Disneyland with a 5 year old and a 3 year old...need suggestions!

[foxykendra]

So, we are going on our first family trip to Disneyland in early October. My daughter is five, and my son is three. I can hardly wait for our trip, but I realized that I have never actually been to Disneyland with children before (!)

I thought we'd try to start off with an overview-type ride (the train?) so that they could get a sense for what Disneyland is all about, but beyond that, I haven't a clue.

Any suggestions for what we should (or should NOT) do?

Thanks!

 

[mo3bys]

When we went with our kids we started off with a Character meal at Goofy's kitchen. It helped break the ice with the characters. It also helped them to meet some of the characters early and we didn't have to wait in the lines to see them. We also paid the extra $5.00 per kid and had their 'unbirthdays' there and they received little goodie bags and a cupcake. It made their day

 

[lisadoll93]

My kids like DCA. They enjoy Minnie and friends breakfast. My advice bring a stroller, relax, take breaks, bring snacks.

View you tube, it will give them an idea.

HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!

 

[Princesses3_bythesea]

I'd say to be sure to plan for a nap/swim back at the hotel each afternoon...when the day is at it's hottest and you've made it through a morning of excited running around...it's nice to recharge before evening. Not to mention it's a good stratedgy to avoid meltdowns in the evening.

Make sure the kids know that this is the plan up front though, otherwise it can be tough to drag kids all hyped up on Mickey away from the park.

 

[dizneekrazee]

We are also going in October, and my youngest 2 kids will also be 3 and 5. I second the character breakfasts, although we never start with them. But since this is their first trip, I assume, that wouldnt be a bad idea. The DLRR is a good idea too, that way they can see the park and you can talk about it to them before you guys really get started. The monorail would be a good option too, if it is open. I will give you a list of some of my 2 little ones faves:

In DCA:
Anything in Bugs Land
Monsters Inc.
Soarin Over California (the 3 yo will most likely be too small)
Redwood Trails

In DL: (this list is quite longer):
Dumbo (the little ones fav!!)
Casey Jr.
Buzz
Autopia
Its A Small World (we still be closed though)
Mad Tea Cups
Storybookland Canal (I recommend riding at dusk or just after so the sun is not blazing down on you guys and you can see the houses all light up!!)
Mr. Toad
Jungle Cruise (3 yo may be frightened by the noise)
Peter Pan
Snow White
Pinocchio
Pirates
Haunted Mansion
Winnie the Pooh
Meet Mickey and Friends in Toontown

Suggestions to skip:
Nemo!!! My kids hate it. You are very squished, it is dark, some loud noises, and things (fish,etc.) suddenly appear in your little window! Both my little guys cried the whole time!!

Oh! And dont miss the parades or fireworks. My kids especially love the Electrical Light Parade in DCA, dont know if it will be operating when you are there though.

HTH!
PM me if you have anymore questions. My kids and I would love to answer!!

 

[S. S. Columbia]

I would just add:

King Arthur Carrousel
Alice in Wonderland
Gadget's Go Coaster
Mark Twain Riverboat

In DCA:
King Triton's Carousel
Muppet*Vision 3-D
Playhouse Disney - Live On Stage

Many young ones really love Autopia!

You might be surprised, but half way through your trip DD5 might be ready for the Matterhorn and Space Mountain.

For young ones, I would probably not recommend Star Tours.

HTH

 

[minniebeth]

Everyone has posted great suggestions for a 5 and 3yo.
My suggestion would be to get the kids excited and familiar with the rides BEFORE you go...(if it's not a surprise)
Watch Disney movies so they are familiar with the characters and story lines...
Order a planning DVD and watch it together, it has great clips of the rides/parks...
Get some planning books from the library or bookstore...
Go on the Disneyland website and show them the attractions, etc.
Watch the old "Disneyland Fun" sing along videotape or DVD (this really gives a great overview even though it is somewhat outdated!)
Ask someone to send you maps of the parks, and let the kids look at them, give input as to what they want to do...

This way, they are a little familiar with the rides, parks and attractions, and they are not overwhelmed by them. When they become a little familiar, the excitement builds and they feel like they have a part in the magic...

 

[foxykendra]

Wow, thanks for all the great suggestions!

 

[foxykendra]

I do have one question. I have to preface this by saying that it's been over six years since I've been to Disneyland (gasp!)...so I do not remember everything with great clarity (double gasp!!).

I don't remember Star Tours being very scary, but someone mentioned that I should stay away from it with little kids...? I believe you but I am wondering if anyone can share their experience (good or bad) on Star Tours with kids.

Thanks!

 

[letthembelittle]

We just took our 3 yr old and 1 yr old. I would say their favorite things were: meeting the characters, the Dumbo ride, the parades, the Playhouse Disney on stage show, and the Casey Jr train. I would bring lots of snacks and water and a stroller to store it all in. I would recommend watching the rides on YouTube to see what is a must do for you guys. Good luck and have a great trip!

 

[hungrybunnies]

I don't remember Star Tours being very scary, but someone mentioned that I should stay away from it with little kids...? I believe you but I am wondering if anyone can share their experience (good or bad) on Star Tours with kids.

Last year, my DS who was 4 1/2 went on it at WDW and loved it. He is really into Star Wars thanks to his older brother. The only problem we encountered was the 40" min height requirement. DS was just at the 40" mark. He was able to go on it once and when we tried again later in the day, he was under the 40". Same thing happened on BTMR. He was tall enough when we picked up our FP but by the time it came our time to ride, he was too short. He did manage a ride on Splash Mountain when we was on the tall side. It's funny my DS liked the thrill rides but he is afraid of the Haunted Mansion. I'm hope we don't have problems with the 42" min height rides when go to DLR in July.

 

[tortugaverde]

We took our 3 and 5 year old over spring break The love it!

My suggestions,
We loved Nemo! It was our longest wait (45 min) but they loved it! They still talk about it almost every day! I guess it depends on the kid.

Talk them through all the rides before hand. It had been a while since I had been there as well, so my memory was not exact. I just said things like "first, we will get in a seat. They will put a bar down on our lap to keep us safe. Then we will go in a dark room. Nothing will touch you but we will see Peter Pan (or whomever )." During the ride I could tell what was coming up next and I would tell them before hand. This eased any fears they had and they really enjoyed all the rides.

I recommend you NOT go to the Its Tough to be a Bug show. Before I began doing the advice I gave you above... we went to this "cute bug show" (as my mother in law called it). I had never seen it before and had no idea what to expect. I did not walk the kids through what was happening... and when the giant grasshopper came to life I had two very hysterical kids climbing up my body. I tried to calm then, but spiders dropped from the ceiling and we quickly left (as my mother in law was saying... "oh, are they upset?" ).

Use a stroller. Bring two!!!

Lots of snacks

Stop by city hall and get a "First time at DL" button.

Go to the Tiki room (just make sure you tell them about the storm!)

Ride Winnie the Pooh and most every thing in Fantasyland (aside from Snow White and Toads Wild ride).

The Jungle Cruise was also a big hit with my kids.

Do a character meal

Take naps... LONG naps, lol.

Thats all I can think of for now, I might be back

 

[S. S. Columbia]

... I don't remember Star Tours being very scary, but someone mentioned that I should stay away from it with little kids...?

... You might be surprised, but half way through your trip DD5 might be ready for the Matterhorn and Space Mountain.

For young ones, I would probably not recommend Star Tours. ...

Star Tours really isn't scary, but it can be a little bit rough. I know some adults who don't ride Star Tours.

I could have worded that better. I was mainly trying to say that I would definitely recommend the Matterhorn and Space Mountain.

 

[toyota]

We just got back from DL trip with our DD4 (her first trip). We learned:

1) They need plenty of sleep at night. We had to make a choice between early entry (7am on the days we went), and night time activities. She had to get 9 hours sleep. (Early entry won out).

2) As others have said, take a break midday for rest/swim/nap.

3) Take plenty of snacks and drinks with you into the parks.

Our dd measured about 41 inches, so she was able to go on (and thoroughly enjoyed) space mtn. (her fave), and splash mtn.

She also really liked Jungle Cruise, Autopia, Casey Jr., Toon town attractions, Tiki Room, Main st. vehicles- horse-drawn trolley and double decker bus, and the rail road. The Mark Twain riverboat is a good thing to do with kids.

The character meals save you time (no waiting in the character lines) and provide alot of interaction. Ariels Princess Celebration was great (interaction and food- breakfast). We also enjoyed Goofy's Kitchen, and I'm pretty sure it's the only one with characters at dinner. Don't quote me.

Have fun!

 

[bonita_babe232]

I think it depends on the child... When we went with my 3 yr old last year he did everything he could... he just couldn't do indy, grizzly river run and screaming, but he wanted to!!! But he loved all the ones he could doo!!!!!!!!!!! he did space mountain, starwars and runaway train TONS of times!!! I think it just depends on the kids... I took my 1 yr old on all the rides he could go on and he just looked around didn't get scared or anything but hes more laid back then his big brother ( the thrill taker) so i will see how he does with the big rides when we go next year.... I agree with most of the rides everyone else said, i would just judge how he likes the other rides as to do the big ones... You know your kids best and what they would/wouldn't like!!! Have a great trip!!!!

 

[mommyof2boys1girl]

We got back from our early May trip and I am still in shock over what their fav rides were! My ds1 (5 yrs) and ds2 (3 yrs) have their own favorites!

5 Yr old favs:
Buzz
Matterhorn
BTMRR
Space Mtn
Star Tours
Mulholland Madness
Splash Mountain!

3 yr old favs
Star Tours
Buzz (this one they agreed on)
Tiki Rm
Pooh
POTC (wanted more slides - ie drops!)

I was so surprised that my eldest turned out to be an adrenaline junky! He's usually pretty cautious - who knew?

That said, you also got pretty good advice from the pp's
Another vote for stroller - bring a DOUBLE OR TWO STROLLERS! We had a baby carrier for our youngest (19 mo) which we would strap her into for the long walk to/from the park, and the boys would ride. It's just too long to expect them to walk and not be dog tired. Transportation for each child is a must - even dh admitted this after our trip (I twisted his arm in the worst way to be able to bring the double stroller.....)

Another vote for naps/rest in the pm's. We went back to the hotel every day for naps, and though my kids do still nap at home, I would think this would be beneficial even to kids who don't usually nap - they get pretty tired with all the action and stimulation, and we noticed that exhausted, pushed too hard kids aren't good touring partners!

Also recommend snacks - good to pass the time while and older sibling is on a ride which younger sibling can't ride (there aren't always nearby appropriate rides, and splitting up can add a lot of wasted "where were you - we couldn't find you" time....(speaking from experience.... )

Also a tip we tried to stick to - if you are doing lunch at the parks, and it is a sort of busy type of day crowd wise, try either an early or a late lunch - the restaraunts are really busy between 12 and 1:30, and lines are LONG! We usually had a light early bfast, snacks mid morning and lunch by 11 - the longest I waited in a counter service line was about 1 minute, and that was our first day at Red Rockets when I couldn't find the juice boxes so the CM went to get them for me himself!

Most of the time our 3 kids shared a kids meal - the portions are quite large, and the kids were always more concerned about getting back out at the park than eating a large and complete meal!

Most of all, be flexible - your kids will freak out/not care about rides you thought they would love, and they will love rides you never thought they would care about! We did FL once, and neither child ever cared to go back! And I thought that would be their favorite place?!?!?!?!

Have a fabulous time! The ages of your kids will make this trip that much more magical for you! Seeing DL through the eyes of my children was the most amazing part of the trip for me!

 

[mo3bys]

Do these rides give you motion sickness? I have never been on them. Since it will just be my husband and myself this time, I can try them. But......I have a squemish tummy.....

 

[mommyof2boys1girl]

I am a terrible whimp when it comes to motion sickness - I walked off the Teacup ride looking pretty green!! So, yes, Star Tours did make me pretty queasy - too much like IMAX for me! But I didn't go on much else - except the kiddie rides, that is! Guess my 5 year old is tougher than me!!

 

[princessnicchia]

We went in March with a nearly 3 year old and a five year old. They loved the train and it was a great way to start out. Another thing for my kids (a pp was right you know your own kids) was to not be SO ride focused that we didn't get to explore all the statues and the store windows---all the little stuff they just loved looking at. They got a big kick out of Snow White's grotto---as an adult I just wouldn't even probably look at any of this stuff, but they love it.

 

[the donut]

My daughter (2) loves all forms of transportation: the monorail, the train, the various and sundry trolleys that go up and down Main St., and the Mark Twain. She loves Dumbo and the teacups in fantasy land.

I just posted about the animation building in another thread. If you're starting to feel a bit sun exposed, she really liked hanging out in the sorceror's workshop and was fascinated by the Toy Story zoetrope.