Originally Posted By vegasmomof2 We plan on going to Disneyland in the first week of December with our two children (3 & 7). This will be the first time the kids have been and we haven't been in 10 years. The problem is I think we can only afford to go for 1 day. Can we see everything in 1 day? I figure it would be better to go for one than none, right?
Originally Posted By jdub I can use the 3-day parkhopper on Disneyland alone--the pace just works out better for me, & I can relax & still get my fill of my faves. I understand the situation you're facing, though. I'd recommend finding an edition of the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland. It's full of guides to help you plan your time according to waits, what's worth doing/worth skipping on a short schedule, etc. I don't think it's gospel, but I do think it's informative and useful in helping me navigate the park. Have a great time!
Originally Posted By arstogas You'll be visiting at a time when every actual attraction should be operating in the park. Maybe not the canoes. So no, you won't see everything in a day. But plan your day, and you'll have a wonderfully FULL day. Tire everyone out, and they won't wonder what they missed. One thing... try to avoid Saturdays or Sundays. If you can go during the week, on a day they're open til 10pm, you'll have a terrific time and maximize your opportunities. That's probably going to be Friday... which gets busy toward the late afternoon. Sunday might be nice if you can make it the first (Dec. 4) Sunday of December.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss Welcome to Laughing Place (LP). With the 50th anniversary celebration going on, along with the addition of holiday decorations and special attraction overlays (two signature rides, It's A Small World and the Haunted Mansion are redone with holiday themes), there is NO change you could do everything. Even now, in the so-called slow season, Disneyland is experiencing heavy crowds. But as arstogas says, you'll have a FULL day... I guarantee you and your family will have fun! Ride tip: the Winnie the Pooh ride never has a wait, and the little ones may enjoy it... even if no one here on LP does. LOL.
Originally Posted By vegasmomof2 Thank you very much for the info. I pretty much knew we wouldn't be able to see everything. But like I said I'd rather go for 1 day than none. I just want my kids to go while they are still young. Also, we will probably take them again next year anyway. Its only a 4 hour drive from Vegas so its not like its that difficult for us to get there. Since we will be on limited time, do you guys have any suggestions of stuff we just can't miss? Also, Arstogas recomended going on Friday, will everything be running on a Friday? I'm also curious what kind of special atractions they have during the Christmas season. I know I ask a lot of questions but you all seem very knowledgeable about this and I know nothing.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan The park looks beautiful during the holidays and I think you and your kids will appreciate that. I'd kind of suggest letting your kids set the pace and see what they'd like. Also, dark rides are scary for some little ones, so depending on your 3-year-old's feelings about those kind of rides will dictate a lot of what you'll wind up doing. If you start with Small World or Pooh, it's a calmer kind of dark ride. Starting with anything louder might freak your child out early in the day, but if your little one isn't bothered by loud noises and such, that opens up a lot more possibilites (Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin, etc.). Haunted Mansion has a holiday makeover, as does it's a small world. You can take in a lot of the Fantasyland rides with little or no wait if you head there first thing in the morning. Later in the day the lines get much longer, and they've got to ride Dumbo, right? Also, don't miss Storybook Land Canal Boats. Mostly I'd suggest not darting all around on a commando-type schedule. Just see what you can in the time you're there. The kids will appreciate the park more that way. Maybe order a park map from the LaughingPlace Store ahead of time to let the kids start anticipating and help in charting a course for the day? Have a great time!
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>Can we see everything in 1 day?<< Is it possible to eat a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner in 15 minutes or less. Of course, but would you want to do that? My advice, if you can only go for one day then take your time and enjoy what you can.
Originally Posted By vegasmomof2 Do they do the fireworks on Friday? I definately want to see it. I was also reading a bit about the Candalight Procession that will be going on that Saturday and Sunday. Is it worth trying to see on limited time?
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I don't know if there will be fireworks on Friday, but if there are, I second the motion to see them; it's the best fireworks show they have ever had. As for the Candlelight Processional, I think it's a very beautiful event, but a bit solemn, and possibly boring for young children. Other must-do's, IMO, with smaller children in mind: Peter Pan. The most charming (and popular!) dark ride. It's A Small World. A real classic, and with the Holiday overlay, Disney magic at it's best. Autopia. What child doesn't want to drive? This was my favorite ride when I was 7yo! A FastPass here is a must if you don't want to spend forever waiting in line. The Parade. I think every child should see a parade, and Disney's allow you and your family to see lots and lots of characters! Jungle Cruise. The jokes will fly over the kids heads, but the "animals" are fun to see, and it's not scary like Pirates or the Haunted Mansion might be. Mickey's House. If you must meet a character, it may as well be the big cheese himself. Waiting in a line while visiting his house is better than standing in a line on pavement too. Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes. A real and active experience for everyone, with little paddles and personal flotation jackets for the kids. Pirates and/or Haunted Mansion. You'll have to make the call on these. GREAT rides, but as I said, potentially scary. Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante, Plaza Inn, or Redd Rockett's Pizza Port. Blue Bayou if you can get a reservation (what Disney calls a "preferred seating"). Choose at least one; these happen to be my favorites. You do need to eat, after all!
Originally Posted By dlandjimmy The fireworks should definitely be going on Friday. Although the candle light processional is something cool to see, it's only really worth it if you have spare time. PLUS, the difference from crowds Friday, compared to Sat and Sun are big. Friday at least starts as a much slower day. I highly recommend Friday. I'll be there on Friday the 30th, big family birthday celebration.
Originally Posted By danyoung >Since we will be on limited time, do you guys have any suggestions of stuff we just can't miss?< Rather than list can't-miss attractions, here's a couple of tips for maximizing your time. First, get to the front gates about 30 minutes before the posted opening time. Disney sometimes opens the gates early and lets you wander around Main Street before park opening. If they don't do this, you'll still be closer to the front of the line. While most people are zooming to the must-do attractions like Space Mountain or Splash Mountain, go straight ahead to Fantasyland. You can ride ALL of the dark rides first thing in the morning in about 30 minutes - really starts the day right. Use Fastpass on the bigger attractions. After seeing Fantasyland, swing into Tomorrowland and get a Fastpass for Space Mountain, then enjoy other TL attractions before the lines get too long. After that, pace yourselves, don't get too tired out, and if an attraction has a 90 minute wait - skip it. You can always get it next time. Enjoy!
Originally Posted By karlg With a 3 and 7 year old in tow it is not possible to do everything in one day. Some tips: 1. Make sure the 3 year old is in a stroller. This is an absolute must. While Disneyland is easy to walk (compared to say WDW) for adults, the little kids will walk their legs off. It also gives the 3 year old a place to catch a nap. Back when my kids were little, I preferred and umbrella stroller because is was small, light and cheap, and (at least it used to) go on the trains (thus you could take it with you). 2. There is a huge difference in what a 3 year old and 7 year old will enjoy. I would tend to focus more on the 7 year old as they will be more impacted by the experience and remember it more (my first trip to DL was when I was 8 and made a huge impact on me). The 3 year old would probably be just as happy at home. Otherwise you will spend most your time in only a few (as some of these can be too intense for a 3 year old) of the Fantasyland and Toontown attractions. I would suggest doing a mix of things together, utilizing the "baby swap" for attractions that the 7 year old might like but that the 3 year old can't/won't go on, and sometimes having one parent with the 7 year old and the other with the 3 year old. 3. Do you know about the "baby swap?" This is a great deal for the 7 year old. Each parent gets to ride with the 7 year old while the other waits with the little one, and the 7 year old will get to ride twice. This can be great as you each get to see the 7 year old's reactions. 4. A lot will depend on your 7 year olds thrill factor. I would work up to it gradually if they are not already into coasters. 5. While I would not let Fast Pass (FP)totally run your visit, I would recommend having the most able body parent act as a runner to get fast passes for the group. I agree with the post that said to do Fantasyland first and Dumbo should be the first in Fantasyland as it has low capacity. Fantasyland has a number of short low capacity rides so by going there first you can get a lot done before Fantasyland fills up. But, have someone get a Fast Pass for one attraction while the others go to Fantasyland (parent takes the stroller with the 3 year old and walks with the 7 year old to Fantasyland while the other parent quickly gets the Fastpass for the group. 6. Plan ahead. You don't need to stick to a set plan, but at least have an idea in advance as to what you really want to do and understand the Fast Pass rules. You need to think some about the order in which you do things. For example, the Tiki room is great for families, but best left to when the park is more crowded. 7. Know when to quit doing attractions. When the park gets jammed up with people, it is probably a good time to relax and forget about attractions without FP or that don't have long waits. Enjoy everything else about DL. In the early evening go listed to the Piano player at Coke Corner for example. There is nothing worse than being tired and standing in like for an hour to "get your money's worth." 8. If you can, stay near Disneyland, perferably in one of the Harbor Blvd hotels. As has been said, get there about 1/2 hour before official opening. If possible, go back to the hotel and take a nap in the early afternoon so the kids can be fresh for the evening shows (fireworks and Fantasmic if they are playing). You will likely be more limited by the kids energy than any other factor. If DL is busy, you will not get much done in the middle of the day other than parades. I would let the 3 year old sleep whenever and wherever he/she can.
Originally Posted By TikiroomPrincess I did all the rides in one day not all the shops and snow white show and restraunts but I did go the the billy show thing and fireworks and parade!!
Originally Posted By sandman I tried Disney in a day years ago with 3 children and from that day on have always made DLR a week vaction. Just a couple of things that I would recomend. 1. Be ready for the walking and standing and if parades are your thing plan those as your sitting breaks. 2. it could be a big subject but try to be ready for the kids to drive you crazy, mine did. When they started to get tired, thats when I knew that Disney in a day wouldn't happen again. Like everyone said plan your trip and good luck.
Originally Posted By vegasmomof2 Thank you for all of your tips. We will defimately arrive earlyand then hed to Fantasyland. From there we will just play it by ear. I plan on probably leaving around 1pm for lunch and will probably head to the hotel with my 3 year old for a nap. My huband will definately want to stay in the park the entire day. My son may or may not stay with him while we nap. I'm pretty sure he will need a little rest if not a nap(though he would never admit it).I figure that way they will be in good spirits to spend more time at the park at night. I especially want to see the fireworks. Another cool thing is that my parents we will be meeting us thier so they will be able to help us out with the kids as well. The most important thing is to make awsome memorys so we want to try and keep it as stress free as possible. Who knows depending on finances we may even go back for a second day.
Originally Posted By ImNotAllThereMyself Be mindful of your kids too. I am always seeing parents, with little kids 3-7 not in a stroller, rushing around because they want to show the kids everything. What they don't realize is that for every one of thier steps the kid is taking 3 or 4 steps. When we took my sisters when they were 3 and 5 (i was 13) we had lunch and did Small World after, is is cool, dark and a relatively long ride for a short wait. This gives the kids a chance to relax, sometimes it even gets them calm enough to take a little nap on a bench. If they fall asleep take the time to see stuff that adults like, the Mars lander info in tommorow land, the Mark Twain. OOOOHHHHH and don't forget, if you go on the Mark Twain ask the CM laoding if you can ride with the Captain in the Wheel House. I thought this was super cool when I got to do it at 25 I can't immagine how cool it must be to a seven year old. You get to steer the boat and pull the bell and whistle. I agree with the fantasy land, and adventure land ideas. The Baby swap thing is called a parent pass, you ask the cm at the front of the line for a parent pass, and one of you stands in line normal and the other waits at the exit, when the first one finishes, the other parent slips up the exit for thier turn. Most of the larger, height requirement rides have them. Finally Take Lots of Pictures. They might forget, but picures will always remind them of how much fun it was. Love Cheshire
Originally Posted By SleepingBeauty82 Hi vegasmom! It looks like I'll be there the same day you will (first friday in December) so lets hope for lighter crowds, ey? ;-) I dont really have any advice to give you that hasnt been given except...hmmm... *Stake out spots for parades and fireworks early. *If little ones tend to get sleepy in the middle of the day maybe see a show (Snow White, Tiki Room...etc) to let them relax and maybe nap a little. *Little ones will probably LOVE Small World Holiday so be sure to take them there. And yeah...dont go with the intention of seeing everything. You gotta do some stuff like Pirates (before they shut it down for refurb after the holidays), Buzz Lightyear for the kids, Peter Pan (do it early...it gets packed later in the day), Pooh for the kids, the fireworks/snow are going to be a must see but claim a spot early!
Originally Posted By LesmisBro I think that u might b able to c everything but not go on every ride and all that. but yes u could probably c all the shows and get on a few rides and that is better than nothing for someone that hasn't been in 10 years and their kids who have never been. i hope u and ur kids have a memorable time at DisneyLand.
Originally Posted By danyoung ^^ And let's hope you learn to use full words - man, that u and c and ur stuff is hard to read!! (Maybe I'm just getting old . . .)
