Newbie needs some help :) - aka: What should we do on our first day?

[croconile]

Hi!

I'm obsessively planning a DL trip for Oct 25 - Nov 4 with my dh and my 3 kiddos (2, 4 and 9). We've got 8-day hoppers since we're going to be going verrry slow...you know how 2 year olds are .

Anyway, here's my question: We are arriving at LAX at 11:30 on Sat, 10/25. My dh has a conference in LA from the 26th to the 30th so I'll be heading to the parks alone with the kids on those days. Normally we wouldn't even attempt to go on the 25th because everyone will be grumpy from the travelling but I want my dh to be with us the first time the kids experience disney. So we're thinking of doing a quick visit on Sat. the 25th from about 3 pm to 8 pp.

My dh and I lived in OC in the 80s and early 90s and frequently visited DL so we feel very nostalgic about it. I'd really like this first day to be special without being overwhelming.

So, considering that this will be a busy Saturday afternoon, what should we plan on doing that would really capture the essence of disney without being completely overwhelming to the kids. I should mention that my 4 yo is kind of sensitive and will need to be gradually introduced to more intense rides. I have no doubt that she'll be riding the matterhorn by the 3rd day into the trip but we need to try not to completely freak her out in the beginning. So I'm thinking that starting out with Pirates or HM might be a bit too much.

I was thinking a round trip on the train, autopia, tarzan's treehouse, the Parade of Dreams, Dumbo and Peter Pan (during the other parade), jungle cruise, hugging Mickey Mouse...any other ideas? We don't watch much TV so they are not very familiar with disney characters besides Mickey and some of the Pixar ones...maybe we should see the Pixar Parade instead??

Thanks!!

Nile

 

[8gr8mouseketeers]

I think you've got some good ideas, but wanted to comment about the Pixar Parade. My youngest (4) absolutely loved it! In fact we saw it 4 times last week. He has been singing the song constantly since we got back. Just be prepared to get a little wet.

 

[Hound 109]

Hi!

I'm obsessively planning a DL trip for Oct 25 - Nov 4 with my dh and my 3 kiddos (2, 4 and 9). We've got 8-day hoppers since we're going to be going verrry slow...you know how 2 year olds are .

Anyway, here's my question: We are arriving at LAX at 11:30 on Sat, 10/25. My dh has a conference in LA from the 26th to the 30th so I'll be heading to the parks alone with the kids on those days. Normally we wouldn't even attempt to go on the 25th because everyone will be grumpy from the travelling but I want my dh to be with us the first time the kids experience disney. So we're thinking of doing a quick visit on Sat. the 25th from about 3 pm to 8 pp.

My dh and I lived in OC in the 80s and early 90s and frequently visited DL so we feel very nostalgic about it. I'd really like this first day to be special without being overwhelming.

So, considering that this will be a busy Saturday afternoon, what should we plan on doing that would really capture the essence of disney without being completely overwhelming to the kids. I should mention that my 4 yo is kind of sensitive and will need to be gradually introduced to more intense rides. I have no doubt that she'll be riding the matterhorn by the 3rd day into the trip but we need to try not to completely freak her out in the beginning. So I'm thinking that starting out with Pirates or HM might be a bit too much.

I was thinking a round trip on the train, autopia, tarzan's treehouse, the Parade of Dreams, Dumbo and Peter Pan (during the other parade), jungle cruise, hugging Mickey Mouse...any other ideas? We don't watch much TV so they are not very familiar with disney characters besides Mickey and some of the Pixar ones...maybe we should see the Pixar Parade instead??

Thanks!!

Nile

I like your ideas. A few thoughts:

- Don't bother with Dumbo & PP that afternoon. They will be jammed. Do them on other early mornings (MMs?). In fact I'd skip FL altogether that day since the only rides not crowded (SW & Pinochio) would be "scarier"...save them for later in the week.
- Pick up a Buzz FP when you arrive. A great family attraction.
- JC, Winnie Pooh, Tiki Room, Tom Sawyers/Pirates Island all would likely be less crowded.
- Maybe Jedi Training? Dad would get a kick out of his little padewans.
- Sometimes Pirates moves quickly.

Have a great time. All of us are jealous about an 8 Day visit.

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

I'd totally start on the train, meet some characters, jungle cruise, autopia.

My kids are SO excited for the pixar parade so maybe I'd do some of the rides over there. (TSMM if not too busy)

 

[dleyel]

I would recommend the Carousel for your first day. I never go on a Saturday, but the line does move pretty quickly. That way thye could visit FL and see what they have to look forward to the rest of the week. Have fun!

 

[croconile]

I think you've got some good ideas, but wanted to comment about the Pixar Parade. My youngest (4) absolutely loved it! In fact we saw it 4 times last week. He has been singing the song constantly since we got back. Just be prepared to get a little wet.

Thanks so much - I think this might be a great parade for us too. We're not so much into the Disney classics (they kind of scare my little ones) and my girls are not the least bit "princessy" but we've seen most of the Pixar ones and they love them, especially Nemo, Toy Story and Cars. Thanks so much for the suggestion!

 

[croconile]

I like your ideas. A few thoughts:

- Don't bother with Dumbo & PP that afternoon. They will be jammed. Do them on other early mornings (MMs?). In fact I'd skip FL altogether that day since the only rides not crowded (SW & Pinochio) would be "scarier"...save them for later in the week.
- Pick up a Buzz FP when you arrive. A great family attraction.
- JC, Winnie Pooh, Tiki Room, Tom Sawyers/Pirates Island all would likely be less crowded.
- Maybe Jedi Training? Dad would get a kick out of his little padewans.
- Sometimes Pirates moves quickly.

Have a great time. All of us are jealous about an 8 Day visit.

Thanks so much for the fabulous advice - I like the idea of Buzz since they like Toy Story so much and my 9yo ds would really did the video game aspect of it (since he's been begging for a video game system forever) - and Jedi would be so cool to do with dh on that first day! My ds is pretty shy but said he really wants to do it (which is super brave for him).

Love the other suggestions too - I'll add Pooh, tiki, TS island to the list...still not sure how my 4yo would do with pirates on the first day, so we'll have to play it by ear.

Thanks!!

 

[croconile]

I'd totally start on the train, meet some characters, jungle cruise, autopia.

My kids are SO excited for the pixar parade so maybe I'd do some of the rides over there. (TSMM if not too busy)

Oooh yeah - TSMM would be great too! Thanks!!

 

[croconile]

I would recommend the Carousel for your first day. I never go on a Saturday, but the line does move pretty quickly. That way thye could visit FL and see what they have to look forward to the rest of the week. Have fun!

Great idea! Do any of the other FL rides move fairly quickly?

 

[danabalana]

Have a great time. All of us are jealous about an 8 Day visit. [/QUOTE]

No lie Oh so jealous!!! Have awonderful time

 

[croconile]

Have a great time. All of us are jealous about an 8 Day visit.

No lie Oh so jealous!!! Have awonderful time

You know, I was just going to get a 4 or 5 day pass but it was not that much more for the 8-day. I figured we wouldn't feel too bad if we only went for a 4-5 hours in the morning and early afternoon and didn't go back in the evenings. We have friends and relatives that we'll be visiting after dh returns from his conference in the evenings. I won't have to get another car for the days he is gone either, so it probably all evens out in the end .

This is the first vacation we've done with all 3 kids so we're really looking forward to it. My kids are so stinkin' excited!!

Thanks again for all the great suggestions! I'm sure I'll be back with more over the next couple of weeks. I can't believe how much I've learned already just from lurking on this site. Wow! Makes me wish I lived closer!!

 

[Diskneenut]

If your kids love toy story, then you have to take them to California Adventure to do toy story mania. So much fun. You will be lucky in the times you are going. You will be experiencing the transition from the Holloween theming for October and the Christman theming that I believe begins Nov. 2. Your children will love this. The small world is totally transformed. The whole ride will be changed into christmas themeing. The song even changes into christmas carols. For the first day, I agree that Peter Pan will be extremly crowded in the afternoon. That ride is one you need to go on when the park opens. Take your children on the jungle cruise, small world, tiki room, and the disneyland railroad. Those will be great ice breakers. Gradually introduce them to the other rides. Finding Nemo is a great ride as well, but thats another one you need to go on first thing in the morning. Some parts of it may be a little intense for young ones, so maybe wait until the 3rd day for that one because at times the ride it dark. Same thing for Pinnochio, Snow White and Mr. Toad. Alice in Wonderland would be a great ride to take them on take break the ice as well. Have a wonderful time.

 

[avalon451]

I like the idea of seeing the parade of dreams at 3:30, riding the train around the park, and hitting Buzz, Pooh and Pirates.

How about seeing "Disneyland: The First 50 Years" at Main Street cinema? Cute and fun 15 minute intro to the parks!

Lots of time to do FL first thing in the morning, when the lines will be walk-on, since you'll be there for 8 days. Just dedicate a MM to it.

Sounds like such a fun time! Don't forget to get your kids "1st Visit to Disneyland" buttons, at City Hall on Main Street!

 

[croconile]

If your kids love toy story, then you have to take them to California Adventure to do toy story mania. So much fun. You will be lucky in the times you are going. You will be experiencing the transition from the Holloween theming for October and the Christman theming that I believe begins Nov. 2. Your children will love this. The small world is totally transformed. The whole ride will be changed into christmas themeing. The song even changes into christmas carols. For the first day, I agree that Peter Pan will be extremly crowded in the afternoon. That ride is one you need to go on when the park opens. Take your children on the jungle cruise, small world, tiki room, and the disneyland railroad. Those will be great ice breakers. Gradually introduce them to the other rides. Finding Nemo is a great ride as well, but thats another one you need to go on first thing in the morning. Some parts of it may be a little intense for young ones, so maybe wait until the 3rd day for that one because at times the ride it dark. Same thing for Pinnochio, Snow White and Mr. Toad. Alice in Wonderland would be a great ride to take them on take break the ice as well. Have a wonderful time.

Toy Story is definitely on the list, too!

Is Small World going to be back up before we leave? I thought it was down until later in the month...it would be so great to see it!

Thanks so much for your ideas!

 

[croconile]

I like the idea of seeing the parade of dreams at 3:30, riding the train around the park, and hitting Buzz, Pooh and Pirates.

How about seeing "Disneyland: The First 50 Years" at Main Street cinema? Cute and fun 15 minute intro to the parks!

Lots of time to do FL first thing in the morning, when the lines will be walk-on, since you'll be there for 8 days. Just dedicate a MM to it.

Sounds like such a fun time! Don't forget to get your kids "1st Visit to Disneyland" buttons, at City Hall on Main Street!

Thanks for letting me know about the buttons! They will think that is so cool! We got Buzz LY buttons for getting our tickets through Getaway so they'll each have two

We'll definitely stop in to the Main St Cinema too - that sounds interesting and since it's shorter than I thought, maybe my 2 yo will sit through it, lol!

 

[Diskneenut]

Sorry, I checked and small world will not be open until the end of November. That ride has been closed for a long time.

 

[croconile]

Sorry, I checked and small world will not be open until the end of November. That ride has been closed for a long time.

That's what I was thinking too...guess I need to start planning my next trip, right?