Disneyland peeps: I have some planning questions

[jordancatalano4ever]

We’re going to be going to Disneyland only September 4th. We’ve been to Disney a number of times so I have a game plan for morning afternoon pretty well thought out.

So far, my plan is to head to Peter Pan at rope drop and then tour around Fantasyland. After hitting all the kiddie rides we’re thinking to have breakfast at Red Rose Tavern. After breakfast we’ll loop over to Big Thunder and then down to Jungle Cruise, Indy, Pirates, and Haunted mansion. Depending on hunger levels we’ll do Splash then lunch or lunch then Splash. Now here’s where I get stumped. Do we head to Galaxy’s Edge or Tomorrowland after lunch. I was thinking if Rise was down heading that way and getting in line could work. But I’ve also read that GE is nice at night but I’m worried about missing Rise (since it closes early) if we wait till night.

What would you do. GE in the afternoon or wait till Evening?

One more question. I’ve read the fireworks show has incorporated a lot more overlays on Main St. In 2019 we snagged a table at Jolly Holiday for fireworks and dinner and we really liked that since we could sit rest and enjoy the show. Would we be missing a lot if we did that again?

[jewel]

Rise is so unpredictable. Typically, I’ve had the best luck going closer to closing time (which is currently 2 hours before the park closes). BUT! It breaks down all the time and they’ll often just shut the ride down for the night if it’s close to their time. So, it’s a risk. I’d honestly just figure it out during lunch, based on wait times in both lands.

Do you have any interest in fantasmic or the light parade? If you want to do the light parade, you can get a decent spot on main st for the parade and then fireworks start when they’re done. It will be really tough to grab a table at jolly holiday because of people waiting for the parade. My personal preference is fantasmic though, which happens right around the same time. You can do a grab and go dining package which will reserve you a great spot, or just go fairly close to the show for standing room along the sides.

ETA - I don’t particularly need the music and lights to enjoy the fireworks. If you want to watch them outside of mainsteet, small world has the same display. Or my favorite thing is to watch them from galaxy’s edge, right outside of millennium falcon.

[dcrunnergirl52]

Are you going to get Genie+? I highly recommend it. Also, how important is riding Rise to you?

For us, our strategy was to get into the park and buy a Lightening Lane for Rise for about an hour after the park opened. Rise was very important for us to do b/c I live with major Star Wars fans. After we bought the LL, we spent that first hour doing Fantasyland. If you want Peter Pan, you'll have to be near the front of the ropes and/or run for it. My daughter slinked her way through for us (b/c I also had a stroller and was alone), and we only had a short wait but the line built up really fast.

I liked doing Rise early to knock it out so I wouldn't be thinking all day about how long the line was, whether it was broken down, etc.

I wouldn't do Red Rose for breakfast. The morning is when things are the least busy, so take advantage of that time to knock on a bunch of rides throughout the park. I'd eat breakfast at your hotel or bring something to eat while standing in line for park opening.

We loved watching the fireworks from Small World. The castle at DL is so small compared to WDW, so I don't think you're missing much by not seeing fireworks from the castle, and the area near Small World was so much less crowded.

[quesyrah]

If Rise closes early (it usually does but doesn’t always) it will close at 9 pm.

Galaxy’s edge is beautiful at night and it’s a fun place to watch the fireworks (though you will miss the projections).

I would do GE and then hit tomorrowland.

[jordancatalano4ever]

Thanks all. I think we will monitor day if but plan to do GE in the early evening. We don’t want to give Disney any more money than we have to so we’re not buying Genie+ or Lightning lanes. (Y’all shouldn’t encourage their profiteering! Lol)
Shows are also something we don’t prioritize as we don’t go to the parks often so we want to maximize ride time. Fantasmic is nice but the crowds stink. I’m 5’0 so I never get to see anything anyway. We usually try to squeeze in night time rides at Indy and pirates 💗

[Doggy Mommy]

We just went for one day and had a blast, but it was very crowded and it would have been rough without Genie+. I definitely recommend it. Even on a busy day we got a lot done and had so much fun.

You'll be there right after Haunted Mansion Holiday opens. HMH has CRAZY long waits. If it's important for you to ride it I'd do it in the first hour or two. The wait will just get longer throughout the day. The Indy wait gets long too and it opens late and breaks down often. I'd consider keeping an eye on it and hoof it over there when it opens. Rise is also unpredictable and shuts down a few times throughout the day.

For a one day visit, honestly, I'd really consider getting Genie+. For 20 bucks you'll avoid several hours of standing in long lines.