Disneyland bills itself as the happiest place on earth, and it’s a fabulous place to visit with your children, no matter how old or young they are. That being said, the trip you take to Disneyland with your toddler or baby will be different than the trip you take with your teenager. When you go to Disneyland with a baby or a toddler, there are some things that you should know. Following these tips will help you make your trip as happy as possible, both for you and for your child.
You don’t have to see everything in the park
The first thing that you should remember about going to Disneyland with a toddler or baby is that you don’t have to see everything in the park. You’ll enjoy yourself most if you don’t push yourself or your baby. Small children need rest, even (and perhaps especially) during days at a theme park. Remember that you’re there to enjoy yourself, not to check rides and attractions off a list.
Make sure to pack some things
Before you leave for the park, you’ll want to make sure to pack some things. You will of course want a diaper bag with extra diapers, wipes, formula and other necessities. You’ll also want to take some sunscreen with you so that you can protect your baby’s skin.
More water bottles with you
You will also probably want to bring one or more water bottles with you. Disneyland can get very hot, especially in the summer, and enough water will help everyone in the family to stay happy. Although Disneyland does not technically allow outside food to be brought into the park, you can probably also bring some snacks for your children without any trouble.
Write your cell phone number
For safety’s sake, you may also want to write your cell phone number and name on a piece of paper and pin it to your young child’s clothing. This will make it easier for you to be contacted in case the two of you are separated. Also, if you have a digital camera, take a picture of your child just before you go to the park. Then, if anything should happen, you will easily be able to show Disneyland security what your child looks like and what he or she is wearing.
Order your tickets in advance
You can cut down on your time spent in line if you order your tickets in advance. You’ll have enough lines to stand in as it is—you don’t need to add another one at the ticket office. Do yourself a favor and order your tickets on the Disneyland website. Ordering online won’t just save you time—it may be cheaper too. Disney will sometimes run specials online that aren’t available at the park’s ticket office. When you order your tickets, remember that children under the age of three don’t need a ticket.
Have some sort of stroller
Whether your child is a baby or a toddler, you will probably want to have some sort of stroller at Disneyland. At some point during the day, your child’s legs will get tired, and you’ll all like it better if you don’t have to carry him or her the rest of the day. You can either bring your own stroller, or you can rent one at the front gate.
Pick up a map
When you first get into the park, pick up a map. This will show you where the different rides and attractions are. More importantly, it will also show you where bathrooms are. There are changing tables available in all of Disneyland’s restrooms. When you need to change your baby, simply find a restroom.
The map will also show you where the Disneyland Baby Center is. If you should run out of formula, diapers or other baby supplies, visit the Baby Center and you should be able to obtain extras. The Baby Center is a good place to nurse your child, and it can also be a great place to just take a break and relax. It also doubles as the Lost Children Center.
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When you are choosing what rides and attractions to go on, be aware that your baby or toddler will not be able to go on all of them. Some rides and attractions have a minimum height requirement, and some may be too intense or frightening. However, there are a lot of different attractions that even very small children can enjoy. The Disneyland Rail Road can be enjoyed by even the youngest of children. Tarzan’s Treehouse is a great place for toddlers to play. Small children frequently enjoy the Dumbo ride in Fantasyland. The Casey Jr. Circus Train and It’s a Small World rides also tend to be big hits. Your kids may also enjoy playing in ToonTown and on Tom Sawyer’s Island.
If you find a ride that you and your spouse want to go on, but that your baby or toddler can’t, don’t worry. Just stand in the line together. When you get to the front of the line, tell the ride attendant that you want to trade off going on the ride. One of you can ride while the other holds onto the baby. Once the ride is over, you can trade. This way, you both get to go on the ride, but you won’t have to wait in line twice.
Although it takes some additional planning and imposes some additional restrictions, visiting Disneyland with a baby or toddler can be a lot of fun. If you plan your visit right, you’ll be able to enjoy some fun rides yourself, and you’ll have the rewarding experience of watching your child have fun too.
