Would you skip some things on a "once in a lifetime" trip?

[Cinmon Toast & Tacos]

I'm a former AP, but when I say former I really mean it...it's been 16 years, I think. But now I'm reviewing the plan for our upcoming trip and I'm thinking about maybe skipping some rides. I wonder if I should reconsider.

I've been there, done that and I already have my favorites. But for the rest of my family, Disneyland is all brand new! We live far enough away so this trip is probably going to have to suffice for at least 10 years, if not forever. So I wonder if just cruising right past the Teacups and the Enchanted Tiki room is a mistake. (Just some examples...I can't explain it. I just don't go there!)

Of course, if they express an interest I'm okay with going, but if it's left up to me I usually bypass in favor of going multiple times on the better rides.

Thoughts? Opinions? Stuff we could pass by without missing out too much?

Thanks!

 

[HydroGuy]

I do not think a once-in-a-lifetime trip has to mean you go on every ride.

Frankly there are several rides at DCA on which we have never been - especially in BugsLand. After many trips I just got to do the bread-making attraction last year, as well as Muppets 3D. And there are numerous smaller things like Billy Hill and the Hillbillies and Davy Crockett Canoes and Innoventions which may or may not be things you want to do.

Mostly I would make sure you have enough time - minimum four days - and that you get to the parks early and that you do have a list somewhere of not-to-be-missed attractions and shows. Then you just go have fun!

 

[tink2dw]

If you have small children, shows like Tiki Room give them time to catch their breath and rest little legs and feet. Unless thunderstorms and loud drums frighten them then skip it.

I want to see and do everything!! Except the coaster type rides. I sip the mountains, I did them all when my Dd was young. Now I don't. But I won't skip Pirates. Or Small World. But I love Tower of Terror, Soaring, Toads Wild Ride, and Peter Pan, Nemo, and I wouldn't miss Star Tours.

I can't wait for next fall when all the New Construction is finished so I can ride all the new rides and find new favorites!!!!

 

[cgh]

I guess it would depend on the age of the people. When I went to Disney the first time, some rides stood out- dumbo, tea cups, treehouse, jungle cruise, peter pan, POTC. Now, I have no interest in some of those, but I would not dream of taking my son there and not going on those. To me-that is Disney. Yes, there are other rides that I grew to love, and I can't envision not riding them-and I will. I don't have an interest in the Tiki Room, but I heard little kids love it, so time permitting we may do it.

But, part of going now and bringing my son is to watch him discover it. With that it is sharing my favorites from quite a bit ago. To me, that's a large part of the fun.

I don't think you have to go on every ride, but I'd probaby make a list of what you think are the 'musts' and then make a list from the perspective of someone else in the family and figure out how to make it work.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I always skip the Tea Cups , but try not to skip the Tiki Room....because the Dole Whip line is usually shorter INSIDE the waiting area.

 

[groovygirl927]

I wouldn't skip anything because I don't care for the ride I would skip rides if the others aren't interested. In our family we all have favorites some same and some different. ( I like nemo ride no one else cares for it but if there is not wait we go)

How old is everyone that is going and how long are you staying. That may help in deciding.

 

[ddwlms]

If you have time to do all rides, I suggest, for the most part, not skipping. I have found over the years that my tastes change. Several times, I would try to skip a ride because I remember not appreciating it, and someone else would want to go on it. So, I'd oblige, and then decide that I really like it now. Favorites change.

Having said that, there are some rides (most specifically the kiddie rides in Bugs Land) that you can look at and decide whether they are worth it or not.

Some of the attractions that my family "out grew" and then grew back into:
IASW -even the teenagers came back to loving it when it was the only ride that their newly adopted baby sister loved
Tiki Room - maybe it's the rest factor (?)
Storybook Land - I'm not really sure, but I think this means I'm getting old
Muppet Vision - I still think this production is not very good, but my 9 year old saw it for the first time in June (first time, after about 9 trips to DL, because we always insisted on skipping it) and she laughed hysterically.

 

[snoangel]

I think it's ok to make some rides a priority over others. I don't like Nemo- too claustrophobic for me, I pass over bug's land and innovations.
Tea cups is usually pretty quick in the morning and although Tiki Room can be a bit obnoxious, my 9 year old loves it so we do it. how old are the kids?

 

[Disneylovers2000]

I'm a former AP, but when I say former I really mean it...it's been 16 years, I think. But now I'm reviewing the plan for our upcoming trip and I'm thinking about maybe skipping some rides. I wonder if I should reconsider.

I've been there, done that and I already have my favorites. But for the rest of my family, Disneyland is all brand new! We live far enough away so this trip is probably going to have to suffice for at least 10 years, if not forever. So I wonder if just cruising right past the Teacups and the Enchanted Tiki room is a mistake. (Just some examples...I can't explain it. I just don't go there!)

Of course, if they express an interest I'm okay with going, but if it's left up to me I usually bypass in favor of going multiple times on the better rides.

Thoughts? Opinions? Stuff we could pass by without missing out too much?

Thanks!

Just came back and we skipped out on a few things that we felt didn't need doing. Nemo, Tiki room, Tarzan's tree house. Some classics just need to be done for nostalgia sake but others, not so much. IMO I would definately skip WOC in DCA for sure. I have a really bad taste in my mouth about this show and Disney doesn't seem to be doing anything to make it easier for people to see the show. Lots of waiting for a show you may not see if you're standing behind someone who is 6ft tall. My kids (11yrs.) said they would not want to waste time on it again, they would rather do other fun stuff. Have a blast, it is truly the best place to visit!

 

[tinkermomma]

I would say try not to skip things that are Disney classics for sure. Especially if you have many different age groups. That way the family is really experience Disneyland the way Walt meant it.

"Here age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future."

As you say to them it is all brand new. I think you're going to have a great time reliving those fond memories too

 

[Cinmon Toast & Tacos]

I guess I'll go through all the stuff that's "new" since my time there, then decide from there what is essential and what to fit in whenever time allows. I think everyone will be happy with trying out everything they can, as we are already pre-disposed to have an awesome time!

The only thing is I'm going back and forth on WOC, since we'll have 3 "under 4 kids" who aren't that great at standing around waiting for an hour or so. That's a LONG time to wait with kids that age.

 

[kailuagirl]

My DD was 3 1/2 when we saw WOC in Dec. and she loved it. She didn't mind the wait at all (and I was worried about it), just get some yummy snacks and stuff to occupy the time away.

We've never seen the Tiki Room show, but I'd do the Tea Cups for the little ones, it's one of DD's fav., we must have rode it 8 times on our last trip, that and Dumbo, Matterhorn and Haunted Mansion.

Have fun! I'd say since it's their first time, I'd use that as a baseline on what to see and do.

We also saw Muppets and loved it!!!

 

[mousterpiece]

I agree with the previous posters, that there are definitely some attractions you can skip if you want. My wife and I have often passed by attractions in both parks: since we don't have kids, we've only walked through Bug's Land and seen the 3D movie; we sometimes skip Monsters, Inc., which is cute but not essential; the same goes for Tarzan, most of Toontown (actually, I've only gone on Roger Rabbit once), and Innoventions.

If you have enough time to do everything without feeling uber-stressed, then unless your kids don't want to go on an attraction, I say go for it. But if you don't have that time, seems appropriate to only target the attractions you and your group is dying to check out.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Our family has their favorite rides that we make a priority, as well as shows, parades, etc. Everything else is filler & if we're in the mood to do them. I never map out our rides...we just go where our heart takes us. Makes for fun trips with no stress. The only thing we plan ahead of time is meals & catching certain entertainment.....the rest just goes with the flow.

Since you've been....you probably have the MUSTS, but depending the ages of the group....adding a few in that might not be your favorite, but would make an impression on a child should be considered. DL is magical, especially to a child who's never been before......

 

[disneychrista]

You do not have to see & do everything. There are attractions that we skip and there are attractions we see/do multiple times per trip. Get the imput of your travel mates on what they want to see & do and from that make a plan.

 

[spiderdust]

Things I would not skip, especially during a "once in a lifetime" trip:

• Teacups (hit it as soon as you get in the park to avoid awful lines)
• Dumbo's ride (again, early in the day)
• the carousel in Fantasyland
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Tiki Room (esp. if you go when it's hot -- chance to get out of the heat, rest feet, and sit for a few minutes)
• It's a Small World (also a chance to sit and get out of the heat, although it can be saved for later in the evening)

Things highly recommended, especially given the age of your kids:

• Toontown - in fact, plan to spend a good bit of time here & go there after you're finished with Fantasyland
• Casey Jr's Circus Train ride in Fantasyland
• Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh over in Critter Country

Things you can give a pass:

• many of the "dark" Fantasyland rides, like Snow White, Peter Pan, Pinocchio (terrified my toddler!)
• Storybook Land Canal Boats (not terribly exciting & difficult to keep littles from jumping in the water)
• Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island (will take up a LOT of time, they'd probably have more fun at Toontown)

Are you also going to California Adventure, or just Disneyland?

 

[snoangel]

I agree fully with PP-
Toontown would be fun for little ones. Peter Pan is a favorite, but my daughter was scared of it and the other dark rides until she was like 6. I've been to Disney about once a year for the last 10 years and have never taken the time to do Tom Sawyer Island- and I don't really feel like I'm missing anything. Even though I skim over Bug's Land, toddlers sure love it!

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

For the record we hate RR cartoon spin. *shudder* I have tried it SO MANY times but no. But it's worth a quick walk through at least. And the kids did love the coaster over there. They did like being able to run around in the playground too. So I was GOING to say 'meh' on toontown but I'd say it's worth a look. Every time we go we see something 'new'.

Depending on your kids I couldn't miss the dark rides. They are beautiful. My kids (even my easily freaked out one) didn't hate them. I would NEVER skip peter pan. But this is REALLY all about your kids. Mine were ready to go, my freaked out son just covered his eyes. Snow White is scary. Not gonna lie.

I would completely and totally skip Tom Sawyer's Island....Mark Twain too. Bleh.

I've never been on Casey! I want to tho.

Dumbo is a must. it's silly and simple but you can see so much on it.

My kids favorite stuff was as follows (DS4 DD2). Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and Tower of Terror (this is DS4). DD2 LOVED Small World, Tiki Room, all the dark rides. She loved Matterhorn but it was too rough for me to ever EVER take a 2 year old on again.

And for ME..When we missed Pirates..the trip didn't feel quite the same. Needs me some Pirates.