Hastily Planned Trip with Prego Wife and 3 smalls.... NEED ADVICE!

[chevrolet_bob]

So the wife was fortunate to win a free trip to Disneyland, she is pregnant and due early July and the trip had to be used by the end of the year. So as to not be going through the park with a newborn we decided to go in May, we are driving from Seattle to sight see a little and will be there the 18th thru the 23rd. Planning this trip to include sight seeing/hotels/reasonable drive times for 3 smalls is hard enough so thankfully the winning included a Planner for our stay. We are staying on sight and have the early access options and will be alternating the parks each day. We will be doing a couple character dinners and hopefully a fireworks show or two and a parade.

looking for advice on what/when/where for our 3.5 yr old and 6.5 yr old. The 1 yr old will just be loosing his mind all over the place so we are not too worried about him LOL.

Thank you!

 

[Nonsuch]

Since you are a contest winner, ask your planner if seating can be arranged for MSEP (also fireworks and WOC) -- never hurts to ask...

 

[lcp9]

We have a 5, 3, and 1 year old and went twice last year. Genders/heights would probably be helpful - our oldest is a girl and we do a lot of princess meet and greets with her. Both of our older kids are 42"+, so we have been able to ride all of the rides. Last time we went with my parents so someone could stay and watch the baby, but by ourselves we have to utilize a lot of rider switch - so depending on how tall your kids are, you can take 1 or both, get a rider switch, and then your wife can go while you stay with the baby.

We have a chariot double stroller and we take that so one/all can take naps as needed. We pack a lot of food into the storage part. My kids' favorite parts are the parades, probably. WOC at DCA will likely be a waste of time unless you can get seating (IMO.)

The 1 year old will be able to go on a lot - 75% of what you do, probably. If you're into baby wearing, you might consider bringing something to hold him (her) in because you can't take strollers through the lines, obviously.

My 3 year old is a boy, and Cars Land is probably his favorite thing. the whole fastpass system has changed recently, but if you have hoppers you should know that you can run over to DCA and get fast passes for the racers (if your kids are interested and tall enough) and continue to hang out in Disneyland until it's time to go over. FP run out quickly, so you may be running over at 11am for an 8pm fp time.

My kids are all big nappers, and even with naps in the stroller they crash - so be wary of scheduling anything late. It's a long day.

As far as your wife goes - this is all personal preference, doctor wishes and how her pregnancy is going, but I have been there at 7 months pregnant and ridden everything, so take that for what it's worth. It was going to be my daughter's first time riding space mountain, and I wanted to go with her so I did. It was fine and my doctor didn't care. I should note it probably depends on how she is carrying the baby as to whether pulling a bar down on a ride would be uncomfortable or not. Even if she doesn't want to do "big" rides, there are still plenty of things for her to do.

 

[lk2500]

Since you are a contest winner, ask your planner if seating can be arranged for MSEP (also fireworks and WOC) -- never hurts to ask...

I think OP means travel agent type planner, not plan your day at Disneyland type planner.

Looks he just just wants help planning out the day, managing EMH, rides, parade and fireworks logistics, etc... with a gaggle of young ones and a pregnant wife (like lcp9's awesome post). My kids are older and I always stay off site so I can't be of much help.

chevrolet_bob, Here is a post I made about a Saturday in late June a few years ago if it helps.

7am - lined up at gate 20 but then finally figured out the gate 19 strategy (gate 19 is behind a traffic island with trees and some people don't realize it's a separate line from the one next to it).

Peter Pan
Alice
Mr. Toad
Matterhorn (7:40am)
Star Tours
8am - grabbed Fast Passes for HM
Buzz
Pinocchio
Snow White
Casey Jr.
Dumbo (9:15am)
Small World
(all 6 rides above with very short lines)
HM (10am with Fast Passes)
10:15am – Toured Star Wars Launch Bay
10:30am – Starbucks
11:00am – Grabbed Fast Passes for Indy, 1:35-2:35 return
Pirates
Splash Mountain
Winnie the Pooh

Family went to gift shops on the way back to FFI, I ran and grabbed FP's
Grabbed Fast Passes for RSR (7:40-8:40pm return)

Lunch Break

2:30pm – Indy
Pirates
Autopia
Buzz
Grabbed Past Passes for GRR, 6:10-7:10pm return
TSMM
GRR
Dinner break
8:43pm – RSR
HM
Fireworks
Buzz
Mr Toad
Star Tours

 

[lk2500]

chevrolet_bob,

How tall are your kids? Will they both go on the thrill rides like Indiana Jones? Is your daughter interested in meeting the princesses?

 

[chevrolet_bob]

Ours are 6/3/1 girl/boy/boy. Our oldest is a teeny little bugger, not even 42" tall. Lots of good advice, thank you.

 

[chevrolet_bob]

chevrolet_bob,

How tall are your kids? Will they both go on the thrill rides like Indiana Jones? Is your daughter interested in meeting the princesses?

Our daughter is definitely interested in meeting the Princesses. Are there special events we should look for?

 

[chevrolet_bob]

Scratch that, my daughter is 3'7" and son is 3'3"...

 

[Cagirl767]

Here are my suggestions based on 1. pg wife 2. hot weather 3. ages/height of kids, no dark scary rides/or rides with excessive waits without FP such as Peter Pan 4. Minimize walking

Utilize your early entry and try to go go go until lunch time if possible. Sunny rides, first (pg and standing in sun doesn't make for a good trip). I've cut out the thrill rides, but you can easily get FP for the ones your 6 year old can go on.

For Disneyland:
Straight back to Dumbo, then head over to Nemo, then back to It's a Small World, then to Princess Fantasy Fair for 9am show, then Toontown to meet Minnie and Mickey and Toontown things for your 3 year old. Come up to the carousel, Lunch, Casey Jr., Pinocchio. Main Street cars, Jungle Cruise then Pirates and parade.

One of your other days, I'd start with Alice in Wonderland then Storybook Land Boats, Pixie Hollow to meet Tinkerbell then rockets, Autopia, Buzz. Pooh and Tigger are way back by the Winnie the Pooh ride if you're looking for another character meet n greet. There is storytelling at the Royal Theater also.

 

[lcp9]

The app will give you times/places to meet princesses. If you look day before on the app, you will have a good idea of who to expect where. One time I spent about 2.5 hours with my daughter, and we were able to knock out all of them with the exception of anna/elsa (at DCA.) It looks like your daughter will be tall enough for most big rides, but your son isn't (which is too bad, he's an inch too short for racers!) If she doesn't have any interest in going on space mountain/matterhorn/etc...that will save you a lot of time and energy, and you can bum around doing other stuff that have way shorter standby lines. He can go on the small coaster in toontown, and also the mater tractor ride in cars land.

 

[lk2500]

Our daughter is definitely interested in meeting the Princesses. Are there special events we should look for?

This thread was just started, might help you out a bit: https://www.disboards.com/threads/h...t-3yo-for-trip-next-week-help-please.3602000/

 

[chevrolet_bob]

Thanks ALL, really appreciate the advice.

 

[Liam'sMimi]

Thanks ALL, really appreciate the advice.

I believe the afternoon Pixar Parade started up again in DCA. This parade is fun for little ones. Also, the Tiki Room is an awesome place to sit, cool off and even your youngest will enjoy the show. Even though not everyone is tall enough for RSR spend sometime in Cars Land. Your two oldest should be able to ride the Mater and the Luigi rides with you. If you are there as the sun sets it's really cool for all ages to watch the neon come to life as 50's music plays. You will have a blast and taking some of the big ticket attractions with height restrictions out of the equation will free up time for you to just enjoy being there. I am a big proponent of enjoying as many attractions as possible early mornings. It's so enjoyable before it gets too hot and too crowded. After lunch head back to the hotel for a swim and a rest (maybe a nap?) In the evening you can enjoy parades and fireworks if you all are up for it. You should be able to see and do a lot without being rushed and pushing yourselves too hard. Have a great trip!

 

[lk2500]

Another new thread where you might pick up a few tips: https://www.disboards.com/threads/urgent-assistance-requested.3604462/

Have fun!