Just 5 more Sleeps! Help with 5 day plan!

[CaseyK]

Just 5 more sleeps and we are off!! I am so excited!

I have some things planned but was wondering if anyone had any advise for the best way to navigate the parks. We are going for 5 days but my kids are 4 and 2. My mom and my DH are also coming. So far I have planned and reserved the following;

Sunday: MUST DO- Winnie the Pooh, Mark Twain, Mickey's House (all are closed the following day), Fireworks and Fantasmic! This will be our long/ late day in the park!

Monday: DD goes to BBB in the morning for her Princess makeover. Ariel's Grotto for Princess Lunch

Tuesday: DH and I get some alone time for lunch at BB
WoC show at 8:15- ordered picnics for us

Wednesday: Goofy's Kitchen breakfast

Thursday: Last day, no plans, just plan to do last time favorites.

I will probably book us dinner at RFC for an early dinner on the Sunday. We are planning to spend the morning in the park, head back to the hotel for a swim and nap, have an early dinner and back to the park. We are staying off site. I also want to eat at Carnation Cafe- do I need a reservation for dinner there or can we just walk up?
Any tips or ideas will be great. I want to do so much but don't know the best way to it all! Last time we missed so much!

Thanks everyone!

Casey

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

I also want to eat at Carnation Cafe- do I need a reservation for dinner there or can we just walk up?Casey

I have only been to Disneyland rarely in the off-season. My guess is that if you are going to CC on a weekday next week you won't necessarily need a reservation. If it was me though, I would just go ahead and make one, especially with a 2 and 4 year old, since that will minimize your wait time if the restaurant does turn out to be busy. I know during the busy and really busy seasons, the stand-by line for CC can get quite long, and we are always quite pleased to have our PS, never had to wait longer than 5 minutes, and often less than that.

 

[JH87]

We had breakfast at CC this past august, it was summer season so it was a bit on the busy side anyways (it was a saurday) but we had PS and were seated even before our actual reservation time. it's nice to kno you won't be wasting valuable time waiting in line to eat when that time could be spent shopping/rides/meeting characters/etc.
From what I understand CC is a very popular location to eat at for most people.

 

[mrswh]

I think your plan sounds great! With kids that age, I think the most important part is to be flexible, let them choose some of what you do, and listen if they say they are tired and need a break!

If you happen to be heading from DLR to DTD or vice versa, ask to be in the front car on the monorail. Sometimes you have to wait a few extra minutes but the kids love it.

Make sure you have a chance to stroll through DTD in the evening. (Maybe the night you do dinner at RFC.) They have lots of live music that is fun to dance to! (If they have the dance party at Tomorrowland that is really fun, too, if your kids like to boogie!)

I'd put down TSMM, Aladdin, Pixar Parade and Playhouse Disney Live on Stage as must-dos for that age group. Your 4 year old would probably love Soarin' if he/she is tall enough. (My 4 year old went on Soarin' 12 times our last trip!) Drawn to the Magic is a fun little show and perfect for a short break, and the kids can meet a few characters at the end without long lines.

Don't try to do everything, just relax and enjoy the smiles on your kiddos' faces! If you don't do everything, you'll just have to go back again!

 

[Nala83]

The good news is that you have five full days. Even with naps, you'll be able to see a lot! The key is getting to the park early. Also grab fastpasses for the biggies first thing (especially SMGG and HMH!) assuming the adults want a turn.

A few thoughts:

1) On Sunday, I suggest hitting Mickey's house right when Toontown opens (one hour after park opening) because that line gets crazy. You can do the little coaster then too.

If you are using your MM that morning, do Fantasyland during those first two hours (MM hour + 1st regular park hour). If you aren't using your MM, you can still visit Fantasyland during that first hour - just know that a bunch of people got a head start. Casey Jr, Storybook, and IASW all open at regular park opening, so they are a safe bet. The carousel and teacups probably won't have a line either, and they are good early rides.

If it was me, I'd hop on the train from toontown and ride it over to New Orlean's Square. Then I'd walk over and do Pooh. If anyone wants to do Splash, so it now. Use single rider if just grown-ups want to ride. You can tackle the Mark Twain on your way out for nap- that will never have a line.

2) Get to Bug's Land in DCA early in your trip. It's great for little ones, never seems to have a line, and isn't the least bit scary. There's lots of space to run around and fountains to run through on a hot day. Maybe post-nap on Sunday???

3) I just got back from a trip with a 4 year old. She LOVED the rides on the pier- carousel, funwheel (non-swinging), swings, and jellyfish. Some of those have height requirements, so your 2-year-old couldn't do them. Depending on your BBB time, you could do these attractions before your meal at Ariels???

That's a start. The rest depends on how tall (and brave) your 4 year old is, and what the grown-ups want to get on.

I just did this with a 4-year-old, so my plans are fresh. Ask if you've got questions or want more...we saw every attraction on our list, but missed a couple of shows (though we watched Celebrate 3 times- crazy kid).

 

[pearl12970]

CaseyK : Thanks for posting this question. We are travelling with a 3.5 year old and our plans are kinda similar since we are staying for 5 nights too !!!


Thank you everyone for the helpful ideas ! Its a very helpful thread.
Had a questions about Mickey's House. How are the lines later in the afternoon or evenings ? We arrive on Sunday around 1:30 pm and wont get to the Mickeys House until 5:30 pm. Will the lines be too long that time as well ?

Here's our plan for Sunday ( the day we arrive ) - Plan to eat lunch either at WWS or a restaurant closeby in DTD while waiting for our room ( staying at GCH) ; and head to the park after a nap. The nap will be essential for DS ( 3.5 yrs) since we want to want to catch both the Fireworks & Fantasmic that same evening. In general we will only try to see all the attractions / rides that are closing on Monday.

Thank you for all the tips ! Very helpful. Had no idea Carnation Cafe needed reservations. So glad you asked CaseyK.

 

[pearl12970]

Is there a link with abbreviations used in the forum ? I have no idea what TSMM or IASW means

This is our first trip to DL. And really looking forward to it

TIA ~

 

[mrswh]

Is there a link with abbreviations used in the forum ? I have no idea what TSMM or IASW means

This is our first trip to DL. And really looking forward to it

TIA ~

I'm sure there is a thread somewhere in the stickies - maybe someone has a link. IASW = It's a Small World and TSMM = Toy Story Midway Mania!

Hope you have a great trip!!

 

[imp&pixie]

We are going the exact same days and have the same itinerary for Sunday. We NEED to get on those rides that will be closing Monday, as well as see the Fireworks and Fantasmic! It sounds like you have wonderful things planned for the whole trip.

TSMM = Toy Story Midway Mania (which will be closed during the trip)
IASW = It's A Small World

 

[katrina88]

Woohoo!! 5 more sleeps for me as well!!!! PLUS the long-term forecast looks just perfect!!!! Enjoy your trip!

 

[harpetj]

My goodness, seems as if OP and our family will be touring together! Same aged kids, same days, same ressies for BBB and Goofy's Kitchen. Enjoy your trip and maybe we will run into you! Lucky you having an extra adult going for a little alone time.

 

[CaseyK]

[QUOTE=mrswh;38294967

Make sure you have a chance to stroll through DTD in the evening. (Maybe the night you do dinner at RFC.) They have lots of live music that is fun to dance to! (If they have the dance party at Tomorrowland that is really fun, too, if your kids like to boogie!)

Do my kids like to boogie?!?!? They love to boogie! We are staying offsite but have to walk through DTD to get to the hotel so we will be sure to check this out!

Thanks everyone for all the tips and advise. I booked RFC for an early dinner on our first day. I am going to book CC for our last day in the park.

Thanks again!
Casey