[sugarbabysmommy]

It's been ages since I've been to Disneyland, so I'm clueless to anything newer than say, 1978! We are considering a trip and I hope for opinions, advice.

The Disneyland site is LESS than helpful about ages, sizes of toddlers for attractions etc. Their site says if the attraction or ride is "fun for little ones"- what does that mean exactly? Any real world advice, precations?

It would be just the three of us, and we (adults) don't care much about hitting every ride, or even most rides. A friend was trying to talk me out of going until babe was older (and four feet tall), saying one of us would have to stay with babe while the other went on rides, like Space Mountain for instance. She doesn't get that for us that doesn't matter.

[traceyk]

We went with our teens a few years ago and now we plan on waiting until Drihan is 4 or 5 five to go back so she can enjoy the rides for little ones and then when she is older so she can enjoy the bigger rides.

[AdrienneG]

Originally Posted by sugarbabysmommy

It's been ages since I've been to Disneyland, so I'm clueless to anything newer than say, 1978! We are considering a trip and I hope for opinions, advice.

The Disneyland site is LESS than helpful about ages, sizes of toddlers for attractions etc. Their site says if the attraction or ride is "fun for little ones"- what does that mean exactly? Any real world advice, precations?

It would be just the three of us, and we (adults) don't care much about hitting every ride, or even most rides. A friend was trying to talk me out of going until babe was older (and four feet tall), saying one of us would have to stay with babe while the other went on rides, like Space Mountain for instance. She doesn't get that for us that doesn't matter.

I am a Disneyland expert (self-professed!) What do you need to know?

For one NEVER bring a baby on Space Mountain! It is too wild of a ride for a baby's brain to smash against the inside of his/her skull.

Disneyland is GREAT for small children....there are rides that you can ride with a baby and/or toddler like Peter Pan's ride and Mr Toad's Wild Ride, the carousel is great...so is the Buzz Lightyear Ride where you and a second person are shooting at targets...a baby can of course just absorb everything visually and auditorily.

I cant remember if a baby is allowed on the Teacup ride or the Dumbo ride and all similar flying rides...let me look that up for you and get back to you.

A stroller is a must, especially to carry your baby gear...diapers, change of clothes, formula, your cell phone, keys, camera and traveling with a 2nd person is a must if you want to ride non-baby/non-small child friendly rides.

Bring your own water is my suggestion, although you can buy refreshments in the park. I remember that I got icecream at a cart near Main Street...I had a Mickey Mouse shaped icecream covered in chocolate. Yummm!

Mickey Mouse's house is a MUST for babies... the only downer is there will be a long line of moms with their babies waiting to meet Mickey too. Anyplace that you see tons of strollers parked or strollers in that section of the park means its a baby-friendly place to visit

The Parade of Dreams are a MUST! Disneyland is celebrating their 50th anniversary so there's a 50th anniversary parade AND there's their regular parade..both are must sees, especially at night with the pretty colors of lights and costumes...a tip...find out parade times and be at the curb early to secure a front row view at the sidewalk curb in front of main street.

The Jungle Cruise is mellow and full of auditory and visual delights and even thiough its on water, you dont get wet.

Pinnochio's ride is good too and its a small world

Casey Jr. Circus train

If u have more questions, ASK!

[AdrienneG]

Dumbo ride is fine for toddlers ...Teacup ride I doubt babies can ride but I would ask about toddlers when I am in the park.

[tobeafamily]

Heading to Disneyland (Anaheim) in March myself - I thought Space Mountain was only at Disneyworld in FL? Ryan will be one month shy of 4 YO, it'll be a 'working vacation' as I'll be at conferences, DH and Ryan will get to go play.

Is it worth it for a 4 YO to go to the CA park? Things to do? Suggestions?

Regina

[mommieof2cuties]

I would say go...when the child is under two years old it is free. It is just fun to walk around if if you only get to go on a few rides. Also so much to do! You can even do down town Disney. We have been to disneyland about six times, and world to many to count! If you have a four year old you might want to try Lego land that is a blast! I really love the lego store in downtown disney as I can get pink and purple legos for LA! My friend whom lives in southern CA has passes to lego land and Disneyland Her child is only just two A agree with much of what Adrienne said...she gave great advice

God Bless and have fun, take lots of pictures! Also the food is great and someplace you can really sit down and enjoy yourself...yes even with a baby

God Bless,
Summer

[Fran27]

I don't think a child could really appreciate it before 4-5 years old to be honest, or at least until they can walk without a stroller (stroller in parks are a real pain).

For the rides, I'm not sure, I went there 10 years ago. But I think they have good safety measures so if a child is too small for a ride they will tell you so.

[chrisandaaron]

Dh and I went to DisneyWorld this summer and had a blast! We are ride people, but since I was 6 months pregnant we couldn't ride anything crazy. It was still lots of fun. We plan to take the kids in a couple years. We know they probably won't appreciate it, but who says we can't have fun! I'm not usually a big vacation guide book person, but a few people here recommended I check out a few from the library. The books were awesome! We found out about so many things to do that we wouldn't have stumbled across otherwise. We had the DisneyWorld version, but I know they had DisneyLand ones too. So, my recommendation is to go to the library and check out as many guide books on DisneyLand as you can find. You will quickly be able to tell which ones are worth reading. I also recommend taking your own water. Even just taking 2 a day (one for me and one for dh) it was a major savings. We also packed an extra suitcase with cereal (and the water) and ate breakfast in our room most days. It was a major $$ saver and time saver too!

Go and have a great time!

[crick]

We went to Disneyland CA in Dec. 2004. Our kids were 4,5,6&7 at the time and rode pretty much everything except the 4 year old due to the 4 foot height requirement.
He was able to ride some of the "bigger" rides but he didn't care much for them. Splash Mountain scared him (log water ride) coming down the "chute". There were some rides in California Adventures that he could ride, but not many.

So for smaller kids, your best bet is Magic Kingdom and Toon Town.

Space Mountain was a hoot and even the 4 year old could ride that one with an adult and he did like that.

It's A Small World was a big hit too, just very very loud!!!

Like Adrienne said, the parade is fantastic and the kids loved it. The also enjoyed the shows, especially "A Bug's Life", although that might be scary for a 1-3 year old.

I think a huge part of enjoying the day is going when they open in the morning. Don't let the long lines at the entrance scare you away because once everyone gets in, a lot of people tend to hit the major attractions first and if you aren't interested in that, you'll have so much open to you.

One interesting tip we learned....most people tend to gravitate towards the right for the lines. So if you go left, often you'll have better luck.

[danhanan]

Oh, I took Hannah to Disneyworld when she had just turned three. I was surprised at how much she enjoyed it and how much she still remembers almost two years later. We did pace ourselves and made sure we got her naps in and only did two days in a row and took a day off.

[LisaCA]

I think a toddler can get a lot out of a trip like that. we went to disneyland at least 2x a year for my entire life and same with my younger sis. I remember her reactions as a toddler: she ran from pluto and clung to me, but loved the rides.

we haven't gone to disneyland (mom has issues with disney, lol) but I wouldn't hesitate to take her because of her age (she's now 18 months). she loves parades (went to her first one at 11 months-gay pride parade and she loved the music, lol), and loves rides. some that shake side to side are a bit startling to her, but she loves them. she gets a kick out of people in costumes (as long as they don't try and get too close).

lots of fun.

btw, a question for those disneyland experts: we all had silhouettes cut out (you know, profiles in black in a frame) and I'd love to have that done with dd. does disneyland still do that?

thanks

[joskimo]

I love Disneyland. Our first trip dd#1 was nearly 3 and loved it, and we just went back last month, I know Hannah didn't get much out of it, but it's such a fun place, and dd#1 really wanted to go back. DEfinitely bring your own stroller and some snacks. There were seveal rides baby could go one and I'm not one for much of the wild stuff so we were fine with alternating who'd hang out ith baby.

[sugarbabysmommy]

Thank you thank you. I will get a tour book from my library as suggested.

I should have said that babe will be nearly 3 if we go.

How far is Lego Land from Disneyland? It does sound fun, but the less driving the better.

[riverview]

In the Magic Kingdom, most rides are for little ones, in order to ride all rides they have to be 48 inches tall! Hope that helps.

[ccphilipd]

Just a couple of things. First Disney is free for any child under the age of 3 not 2. For a time we lived about 3 hours from Disney and went twice a year for the two years we lived there. The first time we went oldest DD was 2 1/2 and it was the perfect age she was able to go on most rides and really enjoyed the whole time. We took the kids when the twins were 4months and oldest was almost 3, yes you can take babies on Dumbo and Tea cups with no problems. The next time we went the little ones were almost one and the final time they were 18 months old. So from those expierences I would advise that the kids be at least 18months old. We are going again in March. Oldest will be 5 and the twins will be 2 1/2. Should be fun.

There is a book out there that is called "Southern California attractions with Kids" or something like that. It's main focus is Disneyland but talks about other parks in the area. It is a wonderful book and goes into good detail about what the rides are like and what age groups will enjoy them. It is a must have.