Just a handful of questions from someone who hasn't been since 1999

[skatalite]

I grew up in SoCal and went to Disneyland multiple times a year, but then my family moved to Oklahoma in 1999 and I haven't visited the parks west coast parks since.

That all changes in October when my wife and I make the trek to visit the kingdom Walt built. As of right now, we're planning on taking my two kid cousins (7 and 10), and are keeping it secret from them until about halfway through the drive.

Through our planning we've come up with a few questions:

1. I've read on old trip reports and threads that the Napa Rose experience can take about 2 hours, for general dining. Is this still accurate? We're not sure if the kids can handle that or, if we do take them with us, we can plan accordingly (example: take the tablets and coloring books).

2. Is there a place non-resort guests can leave children to have fun while the adults have dinner at Napa Rose?

3. Same question as above but for Trader Sam's?

4. We plan to order tickets through Way.com. They will be 4-day non-hoppers. Will these be paper passes or plastic passes we can keep?

Thanks, everyone!

 

[DizMe]

Hi! How exciting and what a great surprise for your cousins! I'll do my best to answer your questions.

1. I've read on old trip reports and threads that the Napa Rose experience can take about 2 hours, for general dining. Is this still accurate? We're not sure if the kids can handle that or, if we do take them with us, we can plan accordingly (example: take the tablets and coloring books).
If you're dining at the chef's counter, then yes, it takes some time. If you're dining in the regular restaurant, it can be as long or as short as you are accustomed to spending on a nice meal. You can dine fairly informally if that's what you'd prefer with the kids.
2. Is there a place non-resort guests can leave children to have fun while the adults have dinner at Napa Rose? We're not sure they
I don't really know about this one. I know there are services that will watch the children for you at your hotel, but I don't believe you can utilize Pinnochio's Workshop, which is the childcare option for onsite guests.
3. Same question as above but for Trader Sam's?
Same answer! You may be able to get a babysitting service but other than that, I don't know of anything.
4. We plan to order tickets through Way.com. They will be 4-day non-hoppers. Will these be paper passes or plastic passes we can keep?
I've never used way.com. Most places email you a voucher and you redeem it at the turnstile for a paper ticket. I know that Costco (and maybe AAA) send plastic tickets.

I'm sorry I don't know more but hopefully others will chime in. I just wanted to wish you a great vacation! Do be prepared for crowds. October is VERY busy!

 

[lordog]

I grew up in SoCal and went to Disneyland multiple times a year, but then my family moved to Oklahoma in 1999 and I haven't visited the parks west coast parks since.

That all changes in October when my wife and I make the trek to visit the kingdom Walt built. As of right now, we're planning on taking my two kid cousins (7 and 10), and are keeping it secret from them until about halfway through the drive.

Through our planning we've come up with a few questions:

1. I've read on old trip reports and threads that the Napa Rose experience can take about 2 hours, for general dining. Is this still accurate? We're not sure if the kids can handle that or, if we do take them with us, we can plan accordingly (example: take the tablets and coloring books).

2. Is there a place non-resort guests can leave children to have fun while the adults have dinner at Napa Rose? We're not sure they

3. Same question as above but for Trader Sam's?

4. We plan to order tickets through Way.com. They will be 4-day non-hoppers. Will these be paper passes or plastic passes we can keep?

Thanks, everyone!

I can answer your question regarding the tickets. I have used Way.com several times. You will receive an email confirmation that will have the ticket to print out at home. It should have a bar code. You will bring that printout directly to the entrance gates and they will exchange your ticket for the usual small, credit-card sized paper ticket. No need to go to the ticket booths! Since you have multi-day passes, they will take a photo of you and have you sign the back of your ticket. That's it!

 

[skatalite]

Thanks so much for the responses and information. We're feeling much better about Napa Rose now, haha.

I'm sorry I don't know more but hopefully others will chime in. I just wanted to wish you a great vacation! Do be prepared for crowds. October is VERY busy!

We'll be in the parks Oct. 19 through 22, which are weekdays. I'm hoping by planning the trip then we will be able to avoid some of the heavier crowds (Utah Escapes, other conventions, and so on).

 

[DizMe]

There is likely to be at least one Halloween party during your visit, which you probably know already. The parks close early to guests without party tickets.

 

[jammyjam25]

Trader Sam's allows children until 8pm so you can take them along if you still want to go there but aren't able to find a childcare option.

 

[skatalite]

There is likely to be at least one Halloween party during your visit, which you probably know already. The parks close early to guests without party tickets.

Yep, we're aware. We MIGHT do it but probably not. I don't think the kids would be able to get up the next morning without being overly cranky.

Trader Sam's allows children until 8pm so you can take them along if you still want to go there but aren't able to find a childcare option.

We're going to try to do a dinner there, so before 8 p.m. should be doable. Thanks!

 

[Nicolette11785]

If you will be there for 4 days I highly suggest getting park hopper tickets instead of just one park per day. They are so close and it's so easy. Also, if you are in DL on a day with the Halloween party you can just hop over to DCA. It's just something to consider.

 

[skatalite]

If you will be there for 4 days I highly suggest getting park hopper tickets instead of just one park per day. They are so close and it's so easy. Also, if you are in DL on a day with the Halloween party you can just hop over to DCA. It's just something to consider.

We might do Hoppers, though I'm unsure if the kids could handle all that kind of walking and excitement. They've never been to a theme/amusement park, only carnivals where they grew up. We're taking them to the local zoo on Sunday, and it should be an all-day event, so we will definitely get a good idea of their stamina and threshold for tons of walking and sensory overload.

We plan on buying the tickets from Way.com and, currently, there are no Hoppers available, so I'm not sure how much more they cost compared to standard tickets. I know, if bought through Disney, it'd be $160 for the four of us.

 

[Indiana Scott]

IMHO, that would be $160 very well spent (for the hoppers).