NYE Plans with almost 3 yr old

[HamiHarri]

Hey!

I’m trying to plan our NYE at Disney! Based on some of the reviews/tips I’ve read on this awesome and oh-so-helpful board, DH, DD (who will be a couple of months shy of 3 at the time of our trip) and myself are pretty sure that we’ll spend the day at DCA to avoid some of the intense-r crowds at DL (I realize that crowds will still be intense at DCA).

We’re planning on sleeping in the morning of NYE (and are hoping that seeing how DD will have likely been kept up later the week before due to being on holidays from preschool) that she’ll be more agreeable to staying out late. Once we are up for the day, it’s off to DCA (I think...unless someone can convince me to head to DL!)

I’m just trying to figure out the details so I can make reservations ahead. We’d like to make a dinner reservation and I was leading towards Rainforest Cafe as I thought it might be fun for DD...but it’s in Downtown Disney...do we risk not being able to get back into the park?

Another option would be to make reservations in conjunction with the World of Color show...but do we do the early or late seating knowing that we’ll be staying out quite late with DD. Part of met thinks we should go for the early seating should DD fall asleep in her stroller, but the part of me thinks the later one would be a good idea should she be tired/cranky, but not want to sleep in her stroller...it was basically distract her as the clock ticks closer to midnight? Any preference to Carthay Circle Restaurant over Wine Country Trattoria at the Golden Vine Winery? I’m assuming that they are both family friendly? Would one be a little more special for a NYE dinner?

Also, what is your take on the Mad T Party? Think it might be fun for NYE? Any other ideas?

Basically, I like all of our options and just can’t make any decisions

TIA!

 

[Carolwoodpr]

I would skip Downtown Disney for dinner and stay in the park. Is your daughter in a stroller? She can always fall asleep there and you and Mom can still stay in the park for NYE.

But, seeing that you do have a 3 year old, I would go for the early World of Color show. It is not seating, but standing to watch it, so be prepared for that. Another good reason to have her in a stroller.

Now, that being said, I have been at Disneyland with a stroller when the crowds are a level 10+. Watch out when walking in a big crowd. People don't look down. Someone once stepped on my son when he was IN the stroller fast asleep because he was not paying attention.

I have not seen the Mad T Party yet, but would think it would be a hopping place on NYE. Make sure you are in a position to watch the fireworks at Disneyland at Midnight on NYE because they are something special to see.

Have a great time!

 

[Carolwoodpr]

I would skip Downtown Disney for dinner and stay in the park. Is your daughter in a stroller? She can always fall asleep there and you and Dad can still stay in the park for NYE.

But, seeing that you do have a 3 year old, I would go for the early World of Color show. It is not seating, but standing to watch it, so be prepared for that. Another good reason to have her in a stroller.

Now, that being said, I have been at Disneyland with a stroller when the crowds are a level 10+. Watch out when walking in a big crowd. People don't look down. Someone once stepped on my son when he was IN the stroller fast asleep because he was not paying attention.

I have not seen the Mad T Party yet, but would think it would be a hopping place on NYE. Make sure you are in a position to watch the fireworks at Disneyland at Midnight on NYE because they are something special to see.

Have a great time!

Sorry, meant you and Dad can have some fun, not you and mom. And I am going to assume your husband isn't 3, but 30? Have a great time.

 

[I❤MICKEY]

We were there for NYE last year. It was our second day in the park. Our boys were 1 and 3 1/2. We spent the day in DCA. I felt that it was very quiet. There were no concerns regarding being able to come and go during the day and evening. That was isolated to DL. Not sure how Carsland will impact this.

We made a 7:00 reservation for dinner at Goofy's Kitchen. It was great. I'm not sure if the characters were increased because it was a holiday but we saw: Goofy, Alice, Mad Hatter, Pluto, Chip, Dale, Minnie, Cinderella and Mulan. My boys thought it was great. Mad Hatter was super funny because he kept counting down to midnight and Alice kept reminding him that it wasn't time yet. They had prime rib which my DH thought was very good for a buffet.

We had planned to watch the fireworks in the area between DL and DCA but it was so foggy you could barely see 20 feet in front of you. We decided to go back to the hotel and put the kids to bed.

We were at the Mad T Party in September. Definitely not for kids in my opinion. Honestly I don't think it's for adults either. It seems to be geared toward teens or people in their low 20's.

 

[pinktink83]

Honestly, I wouldn't go to DCA. Even though they HAVE added more rides, DCA just doesn't have enough to entertain a 2/3 yo all day IMO. Its basically the few rides in Bug's Land, the Carousel, Little Mermaid, and the insanely crowded Carsland and Toy Story Mania. The only truly cool place to hang out is the Animation Workshop, or the Wilderness Trail, but even then, it might not hold the interest of a 2/3 very long as they are aimed at older kids. They do have the Disney Junior show, but again...still not going to have enough for all day and its so much walking between lands for only 1-2 rides in each land that she is big enough to go on. And after going to World of Color, there is no way I'd stick around for that with only a 2 yo to watch it. Its a LONG wait and its hard to see. My 2/3 yo was not thrilled. If you're going to do a fancy meal, do a character meal and forget the light shows. My 2/3 yo LOVED the princess character meal.

I would just go to Disneyland, and get there as early as possible. There is so much more to do in DL with a little one...Jungle Cruise, Tarzan's Treehouse, Pirates, Tom Sawyer's Island, Winnie the Pooh, everything in Fantasyland, everything in ToonTown, Princess Fantasy Faire, Jedi Training, Buzz Lightyear, Sailing Ship Columbia and Main Twain Riverboat (both super fun), the trolly, the cartoon theater, Tinkerbell meet 'n' greet, monorail, the railroad (ride it all the way around), Tiki Room, submarines. And so many of those things are not very busy at all, and super fun for a little one.

 

[HamiHarri]

@Carolwoodpr – Yes, DH is 30 – missed the “0” when updated my signature Thank you for the tips!

@I<3MICKEY – Ooo...good to know about the Mad T Party. And GREAT suggestion about Goofy’s kitchen. DH wanted to go there at some point during our visit...NYE might just be that day. Thanks!

@pinktink83 – Really great tips. Thanks! We are def. going to be spending a couple of days at DL...maybe we’ll do a park hopper on NYE and see how both parks feel crowd-wise. Maybe we’ll be surprised and it will be quiet (haha...I’m hilarious, aren’t I? ) Also, Ariel’s Grotto is on our must do list as well.

Thanks for all the tips! I’ll check with DH to see if he’d like to do a character meal on NYE vs plated at another restaurant.

*excited*

 

[HamiHarri]

@Carolwoodpr – Yes, DH is 30 – missed the “0” when updated my signature Thank you for the tips!

@I<3MICKEY – Ooo...good to know about the Mad T Party. And GREAT suggestion about Goofy’s kitchen. DH wanted to go there at some point during our visit...NYE might just be that day. Thanks!

@pinktink83 – Really great tips. Thanks! We are def. going to be spending a couple of days at DL...maybe we’ll do a park hopper on NYE and see how both parks feel crowd-wise. Maybe we’ll be surprised and it will be quiet (haha...I’m hilarious, aren’t I? ) Also, Ariel’s Grotto is on our must do list as well.

Thanks for all the tips! I’ll check with DH to see if he’d like to do a character meal on NYE vs plated at another restaurant.

*excited*