Please help with my itinerary :)

[Bec3b1g]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning a quick mommy/daughter trip 3/19-3/21. Dd is 3.5yrs. I've been to DL several times, but always with dh and our 3 other kids.

Dd and I will be staying on-site at the DLH. I've been trying to coordinate meals, EE, crowds, etc. This is my itinerary so far:

Monday (Early Entry Day)

Arrive: 7:30-45am for EE via monorail

Taken from Hydroguys previous suggestions, these are the planned rides:
1. Peter Pan
2. Dumbo
3. Alice in Wonderland
4. Matterhorn ?? DD is tall enough to ride, but is only 3
5. Mad Tea Party
6. Mr Toad
7-8-9. Carrousel, Snow White and Pinnochio.

DL Park opens @ 9:00

Get FP for BTRR
Get FP for Buzz
Autopia
Use FP for Buzz
Storybook land canal boats
Jungle Cruise

Breakfast: Riverbell Terrace (Frontierland)—not sure what time this will be

Small World
POTC
Haunted Mansion

Stop @ Mint Julep Bar

Winnie the Pooh
Use FP for BTMRR
Tarzan’s TreeHouse

Stop @ Bengal BBQ for snack

Finish with other rides or the princess shop depending on how tired dd is. Head back to hotel for swimming/nap/lunch.

Dinner: PS Goofy’s Kitchen 5:00 (DLH)

Return to DL via monorail for 7:00 Parade of Dreams???

Back to hotel

Tuesday (Early Entry Day)

Arrive: 7:30-7:45am for EE

Same EE plan as yesterday:
1. Peter Pan
2. Dumbo
3. Alice in Wonderland
4. Matterhorn ??
5. Mad Tea Party
6. Mr Toad
7-8-9. Carrousel, Snow White and Pinnochio.

DL Park opens @ 9:00

Mickey’s House
Minnie’s House
Go Go Gatchets Coaster

Breakfast: Carnation Café: (Main Street)
Finish with breakfast and hop to DCA.

DCA opens @ 10:00: Get FP for GRR, then Turtle Talk, then Monsters, Bug’s Land Rides, Playhouse Disney, It’s Tough To be a Bug

Snack/Lunch: Whitewater Snacks??

Return to DLH and rest/pool

Dinner: Priority Seating Ariel’s Grotto 5:30 (DCA)

Finish with Redwood creek challenge

Return to hotel or DL depending on how dd feels.


Wednesday

Breakfast: Storyteller’s

DL Park opens @ 9:00

Leave open: Let dd ride her favorites (figure out plan the night before)

In afternoon:
Honey I Shrunk the Kids
Tiki Room
Get a Dole Whip

Dinner: Rainforest Café (DTD)
Shop: DTD


That's my plan so far. Please help me figure out the best plan to minimize wait lines and walking. We've traditionally used FP, but I'm not sure how to make this work since I don't have dh with me to run around and get them

I sadly left off Fantasmic, SM, and Tom Sawyer Island because of refurbs.

Feel free to add in rides that you think dd might like.

Thanks!

 

[MATTERHORN]

It looks great, the only thing is at 10am at DCA, you will be able to walk right on Grizzly, but we usually can't get a fast pass for atleast 1/2 or 1 hour. Same with Buzz the day before at DL. When we go usually we head to Buzz first and find that the fastpasses aren't even available yet, it usually isn't till about an hour after the park opens. Not sure if they change this for Peak times, but if not, you'll have to head back later to get fastpasses for those!

Sounds like a very fun trip for you two, have a great time!


Andrea

 

[MATTERHORN]

Also I personally would switch Bug's Land Rides with Redwood Creek. Redwood Creek is more fun when it's light out, and I prefer Bug's Land after dark, and there's hardly anyone in there 1/2 hour prior to park closing!


Andrea

 

[Bec3b1g]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll definitely switch Redwood w/ Bug's Land.

 

[XTinabell]

Everything sounds great but I wonder if she might like Star Tours?? Maybe she's too small I'm not sure but I see a lot of young kids there all the time I think because it's relatively mild(like a virtual ride)so it's fun for the kids without being too scary. But I could be wrong.

 

[MATTERHORN]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll definitely switch Redwood w/ Bug's Land.

No problem! Didn't want it to sound critical because your plans look fabulous, it's just that my kids really like Redwood in the daylight. It's easier to keep an eye on them too when they are on slides, rope climbs, etc. and usually when we go, the tire swings and rock wall aren't open after dark!

Bug's Land at night is one of my favorites. Don't know why, and I like it because in the last 10-20 miinutes the park is open, we usually are able to get on all 3 and stay on 2 or 3 times in a row!!


Andrea

 

[Bec3b1g]

Star Tours.......I rode it last year and spent the next 2 hours feeling dizzy and sick. UGH! All the kids loved it and didn't feel sick, but we will definitely avoid it this time.

 

[Wendi2000]

If she likes BTMRR the Matterhorn will be a piece of cake. It's slower, the height limit I think is 5" shorter, but the snowman isn't so friendly... hehehe

Everything else looks great. Oh, if you are planning to ride the Mark Twain, ask if your daughter can "pilot" the boat. It's a fantastic ride, you'll both feel really special!!!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I think it sounds great! The only two things that made my antenna pop up were It's Tough To Be A Bug and Honey, I Shrank the Kids. You obviously know your child best, but I've heard these can be a bit scary for little ones. If you think she'd be OK with it, then go for it, just wanted to give you a heads up.

 

[Rapunsel]

The monrail could be packed... Might be easier to just walk to the gates...

 

[Bec3b1g]

I think it sounds great! The only two things that made my antenna pop up were It's Tough To Be A Bug and Honey, I Shrank the Kids. You obviously know your child best, but I've heard these can be a bit scary for little ones. If you think she'd be OK with it, then go for it, just wanted to give you a heads up.

Hmmm.....She did fine last year at 2.5, but maybe she was too little to really "get it."

I'll have to give this some more thought. Thanks!

 

[Bec3b1g]

No problem! Didn't want it to sound critical because your plans look fabulous, it's just that my kids really like Redwood in the daylight. It's easier to keep an eye on them too when they are on slides, rope climbs, etc. and usually when we go, the tire swings and rock wall aren't open after dark!

Andrea

Doesn't sound critical at all. I really do want feedback! Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Bec3b1g]

If she likes BTMRR the Matterhorn will be a piece of cake. It's slower, the height limit I think is 5" shorter, but the snowman isn't so friendly... hehehe

Everything else looks great. Oh, if you are planning to ride the Mark Twain, ask if your daughter can "pilot" the boat. It's a fantastic ride, you'll both feel really special!!!

I think we'll give the Matterhorn a try if I can be sitting right next to her (rather than in front or behind). I can't remember if it's a dual seat or not.

Mark Twain?? We've probably missed this attraction on previous trips because I can't recall what it is. Sounds like more research is in order.

Thanks for the tips!

 

[Wendi2000]

On the Matterhorn she will be sitting between your legs, you can hug her tight!!! The Mark Twain is the huge paddle boat the goes around the Rivers of America. The pilot house is way up at the top of the riverboat, it's really a treat to go up there.

 

[Bec3b1g]

The monrail could be packed... Might be easier to just walk to the gates...

We've never stayed at the DLH so I'm completely clueless about the monorail vs. the main gate. Would love some tips if you have any!