UsBurchs
06-13-2006, 04:08 PM
It can be done - and we did it! :) We brought our almost two-year-old son to Disneyland resort this past weekend for his first visit. Of course, I had a lot of reservations about how he would react to the characters, what would he like to do, etc., but because of a bunch of helpful people on this discussion board, we had a GREAT time! A WONDERFUL time! It was FABULOUS! And it was all about our son . . . as it should have been!
We got to our hotel (Paradise Pier) at 7:15 (drove in from visiting family in Pasadena) and checked in for a one night stay. We bought our park tickets at the desk and they gave us our monorail passes and explained how to get to DT Disney from the hotel.
We had a stroller, a diaper bag, a small cooler with bottles, my purse and my husband carried a backpack too. Most all of this was on the stroller, so unloading to get on the monorail was a little annoying since we had to collapse the stroller - which I knew, but forgot about.
We got into DL at about 7:40 and walked down the stairs into Tomorrow Land. The first thing we did was buy an autograph book with the slots on the facing pages for photos - I take a TON of photos and I knew this would work great. I also had brought my own Sharpies and replaced the gold pen the book came with. Set to go!
My husband HAD to go on the Matterhorn first off - no line! So, while he did that, I got ourselves organized and ate my breakfast that we purchased at the hotel coffee shop. My son was sad daddy left us for a bit, but I told him we were going to see Mickey soon and he calmed down. My husband got back - happy as a clam, and we headed over to It's a Small World - no line again! I got a little teary as we headed into the ride, realizing what a great day this was going to be - my son was so happy!
Once off, we checked on when Toon Town would open to go see Mickey - 9:00. So we decided to ride Dumbo - by this time it was just after 8:30 and lines were starting to form. I rode with my son, as he said "WHEEEE!" I was thrilled - it was my first time on Dumbo too!
We headed down to the Toon Town gate and made a B-line for Mickey's house when the gates opened. The line was about 15 minutes long, but while we were in line, Goofy showed up and my son HAD to go see. My husband stayed in line while I took my son to see his FIRST character. When it was our turn, he RAN to Goofy and gave him a big hug. I was so excited and moved that I ended up turning off my camera instead of pressing the shutter button! OOPS! We got the book signed and headed back to Mickey's house. Soon after, we were face to face with the mouse, himself! My son ran up to Mickey, holding out his small Mickey doll and Big Mickey clapped! PHOTOS galore, then off to explore his house. One tip: if you want to get out faster, take the door to the right just after the laundry room! ;) We didn't know that . . . ahem .. .
Then to Minnie's house for the same routine. While in line, Minnie had to leave for a bit. We told our son she was going potty and he understood she'd be right back. This time when Minnie was shown the Mickey doll, she took it and hugged it tight - this thrilled our son. More photos . ..
After Minnie's house, we were going to let my son play a bit in Toon Town but then I saw Chip and Dale! YAY! Some of my son's favorites! He ran to them and hugged them TIGHT! They were so sweet and took extra time with him and even wrote "To: Lucas" in his book - which none of the other characters did. Gotta love those chipmunks!
After Toon Town, it was over to Critter Country for the Winnie the Pooh ride - another hit with our son! Then, in line for Pooh, Eyore, and Tigger. Lots more hugs and photos! After this, and a quick photo with Brear Fox and Bear, we did a little shopping while our son took a nice nap. When he woke up, it was about noon, so we wandered around the crowds at Tomorrow Land, then to Main Street for lunch and were out on the main plaza by 1:15 to head to DCA. Our son was asleep again . . .
Once in DCA we visited one of the first shops we saw (can't remember the name) and got our son a Mr. Potato Head - filled the body too - just as suggested on this site! This would later be a suprise before bed-time. We went over to the Hollywood backlot and I rode Monster Inc. while my husband stayed with our son - very fun, and my son would have loved it too, but oh well. By the time I got back to them, they were in line for Woody and my son was awake. Photos with Woody and then over to see Turtle Talk with Crush. That was GREAT! He called me "Awsome Anna" and when I asked where is Dory, he said "That's a good question. I don't even think Dory knows where Dory is!", but she never showed up until the end - oh well.
Over to Playhouse Disney next - 3:00 for the 3:15 showing. Our son loved this, of course, being such a Playhouse Disney fan! After that was done, we headed over to A Bug's Land. At this point there were hardly any crowds at DCA. It was SO nice! We rode the bumper bug ride twice - each taking a turn with our son and then headed over to a "party zone" for the Block Party bash at 5:15. We were told to move from the shady GREEN zone, however because they wouldn't be making a stop there that day. Darn. So we relocated to the front of Golden Dreams and watched from there. This is the back end of the show - if you want to see more characters, I'd suggest being more towards the Orange. Anyway, another hit with our son who danced his little heart out. After the show, we had dinner over by the Mission Tortilla plant - yummy nachos for a good price that we shared.
After dinner, we went over to Paradise Pier and rode the King Triton Carrosel - twice in a row - no lines, again!! This was the first time our son rode a Carrosel without being afraid! We shopped around, walked around by Grizzy River Run and Sorin', and then it was just about time to settle in for the Electic Light Parade - we found a nice bench in front of the Winery and let our son play a little. The parade was another hit - he loved the lights and oohhed, and ahhed at everything. After that was done, we headed out around by Golden Dreams and out the Grand Californian Gate by Grizzy River Run - SOOOO much faster to our hotel that way! Plus, seing the Grand Californian was fun too.
Now this may be the best part yet . . . the real magic of Disney. Worth every penny of admission! . . . we put jammies on our son, gave him a bottle and he hit the pillow snoring! Right out - no fussing for night-night time! What a dream . . . quite possibly one of the best days I've ever had! Seeing my son happy, my husband happy (but tired!) and knowing I was happy too, made it even that more special!
The next day we had breakfast with Stitch at the hotel - I highly recommend that as well! He really loved it!
For all those with toddlers wondering if Disneyland is a good idea or not . . . I say go for it, but enjoy it on their level. They'll grow up soon enough and you'll have to stand in lines! ;)
We got to our hotel (Paradise Pier) at 7:15 (drove in from visiting family in Pasadena) and checked in for a one night stay. We bought our park tickets at the desk and they gave us our monorail passes and explained how to get to DT Disney from the hotel.
We had a stroller, a diaper bag, a small cooler with bottles, my purse and my husband carried a backpack too. Most all of this was on the stroller, so unloading to get on the monorail was a little annoying since we had to collapse the stroller - which I knew, but forgot about.
We got into DL at about 7:40 and walked down the stairs into Tomorrow Land. The first thing we did was buy an autograph book with the slots on the facing pages for photos - I take a TON of photos and I knew this would work great. I also had brought my own Sharpies and replaced the gold pen the book came with. Set to go!
My husband HAD to go on the Matterhorn first off - no line! So, while he did that, I got ourselves organized and ate my breakfast that we purchased at the hotel coffee shop. My son was sad daddy left us for a bit, but I told him we were going to see Mickey soon and he calmed down. My husband got back - happy as a clam, and we headed over to It's a Small World - no line again! I got a little teary as we headed into the ride, realizing what a great day this was going to be - my son was so happy!
Once off, we checked on when Toon Town would open to go see Mickey - 9:00. So we decided to ride Dumbo - by this time it was just after 8:30 and lines were starting to form. I rode with my son, as he said "WHEEEE!" I was thrilled - it was my first time on Dumbo too!
We headed down to the Toon Town gate and made a B-line for Mickey's house when the gates opened. The line was about 15 minutes long, but while we were in line, Goofy showed up and my son HAD to go see. My husband stayed in line while I took my son to see his FIRST character. When it was our turn, he RAN to Goofy and gave him a big hug. I was so excited and moved that I ended up turning off my camera instead of pressing the shutter button! OOPS! We got the book signed and headed back to Mickey's house. Soon after, we were face to face with the mouse, himself! My son ran up to Mickey, holding out his small Mickey doll and Big Mickey clapped! PHOTOS galore, then off to explore his house. One tip: if you want to get out faster, take the door to the right just after the laundry room! ;) We didn't know that . . . ahem .. .
Then to Minnie's house for the same routine. While in line, Minnie had to leave for a bit. We told our son she was going potty and he understood she'd be right back. This time when Minnie was shown the Mickey doll, she took it and hugged it tight - this thrilled our son. More photos . ..
After Minnie's house, we were going to let my son play a bit in Toon Town but then I saw Chip and Dale! YAY! Some of my son's favorites! He ran to them and hugged them TIGHT! They were so sweet and took extra time with him and even wrote "To: Lucas" in his book - which none of the other characters did. Gotta love those chipmunks!
After Toon Town, it was over to Critter Country for the Winnie the Pooh ride - another hit with our son! Then, in line for Pooh, Eyore, and Tigger. Lots more hugs and photos! After this, and a quick photo with Brear Fox and Bear, we did a little shopping while our son took a nice nap. When he woke up, it was about noon, so we wandered around the crowds at Tomorrow Land, then to Main Street for lunch and were out on the main plaza by 1:15 to head to DCA. Our son was asleep again . . .
Once in DCA we visited one of the first shops we saw (can't remember the name) and got our son a Mr. Potato Head - filled the body too - just as suggested on this site! This would later be a suprise before bed-time. We went over to the Hollywood backlot and I rode Monster Inc. while my husband stayed with our son - very fun, and my son would have loved it too, but oh well. By the time I got back to them, they were in line for Woody and my son was awake. Photos with Woody and then over to see Turtle Talk with Crush. That was GREAT! He called me "Awsome Anna" and when I asked where is Dory, he said "That's a good question. I don't even think Dory knows where Dory is!", but she never showed up until the end - oh well.
Over to Playhouse Disney next - 3:00 for the 3:15 showing. Our son loved this, of course, being such a Playhouse Disney fan! After that was done, we headed over to A Bug's Land. At this point there were hardly any crowds at DCA. It was SO nice! We rode the bumper bug ride twice - each taking a turn with our son and then headed over to a "party zone" for the Block Party bash at 5:15. We were told to move from the shady GREEN zone, however because they wouldn't be making a stop there that day. Darn. So we relocated to the front of Golden Dreams and watched from there. This is the back end of the show - if you want to see more characters, I'd suggest being more towards the Orange. Anyway, another hit with our son who danced his little heart out. After the show, we had dinner over by the Mission Tortilla plant - yummy nachos for a good price that we shared.
After dinner, we went over to Paradise Pier and rode the King Triton Carrosel - twice in a row - no lines, again!! This was the first time our son rode a Carrosel without being afraid! We shopped around, walked around by Grizzy River Run and Sorin', and then it was just about time to settle in for the Electic Light Parade - we found a nice bench in front of the Winery and let our son play a little. The parade was another hit - he loved the lights and oohhed, and ahhed at everything. After that was done, we headed out around by Golden Dreams and out the Grand Californian Gate by Grizzy River Run - SOOOO much faster to our hotel that way! Plus, seing the Grand Californian was fun too.
Now this may be the best part yet . . . the real magic of Disney. Worth every penny of admission! . . . we put jammies on our son, gave him a bottle and he hit the pillow snoring! Right out - no fussing for night-night time! What a dream . . . quite possibly one of the best days I've ever had! Seeing my son happy, my husband happy (but tired!) and knowing I was happy too, made it even that more special!
The next day we had breakfast with Stitch at the hotel - I highly recommend that as well! He really loved it!
For all those with toddlers wondering if Disneyland is a good idea or not . . . I say go for it, but enjoy it on their level. They'll grow up soon enough and you'll have to stand in lines! ;)