Question About Arrival After Rope Drop With Toddler/Preschooler

[coreynyc]

We (me, my pregnant wife, & son turning 4 a week after our trip) are in the midst of planning a semi-last minute trip to DL & DCA from 12/5-12/8 and could use a little insight.

This is the first visit for my wife & I since we were kids (25-30 years ago). The plan is to spend either 3 or 4 days at the parks on Park Hopper tickets, I'm leaning towards 4. My son is a big MM Clubhouse fan, has seen Frozen, and likes Cars & Toy Story. Also into many of the Disney Jr shows, especially Doc McStuffins (I know about DCA show & character meets)

On Monday morning 12/5, we will be driving down from LA. So its highly unlikely we will be there for rope drop. We will have a Magic Morning to utilize at DL either Tuesday 12/6 or Thurs 12/8.

That said, considering we will be a bit late (I guesstimate that we will arrive 10-11am) on Monday & ride lines/FP waits will presumably be building, which is the best park to efficiently tackle first with my son (who is an impatient 4 year old)?

 

[Steven G]

DCA is typically less busy, but now that they have the food festival, that may equalize it.
You can probably go to bugs land and have decent wait times.

In any case you should get the Disneyland app on your phone, approx wait times are on it for each ride.

 

[travelgirl06]

We frequently arrive late morning or midday on the weekend with our kiddos (2 and 5). DCA usually feels less crowded, and as PP said - bugs land tends to have short waits if your son is itching to get on something . The Disney Junior show should be easy enough to get into, and the character meets for Doc/Sophia tend to have reasonable lines. We usually also can do Mater's ride and Luigis with about a 20 minute wait (and you can watch these rides as you wait which keeps the kids entertained while you wait).

You will likely need a FP for Radiator Springs (to avoid a long line) and these do run out frequently, so I would be careful not to promise that for the first day. You may be able to get one, I would just manage expectations with your son. If you can't get a FP for this the first day, going early on one of your other days to get a FP (or going directly to the ride) are good options. This is one of our 5YOs favorite rides, and we are careful about reminding her that it may be out of fast passes and usually has a very long line.

You are coming on a weekday though, and before most kids are on holiday break, so I thinking you might be in luck with the crowds - fingers crossed!

 

[coreynyc]

DCA is typically less busy, but now that they have the food festival, that may equalize it.
You can probably go to bugs land and have decent wait times.

In any case you should get the Disneyland app on your phone, approx wait times are on it for each ride.

Already have the app, thanks!

We frequently arrive late morning or midday on the weekend with our kiddos (2 and 5). DCA usually feels less crowded, and as PP said - bugs land tends to have short waits if your son is itching to get on something . The Disney Junior show should be easy enough to get into, and the character meets for Doc/Sophia tend to have reasonable lines. We usually also can do Mater's ride and Luigis with about a 20 minute wait (and you can watch these rides as you wait which keeps the kids entertained while you wait).

You will likely need a FP for Radiator Springs (to avoid a long line) and these do run out frequently, so I would be careful not to promise that for the first day. You may be able to get one, I would just manage expectations with your son. If you can't get a FP for this the first day, going early on one of your other days to get a FP (or going directly to the ride) are good options. This is one of our 5YOs favorite rides, and we are careful about reminding her that it may be out of fast passes and usually has a very long line.

You are coming on a weekday though, and before most kids are on holiday break, so I thinking you might be in luck with the crowds - fingers crossed!

Thanks! My hope is midweek during school might be OK however, there may be residual crowds from Candelight Procession over the weekend.

As luck would have it, A Bugs Life was on Disney Jr this past weekend. I recorded it so my son could watch & get familiar with those characters since they went all in on the movie when they built DCA but, today, it's a somewhat obscure movie.

 

[Elima2015]

I agree with DCA for your first day. You might be suprised and be able to snag some RSR FPs when you get there. When we were there a couple weeks ago those FPs weren't running out until early to mid afternoon. Bugs Land, Monsters Inc, Ariel, Jumpin Jellyfish and SSS can have shorter wait times. TSMM might not be too bad either (25-30 min?). Maybe grab RSR FPs and then check the wait time at TSMM and hit that next? I'm guessing you should also be able to pull Soarin FPs after the 2 hours. Have fun!

 

[lcp9]

My son just turned 3 and is into the same things...we were there Nov 2nd-5th and were able to pull FP for the racers each day, plus we have rider switch (which won't help this time for you but will next!) We purposely watched FP return times and got some for 7-8pm b/c we wanted to try riding at night. Anyway, we were able to get those at like 1-2pm most days I think. Personally, I would avoid the park with MM (except for the day you'll be there to use it), and on days you're in DL, have you or your wife run over to pull FP for RSR so you can try to ride every day. You didn't mention, he's 40" right? Otherwise all of this RSR talk is pointless. haha.

 

[coreynyc]

My son just turned 3 and is into the same things...we were there Nov 2nd-5th and were able to pull FP for the racers each day, plus we have rider switch (which won't help this time for you but will next!) We purposely watched FP return times and got some for 7-8pm b/c we wanted to try riding at night. Anyway, we were able to get those at like 1-2pm most days I think. Personally, I would avoid the park with MM (except for the day you'll be there to use it), and on days you're in DL, have you or your wife run over to pull FP for RSR so you can try to ride every day. You didn't mention, he's 40" right? Otherwise all of this RSR talk is pointless. haha.

Yes, he's tall (42") but unfortunately an early riser (5am most days--UGH) so I don't think night time is in the cards for us. Though, I have no idea how he will adjust to 3 hour time change. So, it may work out.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

We took relatives from the east coast to DLR. With an afternoon break (nap for the younger set, relaxed swimming for the older kids), everyone did just fine with the time difference. In fact, it worked in our favor as far as meals went. We were able to eat at off peak times and avoid long lines and crowds. I agree with your idea about 4 day tickets. That 4th day will allow you to take things at your son's pace (and your wife's!). You'll be able to enjoy parades and shows and soak up some park atmosphere.

 

[coreynyc]

We took relatives from the east coast to DLR. With an afternoon break (nap for the younger set, relaxed swimming for the older kids), everyone did just fine with the time difference. In fact, it worked in our favor as far as meals went. We were able to eat at off peak times and avoid long lines and crowds. I agree with your idea about 4 day tickets. That 4th day will allow you to take things at your son's pace (and your wife's!). You'll be able to enjoy parades and shows and soak up some park atmosphere.

We are going to be in LA for 3 nights prior so, hopefully we'll have the time change sorted out but the time we hit Anaheim.

Aww, who am I kidding? Knowing my son's sleep pattern, he'll be really hard to shift. Fingers crossed for the best.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Use that sleep pattern to your advantage! Early hours are when you'll get the most done in the parks. And eating at non/less crowded times isn't exactly a bad thing. Win Win for everyone!

 

[bumbershoot]

which is the best park to efficiently tackle first with my son (who is an impatient 4 year old)?

Well, first, all 4 year olds are impatient. Goes with the territory. My son learned patience and time-telling and calendars and waiting-in-lines with our long-term planning (countdown chains and comparing them to the calendar!) and many trips to Disneyland. (we homeschool so he didn't learn those in/at school...or...Disney was his school for those things)

Bug's Land 100%. (not "it's tough to be a bug" though!!!!!)

Heimlich's Chew Chew Train is a MUST.

Yes, he's tall (42") but unfortunately an early riser (5am most days--UGH) so I don't think night time is in the cards for us. Though, I have no idea how he will adjust to 3 hour time change. So, it may work out.

Going west, welcome to waking up at CA 2am. Early mornings will be no problem at all. Good call on not doing nighttime stuff.

 

[chickapin parterre]

DCA first and little mermaid will demostrate to you his fear of dark rides, which could be a problem in Disneyland.

 

[coreynyc]

DCA first and little mermaid will demostrate to you his fear of dark rides, which could be a problem in Disneyland.

Yeah, I've been wondering about the dark rides. We've been to Legoland Florida where he went on a boat ride that starts dark and ends up outside and also a dark ride at the local Legoland Discovery Center.

I know Snow White, Haunted Mansion, etc are probably a little different with their specific effects/subject matter so, we'll see.

He's also been on a roller coaster at Sesame Place that is probably more hardcore than Big Thunder and possibly Space Mountain. I haven't been to WDW or DLR in 25 years or so so, I don't quite remember how intense they are but teen age me thought they were tame compared to other rides at parks like Six Flags or Universal.

So we'll have lots of experimtation on this trip