Going to Disneyland is every American child's dream, but on the other hand, it might be every parent's nightmare. A trip to Disneyland can be a lot of fun, especially for the children, but it can be tremendously tiresome for the parents.
The long queues, carrying bags, and the endless walking can make the day a living hell. Do not worry because, for every problem, there is a solution.
Many parents with young kids have done it before you, and you definitely will not be the last. The following are simple ways to make your Disneyland experience go smoothly even if you have toddlers:
Start Early
The best advice you will ever receive as a parent taking their kids to Disneyland is to get there as early as possible, especially if you have young children with you. The lines at Disneyland are often shorter in the early morning than any other time of the day, particularly for the free rides.
You will have the opportunity to go for as many rides as possible and stand in short lines. Moreover, toddlers are often up early in the morning so why not take advantage of it and get there early. It will make the trip much smoother than getting there a few hours after Disneyland opens.
Download The Disneyland App
Most Disneyland visitors go to the theme park and 'wing it' by waiting in lines and seeing which rides they can take. It would be beneficial to know what is happening at the park in real-time, which you can do using the Disneyland app.
You can get the app for free at the Apple or Google app stores. It contains a map of the entire park, including the wait times for every ride and the FASTPASSES on offer at the park at any given time.
If you have little kids, knowing which rides have the shortest lines and the quickest way to get FASTPASSES as soon as they are available is incredibly beneficial.
Figure Out Which Restaurants You Want to Eat At, and Make Reservations in Advance
After hours of rides and walking around Disneyland, you will get hungry, and so will the kids. It does help if you can carry snacks, but it may not be enough. Junk food like cotton candy may be sweet, but it is not satiating.
You will have to sit at a restaurant and have a filling meal at some point. Unfortunately, some of the restaurants at Disneyland have queues as long as the popular rides. If you don't want your ankles to hurt for weeks because of standing in line and your baby crying your ears out, you should figure out which restaurants you want to eat at in advance.
You can then make reservations so you can show up and easily get a table and enjoy your meal. You should check out guides on the best Downtown Disney restaurant selection. You can see their menus and see if your children can eat there. You will also evaluate the prices and have a chance to budget.
Choose Child-Friendly Rights
It is often the case that some parents push their children to go on rides that terrify them. The result is that they end up filling the park while wailing, and they don't want to go on any other rides. The whole day becomes an effort in futility.
It may also sow the seeds of anxiety in a young child. Choose child-friendly rides that toddlers can enjoy, and the day should be a breeze.
Going to Disneyland does not have to be the bothersome chore most parents will attest it is. The above simple tips should help the day be smooth and without problems. The key is to listen to your kids while still leading them on a fun adventure.
