Disney California Vacation Tips: From Learning The Hard Way.
I won’t forget when I was staying in San Diego and decided I wanted to go to Disneyland for my birthday the night before, was able to get tickets by refreshing the app every 5 seconds until the sold-out day finally someone released the date. I drove up in the morning, spent 13 hours at Disneyland with just me and my 2-year-old, had THE MOST magical day that I didn’t want to ever end. Then, drove home and STRUGGLED to stay awake.
Really inefficient way to do Disneyland, from purchasing tickets the night before to not staying close the day before.
What I learned about traveling to Disneyland:
- Fly into John Wayne SNA Airport
- Get a rental car with a toddler carseat
- Stay within walking distance
- Pack snacks and a quick breakfast
- Bring multiple pairs of shoes
- Heel crack remedy
- Go 3-4 days
- Get the Genie+ if everyone’s tall enough
- Utilize the ART shuttle
- Bring Papa!
Ok, so some of these really don’t need explaining. I’m in a couple FB groups for Disneyland and the top questions are about the Genie+ and where to stay/ how to get to the parks.
HOTELS
I haven’t stayed at a Disney Hotel yet, hopefully, one day!! But I have walked through them via the route my iPhone gave me from staying in a hotel located behind the parking structure. I recommend staying at a hotel off Harbor, it’s a straight walk into DL, and there’s a large crowd walking with you so you will feel safe. Many hotels offer an ART shuttle (you have to buy one), I used this once. Doing shuttles being single with a baby and stroller was not fun. I had to try and hold her, fold the stroller, hold my bags, and get on the bus. NO THANKS. Big reason for #10 Bring Papa (grandpa) LOL.
Here’s a map of local hotels, look at your budget and read reviews. I always use hotels.com for booking, I often get free nights and earn points towards my next stay.
WALKING
The last time I went to Disneyland I walked 70,000 steps at the parks over a few days. I really enjoyed my Merell sandals, they kept me cool and they were soft. But, after a full day of wearing them the top of my foot hurt where they were sitting. Thinking ahead, I brought an extra pair of shoes, and it made a big difference to give my skin a break from the design of the previous shoe. If you happened to read my Sedona blog, my good friend taught me an amazing trick for heel cracks, on this trip I stopped at the gas station by my hotel and got Vit E oil and Petroleum Jelly. But this will blow your mind, NAIL GLUE. You put it into the crack (let it dry before you step on the ground. duh.) And you WON’T feel them! Game changer. Speaking of shoes, I also brought my baby and an extra pair of shoes to the park, you never know. Kids lose a lot and I didn’t want to get stuck spending $30 on shoes.
TRAVEL SNACKS
I’m very particular about what I eat, so anytime I travel I pack my suitcase full of snacks. My first stop before going to the hotel for the night on arrival day is to go to the store and get some fresh produce, bottled water (I’m a water snob), and I get milk to make my morning protein shakes. Protein during travel, especially being outside all day and consuming all the sugars is essential. It makes for such a quick breakfast to make a protein shake, have fruit, and head to the park. No waiting for waffles, eggs (if you can call hotel creations “eggs”). At Disneyland, you can bring food, drinks, and coolers into the parks. No alcohol and I believe NO ice? You may have to fact-check me. Here’s my go-to snack list:
- ASCENT Protein with Califa 3-ingredient almond milk (I pack single packets)
- OWYN premixed protein shakes
- Mixed berries
- Trailmix
- Simple Mills cheddar crackers
- Yogurt pouches for my daughter’s quick snacks/breakfast
- Annies fruit snacks for quick pick-me-up in long lines
- Organic cheese sticks
- Mini Juice boxes from 365 whole foods (very low sugar!)
- Snack Mates: Primal chicken sticks (my kid loves the pizza flavor)
** note on snacks- Disneyland offers “powerpacks” for kids meals that include: clementine, carrot, and celery sticks. Plus a milk. So I wouldn’t recommend bringing Cuties, they are so easy to pack for travel days, but Disneyland days mix it up.
STROLLER
My Disneyland For Beginners blog really stressed this, but if you bring a stroller with you YOU HAVE TO Airtag it. No, not by Disneyland rule. Just because they constantly get moved to set up for parades, and fireworks, and they get moved really far. Save the stress. As of now, wagons are not allowed in DL. I have seen moms get turned away, having to go back to their hotels and return to security. Check before you go if the rules have changed!
The most recommended stroller when traveling: BOB jogger. It’s so smooth, easy to fold, and meets DL size requirements.
Also, if you are bringing a baby or a smaller child I highly recommend bringing a baby carrier. Strollers are not allowed in lines, so you are stuck holding them the entire line. My left bicep still hurts from my trip 2.5 years ago. It’s also a great break for smaller kids to rest. I brought an Ergo Baby Carrier on my trips when my daughter was 2 & 3 years old. If my back could handle the 27lbs, she would still love to be in it. When it was around nap time (since I don’t like leaving the park and dealing with re-entry), I would choose a long line and strap her on my back and she would nap the whole 90 min and then be ready to go. I didn’t wear her every line, mostly just naptime to save my back. She loved it.
AIRPORT TRAVEL
To keep airport travel easy I only pack a bag of snacks, a reusable water bottle, and an iPad (with headphones) for my little one. For myself, add Powerbeats Pro Headphones that I can’t live without. I tried the whole entertaining on an airplane thing and it just led to stickers all over me, and markers/paper/toys rolling to all the rows behind me the whole flight. My child is a great traveler, she’s 3 and has been on 30+ flights. You know your kid best if you need to bring other items for them like blankies, change of clothes etc.
One travel tip I always do is to rent a carseat from the rental car company. I usually use Hertz and have never had a problem. Most of the time I am traveling alone with my little one and carrying a carseat isn’t an option. It’s well worth the $30-$60.
BRING FAMILY
Disneyland is the happiest place on earth! It truly is, the endorphins I get from this place match nothing else. I have done it alone 5 times, and last time my dad “Papa” came with me. Having “Papa” to stay with my little one while she napped in the stroller let me do more rides, take more breaks, and save my arms from holding her solo the whole time. But the best part was Grandpa got to make memories with his grandchildren, something he loved every moment of. He’s easy to travel with, generationally there’s a little to learn with using phones for everything and standing in all the lines to see characters (not just cutting).
HOW LONG TO GO:
If it’s your first trip or if it’s your 10th, most people agree (on FB groups) that 3-4 days is ideal. You can add park hoppers to do DCA for a 1/2 day if you aren’t interested so much in Marvel, or if that is what your kids live for I would add a 4th day and do it 1-2 days. Tickets can be pricy, luckily at checkout in the Disneyland app there is a deal if you open a Disney Visa to get almost 1/2 off tickets (depending on the promo). I always add a rest day in between. Here’s my ideal Disneyland itinerary:
- Day 1 Travel Day. AM Flight. Drive to the ocean (Newport is a great choice, or Huntington Beach). Check into the hotel, and walk to Downtown Disney shops.
- Day 2 Disney California Adventure 1/2 day (if you have older kids consider doing a full day). @ 11 am Park Hop to Disneyland.
- Day 3 REST DAY. Search low tide and head to Laguna Beach to explore, on the way give yourself in 30-45 min at this tranquil botanical garden at Sherman Gardens and Library.
- Day 4 Disneyland all day. Wake up without an alarm, and stay until the park closes. This was the day we did our Bippity Boppity Boutique Makeover.
- Day 5 Disneyland all day. You can wear that hairstyle still from BBB and the dress! Bring a change of clothes and a warm layer.
- Day 6 Travel Day. Great day for an AM character breakfast. The Princess Breakfast at The Grand California was worth EVERY PENNY. But reservations sell out quick, so if you are planning a trip get on the list. You can always cancel if all your princess dreams come true in the park. Drive to the ocean or hit the pool. Evening flight.
I am from Colorado, so if I’m going to a state with a beach I will make plans to spend time there. Usually in my carry on I have swimsuits, beach toys, and towels to drive straight to the ocean after picking up the rental car and not having to unpack my checked luggage. I also have a habit of the day I depart taking the earliest flight out (and sleeping on the plane), then the day back taking one of the later flights home. This allows me to enjoy 2 full days of vacation without just checking into a hotel and going to bed.
OUTFITS:
Everyone is going to have their own ideas of what to bring. Bring your favorite leggings/shorts. OR go all out and bring themed clothing, these princesses lightweight dresses would be perfect. One thing you need to know about Disneyland is adults CAN NOT dress as any kind of character, you won’t be allowed into the park if you do. It’s confusing to kids who really is real and who isn’t. With that Disneyland is full of families with matching vacation shirts! When my mom and I went in 2021, we were the minority. We were like the 1% who didn’t have matching-themed shirts. Check out Etsy! After I saw that I of course was inspired to go all out on my next trip. On each trip, I’ve gone to Etsy to find themed matching shirts. We’ve done Cinderella and Fairy God Mother, Pirates, and Cars, and on this upcoming trip we will have Wish shirts. T-shirts are also a super practical way to say cool and comfortable. As you will observe some people choose fashion and suffering over comfortable and themed. You choose what makes you enjoy the day the most.
We are going back this month for my daughter’s birthday and both my parents are coming. I booked my little one a makeover at Bippiti Boppidi Bouqitue and I can’t wait to see them watch her get a princess makeover. I may have a Disney problem at this point in life, but just take advantage of it and use all my tips and tricks to plan your trip to Disney Parks. We haven’t been to Disney World yet, my goal is to go when my daughter is older since the flights a lot longer. I also hope to one day stay on property and do Disney Hawaii, so check back for up-to-date travel tips to those parks. Hope you and your family have the best time at Disney. Don’t forget to bring your ears!
UPDATE! We went to Disneyland again, and did the Bippity Boppity Boutique makeover and Princess Breakfast. Read all about the experience soon. I can’t believe how magical Princess Aurora made this trip for my daughter.