Newbie Needs the Skinny

[kappygolucky]

I have promised my 6yr. old grandaughter a trip to Disneyland when school is out here in the frozen EAST.
I am usually very adept at trip planning, but I am overwhelmed with the way things change at DL.
I have been planning for months....thank goodness for this site which has provided me with many tips and surprises.
3 whole days in DL June 8,9, & 10.
I recently discovered that 2 of those days are grad nites....how did I miss the information that it even went on.
We are staying across the street from DL
I have made reservations for the breakfast at Ariels Grotto- because the princess of ours would like to meet theirs. I can't believe all they take is your name and cell # for the reservation.
I am not sold on the WOC and believe the Fantasmic and Fireworks will be enough of an adventure.
I do plan on reserving the preferred seating for Fantasmic.
I have read on this site about the lag time if we bring a small cooler for the
bag checking site. Is that generally a hangup?
Our plan is to explore and take each day as it comes.
Anything ....anyone would like to share....would be everything
See you at the gates. Time?

 

[blackjackdelta]

I have promised my 6yr. old grandaughter a trip to Disneyland when school is out here in the frozen EAST.
I am usually very adept at trip planning, but I am overwhelmed with the way things change at DL.
I have been planning for months....thank goodness for this site which has provided me with many tips and surprises.
3 whole days in DL June 8,9, & 10.
I recently discovered that 2 of those days are grad nites....how did I miss the information that it even went on.
We are staying across the street from DL
I have made reservations for the breakfast at Ariels Grotto- because the princess of ours would like to meet theirs. I can't believe all they take is your name and cell # for the reservation.
I am not sold on the WOC and believe the Fantasmic and Fireworks will be enough of an adventure.
I do plan on reserving the preferred seating for Fantasmic.
I have read on this site about the lag time if we bring a small cooler for the
bag checking site. Is that generally a hangup?
Our plan is to explore and take each day as it comes.
Anything ....anyone would like to share....would be everything
See you at the gates. Time?

Welcome to the boards. If you have been lurking, absorbing and have read the stickys you should be good to go. Small softsided coolers are fine and not much lag time if you prepare. We love the "F" seating. Have fun.

Jack

 

[tholczer]

It depends on the size of the cooler, I suppose. If it's small enough to fit in one of their lockers, you should be fine. They just give it a brief lookover, like they would a backpack or purse. It doesn't take extra time at all.

As far as taking the day as it comes, you might want to reconsider. At least familiarizing yourself with how the park crowds work will help you manage your time better. Making sure to hit the popular rides first and grabbing fast passes, for example, will make the day go much more smoothly. I'm with you on having a relaxed visit. We don't ever rush around like it's a military operation. But having a plan can make things more relaxed. Then you can decide, based on crowding, how much you need to stick to your plan.

I think you're fine to skip WOC. It was nice, but not as good as Fantasmic, imho. And it is a whole lot of waiting.

Have a great trip!

 

[skiingfast]

I have made reservations for the breakfast at Ariels Grotto- because the princess of ours would like to meet theirs. I can't believe all they take is your name and cell # for the reservation.
I am not sold on the WOC and believe the Fantasmic and Fireworks will be enough of an adventure.
I do plan on reserving the preferred seating for Fantasmic.
I have read on this site about the lag time if we bring a small cooler for the
bag checking site. Is that generally a hangup?
Our plan is to explore and take each day as it comes.
Anything ....anyone would like to share....would be everything
See you at the gates. Time?

It's unfortunate you aren't sold on WoC, why waste the oppurtunity?

Yes just a phone number for reservations, this isn't WDW.

While the cooler will slow you down at the bag check so will a backpack, diaper bag or purse. All bags get checked not matter what they are for. It's really not a big deal.

 

[kappygolucky]

I do plan on fast passes and I do have a few plans which include most everything "princess"
Are you familiar with ride max?
Is it worth the $$$
Thanks for your help L

 

[kappygolucky]

After reading many many posts, I see that although WOC is really awesome ... the wait time with a 6 yr. old and the hassle of be here, do this, come back etc. isn't worth so much time with only 3 days and 2 of them grad nites.

We will enjoy every minute we are allowed, though!!
thanks L

 

[jessredrabbit]

Ride Max can be a good tool if you want to follow a strict schedule and maximize the amount of rides you can get done in one day. However, I would warn you that because Ride Max does calculate the best times to ride each ride (with the "least amount" of walking distance) this could still mean that you are walking all over the park (for example Captain EO and then Splash Mountain) and with little ones this can be tough. My suggestion to you would be to get "free advice" first. Ask everyone here about ride game plans. After that if you still think you need Ride Max purchase the software as it is not very expensive for a year subscription. But, I think you can get better advice here!

 

[julietcf14]

When it comes to the cooler, you have to ask yourself how much you are really going to use it. We prefer to bring a backpack with water bottles and sandwiches, apples, and maybe some chips. We drink the water and then refill at water fountains. The drinking water isnt bad. If you are working about things staying cold you can take two water bottles and freeze one. The frozen one with be nice and cool water by the afternoon and in the mean time it has kept everything cold... including you while you are carrying the backpack. Most rides are easy to take a backpack on and the lockers are so inconvenient, it just saves you time to have everything with you. We take my 5 year old nephew all the time and it has always worked out for him. Also if he finds something he wants or doesnt finish a snack... backpack! Personally, unless you are taking a big family, taking a cooler is just a pain and it will cost you more time that you will want.

As for WOC, I think its a very long wait for a kid. I think Fantasmic is a better show. But if you want to see WOC, there are dining packages for it as well. In fact, Ariels Grotto has one I believe.

As too lines, remember, you are going on grad night days which are typically not that busy, so i am not sure you will have to worry too much about lines. Also, Disneyland is not like WDW, you can easily relax and do most all of it in 3 days. Sticking to a preset ride schedule always takes the fun out of it. I know its tempting to ride every ride, but your granddaughter may LOVE dumbo and just want to go on it over and over. My grandma took me when I was 5 and we rode dumbo like 10 times. And its one of my favorite memories of my grandma! Just a thought.

Have fun!!! I know your little princess is going to love it!!! And dont forget to check out the Disney Princess Fantasy Faire!! She will LOVE IT!!!

 

[kappygolucky]

Juliet- thanks for the great information- I thought maybe the backpacks would be a hassle on the rides. But I would normally carry one so that is the way I will probably go
I have heard the line and time wait for Fantasy Faire can be quite long- Your experience?? I do think little ones tend to ride the same thing over and over- and that is just fine by me. You have been a treasure...thanks L

 

[DisSarahK]

Definitely bring a backpack--we've brought one on both of our trips (and never done a locker) and it has been fine on all the rides we've done. We've also skipped WOC on both trips because our children's idea of fun does NOT include waiting in long lines.

If you are doing the breakfast at Ariel's Grotto, you don't need to do the line at Fantasy Faire. You should, however, check the schedule when you arrive at DL. They usually do a Coronation Ceremony (at the same place as Princess Fantasy Faire) and there aren't lines for that--it is a little show. There will be three princesses up on the stage dancing and then they'll come down in amongst the audience and dance around maypoles with the children. It is fun and your granddaughter will enjoy it. No line for that!

 

[Cagirl767]

My kids are 6 and 4 and we go a few times a year for 2, 3, 4 day trips. I think with a 6 year old and 3 days there, you are right in pacing yourself and not having to worry about being here and rushing there and times. We haven't been to WOC or Fantasmic, we never go to shows, it's just too much for us still at this point. We need to get back to the hotel around dinner time and call it a day or we'll definitely pay for it the next day! You'll have plenty to do at a leisurely pace. I would try getting on the popular rides first in Fantasyland, and/or Nemo, then saving the B list rides for afternoon just incase it starts getting crowded. We save: the train, monorail, Jungle Cruise, Winnie the Pooh, Bippity Boppity Boutique, ice cream parlor, Snow White, Casey Jr., Storybook boats for afternoon, just incase - to minimize our wait times. We get a fast pass for Autopia in the morning to use in the afternoon. Your granddaughter may not like the roller coasters and thus saving yourself all that wait time. My kids absolutely won't go on them and they both are tall enough. My kids don't like Mr. Toad's either, too scary.

I suppose one morning if you wanted to try to get to the princess fantasy faire you could try and get in line before it opens, not telling your granddaughter where you're going incase the line is too long, so no disappointment. I think you'll be fine at the breakfast though. Remember Cinderella is sometimes near the wishing well at the castle around 2:40.

I wouldn't take a cooler either, too much hassle. You can get a free cup of ice water at any restaurant. You can stash a Crystal Lite drink powder in your backpack for a change of pace with water.

You will have plenty to see and do without much of a set schedule except the princess breakfast, which I'd definitely do. And maybe Bippity Boppity Boutique the second day.

What a fabulous grandma you are!