Disneyland with a Toddler

ClaraOswald

Do it, lady!
Joined
Feb 12, 2014
Messages
5,712
Our trip is in a few months. Just wondering what tips you all have for visiting the parks with a toddler (1.5 year old.) I obviously know the basics - take breaks, go slow, have a stroller, bring some snacks, etc. But I'm sure there are plenty of things I haven't thought of. So, please enlighten me! :)

UPDATE on page 2. :)
 
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One tip I have is to get a silhouette done of your little one. The silhouette shop on Main Street is quick and so friendly. We were there last week, and we had one made of of our 2 young boys. It is so precious. Use rider swap when you can and take the Wet ones wipes. Have a wonderful trip.
 
Do the counter service restaurants have high chairs or boosters or something for toddlers?

Do you think he'd be able to handle Mater's and Flying Tires in Cars Land? What about being bumped from behind on Autopia?
 
I suggest taking him back to the hotel in the afternoon for a nap (For you too)! makes a big difference. Have fun!
 

We saw high chairs at every restaurant. I found a fold up high chair cover on amazon that we used in all the restaurants. I was glad we had that since some were a little on the messy side.

Maters may be a bit scary with how much it swings around. Luigis should be no problem though.

Another tip, if you bring a stroller, tie a bright ribbon around the handles. It will make it so much easier to find your stroller outside rides with that.
 
Do the counter service restaurants have high chairs or boosters or something for toddlers?

Do you think he'd be able to handle Mater's and Flying Tires in Cars Land? What about being bumped from behind on Autopia?

Note that all three of those rides have height minimums (32 in) which may or may not be an issue depending on how tall your toddler is. Luigis is pretty tame because even though you bump into others you are going so slow you barely notice! Maters on the other hand is pretty fast, my son loved it at 2.5 but not sure he would have at 1.5.
 
We have found that our young kids slept a ton in the stroller, so no need to go back to hotel during the day (they are accustomed to noise with their older brothers). Look for picture opportunities, because in the coming months and years, those will matter most. Stop and get pictures with Mickey/Minnie and others.

Some logistical tips. We liked to keep all valuables in my backpack and not stroller, so just in case our stroller wanders off - we haven't lost anything we couldn't replace. We don't bring cold storage packs - instead get fresh milk/juice over the counter and put it in the sippy cups. Also, an "adjustable" sun umbrella is a very nice-to-ave to protect the little one in the stroller, regardless of the angle of the sun. We have a little one that attaches to the stroller and is bendable in different directions.

Have fun!
 
My youngest was 18 months old when we took him the first time and he rode on everything he could and loved it all :)

Our stroller had a tray in front so I was not worried about highchairs, although we used one if we could get it.

In the stroller pack:
-an outfit for your toddler in a big Ziploc bag
-wipes, hand sanitizer
-diapers (1 for every 3 hours and then 2 spare)
-a spare soother with clip if used.
-a spare sippy cup if used
-a small blanket (great for staking out spots and covering up)
-small snacks
-a few toys (you don't mind losing...just in case)
-a hoodie for the evenings

*we never took a diaper bag, just chucked everything in the bottom of the stroller.
*we didn't go back to the hotel for naps, he just napped in the stroller. But being the youngest of 4 he can sleep anywhere (we were curb side and he fell asleep during the parade once!!) But if your child is not like this I would also suggest the hotel for naps!!
*your child may not like the characters, my youngest freaked out whenever one got close, but likes to wave from afar!

Have a magical time!
 
The cars land rides have height restrictions so my then 18 month old couldn't ride them in February but she will be able to next month! Highly recommend the Heimlich train in bugs land, it was her favorite! Little Mermaid was a hit too! Many of the restaurants had toddler meals but we only bought it once because it wasn't really that appetizing to her, so we all just shared our meals.
 
DS just made 2 when we went last year. As far as rides, he got frightened on Mater and Luigi. he loved Autopia though. Everything else he could ride he was okay with.
I always had diapers, snacks, water, juice. I brought a carrier and he would nurse in that, and he would nap in it as well. Sometimes he napped in the stroller too. I was worried about entertaining him but he did really well
 
I suggest taking him back to the hotel in the afternoon for a nap (For you too)! makes a big difference. Have fun!

We are staying at the Desert Inn because this is definitely our plan.

We saw high chairs at every restaurant. I found a fold up high chair cover on amazon that we used in all the restaurants. I was glad we had that since some were a little on the messy side.

Maters may be a bit scary with how much it swings around. Luigis should be no problem though.

Another tip, if you bring a stroller, tie a bright ribbon around the handles. It will make it so much easier to find your stroller outside rides with that.

We will definitely bring a ribbon or something. Good idea. Thanks.

Note that all three of those rides have height minimums (32 in) which may or may not be an issue depending on how tall your toddler is. Luigis is pretty tame because even though you bump into others you are going so slow you barely notice! Maters on the other hand is pretty fast, my son loved it at 2.5 but not sure he would have at 1.5.

He was already 32 inches at his 1 year appointment. I am kind of leaning towards skipping Mater's with him, I think.

We have found that our young kids slept a ton in the stroller, so no need to go back to hotel during the day (they are accustomed to noise with their older brothers). Look for picture opportunities, because in the coming months and years, those will matter most. Stop and get pictures with Mickey/Minnie and others.

Some logistical tips. We liked to keep all valuables in my backpack and not stroller, so just in case our stroller wanders off - we haven't lost anything we couldn't replace. We don't bring cold storage packs - instead get fresh milk/juice over the counter and put it in the sippy cups. Also, an "adjustable" sun umbrella is a very nice-to-ave to protect the little one in the stroller, regardless of the angle of the sun. We have a little one that attaches to the stroller and is bendable in different directions.

Have fun!

I'll have to look into those umbrellas because the canopy on our stroller is really small.
 
One thing I found when I was there with my son is that the high chairs are teeny tiny. My son is average for his age, and at 2 would do better in a high chair at restaurants but he couldn't fit in them.

I don't know if these are older high chairs but I never saw a normal restaurant sized high chair the entire time we were there.
 
Skip the toddler meal. We thought it would be perfect. Chicken and rice. It was inedible. It was bland and nasty!
 
If he uses a pacifier, get a Booginhead clip. Booginhead also makes a sippy cup strap that is wonderful. We use both attached to the stroller so there is no loss or dirtying. I use gallon sized ziploc bags for diaper changing stuff. I add four diapers, one outfit, wipes, antibacterial handwipes, and diaper cream to each bag. That way we only need to bring in one bag plus a changing pad into each bathroom trip. I throw two or three of these bags into the bottom of the stroller and replenish each at night before the next day. Add another empty ziploc into the bag in case you get a poop accident and need to bag the clothes. We bring our own high chair cover for trips for sanitary reasons. If you don't have a large floppy sunhat I recommend you get one. We do go back for naps when on vacation but we also try to keep the nap routine close to home routine even in a hotel. We read a story, do milk, brush teeth, change into jammies, etc, just the same as we do at home. I bring a bottle brush and a small travel dish soap to wash sippies and bottles at night in hotels and lay to dry on a towel. If you are flying on a plane to get to Disney, I recommend wrapping little things like presents and having your child open one every 30 mins or so on the flight. It gets then excited to play with whatever it is and makes the time pass faster. I wrapped small boxes of crayons, a calculator, bandaids, stickers, a new book, small stuffed animals, simple puzzles. Etc.
 
SO many great tips!

I recommend using the baby centers in both parks. It's a nice quiet break from the overwhelming parks!

Also, Tom Sawyer island is a great place to let them run around a bit and get some energy out.

When my boys were little we would have a snack break every time we had a diaper change. It really helped to minimize melt downs.

Last tip is to take tons of photos! One of my boys favorite things to do is look at photos of him as a baby at the parks. Have a blast!
 

??

One thing I found when I was there with my son is that the high chairs are teeny tiny. My son is average for his age, and at 2 would do better in a high chair at restaurants but he couldn't fit in them.

I don't know if these are older high chairs but I never saw a normal restaurant sized high chair the entire time we were there.

Hmm...I'll have to see if I can find some photos of the high chairs. I guess if we have to, he can just sit in his stroller or on our laps or something.

Skip the toddler meal. We thought it would be perfect. Chicken and rice. It was inedible. It was bland and nasty!

Good to know. We'll probably just have him eat off of our plates a lot. I guess we'll see though.

If he uses a pacifier, get a Booginhead clip. Booginhead also makes a sippy cup strap that is wonderful. We use both attached to the stroller so there is no loss or dirtying. I use gallon sized ziploc bags for diaper changing stuff. I add four diapers, one outfit, wipes, antibacterial handwipes, and diaper cream to each bag. That way we only need to bring in one bag plus a changing pad into each bathroom trip. I throw two or three of these bags into the bottom of the stroller and replenish each at night before the next day. Add another empty ziploc into the bag in case you get a poop accident and need to bag the clothes. We bring our own high chair cover for trips for sanitary reasons. If you don't have a large floppy sunhat I recommend you get one. We do go back for naps when on vacation but we also try to keep the nap routine close to home routine even in a hotel. We read a story, do milk, brush teeth, change into jammies, etc, just the same as we do at home. I bring a bottle brush and a small travel dish soap to wash sippies and bottles at night in hotels and lay to dry on a towel. If you are flying on a plane to get to Disney, I recommend wrapping little things like presents and having your child open one every 30 mins or so on the flight. It gets then excited to play with whatever it is and makes the time pass faster. I wrapped small boxes of crayons, a calculator, bandaids, stickers, a new book, small stuffed animals, simple puzzles. Etc.

Wow...a lot of great stuff here! I need to write it all down!

SO many great tips!

I recommend using the baby centers in both parks. It's a nice quiet break from the overwhelming parks!

Also, Tom Sawyer island is a great place to let them run around a bit and get some energy out.

When my boys were little we would have a snack break every time we had a diaper change. It really helped to minimize melt downs.

Last tip is to take tons of photos! One of my boys favorite things to do is look at photos of him as a baby at the parks. Have a blast!

Good idea about Tom Sawyer island. I always forget about that place!
 
We are flying and I really want to minimize luggage as much as possible. So we're planning a trip to Target when we arrive. I have already started my (very long) Target list.

Here's how it looks so far:

Shampoo
Conditioner
Body Wash
Baby soap
Hand soap (I hate bar soaps in hotels.)
Dish soap
Small thing of laundry detergent (?)
Diapers
Baby Wipes
Desitin
Baby food pouches as snacks
Cereal
Milk
Spoons
Bowls
Paper towels
Bottled water
Snacks
Trash bags
Wet Ones
Lysol Spray and wipes
Tape to 'baby proof' hotel room
Disposable bibs
Ziplock bags

Okay, what else??
 
Childrens tylenol? I always bring some just in case, and have used it more often then I wanted!

Also ibuprofen for DH and I.
 
Where are you staying? Sorry if you mentioned it.

Where we stayed had free continental breakfast. I had one container of baby puffs, which he ate pretty much the first day. After that, I would go down and get dry cheerios and fill his container. Easy snack and free :lmao:
 




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