June 2008 Disneyland/California Adventure Touring Plan with Toddlers
Just prior to my twin boys 3rd birthday, I got a park hopper pass and took them to Disneyland and California Adventure. Here is our touring plan/trip report. We didn’t try to get crazy and do everything in 2 days.
DAY 1: Park hopping
Disneyland…
Mickey’s House in Toontown – Our first stop was to meet Mickey. We got some great pictures of the boys with Mickey. Seeing Mickey is all they talked about in the days prior to our trip and afterwards.
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage – It’s brand new and popular. We should have gotten in line earlier in the morning. Stood in a long line with little umbrellas for shade from the hot sun. Ate snacks and spoiled our appetite for lunch. Should have planned better or skipped this ride.
Park Hop over to California Adventure…
Monsters ride – A year ago, they hadn’t seen the movie and weren’t really interested. Now they have seen the movie a zillion times and loved the ride.
2:15 pm Playhouse Disney – I miss Bear but the kids know all the new characters and love the Einstein’s.
Monsters ride – again
4 pm Wine Country Trattoria – Our waitress was great and suggested we order spaghetti from the kid’s menu and split it between my two toddlers. Portions are huge. Prices ok. Felt good to be eating healthy food.
5:15 pm Pixar Parade – Parade route passes right in front of the restaurant and was not at all crowded for viewing. It’s a wonderful parade for fans of Pixar movies which my toddlers are. Lighting McQueen, Mater, Monsters Sully and Mike, Flying Rats, Nemo, Crush, Bugs, and the whole gang from Toy Story thrilled my boys. I got great pictures that the boys love looking at now that we are home.
Considered going to Aladdin and Muppet Vision but skipped them as being too scary.
Park Hop back to Disneyland…
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters ride – It was the boys first time on this ride and they loved it. Didn’t even need to Fastpass as the crowds were winding down after dinner time.
Bought Mickey balloons on Main Street – Simple pleasures!
Disneyland Railroad – Round trip ride from the main gate. The boys were thrilled every time the conductor called “All Aboard”.
Tried to shop a little at World of Disney as we headed back to the Grand Californian but the boys had no patience for it. Gave up shopping. Went to bed when the kids did.
DAY 2: Fantasyland, etc.
6 am wake up call
6:30 am Room Service breakfast at our hotel, the Grand Californian
8 am – As soon as the park opened we were inside the gate and headed directly to Fantasyland.
Dumbo
King Arthur’s Carrousel
Peter Pan’s Flight
Casey Jr Circus Train
Hike across park to Critter Country
Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride
11 am meet Pooh Characters
Lunch – River Bell Terrace – Air Conditioned! We ordered our meals from the kiddie menu and kept the cute Mouse Ear plates.
Jungle Cruise
At this point we had a choice to make… stay for the 3:30 pm parade or go back to the hotel for a nap and return for the 6:30 pm parade. We stayed. We should have left and come back later.
Another side note – Small World was closed but if we had done one more Fantasyland ride we would have been late for the Pooh Characters. My kids remember meeting the characters more so than the rides we went on.
Too tired to return to the park for Fireworks. Put the boys to bed. They fell asleep right away. Sat out on the balcony and had an adult conversation. Imagine that!
Fabulous memories!