Tips for DLR with 9 year old girl

[julesann]

I know how to have a great time at an adult trip with my db. We start at rope drop and do a lot of rides. What do you suggest to focus on with a young one in July. She doesn't know StarWars; loves Disney and Pixar: Ariel, Anna and Jasmine. Rides; attractions; events? I'm wondering about experiences we can do together that are off my adult radar?

 

[irlandaise]

Even though she doesn't know Star Wars, Galaxy's Edge is beautifully themed. She might enjoy walking around and maybe using the Disney Play app to interact with various elements around that area.

She'll definitely want to do the Little Mermaid ride at DCA, and there are also many Pixar-themed rides in that park, including the entire Cars Land.

If you feel like splurging, check out the Princess Breakfast or another character meal that has characters she likes.

There will be lots of new offerings centered around the DL 70th anniversary celebration starting soon; here's some recent news that includes Pixar characters:

https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/new...ment-coming-to-disneyland-resort-this-spring/

 

[PinkPaper]

I would rope drop fantasyland, toontown. After lunch (when hot and need a break) head to Royal Hall to meet princesses and watch the show at the theater.

My 9 year old loves the ‘big rides’., you may not need to change your strategy much

 

[LKing]

I'm 60 and don't know Star Wars or Marvel yet I enjoy attractions in those sections of the parks. Shoot, I don't even remember Roger Rabbit, but I go on that ride.

I don't think 9 years old is all that young. Has she been to Disneyland before? Besides those characters, what type of rides does she like? Would she think it was fun to get drenched (Grizzy River & Tianas)? Would she enjoy trying the different types of churros and snack items? She might like some of the sillier ears. If you are doing LLMP, take advantage of the PhotoPass photographers. She might like striking a pose with characters and in front of different landmarks. Ask the PhotoPass photographers if they have any Magic Shots they can add. Make sure to take a picture of the attraction photos as you exit so you can link it in the app and download the photo for her.

Entertainment in July that she might like.
Better Together Pixar Pals parade in DCA
Paint the Night in Disneyland.
Dining package for Fantasmic

 

[twodogs]

I recommend going to the store with all of the princess dresses right by the castle, and getting "pixie dust" sprinkled in her hair. This is FREE!! And Auntie can get it too! Last year, we took our DDs (19 and 17, have been to DL and WDW many, many times through their lives) and our nieces (also 19 and 17, their first DL trip), and they wanted to do this. It was so fun, and my DH even got pixie dusted also! You just ask one of the CMs in the store, and they now walk you outside by the castle to do it.

I also recommend Animation Academy in DCA, but I am not sure if it is still open??

 

[wendlle]

My 9yo isn't into "big rides" doesn't know a thing about Star Wars but really liked the Rise of the Resistance ride.

Her favourite place is Toon Town and her fav ride is Runaway Railway.

She loves to go to the Boutique but if it's out of budget get them to sprinkle some "pixie dust" into her hair near the castle in Fantasyland.

We like to hit Toon Town as soon as it opens and she loves to explore all of the unique details and fun interactive props there before it gets too busy.

 

[julesann]

Thank you for all the thoughtful responses; your experience with 9 year olds is really helpful info as is enjoying rides even when she is not familiar with their theme. I was considering skipping GE and now we won't.

She has not been to DL or DW but we have been talking about all things Disney for years. I love the Pixie Dust idea too. I plan on getting dining pkg for F! plus seeing the PTN parade and the new WOC. Going early to Toon Town is helpful--we can go right after we go to FL at rope drop. I've never been to Royal Hall and have been looking forward to taking her there.

 

[LKing]

When Disney Parks Blog releases the 70th Foodie Guide, send it to her to look through. I'm dating myself but it is almost like the Toys R Us catalog at Christmas. She will have fun looking at the pictures of the different foods and checking off which ones she wants to try.

 

[juxtapose]

Definitely rope drop Fantasyland. My daughter's favorite memory from our last trip (she was 9 at the time) was rope dropping Fantasyland and riding Alice in Wonderland multiple times in a row (they didn't even make us get off) then going to tea cups and doing the same thing. She also really loved all parades and fireworks at that age. Her 2nd favorite land was Toontown and after much anxiety she tried Big Thunder and absolutely loved it. 9 is a really wonderful age to go to DL.

 

[Pluto468]

She might like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. She'd get makeup and a hairstyle and a fancy dress. My DD loved that experience.

The princesses walk around the park and you can look in the app to find out when/where to meet them.

The Ariel ride in DCA is wonderful.

Royal Theatre in Disneyland does plays twice a day that are geared for kids. They have 2 versions- Rapunzel or Beauty and the Beast. My kids had a blast watching those.

 

[Pluto468]

I recommend going to the store with all of the princess dresses right by the castle, and getting "pixie dust" sprinkled in her hair. This is FREE!! And Auntie can get it too! Last year, we took our DDs (19 and 17, have been to DL and WDW many, many times through their lives) and our nieces (also 19 and 17, their first DL trip), and they wanted to do this. It was so fun, and my DH even got pixie dusted also! You just ask one of the CMs in the store, and they now walk you outside by the castle to do it.

I also recommend Animation Academy in DCA, but I am not sure if it is still open??

This sounds great! I had no idea it was an option. Who do you ask for the pixie dust?

 

[Bruno33]

This sounds great! I had no idea it was an option. Who do you ask for the pixie dust?

Any CM can help you.

Occasionally there’s one stationed outside; she’d be holding a plastic wand.

 

[Pluto468]

Any CM can help you.

Occasionally there’s one stationed outside; she’d be holding a plastic wand.

Thanks! My oldest never got to do BBB so she'll like getting some Pixie dust

 

[danceintherain]

I don't think knowledge of the characters is necessary. We're a Star Wars family, but all of my kids loved Smuggler's Run and Rise of the Resistance (the latter more than I did). They're just good attractions. I would base things on her thrill level tolerance more than anything else.
I'm taking my 11 year old daughter to DLR soon, and I honestly can't think of anything she won't like.....although if she does character M&Gs it will be to humor me and her auntie.

I'm working on a list of all the places that sell her favorite snacks. I think she'll have fun trying some of the different variations they have at Disneyland.

I'm also noting all the places with Single Rider Line, because that's a good way to get extra rides in for kids over 7 without having to wait in crazy lines every time.

 

[LKing]

'm also noting all the places with Single Rider Line, because that's a good way to get extra rides in for kids over 7 without having to wait in crazy lines every time.

Some are better than others. I don't have experience on all of them but below is my personal opinion.

RSR is a no brainer. It is very efficient and fast moving.
Soarin can be very slow
Incredicoaster depends on how many single riders are in line in front of you.
Monsters Inc has a buddy pass which saves time
Space Mountain depends on the CM assigning lanes and the number of people in front of you.
Smuggler's Run is very fast but you miss the preshow and 99% of the time you are engineers.

 

[We’reAllMadHere]

Piloting the MF in Smugglers Run is a highlight of DL for my kid. We like Star Wars and she knows the original characters but I don’t think she’s ever actually watched a whole movie.

Other favorites are BTMRR, RSR, Soarin, and Tiana. She wasn’t brave enough for Space Mtn at 9 but she loved the MK version at 10. Some kids are still into meet and greets at that age and some are not.

If she’s never been and is not sure about rides, starting off with Fantasyland rides and working up to more thrilling rides is a good way to go.

 

[julesann]

Some are better than others. I don't have experience on all of them but below is my personal opinion.

RSR is a no brainer. It is very efficient and fast moving.
Soarin can be very slow
Incredicoaster depends on how many single riders are in line in front of you.
Monsters Inc has a buddy pass which saves time
Space Mountain depends on the CM assigning lanes and the number of people in front of you.
Smuggler's Run is very fast but you miss the preshow and 99% of the time you are engineers.

I am concerned she would feel uncomfortable doing RSR single rider at 9. If I knew we would be in the same car this would be helpful but this typically doesn't happen. What are others experiences of doing single rider on RSR with children under 10?

 

[We’reAllMadHere]

I am concerned she would feel uncomfortable doing RSR single rider at 9. If I knew we would be in the same car this would be helpful but this typically doesn't happen. What are others experiences of doing single rider on RSR with children under 10?

My kid hasn’t done single rider lines yet because she didn’t feel comfortable with that. Plus half the fun for me is seeing her face. I just suck it up and pay for LL.

 

[twodogs]

The other thing to consider about single rider with a kiddo of this age: how would they do if the ride breaks down/gets stuck and they are not with you? We have been stuck on Indy for over 30 minutes, much of it in the dark, as an example. Our Space Mountain ride was stopped right at the launch due to an issue in the car ahead of us. They detoured our car off to the left, into a back stage area, where we sat for about 10 minutes, then someone came with a ladder to get us out. Some kids would be fine while others would not. You know your kid. It doesn't happen super often, but break downs do occur.

 

[julesann]

The other thing to consider about single rider with a kiddo of this age: how would they do if the ride breaks down/gets stuck and they are not with you? We have been stuck on Indy for over 30 minutes, much of it in the dark, as an example. Our Space Mountain ride was stopped right at the launch due to an issue in the car ahead of us. They detoured our car off to the left, into a back stage area, where we sat for about 10 minutes, then someone came with a ladder to get us out. Some kids would be fine while others would not. You know your kid. It doesn't happen super often, but break downs do occur.

Yes, I agree with you! . I was only considering single rider with RSR. I'll have LL for the other ones.