For my birthday last year, I attempted to do 33 of my ordinary favorite things. I was going to do the same thing with 34 this year, but instead we’re going to take a family vacation and make some memories. I’ve successfully done Disney with each of my kiddos for their third birthdays, but this will be the first time we’ve gone as family together. As such, my Type A personality has taken over and the level of research and planning I’ve done is insane. Keep in mind I have little kids, we don’t really like parades or character greetings (other than the Napa Rose Princess Breakfast – highly recommend that one), and love food & pin trading. I’m still working on our California Adventure plan, so keep an eye out for hat next week! Here’s what I have so far:
Get to the park 15 minutes before the turnstiles open, already eat breakfast before getting there. Bag packed with granola bars, apples, and uncrustables. Rope drop to the right hand side, to the left of Astro Orbiter and by-pass Matterhorn.
Early Morning Attractions: Fantasyland – start the morning in Fantasyland; there are so many short attractions here within close proximity to one another that can be done quickly. It’s also a good way to avoid this area in the middle of the day, when it’s chaotic. Start with Storybook Canals. Follow that with Mad Tea Party, then Alice in Wonderland (other attractions that will have long lines all day). At this point, Mama hops on Matterhorn if the line is quick enough. Then, It’s a Small World before looping back. Other must-dos here for the morning are Dumbo’s Flight, Casey Junior Train, & the carousel, because the nice morning sunshine gives these attractions a pleasant feeling. We skip Snow White, Toad, and Pinocchio because they scare the kids. You should be able to hit 75%+ of the attractions in Fantasyland in the first two hour the park is open if you’re efficient.
Morning Snack & Break – With Fantasyland (mostly) crossed off your list, sit down and have a snack break (avoid those hangries!). Peek into the gift shops for pin trading boards, & have girls ask for pixie dust at bibbidi-bobbidi-boutique, then walk through Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. Take a family photo with castle in background from bridge. Head down to watch the show at Royal Theater at 10:15 am. Grab the croissant cookie and a coffee from Maurice’s Treats right before the show.
Late Morning Attractions: Frontierland & Critter Country – On your way to Frontierland, stop by the pin trading booth. This is a good time to hit up Thunder Mountain, then either Mark Twain River Boat or Sailing Ship Columbia – whichever sails next. If up for it, cross on the log raft to explore Tom Sawyer’s island. Next, continue on to Davy’s Canoes, Splash Mountain, & Winnie the Pooh.
Lunch: Royal Street Veranda or Tiana’s Palace – Usually, I would wrap up the morning with two of Disneyland’s flagship attractions located in New Orleans Square: Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion, but the kids might be too scared at these ages. Instead, it’s time for the third big attraction in New Orleans Square: food! If choosing the Royal Street Veranda, get the monte cristo or chowder in a bread bowl & fritters to share. If choosing Tiana’s Palace, get the gumbo and cornbread to split. After you’re done eating (or while waiting on your table), take a few minutes to explore the nooks, crannies, and shops of New Orleans Square, one of Disney’s best theme park lands anywhere. Baton Rouge should have a pin trading board! After exploring, grab beignets to share from the Mint Julep Bar & hop on the Disneyland railroad for a walking break.
Afternoon Attractions: Adventureland – Hop off the railroad after the full loop & head to Adventureland. explore the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, and do Jungle Cruise. I’d add in Indiana Jones, but I don’t think the kids are ready yet. Cool off with Dole Whips in the Enchanted Tiki Room – the actual show is worth the wait! If hungry after that, now’s a good time to grab some skewers of meat from Bengal Barbecue or Bao Buns from Tropical Hideaway.
Early Evening: Toon Town and Tomorrowland – if the heat of the day is over, it’s a good time to head back to Toon Town for GadgetCoaster and the playgrounds. On the way there, stop by the seasonal Bluey event going on – last show time is at 3:10. If everyone’s ready for dinner, stop by Troubadour Tavern – get a baked potato to share or Continue on to Tomorrowland for Finding Nemo Submarines, Autopia, Buzz Blasters, and Astro Orbitor if wait times are short enough. If everyone’s hungry now, get a pizza to split at Alien Pizza Planet, or the fried chicken plate to share at Plaza Inn on the way out before calling it a night!
Disclaimer/Reality Check: Obviously my plans won’t work for a family with thrill-loving teenagers or family’s that love parades and characters. That’s ok – everyone has different priorities & truthfully, I can’t wait ’til my kiddos are old enough to join me on roller-coasters. This column will be about motherhood, parenting, and homemaking for the most part. It might be a parody of whatever kid song is stuck in my head. It might be a list of oopses I’ve made to laugh at together. Most importantly, I don’t ever want this column to make another mama think she’s not doing enough. If you’re reading this, I want you to know that you are, you’re doing great, keep it up. Sing it with me: no-one is doing it allllll!
