2 Questions: Rapunzel & Birthdays

[Heatherwags]

My little one is turning 4 on Sunday. We had planned a party and none of her friends or cousins could come. The fun of birthdays before Christmas . She was so sad. We decided to use miles and plan a last minute trip to DL this weekend to celebrate. We will only be there Sat/Sun, so we want to make sure to hit the things she wants!

We've never been to DL (just WDW)- and I had two questions. I did a search, but didn't see anything recent.

-Birthdays... at WDW you get a birthday button and every now and then CMs give you little perks (FPs, etc). I'm assuming she can get a birthday button at DL too. Does anyone know if there are any perks with the "birthday button" and what they might be?


-We were at WDW recently and didn't get to see Rapunzel. It's all she keeps asking "Mommy, can I see Rapunzel in DL?" The threads for the M&G are older on here- and I"m wondering if anyone has been recently? How bad/long were the lines? Any tips on when the best time to go is? I'd greatly appreciate it!
We're staying on property and hoping to get there early both days.


Thanks for the help!! I am excited, but feel so unprepared!!

 

[Vala]

Yes, you can pick up a birthday button at City Hall or Guest relations (some stores, restaurants and hotels also have them) as you know it from WDW.

One really can't tell if you'll get perks or not. There's nothing guaranteed.

One of my local friends says she always has people wishing her happy birthday and that's it. Her boyfriend on the other hand was only wearing his button once and the Jungle Cruise skipper made the whole boat sing happy birthday for him.

Normally if you have restaurant reservations your daughter should get a little treat (I got one beignet at Café Orleans) if you mention during making the reservation that it is her birthday, especially if she's wearing the button.

Personally I've had anything happen from being given a Year of a Million dreams pin to a more or less private photo session with Goofy. But like I said above, nothing is guaranteed.

I was in the parks the week before Thanksgiving and Rapunzel was still doing her usual Meet and Greet in Fantasyland. The lines weren't really bad, we never waited more than half an hour.

 

[skiingfast]

[-Birthdays... at WDW you get a birthday button and every now and then CMs give you little perks (FPs, etc). I'm assuming she can get a birthday button at DL too. Does anyone know if there are any perks with the "birthday button" and what they might be?

Yes DLR has the pins too. No perks in DLR either, but lots of birthday wishes is a sure thing.

-We were at WDW recently and didn't get to see Rapunzel. It's all she keeps asking "Mommy, can I see Rapunzel in DL?" The threads for the M&G are older on here- and I"m wondering if anyone has been recently? How bad/long were the lines? Any tips on when the best time to go is? I'd greatly appreciate it!
We're staying on property and hoping to get there early both days.

Haven't heard recently but lines were long so it ws best early or late during the parades. It will only be helpful if someone knows information from near Thanksgiving of last weekend since crowds will be picking up and it will be busy on your visit.

 

[Vala]

It will only be helpful if someone knows information from near Thanksgiving of last weekend since crowds will be picking up and it will be busy on your visit.

The half hour I gave is from November 21.

 

[kirstie101]

We'll be there this weekend also and DD also wants to see Rapunzel. I'm hoping the lines are reasonable, but when we were there in late October, even on the week days the line was always 90 minutes when we walked by.

 

[deesquared]

We visited Rapunzel last week. I think it was Thursday morning. We lined up at 10:40, which is 20 minutes before Rapunzel is even there, and the line up was already 75 minutes. It was our biggest time waster of our whole trip!
If you have someone who can wait in line for you while you take your daughter on some rides, that would be the best solution.
Hope you have a nice trip!

 

[Disneyland 1951]

The wait for Repunzel is always long (30-45 minutes). It is shorter in the morning.
Since there is only one Repunzel it takes longer, as she takes 15-20 min breaks every hour. It is well worth it for a fan.
The line usually goes faster than listed.

If your kid is outgoing and asks about things in the movie, you can have several minutes of great interaction.
If she is too shy, ask Repunzel about Flynn, Pascal, the Frying Pan on the wall, where is Pascal... it is great fun.
If Flynn is there, ask to see her taria, he keeps it in his bag.

Here she is trying it on....

Otherwise: its hello, what ride did you go on?, lets take a picture..... NEXT.

If you are passing by and have a few minutes, and the door is closed, go to the exit of the restaurant.
She travels to and from there to the backstage entrance just past the bathrooms. She will walk by, say hi, and sign if asked correctly.

Video Link
http://youtu.be/CKpzB5iT_Bs

Ps; For the other Princesses, you have the Fantasy Faire, Arials in DCA,
or look for them on the side paths of the Castle.
They are out in the middle of the day and often go unnoticed.

 

[Vala]

If Flynn is there, ask to see her taria, he keeps it in his bag.

I knew I had forgotten about something.

I agree about the line moving faster than listed. When we left the line it was showing 75 minutes, but the CMs were saying in reality it was closer to 40.

Also I agree on the interaction. I had done drawings to get signed and Flynn ended bartering his off of me. It was his Wanted poster and he was so impressed I had got his nose right. He really took his time with me.

 

[Eeee-va]

I think I'd get in line for the meet-and-greet at your earliest opportunity (20 or 30 minutes before it opens sounds like it'll be OK). May not be the most fun for you, but if it's the one thing your daughter really wants to do, I think it's fair!

(I'm not still bitter about that time I wanted to ride the temporary Rescue Rangers Raceway Autopia overlay and then there was an earthquake and the family I was with moved on to San Diego, scared of aftershocks, so I NEVER got to ride it. Not bitter at all. )

 

[Heatherwags]

Thank you all for the info! we'll be sure to get her a button. She's going to be 4, so even just having people say Happy Birthday to her will make her day


For Rapunzel, I appreciate the tips. So it sounds like there are not FP's for the line then? I was hoping there might be. Shucks. Ok, we'll I'll try to scope out the "open/start" time and see if we can do that one right away. since it's her "one thing to do" I'd like to really get it in.

I'm hoping to go download an app for my iphone that might give tips too. I keep hearing about RideMax (vs Mousewait) so need to see if they also give the character wait times too.

 

[Heatherwags]

The wait for Repunzel is always long (30-45 minutes). It is shorter in the morning.
Since there is only one Repunzel it takes longer, as she takes 15-20 min brakes every hour. It is well worth it for a fan.
The line usually goes faster than listed.

If your kid is outgoing and asks about things in the movie, you can several more minutes of great interaction.
If she is too shy, ask Repunzel about Flynn, Pascal, the Frying Pan on the wall, where is Pascal... it is great fun.
If Flynn is there, ask to see her taria, he keeps it in his bag.
Here she is trying it on....

Otherwise: its hello, what ride did you go on?, lets take a picture..... NEXT.

If you are passing by and have a few minutes, and the door is closed, go to the exit of the restaurant.
She travels to and from there to the backstage entrance just past the bathrooms. She will walk by, say hi, and sign if asked correctly.

This is great info too! My daughter is very shy, but we'll try to help her with the conversation. She'd love it!!

 

[Hoku]

Since Rapunzel is that important to her, I don't think anyone will mind the line too much. We went through the line 2X when we went last November so my 4-year old could see Flynn, who wasn't there the first time. The sign always said it was a long wait, but it never seemed that long. That might have been in part because we accepted the fact that we would be waiting, and also because there are a couple of ways that the kids can keep entertained along the way. Nothing spectacular, but they've got a little tower that the kids can run around in for part of the line and then some rock walls that they like to try and climb. Whatever the case, I'm sure your daughter will feel complete after she's had the "meet" she's been waiting for. BTW, our daughter's birthday is this weekend, too! It's on Saturday and she'll be 5.

 

[Disneyland 1951]

Today during the 2:30 Christmas Parade the line for Repunzel had only 12 people in it. As soon as the Parade ended it filled up again.

 

[Greysword]

Warning: the Castle is SMALLL!!! ... just say'in so you aren't surprised

Otherwise, you'll do fine. Since it is a quick and unplanned trip, just go with the flow. DL is easier to do that, since there aren't really ADRs and the bulk of the crowd will be locals, who ebb and flow through the day.

Characters walk by, unattended, and there are ride you don't have in FL. you'll have fun.

Just be sure your DD tells her friends and cousins, "too bad you couldn't make the birthday party. It was a surprise trip to Disneyland for everyone that showed up."

 

[gr8leg8]

My MIL has a late December bday too.

We do an un-birthday party for her in June with cake and lots of hoopla.

Would a small gathering in June work for your family?