantasmic, do them on different nights, it just isn't worth the stress of trying to find good spots for both on the same night!

The big crowds don't really bother me much any more. I just shift into busy day mode and I'm fine. Go with the flow, avoid long lines, and keep scanning for things that look less crowded. When you detect the slightest sense of frustration in your party, find someplace to relax (the Mark Twain, the deck of the Hungry Bear by the river, Fantasia Gardens, Carnation Gardens, Big Thunder Trail, etc. I suspect you will still have a GREAT time.

Happy Halloween!

-Dusty

[lou_mom]

Re: I'm getting nervous...

I'm exhausted just reading the posts but Iam also jealous and would welcome the rush if I could go right now. Have fun and enjoy yourself.

[Joshnyah]

Re: I'm getting nervous...

I feel your pain, I am also starting my week vacation on The 25th. I didint know that sundays were so busy right now. I hope that the weekday is not really busy, I have yet to spend a whole week in the parks while it is slow. I will be pulling into anahiem on sunday around 10 I hope the mickey and friends parking structure is not full already. If its busy I am going to just hurry up and relax

[SnorkletsMom]

Re: I'm getting nervous...

Great advice from everyone, so there's nothing for me to add (so why am I here?!?)

Repeat the following: relax. relax. relax. :-)

It's great to know what you want to do and when, but the only thing that works for me if I know I'm facing large crowds is to just plan to relax and take it easy. It's better to adjust or throw out your schedule than it is to rush around like an aggravated maniac and end up with the whole day nothing but a blur of frustration.

Enjoy, and have a great time...wish I could go with you! I'm really sad that I will miss my favorite time of year at my favorite place.

[MickeyMousePal]

Re: I'm getting nervous...

I'm also planning on going on Sunday and will just relax even if the park does have crowds. It might be a better idea to get fastpasses for Soarin' and wait in line or single rider for Screamin'. I have been in Soarin' single rider and it takes a long time.

[mycroft16]

Re: I'm getting nervous...

Midway Mania is also a really good one to do Single Rider on. The wait was 45 minutes when we were there and my wife and I waited 5 minutes to ride it single rider. Rode it twice. Ride and wait time totaled to about 23 minutes.

[Dalia3001]

Re: I'm getting nervous...

OK, I just told my husband I'm a little bit in love with all of you.

Thank you all so much!!!

Brisal73, I love your plan. I think we're going to follow it as closely as we can. Thank you for the specific Fireworks and Fantasmic watching instructions. I am pretty sure that they will have three shows of Fantasmic, but the train is under refurb, AFAIK. I am not sure we will hold up through the third Fantasmic, but we will try if there are be three of them.

Dustysage, thank you also for your words. It's just my husband and I and he is well aware of the reports of big crowds. I would generally never try to do the fireworks and Fantasmic in the same night, but this is the only night we will be there until at least June, and I'm dying to see that dragon, so we might try to pull it off. Obviously the fireworks are our first choice as Fantasmic isn't a limited time deal.

Thank you so much all of you for your input, I am feeling much better about everything. I will post a trip report (hopefully with photos if I figure it all out) once I get back.

We've never flown in for just one day before, so it will be a new experience. : )

[santadog]

Re: I'm getting nervous...

if you are feeling adventurous, the Fast Passes at the 2 parks aren't connected, so while you're waiting for your DL passes to become active, you can go to DCA and get more fast passes. Also (at least it was this way 6 months ago) the Roger Rabbit fast pass isn't integrated with the rest of the ones in the park, so you can get one from this ride while you already have 2 others. (perhaps someone can confirm if this still works or not, I haven't been there since April).

Good luck. I share your anxiety: we'll be there Halloween weekend. I am hoping things calm down after the 31st a little bit.

[Dalia3001]

Re: I'm getting nervous...

Thanks Santadog!

My original plan was to go to Dl at opening ride a few things and get a few FPS, then go to DCA and get some FP's, then come back to DL for lunch and more FP collecting, , then take a break at the hotel, then go to DCA to use the FP's, then back to Disneyland. Yeah, it was crazy, ha ha.

I think I will try following Brisal73's plan for the most part, except that after collecting our second Space Mtn FP, I think we would like to try to ride Indy and BTMRR, skipping the Matterhorn, Fantasyland, Billy Hill and Splash this trip. We have lunch reservations at Carnation Cafe at 12:45, so assuming that works out with our FP collecting schedule I would still like to try for that as well. I'm thinking we get our second Space Mtn FP, go to the hub and check out the wait time for Indy. If it is a half hour or less, go ride that, then BTMRR, then fill out our time until it's time to get a HMH FP with the Haloween Roundup, then visit either the Sleeping Beauty walkthrough and the Disney Gallery before our 12:45 lunch reservations, or do those things after lunch if that's how things work out.

The only thing that scares me is California Screamin' after Cove Bar, but my husband is Australian, so he should be fine after a beer, right? : P And I wasn't going to have a cocktail this time anyway, because there's no way I would survive until midnight after a drink.

But I'm pretty excited about this plan, and I think it sounds reasonable and doable. I agree that it might actually be more trouble than it's worth to go back to our room for a rest. We usually love to do that in the middle of the day, but we usually stay onsite and have about four days to fool around with. If we need to get away and relax we will find somewhere closer to do it, maybe we'll hang out at the Cove Bar for a longer amount of time, or get a Dole Whip and watch the Tiki room show, or something like that. But I love the idea of trying to get back to DL by six, rather than pushing everything back for a nap.

[penguinsoda]

Re: I'm getting nervous...

Well I have no words of advice as I'm fortunate enough to go multiple times a year and I just float along with whatever happens when it happens, but I hope you have a wonderful time and I hope after your trip you give us a trip report (with pictures!) and let us know how everything went and about your adventures!!

[CMHusband]

Re: I'm getting nervous...

I think there is a lot of good advice here. I especially think that the itinerary layed out by Brisal73 is well thought out and makes sense. The only thing I think everyone left out is...get a corn dog to eat while you watch the fireworks...YUMMY!

[Brisal73]

Re: I'm getting nervous...

Some changes to my plan since I now know more about your trip.

Here is what I recommend: Changes in BOLD

Get to the Entrance of the park by 7:45
(Get a locker Outside near the picnic area. It will get COLD at night)
Once you get into Disneyland Head to Space Mountain and get a Fastpass
Ride Star Tours (not sure how many times you go to DL, but this may be your last ride on the original Star Tours Version)
Get a 2nd Fastpass for Space Mountain
Ride Big Thunder (fewer guests per hour).
Ride Indiana Jones (more guests per hour).
Get Fastpass for Haunted Mansion
Ride Pirates
Ride Jungle Cruise
3rd Fastpass for Space Mountain?
Lunch Time

Once in DCA (around 2pm)
Get Fastpass for Screamin
Ride Toy Story and other Pier Attractions.. even Screamin if it has a short wait. (DO NOT USE SCREAMIN FASTPASS)
Cove Bar
Then use Fastpass for SCREAMIN
Ride other things in DCA... if its SOARIN USE SINGLE RIDER


I would try getting back to Disneyland by 6pm (Get your warm clothes out of the Locker)
Use 2 of the 3 Fastpasses to ride SPACE MTN (Try front car, back and middle)
by 8:30pm get a spot for the fireworks. As stated from a previous member the Corn Dogs near the firework viewing location ROCKS and would be a great dinner spot.
... My favorite is between Main Street and Walts Statue. Look for the blue umbrellas and the speaker posts. DO NOT worry if the sitting area is full. Before the show starts they will ask people to stand. This is where you get a good spot. TIP stand near the curb on the right side, so you can see the best parts of the show

For Fantasmic you want to head to the entrance of Frontierland. IT WILL BE LIKE A HERD of COWS, but it is the only way.

If there is ONLY a 2nd show you need to make your way to THE SPOT ASAP.If there is a 3rd Show take your time and ride Haunted Mansion

IF you dont get THE SPOT for the 2nd show place yourself behind the middle light structure and to the left of its pole. It will be low to the ground and there shouldnt be to many people behind it. Right before the show starts the lighting structure will rise and you will have a perfect standing view

THE SPOT = between the river and the middle light structure. Look for a pot hole and maybe a guy with a hat on, white mustache and sitting in a wheelchair. For some reason this guy and his wife are always there. Put your back near the rope and spread out your legs. Guests will try to squeeze in and you need to make sure that you have your own space.

After 2nd Show of Fantasmic:
Use Fastpass to ride Haunted Mansion and the Third Fastpass for Space Mountain.
This would also be a good time to ride the Submarines if you want too.

I guide guests all the time and barring any ride down time the plan will work. Hope this makes sense. Let me know how it works for you.

-Brian

Thanks Santadog!

My original plan was to go to Dl at opening ride a few things and get a few FPS, then go to DCA and get some FP's, then come back to DL for lunch and more FP collecting, , then take a break at the hotel, then go to DCA to use the FP's, then back to Disneyland. Yeah, it was crazy, ha ha.

I think I will try following Brisal73's plan for the most part, except that after collecting our second Space Mtn FP, I think we would like to try to ride Indy and BTMRR, skipping the Matterhorn, Fantasyland, Billy Hill and Splash this trip. We have lunch reservations at Carnation Cafe at 12:45, so assuming that works out with our FP collecting schedule I would still like to try for that as well. I'm thinking we get our second Space Mtn FP, go to the hub and check out the wait time for Indy. If it is a half hour or less, go ride that, then BTMRR, then fill out our time until it's time to get a HMH FP with the Haloween Roundup, then visit either the Sleeping Beauty walkthrough and the Disney Gallery before our 12:45 lunch reservations, or do those things after lunch if that's how things work out.

The only thing that scares me is California Screamin' after Cove Bar, but my husband is Australian, so he should be fine after a beer, right? : P And I wasn't going to have a cocktail this time anyway, because there's no way I would survive until midnight after a drink.

But I'm pretty excited about this plan, and I think it sounds reasonable and doable. I agree that it might actually be more trouble than it's worth to go back to our room for a rest. We usually love to do that in the middle of the day, but we usually stay onsite and have about four days to fool around with. If we need to get away and relax we will find somewhere closer to do it, maybe we'll hang out at the Cove Bar for a longer amount of time, or get a Dole Whip and watch the Tiki room show, or something like that. But I love the idea of trying to get back to DL by six, rather than pushing everything back for a nap.

[mycroft16]

Re: I'm getting nervous...

For Fantasmic you want to head to the entrance of Frontierland. IT WILL BE LIKE A HERD of COWS, but it is the only way.

If there is ONLY a 2nd show you need to make your way to THE SPOT ASAP.If there is a 3rd Show take your time and ride Haunted Mansion

IF you dont get THE SPOT for the 2nd show place yourself behind the middle light structure and to the left of its pole. It will be low to the ground and there shouldnt be to many people behind it. Right before the show starts the lighting structure will rise and you will have a perfect standing view

There is a sitting only section to the right of center (as you face the island). After the first show people start to gather there but they push everyone out of this section and put up ropes so the custodial crew can clean the area. The fireworks usually go off during this time and you can stand to one side of the rope (the CMs will direct you where) and watch them. After the fireworks, they drop the rope and allow people back into this area. We waited the 12 minutes of the fireworks (while watching them from RoA) and got a front row seat for Fantasmic!'s second showing in a sitting only section. An alternate option for you.

[Dalia3001]

Re: I'm getting nervous...

Thanks again Brian!

Your plan looks great. Thanks to everyone else who has contributed as well. We will definitely try the Corn Dogs. Neither my husband nor I have had one in years, but they sound good. We're also both looking forward to pumpkin muffins, at some point.

Does anyone know if they have been opening Main Street early over the past few weekends when there is a Magic Morning going on? If Main Street is open, is the bakery open so that can we get a coffee and a muffin before the rope drop?

We had planned on getting to the entrance at around 7:30, leaving the Motel 6 at 7:00. This way we can hopefully get a locker (great idea to get one outside, I never would have thought of that and probably would have forgotten about getting a locker alltogether), and a coffee on Main street (if that is possible) before rope drop. We are coffee addicts, and are worried that whatever the Motel 6 supplies and the instant Starbucks powder I'm bringing might not quite get us going. If we can't get coffee on Main Street before opening, we can survive for an hour or so and one of us can get us some coffee at some point while the other is getting a FP or something.

We get to Disneyland once or twice a year. This year we had a long trip in April, (six nights at the DLH) where we met up with my husband's family who was visiting from Australia. That was a lot of fun, but expensive, so it was supposed to be our only trip this year. But I kept looking at the Disney.com Halloween website and making my husband slow down the Tivo to watch the Halloween commercial so he took pity on me and we are doing our first one day trip ever in order to see the Halloween stuff.

I was thinking it might be our last chance for this version of Star Tours, and I am happy to add that to the itinerary. I'm also glad that there should be time for Buzz and Toy Story Mania, as those are my husband's favorites.

Knowing that we should head to DCA around 2pm is very helpful as well. This way I can follow the guidelines you have posted, and possibly check out some of the other stuff I would like to visit as time allows.

We may not have the mental fortitude to hold off on using our first Space Mtn FP until the evening though. If we have an extra 30 min before 2pm during which no window will open when we should be collecting a FP would it mess up our plan in some way I'm not anticipating to ride Space Mtn before heading over to DCA?

It's going to be a big change for us to try to do everything we want to do in one day. Usually we drive down (from San Jose), and last time I brought a microwave, a cooler full of frozen meals, and about a ton of luggage. This time we're trying to only have carryon backpacks. We've also never tried to be in the parks from opening to closing. I think we'll be fine if we take a leisurely lunch break and spend some time refueling during the afternoon at the Cove Bar. It seems like the time we would have to take going to and from the Motel 6 may well negate the bit of rest we would get there. I make us sound like we're super fragile, ha ha. We're not really that badly off, we both just work insane hours during the week, and since we're cramming this trip into my one day weekend I want to try to minimize fatigue.

But now that I feel confidant that I have a plan to follow, I'm no longer feeling nervous and worried, just really excited and ready to brave the crowds.

Thank you all again for your help!