3 day plan feedback needed

[kghigh]

We are going to be in SOCA for 10 nights at the end of August. My family consists of myself, DH and 2 DS ages 5 and 7. I am purchasing 5 day hoppers for DL and intend to also visit Universal Studios and Legoland.
I have been to SOCA before - this will be first trip for DH and DSs.
My MIL is joining us for the first 3 nights. This will be her first visit go DL (she keeps joking that she had to wait until she was 53 years old before she got to go).
My plan this far is as follows:
Day 1 - Friday - arrive LAX around 130 pm - pick up rental car and drive to Anaheim - check in and park kids at pool with DH and MIL - go to Walmart and pick up breakfast essentials and snacks for the week - spend some time at DTD and maybe have dinner at Rainforest Cafe - get kids to bed by 8.
Day 2 - Sat - dining reservation at Surfs Up at 710 am - hit DL park immediately after breakfast (I figure we should be good to go for park opening - no MME for us as MIL is only purchasing a one day pass) - play at park until 1 or 2 and then break for a few hours off site - return to park for 5 pm - Fantasmic and fireworks.
Day 3 - Sun - universal Studios - dinner at City Walk before returning to Anaheim
Day 4 - Mon - MIL departs LAX at 8 am - we do as we please for remainder of week.
So my question is this - should I be including CA park in my plan for MIL? Should I be putting out the extra money to visit the parks on Friday when we arrive so she has more time (I didn't want to do this and waste a full day of our own hoppers as we have enough time to do a full 5 days later in the trip). Am I pushing it to have a TS meal the night before our character breakfast?
Thanks for letting me post - looking forward to your comments.

 

[JandD75]

IMHO, if a person can do only one park, Magic Kingdom is the one to do. Also, since your children are very young, there will be lots of classic rides for MIL to do with them, Dumbo, Tea Cups, Peter Pan, Alice, etc. If she enjoys theme parks at all, she will have a GREAT time. Trying to fit in DCA would probably just exhaust her.

 

[Angrose]

I agree with PP, DL is the way to go for the MIL, she can skip CA. If she wants more time in the park, maybe she can hang back with your DH and see some shows, watch the parade, relax with a Dole Whip or Mint Julep, ride the Mark Twain... and then you and the kids can meet up with them later. Mickey and the Magical Map is a fun show, and the shows in Fantasy Fair are wonderful!
I also think TS in DTD the night before is a great idea! We did that when we were there last year and enjoyed hanging out in DTD (especially the Lego Store...beware!). We also went to the Rainforest Cafe. It gets busy in there, so go early or prepare to wait a bit. We did not enjoy our meal there, but to each their own.
Have fun!!