Itinerary feedback please :)

[NJlauren]

The Basics:

Me, DH, DD (2), 3 nights 2 full days 2 half days, 4 day hoppers. Staying at the Disneyland Hotel August 30- Sept 2nd. First trip for DD, I haven't been in 18 years... i should really know if and when DH ever went but I don't... bad wife..

Important facts, we are ok not doing everything, and missing some stuff, we hope to go back in a few years, and my hope is DD will nap in the stroller, but if she doesn't we may head to the hotel for mid day breaks. I also know park hours aren't even out yet so some of this is subject to change.

Main questions if you don't want to read everything:
- WOC and Paint the Night are packages or desert party worth it?
- Rides that are 32 inches is DD to little or young? She is about 34 inches, (examples Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters or Mater's Junkyard Jamboree)
- What time should we be in Cars Land for the lights to come on
- Should I change Cathy's Circle to Wine Country Trattoria, thinking maybe Cathy's Circle is to much for a toddler?
- Any other restaurants I should consider (currently have Blue Bayou, the Plaza for breakfast with Minnie, and Cathy's circle)
ETA: overall is it a decent plan?

The plan, Arrive around 2/3 on the 30th, hoping closer to 2, but will depend on traffic, and how we are feeling, driving from San Diego, trying to be on the road no later then 12.

Arrival day, check in to Disneyland Hotel, hopefully no latter then 3, head to Disneyland, We have a 6:10 reservation at Blue Bayou. I am hoping to be in the park by 4 the latest? This way we have an hour and a half to two hours to walk around, maybe take in a ride or two, but take it easy no pressure. Hoping to be done with dinner by 7:45sh, then it will really depend how DD is doing, hoping to hang out a bit. I would love to catch Paint the night or the fireworks if she is up for it. Is it worth getting the paint the night dinning package since we are eating at Blue Bayou anyway, and this way if we want to catch it we will have the viewing area? Hope to be back at the hotel by 10/1030 the latest (also could be 8 if DD isn't up for a long night or up for sleeping in the stroller).

Day 2 DCA for early entry, probably do Sorian during early entry. We don't feel the need to do California Screaming or Radiator Springs, if we got a FP I would do it them, but I am not going to rush there and DH probably wont do them, and DD is obviously too little. I see in Cars land there are some rides that are 32 inches, DD is this tall, is she too little for these rides? Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters or Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. We have a noon reservation at Cathy Circle, Similar to the day before is it worth getting a Dining package for WoC or a desert Package? We will be eating at Cathy Circle anyway.. After lunch we will probably head to Disneyland for a little while, hit up some rides, and then i am thinking head back to DCA to see the lights come on in Cars land, about what time does this happen? Maybe check out WoC, again depending on DD's mood and how she is handling hanging out later or napping in the stroller.

Day 3 Disneyland Early entry, my only must do this day is the Storybrook Canal Boats (should we be there right around 8? i heard the line gets long), any suggestion for best things to hit during the extra hour? I am thinking hyperspace mountain... DH probably wont want to ride so it would just be me. (does anyone know if this is a smoother ride then in WDW?) We have no reservations this day, any suggestions for dinner maybe in Downtown Disney? I need to pick up my race packet by 8pm, so i have two plans i am considering... mid day break this day 1-4 ish?, maybe some pool time and get my race packet, then head back to the park (either one) till 8/9 or so, option 2 is stay in the park till 5ish then head back to the hotel to get the packet and maybe hit up downtown Disney for some dinner. I have the 5k the next morning so would like to be back earlish. Would we bet better watching the lights come on in Cars land this day?

Day 4 5k day! My first race ever! I think i have to be there by 5:30 (but will know more closer to the day hopefully) after the race my plan is to head back to the hotel, shower change and head to Disneyland, hopefully there by 9, maybe a ride or two a character nothing crazy, we have a 10am at the Plaza with Minnie and Friends, we will cancel this if DD hasn't been feeling the charters during the trip. After breakfast hit any last minute rides, or characters we loved or missed, back to the hotel and hopefully on the road by 1 or 2, driving to LA.

After i wrote this all out, i am thinking maybe should i move Blue Bayou to Day 2, and Cathy Circle (Or Wine Country Trattoria) to day 1 and do Cars land lights coming on the first day?

Would love any additional advice or feedback!

 

[figment_jii]

- Rides that are 32 inches is DD to little or young? She is about 34 inches, (examples Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters or Mater's Junkyard Jamboree)

I think this varies by child; some are more adventurous than others. I would start with one of the tamer "thrill" rides that she's height eligible for and go from there.

- What time should we be in Cars Land for the lights to come on

The lights come on at about sunset, but they do not post the specific time in advance. I would look up the time for sunset when you're going to be there and plan to get there a little before that.

- Should I change Cathy's Circle to Wine Country Trattoria, thinking maybe Cathy's Circle is to much for a toddler?

All of the restaurants are child-friendly, but I don't think there is very much for a toddler to see/do if they get bored at Carthay Circle. At least Wine Country has a lot of outdoor seating, so hopefully that would mean more things to look at/see.

- Any other restaurants I should consider (currently have Blue Bayou, the Plaza for breakfast with Minnie, and Cathy's circle)

Surf's Up with Mickey and Friends is another fun/good character breakfast option. We saw Mickey, Stitch, Pluto, and Daisy (I think Minnie is also there, but we just missed her).

I am thinking hyperspace mountain... DH probably wont want to ride so it would just be me. (does anyone know if this is a smoother ride then in WDW?) We have no reservations this day, any suggestions for dinner maybe in Downtown Disney?

I think it's a smoother ride. I like Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in DTD.

 

[NJlauren]

I think this varies by child; some are more adventurous than others. I would start with one of the tamer "thrill" rides that she's height eligible for and go from there.


The lights come on at about sunset, but they do not post the specific time in advance. I would look up the time for sunset when you're going to be there and plan to get there a little before that.


All of the restaurants are child-friendly, but I don't think there is very much for a toddler to see/do if they get bored at Carthay Circle. At least Wine Country has a lot of outdoor seating, so hopefully that would mean more things to look at/see.


Surf's Up with Mickey and Friends is another fun/good character breakfast option. We saw Mickey, Stitch, Pluto, and Daisy (I think Minnie is also there, but we just missed her).


I think it's a smoother ride. I like Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen in DTD.

Thank you! Great info (you always give great info!).

I would like to try Cove bar (instead of Cathy circle or wine country) but they don't take reservations, so I'm not sure how long we would need to wait....

Going to check out Ralph Brennan's Jazz kitchen!

Thanks again!

 

[figment_jii]

The Cove Bar is wonderful, but it tends to be very popular. When I was there in May (Thursday before Memorial Day weekend), it was about a 90 minute wait for a table. They'll send you a text when your table is ready and you have 10 minutes to get back to the Cove Bar. So in that way it's nice because you don't have to hang around the area the entire time, but it can be quite a bit of time between when you check-in and when you're seated. You have to be 21 to be seated at the bar, but I don't know if you can request a specific table type (they have a mixture of normal height tables and high top tables).

 

[Christina-B-Na]

I believe some things may have changed but last time we went to Cove bar ( 2 years ago) we were able to request a type of table as we had our (at the time) 2 1/2 year old with us and did not feel comfortable sitting at a hight top table. I believe we went around 11 for a little early lunch and didnt have to wait long. We lucked out and got a waterside table which my son enjoyed watching the birds/ducks and rides. Not sure about your 2 year old but mine was a little wild and has too short of an attention span for restaurants...we mainly had to stick to the counter service places.

 

[NJlauren]

I believe some things may have changed but last time we went to Cove bar ( 2 years ago) we were able to request a type of table as we had our (at the time) 2 1/2 year old with us and did not feel comfortable sitting at a hight top table. I believe we went around 11 for a little early lunch and didnt have to wait long. We lucked out and got a waterside table which my son enjoyed watching the birds/ducks and rides. Not sure about your 2 year old but mine was a little wild and has too short of an attention span for restaurants...we mainly had to stick to the counter service places.

Thank you!

I was thinking maybe we could go right at 11 and we might be successful!

We are lucky that if we limit the meal to an hour or a little over she is pretty good, but she loves to eat so I just keep the food coming!

 

[choirboy501]

You asked about the WOC and PTN Dining packages - I think they are worth it if you plan on dining at one of the supporting restaurants anyways. You said you were dining at Carthay Circle and Blue Bayou, so you might want to make those reservations dining packages.

WOC is worth it to me because I make a point of dining at Carthay Circle every trip, and I don't have to worry about getting a FastPass.

 

[NJlauren]

You asked about the WOC and PTN Dining packages - I think they are worth it if you plan on dining at one of the supporting restaurants anyways. You said you were dining at Carthay Circle and Blue Bayou, so you might want to make those reservations dining packages.

WOC is worth it to me because I make a point of dining at Carthay Circle every trip, and I don't have to worry about getting a FastPass.

Thank you! I think I'll add it, if we are eating there anyway it's a nice perk!

 

[ktlm]

The Basics:


- WOC and Paint the Night are packages or desert party worth it?


We don't feel the need to do California Screaming or Radiator Springs, if we got a FP I would do it them, but I am not going to rush there and DH probably wont do them, and DD is obviously too little. I see in Cars land there are some rides that are 32 inches, DD is this tall, is she too little for these rides? Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters or Mater's Junkyard Jamboree.

If WOC is a must do, then with a 2 year old, I would do the dessert package. The dessert package puts you at a chair and table with a decent view. If you do not do the dessert package, to be anywhere that your DD will be able to see at all (everyone stands during the show) will take a long stake out and wait. Even the dinner package won't completely avoid that. We have done the dinner package more than once and you still have to get in line really early to get the prime spots where you won't have anyone blocking your view if you are short. When we have done the dinner package we have gone to WOC an hour ahead of time (45 minutes absolute minimum) and doing that we can get a front row spot in the wet zone (bring ponchos), but the prime front spots out of the wet zone are always already long gone by the time we enter.

As for Radiator Springs, as it will just be the adults since your DD is too tall, do the single rider line. It really is not to be missed. Last July we were able to do the single rider line several times and walk on the ride or wait less than 10 minutes. If you can do it, ride it both day and night because it is entirely different rides.

As for the 32 inch rides, I would have let my DD ride them at age 2. Mater's is a little jerky (don't know about Luigi's since it is new), but if she wants to ride, I would let her. DD wanted to ride the Barnstormer at WDW at age 2 (She was tall) and I was a little nervous about it, but we rode it and she loved it....so we rode it MANY more times that day!

 

[NJlauren]

If WOC is a must do, then with a 2 year old, I would do the dessert package. The dessert package puts you at a chair and table with a decent view. If you do not do the dessert package, to be anywhere that your DD will be able to see at all (everyone stands during the show) will take a long stake out and wait. Even the dinner package won't completely avoid that. We have done the dinner package more than once and you still have to get in line really early to get the prime spots where you won't have anyone blocking your view if you are short. When we have done the dinner package we have gone to WOC an hour ahead of time (45 minutes absolute minimum) and doing that we can get a front row spot in the wet zone (bring ponchos), but the prime front spots out of the wet zone are always already long gone by the time we enter.

As for Radiator Springs, as it will just be the adults since your DD is too tall, do the single rider line. It really is not to be missed. Last July we were able to do the single rider line several times and walk on the ride or wait less than 10 minutes. If you can do it, ride it both day and night because it is entirely different rides.

As for the 32 inch rides, I would have let my DD ride them at age 2. Mater's is a little jerky (don't know about Luigi's since it is new), but if she wants to ride, I would let her. DD wanted to ride the Barnstormer at WDW at age 2 (She was tall) and I was a little nervous about it, but we rode it and she loved it....so we rode it MANY more times that day!

Thank you!

As for Radiator Springs is it roller coasterish? Maybe I'll try first and report back to DH.

Great info on WoC! You have me convinced on the desert party now! Going to look into that, so I need to pay for DD?

I'm totally let her lead on those rides, but want to know if I should just refuse... Seems like I could let her try if she wanted.

 

[DisneyPhans]

Sounds great, when are we leaving?? I'll get ready..

Party of 4 shouldn't have a problem. BOOK NOW for Blue Bayou if you haven't already.. Window had already opened on June 30th for your dates... Hurry!

 

[ktlm]

Thank you!

As for Radiator Springs is it roller coasterish? Maybe I'll try first and report back to DH.

Great info on WoC! You have me convinced on the desert party now! Going to look into that, so I need to pay for DD?

I'm totally let her lead on those rides, but want to know if I should just refuse... Seems like I could let her try if she wanted.

It is not roller coasterish at all. If you have ever been on Test Track at WDW, it is basically that same type ride, just with a whole lot better theming and scenery. I don't think the inside portion of RSR is quite as rough as TT. Basically, the first part you are going through scenes inside (no drops etc) and then the end portion outside is just like driving really fast in a car- no rollercoaster type drops or anything.

You would have to call and ask. Normally 3 and under is free, but I don't know what they do for an event like the dessert party.

At least Mater, you can see the whole ride from the street area before you get in line. I would let her try it if she wanted, but you can Judge when you look at it if you think it looks too rough.

 

[NJlauren]

Sounds great, when are we leaving?? I'll get ready..

Party of 4 shouldn't have a problem. BOOK NOW for Blue Bayou if you haven't already.. Window had already opened on June 30th for your dates... Hurry!

Thank you! I did book with a paint the night package, debating if I should make the reservation slightly earlier...

It is not roller coasterish at all. If you have ever been on Test Track at WDW, it is basically that same type ride, just with a whole lot better theming and scenery. I don't think the inside portion of RSR is quite as rough as TT. Basically, the first part you are going through scenes inside (no drops etc) and then the end portion outside is just like driving really fast in a car- no rollercoaster type drops or anything.

You would have to call and ask. Normally 3 and under is free, but I don't know what they do for an event like the dessert party.

At least Mater, you can see the whole ride from the street area before you get in line. I would let her try it if she wanted, but you can Judge when you look at it if you think it looks too rough.

I called and they said under 3 is free, but you need to book it by phone, so I think I'll be doing that.

I haven't been on test track in forever! Maybe I'll check it out, single rider or early in the morning.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I think you should take a midday break whether or not she naps in the stroller. Just to get out of the heat for a while, have some actual quiet for her!

 

[NJlauren]

I think you should take a midday break whether or not she naps in the stroller. Just to get out of the heat for a while, have some actual quiet for her!

I agree, I'm just a little worried about the park hours being on the shorter side that it may eat up to much time.... But I am highly considering it.

 

[ktlm]

I agree, I'm just a little worried about the park hours being on the shorter side that it may eat up to much time.... But I am highly considering it.

I would just play it by ear. We took DD to WDW when she was 2 and found out the first day that the mid-day break didn't work for her. We tried it and failed miserably- got a 2 year old that was furious we made her leave the parks and would not nap and stood behind a curtain in the room sulking for most of the 2 to 3 hours we tried to get her to nap. Stroller naps and staying in the parks all day was best for us, but each kid is different. Ours was a high energy loves the action around her kind of kid at age 2 (still is at age 10). I would just take your cues from your DD instead of having a concrete plan one way or the other. If she is napping in her stroller and doing fine, I wouldn't leave the parks. In terms of needing to get out of the heat, that depends on what you are used to in the summer. For us, we have been to DL in June and July when the locals were complaining that it was horribly, sweltering, hot, and we thought it was fine. We are in the Midwest and the temperatures and humidity here are much higher than in California.

 

[NJlauren]

I would just play it by ear. We took DD to WDW when she was 2 and found out the first day that the mid-day break didn't work for her. We tried it and failed miserably- got a 2 year old that was furious we made her leave the parks and would not nap and stood behind a curtain in the room sulking for most of the 2 to 3 hours we tried to get her to nap. Stroller naps and staying in the parks all day was best for us, but each kid is different. Ours was a high energy loves the action around her kind of kid at age 2 (still is at age 10). I would just take your cues from your DD instead of having a concrete plan one way or the other. If she is napping in her stroller and doing fine, I wouldn't leave the parks. In terms of needing to get out of the heat, that depends on what you are used to in the summer. For us, we have been to DL in June and July when the locals were complaining that it was horribly, sweltering, hot, and we thought it was fine. We are in the Midwest and the temperatures and humidity here are much higher than in California.

We have been mixed so far, in WDW 2 trips a total of 5 (full) park days, and we did 2 days with naps, one successful, one a disater, but she was much younger. We also go to sesame place fairly often, and have never done a break but leave for the day much earlier.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

Just answering a couple of your questions since I didn't travel with a toddler - for us, the WOC dessert party was totally worth it. We may be spoiled silly now and would probably do it again if we wanted to see it. I don't mind walking all day, but something about standing in one spot bugs me.

Space Mountain - it is a million times smoother than WDW. I will go on Space Mountain at WDW precisely once per trip. It is one of DD's favorites, so I ride once with her then let her repeat alone as many times as she wants while I wait. I was able to do it over and over with her at DL.

Your DD will love the dancing Cars ride (I guess that is Mater's Junkyard Jamboree). It was more fun watching other people ride it than it was riding it ourselves.

If your DD is starting to get into princess, the princess lunch at Ariel's Grotto was wonderful - environment, food, and character interaction.

 

[NJlauren]

Just answering a couple of your questions since I didn't travel with a toddler - for us, the WOC dessert party was totally worth it. We may be spoiled silly now and would probably do it again if we wanted to see it. I don't mind walking all day, but something about standing in one spot bugs me.

Space Mountain - it is a million times smoother than WDW. I will go on Space Mountain at WDW precisely once per trip. It is one of DD's favorites, so I ride once with her then let her repeat alone as many times as she wants while I wait. I was able to do it over and over with her at DL.

Your DD will love the dancing Cars ride (I guess that is Mater's Junkyard Jamboree). It was more fun watching other people ride it than it was riding it ourselves.

If your DD is starting to get into princess, the princess lunch at Ariel's Grotto was wonderful - environment, food, and character interaction.

Thank you! I am totally leaning toward the desert party now! So many positive reviews and good feedback!

She isn't loving princess yet, but I am considering adding this maybe to Thursday... But I just can't decide...

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

Thank you! I am totally leaning toward the desert party now! So many positive reviews and good feedback!

She isn't loving princess yet, but I am considering adding this maybe to Thursday... But I just can't decide...

Really, we enjoyed the meal, but if she isn't quite to princess-age yet, I'd wait until she is. It sounds like you will do Disney plenty more times, so you can save her first princess meal for when she will be MESMERIZED by the princesses.