Disneyland for beginners

[sleepywaldo]

We've booked flights to Anaheim for Feb 2015 for 10 days. We have three families travelling together with 4 little girls, ages 8,5, 4 and 2. I'm not a disney person at all (the whole point of this trip for me is to get the disney 'check box' over and done with) but I want to make sure the kids get the most out of this trip. A couple questions if you'd be so kind:

- We'd originally thought of doing 3 day passes, but now in reading it seems like there wouldn't be much to do after day one (unless we just keep going on the same rides?) is that a reasonable perspective? should we keep it to one day instead?

- what are the key attractions we should try to see for young girls? highlights?

- I've heard about a 'makeover as a princess' thing. how do you get into that? do I buy tickets in advance? just show up?

- ditto on the eating with a character thing.

- I'm assuming February might be chilly for the beach? Any other attractions in the area?

- any other recommendations for the trip?

 

[honeylove]

- We'd originally thought of doing 3 day passes, but now in reading it seems like there wouldn't be much to do after day one (unless we just keep going on the same rides?) is that a reasonable perspective? should we keep it to one day instead?

I would do a minimum of 2, honestly. With that many people traveling in the group, I would keep the 3.

- what are the key attractions we should try to see for young girls? highlights?

Princesses.

- I've heard about a 'makeover as a princess' thing. how do you get into that? do I buy tickets in advance? just show up?

You need to call Disney reservations, it's called Bibbity Bobbity Boutique, it's in the castle.

- ditto on the eating with a character thing.

There are many options, with girls, Ariel's Grotto as they have Princesses there, we like Goofy's Kitchen and Minnie and Friends; that's Disney Dining, you need to call.

- I'm assuming February might be chilly for the beach? Any other attractions in the area?

Yes, it can be... But temps fluctuate all the time in SoCal. I take the kids to Knott's Berry and Universal.

- any other recommendations for the trip?

You can always visit some good museums too, California Science Center is awesome, Aquarium of the Pacific, etc. (http://www.museumsla.org/)

 

[sleepywaldo]

- We'd originally thought of doing 3 day passes, but now in reading it seems like there wouldn't be much to do after day one (unless we just keep going on the same rides?) is that a reasonable perspective? should we keep it to one day instead?

I would do a minimum of 2, honestly. With that many people traveling in the group, I would keep the 3.

- what are the key attractions we should try to see for young girls? highlights?

Princesses.

- I've heard about a 'makeover as a princess' thing. how do you get into that? do I buy tickets in advance? just show up?

You need to call Disney reservations, it's called Bibbity Bobbity Boutique, it's in the castle.

- ditto on the eating with a character thing.

There are many options, with girls, Ariel's Grotto as they have Princesses there, we like Goofy's Kitchen and Minnie and Friends; that's Disney Dining, you need to call.

- I'm assuming February might be chilly for the beach? Any other attractions in the area?

Yes, it can be... But temps fluctuate all the time in SoCal. I take the kids to Knott's Berry and Universal.

- any other recommendations for the trip?

You can always visit some good museums too, California Science Center is awesome, Aquarium of the Pacific, etc.

Thanks!
is there a ride named 'princesses' or an area or do they just have characters wander around and you take pictures with them. I'm not sure if the 8 year old will still like them, but the 5, 4 and 2 year olds will be over the moon.
Do you spend the whole day on rides or is there something else to do?
How far in advance do you book that dress up thing? is it a day or two before or should I book now?

 

[EKGinNYC]

As you are going to DisneyLAND, you should probably post on the DisneyLand forum rather than here. You will get some confusing info otherwise, I would think.

go up to the top of the home page, click the "Forum" button towards the right and then scroll down for the Disneyland threads. They will have green frames/backgrounds instead of the blue you see here.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[laughinplace199]

If you're going to go to Disneyland and California Adventure (they are both Disney parks and right across from each other), 3 days would be perfect! There's a lot to see and do!

Head over to the Disneyland section of the DIS - there are lots of helpful people there!