Suggestions?

I could not beleive that she has not visited a Disney resort ever, and want to make this memorable for her. She, her husband and four yr old son are going next week. I have promised to put together a plan for her.

She would enjoy seeing the adult side of Disney - so I have Blue Bayou dinner, Winery in DCA, Fantasmic buffet (would it be open though?)

For the four yr old, I need to check on the height requirements for the rides.

They are staying at the Anaheim Hilton, she says she wants to be able to get away from Disney in the nights - She doesnt feel the magic yet :(

Fantasmic isn't on the shedule until June/July I 'think'.. but everything else sounds great :)

Try to convince her to at least watch the fireworks or the electrical parade!:( :)

A character meal for the four year old would be great! We did Goofy's and Ariel's Grotto this past weekend and my four year old loved them both, tell her to try and make reservations now.

My four year old is 41 inches and he could ride everything at Disneyland but Indy. At DCA he could not ride MM, Screamin', Maliboomer, GRR and Orange Stinger.

He loved ITTBAB, Muppets, Aladdin and Playhouse Disney.

Tell her to do Muppets before ITTBAB some kids find ITTBAB scary(mine didn't)

Also, tell her to check out the Lego store in DTD my boys love it! Oh and at DTD if she hasn't been to a Build a Bear or Rainforest Cafe check them out!!

One last thing tell her not to skip talking to Stitch at Innoventions or the Tiki Room!

HTH

My 4 year old is 35 inches tall, the big rides are out for him...I don't think he'd go on them anyway. Maybe Matterhorn...

I see a conflict of interest that might cause some problems for your friend. On one hand she wants to have fun with her son. On the other she wants to experience the adult side of the park. I've found this difficult to do, but with some sacrifice, both can be satisfied.

A lunch at the Blue Bayou is reasonable. I've found that kids like it too. I don't know if her son takes naps, but if he does, letting him sleep in the stroller while browsing through Main St. or New Orleans Square can also help satisfy some of the adult needs. (But a nap may never happen, even if he takes naps at home. Disneyland provides so much stimulation that most kids can't take naps.)

But I can guarantee that she will feel a great deal more magic and bring out the kid in her if she just goes there to have a fun time with her son. If she's worried about getting in on all the adult rides and avoiding the "baby" rides then her poor son will miss out on a lot of fun while mommy is having all the thrills. Her son will get bored and cause problems and may end up just frustrating both parents.

If the 4-year-old gets to do things he wants to do and ride all the "baby" rides (which really are also fun for the adults, especially when they see how much fun their child is having) then everyone will be having the thrills. Even mom.

My advice is to just get there really early. Right when the park opens. Get a stroller if they don't bring one in, then head straight for Fantasyland. Ride everything there, 2 or 3 times. Let her son decide what he likes and what he wants to ride again. If he wants to ride Dumbo 5 times, let him. The lines are really short early in the day and it's not quite hot yet, so it makes it really easy.

They'll have Fantasyland finished before lunch. That leaves the rest of the day to just take their time enjoying some of the other rides like Pirates and Haunted Mansion that her son can go on, but might be a little apprehensive. Those are classics that every adult loves and some children usually learn to love. If he's too scared then don't push it. If he takes a bribe then go for it. But don't force.

They can also pick up some FastPasses for some of the rides that her son can't go on. Here's an important tip: Don't use all park passports to pick up the FastPasses for one ride. If Dad is making rounds for FP tickets then use one per ride. They'll have 3 tickets to use. Example: use 1 at Indiana Jones, 1 at Splash, and 1 at Thunder Mountian. Then, when they go to use those passes they need to pick up a Rider Switch Pass. So while Dad (or Mom) is riding using the FP, Mom (or Dad) will be waiting with Son and will only need to wait a few minutes. when Dad gets off, Mom rides using the Rider Switch Pass and Dad waits with Son (for only a few minutes). Then you move on to the next ride. So instead of only holding one FP at a time while waiting for them to mature so they can pick up another, they'll be able to hold 3 at a time (and even more if they do the same for the rides at DCA). This maximizes the "adult" rides while minimizing the waiting the kids need to do.

Disneyland is equally fun through a child's eyes. You just have to know how to balance your day and take things as they come. It's less frustrating for everyone.

Bill, I just wanted to tell you your Fast Pass system works great! :D But you knew that! I used your system for Screamin' and GRR this past weekend. We didn't need it at DL but it was a lifesaver at DCA

Thanks

I love the wine tastings at the winery in DCA - if that's too much for the 4 year old (they last about a 1/2 hour) the folks behind the patio wine bar are always very helpful. They can give her a mini-tasting and send her on her way with a lovely glass of wine. Then, to keep the 4 year old happy, head over to the splash and play area in a 'Bug's Land' Make sure to bring extra shoes, preferably sandals or water shoes to change into. Mom can sit and enjoy her wine while jr. runs himself ragged. It's also a great place to take pictures.

The little guy will probably also enjoy the 'Challenge Trail' another place he can run around and burn off steam.

These two venues are a nice change of pace from waiting in lines and having to 'be good'

Oh yeah forgot about Challenge Trail! We did that after stuffing our faces at White Water Snacks! LOL Had to burn off those calories!;)

Originally posted by kimkinney
Mom can sit and enjoy her wine while jr. runs himself ragged.

Will they let you take your wine over there? I thought there were liquor license issues and those drinks had to stay in that area?

grrl -

Nope, no liquor license issues in DCA, at all. You can wander freely with your wine or beer or margarita or whatever all over the park.