First time.. in one day?

[brookies_mommy]

So some of my family members have never been to DL and they will be going next month with us for ONE DAY. None of them are planners like me.. so it makes this HARD! Help me make this as special for them as it can be! ANY Tips are appreciated. I think hydro has a thread but I can't find it.

 

[skiingfast]

Use FPs. Start by getting Indy or Space, in DL, Soaring or Screemin in DCA.

You can get one when the return window opens or two hours after obtaining the first one. You can use them anytime the return window opens even after it closes.

 

[brookies_mommy]

Use FPs. Start by getting Indy or Space, in DL, Soaring or Screemin in DCA.

You can get one when the return window opens or two hours after obtaining the first one. You can use them anytime the return window opens even after it closes.

Thank you, I'm good on the basics.. just trying to do lots w/o overwheling them

 

[skiingfast]

Thank you, I'm good on the basics.. just trying to do lots w/o overwheling them

YW.

I wouldn't try to give them a list with 100 things to do. Just maybe 5 bullet points.

Such as ......Dinner try one of these three places.... To keep it simple.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I recommend hitting the highlights. You can't do everything, but can do a lot in one day. Since this is their first time they won't know what they are missing.

 

[LavenderPeach]

I've gone to DLR a few times with non-planners (although it wasn't their first time). I did try not to be too forceful with what "should" be done so that it was fun and not just a schedule to follow. Also, do you think they'll be willing to get there at opening? If they can make that small sacrifice then they'll have several hours in the morning with short lines which will help them not get too overwhelmed with crowds. Maybe just have the first 2 rides of the morning figured out (discussing it with them to make sure it's things they would like) so you have a plan when you first get there and then just go with the flow later - making suggestions along the way of course.

Make sure you get them some 1st visit buttons. I'm assuming that if you're planning on a sit-down meal that you will get ressies ahead of time. But even if you're just doing counter service, you can have a few places in mind that you think they would like and then suggest those at meal times. That way you know you'll go to a place that you think is good and not just end up at whatever is closest. I've found that we have better meals when I have something in mind ahead of time.

I'm not sure if that's any help or not but maybe it's a starting point.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Find out if your relatives have any expectations. For instance, have they watched the t.v. commercials and, therefore, always imagined walking through the castle, or riding Space or Small World, or meeting Mickey Mouse or Cinderella, or seeing the fireworks show? If you find out from them what they think Disneyland is about, then you can incorporate some of these activities into the day since you're the planner. If they're going in with no pre-conceived notions, then make your plans for the day the way you would do it if you had only one day and wanted to hit all the highlights. Be very diligent about getting fastpasses. After a while, especially if we're tired, we get a little lax about fastpasses knowing we'll be back the next day or in a couple months or whatever. Since your relatives won't be back, you want to maximize your use of fastpasses, so make sure you have a runner.

Other possible ways to add special touches to the day would be to get first visit buttons or watch a nighttime show together. Get a photopass photographer to take a group picture of your family with the photopass camera and also several cameras belonging to members of your party.

 

[marcemc]

Write them a list of the classic rides & the restaurants you think they will enjoy.

Make sure they know how to use fastpasses.

The nice thing about non-planners, is that unlike us, they don't have a list of favorites or tons of expectations I still remember those days......

 

[brookies_mommy]

This is helping a LOT

 

[Hound 109]

The HG tip thread I'd look at is the "How to use FP on a Busy/Summer Day" tip thread.

Take a look at my trip report below & check out other one day trip reports.


Advice?

- Identify 10-12 must do's in DL & 5-6 must do's in DCA.
- Get to the security tent 40 min. before opening on a NON MM day (unless they have MM priviledges).
- Know how to collect & use FP.
- Tour & collect FP in DL the first 2-3 hours. Do not take pictures, do not smell the roses. (You can do these things in the afternoon).
- Oh....& Have i said to get there 40 min. early & know how to collect FPs??
- Start at DL....tour for 2-3 hours & hop to DCA mid to late morning.
- Have a plan for the "must do's". After you've knocked them off (mid afternoon). Do other stuff (& smell the roses & take pics etc.)
- Oh.....& get to the security tent 40 min. before opening & know how to collect FPs & in which order....have i mentioned that.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

*Here's* how we spent 1 day 7/09

 

[tzeitel]

*Here's* how we spent 1 day 7/09

That was a heck of a day! I got tired just from reading all the running around - no wonder your DS fell asleep during F!

Like someone had mentioned - ask what they would like to do/see. Some people just like to have a nice meal, people watch, do a couple of rides and watch a show - to them that is a great trip. For others a great trip is trying to get everything done, meet every character and eat in as many places as possible in the little time they have.

If they leave it up to you then think what they would enjoy - are they more of a Small World or a Screamin' persuasion Good luck!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

That was a heck of a day! I got tired just from reading all the running around - no wonder your DS fell asleep during F!

Yes it was ~ but it was because we just had the 1 day, had we had more time we would've taken it easier. Last year we had 2 visits when park hours were 8am-12am *4th of July weekend & Thanksgiving weekend* we took a midday break/nap each day.