Disneyland Check List

As promised I came up with a list of tips survival guide for anyone attempting Disneyland or any theme park for that matter with a one year old. Enjoy. :)

1. stroller: a reclining stroller is best (she napped while I ate corn dogs). We brought our BOB and loved it! Yes, it is a bigger stroller but that just meant more space to store baby crap necessities.We found that it was much easier to walk from the parking structure to the park instead of riding the tram. First of all the line takes forever, second of all we didn't want to have to fold up our stroller (and take out all the crap in the basket), and third it was good exercise to burn off that corn dog I planned on eating.

2. ice chest: we brought an insulated lunch box to store Blair's milk in for the day. We found out any place that serves food will give you ice for free. So we just kept hitting up the restaurants to keep her stash cool.

3. short lines: we downloaded one of the many Disneyland ride apps that give wait times. This was crucial to keeping the baby happy! For us, 25 minutes or less was all B could handle. And really 15 or less was what we aimed for.

5. baby station: apparently there is a great baby station at Disneyland by the corn dog stand (I never saw it because I was so fixated on the prize dog). It has diapers, wipes, bottles etc for purchase on the chance that you run out or forget. It also has a plush changing station that your little one's bum is sure to appreciate.

6. rider swap: we didn't take advantage of this option but there is such a thing where one parent can stand in line and ride the attraction and then the other parent can swap with the kiddo and and get right on after. But who wants to wait in line for an hour alone? Not us... (unless you give me endless corn dogs...)

7. front pack: a crucial item to bring for waiting in line. Otherwise your child just crawls around on the gum stained concrete looking like a total ragamuffin (we may have been those parents till we remembered the front pack). I suggest bringing one with a hip harness so the weight of your Hulk baby isn't straining your back. BONUS: they let you ride the rides with baby in the front pack...amazing!

8. blankie/lovie: honestly if we ever lost B's blankie I think she would have to be hospitalized for depression...the girl LOVES that dirty thing! Whenever I needed her to take a nap I whipped it out and she was a goner (that is until the Mickey Mouse parade went by...).

the dirty blankie in action

9. sunscreen/hat: we forgot the hat but the sunscreen kept her safe. Disneyland actually has a lot of shade so the hat wasn't crucial.

10. friends (with a baby): it was awesome to have another couple who understood that we couldn't wait in line for 90 minutes for the new cars ride. They also "got" that baby needed a nap time and had no problem walking the park for a bit while baby napped. It was also awesome to have someone to take family photos of us! Plus we were able to return the favor. :)

Rides Blair loved:
Small World, the Carousel, Teacups, the train, Winnie the Pooh, Ariel, the zephyr, Flick's Flyers, the catepillar etc. Basically anything she was allowed to ride she enjoyed. I will say Small World was like a baby acid trip and apparently she really likes that.

small world crazy baby

There you have it! Is there anything you would add?