Yikes, Need touring info PDQ!

[javamom]

Ok normally, I would scour the boards for hours and read a few trip reports. However, my son just informed me that he is taking his fiance, her 2 toddlers, and 2 other adults, to Disneyland and CA THIS WEEKEND. If they were in Florida, I could tell them what to do in my sleep, but they're not.

Anyone wanna share some Cliff's notes on touring these parks with little ones? They have 3 day hoppers.

 

[Jaina]

I am not the best to answer this, but no one else has had time yet, so...

I have only been to WDW once, but been to DLR a lot. I haven't been WITH my kids, but I've been researching it a lot, and I am the oldest of 5, so I remember some of what it is like... From what I read, a good time at WDW is all about plans and dinner reservations, and special show times and a lot of careful schedules. We have never had "plans" when we hit DLR other than a few things we didn't want to miss. We've never even made a dinner reservation beforehand (though many do!) because we like to do whatever feels right at the time. (ie We eat when we're hungry and ride when the lines are short!) If there are particular things they want to see (World of Color, Fantasmic, new rides) you can find pretty detailed threads on how it works and the best ways to go about it on the first couple pages of this board or with a quick search.

I would bring plenty of little snacks, shade hats, maybe some sunscreen (just in case they have another hot one), sippy cups, a change of clothes, and other things they need. Are they bringing their own strollers or renting? In my experience, the earlier they get there, the better. (Like 20 minutes before park opening - crowds definitely build exponentially!) Make sure they know which days they can take advantage of their early entrance. It sounds like Cars Land (in California Adventure) is totally crazy, so they probably want to hit that first if they're interested in it. It is really nice to go back to the room for a couple hours in the middle of the afternoon for some downtime/naps for everyone if they're close enough.

With little ones, they'll really want to take advantage of rider swap and fast passes. The two parks are not connected, so you can have active fp's in one park and go to the other and get another. Also, Screamin', Roger Rabbit, and maybe something else are not connected to the system, so you can get a fp somewhere and they immediately get one for those rides. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

There are some pretty recent threads about WDW vets wanting to know what they need to know about DLR. You might scan one or two of those if they haven't been to DLR.

Mostly they just need to be flexible and not try to force the kids to fit their schedule, I think (I say this because I have 3 kids under 6...) and I bet they'll have a great time! You'll have to let us know!

A few helpful threads:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2943798
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2736720

Favorite Rides for Toddlers
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2837621

Hydroguy's Great Collection of General Tips
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1520483

 

[KalamityJane]

We went last year with little ones - I would highly recommend going early, breaking at or before lunch and taking an afternoon nap, and then going back. The kids will do MUCH better this way. We tried toughing it out the first day and many tears were had by all (mostly DH and I )!

Strollers are a MUST. Seriously. Couldn't have survived without ours!

Pretty much take it easy, listen to the kids, and don't forget to take lots of rests. We did takeout/takein a lot instead of trying to wrangle in restaurants. That being said, both kids REALLY enjoyed the character meals. We have so many cute pictures of Goofy and Mickey and Tigger with our 6mo - he thought their nose was perfect to eat!

 

[KiwiMouseGirl]

I don't know weather or not you have checked out touringplans.com. I've posted one of the plans that included rides for both the toddlers and the adults. I would reccomend having a fastpass runner throughout the day to gather fastpasses for headline attractions for the adults, and using rider swap so that one rider can take the kids on a ride with the other adults ride, then swap over I can't stress how important to me getting to the parks before rope drop is, but understand that with small children this isn't always possible. if you are able to though, you'll be able to get through everything in Fantasyland before the afternoon crowds set in.

1) Disneyland Entrance
Arrive 40 minutes before official opening time and line up in front of Gate 13

2) Peter Pan's Flight

3) Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

4) Pinocchio's Daring Journey

5) Snow White's Scary Adventures

6) Storybook Land Canal Boats

7) Matterhorn Bobsleds

8) Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

9) Space Mountain FASTPASS Booth

10) Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters

11) The Golden Horseshoe

12) Space Mountain

13) Enchanted Tiki Room

14) The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln

15) Sailing Ship Columbia
Ride this or the Mark Twain Riverboat, whichever comes first.

16) Mark Twain Riverboat
Ride this or the Sailing Ship Columbia, whichever comes first.

17) Big Thunder Mountain Railroad FASTPASS Booth

18) Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island

19) Tarzan's Treehouse

20) Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

21) Eat dinner

22) Revisit favorite attractions or see others you missed.

Check your daily entertainment schedule for parades, Fantasyland Theatre productions, or other live entertainment.

Notes:

I would send a runner to get Fastpasses for any Fastpass attraction first thing in the morning while the rest of the group proceeds to Fantasyland. Effective use of the fastpass system will make the day enjoyable for everyone

 

[KiwiMouseGirl]

1) Disney California Adventure Entrance

Arrive at the entrance 40 minutes before official opening time.
2) Radiator Springs Racers FASTPASS Booth

3) Mater's Junkyard Jamboree

4) Radiator Springs Racers

5) World Of Color FASTPASS Booth

6) Soarin' Over California FASTPASS Booth

7) Francis' Ladybug Boogie

8) Tuck and Roll's Drive 'Em Buggies

9) Flik's Flyers

10) Disney's Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular

Work in the Aladdin show around lunch.
11) Eat lunch.

12) Animation Academy

13) Turtle Talk With Crush

14) Soarin' Over California

15) Silly Symphony Swings - Tandem

16) Toy Story Midway Mania!

17) King Triton's Carousel

18) Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

19) The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror FASTPASS Booth

20) Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!

21) Muppet*Vision 3D

22) It's Tough to Be a Bug!

23) The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

24) Eat dinner.

25) The Little Mermaid - Ariel's Undersea Adventure

And the above for DCA, once again. I would choose someone to run ahead to get in the Fastpass line for RSR, or any other fastpass attraction

 

[KalamityJane]

I would add the Disney Junior Live show at DCA to the list - both mine LOVED it and it was a good place to rest for tired adults.

 

[ballarinamom]

Touring plans is very close to what we do. But you should always get there before rope drop. Walk with purpose to Peter Pan then straight over to Dumbo. These two rides are very slow loading. Mr Toad's, Pinochio and Snow White are right there and load very fast. Storyboats is another slow loader that the little ones like. Alice loads pretty fast.
On another morning, go straight to Nemo because that loads slowly too.
You want to knock those slow loaders out as soon as you can before the park gets crowded
Also, keep on top of your fastpasses. DL allows you to return any time after the window opens. So you can collect a few and ride later than what the FP says.
Have fun!!!

 

[ballarinamom]

Also
The toddlers will really like Toontown. It is soooo much nicer than WDW's. And make sure you do Its a Small World day and night. It loads outside and so much prettier than at WDW