We have changed our plans LAST minute to come to DL rather than WDW and have NEVER been....can anyone advise on what are "must sees" for our 3.5 DD, my husband, me, and my parents? We will be in the are for 7 days....so we are open to going to other parks as well....
How many days do we need to plan on DL, and CA?

Any help would be GREAT! Thanks!

With 7 days, you should be able to see everything in both parks and ride your favorites again and again.

Must sees for 3 year old:
everything in Fantasyland (minus Matterhorn)
everything in Toontown (minus Gadget's Go-Coaster)
Winnie the Pooh

As for you, your husband, and your parents, it depends on how brave you are and what kind of health you're in, but some that don't really depend on those factors are:

Pirates
HMH (depending on how "last minute" you're talking about)
Soarin' Over California

I always go to DL and DCA with a five day flex pass. You can see EVERYTHING in 3 days with a 3 1/2 year old.
Some rides for you and your child:
At Disneyland- Jungle Cruise, Mr. Toad, Snow White, Dumbo, King Arthurs Carrousel, It's a Small World, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Pinocchio, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Story Book Land Canal Boats, visiting Mickey and Minnie at their houses in Toon Town, and the Autopia (but you will most likely have to be in the drivers seat unless you have a tall 3 year old)
At California Adventure there is the playground in A Bugs Land, definetly go and see Playhouse Disney Live on Stage, and she can ride King Tritons Carousel.

Some rides that are only found at Disneyland are:
Indiana Jones, Pinocchio, Casey Jr., Storybook Land Canal Boats, Alice in Wonderland, Mr. Toad, Matterhorn, there are a few others.

If you can find it buy The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland. That's where I got most of this info. The book is the best imo.

I hope you have a great time. Oh yeah and if you have the time and money you can build a bear in the build a bear workshop in Downtown Disney.

Must sees for 3 year old:
everything in Fantasyland (minus Matterhorn)
everything in Toontown (minus Gadget's Go-Coaster)
Winnie the Pooh



My 2.5 y/o loved Gadget's Go Coaster when we went in March. If your toddler meets the height requirement, I'd give it a try.

Have fun!

Thanks for all the great ideas! I am such a planner and have been planning our WDW trip for MONTHS and to get this one together in a few hours is a challenge! All the ideas and suggestions are great! My DH went online (Expedia) and bought a 4 day pass to the parks for us....we figured we could always add one more day if necessary once we are there, but it sounds like we can do "it all" in these 4 days, more than likely!

Any suggestions on dining? We would like to do some character meals but also want some "nice" steakhouses, seafood, or whatever....

Also, what about nighttime events? Fantasmic is here, right? And the fireworks and parades? Any pointers on these events?

Thank you all so much! I'm going to be online and reading my new park books tonight trying to get some things planned and your suggestions/ideas have helped a TON! :)

When I go to Fantasmic! I stake out my spot an hour early with a blanket and a cribbage board. That way we have something to keep us entertained. It gets pretty crowded by the water before Fantasmic! Arrive early for the parades also. I love the disposable neat sheet to sit on. That way I don't care if I lose it.

As for dining options, I love the Rainforest Cafe. I've heard of people getting bad service or bad food there though. I guess that goes with any restaurant. I have never been to Granvilles at DLR, but I've been to a Granvilles and loved it. It is pricey though. It's an a la carte restaurant. Do they have a Blue Bayou at Walt Disney World? If not then go there while in Disneyland. The Blue Bayou has the best atmosphere. I hope this all helps.

We took out 4 year old this month, and she was absolutely entranced by Winnie the Pooh.. I think we rode that thing 400 times. :rolleyes:

Peter Pan, Pinnochio, Snow White, Mr. Toad (judgement call--depends if your child is easily scared) Casey Jr's Circus Train, Storybookland, It's a Small World (another ride that was repeated several times, much to the chagrin of my dear hubby) My daughter LOVES Autopia...

As far as DCA goes, there's not a ton... On our previous trip, my daughter and I waited in line for Heimlich's Chew Chew Train for over a half hour, and when we got off, I thought she was going to kick me in the shin, she was so unimpressed. :rolleyes:

MommyofPrincessSyd, are you asking us for info in addition to Disneyland Resort, or just Disneyland Resort?

Also, when will you be here? Are you here already?!

There are some nice restaurants in the hotels and Downtown Disney. If you are child-free for a night, Catal is lovely (I think they have a kids menu, but it seems like quite an adult kind of place). Likewise for Napa Rose in the Grand Californian Hotel.

I know there are several who will disagree, but my daughter loves Belle's storytime (under the castle) and the storytime with Aladdin and Jasmine (in Adventureland).