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

[kdaniels16]

Car service is a really good idea. Paying for the full 6 hours might not be much more than 2, 1 way rides anyway. You could always try getting a membership with a car rental company that does express pick up or something that expedites things.

I'll look into that. I know this seems like a logistical nightmare for just a few hours at DL but it will be myself, my dad and my daughter. This is probably the only chance he'll ever have to do Disney with his granddaughter, so if we can make it happen we're going to!

 

[gottalovepluto]

I'm slightly worried about this now. It is an international flight, we will have luggage with us to check again, and we do need to be there 2 hours before. I'm thinking we need to leave at 5:00 now.

Be there 3 hours before for international flights is the rule of thumb.

 

[magpiemae74]

I love Fantasyland, it has tons of small kiddo friendly rides and you can meet a few of the princesses!! Some of our favorite rides with short/quick lines are the tea cups, Winnie the Pooh, the carousel, small world, storybook, and snow white. If you make it to DCA the Little Mermaid ride is great as well! I would absolutely have a loose plan but just kind of see what she loves most when she gets there. My kiddo loved Pooh may more than we thought he would and we ended up riding it multiple times our first trip!

 

[BrianF]

I don't have any awesome advice but I needed to chime in and say I hope this little toe-dip into DL works out and your daughter and father (and you) get some great memories. It'd be awesome if you get a chance to let us all know how it went in this thread after the fun.

 

[kdaniels16]

Since you've all given me quite the reality check, we changed our flight to LAX to Monday (the night before). We will get a hotel and be at the park first thing in the morning. Then we will leave the park much earlier to get back to the airport with plenty of time.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Since you've all given me quite the reality check, we changed our flight to LAX to Monday (the night before). We will get a hotel and be at the park first thing in the morning. Then we will leave the park much earlier to get back to the airport with plenty of time.

That will be better for you as the mornings are typically less crowded than the afternoons. I suggest booking a hotel on Harbor so you can walk to the park in 5 minutes and try to get there before rope drop if you can.

 

[Jaina]

Since you've all given me quite the reality check, we changed our flight to LAX to Monday (the night before). We will get a hotel and be at the park first thing in the morning. Then we will leave the park much earlier to get back to the airport with plenty of time.

I am glad to read this! You will have a great day, with so much less stress, I hope! Being there a full 45 min to an hour before the parks actually open is my favorite, and you'll be able to get a lot done in that first hour or two!

 

[2boysmommy]

Since you've all given me quite the reality check, we changed our flight to LAX to Monday (the night before). We will get a hotel and be at the park first thing in the morning. Then we will leave the park much earlier to get back to the airport with plenty of time.

Keep in mind that Tuesday is a "Magic Morning" entry so unless you are staying on DL property or have a 3-day admission with MM entry, you will be an hour behind a few thousand people. May not impact your experience but something to be aware of!

 

[kdaniels16]

Keep in mind that Tuesday is a "Magic Morning" entry so unless you are staying on DL property or have a 3-day admission with MM entry, you will be an hour behind a few thousand people. May not impact your experience but something to be aware of!

So my dad booked a hotel before we could discuss. So no magic hour for us. I see DTD hours are at 7am. Any reason to go there first? DTD in FL was neat but mostly shops and restaurants....I guess maybe a good place for breakfast?

 

[KBinCO]

honestly we've never hustled in time for magic morning hours- we cant even wake up before 8am, let alone be at the parks that early- and never regretted missing it.

 

[kdaniels16]

honestly we've never hustled in time for magic morning hours- we cant even wake up before 8am, let alone be at the parks that early- and never regretted missing it.

We never did at wdw either.

 

[Spyral]

So my dad booked a hotel before we could discuss. So no magic hour for us. I see DTD hours are at 7am. Any reason to go there first? DTD in FL was neat but mostly shops and restaurants....I guess maybe a good place for breakfast?

If you're looking for a character breakfast, it looks like Goofy's Kitchen, Storytellers, and Ariel's Grotto all currently have availability next Tuesday morning. Would need a park hopper to get to Ariel's though.

For a good non-character breakfast outside the park, but still Disney, really like Steakhouse 55. Very good breakfast. For inside DL, would recommend Carnation Cafe. Both have availability as well.

 

[kdaniels16]

How early before rope drop should we get there? Are we going to be waiting in a big line to get in the gates?

 

[kdaniels16]

Also, do I need the Maxpass? It looks like it's an average crowd day- not high but not low either.

 

[Geemo]

Also, do I need the Maxpass? It looks like it's an average crowd day- not high but not low either.

FastPass is included with your park ticket. You would go to a FP machine to pull a FP for the ride.

With the age of the little one, MP most likely isn't necessary.
MaxPass (MP) is mainly for big rides. Like Indy, Matterhorn, Space Mt, Splash and such.
If you do not plan to do these rides MP isn't necessary for rides.
However, one of you could get MP just for the PhotoPass that is included in a MP.

The stores in DTD don't open till later in the day. Food places are usually open early.
DTD security is open at 5am because Starbucks opens that early.

Do you know which hotel your dad booked?

Another thought for breakfast.... The Plaza Inn inside Disneyland has a Character Breakfast. The first reservation time is 10minutes after the park opens. For Tuesday 8-29 it looks like 9:10am would be the first time. Even though you do not have MagicMorning, you would be let in early to go to your reservation. Plaza Inn generally has 5 to 10 characters rotate through. Might be a nice way to meet characters before you venture out into the park. Right now it doesn't look like there are any openings. But if you keep checking you may be lucky enough to get a cancellation for Tuesday.

 

[SMD]

If it's an MM day you could try to get an ADR at Carnation or Minnie's 50 minutes before regular park opening. You'd probably still lose a little time when the park opens. But you're already getting more park time by arriving 3-4 hours earlier, so if you wanted to do a character meal (Minnie) or breakfast on Main St (Carnation) that's one way to do it.

 

[kdaniels16]

FastPass is included with your park ticket. You would go to a FP machine to pull a FP for the ride.

With the age of the little one, MP most likely isn't necessary.
MaxPass (MP) is mainly for big rides. Like Indy, Matterhorn, Space Mt, Splash and such.
If you do not plan to do these rides MP isn't necessary for rides.
However, one of you could get MP just for the PhotoPass that is included in a MP.

The stores in DTD don't open till later in the day. Food places are usually open early.
DTD security is open at 5am because Starbucks opens that early.

Do you know which hotel your dad booked?

Another thought for breakfast.... The Plaza Inn inside Disneyland has a Character Breakfast. The first reservation time is 10minutes after the park opens. For Tuesday 8-29 it looks like 9:10am would be the first time. Even though you do not have MagicMorning, you would be let in early to go to your reservation. Plaza Inn generally has 5 to 10 characters rotate through. Might be a nice way to meet characters before you venture out into the park. Right now it doesn't look like there are any openings. But if you keep checking you may be lucky enough to get a cancellation for Tuesday.

He booked Hilton Spa- super close. I forgot you could get in early with a booked breakfast! Now to decide if we want to spend the $$ on a character breakfast. Might be worth it. I'll keep checking for a res.

 

[Geemo]

He booked Hilton Spa- super close. I forgot you could get in early with a booked breakfast! Now to decide if we want to spend the $$ on a character breakfast. Might be worth it. I'll keep checking for a res.

In Oct 2016 we saw... Chip n' Dale, Eeyore, Perla and Suzie the mice from Cinderella, Rafiki, Tigger, Winnie the Pooh, Max, Hook and Minnie.

Other trips we have also seen Geppetto, Fairy Godmother and a Penguin from Mary Poppins.

Good luck

 

[Elima2015]

Yay! That sounds like a great day! So much less stressful and you get to enjoy the parks at the least crowded time of day. I'm glad you were able to change your flights. If you are mostly planning Fantasyland and Toon Town rides and characters, I don't think you need MaxPass. If you and your Dad want to do some of the bigger ones, I think you can easily manage a few with regular Fast Pass and Rider Swap. I wouldn't worry about Magic Morning impacting your enjoyment either, especially if the MM is at 7 am with regular park opening at 8 am. As for what time to arrive, assuming you eat breakfast prior to arriving, I'd get to security around 7:15ish with a plan to be at the gates around 7:20. They will start letting people in a little after 7:30.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Give yourself plenty of time to get to the parks and go through security without rushing. The Harbor side bag checks can be crowded in the morning depending on how many tents are open. The Hilton (spa? Do you mean the Hilton Convention Center?) isn't super close to the entrance, but if you'll be walking, it's about 25 minutes at a comfortable pace. (And you'll go right by a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf on Katella which is a great place to grab a coffee or tea and pastries for a quick breakfast.)