Welcome back to Disney School!
Boy I have gotten a lot requests for this segment. I swear half the people I know are taking Disney trips right now and SO many are taking littles. Taking little ones to Disneyland (kids that need naps and diaper changes, aren't tall enough for all the rides, nursing etc.) is a WHOLE other ball game.
I used to do Disneyland before I was married and we just went HARD, ride to ride, food to food.
But it's so different now! In the best way!
As long as you know how to navigate it.
In Part Four of Disney School, I am going over how you can ROCK Disneyland + California Adventure with your favorites peanuts. As always, I'm writing in segments so SKIP what you know and STUDY what you don't.
Should I bring my babies?
What age is best for Disneyland/CA?
Disneyland Magic is a special thing. They truly have catered to ALL AGES.
I have been to Disneyland pregnant twice and I brought Stoic (with just Justin) when I he was only 3 months old. People thought I was crazy!
But I missed the magic of Disney so bad so we planned a trip so we brought him along!
I have heard of people with babies 6 weeks old going, so don't let age stop you from going!
There is so much to enjoy.
+ they are FREEEEEEE .99 until they turn 3 so live it up!
I don't buy the "they don't remember it so why even go"...Should I cage him until he's four?! We're going!!!
Packing the Stroller & Carrier
Pro Tip: ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS bring a stroller.
If I ever go to Disneyland without kids again, I will still bring a stroller. Lol
(See Arlo under there? Lol!)
Your stoller is your:
-nap station
-car for tired walkers
-most of all, your pantry!!
We have a double stroller & we PACK the bottom with all things we need.
This trip we packed the stroller with:
10 waters + 2 hydroflasks to refill at fountains (DO NOT SPEND $4.99 per bottled water!)
5 prefilled formula bottles for Arlo (just needed to add water)
Fruit Snacks
Mac & Cheese Cups (I'll tell you where to heat these up)
Cuties (They are $4.99 for 3 little ones at the park lol)
Goldfish
Bubble Refill (For the Bubble Buzz we got him)
Diapers
Wipes
Use your stroller to store your things.
We also layered our coats on the top seat of the stroller when Stoic wanted to walk.
Arlo LOVED to be out and be carried and we used our FAVORITE EVER CARRIER.
Ditch the $200 carriers and
get this one. $27 and you won't regret it.
Baby Centers
Baby Centers are ABSOLUTE GOLD. There is ONE in each park.
In Disneyland, the Baby Center is located at the end of Main Street.
Turn right, and it is across from the Corn Dog Cart.
In California Adventure, the Baby Center is next to The Ghirardelli Shop & the Bakery Tour.
Moms or Dads can go in and there are SO many ways to reset in there.
They have:
-couches for rest or nursing
-private stalls for nursing or pumping (I pumped here with Stoic)
-amazing cushy changing tables (such a delight)
-microwaves (for bottles OR for that MAC AND CHEESE:)
-Toddler size toilet
-Vending machine with diapers, wipes, formula, ect
Take advantage of these. They are a great place to reset.
Arlo had a blowout at Disney and we handled it with ease at the Baby Care Center.
Rides for Babies
A lot of rides have no height restriction which means you can literally bring your newborn on!
I debated on just doing the list, but the pictures show how INCREDIBLE each ride is!
Here's a list of no height requirement for Disneyland rides:
Alice in Wonderland
Astro Orbitor
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Dumbo
(our cute mamas)
(we all fit in our haha!)
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
It's A Small World
Jungle Cruise
Mad Tea Party
Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Mr. Toads Wild Ride
Peter Pan's Flight
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Pirates of the Caribbean
Rodger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin
Haunted Mansion
Here is the list of no height requirement rides for California Adventure:
The Little Mermaid
Monsters Inc : Mike and Sulley to the Rescue
Pixar Pal A Round (Ferris Wheel)
Redrock Creek Challenge Trail
Great Place for the Toddler to get out energy
Toy Story Midway Mania
Golden Zephyr
Inside Out
Jesse Critter Carousel
So ALL of those rides are TOTALLY good for all kiddos of any age.
A lot of them, you can ride 3 people (or even four if one is a baby:) to a car!
We rotated all six of us so everyone got to ride with Stoic. It was a blast.
This trip he was 36" inches so it opened up more rides for him! Like Autopia and Cars Land Rides...not the big one though lol :)
Measure your toddler then put the height into the filter on
this link so you can see what they can ride!
OTHER THINGS TO DO.
Rides are not the only thing at Disney!
1. Check out what parade/fireworks show is happening while you're there.
2. Go see the Magical Map show at the amphitheatre next to Toon Town. STOIC LOVED THIS.
So many characters. Great music. Great to rest. And 25 minutes long!
3. In California Adventure they have a theatre to watch showings + a drawing studio across from Award Wieners. So fun!!
4. My favorite thing with toddlers... CHARACTERS.
Characters - How to Meet your FAVS
I had a baby and raised him for two years on Disney SPECIFICALLY to be able to introduce him to characters. Lol
You will see characters walking throughout the park, and you can line up to meet them and take a photo. When I was little, like 4/5 I remember EVERY TIME I went, my dad bought me a new autograph book & pen to meet all the characters and have them sign it :D
If you have a specific character you wanna meet, use the app. (We HAD to meet Woody & Buzz)
They will tell you where that character lines up, but beware.
One character spot has multiple characters and the app wont tell you who is there, but cast members will.
For example, in front of Toy Story Mania is where you can meet Bo Peep, Buzz and Woody.
The app told me someone was there, but not WHO was there.
It looks like this:
When we got there, it was Bo Peep. We asked a cast member (Disney employee) and they told us Buzz would be there in an hour, so we came back!
Here are some pics to get you excited about character meet & greets!
(I was dying laughing because he was meeting Sadness and he was so sad Lol!)
Prepping for the big Day!
Do yourself a big favor and set out EVERYTHING the night before.
The boys clothes, jackets, diapers, shoes were all laid out.
Justins and I outfits, fanny packs (PACKED), diaper bags and everything was laid out and packed.
That way the morning is a breeze! Keep it easy for yourself.
NAP SPOTS
Did you know that you don't need a room key to use the Disney California Adventure Hotel entrance?!
Go see how beautiful it is and hang out in the lobby for a cool dim lit spot to hold those babies.
We also just laid Stoic in the stroller and he was asleep in seconds. Either work lol.
I know I will be adding to this endlessly, but here is Part Four of Disney School.
Don't be afraid of Disney with littles. It's MADE for littles.
Lou had the time of his life Haha! :)))
You got this!!! xo Kels
Follow along for more about Disney, motherhood, relationships, friendships and giveaways at @kelsieishappy!
Coming soon...
What to wear to Disneyland / California Adventure
Staying at the California Adventure Hotel
Discounts at Disneyland / California Adventure
