Hi all! Happy Hump day! I recently had a friend of mine ask if I had any tips and ticks for heading into the park with a little seeing as how often we go. After I wrote her an email I thought it might make a great post! So here you go my tips and ticks for braving the parks with littles. We have ben taking C to Disney since she was 10 weeks old, and she's obsessed. We are annual pass holders so when we do go we tend to head in only for a few hours this way C doesn't get too cranky and we can enjoy the park, but we have done full days in the park with her both here and at Disney world. Having an annual pass also gives you discounts int the park too, so something to look into. Now that she's older we can spend more time there plus now she'll nap in the stroller which is a huge plus!
Having a very in depth conversation with Tinkerbell
Before we head in the first thing we always do it check a crowd tracker site. I use this
one, this way we have a better idea what we are getting ourselves into. It also doesn't hurt to belong to some annual pass holders pages on Facebook, people on there are super helpful when it comes to how busy it is. I plan to go as early as possible this way we get the most out of the morning, its always less packed in the morning and cooler and we try to head home before nap. If we are spending the whole day then we plan to have C nap in the stroller so we bring a light blanket, portable noise machine and her lovey.
Parking We like to park in the structure so the car stays nice and cool. We bring a umbrella stroller we have this
one and we walk over using this foot path instead of taking the tram. We also take our larger jogging stroller for longer days or when C needs more room we have this
one.
Security, I hate that I have to write this part but true. Like any theme park you are not immune to theft , we like to bring a
bike lock and lock our wheels together of our stroller. It may not prevent someone from stealing it but it makes it a whole lot harder. You are not allowed to lock your stroller to any structure in the park which is why we lock the wheels together. Ugh, sorry about the downer part but it would stink to have your stroller stolen while you're enjoying yourself.
Get the app! I love the
Disneyland app, because it gives you wait times and a map all on your phone. It will also tell you where the characters are, the bathrooms, photo pass spots, parade and show times as well as show you all the restaurants. If you are a pass holder it will tell you if you have a black out day as well, which is great!
Food and drink. If you know me well you know I LOVE Disneyland food so much so I plan to eventually do a post just on all my favorite eats in the park. But just so you know you can bring food and drinks into the park, just no glass containers. This is great for littles so we pack all of Cs snacks then plan on having meals in the park. I like to bring her grapes, raisins, cheddar bunnies, applesauce or a yogurt pouch. I use a
insulated sleeve bag and I always fill our water bottles. They are super sweet and will give you cups of water almost anywhere so you can refill your bottles around the park, so for especially hot days I use more ice in our bottles and refill as we go.
Forget something? Head over to the baby center, which is located next to fist aid on main street on the Disneyland side and in pacific wharf by Ghirardelli on the California adventure side. They have a nursing room, changing stations, feeding area with highchairs, kitchen with microwave plus they sell formula, pacifiers, diapers & wipes should you forget any or run out.
Rider Swap! We love love love love this option, well we did haha for now Steve just gets to go on all the fun rides. Any who rider swap is great for all the rides you want to go on that littles can't when you get on line just ask for a rider swap pass, then when your partner come off you can hop right on without having to wait in the line.
Showing Pluto her shoes
Now for the fun part! A list of Cs favorite rides!
Disneyland
Tomorrowland
- Finding Nemo
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
- Autopia (note you need to be 32inches to ride this ride)
- Astro Orbitor
Fantasyland This is totally where we get to do the most!
- It's a Small World Cs absolute favorite at the moment
- Alice in Wonderland
- Casey Jr Circus Train
- Dumbo
- King Arthur Carrousel
- Pinocchio Daring Journey
- Snow White Scary Adventure (C is not a huge fan of this one it is a little scary)
- Peter Pans Flight
- Mr. Toads Wild Ride (we get a little scared on this one too)
- Tea Cups!
- Storybook Land Canal Boats
Toontown!
- Roger Rabbit Car Toon Spin
- Goofys Playhouse
- Donalds boat
- Minnies House (Meet Minnie Mouse)
- Mickeys House (Meet Mickey Mouse)
- Chip 'n Dales Tree house
New Orleans Square
- Pirates of the Caribbean (Its dark in there and there is a little drop, but C loves it)
Adventure Land
- Jungle Cruise
- Enchanted Tiki Room
Critter Country
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
California Adventure
Paradise Pier
- King Triton Carosel
- Little Mermaid
- Toy Story Mania
- Mickeys Fun Wheel
- Golden Zephyr
Cars Land
- Mater Junkyard Jamboree (32 inches)
- Luigi's Rollickin Roadsters (32 inches)
Bugs Land
- Heimlich Chew Chew Train
- Tuck and Roll's Drive 'Em Buggies
- Francis' Ladybug Boogie
- Flick's Flyers
- Princess Dot Puddle Park (bring a change of clothes)
- It's Tough to be a Bug
Hollywood Land
- Red Car Trolley
- Soccers's Workshop
- Turtle Talk with Crush
- Monsters Inc. Ride
- Disney Jr. Live on Stage (A HUGE hit in our house)
And of course for both sides of the park meet the Characters and watch a parade! We love meeting Mickey and Minnie, all the princess and clubhouse characters. Then of course the parades and shows are a fun way to sit for a while and watch your little enjoy the magic of disney. Whatever you choose to do when you are at the park, have fun relax, the magic happens when you're least stressed and just taking in the moments. Any other tips and ticks you guys have let me know!
XOXO
