Doing 1 park a day

friedela · Apr 29, 2019

Me again, sorry for all the questions!

We are in a debate on whether to get a stroller for our DS who is 7. He does not have a lot of stamina, he can walk about 2 hours and then he's absolutely wiped, he's always been that way. Last time we went to the World we rented strollers and we were thankful we did but this time we'd like to avoid it. I have suggested to DH that we could just take a lot of breaks but I am worried we will be missing out on stuff if we are constantly having to sit down and rest. Will doing 1 park a day make it easier to rest more often? We are only doing 1 day in DCA so if we miss anything that is it for us. Thoughts?

theluckyrabbit · Apr 29, 2019

What do you think you'll be missing? Having a memorable, wonderful time with your family doesn't necessarily = doing "everything" there is to do in each park. We've had passes for years and still haven't managed to do all there is to do in each park! And we still don't feel like we miss out on things because we don't go in to the parks expecting to be able to do everything. That may not be a realistic expectation and might be setting you up for disappointment because you're already doubting and second guessing yourself -- and you haven't even started your trip yet! Since both your kids have unique limitations, and there's nothing wrong with that, why not let them set the pace at a tempo they can process and enjoy? If they're enjoying the parks, no matter what you do or don't do, then you and your husband will really enjoy the parks. But even if you "do it all," if your kids are exhausted and miserable, you're probably not going to have that great a time. One park per day is fine. Park hopping is fine. What matters are the individual pace and limits of your family, not what you think you should be able to do or trying to keep up with what you think everyone else is doing. This is totally your family's trip -- do it your way and enjoy it. Even if you don't do every, single thing there is to do at DLR, you're can still have a wonderful time together!

RomCom · Apr 29, 2019

The above is such great advice. I am a total type A when it comes to vacation planning so I really needed to hear this reminder.

Karin1984 · Apr 29, 2019

Your group can only go as fast as the slowest member. You can ask the others to slow down, asking someone to speed up who isn't able to, is not a recipe for success.
If you had good experiences with the stroller in the World, why not repeat that? If it works for your family, go for it!

Make 3 lists:
- Must do
- Second best
- Nice if we make it, if not, no big deal.
Everything you are able to do after you've finished your must do list is a bonus. There is no such thing as the perfect trip and you will always miss out on something. Disneyland is going to be around for a long time, you can always come back. Maybe not tomorrow or next year, but you can go back.

If possible, and if you have the time, try to build your son's stamina before the trip. Start taking walks in the neigbourhood and build it up slowly, or something else he finds enjoyable. Which can be of benefit not just at Disney.

friedela · Apr 29, 2019

theluckyrabbit said:
What do you think you'll be missing? Having a memorable, wonderful time with your family doesn't necessarily = doing "everything" there is to do in each park. We've had passes for years and still haven't managed to do all there is to do in each park! And we still don't feel like we miss out on things because we don't go in to the parks expecting to be able to do everything. That may not be a realistic expectation and might be setting you up for disappointment because you're already doubting and second guessing yourself -- and you haven't even started your trip yet! Since both your kids have unique limitations, and there's nothing wrong with that, why not let them set the pace at a tempo they can process and enjoy? If they're enjoying the parks, no matter what you do or don't do, then you and your husband will really enjoy the parks. But even if you "do it all," if your kids are exhausted and miserable, you're probably not going to have that great a time. One park per day is fine. Park hopping is fine. What matters are the individual pace and limits of your family, not what you think you should be able to do or trying to keep up with what you think everyone else is doing. This is totally your family's trip -- do it your way and enjoy it. Even if you don't do every, single thing there is to do at DLR, you're can still have a wonderful time together!

Ok thank you! It's really hard to not fall into that temptation since this isn't something we can do time after time again. Knowing that we may in all likelihood not make it back again increases the pressure to try to see as much as possible! But you are right - forcing them to keep up to a point where everyone is miserable isn't fun either, which is why I was considering doing a stroller in the first place. But I think we'll just forego it and allow the kids to set the pace.
Thank you for your consistently great advice

goodeats · Apr 29, 2019

I do think one park a day cuts down on walking. You can also incorporate more shows when you slow your pace down. When I park-hop I tend to skip the shows, which can be built in rest time for your little one.

RedHotMama · Apr 29, 2019

Our family does 5 day tickets, one park-per-day. Each day we do just half of one park. We have little kids so we like to keep walking to a minimum, but also really slow down and enjoy the atmosphere and details of each land. Our last day we go back to favorites.

RomCom · Apr 29, 2019

You said "them" and strollers so do you have another child? I am on the fence about my older really needing a stroller so I've been cruising craiglist to find a Joovy Sit and Stand. Then my oldest can ride on the back bench if he is getting whiney but it isn't like I'd have to deal with a double stroller or two strollers since he'll be walking like 90 percent of the time. Just throwing another idea out.

Karuna Naidoo · Apr 29, 2019

My boys have very little stamina for walking but I find they are ok at Disneyland. They were 7 and 5 last time and neither used a stroller but my 5 yet old did stand on a glider board sometimes. They did complain a bit at the end of the day but overall it was fine. We always park hop at Land. Mostly bc of crowds, we like being able to switch if DL gets to crazy.

friedela · Apr 29, 2019

RomCom said:
You said "them" and strollers so do you have another child? I am on the fence about my older really needing a stroller so I've been cruising craiglist to find a Joovy Sit and Stand. Then my oldest can ride on the back bench if he is getting whiney but it isn't like I'd have to deal with a double stroller or two strollers since he'll be walking like 90 percent of the time. Just throwing another idea out.

We have a daughter as well who is a year and a half older. She for sure does not need it, nor want a stroller this time

friedela · Apr 29, 2019

goodeats said:
I do think one park a day cuts down on walking. You can also incorporate more shows when you slow your pace down. When I park-hop I tend to skip the shows, which can be built in rest time for your little one.

Ok great! Thanks

theluckyrabbit · Apr 30, 2019

friedela said:
Ok thank you! It's really hard to not fall into that temptation since this isn't something we can do time after time again. Knowing that we may in all likelihood not make it back again increases the pressure to try to see as much as possible! But you are right - forcing them to keep up to a point where everyone is miserable isn't fun either, which is why I was considering doing a stroller in the first place. But I think we'll just forego it and allow the kids to set the pace.
Thank you for your consistently great advice

No matter what you see and do, no matter how much you see and do -- or how little, remember that you are going to be at DLR with your family! That's what really matters, not how many things you check off a list. If you get to come back some day, fantastic! And even if you don't, you'll have so many memories to treasure for a lifetime. Making those memories together is what this trip is about -- not about achieving "the perfect bucket list." There were times we didn't really ride anything with our kids, but we watched ducks, ate ice cream, and laughed and laughed. Those memories are more precious than all the rides put together. Not that rides aren't fun -- but try to think what you all are going to remember years from now. The ride? Or the joy? Go have a truly magical time with your family!

Frederic Civish · May 1, 2019

We typically have up to 4 kids from 1 year to 7 years old. We usually go to the park with 1 or 2 strollers. We don't usually travel with our strollers, but we go online and rent them from one of the local companies. They drop off and pick up the stroller at your hotel, no charge. It is easier than travelling with it, and costs less (and takes less time) than renting one from Disney. We tend to hit rope drop, then stay in the parks until noon, while they are still quite empty. Then get a lunch, maybe see some shows, then go back to the hotel for a nap before hitting the evening. Our kids seem to be able to tolerate this.

Doing 1 park a day

friedela

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theluckyrabbit

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RomCom

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Karin1984

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friedela

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goodeats

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RedHotMama

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RomCom

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Karuna Naidoo

Earning My Ears

friedela

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friedela

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theluckyrabbit

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Frederic Civish

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