Itinerary help!

[InNeedOfDisneyMagic!]

Hello!

This is my first time ever writing in a forum, but i am desperately trying to plan the best Disneyland trip! I have gone in the past and have had the worst time, with really no desire to go back. But now, as a mom, my two daughters (ages 7 and 5) and brother (age 9) really want to go. They are super excited and I don’t want to let them down!!

I am looking for a one day itinerary with genie+ for both parks. One day at each. We are all able to ride every single ride at Disneyland and just not Incredicoaster in DCA. I have been binge watching all things Disney this whole month and have gotten some ideas but still need some help trying to strategize the order of the rides, eating, and break times. I need all the tips and tricks!

We plan to rope drop and not staying on property. Im thinking of heading out of the park at around 1 or 2pm and resting at our hotel for a couple hours before going back to end the day. Maybe returning at around 5pm? We are staying at a walking distance hotel.

My plan so far is to rope drop Space Mountain (they are most excited about this ride), not sure if thats the best idea though having genie+! Should I do Fantasy Land first? Followed by Space Mountain, Matterhorn (since it’s close by), then head to toon town and ride MMRR and the rest of the rides there. Then down to Thunder Mountain. Breakfast chimichangas after that? Thats as far as I’ve gotten We want to experience as many rides as possible!



Any tips or suggestions are truly greatly appreciated!!!!



Thank you!!!

 

[chezcurrie]

So with three kids and 2 one-park days I would have each kiddo pick their top priority in each park (so 3 total rides or experiences in DL and 3 in DCA) and make those your focus for G+. (We also do this for snacks - each kid as we have 3 picks their top snack pick so we don’t have fights over “but I don’t like pretzels” or whatever. They know they will get their choice so no FOMO there and they aren’t constantly asking for snacks.)

There are lots of different strategies for G+ but ultimately it comes down to what is important *to you*. Heading straight to space is a great idea for you if is a priority especially if you want to re-ride as you can snag a G+ for it later in the evening. Your brother is also old enough to do single rider if that’s an option.

Best advice I could give, especially as your last experience wasn’t great, is don’t try to do it all. Focus on a few important things and fill in as you go.

If you want to head back around 5 (meaning leave your hotel at 5) I’d plan to leave by 1pm latest. It always *always* takes longer than you think to actually exit the park and get back to your hotel. By setting a hard stop you won’t be tempted to try and do “just one thing more” and end up an hour past your planned departure.

Take time to stop and soak up the ambiance and revel in the kids excitement. Have a great trip!!!

 

[InNeedOfDisneyMagic!]

So with three kids and 2 one-park days I would have each kiddo pick their top priority in each park (so 3 total rides or experiences in DL and 3 in DCA) and make those your focus for G+. (We also do this for snacks - each kid as we have 3 picks their top snack pick so we don’t have fights over “but I don’t like pretzels” or whatever. They know they will get their choice so no FOMO there and they aren’t constantly asking for snacks.)

There are lots of different strategies for G+ but ultimately it comes down to what is important *to you*. Heading straight to space is a great idea for you if is a priority especially if you want to re-ride as you can snag a G+ for it later in the evening. Your brother is also old enough to do single rider if that’s an option.

Best advice I could give, especially as your last experience wasn’t great, is don’t try to do it all. Focus on a few important things and fill in as you go.

If you want to head back around 5 (meaning leave your hotel at 5) I’d plan to leave by 1pm latest. It always *always* takes longer than you think to actually exit the park and get back to your hotel. By setting a hard stop you won’t be tempted to try and do “just one thing more” and end up an hour past your planned departure.

Take time to stop and soak up the ambiance and revel in the kids excitement. Have a great trip!!!

This was very helpful! Thank you!

 

[Cal-Pie]

There is great advice above. With only 2 days it’s easy to get sucked into maximizing ride time and forgetting to just live in the moment. If possible, try and take in a parade, and night time entertainment, if it’s happening while you’re there (and the kids hold up that long). Those are the wonderful things that set Disney parks apart from the others.

Make sure to set a timer on your phone to notify you when it’s time to book your next genie+ ride. It can be easy to get swept up in something and forget. And don’t forget to eat. It sounds stupid, but at that age, my kids just wanted to go and go and they we would forget to eat, and then everyone would get super grumpy.

 

[chezcurrie]

There is great advice above. With only 2 days it’s easy to get sucked into maximizing ride time and forgetting to just live in the moment. If possible, try and take in a parade, and night time entertainment, if it’s happening while you’re there (and the kids hold up that long). Those are the wonderful things that set Disney parks apart from the others.

Make sure to set a timer on your phone to notify you when it’s time to book your next genie+ ride. It can be easy to get swept up in something and forget. And don’t forget to eat. It sounds stupid, but at that age, my kids just wanted to go and go and they we would forget to eat, and then everyone would get super grumpy.

Omg yes to the G+ timer and food!!! Hangry is never a good look.

 

[InNeedOfDisneyMagic!]

There is great advice above. With only 2 days it’s easy to get sucked into maximizing ride time and forgetting to just live in the moment. If possible, try and take in a parade, and night time entertainment, if it’s happening while you’re there (and the kids hold up that long). Those are the wonderful things that set Disney parks apart from the others.

Make sure to set a timer on your phone to notify you when it’s time to book your next genie+ ride. It can be easy to get swept up in something and forget. And don’t forget to eat. It sounds stupid, but at that age, my kids just wanted to go and go and they we would forget to eat, and then everyone would get super grumpy.

Taking notes! thanks!

 

[drenha]

When I went with my 5 and 7 year old, they were both long done with napping. However, on our Disneyland day they both took 3 hour naps! Definitely prioritize the midday break.

Give yourself more time than you think you need to get there in time for rope drop. The kids wanted to stop and admire things on the way to the park, and it’s nice to let them soak up that experience rather than rush them to make rope drop on time.

If it’s within your budget, I strongly recommend making a sit down meal reservation for lunch. It’s good to have time to sit down and have everyone rest up. Blue Bayou was perfect for lunch as it felt as magical as another ride to them, and mellowed them out enough to be ok with heading to the hotel for naptime.

 

[LKing]

Then down to Thunder Mountain. Breakfast chimichangas after that?

They only sell a limited number of breakfast chimichangas, so have a back up plan in case they are sold out. There aren't a lot of breakfast items on that side of the park.

 

[InNeedOfDisneyMagic!]

They only sell a limited number of breakfast chimichangas, so have a back up plan in case they are sold out. There aren't a lot of breakfast items on that side of the park.

Thank you for the heads up! I had no idea. I will start looking for a back up plan now.

 

[Weber Prof]

Hello,
I can share what worked for us in Nov.
1. Learn how to use G+ before you go. Fishing, modifying, stacking, and 120 min rule. Close apps not needed. Pin your top rides. Make your first selection right when you enter the gate. As soon as you check in for a ride be ready to select the next ride on your list. Set timers to stack rides. 2. Go early, be at gates before they open. You can get some fun pix waiting for gates to open. 3. Have a plan for rope drop and a back up plan if rides are down. 4. Mobile order food. You can adjust times as needed. Plan your mobile orders to align with where you will be in the park for rides. 5. Go back to the hotel and rest between 2 and 5 as the park is crowded anyways 6. Bring water, snacks, wipes, and extra socks. 7. Have a plan but be ready to pivot when rides close, a character comes by, or you need a break.
I asked everyone for a wish list. Attached is our plan (black) and what we actually did (red). We had G+ and Early Entry. It worked out very well for us (grandparents, 2 girls age 12 and 8). YMMV.

 

[Pluto468]

I think rope dropping is a great idea, and heading to Space first since it's a priority for your kids. Other than that, I think it's best not to have too much of a detailed plan. It's so easy for plans to get derailed, if a ride is down or has a longer line than you expect, or if someone needs a snack or wants to go into a shop. Since your last trip wasn't fun, I'd suggest picking the things you like the most and focusing on that. Soak up the atmosphere. One of my favorite things at Disneyland is sitting on a bench on Main street and just BEING there. Make time for parades and night time shows.

If it's in your budget I would definitely do hoppers instead, it gives you so much flexibility.

If possible, I'd consider adding a 3rd day so you could go into the park on arrival day. In the past I've arrived anywhere between 1:00-5:00 on arrival day and it's fun just going right in instead of waiting for the next day. The parks are open late, so you could easily get 5-8 hours depending on when you arrive. The more time you have, the more relaxing your trip will be.

As far as breakfast, I'd eat before you head in or at least be sure to bring snacks. If you don't get the chimichanga you could get breakfast at Red Rose Tavern or Jolly Holiday. River Belle Terrace has breakfast now, you'd need reservations for that. Some people like to do a character breakfast at Plaza Inn around 10:20 for a nice break/meal. (Reservation for that one, too.)

Oh yes, and plan around Grad nites, as others have said.

Have a wonderful time!

 

[smartlabelprint]

Bring or rent offsite a stroller for you little ones. I think I used city strollers if you need to rent. Mine are 9,8,4 and we may end up with 2 next trip, but my 9 yo needs it more as an autism break. Wagons are only allowed as a wheelchair/ for disability.

I agree to do everyone’s top ride first, then start everyone’s 2nd choice and don’t try to squeeze much more in. An enjoyable day, left with everyone happily wanting to come back, is a win.

If you need to leave early for your 5 yo, do it. A melting down child is going to be miserable for everyone.

I highly recommend taking a pool day in between days rather than 2 park days in a row, but your schedule may already be set.

Also, order your food the morning of. You can edit and change times throughout the day as needed. One less thing to be fussing with on your phone.