Where should we start on first day?

[kristie73]

So our first day, Monday July 19 we are driving up early (6am'ish) from San Diego. We plan to check into DLH. I realize we may not get a room yet, so from that point where should we go?

My boys are ages 3 and 7. My 7 year old has been to Disneyland when he was 4, so he may remember some stuff, but this is my 3 year old's first time. So I want to walk into Disneyland, not take the monorail in. I'm thinking of starting with Mickey's train, but where should we go?

I think because we'll have the early entry available to us on Tuesday that we'll do Fantasyland that morning, so with that said, where should we go Monday - when we probably won't be walking through the doors when DL opens?

Should we try for Nemo?- Go to Tomorrowland? What do you all suggest? Remember this is the first trip for 3 year old and my 7 year old hasn't been in 3 years. So I need to make sure the rides are mild and not too frightening on their first day.

Thanks.

 

[joeysmommy]

Since you're starting with Fantasyland on Tuesday morning I would start in Tomorrowland, that is my boys' favorite land.
Once you get off the train in TL get in line for Autopia since it's right next to the train station. If the wait is 30 mins or more I would grab a FP for Autopia and go ride Nemo first.
Buzz Lightyear AstroBlasters is a tame, really fun ride with a short wait.
If the three year old is tall enough maybe try Space Mountain, get a FP before getting on Buzz and then hit Nemo.
My kids could do without Nemo, they didn't think it was worth the wait- 2o minutes tops.

After TL I would head over to Splash Mountain grabbing a FP for Big Thunder Mountain RR on the way.

 

[Lissame]

A lot of this depends on how tall your three year old is. It does severely limit which rides you can do without doing child swap. But make sure you take advantage of that--we use it often with our group because one of my nieces is not 40 inches yet and can't ride a lot of the thrill rides.

I'd jump in to say--make sure you put a Pirates of the Caribbean ride in there somewhere. The line goes very quickly and the ride is pretty long. It is the ride my son loves to ride first, and if your 3 yo gets a little scared you can cuddle in the seats.

 

[kristie73]

Thanks for the suggestions. I guess I should say, that my 3 year old isn't quite 40 inches. He may be in a month or with shoes on, but I'm not counting on it.

 

[skiingfast]

If you leave SD at 6 you most likely won't be getting to the gates until 9:30 or 10. This is right when DCA opens (10)so you may want to do TSMM right off the bat.

A 3yo may not like any of the dark rides in FL so don't get set on riding Snow White and Peter Pan first things in the morning. Toad is a little brighter but fast and that may be a problem too. Buzz, Nemo and Autopia may be the favorites for an early morning. If you go into DL first thing grab FP's and use rider swap for the mountaints.

I'm not sure what you mean by Mickey's Train, if it is the railroad I would ride that anytime except the morning. You can get to the rides faster on foot than waiting for the train. Also for 3yo sake don't over look the Main Street Vehicles. The Mark Twain or rafts to Pirate Island.

 

[kristie73]

If you leave SD at 6 you most likely won't be getting to the gates until 9:30 or 10. This is right when DCA opens (10)so you may want to do TSMM right off the bat.

A 3yo may not like any of the dark rides in FL so don't get set on riding Snow White and Peter Pan first things in the morning. Toad is a little brighter but fast and that may be a problem too. Buzz, Nemo and Autopia may be the favorites for an early morning. If you go into DL first thing grab FP's and use rider swap for the mountaints.

I'm not sure what you mean by Mickey's Train, if it is the railroad I would ride that anytime except the morning. You can get to the rides faster on foot than waiting for the train. Also for 3yo sake don't over look the Main Street Vehicles. The Mark Twain or rafts to Pirate Island.

I thought about starting our day a CA, but I want my 3 year's old first experience to be Disneyland first rather than California Adventure. So that's why I posed the question. And I realize we could walk faster to rides, but thought the "railroad" would be a nice first ride to start their experience. So is the wait just too long for the train? I don't feel concerned about dark rides for my 3 year old, but you never know he could get scared. It will be their 2nd day so I'm hoping by then fantasyland will be a piece of cake.

 

[Brady's Mom]

I would do any open rides first. The train, then Autopia (what little kid doesn't like to drive cars?), then Buzz. Buzz is noisy and a little overwhelming at first - but super fun for kids since it's interactive. You could also try Small World since that is a fairly fast loader and you should be able to ride that fairly quickly. Toon Town will probably be open by the time you get there and their gags and stuff are really fun. My boys love the stuff in Toon Town (not the rides), they hate Roger Rabbit and don't like waiting in the loooonnng line for the roller coaster, but will spend a bunch of time pushing, pulling and trying all the gags.

I would do pirates and the tree house and BTMRR, but skip Indy until maybe later in your trip after you've had a chance to ride it and see if they would like it. Definitely ride Pooh and my DS 5 loves Splash.

I can't get myself to get in the subs for Nemo - but we did the wheelchair experience. We sat in this nice, themed, air conditioned room and watched the movie for the Nemo ride. It didn't take nearly as long as the regular line.

 

[skiingfast]

I thought about starting our day a CA, but I want my 3 year's old first experience to be Disneyland first rather than California Adventure. So that's why I posed the question. And I realize we could walk faster to rides, but thought the "railroad" would be a nice first ride to start their experience. So is the wait just too long for the train? I don't feel concerned about dark rides for my 3 year old, but you never know he could get scared. It will be their 2nd day so I'm hoping by then fantasyland will be a piece of cake.

In general the train has little wait at Main Street and gets fuller as it goes around so Tommorowland has the longest wait. The thing is it isn't going full speed first thing in the morning as they are bringing the trains out and onto the line. Where as once they start Nemo it goes about the same speed all day.

Also does you 3yo know the characters? Peter Pan, Snow White ect... this makes a difference on those attractions.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I think it also depends on how many days you plan to visit. If you have the time, you can certianly play the first day at DL by year and just go on the rides with reasonable wait times and making sure you have a great day, even if you don't experience many attractions.

If you only have the one night/two days, then I would second the suggestion that you start at CA and take advantage of the morning touring advantages at that park. You 3 YO won't care that his trip started at CA as long as he has a great visit. -- Suzanne

 

[BC Disney Lover]

For our first day we always do Disneyland first and I love that "ahhh" moment when I first walk in so we take things as they come. There's almost always characters around main street which the kids love and there's a lot to look at just inside the entrance. Especially if it's your little ones first trip. A trip around the park on the train might be a great way to start. Our first ride usually ends up being jungle cruise.

With Fantasyland we always plan a morning to rush to it but have also had good luck in finding no lines later at night. My kids all went at 3 and had no issue with the dark rides, so all kids are different.

Have a great trip!

 

[kristie73]

My kids do know Peter Pan, Dumbo, and Alice in Wonderland characters. I don't think Snow White and Pinnochio so much.

I just want my kids to have that "ahhh" moment in DL first. And the characters may be right there. At least I think Goofy was the last time. Thanks for giving me some things to consider and think about. We may just play it by ear...