Packing for Disneyland with a Toddler

Every time a new trip to Disney rolls around, I find myself running off to Amazon for all sorts of helpful products. Surprisingly, this time around, I found only one product online, the rest in local stores. Being our third trip to Disneyland, I decided to narrow down what we would need. After a bit of experience and even more deliberation, I have complied the complete guide to navigating Disneyland with a toddler in tow.

First things first... Get yourself the right stroller.

Disneyland has updated their stroller policy and, because of this, your old trusty double stroller may not be allowed through the gates anymore. To make the long walks through the park easier on guests, strollers larger than 31" by 52" will not be allowed through the gates. You can read their official policy here. This also means that wagons or stroller wagons are not permitted inside the park as well. And though this may initially sound like a bad thing, I can testify that the more compact your stroller is, the better your experience will be. Our former jogging stroller would still fit the new dimensions, but the wear, tear and bulkiness we experienced during our last two visits was not fun. In the end, we purchased a compact, simple stroller on Amazon for just under $100, and has been the best buy we have made in a while. I'll place a link to the stroller we bought here. Sliding through crowds was incredibly easy and made our experience much better.

Purchasing a more compact stroller was also beneficial because it forced us to pack what we would actually use inside the park. On earlier trips we always made the mistake of bringing way to many fluff items that we didn't actually need to bring into the park. Keep it simple and essential.

Packing Your Tools

I would recommend one backpack with diapers/pull-ups, wipes, a change of clothes, jacket, poncho, wallet, small toys and snacks. Even if you don't have a baby or toddler in tow, baby wipes are a great way to clean up any messes that may occur. If you plan to use your phone for photos while in the park, or you use the Disneyland app (highly recommended), be sure to stick a small portable phone charger in the backpack as well. One of the reasons I would suggest a backpack over a diaper back or large purse is how easy it will be when you need to take it with you on a ride. Plus, it will be much better on your back and shoulders to carry a backpack instead of a purse.

Another great hack is to purchase a backpack for your child that attaches to a leash. This allows them time to walk around in the park without the fear that they can run off and disappear into the crowd. It also gives you some extra packing space for them to keep small toys or snack in. Our little girl loved feeling that she had her own bag with treats and toys to take through the park.

T​he next item to remember is a nice, compact lunch box. We purchased one from Costco that includes pockets for ice packs to keep your food cold. This item was a life saver! We were able to bring cold snacks like string cheese, yogurt, fresh berries, etc into the park. If you want to bring along crackers, pretzels and/or fruit snacks for your little ones, I'd recommend leaving those in your backpack to save room in the lunch box for cold items. Here is a link to one you might find in your local Costco.

Often people wonder if they should bring an entire cooler of food into the park with them, and while that is permissible to do, it can be a pain to carry it around with you. I always recommend staying within walking distance to the park so that you can always walk back to your accommodations if you need more food or need to take a nap.

W​here to Sleep

T​here are many hotels that line the street of the entrance to the park and many hotels in the area that offer a shuttle to and from the Disney parks. However, my number one tip for large groups traveling to the park is to check home rental sites like Airbnb or HomeAway. Many homes in the surrounding neighborhoods are rentals and can save you a lot of money, especially if you're traveling in a large group. This also gives you more privacy and the opportunity to cook meals and save some extra bucks!

H​ere are a few links to homes that we have experienced and loved! First home, second home, third home. (Note the third home is not walking distance, but was a great experience when we took our own small Disney trip without the extended family.)

H​ow to Entertain

Lastly, try to bring along some small distracting toys. Chances are you'll spend a good amount of time in line throughout the day. This can either make or break your experience. If you have little ones in tow, I always recommend keeping small treats and toys to keep them occupied. A quick trip to the dollar store can yield small books, puzzles, stickers, or toys that can keep your little ones happy without hurting your wallet.

W​hen the sun goes down at Disney, don't forget to bring along the glow sticks! You can buy them at Walmart or a dollar store for cheap, and they will always be a big hit with the kids! You can find scepters, necklaces, bracelets and much more!

I​f you're planning a Disney trip, or any theme park trip, these hacks will help make your trip go smooth and keep it fun! If you would like more content about how to navigate the park, food and snacks that are a must, or any other Disney hacks, check back for upcoming posts on those topics.

Safe travels!