If you only had 2 days.....

[Guatemommy]

in Disneyland/DCA - what are your must sees/dos?

We will be there early November - will only have a 2-day park hopper - a Disurprise for my DD who is 5.5. We really had 6 days planned in San Diego but decided to rearrange and give her a few days in DL instead of the San Diego Zoo which we have been to in the past. My panda-lovin' DH decided to give up seeing his favorites so we could do Disney.

I don't know when we will be back to the west coast so we decided DD should experience this side of the magic at least once while she still believes it is all real.

After reading some info here, I rearranged our trip so we will be there on a Fri and Sat so we can get in a fireworks, world of color, Aladdin, etc. I am not worried if we miss F! as I didnt find it as superamazing as others did when we were in Hollywood Studios last year. Frankly, a good fireworks show is so much more enjoyable for all 3 of us.

So what are our must dos? I am WDW veteran, DH has been a few times and DD had her dream come true vaca last year for 10 days there. How do we make the most of our CA adventure?

 

[austinosphere]

Here is what I *wouldn't* do:
*Story Boat Canal
*Sleep In (be there at park opening!!!)
*Captain EO
*Astro Orbiters
* Stand in any line of more than 30 minutes - if it's anticipated to be longer, you need to do it first thing or rely on fastpasses


Here's what I would do (with that age child) - during the middle of the day when it's hottest, I'd go back to the hotel to have them rest. This is important. Otherwise you'll get fewer total hours.

 

[DisDancerina]

Since you're going in November, I think you will be absolutely fine trying to do everything in two days!
I definitely suggest being there at park opening so you can get your fastpasses & get some rides in early in the day before the crazy crowds show up!
Tips:
- Get your World of Color fastpass first thing in the morning! It's not connected to any other fastpasses, so if you wanted you could make it a bit of a busy morning & grab a fastpass for Soarin' right after that, then head to Little Mermaid! That would get DCA e-tickets out of the way, anyways, e-tickets enjoyable for your DD! And Soarin' isn't even a must if your a WDW vet, as it's the same exact ride at WDW.
- Get to Peter Pan first thing if that's on your to do list!
- Definitely take a rest midday, it'll help prevent tantrums (For the adults and kids).
- Remember the little kid centers, they're like children centers, but I forget what they're called... But they have cold water and air conditioning!
- For fireworks- If you have the time, seeing fireworks from the esplanade is TRULY a magical experience, I'd fit it in!
- Use Aladdin as a midday break, it's a nice sit!

I can't think of much else, but I hope you have a magical time!

 

[rentayenta]

Hmm....2 days... don't miss

Disneyland:
Peter Pan
The Matterhorn
POTC
Splash
The Castle walk thru
Alice
Storybook Boats (at night)
IASW
BTMRR at night
Main St
Tiki Room
Indy
Jungle Cruise
Haunted Mansion
fireworks

DCA:
Soarin'
Animation Studio if only for 15-30 minutes
Screamin'
TSMM
ToT per my kids. I don't love it.
WoC

 

[mrswh]

Here is what I *wouldn't* do:
*Story Boat Canal
*Sleep In (be there at park opening!!!)
*Captain EO
*Astro Orbiters
* Stand in any line of more than 30 minutes - if it's anticipated to be longer, you need to do it first thing or rely on fastpasses

Captain EO is my DD's favorite! She would never forgive me if we missed it!

To the OP . . . don't forget to check out the Animation Building at DCA - Animation Academy is fun (with very little waiting) and the Beast's Library is great for that age as well. The carnival games over by TSMM are fun for kids and there is one where everyone wins a prize. And if your DD is up for it, Pirates at DLR is fantastic!

While WDW has magic of its own, you will L-O-V-E the ease of park-hopping in CA. Have fun!

 

[jdb in AZ]

As a PP said, two days in November should be plenty of time to see about everything you'll want. F! in Disneyland is reportedly better than the WDW version, but WOC is a definite priority. Our kids didn't need afternoon breaks when they were your DD's age. Calif is nice and cool in Nov so the heat won't wear you out. It might be too cool for a pool break. Glad you're going when Aladdin will be playing.

 

[Guatemommy]

Thanks everyone! We are planning on doing dinner at Ariels Grotto if I can get the WOC deal so we wont need to run for FP's on that. I think IASW may already be closed for Xmas prep so we may miss that - bummer as it is one of my faves at WDW. It was being refurbished last year at WDW so DD has yet to see it.

DD will finally be tall enough for Soarin, Splash and Space so this will def be a different experience than when we were in WDW last yr. No ToT yet though. And last year she didnt want to go in 'dark' rides so we missed Pirates (which I know she would love) and the Haunted Mansion. DH has a deathly fear of heights so he will be missing out. He barely made it thru Goofys roller coaster last year

We are big parade and fireworks people so I am looking forward to that. We do plan on going in early and then maybe taking an afternoon break so DD can make it till park closing. I'm on the sticky for preferred passes and hope some kind soul will help us out on that, but if not, we will find a way to get a good seat.

I plan on working with Ridemax - we used it last yr for the first time and when my group could actually stick to the plan it worked very well (we were there for a few days with firends and it was tough moving on plan). We definitely maximized our mornings there and I am hoping to do the same here.

This will be our first DL visit, but I have been to WDW 6 times. Can't wait to see the west coast versions of everything!

 

[Sherry E]

Pirates will most likely be closed when you're there (big rumored refurb is coming from September 7 - November 23, assuming that plan sticks).

IASW will be closed from late October until 11/14, when it reopens as IASW Holiday. Actually I have a strong hunch IASWH may open (at least soft openings) on 11/11 or 11/12, but 11/14 is the official start date of the holiday season.

Haunted Mansion will be Haunted Mansion Holiday when you're there, so it will be the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay version.

It's entirely possible that the Storybook Land boats could be closed when you're there, as that ride gets its own teeny tiny holiday decorations put in and it tends to reopen after the holiday season has begun.

And...you will see some of the holiday decorations going up a little bit at a time each day in early November. You will see 'snow' on the Castle and the lovely Mardi Gras-esque masks and decorations in New Orleans Square too. Some of the holiday treats will already be on sale, as will some of the merchandise.

 

[Hwyprincess]

My opinion (and I'm not a fantasmic fan) is skip world of color. It was worse than fantasmic with less of a storyline. The fireworks are awesome but they cause fantasyland to shut down so ride those super early, especially Peter pan. Don't miss small world if you have never been to DL. You will be disappointed next time you see it at WDW, it is beautiful at Christmas time. Also remember that haunted mansion is nightmare before Christmas so it is not the same ride. It gets chilly at night so bring hats and gloves, grab a spiced caramel apple cidar and enjoy.

 

[ssuriano]

You've got two days in a fairly calm part of the month so you should be able to do every thing that you want, outside of referbs and closures of course. I'll give you my must do list anyways.

Disneyland:
*All the mountains
*Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
*Indy
*Get a Dole Whip
*Haunted Mansion
*Castle walk through
*Mr Toad
DCA:
*Soarin'
*World of Color
*Screamin'
*Toy Story Midway Mania
*Animation building
*Tower of Terror

Hope you have a great trip and get everything you want in!

 

[Guatemommy]

We will be skipping ToT - DD will not like that at all and I dont need toSdo it by myself. We will also have to skip screamin as DD will not be tall enough for that one.

I will def get a Dole Whip as I have NEVER gotten one in WDW and always regret it. The line was always so long and by the time we got to that part of the park, it was too hot to wait on a long line so I am planning on taking advantage of the season while in DL.

I also MUST try a corn dog there - I am the only member of my family who understands what a great treat that is and I heard the DL ones are not to be missed.

We loved the drawing class at WDW so we will def hit the Animation building. And believe it or not, we have not done Toy Story ever as the line in WDW is crazy long and the one day we had FP's, we ended up leaving the park earlier than the FPs - we had the last FPs of the day. From the sound of it on this board, the lines at DL dont seem to be as bad as at WDW where that is the hottest thing since sliced bread. Hopefully we will get to it in DL.

I must say, at first we decided to go to give DD this surprise adventure, but the more I am reading about it, the more I am excited to experience things for myself too. I love travelling and especially to new places. Add in the Disney magic and it should be a great few days! We are coming in the night beofre and plan to relax and go to Downtown Disney that night so as not to miss that either.

Thanks again everyone - maybe I will have to do a trip report when I get back!

 

[rtfelt]

I can't believe anyone would not recommend WoC. I absolutely love that show. To me, it's a definite no miss.

It's true that early November is slow, but Saturdays always seem busy even during the slow season--Fridays too--especially in the evenings because a lot of locals come just for the evening. It will still be better than summer or Holidays of course.

My no miss for your DD's age:
DL:
Pirates
Peter Pan
All mountains
Small World
DCA:
Soarin'
Animation
Aladin

 

[Sherry E]

I can't believe anyone would not recommend WoC. I absolutely love that show. To me, it's a definite no miss.

It's true that early November is slow, but Saturdays always seem busy even during the slow season--Fridays too--especially in the evenings because a lot of locals come just for the evening. It will still be better than summer or Holidays of course.

My no miss for your DD's age:
DL:
Pirates
Peter Pan
All mountains
Small World
DCA:
Soarin'
Animation
Aladin

Pirates and Small World will be closed in early November, which is when Guatemommy is going to be at Disneyland.

Pirates is apparently undergoing a major refurbishment (for 2.5 months!) and It's a Small World will close near the end of October to receive its yearly holiday overlay, reopening as It's a Small World Holiday on 11/14 or possibly a couple of days before.

That will free up a couple of spots in the agenda for other rides.