Best rides for the afternoon? About This Page:

[sbJasmine]

When we arrive for our next visit to DL, it will be in the late afternoon. Any suggestions for rides with shorter waits since I know that is a busy time of day. DD is 4 so we won't be going on the roller coasters. Last time I went, it was hard to move around Fantasyland at that time of day. We haven't gone over to Tom Sawyer's island yet, maybe that area is good to try? Thanks, Passporter Experts :-)

[HeatherD]

Do you have to go to the park? Is it a short visit where every hour you're there counts? If it's late afternoon, I don't know if I would go over to the park that day...we usually arrive around 2 or 3 when we drive in and we go to Goofy's Kitchen for dinner and perhaps wander through DTD. To make it worth it to go to the parks late, you'd have to stay until closing (or close) and that isn't feasible for us and the kids.

But, if you are planning to do this, avoid Fantasyland (as you already noted). Most of the "big ticket" rides are going to be packed and limited on FPs, but don't ignore your needs! If you can, you could snag a FP on Indiana Jones and do a parent swap - the waiting parent can take DD up in Tarzan's Treehouse.

Pretty much all the rides are going to have longer lines than in the morning, so it might be a good thing to check the wait times board when you get there and make a plan from that. Also, don't limit yourself to rides - there's a good chance there will be a parade and shows going on as well. If your DD is into it, check out the times on the Jedi Academy - it was fun to watch and our kids weren't even in it!

[Tink and co.]

Tom Sawyer Island is a good idea. Usually the Mark Twain or Sailing Ship Columbia won't have much of a wait. Riding the train all the way around is fun, too. Monorail may have a wait, but generally not too bad. Innoventions, or as Heather said, catch a show. Maybe poke around Main Street and get a treat from the candy store, bakery, or ice cream. If you're heading over to DCA, my family never seems to have enough time in the Animation builing (and the park as a whole is generally less crowded).

[raftislander]

What is the date and the day of the week that you will be arriving? If you are arriving mid week you will face a different scenario than on a weekend. Also will you have park hoppers? DCA is always less crowded than DL and Bug's land is fun for the younger ones, so if things are bad at DLR, you can hop. If it must be DLR perhaps you could have one person go get a fastpass for a ride while the others take a ride on a Main street vehicle, like the firetruck- a four year old will love this. Check the tip board to see if there is anything with little to no wait. Toontown can be fun -lots of interactive things for your son to explore - have him ring doorbells, lift crate lids, etc. Tom Sawyer Island (DLR)/ Redwood creek challenge trail(DCA) are great ideas, especially if he has been cooped up in a car or plane for much of the day. Check the lines for Snow White and Pinocchio as I have found them to be walk ons even when other Fantasyland rides have long lines. Sometimes the Carousel is short, too- sometimes not. Tarzan's treehouse is a good bet, as well. Is there an afternoon parade that you will be in time to catch? Would he enjoy the Sword in the Stone ceremony? Character interactions? I know they close the Storybook canal boats line during the nighttime parade, if they do this during the daytime parade, you could try to jump in line right after it reopens.

[HeatherD]

Redwood Creek Challenge is a great one in DCA! I'm assuming, but not sure, that it will survive the remodel. It's over by the entrance from DCA into Grand Californian, by Grizzly River Rapids.

[sbJasmine]

Thanks for all the great ideas. We have APs this year so I could try either park. One of the reasons I got the APs this year was when we went for DD's birthday, we were able to apply her free admission to the price of an AP. So we are getting to go several times.

I really like the suggestions of the Redwood Creek area at DCA or Tom Sawyer's for ways to let her run around and get some energy out.

I love the Boards! Thanks