First trip with kids advice. Cancelled. Never mind.

[Malcon10t]

Edited to add: A few weeks ago I saw a woman forcibly drag her child into Pirates kicking and screaming. It was pretty sad!

That is. I do know some kids that you have to get them there then they are fine, but most kids are not like that. We never made my grandson ride anything, if he said no, he sat with one of us til everyone was off. (Sister was riding EVERYTHING at 2.5 yo so it was different to have him so nervous about rides.).

 

[Pluto468]

We lived in LA and went at least once a week for a number of years. Then we moved out of state. We went back with our DS and it was a whole other story. I was used to just flying by the seat of my pants every time I went to Disneyland, so it was an adjustment that first time. I had to be alot more flexible about scheduling, food, how long we could stay in the park etc. It was easier later when we went back with DD, too. By then we knew what to expect when taking kids to the parks.

This worked for us:


-Stay in a hotel you can walk to.
-Don't worry about making rope drop unless it works out naturally with your schedule.
-Check menus before you go into a restaurant.
-Try the easy rides first, like the outdoor fantasyland rides. We rode Small World 12 times that first trip. 12.
-Take an afternoon break.
-Nap if they are the age for it.
-Take plenty of snacks and drinks into the park.
-Find some quiet places to sit in the park once in a while, it's so busy and overwhelming there.
-Be willing to miss the fireworks. If it happens that the kids can stay up that late-great. If not, it's ok to skip them. Or maybe have naps and dinner at the hotel and go back later in the evening for fireworks if it doesn't interfere with bedtime.
-Use a stroller if the kids aren't too big. DS fell asleep in his a few times. He had his blanket and stuffed animal and it saved him from having to walk all day.
-Be willing to ride the rides alone, since the kids can't go on all of them. You'll need to switch off riding/ watching the kids.
-Bring medicine, bandaids etc with you into the park.

My DS was terrified of the fireworks (he was 3 1/2). We had been talking them up all day and when they started he was just screaming and crying. We had to carry him, his bag and his stroller through huge crowds in front of the castle to get out as fast as we could. Looking back, we should have ducked into a shop or something distracting and quiet. He is probably in the minority, but he really didn't like them!

I have always loved Disneyland, but it was even more fun once the kids started coming along

Have fun!

 

[LovesTimone]

In most things, like riding horses or going hiking, the 4 yr old is the adventurous one and the 6 year old will do things if he sees his younger sister try them. So, that's the interesting dynamic. The thing that has me concerned is screaming. Which is what concerns me with Pirates. Where it is SUCH a long ride to be stuck with someone else's kid crying.

Kids are going to cry... and yes I have even have seen a couple parents cry... Kids see other kids crying or screaming or upset, so they are use to it...

One reason I suggested showing them the POV on youtube, they can sorta get familiar with "what's it like"... plus sometimes you might want to show them the ride, even starting into the ride, if they become restive right then is the time to deal with it... for us, we stopped there and would ask them what's wrong and why did they feel that way, and listen to what they are saying..if they were afraid or something, then we worked it out... I would have a stash of glow in the dark necklace or bracelet for them to put on, they put off just enough light yet are not bright enough to bother anyone... If they really did not want to go we would skip it and try later on, or take turns riding it... Also another trick for us was that we might grab a drink or snack and sit around the ride so that they could size it up, for themselves...

Do not make a big deal out of it... just go with an okay and move on... best advice I can give you is that...

Our oldest DD and my grandson are both like this... sometimes they just have to think about, they are both cautious, and need come to their own conclusion... my DD would not ride roller coaster when she was this age, and that was perfectly fine with us, then one trip she was like I want to ride thunder mountain, I was like sure okay, then after that she was hooked... As well when she said she wanted to ride we did not make a big deal about it...

You have to remember its alot for the grown ups to take in, just think about them... so much over stimulation, alot of walking, and everything is new to them...

Since you mentioned that you really don't have much experience with kids. For me I would try to get to know them better, maybe some simple stuff just coloring one on one with them, or maybe a trip to McDonalds.

As well don't put added pressure on yourself for the perfect trip... so many moments are the most special you can't plan for them... in other words stop and smell the rose's, eat a mickey bar, soak up those moments...

 

[bethwc101]

It is Disneyland. You will see/hear lots of kids crying all day everywhere. I would not stress over that honestly. If you are about to ride something and one kid is crying/doesn’t want to go, use the chicken exit and don’t force them. I see parents doing that all the time and I don’t think it’s worth it honestly. Either have one adult take the scared child out or you can all leave. Try something else or try again later. Going on rides is not worth stressing out your kid (in my opinion!).

Edited to add: A few weeks ago I saw a woman forcibly drag her child into Pirates kicking and screaming. It was pretty sad!

Luckily I have ridden everything so many times that I wouldn't be upset using the chicken exit if needed. I would just hate as soon as the boat launched the crying ensued.

 

[Malcon10t]

I'm sure your DF know his kids pretty well. You may experience a surprise melt down, but I am sure between him and grandma, they know how to manage this. Try not to overthink it. You may find they love everything or you may find they love watching the ducks. Regardless, it will be a family time and memory.

 

[DocDCT]

if staying close by instead go back to hotel for maybe a quick pool dip and lunch and quiet time (don't call it a nap!, but I bet they drop off) Then go back to the park for the evening.

This is the best way to handle late nights with school aged kids. Many kids at this age think they are too old to nap, but they still get overtired if pushed open to close. Moreover, they can't just rest in the stroller like younger ones. The trick is to tell them they have to lie in bed for half an hour and then they can go swimming or whatever. Then you close the curtains and... You'll have to wake them up two hours later. Or at least, if they don't fall asleep you know they are not so tired and probably they can last for the evening.