If you had to pick just ONE tip....

[Mackysmycat]

...that you would give someone who hasn't been to Disneyland in 10 years and never before with kids (they are 5 1/2 and almost 8)....... what would it be?

 

[Peace.love.mickey]

One long one....go early (as soon as it opens)...leave and rest during the afternoon, and go back at night!!!

 

[DangerMouse]

Read Hydro's FP, Hotel and other tips! (yep, I know that's cheating, but they are sooooo helpful!)

Ok, one from me would be bring your own water bottles and refill from the cold, filtered water cooler at the DL Baby Station on Main Street.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

I think you'll be surprised how quickly your 5 1/2 y/o will grow accustomed to the big rides. Half-way through your trip your 5 1/2 y/o may be ready to ride the Matterhorn, BTMRR, Splash Mtn, Star Tours, and Space Mtn. (On our first trip, I underestimated my DD4 and DS5, and we didn't ride Star Tours or Space Mtn on our first trip. )

How can you limit this to one tip?

Jedi Training Academy in Tomorrowland is a fun show!
"Jedi Training Academy Tips" by Hound 109
www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1478699

HTH

 

[Mackysmycat]

Can you direct me to that post of Hydros? I'm sure I've seen it before, but...

Ok if you MUST give more than one tip, you may. LOL

 

[DizNee Luver]

Have a plan going in but don't feel the need to stick to it....be flexible & let the kids guide you.

Hydro's tip are the "stickys" on the top of these forums. If you get the chance to read all of them....do!! Very helpful & full of good info & tips!!

 

[PHXscuba]

Bring your own water bottles and snacks. You will save lots of money! You will also avoid standing in as many food lines (which saves time) and can snack in line or waiting for parades/shows (which makes the wait go faster).

Have fun!

PHXscuba

 

[avalon451]

Hydroguy's sticky thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

Figure out FastPass and use it! Collect FPs in the morning, save them to use after you come back for your afternoon break.

 

[Mackysmycat]

Awesome - I'll start reading through those tips. Thank you!

 

[teacups]

My tip: Don't get caught up in those adorable character signature books. You'll spend most of your time in line.
Hubby's tip: Learn all you can about how best to use FAST PASS.

 

[Sherwin]

Don't hold back.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Man, just one??

Get there early!!!

 

[rszdtrvl]

My tip :

If you get hungry, stop and eat!! Don't wait! You will feel better and energized after you stop and get a snack.

 

[dmked]

Use FastPasses!

 

[LavenderPeach]

Eat your meals early (assuming you're not bringing your own food). Try to eat lunch at 11am. We're not usually there for dinner so not sure when the food places start getting busy in the evening but I would think that eating dinner before 5 or 5:30 might be a good goal.

 

[Rivergallery]

Well for one.. Homeschool so you can go anytime you want.
LOL
Otherwise.. read DIS forums and plan.
If I have to pick one, it is SMILE.

 

[Leofoenget]

...that you would give someone who hasn't been to Disneyland in 10 years and never before with kids (they are 5 1/2 and almost 8)....... what would it be?

Read all of Hydroguys tips

 

[daisy_77]

Always have your camera handy.

 

[daisy_77]

Don't waste time of breakfast in the park....eat in your room if you can.

 

[luvsmickey1968]

Don't forget that your main goal is to have fun and enjoy yourself!!!!

I remember on my first trip to Disneyland as an adult we were seated beside a woman waiting for a parade. She had a toddler in a stroller beside her sleeping. As the parade came down the street she started shaking him to wake him up. He started to cry and scream that he was tired and wanted to sleep and she kept telling him that he couldn't miss the parade. I felt like telling her to listen to her poor child and leave her child alone and enjoy the parade herself! I just did not understand this woman.
Then there are the obviously tired children crying to go home and the parents insisting that they go on more rides.
My favorite is the child who is afraid to go on a ride and the parent who insists that they should not be afraid and continues to insist that they go on the ride. When we were there in September, there was a hysterical boy who did not want to go on Buzz Lightyear and his mother just kept telling him that there was nothing to be scared of. I know that there is nothing to be scared of and so did she but obviously he did not agree and he was so upset and it was very upsetting to the rest of us in line. I did not have any children with me but you could see some of the children around us getting upset because he was upset.
I mean it is fine to try to talk your child into something when you know when they will enjoy it but when they are crying and screaming, it's just a ride!
The first time we took my daughter was when she was three and one of the first rides we went on was Pinnochio. Well, it totally freaked her out and she refused to go on any rides that were basically inside.
At first my husband and I were a little upset and then we realized that the reason we came to Disneyland was for her. So so we just went with the flow and went on rides that she was willing to go on and if we wanted to go on a ride she didn't, we went on ourselves while the other one stayed with her.
She also wouldn't go on Storybook because she refused to go through the whale's mouth even though she could see the other side. Kids!