Disneyland with a little one: Know before you go.

The number one tip we have for visiting Disneyland with a baby is to buy a HUSH Hat! We’ve had so many parents tell us it saved them while on vacation. Disneyland is very loud and busy for such little humans who are still growing and developing everyday. The HUSH Hat will protect their little ears from the loud crowds, music, and fireworks. You don’t have to worry about your little one overheating in their HUSH Hat because the inside is lined with a breathable mesh. The HUSH Hat will make your time spent at Disney much more enjoyable because you won’t have to worry about calming your infant constantly because they are not used to being in such loud settings.

In addition to the HUSH Hat here are a few helpful tips to know about before you visit Disneyland!

1. Parking at Disney is expensive no matter where you park. It is $17 a day so if your hotel is close enough to walk, do it. Be sure to ask your concierge if they have a shuttle to Disneyland because most will.
2. Bell Services at Disneyland hotels will store your luggage, which means if you arrive early before check-in time or have a late flight out on checkout day, they will keep it for you.
3. You must go through a bag check before you enter either park. If you have a stroller they will want to check the bottom. Try to be as organized and as ready as possible so you can breeze right through. Remember you can’t bring in anything that rolls behind you, alcohol, or glass jars.
4. Guests are allowed to bring in their own snacks.
5. You can rent a locker in the picnic areas for $12-$15 for the entire day.
6. Tickets purchased at booths in the Main Plaza do not come with a Magic Morning.
7. Purchasing tickets beforehand is just one less line you have to wait in.
8. If you buy a multiple day hopper, 3-days or greater, you get a Magic Morning which means you get to come into the park an hour earlier than it opens, but be sure to ask which days are Magic Mornings while you’re visiting because it isn’t every morning.
9. Once you have your tickets be sure to take a picture of the back of them with your phone so if they are lost or get water damage, you have all the info for guest relations to get you into the park.
10. Before you go be sure to check the schedule for parades, shows, and entertainment for the days you will be there.
11. Both parks have Baby Care Centers and First Aid Centers. Baby Care Centers are quiet places to take your little one to nurse or change their diaper. First Aid Centers have nurses there to take care of minor issues.
12. Everyone wants the perfect family photo in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. The best place to do this, without getting other guests in your photo, is in front of the fence near the Wishing Well.
13. Instead of paying $10 per photo you can now get Disney’s PhotoPass or PhotoPass + to get your photos at the rides and have the cast members take photos of your group. At rides, or when a cast member takes a photo, you can scan your card and then go through them online and make prints.
14. Download the Disney App before you go. It is a must have and makes life so much easier. It has a map of the park, restroom locations, lists of restaurants, and what type of food they have as well as pricing. You can see the wait times for rides and characters, and what time they will be making appearances. I cannot say enough good things about this app! It shows you where you can find FASTPASS Service, ATMS, drinking fountains, the lost and found, picture spots, stroller rentals, AEDs, baby care centers, first aid, and even EpiPen Auto-Injectors. How awesome is that!
15. You can dine with Minnie Mouse and Friends for breakfast at the Plaza Inn in Disneyland. This makes it easy for your kids to get a lot of autographs in one place.
16. In California Adventure you can dine with Ariel at Ariel’s Grotto.
17. The best spot to watch the Disneyland Forever Fireworks is the center of Main Street, USA.
18. If you do not get a spot early enough to watch the fireworks at the castle there is now a show at the ‘It’s a Small World’ ride.
19. If you’re visiting on a night when California Adventure has 2 World of Color performances, the later one will always have a smaller crowd. You can also Fastpass the show.
20. During the day there is Pixar Play Parade where you can see all your favorite Pixar characters from Toy Story, Monster’s Inc., and Toy Story.
21. The busiest time to eat lunch is between 12-2:30 PM try to eat around this time or make reservations to avoid waiting in long lines with little ones.
22. The Disneyland Resort counter service restaurants will give you a free cup of water or a free cup of hot water (ask for a large).
23. Adults can order from the kid’s menu...that can be a serious money saver!
24. Attractions don’t close when the park closes, meaning you could get in a wait line at 10:59 pm and still get to go on the ride.
25. There are free tours available at the Disneyland Resort.
26. The Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage wait is mostly in the sun, which can be tough on little ones, especially with such a slow moving line.
27. If you listen carefully to Snow White’s Wishing Well, you can hear her singing.
28. Shops on Main Street in Disneyland are open for an hour after the park closes, so if there’s some shopping you want to do you don’t have to miss out.
29. Ask a cast member at the monorail station if you can ride in the front of the next monorail. It’s the only car with air conditioning.
30. You WILL get wet if you ride the Grizzly River Run, so if your kids will be miserable afterwards-maybe skip it.
31. Go to Peter Pan’s Flight first thing in the morning because there are not fast passes available for this attraction.
32. If your little one is too small for most of the rides try taking them to the walk through attractions or the carousel (Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, Tarzan’s Treehouse).
33. You can ask a cast member to let you steer the ship as you board the Mark Twain Riverboat.
34. There is little to no line for the Winnie the Pooh ride at night.
35. As you leave the jungle cruise you can ask for a map as a souvenir.
36. Check out the Bibbidi Bobbidi Botique if you have a little princess.
37. Parent swap is a great service, which allows both parents to ride the rides. When entering a ride tell the cast member at the line entrance that you need a parent swap. They will give you a parent swap pass or let you know which cast member can do this for you. After the first parent gets off the ride, the second parent can take the parent swap fastpass and enter just like you would with a fastpass.
38. If it is your first visit or you are celebrating something (anniversary or birthday) you can get a souvenir pin for free! Go to guest relations in City Hall and ask for one.
39. Photopass Photographers will take a picture with your camera, if you ask them.
40. If there are two lines open, generally the right side line will move quicker.