26 Tips for an Amazing Disneyland Trip with the Kids

Disneyland is a magical place for kids and adults alike. We got the season pass when my daughter was around 3, before her brother was born. We did it as something that so even after her brother arrived we had something for her that wouldn’t change. Also, we love Disney and love taking her on the weekends. There are some things we have learned, as parents, you may not think about. Things that can make that long day trip a little bit better. So here are tips my wife and I have discovered over our years of Disneyland excitement.

Stuff to Bring and Not Bring

1. Bring earmuffs/ hearing protection for babies if watching the fireworks show. Their hearing is delicate and depending where you stand it can get loud.
2. Bring warm clothes durning fall, winter, and spring. Even if the weather is warm some rides are cold inside. When the sun drops, even in the summer time, so does the temperature.
3. Snacks, lunches, and drinks in a cooler can help keep the price of going to Disneyland down. Plus, sometimes your kids have a specific taste for something.
4. Bring an empty tote bag for anything you might buy or need to carry.
5. Bring a mommy clip for the stroller. The stuff you buy gets heavy after a while so use the clips, they comes in handy.
6. Decorate your stroller to find it easier. They do get moved around by the cast or crew of Disney. Some people use lights if they’re there at night.
7. You can’t put locks on you stroller wheels. Reason being is employees are constantly moving them to fill in empty stroller parking areas.
8. They have rules about stroller sizes. I suggest to go to the link to find the latest on that.
9. They also have a rule that stroller wagons are not allowed.
   

Rides and Attractions

1. The Mickey’s Magical Map is a great show. The kids love to sit in the middle and at the end of the show all the kids run to collect the confetti ribbon that they shoot off. Even as an adult I love this show.
2. Mickey’s House in toontown is a nice cool line to stand in for a break as well as a chance to see Mickey.
3. I suggest for sure Small World on a hot day. The line might be long at times but the ride is long too. It feels nice and cool inside. It’s a great place to bring your water to rehydrate.
4. The Casey Jones Train ride is a fun ride but make sure your children keep their arms inside. Some of the hedges are very close to the train and if hit will do damage. My daughter stuck her arm out one night and I quickly pulled her arm back in right before getting to the hedges. Just remember keep a close eye on the curious little ones while enjoying such a happy place.
5. For a last minute place to stand for the Fantasmic show go down by the exit of the Haunted Mansion in front of the harbour galley. You will have to hold you kid so they can see but worth it to see them enjoy the excitement of the show. Sometimes when it’s not to busy the cast will have that walkways open up and you can get up close.
6. My daughter loves The Winnie the Poo ride and lines are almost always short. The plus is that it is almost always in shade. Just a heads up, upon exiting the ride their is a candy shop right there. So if you little one is a candyholic like mine make sure your carrying them so they can’t get away.
7. If both parents want to ride with a child, but someone has to watch a sibling you can do a Rider Swap. One parent goes on and the parents swap so the other parent can also enjoy it with their child. It’s also good if you know you kid hates getting off their favorite ride. It allows it so they can go twice. 
8. If you child just makes the height for the rides make sure you show them how to stand tall. Not saying have them cheat, they have the height requirements for a reason. Just some kids slouch when asked to check their height. We had that problem on thunder mountain. Our daughter was able to go on with her mom and when we swapped they said she was not tall enough. Kind of a bummer but what are you going to do…. other then buy her a churro to cheer her up.
9. If you or a loved one is disabled there is places you can go to get a red tag on your stroller or wheelchair and you can enter through those exit of most rides so the disabled can enjoy as well. This works for physical and mental disabilities as some have issues with crowds and noises.
10. You can also rent a scooter at the right hand side before you enter the park. Mind you they are a little slow moving but that too is considered like the red tag in which you can get easier access for the disabled.
11. The pass between the thunder mountain and fantasyland is a great place to watch the fireworks if you don’t like the crowds.
    
    

For Your Special Occasion

1. There are professional photographers with season passes. If you want special photos like proposals, baby announcement, or any other big announcement look them up. They also know great spots for better photos. My family and I haven’t personally done this but I did find a great post by blogger Randa Derkson who did do such and from what I can tell Sarina Love does great work. She’s actually one of the better photographers i found in the area. With that said you should always do you own research and find a photographer you like as it will make for better photos.

Extra Tips

1. Mobile ordering is your best friend especially at the ice cream shop on Main Street as that line gets huge.
2. If you are leaving during the parade stick to the right side as you exit and go behind the Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe. They tend to open the back walkway to go behind Main Street for less crowded foot traffic. 
3. When they rope off for the fireworks, the ropes that allow for the path across Main Street go under the one where you will be in the back of the crowd. They will make everyone pack in and you will move forward or do what we do and hang to the back for more room. Plus the more crowd around you it tends to be warmer on cold nights.
4. If your kids balloon pops just bring it to a ballon vendor and they will replace. I’ve haven’t had this problem with balloons but when we bought our daughter an ice cream and she dropped it they replaced it without question.
5. The Baby Center at the end of Main Street sells formula so if you forgot it or run out you won’t have to leave the park.
6. Download the Disneyland app. It’s great for knowing where the characters are, ride times & fastpass, mobile food orders, entertainment, just to know a few.

I hope you find these as helpful as I do every time I enjoy Disneyland with the kids.

If you enjoyed this you should also check out my post Top 10 free apps for parents