What to do with a DCA 1st Timer?

[disney-inspired]

I am taking my good friend Donna and her two youngest kids to California Adventure along with my little sister.

Can you guys give me some ideas of what to do and in what order?

I'm definitely taking them on Soarin' first, grab a fast pass and then get in line. From there I'm a bit stumped.

The kids ages are 8, 9, 11

the 8 & 9 year olds are not very adventurous, and quite the ride babies. I'm not too sure how far the 11 year old will go.

This is their first time to DCA, and most likely their last until much later. The family has 4 kids and they can't afford to do DL or DCA.

We are going THIS Friday, May 2nd!

 

[Avery's mom]

I'm of the opinion that if you get FP for Soarin 1st, then you may or may not want to get them for TOT next. I say, go ahead, because the only other FPs there are California Screamin (perhaps they are not all tall enough for CS) and GRR (which is not in the system anyway). Perhaps the TOT (with a 40 ht req) will be something they can manage. If not, make sure to collect FP for GRR since it will be somewhere near 80 that day.

In terms of the other rides, I say go to PP, since the rides are mostly cycle rides that are slow-loading. Get them out of the way early while you can. MM is the exception to this, which does (as I remember now) also has FP. It is late

Even though they are older than what I'd normally recommend for Flik's Fair, go ahead and see if they'd like it. Since you said they're ride babies, you never know. Also, make sure that they see Aladdin! I am not a show person, however, I really, really liked this show. Don't wait until the last one; maybe take in a show in the heat of they day. Hit Monsters Inc while you are here - there's hardly any wait! If they haven't seen Muppets at WDW, take them - it's cute.

As for what not to miss, I say do NOT miss the ELP that night. Sit by the Jellyfish and watch the best parade ever!

So to recap my rant - FP collection for whatever you want to do (GRR first, since you'll be close after Soarin), go to PP, make your way around to Flik, then hit Aladdin, TOT (if desired), GRR (multiple times if desired, but not before Aladdin or you'll freeze inside), then do any re-dos that were popular. Finally, sit back, relax and take in the splendor that is the (Main St. - I can't help it!!) Electrical Parade.

P.S. You didn't ask, but I'd say Taste Pilot's for lunch/dinner, since they can put all kinds of stuff on their food! Kids like that, generally.

 

[disney-inspired]

I'm of the opinion that if you get FP for Soarin 1st, then you may or may not want to get them for TOT next. I say, go ahead, because the only other FPs there are California Screamin (perhaps they are not all tall enough for CS) and GRR (which is not in the system anyway). Perhaps the TOT (with a 40 ht req) will be something they can manage. If not, make sure to collect FP for GRR since it will be somewhere near 80 that day.

In terms of the other rides, I say go to PP, since the rides are mostly cycle rides that are slow-loading. Get them out of the way early while you can. MM is the exception to this, which does (as I remember now) also has FP. It is late

Even though they are older than what I'd normally recommend for Flik's Fair, go ahead and see if they'd like it. Since you said they're ride babies, you never know. Also, make sure that they see Aladdin! I am not a show person, however, I really, really liked this show. Don't wait until the last one; maybe take in a show in the heat of they day. Hit Monsters Inc while you are here - there's hardly any wait! If they haven't seen Muppets at WDW, take them - it's cute.

As for what not to miss, I say do NOT miss the ELP that night. Sit by the Jellyfish and watch the best parade ever!

So to recap my rant - FP collection for whatever you want to do (GRR first, since you'll be close after Soarin), go to PP, make your way around to Flik, then hit Aladdin, TOT (if desired), GRR (multiple times if desired, but not before Aladdin or you'll freeze inside), then do any re-dos that were popular. Finally, sit back, relax and take in the splendor that is the (Main St. - I can't help it!!) Electrical Parade.

P.S. You didn't ask, but I'd say Taste Pilot's for lunch/dinner, since they can put all kinds of stuff on their food! Kids like that, generally.

Thank you for such a quick response! I've heard good thing about Taste Pilot's but have yet to get the chance to eat there. I'm definitely thinking it would work for dinner. For lunch I'm dreaming of Corn Dog Castle

Oh and about Flik's Fair, we were going to do that even if the kids didn't want to! I love FF, even though I look a bit silly riding those rides. We will be passing on the bumper cars because they are SOOOO slow and not really fun.

 

[hlbtimes2]

If you have time dont forget to take them to see the Aladdin show, and through the animation building. There is always so much to see and do in there. My kids and I love the drawing class and hope to do it again on our upcoming trip. If they are active kids they might enjoy burning off a little energy at the redwood creek area.

 

[nodoubt51]

I would definatly get FP for soarin'. It is by far my favorite at DCA. My DD11 & DS14 love Mulloland Madness, they use the single rider line & can ride multiple times in a row. GRR is another fav, but they do get WET. I saw a family last weekend, the father was ringing out the little boys shirt.

 

[S. S. Columbia]

They usually open the DCA gates at 9:30, and they open Soarin' early. There's a pretty good chance that at that time Soarin' will be a walk-on.

In "A Bug's Land": ITTBB (I think this shows every 12 minutes -- so the wait should be very short)

Muppet*Vision 3D (good 3D effects and good for a chuckle)

Animation Building: Turtle Talk w/ Crush (it's a cute show)

Animation Building: The Toy Story Zoetrope (I've heard it's "really cool")

HTH

 

[ironpig70]

if you can get on soaring at 930 then do so and skip the fast pass and head to the west side of the rope drop at 10 and head to tot and do it next will be a very short wait. if the kids like it grab fast passes there for later. if they don't like it then skip those and grab soaring in route to grizzly and grab those as well. gotta do california screaming its a must. also check the show scheldule for alladin and any other shows that you'd like to see. and the parade is not to be missed.

 

[ballarinamom]

All of the rides in Bug's Life area are cute and fun but not rough. The surroundings are really cool to look at. Flick's Fliers, Lady Bug Ball, Heimlicks Chew Chew (though a baby ride is still cute as there is food flavors pumped in to match the food you "eat"through) and the bumper cars are all easy rides to build up to the other rides.
DD loves Jumpin Jelly Fish (a parachute type ride that is easy), Mulholland Madness (has a FP is is a fun little roller coater type ride).
TOT is a rough ride if you are not used to it.
Grizzly River Rapids is fun
And I agree, don't miss Aladdin. Very cool show. And the animation area has cool interactive activities and characters will be there too.

 

[Avery's mom]

Ah, yes! How could I have forgotten the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail? It is a great choice for kids. It can get hot in there, so maybe after GRR, when the kids are all wet, they can run around in there for a bit.