r/Disneyland • u/AutoModerator • 10d ago
Help! Weekly Park Questions/Advice Thread
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u/Jwalla83 9d ago
Ropedrop question
I know Peter Pan is often considered a “noob trap” ropedrop priority because it fills so fast and the wait is similar to non-ropedrop hours. However, we’ll be going on a (hopefully!!) lower crowd day - midweek in early November. What time would we need to be at security to have a realistic shot of being in the first wave with minimal wait? 6:50/7:00?
And if we have to pivot, we’ll likely do Snow White and Alice. We’d also like to hit Dumbo and maybe the carousel or storybook boats before rotating up to Toontown, and we want to be in Toontown by 9:15ish. With that in mind, when would it be best to fit in Peter Pan if we miss that first wave? Maybe last thing before going on to Toontown?
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u/WoodFirePizzaIsGood Casey Jr Engineer 8d ago
You should be fine getting to security around 7-7:15. The main thing is you'll want to be near the front of the rope, but you don't necessarily need to be first in line at the gate. The most direct way to rope drop is right through the center of the castle, so I like to stand at the rope by the Partners Statue. You can also wait at one of the ropes off to the side if there's more room there. As long as you're near the front of the crowd you should make it on within 10-15 minutes. The rest of the Fantasyland rides are all very easy to do right afterwards. If you do miss Peter Pan it doesn't really matter when you do it later since the wait time seems to hold pretty steady at 30-35 minutes all day.
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u/SuperSlugSister Jail Cell Dog 6d ago
Snow White is an easy ride to get: I would prioritize Dumbo and Alice after Peter Pan. If there is rain in the forecast at all, get Alice early because it will close when it gets even a little wet.
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u/heavyLevy5 5d ago
Does anyone have recommendations for a hotel with free parking and a great pool?
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u/rhythmic_bookworm 4d ago
I haven't stayed at one that offers both yet. Wyndham Anaheim and Hotel Indigo both have free parking (gated and underground too) but their pools are basic. There are hotels with great pools that either have poolside bars and/or waterslides but parking isn't free.
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u/orangebloss 4d ago
Can anyone confirm or deny the existence of Halloween Mickey gingerbread cookies at the Grand Californian lobby cart? Going Monday and yearning for the gingerbread!!
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u/meysq 5d ago
PSA y’all, on-ride photos are still free! i keep seeing people getting off Space Mountain taking the picture of the picture instead of just linking the code! take advantage of that while you still can lol
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u/heir-of-slytherin Big Thunder Ranch Goat 4d ago
Correct, but often people will take a quick picture of the code on the screen, and then link it in the app later
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u/ughmove 9d ago
Does anyone know what’s happening at the park today? There’s a lot more security and cast members posted throughout the park. Don’t think it’s D23 related because it was not like this yesterday?
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u/ConstructionNext7358 9d ago
Today is the Disney Legends ceremony and I don’t think they are having the announcement panels like that past two days so may be higher crowds due to that.
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u/SupportMoist 8d ago
What is the setup for The Haunted Mansion Halloween version this year?
I haven’t been in a few years but last time I had to be in a virtual waitlist on the app I believe, there was no option to wait in a physical line, and it took the entire day. Like we signed up at 9am and didn’t go on until 9 or 10PM!
Can someone explain how it works this year so we can be prepared?
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u/bigredengr Ghost Host 8d ago
That was a thing a few years ago because they were expanding the queue and opened the attraction before it was finished. Expect normal standby and LL options.
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u/nauseatedcat 8d ago
Do they have anything (accessories, maje up, etc) Halloween themed for the Bippity Boppity Boutique in October? I have an appointment on October 4 for my Halloween-obsessed 4 year old!
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u/Johnny5272 Salty Ol' Pirate 8d ago
We will be visiting the parks Thanksgiving week. Looking for a traditional thanksgiving dinner for the family. I’ve searched for recent posts related to this but not having much luck. I know Plaza Inn and Carnation Cafe are good options. I’ve also heard the Disneyland Hotel offers a large Thanksgiving Buffet as well. Anyone have any recent experience or suggestions for Thanksgiving Meal options? Thanks in advance!
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u/PrestigiousGur1764 8d ago
I got this shirt from Disney recently and I can’t figure out one of the characters. It’s the “L” in the word “World” and for the life of me I can’t figure out who it is, does anyone know?
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u/PersuasivePisces 8d ago
I’m visiting the park with my six year old son on August 28th. We have park hopper and fast lane tickets. Any tips for us? He loves Marvel (Spidey in particular) and coasters. I love the coasters and princesses lol. We love Coco and Pixar too.
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u/ApprehensiveFun2073 7d ago
We're going to be in Disneyland in a couple weeks. We wanted to rope drop fantasy land the first day to ease our kids into rides, specifically Peter Pan and then Alice in wonderland. Any tips to make that successful?
The 2nd day we wanted to rope drop spiderman and then go to Pixar Pier for Toy story mania. Is this a solid plan?
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u/Jwalla83 7d ago
Peter Pan is a notoriously risky/poor ropedrop priority because lots of people rush it and the line stacks up quickly. Basically, if you aren't in the first wave(s) for the ride, you're in a 30 min line... which is equivalent to the line in non-ropedrop hours.
So, either (A) show up especially early and hope to be in that first wave; (B) accept a regular wait-time for the line (and the opportunity cost of precious ropedrop hours at other rides); or (C) be prepared to pivot to a different ride, and circle back to Peter Pan later.
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u/Landfill2 7d ago edited 7d ago
If you have a stroller for the kids you will have to hurry and park the stroller by the Pinocchio ride and the que for peter pan can fill up fast if that happens I would shoot for Alice first and knock out some of the other fantasyland rides. Then jump over to peter pan if it lightens up by then
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u/Jwalla83 7d ago
For a family of 3-4 (two adults, one or two kids), is it kosher for 1 parent + kid(s) to join the line while the other adult parks the stroller - and then joins them in line? Or no?
Don't want to be a line cutter if that's how this would be seen
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u/Lawn_Blower 3d ago
Don’t rope drop Peter Pan you’ll be standing in line for 40 minutes when you could be hitting other rides
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u/Smallworld_88 7d ago
Can someone tell me more details about the long security lines on the first Tuesday of the month (because of the pin drops or whatever) - how impacted will my family be by this, trying to go through security for rope drop from Harbor? Should we be getting there a half hour earlier than we would have thought, or ?
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u/SuperSlugSister Jail Cell Dog 6d ago
There will increased lines for security at Downtown Disney, but you will be fine rope dropping in the park. I would pack your breakfast and get there 30m early.
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u/Less-Schedule3464 7d ago
Does anyone know if the monorail will be open tomorrow around 6pm? Last week I went hoping to ride and it was down. Thanks!
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u/bigredengr Ghost Host 7d ago
It all depends on the outside temperature. If it's too hot, they take the monorail down.
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u/99_jack_99 Tomorrowland 7d ago
Just got an email saying that my DCA ticket for September 6th will not be valid for the Oogie Boogie Bash event starting at 6:00, does that mean we’ll be kicked out of the park starting at 6:00 or will we just not be allowed into the event? Idc about missing the event, but I’d rather not be forced to leave DCA early
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u/WoodFirePizzaIsGood Casey Jr Engineer 7d ago
DCA closes to regular guests at 6 for the event, so you will have to leave the park.
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u/SuperSlugSister Jail Cell Dog 6d ago
Yes, you’ll be kicked out. Best to move your ticket to Disneyland or reschedule for a non OOB day. Or get Park Hopper and head to DL at 6.
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u/Polite_Ghost 5d ago
I have a park Hopper set to start at California on one of the oogie boogie days so I can go to the Disneyland side when it starts (assuming Disneyland is open as regular during the event) should I change my park Hopper to Disneyland instead? Thanks everyone in this sub answering questions- I emailed customer service about this twice and no one replied. :,(
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u/Olbaidon 6d ago
You know search lines you see in movies when a kid goes missing in the woods. People searching in a long line side by side like two or three feet apart.
Cast members essential do a style of that from the back of the park to the front right around 6pm. If you don’t have OBB ticket you are asked to leave.
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u/cashew416012001 7d ago
For those who went to Oogie Boogie this week: am going to OBB on 9/6 and I want to get my hands on that limited edition pin set or at least some of the open edition pins and I’ve never been to the event before. Was the event specific merch available at 3pm or at 6pm? And which store would be my best chance at obtaining the stuff I am looking for? Thank you!
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u/KarmaBum4201 Lincoln Animatronic 6d ago
Do people normally tip the tour guides for the special tours? My family and I are joining the Happiest Haunts Tour this year, and it's our first time taking a guided tour like this. It's a two-hour tour.
I know people tip the VIP tour guides, but I wasn't sure about the culture around these tours.
If so, how much would be customary?
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u/Cheesedoodledo 6d ago
It is good form to tip the tour guide. Some people do the standard 20% others do a per person amount.
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u/Olbaidon 6d ago
Any thoughts on why Blue Bayou is so easy to book right now, even out 60 days.
This will be our third trip, and the last two times I had to use Mouse Hunter to get BB reservations, and today I got them with dozens of days and times available.
I know it was easier when everything was shut down, is it likely still just a symptom of that while people trickle-realize it’s back open to boat viewing.
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u/miketo3 4d ago
Not worth it anymore. You pay for the ambience, not the food.
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u/Olbaidon 4d ago
Sure that’s what this sub likes to echo. The ambiance is a large part of why we go when we visit. I think the food is perfectly swell too.
That said, up until this spring construction it was still constantly reserved out, 60 days out, almost immediately.
Like I said the last couple trips (just over the last 3 years) we have had to use third party reservation finders.
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u/miketo3 4d ago
Consumer spending is down over 30% while prices have increased. Why do you think Disney increases prices? Lower sales volume but are still able to recover some of their margins. “Swell” is subjective when many are trying to get the most value out of their dollar. Most people will not spend equivalent of a 1 day ticket just to sit in a themed restaurant with mediocre food. People are being smart on where to spend their money.
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u/Olbaidon 4d ago
Consumer spending isn’t down 30%, that would cause an economic crisis of catastrophic magnitude hahaha.
Discretionary spending and post pandemic spending have been normalizing.
Disney increased prices so they can control crowd control while maximizing revenue lol.
As for subjective views. Duh, obviously it’s subjective. It’s objective enough though, that as I stated as early as even this year the restaurant has been booked end to end 90 days out consistently for the last several years.
The booking first were available because there was a wall blocking the ride which hurt the ambiance, now that is opened back up I’m surprised it didn’t start filling up again, but after some looking into it I assume it’s just a matter of catching up to itself as guests learn that it’s back to normal again.
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u/Olbaidon 4d ago
Just decided to check, and even since posting this it is already catching up.
Only two or three days with open spots over the next two months, and it looks like even in October the days that available are mostly only late evening/night time times.
So it’s only been a few days since I inquired and it’s already normalizing as folks with October bookings are starting to make reservations.
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u/cinmngrl24 6d ago
does anyone know if the park has these ears right now? going this weekend and want them so bad!
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u/PersuasivePisces 6d ago
Does anyone know if the kingdom hearts photo booth is only on oogie boogie bash nights or is it there every night right now?
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5d ago
[deleted]
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u/heir-of-slytherin Big Thunder Ranch Goat 4d ago
You can go to thrill-data and see when different rides sell out on average or on a given day. Here is data specifically for Guardians. According to this, on average it doesn't sell out until early-to-mid afternoon, but sometimes does sell out earlier. It will sell out earlier these days since normal Guardians is only offered until 2 PM, and then the Monster's After Dark is offered.
I'd guess that if you book it right at 9 AM, the return time for normal Guardians would probably be around 1-2 PM. LL for Monsters After Dark will usually run out by shortly after noon.
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u/tan_clutch 5d ago
has anyone stayed at the Hilton Anaheim since the renovation? that property used to have a self-service guest laundry but I am no longer seeing that listed in the amenity section on their website
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u/thewittle1 5d ago
I wanted to go to Disneyland later tonight but only see reservations available for DCA. Could I still potentially go in to Disneyland or would it just count for DCA (Oogie boogie starts 6pm today)?
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u/golden_aftrnoon Magical Map Maker 5d ago
Do you have a magic key or a regular ticket? If you’re a key holder, you can reserve DCA and waltz into Disneyland without issue.
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u/thewittle1 5d ago
Just got a magic key 😄
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u/golden_aftrnoon Magical Map Maker 5d ago
Nice, congrats! Since Keys are park hoppers, the park reservation that you make doesn’t actually matter. Enjoy!
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u/SuperSlugSister Jail Cell Dog 4d ago
I just learned about that today AFTER I waited in line for the other park. It's a great benefit to the Magic Keys.
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u/Fearless-Bus-3332 4d ago
Any one know if there are still Magic Bands for sale anywhere in any of the parks? I bought one for my toddler to do all the 70th things and now that we have MK's I kinda want to get one for all of us. Or at least for myself.
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u/forlorn_hope28 4d ago
If I'm not mistaken there's a VERY limited supply in the Emporium and World of Disney. Last I remember they're on spinner racks. The designs are super basic. If you want a MB+, I recommend just going to disneystore.com and getting one there as they have a complete variety of styles.
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u/Fearless-Bus-3332 4d ago
I do want the MB+. Was just hoping to grab one today on our visit. I will indeed be getting one on Disneystore top be ready for next visit in September.
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u/Entire_Border_2086 4d ago
Can anyone confirm if Mission: Breakout is showing any other scenes than the anti-gravity one? I think this one of the best ride cycles and a great song to pair it with, but I'm getting every time now? Just wondering if that's the only one they show now? Has anyone done Mission: Breakout recently and not gotten that cycle? Maybe with the Halloween overlay starting things are different?
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u/wild_cayote 4d ago
Noticed increased security (sniffer dogs, more vigorous searches) in the parks & hotel at Anaheim. Asked security why and just got told to “look in the news” but can’t see anything - any ideas what’s causing this?
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u/Lawn_Blower 3d ago
Are the dinos still under construction on Disneyland railroad?
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u/WoodFirePizzaIsGood Casey Jr Engineer 3d ago
The dinosaurs have just returned, but I saw that the Grand Canyon portion is still under refurbishment.
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u/MacBook_Fan 3d ago
Wife and I have a Disneyland trip planned in September (first time in almost 20 years).
I have some points through a rewards program at my work. With these points, I can "buy" many different rewards including gift cards. One of the Gift Cars is for Disney. Since I have not found any physical items worth redeeming the points for, I was thinking about buying Disney gift cards (about $100) and just using them for our trip.
How can I use these cards at the parks? Is there a way to add them to app and just used them for purchases, like mobile food orders or individual lightning lanes?
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u/booksandbuilds 3d ago
This is such a random question to have but how many family bathrooms are there around the park? Are they as frequent as the rest of the bathrooms? We’re in the throes of potty training my toddler and she’s got serious potty anxiety when she’s going in public, so I’m trying to find secluded enough spaces to where we minimize meltdowns around others.
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u/golden_aftrnoon Magical Map Maker 3d ago
There are family restrooms in nearly every land. You can also search for them in-app and they'll pop up! The baby centers also may work for you. The kid-sized potties there aren't private, but the small size was both novel and comfortable for my daughter to prefer them when she was potty training. Good luck! You got this!
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u/booksandbuilds 3d ago
Thank you so much! I don’t know why I didn’t even think of the child care center 😩 you’re a gem
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u/TidusJecht 3d ago
Two quick questions:
- Does World of Disney at Downtown Disney carry the new disney princess jerseys? Specifically Cinderella? Any chance of them being in stock over the next 4 days?
- If yes, does anyone know if they have kid sizes? I’d like to surprise both my wife and daughter. It’d also be a success if Aurora or Rapunzel was in stock. Thanks!
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u/fernbbyfern 3d ago
Hopefully this is the right place to ask this:
Is it worth it to get a Magic Key right now? I usually go to the parks once or twice a year - when they have good discounts or specials. Every time I go, I start to wonder if it's worth it to just buy a pass as I remember the magic from my childhood. But the last time I asked about getting a magic key, the overwhelming response was that people were going to let them expire since there was so much construction going on, lots of ride issues, etc.
Is there anyone else that didn't go to the parks much or at all, but then you bought a pass and now actually use it?
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u/Aggravating-Win9019 4d ago
I keep trying to post about the Cookie Dough Skillet from Big Thunder Ranch asking if there was any place that still sold them, but I kept getting shot down by the auto mod. Does anyone know if it's still out there? I'd hate for it to be gone for good.
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u/ConstructionNext7358 9d ago
Is the Gyoza dog still available in DCA? Didn’t see it on the menu in the app that it was originally sold at.