First Disneyland trip ever!

[emmagirl]

Hi everyone -
I am new to MousePlanet - but have been reading the discussion boards for a while.
We are going to Disneland in October Yeah! We have 2 kids (6 and 21 months). My hubby isn't thrilled (he doesn't like crowds and thinks Disneyland will be like Six Flags in TX) ANYWAY - Here is my question -
I am SOOOO excited - that I have bought 5 day hopper passes - yes, it sounds like overkill - but I figure with my younger one - he will need naps and hopefully my hubby can relax a bit and not feel rushed.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to approach this trip in a lifetime?? We arrive on Sunday around lunch - and I thought it would be fun to go into the park and let the kids run-around a bit - do the Pirate Island or just check out Main Street. Then on Mon - hit the park "for real". On Tues we are going to do the Chip n Dale breakfast. - then Wed maybe CA adventure park - and Thurday - whatever.....
Also - this is for my 40th bday - my present to myself (since I"ve always wanted to go) and for my kiddos..
thanks in advance

[EeyoreGirl]

Welcome! Congratulations on your upcoming trip.

5 days isn't overkill, especially when you have little ones. This allows you time to go at their pace, see the characters, re-ride anything you fall in love with, and as you mentioned allow for naps. Your schedule sounds good. You may find that you want to do more things on Sunday than just Main St. and Pirates Island depending on the crowds. I would just play everything by ear.

Don't forget about rider swap so that you can ride the things that your little ones aren't tall enough for.

Have a great time!

[jrsharp21]

Emmagirl - I have been to the Six Flags in Texas. Tell your husband it will be nothing like Six Flags. Think 1,000 times cleaner, much more organized, much more visually pleasing, and the rides are so much better. Even if it is crowded, you can stand the crowds because there is stuff to look at and there are places you can go to beat the crowds. No where near congested as Six Flags.

When I went to Six Flags I think I got there around 12:30 and I left the park by 2:30 because it just didn't come anything close to Disneyland. It didn't help that there was a million high school kids there that day.

[boogermoore]

hi emmagirl, how exiting!!! we are also going to disneyland for the first time in oct. with our 4 year old daughter. i dont think 5 days are overkill, im going for 8 haha!!!. i wanted to take our time, i also have a hesitant husband, we are going to the espn restaurant and im planing a few other things for him. there is soo much to do, take your time, have too much fun, and take lots of pictures.

[wvnative]

Your plan sounds good to me. I don't think 5 days are overkill with little ones. It was definitely overkill with two teenagers though. lol They/we do the gung ho thing ya know?

Enjoy your trip! I love Disneyland in October.

[dawnid]

Hi emmagirl, remember to use disney dining 714-781-3463 (dine) for any sit-down meals. You can call 1 hour prior to when you want eat and if they have it available its kinda like "call ahead seating". But if you really want to eat somewhere I'd call as soon as you know.

How fun!!

[Malcon10t]

Your plan sounds good to me. I don't think 5 days are overkill with little ones. It was definitely overkill with two teenagers though. lol They/we do the gung ho thing ya know?

Enjoy your trip! I love Disneyland in October.

Mine are teens and young adults. For them, less than 6-8 days is not enough, but we take it at a slower, more leisurely pace.

[Bytebear]

When you get tired, go on attractions that are relaxing and take a little time, like the train, or the Mark Twain Riverboat the Enchanted Tiki Room or even Honey I Shrunk the Audience.

On the second or third day, when you are familiar with the park enough to appreciate it, and you are heading out of the park, take time to go into the Opera House and watch the movie there. It's really fun and nostalgic.

[emmagirl]

Thanks everyone!! I don't feel bad about the 5 day hoppers now.
Also - thanks for the dinning tip. I hadn't thought about other food than the disney breakfast! lol.
I am still working on my hubby - I've been renting/borrowing lots of disney movies so my 6 yr old has joined me in the excitement and anticipation of going to Disneyland.
Thanks again!

[Bytebear]

Well, if you bought the tickets already, then he is stuck with it, so just let the magic do its work. Don't worry, once you walk down Main Street and see the castle, that's all it will take. Have fun. Make sure you get Mickey Ears for the family too, and get them early so you get lots of family pictures with them on. Wonderful memories. Take LOTS of pictures, and use the Disney photographers (with their camera and yours). It's free unless you buy their prints or CDs, so use the service and if you decide not to buy their photos, no harm done.

[curtsinore]

One way to win your husband to the DISNEY SIDE is explore his interests. Flying? then soarnin. River Rapids? then Grizzly Run. Movies ? Indy Jones and pirates!!
Roller Coasters? Wide range of those. I won my girlfriend with Main Street and the Mark Twain!!! She did not want to go and then couldn't leave.

[kingqueen 3princesses]

Congratulations on making it to Disneyland! I can feel your excitement and it is so fun. And just to echo the other replies--5 days is not overkill.

My husband's first time to Disneyland was after we'd been married 5 or 6 years. (His parents still have never been.) Between then and now we've been back for 2 trips a couple of years apart and this past year have annual passes where he'll have gone four times in a year. There's just nothing besides experiencing it yourself that can describe the magic.

I hope you have so much fun.

[kingqueen 3princesses]

I was so excited about your excitement I didn't really answer the question...

I find that going to Fantasyland first thing makes it really feel like Disneyland to me.

We also like to combine shows and rides. Don't underestimate the shows and parade. They are fantastic and really add to the magic. I can feel a difference in our day when we do too many rides without show breaks. We really enjoy the "Drawn to the Magic" one in DCA and it doesn't seem as well advertised as some others.

And remember to go with the flow...you have enough days to enjoy without rushing. The first day or two you'll take some time figuring out the park. The map makes things look further away from each other than it feels like they are to me when walking around the park. We loosely plan our day by looking at time events like shows and making a loose plan of rides inbetween.

Somebody already mentioned the switch pass, but it's worth repeating to make sure you use those.

[Malcon10t]

The details in the park really make it. Golden Horseshoe has a great show. Depending on what your hubby is into, you can make this a trip he will want to repeat over and over.

[DlandAmanda]

You can have a character call your kids, that should get them excited. Or even have them call your husband for fun. It will be so cute, and it should get them more excited to go.