Spring is here and it’s that time of the year when many families make the trip to Disneyland. If you live in so-cal like us, you probably go all the time, but for everyone else I know planning out your trip takes time and patience! There’s something about the magic of Disney that makes every trip just as exciting as the last. We’re fortunate to live just about an hour and a half away so we have the flexibility of driving up for a few hours and sometimes we stay a few nights at the Disney hotel.
Like I mentioned before, if this is your first time traveling to the park or you only go once a year, don’t let the stress of planning your trip ruin all of the fun! I’ve learned a few tricks overtime and I thought I’d share the Dos and the DON’Ts when traveling to Disneyland.
DO-– Pack sunblock and lots of it! There are few days of the year that the park isn’t scorching. Even my last trip in January, it was 85 degrees. I don’t know if it’s the lines or the crowds, but it always feels even hotter. Always go prepared with sunblock, hats and a portable fan if you have a little one with you.
DON’T– I have seen so many people try to lug around heavy strollers and they struggle trying to fold up their extra heavy stroller to get into the monorail, bus, etc. We once were that family with the oversized stroller where we couldn’t even get through the crowds. I am so happy we traded in our bulky stroller for one that’s super light and easy to push. We’ve been taking the Biba stroller with us and it’s so light and easy to fold. Once I started using it, there was no turning back. The price points are also extremely reasonable making it my go-to stroller for all upcoming travel this summer. If you’re looking for stroller that’s great for traveling and compact, the Biba should be your go-to (see my pics below)!
DO– Purchase a MaxPass. If you’re trying to maximize your time spent inside the park, I definitely recommend purchasing a MaxPass. It’s $10 per person and allows you to get FastPass tickets from your phone. This means, no more running around the park to get your tickets printed out. If you’re with a group, you can even create a “party” and get everyone’s FastPass tickets together. It’s so convenient and will save you a ton of time.
DON’T– Bringing comfortable shoes is so important. I always wear a pair of sneakers and bring a pair of sandals in my bag to switch out if I get really hot. That way, I have something to rely back on if my feet get tired.
DO– Make advanced reservations for any dining you plan during your visit. This is especially important if you want to do character dining (I vote for Plaza Inn!) or World of Color dining packages. They are great experiences but are likely to sell out (especially in peak seasons).
DON’T– Missing photo opportunities at Disney is the worst. While you might be in a rush to make it to a FastPass, it’s still okay to stop for a good photo opp. The memories you have will stay forever and you’ll want to stop and take all of the photos–even if you are a bit late on that ride (trust me, they will still let you on).
DO– Pack cute clothes for the whole family. The photo opps at Disney are truly endless and the keepsakes are always worth it.
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