wow! what a day!

[happy2bjustmommy]

We are in the car for an hour drive to where we are staying, after our first trip to dlr. I felt lost and confused all day. We got there at 11 and closed the place down. We only went on 6 rides. My kids are scared of everything. I never thought this is how my first trip would be. It was so busy!!

So do I have the only kids that are scared? Will it get better? We have 3 more days.
Tomorrow is California adventures. Hoping it will be less busy.
Is it normal to be overwhelmed? We planned so much, but it didn't help.

It didn't feel like the happiest place on earth, and I want the next 3 to be great!


However dh is thrilled that we didn't spend a penny all day, except for parking. A miracle with 4 kids! LOL

 

[wannagoback]

I took DD when she was 3.5 and she was scared of everything too... dark rides, characters, loud music...

We spent a lot of time checking out the scenery and we did the things that she did enjoy multiple time. Maybe try to focus more on the experience, than trying to see/do everything. I really enjoyed the shows and the animation academy, some of the slower things. Crowds stress me out and I just stand there frozen and can't decide what to do next! You could also take some time to walk through Downtown Disney and check out the resort hotels if you feel the need to get out of the park.

One of my favorite things to do on my recent trip was get a snack and sit on a curb/bench/front porch on mainstreet and just WATCH.

For me, I think that planning is about learning the options, not dictating what needs to be done. I think that setting an agenda has the potential to go bad, especially with kids.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

I know how tough it is to get your family up and moving in the morning, but if you could get there for park opening, it would feel so much less crowded and hectic! I know you're staying with family about an hour away. If it were my trip, I might make it an exciting adventure by wrapping them in blankets while wearing their pajamas and tuck them into their carseats. Make some hot chocolate, bring some fruit and a portable breakfast (muffin, egg burrito, etc.). I'd spend the first two hours doing rides that would most appeal to my kids then stop for an early lunch. For the 11:30 - 4:30 time period (without a hotel to rest in) I'd find quieter, more restful activities to give the kids some downtime: Disneyland Railroad, Animation Studios, Monorail) or go for a walk around the Disneyland or Grand Californian Hotels. The GCH has a beautiful lobby and you could sit in the couches and sing songs, tell stories, read a book, or just soak up the ambiance. The kids might even nap!
Then head back for some light entertainment like Muppet 3D or the Tiki Room. Follow with some evening rides for which you collected fastpasses in the morning. Don't forget about child swap if your older children are not up for a ride you or your DH want to try! Maybe bring a blanket to spread out and define your space while you wait for fireworks or Fantasmic!
Was there a particular ride or anything you could pinpoint that was scaring your children?

 

[Grim_Grinning_Girl]

Was the park busy or just your day in general? Looks like you have internet access while away, correct? - but you're probably not up at the moment . Well if you haven't already, go on YouTube.com and show your kids footage of the rides you would like for them to go on, so they can have an idea of what it's like.

I went last year with my friend and her 5 year old, he was afraid of everything even the kiddie rides, it was frustrating for both his mother and I. I just went again with them earlier in the month, in the beginning he had his moments and thought it would be the same trip over again, but with a little convincing and bribing (and a little or "else pressure ") he ended up going on quite a bit, enough to satisfy us, even built up enough courage to go on Space Mountain but we felt it would be too much to handle for his first roller coaster.

Which rides did they go on? If they scare easily and you haven't gone on Snow White, careful because it is very creepy inside, Pinocchio is a little creepy too. The loudest part of the Holiday Mansion is the entire elevator ride, the rest is ok.

Remember to use FastPasses if it's busy, and keep in mind FastPasses remain valid even if their return time has passed, as long as its used on the same date.


Here's a few things we like to do to save money:

Since you guys are off site, stop on by a Carl's Jr. and pick up a few $0.99 chicken sandwiches and burgers, and cleverly place them amongst your bags. Disney is OK with people bringing in snacks and drinks, just kind of scatter things around so it doesn't seem too greedy. They will probably get cold but if you don't mind cold pizza then the 'wiches and burgers will be fine. A little trick since you're going to California Adventure is to stop by the Taste Pilot's Grill, the restaurant with the giant jet plane flying out of it next to Soarin, the have a lettuce, pickles, and tomatoes condiment bar near the entrances for burgers, great and easy way to freshen up your fast food contraband. But if you feel too weird about doing that then you could order a few sides of fries and then attack the salad bar, then at least that way you would be a paying customer. That's what we do and the place is usually busy so no one would really notice.

And the good thing about bringing in drinks is that you can ask for a cup of ice at any place that sells fountain drinks (ice is free). Turkey legs are $8.00 bucks but they're large enough to share between two adults. The Mission Tortilla Factory at California Adventure gives out free tortilla samples which is a nice little snack.

I believe Disneyland closes very early tomorrow (the 27th), if you leave DCA early and you have time or are in the mood, go to the Viva Bargain Center Dollar store that's in the area. It's next door to a Target store which is also a good place to stock up on essentials, but the dollar store is huge and amazing! Practically everything in the store is one dollar - even ponchos in case it rains on your trip, I was just there about 2 days ago and did see ponchos in stock. Here's an older post of mine with more information:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2200676&highlight=viva+bargain+center


And not far from there is a mexican restaurant called Los Sanchez in Garden Grove. The food is ok, it's a little bland, but what's great about this place is that they have a huge menu and the prices are pretty good - and the portions are huge! Not quite fast food, and not a "place your order with the waiter" restaurant, plenty of seating inside and clean restrooms, people from all walks of life and backgrounds go so don't worry about feeling out of place or anything like that. Our family is mexican and there are some places that are very mexican, but this place is neutral and welcomes all.

Ok, didn't mean to type so much . Let us know how the rest of your trip goes!

 

[bumbershoot]

You are probably asleep by now, but if you aren't...get going early. DCA opens Soarin' (the ride and Fast Pass) at 9:30; you want to be in line by around 9am so you can get Soarin' FPs (and maybe a Rider Switch ride for the grownups if the kidlets refuse), then get to one of the ropes to go get on TSMM!

My son is scared of some things and not scared of others. He still refuses to even go into the Space Mountain building, but he cannot wait to grow another inch to ride Indy. I will tell you that *earplugs* have helped him a great deal. Nemo is absolutely overwhelming for him without earplugs (for me, too, actually), and even just being in Tomorrowland can be problematic from the sheer noise of the area.

DCA should be quieter than DL, especially in the morning, so it should give you some breathing room. That should allow you guys to recharge even while in public.

Have fun!

 

[Brady's Mom]

When we took our first family trip 3 years ago during a Fall Break time it was soooo crowded. The parks were beautifully decorated, but crowded. It felt overwhelming to us too. And I have a 7 yr old who used to be scared of every darn ride. We spent a LOT of time in Bug's Land our first day at DCA and it made all the difference.

We rode Heimlich a lot, and Flik's Flyers and had a very sad 2 yr old who wasn't tall enough for the bumper cars. Lady Bug boogie was closed when we first went - it would have been really fun, also.

It sounds like your kids don't know what to expect, and the crowds can be overwhelming. Choose the rides that are outside FIRST - so they get a handle on how much they like the rides. Then you can transition to the rides with more line theming and maybe a more enclosed feeling. Even though it seems important to go on TSMM first - it really isn't if your kids are miserable.

And Monsters is dark - so don't do it before you've done some other things. My littles LOVE Muppets 3D - but it's a movie in a movie theater setting, so if your kids don't do well at the moves, it may be a skip. We'd been to DLR 3 times as a family before we ever did it.

I think kids get totally overloaded with everything that is going on around them at DLR - especially if it is their first time. Go with the flow, take your cues from them. It may be more important to watch the rides for a round or two so they know what to expect.

I hope it gets easier for you and you have a good time. Try not to feel like you have to do everything in one trip. When we realized how much we missed from our first trip to DLR our favorite line at home was "Well, that means we have to go BACK!!" And we did and our kids have done better and better each time.

 

[pixarmom]

I'm a WDW vet, and just learning about DL. I saw your post, and thought some of our general WDW tips might help! I entirely agree with the previous poster about getting up early - it makes a huge difference! We are always at the gate before the park opens, and we spend the first couple of hours collecting fastpasses and going on rides with little or no wait. We also eat lunch early (11:15 or so) to avoid the lines and hungry kids! For the dark rides (and one of our boys was scared of the rides at first), we always get keychain flashlights for our kids that they can operate on their own. That way, if they need a little light to see us or each other on the rides, they felt better. I know it might not work for kids who are really, really scared, but it has helped us a lot!

Good luck - I really hope you have a better day today!!

 

[pixarmom]

And one more thing! For our youngest, we show him youtube videos of rides and shows before going to the parks. It's been great for our 3-year-old because he knows what to expect! That really helped at WDW with character meet and greets, too. I've already found lots for DL on youtube.

 

[blutes12]

A little trick since you're going to California Adventure is to stop by the Taste Pilot's Grill, the restaurant with the giant jet plane flying out of it next to Soarin, the have a lettuce, pickles, and tomatoes condiment bar near the entrances for burgers, great and easy way to freshen up your fast food contraband. But if you feel too weird about doing that then you could order a few sides of fries and then attack the salad bar, then at least that way you would be a paying customer. That's what we do and the place is usually busy so no one would really notice.


That is wrong, wrong, wrong....you go to Disneyland to teach your children to steal??..Just because it is there does not mean you are entitled..

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

I hope you are at the parks right now and having a much more relaxing day! I did think of one more thing that might help. Is your baby getting fussy with all the sights, sounds, and smells? Don't forget to take a break in the Baby Care Center on Main Street over at DL. You can take the baby into the feeding room (dim lights, comfortable chairs, only moms and babies allowed) for a little quiet time when needed. For your older children, your DH can take them to use the little toilets in another part of the BCC. They are child-sized toilets with handle flushers rather than the auto sensor flushers found in the rest of the resort. I know both of my kids are scared of the auto flusher toilets (I bring sticky notes to put over the sensor so they don't flush until they are done).

When you have a chance to catch your breath, let us know how the rest of your trip goes!

 

[marcemc]

The most important thing is to go with the flow. The kids are probably overwhelmed right now. Disney is wonderful but it can be too much too soon, I would recommend not pushing your girls into anything.

The way it goes in our family, is once they tried something on their terms and realize how much fun it is, they go for the rest.


Have fun & relax, you are at Disney, lucky you!!!!

 

[pixarmom]

The most important thing is to go with the flow. The kids are probably overwhelmed right now. Disney is wonderful but it can be too much too soon, I would recommend not pushing your girls into anything.

The way it goes in our family, is once they tried something on their terms and realize how much fun it is, they go for the rest.


Have fun & relax, you are at Disney, lucky you!!!!

I definitely second this suggestion, and agree it's the most important!! Our kids always have the choice of riding or not (although it was easier to offer this because there were two adults and we could split up so the other kids could go on the ride.) Our son who didn't like the dark rides always chose to ride, but buried his head for the first 6 or 7 rides. Then he used his keychain flashlight and started to look up when he wanted to, and then he started to have a lot of fun. Now he loves it all. So I agree with marcme - trying on their own terms - worked for us too!

 

[todzwife]

And one more thing! For our youngest, we show him youtube videos of rides and shows before going to the parks. It's been great for our 3-year-old because he knows what to expect! That really helped at WDW with character meet and greets, too. I've already found lots for DL on youtube.

My kids LOVE doing this! I think it's a VERY good idea. Give them an idea. We did this before our trip last year and my almost 3 year old was SO brave and excited to do everything, including Pirates and the Haunted Mansion!

 

[lattemomof3]

I know how tough it is to get your family up and moving in the morning, but if you could get there for park opening, it would feel so much less crowded and hectic! I know you're staying with family about an hour away. If it were my trip, I might make it an exciting adventure by wrapping them in blankets while wearing their pajamas and tuck them into their carseats. Make some hot chocolate, bring some fruit and a portable breakfast (muffin, egg burrito, etc.). I'd spend the first two hours doing rides that would most appeal to my kids then stop for an early lunch. For the 11:30 - 4:30 time period (without a hotel to rest in) I'd find quieter, more restful activities to give the kids some downtime: Disneyland Railroad, Animation Studios, Monorail) or go for a walk around the Disneyland or Grand Californian Hotels. The GCH has a beautiful lobby and you could sit in the couches and sing songs, tell stories, read a book, or just soak up the ambiance. The kids might even nap!
Then head back for some light entertainment like Muppet 3D or the Tiki Room. Follow with some evening rides for which you collected fastpasses in the morning. Don't forget about child swap if your older children are not up for a ride you or your DH want to try! Maybe bring a blanket to spread out and define your space while you wait for fireworks or Fantasmic!
Was there a particular ride or anything you could pinpoint that was scaring your children?

Excellent advice, all of it Hope you have a better day today!

 

[happy2bjustmommy]

Thanks for all the replies! We had a great time at dca! We did rides all day, and did shows and tours when it got dark and the kids were tired. It was a success!

We took yesterday off. The baby was up all night, the kids were grumpy, and we needed a break for sure. Now it is 7 am and we are halfway to the park. Gotta love la traffic! LOL.
We will be there for opening, and we are going to hit the few rides the kids really want to do first. Wde will also be eating in the park for the first time. A late lunch, early dinner. Which means me are packing light today.
We will stay until the kids are done today, and tomorrow we plan to sleep in, since the park is open until midnight.

All in all, we are having a good time. I am glad we came for sure.
I will post a trip reporry when we get home.

 

[snickerboo]

Glad your trip is going better now Melissa Have a great Disney day!!!

 

[samsmainla]

I am so glad things got better for you! Enjoy the rest of your trip!