Disneyland with 1 and 5 Year Old

Get Fast Passes !!!!

No or only little waiting in line.....

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/fast-pass/

So worth it !!!!!!!

2 moms found this helpful

Hi E.,

I have a 3 year old son and we've been taking him to Disneyland since he was a year old. We have annual passes so we go quite often. :)

Some of the restaurants at both DL & CA Adventure have toddler meals. They either come with mac & cheese or chopped chicken & rice, apple sauce and milk. There are also baby care centers in both parks where parents can feed their infants/toddlers in high chairs, change diapers & nurse.
My son has always had a hard time falling asleep in his stroller, too. Since you'll be there for 3 days ,if you are staying at a nearby hotel, I would suggest leaving the park in the afternoon or whenever she normally naps and take a family break. The weather should be warm enough and perhaps you husband can take your 5 year old swimming at the hotel pool while her sister sleeps. There are also shady quiet areas to park the stroller near the train depot in New Orleans Square and near Thunder Mountain.
The lines to the major attractions tend to be longest during the afternoon during the peak crowds. Usually there is plenty to see so I think your 1 1/2 yr. old will be entertained. You can always bring some snacks for the girls while they wait.
If your girls like bubbles, the Pixar Play parade at CA Adventure is always a hit with little ones.
Your girls are going to have a great time. Have FUN!

1 mom found this helpful

if you have a double stroller or one of those sit and stand, i would use that. You might even be able to rent one at the park, you should ask. If you will have a car with you, I would bring a cooler. My sister and family did disney last year, and they had a cooler in the car with lunch and other snacks foods. So when they were readdy to eat they went to the car. They got a AAA parking pass, so they parked right at the front where the handicapped parking is., so there wasn't much walking when ready to go to and from the car.

With the basket under the stroller, I would definatly freeze several bottles of water, so you have water throughout the day, and don't have to keep buying drinks at the park all day.

I would do the trial run with the zoo, then you can see how the kids will react to one day. But with being there for 3 days, you don't want to overdo it on day 1 and then the next 2 days have to stay close to the hotel for the kids.

1 mom found this helpful

We always bring a backpack to carry snacks (bags of cheerios, goldfish, granola bars, etc.) and our lunch because my kids don't do well off diet and we walk over to Denny's for dinner. Bring a water bottle or sipper because you can refill it at a drinking fountain in the park (the coldest water is near the river of America where the bathrooms are for Bear Country (go down steps to get there can't remember the name of the restaurant). Take an easy to collapse stroller for the one year old (because you'll need to collapse it for the train or park it several times) but it should be okay if the five year old walks (we've done Disneyland since my youngest was a year old). Be sure to bring shoes for the one year old or they can't go on some rides even though they aren't driving! Like the autopia. Yes, the one year old will fall asleep either in the stroller or while sitting watching a parade (mine did and still did when waiting for Fantasmic at age 4 or 5). You can play I Spy in line and do easy ones for the 1 year old (can you see something white?). Always know where the nearest bathroom is. Do Fantasyland first thing in the morning (when the park opens) and get on Peter Pan, Dumbo, and Alice because those lines are long the rest of the day. Have fun! ttfn

1 mom found this helpful

First of all, remember that the most important thing is to have fun. Since you are staying for 3 days, don't try to do too much at once. If the kids are tired and melting down, go back to the hotel and take a nap/rest and you can head back to the park later in the day.

My son is turning 3 this month and we've been going to D-land regularly for the past 9 months. He does fine standing in line. I bring some snacks and he can eat in line if he's getting bored. Also, you could stand in line with your older child while your husband waits with the 1.5 year old so she can run around a bit. When you get to the front, they can join you.

You can bring food into the park with you. Technically it's not allowed, but they always let me. If they try to stop you, say your daughter has allergies and can't eat the food served at the park. My son really does have allergies, so we have to bring all his food in. They have never once questioned it or tried to make me leave it outside (and I've never told them about the allergies).

Do you own a double stroller or a sit and stand? Maybe you have a friend that would let you borrow one for the weekend? Otherwise, yes, bring two strollers because you don't want your older one getting whiny if she has to walk too much.

Also, lines tend to be shorter in the morning than the afternoon, so hit some of the big rides first before the lines get too long. Autopia, Dumbo, Peter Pan are good ones to do early. Carousel, Small World, Winnie the Pooh, and the Teacups usually have shorter lines throughout the day.

K.
http://www.discoverytoyslink.com/karenchao

1 mom found this helpful

Hi E.,

Look into the fast pass. I haven't been in a few years, but I believe you go to a ride and get a ticket with a time slot for when to return to get on the ride. Not all of the rides have this, but the ones with the longest lines do. It might be fun to run and sign up and then you have the anticipation of getting on that ride in a few hours. You also might be able to pay extra for a VIP something or other, I'm not sure if they do that. You can also just leave the park and go back. This is probably the easiest. Your baby shouldn't have trouble falling asleep in the stroller, just make sure there's some sort of sun shade that allows air circulation. The whole experience will be sensory overload, exhaustion and then sleep. Definitely bring whatever food they will let you bring into the park. They have those cups that hold cheerios or crackers that kids can stick their hands inside, but the food doesn't spill out. You can get little containers that will keep food cold for up to twelve hours. Definitely bring some yogurt, milk or whatever. They should sell fresh fruit in the park and the restaurants should be fairly healthy. Your five year old shouldn't have any trouble. It's going to be great! Just take a break when you need to, the extra hour in the park with everyone miserable isn't maximizing your time there. The hour or two rest at the hotel and dip in the pool before returning to the park may be what you need.

have fun!
liz

They have toddler meals in both parks. Mac and cheese and applesauce and juice. they come with lids so you can save for later. you can also take your own food. they have milk too.

I didn't read the other answers so hopefully I'm not repeating what everyone else said. If you are going in June and you have the option, go during the week before school lets out. The parks will be much less crowded. Get there early - as soon as the park opens. You'll avoid many lines this way too, it will be cooler out and you'll be able to get on the more popular rides faster. If you're staying near the park, you can then leave in the afternoon for lunch/naps and then go back to the park later in the afternoon/evening when it is cooler out and lines are shorter. Remember to take advantage of the Fast Pass whenever possible. Because of the age of your children you'll be limited to which rides you can go on. Look at all the rides on line for each park and map out what you want to go on. The last time I was at Disneyland - in December - there was no Fast Pass for The Nemo Submarine Ride and the lines were really long (but moved faster than we expected). However, my family and friends agreed that this ride was not worth it so you're not missing much if you skip it and stay with the other kids rides. Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is our favorite! At California Adventure, Soaring Over California is the best ride - my son went on it at 5 years old with no problem. I'm not sure if they'll let the baby on it though. It is just a movie and they lift you up in chairs that make it feel like you're flying - it's perfectly safe but some people don't like the feeling it gives you. For both Parks check out Parade times and times when you can meet the Characters.

If the baby is a picky eater - bring food with you for her - although there are plenty of places to get kid friendly food and you'll probably find something she likes. And I would take 2 strollers or rent a double stroller at the Park. You don't want to carry kids around all day.

Sometimes if there is a long line, my husband will stand on line and I'll go take a walk with my son then go back and meet him. Otherwise bring some small books or toys to keep the baby occupied.

These are the main things I can think of. Hope this helps! Have fun.

I have an almost 4 year old and a 14 month old - we have annual passes and have frequented both parks since the older was 6 months old. They both are pretty easy about passing out in the strollers. There is soooo much activity there . . . our MO was usually to have one parent take the older on a ride/rides while the other kept the younger rolling in the stroller so he could nap. It's always worked well for us, though honestly the older the baby gets the less he wants to sleep there - so much to see!! They have a play area in Toon Town where the kids can play. In CA adventure there is a great one with water that both my kiddos love. We have always used these to break up our day and let them stretch. Just make sure you have extra clothes!!

I don't know if you know about the "baby centers" but both parks have one. It has a nice changing room, toddler size potties (without the autoflush), and nursing area, and high chairs. Also microwave, sinks, etc. Very nice. They also sell small necessities for a slightly high price - pacis, diapers, formula, that kind of thing.

Most of the restaurants offer a "toddler meal". Some are mac n cheese, some are chicken nuggets. Usually offered with apple slices and the like. They also have a "kids power pack" that has a yogurt, string cheese, goldfish, box juice. Great toddler fare.

Good luck, and have a great trip!!!

Hi E.,
what great a great time you will have! Here's my advice...
First, since you will be there 3 days, just plan to go with the flow. Do not stress about doing everything, or getting on every ride or whatever. There is so much to be enjoyed in Disneyland if you just take your time and let the kids lead the way. Personally, I would not even stress on the naps. Just let the 1.5 y/o conk out when she does and go with it. Or if she's getting so cranky and you can't handle it (as parents) plan to go back to the hotel in the middle of the day. Tip- sleepy kids often fall asleep on "Small World"... its a good 20 minutes of a repetitive song, rocking boat, and low-ish lighting. My daughter has just fallen asleep in daddy's lap. Then we can bring her off the ride, place her in the stroller, or sit for a bit with her on a bench or something. Whatever works! And kids get so tired at Disneyland, you may be surprised, she could fall asleep anywhere.

Strollers- people just leave them everywhere. So you can ditch one of them by a ride somewhere if you don't end up wanting it for a bit. You can also rent theirs, I am pretty sure it is big enough for a 5 year old. We usually bring our cheapie from home (it has been taken before! But then Disneyland people found it after hours and mailed it, yes, mailed it to us). I would bring two, if you get sick of worrying abuot two strollers or your older one doesn't use it, don't bring it the next two days.

Might want the stroller for the older one in CA Adventure. There are longer walking stretches in there- due to some construction- you have to walk for quite a bit to get from one section that is interesting to another section that is interesting. In Disneyland however you can slowly work your way around the park in smaller spurts of walking (plus they have the train). Less need for stroller there, i think.

Lines, thats when I would feed them their snacks. We bring plenty of food from home and don't buy much food in the park for the kids. I bring stuff that doesn't need to be refrigerated. Usually I break out the PBJ or carrot sticks or whatever while we're waiting in lines, it's a good diversion. You'd be surprised how patient they can be in line though, with all the people around and rides to watch, they have plenty to look at. And if you find the 1 y/o can't be in a line... well, don't make her wait in too many. There are plenty of things that might interest a 1 year old that don't involve lines. Such as staring at ducks in a pond... things that we think would be totally boring.

One more tip, if your daughter is totally into the princess thing- I have been there maybe 5 times in the last year and the princess line is always like an hour and a half to two hours long (and this is on like a weekday in march)... We still haven't done it. I hear the tip is to go straight there right when the park opens, and the princesses open about a half hour later, and then you're only in for like 20-30 minutes of wait... still haven't woken up early enough to accomplish this goal :)

You guys will have a great time!

I have never had any problems with my kids in line. There is so much to see and point out to them. If you are worried grab one of those water paint books or a small coloring book and a few crayons. If the line is really long we sing songs and play games. they may be long but they move pretty well.

I have taken my regular stroller and then an umbrella stroller to hang on the handles of the regular stroller. try it out it works. when we need it we can easily bust it out.

Food: bring whatever snacks and such you want. Yes they check your bags when you go in but it is not for snacks. its for contraband. so whatever your l/o likes bring it along. There are grocery stores in the area so you can grab what ever you need.

When you need a break go to the play areas. In Disneyland there is a play area at goofy's house in toon town. a slide and some tunnels. not great but just to be active. In California adventure there is an awesome play area. Redwood creek challenge trail. Lots of slides and tunnels and a rope/bridge course thing. Lets kids be kids, gets you away from the crowd (never too busy there) and best of all WEARS YOUR KID OUT FOR A NAP =0).

My kids have probably been about 100 times so if you need more info send me a message. Its good that you plan to do a ew days. Make a priority list of what you absolutely want to do and get those done first. Everything else will be bonus! If you set real expectations then you will have a better time too!

I have a 5 year old and a 1 1/2 year old and when we go to Disneyland, I throw out the routine and just go with it. Your kids are both going to be so stilumated and excited all day, even in line. There are toddler and kids meals everywhere, so I wouldn't worry about food. Bring lots of diapers, bring a change of clothes, bring either a double stroller or rent a stroller there. Try not to worry about it...it's really much easier than I think you're worrying it will be. It is, after all, the happiest place on earth.

You bring the kids, some money and the diaper bag and Disney does the rest. Have fun!

-M

What about a baby carrier for your youngest? My 20 month old will sleep in the carrier (we have an Ergo, and have also used a mai tei). We let our son walk when there is a good place for it, or if he's really antsy. If they wear themselves out enough, they will sleep in carrier or stroller.

The pass where you skip lines that someone else suggested is probably your best bet. I know that when we went to Sea World (at 13 months), my son didn't want to sit through any shows, and wouldn't have waited in line had there been any. Even now he wouldn't, and he still dislikes waiting because he likes to explore.

Make sure you plan in a lot of breaks for both kids, little exploration times where they can just rest or explore something. Also, take a lot of snacks for your youngest, so if she doesn't like the food you get, she still has something to eat.

Have you decided where to stay? I would suggest a disney hotel, so you can take the monorail in and out if you need to take a nap. Your Husband could even stay with the five year old and ride the bigger rides while you do. I think you can get back into the parking structure without paying again, but it takes much longer to get in and out than taking the monorail.

Fast passes will help the wait in line, get them early, and plan them out because some of them will be gone by early afternoon.

There are aps for your smart phone, if you have one, to let you know how long the lines are, we have not tried this, but you never know if it would help!

Disney is really good about having food for the younger set, and there is fresh fruit all over the park, so you could grab a banana if she will eat those and she won't go hungry.

The trial run sounds like a winner!
have a blast!
M.

1. Go midweek, go early and hit the rides that develop the longest lines first. Long line rides in Fantasy Land are: Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland and Dumbo. You will have to see how your little one does on these rides. Many of them are loud and scary. At 1 my son seemed to do fine on them, but over time he started to “get it” and they became scary to him.
2. Check the height requirements and map your route online, but be prepared to be flexible since rides get closed or lines may be too long. Take advantage of Fast-Pass (you can find out which rides have this online, too) and “baby switch” (as per Kari W.’s post).
3. You can bring your own food, just not in a cooler. We go every couple of weeks and they have never said anything to us, ever. I believe a soft-pack/insulated bag type cooler is o.k. though. I always used an insulated diaper bag with those little freezer packs to keep the milk, cheese and cut up veggies cold. (One of the packs came in very handy one hot day when I had to wear one on my head under my hat!) Buying a toddler meal is so not worth it for a 1 ½ year old! And if I were staying for 3 days, I’d eat outside the park as much as possible. The food is expensive and not that good.
4. There is much to look at in line, so let them play with the chains and touch the walls and they’ll probably be fine. Snacks and lots of interaction with you are probably enough. Bring a pack of baby wipes or sanitizing gel if all the touching will bother you.
5. The baby centers in both parks are great for nursing and changing your baby. It is much cleaner and quieter in there, so use them if you can.
6. Bring a complete change of clothes for each and if you plan on letting them play in the water play area (Cal Adventure), bring zip-lock bags for the wet clothes and a small towel.
7. As for napping, if your baby is lulled by white noise, there is a very loud waterfall outdoors over at the Disneyland Hotel (you do not have to be a guest to explore the grounds). Whenever I’d want my little one to sleep, I’d push him around in front of the waterfall and the monotonous noise would put him out every time. We could then go have our own lunch or dinner either there or in Downtown Disney. Just walk through Downtown Disney towards the hotel and just before the pool, make a left and it will be down aways on your right. In my experience with my son, he usually crashes out in the stroller if we walk long enough. It sounds like yours may do the same. And, yes, we'd throw a blanket over the stroller to block out the stimulation. This seemed to work pretty well.

Good luck and have fun! (I also go frequently, so if you have any other specific questions, feel free to message me) :-)

You already have a ton of good advice. One thing that wasn't mentioned was the water play area at CA Adventure. Bring bathing suits and water shoes. The kids love this area to cool off in and it is a break from the crowds and lines. There are 2 water play areas if the first is crowded... walk a little farther back!

My son gets a corn dog, a hot dog, chicken fingers or mac and cheese when we go. The kids meals come with apple slices and a milk or juice. He is in heaven eating those foods! They have pizza and other things for kids too but I don't remember because my son is a little picky! I always carry in oatmeal and my starbucks and in the bag, I bring apples, watermelon, strawberries, fruit cups, water bottles, fruit snacks... you name it! They really don't mind - they've never said anything to me before.

I would bring a double stroller or two singles if you plan on separating during nap time. They have strollers available to rent but then you can't pack all your food, bathing suits, change of clothes etc. into the stroller before. You'd have to have a lot of hands to carry the stuff plus 2 kids! (Maybe a major deluxe back pack?)

Do you already have reservations for hotel? Any of the Disney hotels attached to Downtown Disney are great because the monorail gets you from A to B in a flash but the Candy Cane Hotel across the street is also very close - I'm pretty sure they all have pools if your 5 year old wants to swim while 1 1/2 year old is napping. Personally, I'd let nap time be special rides for the 5 year old with one parent while the other goes back with baby. There are way more rides and attractions for the 5 year old than there are for the 1 1/2 year old. Maybe she can pick some of those out online before you go. Online will tell you height restrictions where one would sit out with the 1 1/2 year old anyway. Then you can get the fast pass an hour before nap time so the 5 year old will get more than one ride during sister's nap time.

Disneyland is a lot to take in - my son eventually falls asleep in the stroller but he gets cranky first and that is like a half hour to an hour of drama before he'll surrender to a nap. I don't like to do that. I think a trial run is great -- but the bright colors and balloons and music and rides are not at the zoo and might keep baby awake at Disney. Your best bet would be walking around CA Adventure or downtown Disney for sleep because there is more space and less excitement in some areas. Either way... someone would have to stay with sleeping baby in the stroller while the others went on rides... why not just go back to the hotel?

Bring sunblock of course and keep drinking water so the first day doesn't spoil the second with damage control! Good luck and have fun! Sorry I wrote so much!

Just wanted to add 1 thing to the advice you already have: I was there last week with preschooler and baby and the staff was very accomodating about the lines. For example, in several of the longer lines my husband waited in line while I entertained or fed the boys, and then they'd let us meet up right before our turn (bring cell phones). Twice they let us wait right at the ride and take turns- we wanted to go on Matterhorn but Baby couldn't, so we waited in line, then Dad and brother went while I held baby, then we switched. I thought they were great to help us like that and it was easy.
And we just go-go until he passes out. He gets back into schedule the next day.

Does your stroller lay flat? Can you put a blanket over it?
We took my son when he was 1 1/2 to disneyland. He loved it but was a bit overwhelmed. We were worried about the napping situation because he doesn't nap ANYWHERE --- no car, no stroller. We decided ahead of time to make reservations at the Blue Bayou for a late lunch. It is dark and cool inside (with a night sky). When we went into the blue bayou we gave our son some milk... the darkness and cool air lulled him to sleep and we put a blanket over the stroller--- he slept for almost two hours! We got a lengthy (albeit expensive) lunch. But for us to have him nap it was worth it to us.

You can also rent strollers at disneyland. If memory serves it's $12. Best thing about that is you don't have to worry about anyone taking anything.
Worst thing is they don't lay completely flat. Although they are a good size for older kids (five years).
If you have a double stroller I wouldn't bring it. And here's why: when it gets crowded at disneyland it is VERY VERY difficult to maneuver a double stroller through the streets. It's hard enough to move a single stroller. Plus, the store aisles (on main street and elsewhere) aren't big enough for them so if you go in anywhere you are going to have trouble....
Probably your best bet is to bring your toddler's stroller and rent a stroller for your 5 year old.

As far as the food goes, there a alot of options in disneyland. In toon town you can get carrots and dip, sandwitches, salads, hot dogs.... All over you can get popcorn and chicken, cold things, churros... There is a mexican food place and lots of "american food" cafes. Even if you have picky kids I think you should be able to find something.

As for the line issue- this is the BIGGEST problem with a toddler. Mine had a REALLY hard time with it. Your very best bet is to get there early and go on uncrowded days. If you have a little iphone or ipod with games that might help to keep your child still while waiting in line... You can't take a stroller in the lines so you will literally have to hold your toddler or give her something to play with to keep her occupied... If she is content to sit on daddy's shoulders that is always a good way to get through lines.

If you have any other questions you can message me. I live near disneyland and have been 10+ times as a babysitter and several times as a parent...
Good luck!

We just did this, but we are local to the area, so no hotels. When she was 18 months she did eventually fall asleep in the stroller, we just gave it a long walk and that was the end of her. She also was a non stroller napper. But recently at 2 1/2 we did another day trip and just pushed her all day to 6 pm. She fell asleep in the car and we could not rouse her for dinner, we just put the poor thing to bed for the night. But with the stimulation, she did great all day. As far as two strollers, you can always rent on if you feel the need. You can also just park the second one in the kiddy area and take it on long trecks. Everyone parks strollers near the ride lines and just leave your stuff in it. Kiddy rides, lines aren't as long, so we found it was a great time to just hold and cuddle, talk and goof around in line. If you are going peak summer season on the weekends then, the lines are a different story. not many healthy options for food, but we did see fruit plates in the restaurants. Bring some of your own food too.