Just found out this morning that two darling girls .. ages 6 and 8 .. are coming for a visit with us on June 27th without their parents. Now, my DH and I know DL and DCA well ... but ... we have only been doing old fogie adult stuff there for the past years, so we are clueless as to what kids like to do and can handle in the two parks. Fortunately, we live within an easy 25-minute drive of the parks and have annual passes, so we can come and go in short bursts

We are very excited about having "parent"/kid DL/DCA adventures, but we need a lot of advice on how to make this trip special for these girls. Without killing ourselves since we are not used to having kids with us at the parks.

We will definitely make reservations at the Grotto for lunch and plan to use our Disney credit card to get in there earlier. But, basically, we need help!

1. What things do girls of this age like to do at the parks?

2. Should we make a reservations at the little girl makeup place in DTD? I think it is called Libby Lou? Anyway, every time we walk by there it looks pretty chaotic.

3. Any advice on gathering autographs of characters?

4. I have read so much about the Storyteller's Cafe vs. Goofy's Kitchen that we may just try both. Any other suggestions on places that kids like to eat?

5. We are scared to death of the Princess Faire as it has always looked terribly crowded. Is this an accurate impression?

Thanks so much!!!

Be sure to take them to Build A Bear. Little girls (and boys) love that place. I always see little girls running around and having a ball dressing up their creations.

**sorry, I don't have more advice. I only have a boy!!

Will Buld A Bear on our list. Thanks!

We took our girls (4 and 8 at the time) last year.

I'd say to just relax and have fun! You might pick up a copy of The Unofficial Guide for them to pour over; or at least provide a couple of maps beforehand. Head for Fantasyland, and maybe toontown. My girls (now 5 and 9) definately want to do Princess Faire next trip. I bet your visitors will have some ideas of their own, if they are given some info.

They loved getting their early, before it was too crazy. We walked around looking for autographs when it got crowded. DCA's water area was perfect for a rest. They have a lot of cheesey rides in there, too, that the girls will love. Avoid tough to be a bug. My oldest says avoid Honey I shrunk the audience too. She loves the movies, the attraction scared her. Try for Aladdins Oasis or at least Aladdin in DCA. (My youngest was entranced at DCA, the Oasis was always full.)

Probably they'll like a lot of the things you do; I'd mostly keep it open and just plan to let them soak it all in. Don't try too hard. And if they don't know what to do, take them to something you enjoy not just something you think they ought to like, kwim?

My girls are 5 and 8 and we just returned from a trip there last weekend. my girls are thrill seekers for their age - but tower of terror and california screaming were too much.

they loved nemo but if the line is long... waiting could be torture. they wanted to do everything in fantasyland and adults fit on all the rides there so you can all go together. the love winnie the pooh as well. we did all the mountains - space mountain twice - but your 6 year old may be a little young (mine turns six next week and her first run through space was at Christmastime and she was still a bit tentative). I haven't done it yet, but I hear the cookie baking on main street is cool for kids if you have time.

In DCA - monsters inc, muppets and alladin are sure bets. If your 6 year old is tall enough and not afraid of heights, soarin is by far my kids' favorite attraction. they also like the aforementioned rides in paradise pier area. they always want to do playhouse disney as well, but we have done it so often we skipped it this time around. My kids also absolutely love the bug's land, and high school musical and block party bash.

i think libby lou and build a bear are really fun places, but i would caution you that they are money pits (you don't mention your relation to the girls so I don't know if you are planning on spending a bundle on them ...) and they are available all across the country, so it isn't a unique experience as the actual parks would be.

Also, with your disney visa you can rent two strollers per day for free. even though they may seem big for strollers, it helps their little legs make it through the day and helps you keep track of them easier in the crowds (though the trade off is that people aren't always aware of stroller pushers and that can be a hassle too...) You can also keep your strollers going back and forth between the two parks and take them as far as the tents where they search your bags in the entrance plaza. so you can have your same stroller the whole day and tote it back and forth.

hope this helps. if you have specific attractions you are wondering about - i'd love to share my kids' perspective.

oh yeah - buzz lighyear and the disneyland railroad.. my kids love that RR and it is a nice way to get around the park. the two rides on toontown are great for little kids, and i guess it is nice to know that you can always find mickey and minnie there (but we avoid that .... usually we either focus on characters and atmosphere OR rides - but usually not both in the same day... we hate waiting in lines). the previous advice about doing character greetings in the afternoon seems like a good idea - lines are grueling then. If you are going to do DD or go to DGC hotel - take the monorail... kids like that too.

Why was this post moved? Where did it go? Thanks.

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The kids will have a great time and I'm sure you will too. Measure them before you go and then hopefully there won't be any tears. Make sure you plan some time to watch shows (rest). Try not to do too much. Maybe they will come again soon and you can do another day at the parks.

Just the ages of my two girls...
You may try calling Libby Lu. I scheduled an August appointment, but you may have to do a walk-in for June at this point. This has been one of the major highlights of our last two visits (in two years) with our daughters. If I only had one day, I don't know if I'd do it without an appointment (well, probably since this is BIG for my girls). If you walk in, I think it's best to get in line before the 9:00 opening time to be first serviced. We were in and out within an hour with that strategy last year. (If the girls have access to LL and Build-a-Bear at their local mall, I'd say skip them.)
These are the attractions my girls are most looking forward to this year:
Soarin'
Grizzly River Run
Star Tours
Small World
Indy (youngest finally tall enough!)
However, as you'll see mentioned on other posts, warm them up with the tamer rides first.
They probably won't know what they're missing if you don't fit it all in. Have they been before? (Maybe they have their lists of must-sees, even if they haven't!)
You're going to have so much fun taking it all in from their perspective. (Oh, and disposable cameras for the youngsters are so cool because they can capture it -and you can see it- from their view.)
You may want to consider the possibility of a "down time" for kids that age. Even if they're not nappers, time in the quieter areas seems to help ease the stress of the crowds. Turtle Talk with Crush and the play areas at DCA can help rejuvinate them (and you).
Don't forget the momentos... they'll definitely want proof that they were at the Happiest Place on Earth... t-shirts and ears, of course! (p.s., my girls love their personalized parasols from NOS.)
What fun!!!!!!!!

I only have boys but the Jr Chef over by the enterance to Adventureland is a huge hit with my kids. I took my niece to Libby Lus and she LOVED it. I didn't think the price was too bad. She got the princess make over with the tiara plus a bag full of goodies. The tiara is nice and pretty sturdy so I figured it was a good deal. All that stuff plus the make over was $25.

Thank you all SO much! You have given me such great ideas! I am going to run everyones' suggestions by our little guests and see what they want to do. Probably all of it! Am making reservations and plans! Thanks again!