Touring with 6 and 3 year olds...advise please

[DnA2010]

Time to start thinking about our beginning of Sept trip- last trip to the land was Dec of 2019 and did not involve little kids, however this trip includes:
My family- DH and I, DD18 and turning 6 while we are there DD.
My sister's family- Sis and her DH, their DS3 and DS6.
Our mom.

We are staying in a 2 bed villa at the Grand Californian (first on site stay)

Our park days are Wed Sept 7th, Thurs Sept 8th, Fri Sept 9th.

We haven't toured with little kids since DD18 was 6!

Would love some advise on:

-What parks you would start at, how you would suggest we run our days
-Special things the little kids might like
-Possible crowd levels and hours

I wasn't planning for Genie/LL with us being a large party, but rather the rope drop, take a break, do a bit in the evening, then grandma is happy to have the kids back at the room while us biggies do some of the bigger rides.

Would love tips and thoughts

 

[katyringo]

I know people have strong feelings about strollers, but I would get a double or have another stroller for the 6 year old.

When my son was 5-6 and my daughter was 2-3 we used a sit and stand so he had a spot. It was so helpful. For our upcoming trip our oldest will be 10 and youngest 6. We are still brining a light umbrella stroller for the 6 year old. We won't use it all the time, but will probably use it in the evening.

Snacks: have an array of things like goldfish to munch on in lines.

Disneylanddaily has a touring plan for little kids- I would check that out. She is the goat.

Bathrooms. Stop when you see one and go with those that are potty trained. Trust me. It you don't it will happen while in line for sure.

I might encourage you to rethink genie +... 40 inches is that magic number. If you think the 6 year old might like thunder, splash, Goofy's sky school.. it might be worth it. Especially if you think the adults will hit big rides in the afternoon when waits are the longest. You only need to buy it for who will use it and one person should buy it for pictures.

September on site so you will have early entry. Use it!

And yes- afternoon breaks.

The animation building in DCA is also a great place to go if the kids just need some AC and to run around a bit.

 

[katyringo]

Also rider swap!

 

[FeistyDisneyMom]

Plan on lots of hydration - it is still quite hot beginning of September, and then plan on corresponding multiple bathroom breaks. I agree about the stroller - if you can bring a sit and stand, I highly recommend it. Let the 6 yr olds take turns, or if they are small enough, let one sit on the back and one stand with the 3 yr old in the front. We did that quite successfully when we had a trip with a 2 yr old, 5 yr old, and 2 8 year olds who also needed rest some time. I personally prefer the full sized strollers with lots of storage and ability to hang a bag from the handles over an umbrella stroller, but either way I'd say a stroller is still a must even for 6 yr olds.

G+ was great for us. The youngest was 5, and was tall enough to ride almost everything. We made a lot of use of G+ each day to avoid lines, which helped even on rides DD5 couldn't go on, because it ensured she didn't have too much downtime waiting for her siblings.

Know that there is no ability to skip lines for characters though, so if meeting characters is a priority, especially princesses, try to get in line early/near when it opens to avoid hot waits later in the day.

 

[DnA2010]

I know people have strong feelings about strollers, but I would get a double or have another stroller for the 6 year old.

When my son was 5-6 and my daughter was 2-3 we used a sit and stand so he had a spot. It was so helpful. For our upcoming trip our oldest will be 10 and youngest 6. We are still brining a light umbrella stroller for the 6 year old. We won't use it all the time, but will probably use it in the evening.

Snacks: have an array of things like goldfish to munch on in lines.

Disneylanddaily has a touring plan for little kids- I would check that out. She is the goat.

Bathrooms. Stop when you see one and go with those that are potty trained. Trust me. It you don't it will happen while in line for sure.

I might encourage you to rethink genie +... 40 inches is that magic number. If you think the 6 year old might like thunder, splash, Goofy's sky school.. it might be worth it. Especially if you think the adults will hit big rides in the afternoon when waits are the longest. You only need to buy it for who will use it and one person should buy it for pictures.

September on site so you will have early entry. Use it!

And yes- afternoon breaks.

The animation building in DCA is also a great place to go if the kids just need some AC and to run around a bit.

Thank you, I actually hadn't considered strollers for the bigger 2 at all- I will see if my sister has a sit/stand, or see about borrowing one possibly.

I will check out Disneylanddaily, thanks!

Thanks for making me think about G+, I will def give it some thought

We will def be using EE!

Also rider swap!

Ohh right! any idea how many are allowed to swap these days?

Plan on lots of hydration - it is still quite hot beginning of September, and then plan on corresponding multiple bathroom breaks. I agree about the stroller - if you can bring a sit and stand, I highly recommend it. Let the 6 yr olds take turns, or if they are small enough, let one sit on the back and one stand with the 3 yr old in the front. We did that quite successfully when we had a trip with a 2 yr old, 5 yr old, and 2 8 year olds who also needed rest some time. I personally prefer the full sized strollers with lots of storage and ability to hang a bag from the handles over an umbrella stroller, but either way I'd say a stroller is still a must even for 6 yr olds.

G+ was great for us. The youngest was 5, and was tall enough to ride almost everything. We made a lot of use of G+ each day to avoid lines, which helped even on rides DD5 couldn't go on, because it ensured she didn't have too much downtime waiting for her siblings.

Know that there is no ability to skip lines for characters though, so if meeting characters is a priority, especially princesses, try to get in line early/near when it opens to avoid hot waits later in the day.

Thanks for making me think about stroller situation, I honestly hadn't even thought about it for the bigger two.

Sounds like I better look at G+, thank you!

 

[Disturbia]

We have a Joovy caboose sit/stand ultralight (need light strollers for folding in buses at WDW; not so much if you’re staying walking distance at Disneyland). Most airlines allow it until gate except American Airllines.

Disney now restricts stroller length.

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/faq/parks/strollers/

https://havebabywilltravel.com/gate-checking-stroller-policies-flying-with-baby/

We also have a Colugo carrier which helps in lines. Our 2.5 year old is getting a bit too big for it but it states it’s up to 3 years.

Rider switch only allows one kid back with the waiting parent now. The way it’s handled has been changing constantly so talk to the CM with an iPad before you get into the line.

At WDW we get the Genie+. Check out the rides that are included. You can purchase it for some of your group and use it in the evenings. I see lots of availability within 2-3 hrs, except for the most popular rides (Indiana Jones pushes 4+ hrs)

https://www.wdw-magazine.com/heres-the-full-list-of-disneyland-genie-lightning-lane-attractions/

https://touringplans.com/disneyland/attractions/rider-swap

 

[Disturbia]

I haven’t been back to Disneyland for several years so I was researching Disneyland with kids and found the following video helpful for rest/AC areas

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

My kids are about that age. My biggest tips are:

1. Make sure they are hydrated and are eating “real food” including meals not just junk all day. I try to make sure my kids eat some protein especially, makes life much better for them!

2. Follow their lead; don’t just drag them around all day with the group. You might need to break off with a few littles. Let them stop to watch the ducks or characters or listen to the band. Mix in low-key attractions like the Tiki Room and Disneyland Railroad.

3. If they are tired/crying/whiney it’s time for a break. Don’t push them to stay up too late if they are tired, especially if you’re going back to the parks the next morning.

4. Have fun and experience the joy of seeing the parks through their eyes!

 

[RainyDayPixie]

For my 6 year old, he was a champ for the first 3 days of walking and then we rented the Disney stroller and everyone was happier for the longer treks! 10 miles a day is a lot for little legs.

And I was surprised- he loved Redwood Creek Challenge. We spent HOURS there every day. Total recharge for him.