Fantasyland on MM w/o MM?

[starshine514]

So, my BFF from childhood lives in Garden Grove and just adopted a 3 and 4 year old. They're planning on joining us for the Sunday of our upcoming Sun/Mon/Tues morning trip. She's currently on the fence about their tickets, but can get a discount on APs through her teacher's association. So, if they do that, no MM for them. We already have APs, so no MM for us.

Her two adopted kids have never been to DL before, and are both under 40". So, I'm thinking I might need to change the FL-skipping (was planning on hitting it on Monday), height-requirement ride riding, park-hopping plan I had for Sunday. Since it will be there first (hopefully not only, but they won't be joining us on Monday or Tuesday) day in the park, I'm thinking we should cover some FL rides. Does it make sense to hit them right after regular opening on a MM day? Is PP still first? Or should we take advantage of shorter lines elsewhere, since FL could already be a madhouse? Should I plan on us sticking together or splitting up? As for us, we really want to ride ST and Splash (we've never ridden either, but I think DD6 will love ST and DD4 will love Splash), should we just get FPs and wait until they leave to use them? (I seriously doubt that they will stay past 8 PM - the kids are starting a new preschool the next day, so they may bail even earlier.)

Of course, if they decide to go a route that includes MM, then I'll just need to give them a touring plan and meet up w/ them at regular opening, but I'm hoping they do the discounted AP thing...

 

[LavenderPeach]

For a 3 and 4 year old I would still plan on doing FL first but I don't think I would do PP. They're at an age where it might be too scary for a first ride since it's dark (although obviously every kid is different). I would start with Dumbo and then Casey Jr, teacups, carousel. IASW is a good first dark ride I think because it is so colorful and fun and not scary at all.

 

[Disneylovers2000]

For a 3 and 4 year old I would still plan on doing FL first but I don't think I would do PP. They're at an age where it might be too scary for a first ride since it's dark (although obviously every kid is different). I would start with Dumbo and then Casey Jr, teacups, carousel. IASW is a good first dark ride I think because it is so colorful and fun and not scary at all.

I would agree with LavenderPeach. I rode PP for the first time a couple of weeks ago and was surprised at how dark it was. I loved the ride but when I thought of it from a child's perspective I could see how it might be scary for sure. Because she just adopted them she may not know how these sorts of things may affect them just yet. I would work my way up to PP by going on darker less scary rides first and see their reactions then hit PP if it works out. Although I appreciate the lines for PP may get really long, the effects of a scary ride right off the bat may not be good either. Just my 2cents!
My hat goes off to her for adopting, that is a very big step and comittment, I am sure they are very lucky kids! We need more people like her in the world!

 

[bumbershoot]

Good point about not knowing their reactions.

Even the queue for PP is dark. Stick with the *outside* stuff at FL. Teacups (maybe), Casey Jr...oh and even the boat ride might be weird b/c of the whale that "eats" you.

Hey, maybe you should go to DCA, see bug's land instead (but not tough to be a bug)? It's all outdoors, happy, joyous, and Heimlich burps at you, which is funny as a kid.

 

[FlameGirl]

For a 3 and 4 year old I would still plan on doing FL first but I don't think I would do PP. They're at an age where it might be too scary for a first ride since it's dark (although obviously every kid is different). I would start with Dumbo and then Casey Jr, teacups, carousel. IASW is a good first dark ride I think because it is so colorful and fun and not scary at all.

For the record, I was utterly terrified on IASW when I was 2 or 3. Those singing dolls really wigged me out.

 

[starshine514]

For the record, I was utterly terrified on IASW when I was 2 or 3. Those singing dolls really wigged me out.

Yeah, they have that effect on a lot of people.

 

[starshine514]

So, I (the obsessive planner) have sketched out a tentative touring plan, taking into account your suggestions. It may be overly ambitious, as it will probably be a ton more crowded than it was when we were there (on weekdays) in May... If we don't get through it, though, that's ok. Obviously, there would be some adults with the children at all times.

On arrival, head to TL, grab ST FPs for later, if Astro Orbitor wasn't open for MM (I hear it's iffy?), then its line should be very short. Ride with the kids.

Head to FL. Ride Dumbo, Teacups, Casey Jr and Carousel (is this order ok?)

Head to TT, meet Minnie and Mickey, ride Gadget's Go Coaster.

Head to CC, get Splash FPs, ride Winnie the Pooh.

Head to Adventureland, ride the Jungle Cruise. Get BTMRR FPs (if it's time).

Hop to CA. Grab Soarin' FPs. Ride Little Mermaid, ride Golden Zephyr, if girls insist, ride SSS (other kids will be too short).

Grab CS FPs, get some lunch.

Head over to Bug's Land and ride rides.

Grab ToT FPs, if desired, and catch Turtle Talk.

Ride Monsters, Inc. Get in line for Aladdin.

See Aladdin, if schedule permits (would be a nice place to spend some down time)

If acquired and desired, use ToT FPs (let kids Bug's Land again).

Go back to PP, let kids ride carousel and let adults take turns riding Screamin'.

Head towards Soarin, leaving an adult w/ the kids who are too short to ride, let them play at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.

Park Hop back to Disneyland. Get something to eat.

Let smaller kids ride a no-height requirement ride (such as IASW) or two while taller kids use their FPs.

If they are staying late, can join together again to see Fantasmic!

 

[blackjackdelta]

For the record, I was utterly terrified on IASW when I was 2 or 3. Those singing dolls really wigged me out.

My 18 y.o. daughter has been forever.

Jack

 

[Disneylovers2000]

So, I (the obsessive planner) have sketched out a tentative touring plan, taking into account your suggestions. It may be overly ambitious, as it will probably be a ton more crowded than it was when we were there (on weekdays) in May... If we don't get through it, though, that's ok. Obviously, there would be some adults with the children at all times.

On arrival, head to TL, grab ST FPs for later, if Astro Orbitor wasn't open for MM (I hear it's iffy?), then its line should be very short. Ride with the kids.

Head to FL. Ride Dumbo, Teacups, Casey Jr and Carousel (is this order ok?)

Head to TT, meet Minnie and Mickey, ride Gadget's Go Coaster.

Head to CC, get Splash FPs, ride Winnie the Pooh.

Head to Adventureland, ride the Jungle Cruise. Get BTMRR FPs (if it's time).

Hop to CA. Grab Soarin' FPs. Ride Little Mermaid, ride Golden Zephyr, if girls insist, ride SSS (other kids will be too short).

Grab CS FPs, get some lunch.

Head over to Bug's Land and ride rides.

Grab ToT FPs, if desired, and catch Turtle Talk.

Ride Monsters, Inc. Get in line for Aladdin.

See Aladdin, if schedule permits (would be a nice place to spend some down time)

If acquired and desired, use ToT FPs (let kids Bug's Land again).

Go back to PP, let kids ride carousel and let adults take turns riding Screamin'.

Head towards Soarin, leaving an adult w/ the kids who are too short to ride, let them play at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.

Park Hop back to Disneyland. Get something to eat.

Let smaller kids ride a no-height requirement ride (such as IASW) or two while taller kids use their FPs.

If they are staying late, can join together again to see Fantasmic!

I think that sounds like a great plan. We park hopped like this everyday when we were there and I felt it worked out wonderfully. Keep in mind though - the one most important thing I learned on this last trip - and I am type A planning type personality - leave room to be flexible and be able to deviate a little if need be! If a line is short as your passing by, take advantage and adjust the schedule accordingly - just my 2cents!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Your plan looks great - however I suggest the adults in your group use the single rider line for Screamin' - we do it all the time *get in the line together - with no intention of sitting by each other....

 

[starshine514]

Your plan looks great - however I suggest the adults in your group use the single rider line for Screamin' - we do it all the time *get in the line together - with no intention of sitting by each other....

I was thinking we would SR it if DD6 doesn't make the HR. She's dying to ride it, but it's gonna be close...

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I was thinking we would SR it if DD6 doesn't make the HR. She's dying to ride it, but it's gonna be close...

DD was finally tall enough last year when we visited DLR for her 7th B-day *she's fairly petite ....

 

[cougarfan84]

Your plan looks pretty good. The only thing I worry about in your DL portion of the plan is whether or not you will reach the window to get a BTMRR FP before you head over to DCA. Another option may be to get the BTMRR FP first or squeeze in another ride between the BTMRR FP and the Splash FP. You could probably play this by ear, though.

I would maybe switch things up a little bit in DCA.

Assuming that you get to DCA around 11:30 (it obviously may be earlier, but I'm just giving plenty of time to finish the morning DL portion of the plan), then I would immediately get the Soarin' FP's (as you plan on), and then go to Hollywood first and ride ToT (for those who want to) followed by Monster's Inc. and the Animation Academy (Turtle Talk w/ Crush).

After that, you can do lunch (send someone to get FP for California Screamin') and take a break until the 2:20 Aladdin show.

Afer this show, you can do a bug's land followed by California Screamin' and the other PP rides you wanted to ride (Carousel, SSS, Zephyr). End with Little Mermaid and Soarin' to get back to DL in time for dinner and evening rides.

 

[starshine514]

Your plan looks pretty good. The only thing I worry about in your DL portion of the plan is whether or not you will reach the window to get a BTMRR FP before you head over to DCA. Another option may be to get the BTMRR FP first or squeeze in another ride between the BTMRR FP and the Splash FP. You could probably play this by ear, though.

I would maybe switch things up a little bit in DCA.

Assuming that you get to DCA around 11:30 (it obviously may be earlier, but I'm just giving plenty of time to finish the morning DL portion of the plan), then I would immediately get the Soarin' FP's (as you plan on), and then go to Hollywood first and ride ToT (for those who want to) followed by Monster's Inc. and the Animation Academy (Turtle Talk w/ Crush).

After that, you can do lunch (send someone to get FP for California Screamin') and take a break until the 2:20 Aladdin show.

Afer this show, you can do a bug's land followed by California Screamin' and the other PP rides you wanted to ride (Carousel, SSS, Zephyr). End with Little Mermaid and Soarin' to get back to DL in time for dinner and evening rides.

That sounds pretty good; we might change that up as you suggested. It would have less backtracking that way! However, we may have a hard time putting LM off until the end - my girls have really been looking forward to riding that one!

 

[cougarfan84]

That sounds pretty good; we might change that up as you suggested. It would have less backtracking that way! However, we may have a hard time putting LM off until the end - my girls have really been looking forward to riding that one!

My main reason for putting LM at the end us mainly because it seems that most reports I've seen have shown its line getting shorter as the day goes on. Sure, you could ride it earlier, but unless you're at DCA right as the park opens, your best bet for minimizing the length of the line is to make it as late in the day as possible (and Ridemax agrees w/ me as every DCA plan I've tried putting together for myself always puts LM last on the plan).

 

[rramstad]

BTW Aladdin is pretty great, and it is a really good resting opportunity once you get inside. Between the time they seat you initially, and the end of the show, it's a bit more than an hour of comfortable seating in an air conditioned environment... which depending on the time of day may be exactly what you need.

(My kids are still singing Aladdin songs, and it's been two weeks since we were there...)

 

[starshine514]

BTW Aladdin is pretty great, and it is a really good resting opportunity once you get inside. Between the time they seat you initially, and the end of the show, it's a bit more than an hour of comfortable seating in an air conditioned environment... which depending on the time of day may be exactly what you need.

I know! We caught it when we were there in May. My DD4 (who doesn't nap at home) actually sat on my lap and slept through it! Oh well, I guess she needed the nap and the rest of us really enjoyed it. I'm thinking it might be just the break that we all need - without leaving the park.

 

[starshine514]

Here's the revised plan (thank you cougarfan84 for your input). I also took out ToT and am trying to sneak in TSMM...we'll see:

On arrival, head to TL, grab ST FPs for later, if Astro Orbitor wasn't open for MM (I hear it's iffy?), then its line should be very short. Ride with the kids.

Head to FL. Ride Dumbo, Teacups, Casey Jr and Carousel

Head to TT, meet Minnie and Mickey, ride Gadget's Go Coaster.

Head to CC, get Splash FPs, ride Winnie the Pooh.

Head to Adventureland, ride the Jungle Cruise. Get BTMRR FPs (if it's time. If not, send a runner for them upon re-arrival).

Hop to CA. Grab Soarin' FPs. Ride Monsters, Inc. see Turtle Talk.

Get some lunch, send runner to grab CS FPs.

See Aladdin

Go to Bug's Land and ride the little rides (no ITTBAB)

Go to PP, let kids ride carousel and let adults take turns riding Screamin', ride TSMM (if line is manageable), and the Golden Zephyr (if it's running)

Ride the Little Mermaid

Head towards Soarin, leaving an adult w/ the kids who are too short to ride, let them play at the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.

Hop back to Disneyland. Get something to eat. Send runner for BTMRR FPs, if needed.

Let smaller kids ride a no-height requirement ride (such as IASW) or two while taller kids use their FPs.

If they are staying late, can join together again to see Fantasmic!

 

[starshine514]

Wanted to post back and let everyone know how it worked out. Well, it didn't work out as planned. My friend ended up getting comp tickets from a CM who signed them in, but that didn't happen for them until after 10 am, and then we didn't end up joining up until about 11:30 am.

So, we toured alone for the first few hours.

We made it in early, but were not the first in line by any stretch. I always, always, always end up in the slowest-moving line. Dunno how it happens, I guess I'm just gifted. Anyway, waited at the end of Main Street for rope drop with a large (50 or so?) group of teenagers from another country that kept touching/leaning on my stroller. Uh, hello, is personal space and respect for others' property a cultural thing? Anyway, I digress...

We headed towards Splash first, but found it down, so no FP, no ride.

Headed back to BTMRR, got FPs and ride it walk-on, twice (it's DD4's favorite ride, although I think GRR may be giving it a run for it's money - more on that later). DH got FPs while the girls and I rode. He gets motion-sick easy.

Went back and Splash was running. We walked around it in the outside queue and were directed to the exit (DH rides an ECV). Went there and watched empty logs run, as well as many people (including the ones behind us) board before we were even acknowledged. Then, we waited 5-10 minutes longer before they finally let us board... Anyway, DD6 was scared of this one b/c we had never ridden it before. I kept trying to assure her she would like it, and she did admit that she liked it after we were done. I liked all the animatronics, but wasn't familiar with the storyline (neither were the girls), so we found that part interesting, but nothing wow'ed us. I digress again...

I picked up ST FPs (return time of about 12:30) and we decided to head towards CA.

We got to the gates before opening and stood in the line at the very end (towards DTD). When they finally opened the gates at about 9:35, they didn't open ours and we had to find another line. I was wishing we had ridden another ride at DL instead of waiting on CA opening, as we were in the same positions in line as people who arrived much later.

We got Soarin' FPs and rode Soarin'. This is one of my girl's favorite rides.

Checked to see if DD4 was tall enough to ride GRR. She was! We decided to ride in then and there, since we were afraid with spinal compression, she wouldn't be tall enough later in the day (this didn't turn out to be a problem, she made it on everytime we tried this trip). The girls LOVED it!

Next, we walked by the LM ride. DD6 really wanted to ride it then, and the line was only 5 minutes, so we went ahead and rode it. Both girls liked it.

We then made our way around to PP and rode the Golden Zephyr. Hmm... can't say I was missing much when it was closed every time we've walked by it before.

Next was Goofy's Sky School. I wasn't impressed. DD4 did ask to ride it another day, so I guess she liked it...

Then we rode the Silly Symphony Swings. My girls like this one a lot, as well. DD6 was just on the cusp of being tall enough to ride alone. Probably will be next trip (which would be good, as DH will ride this, but it makes him nauseous).

We walked by TSMM, wanting to wait until our friends arrived before standing in that line (it's simply a must-do). DH took the girls on King Triton's carousel while I rode Screamin'.

The girls were in line to meet Buzz when I returned and my friend called and said they were finally in the park (they had entered DL first, ridden Nemo, and bought ear hats for the kids before hopping to CA).

My friend and I rode Screamin' (single rider) while DH took the kids on KTC again and the other 'Dad' went and moved their car (they had parked at DTD, so he had to move it to the garage )

The kids were already hungry, so we decided to head towards the Pacific Wharf area to have lunch, but stopped to meet Duffy and ride the LM (again, for us) along the way. The Ursula part scared the 3-yr-old, who was riding w/ me and DD4.

During lunch, I headed to GRR and grabbed FPs for everyone.

After lunch, we headed to Bug's Land. we rode Heimlich's Chew Chew train with a 5 minute wait.

We rode Tuck & Roll Drive Em Buggies with a 10 minute wait.

We walked on the Francis' Ladybug Boogie - twice (well, the kids did at least. We rotated adults). The kids loved this one! I have the cutest picts of them giggling hysterically on it!

Next, we rode Monster's Inc w/ a 5 minute wait.

We then traded kids and let them take our girls on Soarin' (using our FPs from earlier) while we took their kids to get first visit buttons. Luckily, the kids love all the adults.

Next, we split up more, and DH stayed with my friend's kids (and they had a snack) while the rest of us rode GRR.

We regrouped, then split up again, with the guys riding GRR and the ladies taking the kids on LM (again. The 3-yr-old hid his eyes for the Ursula part again.).

We finally got back together again for TSMM (40 minute wait). Both of their kids fell asleep while being carried in line. My friend hadn't ridden this one before and she told me that this is now her favorite ride!

We then decided to head to DL. My DH had spent too long in the park and headed back to the hotel (not to return that day). We got to DL and found the parade in progress. We caught parts of it as we walked by.

We split up, with my girls and I heading to use our ST FPs (the wait was still 30+ minutes in the FP line) and the other group heading to ride pirates. I warned them that the little one may be scared, but his dad said he loves pirates (later found out from my friend that the little one got scared on the ride).

We then tried to use our BTMRR FPs, but it was down. We regrouped and used the light tower trick for Fantasmic! Their 4-yr-old especially loved it, but their 3-yr-old got scared.

They didn't want to try to make it close for fireworks, so we rode the Jungle Cruise (walk on) and just caught the end of the fireworks. I kinda wish we had made more of an effort to see them.

We decided not to try to tackle Main Street right then, so we headed to Critter Country and walked on to Winnie the Pooh.

I was starting to drag by then and all four kids piled in our double stroller, but my friend wanted to ride IASW, so we headed over there (the back way, behind BTMRR).

Finally, we headed out, walking through the castle as we exited. It wasn't as I had planned it, but we still had a magical day.