Urgent assistance requested

[MagicallyMom]

Just booked for one week away on a whim. 3 of us going, I'm pregnant (it limits some attractions) and I'm only knowledgeable about planning for the world, not the land.

Help! I need to reserve dining? Maybe the frozen show? How are their fast passes working these days?

 

[Khokhonutt]

We're making our first trip to DLR next month. First thing I'd do is check out A DLR Guide for WDW Vets. It's a great link for WDW vets going to DLR. It'll help set the ground work for some of the questions you've asked.

In general, in terms of dining you don't have to be sitting on the phone at your 60 day mark (when you can make reservations) to get what you want. Lots of people talk about getting reservations next day for table service. Special events I'd assume go faster, though. The other thing to keep in mind is that table service isn't as big of a deal at DLR as it is at WDW. For us, we're only doing 3 TS meals for our 5 days and one event (World of Color dessert party).

Fastpass is like the old days at WDW, before FP+. Right now it's paper fastpasses. There was an announcement in January about a new system that would allow you to book fastpasses on your phone. It is not advanced reservations like FP+, is only supposed to be available in the parks and it's a paid service. That said, the ground work has been put in place for the new system, but so far no announcement on when it's going to be implemented. Search for maxxpass for more info there.

 

[VandVsmama]

If there is a TS restaurant that you want to go to, I'd recommend making a reservation now rather than wait until you get there.

You might be surprised that there will still be TS reservations available!

 

[MagicallyMom]

I just got lunch at the Blue Bayou!

How cool!

 

[ktlm]

From your avatar, it looks like you might have a little girl with you? Minnie's Breakfast at the Plaza Inn is a great character meal- in our experience it is better than the WDW character meals because it has a variety of characters (not a standard 5) and usually more characters than you see at WDW character meals. We have almost always seen Fairy Godmother, Minnie Mouse, Captain Hook, Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore- and we have never seen less than 7 characters, and we have seen up to 11 characters. Just know while the ones I listed are the ones we most often see there, there is no guarantee that they will be there because it is always a fun mix and a surprise.

Also, Ariel's Grotto is a Princess meal at breakfast and lunch. You never know which Princesses might be there. Our last couple times along with Ariel (who is almost always there for the picture in front unless she has some sort of issue), we have seen Cinderella, Tiana, Rapunzel and Belle (gold dress- those WDW rumors that she can't tour a restaurant in her gold dress are clearly not true). We have also occasionally seen Sleeping Beauty, Mulan and even Pochahontas. That restaurant is typically a 5 character meal, but there is some variation in which Princesses you meet.

Have a great time!! You really don't need much planning for DLR, unlike WDW!

 

[MagicallyMom]

From your avatar, it looks like you might have a little girl with you? Minnie's Breakfast at the Plaza Inn is a great character meal- in our experience it is better than the WDW character meals because it has a variety of characters (not a standard 5) and usually more characters than you see at WDW character meals. We have almost always seen Fairy Godmother, Minnie Mouse, Captain Hook, Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore- and we have never seen less than 7 characters, and we have seen up to 11 characters. Just know while the ones I listed are the ones we most often see there, there is no guarantee that they will be there because it is always a fun mix and a surprise.

Also, Ariel's Grotto is a Princess meal at breakfast and lunch. You never know which Princesses might be there. Our last couple times along with Ariel (who is almost always there for the picture in front unless she has some sort of issue), we have seen Cinderella, Tiana, Rapunzel and Belle (gold dress- those WDW rumors that she can't tour a restaurant in her gold dress are clearly not true). We have also occasionally seen Sleeping Beauty, Mulan and even Pochahontas. That restaurant is typically a 5 character meal, but there is some variation in which Princesses you meet.

Have a great time!! You really don't need much planning for DLR, unlike WDW!

Thanks! We told her a little white lie that we're going in June...

Hey, I want her to sleep the night before!

But she requested a princess meal. Ariel it is!

 

[VandVsmama]

Just booked for one week away on a whim. 3 of us going, I'm pregnant (it limits some attractions) and I'm only knowledgeable about planning for the world, not the land.

Help! I need to reserve dining? Maybe the frozen show? How are their fast passes working these days?

Download the Disneyland app to your smart phone before you leave. It will have all the ride wait times, character meet & greet locations & times, etc. It's very handy.

I don't think they even have FP for the Frozen show anymore. From what I've read, you don't need them anyway.

FP are still the paper FP tickets. Insert your DL ticket into the FP kiosk and it will spit out a FP. You can't reserve them ahead of time like you would at WDW.

Mickey is pretty much ALWAYS at his house in Toon Town. So if your DD wants to meet Mickey w/o waiting hardly at all, go to the entrance to Toon Town 1 hour after regular park opening. 1 or 2 of the characters will come up to open Toon Town. Walk with purpose to Mickey's house and meet him with no waiting at all! The other traditional characters will also be doing meet & greets on the "street" in Toon Town and all of them will hardly have any lines either. Toon Town is pretty fun and there are lots of fun gags hidden throughout it.

If you have 3 day or more tickets, you should take advantage of Magic Morning, which gets you into DL 1 hour early on a Tues, Thurs, or Saturday. Using MM (or EMH if you are staying on site) is totally worth it, especially if you have younger children who tend to be more chipper in the morning. When we first took our DDs to DL, they were 4 and 6. We went on 5 or 6 rides in Fantasyland in that MM hour:

- Dumbo
- Alice in Wonderland
- King Arthur's Carousel
- Mr Toad's Wild Ride
- Pinocchio
- Snow White's Scary Adventures

Then once the MM hour is over, you can hit up the rest of Fantasyland rides:
- Casey Jr circus train
- Storybook Land Canal Boats
- It's a small world

...assuming that you're skipping Matterhorn. The above 3 rides don't open until reg. park opening. When MM hour is over, send 1 adult as a FP runner to get a FP for something (like maybe Star Tours if your DD is tall enough & likes Star Wars).

Don't miss playing musical chairs with Alice & the Mad Hatter at Coke Corner on Main Street in the afternoon. Ask at Coke Corner earlier in the day.

Also, during the first couple of hours of park opening & during Magic Morning, there are quite a few characters just roaming around Fantasyland. We usually see Peter Pan, Captain Hook, the red queen from Alice in Wonderland, Alice and the Mad Hatter.

 

[MagicallyMom]

Thanks! I'm pregnant, so I'm still trying to figure out what I can't do.

Anyone know if the fireworks are on next week?

Also, I'm a weird Disney guest: I get military tickets. They are 3 day deals, but even though I'm staying on property, I don't know if I'll get the plastic cards.

 

[MrJT]

Also, I'm a weird Disney guest: I get military tickets. They are 3 day deals, but even though I'm staying on property, I don't know if I'll get the plastic cards.

I used those tickets last year, and when we turned in our tickets that ITT issued, we were given new ones, and I believe that they were paper/card stock

 

[MrJT]

I also want to add, relax and have fun. You don't have to go into full planning mode. Especially with the Salute tickets. Park hopping is easy. Everything is close by.

 

[Nevada Jen]

If you are staying on site, you will get early entry every day. Use it. It makes a giant difference. Especially at DCA.

 

[VandVsmama]

There are fireworks at DL this coming weekend (through Sunday evening), but no fireworks on:
Mon 5/22
Tues 5/23
Wed 5/24
Thurs 5/25

Fireworks start up again on Fri 5/26 and are scheduled for 9:30 pm.

 

[VandVsmama]

Thanks! I'm pregnant, so I'm still trying to figure out what I can't do.

Anyone know if the fireworks are on next week?

Also, I'm a weird Disney guest: I get military tickets. They are 3 day deals, but even though I'm staying on property, I don't know if I'll get the plastic cards.

Military tickets don't get MM entry, but since you're staying on property, then you WILL get EMH (Extra Magic Hour) for each day.

 

[lcp9]

Thanks! I'm pregnant, so I'm still trying to figure out what I can't do.

Anyone know if the fireworks are on next week?

Also, I'm a weird Disney guest: I get military tickets. They are 3 day deals, but even though I'm staying on property, I don't know if I'll get the plastic cards.

I am probably an unconventional pregnant person, but I was about 29 weeks and rode everything. It was my daughter's first time going on space mountain so I wanted to go with her! My doctor is pretty laid-back and said we were more likely to die from standing in line in the heat. haha. Do what you're comfortable with and ignore people giving you weird looks. I think it's all more dependent anyway on how you carry - I have a long torso so I've never had a huge belly that the bar slammed down on, you know? Anyway, my point with this is do what you want in conjunction with whatever your doctor thinks, and you'll be fine.

 

[fly girl]

Also, I'm a weird Disney guest: I get military tickets. They are 3 day deals, but even though I'm staying on property, I don't know if I'll get the plastic cards.

I can't remember, but I think we had card stock tickets for our 3 day military salutes. We purchased them at the gate since we don't have a ITT nearby.

Also, just making sure you got the military rate for your room. I'm sure you did, but never hurts to double check saving money.

 

[MagicallyMom]

I can't remember, but I think we had card stock tickets for our 3 day military salutes. We purchased them at the gate since we don't have a ITT nearby.

Also, just making sure you got the military rate for your room. I'm sure you did, but never hurts to double check saving money.

Yassss, girl! I saved about $300 over what was quoted online. I may call back today, they didn't have availability at Paradise Pier, my princesses' first choice, so I booked my first choice, Disneyland Hotel. I may double check to see if anyone cancelled.

 

[WDBRDWLK]

Just booked for one week away on a whim. 3 of us going, I'm pregnant (it limits some attractions) and I'm only knowledgeable about planning for the world, not the land.

Help! I need to reserve dining? Maybe the frozen show? How are their fast passes working these days?

I will be there as of Saturday until the 29th.. We love Ariels.. and also Plaza Inn to see the characters. Do your research on the rides and only you can decide what is best. Have fun! The weather is going be be great!

 

[agamble]

I saw a suggestion to head to Toon Town to see Mickey when it opens. Just a few things to keep in mind. If you get to Toon Town just before it opens Mickey and Minnie (and maybe some friends) will come out and escort the kids in. It's a fun little procession. Then the characters often hang around to meet. Mickey and Minnie stand outside their houses and queues are set up. They move pretty quickly that early in the morning. After meeting them you can explore their houses. HOWEVER Mickey is meeting OUTSIDE his house. Later in the day (ask a CM for specific start time) he will meet inside his movie barn. The M&G inside his movie barn will have a themed background and photo pass photographers. The one in front of his house is generally just Mickey and a handler. Just FYI in case you really want the fun Mickey Photo Op. Also, while in Toon Town check out Gadget's coaster. Your husband and daughter can ride this without you should you choose not to ride, it's a mild coaster.

You can ask your doctor if he/she has recommendations on what you should or shouldn't do at Disneyland while pregnant. I will caution you to avoid anything that says pregnant women shouldn't ride. And I definitely wouldn't go on Indy or Screamin'. I went on Grizzly River Run twice while I was pregnant. The first time everything was fine. It's mostly just floating in the raft with two drops not much larger than the ones on Pirates. But on the second ride through our raft bumped hard into the raft in front of us. At that point I wished I hadn't ridden. Of course everything was fine, but it's a scary feeling at the time.

Generally if a baby can go on the ride a pregnant woman can too. So anything in Fantasyland except Matterhorn (it is crazy bumpy), that's 11 rides plus the castle walkthrough. Explore Toon Town and ride Roger Rabbit. Avoid Space and probably Star Tours (it's the same as WDW anyway) but anything else in Tomorrowland should be fine (though some say the fumes on Autopia aren't good). Obviously Indy is out, but the rest of Adventureland should be good. Both rides in New Orleans are fine and are different than at WDW. The only thing open in Frontierland is Big Thunder, which you should skip. Critter Country has Winnie the Pooh and Splash. It is probably best to skip Splash.

In CA there will be a lot more skipping. I went on RSR when I was pregnant, but I think it does have a warning and a baby cannot ride of course. The other two rides do not have warnings, but Mater's flings you around a bit. I think Soarin' is fine, but again it probably has a warning. Monsters Inc. and the rides in Bugsland (except the bumper cars) should be fine. Toy Story, the Wheel of Death, the Swings, Jellyfish, and Ariel's on the Pier are all good. I would avoid the two coasters. The Grizzly Peak area has a fun play area that you and your daughter could explore while your husband rides Grizzly River Run (it has a 42" requirement).

In the end you have to make the decision yourself; it's probably best to heed the warnings. There is plenty to do at DL (and some at DCA) without the thrill rides. It may be worth calling your doctor before you go. Enjoy the shows, take things at your daughter's pace, and explore what makes Disneyland different than WDW. Enjoy your trip! How fun that you only have to wait a week.

 

[MagicallyMom]

I saw a suggestion to head to Toon Town to see Mickey when it opens. Just a few things to keep in mind. If you get to Toon Town just before it opens Mickey and Minnie (and maybe some friends) will come out and escort the kids in. It's a fun little procession. Then the characters often hang around to meet. Mickey and Minnie stand outside their houses and queues are set up. They move pretty quickly that early in the morning. After meeting them you can explore their houses. HOWEVER Mickey is meeting OUTSIDE his house. Later in the day (ask a CM for specific start time) he will meet inside his movie barn. The M&G inside his movie barn will have a themed background and photo pass photographers. The one in front of his house is generally just Mickey and a handler. Just FYI in case you really want the fun Mickey Photo Op. Also, while in Toon Town check out Gadget's coaster. Your husband and daughter can ride this without you should you choose not to ride, it's a mild coaster.

You can ask your doctor if he/she has recommendations on what you should or shouldn't do at Disneyland while pregnant. I will caution you to avoid anything that says pregnant women shouldn't ride. And I definitely wouldn't go on Indy or Screamin'. I went on Grizzly River Run twice while I was pregnant. The first time everything was fine. It's mostly just floating in the raft with two drops not much larger than the ones on Pirates. But on the second ride through our raft bumped hard into the raft in front of us. At that point I wished I hadn't ridden. Of course everything was fine, but it's a scary feeling at the time.

Generally if a baby can go on the ride a pregnant woman can too. So anything in Fantasyland except Matterhorn (it is crazy bumpy), that's 11 rides plus the castle walkthrough. Explore Toon Town and ride Roger Rabbit. Avoid Space and probably Star Tours (it's the same as WDW anyway) but anything else in Tomorrowland should be fine (though some say the fumes on Autopia aren't good). Obviously Indy is out, but the rest of Adventureland should be good. Both rides in New Orleans are fine and are different than at WDW. The only thing open in Frontierland is Big Thunder, which you should skip. Critter Country has Winnie the Pooh and Splash. It is probably best to skip Splash.

In CA there will be a lot more skipping. I went on RSR when I was pregnant, but I think it does have a warning and a baby cannot ride of course. The other two rides do not have warnings, but Mater's flings you around a bit. I think Soarin' is fine, but again it probably has a warning. Monsters Inc. and the rides in Bugsland (except the bumper cars) should be fine. Toy Story, the Wheel of Death, the Swings, Jellyfish, and Ariel's on the Pier are all good. I would avoid the two coasters. The Grizzly Peak area has a fun play area that you and your daughter could explore while your husband rides Grizzly River Run (it has a 42" requirement).

In the end you have to make the decision yourself; it's probably best to heed the warnings. There is plenty to do at DL (and some at DCA) without the thrill rides. It may be worth calling your doctor before you go. Enjoy the shows, take things at your daughter's pace, and explore what makes Disneyland different than WDW. Enjoy your trip! How fun that you only have to wait a week.

My plan is to stick with what the rides say. If they don't say to avoid them whole pregnant, I won't worry. I'm sure developers and insurance reviewers are very careful about these things.

 

[agamble]

My plan is to stick with what the rides say. If they don't say to avoid them whole pregnant, I won't worry. I'm sure developers and insurance reviewers are very careful about these things.

That's probably for the best. There is still so much to do.