3 day Oct trip with 7 year old-looking for some suggestions

[txcorey]

I am heading back to Disneyland in October with my sister in law and 7 year old niece. We're staying at the HOJO and will be in the parks Oct 16, 17 & 18. This will be my first trip back since 2014, so a lot has changed! Since we are staying off property, I figured we would hit the non EE park first and then hop if needed. We are from Texas so the 2 hour time difference will make getting up early pretty easy. I know we will want to do the BBB with my niece. I was kind of thinking maybe a mid day appointment? Any experiences on what time is best? I don't really want to do it first thing in the morning since that's such a good touring time. I was also thinking we might try to do Clarabelle's Enchanted Halloween Dinner at Storytellers Cafe that evening since she will be dressed up. Any other ideas for after her princess makeover? We won't be going to the Halloween Party. It was already sold out when we confirmed our trip.

At MK we have sometimes booked pre park opening breakfasts to get ahead of the crowd. Any experiences with that at DL? I figure we will want to spend the majority of the time at DL, so I'm a little bummed that 2 of our 3 days have DL EE.

Any other must do's for a 7 year old girl? Thanks!

 

[twodogs]

EE at DL is not as impactful on lines as at WDW. Since it is only 30 minutes and since only Tomorrowland and Fantasyland are open for EE, the rest of the park is equal ground for everyone.

 

[Nonsuch]

…Any other must do's for a 7 year old girl?

Highly recommend the Napa Rose Princess Breakfast. Unfortunately, Napa Rose is undergoing a major refurbishment and the Princess Breakfast is temporarily relocated. Napa Rose is scheduled to reopen in Fall 2025, so might be available for your visit.

 

[Tinkaboo]

After you do BBB, make sure you go over to Royal Hall to meet the princesses...this seemed to be the natural progression when I was there last time. All the little princesses came to meet the grown up princesses and I'm sure that made for some spectacular memories for those little girls, as well as some great photo ops. It was so funny cause the line is pretty long and a lot of the dads were just placeholding in the line alone...some were wearing "Princess Security" t-shirts....really cute.

 

[wench]

There are no prepark opening breakfasts at DLR like they used to do at WDW. At DLR you can’t get reservations before the park opens. It’s a shame, those were the best.

 

[wench]

There are no prepark opening breakfasts at DLR like they used to do at WDW. At DLR you can’t get reservations before the park opens. It’s a shame, those were the best.

 

[irlandaise]

After you do BBB, make sure you go over to Royal Hall to meet the princesses...this seemed to be the natural progression when I was there last time. All the little princesses came to meet the grown up princesses and I'm sure that made for some spectacular memories for those little girls, as well as some great photo ops. It was so funny cause the line is pretty long and a lot of the dads were just placeholding in the line alone...some were wearing "Princess Security" t-shirts....really cute.

Given that you saw more than one man wearing that shirt, it apparently wasn't something a dad had custom made. Does Disney sell them? They sure sound cute!

 

[mouschievous]

Given that you saw more than one man wearing that shirt, it apparently wasn't something a dad had custom made. Does Disney sell them? They sure sound cute!

I've seen them on Amazon

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

I've seen them on Amazon

I’ve also seen them on Etsy.