Help me get 6 kids to Disneyland!

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I think its called Coral Reef at knotts and we do plan on getting on that. We were really thinking about six flags instead of a third day at Disneyland, but there is so much the kids want to do at disney I explained to them how they would benefit from a third day at Disney and they all agreed to ditch six flags. I'm kind of glad since I felt most of them would be scared at six flags.

It's called "Voyage to the Iron Reef" -- fun ride.




There is so much to do at Disneyland, plus with the 60th anniversary and new night time shows, you will have busy days there.

 

[NavyDad01]

It's called "Voyage to the Iron Reef" -- fun ride.


View attachment 96201

There is so much to do at Disneyland, plus with the 60th anniversary and new night time shows, you will have busy days there.

Lol I was way off!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I had the advantage of just being there this morning & taking a picture.

 

[mgd]

Finally the first thing that jumped out at me was that you had everyone going to DCA first. I LOVE DCA. But I would always always go to DL first and walk down main street. That is how a Disney visit should begin. Most especially for a first timer.

If you want a shot at radiator racers with less than an hour wait, you kind of have to do DCA first.

 

[Geemo]

Everyone here has provided so many good tips and now that we are exactly 30 days away its time to start planning and getting all the tips written down. I'm about to order the photopass plus tonight or tomorrow.

Don't forget to get some of the Magic Shots with PP+ while you're in the parks.

 

[Mugglemama]

I just want to say....what a fantastic thing to do for the kids in your life! I took my 2 nieces who live in Arizona, who had also never been anywhere outside the tiny little town they live in (they were abandoned by their parents at birth, my husband's parents, retired, disabled, and on a fixed income, took them in to raise - so you can imagine how tight their finances are). We took them to DLR when they were 10 and 8, stayed in the parks for 5 days...and I'm telling you, it's like they went to HEAVEN. It was so wonderful getting to see kids who never get to do anything, get to do something so amazing. Gives me chills just thinking about it.

The way we afforded it was this: We gave up a nice hotel to stay at Super 8 on Disneyland Drive (we paid for an extra room for them and their grandparents - you can get adjoining rooms), we ate NO meals in the parks, IIRC (I packed a TON of food ahead of time and brought things into the parks for everyone..we did sandwiches and fruit during the day and sometimes ran and picked up cheap pizza to take back to the hotel in the evening). I bought things like cotton candy ahead of time, brought microwave popcorn and packed it in Ziploc bags so when the kids smelled all that wonderful popcorn in the park they could have some. All the kids got $20 to spend on souvenirs - and they were THRILLED to have it. No frills, no extras....but man, I honestly think it was the best 5 days of their entire lives.

My initial intent was to give my mother-in-law a trip to Disneyland with all of her grandchildren...and believe me, she acts like it was one of the best experiences she's ever had...but those kids...they had the time of their lives.

I hope your family has the greatest trip EVER!

 

[TechGuy]

All I have to say is good luck. I am keeping my trip simple... drive past Magic Mountain, Drive past Knott's, check into FFI, walk to Downtown Disney, eat dinner, sleep, 5 days park hopping both parks, drive to Carmel.

I have been to both Knotts and Universal and DLR is more my taste.

As to carrying food and water, get a refillable water bottle, every restaurant will fill it for you, don't carry 400 pounds of water. If you have little kids, bring/rent/borrow a stroller to act as pack mule. Bring protein or granola bars and fruit snacks.

As for meals, with my family, we found we only ate one meal in the park during the day and maybe a snack later in evening or back in our hotel room. We were too busy having fun. We tend to eat granola or fruit and similar breakfast items, often while waiting for the rope to drop.

As for kids, when the kids are whiny, take a break see a show, sit in the shade. Energetic? TOm Sawyer Island or BugsLand (pack bathing suits for this) is great place to run off energy. If you can, break the group into smaller groups for break from each other and let the older kids get away from the little ones. Don't spend all day attempting to satisfy 8 people's needs. Like mom with the 3 older kids while Dad take the little ones on the little kid rides (like Toon Town).

 

[NavyDad01]

We going to downtown Disney a few nights before we go to the park so that we can get our hard tickets. Is there a way to ride the monorail or a train that goes around the parks that we could do so that the kids can get a glimpse of what waits?

 

[NavyDad01]

All I have to say is good luck. I am keeping my trip simple... drive past Magic Mountain, Drive past Knott's, check into FFI, walk to Downtown Disney, eat dinner, sleep, 5 days park hopping both parks, drive to Carmel.

I have been to both Knotts and Universal and DLR is more my taste.

As to carrying food and water, get a refillable water bottle, every restaurant will fill it for you, don't carry 400 pounds of water. If you have little kids, bring/rent/borrow a stroller to act as pack mule. Bring protein or granola bars and fruit snacks.

As for meals, with my family, we found we only ate one meal in the park during the day and maybe a snack later in evening or back in our hotel room. We were too busy having fun. We tend to eat granola or fruit and similar breakfast items, often while waiting for the rope to drop.

As for kids, when the kids are whiny, take a break see a show, sit in the shade. Energetic? TOm Sawyer Island or BugsLand (pack bathing suits for this) is great place to run off energy. If you can, break the group into smaller groups for break from each other and let the older kids get away from the little ones. Don't spend all day attempting to satisfy 8 people's needs. Like mom with the 3 older kids while Dad take the little ones on the little kid rides (like Toon Town).

Great tips! I think I'm the only reason we are going to Universal. I really want to try Transformers and I'm a huge Simpsons fan.

 

[NavyDad01]

I just want to say....what a fantastic thing to do for the kids in your life! I took my 2 nieces who live in Arizona, who had also never been anywhere outside the tiny little town they live in (they were abandoned by their parents at birth, my husband's parents, retired, disabled, and on a fixed income, took them in to raise - so you can imagine how tight their finances are). We took them to DLR when they were 10 and 8, stayed in the parks for 5 days...and I'm telling you, it's like they went to HEAVEN. It was so wonderful getting to see kids who never get to do anything, get to do something so amazing. Gives me chills just thinking about it.

The way we afforded it was this: We gave up a nice hotel to stay at Super 8 on Disneyland Drive (we paid for an extra room for them and their grandparents - you can get adjoining rooms), we ate NO meals in the parks, IIRC (I packed a TON of food ahead of time and brought things into the parks for everyone..we did sandwiches and fruit during the day and sometimes ran and picked up cheap pizza to take back to the hotel in the evening). I bought things like cotton candy ahead of time, brought microwave popcorn and packed it in Ziploc bags so when the kids smelled all that wonderful popcorn in the park they could have some. All the kids got $20 to spend on souvenirs - and they were THRILLED to have it. No frills, no extras....but man, I honestly think it was the best 5 days of their entire lives.

My initial intent was to give my mother-in-law a trip to Disneyland with all of her grandchildren...and believe me, she acts like it was one of the best experiences she's ever had...but those kids...they had the time of their lives.

I hope your family has the greatest trip EVER!

I think that is going to be my moment this trip! Watching all the little ones enjoy the park is all I'm going to need.
They come over every other weekend and plan so much with my daughter. They even started a chart with how many riders fit on each ride so that they can plan who is going to sit together on each ride. I had to make them promise me that they would not look up any rides on Youtube.

 

[NavyDad01]

Don't forget to get some of the Magic Shots with PP+ while you're in the parks.

Will do! That's another reason Im glad we are going three days so that we can have time for that as well.

 

[Geemo]

Will do! That's another reason Im glad we are going three days so that we can have time for that as well.

We go for 4 to 5 days and so far the last 3 trips we have gotten so excited and busy each day we have forgot to get any of them.
Guess I'll have to make a list of "To-Do's" for our next trip.

Geemo

 

[NavyDad01]

We going to downtown Disney a few nights before we go to the park so that we can get our hard tickets. Is there a way to ride the monorail or a train that goes around the parks that we could do so that the kids can get a glimpse of what waits?

So it looks like it stops in Disneyland so I would assume you need to use a ticket day

 

[gerilyne]

So it looks like it stops in Disneyland so I would assume you need to use a ticket day

That is correct; the monorail is considered a ride and since it goes into the parks you would need a park ticket to ride it

 

[agamble]

So it looks like it stops in Disneyland so I would assume you need to use a ticket day

Yeah, they scan your ticket before you board.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

On the night you get your tickets, your group can still have a very fun time exploring DtD and the esplanade, even without going into the parks. You can get maps and schedules at the turnstiles without entering. Maybe you can grab some to study over dinner? Check the schedule for fireworks that night. The show can be seen from the esplanade.
It sounds like you've done great research and have your days planned. Now, the only thing left is to make sure you have a plan B in case something changes/goes wrong. That way, you won't be left adrift with 6 confused or upset kids. You'll be able to swing right into your alternate plan and keep going with the fun.

 

[Mugglemama]

They come over every other weekend and plan so much with my daughter. They even started a chart with how many riders fit on each ride so that they can plan who is going to sit together on each ride. I had to make them promise me that they would not look up any rides on Youtube.

Nevermind...I'd mentioned getting maps before reading all the responses..Somebody already mentioned it!

 

[Geemo]

Nevermind...I'd mentioned getting maps before reading all the responses..Somebody already mentioned it!

I sent 6 maps of each park back in March after our trip. I included a weekly program schedule too.

Geemo

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Since they are visiting in June, the new schedules for the 60th entertainment will be available. If they can grab schedules the night they get their tickets, they will be able to study the new times for shows, parades, and fireworks.

 

[Comicbookmommy]

I haven't ready through the entire thread, so forgive me if anything I say doesn't apply.

Can you up your budget a bit and just get the cheaper annual passes and go during the week? They are 300 each and you can park hop (if you want).

Can I ask why all the rest days? I would want to spend as many days in the park as possible!

BTW I think it's such a great thing to be taking all the kids like this! I'm trying to take a friends kids too, who would be first timers. It would be so magical to see their faces see it all for the first time!