By: Erin Asendorf, a Marvelous Mouse Travels agent
10. Why choose Disneyland vs Disney World? Disneyland is a terrific option for families who have little ones as it is more condensed than Walt Disney World in Florida. Here you can walk from one park to the other to your on-site hotel in less than 5 minutes! This can be less intimidating than navigating the transportation system and 4 parks of Walt Disney World. Disneyland also has a more laid-back vibe than Disney World. The characters here appear much more organically and toddlers who love to interact with them can do so but those who maybe a little nervous around characters can observe from a distance and wave to their favorites!
9. Measure your kids' heights beforehand and when needed use rider switch. Nothing is more disappointing to a kid than thinking they are going to get to ride a certain ride, going up to the entrance and getting turned away for being too short. Know your kid height and note what rides they will be too small for BEFORE you even get to the park. That way you can set your toddler up with expectations on what they will be able to do and what will have to wait until next trip! Your Marvelous Mouse Travels agent can also give you information on rider switch which allows parents to take turns experiences an attraction even though a little one has to sit out.
8. The Redwood Creek Challenge Trail at California Adventure is a great place to run off steam for the little guys! It’s a huge playground area with slides, bridges, rock climbing walls and more. Kids can also earn merit badges throughout the area by completing Wilderness Explorer Activities. It’s a great area to go to when your kiddos are tired of waiting in line!
7. Watch the Marvelous Mouse Travels YouTube channel together as a family before traveling. It may seem fun to surprise your kiddo with everything at Disneyland, but toddlers are extremely sensitive to new surroundings. Having been exposed to some of the rides and sites of the parks will make them feel more comfortable with their trip! Make sure to rewatch those classic Disney movies as well so kids are familiar with the characters and listen to the Disney Parks playlists so the kids can sing along with their favorite rides!
6. Utilize the baby care center. Each park has a baby care center with all sorts of amenities for families. There are toddler-sized toilets, changing tables, private areas for nursing and a space for kids who need a sensory break. They can provide hot water for bottles or a place to heat formula. They also have a small market that sells everything from diapers, baby food, pacis (this came in clutch for us once when we lost all of our reserves!), and more in case you run into a bind in the parks!
5. Bring your own snacks into the parks! We all know toddlers can consume a snack every 3 minutes and at Disneyland that cost can add up quickly! Anaheim has convenience stores located right off property that you can visit for a quick grocery run or check with your agent for grocery delivery service to your hotel. Another thing to pack in your day bag is a change of clothes for the toddler and for you! There will be so many great photo ops on this trip and you don’t want half of them to be with Ice Cream (or worse!) on your shirt!
4. Try and do most of Fantasyland in the morning before it gets too hot out and the lines get too long. If you are staying at a Disney Resort, ask your agent about Early Entry Admission to get in before the regular guests. When you do, head straight for Fantasyland and hit up as many of those rides as possible before the lines start to get long! By getting 4-6 of these done right away you are freeing up more time in the afternoon to head back to the resort for a nap or a relaxing swim!
3. Stay at a Disney-owned resort! Disney owns three hotels in California- Grand Californian, Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier. All have their pros and cons so talk to your agent about what is the right fit for your family. I would recommend the Grand Californian for almost all families with kiddos! Your rooms are so close to the parks here! They even have a dedicated entrance to California Adventure that puts you right in the action within steps of your room! So easy to go back to the room for a quick nap or just to cool off on a hot day!
2. Purchase Genie Plus to avoid long wait times plus get Photopass. Let’s face it, kids do not like to wait in line more than 5 minutes let alone an hour. Genie Plus can minimize your wait time for the most popular attractions. Simply log on to the app and select a reservation for a ride time. When that time arrives, head to the attraction and enter a special lane with a minimal (often zero) wait time. Your Marvelous Mouse Travel Agent will give you all the exact details on how this process works but trust me when I say it’s a game changer! With Genie Plus you also get access to all your photopass downloads for that day. These include ride photos, character meet and greets and other great photo ops throughout the parks!
And the most important tip for traveling to Disneyland with a toddler is…
1. Book with a Marvelous Mouse Travel Agent and let them deal with all the hassle and stress! These agents are seasoned in all things Disney and travel and can help answer all your questions from the day you book until you return home from your trip! They are your one stop shop for all your needs with no hold times. They can book dining, help with itinerary planning, make ride recommendations and so much more. Best of all their services are FREE when you book with them. For more information reach out to your agent or visit www.marvelousmousetravels.com/contactus.
