We absolutely love going to Disney and as Magic Key Pass holders, we try to go at least once a month! I saw a quote that said something along the lines of “their childhood is also my motherhood” and this is really how I feel about bringing my toddler to Disney. Will he remember, per say?…no. But I’ll remember and he’s having fun in the moment, so I really don’t see any negatives to it. With this being said, it is still an extravaganza (as I like to say) to go to Disney, even just for the day. Each time we go, we get better at it and things go smoother, but it still takes a bit of work to be prepared to make it through the day! So, before you head out to Disney with your little one, you want to be sure you know the rules and are prepared for all to come.
Also, don’t forget to check the list of rides that are safe and fun for your little one!
STROLLERS
If you didn’t know, Disneyland is strict about its strollers. But that doesn’t mean it’s difficult to find a stroller that Disney allows. There are plenty that are totally fine to bring in. I just mean that if you don’t have the right one, they will not let you bring it in….no exceptions. We’ve seen it happen. So be sure to double check the rules online to ensure your stroller is good to go! Strollers larger than 31” x 52” are not allowed. And they don’t allow any types of wagons or stroller wagons…so that super popular and trendy wagon brand you just bought…not allowed. Of course, if your child has certain medical needs, you can get a tag for your wagon and are allowed to bring it in.
Obviously there are so many different types of strollers, and needs vary depending on your child’s age, but I think in general here are some things you’ll want to consider…
- Stroller seats that recline – I like that our stroller seat goes all the way back to a lying position for nap time
- The stroller shade – our stroller has a pretty big shade for sunny days and keeps him mostly covered while also letting him see the view around him
- How easily your stroller pushes – our UppaBaby basically glides along whereas our umbrella stroller requires some real pushing, which isn’t ideal for a long day.
- The storage basket – I really like that our stroller’s storage is big enough to hold all of our stuff plus whatever else we buy that day!
THE CHECKLIST
If you don’t keep running checklists in the notes app of your phone, I highly suggest doing so. I have all sorts of lists that I can refer back to and they are so helpful as a mom! You can check and uncheck things every time you use the list and never have to worry about forgetting anything. So on my Disney list…
- Stroller sign – You will most definitely want a sign to identify your stroller. Although you might remember where you parked your stroller, often the cast members have to move it. I’ve seen so many cute Disney themed stroller signs on Etsy, so if that’s something you want – totally go check those out! But the signs can get a little pricey. My DIY version – I found a free template online, put our last name on it, printed, laminated it, and attached it with zip ties. I specifically chose a red sign because it’s easy to see from far away. It looks super cute and costs $0.
- Stroller bag – I bought this velcro stroller bag even before we started going to Disney because I thought it was such a smart idea. It gives extra storage without being in the way when you fold the stroller up. It’s easily accessible and works great for shoving random things in there throughout the day!
- Stroller caddy – I use this one because it’s the same brand as my stroller, but I actually think it’s perfect. It’s not so large that it’s in the way, but it’s big enough that it can hold lots of things. You can still fold down the stroller without having to take it off.
- Stroller cup holder – This one is totally for you mom! But of course you need a sturdy cup holder for an all day Disney trip. Just be aware that this one does stick out a bit, so be extra careful when you’re getting on/off the bus or tram.
- Wearable seat – At first, I was really skeptical about this product. I’ve seen so many different brands and versions of this thing but I wasn’t sure if it was worth it. I loved baby wearing, but my son was simply getting too big for it so I thought I’d give this a try…and he loves it! It’s really comfortable and he enjoys sitting on it so much that even when it’s laying around the house, he picks it up and brings it to me because he wants me to wear it and sit him on it. So 10/10…highly recommended. It’s great for long lines.
- Sunblock – This one is obvious! I’ve linked the brand I like!
- Hat – Also obvious! My son actually doesn’t love wearing hats, but we always try anyway.
- Stroller fan – This one is a must have! Even when it’s not a super hot day, the weather always seems hotter at Disneyland.
- Extra outfit – I like to pack something easy like a onesie or a romper!
- Sweatshirt – I got us matching disney sweatshirts, but really anything warm works if you plan to stay a little late…maybe even bring pajamas, if you prefer
- Shoes – Obvious again, but you’ll want some shoes for your little one! My son always seems to take them off in the stroller, so maybe don’t bring any expensive shoes with you…haha
- Diapers – I love pampers, they really are the most absorbent diapers I’ve used!
- Wipes – I also use pamper wipes.
- Bib – We are starting to use his bib less and less, but if he’s got on an extra cute outfit, I like these bibs to keep him clean. They fold up nicely and fit well in our diaper bag.
- Food mat – I use these sticky food mats, they roll up and are easy to wipe off.
- Stroller toy – Even though Disneyland is stimulating enough, I think it’s nice to bring a little toy that attaches to the stroller
- Insulated cup – I use these insulated cups to keep my son’s milk and water nice and cold! I just put them in my diaper bag with a little ice pack next to it and it’s honestly cold all day long.
- Snack Container – We like to keep it easy with the snacks and mostly bring gogo squeezes and things like that, but for any other snacks, I love this snack container. — and if you’d like some snack ideas, check out my blog post about Aldi snacks!
- Stroller leash – These things are a must have for the stroller. You just clip it onto the stroller, wrap it nice and tight around their water bottle or toy and then you never have to worry about it getting dropped.
- Sound Machine – My favorite travel sound machine is this Frida one. It even has a little strap so that it can attach to the stroller!
- Light Blanket – I like to use a muslin swaddle blanket, they are perfect for on the go stroller naps. Just cover your little baby up so the sun’s not shining in their eyes. Just remember to make sure they’re keeping cool in there because it’s really easy for them to overheat, especially when covered up.
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