20 Tips for Surviving Disneyland with kids: A Mom’s Guide

Beignets, Big Feelings & Surviving Disneyland with Kids

Planning Disneyland with kids can feel stressful, reaaaaal fast! Starting with getting advice from friends, rope drop strategies (YUP, it’s a thing ), endless blog tips and influencer reels, guys, it's a lot. Don't even get me started on the App and booking Lightning Lanes. 

I decided to not do a fancy, complicated plan. 

I opened my notes app, and wrote down the top things I REALLY didn’t want to miss. 

This turned out to be the best plan ever.

We had 3 days at Disney with 2 little kids. Kept it simple, booked a hotel close to the parks. Focused on soaking it in (even if meant missing a few things we wanted to do or leaving a ride line-up cause none of us could handle standing longer than 25 mins). 

Disneyland with toddlers is chaos NO MATTER WHAT.

So instead of trying to jam-pack every second, we kept things light but intentional.

Here's 20 tips that made our trip magical instead of a stress banana. 😊🍌

1. Don’t overplan.

IG will tell you to schedule every second and spend a bajillion dollars on all the foods. Don't do it, trust me. 

2. Build some excitement before the trip!

Three weeks before leaving, we wrote Disney movies on pieces of paper and pulled one from a jar each night (include the classics: Lion King, Cinderella and the Little Mermaid)

3. Watch short clips instead of full movies.

Even 20 minutes builds excitement and helps kiddos recognize characters!

4. Make a short “must-do” list. 📝

Think 10 things, max. Not 40. (I also added in a few special events, like the Disney parade time to our shared Google Calendar so we didn’t miss it).

Ours included:

• Beignets from Mint Julep Bar
• Cars Land
• Dole Whip from Tiki Juice Bar 
• Catching a parade (or two) 
• A castle photo!! (a must)
• Mad Tea Party ride

5. Use your Notes app.

Keep your “can’t miss this!!” list in one spot. 

6. 100% book a hotel walking distance to Disneyland. 🏰✨

We booked the Fairfield by Marriott by Anaheim Resort and it was wonderful. When the kids passed out by 7pm in the room, my husband and I cozied up on the patio overlooking the Disney rides. 10/10 recommend. 

7. Don’t stress about rope drop.

Everyone says you must arrive early (8am sharp for the official opening moment so you can run to the busiest rides) With kids, sometimes that’s just not happening. We also wanted to take our time walking through Mainstreet and seeing some characters!

8. Ease into the morning.

We got to the park around 8:30am and slowly walked through Main Street while the kids soaked it all in.

9. Take bathroom breaks OFTEN.

If you see a washroom, do a pit-stop. Otherwise you will get in line for a ride and 10 mins in your kid will 100% need to use the washroom.

10. Pack easy travel snacks. 

• granola bars
• made mini sandwich buns at the hotel
• SQUEEZE - light crispy bites, no sugar crash and zero mess. Perfection. 🍓

11. Bring a small cooler.

Pro tip: stuff kids’ clothes inside it in your suitcase to save space.

12. Strollers are your best friend.

We rented a double stroller at the park near the front entrance on the 2nd day and it was a game-changer!! It’s a LOT of walking, so even the big kids will get tired quickly. 

13. Book a character breakfast. 

We did Plaza Inn on our last day and it was pure magic. All you can eat.... like ALL. YOU. CAN EAT. We were there for 2 hour I think. 

14. Mickey waffles = instant happiness. 🧇

15. Bring a character autograph book.

Kids love collecting signatures from their favorite characters. We ordered a simple one from Amazon. 

16. Pack wipes and hand sanitizer.

Sticky hands happen constantly.

17. Wear ridiculously comfy shoes.

I wore New Balance 880s and felt like I was walking on clouds all day.

18. The “photo the toy” trick. 📷

If kids want a toy, take a photo of it instead of buying it immediately.

19. End-of-trip rule.

At the end of the trip, each kid chooses one toy from the photos. It makes the decision feel extra special and helps avoid a few meltdowns. 

20. Slow down. 

Eat the beignets.
Watch the parade.
Take mini breaks (+drink water!)
Let the kids hug every character.

**and ideally the kids tell you “ahhhh stopppp, my turn!!” (be a kid again).

What to Pack for Disneyland with Kids

Here’s what literally saved us:

• Character autograph book + don't forget a pen 
• Reusable water bottles
• Hat and sunglasses
• Sunscreen ☀️
• Wipes and hand sanitizer
• Stroller (or rent one at Disneyland!)
• Easy, lightweight snacks
• Kids backpack with books and colouring 🎒
• Windbreaker or light jacket
• Chargers for everything
• Comfy walking shoes
• Change of clothes (don't forget this!!)

Mom tip: I got my nails done before the trip and it weirdly made me feel way more put together in photos (I get my nails done maybe 3-4 times a year, a loovely treat)

Highly recommend.

Final thought:

The best Disneyland moments aren’t scheduled.
They’re the messy, magical ones. Go have funnnn with limited stress lol! ☺️🩷

xoxo
Alannah