Disneyland with an infant/toddler

Our way to enjoy Disneyland with an infant!

Where: Disneyland | 1313 Disneyland Dr · Anaheim · CA 92802

Open: Monday through Sunday | 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Visited: Saturday, Jan 19, 2019 through Sunday, Jan 20, 2019 | 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Website: h ttps://disneyland.disney.go.com/

Tickets: Buy online

Disney now or later! What's the best time?

Do you really need to go to Disney when your child is still referred to as a baby? Or should you wait until they are big enough to have seen a couple movies and have memories of their trip to Disney! Well it depends on you and the personality of your baby. 12 months onwards technically a lot changed in my Bubu he was understanding more, expressing more and more excited. He is this little explorer, who has a lot of patience, is observant and has a healthy, non-harmful, non destructive curiosity. He also is a vivid party person. So for us this trip was a good fit. Did I mention my husband and I'm a HUGE Disney fan. So I am guessing there is going to be Disney trips throughout our life's together. Regardless, we took loads of pics. It's a memory we will remember even if he won't, and we are ok with that. One thing for sure we had loads of FUN!

We love DISNEYLAND the most because of its history. It's the first ever Disneyland. Walt Disney, himself dreamt it and built it. And every time we are at Disneyland, that man's vision just mesmerizes us. If I never go to any other Disney-lands-worlds in my life I will still be a very content fan coz I have thoroughly enjoyed the one built by Walt Disney himself. This trip was our fourth in the last 6 years of being together. We have a strategy to cover Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park inside out in 2 days, but that's another blog post. With an infant/toddler the game plan to enjoy Disney changes 360. This one is more laid back, concentrating only on infant/toddler friendly rides and attractions which can be achieved in 2 days.

This time we booked 2 days + multi-park entry that meant we were going to Disney California Adventure Park at some point. Whose details I am not going to mention here let's concentrate only on how the cover Disneyland. If it was for me, I will say, just do one park Disneyland in a 2 day timeline. Don't worry you will still cover all the rides your Bubu will enjoy and walk through the entire park. It takes a lot of time and patience to stand in the long queues and with a baby that patience and time is already being utilized for the baby/infant.

Day 1

Cover Fantasyland, Toon Town, Main Street

Try reaching 9 am at the gates to get in. It will take you 30-60 mins to finish gate-check and actually enter Disneyland. The earlier you get to the gates the better. With infants/toddlers as they still depend on you to get dressed, realistically if you can be at the gate at 9:00 am it's an achievement. But if your baby is an early riser, bank on it be at the gates even earlier.

First thing you encounter after getting in is the Main Street. The Main Street's grand welcome will distract you, it's got all the right checkboxes. Loads of characters always there to take pics, buggy ride, tram, horse carriages makes it very enticing to start here. "Ignore", is the right word, concentrate on "the" strategy, keep walking towards Fantasyland. This is a good time to rent a locker and check in coats, other stuff you do not want to drag along all day. They are cheap $10ish/daily rentals and you can keep going back to get anything you forgot or want. Another thing to do now is buy a FastPass, it not only gives you entry to start-of line at certain rides but also the ability to click family photo's by a Disney photographer, at scenic location throughout the park.

9:00 am to 1:00 pm: Fantasyland

The Peter Pan's Flight is always a minimum of 40 mins wait and a maximum of 2 hrs. So you decide either start with it or end with it. Or just whenever you have a 40 min wait just go for it. At nap time that's afternoon there is a good chance to get this ride at even 30 mins of wait time if you are lucky. Our recommended route is:

It's A Small World
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Dumbo the Elephant
Casey Jr Circus Train
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Snow White's Scary Adventure
Peter Pan's Flight
King Arthur Carrousel
Mr. Toads Wild Ride
Mad Tea Party
Alice in Wonderland

You do not have to be dogmatic about this route. In fact we use the Disney App. Download the Disney App in advance, it's a life saver we have used it for so many years and this year upgrades are brilliant. It gives you a good idea how long the wait times are for any ride and you can strategies accordingly. But stick to the "land" you are in or you will end up walking way too much inside the park and covering lesser rides. It should take you 3-4 hrs max to cover FantasyLand. Then go grab some lunch.

It's a good idea to feed the baby when you are standing in line at their scheduled times to avoid meltdowns. Don't ever delay the baby feed times, if you want to stay happy in the happiest place on earth. Try getting loads of finger foods so it's easy and less messy. Read on food packing tips in my last blog.

Dine-in at:

Unfortunately Fantasyland has no sit down, table service restaurants. But it has self serve cafes, and you can order a pick-up on the Disney App to avoid waiting in line.

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Mickey's Toon Town

It's after lunch time you are all fed & full. Looking for some lazy afternoon. This is a great place. There is only one ride Roger Rabbit Car Toon Spin. Highlights are house tours of Mickey, Minnie (with guaranteed pics with Mickey/Minnie), and also homes of Goofy, Donald, Chip & Dale (are actually soft play recreation center for kids). So they can play and you can rest on a bench watching them and tire your Bubu until nap-time.

5:00 pm - 12:00 am: Main Street

Head back to Main Street. As I mentioned earlier, you have so many options to enjoy there:

Photos with Characters: There are 3 - 5 characters at any given time to take pics with.
Horse-drawn Streetcars
Horseless Carriages
Omnibus
Disney railroad
The quaint, picturesque Main Street with nooks and corners filled with details of visual and noise to explore and enjoy.
Fireworks: Not to forget end the day with the fireworks at 9:00 pm, best viewed from the Main Street.

Dine-in at:

If this trip is meant to be laid back, treat your meals as well deserved break and reserve a table. Main Street has two lovely options Plaza Inn or Carnation Cafe. Plaza Inn is hosted by Minnie and Friends so a great place to meet + take pics with characters as you eat first thing in the morning or lunch/dinner; whatever you fancy.

Day 2

Cover Adventureland, New Orleans Square, Frontierland, Critter County, Tomorrowland

9:00 am - 5:00 pm: Adventureland, New Orleans Square, Frontierland, Critter County

Start at Adventureland and work your way towards Critter county. You have tons of time and all these 4 lands are very close to each other with just handful rides you will not feel the pressure when physically covering it which you are probably feeling right now as you read the mouthful of a title.

Our recommended route is:

Adventure land: - Enchanted Tiki Room: Start your day with Tiki room. It will be a favorite if your baby loves music and dance and who does not like a puppet show especially, at such a large scale. - Jungle Cruise: While your Bubu enjoys spotting the animals, you will have a good laugh as the hosts have a funny, silly, dad-jokes script. Always cracks me up and I look forward to it. Reminds me of my dad, he had some sense of humor.
Frontier land: This has only the lil man-made lake with boat rides that an infant/toddler can enjoy. Choose your ride either the Mark Twain Riverboat or the Sailing Ship Columbia, or both.
New Orleans Square: - Pirates of the Caribbean: This needs a little patience it's one of the sort after rides at Disney and you may have to stand in line for min 30 mins. - Haunted Mansion
Critter County: End with Critter County. Again this has only one ride suitable for an infant/toddler family which is The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride and if you are lucky the meet and greet with Winnie.

Dine-in at:

Time for a nice lunch. Sit down and eat with table service at Blue Bayou Restaurant or Cafe Orleans. Blue Bayou is always full as it overlooks the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, so be sure to reserve a table week's in advance.

5:00 pm - 12:00 am: Tomorrowland

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage: Start with Nemo as it's on the way to Tomorrowland.
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster
Astro Orbiter: So this being your last ride, you are back to the Main Street Circle and can plan to stay and watch the Fireworks again tonight. Why not!

Tips:

Download the Disney App: Shows current ride wait time. Reserve table at your favorite restaurants or order pickup at self serve cafes. It's also connected to your FastPass notifications, updates and photos you take with the help of Disney staff at scenic spots, which resides on the app and can be downloaded directly to the phone.
Reserve Restaurants: There are tons of sit-down restaurants reserve your spot in advance before you leave for the trip. And for places like Blue Bayou keep checking the app for any drop-outs. You never know when you can get lucky. We did!
Travel Light: To get in faster at gate-check, carry only one bag so there is no multiple bigs/buckles/zippers to open n check.
Get Locker: Especially during winter to avoid lugging coats, scarves, winter caps etc. As after early mornings the day temperature at Anaheim, California were like a nice pleasant summer.
Grab FastPass: Helps with getting ahead in certain ride lines, getting photographer pics at scenic spots
Child Care Center: Need diaper changing station, microwave or your toddler is in the middle of Potty Training. Don't worry the Child Care Center has you covered. It's located on Main Street and very cozy, comfy place for a new mom to relax and feel at home.
Your child does not need to see Disney movies. Our Bubu hasn't seen TV ever but still could spot Mickey as he has a stuffed one at home and all the other characters were exciting too as they look like big walking interacting stuffed animals.
Don't stress about standing in line. That was our Bubu's highlight of the trip. He loved it! He could touch everything, sit and climb on it if his heart desired and mom and dad did not ask him to not do so, #everyinfantsdream. They are child safe and full of interest. And for you as an adult my tip is keep your eyes peeled for details. If you are a good observer you will spot so many things standing in line, the amount of details Disney imagineers have put in, you will be mind-blown. If you are bad at it read the Secrets of Disneyland to help you spot all these cool detailing. Enjoy!