Newbie Questions ~ need help and advice, please!

[DisSarahK]

Help! We'll be in the parks on the 17th, 18th, and 19th of September. (Wed/Thurs/Fri) I need help with our schedule and reservations--I am overwhelmed!

I've been looking at the calendar and there are no parades or fireworks (or anything, really) scheduled. Is that because it is too early, or is it because there really isn't anything?

I would like to do the Ariel's Grotto meal and Minnie's Breakfast. I was thinking of dinner at Ariel's Grotto and brunch with Minnie--but I'm stuck on what days to do that.

Magic Morning is on Thursday, right? So if the park is open 10-8, then MM starts at 9am? I'm so confused! My plan is for us to head to Fantasyland on that morning.

Help, advice, anecdotes? All are welcome By the way, I have a 4.5 year old and a 2.5 year old--neither have ever been to an amusement park or theme park of any kind.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

ok well i loved the princes but dont do lunch or dinner the food sucks and isnt worth it try there brekfest it looks good to me and my family we are doing this. Minnies brekfest is grate. you will love it

yes mm will open at 9am if its normaly 10am. get to the gates by 8 tho so your one the first in

Have lots of fun and take pics

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Help! We'll be in the parks on the 17th, 18th, and 19th of September. (Wed/Thurs/Fri) I need help with our schedule and reservations--I am overwhelmed!

I've been looking at the calendar and there are no parades or fireworks (or anything, really) scheduled. Is that because it is too early, or is it because there really isn't anything?

Unfortunately, during the non peak seasons, fireworks are not shown during the week. However, fireworks are shown on Firday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Looks like DL is open until 12:00 Am on the 19th, so, weather permitting, there should be a fireworks show scheduled.

I would like to do the Ariel's Grotto meal and Minnie's Breakfast. I was thinking of dinner at Ariel's Grotto and brunch with Minnie--but I'm stuck on what days to do that.

I would do breakfast with Ariel on Wed. and then plan for brunch with minnie after MM on Thursday.

Magic Morning is on Thursday, right? So if the park is open 10-8, then MM starts at 9am? I'm so confused! My plan is for us to head to Fantasyland on that morning.

Yes, the park opens at 9:00 for MM. You definitely want to do Fantasayland then.

Help, advice, anecdotes? All are welcome By the way, I have a 4.5 year old and a 2.5 year old--neither have ever been to an amusement park or theme park of any kind.

Be prepared for sensory overload with the little ones. Especially if they have not experienced any of this before. There are so many things to take in. Fortunately, you are going during a less busy time of year, so wait times and excessive crows shouldn't be a problem. Be patient, plan to take afternoon breaks or go to shows like the Tiki Room when they afternoon gets hot or the kids start getting tired.

Just relax and you'll have a great time!

 

[pumpkin5156]

Read all of HydroGuys stickies first. Then re-read them.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

 

[avalon451]

There will be parades, but there probably will only be fireworks on Friday night. The complete entertainment schedule isn't up yet.

You can keep an eye on Laughingplace.com for the schedule to come up, and you can look there for last year's schedule to get an idea of what's likely to be running in mid-September : http://www.laughingplace.com/guide-cal-DL-200709.asp

Have fun planning! Your kids are going to have a wonderful time!

 

[DisSarahK]

Thank you all so much for these tips--and please keep them coming!

I have read Hydroguys tips several times and I'm sure I'll need to keep reading them. Right now I'm so overwhelmed with information and abbreviations that I know I'm not getting as much out of the tips as I should.

 

[DorkyDisneyMom]

I would also suggest YouTube for ride videos for little ones. Especially if you are not sure how they will react to the rides. I used them for Fantasyland, Pirates and Matterhorn. I used them for my guys and they really helped them understand what was going to happen. I was also able to better explain how it is going to be fun. It might look scary but it is supposed to be fun. It's hard to do that while you are there with all the extra stimulation.

The abbreviations will come in time. Trust me you will be an old pro by the time your trip comes around.

 

[Brady's Mom]

When we first went with our family in Oct. 2006, our little boys were 2.5 and 4.5. They had the best time! But...we had our own stroller, so they had their very own place to sit that was "theirs". We took things slow and easy (our older boys did stuff together that the littles couldn't do) and went on any ride they wanted, usually more than once. They loved the Alice in Wonderland ride, Winnie the Pooh, Teacups, Dumbo and all of the rides in California Adventure in Bug's Land. Especially the little train. We spent a lot of time in California Adventure because of this little land. We have the cutest pics of our 2.5 year old zonked out in the stroller for 4 hours our very first day! The drive wore him out.

We also did Pirates and they sat very close to us and were a little nervous the first time - but insisted we do it again.

You are sooo lucky to have found this board before you go. It will give you all the advice you need to plan a great trip. I wish I had known about it before our first family trip - it would have saved a lot of time and effort for me!

Do you have any Disneyland maps - can you download and print them? When I first started on this board, I found them very helpful. Also, print out the abbreviations, that will really help!

Good luck with your planning and maybe think about a notebook, so you can jot down ideas and suggestions, mine is filling up fast!