Help - Taking an 8 yr old girl

[CalGal]

I've been taking my DS to DL for 16 years. I thought I knew it all -- I knew pretty much all of HydroGuy's tips long before he published them. Now that my only child is almost 18 and not into vacationing with mom, I thought my regular DL days were behind me and I've even drifted away from these boards lately. But suddenly I found myself planning a trip with an 8 year old girl and found I could use some help.

I really want to make this a special trip for my great-neice. Here parents are homeless and far from model parents. I heard she desperately wants to go to Disneyland and how could I pass an opportunity to make an angelic little girl's wish come true. What do I need to do differently with a girl? Is Libby Lu a must? We don't have a lot of time (2 nights at DL hotel, one full and two 1/2 days).

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Libby Lu caters pretty much to Hannah Montana and HSM fans as far as anything Disney goes. If she likes either one of those shows, than you should stop by.

If she isn't into princesses, there's no need to wait in line for the Princess Faire.

I would just go and plan to enjoy the attractions and get pictures with the characters. Buy her a set of mouse ears and a micky mouse ice cream bar. My DD would spend the entire time riding Splash Mountain if we let her.

 

[dalepool]

You are so lucky. Being able to see DL thru the eyes of a child, who is going for the first time-- Life does not get much better.

Take time to stroll and watch the street singers and characters ( Make sure you do not forget to get autographs from minnie and Mickey and all the other characters. ( You can buy the autograph book at the park be sure to bring a fat pen as the characters have a hard time with the reg size ones). Parades are a must. Wearing a princess dress, what 8 year old would not like that. A character meal is so much fun -- but note that the kids are so thrilled with the characters that they will forget to eat. I like the breakfast at GC. It is themed with chip and dale. Chip and Dale do a follow the leader so remember your camera . Have a wonderful time.

 

[avalon451]

You might try a character meal, depending on whether she is into particular characters.

Eight years old is tricky as far as girly things go. It really depends on the kid. I have 3 DDs, and none of them are the froofy, dress up, play with baby dolls type. (yeah, we bought them Polly Pockets and Barbies, but we also bought them Tonka Trucks and Legos )They all liked to dress up until about age 6, then they were too cool for it. But some girls still love Libby Lu at that age, as well as Build-a-Bear (in DTD), Fantasy Princess Faire, and the princess character meals at Ariel's Grotto in DCA.

How nice of you to treat your g-niece to this trip! You'll have a wonderful time, regardless. Eight is a great age to experiene the parks for the first time!

 

[CalGal]

Thanks for the tips -- and keep 'em coming.

I asked my G-niece's aunt her thoughts and "What are her favorite Disney movies. Do you think she'll want to seek out autographs? Is she into Princesses? Is she into High School Musical? Has she been to amusement parks before or will I need to start her slowly on the rides before suggesting one of the roller coasters? Is she very fearful? Which of us is more excited?" She sent back the following responses from my G-niece:

I am very excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My favorite movies are: Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland and of course Hight School Musical.

I want to get autographs!

I went to Great America and Castles and Coasters. I'm am scared of roller coasters because I watched a scary movie about a haunted roller coaster where all these people died. (Aunt says nice parenting!!)

On a scale from one to ten .... I am 1000 percent excited!

I will wake up EARLY to go to the park!

-------------
Is this what it's all about or what?

 

[annieb727]

How great that you can do this for this little girl!!!! Sounds like she has a great attitude about it...and I think you guys will have an absolute BLAST!!

I would definitely take her to a Character meal - I always thought the one at Goofy's Kitchen was a lot of fun - Alice is usually there, and is super sweet! I can't wait to hear how it all goes - when are you going??

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

You're an awesome person! I don't have anything great to add but I was 8 my first trip and..wow. It was old enough to remember it ALL.

I hope you two have TONS of fun

 

[CalGal]

We are going at the end of the month since she starts school the first week of August. It should be hot, but she is used to it and I've been to DL that time of year several times before. This all came together very quickly.

 

[CalGal]

You're an awesome person! I don't have anything great to add but I was 8 my first trip and..wow. It was old enough to remember it ALL.

I hope you two have TONS of fun

Actually, my niece is the awesome one. She's taking care of my great niece while the parents are in a shelter, and she planted the thought in my mind knowing that I love any excuse to go to DL. I'm certain this will be a great memory for both of us.

 

[jernysgirl]

I would definitely suggest a trip to Build a Bear in DTD. My niece is 10 and very "trendy" but she still loves her animals from there. It is a neat experience to get to customize a friend and you can even get special Disney accessories for their new friends. Very fun and a great way to take memories home.

I also agree with the character meal, don't forget HSM parade/show in DCA if you are park-hopping. There is a shop in Hollywood in DCA that has lots of HSM/Hannah Montana/Camp Rock items, just before Award Weiners (across from Playhouse Disney).

I would suggest trying to get in on a photopass share on the DIS and take advantage of photopass. Run around the park and take lots of silly photos. When you get the cd, print out the photos and maybe give them to her as a post-trip surprise. (and don't forget to pick-up a fun Disney frame for her too!)

And don't forget to hit up City Hall in DL on your way in to check what characters are in the park and their locations for the day. That makes autographs easier to track down.

Have tons of fun with your little princess and post pics when you get back!!!

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

Don't forget the Pixar Play Parade in DCA !!! Being 23, I'm not sure how an 8
yr old feels about Pixar movies, but they are the latest in Disney flix and I'm
sure she'd be excited to see them in real life I would suggest finding out
when Ariel is going to be at her picture spot in between Fantasyland &
Tomorrowland. She would probably love to be able to take a picture with her
and to get her autograph!

 

[jernysgirl]

Don't forget the Pixar Play Parade in DCA !!! Being 23, I'm not sure how an 8
yr old feels about Pixar movies, but they are the latest in Disney flix and I'm
sure she'd be excited to see them in real life I would suggest finding out
when Ariel is going to be at her picture spot in between Fantasyland &
Tomorrowland. She would probably love to be able to take a picture with her
and to get her autograph!

I am not sure that Ariel is still there. I thought that I had heard that she was on hiatus at this location due to the new "tinkerbell attraction/meet-n-greet" coming into this area... Can anyone confirm?

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

I am not sure that Ariel is still there. I thought that I had heard that she was on hiatus at this location due to the new "tinkerbell attraction/meet-n-greet" coming into this area... Can anyone confirm?

Oh really ?? Thats a shame. I was going to try to get a picture there when I
go in Oct.. Oh well

 

[pixiewings71]

Ariel may not be in her shell area in DL but she is in the parade and she is at her restaurant in DCA. Without her fins dressed in a beautiful dress. Since she likes so many Princesses you may consider a meal at Ariel's Grotto. The food is good, not spectacular but it's good, the price is high but well worth not waiting at the PFF to see the Princesses. Another thought, a character breakfast, we loved Minnie's at Plaza Inn inside the park. My DD8 loved it, her 2 favorite character meals are Ariel's and Minnie. Have fun!

 

[Sienna]

You might want to think about pin trading. We took my daughter, 7, in January, and we kept seeing everyone with the lanyards and pins and she thought that was neat. We got her a lanyard & pin set near the end of our trip, and she still likes to wear it. If we had been a little bit more proactive, we should have gotten the set ahead of time so she could have participated in pin trading at the parks.

Also, how about picking up a "first visit" pin from City Hall?

 

[chickyann]

Thanks for the tips -- and keep 'em coming.

I asked my G-niece's aunt her thoughts and "What are her favorite Disney movies. Do you think she'll want to seek out autographs? Is she into Princesses? Is she into High School Musical? Has she been to amusement parks before or will I need to start her slowly on the rides before suggesting one of the roller coasters? Is she very fearful? Which of us is more excited?" She sent back the following responses from my G-niece:

I am very excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My favorite movies are: Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland and of course Hight School Musical.

I want to get autographs!

I went to Great America and Castles and Coasters. I'm am scared of roller coasters because I watched a scary movie about a haunted roller coaster where all these people died. (Aunt says nice parenting!!)

On a scale from one to ten .... I am 1000 percent excited!

I will wake up EARLY to go to the park!

-------------
Is this what it's all about or what?

You are going to have the best time!!

 

[stacymomof2]

That is a GREAT thing you are doing for her. My DD was 3 weeks shy of 8 when we went in May...she had an incredible time and we talk about Disney pretty much everyday. She is already planning her rides for our next trip!

I hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[mariezp]

Thanks for the tips -- and keep 'em coming.

I asked my G-niece's aunt her thoughts and "What are her favorite Disney movies. Do you think she'll want to seek out autographs? Is she into Princesses? Is she into High School Musical? Has she been to amusement parks before or will I need to start her slowly on the rides before suggesting one of the roller coasters? Is she very fearful? Which of us is more excited?" She sent back the following responses from my G-niece:

I am very excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My favorite movies are: Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland and of course Hight School Musical.

I want to get autographs!

I went to Great America and Castles and Coasters. I'm am scared of roller coasters because I watched a scary movie about a haunted roller coaster where all these people died. (Aunt says nice parenting!!)

On a scale from one to ten .... I am 1000 percent excited!

I will wake up EARLY to go to the park!

-------------
Is this what it's all about or what?

Since she likes some of the princesses I would take her to the character meal at Ariel's. We once saw Alice there too. She would get a chance to meet, get autographs and get pictures taken with several princesses.

Grab a map and let her pick and choose what sounds good to her. Make it her day! Maybe you could get one in advance and work up something of a to-do-list with her.

Maybe get her a Disney goodie bag ahead of time to help build the excitement. Include an autograph book, pen, princess accessories, a few toys, stationary, stickers, a t-shirt, etc.

God bless you for sharing your love for DL to make a special day for this little girl!

 

[caligirl stuck in va]

How wonderful it will be to share this experience with your niece - you will have a blast! My DD7 still loves princesses but this past trip we skipped the PFF (wait for us was over one hour the previous year). This year she loved Autopia, BTMRR, GRR, Soarin, Turtle Talk with Crush and the Animation Building....I could go on and on. Definitely get a map and let her lead the way (with gentle suggestions, of course). We don't do Character Meals as they are just TOO much $$ - but we have never felt shorted on meeting characters either. We have always been able to see them around the parks and got tons of autographs (very popular). A note about Pin Trading - both of my DD's love the pins but not the trading! So unless she is pretty outgoing, she may not like the trading part. I guess mine enjoy Pin Collecting more than Pin Trading - very cute pins, thousands of them available actually so it really is a hobby that can suit ANYONE. Just be prepared for the prices! I envy your trip with your little one - 8 is still a very magical age!

 

[pixiewings71]

fyi, my girls are 8 and 11 (until TUESDAY) and they LOVE pin trading!