Disneyland/California Adventure - Toddler Survival Guide

After having taken my toddler to Disneyland/California Adventure several times, here are some simple steps that have become an automatic part of our routine. We have not spent full days there yet with my daughter, because all attempts to have her nap in the stroller were a fail, and the last thing we want is an overstimulated toddler.

Sometimes we go either in the morning and head home before her 12:30 pm nap or in the afternoon after her 2/2:30pm wakeup time. I prefer the latter, because evenings at Disneyland are personally more magical with the decoration lit up and the weather being cooler.

My husband and I rotate on naptime routines on the weekends, so if my husband is putting my daughter down, I start to pack the diaper bag (and vice verse). That way, we are ready to head out immediately (if my daughter does not lag) after the nap.

Toddler backpack essentials:

-Shelf-stable milk (although my daughter sometimes prefers the milk they sell at the parks)

-Water bottle

-Diapers (I prefer to overpack in case of blowouts)

-Frida fold-and-go potty seat

-Wipes, wipes, wipes! I bring a half full Kirkland pack. Disneyland only sells the Huggies travel pack, and those tear easily

-1 gallon ziploc bag of smaller packed snacks (trail mix, freeze dried fruits, chickpea puffs)

-1 small food thermos of backup toddler food (like pasta or rice based). I can place this thermos at the bottom of the stroller so it will not take up weight), and I know I will not need to take it out until mealtime

-Cuties or sliced apples – these are my preferred fruits to bring, because cuties are clean to peel, and apples are not as juicy (so I can avoid a toddler with sticky hands)

-Extra change of clothes (if we go to Toontown, I cannot prevent my daughter from playing at the splash fountain, so I would rather be prepared)

-Fleece jacket (So Cal weather can have a 20 degree difference during the day and evening, besides during summer seasons)

For the adults (we like to pack lightly for ourselves):

-2 thermoses with ice (if during the warmer seasons – I am not a fan of the water taste there, and at least ice will mask the flavor)

-2 jackets

Parking

We have parked at all main parking lots: Mickey and Friends, Pixar Pals, and Toy Story.

Here are some comparisons:

Mickey and Friends

Mickey’s line just to pass the parking agent can be hit or miss. It is either very long on weekends or short (keep in mind we usually only get there in the afternoons). On weekday mornings where my husband and I go ourselves, the line has always been long. The line to go through security is also a hit or miss (during the Halloween season, they were always LONG). But, the tram is always quick and coming/going. The same goes for the tram from the park back to the lot.

Pixar Pals

If you enter the Mickey and Friends structure, chances are you may end up at Pixar Pals. If you park at the top floor, chances are you will be able to park closely to the elevators or escalators! I love parking at Pixar Pals’ top floor because of the close distance to the elevators, but you will also have a HOT car at the end of the night during the summer due to there being no shade on the top floor.

***MICKEY AND FRIENDS/PIXAR PALS TRAM TIPS:

If you are bringing a stroller, you are required to fold your stroller before getting onto the tram. With a typical toddler, the storage under the stroller is probably full, with a water bottle and snacks in the holders. It has made our lives easier to have an empty reusable tote bag to dump all these things into for the tram ride to and back from the park. This way, you also have room to store some merch from the park afterwards!

Highlighted tip: Bring a lightweight stroller that has a one-hand folding capability and nice recline for naps (if your kiddo will do so in the stroller). You can rent my Zoe single or double strollers which haave both features here. Have multiple twins? I have multiple Zoe double strollers in stock, and I deliver for free to the park or to a nearby location.

Toy Story

Toy Story’s line to enter the parking structure has always been short, and the wait time to get on the bus TO the park has never been long for us. During the times we’ve parked at Toy Story, we just entered the security line AFTER getting off the bus, which has never been long compared to Mickey and Friends.

However, the line for the bus from the park BACK to the lot has always been long. The bus ride back to the lot also always feels more dragged out to me at the end of day. This always makes me slightly anxious because we are already rushing back for a quick bedtime routine.

Now, these are tips that just get you from out of the house to the main entrance gate. More to come on after entering those magic bars.