Opening day strategies?

[amyg1975]

We were at Knotts when it was in the 90s too, and it was pretty miserable. However, going on rides will make it much better.

 

[evilmommie]

OoooOoo....Weather.com says 88 now for opening day...that's not too bad. Low of 60...cooling down nicely! Will be a great day.

 

[Iron Dan]

Any educated guesses on how early the bag check / security stations will open? I'll be there on April 30 and entering on the Harbor side pretty early, and wondering when we'll be let in to the Esplanade. It sounds like the parking structure will be open as early as 6:00 a.m. for the opening weekend (Fri-Sun).

Update: I just got through to a cast member, who confirmed that security checkpoints will open when parking does.

 

[mlggator22]

I am staying at the grand, but 6 am is so early. I was hoping for something closer to 7, but if security opens at 6 am, I'll probably be there at 6 am.
ONE WEEK!!!!!!

 

[ycsteves]

I am staying at the grand, but 6 am is so early. I was hoping for something closer to 7, but if security opens at 6 am, I'll probably be there at 6 am.
ONE WEEK!!!!!!

I know!!!! 6 is so early!!! but I guess I'm naive to think that opening day would be different from the opening of anything at DL. People will be so excited and get there as early as they can.

 

[mistyinca]

And by next Sunday it will be down to 76.. Crazy!

I thought the Tiki Room was going to be open. That will at least provide a short respite.

I'm hoping it changes (often does) by then and we're actually at 76 on Friday! (fingers crossed!)

 

[mistyinca]

Does anyone know if the trams will be running opening day? I know they hadn't used them during TOD, but wondering if they'll be back on 4/30.

 

[midnight star]

Does anyone know if the trams will be running opening day? I know they hadn't used them during TOD, but wondering if they'll be back on 4/30.

No trams

 

[mistyinca]

No trams

Boo...

 

[midnight star]

Boo...

Yes. Especially when the walk from the structure to the gates is 10-15 minutes alone lol.

 

[crystal1313]

We are also coming from harbor. Staying at Hojo. I get wanting to go early, but I’m curious how they’re going to have everyone line up in the esplanade? I think we will stick to our 7am plan because 6 is so early and with limited capacity it shouldn’t be too crazy right? Wishful thinking over here. Lol.

 

[ycsteves]

We are also coming from harbor. Staying at Hojo. I get wanting to go early, but I’m curious how they’re going to have everyone line up in the esplanade? I think we will stick to our 7am plan because 6 is so early and with limited capacity it shouldn’t be too crazy right? Wishful thinking over here. Lol.

I don't think it will be crazy at all thanks to the capacity limits. I think it's going to come down to those who want to be in the park first and those who are going to arrive when the park opens lol. I'm kind of leaning toward the latter because of the fact that there's a finite amount people allowed to go.

 

[evilmommie]

I don't think it will be crazy at all thanks to the capacity limits. I think it's going to come down to those who want to be in the park first and those who are going to arrive when the park opens lol. I'm kind of leaning toward the latter because of the fact that there's a finite amount people allowed to go.

We're going to be at the GCH and don't feel the need to roll out at 6am. If they open the gates earlier than 9am - awesome for those folks waiting in the esplanade. I'm going to be on stroll mode that day. No expectations. Happy to be entering the gates of Disneyland.

FYI, anyone that is checking in on the 29th at GCH online registration is open.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

I’m kind of torn on timing. On the one hand, part of the reason for enduring the “unknowns” and certain-to-occur “hiccups” of Opening Day is to experience anything unique or special about it! So if they’re going to open early and maybe have the characters waving from the railroad station and have the CMs lined up and all that... I don’t want to miss that, and I don’t know when it will happen. It honestly could be like 7:30 or 8 if the lines get crazy, right? I also feel like it could take a long time to process people if they’re checking IDs and have to sort out tickets and QR reservation codes and all that... so being near the front would help make sure we didn’t get stuck in a mess there. And finally, I imagine the mood out there will be pretty fun and festive, and will carry its own excitement! So all that skews in favor of heading over early.

The kiddo and I got to DL by 5:30am for ROTR opening day, so she can hang, although she did wear a fluffy onesie to keep warm that I stashed in a locker, and I guess lockers inside the park aren’t open?

On the other hand, I don’t want to kill three hours of our stamina sitting around needlessly when we could be enjoying our room at the Grand. I think a lot of the day will be “standing in lines outside, waiting for things,” and I don’t want her to be sick of that before we even go inside! I’m also not sure if she cares about witnessing any “historic” re-opening events.

Probably my FOMO will have us at security at 6, or at least one of us to check out what’s happening...

 

[mlggator22]

The kiddo and I got to DL by 5:30am for ROTR opening day, so she can hang, although she did wear a fluffy onesie to keep warm that I stashed in a locker, and I guess lockers inside the park aren’t open?

Hmmmm, I was counting on using a locker. Why do you think they would not be open?

 

[Malcon10t]

We're going to be at the GCH and don't feel the need to roll out at 6am. If they open the gates earlier than 9am - awesome for those folks waiting in the esplanade. I'm going to be on stroll mode that day. No expectations. Happy to be entering the gates of Disneyland.

FYI, anyone that is checking in on the 29th at GCH online registration is open.

We will likely roll out about 830 from the Grand also. We don't need to be first, we will get there and cry, then head on in!!

Hmmmm, I was counting on using a locker. Why do you think they would not be open?

I've heard they won't be, then I have heard they will, so no clues yet.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Hmmmm, I was counting on using a locker. Why do you think they would not be open?

Sooo, somewhere I saw a graphic that showed the lockers outside the park, by the picnic area, with an arrow that said “these will be open” and then arrows to the lockers in both parks that said “these will NOT be open.” Do I remember the source of this info? I do not. So it could be totally made up, although I mostly follow people who don’t post nonsense.

It doesn’t make sense to me because they don’t require staff and are basically pure revenue? But maybe they’re required to regulate all “indoor” spaces, meaning it would require a CM? Idk.

 

[ycsteves]

How bad will the lines be on opening weekend? Like I know there's a lot of comparison to WDW, but working with the details of the DLR alone, how do you guys think it will be?

For DL: I think there are enough rides for the crowd to be dispersed through the different lands and rides plus there's waiting for food and experiences like savi's and Droid shop, etc.

For DCA: I'm seeing like 45 minute waits since there are less rides than DL in the park total (right? Or are there a same amount), and not a lot to do besides the boardwalk games.

I'm anxious to see how the crowds will be, but will be looking forward to a less crowded DLR. TBH that was the main draw for me when deciding when to make my reservations.

 

[crystal1313]

How bad will the lines be on opening weekend? Like I know there's a lot of comparison to WDW, but working with the details of the DLR alone, how do you guys think it will be?

For DL: I think there are enough rides for the crowd to be dispersed through the different lands and rides plus there's waiting for food and experiences like savi's and Droid shop, etc.

For DCA: I'm seeing like 45 minute waits since there are less rides than DL in the park total (right? Or are there a same amount), and not a lot to do besides the boardwalk games.

I'm anxious to see how the crowds will be, but will be looking forward to a less crowded DLR. TBH that was the main draw for me when deciding when to make my reservations.

We are super curious how everything is going to play out. We are just so happy to be back! But can’t help but wonder how the parks are going to handle a lot of things. We went to WDW in December and it was really well organized. But it wasn’t opening day! Lol. We fully expect some hiccups and will roll with it all. Super grateful to be going back. It’s starting to feel real now. Getting super excited!!

 

[Kender]

I'm still so curious about the esplanade lines with the same park opening times that I haven't even thought much about ride lines