DLR 10/11-10/12 **Newbie**

[allimaree]

Hi! I'm a total newbie to this board but not to DLR. We are going next week (just planned it today ) and I am looking for as many tips as I can get.

Our group:
Me (30)
DH (31)
DS (8)
DS (6)
DS (4)
DD (20 months)

My mom "grandma"

We are staying at Desert Inn and Suites (across the street, yeah!) for three nights and we will be at DLR for 2 days.

I know about ridemax and I've read HydroGuy's rules (great stuff!! ) but I would love any other tips or links to tips that you can give me.

How exactly does the stroller pass work?
Where is the best (least crowded) place to be for the parade?
Ditto for the fireworks?
Is the Halloween treat worth it, and what does it include?
What are your best tips for travelling with young kids?
I've never been to CA Adventure, what are the best things to do there?

I'm sure most of these questions have been answered many times on this board, so maybe you could just point me in the right direction... Thanks so much!

 

[allimaree]

Any favorite places to eat? I love the Blue Bayou but my DH wants to try something new.

 

[DLR29]

Hi! I'm a total newbie to this board but not to DLR. We are going next week (just planned it today ) and I am looking for as many tips as I can get.

Our group:
Me (30)
DH (31)
DS (8)
DS (6)
DS (4)
DD (20 months)

My mom "grandma"

We are staying at Desert Inn and Suites (across the street, yeah!) for three nights and we will be at DLR for 2 days.

I know about ridemax and I've read HydroGuy's rules (great stuff!! ) but I would love any other tips or links to tips that you can give me.

How exactly does the stroller pass work?
Where is the best (least crowded) place to be for the parade?
Ditto for the fireworks?
Is the Halloween treat worth it, and what does it include?
What are your best tips for travelling with young kids?
I've never been to CA Adventure, what are the best things to do there?

I'm sure most of these questions have been answered many times on this board, so maybe you could just point me in the right direction... Thanks so much!

Wow, big difference in ages. Here's some answers to the questions.

I'm not sure about the stroller pass, considering I'm about 12 years past that stage and my brother is 9 years past that.

The best place for viewing the parade is the hub. No question. Right out side of the Plaza Inn is good, but seats get taken quickly. However, on the Thursday, you should be able to find good seats somewhere on Main Street up to 30 minutes before parade time (7:00PM parade). You can also try on Friday when there are 2 parades (3:30 and 6:30).

Ditto for the fireworks. The hub. Right in front of the castle. You will want to get there 45-60 minutes before because Friday night will get a tad crowded.

Personally, if I only had 2 days, I wouldn't do Mickey's Halloween Treat. It's some trick-or-treating at DCA and most of the rides are open, but it's nothing great. Not worth the extra time or money unless your kids are totally into the Halloween thing.

For young kids, get there early, hit low capacity attractions early. Hit Fantasyland on Friday morning because you won't have early entry which is Thursday. That means there will already be people in line for Fantasyland rides when you enter on Th. Take in the high capacity rides in the afternoon and take it easier in the afternoon. If the kids are too tired to last the whole day (especially Friday w/ fireworks) take a break in the middle of the day. Your hotel is very close and very accessible for a midday break.

Rides for the morning: Th-Try Nemo, Autopia, older one might want to try Space or Star Tours. F- Peter Pan, Dumbo, Alice, (Mr. Toad, Pinocchio, and Snow White are all a bit frightening) older might want to try Matterhorn.
Rides for the afternoon: Jungle Cruise, Pirate's Lair, Pirates, Haunted Mansion Holiday, Tiki Room.

At DCA, there's plenty of stuff to do for kids. Your 8 and 6 year old will probably like Soarin (maybe 4 year old if he's tall enough). Grizzly River Run is fun if it's not freezing outside. Monster's Inc. is a very fun dark ride. Don't miss Turtle Talk w/Crush in the Animation Building (actually don't miss the Animation Building) where the kids can actually talk and be responded to by Crush the turtle from Finding Nemo.

MuppetVision 3-D and It's Tough to be a Bug are fun 3D movies, but Bug can be a little frightening. Flik's Fun Fair is a great area for the younger ones, with 4 kiddy rides themed after A Bug's Life movie. Redwood Creek Challenge Trail is a huge play area where the kids can blow off steam. There are caves, slides, lookout towers, small rock walls, and tons of stuff to do. On Paradise Pier, there's a carousel and a few carnival style rides that are family friendly. The kids also might like the Boudin Bakery or the Mission Tortilla Factory where they can see the food being made right there.

To eat I love the BB, but I also like Naples and the Jazz Kitchen in DTD. Try those. For counter service, I really like Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland and Redd Rocket's Pizza Port in Tomorrowland.

 

[allimaree]

Wow! Thanks so much for taking the time to write all that! We're excited this time because my two oldest are now tall enough to ride indy and my 4 year old is 40 in. so if he wants, he can do some of the thrill rides as well. We'll start out "slow" and see how he takes it and what he's up for. Obviously my baby can't do the big rides but that is why we're bringing along Grandma! I just wondered, when you get the stroller pass, is it only good for one person, or can they bring along a friend?

When would you suggest doing DCA versus DL? Obviously, DL opens earlier (on Friday) and stays open later so during those times we will be at DL (if we make it that late ).

And thanks for the advice on Mickey's treat. I'm happy to save the money anyway.

 

[DLR29]

You have two options that sound alright.

1) You can start out a DL both days and hop over to DCA in the late morning/early afternoon when DL is at its most crowded time.

2) You can start your day at DCA on Thursday, do everything that you want, and then hop over to DL later. Then on Friday just focus on DL. This works because DCA and DL have the same opening times on Thursday

 

[Hound 109]

Hi! I'm a total newbie to this board but not to DLR. We are going next week (just planned it today ) and I am looking for as many tips as I can get.

Our group:
Me (30)
DH (31)
DS (8)
DS (6)
DS (4)
DD (20 months)

My mom "grandma"

We are staying at Desert Inn and Suites (across the street, yeah!) for three nights and we will be at DLR for 2 days.

I know about ridemax and I've read HydroGuy's rules (great stuff!! ) but I would love any other tips or links to tips that you can give me.

How exactly does the stroller pass work?
Where is the best (least crowded) place to be for the parade?
Ditto for the fireworks?
Is the Halloween treat worth it, and what does it include?
What are your best tips for travelling with young kids?
I've never been to CA Adventure, what are the best things to do there?

I'm sure most of these questions have been answered many times on this board, so maybe you could just point me in the right direction... Thanks so much!

Allimaree !

I agree with virtually all that DLR recommends. But I'll add some opinions:

- For the parade seating (there was a great topic thread that I couldn't find) we found a spot on the path that runs between the castle & the Matterhorn. On both sides are benches & NO ONE sits / stands in front or behind you (or pushes you or jostles you). For your group (grandma / toddler etc.) this could come in handy. 3-4 of you can stake out a spot (between the HUB & Alice's Bathroom) & same it for the other 3-4.

DW & her sister saved two spots (for half an hour) while DS 8 & i rode Star Tours & Buzz (which were nearby). Real benches & no one behind you.

- If you find yourself in the "left" side of the park, the pooh ride & pooh corner are great for the little ones. & pooh corner bakery is great.

- Also with your kid crowd, plan on 45 min. to an hour on Pirate's Lair (the island).

- Finally, with your 3 oldest boys let me know if any are interested in Star Wars, & i can provide a fun link.

Have fun!

 

[bumbershoot]

What do you mean by stroller pass?


I've never watched the fireworks from the Hub, but I gotta tell you, watching from the less-busy area at It's a Small World was INCREDIBLE. They project images on the facade of IASW, there are fireworks you see while looking towards IASW, and if you look behind and to the side of you as well, you can see some of what's going on at the Hub (including tinkerbell).

Just in case you haven't seen it mentioned, being measured 40" at home isn't an absolute that the child will be measured at that height at DL. I've heard that Soarin' and Jumping Jellyfish especially have weird measuring sticks, and you can't argue with them. DS wasn't quite 40", but even once he is, I'm going to keep the line "let's see if you can go on this", b/c different rides are different, and if they are borderline, you'll get different permissions from various castmembers as well.


Best things to do for the 4, 6, and perhaps 8 year old? DCA's water play areas. Bring towels, shoes, and a full change of clothes (even underwear), and let them just play. Best hour of our trip, watching DS play and play and play and get drenched. He liked it too, b/c he got new Buzz shoes from it, since silly me had forgotten to bring dry shoes.

 

[allimaree]

Thanks everyone! I remember one time we were there, if you have small children with you who couldn't go on the bigger rides, one of the parents could wait in line and ride and the other parent could get a "stroller pass" (I may be way off on the actual name ) and go to the "front of the line" when the first parent was done. Do they still do this?

 

[talie95]

Thanks everyone! I remember one time we were there, if you have small children with you who couldn't go on the bigger rides, one of the parents could wait in line and ride and the other parent could get a "stroller pass" (I may be way off on the actual name ) and go to the "front of the line" when the first parent was done. Do they still do this?

Yes, this is often referred to as a Baby Swap or Rider Switch Pass. We use them all the time since we have a 2 1/2 year old. When you get to the entrance of the attraction there will be a CM there and you just ask for a Rider Switch pass(make sure the baby is there to prove you actually have a baby) They'll give you a colored piece of paper and then one person waits with the baby while the others go on the ride. When everyone gets off, the person waiting can use the Rider Switch Pass with one other person. You just go back to the FP line(if they have one) or through the exit (wheelchair access) and give the CM your pass. So when we go I'll stay with my little one while my DH and our older DD go on the ride and then when they're done I'll go back on with DD (so DD gets to ride twice! Lucky girl!!)

 

[bumbershoot]

Ohh, OK. Yes it's still there. NOt front of the line, but usually the FP lane if it has one. Little hint, if it's a ride with a long line, combine it with a FP. We should have done that for Indiana Jones, but didn't think to do it on our first trip. Should have gotten a FP for DH, my brother, and SIL, then at the return time we all could have come back to get the switch pass, then they could have ridden a bit quicker, come out, and then I could have ridden. As it was, they all waited in the LONG long line, making the total time just crazy-long.

So if there's a FP for the ride and the standby line is long, combine FP with rider switch.