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.

 

[Tinkaboo]

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!

Look on Amazon...there are tons of them, all different designs. It looked kinda funny cause there were just all these guys...now, I'm meaning like a half dozen or so...and I started to wonder " well......maybe they just want to meet the ladies, tooo"...and then here came all the little girls, fresh from being made into princesses, so tickled. One family had FOUR girls, each a different princess, Grandma was helping herd them...bet that set Grammy back some bucks! But I would do it in a heartbeat, too, if I had a granddaughter to spoil!

 

[LKing]

Do you know which princess she will want to be? I've seen some hilarious interactions between Gaston (who wanders around Fantasyland) and little girls who are made up as Belle.

At 12:15 pm, the Disneyland Band marches down Main Street and the characters accompany them. Guests can stand at the entrance of BBB and watch as the characters get ready for their march. It is only a 2-3 minutes, but it is fun to see. If you are planning a makeover for around that time, you might see if you can schedule it for just after this little gathering.

Below is a photo of the characters getting ready to join the band. They come from the tunnel behind the strollers and wait in this area until it is their turn to walk through the castle. They wave, interact at guests, blow kisses, act silly, etc. They perform for a song or two in front of the castle, then encourage guests to follow behind them as they march down Main Street. At the end of Main Street, in front of the train station, they stop and perform again.



This is a picture of where they perform at the end of Main Street (12:30 pm). This march is done daily but is not crowded like the parades. Note that if you are following the characters down Main Street, you'll be on the side and won't get this type of view. If you don't care about the march but want to see the show, try to be on the center island around the flag pole by 12:20 pm.

 

[citruscurtis]

Do not be afraid to rent a stroller on day 3...,it will make a world of difference and an evening dinner for a child who has been In the park all day..????. you are super close to your lodging..so go back and rest ,in the afternoon

 

[lalasmama]

Look on Amazon...there are tons of them, all different designs. It looked kinda funny cause there were just all these guys...now, I'm meaning like a half dozen or so...and I started to wonder " well......maybe they just want to meet the ladies, tooo"...and then here came all the little girls, fresh from being made into princesses, so tickled. One family had FOUR girls, each a different princess, Grandma was helping herd them...bet that set Grammy back some bucks! But I would do it in a heartbeat, too, if I had a granddaughter to spoil!

We're still 3 years away from taking our future-7yo granddaughter, but we take each grandchild the summer after they turn 7. It's their first "big" vacation-- plane ride, hotel, 6 days with just Grandma and Grandpa, no siblings/cousins/other kids allowed. Our oldest 3 grandkids came in rapid succession, 3 in the span of 4 years, so they don't remember a time without their brothers, so it was extra awesome for them getting to be a pretend-only-child for almost a week! My husband is always anti-coordinated-shirts, but he's agreed to the "Princess Security" the day she goes to BBB. We haven't taken any of our grandsons because dressing up wasn't their thing (but we were totally willing if they had asked). I can't wait, because, omg, it's going to be so exciting and fun. Like I said, it's 3 years away for her, and she's already practicing wearing Mickey ears whenever she has the chance, and watches the Disneyland Sing-Along Songs videos from the 1990s to get all ready for it. But, in no way could I imagine taking 4 kids at once! Big props to those families that can manage it! I'd go completely bonkers!

 

[BriannaRuth]

My daughters loved Storytime at the Royal Theater when they were around that age. Happens several times a day and will be on the entertainment schedule.

Storytime at the Royal Theater

They also do little comedic princess skits at the Royal Theatre outdoor stage in Fantasy Faire, just adjacent to Sleeping Beauty Castle and a little tucked behind Maurice’s Treats cart. These are a lot of fun. I'm not seeing them on the Disney website, but they may be on the app. Get there a little early and grab a treat from Maurice's to watch the show. My girls are 21 and 25 now and they still like to see these!