Disney with littles is magical…and exhausting if you’re not prepared. Here I’ll break down all the details so that you can have a smooth and magical trip at the Happiest Place on Earth!
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Where we stay: Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance
We have stayed here 3x now! We absolutely love it! It has bunk beds which the kids love and it’s very clean and comfortable! It is right across the street from Disneyland (probably a 5 to 10 minute walk to the park). It also has an amazing bistro and bar in the lobby! They also have an awesome water park that is open year round and free to hotel guests! It averages $280 to $550+ per night depending on season and room type, so it’s good to plan ahead when booking your stay. And another reason why I prefer to go in the less busy time of the year!
Budget-Friendly Alternative: I have never stayed at the hotel listed below before but based off all my Disney research, I’ve seen it come up a lot as a budget friendly place to stay! We’s also walked by it on our way to the parks and it’s SO close!
Anaheim Desert Inn & Suites is a great budget-friendly hotel option located directly across the street from Disneyland’s main entrance, making it an easy walk to the parks. It’s a popular choice for families and often includes convenient amenities like breakfast. Average nightly rates typically range from about $120–$250 per night, depending on the season and room type, making it a more affordable alternative to some of the higher-end hotels nearby.
Transportation: Diamond Driver Guy
We personally never rent a car! We stay across the street from Disneyland so that we can walk to the park and we don’t have to pay for parking (not only do you have to pay for parking at the park but you also have to pay for parking per day at hotels).
To get from the airport to our hotel we found THE BEST transportation service in town! They provide carseats free of charge. They have a huge variety of vehicle sizes and they can even handle large groups! They also do a complimentary grocery store or Target stop for you on your way to your hotel! The vehicles are clean and very comfortable. It is also a family run business and they are some of the nicest/most hardworking people I know. Shout out to Adrian!
The one-way pick up was around $200 for 6 of us. But I found this to be cheaper than renting a car and paying for parking for our whole trip!
Where to Purchase Your Park Tickets/Hotel Package
We prefer to purchase through the Disneyland website directly. I like this because you only need to put down a $200 deposit to book your package. And then you must have the remaining balance paid in full 30 days before your trip. I’ve found this has been the best way for my family to budget for the cost of Disneyland. Through the Disneyland website you can opt to stay at either a Disney hotel OR a Good Neighbor Hotel (Our favorite Marriott is one of the Good Neighbor hotels).
My Favorite Time of the Year To Go
I personally love going to Disneyland in the end of January/early February. I’ve found this to be less crowded, cheaper and cooler weather (sunny and 70’s which for us being from the PNW is nice)! The downside to this is that some rides are closed for refurbishment. And they don’t usually have their big parades. We have also gone in November for the holidays and although the holiday magic was fun, I found the weather to be rainier and the crowds to be bigger. Here’s a crowd predictor calendar for Disneyland to help pick the perfect time for you and your family!
Genie+ & Lightning Lanes
If you’re visiting Disneyland with little kids, I highly recommend using Genie+ and Lightning Lanes to minimize wait times. Standing in long lines with toddlers can quickly derail your day, and Genie+ helps you plan rides around snacks, naps, and breaks.
I won’t go into all the details here, but this short video explains exactly how it works and how to use it step-by-step: Watch This Before You Go!!!!
If you purchase this, it also will include the photo package for all the photo opt areas of the park where a cast member uses their fancy camera to take your picture! Worth it for the pictures alone!
Rider Switch: Lets adults take turns riding an attraction when one or more kids are too small (or don’t want to ride)—without the second adult having to wait in the full line again.
How it works (step by step)
Often, one kid who already rode can ride again with the second adult (huge win).
- 1. Go to the ride entrance together
- Bring your whole group (both adults + kids) to the attraction entrance.
- 2. Ask the Cast Member for Rider Switch
- Tell them you want to use Rider Switch. They’ll check that a child doesn’t meet the height requirement or isn’t riding.
- 3. Group 1 rides first
- 4. One adult (and any kids tall/brave enough) waits in the regular line and rides.
- 5. he other adult stays with the non-riding child(ren).
- 6. Group 2 rides after — with little or no wait
- 7. When Group 1 is done, the second adult gets to ride without waiting in the full line.
Disneyland Nap Strategy
We take a mid day nap around lunch time. We usually go back to the hotel since mid day is when the parks are the most crowded. If the kids fall asleep in the stroller, we wheel them to an outdoor restaurant in downtown Disney where we can park the stroller at the table and grab a beer! Or a coffee! Haha I recommend getting a Stroller Sound Machine (like this one) to help your little one stay asleep longer in the noisy parks!
Dining Reservations: These can be booked 60 days out! So make sure you mark your calendars! You can book reservations in both parks and downtown Disney! You don’t necessarily need a reservation depending on the time of the year that you go but for some of the more popular places, I’d try to make a reservation! I will post a separate blog post about all our favorite places to eat.
Bibbidi Bobbiti Boutique: A MUST!!!!! This is the ultimate experience for any princess loving little girl. This is an experience where your child will be turned into a princess by a Fairy Godmother! They do a makeover for your child with hair, nails, and very minimal make up (think glitter and lip gloss). It is worth every penny! They have a variety of packages. We usually do the Deluxe Castle package (it’s around $230 but it includes SO much stuff and it’s truly an experience)! It includes the princess dress, accessories, the makeover, and a photoshoot! Make sure you book your reservation for this 60 days out from when you want your makeover to be. They fill up quick. I will post a separate blog post about all the details and reviews of this magical experience so stay tuned!
Stroller tips and rules
We actually rent a stroller! We use Baby Quip for our stroller rental. They also have tons of other baby products too in case you need a pack and play or high chair or any other baby gear! They deliver it to our hotel and we use it for the trip. Then they pick it up at the end of your vacation. Also the great thing about the Courtyard hotel is they have concierge who will lock up the stroller if you aren’t able to be there for delivery/pick up. There are stroller size restrictions at Disneyland so make sure you look that up before bringing a stroller. The double Bob stroller fits within the parameters. Wagons do not fit unless you have special permission from the park.
Fun Idea for character Autographs
We skipped autograph books and used Minnie Mouse purses (click for link) for character autographs instead — and it was the cutest keepsake. The girls loved carrying them, characters had no problem signing them, and we still use them long after the trip. A simple idea that worked perfectly for little kids.
What’s the best age to go to Disneyland? The age old question! My answer is simple: EVERY AGE! Disney has something for truly everyone! There are sooooo many rides that the whole family can go on, newborns and elderly people included! Some people prefer to wait to do Disneyland until their kids are old enough to remember. I personally disagree. Taking my kids when they were toddlers is honestly some of the greatest memories I have as a mom. Disneyland is pure MAGIC at ages 3-6 and my best advice is to take the trip!
Disneyland Pre-Trip Shopping Must-Haves
Here are all my favorite products we used for our trip! Click the bold title and it will take you directly to the link! Happy Shopping!
Air tags (we ordered this) and Bracelets/ Pins (we brought these)
These gave me piece of mind about taking my kids to such a crowded place. I ordered the airtags bracelets and airtags so that if we did get separated, I’d be able to track my kids with my iphone. I also put one in the stroller. Fortunately, we all stayed together but we did use the air tags to find our stroller! It’s not uncommon for cast members to move your strollers to reorganize them as people come and go out of the stroller parking. So the air tags are highly recommended!
Ponchos (we used these)
Just in case it rains, it’s smart to have your own ponchos! The ones at the park can be really expensive so we purchased these on amazon before our trip! They had kid and adult sizes. We also used them on some of the water rides which worked out great since we went during colder months!
Mouse Ears (Amazon)
The World of Disney store in downtown Disney as some CUTE Mouse ears. BUT they are nearly $40!!!! So it’s smart to buy your own and bring them!
Disney Loungefly backpacks are a fun way to express your favorite Disney characters and movies while staying hands-free in the parks. From classic Mickey and Minnie to princesses, Pixar, and Star Wars, each design lets you show off your Disney style while carrying all your essentials for a full day at Disneyland. They’re compact, comfortable, and the perfect mix of fashion and function for moms and kids alike — making them a must-have park accessory from Disney fans of all ages.
Dumbo Loungefly Backpack (Amazon)
I’ve rounded up some of my favorite Disney Loungefly backpacks below — perfect for adding a little extra Disney magic to your Disneyland outfit:
Minnie Mouse Loungefly Backpack (Amazon)
Princess Loungefly Backpack (Amazon)
Peter Pan Loungefly Backpack (Amazon)
Fantasia Light Up Loungefly Backpack (Amazon)
Disney Pixar Cars Loungefly Backpack (Amazon)
Aristocats Loungefly Backpack (Amazon)
Princess Dresses
When it comes to princess dresses, I actually recommend getting these in the park because 1. the Disney quality is THE best! These dresses are just designed so much better than if you were to buy them at Target or Amazon. And 2. the Bibbity Bobbidi Boutique actually has some special one of the kind dresses that you can’t get anywhere else or even online.
Shoes for Disneyland
You will get 20,000+ steps in a single day! Sometimes even more than that! I wore these Reef Sandals (I wore these ones) all around the park and they were so comfortable and I got lots of compliments. I’ve also included links to several other shoes that I saw other Mom’s wearing. Be prepared to walk over 20,000 steps!
On Cloud Cloudsurger Max (saw these everywhere)
Brooks Revel 8 Running & Walking Shoe (another great shoe linked for you)
Brooks Men’s Glycerin GTS 22 Supportive Running Shoe (Mike’s favorite shoe for Disneyland)
Family Matching Woody/Buzz Hoodies
Adults Woody Hoodie/ Adults Buzz Hoodie (I ordered these ones for Mike and I)
These were such a hit! We got so many compliments and it was a fun way to match as a family!
Check out my blog post The Ultimate Disneyland Packing List to get ready for your upcoming trip!
MomlifewithKelsey 
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