Tips or Tricks

[jadelsp]

So we are arriving this Sunday, staying onsite at the Grand Californian and am looking for any tips or tricks that people have. This is not our first trip but it will be the first that my 4 yo will remember. We have not been since 2011 and a lot has changed since then. Any advice or tips and tricks would be much appreciated. Thank you.

 

[ehrawn]

Lots of good info here. Hope you have fun.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/dl...iews-hydroguys-tips-newbie-info-here.1072276/

 

[DG24]

We arrive sat and staying onsite also. Here are a few tips, since you said one child 4 who was little last time.
1) definately take advantage of the early enterance, at DL do fantasyland with her, at dca do toy story, Im not sur eif she is tall enough for RSR but if not do single rider and ride swap.
2) it has been several years, but if child is not tall enough, ask for the cards they give out that say when she comes back use this card as a FP for herself and 5 other in her group. Those are really nice to collect and use in the future, all rides that have a height restriction use to give them out.
3) staying at GC, don't use the private enterance in the morning, it gets very backed up. If you are in the far wing near conder flats use the stair case and you go out right near the bakery and the bag check.

Oh and have a great time, see you there.

 

[sandysue]

If you take an afternoon break in the pool, pick up a FP for GRR before you return to the hotel. Hopefully the return time will work out so you can go from the pool to GRR and not worry about getting your clothes wet!

If you're planning much pool time, bring googles for your child. When we were last there, the pool was very chlorinated.

My kids loved watching the cartoons in the lobby and it was a nice quiet and peaceful break from the park.

On our first trip in 2011 my youngest was 4 and couldn't stay awake for the evening shows - WOC & F!. Even the 6-year olds were too tired to make it. That was even with a 3-hour time difference in our favor! Knowing this now, I wouldn't have tried and would have just enjoyed the evening parade before heading back to the hotel to sleep.

Our 2014 trip when the kids were ages 7-12, the evening shows were perfect and a couple days we didn't even take the afternoon breaks so you'll just have a plan another trip .

 

[jadelsp]

I read HydroGuys thread and found a lot of helpful stuff. We stayed onsite just for the early entry perk, my son is an early riser and so our plan is to go early comeback to the hotel and swim(buying him goggles, thank you) let him watch the cartoons in the lobby is just up his alley so he will like that. The child swap passes will come in handy. I appreciate the tip about the hotel entrance I was thinking that would save time so the heads up is great. Thanks for all the tips, if there are any others please share.

 

[tiffjoy]

My kids love the water play areas in DCA. One thing is that many people don't have a change of clothes or shoes for their kids, so they either walk around wet or are limited in if they can play. I always bring my girls their swimsuit and have them wear crocs (they do not allow kids to be bare foot) so I can change them into dry clothes afterwards. They are 3 and 5 now, but when they were littler, this always wore them out and they would fall asleep in the stroller afterwards, all nice and cool.