Tips for a Trip to Disneyland.

Disneyland is fun but can get expensive. Bring snacks and water or juice boxes in with you. Use a stroller for your 4 year old too as all the walking can really be tiring and it is easier to push a stroller than carry an overly tired child. I use to take my book so I could sit, read and people watch while my little one took a nap at the park. This works too when the little one is asleep and the older one is on a ride with the other parent. Be sure to get fast passes for any ride you want to go on. They give you return times for the ride but are good any time that day adter the return time. We try to get as many as we can early in the day and then go back at a time that is convenient for us. Most of all have fun.

For the 9 month old on the plane, I would suggest an Ergo carrier, and check the carseat. The Ergo (or any frontpack without metal), allows you to go through security without taking her off. You do have to unstrap her on the plane, but my son loved traveling in this position and it made it easier to get on and off with him. Also, unless she is used to the stroller, she may want to be held a lot, and this will save your arms at Disneyland.

If the 4 year old will have a carseat on the plane, look for a carseat dolly with wheels and check any strollers. (onestepahead.com)

Make sure that you have a Hooter Hider, or something and the Blush topless shirts help too for the nursing in public. Just find a nice place in the shade and relax, and I'm sure she will be just fine. Maybe a nursing necklace to keep her attention.

For sleeping for the 9 month old, I swear by my PeaPod. It is from onestepahead.com, and we take it everywhere. It folds up like a windshield sun shade and fits in with the carseat when we check the carseat, so no extra storage, and I hate hotel cribs. There is an inflatable mattress that goes in the bottom for comfort. I'm actually planning on getting another for my next one.

Make sure that you all have good shoes and get lots of rest!

You are right that your little one will adjust to the trip. The plane ride from SLC isn't very long so that is good. Just remember to nurse her or have a bottle for her during take off and landing to help her clear her ears.

One great tip for Disney with babies is that you can switch off for rides. When you get to the front of the line, let the ride operator know that both adults would like to take turns riding the ride with your older child. They will have one of you board the ride with your older one and have the other step aside with the baby. When the ride comes back, your older one will stay on the ride and the adults will switch off. We did this a lot when my kids were 3 and 6. The 3 year old didn't want to go on some rides, so my older one got to 'double dip'! She felt like a princess with special treatment. :o) Also, at this age we traded off going back to the hotel in the middle of the day for a nap. Over-tired kids are not really having fun and neither are the adults. A nice break during the day is a must at this age. If your older one doesn't nap anymore, she still will need a little break. Disney is tiring!

If you go during warm weather be sure to pack some extra clothes for your 4 year old. There is a little sprinkler park in California Adventures for kids to play in to cool off (and adults to sit for awhile!). You will want to allow her to get good and wet, but will need dry clothes before going on any rides. Soaking wet is uncomfortable. :o)

You should go soon to get away from the snow! My brother lives in Riverton and says they've had more than their share this year. :o) Have fun on your vacation!

Check out mousesavers.com They have tons of tips and suggestions for the parks.

When my grandmother died I traveled to Illinois with my daughter (at the time she was 14 mos old) and the key seemed to be - make it an adventure, have snacks, have toys (that don't make too much noise for those other airplane passengers). I took our pac-n-play and she slept in that in the room we had. We have since then taken other trips- the pac-n-play is the lifesaver - she was comfortable, familiar and seemed to put her at ease with all the new sites and sounds.
we are going to disneyland this May (with DD now 5 years old) and I am excited to see how she does this trip on the plane.