What do you think of my plan for May 4-8 trip?

[SFMommy]

This is my first post! I've been reading tips here for a few months, have read the Unofficial Guide cover to cover a few times and am using Touring Plans. Here is my plan for our trip in less than 2 weeks. Any thoughts or additional tips would be appreciated!

It's me, my DH and our DD (turning 5 while we are at DL). It's her first trip to DL. This trip is for her...so no fast rides/roller coasters.

We arrive on Wed 5/4, leave on Sun 5/8 and are going to get 3-day park hopper tix. If the 5-for-3 tickets come out before we leave, then we will be able to pop into the parks the afternoon that we arrive. Otherwise, I don't think that it's worth the extra money for us. We are staying at Hojo's in a suite and are bringing our stroller. We are going to take a cab to/from SNA.

Arrival day Wednesday 5/6 we will walk over to DTD for dinner at Naples, check out the shops, etc.

First day Thursday 5/5 we are going to do Magic Morning...Fantasyland rides, Princess Fantasy Faire, Pixie Hollow, Tangled, Finding Nemo, Autopia. We have reservations at Carnation Cafe for lunch. Planning on doing as much as possible this day, as I think it will be the least crowded. Dinner reservations at Tortilla Jo's.

Second day Friday 5/6 we are going to do Critter County, Pirates, HM, Jungle Cruise, Tarzan's Treehouse and Toontown. We have reservations at Cafe Orleans for lunch. Might hop over to DCA late afternoon for Disney Junior show, if we feel like we've done enough in DL. Or if the ROA attractions are closed to prepare for the POTC premiere. Does anyone know if we'll be able to do Riverboat or Pirate's Lair the day before the premiere?

Third day Saturday 5/7 we are going to do DCA and skip DL (because of the POTC premiere). We are doing Ariel's Grotto for lunch with princesses. Not sure if my DD will like Toy Story or Soarin' and if either is worth the wait for her. I know she'll enjoy Monsters Inc., Bug's Land and the shows. Not sure if we can fit it all in since the park doesn't even open until 10:00 and we'll be at lunch at AG from 1:00-2:30.

Last day Sunday 5/8 we are going to do breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen before heading to the airport. Happy Mother's Day to me!

My daughter is an early-riser and will absolutely not nap, so we are planning on early dinners (5:00) and bed at 7:00, just like at home. So no WOC or other evening entertainment for us this trip.

Any changes that you would make? Or other suggestions?

Thanks so much for all of the wonderful information on this board!

 

[ksdisneyfan]

Sounds great to me! You've planned well. I think your daughter will love Toy Story Mania. All my little ones do. And Soarin' is also a great ride. My 3 yo DD loved it this past March. Have a great time!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Sounds super fun but don't completely not plan on some of the bigger rides, she's 40" right....? My DD's favorite ride at 5 was Splash, bummer it'll be closed. Space and Thunder are fun too. Watch ride videos on youtube to prep her. Perhaps you'll see my sister and her family their last 2 days are your 1st 2.
Sent from my Smart phone, not bad eh.....

 

[wdwfan22]

I agree with Disneymomma, don't count out fast rides. Unless your daughter has made it very clear ahead of time that she does not want to ride. Dont' try to force her, but also don't assume she wont love them. My DD's favorite ride at 3 was Tower of Terror.

I like the idea of watching youtube videos ahead of time to see if she has any interest. I like it when kids decide for themselves. I don't like to see parents force little ones on rides that scare them, but I also don't like parents who project their fears on their little ones. Not that I'm saying you are, just saying in general.

So little ones are terrified of the Snow White or Pirates ride, but love Big Thunder Mtn. So plan on being flexible. You never know how little ones will do. Plus, if my little one didn't like the fast rides, I would still do single rider or child swap on a couple while the other parent stays with the kiddo doing something they like.

But your plan sounds like fun. Being prepared with a plan, then being prepared to throw it out the window and be flexible with little ones. That's always what happened when mine were little.

Have fun at HoJo. We will leave the day before you get there.

 

[skiingfast]

So little ones are terrified of the Snow White or Pirates ride, but love Big Thunder Mtn. So plan on being flexible. You never know how little ones will do. Plus, if my little one didn't like the fast rides, I would still do single rider or child swap on a couple while the other parent stays with the kiddo doing something they like.

But your plan sounds like fun. Being prepared with a plan, then being prepared to throw it out the window and be flexible with little ones. That's always what happened when mine were little.

Yes you will have to feel it out as you go.

First day Thursday 5/5 we are going to do Magic Morning...Fantasyland rides, Princess Fantasy Faire, Pixie Hollow, Tangled, Finding Nemo, Autopia. We have reservations at Carnation Cafe for lunch. Planning on doing as much as possible this day, as I think it will be the least crowded. Dinner reservations at Tortilla Jo's.

I'd be little flexible on this. After the morning Finding Nemo and Autopia might have long lines. This might be long lines after you leave PFF. So might try to mix in anything with a short wait to mix it up.

 

[Bungle]

Just one thing, we took my oldest when he was 5 and he NEVER napped. Well he definitely crashed each day around 3:30 so you might want to set aside some nap time just in case. Even a quick snooze in the stroller might do, you can just grab a snack and a piece of shade somewhere and enjoy people watching while she recharges. Playing at disneyland is tough work and to be honest even the adults take a break mid day in our group.

 

[Heymy]

I agree with a lot of PP's replies. It's nice to have a plan, but realize that your DD might have some other ideas, especially for her first time. My girls' first trip was riddled with tons of repetition. If I never go to the Tiki Room again, it'll be too soon.

As for napping, that's a tough one, my oldest hasn't napped since the day she turned 2 (lovely I know) and she usually doesn't at DL, except for the end of the trip. By Day 3 she's done and ends up passing out (usually around dinner time). So downtime is helpful, even just some pool time. Then if they do nap that means they'll be wide awake for nighttime fun. The way we look at it is, it's vacation we can try to keep up our routines (DD5 desparately needs this), but it probably won't happen.

Most of all, have a great time. We've celebrated birthdays at DL for both of my girls and it's always such a wonderful experience!!

 

[jory29]

I agree with a lot of PP's replies. It's nice to have a plan, but realize that your DD might have some other ideas, especially for her first time. My girls' first trip was riddled with tons of repetition. If I never go to the Tiki Room again, it'll be too soon.

As for napping, that's a tough one, my oldest hasn't napped since the day she turned 2 (lovely I know) and she usually doesn't at DL, except for the end of the trip. By Day 3 she's done and ends up passing out (usually around dinner time). So downtime is helpful, even just some pool time. Then if they do nap that means they'll be wide awake for nighttime fun. The way we look at it is, it's vacation we can try to keep up our routines (DD5 desparately needs this), but it probably won't happen.

Most of all, have a great time. We've celebrated birthdays at DL for both of my girls and it's always such a wonderful experience!!

Yes, repetition needs to be fit in there sometimes, too... I was so disappointed when my friends went at 2 different times - both of them simply walked through each land, rode a couple of rides, and thought they were 'done.' One of them missed POTC!!!! Didn't see it, didn't know it existed. Your girls will likely want to go on some favorites over and over.

 

[SFMommy]

Thank you for all of the suggestions!

I did not think about the repeat factor for the things that she loves. Thanks for mentioning it.

We have watched almost every ride/attraction on You Tube, so I think I know what she will want to do. We went on a roller coaster a few months ago and she hated it. Didn't like the speed and getting jerked around. But she has no problems with dark rides. If she was going to try one roller coast, which one is the mildest? Matterhorn?

I am prepared with a plan, but am also prepared to totally abandon the plan and do whatever my DD's heart desires. I read somewhere that at this age, the little ones remember the overall experience of DL, not each and every ride and detail. So if we skip a "major" attraction this trip, I know that it doesn't matter and all that matters is that she enjoys herself and we are all having a good time together.

I also suspect that she will be burnt out after lunch and we will make our way back to Hojo's for a rest/quiet time and then head back over to DTD for dinner at 5-ish. If she takes a little snooze in the stroller, then we might pop back into a park from 6-7, depending on her energy level.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[wdwfan22]

Thank you for all of the suggestions!

I did not think about the repeat factor for the things that she loves. Thanks for mentioning it.

We have watched almost every ride/attraction on You Tube, so I think I know what she will want to do. We went on a roller coaster a few months ago and she hated it. Didn't like the speed and getting jerked around. But she has no problems with dark rides. If she was going to try one roller coast, which one is the mildest? Matterhorn?

Thanks for all your help!

Hmm, the Matterhorn has the lowest height restriction (though I can't find the heights for the life of me on disney's site at the moment), but I think it is pretty jerky. If it were me, I think I would try BTMR first, I think it is less intimidating. Well, first start with Gadget's Go Coaster in Toontown, then BTMR, Matterhorn, and Space Mtn.

If she isn't scared of dark rides, you might try Tower of Terror. Like I said before, that was my daughter's favorite ride before she even tried a roller coaster. If the jerkiness is what she doesn't like, then she might like it!!

Have fun!! It is soooo much fun to go with a little one that age!!

 

[Bungle]

I am prepared with a plan, but am also prepared to totally abandon the plan and do whatever my DD's heart desires. I read somewhere that at this age, the little ones remember the overall experience of DL, not each and every ride and detail. So if we skip a "major" attraction this trip, I know that it doesn't matter and all that matters is that she enjoys herself and we are all having a good time together.

You guys are going to have a magical trip