Please help me make our DL day in July with small kids magical

[nth]

We have decided to stop for a day at DL (probably July 10, a Tuesday) on our drive home from AZ to SW Washington. We have 4 kids, from 10 weeks to 6 years old. I realize it's going to be crazy, but I want to minimize the stress and enjoy our time there. I'm sure the kids and I will enjoy ourselves, but I am a little worried about my husband. He has been to Disneyland only once as a child, and has very fond memories of it. He was even the one that suggested stopping on our way home. However, I'm not sure how he will handle a whole day with the all the kids in that sort of craziness. We often come home from a grocery shopping trip feeling pretty frazzled!

There's not a lot on our must see list. My oldest wants to ride Peter Pan and splash mountain. I would like my husband to be able to ride Indy, Star Tours, and Space Mtn. We plan on going back to our hotel mid-day (Homewood Suites) and eating dinner there at 5 before we return.

My basic plan follows:
Arrive at 7:30 for opening at 8
Husband takes older girls to Peter Pan while I get two FPs for Star Tours and two for Space Mtn using our four tickets

Spend time in Fantasyland, then head to Toon Town. Somewhere in here I will grab two passes for Splash Mtn and two for Indy.

When the kids are done with Toon Town, take the train to New Orleans, then walk to Critter Country for Splash Mtn. using child swap/FPs and Winnie the Pooh.

After that I just want to play it by ear. Possibly do HM and POTC. But we'll definitely need some down time, and I'm wondering where the best places are for this. Big Thunder Ranch? Tom Sawyer's Island? The Tiki Room? Are these places really crowded too in the summer?

After our break we may try to catch the second parade. We'll definitely head into tomorrowland and hopefully be able to use our FPs with child swap there and on Indy.

If our kids can make it until the fireworks, that would be great.

So, any suggestions or tips from people with experience? We are more of a camping family, but I'm hoping my husband will really enjoy himself so there will be many more DL trips in the future. please excuse any typos, I'm typing on my phone.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

A non MM day would be better, @ DL MM days are Sun, Tue, Thu & Sat - here's how we spent one day *a Wed* mid July 2009.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

is there any way to give you guys two days? you will not see as much as you may want to with just one day. I mean you may be able too but it would be very busy and fast paced.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

also beware you will need to be able to fit in going back to the rides in the fp time window as ive heard roumors that after carsland they may have been enforcing the time windows.

How many nights do you have in the hotel you are already staying at?

If you are arriving before 2pm the day before I would try to get in the park to do a few things. (if its an option to add to it.()

 

[nth]

A non MM day would be better, @ DL MM days are Sun, Tue, Thu & Sat - here's how we spent one day *a Wed* mid July 2009.

It's possible that we could switch to Wednesday if it would make a big difference in the crowds. Or even if it would make a little difference. I will look into this, thanks!

is there any way to give you guys two days? you will not see as much as you may want to with just one day. I mean you may be able too but it would be very busy and fast paced.

I suppose it may be possible to add another day, depending on when my husband has to be back in the office. We have have a room reserved on Monday and Tuesday night. We won't be getting in until late afternoon on Monday, and it just doesn't seem worth it to pay a couple hundred dollars more for part of a day. We would have to add another night at the hotel, and the summer rates are tough for this cheapskate to swallow.

I think I'm ok with not riding a lot of rides, as long as we are able to enjoy the atmosphere, entertainment etc. We were planning on visiting DTD on Monday evening after we arrive.

 

[sammons70]

Your plan is well thought out, but very ambitious for one day. Down time doesn't seem practical. You may need to be willing to split up (some of you stay in the park or do different activities) if your hubby or children tire out sooner than expected. If you are really intent on spending only one day, but want it to be somewhat relaxing, you could drop any ties to a preconceived itinerary. Let the kids determine the itinerary as you wander the park. If they point to something they want to do, get a Fast Pass, or hop in line. If they sees a character they want to meet, line up. Don't worry about rushing across the park to a certain ride. When the day is done, if everyone's had fun, the the visit was a success.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

It's possible that we could switch to Wednesday if it would make a big difference in the crowds. Or even if it would make a little difference. I will look into this, thanks!

If you want FL rides *Peter Pan, Dumbo etc* and you won't have MM access I'd go on a non MM day so you're at an equal advantage with all other guests. Get there 30 minutes prior to park opening, once you're allowed in walk with purpose to Peter Pan

 

[nth]

In my head, I really do picture us going along and following the kids lead, though I really want to minimize the time spent waiting in lines even if it means getting less done. I think it gets crazy when I worry about getting on all the big rides that I know my husband would enjoy. Ultimately I know what will make him happiest is to have the kids happy and enjoying themselves. Perhaps I will go back to the hotel with the little ones while he rides some of the big rides with our oldest daughter. I know they would both enjoy that.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

A non MM day would be better, @ DL MM days are Sun, Tue, Thu & Sat ...

DisneyMomma81 is extremely knowledgeable, but I think that she's forgetting about the Annual Passholder Early Entry (APEE) on Mon., Wed. and Fri.

This summer (June 18 - Sept. 13), some Annual Passholders will be allowed to enter Disneyland Park at 7:00am, which is one hour before the regular 8:00am opening time. It's called APEE (AP Early Entry) and it's taking place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. See this thread: "Early Admission (MM/EMH/APEE) Super Thread -- http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1675403 by DLR29.

So there will not be any "non MM days" this summer. As far as I know, there may not be much, if any, difference between a Tuesday morning and a Wednesday morning. APEE for DL starts this Monday, so we'll know more about APEE mornings once people start sharing their experiences.

On the plus side, a Tuesday would actually be better for visiting Mickey's Toontown. On Tuesdays, DL's regular opening time is 8:00am, and Toontown would open at 9:00am. So you could first ride Peter Pan, etc., and then walk in to Toontown just as it opens. That's a good way to visit Toontown with relatively short lines.

BTW, I like your FastPass ideas.

HTH