Our Top Disneyland Travel Tips/Tricks With Kids That You Need To Know

First off, if you’re going to Disneyland then WHOO!!!! I am so excited for you! 🙂 Also, consider taking me with you- hehe.

Do keep in mind, relevant tips and tricks are always changing, as Disney is constantly making changes with their ways. But, as of today here are relevant tips and tricks I can pass along to you!

I have officially lost count of how many times we have been to Disneyland. We have gone to Disneyland while I’m pregnant, and we’ve gone with our kiddos at anywhere from 3 month old to almost 6 years old.

YES! It is worth going no matter their ages and even if you’re pregnant!!!

1. Ages two & under are FREE!

To build off of the whole, “is it worth it when they’re this little?”. This just amplifies why I say YES! Who cares if they won’t remember it? It’ll be memories you cherish forever and you might as well save $$ where you can with the experience. It’s only going to get more expensive as time passes. I guarantee when you see their little faces light up at that character they’re obsessed with that you will melt and it WILL be worth it.

If you need infant headband mickey ears too 😉 they’re linked here!

2. Military Discounts

Military friends! Do NOT purchase tickets directly through Disney. Visit your nearest MWR for discounted tickets. Prices don’t budge a whole lot until you’re looking at 3+ park days, that’s when you’ll start to save quite a bit. Do keep in mind you can also space those days out. So, we live in Arizona state and the drive for us is about 5 hours to Disneyland. We typically purchase 5-6 park days at the beginning of the year and then space them out through the rest of the year (tickets are only valid for one year).

Another thing, hotels! Whether you’re staying at a Disney hotel or a near by hotel- check about military discount!

The Disneyland hotels do offer military discounts, you need to call them for those prices based off of the dates.

Ghirardelli in California Adventure offers 15% off for veterans and active service members. And because they are not ran by Disney, this is the ONLY place I know of in both parks that offers military discount when it comes to merchandise and food. Trust me, I ask almost every time we go and I’ve done my research to lessen the blow each time we go. So treat yourself when you go by! 🙂

3. Hotels

I have stayed at every Disneyland Hotel. There are 3! My personal favorite is the Disneyland Hotel because it’s the original Disneyland hotel and I feel like I really gives you the authentic Disneyland energy and vibes. I love the history that goes with it. And it’s attached to Goofy’s Kitchen which is my favorite dinner buffet restaurant. The food is great, its a great selection, you meet the class Disney characters (they come up right to your table) and overall I feel like you get the most bang for your buck when we’re talking Disney spending. If you’re wanting photo ops and character signing with ease and avoiding the lines- then this is the way to do it!

The Pixar place hotel is known to be the cheapest option. It has recently got renovated and had their name change. It was previously known as Paradise pier Hotel. I have heard the prices can start to creep up to Disneyland Hotel prices depending on the dates. So definitely compare the two. I stayed at it prior to its renovation and I honestly was still happy with it for the convenience of location. I have viewed it in person since its renovation and it’s pretty darn cool!!! We plan to stay there the next time we go for my son’s birthday because we were really in awe of everything from the lobby, pool area, snack bar outside of the pool and more.

The Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is known to be as the more luxury and expensive choice. We stayed here when I was pregnant with our son. It was really nice don’t get me wrong, but I didn’t feel the same Disney energy like I did when we stayed at the other hotels. It has a much more sophisticated Disney feel rather than fun and colorful. So I think this is a good choice if you’re going kid free and looking to splurge a bit more. The location CANNOT be beat. When you stay at the Grand Californian you have special access directly from the hotel to California Adventure without needing to go through Downtown Disney to enter the park which is really nice when you need to go back during the day or simply after a long day.

When staying at any of the DL hotels, they all offer a 30 minute early entry to the parks (which park is dependent on the day). This is a great time to take advantage of getting on rides that typically have consistency long lines or photo opportunities!

Our go to for a NON-Disneyland Hotel is the Anaheim Hotel. It’s still within walking distance and no shuttle bus or additional transportation is required to get to/from it. You can leave your car parked at the hotel. It’s not the nicest hotel by any means- but it’s a lot cheaper than staying at a DL hotel and they’ve been pretty consistent. There is a pool and a little play yard area with outdoor games. It is also attached to a pizza place called The Pizza Press and the pizza is actually pretty good and I love the salad. You can literally walk to it without leaving the hotel and they’re open late (to around midnight). We always end up eating here for a meal because it’s cheaper than DL food and I know the kids will eat it!

This photo is taken at Disneyland Hotel.

4. Lightning Lane Pass (What Used To Be Known As A “Fast Pass”)

This is a MUST! We won’t do Disneyland without it. It helps tremendously with wait times and making the most of your day instead of spending the day in lines. Basically it’s a fast pass to get into a shorter line. You schedule the time and ride through the DL app and every 2 hours you can add an additional LL pass. Not all rides are always available on there, but it is still very helpful.

5. Riders Swap

If you’re taking on Disneyland without any help- like an auntie, grandma, uncle, etc. then you’ll want to utilize riders swap! Riders swap is an easy and efficient way to make sure everyone who is tall enough to go on said ride, gets to go on the ride!

Example: My husband, 6 year old, 3 year old, and I are at a ride that has a 42″ height requirement. My three year old isn’t tall enough to go on it. So, we will go to the cast member prior to entering the line and let them know we’d like to do a riders swap. They’ll give you a lanyard of some sort or simply scan your lightening lane pass if you have one to the ride- then, my son and husband can go on the ride while I wander around with my daughter. Then, when they are done with their turn, my son and I now get to go on the ride together utilizing our riders swap pass (yep, he will get to go twice). Riders swap is now complete! Make sense?

6. Baby Care Centers

Baby Care Centers are a place to provide privacy and they are fully staffed and feature a host of helpful amenities for parents with infants and toddlers.

The centers are open during regular park hours, each full-service facility is complimentary for Guests and includes:

• Nursing room with chairs
• Changing room with tables
• Toddler-size toilets (for Guests under 42” tall)
• Feeding area with highchairs
• Kitchen with sink, bottle warmers and microwave (select use only)
• Vending machine offering formula, baby food, juice, diapers, wipes, sunscreen, pacifiers and over-the-counter medication—all available for purchase with a credit card

Baby Care Center Locations

• Disneyland Park
  The Baby Care Center is at the end of Main Street, U.S.A., next to First Aid.
• Disney California Adventure Park
  The Baby Care Center is next to Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop and across from The Bakery Tour in San Fransokyo Square.
• Disneyland Resort Hotel Babysitting
  If you’re staying at any of the 3 hotels at the Disneyland Resort and are interested in babysitting services, please check with the Front Desk for information about private third-party providers. Associated costs will be determined by the provider and agreed upon by the Guest, independently of the Disneyland Resort.

7. Lost Children

I know this topic is a crappy one, but it cannot be overlooked!

Please report lost children to a Cast Member so Disneyland Resort security personnel can assist you. Children who become separated from their parents while in the park will be escorted to the nearest Baby Care Center and Lost Children facility by a Cast Member.

Lost children found in the Downtown Disney District are taken to the Disneyland Hotel or the Baby Care Center and Lost Children facility inside Disneyland Park.

I highly recommend getting personalized tattoos to put on their arm. You can purchase them from Etsy, linked here, for peace of mind and to help make the process a lot faster to getting your little one back if this incident occurs.

Another option is having an AirTag on them, linked here. And here is a super fun + cute Disney AirTag holder I recommend, linked here.

8. First Aid Centers

In the event you begin to feel ill or find that you need medical assistance you’ll want to seek out the closest First Aid Center.

Nurses are on-site during normal park hours to offer over-the-counter medication, bandages and other quick solutions to continue enjoying your park visit. If you’re unable to walk to the nearest First Aid Center, let a nearby cast member know and a nurse may be able to assist you in the parks.

First Aid Centers will also hold medication that requires refrigeration; and for your safety, special containers can be provided for disposal of hypodermic needles.

To add on to this, shop my travel must haves for kids to come fully prepared.

9. Strollers (NO WAGONS)

There are no wagons allowed at Disneyland. The only exception they will make is for medical reasons, which you will be given a tag for your stroller in order for them to allow you into the parks with it.

Disneyland does offer rental services for strollers, single and double. But, they are hard plastic and do not recline. They look pretty uncomfortable, but if it’s your only option it is there! I highly recommend brining your own with you to ensure the child has a comfortable spot for resting.

I also suggest for those bringing a double stroller to not bring one with side by side seats and to get a double stroller where it’s one seat in front of the other (click here to see what I recommend). This makes it tremendously easier to maneuver through doorways, crowds, and gates.

I’m happy to answer further questions, comment them below or let me know if this was at all useful! I hope you have SO much fun!!!

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