What are MUST DOs!

[Brika]

Hi everyone! I LOVE THIS BOARD!~

Wanted to ask what rides, shows, attractions would you say WE CAN'T MISS on our 2 1/2 day trip to DL or DCA? when we go the end of Feb beginning of March... we are going with my parents (young and fun loving!) and our 5 year old and 2 year old daughters.


ALSO, we prepaid for one character breakfast, one princess lunch or dinner, and one goofy kitchen. What breakfast would you choose? I'm not even sure of choices.


Thanks! Can't WAIT for your responses!


Brika

 

[brandonbr]

Such a tough question since you didn't say too much about what you have done before or like. For little kids there are a lot of threads on which to take or not take young kids. I'm more of a historic person and try to do less common things. For the adults go see the 50 years of disney show on mainstreet -- there are lots of pictures and the show is really fun to see the history, not for kids too much. The disney gallery above pirates is fun to look through if you're a collector and the shops on mainstreet (which close an hour after the park so do them then). Story book boats are great for kids and one of my favorite easy rides. Just my $.02.

Oh, golden horse has added the guitar piece classical gas which is really fun, and if you do lunch their too you can kill two birds with one stone.

 

[dizzyami]

I would check out the Princess Fantasy Faire - your daughters can go up on stage and learn how to be princesses, if you need a break there is a place to color and decorate crowns, and also a line to meet three princesses.

Hit Toon Town for the little ones - you can see Mickey's, Minnie's and Donald's house, and Gadget's Go Coaster is my kids (5 and 3) favorites (35inch height requirement)

Be sure to utilize "baby swap" if there are big kid rides you want to go on.


I would base breakfast off the characters - Lilo, Stitch, Minnie and Pluto hang out at PP - lots of fun interaction. Storytellers was not my fav - Rafiki, Koda, Kenai and the chipmunks were there - zero fun - just characters (others have a place to get up and have fun). I hear great things about Minnie, but never want to waste a early park morning for it, and Goofy's gets rave reviews.

 

[Brika]

Maybe it would help to say that we LOVED the little mermaid at MGM... Philharmagic at MK, Dumbo, Magic Carpet, Teacups, Princess Breakfast was a HUGE HIT!, DH and I love rock and roller coaster, tower of terror, and PoTC. Mom and Dad loved the Pooh Breakfast and the jungle cruise. We'd love to do simillar ones... especially shows like the little mermaid.


Tell me more about becoming a princess... how do they get onstage? Does everyone?


Brika

 

[dizzyami]

Maybe it would help to say that we LOVED the little mermaid at MGM... Philharmagic at MK, Dumbo, Magic Carpet, Teacups, Princess Breakfast was a HUGE HIT!, DH and I love rock and roller coaster, tower of terror, and PoTC. Mom and Dad loved the Pooh Breakfast and the jungle cruise. We'd love to do simillar ones... especially shows like the little mermaid.


Tell me more about becoming a princess... how do they get onstage? Does everyone?


Brika

Everybody goes on stage at the PFF - the parents sit up in the bleachers and the kiddies are in front learning their princess manners - both kids loved it!! I believe they may select one for something as well - but I missed the actual show because I was holding the line to meet the princesses. The last time I was at WDW was too long ago to compare for me - I hear great things about the Aladdin show in DCA, and I also love the Bug's life show in DCA. If you get EE with your tickets make sure you use that hour and it all Fantasyland rides - Teacups, Dumbo, Peter Pan is great (do it first) - I would also recommend hitting Jungle Cruise 1st thing as the park opens - no fast pass and it can sometimes be a decent wait. When the park is busy hop over to DCA for ToT, and Califonia Screamin'. POTC can be done really anytime, it can hold so many people the lines aren't usually too long.

 

[tinkermell]

Make sure you hit some of rides at Fantasyland that aren't at WDW. PotC is better at DL. Don't forget to do Indianna Jones. One of the best rides! Same kind of ride as Dinosaur, but way better! The queing line is almost as good as the ride. You'll probably have to switch off, or let grandparents watch your little ones. California Screamin is simular to Rock and Roller Coaster, just longer and not in the dark. Alladin at DCA is wonderful. On par with a broadway play. Sorry to say that Mickey's Philharmonic isn't here. BUT it is coming soon to DCA. I loved that attraction! It was the only one that I wished was here in California from WDW! Anyways, I hear TOT is better at WDW, as I have not been on the one here in California. I get to compare the differences next month finally! Can't wait. That was probably my favorite ride at WDW, next to California Soarin. Just two totally different experiences. I could go on, as I keep thinking of things... Oh, and lookup Hydro Guy's thread on WDW vets coming to DL for the first time. Lots of information for first timers like you. Have fun planning and keep the questions coming.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

My boys loved the parades; we went to the Parade of Dreams and Block Party Bash. I worried they (especially DS2) might not like standing around with no physical activity, but boy was I wrong!

DS6 kept shouting out the characters names as he recognized them: "Mama, look! It's Aladdin! Ohhh, Mama, look! It's Goofy!", and DS2 was rockin' out to the music, sitting on Daddy's shoulders, kicking with his legs so he bounced up and down, it was really cute.

The boys got bored waiting for the fireworks to begin. We were near the Partners statue 1.5 hours before they began, and after 1/2 hour DH and DS6 got bored and begged for the OK to go on rides instead. I kept DS2 with me, but he fell asleep before the fireworks began. He woke up, however, about 2/3rds of the way through, and did enjoy the rest of the display. I think if I had it to do over, I'd go back by It's A Small World where the crowd is smaller and you don't have to wait as long in your viewing spot.

PS. DS6's favorite ride was Splash Mountain. Indiana Jones and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Soarin' Over California were close behind. DS2's favorite ride was Winnie the Pooh (conveniently located across from Splash!) They also both loved the Fantasyland rides (Dumbo, Teacups, King Arthur's Carousel, and Peter Pan!) Ride Peter Pan early in the day, it seems to always have a long line.

 

[952LisaR]

THis is good information. I have two daughters, 4 and 5 year olds and I think they will like the Princess event - where is that?

 

[dizzyami]

THis is good information. I have two daughters, 4 and 5 year olds and I think they will like the Princess event - where is that?

It is in Disneyland, right past Small World, but before Toon Town - where the old Snow White show used to be.

 

[Judy from Boise]

In DCA don't miss the animation building....especially turtle talk with crush, and ursulas grotto where you can "dub" your voices.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

There are 5 character meals, and it sounds like you are planning to hit three of them, good for you! I think kids will love any of them, but here's my assessment of each:

Goofy's Kitchen @ DLH: Lively and fun! Goofy and characters dance for a few minutes, and encourage the kids to dance with them. All the characters make the rounds to all the tables, so you'll be sure to get one-on-one time with each. The characters vary, but when we went it was Goofy, Pluto, Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, and Chip. I thought the food was good, but I've read others did not care for it, or at least don't care for the buffet style serving. I believe a CM told me this is the most popular character meal.

Lilo & Stitch @ PPH: (Breakfast only) Lively and fun also! Lilo & Stitch and other characters play a musical chairs sort of game with the kids. Characters also make the rounds to all the tables. We saw Lilo, Stitch, Pluto, Minnie and Daisy Duck. Good food, includes typical American breakfast fare, as well as Hawaiian and Japanese breakfast options, like rice and fish. Also served buffet style.

Storyteller's Cafe @ GCH: All animal characters, including Kode and Kenai from Brother Bear movie, and a few others. I've heard this is a more calm atmosphere than the previous two, so if your child might be overwhelmed by the activity of the other two, this may be a good one for you. The restaurant is beautiful, just as the whole hotel is! We did not do this one, but I've read only good things to say about the food and character interaction.

Ariels @ DCA: The princess meal! Little girls frequently dress up for this in their princess outfit, and are greeted like royalty (of course!) The restaurant overlooks the Paradise Pier Bay, very pretty. A must-do for little girls. (I have two boys, so alas, I will likely not ever do this one.) I think I've read mixed reviews of the food here.

Minnie & Friends @ Plaza Inn, DL: Minnie Mouse frequently has the Pooh characters with her at this meal, and we very nearly did this one because my youngest loves Pooh. Next time... We did have lunch one day at the Plaza Inn, and it was good food, so I would expect the food at the character meal to be similar.

Hopefully others can chime in with their thoughts, I just thought this may help to get you started. Enjoy!

 

[thmar]

We especially liked Goofy's Kitchen at DLH and Minnie and Friends Plaza Inn at DL. I'm sure the others are great too! Just have a wonderful and safe trip!

 

[Judy from Boise]

Also at DCA "monsters" is a must do if your kids like the movie. Cute little dark ride.