DL with an 8 y/o

[Hound 109]

Looks like my other post didn't take....sorry for the confusion. Hello DL board!

We'll be in SoCal late Sun - early Thurs. (3/11 - 3/15). Unfortunately, we'll be visiting family for two days and will only have one full day for DL. (maybe an evening and a full day).

After reading many posts (& HydroGuy's excellent DL for WDWers - you rock HG ) to learn the ropes, i still have a couple of questions:

If only one day at DL, would you choose Wed. (since we won't have an EE pass)?

We'll be driving in from Woodland Hills the previous day & spending the night at the Fairfield next to DL (have marriott pts.) so we can be at DL before it opens. We can drive from 1pm - 9pm...if it was you, when would you drive from Woodland Hills to DL (to avoid traffic). And if you recommend early afternoon, would you splurge for an extra day at the park(s)? Note: DL closes at 11pm that week and Cal Adv. closes at 8pm that week.

We've been to WDW 3 times. 8 y/o liked BTMR & Splash, but was afraid on T of T. Would Space Mtn, Matterhorn & Indiana Jones be OK for him?

Thanks!

 

[Albort]

A nice idea would be ride Matterhorn for a test run. For one, you can hold him as tight as you want incase he gets scared, since they are two to a seat. The judge from that. If he is fine, take him to the other rides.

 

[Leofoenget]

Looks like my other post didn't take....sorry for the confusion. Hello DL board!

We'll be in SoCal late Sun - early Thurs. (3/11 - 3/15). Unfortunately, we'll be visiting family for two days and will only have one full day for DL. (maybe an evening and a full day).

After reading many posts (& HydroGuy's excellent DL for WDWers - you rock HG ) to learn the ropes, i still have a couple of questions:

If only one day at DL, would you choose Wed. (since we won't have an EE pass)?

We'll be driving in from Woodland Hills the previous day & spending the night at the Fairfield next to DL (have marriott pts.) so we can be at DL before it opens. We can drive from 1pm - 9pm...if it was you, when would you drive from Woodland Hills to DL (to avoid traffic). And if you recommend early afternoon, would you splurge for an extra day at the park(s)? Note: DL closes at 11pm that week and Cal Adv. closes at 8pm that week.

We've been to WDW 3 times. 8 y/o liked BTMR & Splash, but was afraid on T of T. Would Space Mtn, Matterhorn & Indiana Jones be OK for him?

Thanks!

Disneyland as with an 8 year old is the best age. I did the whole 2 days with my son in Sept and had an incredible time. Weds is a very good day to go. Have fun!!

 

[XTinabell]

I took my sister for the first time when she was 8 and she loved loved loved the matterhorn. Space was a little scary for her but she still loved it and did it several times, Indiana she also really loved. I think it depends on how adventerous your son is. But if he liked splash and BTMR I don't think the others will be a problem.

Wednesday is a great day to go the crowds should be lower which will allow you to get more done in one day.

To be honest I find the early mornings and late evenings best for doing the park so I'm not really sure how to answer your other question. Will you have hopper passes or are you just planning to do DL?

 

[CalGal]

We've been to WDW 3 times. 8 y/o liked BTMR & Splash, but was afraid on T of T. Would Space Mtn, Matterhorn & Indiana Jones be OK for him?

Thanks!

Matterhorn should not be much scarier than BTMRR; a little bumpier, different seating, but otherwise not terribly different from a thrill standpoint. It should be OK for your son.
Space Mountain is a bit more intense. It's smoother than Matterhorn, but faster and in the dark. Definitely do Matterhorn first, and make sure your DS is OK with the dark.
Indiana Jones is a much different type of ride. It's thrilling more than scary. The ride motion is almost identical to the Dinosaur ride at Animal Kingdom, although I think Indiana is more fun.

 

[Hound 109]

I took my sister for the first time when she was 8 and she loved loved loved the matterhorn. Space was a little scary for her but she still loved it and did it several times, Indiana she also really loved. I think it depends on how adventerous your son is. But if he liked splash and BTMR I don't think the others will be a problem.

Wednesday is a great day to go the crowds should be lower which will allow you to get more done in one day.

To be honest I find the early mornings and late evenings best for doing the park so I'm not really sure how to answer your other question. Will you have hopper passes or are you just planning to do DL?

Thanks to everyone for your opinions!!

My 8 y/o is funny...i think he's ok with a little thrill, but not with the scary . We didn't do Space Mtn. at WDW because it's single seat...is it that way at Disneyland? (or is it a two seater).

Regarding the drive (which i guess will be on Tues...since we want to go to DL on Wed.) Just curious when YOU ALL would drive to disneyland (from Woodland Hills) if you could leave anytime between 1pm & 9pm on a week day?

Thanks again!

 

[wendypooh22]

Traveling from the west valley to DL can be horrible!!! The 101 and the 5 can get pretty packed during the rush hour(s). The earlier or later you leave the better.. My best suggestion is to 1) leave at 1:00 or enjoy a leisurely dinner and leave late (after 7pm)

 

[DisQueen]

Traveling from the west valley to DL can be horrible!!! The 101 and the 5 can get pretty packed during the rush hour(s). The earlier or later you leave the better.. My best suggestion is to 1) leave at 1:00 or enjoy a leisurely dinner and leave late (after 7pm)

I agree!! It's much better to enjoy DTD for the evening (in case you don't go into DL) rather than be stuck on the freeway. If you can't leave by 2:00, forget it and leave after dinner.

 

[Amy&Dan]

My 8 y/o is funny...i think he's ok with a little thrill, but not with the scary . We didn't do Space Mtn. at WDW because it's single seat...is it that way at Disneyland? (or is it a two seater).

Space Mountain at Disneyland is a two seater, side by side. Its very smooth, much smoother than say Big Thunder but it is in the dark. My nieces who are six and do not like "scary" rides (different thing for different kids I know) do love Space Mountain. The Matterhorn is similar to WDW's Space Mountain except you are sitting together. He will be basically sitting right up next to you, in front of you. As Albort said, you can hold him tight. If he does okay in the initial dark ascent of the Matterhorn, he should be fine on Space Mountain. Have a great trip. And I always think any extra time at DL is worth the time and expense if you can. Even if you only get there for an afternoon and evening before your full day, I would do it possible.

 

[arliepooh68]

My youngest is 8, he LOVES space mountain, matterhorn... he will not however go on california screamin on the CA side. but he likes those stupid horrible gondolas, laughed at the rest of us.

 

[Hound 109]

Thanks again, everyone.

I'll do Matterhorn first, then SM...(then maybe Indy Jones). Good to know SM is a two seater...makes a difference in he dark. I haven't done the Matterhorn since the mid 60's (when i was his age), so i can't wait.

Thanks also for the driving info. I feared the worst & now I will follow your opinions....we will be ON THE ROAD by 1pm (& hopefully on Harbor Blvd by 4pm).

Can't wait....Captn Jack ol' Mr. Toad

Thanks again!

hound

 

[Aristomommy]

DD8 went on all the big attractions at both parks. She loved ToT, California Screamin, Matterhorn and Indiana Jones. She is a bit of a daredevil, and loves fast rides, but I am always nervous for her. I like to start with slower rides or where I can hold her hand. Rides that take off fast such as California Screamin, I tell her to keep her head back. I also held her back during Indiana Jones. Space Mountain she had her hand up the entire time, it was really funny. I screamed more than she did!!! I think 8 is a great age to be at DL parks.