ISO Help for our first trip with 3 little Princesses!

[cedarparkgirl]

I just love this forum. I have been reading all the threads and the information is so valuable. Thank you thank you.

My Husband and I are planning our first trip to DL during Spring Break with our 2 daughters, and niece who are 4yrs, 5.5yrs, and an almost 5yr old in May. I am feeling somewhat overwhelmed with the planning process since I did not realize how important it is to have a strategy and plan when going. I have already put on hold at the Library the "Unofficial Guide to DisneyLand", and will also get the "Disneyland with Young Kids" book I saw someone mention here. We will be doing the 3 Day Hopper Pass. I have a couple of questions I am hoping to get some insight and advice on. I have already made reservations for Ariel's Grotto and plan on doing the Princess Fantasy Faire w/out waiting in line for Princesses. We will see the Princesses at Ariel's Grotto. I saw several mention the Turtle Crush event and watching Aladdin, were these events something you needed to purchase in advance?

Here are some of my questions..
*What are must "see's/must do's" (shows and rides) with kids this young?
*Is planning with Ridemax worth it for the rides my kids would go on?

We also will have a rental car and would like to hit the beach for the last 2 days of our trip. We are staying Off Site in Garden Grove. Are there any other attractions in Anahein area that we should do? Any beach recommendations? We do not want to go to San Diego and do any attractions there. Thank you in advance for any help and suggestions.

And if there are any other book suggestions, please post them.

 

[dizzyami]

#1 advice is assuming they are normal 3 day hoppers is to utilize EE on the day that it is offered - hit Peter Pan, and then all of the Fantasyland rides - this guarantees them all without wait.

Princess Fantasy Faire is a fun time for the kids if you are not stressing about seeing the princesses - there is a place to color and make crowns, and then they get to go on stage and learn how to be princesses.

Crush and Aladdin do not require a purchase - just refer to the times being shown and be there a bit early.

That age will probably enjoy the rides at Flik's Fun Fair in DCA.

If there are rides the big kids (you and DH) want to go on, remember there is baby swap -

I wouldn't really worry about ride max, never used it, but with a bit of help and love from these boards you should be fine!!!

My kids love autograph books and getting signatures from the princesses and other characters.

Check out Toon Town - great fun for kids - my DD loves the roller coaster and makes us go on it at least 10 times each trip!

 

[Brika]

I don't see any times scheduled for Turtle Talk with Crush... is this something that happens daily??? THANKS

 

[pixiedust_in_ak]

It happens everyday, but the times are not posted or in the daily guide. You have to go to the podium and ask what time the next show is.

 

[Brika]

It happens everyday, but the times are not posted or in the daily guide. You have to go to the podium and ask what time the next show is.

TY, TY, TY!!!!!!!

 

[PoohBearFriends]

My youngest was 2 months short of being 5 last year. We have gone before but it was a different experience this time. She was tall enough to ride the BTMRR, Mullholand Madness, Star Tours, Space MT. My older was 7. They turned into roller coaster fanatics and loved going on the BTMRR and Mullholand a lot. We made sure we kept up on fast passes.

We always do Fantasyland first or and at the end of the day. The lines are shorter. Then we go for some time over at haunted mansion, Winnie the pooh and FP at splash for later. I used some ideas from Unofficial guide but found we were able to ride a lot more than what they listed. One of the adults was always going to get the next FP when available and we ended up with extras.

We try to do character greetings later in the morning when the ride lines get long. We all need a break after about 10-12 rides in the earlier part of the day.

My kids need a break early afternoon and then we stay late and can go on a lot of the rides again. We choose a day to do the parade and fireworks and usually see some of each every day they are available. Advice from another person was to see Fireworks first night. I think this is good because we were winded/rained out the other nights it was available last year. Glad we saw it the first night.

Have a good trip

 

[stagemomx3]

I love RideMax and would reccomend it even if you were going during a slow time, but since you are going during Spring Break I think you will find it well worth it's very low price! It's a great program and fun to play with, and the amount of line time it can cut out for you is amazing.

 

[brenda1966]

I highly recommend the salmon BLT at Ariel's Grotto (lunch). And yes, you will meet a few princesses while you are eating so have your camera and your autograph books ready!

 

[cedarparkgirl]

I am re-thinking the whole thing about having them wear there Princess Dresses just for Lunch.. it seems like I see quite a few pictures on this board of little girls wearing their dresses everywhere. Is this common? Should I have them do this just one day? All three?

 

[dizzyami]

I am re-thinking the whole thing about having them wear there Princess Dresses just for Lunch.. it seems like I see quite a few pictures on this board of little girls wearing their dresses everywhere. Is this common? Should I have them do this just one day? All three?

You will see little girls in princess costumes all throughout the parks at all times of the day.

 

[sh00tfire]

I am a father of 4 little girls. What has made our past two tips special has been getting autographs from all the disney princesses. My wife made autograph books (small unruled spriral bound notebooks with disney stickers on the front) for the girls to carry around. The had more fun searching out the characters and getting their autographs than riding the rides.