The Tao of Disneyland

[CourtFool]

My daughter has stated she wants to make rope drop with me next time we go to Disneyland. I have never made a rope drop. Vacation is for sleeping in…right? This time, I decided that I really want to try, but I did not want to push my DW or DD into it. Our last trip, there were several times we split up during the day and had no problem connecting again later. Ain’t technology grand? So I proposed that I would go early and let the two of them sleep in.

Well, that did not go over too well with DD. She wants to make rope drop too. Fantastic! Who would complain when your daughter wants to spend some quality Disney time with them? If you’re complaining, you’ve got no heart.

The entire point of rope drop is to walk right on to your favorite ride, right? So we needed a plan. What ride first, then second, then third. DD immediately said Matterhorn. That is her favorite now. Not bad, not bad, but I pointed out that the Matterhorn line moves pretty quickly even during the middle of the day. I countered with Space Mountain which seemed to me always in high demand. She agreed. Space Mountain, Matterhorn, Big Thunder Ranch, then Pixie Hollow. Logical, right? I tossed in Pixie Hollow because that line fills up pretty fast and we are going to want to see Tink at some point. O.k., I am going to want to see Tink at some point.

Then I pointed out we had to remain flexible. Battle plans are the first thing tossed out the window at contact with the enemy. We had a plan, but we would be willing to alter it if things changed. A ride could be closed. Another ride we really want to ride on might not have a line. I am sure there is a bathroom break in there somewhere too. We will be flexible. A reed in the wind. Like a great Taoist master, we will become one with Disneyland.

 

[Heymy]

This made me smile.

I grew up having 2 vacations a year, camping in Yosemite and Spring Break in Disneyland. Neither allowed sleeping in. So 20-25 years ago, we were required (there was no cell phone to check in later) to be up and eating at the Monorail Cafe at 6 am to be in the line for the Monorail at 7 am (this was when it got you in before the main gates). We then ran like crazed kids (oh wait, walked really fast, because no one is suppose to run in DL) to Space Mountain and began our day. There were no fast passes. You went and waited in line and hoped you got on the rides you wanted.

Fast forward to 6 years ago....my first DD turned 1 and my DH finally agreed to a trip to DL. Everyone went, my family and his family. His family could not understand why we were up when it was still dark. My family couldn't understand why they wanted to sleep when there was so much to get done. Now DH and I have an understanding...we get up for one MM, towards the beginning of the trip, and then take the girls leads for the rest of the trip.

You'll do just fine. Let your DD dictate the morning and you'll find you'll get quite a bit accomplished before the crowds really start flowing.

Good luck!

 

[bakerudall]

Float like a butterfly, and snatch the pebble.

 

[CourtFool]

Float like a butterfly, and snatch the pebble.

Whatever do I want with a pebble when I can fly?

 

[HydroGuy]

My daughter has stated she wants to make rope drop with me next time we go to Disneyland. I have never made a rope drop. Vacation is for sleeping in…right? This time, I decided that I really want to try, but I did not want to push my DW or DD into it. Our last trip, there were several times we split up during the day and had no problem connecting again later. Ain’t technology grand? So I proposed that I would go early and let the two of them sleep in.

IMO if one wants a relaxing, sleep-in vacation then they should go to the beach or something. Disney is not the place to go. Disney is about high energy, max out all your senses, go til you drop. Sleep when you get home. At Disney get up and get to the parks. It is the best time to be there and you can get more done in the first two hours than the subsequent 8.

 

[robinjh7]

IMO if one wants a relaxing, sleep-in vacation then they should go to the beach or something. Disney is not the place to go. Disney is about high energy, max out all your senses, go til you drop. Sleep when you get home. At Disney get up and get to the parks. It is the best time to be there and you can get more done in the first two hours than the subsequent 8.

You and my husband would get along GREAT! He wants to open AND close the park and no nap in between. So we often go on five or six hours of sleep! I am usually a party pooper and go back to the hotel around 10pm, but he and my die-hard kids will stay until closing and past.

 

[Lissame]

IMO if one wants a relaxing, sleep-in vacation then they should go to the beach or something. Disney is not the place to go. Disney is about high energy, max out all your senses, go til you drop. Sleep when you get home. At Disney get up and get to the parks. It is the best time to be there and you can get more done in the first two hours than the subsequent 8.

Hey! That's my motto! I am forever saying to my family "You can sleep when you get home!" When my chipper Fantasmic alarm goes off and they are groaning about getting up early, they always thank me when we are riding rides with no wait.

 

[basketballmom]

IMO if one wants a relaxing, sleep-in vacation then they should go to the beach or something. Disney is not the place to go. Disney is about high energy, max out all your senses, go til you drop. Sleep when you get home. At Disney get up and get to the parks. It is the best time to be there and you can get more done in the first two hours than the subsequent 8.

There needs to be a LIKE button for DisBoards....

 

[HydroGuy]

You and my husband would get along GREAT! He wants to open AND close the park and no nap in between. So we often go on five or six hours of sleep! I am usually a party pooper and go back to the hotel around 10pm, but he and my die-hard kids will stay until closing and past.

Don't get me wrong. I am not saying "no breaks". I am saying Disney is not relaxing.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I've never thought vacations anywhere where for sleeping in. Growing up it was always go go go because why would you want to sleep in when you can do that at home? On vacation there are things to do and see! Fortunately, now that I'm married my DH and sons are also anxious to be at DLR first thing because they all know that is the PRIME TIME! We go back for an afternoon nap around 2 or 3 instead.

 

[indygirl99]

IMO if one wants a relaxing, sleep-in vacation then they should go to the beach or something. Disney is not the place to go. Disney is about high energy, max out all your senses, go til you drop. Sleep when you get home. At Disney get up and get to the parks. It is the best time to be there and you can get more done in the first two hours than the subsequent 8.

This is what DH and I did last year. Monthly visits to the beach, kick back and watch the tide come in and go out, leisurely agate hunting at lowtide. Grab a bowl of clam chowder. Slow relaxing time.

This year we plan 4 visits to DLR and morning to night FUNNNNNNNNNNNNN, NO kids, no grandkids. We may make a trip to the beach but then again we may not.

 

[todzwife]

Disney isn't a vacation, it's an adventure

 

[mysteriouspnai]

I've never thought vacations anywhere where for sleeping in. Growing up it was always go go go because why would you want to sleep in when you can do that at home? On vacation there are things to do and see! Fortunately, now that I'm married my DH and sons are also anxious to be at DLR first thing because they all know that is the PRIME TIME! We go back for an afternoon nap around 2 or 3 instead.

I completely agree with this mindset. You're paying hard earned money to play at a theme park, not sleep in a hotel. If you wanted to sleep, why not make it free and sleep at home instead?

Regardless, I'm glad you realized that it's great to be flexible. However, I can't stress enough, get your FPs! They really do save alot of wait time. Even if you end up not using them all, they're great in the scrapbook afterwards. I'd say Pixie Hollow before Big Thunder Railroad (if you're talking about a ride, Big Thunder Ranch has even less of a wait). Pixie Hollow's line gets pretty long and with a FP at Big Thunder, you could get on in 20 min tops if DL is packed.

 

[CourtFool]

I'd say Pixie Hollow before Big Thunder Railroad (if you're talking about a ride, Big Thunder Ranch has even less of a wait). Pixie Hollow's line gets pretty long and with a FP at Big Thunder, you could get on in 20 min tops if DL is packed.

True, true. Plus Pixie Hollow would be on the way to Big Thunder.

 

[robinjh7]

Don't get me wrong. I am not saying "no breaks". I am saying Disney is not relaxing.

Ah. My DH is definitely a "no breaks" kind of Disneyland'er. He kills me! In fact, I wore a pedometer and on our trip over Spring Break, we walked TEN MILES on his last day. I stayed with the kids an extra day (he flew home to work, lucky guy) and I BROKE MY FOOT! No kidding. A stress fracture from so much walking! And we 'only' did six miles the day he wasn't with us. But anything for Disneyland. (At least until I find out if I need a cast. Right now I'm in a boot. If it's not healing well enough on the 8th, I get a cast. Joy.)

Still, I'd go back in a minute! We can't go again for 2.5 YEARS!!!