Trip is booked..lots of questions

[littlelambie]

My dh, and me and our ds (2.5 yrs) will be elaving Oct. 21 for our first together trip to Disneyland. It has been over 10 years since I was last there. We will be staying at the Aneheim Desert Inn for 5 nights. Is there any character dinners in Disneyland? Anything I should see or avoid with my toddler? What will the weather be like at that time of year? What will the pakr hours be?

Thank you to all of the experts!!!

 

[iceskatejen]

DL itself (the park) hasn't changed all that much in the last 10 years, so if you remeber what it was like then, it's pretty much the same now. The only difference is Winnie the Pooh replaced the Country Bears and Space Mountain is closed for what appears to be the next 17 months or so. Tomorrowland was redone in 98. It's outside of DL that looks completely different--where the parking lot was is DCA, there's a new hotel, DTD, a huge parking structure across the street, etc... There aren't any character dinners in DL--just breakfast at the Plaza Inn, sometimes Ariel's Grotto in DCA serves dinner, but chances are that time of year is only lunch. Your best bet for dinner if you want characters would be to go to Goofy's Kitchen at the DL Hotel. I can't comment on weather for that time of year because October is unpredictable--could be hot, cold, windy, rainy (the least likely), or perfect. Actually, the only months that it's safe to predict the weather for So Cal are July, August and most of September--sunny and hot. Otherwise, just keep an eye on the weather channel in the days leading up to the trip.

As far as what to see or avoid with a toddler--you know your kid and what he can handle better than I do--some kids can handle a lot while others can't. Try to see the HMHoliday since that will be up while you're there--you might have to take turns if you think your son can't handle it. IASW will be down for it's holiday overlay, so that's out.

 

[DisneyDreamer2]

Goofys kitchen would be a dinner choice but it is much more expensive than breakfast (abt 14.00 more per adult) and it takes up some of the best hours in the park at that time of year. I highly highly reccomend breakfast at the Plaza Inn on Main Street on a weekday. Make your Prority seating for a half hour before park opening so if the park opend at 10, make a 930 seating. Be some of the first to enter the park and enter through the tunnel on your right. Just then characters come out to greet the first guests- we usually saw Mickey and Minnie together a few weeks ago. take pictures with them and then walk to the last store on the right before the rope. You tell them you are there for the breakfst and they let you pass through to the restaurant. As the first guests there you'll get lots of personal time with the characters and the best food. Here was my review:

**We really loved the breakfast at the Plaza Inn in Disneyland. It opens a 1/2 hour before rope drop. So the park opened at 10, and we were let in early for breakfast at 930. We were the first there and got a picture with all the pooh characters together, Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore and Tigger. We also got pics with Mary Poppins, Pluto, and Max (Goofys son). There was a ton of food. Omlette bar with lots of choices, hot crepes with fresh fruit and berry toppings and whipped cream, french toast, Mickey waffles, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, croissants and other breakfast breads and danishes, lots of fresh fruits and melons, scarmbled eggs, potatoes, etc. You also got your own drinks which had 3 different juices, choc and white milk cartons, hot cocoa, tea, coffee and sodas. The food was fabulous and fresh. And the character interaction was wonderful. Even though we took our pictures before getting food, they each came to our table at least 2 more times and just sat down and goofed around with my husband and I. And we didnt even bring the kids this time! The kids at other tables were really getting LOTS of interaction. If you do it I HIGHLY reccommend the earliest priority seating time so you can be first too. It really made a wonderful experience!**

Also I reccomend seeing the fantasy waters show at the DL Hotel. Just walk over, its outside and free and its so neat. It usually plays at 8 and 9, but call the DLH just before your visit to confirm.

Have a great trip!

 

[DisneyDreamer2]

By the way, The fantasy waters show is at 8 and 9 in the evening as it is a light and fountain show choreographed to Disney music and lasts about 20 minutes. the waterfalls are all lit ip at night as well, and you'll walk right through Down Town Disney to get back to the hotel.

Other advice from someone with 4 little girls who travels often- bring your own stroller!!! A umbrella type or one than fold easily is best.

Make all restaurant priority seatings 60 days in advance. I suggest the Plaza Inn Breakfast stated above, the Blue Bayou 1130 lunch seating, perhaps a weekday lunch at Goofys kitchen @1145 since your little boy is free at the character buffets, and the Rainforest cafe if you've never been to one. We also like the chicken fussiili at Red Rockets in Tommorowland, and Ralph Brennans Jazz Kitchen EXpress in Downtown Disney.

If you are planning on seeing Fantasmic read the thread on Fantasmic Balcony Seating. Your little onebeing under 3, is free if he sits on your lap and you wont have to stake out a spot for hours before the show. It would be 100.00 for your family for reserved seating but the show is not to be missed. So even if you dont pay for the balcony, get everyone a nap that day, and make sure you see it.

Your son will also love the electrical parade at DCA. And if you can, maybe convince DH to volunteer as a guest performer in the Parade of the Stars at DL. Your son would love to see Daddy wearing a tutu or dancing with Daisy Duck.

Also with my little ones I suugest starting slow with Dumbo, Teacups, Small world, and make Peter pan the first dark ride. Then they will usually try most everything once.

Just keep reading these boards and you'll know everything for a very magical trip.