Advice Please!! First trip with a little one - Our niece's first trip to Disneyland! (May 3rd-8th)

[georgiesmum]

We schedule a day that's just for our DD who was 5 on our last trip. She dresses up, does BBB and meets as many of the characters as we can find. We do the Fantasyland rides, Toontown, Fantasy Faire, Pixie Hollow and watch the shows and parades. If we finish early we do some of the more grown up rides, but for that day it's all about her experiencing the magic. For your niece, it will depend on whether she's more into characters or rides. I would think at her age she'll still love the characters. Use the app and don't forget the autograph book - we leave a blank page beside each autograph so we can put the photo we took of her with the character next to the autograph - and don't rush her, let her enjoy what she's doing, it doesn't matter if she misses something, she won't even know! Have fun, Disneyland with a little one is a whole new experience!

 

[cinderelly828]

We schedule a day that's just for our DD who was 5 on our last trip. She dresses up, does BBB and meets as many of the characters as we can find. We do the Fantasyland rides, Toontown, Fantasy Faire, Pixie Hollow and watch the shows and parades. If we finish early we do some of the more grown up rides, but for that day it's all about her experiencing the magic. For your niece, it will depend on whether she's more into characters or rides. I would think at her age she'll still love the characters. Use the app and don't forget the autograph book - we leave a blank page beside each autograph so we can put the photo we took of her with the character next to the autograph - and don't rush her, let her enjoy what she's doing, it doesn't matter if she misses something, she won't even know! Have fun, Disneyland with a little one is a whole new experience!

Thanks for the feedback! I think that's pretty much our plan. We're gonna follow her lead!!

 

[elaine amj]

One thing to consider is food. Little ones can get CRANKY without regular meals. I'd be a wee bit concerned about the 2:30 AG meal...that's pretty late for lunch. Her parents would know her best though so check with them for best strategies to manage that (heavy snacks earlier, etc).

It is so awesome u are getting to do this - I'm paying close attention to the tips too since I am doing something similar this August - except to WDW! AND I am doing a one on one date night with her too! Also, like u - I have never taken a little kid before. My kids were 8and 9 on our first trip. Plus, they are teens now and I just don't remember what little kids were like.

We live really far from my niece so I've only gotten to see her 2x. So, from the time she was born, I have been plotting to take her to Disney. This August, it is happening!!!! My brother, SIL, and 3.5yr old niece will be flying to meet us in Orlando for 2 amazing weeks.

My SIL just told me she is ordering us all matching Mickey shirts Plus, she has been working hard to introduce my dear niece to all things Disney. She has learned to LOVE Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. I sent a stuffed Mickey with her name embroidered on it for her birthday and she adores it now. I also sent a big collection of tiny Princess dolls and she has been learning who is who.

I have been planning earlier dinners (based on her usual mealtimes) and really trying to take into account her regular schedule. Am also planning to allow a bit more time between rides to "stop and smell the roses" as well as to accommodate for little kid things. And planning for time on playgrounds and such to allow for free play and running around.

Anyway, have a blast!!! I'll be following this thread for more ideas.

 

[cinderelly828]

One thing to consider is food. Little ones can get CRANKY without regular meals. I'd be a wee bit concerned about the 2:30 AG meal...that's pretty late for lunch. Her parents would know her best though so check with them for best strategies to manage that (heavy snacks earlier, etc).

It is so awesome u are getting to do this - I'm paying close attention to the tips too since I am doing something similar this August - except to WDW! AND I am doing a one on one date night with her too! Also, like u - I have never taken a little kid before. My kids were 8and 9 on our first trip. Plus, they are teens now and I just don't remember what little kids were like.

We live really far from my niece so I've only gotten to see her 2x. So, from the time she was born, I have been plotting to take her to Disney. This August, it is happening!!!! My brother, SIL, and 3.5yr old niece will be flying to meet us in Orlando for 2 amazing weeks.

My SIL just told me she is ordering us all matching Mickey shirts Plus, she has been working hard to introduce my dear niece to all things Disney. She has learned to LOVE Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. I sent a stuffed Mickey with her name embroidered on it for her birthday and she adores it now. I also sent a big collection of tiny Princess dolls and she has been learning who is who.

I have been planning earlier dinners (based on her usual mealtimes) and really trying to take into account her regular schedule. Am also planning to allow a bit more time between rides to "stop and smell the roses" as well as to accommodate for little kid things. And planning for time on playgrounds and such to allow for free play and running around.

Anyway, have a blast!!! I'll be following this thread for more ideas.

Good point on the food. I get super cranky when I don't eat too. I'm constantly telling my husband, "I'm sorry for the things I said when I was hangry." So I'm sure we'll be stopping for lots of snacks and bringing some stuff with us too.

That sounds so fun with your little niece!! DH and I got to do WDW in November and had such a great time. It will be so great for you to have bonding time.

I love the matching shirts idea!! That'll be so fun! I'd love to get our group to do that but DH said it was a fat chance.

We're sending DN a fun Disney filled package tomorrow and I'm so excited! (Check out my trip report - link in signature - I've got pictures of what's in it) As soon as she gets the package we'll be Skyping with her to tell her about the trip!! She doesn't know yet and I can't wait to surprise her!

Glad to have you following and I'm excited to hear more about your trip too!!

 

[elaine amj]

Good point on the food. I get super cranky when I don't eat too. I'm constantly telling my husband, "I'm sorry for the things I said when I was hangry." So I'm sure we'll be stopping for lots of snacks and bringing some stuff with us too.

That sounds so fun with your little niece!! DH and I got to do WDW in November and had such a great time. It will be so great for you to have bonding time.

I love the matching shirts idea!! That'll be so fun! I'd love to get our group to do that but DH said it was a fat chance.

We're sending DN a fun Disney filled package tomorrow and I'm so excited! (Check out my trip report - link in signature - I've got pictures of what's in it) As soon as she gets the package we'll be Skyping with her to tell her about the trip!! She doesn't know yet and I can't wait to surprise her!

Glad to have you following and I'm excited to hear more about your trip too!!

Yeah, I'm super super excited to spend time with my niece Planning has been interesting though - trying to take into consideration all the wants and needs of such a big group. Mine is a massive 2 week extravaganza so there's a crazy amount of details!

I love the sound of the Disney package you are sending your niece! You've got a whole lot of awesome pink goodies in that bag I'm also planning to send my niece a wee little something (postage is $$ since they live in the UK). I bought a little photo album from the dollar store that I'm planning to turn into a planning book for her - with pics of where we are going, things we might be doing, etc etc - stuff to help her get a bit of a sense of what is going to happen. My SIL has told her she is going to WDW but she's only 3 and nonverbal so hard to say what she understands. I'm also going to add some autograph pages in there so she can also use it as her autograph book. When I was in Disney last year, I picked up a little postcard for her and plan to use it for a personalized invitation from Mickey Mouse.

 

[cinderelly828]

Yeah, I'm super super excited to spend time with my niece Planning has been interesting though - trying to take into consideration all the wants and needs of such a big group. Mine is a massive 2 week extravaganza so there's a crazy amount of details!

I love the sound of the Disney package you are sending your niece! You've got a whole lot of awesome pink goodies in that bag I'm also planning to send my niece a wee little something (postage is $$ since they live in the UK). I bought a little photo album from the dollar store that I'm planning to turn into a planning book for her - with pics of where we are going, things we might be doing, etc etc - stuff to help her get a bit of a sense of what is going to happen. My SIL has told her she is going to WDW but she's only 3 and nonverbal so hard to say what she understands. I'm also going to add some autograph pages in there so she can also use it as her autograph book. When I was in Disney last year, I picked up a little postcard for her and plan to use it for a personalized invitation from Mickey Mouse.

That sounds so cute! I love the idea of the postcard from Mickey!

 

[lcp9]

It's been a while since we've been. Do they still do a M&G after if you stay in the theater after? I remember that is how we met Belle a few years ago...

They did a couple years ago with Rapunzel and Flynn - but the last two times we've been (5/2016, 11/2016) they did not. I don't know if it's different now with belle there and wanting to promote the movie!