Taking Kids to Disneyland

2010-11-23T08:58:00.000-08:00

Many attractions have lines that split into two. As a general rule, the left side moves faster.
Take a picture of where you parked your car.

Many of the "thrill" rides are faster at night.

The Matterhorn has two lines, the Tomorrowland side and the Fantasyland side. The Fantasyland side is faster and you see the abominable snow man twice. The Tomorrowland side has a shorter line and you only see the abominable snow man once.

If you dine at the Blue Bayou in New Orleans Square, ask specifically for a table by the water. You may have to wait a bit longer, but the view is worth it for your dinner. Also, make reservations before you go.

Bring a sweater. Just because its California doesn't mean its always nice weather. Even in July, bring a sweater.

Most people eat lunch between 11-1pm and dinner between 4-6pm. These are prime opportunities to ride some longer lined rides. Also, lunch and early nap time is a good time to hit Fantasyland.

Use the train! The Disneyland Railroad can be your best friend on crowded days... the wait to board is hardly ever very long. You can move from one end of the park to the other in relaxing style rather than worming through crowds on your feet.

There are rides that deceive you. If the line for the Jungle Cruise is outside the building, the line is too long. A few others like this are Toy Story Mania, Star Tours, Indiana Jones, and Roger Rabbits Cartoon Spin. If the end is not outside the building, you should be good to go.

If it's your birthday, go to City Hall, (first building on your left as you enter Main Street from the Main Gate) and you'll get a sticker and because of the sticker: sometimes special treatment.

Pay particular attention to start times of parades even if you do not wish to view them. Many people line up 30 minutes (or more) prior to the start time of the parade. Good time to eat in areas away from parade route. Also many ride lines are much shorter. Just be sure you don't find yourself trapped on Main St. by a huge parade crowd if you are trying to make your way to another part of the park.

The best time to go shopping in the summers are the hot afternoon hours... while the majority of guests are waiting in line for a water ride, you can be inside the airconditioned stores doing some fun browsing or shopping.

If you plan on shopping in Disneyland, don't lug your bags around. You can have all of your purchases sent to the Newsstand right near the exit and then you can pick them up on your way out. If you happen to be staying at a Disney Hotel, you can take it a step further and have them sent to your hotel. For no charge.

The Disneyland Railroad begins running about 15 minutes prior to the rest of the park opening. You can ride around the park nonstop then before the rest of the park is even opened. And when the park opens, you will already be on the train, ready to go without having to fight the crowds.

Question answer!

2010-09-20T15:44:00.000-07:00

I figured I would answer the question I got in the comments, with a new post. Watch out, I am on a roll. ;)

"Hi Heather! My family is planning our first trip to Disneyland! We'll be spending 2 days in Disneyland and 1 day at California Adventure. We are going the week/end before Thanksgiving. Have you ever gone in November? Any tips???? We have 4 kiddos (18mo, 6, 8, 10)."

Well, first of all, YAY for first trips to Disneyland!! Make sure you stop by City Hall (under the bridge on the left hand side of Main Street) to get a "My first visit" pin. Wearing it lets everyone know its your first time... and while its not guaranteed, people wearing them have been known to get some special treatment. :) Besides, when you go home, you have a fun and free souvenir!

Now, to answer your question... I have been there in November and with the exception of the week of Thanksgiving, it is very pleasant. Most of the holiday decorations are up, the weather is nice and the lines are short. The down side? Shorter hours and some refurbishments... but really, I would take that over hot summer crowds any day!

Lets see, some first timer tips... Don't hop around. When you get there and are so excited, you want to run to all the rides that you heard about, or that look cool on the map... but go in order. They won't go anywhere and you will get more done if you aren't running all over the place. In two days you can do everything at Disneyland, so don't feel like you have to rush! I would make a plan before you go... like where you want to start, what times you will be eating, etc. You don't have to stick to it exactly, but its nice to have a general idea of what happening.

Also, don't expect your kids to act better because you are on a cool vacation... you see that a lot a the parks... and the fact is, they probably won't be. I have lost count of how many stressed out moms and fighting couples I have seen because they had some unreal expectation. Take things in stride, take the breaks you need... Kids aren't use to non stop walking for 8 hours, so why would they do it at Disney with no complaint? Just simple things that can be forgotten when you are wanting everyone to have fun. :)

If you (or anyone else) have anymore questions, feel free to ask. I will do my best to answer them.

Is it hot?

2010-09-17T14:29:00.000-07:00

Take a break! No one said Disney needs to be a non stop marathon! There are many fun and entertaining things you can do while getting out of the heat.

How about a show? There are many shows in Disneyland and DCA most of which have short waits and air conditioned buildings! In Disneyland there is the Tiki Room, Captain Eo and Great Moments with Mr Lincoln. At DCA there is Its Tough to be a Bug, Muppet Vision 3D and the Animation Studio.

What about a ride? There are a couple rides that are 10-15 minutes in length and have fast moving lines. Pirates of the Caribbean, Its a Small World and Soarin' Over California.

What? You want to ride a water ride? Well, there are a few of those too... but you can almost guarantee that when its warm outside, you are not the only one who is thinking water ride. Also, there are only two water rides, one at each park and they both have a height requirement. Splash Mountain's is 40 inches and Grizzly River Run is 42 inches. I suggest getting a fast pass if you want to ride either of these in the summer. :)

Neglected much?

2010-04-10T15:20:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess blogging about this subject was not as important to me as I though it was. I will still try to post things I learn and/or experience from time to time.

For now (meaning 4/12-4/15) I am going to use the blog as a real time trip report. I plan on randomly blogging and posting pics from our next trip to DLR. Should be fun! Feel free to follow along, if you so desire.

Random Tip Saturday.

2009-09-26T11:23:00.001-07:00

If you are going to ride Splash Mountain with someone who is just tall enough... make sure you sit in the back where you can hold on to them good. Just trust me.

Fun Fact Friday!

2009-09-11T09:20:00.001-07:00

On Friday's I will list one fun thing that you may or may not know about Disneyland. Something random, something you can get or try, or just something fun!

Todays Fun Fact is about birthdays! When you go to Disneyland on your child's (or your own) birthday, stop by City Hall (on the left side of Main Street after you pass under the railroad) to get a birthday button and a call from Goofy! Its a fun little thing that your child will remember for many years to come!!

We are doing our first birthday at Disneyland this weekend! We are very excited! I'll let you know how it goes!!

Top Five. Must Haves for your little one.

2009-09-10T17:51:00.000-07:00

1. Change of clothes. You never think you'll need them, and then you do! Don't go overboard though, you don't need to drag the entire closet into the parks.

2. Snacks. Even if you plan on eating at the parks, you and your little ones WILL get hungry and it will more than likely be when everyone else is. Avoid the meal crowds by being prepared.

3. Water. Bring bottles from home and FILL THEM UP AT THE PARK. Yes, you heard me right. The water they sell at the park is Dasani... you know what Dasani is? Filtered city water. Anaheim has seriously won awards on how good their water is. On top of that, there are a few locations in the park that have filtered fountains. One being in the baby station on Main Street, another is by the Mexican Restaurant in Frontierland, or the Tomorrowland Terrace in Tomorrowland.

4. Wet Ones. I recommend these specifically only because they can clean tables, strollers AND your little ones hands and face.

5. A small blanket. This can be used to cover a cold little one, to cover the ground for you to sit on during a parade, and to shade the sun from little ones eyes while in the stroller.

Top Five. Some common sense.

2009-09-10T17:21:00.001-07:00

1. Just because you are at Disneyland, does not mean your kids are all of a sudden NOT going to need their nap. If you are going for one day and feel you can push through, I say go for it. Do not be surprised if your child is all of a sudden cranky, scared of everything and just plain intolerable. If you are staying more than one day, remember... its only going to get worse. The lack of sleep will keep building until you and everyone in your party is ready to leave a day early!! Just go back to the room to nap, Disneyland WILL be there when you wake up. And if its not, you will be grateful you weren't there when it met its demise.

2. If you are pushing a stroller (which you should be if you have a child 4 or under), please realize that you are not king of the road. People do not like to be ran into, stopped in front of, cut off, etc. Its A LOT easier to do when pushing a stroller, but try to be careful.

3. Just because you have a baby or toddler, does NOT mean everyone has to accommodate you. So be prepared. Disney is VERY good at making things easier for people with babies and toddlers, but there is only so much they can do. There are baby care centers in both parks that have just about anything you could need for a baby or toddler, just in case you forget something. (Baby care center in Disneyland is at the end of Main Street on the right hand side, behind the Photo Store. The one in DCA is next to the Mission Tortilla Factory, in the back of the park).

4. Check height and age requirements BEFORE you get up to the front of the line. It frustrates you, it frustrates everyone around you and it will disappoint your kid if they cannot ride. MOST of the time, there will be someone posted along the way to measure and make sure this doesn't happen, but sometimes not.

5. Have fun! If you don't ride everything, its not a big deal! Running and rushing around makes Disneyland not fun. Take time to let your little one soak it all in. Disneyland is a wonderful place with lots to do and see and makes for some wonderful memories. Enjoy it! They are only young and at Disneyland once.

Welcome!!

2009-09-10T17:17:00.000-07:00

Here, you leave the world of childless days at Disneyland and enter the days of diapers, nursing in public and stroller tantrums.

I plan on passing on all that I know from experience, all that I have read and all that I have learned from others that involves taking kids to Disneyland!!