What Things to Bring to Disneyland? What Not to Miss?

Well, I was four when I first went to Disney, and I still remember "It's a Small World". So, don't skip that!

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I had something all typed up and my kid came over and hit a button and deleted it. Hate when that happens! LOL I will try to remember everything I typed up.
We have had annual passes for Disneyland since 2005. We go A LOT. When we first got our passes our 2 children were 3 1/2 and 1 1/2, we have since added our third. Her first trip she was 17 days old. They are now 10,7 & 2 :)
When we first started going we always seemed to over pack and it was horrible getting around with all that stuff. We only do day trips and never stay in a hotel as it's close enough (about 1 1/2hr drive each way) so we always had to carry around anything we brought.
You will want a double stroller. You can either bring your own or rent one at the park. It is too much for a 4 year old to walk and stand the whole time for 4 days, the 2 year old obviously won't do it either. It is also a safe place for your children when you are trying to get around in crowded areas or when the lights are dimmed for things like fireworks, Fantasmic and World of Color. I remember a trip when my then probably 2 year old at the time just did not want to be in the stroller and I ended up wearing him in the sling almost all day. I was in so much pain the next day! This is coming from an avid and long time baby wearer. It was just too much. I always feel bad for the younger kids that parents refuse to let them use a stroller. It makes for a miserable trip when your child's body just can't take any more.
The lines are always shorter, sometimes walking right on, during the various shows. Do one big thing a day, Parade one day, Fantasmic the next, Fireworks the next and World of Color the next. Use the show times for the things you are skipping that day to go on things that have shorter lines.
You need to get a fast pass to see World of Color first thing in the morning or get one of the dining packages that include fast passes. They are free but you can not see the show without them. It is definitely worth seeing! If you can, leave the stroller behind for that show because the area just wasn't made for strollers (it's all stairs) and it's really hard to get it around. You need to get there early to line up before they let you into the viewing area as well.
If you can eat off peak hours, even by an hour, the lines are much shorter and it's easier to find seating. Breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen is a lot of fun to make reservations for. You get to eat with costumes characters, get autographs and photos. If your kids are into the Princesses Ariel's Grotto is a great place to eat. They have all the Princesses come to your table. It is one of the places included in the World of Color dining packages.
Make good use of fast passes! One tip. They will show a block of time, a start time and an end time. They are not good before the start time but they are good until the park closes. You can have more than one fast pass at a time, there is a time at the very bottom of the ticket that tells you when you can get another pass. Some rides have rider swaps so you can ride something while your husband watches the kids and then you swap. This also works for things your 4 year old can go on but the 2 year old isn't.
Don't try to hurry through the parks. Give your children the opportunity to stop and look at the ducks if they want to, or the flowers or the butterfly flying around or the water in the fountain. It will make you all happier and less stressed. Give them a few minutes and then quietly get them moving on. We do this a lot, and not just because we can always go back whenever but because we see far too many unhappy fighting children because their parents are so hurried and stressed to get to the next attraction that the child is feeling left out, ignored and over stimulated. They need those few moments of zoning out on something so simple to regroup and be able to move on.
Have snacks for waiting in lines etc. I always packed a Tupperware sandwich tub with things like goldfish, cheerios, dried fruit etc for them to munch on in line. It also helps keep their blood sugar levels even so you don't have hunger meltdowns. There is a Target a couple blocks down from the parks that you can go to if you do not want to bring everything with you.
The park offers a free service of sending you purchases to your hotel when you stay on site. Take advantage of it so you don't have to carry anything more than you have to around the parks.
It gets chilly at night, even in the summer. Some rides can be chilly. Make sure to bring jackets and warmer clothes to change into for evening hours. Use the time to go back to your hotel, change into long pants and rest for a little bit so you are fresh again.
My kids always nap in the stroller or sling because they're used to it, we are a very on the go family that hates to sit still LOL You should take some time to go back to the hotel so they can take a nap unless they nap on the go. It's a sanity saver!
One pet peeve I have..in an effort to not "ruin the magic" I see parents go to great lengths to make their children believe that what they are seeing is truly real. Things like those are really real ghosts and one really followed you home. Don't scare your child for the sake of "ruining the magic". I have always been an avid Disney fan. I love behind the scenes things, I have friends that are Cast Members etc. They know the reality but still believe vehemently that Mickey Mouse standing there giving them a hug is in fact real. You can have it both ways, you can tell them it's someone in a costume and they'll still believe it's Mickey Mouse, trust me. It's not worth having your child scared to bits of Disneyland.
I am totally blanking on what else I should add. I know there is more.
Feel free to PM me with any questions you'd like answered or anything you're wondering about. I would love to help out!
Favorite attractions:
It's a Small World
Winnie the Pooh
Tiki Room
Haunted Mansion (yes, seriously!)
Tea Cups (my 2 year old can't walk past that without begging to go on it)
Carousel
Oh gosh..my kids are adding too many LOL but these got listed off the most and the ones we went on a lot when they were little (still do)

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Knott's Berry Farm is very close to Disneyland. In fact if you go west on Kattella about a mile, you almost run into Knotts. It's a lot of fun and not as busy as Disneyland.

I haven't been to Disneyland for many years, one hint is to skip the parade once, watch it the second time they do it and go on the busy rides during the parade. When you do watch the parade position yourself close to the ride you want to go on next and as the parade is winding up start to get in line for that ride. That way you are toward the front of the line if not first in line and no waiting. Since you are staying at the Disney Hotel, I would take the kids back to my room in mid afternoon for a nap and plan to back to the park later. A lot of parents with young kids leave early because the kids are all tired out, so you will have an easier time getting around the pre-school attractions, later in the day or early evening.

I would pack extra shoes and maybe change shoes in mid day. Every pair of shoes fits differently, so by changing shoes you are working different muscles. Hopefully you won't be so tired.

OOO have fun :-)

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If you don't already have one, get a stroller that both of your kids will fit in together. Disney is awesome, but it's A LOT of walking. I also would recommend a Take the Kids to Disney book, or something along those lines. You can find them in the travel section of any bookstore. One of my daughters teachers let me borrow hers when we went and it was by far the BEST thing ever to navigate and figure out our entire trip. Have fun!!!

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Umbrella strollers with the tray in the bottom for diapers and other purchases. Water bottles will save you money as well as snacks.

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Of course you will want to go to Fantacyland and ride all of the rides there. You will also want to take the train ride around the park. I would take the kids to see the Tiki Room. Be sure you try the pineapple smoothie at the Tiki Room. I'd do the Tiki room at noon since its inside and a/c. Be sure to go on the Jungle Cruise with the kids.

Hope you have a wonderful time. If you are loaded with money, you don't need to bring anything. If money is a concern, Bring a portable ice chest that will fit in the stroller. Put all of the things you normally put in a stroller for your kids. If they like chicken, I go to Sams and get a rotisserie chicken to share with your family. Or go to McD or BK and use their 99 cent menu to supply your lunch and dinner meals. (Hold the mayo.) Get soft drinks or juice at the grocery store. If you like bottled water, fill your bottles at the hotel and get ice to cool them down in the ice chest.

Good luck to you and yours.

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An umbrella stroller. I guarantee you someone will want a ride. Also good when you want to get from one end of the park to the other quickly.

We also pack everything necessary to make several peanut butter & jelly sandwiches in the hotel which we carry in a backpack. Food is incredibly expensive and the sandwiches are okay not being refrigerated.

Camera! Although, consider having the Disneyland staff take pictures and buying the photo CD at the end of your trip. Well worth the money.

Have a great time!

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Katrina A. Nailed it all. A true Disneyland expert. We also do all that she mentioned. We have been going once a year since 2006. Taking a break mid day IS a life saver to get some rest and refreshed ton tackle the rest of the day. We take our Foreman grill to cook. We go to Food for Less on Katella and get some groceries. We cook hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken thighs, vegetables and spam for breakfast with eggs or pancakes on our griddle. I know who wants to cook on vacation, but it's actually not that bad when you know that you are getting good food and saving money. Any left over burgers or hot dogs etc, we wrap up and take to the park. Very helpful and so money is going to snacks like ice cream and churros that cost a fortune. Have fun and know that Disneyland is addicting. We went last June and we are all ready to go back.

And as everyone else said bring a stroller for both kids. We had a double stroller when my daughters were 5 and 3. At 5 yrs. They still get tired and fall asleep. Now my girls are 9 and 7 so they walk unless dad and big brother puts them on their shoulders. Don't forget the sunblock.

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Bring swimsuits!
Four days is a long time at Disneyland. Take it easy. My girls (5 & 2.5) have enjoyed Disneyland on more than one occasion. The trick for us was getting in at the beginning of the day, headed to the hotel for a break in the middle of the day (the hottest and busiest time) and then headed back in the evening for a few more hours. Put the kiddos down for a nap, maybe go for a swim, and get some dinner before you go back in.
I highly recommend you hit fantasyland (where all the tiny kid rides are) either at the VERY beginning or VERY end of the day. Even on a mildly crowded day fantasyland will be the most packed. Also, if you plan to take in shows/parades, hitting fantasyland during those same times other days will also mean reduced crowds (except during firework shows when this part of the park is closed).
Another reason I recommend leaving for the nap is that at least one night you have to let your kids see the fireworks show. It is amazing, choreographed to the music, My little's ones first trip response was, "wow that was magical!" If they haven't had a nap they will likely be pooped out by the 9pm firework show! Also, the best seats are in front of the castle. Other places to see the show, but the best is the in front of the castle.
Even if you plan to shell out the big bucks for all the food stuff in the park, bringing snacks is a must. Standing in line goes by much more peacefully when munching some raisins or pretzels!
Also, staying in the park hotels usually means early admittance to the park. This is well worth it taking advantage of, especially if your vacation will be on a weekend.
Also, keep in mind eating in the park is not your only option. There are MANY eating places right outside the park. You can do a google map search and put in "restuarants" when looking at the map that shows disneyland and see. This has always come in handy for us when we take our afternoon break, we eat at dennys, Mimis cafe or the like, have a casual inexpensive dinner and then head back in.
I am a big big Disney fan, been to Disneyland more times than I can count before we left the West coast. Feel free to message me if you have questions!

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We just went in June, so a few tips:

1. Anyone in your travel group with health issues or special needs (autism, ADHD, Asperger's, etc.)? If so, get a note from the doctor asking for a medical pass and bring it to guest services. This will allow you to bypass the regular line and go to a special, very short alternate line for most rides. There was a two-hour wait for Star Tours, for example, and my son and husband got on in two minutes. Very helpful if you're dealing with a medical condition making line-waiting difficult. Everyone in your group gets to use the pass, as long as the person with the condition is going on the ride.

2. Don't feel pressured to see and do everything. We ended up skipping the night shows and have no regrets. We spent the day at Disneyland/CA Adventure from opening at 8 am until around 3:30 to 5 pm, then went back to the hotel for swimming and dinner. Keeping the kids on their normal sleep schedule at night was critical to a good visit for us.

If you're flexible in your expectations, you'll have more fun. The things you want to do may not match up with what your kids want to do, so just go with what they want. Avoid coming up with "must see" lists.

3. Buy an autograph book when you first get in the park. Our kids loved getting autographs from all of the characters.

4. Take your four-year-old to the bathroom anytime you spot one. I was surprised at how few bathrooms there are at Disneyland and they're often hidden in alleys. We did a lot of mad dashing around that park ("I need to go potty NOW, mommy!"), often having to go to the opposite side of a theme area just to get to one.

5. The park opens very early, but it's worth getting up and going then. The weather is better/cooler and the park isn't as jam-packed as mid-day and afternoon.

6. Check out mousesavers.com for more tips. I used that one a lot when planning our trip.

Have fun!

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There is a book called the Unoffical guide to Disneyland. It gives more of an insiders guide (ie which rides might be too scary, when to really get a place for the night time lagoon show, etc.). It may not especially handy with your kids but would certainly be handy as they get older and want to ride more stuff. Before you go, you may want to check out which fast food places (I know but hear me out) have playgrounds. You can then use the bathroom (probably cleaner than a gas station), get a snack and let them run around a bit. I think they must see the nightly parade too. Have fun-so exiting their first time!