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The wonder of
it all
Vacationing at Disneyland with small children does require a
little extra planning and patience, but it's certainly worth the effort.
By Janna Graber
It
was 10 a.m. when my family and I passed through the entrance gates of
Disneyland, eager to begin our adventure. Armed with sunscreen and water
bottles, we marched down Main Street, U.S.A., ready for our first ride
of the day.
That's when the chaos
began. “Let's go to Pirates of the Caribbean,” our oldest pleaded,
pulling me toward New Orleans Square. My husband, meanwhile, had pulled
out the map and was pointing toward the spine-chilling Star Tours.
Just then, I caught
sight of our two youngest children, ages four and two. They were rooted
to the sidewalk, staring in open amazement at the scene before them.
They watched as a smiling vendor sold red balloons on the sidewalk,
while happy tunes pumped from the stores along the street. Sleeping
Beauty Castle loomed large in the distance, and one of their favorite
Disney characters, Belle, danced about in the street.
My youngest son pointed
his tiny finger at Belle and grinned. It was the kind of moment that
parents dream of.
Wonder aside, though,
the reality of taking preschoolers to Disneyland quickly set in. It's
one thing to visit the park with a teen or older child; it's something
completely different to visit with a little one.
For one thing, toddlers
and roller coasters don't mix. Forget about riding Splash Mountain or
the Matterhorn—at least as a family. And skip the Indiana Jones
Adventure; it's way too scary.
Visiting a Disney park
with several age groups requires a strategy, and it took us only a few
minutes to decide on ours: We would spend the morning at attractions the
whole family could enjoy. In the afternoon, when the younger ones were
tired, the other two could head for the bigger rides, while the little
ones and I enjoyed a rest before visiting Mickey's Toontown.
Since that trip, I've
talked with many other families who have taken their preschoolers to
Disneyland. They've offered a few simple tips to make each day go
smoothly.
Practicalities
It helps to do a little
planning before your visit. Since nothing is cheap at Disneyland,
consider bringing in water bottles and small snacks for your family.
(Although Disneyland does not allow coolers, guests may bring in small
items that can be carried in a backpack or purse.)
Little legs tire
quickly, so strollers are another necessity. They can be rented for
$8/day inside the main entrance. While the canopied strollers work well
for kids ages 1–7, they are not geared toward infants.
Even with a stroller,
children can get lost. Make sure your children know what to do if they
can't find you: They should ask a Disneyland employee with a name tag
for help. Park employees are trained to handle such situations. Lost
children are taken to City Hall on Main Street, U.S.A., where parents
can claim them.
Appropriate attractions
Disneyland has many
attractions that are good for the whole family, including Tarzan's
Treehouse, Jungle Cruise, It's a Small World and Davy Crockett's
Explorer Canoes.
If the lines are long,
consider getting a FASTPASS on the rides where it's available. Simply
insert your ticket into the FASTPASS turnstile and receive an
appointment time to return and ride. There is no charge to use FASTPASS,
but you can receive only one appointment for one ride at a time. Still,
it beats waiting in a long line!
Many of Disneyland's
theatrical productions are appropriate for small children. Snow White—An
Enchanting Musical, is a good example. Shown in the Fantasyland Theatre
throughout the day, the show has extravagant sets and includes the
story's beloved characters and songs.
Other Disney
productions, however, can be scary for preschoolers because they rely on
the element of surprise or visual impact for a thrill. Honey, I Shrunk
the Audience, Muppet Vision 3-D and It's Tough to Be a Bug! are all
filled with loud music, lasers and effects which may frighten some
children.
Dining options
All this adventure can
make a person hungry, but even eating is part of the fun at Disneyland.
You can dine with Disney royalty at the Plaza Inn Royal Disney Princess
Breakfast. This all-you-can-eat buffet has food even the pickiest child
will love. Cinderella and her friends are frequent guests, so your
children can meet their favorite characters personally.
Since the breakfast is
a popular attraction, it's best to call ahead and request priority
seating. (This can be done up to 60 days in advance by calling
714-781-DINE.)
Another favorite
restaurant for little ones is Club Buzz in Tomorrowland. The eatery's
basic fast-food fare is served up with intergalactic flair. Buzz
Lightyear and his pals entertain with an action-packed live stage show
held here six times a day. There is plenty of shaded outdoor seating
that allows good viewing of the show.
There is no shortage of
dining options at Disneyland, but lines can be long. To avoid waiting,
try eating early or after peak dining periods.
Taking a rest
Disneyland is huge, and
the crowds can wear out little ones—and their parents! Consider going
back to your hotel after lunch for a rest. A break from the activity can
help you avoid the meltdowns that come with overly tired toddlers, and
you'll all have new energy to enjoy Disneyland into the evening.
If you have a baby and
need a quiet place to rest or feed anytime during the day, head to the
Baby Center on Main Street, U.S.A. Rocking chairs and everything you
need for warming bottles, preparing formula or changing diapers are
onsite.
Attractions just for
little ones
Disney knows children
and how to entertain them. At Mickey's Toontown, your child can explore
Mickey's house, and then meet Disney's best-known couple, Mickey and
Minnie, in person. Those who purchase a AAA Vacations Package for
Disneyland are invited to Mickey's Toontown Morning Madness, an
exclusive hour with Mickey before Toontown opens to the public.
Young children will
enjoy visiting the Chip ‘n' Dale Treehouse and playing in Goofy's Bounce
House. On the other hand, Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin has intense
special effects that could be frightening for some.
Other preschooler
favorites are The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and the Enchanted
Tikki Room in Adventureland, which has been thrilling children for four
decades. Pinocchio's Daring Journey in Fantasyland offers just the
excitement that kids ages 2–7 are looking for.
Disneyland for parents
Who says kids should
have all the fun? If you're intent on riding the roller coasters, try
the Child Switch Pass, Disneyland's answer for parents who want to enjoy
bigger attractions. When a family has children too small to ride an
attraction, one parent can request a Child Switch Pass. While one parent
rides, the other waits with the child. When the first parent returns,
the other parent gets to ride without having to stand in line again.
Sometimes, parents also
need time on their own. Disney has an answer for that as well. Your
children can visit Pinocchio's Workshop, an activity-filled childcare
club at Disney's Grand Californian hotel, while you have a romantic
dinner at Downtown Disney or get a massage at Disney's Eureka Springs
Spa. Additionally, Disneyland can arrange an in-room babysitter if your
little one needs to nap.
While vacationing at
Disneyland with small children requires a little extra planning and
patience, it's certainly worth the effort.
As we rode Peter Pan's
Flight at the end of our day, a tiny voice came through the darkness.
“Mommy, look!” my four-year-old whispered in awe, “we're flying!”
And that, as any parent
will tell you, made the entire day worthwhile.
Colorado native
Janna Graber is a freelance writer, editor and mother of three.
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