Disneyland® has something for everyone in the family and toddlers are no exception. My family has taken our kids during the toddler stage numerous times to the Disneyland® Resort and have made many happy family memories together.
Although we all like to think that Disneyland® vacations are pure pixie dust, the reality is that travel with kids doesn’t always go perfectly. Toddlers can sometimes be unpredictable travel companions. But don’t use that as an excuse not to go! It simply means a little planning and preparation is needed if your family’s Disneyland® vacation includes a toddler in tow. Here are my best tips for a successful visit to Disneyland® with toddlers.
-
Stay at a hotel within walking distance
Having a hotel that is close by can be a life-saver with toddlers. There is nothing worse than having to wait for a shuttle or trudge back to a parking lot when your toddler is having a meltdown and needs to get back to the hotel right away for a nap. Being within walking distance puts you in control of your Disneyland® destiny. Plus, less transit time means more hours in the park.
-
Go before your toddler turns 3
What a difference a day makes at Disneyland®! While children under age 3 are totally free at Disney® parks, you’ll have to pay the child ticket price once your little ones has his or her third birthday. We’ve found that kids definitely begin to appreciate rides and Disney® characters during the year between ages 2 and 3. Take advantage of a rare Disney® freebie while you can.
-
Aim for a mid-day nap.
It’s 1:00 pm and the Disneyland® crowds are building. Your toddler is cranky and in need of a nap. Make time for one! Most toddlers can really benefit from a break from the over-stimulation of a crowded theme park, and plenty of parents can too. My family always goes back to our hotel between about 1:00 and 3:00 pm for a rest. We avoid the most crowded times and are recharged for an amazing evening in the parks.
-
Plan your stroller strategy.
Even if your toddler doesn’t regularly use a stroller back home, 2 and 3 year olds really can’t make it through a full day at Disneyland® without one. There’s simply too much walking for little legs. While Disneyland® rents strollers, they can be expensive and they also look just like every other stroller, making them hard to find throughout the day. Plus, you can’t take the park strollers back with you to off-site locations like a hotel or restaurant. I recommend bringing your own inexpensive umbrella stroller from home to save money and increase convenience.
-
Know which rides not to miss… and which ones might scare toddlers.
Unlike many theme parks, Disneyland has a lot of rides that are appropriate and fun for the toddler set. My kids have always enjoyed Winnie the Pooh, the Disneyland® Railroad, and Fantasyland favorites like Dumbo, Peter Pan’s Flight, King Arthur Carrousel, and it’s a small world. Arrive early (preferably at park opening) to beat the crowds to these popular Fantasyland attractions.
Over in Disney California Adventure® Park, pint-sized rides include many of the attractions in A Bug’s Land as well as two non-thrill rides in Cars Land: Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree and Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters. Also make time for King Triton’s Carousel, Toy Story Mania, and a performance of Disney® Junior Live on Stage.
Although there is so much that is little kid friendly, not everything at Disneyland® will be right for your toddler. Specifically, a few of the Fantasyland classic dark rides like Snow White’s Scary Adventures, Pinocchio, and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride might be scary or overwhelming. Monsters Inc. in California Adventure can also be a bit loud or intense.
-
Plan for character meet-and-greets.
There are few things more magical than seeing your toddler’s eyes light up meeting Mickey or Minnie for the first time. Make time for some meet and greets when you visit Disneyland® with a toddler. For a more relaxed character meet and greet experience without the lines that make toddlers impatient, consider booking a character meal. Of course, a few toddlers are deathly afraid of characters so prepare for that curve-ball too!
-
Make time for free play.
It’s rare that a toddler can make it through a full Disney® day hopping from ride to ride without needing a little down time. Making time for free play for your toddler to unwind is just as important as a good nap for recharging. Luckily, Disneyland® has several areas that are great for unstructured play. Check out the play areas in Mickey’s Toontown like Donald’s Boat and Minnie’s House along with Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island (temporarily closed in early 2016).
-
Don’t underestimate the value of a good hotel pool.
Another place that is perfect for unstructured toddler play is your hotel’s pool. A good pool at a kid-friendly hotel is a must-have for my family. Pools are especially important for non-park days like your arrival or departure day when purchasing a full day park ticket wouldn’t make financial sense.
Grand Legacy At The Park pool
-
Save money with toddler meals.
While all Disneyland® restaurants offer kids meals at a reduced price, a few also offer toddler meals that can save you even more money. My 2 year old son’s favorite is the Yummy Cheesy Macaroni that you can find at Village Haus Restaurant in Fantasyland and at French Quarter in New Orleans Square. It comes with applesauce and milk all for under $5. Best of all, at character dining buffets like Goofy’s Kitchen or Plaza Inn, toddlers under age 3 eat for free!
-
Don’t forget the Baby Care Centers.
Disney® thinks of just about everything, including families with babies and toddlers. Each park at Disneyland® has a baby care center where you can buy infant and toddler supplies in a pinch or just find a quiet and clean place to change a diaper. It’s nice to have that peace of mind when I’ve found I’ve forgotten to pack that one essential item in my diaper bag for the parks.
Our guest author, Leslie Harvey, lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and two kids, ages six and two. She writes about travel with kids (including her love of Disneyland®) on the family travel blog Trips With Tykes. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram.
