Need Help with Disneyland Plan - 2 days & 3 kids

[JenniferH]

I am overwhelmed planning my Disneyland days. We have 2 whole days - one for each park - and I want to make sure we get everything important done because we probably won't go to DL again for a long time (if ever.) The girls are 11, 8 & 5. Can someone please suggest a plan for each park including how to handle meals/parades? WDW planning was much easier than this for me!

 

[YukonMommy]

It would help if you could tell us your must do's in each park. With only 1 day in each park you will not get to see and do everything but should be able to hit your must do's.

 

[smiles33]

What is your 5 year old like? I think the youngest kid often holds back the group (unless you're willing to separate). Will s/he go on "thrill" rides like RSR, BTMRR, etc.? My DDs were both a bit hesitant/sensitive at 5 years old, so we stuck to these low-key rides/shows:

DL: Dumbo, Autopia, carousel (skipped all the dark FL rides given their sensitivity), the Railroad (though the dinosaur scene scared my 5 year old), Go Go Gadget coaster, Princess/Fairy/Toontown meet & greets, and the parade. Fireworks were too loud so we left the parks each day before fireworks. FYI, I had DH take the youngest a few times so I could ride Space Mountain, Star Tours, etc.

DCA: Bug's Land rides, some Paradise Pier rides (one DD loved Goofy's at 5 because she could see the tracks and anticipate the dips/turns, the other DD hated it as it's so jerky), Ariel, Disney Jr. show, Animation Academy, parade,

If you're not targeting the E-tickets, I don't really think order matters except for Dumbo (go early as there isn't a fast pass and it's a slow loading ride) and some of the Meet & Greets close early (I think Pixie Hollow closes by sunset?).

Have fun!

 

[DahliaRW]

Prioritize the rides that are generally better at DL (space mountain, pirates, etc) and rides that don't exist at WDW (Mr.Toad, Carsland, etc.). Skip things that are the same unless you have extra time.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I think one park per day is going to decrease your enjoyment of the parks. DL feels more crowded than DCA, especially in the afternoon. We usually go to Dl in am, hop to DCA in afternoon and back to DL later. What days of the week are you going? What time of year?

I wouldn't only go on baby rides or your older kids will have bad DL memories. You can do a mix, give & take. There is rider switch on the tickets so someone can wait with LO and the older kids will get double the rides in less time!

Are you staying nearby? Or are you in for the day?

I'd pick a parade or show each day. You don't have time for all of them if you'd like a good mix to your trip. You can look online you tube to see which would suit your family.

For meals review the menus at all ears web site. There are lots of quick service that are really good. I wouldn't do any sit down meals unless you choose to do a parade that way.

You may need a stroller for LO. Nap out of exhaustion?

 

[JenniferH]

We will be staying at PP and will be able to do all-day both days. They have all done WDW so we need to makes sure to cover what DL has that WDW doesn't. We will be there on 3/6 and 3/7 - not sure which park per day. The 5yo is pretty good energy-wise - she hasn't napped in years so that will let us do more.

I've already bought non-park hoppers and don't really want to have to mix the parks (I realize this is completely against everyone's recommendations.) The time zone works as an advantage for us so we should be able to get an early start each day.

Do you recommend a sit-down to cover a parade? Which fireworks/parades should we try for? I'm not planning on character dining bc we did tons of that at WDW and we really want to ride rides, but we do want to see the characters (Elsa/Anna and Star Wars especially since we haven't done those yet).

ETA: I'm ok watching fireworks from the hotel, but definitely would like to catch a parade.

 

[Indiana Scott]

Disney is more about the atmosphere than just the rides. To me, if one just tries to hit all the big rides they may miss what makes DLR special. Rather than rush between attractions, try to take time to enjoy some of the little details around the resort.
And don't worry that you missed something. You will want to come back.

 

[smartlabelprint]

I'll report by the 6th on how I enjoyed bb parade meal & if it helped. In the meantime I'd make a reservation.

 

[kathy040690]

My 5 year old girls must do's are radiator racers, grizzy river runs, and little mermaid in CA
splash mountain, all the rides in fantasy land, and the railroad right (stuck on the name) in DL

we are very go with the flow people so we try not to over plan. the last trip i went on it was my husband myself and our three kids. planning on going again this year with my now 4 kids !!

 

[ADLFAN]

As far as meals go, I'd recommend downloading the Disneyland app and going through some, maybe taking notes, so you know where your family can head in each area if lunch is suddenly needed! I feel like trying to find food to fit everyone's appetites was a big time consuming process that has just recently gotten easy now that we're becoming more familiar with the options.

There are so many fun things to do that it's impossible to fit everything in! I love the app, with it's awesome map, return times, and links to menus. I would check it out and locate your must do rides for each park. If it's a ride with FP, use it! We just got back and FP's for Hyperspace Mountain and Radiator Springs Racers ran out every day, so don't wait til the last minute on those two.

Take lots of pictures! ToonTown in the morning is calm and pretty with interesting props, effects, and photo op's. You can walk through Sleeping Beauty's Castle and there are a few fun effects in there, too. The Carousel in Fantasyland has a beautiful castle background. I also think that the Paradise Pier area in DCA is photogenic! Bug's Land in DCA is fun, too! The rides aren't super awesome, but the lines are usually short.

Have fun planning!

 

[ADLFAN]

The Paint the Night Parade is the newest and brightest, and is conveniently running right before the fireworks nightly. Spots on Main Street do fill pretty early and I'll admit I have never tried to acquire a good parade spot. Instead, I've watched it pass from the Jolly Holiday, the train station, the Plaza Inn, behind a few rows of people... But, I think the best place to view the fireworks is mid- Main Street because 1. It's easy to get a spot as everyone rushes in after the parade finishes, 2. I like watching the projections on the Main Street buildings vs. on the castle. I think they are guaranteed to be closer, too, so you can see clearly. I would definitely recommend staying for the fireworks, they are beautiful! If you're closer to the exit on Main Street, you're that much closer to escaping the madness! Or wait for 15 minutes. We watched the Path of the Jedi in Tomorrowland and by the time we got out the crowds had dispersed. But one other time, we left with the masses after the show and it was jam packed and somehow we lost part of our group as they got routed elsewhere!

I have also (still) never watched the parade in DCA, but we did follow it down the route one time and saw some swinging acrobatic guys and the floats squirt water or blow bubbles, so it sounds like a fun one! I hear the parade route is nice and long, making it fairly easy to snag a good spot.

Have fun planning!