Ride order information

[violentlyserene]

What information is most important to make note of when considering what rides/shows to see? I assume we're going to have to go off script some because two year olds but everyone is generally much happier if I have a general plan to work from but i'm a bit stuck on what's better when so we can reduce waits as much as possible.

Questions:

1. What rides are better first thing vs fastpass?
2. What's best/least busy time to spend a couple hours in Toon Town?
3. Is there a best/worst time for the princesses at Fantasy Faire or Elsa/Anna.
4. Which park should we use for our early entry?

 

[707MickeyGirl]

This is our (me and my DGD6) take on things from our past couple of trips:

1. We like to go on RSR first thing, then get a FP for later.
2. We visit Toon Town in the morning or evening - never mid-day because there's no shade.
3. We did EMH at DCA and walked right in to see Anna & Elsa with no wait. Mornings are also easier for Fantasy Faire, but it's easy enough to pass by the area and get a peek at the line to see if it's a good/bad time.
4. Early entry (EE) only happens at Disneyland. On-site hotel guests have Extra Magic Hour (EMH) every day of their stay, and it alternates between DL and DCA.

 

[bumbershoot]

2. What's best/least busy time to spend a couple hours in Toon Town?

In case you don't know, just about everything in TT is outside. Roger Rabbit has a height minimum that I don't think the 2 year old will make, and the rollercoaster is very very short. The actual indoor spaces other than RR there are shops and Mickey's house (Minnie's doesn't really feel indoors, unless it has changed in the last 2 years). It gets HOT there. So...2 year old...you might not be able to do a couple hours all at once in TT.

 

[707MickeyGirl]

My DGD6 has enjoyed everything in Toon Town since she was 2 1/2. She's been to DL 5 times and still wants to go to Toon Town a couple of days each trip. She loves Chip & Dale's Tree House and Goofy's House, but her favorites are Donald's Boat and all of the little gags in the "town" area. The roller coaster is short but it's really cute and fun, and there's a little meet & greet area under some trees where we've met Goofy and Daisy. I feel like Toon Town is the one area in DL where kids can literally run around and not disturb anyone. It's definitely worth a visit with a 2 year old but as bumbershoot said, it gets HOT there. I use a UV umbrella when we're there.

 

[disneymom0104]

In case you don't know, just about everything in TT is outside. Roger Rabbit has a height minimum that I don't think the 2 year old will make, and the rollercoaster is very very short. The actual indoor spaces other than RR there are shops and Mickey's house (Minnie's doesn't really feel indoors, unless it has changed in the last 2 years). It gets HOT there. So...2 year old...you might not be able to do a couple hours all at once in TT.

There is no height requirement for Roger Rabbit. I have taken small children on it many times.

My kids love Toontown, but agree that earlier or later in the day is the best!

 

[violentlyserene]

They are 35" now so the coaster won't be a problem, unless one decides it's too high and scary. It's so short though and I'll be with her so I bet she'll still want to try it. No big deal if she doesn't. I wasn't unware TT was all outdoors but wasn't thinking about the difference heat might make. We don't need to be there for 2 solid hours, just trying to avoid going in and out all days like my test plans at touringplans have us doing. I do not see that going over well with Mickey and Minnie loving kids.

Does using ee one day (which could be our first day or the third) make much difference in what to ride first? I'm wondering if it might be better to use it on thursday instead when the kids will be more used to disney magic rather than trying to hurry to take advantage on their (and my) first time there. Going to dca tuesday is an option too I guess but it seems wrong to start there. Either way, park hoppers may be a better idea than i originally thought.

 

[agamble]

Questions:

1. What rides are better first thing vs fastpass?
Definitely go to Fantasyland in the morning as FP do not exist. If Peter Pan is open, go there first if you can be on within 15 minutes. Otherwise I'd go to Alice first. However, if the kid is afraid of the dark you may want to start with outdoor rides like Dumbo and Casey Junior.

2. What's best/least busy time to spend a couple hours in Toon Town?
We like to go when it opens, an hour after regular park opening. If the park opens at 8am, Toon Town should open at 9am. They do a cute little ceremony where Mickey comes out and walks hand in hand with kids back to his house. My daughter got to hold his hand one time. Mickey and Minnie meet right outside their houses first thing in the morning. Later Mickey moves into his Movie Barn where they have photographers.

Roger Rabbit does not have a height requirement, the requirement is that the child can sit independently. So an infant cannot ride, but a 2 y/o can. Gadget's coaster has a requirement of 35". Some 2 y/o meet this requirement before their third birthday, so just be aware of your child's height. My daughter LOVED this at 2.5 and 3, she still does enjoy it.

3. Is there a best/worst time for the princesses at Fantasy Faire or Elsa/Anna.
I would go to the princesses earlier in the day. Last summer we went first thing one morning and there was no wait. Anna and Elsa have FP, just get them sometime within the first few hours of opening to be sure they don't run out.

4. Which park should we use for our early entry?
If you're not staying on site, you can only use your early entry (called Magic Morning) at Disneyland. Typically it's Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. That is a good day to do Fantasyland (only Fantasyland and Tomorrowland are open) and then Toon Town as it gives you 2 hours in Fantasyland and then you can scoot over to Toon Town and be one of the first there.

 

[agamble]

They are 35" now so the coaster won't be a problem, unless one decides it's too high and scary. It's so short though and I'll be with her so I bet she'll still want to try it. No big deal if she doesn't. I wasn't unware TT was all outdoors but wasn't thinking about the difference heat might make. We don't need to be there for 2 solid hours, just trying to avoid going in and out all days like my test plans at touringplans have us doing. I do not see that going over well with Mickey and Minnie loving kids.

Does using ee one day (which could be our first day or the third) make much difference in what to ride first? I'm wondering if it might be better to use it on thursday instead when the kids will be more used to disney magic rather than trying to hurry to take advantage on their (and my) first time there. Going to dca tuesday is an option too I guess but it seems wrong to start there. Either way, park hoppers may be a better idea than i originally thought.

You posted while I was typing. I would go use your MM on Tuesday because the kids, and you, will be less tired. The later in the week you go the less likely you'll want to be there at 7am (if it's summer).

 

[violentlyserene]

It'll be late oct, i'm a chronic overplanner. I'm sure all actual plans i make will completely fall apart but all the consideration that goes into the plans in the first place keeps me sane and lets me change stuff as efficiently (vital for the logistical nightmare that is twins who can run nearly as fast as i can) as possible. Thanks for you info, that's really helpful. You make a good point about being less tired. The ToonTown ceremony sounds adorable. Your idea for Tuesday morning sounds perfect. That'll give them a nice magical start to their first day and we can avoid going in and out the rest of the day.

 

[KalamityJane]

It's 35" with shoes on for Gadget's My kids run tall so they have all been able to ride pre2yo. That being said, they weren't really ready for it until a bit older. We did take our 3rd on it right after his 2nd birthday and he loved it, but he's a bit of a daredevil.

We love Goofy's house and play area at Toontown, it's usually shady even if the rest of Toontown isn't.

 

[KalamityJane]

I'm trying to think of stuff my 2yo loved. I know he went on just about everything with us (except the roller coasters and the height restricted stuff - he was 37" with shoes on so couldn't make the 42"+ stuff but everything else he rode on).

 

[agamble]

It's 35" with shoes on for Gadget's My kids run tall so they have all been able to ride pre2yo. That being said, they weren't really ready for it until a bit older. We did take our 3rd on it right after his 2nd birthday and he loved it, but he's a bit of a daredevil.

We love Goofy's house and play area at Toontown, it's usually shady even if the rest of Toontown isn't.

Yes, our daughter was 35" before she was two and rode Gadget's over and over on her second birthday (she'd ridden it on a previous trip too). Our son just turned two and he's 34 and 3/4", LOL! He'll be tall enough with shoes on, so long as he'll stand up. But my kids are tall too, I think most kids hit that requirement around the middle of two to sometime before three. It's not so much an intense or scary ride, it's just so different from everything else they've ridden at that point. My daughter loved it (daredevil too), but my husband is concerned our little guy won't be so crazy about it. We'll see. I love it when they make new height milestones and can try new rides. Our daughter is 46" now, so she gets to try out Indy. She's super excited. I am a little bummed I can't go with her since I'm pregnant, but she enjoys riding the thrill rides with Daddy more than me anyway.

 

[violentlyserene]

It's 35" with shoes on for Gadget's My kids run tall so they have all been able to ride pre2yo. That being said, they weren't really ready for it until a bit older. We did take our 3rd on it right after his 2nd birthday and he loved it, but he's a bit of a daredevil.

We love Goofy's house and play area at Toontown, it's usually shady even if the rest of Toontown isn't.

Does it go very high? They are very much the daredevil type but one is getting a bit scared of heights. Only in situations where she doesn't feel secure though. dad's shoulders and a carousel horse are a no but being carried on my back or the highest level of the baseball stadium has no affect. I'm a little concerned about the coaster and Peter Pan but the rest I think she'll love as long as i'm right next to her.

 

[VandVsmama]

ToonTown is great when it first opens and it opens about an hour after regular park opening, but check the DL website closer to your travel dates to confirm.

Use your early entry at DL and I agree about the Tuesday recommendation. Thursday would be second choice. And preferably use your Magic Morning on your first day at DL.

Stick to Fantasyland rides during MM. But Snow White and Mr Toad can be scary for 2 yr olds. Dumbo, the tea cups, the carousel are all just great. Try Alice in Wonderland, too.

Then when regular park opens, you could go on the storybook canal boats or Casey Jr train right away, then hit up It's A Small World, then meet failed at Pixie Hollow.

If you want to see the Soundsational Parade, there is a perfect spot just next to the Alice bathrooms in Fantasyland. Those are the bathrooms with the playing cards on the stall doors. The other side of the "street" doesn't have any parade watching area so all the people on the floats play up to your side of the street. And there is a row of concrete benches built into the side of the Matterhorn right there.

Trust me...it's perfect if you have little ones who suddenly need a bathroom or a diaper change because you don't have to wade through a throng of people to get to it.

 

[agamble]

Does it go very high? They are very much the daredevil type but one is getting a bit scared of heights. Only in situations where she doesn't feel secure though. dad's shoulders and a carousel horse are a no but being carried on my back or the highest level of the baseball stadium has no affect. I'm a little concerned about the coaster and Peter Pan but the rest I think she'll love as long as i'm right next to her.

Check out a video on Youtube, just search Gadget's Coaster. There are no real "drops" on this coaster. It goes up a small incline and then pretty much twists and turns its way down. It goes over your head when you're in the queue, but it's not real tall or fast. It is quite fun though. This is my daughter riding it on her second birthday

back when she was so little. But you could probably find a better video that gives you an idea of how tall the coaster is.