Need suggestions for one day at DL!

[mandlsmom]

We are going to be at DL for one day the first week of August and I need help! This is our very first Disney visit and we are very excited. I have a 5 year old daughter and 2 year old son. We will only be in the park one day and with time limited, can you suggest what parts of the park we should focus on? Also any suggestions on making the day fabulous with 2 little ones?!

My daughter is crazy about the princesses. With only one day, would you suggest taking time to do a character meal (Ariel's Grotto) or just going to the area of the park the princesses are at.

We are also planning on staying at the Best Western Park Place. We will have 3 adults and 2 kids. Does anyone have any experience staying here or could suggest hotels that accommidate 5 comfortably?

Thanks!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

With only one day, I would focus on DL and not bother with DCA, especially with the ages of your children. I would focus on Fantasyland and Toontown and try to take your daughter to the Princess Faire.

 

[letthembelittle]

We did a one day trip back in 2008 (when our oldest two were 3 and 1), it was a crazy wonderful day. I think the biggest thing we did to make the most of just one day was to make a list of everything we wanted to do in order of most importance and then we tried to work all of it in. As for the princesses, the PFF can take a long time but sounds like it might be worth it to your little girl just be aware that you never know who you might get so if she has a princess she just has to see AG might be a better choice. Good luck and have a wonderful trip!

 

[munchkinsmom]

With only one day at Disneyland, a character breakfast would take too much of your time, IMHO. Stop by for a quick, on-the-go breakfast instead (McDonald's is close by, La Brea Bakery is at Downtown Disney, or visit the bakery on Main Street). Afterwards, head to the parks early so you can make the most out of your day.

As stated in previous posts, I'd focus most of the time just in Disneyland visiting Fantasyland and Toontown, with a stop at Princess Faire, located nearby.

Have fun!

 

[Shockberta]

Try to get to the park as early as possible. I know that can be tough with kids. In the morning Fantasyland is not very busy so it would be a wise to head there right away and ride especially Dumbo and Peter Pan as soon as possible. Both kids and adults love these rides and they fill up very quick.

Toon Town follows the same pattern as Fantasyland. It is empty right when it opens and gets busy as the day goes on.

Like another poster said, Fantasyland and Toon Town should be your main focus with kids. If you can throw in other areas of the park later they may like Tom Sawyer's Island and the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

I also suggest eating lunch early like at 11 am and dinner early like at 5 pm. It is a lot less busy then.

 

[BarbieGal457]

I only had one day in DL as well, but I was a solo traveler. I got to see everything I wanted by sheer luck and a lovely CM my age named Deane, who I think took a fancy to me! But as the PPs have said, I would concentrate moreso on DL rather than DCA, and get to Fantasyland early. By doing that I was able to see everything with quite short wait times. I also would say to grab meals on the go, since the character meals can take a loooong time (from all my WDW experience). I was so excited to be there I could barely fathom sitting down once I got going! Have a great time!

 

[Hound 109]

We are going to be at DL for one day the first week of August and I need help! This is our very first Disney visit and we are very excited. I have a 5 year old daughter and 2 year old son. We will only be in the park one day and with time limited, can you suggest what parts of the park we should focus on? Also any suggestions on making the day fabulous with 2 little ones?!

My daughter is crazy about the princesses. With only one day, would you suggest taking time to do a character meal (Ariel's Grotto) or just going to the area of the park the princesses are at.

We are also planning on staying at the Best Western Park Place. We will have 3 adults and 2 kids. Does anyone have any experience staying here or could suggest hotels that accommidate 5 comfortably?

Thanks!

- Go on a Monday Wednesday or Friday.....(preferably a Wednesday).
- Arrive at the security tent 40 min. before gen. adm. opening.
- Fantasyland first. Don't bother with Peter Pan unless you're one of the first ones on.
- Have a plan & tour the first 2 hours (& pick up 2-3 FPs your first 90 - 120 minutes....to use later in the day).
- Smell the roses, take pictures & "go with the flow" after the park starts getting crowded (& after your 2 - 3 hours of touring).

Have a Great Time at Walt's Park......but why only one day???

 

[DisneyMomma81]

You can read about our 1 day @ DLR last mid July *here*

 

[8-bit]

One day trips to Disneyland are always great and if you arrive early, I don't think you'll have a problem checking everything out.

I agree with focusing on Fantasyland and maybe ToonTown. Tomorrow land also has some rides that your kids could like. If they don't get scared of darkness/noise and like Nemo, there's Nemo's submarines. And then Autopia, which they could enjoy. It would be a good option for the evening.

Other attractions they shouldn't miss are Winnie Pooh and It's a Small World.

If your little girl really wants to meet a Princess, by all means do it. You'll have the time. A second option is catching them at the park's multiple shows and parades as they're bound to make an appearance there, which would take less time.

Don't miss the shows and parades, they'll love them! You'll love Disneyland... Good luck!