Hello Moms,
Just wanted some of you opinions on a trip to Disneyland. My son's Second birthdy is This weekend and we are taking him to Disneyland. Any advice you have on ways to save would be great. Should I bring a big stroller for naps or whould the little one do? Also, what are some of your experiences with rides for 2 year olds I just dont want him to be scared of anything. I know "Honey I shrunk the Audience" might be too scarry. what about Jungle cruise? and any others also if you have any tips on food costs or atttractions your kids liked that would be great to hear. Thanks Moms for your help.
Hello Everyone,
Thanks so much for all the great advice. We had a blast! We were able to do most scarry rides I was so amazed he (Geoffrey)was loving them! the first drop on Pirates scared him a bit as he was holding on tight to me and dad, but he love it! We had breakfast at the Mc Donalds before we got in and then had enough snacks to last us until dinner we only spent about $10 per person which wasent too bad. It was very cold and the fireworks were cancelled but all in all it was a great time I am really thinking about getting the passes. Thanks everyone!
I would skip Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. It is pretty noisy and flashy and scared my 2 year old pretty bad.
We are annual passholders as well, have been since our son was 6 months, and he is now 2.5. You've got good advice here. Definitely take your own reclining stroller for napping!! Bring snacks . . . and we often just walk over to the McDonald's on Harbor for lunch and save a TON of money. It is very expensive to eat/drink in the park, beware! If you do eat in the park, the portions at the Pizza Port are huge. They also offer toddler meals that are good for the kids. Just ask.
The other thing that I think no one mentioned is the baby station on Main Street. It has very comfortable changing accomodations, and also toddler-sized potties if needed. I don't know if you are nursing or not, but they also have nursing accomodations there. Saved my life many a time. They also sell diapers, baby food, etc. if you get in a bind. Good place to check out.
Rides . . . I think they've all been mentioned. My son also loves Pirates of the Caribbean, but not all kids like that. He LOVES the Winnie the Pooh ride . . . and there's just never a line for it, so I'd check it out. Short and sweet.
Have fun!!
Read the Babes in Disneyland blog, on the babesindisneyland.com website, it's very helpful :)
Hi S.,
We love Disneyland and my daughter has been going since she was 6 weeks old. This time of year is tough because it will be busy and crowded. I take my big stroller so my dd can nap and also for a bit of protection when walking through crowds. Rides that she love:Small World, the train that goes around the park, Winnie the Pooh in Critter Country, Dumbo, Autotopia in Disneyland. If you go to California Adventures there is a kids' area over by "It's Tough to Be a Bug" called Flik's Fun Fair.
I usually take snacks for my dd for the day and for us. If you have it in the diaper bag they ususally don't say anything.
Have fun!!!
This might be a little late, but. Ways to save: bring your own food, Disney food is really expensive. Don't forget water, Disney charges $2.50 for a small bottle. Bring a stroller for naps. Buzz Lightyear is a huge hit with little boys, my son is 3 and loves it. It's a small world is always good, most rides in BugsLand, Jungle Cruise, Dumbo, Casey Jr, Storybookland, Teacups, Nemo subs, Winnie the Pooh, Autopia, Playhouse Disney live, Monster Inc., and don't miss the Pixar play parade in California Adventures.
We personally like to go over to California Adventure. It's a lot less crowded. If you've never been before just know it is not usually this crowded. In Cali Adven. there's a lot more room & you can actually let them walk around. We ride Monsters Inc. & do playhouse Disney, toy story, run around the ropes place i forget what it's called. They have a show drawn to the magic & after it's over there's a princess, woody, & mickey to take pictures with. For food there's a couple places that offer toddler meals which are only $2.99. It's mac & cheese, applesauce & a drink.
In Disney we don't wait in lines well so we do the princess coronation ball, winnie the pooh, sometimes Alice in Wonderland, buzz lightyear.
I suggest getting a pass if you can. It's totally worth it. You'll get your $'s worth & have a better time. We go for just a few hours at a time but we go almost weekly. We ask for them for Christmas gifts. We get Disney $'s & then put it towards the passes.
Hope this helps. Have fun!
I forgot. We also eat @ Carnation the pink umbrella place right on the corner as you turn to fantasy land. You can get the chicken dinner for $13 & it feeds myself & my 2 kids. They give you 3 pieces of chicken, mashed potatoes, beans, roll. The mexican place is also somewhat inexpensive & has a good kids meal.
We are annual ticket holders and take or 2 and 4 year old regularly. WE just went last week for the holiday decorations and it was fabulous!
-Bring your own stroller.
-Bring warm clothes in layers and a blanket.
-Bring a backpack with a lunch bag with juice/milk, snacks, sandwiches or whatever he eats.
-If you have a toddler "leash", I'd recommend it. We don't have one, but I wish I did. 2 year olds like to roam and it gives you a security in crowds.
Rides he'll love:
Dumbo, Small World, Spaceships, Autotopia, Innovations, Circus train, Carousel, Storybook ride (name?), submarine, snow at 5:30 (look at the light posts for the green boxes...they spit out the snow flurries), parade at 6:30
Rides my 2 and 4 year old HATED because they were scared:
Haunted Mansion...duh! what was I thinking?
Peter Pan and the one across from it (can't remember the name)
Alice and Wonderland
Star Wars (your 2 year old will probably be too short anyway..mine was)
Get a photo pass and have your pictures taken in front of the castle when it gets dark. Get over there soon after they turn on the lights b/c people line up fast.
You are going to have a blast!
I would take your own stroller first off. Try to pack light and bring a backpack. If you want to do the train or the monorail remember that you have to fold up the stroller, so don't plan on using the basket in that case (although really you could leave the stroller too and come back, but its nice to have with on the other side).
As far as food... I highly recommend the pasta at Redd Rockett's Pizza Port (tomorrowland) is a hearty meal and you can get away with sharing some of your plate with your son.
Or check out Rancho del Zocalo (frontierland) for mexican style foods. Also gives pretty large sized portions.
http://allears.net/dlr/tp/dl/dl_rest.htm
My favorite are the turkey legs, makes for a delicious "snack" and can be found with many of the food carts. And despite the "food ban" at the parks, I've often "snuck" tot foods in for my kids when they were little with no problems. Also remember to take a couple large sized bottles of water with you. The 12oz they have there sell for something like $2 each!!
As far as rides, you can do Autopia in tomorrowland, or Casey Jr. train, the carousel, the dumbo ride and the storybook boats in fantasyland. Its a small world is another that's easy for a two year old. You could try Jungle cruise, but out of three kids I had mixed results at that age and it really depends on the "driver" too. You might want to try the Tiki Room close to nap time. Sit along the wall where the seats are cushier and there's less to take in.
hope that helps!
awesome! i took my son to disneyland when he was two as well! as long as he is tall enough to go on the rides, its pretty fun. but there are loads of things to do if they arent.that is so great that he had a great time!
i cant wait to take my daughter to disneyland! she is already three and we havent taken her
Definietly bring your own stroller that reclines for napping. Don't overload right off because of the tram ride.
We always pack our own food (easy to sneak in or go to the car for a break) and will buy one special treat (like the pineapple whip next to the tiki room!). It is way too much to eat there all meals.
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and Snow white can be on the scary side for some kids. Small World-especially with it singing Jingle Bells for christmas, Buzz lightyear, Dumbo, Casey jr., stroybook land, tiki room, carousel are great choices. I think the jungle cruise would be OK. Tom Sawyers island is a must-I know it has a new name but it will always be Tom Sawyers island! don't forget the train. Toon Town has some kid stuff too but some of it is fast.
Santa is there with his reindeer back in Big Thunder Ranch. If you can, stay to see the "snow" and fireworks.
Pack warm, its supposed to be cold this weekend. have a great time.
