How does this plan sound?

[mikana876]

We will be going to Disney and California adventure beginning of June. One day each.

This will be the first time going with a 3 year old (I've been many times pre-motherhood).

My plan is to get to the park as soon as it opens and go to Finding Nemo and then Peter Pan.

After that I'm not sure which would be better, staying in Fantasyland to hit all the rides there, or going up to Toon Town to hang there. Since this trip is mostly going to be focused on the rides that the 3 year old will enjoy, there are only a few rides outside of Toon Town and Fantasyland that we will care to ride (Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Astro Blasters etc).

What is my best plan of action?

 

[skiingfast]

I would go to DL on a non Magic Morning day. Monday, Wednesday or Friday if that's any option.

Do Peter Pan first, because it's quickl to get on, ride and leave. The Subs are a long ride and the line builds quickly, but if you ride it first the lines will be big everywhere else by the time you get off. So there is slight advantage to doing Peter Pan first.

After these focus on getting Fantasyland done early. I'm not sure what you are planning for Toontown but I doubt it's a priority.

Buzz is great for kids. HM and POTC could be a problem slowly judge what you kid can handle when you get there. They are dark and spooky.

Remember DCA opens at 9:30, not 10am as published.

 

[Pixiafurie]

For a three year old, they will adore Toontown. It is a very kid-friendly atmosphere and has a lot that will keep them interested.

I agree that POTC and HM may be a little scary for little ones, and I know that some are also wary of Snow White's Scary Adventures and Pinocchio's Daring Adventure due to several darker scenes. I highly recommended The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh over in Critter Country. Dumbo is just a blast too, for kids of all ages but the lines can get pretty heavy in the afternoon, so time this one out as well. Alice in Wonderland is another really cute, gentle ride that is exciting enough for young ones, but the lines are usually pretty mild.

Overall, I would hit Peter Pan first, like skiingfast noted, and definitely get to Nemo next.

 

[coaches24]

For a three year old, they will adore Toontown. It is a very kid-friendly atmosphere and has a lot that will keep them interested.

I agree that POTC and HM may be a little scary for little ones, and I know that some are also wary of Snow White's Scary Adventures and Pinocchio's Daring Adventure due to several darker scenes. I highly recommended The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh over in Critter Country. Dumbo is just a blast too, for kids of all ages but the lines can get pretty heavy in the afternoon, so time this one out as well. Alice in Wonderland is another really cute, gentle ride that is exciting enough for young ones, but the lines are usually pretty mild.

Overall, I would hit Peter Pan first, like skiingfast noted, and definitely get to Nemo next.

Agree with toontown. DD was almost 2 1/2 when we went and she loved toon town. We could have spent almost all our time in FL and TT. But she also loved Pirates and HM so it depends on the child. And our DD is scared of everything at first. We can usually talk her onto rides as long as she gets to sit with DW and or myself (of course but she always asked that). Once we got her to go on POC which was actually her first ride she was hooked. She only wanted to ride dumbo once even though she said she liked it, and she didn't like the golden zephyr at all after going on it.

 

[dzny12]

i dont know about others but my niece (3) totally hated the subs she squirmed and fussed wanted to sit on my sis's lap etc. we waited 90 minutes for it too.
def hit up peter pan first dumbos line build very early even on slower days so i would do that 2nd then rest of FL. in early am on non MM you can get almost everything in FL very quickly. I wouldnt rule out POC depends how well they do on snow white.

 

[coaches24]

i dont know about others but my niece (3) totally hated the subs she squirmed and fussed wanted to sit on my sis's lap etc. we waited 90 minutes for it too.
def hit up peter pan first dumbos line build very early even on slower days so i would do that 2nd then rest of FL. in early am on non MM you can get almost everything in FL very quickly. I wouldnt rule out POC depends how well they do on snow white.

Our DD liked the subs and asked to go again a little but didn't throw a fit when we didn't.

 

[disneychrista]

Remember DCA opens at 9:30, not 10am as published.

While this is true, last 2 times we have gone only Soarin', Little Mermain & World of Color tickets were available until 10am.

 

[skiingfast]

While this is true, last 2 times we have gone only Soarin', Little Mermain & World of Color tickets were available until 10am.

That's how it always is.

As advice to someone only going to DCA they should be there for the 9:30 opening not enter at 10am behind a few thousand people.

 

[disneychrista]

As advice to someone only going to DCA they should be there for the 9:30 opening not enter at 10am behind a few thousand people.

Agreed!

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

I'd skip Snow White and Pinocchio. My 3yo was terrified of both. Over at DCA, it's great to blow off steam at the Wilderness Explorer Camp.

 

[bitohoney]

That's how it always is.

As advice to someone only going to DCA they should be there for the 9:30 opening not enter at 10am behind a few thousand people.

Wow I did not know that! Thanks! We have 2 full days at DCA anyway so I think that's plenty of time but do plan on getting there at opening on at least 1 day!

 

[Goofy_Mom]

I would also hit up the Jungle Cruise and Tiki Room

 

[mikana876]

Thanks for all the great ideas and input!

Which days are magic morning days? My plan was Disneyland on Monday and Tuesday California adventure.

 

[disneychrista]

In generall MM days are - Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday. This could always change and on occasion changes due to other events (Grad Nights, Private Parties, etc)

 

[mikana876]

Just an update, DS loved:

Peter Pan
Snow White
Mr. Toads ride
Pinocchio (rode 2x)
Alice In Wonderland (rode 4x)
POTC
HM
Autopia
BLAB
Winnie The Pooh
Roger Rabbit
Little Mermaid (rode 2x)
Monsters Inc (rode 2x)
Talk with Turtle Crush
TSMM
Minnie's House, meeting her in front of the house

He rode but did NOT like It's a Small World, It's Tough to be a Bug, Disney Junior Live Onstage, Muppets, meeting Mickey at the end of Mickey's house (the part where you wait in line in front of a theatre screen).

He did not want to ride:
Finding Nemo
Casey Jr. train
Jungle Cruise
Storybook Land Canal
Redwood Creek Challenge

I'm glad we went to Fantasyland first. We rode a lot of rides in a short time period. The odd thing however was that DS would become scared while waiting in the line for a ride, but once on the ride he loved it.

Just a general trip report:
We were at rope drop both days (8am at DL, 10am at DCA). Both days he fell asleep around 1 or 2 pm in his umbrella stroller and we used that time to get some not peanut safe food items (DS has a peanut allergy, so we avoid foods that aren't peanut safe when eating in front of him, since he likes to share food with us). Then after waking we spent a few more hours before leaving. He made it until 7:30p first day and 5:30 second day. First day he did well in the lines only if we held him, otherwise he wanted to wander. Second day he was like a little line pro and understood when to move up. He also just played quietly in line with his toys (miniature Toy Story characters). As you can see he definitely favored the dark rides and didn't really like the other types of rides or shows.

 

[DisneytheKid]

Definitely do jungle cruise as a PP noted. A nephew of mine loved it when he was younger.

 

[joelnkelly]

glad to hear you had a awesome trip, we are heading out Saturday.

 

[mikana876]

glad to hear you had a awesome trip, we are heading out Saturday.

We definitely did! At one point he loudly proclaimed "I love Disneyland!" He's also been talking about everything he saw non stop

Have a good time while you're there!!

 

[rtfelt]

We definitely did! At one point he loudly proclaimed "I love Disneyland!" He's also been talking about everything he saw non stop

Looks like you have a future DISer in the making

I SOOOOO miss not having young children to share DL with anymore (my youngest is now 11, but my oldest--22--isn't married so of course no grandkids yet). I high jack my sister's grandkids when they come to DL with their parents on vacation. I offer to meet them at DL and graciously offer to take their small children on some FL rides, so they, the parents, can do the big rides together. What a saint I am

I also agree...do PP first. I would also suggest, if you have any worry about them getting afraid of rides, take him on the tame ones first. Avoid Pinocchio, Snow White, and especially Mr. Toad's. When my oldest DD was 2.5 years, we took her for the first time and made the mistake of going on Mr Toad's first. She was so freaked out she wouldn't go on ANY ride that was inside. She even didn't want to go in the "dark" stores.