What not to miss??

[kaceeb19]

We have 4 day park hoppers for March 10-13th. We have a 6 and 4 yr old boys and a 2 yr old daughter. It will be just DH and I taking them. I'm trying to put an itinerary together and I'm wondering what are the things that you would recommend NOT missing? Rides, character meals and shows? What time do you recommend doing certain things?

This board is so helpful! Thanks so much!

 

[mama2twoluvbugs]

I have a 7 yr old and a 1 yr old and I would not miss a BREAKFAST as Goofy's Kitchen(breakfast is better and cheaper than lunch or dinner) all the rides in fantasyland and the winnie the pooh ride in critter country, as well as astro blasters in frontier land,and pirates in new orleans in DCA toy story, monsters inc, and bugs life are all great for little ones...but then again, we love EVERYTHING!!!

 

[wannagoback]

I have two DD's 4 & 2 and I would not miss Playhouse Disney Live or Turtle Talk with Crush, both in DCA. There is apparantely also some sort of play area in DCA that missed on my first trip that I will definately not miss next time. I don't know where it is, but it's an outdoor/rustic theme, so I'm guessing somewhere by the Grizzly River Rapids ride. Maybe someone will know what I'm trying to talk about it. I've only read about it and couldn't find it in the park. I'm pretty sure that it backs up to the waterslide at GCH.

 

[Tasscrapper]

I would add the Muppet 3d show. All my kids loved it. There is a Bugs 3d show too but it was scary for my 4 year old son and 8 year old dd. The boys might like it but I would be wary about it for your dd.

My kids also loved Tarzans Treehouse or more specifically the explorers camp at the bottom. We almost had to drag them away from there as well as the little play area in Toon Town. I think it was next to Donalds boat but can't remember for sure. I thought it was funny that they were so interested in just playing rather than moving on to new stuff. I think it was actually really good for them and even though they were running around like mad it was much more a normal activity for them and a nice break from just going place to place.

 

[Sherry E]

I agree with the previous poster - I personally would not miss a character BREAKFAST at Goofy's Kitchen. It is a must for every one of my DLR trips, and there have even been times in the past where my friends I and ate at Goofy's but never went into DL at all.

I would also take a good long time in DCA, because much of that park will be changing in the near future. Do not miss Toy Story Midway Mania under any circumstances. Aladdin is also a good show. A Bug's Land has great little details in it. Soarin' is not a not-to-be-missed ride. The Monsters Inc. ride should not be missed either. Off the Page is a cool shop. Animation Building is fantastic.

In DL, there are so many hidden gems and clever details everywhere. ToonTown has a lot of great things in it if you actually take the time to look around. Gag Factory is a great shop. Do not miss strolling through New Orleans Square - it is the only NOS in any of the Disney parks worldwide. Do not miss the POTC ride. If you ever happen to be there during the holidays in the future, do not miss the IASW Holiday and HMH overlays. Do not miss Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters and have your on-ride photo e-mnailed to yourself for free at the end of the ride! Do not miss stopping in Blue Ribbon Bakery and sampling some of the delectable sweet stuff (like messy, gooey cinnamon rolls, if you like those).

 

[dismom73]

Just thought I would mention that we will be there the same time as you. We are going March 8-11. Here's to hoping we'll have short lines...

 

[abouley]

My 2 year old DD's favorites rides are small world, dumbo, carousel, peter pan, tea cups and buzz at DL and monster's inc, TSM, playhouse disney, casey junior, train around the park and bug's land at DCA.

My almost 5 year old son's favorites are all my daughter's favorites plus roller coaster in toon town, play area in toon town, jungle cruise, autopia, star tours, tom sawyer's island, nemo, boats in fantasy land, monorail and sometimes Pirates. He isn't a fan of the dark rides. At DCA he also likes my daughter's favorites plus soarin and the play areas. Favorite thing though is the water fountains in bug land! We usually spend a couple hours there if the weather is nice!

Older kids can also do matterhorn, thunder mountain, splash, haunted mansion (2 year old too), maybe space mountain for the oldest. There are some other rides in fantasy land too. I think I'm missing some others but have definitely hit our favorites!

Definitely do Goofy's Kitchen for a character meal.

For us, the best plan is getting to the parks at opening and hitting our hotel after lunch when the crowds get bad. We might swim or just hang out for an hour or two and then head back. I think more than anything, I feel refreshed and not grouchy by late afternoon. If you don't want to rest, having a nice sit down meal at lunch also works well for me! I think the biggest thing is not pushing the kids too much and enjoying it!

 

[romymichelle21]

My #1 "do not miss" is Blue Bayou!

And, as far as that's concerned, you'll need to call to make 'reservations' ahead of time. Check in 10-15 minutes early, and request a table by the water. They may tell you it'll take slightly longer, but it's worth it! Especially for the kids - they can wave at the people on Pirates as they go by

We always go at 4, which is the exact start of the dinner menu, but since the kids will be with you, you may prefer lunch. I believe it's slightly cheaper (but they may have changed that!) and the lunch menu includes the Monte Cristo sandwich, while the dinner menu does not.

It's a more 'adult' atmosphere, for sure, but something all of you would enjoy. Check out the menus and reviews on the boards, and see if it's something you'd be comfortable bringing the kids to! (I have seen children of all ages there).

 

[Gisele]

I very much enjoy dining at the Blue Bayou. Definitely make a p.s.
I recommend as well, to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to your p.s. to request a waterside table. You might even be able to be seated earlier, by arriving early, like I had been last year.

At the BB, I recommend The Tesoro Island Chicken. I have not tried all of the desserts, but the one that I have ordered is The Tortuga Trio of Creme Brulee. Very tasty.

I love the Pomme Frites at Cafe Orleans, it is a table service restaurant. A p.s. is required. Food cannot be ordered to go.

For snacking or light meals, Bengal BBQ, I recommend the bacon wrapped asparagus skewers. They are yummy.
My most favorite rides are:

The Haunted Mansion

POTC

Indy Adventure

BTMRR

I love to visit as well The Enchanted Tiki Room (It is a show that is in Adventure land)

The Matterhorn

Also there is a very nice and extremely clean, almost scary clean he he petting zoo in Frontier land. It is interesting to see, he he, a quite a few children, then one overgrown kid (Me) petting the goats and sheep. They are all very nice animals. Better behaved in comparison to many people, seriously.

Everything is nice about the park, so no matter what one may decide upon, everyone hopefully will have a wonderful time.

Have a great visit!

 

[SeattleTink]

I wouldn't miss Aladdin at DCA and Billy Hill and the Hillbillies at DL. Both are family friendly and worth the price of admission to both parks. My kids have gone to both shows since they were 2 years old and still love both show today (and they are 16 and 12).

 

[kaceeb19]

You guys are so great! Thanks for the info!!

 

[party-five]

I suggest toontown in the evening - we never see crowds there at that time. Also, adventurland is easier to access in the evening. Use your magic morning to do Fantasyland (if you have one). I think with four days you have time to do EVERYTHING at least once - we always do! My kids are pretty much the same age as yours - I suggest using fast pass and stroller pass. That way you can ride with the older kids and so can your spouse (the stroller pass allows two riders and if you have your fastpass left you can both ride with your older children at different times).

My kids musts: Buzzlightyear, Nemo, Smallworld, Peter Pan, Dumbo, Pirates, Jungle Cruise, Pooh, Splash, Space. Also we NEVER EVER EVER miss Tiki Room - we see it three or four times actually lol.

In CA - the play areas that another poster mentioned are in Bugs Land (its a fun one) and across from jumpin jellyfish down in the pier area.

My kids musts: Parade, Playhouse Disney, Screamin, Jellyfish, Monsters, Bugs land, Grizzly River, SOARIN OVER CALIFORNIA, and Alladin.

Our most favorite thing is Fantasmic Priority Seating!!!! I also agree that the Blue Bayou is very fun and we always do a charater meal.

Have a blast!!!!!

 

[TheAXIOM]

Do your boys like Star Wars? If they are, I would definitely recommend waiting in front early of the Tomorrowland Terrace before the Jedi Training Academy so that they might be chosen as a Padawan! Nothing says Disney magic to me like getting the opportunity to fight Darth Vader in the flesh .

 

[*BTMRR*]

We went when our boys were 6 and 4 and our daughter 2. The big hits for all of them were Buzz Lightyear and Autopia. We must have gone on Buzz at least 10 times and on Autopia nearly that many. They loved pretty much everything we did though, really.

 

[rszdtrvl]

Bengal BBQ, I recommend the bacon wrapped asparagus skewers. They are yummy.

Thank you so much!! I knew they had these *somewhere* at Disneyland, but had no idea where! I added the location to my list. (Now I don't have to ask about them!) DH loves asparagus, and I think he would really enjoy these.

 

[Gisele]

rszdtrvl,

Your welcome. They really are very tasty! I would love to have one now!
Bengal BBQ is perfectly located in Adventure land, across from the Indy ride.
So one can go on a adventure with Indy, then nosh on skewers. mmmm yum!

 

[mrsmeyer]

This post was great for me...I have 1,3,5 year olds...all the info is awesome. I just have on question. Specifically where is Goofys Kitchen, from what time to what time is breakfast and what kind of money are we looking at??? Thanks!

 

[Sherry E]

This post was great for me...I have 1,3,5 year olds...all the info is awesome. I just have on question. Specifically where is Goofys Kitchen, from what time to what time is breakfast and what kind of money are we looking at??? Thanks!

Goofy's usually opens at 7:00 a.m. and serves the breakfast/brunch buffet until noon. Then they close for a bit and reopen later in the day for the dinner buffet. I think maybe they re-open at 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. In any case, characters are there in the morning and at night. I really prefer the breakfast, though. As for price, I just called Disneyland Dining the other day and they told me that currently, the off-peak season prices for breakfast/brunch at Goofy's are $32.21 (including tax and tip) per adult. I did not ask about the kids' prices. In the peak seasons like summer and holidays, the price will increase about 5 or 6 bucks. Also, dinner is more expensive than breakfast, so that is probably about $38 right now (off-peak), and then will climb to about $44 in peak season - again for adults' not sure of the kids' prices. If you have AAA or an AP, you can get discounts - which help!!!

 

[mrsmeyer]

Where is it located? I am assuming outside of DL/DCA right? Do I need to make reservations in advance?

 

[Sherry E]

Where is it located? I am assuming outside of DL/DCA right? Do I need to make reservations in advance?

Goofy's Kitchen is located in the Disneyland Hotel, right next to Steakhouse 55. Anyone can eat there. You don't HAVE to make Priority Seating plans in advance, though it is recommended. You can just walk up to the front desk, but you may have to wait a long time to be seated. Better to call Disneyland Dining and let them know how many in your party there are and when you are arriving. You may still have to wait a few minutes - even with a PS - but probably not. The PS bookings have been down a bit for Goofy's and the other character meals. The regular characters there are Chip, Dale, Goofy, Pluto and Baloo. They are there daily. They have a revolving cast of guest stars that appear every day too. Sometimes it could be Alice and the Mad Hatter. Sometimes it is Aurora and the Prince. Sometimes Jasmine and Aladdin or Belle, perhaps. You never know who will drop in! The buffet has a ton of choices - really a great variety of food to choose from and as much of it as you want!