Tips on Traveling to Disneyland with a 2 year old?

Question

In about a week we are flying to Disneyland with our 2 year old daughter. We are staying at the Paradise Pier and flying into Orange County airport. Bad part, we have to bring the car seat because the airline requires it. Any tips or suggestions to make this vacation a pleasant one?

Answer 1

Yes, you need the carseat... it is required to drive in CA for children under 6 years and 60 pounds. You'll need it not only on the airline, but in the taxi or rental car (unless you want a fat ticket). As for Disneyland, it will be an exciting day! We just went in May, and our two-year-old loved it. Be prepared... bring at least enough diapers (if they aren't potty-trained) for one day's worth of changings (6 or so), wipes are great for sticky hands as well as bottoms, sunscreen is a must, bring a change of clothes (in case they get wet or poopy), and snacks (like cracker packs, raisins, fruit snacks, and juices) to ease hunger when waiting for rides. Bring a cup that can be refilled, so you can fill with water when you need to, and make sure everyone wears a hat. I always bring a couple of walkie-talkies in case you need to separate your party (and your cell phones). For protection if your child gets lost (it's a big place with hundreds of thousands of people per day) I have my kids wear bracelets (purchased online from www.makemethis.com for $6 each) that has their name and me and my husbands' cell numbers on it. I also made a quick information card that has their name, a recent picture of them, vital stats like their age, birthdate, height, weight, and any allergies or birthmarks they may have and carry it in my bag. This way, if they are separated, I have a photo and pertinent information when I may be too stressed out to be able to think of it. I also take a picture of them as soon as we arrive- this way I have a photo of what they looked like and were wearing on this day. Put it all in a backpack-type bag that can be worn on the rides or put in the stroller when you are walking. If you don't bring your own stroller, get to the park early to rent one. If you bring your own from home- bring a simple bike lock with you so that you can chain your stroller to the fences when you go on rides. It is rare that strollers get stollen, but if you have a nice/expensive one, you will want to keep it! I also bring a separate bag that I put everyone's jackets, pants and pajamas in. This I store in a locker (on Main street). That way, when it cools off in the evening, you have a change of clothes and jackets and you don't have to take the tram all the way back to the car (a good hour round trip). I also mention the pjs because as we are leaving the park, I change the kids into their pajamas so that when they crash in the car, I don't have to change them when we get home- just pick 'em up and carry 'em in! Also, get your souveniers LAST. You don't want to have to keep track of them all day, or take them on the rides with you. Some of the shops let you purchase items and have them sent to the front gate to pick up as you leave, or send them to your hotel (if they are affiliated with Disney). Save about the last hour or two before you are going to leave for souvenier hunting, or you can mark your map when you find something you want to purchase later (that way you don't travel to all of the stores looking for that one item you saw you wanted). If your hotel is close, take your child for their nap at the hotel and come back when they are done... you can avoid a very overtired, screaming fit. If you are not close, lay the seat back during your child's normal nap time, and try to find an out-of-the-way spot to rest for a few. Otherwise, they'll just eventually crash out for a few. Don't expect a long nap... there's too much to see. Hit really popular areas for toddlers first thing in the morning (Toon Town, FantasyLand) to avoid most of the lines. You want them to be able to be doing stuff... not waiting in lines. Toon Town is a great area for the little ones to run around in, and it is kid-sized. Last, but not least- don't forget the camera!!

Answer 2

I took my daughter, who is now 12, to Disneyland when she was about 2 yrs old. It was ok. Just make sure u either take or rent a stroller. We went during Spring Break so there weren't too many people and the weather was nice. My daughter had a good time, we rented made sure to go at her pace, you know? When it was time for her nap, we just stopped at a restaurant and she slept in the stroller. The hardest part was waiting in line because she didn't understand that we were waiting in line for a reason and that was in March, I don't know what Disney is like in August. I'm assuming it won't be too busy since most schools are back in session by then. Of course it's much better taking a 12 yr old to Disney than a 2 yr old, but if you have patience and know that you are there for her, not urself, that kind of keeps things in perspective.
I think a mistake parents make is when we expect our children to behave like adults. They're kids, they're going to get tired, they're going to be cranky, but if you have patience, it will be fine.

I'm so jealous, I love Disneyland!!! Have fun and enjoy your time with your child.

Answer 3

Rent a stroller for your little one and you'll be fine. That way, they can konk out and nap anytime they want. My family has dozens of photos of me as a baby at Disneyland and half of them are of me out cold in the stroller after a fun and long day. Pack water bottles into your bag and take them with you into the park. They check bags, but they just peer into the top to make sure you don't have any weapons... put the water bottles at the bottom and they won't even notice. Then re-fill them throughout the day to save on money. Be sure to buy batteries, film, and sunblock before you go to the parks. Disney charges a lot for little items like these that people always seem to need.
I recommend these attractions for your 2 year old:

Disneyland:

It's a Small World
the Mark Twain Ferry Boat
Peter Pan ride
Carousell (one of the cars that doesn't go up or down.. you guys can sit with her)
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln show (on main street)
Toon Town

California Adventure:
Any of their shows.... especially the Aladdin show!
A Bug's Life playground area for little ones
Dine with characters by the pier at Ariel's place! It is located on the little bridge by the California Screamin' Roller Coaster.

Most importantly.... so that you and your husband can have a great time, ask Cast Members at the front of each fast ride for a swap pass. Disney offers swap passes for parents with small children and babies. Most popular attractions will have these... like Space Mountain or Splash Mountain. Simply walk to the front entrance of the line for the ride you wish to go on and find a Cast Member. Ask them if they have a sawp pass. If they do, they'll hand one to you. Your husband stays somewhere close by with your kid while you ride. Then when you get off, your husband meets you at the exit, you swap the kid and he gets right on the ride. Last I heard, Disney still does this. This way, you both can enjoy the entire park.. even rides she is too small to go on.

For other tips and advice, visit my Disney Vacation Service Blog, I'm All Ears at:

http://im-all-ears-disney-vacation-services.blogspot.com/

Have a great time and take tons of pictures!!!

Answer 4

First, Disneyland is in California. Walt Disney World is in Florida and its actually in Kissimmee, Florida The hotels just outside the front gate are WAY cheaper than the resort hotels right on the Disney property. They have strollers you can rent. I always feel bad for people who spend all that money taking such a young child. They cant go together on most of the rides, and the child is too young to remember it. Eating inside the park is expensive, so its better to eat a large meal before you go Its a huge massive place..with 4 theme parks.

Answer 5

We went to Disney World a few years ago and my son had just turned two. We also had our car seat, not because we had to but because we thought it would be good for him as it was something he was used to. It also kept him secure in his seat for the flight. It was also nice for the rental car. We kept him up pretty late the night before we left so he would sleep most of the trip. Take an umbrella stroller. They are the easiest to handle no matter what you do, you can fold it up and take it on just about anything (monorails, boats, etc.). You can take them right to the gate and the airline will stow it for you and have it ready when you get off. I am guessing your hotel is on site? That will be good because if you don't want him to just nap in his stroller, you can go back to the hotel and let him get his nap in so he is not crabby.
Most of all, take lots of pics and enjoy. Remember that you will always remember the trip, but your daughter wont. I can't wait til we can go back when our kids are a little older.

Answer 6

wow... momma of two's answer was very through! the idea about the ID bracelets is a very smart one! we just got home from disneyland on wednesday (after having an of course MAGICAL time!) and i definitly recommend doing something like that... but i actually recommend making "family t-shirts", bright colored (maybe green, yellow or blue (boy/girl colors)) t-shirts with matching insignias... when we were there we saw many families doing this so that they could keep their little ones safe! my family with two teenagers even thought we should make them for fun! but really they showed the park who was in the family very easily... we even saw some people with shirts that each had a number 1-10 so that they could easily count the kids... and of course each t-shirt had a little "if found call my mommy or daddy at [phone]" very cute! even the parents wore them! august wasn't horrible (its worse at Christmas) so make sure to go in the morning because it will get busy by about 12 and from then on it will be pretty busy... o and another tip, if you want to see the fireworks without waiting for like 9 years staking out a spot (where someone could sit right in front of you and you would be VERY annoyed- *personal experience*) just go to the Main Street Train Station and wait there... there will be only a small crowd and sure you can't see tinkerbell fly very well but you can see all of the fireworks and you won't get mobbed by the crowds! you can also at the end just hop on the train and go on more rides... but with a 2 year old i guess not! have fun and enjoy the trip!

Answer 7

Just focus on having fun and not on having to see everything. Try to stay to your child's sleep and eating schedule as much as possible. This vacation is really for you, not for your child as far as making memories. People going to Disney tend to try to do too much because it costs so much - remember it will still be there next year. I would be worrying more about how to cope with the flight and getting through the traffic from OC to Disneyland. Check as much stuff as you can going through the airport, bring gum for her ears during take off & landing.
Next time stay at the disneyland hotel cause you can get back from the park faster to nap and the peter pan pool is nicer for lil ones, plus the goofy kitchen is right there.

Answer 8

Check into babysitting services at the park.
When I brought our children to Disneyworld [2, 12, 16], dealing with the young one was difficult. With naps and diapers and food and tantrums it turned out to be far less fun for her and me. The older two had a magnificent time and remember it to this day. The youngest doesn't even realize she went. Even with Dad to help with the youngest, it was still stressful.
If you want this to be a vacation for you and the Mister, try to find a babysitter for the baby at least a night or two or for a few hours during the day so you and he can have a little time to yourselves.
I THINK Disneyland offers child care service...
Good luck.

Answer 9

in my opinion (and this is just mine)

2 year olds should not be at Disneyland. They need naps. There are too many things going on. They will try to walk away from you (terrible 2s) and all that. You will not get a vacation out of this.... im sorry

Answer 10

Your going to Disneyland you cant go wrong there