Taking kids to Disneyland for the first time, any tips?

[Slew Foot]

Taking my 5 and 2 year old to Disneyland next week (yuck looks likes it going to be hot). I havent been in 20 years or so, any tips on whats changed and how to not go insane? My 5 year old is a complete wuss and probably wont go on any ride scarier than Winnie The Pooh, but my 2 year old will do anything.

 

[Ns1]

do you drink? are you getting a park hopper or just visiting disneyland?

 

[IronWing]

I think 2 and 5 are too young for Disney. A water park would be better. Figure out how to shade up as they will get cranky in the sun.

 

[Ns1]

whatever you do, don't go here to eat.

 

[Dirigible]

My plan, and it works to perfection, is to send the kids with my wife and mother-in-law while I stay home.

I think they stay at the Disneyland hotel so they can easily go back to the room for naps and such.

Mine are 6 and 4 now. They loved it even the little one was 2. For them, time in the pool and the giant hot tub approaches the fun of the park.

 

[NoTine42]

If you're going with a spouse, check out rider swap
http://touringplans.com/disneyland/attractions/rider-swap

Basically you can each take the 5yo on a ride if the 2yo doesn't meet the height requirement.

Was DCA open when you last went? That was the parking lot when I wa last at DL

I don't think any age is too young for Disney. (I go to WDW most years)In general Disney makes it about the easiest vacation you can take wih a young child (its work, but so is staying at home)


And make sure you have enough food/drink breaks so you're not dealing with a kid lacking blood sugar. And be prepared for kids to love something common like a play area and go at their pace. don't be one of those mad parents pushing their kids to do everything or else

 

[SSSnail]

Learn how to use the Fast Pass system; plan your route so that you don't crisscross the entire park; rent a locker at the center of the park for your stuff; use the train to travel between lands if you don't like walking and waste your time - it's also an attraction; bring moneys; if you're staying until the parade, line up early else you won't find a spot; don't fall prey to the hookers at New Orleans square...

I think you'll be OK if you stick to the above, you should live. Now, behold as I send you out as sheep amongst the wolves.

 

[MongGrel]

Yeah, take em to Busch Gardens instead.

But have fun

I guess you did say Land instead of World, my bad.

I try to avoid either these days and have been at both one point or another years ago.

 

[lykaon78]

Make dinner reservations now.

I don't know about Disney Land but at Disney World you can make breakfast reservations before the park opens. Which makes for some great pictures in a nearly empty park and if you finish eating before the park opens guarantees you a nice spot in line for a premier attraction.

 

[Sonikku]

lol, 2. At that age they won't even know where the hell they are or why they should give a crap. Give it 7 years.

 

[rpanic]

Go only Tuesday-Thursday, the rest of the days its to crowded. Take aspirins. Two year old is to young. My son turned out to like the rides at 5 and I think we went on every single one, most rides are 36” to ride some are 40-42”.

 

[lk2500]

Go here, tons of good information:

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26

 

[PowerEngineer]

Go only Tuesday-Thursday, the rest of the days its to crowded. Take aspirins. Two year old is to young. My son turned out to like the rides at 5 and I think we went on every single one, most rides are 36” to ride some are 40-42”.

Pretty much this. Even a five year old is going to peter out after lunch. But if you're bound and determined...

... get to the park at opening time. Take advantage of early admission if your tickets or hotel give you the option. Take as many rides as you can as quickly as you can before lines get long. For young kids, hit Peter Pan first and then Dumbo. Plan to return to your hotel around noon for food and naps. Head back in late afternoon for the early evening parades and a few more rides.

I think California Adventure opens a couple hours later than Disneyland, so moving over there when it opens might make sense. I haven't been there since the big "Cars" remodel, but it's a scorcher in the afternoon sun. The Aladdin show is worth seeing.

Good luck.

 

[BrokenVisage]

"Bring money!"

 

[NetWareHead]

Hire a handicapped person to become a member of your party. You will get better parking and not have to wait in any lines.

 

[Dirigible]

Make dinner reservations now.

Oh, yeah. This.

My wife forgot once and it was a pain finding dinner.

 

[NutBucket]

Uh, that being handicapped doesn't work anymore.

 

[bbhaag]

Learn how to use the Fast Pass system; plan your route so that you don't crisscross the entire park; rent a locker at the center of the park for your stuff; use the train to travel between lands if you don't like walking and waste your time - it's also an attraction; bring moneys; if you're staying until the parade, line up early else you won't find a spot; don't fall prey to the hookers at New Orleans square...

I think you'll be OK if you stick to the above, you should live. Now, behold as I send you out as sheep amongst the wolves.

I second this. The fast pass is a great way to hit up a lot of the rides with out waiting hours in line for each one. We went when our sons were 5 and 2 as well and after waiting 1.5 hours inline for the Peter Pan ride I hit up the fast pass and started printing tickets. If you can time it right it's a great way to experience the park.

On a side note we had a better time at Epcot than we did at the Magic Kingdom. It was more laid back because the park wasn't as crowded and the kids had just as much fun.

 

[djnsmith7]

As far as shows that you might not be familiar with...These 2 are a must...


@ Disneyland - Disneyland Fantasmic

Showtimes: Fri. - Sun only @ 9:00 PM
Mon. - Thurs. - N/A

@ Disney California - World of Color - ***FAST PASS Notes Below

Showtimes: Mon - Thurs @ 8:30 PM
Fri - Sun. @ 9:30 PM

World of Color - ***You MUST RUSH to get your World of Color FAST PASS as SOON as Disney California opens...No ifs, ands or buts!!! You MUST haul ass to get your FAST PASSES because they go QUICK...I'm talking like, 15 minutes after the park opens, they're GONE! Seriously, Haul Ass to the World of Color FAST PASS dispenser before you do anything else. It's unfortunate, but there only a few hundred tickets because the area is so damn small where they have the show. You'll see...when you're heading for it, you'll see a huge crowd of people trying to beat you to it...It's NUTS...Both times that I've watched the show, that's what happened. If your kids can stay awake that long, they'll love the show.

 

[quikah]

Pretty much this. Even a five year old is going to peter out after lunch. But if you're bound and determined...

Lol, I wish. My son has been going morning to night since about 3 years old.

OP, you know your kids, follow their lead. If they need a break give it to them. Take it easy, don't overplan. All the night time shows are great, but if they can't make it that late then don't force them.

Ignore all the folks who say 2 is too young. He will love it.

 

[Slew Foot]

Thanks for the tips, my kids are completely nuts and can run in circles from 6am to 9 pm without stopping so I dont worry about hem tiring out, aside from it being 90 degrees. We're going on Monday so the crowds shouldnt be too bad, staying with my parents who live a few miles away from the park. Theres a bunch of stuff thats going to be closed so which sucks so it looks like itll be an endless run of the Tiki Room and the Monorail for me. Fun.

 

[brainhulk]

We've been buying season passes for as long as I can remember. My wife is a pure Disney nut, I am quite bored of it myself. My suggestions though:

Shows:
Alladin. Shows throughout the daytime at the theater in california disney.
Fantasmic at night time in Disneyland. 2 shows each night. you need to get seats very early
World of Color at night in California adventure. If you eat at Cathay Circle you will get complementary preferred seating. The food at cathay circle is very meh for the price
Parades all day are great. times vary so you need to look at schedule in pamphlet they give you at entrance
Not sure if firworks started. But the best seats are in front of the castle. Its a nice show

Rides:
I've been going forever so I'm very bored of the kiddie rides. Try them all I guess and get fast passes early. My son loves Buzz lightyear and Toy Story because they have light guns where you can shoot stuff throughout the ride. theres a play area inside california adventure thats pretty large so you can let them run around

I like for myself Indiana Jones, Space Mountain, Roller Coaster @ California adventure, tower of terror, Star Tours. I particularly like the Cars ride in California Disney. The animatronics are pretty amazing. The ride is far too short and the line really long. I would probably try to get a fast pass for this ride 1st thing you do if your 5 year old is tall enough.

Dining:
Meh and not very good. Ariel's grotto has characters that come visit. The only really good restaurant is Napa Rose in the california hotel. You need to get reservations early. Other than that I would say the Cafe Orleans in New Orleans square is passable. So is Blue Bayou in Orleans Square.


Isn't it supposed to be like 100 degrees next week? lol

 

[Sho'Nuff]

Taking my 5 and 2 year old to Disneyland next week (yuck looks likes it going to be hot). I havent been in 20 years or so, any tips on whats changed and how to not go insane? My 5 year old is a complete wuss and probably wont go on any ride scarier than Winnie The Pooh, but my 2 year old will do anything.

Let me know how it goes. My kids are that age too and we are contemplating hitting the magic kingdom this winter.

 

[mikeford]

Go early, take a break midday and leave the park for lunch and a nap, return and fun til it closes.

Ditto on the 2 year being more tortured than entertained. Work within the little ones limits, not yours or what the 5 year is up to.

Some younger kids really like the simple stuff, riding the train, etc.

 

[mrjminer]

Don't let them get the peanut butter and jelly and marshmellow sandwich if you come across it anywhere. I had it when I went as around their age and it was gross.

I got to go a second time when I was 15 or 16 (yea, I got lucky my grandparents had never been and had always wanted to go, so we got Disneyland twice). From that, I will say, get the fast pass if you can afford it and ride roller coasters earlier if you can/are going to. This would be more for your entertainment than your kids since they're young, but your 5 year old is probably old enough to get a little pissed from waiting in lines at times, so it might be worth it for him, too. Though the cost of it vs reward is really going to be based on factors outside of predictability; think of it like insurance, if you want. If you're going in summer, probably more likely that it would come in handy.

Lastly, set an established rule for getting lost. My parents' rule was to stay in the same place and don't move if you find yourself not with them. And yea, the fuckers walked off without me one time when they thought I was tagging along (when I was 5, not 15; I wasn't an invalid then :O). I just stood where I was and they got me a couple of minutes later.