Have Some Questions...

[IHEARTEEYORE]

I am going to DL/DCA on June 2-6 and am wondering how the crowds are going to be? Heavier than usual? Last time I was there during a very crowded time was Christmas. Is it going to be anything like Christmas?

Also, where is the best place to view the parade and the fireworks? I want to make sure I can see it best, and dont mind staking out a place an hour or so in advance

Also, the TOT...does it fall all the stories at once, or does it go in increments? I am a little worried about this one...also I have someone in my party who is pretty big. I would say about 6'2" 350. Is he going to be able to ride the ride? He doesnt have any problem with the others, but hes never ridden this one before.

Also, where is it that I need to go to get a birthday sticker? The 2nd is my birthday, and since Ive never been to DL on my birthday, I want to get one!

I dont know if this is in the right place..I sure hope so. I was going to put it in trip planning, but already have planned the trip...feel free to move it if you need to!

[Michael]

It's going to be busy, but not packed during the week. The wait times during the week have been 5 to 30 mins. on average. Best place to view the Parade in my opinion is on Main Street around the Town Square area. The best place for the fireworks is in the hub area beside the Partner statue.

The Tower of Terror has a drop sequence that starts with a one/two story drop and increases/decreases during the ride. The person who is tall & big won't have a problem getting on the ride.

To get a birthday sticker, head to City Hall (if in Disneyland) or Guest Relations at DCA.

[IHEARTEEYORE]

Michael,
Thanks for the info, I appreciate it!

So for the big guy, what about Soarin? I know he was afraid to go on it last year, but I am trying to get him to try all the rides this year! I want him to not worry about it...but I know he will be

Thanks again, I appreciate the info!

[Michael]

You're welcome! He's totally fine on Soarin' too!

[dlfreak]

I think your friend will be fine on any ride though maybe a big uncomfortable on Mullholand Madness.

For the fireworks you could go to the hub and sit curbside in front of the castle about an hour before and not have any problems being able to select a spot. I would suggest the back curbside (behind the Partner's statue) Center is ideal but don't stray left (west) of the center because there is a tree in the Plaza Gardens that will almost completely block your view of the fireworks. We arrived about an hour and a half before the show though we sat on an empty street until about 45-30 minutes before the show. (Note the street was empty but benches and curb seats were gone by the time we'd arrived) Don't feel awkward sitting in the street an hour before showtime, you shouldn't be told anything.

As for the Parade of Dreams I prefer across from the Refreshment Corner in front of the Photo Supply as you'll get the castle/hub as a nice backdrop.

[ocnative1964]

last time I was there we had the spot center street in front of the photo supply store, about 25 ft towards the castle.

it was a great spot for the old fireworks show...

have fun for the rest of us....

[mikeca]

We were there most of last week and had a blast. The parks were more crowded than normal during the week but line management and ride capacity was rocking. Nothing over a half hour except for splash mountain and that we just resorted to fast pass. Many lines like 15-20 minutes. There were a couple times we went on Thunder Mountain with it backed all the way out the top but they had so many trains going that it was really not a problem. There are times when Buzz Lightyear would back out a bit but getting fastpasses was not a problem and most of time the line was in the 15 minute range and moves very quickly.

DCA seemed to have more people in the park than I can ever remember but again the lines were pretty short. One good trick on the only line that seemed long which is Soarin is to use Single rider if you don't absolutely have to be seated as a group. Every time I've done this it seems to cut the wait time in half and you get to wait inside instead of out. Have sometimes gotten great seats and sometimes not, same as waiting in line (I hate people that whine to get in the top center- oops wrong thread). No need to feel guilty about this either as you are just taking seats that would be left empty otherwise.

We watched the fireworks from the hub a few times but also dead center in Main street seemed pretty good though you can't see the fireworks. I also like accross the street from the photo shop for the parade. It's great as you get a great view of the parade oncoming as well as in front of you!

I expect Saturday will be a really crowded day! I would guess it won't be as bad as the week of Xmas though. It was strange when we were there, it just seemed like there were people everywhere but the reality of it just wasn't that bad.

TOT is very imtimidating but the ride is not really as bad as you'd expect. I think there is one drop that is full length but it is over in about 2 seconds so it doesn't really get to you much (IMHO). It's incredibly fun and the preshow is exceptional and is a must see!
The only rides I can think of that size might be a problem on are the two coasters at DCA. I have a friend who is large and can't get the shoulder bar down on Screamin and Mulholland madness is just plain tight spaces. Now that I think about it Maliboomer might have the same problem, which IMHO is way more severe of a ride than TOT but again over so quick that it doesn't really get to you or make you queezy.

WE HAD A GREAT TIME!

HOPE YOU DO TOO!

Mike

[TowerFreak99]

The crowds shouldn't be too bad.I was there this past weekend . I think it should be a little bit more crowded then memorial day weekend

[IHEARTEEYORE]

Thank you all for the information!

I think I have talked my friend into going on the rides. I kind of figured Muholland Madness woulndt work, and Screamin' either. I know my brother who is much smaller than my friend, had a hard time getting the shoulder bar to close. He also doesnt want to even "THINK" about riding it..so it works out!

Good news about Soarin' and Tower. Those are rides we both missed out on last year. I waited with him, while everyone else went. I didnt want to make him wait by himself, but now I get to go..yay

How about Splash? Being that he is so tall and big, would he have a hard time fitting into the logs? I plan on getting him to do everything possible this trip. We NEED the vacation. Classes just kicked out butts this semester!

We are leaving tomorrow and Im so excited. Our first day at the park is officially Thursday (My B-day)!

Thanks again guys, I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out, and help my friend dispell his anxiety!

[mikeca]

Splash shouldn't be a problem, especially now. Being as he's so tall I'd think they might seat him in the back though as there isn't a whole bunch of room between the regular seats but the back area is very roomy. I had more than enough room in the back and I'm over 6' and over 200 lbs (enough said on that). I would think he'd have no problem fitting back there. There's a lot more leg room in the back of the newer logs as well.

Hope that helps!

Mike