Stupid First Timer Questions.

[longtimedisneylurker]

Just thought I'd throw some more tips out there.

Arrive EARLY. The park will open at 8 AM on the day you plan to go. The parking structure should open at 7 AM. Try to get there around that time. If you park at Mickey and Friends parking structure, then, yes there is a tram, but I also want to point out that simply walking to the park is also an option. It's a bit of a walk, but not terrible at all, and you can go through the downtown Disney area. The reason walking might end up being more convenient is if you have to wait unduly long for the tram or don't want to deal with the stroller on the tram. Nothing wrong with checking out the tram first, just know that you could choose to walk and don't feel trapped if it looks like there will be a long wait.

Start your day in Fantasyland. Your kids should enjoy many of these rides, and the 10-month old will be able to go on most of these. Peter Pan is the best ride to start with, then probably Dumbo or Alice in Wonderland.

If you really plan on staying late for the party too, give yourselves a nice long afternoon break. Personally, I wouldn't want the hassle of going back to the car, driving somewhere else to rest, and then having to go back and park again and so on. Here are some good "resting" tips. Watch shows in the afternoon. This usually involves sitting and waiting and sometimes snacking. Any or all of these might do the trick: Turtle Talk with Crush in DCA, Muppets 3D in DCA, Aladdin in DCA, Abraham Lincoln in DL, Main Street Cinema in DL, a parade in either park. Spend some time in the Animation Studio; there are places to sit, the room is dark, and there are constant movie clips going on all the big screens around the room. Pick a place to eat a long, leisurely meal either in the parks or in downtown Disney. Take a break in the cozy chairs in the lobby of the Grand Californian Hotel; you can easily get there through the side exit from DCA. Ride the train all the way around DL.

Another vote for sticking with your own stroller. You will want it for walking outside the parks.

 

[ylatan]

so if you don't get halloween party tickets do you have to leave the park? this is something i'm totally confused on.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

so if you don't get halloween party tickets do you have to leave the park? this is something i'm totally confused on.

Yes. You will have to leave the park at whatever the posted closing time is for the night. I think that will be 6 PM on Tuesday party nights and 7 PM on Friday nights.

 

[ylatan]

Yes. You will have to leave the park at whatever the posted closing time is for the night. I think that will be 6 PM on Tuesday party nights and 7 PM on Friday nights.

thanks! man, these dudes really know how to get me to fork over the cash! can you guys imagine me having to tell my kids we have to leave at 6?

 

[Cagirl767]

longtimedisneylurker has great advice (as does everyone). You're going to need to pace yourselves during the day, you all will be worn slap out though by the end of the night. I hope you don't have big plans for the next day.

We too try to make our way down Main Street rather quickly. If we get there early (and it's a good idea to get there for "rope drop"/park opening, so that you maximize your time, since you will get on more rides early in the morning than in the afternoon) we may grab a snack in the Main Street Bakery to take with us while waiting in line for Fantasyland rides. Make your way down Main Street and through the castle, that brings you into Fantasyland. If your son absolutely has to go on the rockets that he will see, I'd go on it then, then to Fantasyland. We go, go go on as many rides as we can in the early morning then around lunch time we will sit down in a restaurant, eat, visit the happiest potty on earth, and make further afternoon plans at a more leisurely pace. When it's crowded in the afternoons, that's a good time to do souvenir shopping, grab a snack, or go on less crowded rides outside of Fantasyland such as the train, Monorail, Mark Twain, Pirates of Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, or then go over to DCA.

It sounds complicated, but really with just a little forethought, you will optimize your time and avoid waiting in longer lines in the afternoon.

 

[Funball]

First of all.. There is no “stupid” first time questions about Disneyland. That is just nonsense.. All your questions are worth while! And you came to the right place to get them answered! All of dis members have an obscene amount of info for you..

First of all. Doing Disneyland in one day can happen, but pace yourself because you want to make it to 9pm to see fireworks!! I mean you got to see fireworks, because there is no other firework show like Disneyland firework show!

. But just pay attention to using FP’s and the times posted for them, all the tips I can really give are, just make sure you use FP’s and don’t miss the fireworks and or fantasmic

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

thanks! man, these dudes really know how to get me to fork over the cash! can you guys imagine me having to tell my kids we have to leave at 6?

You could head over to DCA at 6/7 pm they are open still.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

I noticed one question that didn't quite get answered. The large graco travel system. How is your 10 month old's motor skills? Is he/she walking? We took our DS when he was 11 months and we have a travel system stroller. I wouldn't use the car seat portion, leave it in the car. I'm willing to bet your little one will want to see what's going on around him/her. I noticed that our patteren choice was somewhat common in our home town (G galour) so I would suggest tying something to the stroller to make it more identifyable. I read somewhere that a family poured root beer into a diaper, put that diaper into a clear plastic bag, and tyied the bad to the stroller. It was easy to spot and no one touched it.

If your stroller is anything like ours, I'ld put supplies in a back pack (as opposed to a diaper bag). That way one person is holding the baby while the other wares the back pack and folds/carries the stroller on and off the tram. Holding 20-30lbs of squirmy or sleeping baby is hard enough with having to wrestle with a diaper bag.

You'll have a great time

 

[ajloops]

THANK YOU THANK YOU!! You guys are the best!! Seriously!

My 10month old isnt walking yet.. and right..we wont be using the carseat in it as she likes to see the view. That rootbeer diaper is hilarious! But im not doing that though haha I might just tie a red bow on it or something!

Another question!! Sorry I cant find this anywhere..
Is the tram or bus from the parking lot free? )

FunBall... I sooo agree. That is why I wanted to take a quick break in the afternoon then come back for the halloween but I learned (from you guys replies! tnx!) that its better to just stay there and not worth the going in and out of the park. But my mom is so sweet! Since she is old and doesnt like fireworks, she offered to babysit my baby so we can stay to watch the show till whenever we like!

I am effin excited!!

 

[shamrockshake]

Just a few more suggestions. When nursing/feeding baby, the baby stations are wonderful and clean. Even have mostly private comfy chairs for nursing) What I would do is schedule a feeding and change diaper at same time, giving dad and older kid time to go on a big kid ride that baby could not go on. In DL they could do space mountain or star tours ( both near baby station) in CA adventure, they could do grissley or farther away california soaring.

bring the big stroller ,so you can pack and extra set of cloths for baby, a blanket to block the sun for naptime, and sweat shirts for family . it can get cold at night.

Also freeze a couple of bottles of water the night before and put in stroller. they will thaw during the day, but remain cold. freeze a few juice boxes and put in a mini cooler( even a kids lunch box) some soda for adults. juice will keep soda cold and thaw during the day. Pack some snacks for the 7 year old and maybe a few yogurts for the baby. You can toss pretzels, fish crackers, and cherrios in individual size ziplocks so the 7 year old can snack in line. packaged apple slices and carrots, breakfast bars are also good. JUST NO GLASS. ( I believe they did let us bring in gerber baby jars though)

If you have been to WDW, you can skip muppet movie and soarin'. I would still do mansion and pirates and small world,as they are better at DL. Tom sawyer island/now pirate island or something, is excellent for the 7y r old. good time to do while baby naps in stroller.

DO the round trip on the train. Make sure you at least do tomorrow land to main street station. VERY COOL, especially for a 7 year old.I prefer the grandcircle tour.

Enchanted tiki room is great for all, and you can stop for a dole whip ice cream to split. nice break for the adults. sit down show. fun outside waiting area

Have fun!!!

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

Is the tram or bus from the parking lot free? )

Yes, the tram is free. Parking is $15.

 

[mkarizona]

There is plenty of room on the trams for a large stroller, but you will have to take the baby out and fold the stroller.