DL with a 1 year old

[KMH1]

Hi everyone! We're planning a May trip to DL and I wondered if anyone could share with us the special things you've done with small children.

We visited DL in 2001 and we've been to WDW many, many times, most recently in October (Alyssa was 6 months then).

Alyssa was crazy about the characters (hopefully this will still be the case), so we're planning on a few character meals.

Are the characters pretty visible in the parks? We weren't really looking for them in 2001, but I remember seeing a few around. Will we mostly see the Fab 5, princesses, and Pooh characters or are other characters (Pinocchio, Robin Hood, etc.) around too?

Thanks for your input in advance!
Amy

 

[carmel]

I don't have any valuable info. I just wanted to say that your daughter is a cutie-patootie!

 

[got2travel]

Arrive at opening and you'll usually find Alice, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, Peter Pan, Hook, Gheppetto (sp) and Pinochio or some combination right inside the front gates. Usually Mad Hatter will lead a stroller dance and some of the characters will play around too.

Go on through the tunnel and you'll find Pluto, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Mary Poppins, Bert scattered around Main Street.

In Tomorrowland you'll find Buzz Lightyear and somtimes Stich. Right next to Tomorrowland is King Triton's Garden (or is it fountains??) where Ariel has a shell to hang out on.

Next to the castle is Snow White's Grotto. She's there along with Aurora and Cinderella usually nearby. On the other side of the castle bridge, Belle and Beast hang out.

Right in front of Toontown, since it opens 1 hr later than the rest, you can find Pluto, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and sometimes Donald.

Critter Country has Pooh, Tigger, and Eeyore.

Jasmine and Aladdin can be found in Adventureland, although their 'area' is in rehab right now, so I'm not sure where they are.

Once I found the Evil Queen in Fantasyland. She was great, she will not break character, so you might want to stay away.

So all this to say, yes, you'll find them all over the park. The map will have some locations marked, as well as times that you can greet them. But you still have the opportunity for chance meetings too.

 

[KMH1]

Carmel, thanks for the compliment! We think Alyssa is pretty cute too!

Got2Travel, oh my goodness! Thank you so much for all the character details! I love your picture too! Kevin and I (Alyssa had fallen asleep) were able to pose with Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore in their Halloween costumes at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party in October at WDW.

Are there quite a few characters at CA too? In 2001, we saw Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald in their vacation clothes. Kuzco as out, because The Emperor's New Groove had just been released. And we met Chip, Dale, and Farmer Mickey after a show. Oh, and Minnie was in a aviator's outfit by an airplane. I think we met Flik too.

Thanks again!
Amy

 

[denyd]

My DS (he's 3) loves Small World. He likes the Storybook Boats, the Carousel & the Jungle Cruise and running around in Tarzan's Tree house. Winnie the Pooh was fun the first couple of times, but now he doesn't like any dark rides (Alice, Peter Pan, etc) as they seem to scare him. Also in DCA there's Playhouse Disney and most of the rides in Bug's Land.

You can somethimes find Woody & Jessie at the entrance to Frontierland (next to the Candy shop or my the restaurant).

 

[got2travel]

Oh yeah, I forgot about Woody and Jessie and sometimes even Goofy and Pluto in western wear, in Frontierland.

Amy, I always forget about CA. We don't spend a lot of time looking for the characters over there. I'll check it out this weekend (plane leaves in 4 hours ) and let you know. I do know that in the Sunshine plaza you can usually find Max, Donald, and Mickey. Lilo and Stitch are sometimes in the back of Paradise Pier by the pizza place. And I've heard that the Animation building has become a character mecca with about 10 characters at any time. From princesses to fab 5.

 

[BlueBayou]

got2travel had a very good listing where to find them. We were there the week of Dec 14th and the place was crawling with characters.

We did see a lot at DCA too. My husband was very excited about the incredibles. My daughter's were to sure about Sully from Monsters inc.

On our trip we saw:Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine, Aladin, Ariel, Belle, Beast, Alice, Mad Hatter, Mickey and Minnie; Pluto, Goofy, Tigger, Eyore, Pooh, Toy story folks.... I am sure I am missing some.

Sher

 

[KMH1]

Got2Travel,
How was your trip? I saw your post that you didn't have the greatest experience at the Princess Breakfast. What a shame it was so disorganized!

Sher mentioned The Incredibles were at CA...were they still there?

Anyone know if Thumper will be out since Bambi will be released on DVD soon?

Can you tell I'm obsessed with characters?!!

Thanks,
Amy

 

[WheresGoofy]

We like your matching tropical wear. My dw has been wanting me change our photo to one of us wearing the same outfits taken with Pirate Mickey on Pirate nignt during our DCL last November.

I am hoping our dd who will be 15 months old will enjoy the characters in February more than her 1 year birthday celebration at WDW and DCL vacation. She was going through a phase that if a stranger looked at her, she would cry. She did the best with Pluto, but with Genie...oh that was a screamfest.

 

[KMH1]

Thanks for the compliment Wheresgoofy! I only wish I would have thought to buy Alyssa the Disney Store tropical dress in a bigger size for this summer too.

Alyssa is turning one in April and my DH has a birthday in May, so I want to plan some birthday surprises too. Did you arrange anything special for your DD?

Thanks,
Amy

 

[WheresGoofy]

My dd's b-day was on the day we arrived in Cozumel. Pirate night was that night and was like a big birthday party in my mind. At the end of dinner, they brought her a big piece of cake with a white chocolate wave that had the Disney Magic picture on it in dark chocalate. We just had a magical day that day visiting Cozumel and hanging out on the ship. We doubt dd will be able to wear her dress again and we did not buy a larger size either.