When we went to Disneyland last year Reese was still a “baby.” She napped wherever, took a bottle whenever, chilled endlessly in the stroller, and just generally rolled with whatever we wanted to do. It was awesome. Taking a baby to Disneyland wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be and we had the best time with her. Definitely check out my How to do Disney with a Baby post along with this one, because it contains a lot of general Disneyland tips that also apply with toddlers.

When we went this year in June, however, Reese was at an entirely different stage (16 months) and I was very very worried about how different it might be. At the same time Reese was way more alert and aware and reactive, so I was extremely excited to see her react to the parades, rides, and the characters she can now recognize – like Minnie & Mickey. I’m happy to report back that, while it was a little more difficult to take a toddler, it was much more fun than when she was a tiny baby.

There was a definite shift in this last trip from the previous trips, and as we prepare to head back to Disneyland this week I’ve been thinking a lot about the differences and how I will be better prepared this time. HENCE blog post time.

Tips for Toddlers in Disneyland

Prep Before You Go

• Read my How to Prepare for a Disneyland Trip – it starts at 3-6 months out and winds down to the day before you go.
• Get to know the characters. Reese watches Mickey Mouse Clubhouse at my mom’s and my MIL’s somewhat frequently now, and it has definitely made her recognize Mickey & Minnie more. We also have several Minnie Mouse toys so those have become favorites. Because of this recognition she was so much more excited when she saw Mickey & Minnie stuff all over Disneyland.
• Figure out their basic eating/sleeping/playing/bedtime schedule. Most of you moms are probably like “uh, duh.” We have always been pretty loosey-goosey over here when it comes to our schedule, though so it’s not always a given. It’s fine when we’re at home and just living our regular life, because I have things ready to rock whenever she wants them and we’re basically always less than 10 minutes from home. In Disneyland however it was much hard to distinguish her needs and when it was the right time to do certain things. I’ll talk more about this below, but it helps if you just have a really general picture of wake up, breakfast, play, lunch, naps, snacks, dinner, diapers, bedtime routines, etc. They definitely will not adhere to it in Disneyland, but it’s still helpful to have as a baseline.
• Get them cute Disney tees and accessories! I wrote all about this in a Disney Style post, but my favorite places are Walmart (by a landslide – cheap and always have lots of Disney stuff in every section), Target, Old Navy, Forever 21, H&M, Amazon, and The Disney Store. Start looking early for stuff in your toddler’s size, and always keep an eye on the clearance sections – in store and online. Ask around to see if friends have Disney clothes or costumes they’d be willing to lend you. I have Disney stuff in almost every baby size now and I’m happy to share!
• Practice long walks in the stroller, walking through crowded stores or the mall while holding hands, and do a test run on a toddler leash backpack.
• Scope out the restaurants you want to try while you’re there. Disneyland is very baby/kid friendly, but some places are obviously more baby/kid friendly than others. I’m not saying you should skip out on a restaurant you really want to try – it’s just that they sometimes take more time and effort, so we ended up only doing one “real” restaurant a day, or every other day. Prioritize where you want to go. (My favorite Disney foods here.)
• If you have a very picky toddler, you might also want to look into the menus of restaurants around the park. Many offer kid menus with PB&J, Mac n Cheese, and other kid favorites. It’s just helpful information to have on hand in case your kid goes full meltdown mode and you just need a quick win.

To Buy/Pack

• A variety of prepackaged, disposable snacks. Last time I had little tupperware containers that I filled up each morning before heading out. I can’t tell you how many times we lost the lid, or Reese spiked the entire thing over the side of the stroller. #nope This time I’m taking a ton of disposable food pouches, fruit snacks, the individual baggies of goldfish, and snack ziploc bags to put her yogurt melts and crunchies in. (I might keep those snack bags in a small tupperware to keep them from crumbling, but then I’ll leave the tupperware in my bag and only give her the disposable stuff. Yahtzee.)
• Small bottles of juice or milk to take into the park. You can buy juice boxes and stuff there but it was way more affordable to just buy 8 or 12 oz bottles and throw them in the cooler with my Diet Cokes.
• Speaking of drinks – take a cooler bag. Ours is almost exactly like this one, and it’s perfect for throwing in the basket of the stroller. Last year we just took a tiny 6 can cooler bag and it was great, but now that we’re packing more juice, milk, and snacks we need something bigger. We put drinks and snacks like string cheese, chocolate, or other melty things in there. Trust me, everyone in your group will appreciate you bringing one.
• A toddler leash backpack. If you are fundamentally against these then you’re just ignorant. We have this panda one, but they have a bunch of other animals and options. Reese loves it and asks us to put it on her all the time at home. It was super helpful in line when we couldn’t just stand and hold all 25 pounds of her and she wanted to stand and walk on her own anyways – throw on the leash and they can feel independent but stay safe and close.
• Stroller fan. We took a big spray fan last year and never used it, but then when I saw the clip on fan that my SIL had for my niece I knew it was a better option. We just bought this one to take this time.
• An ipad loaded with games and/or movies that your toddler likes. There will come a time that they are just freaking out and can’t stand the stroller for one more minute but you just can’t let them run wild because you’re at dinner or headed all the way across the park or waiting for something important. We didn’t bring the ipad last time and it was fine, but it would have been nice to not have to hand her our phones for YouTube because she just needed to chill while we waited to be seated for dinner. Definitely taking it this time with Zootopia ready to rock at a moment’s notice.
• A Disney “souvenir.” I actually read this on another blog and thought it was GENIUS. Basically you buy your kid a stuffed Disney character or toy or whatever you think they’ll love BEFORE you go to Disneyland just from Walmart or Amazon or wherever. It’s way cheaper than actual Disneyland merchandise, and you can just keep it secretly tucked away in your bag and then give it to them when they ask for a toy or souvenir. They’re none the wiser.
• A back up binky, bottle, sippy cup, etc. We only brought one of Reese’s binkies last time and it fell out of the stroller at one point. Reese only likes her wubanub binkies, so I was stressing about where in the world I’d find one in Anaheim in the middle of our Disneyland trip. I’m sure I could have or that we could have done without it, but it would have been a pain. Luckily we retraced our steps and found (and sanitized) it! Toddlers are even more temperamental and possessive about their favorite things, so I’m always making sure we have a backup – even if we just leave it in the hotel room.
• Good toddler shoes. {It’s actually a Disneyland rule that if you set your kid down at all they have to have shoes on, just FYI.} Those cute fabric crib shoes or trendy leather moccasins are NOT the right choice for Disneyland, even if your toddler will spend most of the time in the stroller. Those shoes are great for everyday wear around your house, grocery store, or the park, but will wear down and get filthy so fast in Disneyland. Rubber-soled, broken in sneakers are the way to go. Reese wore her Ikiki Panda shoes most of the time and we’re packing those and her Nike kicks for this trip.
• A backup tee/onesie/romper for your toddler to have in the bag. We’re thankfully past the blowout stage, but that doesn’t mean we don’t spill EVERYTHING on our clothes, get soaked, or start getting sick of the big fluffy Minnie costume.

In The Park

• Avoid making lots of set plans or trying to keep up with your non-toddler group. Toddlers just slow you down, and that’s ok. We were super clear with our family and they were very accommodating and not offended at all when we had to say “We’ll just catch up with you!” If you’re planning to hit a fast pass and then go straight to another ride and then grab lunch at that restaurant over there and then do another ride in that other place… I can basically guarantee you that your toddler will make sure it doesn’t happen. Try to take things one step at a time and be as flexible as possible.
• That being said, kind of plan. Talk with your group about general plans and areas of attack. Don’t get a random fastpass for the other side of the park in an hour. Try to tackle areas at a time, and plan your park hopping carefully. Nothing tires you out and irritates a toddler faster than a 20 minute walk to traverse the park. Wandering aimlessly can be fun. Walking around the park for an entire day and only riding 3 rides is maddening – and a waste of your pass!
• Let them walk as much as you possibly can. Sometimes Reese was content in the stroller, or I expected a huge fight when I inevitably had to put her back in, so I avoided letting her walk or get out to play when it was an option. Fast forward an hour when we’re in the middle of a crowded thoroughfare and she is FREAKING. OUT. because she’s sick of being in the stroller. Can you blame her? This time I am going to consciously and actively let her walk and play whenever possible, even if it’s a bit of a pain for me. It will make her happy and more importantly – wear her out!
• Venture into Toon Town. If you’re like me, you haven’t been there since you were 6. Why bother? It’s for kids. Well, now it’s time to bother, because it’s for kids. I thought it was maybe too advanced for Reese but I was wrong! It’s the most kid-friendly part of the park, and we basically let Reese run wild there. And even at the busiest hours of the park it tends to stay relatively open. Don’t discredit Toon Town.
• Shift your focus from 100% rides to 50% rides/50% attractions. When you don’t have kids, you’re like “SPLASH MOUNTAIN SPACE MOUNTAIN THUNDER MOUNTAIN TURKEY LEG MATTERHORN INDIANA JONES.” Welp. Not really like that anymore. Even if you’re doing the kid-friendly rides, you just can’t go back to back to back. Trust me. Between the lines and attention span and holding/chasing/soothing your toddler… it just doesn’t work like that. Choose a handful of kid-friendly rides (Reese’s favorites are It’s A Small World in Disneyland and The Little Mermaid in CA), and a few attractions you want to check out (next bullet).
• ATTRACTIONS! There is so much more to Disneyland than rides! Grab a pamphlet/map/program when you get there are pick a couple of attractions you want to see. I am obsessed with the parades. I literally cry every time I love them so much. And Reese loves them too! It is 150000% worth it to go get a good spot along the parade route and just camp out for an hour or two before it starts. Sync this time up with dinner or nap time for extra points. Last time everyone went and rode some of the “adult” rides while I got us a kicka** parade spot and I ate a snack and Reese napped the whole time. {INSIDER TIP: It was also a great spot for the fireworks – right on the roundabout in front of the castle.} Last time we were there we walked up to the castle to get our pictures, and it just so happened to be right when the Disneyland Marching Band came out with Mickey & Friends. I am SO GLAD we accidentally got a front row seat, and we are definitely making it a priority next time. So cute and fun and Reese LOVED it. I’ve heard good things about the Mickey’s Magical Map, Frozen, and other shows around the park too.
• Meet the Characters! This isn’t really worth your time unless your kid is old enough to actually recognize and be into it. You also may want to take into account your kid’s age/shyness/stranger danger/stage fright. My niece Lillie (she was 3 at the time) is obsessed with Elsa, but she’s also very shy around strangers and doesn’t really like the spotlight being on her. They waited in line for a while (you can imagine what the line to meet Elsa looks like), and when it was her turn to meet Elsa she was a little overwhelmed and terrified. I can’t blame her! It’s a lot to take in and comes with a lot of pressure. The Character Breakfast can be a fun and less stressful option with toddlers, or you can look up when they’re doing photos/autographs and get there early. Toon Town has a lot of the characters around most of the time. We have gotten lucky with Minnie & Mickey before at random spots/times around the park – just keep your eyes out for characters and hustle over when you see them!
• Quiet Time. Last time I found that on one of our busiest days Reese just seemed fussy and agitated, even though she was fed and had a good nap. I’m embarrassed to say how long it took me to realize she was simply overstimulated! There were 10 of us talking to her, showing her things, walking her around, all on top of the excitement that is Disneyland alone! We skipped out on the next ride and found a little secluded and shaded area in Toon Town and just chilled. I pulled her out of the stroller, we shared some popcorn, walked around the little area together, and read her board book a few times. Sometimes toddlers just need to chill out.
• Pajamas – I keep going back and forth on this one. A lot of moms say they love to change their kids into pajamas when it’s their bedtime, even if they’re gonna stay in the park for a few more hours. They say it helps keep the schedule somewhat normal, and if the kids fall asleep at any point you can just transition them straight to bed when you get to your hotel room. We did it one of the nights last time and it worked ok. We bathe Reese at night, and she doesn’t transition super well if she falls asleep somewhere other than bed, so it’s kind of wasted if she wakes up or if she got super gross that day and needs a bath before bed. I’m gonna take pajamas with us and we’ll play it by ear, I guess.
• Mom and Dad need to enjoy Disneyland, too. If you’re not having a good time then your toddler won’t be enjoying it either. It’s ok to tell your kid “no” when they want to ride Dumbo again and you just can’t take it, or to let your toddler chill in the stroller while you and your spouse take turns doing the Splash Mountain single rider. Of course the trip is about the kids, but still do the things that you love. Make a plan to hit your favorite rides, restaurants, and attractions along with all of the kid stuff you plan to do. Drink plenty of water, take snacks that you also like, and treat yo self to some shopping and the legendary Disneyland desserts.
• Toddlers will still throw tantrums in Disneyland. You aren’t a bad parent if your kid melts down. Their trip isn’t ruined. Remember that these tiny people are still developing their brains and emotions, and that Disneyland is overwhelming for the best of us. Have one parent take the toddler somewhere to cool down alone, while the rest of the family or group keeps going.
• Don’t be afraid to leave the park. Sometimes you have to know when to say when, especially with a toddler in tow. If by midday it is hot and crowded and frustrating, peace out for an hour or two. Venture into Downtown Disney for shopping or even a movie. We love going down there to an air conditioned sit-down, no-rush restaurant (Tortilla Joes!) to escape the park for a couple of hours. You can even go back to your hotel for a nap, bath, or lunch. Don’t feel like you’re not getting your money’s worth if you would just spend that time sweating in insane lines with grumpy kids. The same goes for leaving the park at night – if you planned to stay till midnight but everyone is tired and you don’t feel a second wind coming on… call it a night.

Grainy and dark, but it’s one of my favorite pictures of our trip – Reese entranced by the parade!

Taking a baby didn’t feel all that different from just going with adult friends and family, other than planning around baby swaps and who was sitting off with the kiddo. Taking a toddler? Completely different trip. But much, MUCH more fun! Just remember to take it slow, have fun, and stop to feel the magic – it’s much easier to feel with toddlers around. They can show you how; just watch them.

I’ll be taking next week off while we’re in Disneyland but follow along on Instagram (dholdy), Twitter (danica_holdaway), and Snapchat (dholdy) for lots of pics, videos, and updates while we’re in the Happiest Place on Earth!