Must Dos: 1 day, July, Kids 4 and 6

[geochick]

Here's what I know so far:

• We have one day (July 7).
• We're staying at HoJo.
• We will dine at Goofy's kitchen the night before we do DL.
• We have 2 adults.

Here's where I need help:

• My 6yo wants to do the Indiana Jones ride, but his 4yo sister doesn't (and isn't big enough).
• My 4yo wants to see princesses (but mostly Sleeping Beauty).
• They both want to ride other kiddie rides, but would probably like rides like slash mountain too.
• We want to have a nice lunch in the park.

I have read a lot of posts, and love this site, but any additional info you might recommend for our family would be appreciated. What's the best plan of attack for the park for our family?

The only way to get a 1 day/1 park ticket is at the gate, right? What time should we plan to arrive to get in that line?

The night before we'll do Goofy's Kitchen (good idea, right?). We have a car. Is it best to drive to the hotel or is there a better way?

 

[DLR29]

Ok so fortunately July 7th is a Wednesday which means 2 things:
a) Wednesdays are one of the least crowded days of the week
b) No Magic Morning (that means no early entry basically -nobody is going to be already in the park when the entrance gates open for everybody at 8AM)

I recommend arriving early early and heading straight to Fantasyland. Ride Peter Pan first, then Dumbo and the other FL rides. If one of the adults is ok with missing the first ride, maybe they could run over to Indy to grab a FP.

Then at 9AM, the Princess Fantasy Faire will open (back of Fantasyland) and I recommend getting there a little before because that line can be super long. However, DS6 probably won't want to do that, so perhaps he could ride a "bigger" ride like Space or Matterhorn or even just go to Toontown for Roger Rabbit or something.

Continue through the day. Ride rides like Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, etc. during the middle of the day because the lines are manageable even when the crowds are high.

A couple more things: For FP, you will have 4 tickets, so you can get 4 FP. For Indy, if you get 4 FP and the youngest one doesn't want to ride, the older one can go twice, each with a parent. I also recommend getting Splash FP relatively early because those run out quickly during the hot summer. Also, I didn't see you mention Space Mountain. Those FP also run out VERY quickly, so those are the 3 major FP that you will want to have.

As for getting to Goofy's Kitchen from HoJo, it is probably a solid 15-20 min walk, but it is a very pleasant walk. Basically walk to the park (8min from HoJo) and into the "esplanade" (the area between the two parks). Then continue walking across the esplanade and into Downtown Disney. Then you'll stroll all the way through DTD and straight ahead is the DLH where Goofy's Kitchen is. The walk through DTD is fun with all of the shops and excitement going on. I highly recommend walking over driving. Driving would take about 5 min probably including finding parking.

Oh, also for tickets, you can call ahead and get them reserved at "will call", which usually has a shorter line than just buying them at a booth. I would get there about 30 min before the park opened at least (so 7:30AM, yeah it's early, but sooooo worth it)

 

[noryglory]

I just want to compliment both of you...the original post is SO specific, it makes it easy to make recommendations, and the recommendations are RIGHT on. I'm sure others will chime in, but it was fun to read both posts!!

 

[geochick]

Will Call sounds like a great way to get tickets. Can I do that a few weeks ahead, or does it have to be, say, the day before?

Thanks for this info! Very helpful.

Lunch suggestions? We will probably want a good, but quick lunch.

 

[geochick]

I just want to compliment both of you...the original post is SO specific, it makes it easy to make recommendations, and the recommendations are RIGHT on. I'm sure others will chime in, but it was fun to read both posts!!

Ah, gee, shucks. Thanks.

 

[Dobie]

Also, if you are really into princesses, there is the Princess Dinner at Ariels Grotto in DCA. You get a lot of princess interaction and you dont have to waste park time standing in line to see them.

 

[geochick]

Do you have to pay admission to DCA for the princess dinner at the Grotto?

 

[Kayla's Mom]

Do you have to pay admission to DCA for the princess dinner at the Grotto?

Yes.

 

[geochick]

Can't do that, then.

 

[DLR29]

By "nice lunch" do you mean sit down? or just good quality counter service?

If you mean sit down, I recommend the Blue Bayou, which is inside the Pirates ride building. However, it is a little pricey and it takes time, which I'm not sure it's worth spending that much time for a meal when you only have 1 day.

For good, quick counter service places, I personally like El Rancho del Zocalo (Mexican, huge portions too), Redd Rocket's Pizza Port (ok pizza, but very good pasta and salads), and Hungry Bear Restaurant (large burgers and sandwiches, and a cool atmosphere by the Rivers of America).

 

[IBLarsen]

We too have a 6 year old son and 4 year old daughter. During our last visit DS6 wanted to ride Indiana Jones (finally tall enough), but dd4 wasn't tall enough. So we did exactly what DLR29 said and got 4 FP's. DS6 and I went while DH and DD4 played at the treehouse right next to IJ. Then DH was supposed to go with DS, but DS decided he didn't want to go again, he thought he was going to be thrown from the vehicle a few times!

We always stand in line for princesses at PFF, and it can get very long very quick. We also do Jedi training for our DS6 who LOVES star wars.

As for rides, my kids love Matterhorn, Nemo Subs is a fav. They love Buzz Lightyear, all the fantasy land rides of course. Peter Pan is a FAVORITE. POTC is another favorite of both kids. Jungle cruise is fun for kids. I would skip

We have always done Goofys for dinner the night before our first day as well, and my kids love it. We do walk through DTD, and I agree, it's a nice walk and we take our time to walk through some of the shops as well, we hit a few on the way there and a few on the way back. There is usually music playing in the walkways, and the kids will stop to dance with the live performers.

Have fun!

 

[geochick]

Great info. Thanks!

 

[Hound 109]

I agree with the posters above. But with 2 adults, I'd have one adult go to Will Call to get the tickets, while the other adult (& kids) get in line. (Preferably at :30 or earlier)

(& question....couldn't they pick up the tickets the night before on their way to Goofy's dinner?....or do they have to wait until the day of?)

 

[DLR29]

I agree with the posters above. But with 2 adults, I'd have one adult go to Will Call to get the tickets, while the other adult (& kids) get in line. (Preferably at :30 or earlier)

(& question....couldn't they pick up the tickets the night before on their way to Goofy's dinner?....or do they have to wait until the day of?)

Good question Hound. Always thinking of other things. I don't know the answer and I'm curious. I'm sure somebody else knows.

 

[geochick]

I love the idea of picking up Will Call tickets the night before. I can always try. Great tips. Thanks.

Oh, and we had planned to drive over to Goofy's Dinner. It sounds like it will be worth it to walk.

 

[noryglory]

Definitely walk. There's Disney excitement in DTD...and if you can get your tickets early, that's a bonus. And, you can always take a cab back!