Magic morning

[RheBot]

im just wondering if it would be stupid of me NOT to use the 1 magic morning we have with our park tickets?

My husband, myself and our son (who will be just over 2) will be in the land Nov. 26-Dec. 2. We have 5 day NON park hopper tickets and ideally I would like to go to DL the Monday, Wednesday, Friday and DCA on the Tuesday and Thursday. But of course this conflicts with the days we can use the MM. I know it's good to use and go right to fantasyland, but with 3 days in the DL park, if we get there for opening, do you think that would suffice?!

It's our first time going with a child so it's a whole new world for us!!

Thanks!!

(Oh and if anyone happens to have any tips on going with a 2 year old I'm all ears haha!)

 

[Imdboss]

We have never used our MM. There's no way my family wants to get up that early, we prefer to sleep in a bit and close the park down. If we were natural early risers then it might be different. As far as going to DL with a toddler I'd say don't have a set schedule because you'll just set yourself up for disappointment if you don't accomplish everything on your daily to-do list. Take a "go with the flow" approach and you'll have a great trip!

 

[Darkbeer1]

While the parks (MM or not) are slowest in the first few hours of operation, is it worth it to YOU! As stated, some folks get grumpy if forced to wake up early, etc. So it comes down to priorities.

Many families do the split day thing, Opening/MM until the park get full and very busy, takes a mid day break/nap at their Hotel/Motel and then return for the evening. Heck, I do that with special park events where I get early entry before anyone else (not at Disney, other Theme Parks), and then late evening events, and take a break in the middle of the day, when the general public is in the park). Others will do opening/MM until they drop, usually after the first daytime parade (if offered), and they leave the park, to get replaced by the split day folks coming back, and the AP holders coming in after work or some other thing they did during the day... Some will go when they think they can handle the rest of the day straight in the park until closing (aka the folks who like to sleep in, especially on vacation).

Whatever you decide, have a great trip.

 

[scrapshappen]

Since we have APs and usually stay off site, we like to rope drop the park without MM. We've had better luck getting in rides like Peter Pan that way too.

 

[agamble]

That depends on the schedule of your two-year old and the park hours. If park is opening at 10 (or even 9) then MM is still kind of busy, but regular opening is also busy. Also, if your two-year old is up by 6:30/7 anyway, then you may want to be at the park early. But if he sleeps later, then you certainly don't want to wake him up just to rush there.

By going on opposite days as you are you will still have the same ability as going on a MM, you just don't get that hour in the park. Keep in mind you're probably likely to spend X number of hours in the park whether you get there at 7, 8, or 9. You can just physically only go so long, especially with a tot in tow.

We have been with 2 and under before. If he will nap in the stroller that may be a good time for you and your husband to ride the big rides that need swapping (learn about rider swap and how to use it with FP). If the hours are short you may not want to go back to your hotel midday, but with a toddler you may not have a choice. Consider his normal sleep and eating schedule and plan accordingly.

My kids have never been afraid of the "dark" rides, but some kids are. Also, some kids don't like the characters with big heads. My oldest loved all the characters, then one day (right at two) she was afraid of the plain face characters (like princesses). I think it was just stranger danger.

Any other specific tips you are looking for with a two year old?

 

[RheBot]

Since we have APs and usually stay off site, we like to rope drop the park without MM. We've had better luck getting in rides like Peter Pan that way too.

Thanks you! That's my husbands favorite ride so the one I was most concerned about, that's great to know!

 

[RheBot]

That depends on the schedule of your two-year old and the park hours. If park is opening at 10 (or even 9) then MM is still kind of busy, but regular opening is also busy. Also, if your two-year old is up by 6:30/7 anyway, then you may want to be at the park early. But if he sleeps later, then you certainly don't want to wake him up just to rush there.

By going on opposite days as you are you will still have the same ability as going on a MM, you just don't get that hour in the park. Keep in mind you're probably likely to spend X number of hours in the park whether you get there at 7, 8, or 9. You can just physically only go so long, especially with a tot in tow.

We have been with 2 and under before. If he will nap in the stroller that may be a good time for you and your husband to ride the big rides that need swapping (learn about rider swap and how to use it with FP). If the hours are short you may not want to go back to your hotel midday, but with a toddler you may not have a choice. Consider his normal sleep and eating schedule and plan accordingly.

My kids have never been afraid of the "dark" rides, but some kids are. Also, some kids don't like the characters with big heads. My oldest loved all the characters, then one day (right at two) she was afraid of the plain face characters (like princesses). I think it was just stranger danger.

Any other specific tips you are looking for with a two year old?

Thanks so much! Obviously it could change this year but last year the same dates the hours were 10-9pm (and 9-12am the Friday)
If my son is anything like he is now (waking up at the crack of dawn) we won't have a problem getting there early haha! But he is really good at staying happy for long periods of time sand nap if he is kept busy! I guess if the parks aren't open until 10 him napping in his stroller may be a better option anyway otherwise we would have to leave after 2-3 hours for him to nap!

I think the only thing I'm concerned with him is how on earth do you manage parades and the shows (world of color) with a kid?? I know he would LOVE to see them, but he would not so much enjoy getting there an hour or so early to find a good spot for them! Again, maybe by then he will change but I don't think there are many kids that have a lot of patience!

And this is probably an obvious question but do all places to eat (quick service especially) have high chairs for the babes? Thanks for your help!

 

[RheBot]

Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions! I appreciate it!

 

[agamble]

I think the only thing I'm concerned with him is how on earth do you manage parades and the shows (world of color) with a kid?? I know he would LOVE to see them, but he would not so much enjoy getting there an hour or so early to find a good spot for them! Again, maybe by then he will change but I don't think there are many kids that have a lot of patience!

And this is probably an obvious question but do all places to eat (quick service especially) have high chairs for the babes? Thanks for your help!

With the parade you can pick a spot in the Small World area 60-90 minutes before the parade (maybe that's early enough, I haven't been with the new parade) and lay out a small blanket and sit and eat dinner while waiting. That gives him something to do. There is also a convenient restroom near there incase one of you needs to take him or yourselves, and Toon Town is also nearby if he just needs to run around. Plan on everyone being in their spots on the blanket at least 30 minutes (maybe even 45) before the parade begins as people will squeeze in. Also, it is possible to show up shortly before a parade begins (just 15 minutes) and stand towards the back of the group. But in that case one of you would probably have to hold him during the length of the parade unless you happen to find a good place where he can stand and view. It doesn't have to take hours of waiting, only if you want to be in the front. Another good place to view is over near Pixie Hollow. There's a ledge there that is a good place to wait and also a bathroom near there.

WOC is a pain. You could opt to pay for a seat, but that may not be in your budget (not in mine). You get a FP in the morning, but then you still have to show up an hour before, and even then that doesn't mean you'll get a good spot to see. And you get so deep with people and you're trying to see over people's heads. UGH! We saw it once at the last showing and were right up front, got wet, but had a good view. We saw it a second time at 8:0 showing and were stuck in the middle in a sea of people and it was uncomfortable and hard to see and I waited over an hour. We haven't seen it again, and I am not sure what our plan will be when we visit this summer. There are a handful of places not part of the FP area, I believe, where you can just stand when the show starts (I think in front of Ariel, maybe) and see alright. But many places CM will tell you to keep moving.

Everywhere has high chairs at Disneyland. They expect little kids.

 

[az4boys]

Be prepared that even if you get a perfect spot for night time parades and shows, like WOC, your son may sleep through the entire thing. We like a parade spot right behind the Alice in Wonderland ride near the bathrooms. I believe there is a brick border in the ground that designates what is considered the parade route. You can sit along that border. It seems to fill up slower than other areas.