Express trip to DL

[mylittleguys]

I was wondering if someone can provide some advice. We are traveling w 2 elementary school age boys in August. We only have 1 day in each park (a Saturday and a Sunday) - no early hours and no hoppers. We are doing a character dinner the night before. I would love some advice on:
1-Which day to do each park?
2-must do rides (No huge rollercoasters)?
3- recommended counter service restaurants in both parks for lunch & dinner?

I apologize if this information has been covered in other threads- just a bit overwhelmed with it all!

Thank you so much in advance!

 

[SMD]

When in August?

 

[mylittleguys]

August 9&10.

 

[SMD]

Conventional advice is go opposite EMH/MM and do DCA Saturday and DL Sunday. That's probably the way to do it, but if you were going after the So Cal summer blockout ends (which you're not) I'd recommend reversing it. As it is, Deluxe is blocked Saturday that weekend. I haven't been on a weekend so far this summer since they stopped selling blockout tickets. Maybe someone else will weigh in on how the Sunday crowds are at DL during the summer.

 

[Drusilla99]

I went early June on a Sunday & other than the obvious grad night crowds, I was surprised at how manageable the crowds were. I'm an ap, so I am somewhat in tune with crowd levels.

Good counter service in dl is village haus in fantasyland, pizza, burgers & salads.

Rides : fantasyland stuff, buzz, ...have them take a look online & see what they might like.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

first thing first, each day one day at each park I think that is smart for two days. Get RSR fast pass first thing i you don't care about when you ride it. The ride goes down often but get fp first thing and try get that ride out the way if you want it.

Other wise pick a top three rides in each park your family wants to do and work one out for fp right away and one to ride right away. You can also find hm and potc load fast and some times during the day they can be walk on rides.

 

[mylittleguys]

Thank you guys for your help! This is great. Still can't figure out some of the abbreviations but learning. Lol.

 

[mylittleguys]

Anyone else have any recommendations/ ideas for us?
Thanks!

 

[MinnieMom13]

I agree that if you don't have early entry, enter the park that doesn't have early entry.

When my son was in elementary school, his favorite rides were Buzz Lightyear, Star Tours, Thunder Mtn. RR, Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mtn., Toy Story Midway Mania, Silly Symphony Swings, and Goofy's Sky School. He also loved California Screamin' but it sounds like roller coasters are not on your list of things to do.

You may also want to consider seeing Aladdin (great show in an air conditioned building) and wander into the (also air conditioned) Animation Blg. to find out what character your boys are most like, see the Toy Story zoetrope, etc.

For counter service, my son prefers any restaurant with pizza (Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta, Daisy's, Redd Rockets). The Paradise Pier area restaurants are nice because there are so many restaurant choices with shared seating--Asian, Mexican, soup/sandwich/bakery.

Have fun!