Mini TR and Thank you!

[cari12]

Thank you everyone for all their wonderful advice especially HydroGuy for your tips. It truly made our first Disney trip amazing and very smooth. We were there last Mon-Wed, Oct 19-21. Crowds appeared to be light and we were never in the park very late in the afternoon when it got busier. I will say that this trip was concentrating on the little kid stuff as our kids are 6 and 4.
On Monday, we were at security at 8:15 for a 9:00 opening. We were about 2 back at ropedrop and we walked straight to Nemo and walked on. Then went over to HMH and walked on and then walked onto POTC. DH and I were loving it. DD6 and DS4 were not all that impressed yet as those rides were a little scary for them. In fact, on HMH right when Jack finished is preamble,DS4 said "get me outta here". It was perfect! I assured him all would be ok and we continued. But I digress. So next we had a snack in Frontierland and then did Tarzan's treehouse and Jungle Cruise. Kids liked those. It was then time to stop at the Horshoe Saloon for the 11:15 Billy Hill show. We loved it. Then went on to Mark Twain's island and let the kids explore the caves. Then rode Winnie the Pooh 3 times (so far DS4's fave). Got some treats at Pooh's corner and headed back to the hotel for a swim. Had dinner at ESPN zone in DTD. When we checked into the DLH, we asked for a room with a fireworks view and they gave it to us. We faced the parking lot but the park was to the right and we could see them and the tv had a channel that played the music. Kids watched them in PJ's and then right to sleep.
Tuesday was MM so we were at security by 7:30 and at rope drop. Walked onto Peter Pan then Dumbo. DH and DD6 rode Teacups and then Matterhorn. We all rode Alice then Mr. Toad all with little or no lines. By this time it was around 8:50 and we walked over to Autotopia which was just opening. That was pretty lame - would recommend skipping that one. Then we rode Buzz 3 times with less than 5 minute lines each time. Then we stopped for breakfast and carried on to IASW. DS4 wanted to go again but we said no. We then explored Toontown and met Goofy, Minnie and Mickey. We walked back through the castle and over to DCA as we had 12:50 reservations for Ariel's Grotto. The kids met Ariel, Belle, Aurora, Snow White and Cinderella. It was magical for them. Then we went on all the rides in A Bug's Land and caught the 3:15 Playhouse Disney Live. That was awesome and highly recommended for anyone with a preschooler. Then went back to the hotel for a swim and had dinner in DTD - Tortilla Joe's.
Wednesday we went to Goofy's Kitchen for breakfast and met Goofy, Chip, Dale, Ballou, Alice and Jasmine. Then we were at DCA at 9:30. We went and saw McQueen and Mater and DH & DD6 rode Soarin -about a 10 min line when we were there. Shortly after rope drop, we went to TSMM and rode 3 times with about 5 minute lines each time. Rode the carousel and then headed back up. Stopped at a Bug's Land and road the train again. Then went to Taste Pilot's for a snack. Shopped a little bit then went to see Crush's Turtle Talk. We also visited Minnie, Mickey, Goofy and Pluto in Candy Corn Acres as we walked through various times. Then went over and rode Monsters Inc. 3 times with less than 5 minute waits. We then had an early dinner at Rainforest Cafe and went back to the hotel to rest and get the kids costumes for TOTP.
The TOTP was fun but I was unimpressed with the candy. We got a good amount and only missed the stations near the Redwood Creek Trail. But the quality was poor. Very little chocolate and a ton of jawbreakers which I won't let my kids have. Most of the other stuff they don't like either. But the cavalcade was fun and being there at night was fun. Rode TSMM with a less then 5 min line and played the carnival games next door - prize was a handful of candy. I was glad we met most of the characters during the day as the lines were really long but it was nice to just walk by as we had already met them. As we were leaving, the DL fireworks had just started so we watched them from near the DCA exit.
A great trip and can't wait to go back again!

[tinksdreamwishes]

It sounds like you had the perfect trip!

[DisneyMomma81]

I'm glad all went well! We would've been there those same days had we not visited WDW earlier this month. Do you think you'll go back soon? Looks like you skipped Splash, Thunder & Space ~ I understand Space with the Ghost Galaxy theming ~ Splash is DD's (6) favorite ride! She also enjoys Thunder and Space. Also my DD has been riding Matterhorn since she was 3 ~ your 4 year old should've given it a try - aw well there's always next time.

[Hound 109]

Thanks for posting your mini TR, Cari.

I remember when you were posing questions....it's so nice when folks report back & let us know how it went.

Cari, your report below illustrates how having a morning plan (even with little ones) can save one time & actually result in LESS stress than "going with the flow" 24/7. (at least for most people)

Comments below:

Originally Posted by cari12

Thank you everyone for all their wonderful advice especially HydroGuy for your tips. It truly made our first Disney trip amazing and very smooth.

AREN'T THEY GREAT.

We were there last Mon-Wed, Oct 19-21. Crowds appeared to be light and we were never in the park very late in the afternoon when it got busier. I will say that this trip was concentrating on the little kid stuff as our kids are 6 and 4.
On Monday, we were at security at 8:15 for a 9:00 opening. We were about 2 back at ropedrop and we walked straight to Nemo and walked on. Then went over to HMH and walked on and then walked onto POTC.

THAT IS A VERY NICE TROIKA TO GET BEHIND YOU EARLY IN THE AM...I'M IMPRESSED.

DH and I were loving it. DD6 and DS4 were not all that impressed yet as those rides were a little scary for them. In fact, on HMH right when Jack finished is preamble,DS4 said "get me outta here". It was perfect! I assured him all would be ok and we continued. But I digress. So next we had a snack in Frontierland and then did Tarzan's treehouse and Jungle Cruise. Kids liked those.

EVERYONE LOVES THE JC.....ESPECIALLY THE "BACK SIDE OF WATER".


It was then time to stop at the Horshoe Saloon for the 11:15 Billy Hill show. We loved it. Then went on to Mark Twain's island and let the kids explore the caves. Then rode Winnie the Pooh 3 times (so far DS4's fave). Got some treats at Pooh's corner

GOTTA LOVE THOSE MONSTER COOKIES & TREATS!


and headed back to the hotel for a swim. Had dinner at ESPN zone in DTD. When we checked into the DLH, we asked for a room with a fireworks view and they gave it to us. We faced the parking lot but the park was to the right and we could see them and the tv had a channel that played the music. Kids watched them in PJ's and then right to sleep.

Tuesday was MM so we were at security by 7:30 and at rope drop. Walked onto Peter Pan then Dumbo. DH and DD6 rode Teacups and then Matterhorn. We all rode Alice then Mr. Toad all with little or no lines. By this time it was around 8:50 and we walked over to Autotopia which was just opening. That was pretty lame - would recommend skipping that one. Then we rode Buzz 3 times with less than 5 minute lines each time.

EXCELLENT MAGIC MORNING TOURING.

& i agree with you on the putt-putt cars.


Then we stopped for breakfast and carried on to IASW. DS4 wanted to go again but we said no. We then explored Toontown and met Goofy, Minnie and Mickey. We walked back through the castle and over to DCA as we had 12:50 reservations for Ariel's Grotto. The kids met Ariel, Belle, Aurora, Snow White and Cinderella. It was magical for them. Then we went on all the rides in A Bug's Land and caught the 3:15 Playhouse Disney Live. That was awesome and highly recommended for anyone with a preschooler. Then went back to the hotel for a swim and had dinner in DTD - Tortilla Joe's.
Wednesday we went to Goofy's Kitchen for breakfast and met Goofy, Chip, Dale, Ballou, Alice and Jasmine. Then we were at DCA at 9:30. We went and saw McQueen and Mater and DH & DD6 rode Soarin -about a 10 min line when we were there. Shortly after rope drop, we went to TSMM and rode 3 times with about 5 minute lines each time.

VERY COOL....THAT'S BETTER (ON TSMM) THAN JUST ABOUT ANYONE WHO HAS EVER POSTED.

Rode the carousel and then headed back up. Stopped at a Bug's Land and road the train again.

HEIMLICH'S CHEW CHEW TRAIN?? I LOVE THAT RIDE.


Then went to Taste Pilot's for a snack. Shopped a little bit then went to see Crush's Turtle Talk. We also visited Minnie, Mickey, Goofy and Pluto in Candy Corn Acres as we walked through various times. Then went over and rode Monsters Inc. 3 times with less than 5 minute waits. We then had an early dinner at Rainforest Cafe and went back to the hotel to rest and get the kids costumes for TOTP.
The TOTP was fun but I was unimpressed with the candy. We got a good amount and only missed the stations near the Redwood Creek Trail. But the quality was poor. Very little chocolate and a ton of jawbreakers which I won't let my kids have. Most of the other stuff they don't like either. But the cavalcade was fun and being there at night was fun. Rode TSMM with a less then 5 min line and played the carnival games next door - prize was a handful of candy. I was glad we met most of the characters during the day as the lines were really long but it was nice to just walk by as we had already met them. As we were leaving, the DL fireworks had just started so we watched them from near the DCA exit.
A great trip and can't wait to go back again!

Great report....sounds like you all got to do all that you wanted (& some multiple times). As they get older you'll get to start doing BTMRR, SM, Screamin', Indy & all the rest.

Thanks for posting.

[PrincessSitka]

I loved your mini report.

[cari12]

Originally Posted by DisneyMomma81

I'm glad all went well! We would've been there those same days had we not visited WDW earlier this month. Do you think you'll go back soon? Looks like you skipped Splash, Thunder & Space ~ I understand Space with the Ghost Galaxy theming ~ Splash is DD's (6) favorite ride! She also enjoys Thunder and Space. Also my DD has been riding Matterhorn since she was 3 ~ your 4 year old should've given it a try - aw well there's always next time.

We didn't do those "big" rides as DS4 is 39.5 inches - we tried to do Thunder but he was under the line. Also, he gets very scared if rides are too fast. DD6 went on Matterhorn and although she was glad she did, she did not want to go on again. This trip was for them to experience the magic as little kids and if we do not make it back sooner, we will take them in a few years to do the bigger things. However, DH and I are tossing around the idea of going next Nov. to experience Disney Christmas - we just have to figure out how we will pay for it.

[deejdigsdis]

Loved your report! We can only hope for such luck with short lines when we go in a few weeks.

[DisneyMomma81]

Originally Posted by cari12

We didn't do those "big" rides as DS4 is 39.5 inches - we tried to do Thunder but he was under the line. Also, he gets very scared if rides are too fast. DD6 went on Matterhorn and although she was glad she did, she did not want to go on again. This trip was for them to experience the magic as little kids and if we do not make it back sooner, we will take them in a few years to do the bigger things. However, DH and I are tossing around the idea of going next Nov. to experience Disney Christmas - we just have to figure out how we will pay for it.

I see ~ you've got a little guy. DD's not tall at all but she's been tall enough for the 40 inchers for a couple years now ~ still not tall enough for Indiana Jones though ~ and that's fine by her! Good luck getting there next Nov.!

[FourOrchards]

Sound like you had an awesome time!
Get's me so excited about our upcoming trip!