Going to DL for the first time ever!

[zelda1rn]

Hello
I cannot stop looking for all things Disney!! I will be going for the first time ever to Disneyland in March 07. This will be my first trip to any ocean also. My husband and I are taking our three girls: 11, 9, and 6. I have read all about the year of a million wishes, and really hope we can be selected for something. Any suggestions for this mountain girl, waiting for the ocean...please tell me the best places to visit!!

 

[Albort]

have lots and lots and lots of lots of fun!

pace yourself, dont stress out!

 

[AZMickeyfans]

I'll have to get back to you more tomorrow when I'm in a more serious mood but if you love the ocean the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is fun. It's also only 20 minutes away.

 

[Chocolate lover]

Take your time, see all that you can see, don't rush. It can be overwhelming but if you pace yourself and read lots of postings as there are so many good ideas on this site, you, and your family will have a great trip!

 

[MATTERHORN]

Welcome!! Your trip is getting close, you must be getting very excited! Where are you staying?


Andrea

 

[Sosai X]

I hope you enjoy your trip! It's always magical the first time.

ps. Did I talk to you about your trip at Albertson's a few weeks ago? Maybe it's just a strange coincidence.

 

[GailT]

You'll have a great time, as the previous posted has said, " Pace yourself" . You'll be seeing Disney through the eyes of your children which is magical in itself, you are going to have a ball.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I would read some of HYDRGUy's posts about how to do what you want and make your life easier while at the parks. Stress spoils many trips. Relax, enjoy, go with the flow...definately hit a beach if you have the time. Huntington or Redonda are great.

Have fun,

Jack

 

[Snoopygirl]

What are your dates??
We'll be there for the first time too---18th to 22nd.

 

[zelda1rn]

Hi Snoopygirl,
We will be there last week in March...spring break for all of us...I can't wait!! I am more excited than my girls!!!

 

[Snoopygirl]

Hi Snoopygirl,
We will be there last week in March...spring break for all of us...I can't wait!! I am more excited than my girls!!!

We aren't telling our DD's.....keeping it a secret....and it's killing me!! I'm excited, especially since we're using our DVC pts. and staying at GCH. Now I just have to go to AAA and get our tickets and get some maps and books on CA.

Have a great trip....we'll have to do TR's and compare notes!!

 

[zelda1rn]

Thanks, will try not to stress out. I am unsure about planning our meals. I have tried to look at all there is, but I am unsure about what to do now. Our trip was booked with AAA, and we are driving in. We have our two travel stop destinations picked out now, so that is a relief. So here are some questions if you don't mind...
1. Does Goofy's resturant serve lunch and dinner besides breakfast?
2. Do we have to buy fastpass there at the park, or can we get one online to use?
3. Where is the best place to see tinkerbell (my 9 year old cannot stand the wait....she is a "'tink" lover.
4. Should we get matching Disney shirts at a local Disney store for our days in the parks?
Thanks for your help and time....
Getting more and more excited everyday!!!

 

[iceskatejen]

I can answer these.

1. Goofy's serves brunch and dinner. brunch runs until noon M-F and through 2 Sat and Sun. It's $21.99 for adults and $11.99 for 3-9. Dinner runs 5-9 daily and it $28.99 for adults and $11.99 for 3-9.

2. Fastpasses are free and you get them in the park. Many (not all) of the attractions have these machines near the entrances. You put you park ticket in a slot (yes you get it back), it reads the ticket and pops out a FP ticket. The FP will have a 1 hour window that you come backin. YOu can't come back befor ethe window starts, but DLR does not enforce the end of that window and you can come back anytime after the window starts so long as it's the same day. Also, you can't get another FP until the window starts or 2 hours later, whichever comes first. So, for example, I get a FP for Space Mountain first thing in the morning on a day DL opens at 9. My return time is 9:45. At 9:45 I can get a FP for any ride that offers it, including Space if I want it. But, I get one for Indy. At 9:45 the park is busier than it was earlier, so my return time for Indy is 10:45. At 10:45 the park is really busy. I go back to Space to get another FP for it. The return time is now 3:00. It's 10:45 and I can get another FP at 12:45. The time when you can get another FP is on the bottom of the most recent FP you got.

3. Tink is not a walkaround character. There are only 2 places to see her--on the first float during the Parade of Dreams and during the fireworks.

4. That is entirely your call.

 

[zelda1rn]

iceskatejen,
Thanks so much for yor advice. Only six weeks until departure!!!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

If you think the girls will be interested in meeting the characters, I recommend:

1. Doing a princess meal at DCA. All princess characters, plus some people dress up their little girls in princess outfits, so cute! (I want to just walk by before opening someday and get pictures of little girls in their dresses!)

2. You may be able to get Tink's autograph for DD9! If the girls will be doing the autograph thing, it's something to think about. My DS6 lost his first tooth in the park, and that evening while he went swimming with DH, I dashed down to the DLH front desk. I was looking for Tink's autograph (so she could be his tooth fairy), and the folks there went all out! Anyway, if your DD has an autograph book, you could bring it to the front desk for a signature, then slip it back to the room, maybe leave it out near a window with a trail of glitter leading to it? (Buy the glitter at home, though!)

Your DD probably doesn't believe like my 6yo. He doesn't really either (he was nervous about meeting the characters, so I told him they were people in costume.) But while he was meeting them, he really seemed to forget that part! Even if he hadn't believed the Tinkerbell tooth fairy, it was a fun little surprise for him.