first time, 6 hrs., 3yr old - help please!

[kdaniels16]

We are making a last minute trip to DL with my 3 year old during our layover (on our way to New Zealand). We will have 6 to 7 hours at the park. I've done WDW but not DL. The entire day will be devoted to our 3 year old as she is the biggest Disney fan -princesses and Mickey & crew. That said we will be only doing things she can do - no big rides, etc... Due to time we will likely skip parts of the park all together. Arriving at the park around 11:30 am, staying till 6:00 (as our flight leaves at 10:00 pm) So give me tips - what would you do first? What areas can we just completely skip? Restaurant suggestions? I've got the app and will be be sure to check for character locations. (We will be there next Tuesday - in 6 days!) I prepared for months and months for our WDW trip - this has be feeling a little worried since I know nothing yet!

 

[SteveMP]

Were you trying to do a character meal? May be too late to book anything but you could call and ask.

 

[kdaniels16]

No, unlikely we will do a character meal. If it's anything like WDW they will all be booked by now for next week.

 

[KBinCO]

If you are able to park hop, I would, even with that short of time. Some of my favorite rides for Littles are at DCA. If you do DCA, I would do....
Bugs Land, Cars land (the two rides that aren't Radiator Springs Racers), Ariel, King Tritons Carousel, and Toy Story Mania.

At DL I'd do Nemo, Alice, It's a Small World, Pooh, and then whatever other Fantasyland rides you want and perhaps Jungle Cruise.

 

[Bossy22]

I like their list except would definitely skip nemo as that ride loads so slow and line takes forever!!!

 

[KBinCO]

I only said Nemo because it's not at WDW but 100% keep an eye on the app and go for the short wait times. You would for sure be able to ride all the rides at Bugs Land and the two smaller rides at Cars Land as those wait times are usually no more than 5-10 mins, and Ariel and Tritons carousel are almost always walk ons, which is why hitting up DCA wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

[KBinCO]

Oh, and if you think she'd love it, do the parade but if not, spend that time hitting up the rides while the rest of the park watches.

You can likely meet Mickey and all his friends in the Town Square and skip going back to toon town.

 

[SMD]

By 11:30 the only character meal would be Goofy's, and it would be a waste of a park ticket to eat outside the park. Although you could probably have a good half day if you did Goofy's, A&E makeover in DTD and BAB, saving the cost of park admission. Are you driving? I'd keep an eye on Waze for traffic to LAX. If you have to return a rental car, 6pm is still hitting the tail end of rush hour and the added time to return the car will likely make you too late for an international flight by at least an hour.

 

[KBinCO]

By 11:30 the only character meal would be Goofy's, and it would be a waste of a park ticket to eat outside the park. Although you could probably have a good half day if you did Goofy's, A&E makeover in DTD and BAB, saving the cost of park admission. Are you driving? I'd keep an eye on Waze for traffic to LAX. If you have to return a rental car, 6pm is still hitting the tail end of rush hour and the added time to return the car will likely make you too late for an international flight by at least an hour.

This is a pretty sweet idea as well. A character meal and Anna & Elsa's Boutique would be a pretty fun day without running around the parks.

 

[22Tink]

No, unlikely we will do a character meal. If it's anything like WDW they will all be booked by now for next week.

Try Goofy's Kitchen if you're wanting a character meal. I could have booked a same day reservation on our trip last week. It is outside of the park though and would take up a good chunk of park time.

 

[KBinCO]

Ariel's Grotto shows lunch availability for that day as well.

 

[SteveMP]

I would call disney dining and ask still, people cancel etc, never know.

May i also suggest buying one of the autograph books and a cute pen, keep an eye on meet and greets, then get a picture and a signature. My girls loved their autograph books when they were little.

 

[PirateRedhead]

Ariel's Grotto is a magical thing for a princess fan, has a lovely view, and puts you in a pretty central position to make a circle from Midway Mania & King Triton's Carousel to Ariel's Undersea Adventure and the Mater and Luigi rides, then "a bug's land" if you still have time, and cross over to Disneyland.

 

[3monkeys4me]

Are you driving? I'd keep an eye on Waze for traffic to LAX. If you have to return a rental car, 6pm is still hitting the tail end of rush hour and the added time to return the car will likely make you too late for an international flight by at least an hour.

Totally agree on keeping an eye out for traffic. Though, if they are already checked into their flight and the luggage is checked already (from their previous flight) they shouldn't need the 2-3 hours at the airport. Especially if they have TSA pre check or Global entry. We always leave the airport when we have layovers for more than 6hours or so and try to return about 90 mins. before our flight time. We still end up sitting at the gate for 45-60 mins but I don't want to be late.

 

[SMD]

Totally agree on keeping an eye out for traffic. Though, if they are already checked into their flight and the luggage is checked already (from their previous flight) they shouldn't need the 2-3 hours at the airport. Especially if they have TSA pre check or Global entry. We always leave the airport when we have layovers for more than 6hours or so and try to return about 90 mins. before our flight time. We still end up sitting at the gate for 45-60 mins but I don't want to be late.

Pre check doesn't save that much time in some terminals. They only do the split after you've had your ID and boarding pass checked. You never know with LAX traffic, I'd figure it will take 90 minutes at 6pm to get to the airport, and if they are returning a car up to another hour to reach the terminal. One accident on the freeway could easily add another 30-60 minutes.

 

[ExcitedMama]

How fun! You'll have a great time. I wouldn't try to fit in Ariel's Grotto. You won't have much time and it's really not worth it. My DD was 2 on our last trip and loved meeting the Princesses but Ariel's wasn't very fun. Check on the lines to meet them at their pavilion. She also loved the Rapunzel play, they usually have a couple of different ones going on. You can also meet the characters after. It's A Small World was her favorite ride. She absolutely loved meeting Tinkerbell in Pixie Hollow which I recommend if she likes those movies but the line can get long at times. You could consider eating at the Red Rose Taverne which currently has a Beauty and The Beast theme added to what is usually the Villiage Haus. I showed my kids the pictures and they were excited about the desserts.

You could consider buying a princess dress there or beforehand to really add to the experience if you have room in your suitcase. My DD loved all of her extra attention as a princess. The Little Dress Up Shop has great quality dresses that aren't poofy or full of glitter so it might be better for packing. They can also be found on Amazon if you want to be able to get it in time. Have you checked if there is a parade to watch? They can be fun but if you decide not to bother it could help you find a good time to ride something that had a long line.

We are going next month and my DD asked if we could go on the yellow boat again which I didn't know she remembered so I'd recommend the Nemo submarine. They have an Ariel to spot which she loved. Watch Nemo if you can beforehand if she hasn't seen it. Mine loved the magic of flying on the Peter Pan Ride which is a lot of fun but it is a dark ride so you will have to decide if she will like it. Ditto for Toad's Wild Ride, mine thought it was a lot of fun breaking through the wall but it could be scary. That section and the Dumbo ride can have long lines so you might want to walk through it and decide if it's worth the wait. Alice and the teacups should be fun. My DD enjoyed the Pooh ride but was crazy excited to meet the characters. I know you won't have much time but you could consider the PhotoPass. Mine still loves looking at all the Disney photos and thinks her magic shots are amazing and magical. She still talks about playing in Minnie's kitchen so definitely try to do Toontown and you can meet Mickey in his house.

Does she have any favorite princesses? The only problem is that Anna & Elsa are at DCA for their meet and greet and play which would require a separate admission ticket. You could choose between the parks or add a park hopper but I don't know if you want to spend that much for such a limited time. DCA also has Ariel's ride but it's not that great. DCA also has the Disney Junior characters if she's a fan of those. My DD was so excited to meet Doc McStuffins.

 

[Jaina]

I didn't see, did she say if they're just doing DL or if they're park hopping? My 3-year-olds loved Buzz Lightyear, Winnie the Pooh, Dumbo, Alice, the Teacups, Peter Pan (which you may or may not be able to swing, since the line is often long) It's a Small World, seeing characters (we never waited in a line that was more than 5-10 minutes, but going through Mickey or Minnie's house in the line was really fun for them too), the Storybook Land Canal Boats, Tarzan's treehouse, and the Jungle Cruise. Oh, and parts of the train ride, if they're into trains. You can skip Frontierland and New Orleans Square, and maybe not even go over to Critter Country for Winnie the Pooh if she does that often at WDW. (or are they different?) If she's up for it, I'd recommend Pirates of the Carribbean, just because it's quite a bit cooler than WDW's. If you end up with time in your schedule, Soundsational is a really fun parade at 4:30.

If you decide to park hop (I don't know that I would with that short amount of time for the cost) it depends on her interests. If she's seen A Bug's Life and likes it, a Bug's land has a few fun little rides. Cars land is awesome, but not if she's not into Cars. My daughter was a thrill seeker at that age, and loved the Golden Zephyr. Monster Inc, again, if she's into that movie. The Little Mermaid is great, and doesn't often have much line. If she's 40 inches, Soarin' is really fun.

Am I right that they can add Photopass by putting MaxPass on one of their tickets for the day? I'd totally do that!

 

[gottalovepluto]

FWIW don't buy your park tickets until you get to DL. That way if anything happens (say everything goes awry and you don't end up with this long layover after all) you aren't out that money, DL tickets are non-refundable.

Skip table service restaurants, you don't have time. Plaza Inn will get you done, big meals (American comfort food- fried chicken, pasta, pot roast) easily split, quick service style, close to Fantasyland. Toon Town & Fantasyland will keep you all busy and her very happy Good luck!!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Since there's some talk about LAX. Imho Lyft/Uber (or a taxi? I've never done one of those) is the fastest way to get to DL. Don't try driving yourself, rental cars at LAX are a pain & then you lose time parking and getting to DL once you hit Anaheim. (I'm assuming because you are leaving into an international flight you are leaving at 6pm giving yourself 1 hour to get to LAX and 3 hours because it's an international flight?) What about your luggage? Is the layover short enough the airline will keep your luggage in the system?

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Pre check doesn't save that much time in some terminals. They only do the split after you've had your ID and boarding pass checked. You never know with LAX traffic, I'd figure it will take 90 minutes at 6pm to get to the airport, and if they are returning a car up to another hour to reach the terminal. One accident on the freeway could easily add another 30-60 minutes.

Yes traffic is HORRENDOUS in California during rush hour and especially if there is even ONE accident!