Disneyland Dos and Don'ts

Bring along books and toys to entertain while you stand in line. A 20-30 min line for Dumbo is totally normal and a 3 yr old needs something to do.
Have Fun!

There is a website made by a women who I believe worked at Disneyland and she give you the best ways to go around Disney with babies and toddlers. the website is babesindisneyland.com. I hope you have a lot of fun.

So glad that you are planning multiple days. I think parents and kids get stressed out when they try to get everything done at one time. You are already in a good mind set to follow your daughter's lead. Log onto disneyland.com and you can get maps of both parks and check out the age / height appropriate attractions. I would pack a towel and a bathing suit. In Bugs land at california adventure there is a splash and play area so if it is hot and/or busy it is a great place for a kid to just be a kid and not have to wait in line. Also in CA adv. there is the redwood creek challenge trail that is like a really big playground with brides and slides that is great too. All of the attractions for kids are wonderful. Some of my kids favorites are the carosel, toy story mania, pinnochio, jungle cruise. Now my almost 4 year old LOVES star tours but that may be a little too old for your daughter. If you want to do the princess dress thing (my girls do but they wear regular clothes underneath) they have some REALLY cute ones on clearance at the disney store at the mall. In the park they are like $60+. Character dining is a lot of fun. Check the website for what is currently offered. Oh and pack LOTS of snacks. Yes they check your bag when you go in but they will not take your food. They are mostly looking for thingsd that will harm others. Sure they ask not to bring in outside food but they don't enforce it. (even if you walk in carrying Mc Donalds or whatever.) I think that is it for now. Have a blast. We go all the time and have a great time.

Hi C.,
We go to Disney at least twice a year with our son. He started going when he was about 2. The key is to get there early when the gates open (and when your daughter is wide awake) and use the Fast Pass system when you can for the very popular rides. It is also better to go before school lets out because it will be less crowded. Do as much as you can until the afternoon then maybe go back to the hotel for a rest/nap. Go back to the park later in the evening get some dinner, maybe see a parade and fireworks if she can stay up that late.

Go online and check out all the activities in the park. This will help you determine which rides your daughter can go on and which parts of the park have the most things for her. Due to her height/age she can't go on a bunch of things are the park.

We always like to take the train that goes around the park. It goes through an area that simulates the grand canyon now and in pre historic times with dinosaurs. We also take a monorail ride sometimes - it is fun and takes you all around the park and hotels.

Bring lots of sunscreen, snacks,etc. If you have to wait on a long line for a ride, one of you should wait while the other takes your daughter for a walk or to look at something else. Make sure you have 2 cell phones so you can call each other when you are getting close to the front of the line. If they say it's a 40 minute wait - it could be only 20 minutes... My husband once got to the front of a line and couldn't call me because he didn't have his phone. Needless to say he was really annoyed because I took so long getting back there. But I thought I had 40 minutes and it only took 20.

The new Nemo ride is tricky. There is no fast pass and the line is usually long. We've gone on it twice and little kids tend to freak out on it. My son is 6 and wasn't too happy either. It doesn't really go underwater but it is pretty claustrophobic in there and you can't get out until it's over.... so you may want to skip it if you think your daughter will not react well.

Are you planning to go to California Adventure as well? They have a bunch of cute things for little kids and a really great Pixar Parade.

Hope this helps.

If you are worried about losing her write your cell phone number on her hand. Also, all potties in dineyland flush on their own. If she has a problem with this, you may be taking a lot of trips back to the hotel.

What worked for us is to go when they first open, take a break in the afternoon and swim in the hotel pool. The Disneyland hotel has this cool pool that doesn't go over 5 feet deep,and has a huge area that is just 2 feet deep. My kids loved to be able to touch and walk around. Around 5-6 head over the CA Adventure and hang out until after the light parade. It's great.

Get her as familiar to the characters as you can before you go, so she isn't afraid. Go to the Disney store, get mickey and minnie color books, watch videos, stuff like that.

Have fun.

Hey Candayce,

Don't be scared. I was totally nervous about our 1st Disneyland experience, and to my surprise, it was a total blast! We went just for the day, and as you mentioned, planned for the things we specifically wanted our son to see, then packed snacks and his stroller (he was 2 1/2 at the time) and made use of the fast passes while working our way around the park. You'll have plenty of time to get in all that you're wanting to if you've got 2 days there. Just relax, and know there's a possibility of overcrowding, but have no specific agenda, and you and your family will have a great time!

Enjoy!
M.

C., I just took my 2 year old and 8 month old to Disneyland. Definitely take a very comfy stroller that she can lay down in and take naps. I brought my kids blankets/binky's into the park to make naptime more comfy. It's hard to leave the park for naps (if she still takes them, and even if she normally doesn't, it's hard to walk everywhere and so overly stimulating that she may take a nap). Hit Fantasyland as soon as the park opens. That's all the little kid rides like Dumbo, Mr. Toads Wild Ride, Peter Pan, Snow White, Tea-Cups, and It's A Small World. They are the little kid rides that she will probably enjoy the most, but they have the LONGEST lines. If she's into Princesses, also hit the Princess Garden early as it can have lines anywhere from 2-4 hours long. Try explaining to her about having to wait her turn in lines, and how after the ride is over, it's time to get off and go wait in line again. It took my little boy half the day to understand this and we had lots of tears because he wanted to just stay in his seat and go again. The line for Little Nemo (submarine ride) is always forever long. Skip it, totally not worth the time. If she's into parades, the line for spots starts forming up about 2 hours before it starts. One parent can hang out while the other takes her on rides until it's time. It is such a fun place, we had a wonderful time with our kids. The rides really are made so that she'll be able to go on just about everything, even splash mountain if she's tall enough. Have fun!

Hey Candice.. We just took our two boys ages 3 years and 19 mo. We also went in Feb. of this year and april and october of last year! My husband loves it. The older one loves it! He can't get enough and does not get tired the whole day. The little one definately loved it this trip as well.. he could not get enough of Mickey. They both enjoyed almost all the rides. Only the lil' one liked the 3D shows. The older one loved the haunted mansion. If you just make it seem funny.. like look at that silly lady in the bubble and things like that. Definately take her to playhouse disney live on the california side. My older ones favs are Buzz lightyear, Toy story, and Dumbo. If you have an early day go straight to dumbo or peterpan as they tend to get really crowded. We found wednesday to be the least crowded. We were there for 5 days. Friday, Sat. Monday, Tues. and Wednesday. The older one never took a nap until we were walking to our hotel after disneyland closed. The younger one slept once daily. I would recommend if you have a microwave in your hotel popping your own popcorn. We did that and it saved lots of money! You can definately bring water in. The food is ok but pricey. Bring your stroller... it is safe no matter where you park it and will save you from paying for a locker and carrying all your goodies. We bought stuff and left it in the stroller and it was always fine. Some of the rides my son complained about during the line but loved it once he got in it and wanted to go again and again.. like toads wild ride and peter pan. If you take pics in the park with the photo pass cards I would recommend buying a calendar if you like the photos.. it comes out way cheaper then buying each pic individually and it is really nice! Have fun!

I took my neice many years ago when she was about the same age as your daughter. Use a stroller. It will allow her to have more energy to do the fun stuff!! On one of the days consider a late start at the park so she can see the night time parade and fireworks. She will be overwhelmed!!! I remember my neice not knowing which way to look!! Take lots of pictures and take a video camera.

Have fun. Disneyland is a blast with a little kid!!!

There is a baby center at the end of Main Street near the First Aid. I'm sure a 3 year can still use it. They have a tiny potty for small children to use and also have a clean up area. Check in there as needed. It's open all day.
Also - do the Switch Pass. Get it at the entrance to most grown up adult fast rides - it lets one adult stand in line while the other waits and then the second adult can go through the special entrance when the first is done and not have to stand in line.
have fun!!

I bought annual passes for myself and my 4 year old this year and we also take her 2 year old brother. I learned a few things the first time we went: make sure you ask FREQUENTLY if she needs to go to the bathroom. So many times we got to almost the front of the line when she needed to go. Also,plenty of snacks to get you through the lines is crucial. Don't worry; Disney took care of the fun parts. You'll have a magical time!!!

My grandson is almost 3 and we've taken him to Disneyland many times. When he became a toddler we started noticing that he caught a cold or some kind of flu everytime we went, right after our visit. None of the adults got sick, just him. We know that he touches places we don't, so we started washing his hands a lot more frequently, especially when he touches handholds or rides, and he doesn't get sick now.

I recommend that you get a small plastic container of gel hand cleaner [Disneyland inspects bags for glass before the ticketing area] or antibacterial hand wipes, then wash your child's hands everytime she touches areas that other children touch. You'll be glad you take the time to do it, because the only thing you want to bring home from Disneyland is souvenirs, pictures, and happy memories, not illness.

We've taken all 4 of our kids, and 2 foster kids, to Disneyland. It's one of our favorite places for vacations.

Giving your daughter choices is great. Remember, though, she's never experienced any of this and won't know what she enjoys until she does it. It's also very easy for children (and adults) to feel overwhelmed by too many choices, so try to only give her 2 at a time. ("Do you want to ride the carosel or the flying elephants next?")

The middle of the day is always the most crowded time in the parks. Use that time for something like a nap, or time in the hotel pool. If you want to stay in the parks, either go to Tom Sawyer's Island (Disneyland) or Redwood Creek Challenge Trail (California Adventure) middday. There are few, if any, lines and lots of places to climb, slide and explore, plus shade. (There's even a wading creek in Redwood Creek.) You'll have a lot more fun than you would standing in the longest lines of the day.

If you want to do a character meal, book as far in advance as you can if you want breakfast or dinner, since those are the most popular times. Quite often, you can find same day openings at lunch, though, and the lunch is cheaper than dinner. For a little girl, I recommend Ariel's Grotto in California Adventure. It's gorgeous, and she'll meet princesses face to face.

Check the map you get when you enter the park. It will have the times and places listed for meeting characters. Princesses are usually near the castle. Mickey is always in his movie barn behind his house in Toontown. There might be a wait, but there's things to keep you entertained while you wait.

For parades, people will stake out spots far in advance. The least crowded place is in front of the steps to the train station (just inside the Disneyland entrance.) If you arrive somewhere just before a parade, though, most people will let small children straight up to the front, since they can see right over them.

Take in a show or two - even kids (and grown-ups) who aren't enthusiastic beforehand often count those experiences as some of their favorites. The Aladdin show in California Adventure is spectacular and just the right length.

If you bring a camera, you can get some great candid shots. Disney employees are very helpful about using your camera to take photos with the whole family in them. But, also consider a PhotoPass CD. The first time a Disney photographer takes a photo with their camera, they'll give you a card. Have it scanned every other time a Disney photographer takes a photo, and you can wait until you get home before you buy any (no lines!) You can add borders, character autographs, and even buy a CD with all the images on it and permission to make prints (this is your best bet if you'll be buying more than 2 enlargements.) You can also send images over the Internet.

Most importantly, remember a few things:
1. YOU CANNOT SEE AND DO IT ALL. It's impossible. Don't try.
2. There is no right or wrong way to explore the parks. What works for you might not work for someone else.
3. Even in Disneyland, kids get tired, hungry and grumpy. Try to keep her snacks on hand (princess fruit snacks can be a lifesaver) and a water bottle. Don't try to rush from experience to experience. It won't matter if you can do every single ride or only 2 or 3.
4. Have fun! :)

How fun! I went to Disneyland just last week with my two sons(three and eight) and my niece (just turned three) and sister-in-law. We saved a lot of money and ate healthier by packing our own lunch and renting a locker. (they cost around ten dollars for the day)I think the lockers were about ten inches wide, twelve inches deep and twenty inches high for a large one. But I think there are larger ones just outside the gates. Don't pack anything glass if you do bring a cooler because they'll take it away or make you put it in a locker outside of the gate. The Snow White ride and Mr. Toad's wild ride are a little creepy, so you might want to skip them. Be sure to pack baby wipes and maybe disinfectant wipes to keep little hands clean. The new Nemo submarine ride is awesome!!! Also, if you are going to California Adventure I highly recommend seeing The Aladdin Show. I would've paid the price for the ticket just to see that show- It is spectacular!!! There's a wine and food expo going on there right now and they a offer an oppurtunity to have lunch with the Disney Princesses at Ariel's Grotto. My sis-in-law did it with my niece (who's crazy about the Disney Princesses rightnow) And she said the food was great and the princesses really gave all the little girls a lot of attention. Oh!- I also recommend bringing Emergen-C the vitmain drink to keep your energy up and boost your immune system. ( I wish I had brought some)Have a blast!

I may be repeating other responses, but definitely either bring a stroller or rent one - kids get tired quickly, and you can put all your jackets and stuff in the stroller. Bring lots of snacks and water. Even though I think they say no bringing food in the park, I always bring lots of food in, and they don't say a thing. If they do, say you have to eat special food for allergies etc. You could go broke buying their food. Of course, you will probably have to buy some of their food, but try to bring a lot of your own snacks. My friend has another trick: she buys lots of little disney souveniers at dollar stores or Wal-Mart, then brings them there so they don't have to pay so much for their toys at Disneyland. Have fun!

I was just there yesterday! We generally go about every other month. My son is 3 and just hit 42" so we had some new rides open to us. I always start at Disney and do the afternoon at California Adventure, but you could do one day at each. Here are things we do:

DISNEY:
*It's a small world
*Toon town
*Dumbo
*Carousel
*Autopia
*Train
*Winnie the Pooh
*Tom Sawyer's Island
*Jungle Cruise
*It's a Small World
*Storybook land

CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE:
*Bug's Land
*Playhouse Disney Show
*SS Rusty
*Redwood Creek Challenge

There is so much to do. Make sure you get a map and a schedule. The train is a fun way to get from one end to the other if you need to. Try to eat at non-peak times (lunch either before noon or after 2).

You could have lunch or dinner in Ariel's Grotto, but you should make your reservation ahead of time.

My son still does not like a lot of the "dark" Fantasy Land rides. Make sure you don't start out with one of those and scare her! Keep it a fun mix of rides and play areas. The lines can be a lot to handle so we don't do a ton of rides in one day. Thursday will be the lightest day so do the things that will have longer lines on that day.

Hi C.,

I first and foremost recommend a child GPS device for your child. In case she gets separated or lost, you can immediately track her whereabouts on the child GPS device and zero in on where she is so that you can find her quickly. She needs to wear it somewhere on her body. Here is a link to several options. Just scroll down and read the reviews. A child GPS device will come in handy throughout her young life.
http://www.gpsmagazine.com/2008/05/the_ultimate_gps_child...

Also, take lots of pictures, and don't overfeed her before going on the rides so that she doesn't get sick and throw up!
That's about it. Have fun!

Hi C.! We just went to California Adventures on Sunday because Disneyland was sooo crowded so be prepared to wait a long time for all rides. Make sure you get to Toontown before 6pm because they shut it down along with most of Fantasyland for the fireworks show. If you go to California Adventures, try to eat at Ariels Grotto on the pier (you can make reservations) because when we were there all the princesses were walking around while people were eating. Also catch the parade if she likes all the Pixar movies because it is great! That's what makes CA so different from Dland because it has all the Pixar stuff in it, it makes for a nice change. If there are any rides you and husband may want to go on but your daughter can't (ie: Splash Mountain, Matterhorn,...) see if you can get a fastpass. Just relax, bring lots of snacks, sunscreen, take lots of pictures and have a great time!!!!

Well, you didn't mention when you are going so i don't know if you have time for this, but if you do, you should apply for a Disney credit card. You don't have to ever charge anything on the card, but just having the card you get discounts thru-out the park and the best part is - free stroller rental every day (Normally $10 per day)plus for card holders you get a free "for cardholders only" character greeting at Disney California Adventure (If you are going there)

Other than that I would say if you can look at the park map beforehand and try to get a handle on what's there and where everything is, you can kind of have a plan of direction in mind. ALSO Bring a little cooler bag with some snacks, grapes, carrots whatever kind of healthy things that you can't get at the park (If you care about that. Otherwise you'll be eating nothing but junk for 2 days which doesn't always help with behavior imo) Above all else...HAVE FUN!!! :-)

You must do "Playhouse Disney", and "Turtle Talk" they are in California Adventure. You can bring a cooler with food and drinks, we usually pick up Subway. It will be busy, but try to relax and remember its for her!! Disneyland annual passes start at about $140, dont know if you are local? Sometimes its cheaper, then tickets for each day!

Take a blanket and sit and eat before one of the parades. It's nice to get a front row view and people start lining up early. There is also a nice lunch for little girls at Arials gr. in Cal Adventure. all of the princesses come over. Clean your hand non-stop! There are germs from all over the world there! Have fun:)

Since she's a girl and probably loves the princesses...you have to go to Storytime in the Tinkerbell shop. Find out the times right away in the morning and be a bit early for it gets crowded. She'll get to sit up front and listen to the princess and co-star tell her story. When my daughter was that age, she sat through ALL the storytimes, it was her favorite thing. The get to meet the princess and get a picture taken with her afterwards.

Do Fantasyland first thing when you get in the park at opening (do Peter Pan and Dumbo first they get long lines later). You can eat lunch in line while waiting for the subs. Pack your own water and lunch if you can. Bring snacks for during the day as well. She'll enjoy the Pooh ride so it's worth the walk back there. Skip meeting the fairies; long line for what it is.

My daughter LOVES to have lunch at Ariel's Grotto. The princesses come around to each table & sign autograph books and you can take pictures with them. It's not cheap, but it's Disneyland & you'll be spending a lot on food no matter where you eat. Ariel's Grotto is in CA Adventure on Paradise Pier. Call ahead for reservations (714) 781-DINE

Bring a bathing suit because if it's hot, you can go over to It's a Bug Life also in CA Adventure. They have sprinkler's that she can run through.

Get there when they open the gates & go on the newest rides first. The Finding Nemo ride usually has a really long line and probably It's a Small World, since it's just been remodeled. Also I like Peter Pan, it usually has a long line too.

Saturday will be busier than Friday so if you are planning on going to CA Adventure too, do that on Saturday as Disneyland will be very busy.

Oh, and definitely see the parade.... lots of fun!

Have a great time!

Such fun! We just took our boys in Feb. (ages 3 and 1). We actually like CA adventure a little better than Disneyland for the younger kids. It's less crowded and there are more park like areas for kids to run around and let off steam when the lines get too long. They also have awesome shows like Playhouse Disney and Talk with Crush (this one is really cool) which are fun and interactive and great for getting out of the heat. The parade in both parks is well worth watching. You can (for a significant chunk of money( I think 20 bucks for kids and 30 for adults) eat with Disney Princesses in CA adventure. I've heard that it is worth it for the princess lover (though don't expect much from the food).

If you ride any adult rides - take advantage of the parent swap pass and the fast pass. Both get you through the lines much faster. Do not go to Honey I Shrunk the Kids- it is way too loud for younger kids. Oh and the Bugs life interactive movie in CA adventure is scary so I would skip that too.

In Disneyland there is a place where a disney princess reads a story to the kids and afterwards you can get in line to take a photo. She'll get a paper crown and some stickers too which is fun. My 3 year old son's favorite ride is the classic Jungle Cruise and the Autopia. My one year old loved the Finding Nemo ride- that one is in VERY close quarters so if anyone in your group is claustrophobic I would not recommend it. Mark Twain's Island has been closed every time we've been but I have heard that it has some cool Pirate and digging activities for the kids now.

Hope you have a great time!

Here are a couple of other ideas to add:

1. Go EARLY in the morning, and be there at park opening. It is the least crowded and hot part of the day. Then, since you have a hotel nearby, LEAVE for a nap in the middle part of the day. You will avoid the heat and the most intense crowds, and give your child time to regain some energy. COME BACK when it gets towards evening. You can also save money that way by having lunch and/or dinner at your hotel or outside the park. The worst part of the day at Disneyland is the middle part of the day. It's hot and very crowded in summer. The middle of the day break really makes a huge difference for the whole family.
2. There are two rides you will want to do very early in the day, because they are very popular with little ones and their lines get very long very fast. The first is Dumbo. The second is Peter Pan. Both are in Fantasyland.
3. Another great restaurant, particularly for breakfast, is Goofy's Kitchen. They have lots of characters there that come around to each of the tables to visit with the kids, including princesses, mickey, minnie, pluto, and various others. The food is buffet-style, and has lots that little kids like. They even have little performances that the kids can participate in (banging on pots and pans, etc.). Like Ariel's Grotto, it's a little pricey, but it's a great experience!
4. Last but not least, DON'T HAVE AN AGENDA. You can maybe plan the first ride you're going to do in the day, but other than that, roll with it. Nothing makes a family more stressed in Disneyland than the thought, "Oh but we have to go do this! We were going to do that! We have to get here!" You'll ruin your time that way. Just do whatever seems like fun in the moment.
5. I don't expect this to happen, but talk to your daughter about what to do if she gets lost. The best thing to tell her is to go straight to the nearest person in uniform (a cast member/employee), and tell them she has lost her parents. The cast member will try to help her find you near the area, and then will take her to Lost Children. Lost Children is on Main Street, and is essentially a play room where a nice old lady (yes, always there is a nice old lady) sits with them and watches videos. Any parents looking for a lost child are directed there. Disney does a very good job of making it as un-scary as possible, and the system works very well. She just needs to know to approach a cast member.

Have a great time!

A.

we took my son there for his 2nd bday..i would just say don't bring your stroller ..just rent one..there is also a place not far from there more near Knotts Berry Farm called Adventure City..it's about $12 to get in ..it's an amusement park built for the wee ones ..toddlers..so they can go on more rides.
I would say try that one out one day while you're out there.

Check calendar/schedule at the disneyland website. Not only will it give you the parks hours, but it will tell you what is scheduled to be closed. Peter Pan has just gone down for maintenance and King Triton's Carousel is still down for a few more weeks.

The Princess Shop that is just behind the castle is now "The Bibbidy, Bobbidy Boutique" where they do princess makeovers - you have to be 3 years or older to do it... packages range from $45 and upwards past $100 (if you buy the dress and all the stuff). The Princess Fantasy Faire part has been closed, but the "Royal Walk" is the still open and pretty much the only place the princesses hang out (although Jasmine and Aladdin have a show in Adventureland - between the tiki room and the jungle cruise - where you get a meet and greet after the show). The wait is long, and you never know which princesses will be inside until you get in there. No one is there during Parade times, since the princesses are in the parade. Pixie Hollow will have Tinkerbell and one other fairy friend to meet - keep an eye on that line too - if it's short, go for it!

Minnie Mouse is usually in front of her house in Toontown and Mickey will be inside his house there too (at the end). You will find a lot of characters roaming Main St. at the start of the day.

Buy an autograph book at the park - I would recommend the one that has the slots for the photos you take. (they're around $10) The slots are horizontal, so resist the urge to take a vertical pic.

Here's a link to the "manual flush" toilets in Disneyland - I found this one really handy!
http://www.mouseplanet.com/potties/msspservrestrooms.html...

If you have a stroller, I would recommend you bring it instead of renting one - the Disneyland strollers don't have a lot of storage space.

For YOU I would really recommend getting a silhouette portrait done of your girl - the artists only need her to sit still for about 30 seconds or so and they hand-cut a paper profile - I think the price is around 9 bucks (plus a frame if you want) and you get two copies - It is something you will treasure - It's on Main Street on the right side as you face the castle. A really unique and special...

If you want to ride the Monorail, as the cast member if you can ride in the cone - that's the front compartment - I think it seats 5.

If you ride the Mark Twain Riverboat, as the cast member if you can go to the "wheelhouse" - if they are okay to do so, they will take you to the tip top of the boat and your daughter can turn the ships wheel, ring the bell and toot the horn.

Check out the maps on disneyland's website and be familiar - you won't be able to stick to a "plan" with a little one, but you can have a strategy!

Other tips can be found on micechat.com, mousesavers.com, mouseplanet.com

I took my first daughter when she was 2 1/2 (is 8 now), and my second (who is almost 3) has been going since she was 1 month. We go about every six weeks....

My little family and i have annual passes so we go about 2 or 3 times a week. my son is 15 months. but since you guys are going 3 days i suggest you dont need to go and see everything at once, enjoy everything disneyland has to offer. but i would try and definetly do everything. if your daughter is into disney stories, the story book land boat ride is good, is goes over all the castles and houses where all the princesses live. then right next to it its a small world, and that ride is way more sparkly and colorful then ever before, she will love that. the tiki room is fun too, the birds are neat. if you guys want to do finding nemo i would reccomend doing that first because the line is usaully long, so first thing in the morning its not. the monorail is fun. but it only goes one way, so you would take it to downtown disney get off, then wait for another to get back on and go back to disneyland. then in california theres a place called turtle talk with crush and squirt [[its through hollywood, when you walk in california make a left]] and there they have animated drawings from different disney movies, very cool i think.

well hope you have fun && enjoy disneyland

My biggest don't: don't take your child on any ride she doesn't want to go on (scary). Also, don't be surprised if you get to the front of a long line and she has to go to the bathroom. No big deal. Just get back in line again after the bathroom if you don't have other people with you and still want to go.

How exciting for you! We were just there and had a wonderful time. I would recommend being there early, when the gates open and make your first stop Fantasyland. Since it is geared more towards smaller children the lines get long fairly quickly, especially towards the afternoon hours. So, standing in line earlier in the morning might not be as bad as having to stand in those lines during the warmer part of the day. Also, ToonTown opens an hour later than the rest of the park so I would try to visit that as early as possible, especially if you want to take character pictures. The lines grow pretty quickly there, too.

Finally, even though you will probably plan to eat most of your meals at the various restaurants around the park, you may want to carry a backpack/bag with some healthy snacks and drinks to help you get through the day.

Hi C.,

We've taken our little angel to Disneyland since she was 6 weeks old. She loves Small World and the Carousel. Fantasyland will have a lot of rides she can go on and there is Toon Town with rides tailored to the little ones. Also if you get the park hopper passes then check out Flick's Fun Fair in California Adventures.

Take along an insulated lunch bag/box with snacks and drinks for her. Not a lot of wholesome snacks to be had in the parks. Check in with employees and they can tell you where and when Characters will be signing autographs if she is into Princesses and such. Have fun!!

have a great time!! Remember your daughter is 3, she will need naps and will be exhausted by the activity, possibly overwhelmed by the sheer visual and the heat/outdoors. Bring lots of water, you can buy food there, but it's expensive and she may like more familiar
favorites. It's really fast food,gross. Take time to walk through Disneywalk, it's a nicer place to eat and shop than in the park. Hopefully, she will like the characters that walk around, and the parade. Mainly, it seems like a long time to be at Disneyland, but break it up and you will all have fun. Stay at the pool and enjoy your family too. have fun! Deb Sunscreen!

Hi Candice!

What a great time you will have! I did the two day Disney thing with my Granddaughter last year for her 3rd birthday (in fact, it was exactly one year ago).

1. Go early in the day and head straight to It's a Small World, then Fantasyland. That's where the majority of little kid rides are.

2. Toon Town is also a must.
3. Be sure to go to the Tiki Room! My Granddaughter loved it so much that she always asks me to show it to her on the computer (the whole show is available on utube) and my hubby made her a cassette tape with songs from the Tiki Room, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Electrical Parade & It's a Small World.

3. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

4. Don't forget the sunscreen and hats or visors.

5. Although they say no outside food, you can get snacks in for kids. We took cookies, crackers, fruit roll-ups & her sippy cup.

6. On your 2nd day, if you're going to California Adventure, I would spend the extra money & make reservations at Ariel's Grotto for lunch with the Princesses. It was a bit expensive for lunch but to see her eyes when Princess Aurora, Belle, Snow White & Cinderella came to our table just to talk to her are memories neither one of us will forget.

7. King Triton's merry-go-round is the coolest! We went 3 times.

8. The bumper cars were a great time, too! Although her feet couldn't reach the pedals, she was still able to steer.

9. A Bug's Life is all rides for the littler kids and was a blast.

10. Disneyland's parade & fireworks are every night at 9:30. Get yr hand stamped, go back to the room for a rest & go back for the parade & fireworks. It's well worth it.

There are some new areas that have opened since our visit that I don't know about. I hope this helps.

On yeah, be sure to take wipes!!

Good luck & have fun! I live 3 miles from Dland so feel free to ask if you have any other questions.

My 3 year old was terrified of the characters, which was a big bummer for the adults. It was her birthday and we scheduled a special lunch at Ariel's Grotto where all the princesses circulate. Be prepared to respect what your daughter is ready for, no matter how disappointed you are, yourself.

Here's a tip I picked up someplace that I always thought was smart -- take a picture at the beginning of each day of your daughter in the clothes she is wearing that day. Make sure her face is prominently displayed. That way, if heaven forbid you should get separated from her, you have the perfect picture to share with park officials.

Don't expect her to last very long, and when she says she's had enough take her back to the hote. You might want to consider staying at the Disneyland hotels because they allow you early entrance ( check that and verify, it may have changed). They also have something called Goofy's kitchen - a buffet where the characters walk around and chat with the kids. If you do that make a reservation asap as it books fast.

I also printed up stickers that I put on my kid back (that way they can't take it off) of their shirts with my name, cell numbers etc. Just in case . . .

Have fun

You have gotten some good advice...to add to the thought of making sure she has your cell phone number - The first thing you need to do when you enter the park is go to the Town Hall. They have Mickey Stickers just for that purpose. They probably also have "First Time" stickers to make her feel extra special. Just ask for them.

Have fun.

If there is any chance you can go during the week it is much less crowded. We go as a family all the time and always try to go on Wednesdays. Sounds like you got some good advice on here so you should be all set. It's so much fun! Make sure to visit California Adventure, a lot of fun for a 3 year old. The new Toy Story ride is THE BEST and your little one will love it.

Have fun!!! Don't forget your camera. Make sure you check online for any discounts. Sometimes you can find specials.

Seems like you've already gotten a lot of great advice here! One thing I would add is to probably skip the 3D Bug's Life show in California Adventure....it's really cool but tends to scare a lot of kids your daughters age. I always hear kids crying and see parents quickly leaving during the show. But there are a lot of other great rides, etc. over in the Bug's Life area.
Also, the food is much better in California Adventure. If you are going to grab a quick lunch or dinner the place next to the Boudin Bread Bakery has the best soups in bread bowls! Super yummy!

Hi! I'm assuming that your daughter is into princesses, so take her to the earliest princess faire opening. Going on the popular rides at lunchtime is ideal. Bring a lot of snacks and try to hold lunch off for your daughter until as late as possible. It is wonderful that you have a hotel nearby. When you decide to eat, leave the park and go back to your hotel for lunch and a rest. The night parade usually has all the princesses in it which was a big hit with my daughter. Go to Disneyland on Friday if possible. Enjoy!

I have been taking my now 5-yr old daughter there regularly since she was two. The Princess Faire is a hit, and of course all the rides around the merry go round area ... Dumbo, Peter Pan, Snow White, Pinocchio, etc. I would avoid the Roger Rabbit ride in Toon Town ... it flings little ones around pretty roughly in the car and the line is completely deceiving .. you think there is no wait and then you get inside the building and you're stuck in an hour long line. Other than that, there's a great restroom just for little ones on the right side as you walk down mainstreet - it is on the map so you should be able to find it no problem. Have fun!

Having worked at Disneyland for nearly 2 years and since I can thank the Disney experience for introducing me to the love of my life...my hubby of 17 years, I think I have some experience in this area. lol
Much of the park is designed to be family friendly. So there isn't too much you have to worry about.
Areas she'd specifically enjoy would be Toon town and Fantasyland, 2 extremely child friendly "lands" in the park.
Toon town is a place where she can literally run hog wild. Visit Micky and Minnie's house and jump in the acorn (ball) pit at Chip n Dales place or Goofy's bounce house . Everything in toon town is accessable and even the mailboxes talk to you. It is also typically where all the characters hang out. Fantasyland is where are all the Cartoon inspired rides are...Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Snow white (can be a bit scary for young kids), Dumbo,
Mr. Toads wild ride...very fun with twists and turns but can also be a bit scary in parts and don't forget the ride with the song that will never ever leave your head, Small World.
Let's see, TomorrowLand tends lend it'self to older kids but the carousel of progress is kinda cool. And of course autopia and the Submarines (Nemo inspired).
Frontierland offers you the ships that sail around River's of America (the Mark Twain and the Columbia), and Tom Sawyer's Island which has been converted into a whole Pirates of the Carribean theme...again someplace the can literally run around...and don't forget the Pirates of the Carribean ride.
In AdventureLand you can go on the Jungle Cruise which is really fun and something I personally remember from my early childhood. Also she can climb up and explore Tarzan's tree house.
Don't forget there are a LOT of dinner shows and breakfast with the character opportunities that you can set up for an extra charge.
Down Town Disney is more of an evening thing going for dinner etc. But events there cater more to the older adolesence and adults then young kids.

You can go to www.disneyland.com or

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/parks/la...

for more information.

Hope this helps...have fun!

My son got his head stuck in the bars of the wrought iron fence near the merry go round. Security arrived quickly to extricate him. Traumatic experience. Suggest limiting area visited with little ones to It's a Small World area. They love Toad's wild ride and the adjacent rides. The Teacups ride is very fast and bumpy.
The flying elephant is better. My son loved the train ride around the park, the monorail, the submarine ride, and of course, the auto track (they go with an adult).
Have fun. N. Cannon, insurance lady extraoordinaire

C.,
being a Kindergarten teacher, you understand that if you think it's fun and express that to your little one, they will follow suit.
SHE won't remember this trip. Even pictures won't remind her, she'll just know she was there. You and your husband need to enjoy this trip and let her enjoy your enjoyment.

My advise is for ALL parents to wait until their children are at least five or six befoe going to a theme park as the children will not remember much more than a fleeting glimpse of the entire experience, unless you live close and purchas a year pass, going frequently as some of the responders have.

I personally don't remember trips taken prior to second grade, my son's don't remember anything prior to first grade, my step daughters (who live close and went frequently) don't remember anything prior to about 8 years old.

So enjoy your trip, tke advantage of all the help available at the park for toddlers, and let your daughter enjoy your enjoyment.

I read through the replies and didn't see anyone mention to take advantage of the FAST PASS. This doesn't cost extra. Lines on the popular rides can be long and this is only available on those popular rides. The fast pass gives you a time to return (it's a 1 hr span) and only so many fast passes are given each day for each ride. The wait is always much shorter. The Disneyland map/guide will tell you which rides have the fast pass available. While waiting for your assigned time, walk around the area and go on other less popular rides or exhibits. You generally can only have one fast pass at a time. I'm more familiar with DisneyWorld right but they do have fruit snacks available, but if you bring your own, it is certainly much cheaper. Certainly, bring water. Also, if it's hot, my daughter likes to bring little spray bottles of water to use as a "cooler offer". The kids each get their own (from the dollar store). We also set rules before we get in the park - either stay in the stroller or agree to hold hands with an adult OR we leave. I make a mini business card with contact information and put it in my grandkids' pocket, just in case (we've never had to use it).
Have fun!

1. Check the Disneyland website for the Toddler Map. You can view it online or print it. It shows all the rides that are age appropriate for your child.
2. California Adventure and MainStreet both have Child Centers for you to feed and change your child as well as child size toilets (NO toilets in there for you though). You can purchase baby products here in case you've run out of diapers or his/her favorite snack. There are changing tables in all of the bathrooms with paper changing pads.
3. Consider "Ride Swap"-- you and your spouse switch off riding with your child on a kid appropriate ride or each of you can ride an adult ride alone while the other watches the child (you only stand in line once for that ride). Just ask the Cast Member at the entrance to any ride line, they will fill you in on the details.
4. Food: Disneyland offers kids meals (Chicken with rice, applesause, child waters/juice/milk) and Toddler Meals.
5. If you are planning on watching a parade or show-- check the showtimes in advance on the website so that you make sure you don't plan a show in the middle of nap time. NOTE: some of the shows your child is likely to enjoy may have an early last showing.
6. For a nice way to wind down and enjoy something special and PATRIOTIC-- head to Main Street just before sundown for the Flag Ceremony. The Main Street Band marches down Main Street towards the flag pole and performs patriotic standards. Also, ALL members of the Armed Services are called out and saluted. It is a beautiful way to enjoy a quiet tradition at the Happiest Place on Earth.

Good luck and have fun!

Hi There,
You said the key phrase..."it's HER trip"!
I took my kid to the circus and he wanted to stay in the lobby the whole show...we did and he had a wonderful time!!!

Took him to Disneyland and he was scared to go on the rides. So we just walked around all day....and he had a wonderful time! Sometimes the wrapping is more fun than the present at that age, right?

So if you really let go of your expectations there is no way to lose! Have fun, enjoy each other's company, act goofy...yes it's her trip. Your job is to enjoy the ride!

Maybe low amounts of junk food would be an idea I might suggest, actually...and get a locker for your coats when you get there!

Have a blast!
Deb

C.,
You have some excellent advice here. Ditto for me.

E.:)