Two years ago today, I took my little 5-week-old newborn to meet Minnie Mouse for the first time. Baylee was born in to a Disney-loving family, so she is already a Disneyland and Disney movie pro at only 2 years old. (I mean I can name a Disney princess and she will immediately sing whatever song that princess sings. She's that good!) After frequenting the Disney Resort, I have a few tips and tricks that can help when tackling the parks with a toddler. (If you want my tips on doing Disney with a baby, that post is here!)
1. Pack snacks. Lots and lots of snacks. It's hard to get Baylee to focus on eating a real meal at Disneyland with all the distractions, so I make sure we have snacks for waiting in lines or for while I'm pushing her around in the stroller. I take granola bars, goldfish crackers, applesauce packets, and go-gurts. Sometimes, if we are going to be there all day, I even pack a full lunch for Baylee in a cooler just to save money by not having to buy her a toddler meal when I eat.
2. Bring a full change of clothes (or two) and a change of shoes. With so many ways to get wet or dirty, and so many messy treats, it's almost guaranteed that your toddler will need an outfit change at some point. And walking around in wet shoes is no fun, so I always bring an extra pair just in case.
3. Download the Disneyland App and choose rides accordingly. I've learned that Baylee's wait-time limit for rides is about 20 minutes before she gets over it and starts turning in to Wild Child. I always look at wait times on my app and choose the rides that have the shortest waits.
4. Find a good, small stroller. We just got this stroller and I love it for Disney. It is way more maneuverable in large crowds than our older, bigger stroller, and still has an undercarriage and drink holders.
5. Bring a towel or blanket. One that you don't mind getting dirty. This is the easiest way to "mark your territory" for a parade, and it gives you something to sit on. When we are waiting for parades, I always make sure I have something for Baylee to eat or do, or I will have whoever is with me take her on rides while I wait at our spot.
6. Use the baby center for potty training. We haven't quite reached this point yet, but I am so happy that it's available when we do. The baby centers in both parks have toddler sized potties for potty trainers or littles who just don't feel comfortable sitting on a big potty yet. There are even sinks that are shorter for them, so they can practice washing their own hands.
7. Find health(ier) eats. There aren't many choices for true health food at Disney, but there are definitely places with better options for toddlers. The toddler meals always come with sliced apples, baby carrots, or applesauce instead of fries or chips. We love the frozen apple juice in Fantasyland as an alternative to any of the other frozen treats. There are also stands in pretty much every land that sell fresh fruit and other healthy goodies. However, if it's just a cheat day for the whole fam (we all have those!), I highly recommend going crazy and just getting the churros and ice cream. ;)
8. Don't forget the shows! A lot of times, guests get so caught up with riding rides and meeting characters that they miss out on one of the most fun things to do in Disney, which is to watch one or two of their amazing shows! For toddlers, I highly recommend the Disney Junior Live show (Baylee's fav!), Mickey and the Magical Map, and the shows at the Royal Theatre (They alternate "Tangled" and "Beauty and the Beast"). These shows are a perfect way to catch a glimpse of your kiddos favorite Disney characters and to sing along with all their favorite songs, while mom and dad get to sit and rest their achy feet for a bit. It really is win-win!
9. Follow "Magic Kingdom Mamas" on Instagram. They are at the parks all the time and have a lot of tips and tricks for those of us with littles, as well as scoop on what is new-and-coming. Warning though...their feed may leave you with daily cravings for pineapple whip, churros, and Mickey-shaped treats!
10. Go with the flow. If there's anything I've learned about doing Disney with a toddler, it's that I'm on her time, not my own. If you have to stop and rest for a bit, do it. Sometimes the greatest things can happen, or you can make the most precious memories when you sit on a bench and just let Disneyland happen around you. Take some time to take it all in, because before you know it that little one is going to be dragging you on California Screamin' for the 5th time in a row. :)
Two precious Disney years down, and many more to go with my little mouse! I am so blessed!
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