I think I can answer all but one of those.
First -- the horse-drawn trolley doesn't cost anything more. It's not out every day (or at least wasn't last week), but is out on busier times. You catch it in Town Square at the base of the train station -- go stand looking down Main Street from the base of the Train Station and you should see a sign across the street telling you to catch the trolley there. All it does is takes you down Main Street to just in front of the castle, or picks you up at the castle and takes you back to Town Square. Rarely is there a wait beyond having to wait for the trolley to get back (at least I've never seen more than a couple-person wait). It's really only worth it if your feet are tired and you happen to catch it going the direction you're going, or if you or someone in your party has a fascination with horse-drawn vehicles. Since it sounds like your DD does, I'd say it'd be worth it at some point in the trip.
Sailboat and paddlewheel -- that would be the Columbia (sail) or Mark Twain (paddle). Both are a fun way to relax for a little bit. I personally prefer the Mark Twain, but love the Columbia as well. There's a good bit of history with the Columbia, including a museum below decks. If I remember correctly, the Columbia is a full-scale model of the first American ship to do something -- I think it was circumnavigate the globe. It's interesting to see what conditions the old sailors had to endure. The Mark Twain is a working steam paddle-wheel boat -- and if you ask at the dock before you board, you may be able to go up on top and "pilot" the boat. If they still do that. It can be a fun thing for kids to do.
But they only allow one party at a time as far as I know, if they even still do it. It's worth asking about, though, if you're interested.
But, before you promise one ride over the other, be aware that they aren't always both running. I've rarely seen the Mark Twain down just because of low crowds. Actually, I've only been once when the Mark Twain wasn't running, and at that point it was specifically stated it was under refurb. However, about 3/4 of the times I've visited, the Columbia has been in dock for some reason instead of out transporting passengers. I think that in slower crowds, they just don't bring both out for the day.
Again, neither costs anything beyond park entrance, and their rides I'd say are approximately 15 minutes. Can someone who's ridden recently confirm that timing? We skipped it this trip.
No idea what Ridemax is, but I honestly wouldn't stress about fitting everything in in 4 days. What dates are your trip? Maybe I can help? I love planning trips, and have been known to fit 3/4 of
Disneyland attractions (this was pre-DCA) into one full day by knowing the system. (Of course, that was still in the days of early entry and not closing until nearly midnight). We didn't fit as much in this trip, but that's because we took it at a much more relaxed pace on purpose. And, honestly -- even if you miss 1/3 the attractions, you'll still have a fantastic vacation (I know -- we just did it
). So don't stress too much.
Anyway, to your next questions...
Snow White's Grotto... one of my favorites.
It's just a little corner off past the castle where they have Snow White's wishing well and some statues of Snow White and the seven dwarfs. The story is that a famous marble sculptor wanted to give something to Disneyland, and so donated the statues to Walt. They're set up in a very cute display, and if you hang around for a few minutes, something might happen.
However, last week they had the area for the grotto roped off and had turned it into a "Meet the Princesses" meet and greet, and the only way you could see the grotto was to either go when there weren't any princesses, or to stand in line to meet the princesses. But, with kids, I suspect you're going to want to meet the princesses anyway
The grotto is to your right if you're standing in the hub and looking at the castle.
For the parade -- it really depends on how the crowds are that day, and where you want to watch it. If you want to watch the parade on Main Street, I'd advise checking out the area about an hour in advance. If you see people lining up along the curb already, stake out your spot. Otherwise, go play for a few minutes more and try again in about 15 minutes. At very least, if you want to see the parade from the "rope" (it's actually a virtual rope in most places, just a line on the sidewalk) it's best to check the route at least 30 minutes in advance, and much earlier if the park is crowded. The parade route is noted in the guide map, but to give you an idea, it runs from Small World, down the Small World Mall, right along the Matterhorn past the Storybookland Canal Boats and Alice in Wonderland, around the castle, circles around about 1/3 of the hub, down Main Street, around about 3/4 of Town Square, and into the gates next to the hat shop to the right as you're facing the castle. Sometimes it runs from Small World to Main Street, other nights it runs the other direction. Most nights we were there, it started at Small World and ran to Main Street, but if you really want to know, ask a cast member when it gets close to parade times, or ask at City Hall earlier in the day -- they can tell you.
Fireworks... you're only planning to see them once? To be honest, if you can swing it, I'd try to fit multiple viewings of the fireworks into your schedule. In my opinion, Believe in Holiday Magic is the second-best fireworks show I've ever seen. With the regular Believe...There's Magic in the Stars (also at Disneyland during the regular season) being my favorite. Illuminations and Fantasy in the Sky at Disneyworld follow close on Believes' heels, but Believe (in whichever form) is absolutely beautiful.
Anyway, if you're only going to see it from one viewing location and you're going to have kids with you, I'd honestly recommend viewing them from the Small World Mall. That's where we had the best view. You will miss a couple of the effects, but it's very few and the view is fantastic. It also hasn't ever been as crowded there when I've viewed from Small World as it's been on Main Street.
If you have multiple opportunities to check the fireworks, though, I'd suggest viewing once on Main Street, once at Small World, and once from New Orleans Square. I've heard that if you view the fireworks from near the Disney Gallery, they go off above the Mark Twain (which will be at dock at that time of night) and the spires of Thunder Mountain. I've only seen the fireworks from Main Street and Small World, though.
The advantage of Main Street is that's where the fireworks were designed to have the best show. Especially at the point approximately between Refreshment/Coke Corner and the Camera shop. The disadvantage is this is where the vast majority of guests tend to view the fireworks (especially new guests), so it's very crowded. If the kids are small, they'll have to sit on shoulders or be held up in some other way to see the fireworks. Even as an adult, I had a hard time seeing the castle with the fireworks because of the crowds. Most of the fireworks go off well overhead, but seeing them with the castle is the main point of watching from Main Street.
The advantage of Small World or New Orleans Square is it doesn't get as crowded so the kids are more likely to be able to see the whole show. The disadvantage is that there are a few show elements that take place *at* the castle (fireworks for the most part) and those will be going off behind/beside you, so you won't see them.
I loved watching the fireworks from Small World, though -- it's very festive.
They left the holiday lighting on Small World, which added to the show.
If you choose to view the fireworks from Small World, we were able to find a very good spot on a Saturday night about 30 minutes before the fireworks. There was still more than enough room for more viewers there. But if you're going to watch them from Main Street, find your spot there for the parade, then just stay there for the fireworks. No advice on how early to show up for viewing in New Orleans Square as we opted to view the fireworks from Main Street 3 times and Small World once. Knowing what I know now, I would have opted to skip one of our Castle choices in favor of New Orleans Square.
Anything else I can do to help?
