Booked DL trip - what should I do right now?

[eskgwin]

I just booked our trip to DL for the last week of July. We have 4 day park hoppers and are staying in the Paradise Pier Hotel. We have 3 girls ages 8,8 and 10. They are really not into princesses anymore so I am not sure if I should book any sort of character meal. Is there anything I should be doing now? I feel like I should be doing stuff and have no idea what to do. Thanks.

Allyson

75 DAYS!!!!

 

[mommyof2boys1girl]

Do a little happy dance - you're going to Disneyland!

Beyond that, I started:
- gathering stuff I would need for the trip - ponchos, lightsticks, travel sized toiletries, etc... in a big box

- making sure everyone had enough summer clothes (it was still winter here, and the summer stuff was packed away!)

- researching maps and itinerary plans to figure out what we could do in the time we had.

Most of all, have fun! I am so jealous!!!

 

[Jenn1116]

Make a list of everything you need such as chargers, batteries, memory cards, sunscreen, etc. Maybe they would be interested in another character meal such as Lilo and Stitch, Goofy's Kitchen, or Minnie and Friend's Breakfast? Do you need PS for any other restuarant such as BB or Rainforest? All PS can be made up to 60 days in advance. Do you need to purchase hats or sun visors? Does everyone have comfy walking shoes? Do new shoes need to be purchased and broken in before the trip? Have you budgetted for food and shopping each day? Have you considered Disney Dollars for your kids so they can do their own shopping? (kids love Disney Dollars!) Figure out what rides and attractions and entertainment are not-to-miss. Have you seen Billy Hill and the Hillbilly's?

Does this help?

 

[eskgwin]

What is BB and Rainforest? I am also confused about the early entrance day and PS (which I am guessing in priority seating). This is my first time at DL so I want it to be great. I am going to start lists and make sure we have stuff I can get now. Those were some great suggestions. I can't wait.




Allyson

 

[avalon451]

Hi, Allyson,

Read the sticky threads at the top of this forum page, especially Hydroguy's tips compilation. There is also a list of abbreviations (BB is Blue Bayou restaurant, Rainforest Cafe is a fun jungle-themed restaurant in Downtown Disney). The tips will really help you understand a lot!

Have fun planning!

 

[bumbershoot]

I am also confused about the early entrance day

Since you're staying at Paradise Pier, you will (unless something drastic changes and is verified by a trusted Dis human checking into the hotels and reporting back here) get access to each Magic Morning that happens during your stay (including checkin day if you get there ridiculously early and checkout day, if it's offered on those days). MM happens on the S and T days...Sat, Sun, Tues, Thurs.

When you booked your package, they will have told you about the one MM on your ticket, but that is irrelevant for you b/c of staying onsite; the travel package people aren't there at the hotels, so they don't know about that.

Other than that, MM means that you can get into DL an hour earlier than it opens to the public on those days...when we checked into PP last September, the Cast Member gave us a sheet of paper with the info about MMs on it, and told us exactly what days we had access. Very convenient!

 

[sbakersub]

In addition to the tips on this board, buy the 2008 Unofficial Guide to Disneyland and read as much as you can for the things that pertain to what you want to do -- rides, shows, places to eat. Don't bother with the when to go, hotels, and tickets sections of the book since you're already committed there and don't have time to go back over it all again. The book can make this all seem overwhelming, but it gives you a good place to start making sense of it all, and the touring plans the book offers give you some overall structure for your days if you like that when vacationing. And it's portable, so when you can't get to the Dis boards, you still have something Disney to read

 

[kaoden39]

Another book you might be interested in is the Passporter for Disneyland. It is a binder and you have pages to make notes on etc. It is written by Disney fans with contributers from different sites like this. It is very informative.

Michele

 

[Jenn1116]

OMg I got tagged!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:


Ok, back to DL plans...

 

[kaoden39]

OMg I got tagged!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:


Ok, back to DL plans...

Yay!

Michele

 

[ballarinamom]

Blue Bayou is a really cool restaurant that is INSIDE the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Check out allears.net to look at the menus for the different restaurants

 

[toocherie]

I just booked our trip to DL for the last week of July. We have 4 day park hoppers and are staying in the Paradise Pier Hotel. We have 3 girls ages 8,8 and 10. They are really not into princesses anymore so I am not sure if I should book any sort of character meal. Is there anything I should be doing now? I feel like I should be doing stuff and have no idea what to do. Thanks.

Allyson

75 DAYS!!!!

Allyson: since you're staying at Paradise Pier I would really encourage you to go to the Lilo and Stitch Character Breakfast that is right in your hotel--it and the one at Storyteller's (in the Grand Californian) are my two faves.

 

[Princesses3_bythesea]

Hi...sounds like a fun trip...be prepared also in case when they hit the park they might want to do the fun princess and character stuff. even if they say they're too old for it at home.

My daughters are 10 and 7 and even my nieces up to age 15 get a little jealous that they don't fit in the park's princess costumes!

 

[kaoden39]

My daughters who are 14 and 15 have such great memories of our character meals they love doing them. And our son who is 12 is also more than willing because he likes looking at the pretty princesses. They love the Goofy's Kitchen character breakfast because there is always so many different characters to see there.

Michele

 

[Danauk]

OMg I got tagged!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:


Ok, back to DL plans...

Whooooo.

BTW, if you do ever get to visit DLP you will love it!! My goal is to go to DLHK and DLT so I can say I have been to all 5!!

 

[farmfresh]

Just got back with my 10 year old and 8 year old girls. Both are definitely over princesses, but they still love the character meals. They enjoy interacting with the 'real' characters, eg Peter Pan, Aladdin, Jasmin, Alice, and have a sentimental spot for the others.

But if you really don't think it's for them, why not book Fantasmic seats instead?

 

[eskgwin]

I talked with the girls and they said they would love to see Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale and those kinds of characters. Now, I know there are places to have a character meal with some or all of those. I just don't remember what it is. We are leaving in 73 days so how much time do I have to decide where to eat and get the reservations we want? I want to thank everyone on here for all their help. I am such a novice at this and need all the help I can get. I am going to purchase one of the books recommended and read all of the tips in detail (I skimmed over them - there is a lot).

Thanks again.

Allyson

 

[bonita_babe232]

Goofy's dinner at disneyland hotel usually has all of them, and everyone here is happy to help as much as you need just keep asking and someone will know the answers!

 

[farmfresh]

Yes - goofy's is the place. Book by calling Disney dining, 30 days out. Bear in mind you can choose from dinner or breakfast there -we like dinner, just because we like to get up and going in the mornings.

You do have in park options - Ariel's grotto in DCA and minnie's breakfast at DL, also lilo and stitch at PP and Breakfast at Storytellers at GCh. We did the GCh breakfast this time, but think Goofy's is better.

At goofy's we saw goofy, pluto , peter pan, jasmine, chip and dale and minnie mouse - might also have been another princess but can't recall. On other occasions we have seen snow white, cinderella, aladdin, mulan, alice, max etc. Generally though chip and dale, goofy, pluto and minnie are there, with a changing selection of others. They will talk, sign autographs, and allow photos.

There are a couple of dance activities for kids to join during the meal - my ten year old watched and took photos, but the eight year old still joined in.

 

[kaoden39]

Don't forget the Mad Hatter too. He seems to be there everytime we are there.

Michele