Family wants to go to Disneyland. I'm not excited. Tips?

[Model3 McQueen]

It's been awhile since i've made a new topic.

My family wants to go to Disneyland sometime in July. As the title says, I'm really not excited for it. The last time I went to Disneyland was around 2018 I think (it was before ROTR) and while I enjoyed some aspects of the park, I felt like the magic was mostly gone and replaced with too many expensive money-spending opportunities that did NOT return any real value. Also the blatant disrespect to thematic integrity, like high school musical in tomorrowland theatre and PiXaR pIeR. I'd rather see ITTBAB again then experience the spiderman ride thingy that looks like a cheap yet somehow expensive excuse for a attraction.

Here's the thing though.. and I guess this is an announcement from me.. I'm officially a dad now. I have a 1 month old. We have some extended family meeting us there from Northern California and of course they are thrilled to see the baby. Also some other notes, I haven't seen Rise of the Resistance, yet. I still need to say goodbye to Splash Mountain. I don't know if it will be active during our visit or not, but I also heard Soarin over California will be back possibly? I'd love to see it again.

Since i've been out of it for over 4 years, is there anything else you all can recommend to a disgruntled Disneyland veteran? I ran the idea past everyone to go to Knott's and Universal, but it's been shot down. So maybe just the lady and I will go. Except we have a baby now so it's not as easy with just the two of us. I can't back down from going for obvious reasons.

Spoiler: Unrelated + baby pic

On an unrelated note, my ultimate dream is to visit Orlando again and see Busch Gardens and Universal for Velocicoaster once little Lexi is old enough. For those of you who love baby pictures, here's a little snap of the peanut.

Any tips for enjoying the experience, especially with a newborn, will be appreciated. I also need something in return for spending more than a months mortgage and car payment for a 2 or 3 day visit. Thanks everyone!

 

[Californian Elitist]

I understand your feelings.

How about offering a compromise? Instead of three days at the park, suggest maybe just one or two days and doing other Disney things in Southern California. It doesn't have to be theme park-related. Maybe go see a Disney movie at the El Capitan and follow it up with Ghirardelli's next door? Have dinner at Tam O'Shanter, time your visit when you can visit Walt Disney's barn, etc. I would have suggested visiting the Walt Disney Family Museum, but you said you will have family from Northern California come down and join you, so that's out.

If you do end up just visiting the parks, I would say just try and make the best of it and enjoy what you can. Once you're actually there, I bet you will have a better time enjoying yourself. It's the anticipation of something that can suck sometimes (like preparing to go to work), but once you're there, it's better.

 

[TP2000]

@raven24 just nailed it! I can't think of anything better itinerary-wise with your concerns than what she just said.

The only other suggestion I have is to stay in a hotel within a 10 minute walk of the park, perhaps the ones on Harbor. Breaks and naps and "I'll meet you in the room in two hours" will be needed with an infant, as you've likely already learned. Make sure your hotel room is within walking distance at all times.

Congratulations on becoming a father! Take pictures like crazy of her first trip to Disneyland!

 

[Model3 McQueen]

I understand your feelings.

How about offering a compromise? Instead of three days at the park, suggest maybe just one or two days and doing other Disney things in Southern California. It doesn't have to be theme park-related. Maybe go see a Disney movie at the El Capitan and follow it up with Ghirardelli's next door? Have dinner at Tam O'Shanter, time your visit when you can visit Walt Disney's barn, etc. I would have suggested visiting the Walt Disney Family Museum, but you said you will have family from Northern California come down and join you, so that's out.

If you do end up just visiting the parks, I would say just try and make the best of it and enjoy what you can. Once you're actually there, I bet you will have a better time enjoying yourself. It's the anticipation of something that can suck sometimes (like preparing to go to work), but once you're there, it's better.

Thank you, your advice is much appreciated. I suppose i'm so tuned towards only visiting socal for Disneyland, it never occurred to me to see other landmarks and things-to-do in the area.

I have fond memories of visiting Ghiradelli's in San Francisco when I was growing up in Dublin. Would be nice to visit another location and maybe relive it!

@raven24 just nailed it! I can't think of anything better itinerary-wise with your concerns than what she just said.

The only other suggestion I have is to stay in a hotel within a 10 minute walk of the park, perhaps the ones on Harbor. Breaks and naps and "I'll meet you in the room in two hours" will be needed with an infant, as you've likely already learned. Make sure your hotel room is within walking distance at all times.

Congratulations on becoming a father! Take pictures like crazy of her first trip to Disneyland!

Thank you so much! Still getting used to it. She's now 4 weeks old and we're slowly gaining confidence in taking her out in public. There is so much to learn and it is a big challenge keeping her happy.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Thank you, your advice is much appreciated. I suppose i'm so tuned towards only visiting socal for Disneyland, it never occurred to me to see other landmarks and things-to-do in the area.

I have fond memories of visiting Ghiradelli's in San Francisco when I was growing up in Dublin. Would be nice to visit another location and maybe relive it!



Thank you so much! Still getting used to it. She's now 4 weeks old and we're slowly gaining confidence in taking her out in public. There is so much to learn and it is a big challenge keeping her happy.

My pleasure! If you need any suggestions for things to do in Los Angeles, feel free to PM me. I'm sure there are some folks here who can give you some ideas for things to do in Orange County, in case you don't want to head up to L.A. from Disneyland. I forgot to mention the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park as other options. Could be fun for the family.

 

[TP2000]

She's now 4 weeks old and we're slowly gaining confidence in taking her out in public. There is so much to learn and it is a big challenge keeping her happy.

Just wait until she gets to 7th grade.

P.S. I checked the exhibition schedule at the Nixon Presidential Library for this summer, but they aren't doing anything Disneyland related. Walt and President Nixon were friends, and Nixon adored Disneyland, so the library in nearby Yorba Linda sometimes has Disneyland exhibits. But alas, they are recovering from a long Covid closure like the rest of California and don't have a specific new exhibit coming up.

 

[DLR92]

Oh dear…High School Musical in tomorrowland!?

 

[Model3 McQueen]

Oh dear…High School Musical in tomorrowland!?

It sounds like a "who cares" scenario but when you're getting hyped for space mountain and hear teenage high school vocalizations it's stupid. Imagine if the outdoor queue portion of Indiana Jones adventure kept repeating firework by Katy Perry.

 

[Dear Prudence]

One thing I will add is that kids DO remember their trips to Disneyland, even if we think that they are "too young" to. I 100% remember all of mine. My nephew was about 4-5 months on his first trip, and slept through most of it, but talked about nothing else non stop in between then and our last trip last September. Even if they don't remember every single detail, they remember the feelings of safety and happiness. Plus, face characters interacting with babies, even if it's still at a distance, is literally everything. Also, congrats! Your baby is SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!

 

[Mac Tonight]

One thing I will add is that kids DO remember their trips to Disneyland, even if we think that they are "too young" to. I 100% remember all of mine. My nephew was about 4-5 months on his first trip, and slept through most of it, but talked about nothing else non stop in between then and our last trip last September. Even if they don't remember every single detail, they remember the feelings of safety and happiness. Plus, face characters interacting with babies, even if it's still at a distance, is literally everything. Also, congrats! Your baby is SO BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Wait... your 4-5 month old nephew not only remembered his first trip to the park (which he slept through)... but then talked about it non stop afterwards????

I'm very impressed.

 

[Dear Prudence]

Wait... your 4-5 month old nephew not only remembered his first trip to the park (which he slept through)... but then talked about it non stop afterwards????

I'm very impressed.

I am sure that his sister filled him in on most of it. She was 2 at the time and remembered almost everything and also talked about it nonstop. I remember A LOT as a tiny baby/child, so I never doubt kid memories.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

It's been awhile since i've made a new topic.

My family wants to go to Disneyland sometime in July. As the title says, I'm really not excited for it. The last time I went to Disneyland was around 2018 I think (it was before ROTR) and while I enjoyed some aspects of the park, I felt like the magic was mostly gone and replaced with too many expensive money-spending opportunities that did NOT return any real value. Also the blatant disrespect to thematic integrity, like high school musical in tomorrowland theatre and PiXaR pIeR. I'd rather see ITTBAB again then experience the spiderman ride thingy that looks like a cheap yet somehow expensive excuse for a attraction.

Here's the thing though.. and I guess this is an announcement from me.. I'm officially a dad now. I have a 1 month old. We have some extended family meeting us there from Northern California and of course they are thrilled to see the baby. Also some other notes, I haven't seen Rise of the Resistance, yet. I still need to say goodbye to Splash Mountain. I don't know if it will be active during our visit or not, but I also heard Soarin over California will be back possibly? I'd love to see it again.

Since i've been out of it for over 4 years, is there anything else you all can recommend to a disgruntled Disneyland veteran? I ran the idea past everyone to go to Knott's and Universal, but it's been shot down. So maybe just the lady and I will go. Except we have a baby now so it's not as easy with just the two of us. I can't back down from going for obvious reasons.

Spoiler: Unrelated + baby pic

On an unrelated note, my ultimate dream is to visit Orlando again and see Busch Gardens and Universal for Velocicoaster once little Lexi is old enough. For those of you who love baby pictures, here's a little snap of the peanut.

View attachment 621579

Any tips for enjoying the experience, especially with a newborn, will be appreciated. I also need something in return for spending more than a months mortgage and car payment for a 2 or 3 day visit. Thanks everyone!

I'd say go and enjoy the time with your family. Years pass quickly, and so do people.

 

[CaptinEO]

It's been awhile since i've made a new topic.

My family wants to go to Disneyland sometime in July. As the title says, I'm really not excited for it. The last time I went to Disneyland was around 2018 I think (it was before ROTR) and while I enjoyed some aspects of the park, I felt like the magic was mostly gone and replaced with too many expensive money-spending opportunities that did NOT return any real value. Also the blatant disrespect to thematic integrity, like high school musical in tomorrowland theatre and PiXaR pIeR. I'd rather see ITTBAB again then experience the spiderman ride thingy that looks like a cheap yet somehow expensive excuse for a attraction.

Here's the thing though.. and I guess this is an announcement from me.. I'm officially a dad now. I have a 1 month old. We have some extended family meeting us there from Northern California and of course they are thrilled to see the baby. Also some other notes, I haven't seen Rise of the Resistance, yet. I still need to say goodbye to Splash Mountain. I don't know if it will be active during our visit or not, but I also heard Soarin over California will be back possibly? I'd love to see it again.

Since i've been out of it for over 4 years, is there anything else you all can recommend to a disgruntled Disneyland veteran? I ran the idea past everyone to go to Knott's and Universal, but it's been shot down. So maybe just the lady and I will go. Except we have a baby now so it's not as easy with just the two of us. I can't back down from going for obvious reasons.

Spoiler: Unrelated + baby pic

On an unrelated note, my ultimate dream is to visit Orlando again and see Busch Gardens and Universal for Velocicoaster once little Lexi is old enough. For those of you who love baby pictures, here's a little snap of the peanut.

View attachment 621579

Any tips for enjoying the experience, especially with a newborn, will be appreciated. I also need something in return for spending more than a months mortgage and car payment for a 2 or 3 day visit. Thanks everyone!

Have your wife pack some lingerie.