DLR or DCA for first day with a toddler??

[sway_559]

My (will be) 2 1/2 yo DD can be a little apprehensive with new things and I'm trying to decide which park to go to on the first day. From what I understand DCA is a bit more mellow?? I know her ABSOLUTE favorite thing out of the trip will be Mickey Mouse Playhouse @ DCA. Should we start out at DLR and that way we can have a nice wind down the second day?? Or should we ease into it doing DCA on day 1 and hope she isn't already in burn out mode for DLR on day 2?? Any moms of tots have an opinion or experience?? Is DCA really more mellow? (we're going on a Fri and Sat.)

 

[lisah0711]

You know your child better than anyone. DCA is less crowded and intense. Because you are going on a week-end DL can be very crowded, especially as the day goes on. If she is an early bird, you could try going to DL as soon as the park opens, hit Fantasyland and then go on to Toontown.

If it was my little one, and I was afraid things would overwhelm her, I might be tempted to start at DCA at something like Bug's Land and see how she does but that is just me.

When my DS was little we were careful to take breaks in the middle of the day so he could nap, get out of the crowds, etc. There is lots to see and hear so she may be so busy taking it in that there are no problems.

Enjoy your visit!

 

[Hound 109]

My (will be) 2 1/2 yo DD can be a little apprehensive with new things and I'm trying to decide which park to go to on the first day. From what I understand DCA is a bit more mellow?? I know her ABSOLUTE favorite thing out of the trip will be Mickey Mouse Playhouse @ DCA. Should we start out at DLR and that way we can have a nice wind down the second day?? Or should we ease into it doing DCA on day 1 and hope she isn't already in burn out mode for DLR on day 2?? Any moms of tots have an opinion or experience?? Is DCA really more mellow? (we're going on a Fri and Sat.)

What days of week will you be visiting? (only 2 days right?)

Will you have MM priviledges?


& my opinion with a 2 year old or a 52 y/o:

- go to DL (in line 30 min. before opening).
- 2-3 hours of touring.
- hop to DCA (or a nice rest at hotel/motel)
- then rest at hotel (or enjoy DCA late afternoon)
- hop back to DL for early evening (with 2-3 FPs).

Rinse & Repeat the second day.

Have a great time visiting Walt's Park.

 

[Brady's Mom]

When we took our 2 year old two years ago, he totally loved Bug's land at DCA and we spent a lot of time there. I think it's a good way to start introducing them to Disney. Consider taking her to Muppet Vision and the Aladdin show, we really like those, too. Haven't tried Playhouse Disney, yet.

At DL though, he loved Dumbo, Casey Jr., Carousel, Tea Cups, really anything that was outside and wasn't dark. He was a little hesitant about Peter Pan, but ended up loving it, and also liked Alice in Wonderland. We started out with Dumbo so he could get used to standing in line, waiting his turn and riding the ride and we were able to get him to go on Peter and Alice a little later in the morning. It worked out really well and now he loves to go to Fantasyland first and ride all of his favorite rides. He still hasn't been on Mr. Toad or Snow White, we did try Pinocchio, but no one really liked it!

Also, try Small World. That is his absolute fave ride and he insists on riding it every time we go now. He is 4.5 now and loves even the bigger rides, but we started slowly and we are glad we did.

 

[DahliaRW]

I would do DL first (where Mickey's house is, not at DCA). It's WAY more magical at tha age than DCA since there is a castle and all. When DL gets crowded in the afternoon, you could hop to DCA for a few hours, but there is a lot less for tots at DCA than DL. Definitely do Bug's Land, Turtle Talk with Crush, Playhouse Disney show at DCA. At Disney, do a couple of rides in Fantasyland, and then an hour after park opens head back to Toon Town to go to Mickey's House.

 

[LavenderPeach]

I had a similar question right before we took DS3 for the first time a few months ago. Our plan was to do Heimlich's Chew Chew train at DCA first because of the short line and the slow, train-like ride but when we got there, we couldn't resist the pull of DL calling to us. So we threw all our plans out the window and ended up riding Autopia first. I know, sort of a strange first choice but that's what we ended up doing for some reason.

I guess my vote would also be to do DL first. It's hard to resist it once you're there! See the castle, ride dumbo, ride the Casey Jr train and whatever else looks fun and then head over to DCA when DL starts looking more crowded.

 

[abouley]

Because you are going on a Fri and Sat, I think I would hit DL on Fri when it's less crowded and CA adventure on Sat. DCA is much more laid back and bugs land is a good intro to rides but Sat morning is going to be busy at DL if you don't have early entry, by the time normal opening occurs, ride lines will already be getting kind of long. I

would hit DL first and ride dumbo, storybook boats, casey jr, tea cups, and carousel. I might save the other storybook rides for the next day depending on how things are going. Peter Pan is not scasry at all, so that might be the one I would ride that first morning but wouldn't want to overwhelm. Get a FP for Buzz, ride small world, head back to Toon Town for a bit. Get a FP for Autopia, go check out the petting zoo, winnie the pooh, maybe go over to Tom Sawyer's island and don't forget the tiki room. At some point in the day take a nap and go back in the evening to watch any parades/fireworks and ride with your fastpasses. If all is going well, my 2 year old doesn't mind piarates or haunted mansion but my 4 year old isn't a huge fan. I feel like I'm missing something. Oh, Nemo. Not sure. My 4 year old thought it was a bit scary.

Sat, you can hit DL before DCA opens if you want to ride a few more rides. Then hit DCA at opening. Bugs land is great and playhouse disney, muppet vision, etc. We don't really find enough to keep us here all day with the kids unless they can spend 1/2 the day in the water play areas (don't forget a change of clothes).

Alison

 

[Mrs.Goofy]

I have a 2 1/2 yo DD too and we are going to hit the parks mid-day on a Monday (feb 16th) and are expecting some crowds. So right now the plan is to go into DCA first and do bugs land and monsters first. However my DD fears nothing so I think she would ride space mountion if she could, lol.
We are going to try to ease her into it, but with my family that may not happen.

 

[sway_559]

Thank you guys so much for the insight!! Exactly what I was looking for So far it looks like DL is first, and who knows, 10 months is a long time for a toddler, her personality is still developing, so from 19 months (now) to 2 1/2 will be a big jump.....I think????? Maybe she'll shock me and run into a characters arms straight away or love a ride I think she'll hate! She loves keeping me off balance already! LOL

 

[AmericanItGirl]

If she's okay with sitting down for a while, I'd also take her on the train in DL in the morning so that she has an idea of what's in the park, how big the park is, and what to sort of expect as far as the crowds and theming are concerned (knowledge is power).

 

[bumbershoot]

I would do DCA first.

The rides in Fantasyland tend towards longer lines, and a little kid has NO idea what's at the end of those lines. I'd want to show my little one (and note that when DS went at 2.5 we didn't go near DCA b/c we thought the idea of a CA themed park in CA was idiotic...when I think back I could smack myself!) that there's a line, then a ride, then a line, then a ride. That the "fun" isn't just standing in lines.

So I'd start with bug's land, with Heimlich, with Flik's Flyers, and such. Show that there's fun at the end of lines.


If you mean the Playhouse Disney (not Mickey's house), even though we haven't been there (we can't figure out why...we'd better go before DS outgrows interest!), I too think she'll enjoy that. Good call.

Crush is also fun if she's seen Nemo or would just like to see a talking turtle on a screen (looks like he's in an aquarium).


After all of that I would consider DL. Yes, Fantasyland will be busier later on the Friday, or if you don't have MM on Saturday, but she'll be able to see that there's a payoff. I remember standing in a line for Storybookland Canal Boats and 2.5 year old DS was going absolutely nutty. He HATED that line. It's close in, it takes AGES longer than it looks, and the line grows FAST. And the ride was only OK for him...he doesn't know most of the stories, and especially not then, and so it was just a boat ride. Casey Jr on the other hand is a TRAIN and is therefore most excellent.

 

[sway_559]

All good points!!

Bumbershoot, I def. think it made sense about using the shorter ride lines @DCA so she understands that the fun is after waiting. That would probably work well also because I want to do a breakfast with characters. So, we could do breakfast to get the "Disney" feel before DCA opens and then head there?? I think I might just spring for a 3 day hopper (for the MM) and do a little on Sun. morning too...Hmmmmm, now a whole other option to ponder?!?!?! Thanks again!

 

[bumbershoot]

Ooh if a 3 day is possible, for the MM and one last go-through in the morning, that might be very nice!

you could even start in DCA with bug's land to get a feel for the rides (with light food available). Then have a late-ish breakfast with characters, for food, a rest, and to get into the disney feel. Then go on over to DL.

The parks are SO close, hopping back and forth is easily possible if you're taking this trip at kiddo's pace (which we did NOT do, during our one-days...the visits were for us and DS was tagging along, just to be honest) and you want to show kiddo the fun kid things.

 

[sway_559]

We can do a 3 day (I'll just have a 6 months old staying at grandmas waiting for us to get home). I'm sure a few hours later than expected won't be to horrible for him or Grandma I keep thinking DCA will be a day long adventure in itself, but reality is, it'll probably only be a few hours right??

 

[bumbershoot]

I keep thinking DCA will be a day long adventure in itself, but reality is, it'll probably only be a few hours right??

For most people it's a few hours thing. For us, we love DCA pretty much more than DL, or at least equal but for different reasons, and what with our son's love for Grizzly River Run and our shared love for TSMM and the adults' love for Screamin'...well we could spend all day there. Went on Grizzly 10 times in two days in our early December trip. If DS was old enough to go on TSMM alone, and if the Single Rider line was open when we were there, we could spend all day on that ride, LOL. Alas we've got a few more years until that is possible with DS!


Aw, take grandma and 6 month old, too!

 

[sway_559]

Taking a toddler, a baby AND my mother for a first time trip is beyond my scope of sanity saving skills I'm afraid!

 

[abouley]

I keep thinking DCA will be a day long adventure in itself, but reality is, it'll probably only be a few hours right??

Being that most days the park doesn't open until 10:00 you can still easily spend a day here. In fact, we often end up not leaving for naps on this day because of the late start. TSM is a lot of fun, then you can spend some time in bugs land and trying to fit in the shows can take some time. Oh, my kids love the Monster's Inc ride too! Will the adults want to ride any rides? Soarin and Screamin are 2 of my favs! There are a lot of areas to play at DCA that a 2.5 year old will enjoy and can be enjoyed while parents swap on the ride. Also, the parade should be fun!

We usually either hit DL in the morning and then hop over here or do our character breakfast this morning. Being in the park early is so key with young children to avoid the longer lines! That is the hardest part with a toddler to me!

 

[Hound 109]

We usually either hit DL in the morning and then hop over here or do our character breakfast this morning. Being in the park early is so key with young children to avoid the longer lines! That is the hardest part with a toddler to me!

Exactly my opinion. With only two days at the park (a Friday & Sat)....my previous statement makes even more sense (to me):

& my opinion with a 2 year old or a 52 y/o:

- go to DL (in line 30 min. before opening).
- 2-3 hours of touring.
- hop to DCA (or a nice rest at hotel/motel)
- then rest at hotel (or enjoy DCA late afternoon)
- hop back to DL for early evening (with 2-3 FPs).

Rinse & Repeat the second day.

Have a great time visiting Walt's Park.

& will you have MM priviledges on Sat.? If not, going to FL first thing on Friday is the best way to ensure a fun experience in FL.

As the previous poster mentions.....sitting in 40 - 50 minute lines for 3 minute rides is NOT fun (nor a good use of time).

If it was me with a 2 y/o, i'd do the following first thing Friday. (assuming you arrive 30-40 min. prior to opening).

- PP first (always first) No stopping for pics or bathroom.
- Dumbo
- Alice (then a bathroom break if you must)
- Storybookland/Casey's
- Carousel

Those 5 (6) rides would take 3 hours in the afternoon...you could knock them out in 45 min. first thing Fri & then be ready to:

- relax.
- Toontown (when does it open?)
- left side of the park.
- Nemo if the line isn't long.
- pick up FPs to Autopia or Buzz
- Have breakfast.
- Hop to DCA.....or..... whatever.

The kid doesn't know he/she is up early.....& the kid is less likely to meltdown if he/she has a fun early morning & a nice nap (when a nap should be taken) & then a more relaxed & fun late afternoon & early evening in the parks.

.

 

[DahliaRW]

Toontown opens one hour after DL opens.

 

[mom2ian]

I took my toddler to DL just a few days shy of his 2nd birthday several years ago. I had planned to do DCA first for the lighter crowds. However, once we were actually standing in the plaza area waiting to go in, ds saw the train and the giant floral Mickey and we just had to go to DL instead!

The first hour was the hardest on him because of all the new sights and sounds. He saw Pluto just inside the gates but was too shy to see him. By the end of that first day, he was running into the arms of various characters and riding Pirates like a pro!

So, take things at your child's pace and you'll have the most fun you can imagine! (And be sure to work in a nap each afternoon!)