Taking my 9 year old for his first trip

[SunshinesDad]

I have been to Disneyland 5 or 6 times (not for 21 years) but my wife and my son have never been there. My Mom wanted to take her grand kids to Disneyland so she is paying for the hotel and attraction passes while in Anaheim for all of us. My son is the youngest of the 5 grand kids coming.

I can't wait to go (leave Alberta on the 15th of February)!! We drive the first day to Salt Lake City, the second day to Vegas, third day we arrive in Anaheim where we stay for 5 days and then head back.

What do you recommend to do, and places to eat around Disney while we are there? Any tricks to getting my son in on as much as possible, you know the audience participation stuff like the Jedi Training?

 

[Amy&Dan]

Well I would highly recommend a character meal. My son (now 12) has always loved Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel the best. He also really enjoys the Lilo and Stitch breakfast at the Paradise Pier Hotel. If you click on the brown link at the top of this page titled: Disneyland Information, you can find lots of info on dining. It is best to make a reservation (called a priority seating) by calling: 714-781-3463. You can do that right away. In Downtown Disney there is the Rainforest Cafe which most kids love. Again, my son can never go to Disneyland and not eat there! As far as audience participation that might appeal to a boy that age, there is the Sword in the Stone ceremony that happens most days in Fantasyland. If you look at your times guide when you get into the park (these are available at the turnstiles along with a park map) it will list what time that will be happening. Also the Bill Hill and Hillbillies Show at the Golden Horshoe in Frontierland has some audience participation. Just be sure to sit front and center to increase your chances. Not sure about the Jedi Training thing. Another great way to have your son interact with the characters is to buy him an autograph book. My son loved that when he was nine and truth be known would probably do it now but he thinks he's too old! You'll see tons of kids and adults getting autographs from the characters. Also the Block Party Bash in California Adventure is great for kids, they get to dance with the parade characters (all from Pixar movies) and its a ball for kids. There is also the Animations Building in California Adventure which has all sorts of neat activities kids can do (and adults too) that show them about animation. My kids love that place. You can buy those as soon as you get into the park or bring one from home. I would also recommend measuring your son before you leave home and then checking on the Disneyland website for the height requirements for rides. Some of them, namely California Screamin and Maliboomer have height requirements that might be too high if he's small for his age (my kids are small for their age and I learned that they often couldn't ride things kids two years younger could). Another thing my son has always enjoyed is collecting the pressed pennies. They sell books to keep them in and their are machines all over both parks. Each penny actually costs a total of 51 cents to press. The shiny new ones come out the nicest. It makes a nice keepsake to remember the trip.

And my best advice is to get to Disneyland at opening every day! The best time at the park is right at opening before the local crowds begin to arrive. In fact, we always get to the gates to line up around 20 minutes early, even 30 minutes on the weekends.

Also, you might buy a guide book like the Passporter Guide to Disneyland or Birnbaums. Birnbaums in particular is fun for kids because it has lots of color pictures. He can see for himself what all he has in store for his Disneyland vacation. Both of those books are under $15 at any bookstore. Have a fun trip, there is nothing like that first trip to Disneyland with your kids!

 

[abby]

Be there when they open, Be there when they open, Be there when they open, Be there when they open...You get the idea. you can do so much in the first two hours when crowds are low. I also recommend if they have long days taking a break in the middle, going back to the hotel and having a rest or a swim. It really helps.

 

[pindecisive]

Well I would highly recommend a character meal.

I agree. On my second time I went, I went to a character meal, and trust me, it was the highlight of my trip.

I also recommend pin trading, you can find many topics on this board about it.
It gives you something to do when you aren't riding the rides or you're waiting in line.

 

[abby]

Also, we spent time on the Disneyland web site before we went, by dd loved looking at the rides and such.

 

[Dukland]

What do you recommend to do, and places to eat around Disney while we are there? Any tricks to getting my son in on as much as possible, you know the audience participation stuff like the Jedi Training?

Definitely do a character meal. They are so much fun!

We haven't been to the Jedi Training yet, but someone not long ago posted about wearing something distintive. So when they are looking out into a sea of children, they can pick out someone with the Buzz Lightyear hat, or the florescent orange shirt.

Have fun!

 

[SunshinesDad]

Definitely do a character meal. They are so much fun!

We haven't been to the Jedi Training yet, but someone not long ago posted about wearing something distintive. So when they are looking out into a sea of children, they can pick out someone with the Buzz Lightyear hat, or the florescent orange shirt.

Have fun!

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions!! My son would be so sad if he went to that Jedi Training and didn't get to participate.

 

[AZMickeyfans]

I second being there at opening. We stand in line in the plaza to be one of the first through the gates. When they open Dh gets coffee on Main Street and I browse in the shops a little before the rope drop! Very important to be there early to get the most out of your morning.

Character meals are a must do in my opinion for someone visiting for the first time.

Sounds like you have a great family trip planned. Have a great time.