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

[theluckyrabbit]

Don't forget to get your DN a first visit button and her first set of ears!

 

[Xenorye]

Echoing the 'Every kid is different' sentiment. Took my daughter at 3.5 and she rode everything she was tall enough for (including Haunted Mansion, Snow White, and Toad) and LOVED everything. Took her for her 6th birthday and again she rode everything she was tall enough for (everything but Indy and Screamin', if memory serves), and loved everything except Tower of Terror. The ride itself didn't bother her, but she was afraid we were going to turn into ghosts... she was dead silent the entire time (and normally she's very vocal), and then afterwards she cried.

 

[BriannaRuth]

This reminds me of when we took our youngest (which is the one that tends to be a little less adventurous) on ToT for the first time. We got all the way to the top and she decided she couldn't do it, so I said I'd take her back down. Well you had to go back down in ... an elevator! Had a hard time convincing her this one was not haunted and would not drop!

This was at DW; the chicken exit at DL doesn't have an elevator if I remember correctly.

 

[cinderelly828]

This reminds me of when we took our youngest (which is the one that tends to be a little less adventurous) on ToT for the first time. We got all the way to the top and she decided she couldn't do it, so I said I'd take her back down. Well you had to go back down in ... an elevator! Had a hard time convincing her this one was not haunted and would not drop!

This was at DW; the chicken exit at DL doesn't have an elevator if I remember correctly.

I almost chicken out every time on ToT! That's too funny that the chicken route is an elevator!!

 

[starshine514]

Here are my thoughts so far for our itinerary -

Day 1:
DH & I hit MM in DL from 8 am - 9 am and get in some "big kid" rides if we can.
9:15ish - Meet up with sis/bro-in-law and DN at gates to CA to get in for RD
9:30 - Get in for RD? I've never done RD at CA so I'm not sure what time they let you in the actual gates

They usually open a little early, just like DL does. There isn't usually as much to do before park opening (we tend to meet characters before park opening at DL. None are out at DCA.

RD - Head to meet Anna/Elsa and Sofia/Doc McStuffins while DH goes and grabs us all RSR and WOC FPs.

Just remember to double-check their schedules on the app to make sure that they'll be out at park opening. I never head over that directions (we always head straight to Toy Story).

Ride Toy Story Mania
Ride Silly Symphony, Jellyfish, Zephyr, etc. at Paradise Pier and wait for RSR FP time
Head to Cars Land - ride RSR, Mater, Luigi
Grab Soarin' FP
Check on what time it is (any guesses on around how long this will all take?) and line up 45 mins-1 hour before either 12:30 Frozen Live show (if we can...this is probably pushing it...) or check out Monsters, Inc., Turtle Talk, have lunch, Bug's Land, etc. and line up by 2:30-2:45 for the 3:30 Frozen Live show.
At some point in there we'll use our Soarin' FPs.
After the Frozen show we'll see how little princess is doing and see if she wants to take a break. She may be ok after sitting for the show. Depending on what she feels like maybe send sis/bro-in-law and DN to their hotel (Grand Legacy at the Park right across the street on Harbor) to take a break/swim. We are staying further (Holiday Inn Anaheim Resort Area) so probably won't head to the hotel.
After break (or just after the show if everyone's energized) we'll hop over to DL.
Once we're in DL we'll probably just wander and see what DN is into and check wait times on the app. I'm guessing she'll want to meet the Princesses at FF, maybe hit up Toontown. What are your thoughts for good things to do around this time? Maybe Storytelling at Royal Theater (5 or 6:15?)? We're planning to do MSEP and Fireworks on the 2nd day so we don't have to worry about that.
Any dinner recommendations? We'll be snacking a lot (we always do), but we'll probably want something substantial at some point.
I'd love to hit up Pirates, HM, JC, BTMR, etc. if possible too. Am I being way too ambitious? And DUH, I just realized we'll need to hop back over to CA for WOC at 8:15. Crud. What time do you think we need to be there for a decent spot? Tips for this? Do we skip DL until after WOC? Ugh. DL closes at 11 pm so we could have a few hours to do some stuff (even if DN is wiped and it's just DH and I).

Play it by ear in the afternoon. We enjoy the Pacific Wharf area for dinner (several choices, so people can get what they like), so you may opt to just stay in DCA and wait for WOC. I don't know how long to wait for WOC. We've only seen it a couple of times. The first time was when it was new; we waited for an hour or so and were underwhelmed. The last time, we didn't get FPs and just walked up and were allowed into the viewing area for the second show.

Day 2:
Park opens at 9 am so we'll try to be at the gates at about 8-8:15 if at all possible.
RD - Head straight to Peter Pan (if DH/BIL want they can run and grab Space Mtn FPs)
Ride whatever Fantasyland Rides we can until 10:30
10:30 am - Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique reservation. We're bringing her 3 dress options from home for her to choose from and just doing the Crown Package. I'm guessing this will take 45 mins?

We haven't done BBB. You amaze me, wanting to bring in three dresses (plus wearing regular clothes). I would just have my kid wear her princess dress into the park (my younger ones do that just about every trip). Of course, I'm used to lugging stuff for three kids, so it might be easier with just one.

 

[cinderelly828]

They usually open a little early, just like DL does. There isn't usually as much to do before park opening (we tend to meet characters before park opening at DL. None are out at DCA.

Just remember to double-check their schedules on the app to make sure that they'll be out at park opening. I never head over that directions (we always head straight to Toy Story).

Play it by ear in the afternoon. We enjoy the Pacific Wharf area for dinner (several choices, so people can get what they like), so you may opt to just stay in DCA and wait for WOC. I don't know how long to wait for WOC. We've only seen it a couple of times. The first time was when it was new; we waited for an hour or so and were underwhelmed. The last time, we didn't get FPs and just walked up and were allowed into the viewing area for the second show.

We haven't done BBB. You amaze me, wanting to bring in three dresses (plus wearing regular clothes). I would just have my kid wear her princess dress into the park (my younger ones do that just about every trip). Of course, I'm used to lugging stuff for three kids, so it might be easier with just one.

Thanks for all the great feedback! I think we're going to have her pick which princess dress she wants to wear at the hotel so we're not lugging a whole bunch of stuff around. But we'll see how it goes!

 

[pharmama]

I always like to put in a pitch for Anna & Elsa Boutique instead of BBB. Especially if you are bringing your own dresses. I think the hairstyles are much cuter and its a bit cheaper. No sash but pretty much everything else is the same....

 

[cinderelly828]

I always like to put in a pitch for Anna & Elsa Boutique instead of BBB. Especially if you are bringing your own dresses. I think the hairstyles are much cuter and its a bit cheaper. No sash but pretty much everything else is the same....

That looks super cute. What is Anna & Elsa Boutique? I haven't heard of this!

 

[pharmama]

That looks super cute. What is Anna & Elsa Boutique? I haven't heard of this!

It's like BBB but is Frozen themed. It's located in DTD (where Studio 365 used to be if you remember that. Or perhaps easier landmarks are by the GCH entrance/across this walkway from Sephora). They do the mini-makeover with makeup, paint their nails and do their hair. I like the hairstyles a lot more than the variations on a ridiculously tight bun on the top of the head that the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique offers. They get to keep the makeup palette, nail polish, comb, crown and colored hair streak at the end.

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/shops/downtown-disney-district/anna-and-elsa-boutique/

They even managed something with my youngest who had pretty short hair at the time (thanks to my middle daughter's first venture into cosmetology )

 

[cinderelly828]

It's like BBB but is Frozen themed. It's located in DTD (where Studio 365 used to be if you remember that. Or perhaps easier landmarks are by the GCH entrance/across this walkway from Sephora). They do the mini-makeover with makeup, paint their nails and do their hair. I like the hairstyles a lot more than the variations on a ridiculously tight bun on the top of the head that the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique offers. They get to keep the makeup palette, nail polish, comb, crown and colored hair streak at the end.

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/shops/downtown-disney-district/anna-and-elsa-boutique/

They even managed something with my youngest who had pretty short hair at the time (thanks to my middle daughter's first venture into cosmetology )

Oh, awesome! We'll definitely look into that! Such a cute picture!

 

[lcp9]

My daughter is 5 1/2 and also princess crazed. A couple things:
1. since she's never been before, I would still recommend BBB over anna and elsa. with the fairy godmothers, etc etc it's just a little bit more magical.
2. We usually bring a dress for every day, so 3 is good try to have her (or her mom) pick out at least one that's shorter than the others that's more ride appropriate. For my daughter this was fawn and tinkerbell...it was just nice to sometimes not have a long dress to deal with.
3. it is totally possible to meet all of the princesses in 3 hours. It takes some planning and running, but it can be done. The day before we went I looked at the app to have a good idea of who met when and made a tentative schedule. The next day I checked for sure on the app and it went something like this:
9am (open) ariel at the wishing well -- meet ariel, then go to the back of the line to wait for princess change
9:30 aurora shows up (and by then you're about at the front of the line again)
10 - rapunzel in the courtyard
10:30 jasmine over at the oasis
11:10 tiana at NOS
11:30 merida at the courtyard
ran over to DCA for Anna/Elsa
at then at some point that day we went to the royal hall for everyone else.

Make sure to have an autograph book, and the skinny crayola markers work best for signatures.

We've now been quite a few times with my daughter, so it isn't as imperative that she meet all the princesses - usually we do royal hall, anna/elsa, and then maybe a couple more that she feels like seeing. Since this is your niece's first time though, I imagine she'll be really into wanting to see them. It's hard b/c your AG trip is near the end of your visit - you never know who will be there, otherwise you could just try to meet the ones you know you won't see. You might also try to schedule as many princess meetings as possible after the BBB trip. The princesses tend to talk to them a little more when they know they've done the makeover...as they should when they know you've spent $200. haha.

4. We also really like the plays in the royal theater. It's 20 minutes, and they're really cute and have a lot of humor for adults and kids. The kids get to sit up front on mats, and mine like that anyway.

Have a great time! It can be funny how the most outgoing kid who is obsessed with princesses can get really shy and awkward meeting character...so if it turns out you take her to see anna and elsa and she freezes up and won't say hi or whatever, take it as it goes and know that she will LOVE the pictures later and totally forget she was shy and awkward

edit: at this age she may also want to ride rides over meeting characters. you just never know. My daughter is kind of like that now, but I don't know if its because she's met everybody and it's not novel, or if the rides are just more exciting. She still loves BBB though!

 

[otten]

Our BBB reservation is scheduled for 10:30 and then I think we're going to see if there's anything quick and easy in FL and then head to Mickey's Magical Map before heading over to our AG lunch res, so hopefully her hair stays pretty for the princesses!

My 5 year old did BBB at MK in the fall and the hair stayed into the next day so you should be fine.

Definitely get a stroller. I would suggest bringing a cheap umbrella stroller not renting from Disney so that you can use it for the walk back to the hotel. They'll really want it then believe me.

 

[cinderelly828]

My daughter is 5 1/2 and also princess crazed. A couple things:
1. since she's never been before, I would still recommend BBB over anna and elsa. with the fairy godmothers, etc etc it's just a little bit more magical.
2. We usually bring a dress for every day, so 3 is good try to have her (or her mom) pick out at least one that's shorter than the others that's more ride appropriate. For my daughter this was fawn and tinkerbell...it was just nice to sometimes not have a long dress to deal with.
3. it is totally possible to meet all of the princesses in 3 hours. It takes some planning and running, but it can be done. The day before we went I looked at the app to have a good idea of who met when and made a tentative schedule. The next day I checked for sure on the app and it went something like this:
9am (open) ariel at the wishing well -- meet ariel, then go to the back of the line to wait for princess change
9:30 aurora shows up (and by then you're about at the front of the line again)
10 - rapunzel in the courtyard
10:30 jasmine over at the oasis
11:10 tiana at NOS
11:30 merida at the courtyard
ran over to DCA for Anna/Elsa
at then at some point that day we went to the royal hall for everyone else.

Make sure to have an autograph book, and the skinny crayola markers work best for signatures.

We've now been quite a few times with my daughter, so it isn't as imperative that she meet all the princesses - usually we do royal hall, anna/elsa, and then maybe a couple more that she feels like seeing. Since this is your niece's first time though, I imagine she'll be really into wanting to see them. It's hard b/c your AG trip is near the end of your visit - you never know who will be there, otherwise you could just try to meet the ones you know you won't see. You might also try to schedule as many princess meetings as possible after the BBB trip. The princesses tend to talk to them a little more when they know they've done the makeover...as they should when they know you've spent $200. haha.

4. We also really like the plays in the royal theater. It's 20 minutes, and they're really cute and have a lot of humor for adults and kids. The kids get to sit up front on mats, and mine like that anyway.

Have a great time! It can be funny how the most outgoing kid who is obsessed with princesses can get really shy and awkward meeting character...so if it turns out you take her to see anna and elsa and she freezes up and won't say hi or whatever, take it as it goes and know that she will LOVE the pictures later and totally forget she was shy and awkward

edit: at this age she may also want to ride rides over meeting characters. you just never know. My daughter is kind of like that now, but I don't know if its because she's met everybody and it's not novel, or if the rides are just more exciting. She still loves BBB though!

Thank you so much for all the amazing princess tips!! These are all so so helpful!

 

[cinderelly828]

My 5 year old did BBB at MK in the fall and the hair stayed into the next day so you should be fine.

Definitely get a stroller. I would suggest bringing a cheap umbrella stroller not renting from Disney so that you can use it for the walk back to the hotel. They'll really want it then believe me.

Fantastic! Yes, we're definitely going to have SIL/BIL bring a stroller. Happy kid = happy us.

 

[starshine514]

4. We also really like the plays in the royal theater. It's 20 minutes, and they're really cute and have a lot of humor for adults and kids. The kids get to sit up front on mats, and mine like that anyway.

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...

 

[cinderelly828]

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...

When we were there briefly for a few hours in February it looked like Rapunzel and Flynn were doing a Meet and Greet after their show.

 

[azdisneylover]

My humble advice: keep your niece on her nap/rest schedule. Whether you go back to your room (best option IMHO), relax in the lobby of GCH, rest in the Animation Building, or in the Tiki Room, keep her on her schedule. This will make the trip better. Have plenty of chapstick with sunblock as well as sunblock and, sip on water or a beverage often, don't wait until you feel thirsty.

 

[cinderelly828]

Does anyone have experience with the ART shuttle? DH and I will be taking it to and from the hotel and are hoping it's not too much of a hassle...

Also, I'm doing a PTR (and hoping to do my first TR!) for this trip if anyone cares to follow along. The link is in my signature.

 

[BriannaRuth]

What hotel are you staying at?

 

[cinderelly828]

What hotel are you staying at?

We'll be at the Holiday Inn Anaheim Resort Area.