DCA with small kids??

[momto5inTX]

I have 5 kids (DD7, DS6, DD6, DS4, DD2) and we are taking them to DL for the first time in August!!!! I have heard that DCA is not very fun for young kids? Any comments? We are planning to do a 3-day park hopper, but my SIL (who lives in Pasadena) doesn't think it is worth it for our kids.

Thanks for any comments!!


Karen

 

[kaity230]

Welcome to the DIS!

I'm surprised you heard that - DCA has a LOT for younger kids to do.

Show wise -

The Pixar Play Parade is filled with character floats from all the Pixar Movies.

Your 7 year old may like the High school musical 2 parade?

Aladdin Show in the Hyperion (broadway style show) is very very well done. But if your 2 year old is at the jumpy stage there are a few parts that may scare her. You can preview it on Youtube if you're not sure. It's 45 minutes long but you can leave easily if anyone is getting squirmish.

Playhouse Disney live on stage - a fun show with the playhouse disney cast

Attractions:

Animation Academy - This whole area is so wonderful for kids of all ages! Definitely check it out! No lines, interactive, air conditioned fun And definitely check out the turtle talk show - your kids can talk to crush the turtle from Finding Nemo.

Monsters Inc - Cute dark ride about the movie.

Bugs Land - This whole land is great for little kids! It's themed to It's Tough to Be A Bug. The 3d show is great but too scary for the 2 year old and 4 year old. But there are a bunch of small rides in here for little ones and a water play area. (Heimlich's Chew Chew Train - slow moving "train" ride with fun surprises, Flik's Flyers slow moving up and down thing, Francis' Ladybug Boogie, Tuck 'n' Roll's Drive 'em Buggies, Princess Dot Puddle Park)


Jumpin Jellyfish

King Tritons Merry go round

Redwood creek challenge trail - play area for kids - so much fun with lots of little slides and activities. There is also a brother bear show that is very cute and worth seeing.



I really would recommend taking some time in DCA - it's also a nice break from Disneyland when Disneyland is crowded. Another suggestion is if you are going with dh or another adult to maybe take the two littler ones back for a nap while the more energetic adult takes the three oldest on some rides the little ones won't be up for

Any more specific questions just ask!

And have fun!

 

[kaity230]

Oh and also if you are going for 3 days anyway the only way to go is a parkhopper - buying three single day tickets would be more expensive.

 

[momto5inTX]

Thanks for the info. My girls will LOVE the HSM2 parade (they can't wait until October for HSM3!).

It sounds like there are tons of fun things to do. I can't wait!! I know we will have a blast (if we survive the 21 hour drive from TX).

Thanks!

 

[wannagoback]

I just took my 3 year-old daughter in March and the things she enjoyed most were in DCA - the Aladdin Musical, Playhouse Disney Live (we went twice!), Pixar Parade, Bugs Land, Turtle Talk with Crush. I think it is definately worth the trip with the little ones!

 

[kiwi1]

My 4 year loved it and I'm sure you'll find plenty for them.

 

[honeymom]

At one time that might have been true, but there really is a lot now as other posters have mentioned.

Out of all of the DL and WDW playgrounds, Redwood Creek Challenge Trail is my kids absolute favorite, btw.

 

[Monkey Monkey]

I always plan to hop over to DCA with my 3yo when we take day trips to DLR. As the PP explained, there is a LOT for little ones there! Another bonus is that since it's less crowded, it's easier to get pictures with the characters. The picture in my signature was taken in front of the Animation Building.

 

[grizbuzz]

I'm going to hae to agree that there is lots to do for young kids at DCA. My 3 and 5 year old DSs love the Redwood Creek Challenge, Playhouse Disney, Monsters ride, Aladdin and the Pixar parade. My 5 year old loves Soarin' and I love the fact that the park isn't so crowded. I find Bug's Land to be not so exciting, but the kids like it. Although my younger one was pretty terrified of the Bug's Life Show (3D bugs flying at him in the theater ), so I wouldn't necessarily recommend that one for little kids.

I vote for the 3-day park hoppers

 

[JadeDarkstar]

dont miss aladin excpicaly since it seems they will be moving it soon or cancleing it. so enjoy it while you can

 

[bumbershoot]

dont miss aladin excpicaly since it seems they will be moving it soon or cancleing it. so enjoy it while you can

Intresting, on another board someone mentioned that disneyland is going to be holding Aladdin auditions soon. Here at the dis people have been talking about Aladdin ending, but with auditions being held for it...wonder what that means!


DCA is fabulous for little ones. Just bring extra sets of clothing, including underwear and shoes/socks, along with a towel or two, and let 'em have fun in the water areas at bug's land!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I have a 3 year old and a 17 month old and we go to DCA pretty much every visit - which seems to have become a habit of once a week/every two weeks lately!

They love the whole park. My 3 year old tries to participate in the HSM Show/Parade every visit. If you catch it at the front - sit next to the information booth in the corner of the performance area and your kids will get picked almost every time (they basically take over 40 kids up each show, multiple times during the show)! Also, if you miss that one, or can't get a seat near the front, go over and catch the 2nd stop by Golden Dreams - that one never fills it's audience area!

Also, don't forget their swimsuits and waterproof shoes for the fountains in DCA. There are several splashing places - a big one that looks like a crop irrigation unit in the Bountiful Harvest area, a leakky garden hose in Bug's Land, and a small creek in the Redwood Area. My girls love those! FYI - the cast members will be on the look out like hawks to make sure the kids are wearing shoes.

The Grizzly River Rapids also allows Child Swap, and it will definitely have the longest line in the park in August. Let the older/taller ones get wet a couple times in a row by using it! That way they can be as comfortable without the "embarrassment" of playing in the "kiddie sprinklers".

We like to go into the animation building for the activities, but especially love it for the quiet, cool downtime in it's lobby. I admit that I haven't been in it since right before they had the special Snow White exhibit, but they have huge screens all around the room that the kids love to watch.

No one said this yet, but the lap bars on TSMM go incredibly low for the 2 year old - my youngest is held in very tightly. If the line is around 40 minutes or so, it's a really good option for the whole clan. The little ones even get a virtual prize at the end of the ride, just like the serious shooters do. Makes them feel really good!

Have a great time!!!!!
Nancy

 

[Hound 109]

I have 5 kids (DD7, DS6, DD6, DS4, DD2) and we are taking them to DL for the first time in August!!!! I have heard that DCA is not very fun for young kids? Any comments? We are planning to do a 3-day park hopper, but my SIL (who lives in Pasadena) doesn't think it is worth it for our kids.

Thanks for any comments!!


Karen

Welcome to the DIS!

I agree with all of the above. DCA is a great place to visit late morning / early afternoon after it gets more crowded at DL (& before your afternoon break/nap).

Here's a link with alot of valuable info to review if you haven't already done so (best read with park maps & the abreviation page handy):

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483


Have a great time planning a visit to Walt's Park.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Intresting, on another board someone mentioned that disneyland is going to be holding Aladdin auditions soon. Here at the dis people have been talking about Aladdin ending, but with auditions being held for it...wonder what that means!

Yeah, they are. I check the disney auditions site frequently and they're auditioning for all characters (Aladdin, Jasmine, Genie, etc..) and are holding auditions in Hollywood and NYC. So it doesn't sound like they would be ending anytime soon.

 

[Brady's Mom]

My little kids love DCA. Heimlich is a ride that's talked about almost daily at our house. I don't understand the excitement, but I am also not 3 1/2!! HEHE. We have never really used the water feature in DCA, because it hasn't been really warm when we've been there and so my kids are a little hesitant. But, my 6 year old was tall enough for GRR this last time we went and chuckled the whole time he was on it! My DH thought he was so funny, because he is sometimes a very serious kid.

My favorite picture of my family at DL is where all of my boys including DH are in the Chinese food box on Flix Flyer's. My DH is Chinese, so to me it is very funny.

We haven't tried the Challenge Trail yet, must put that on my list!

 

[momto5inTX]

Thanks for all of the information. We will definitely buy the 3-day pass. My kids spent about 2 hours online today looking at everything DL and DCA have to offer. They have already decided which rides look great and which ones are "freaky" (as my DD7 loves to say).

Thanks again. I can't wait to get to DL!!