I wouldn't bother taking a stroller, just use one of the disney ones. I think they're like 15 bucks a day, and very comfy for the kid to sleep in. Definately take granola bars and bannanas, things to even out blood sugar that aren't junk food.
When i went to disney world with my daughter when she was 4, i made an itenerary for her, with pics of the things we would do each day. I found tons of photos on Flickr. Ahe had a good time finding the scenes from the photos while she was there.
a double stroller would be best, like a sit and stand stroller for the 4 year old, but if he gets tired and want to go to sleep this would be hard. If you rent the stroller at Disneyland you have to understand that if the kids are asleep you would have to carry them to the trolley that takes you to your car. It is best and cheaper to bring your own stroller, it is more convienient.
Since it is a long drive, I have found that if you have DVD player, that would work best for both kids if they like the same shows. If you leave at night when it is the boys bedtime, they will be asleep for the drive and then you won't have to worry about the DVD player unless you come back during the day.
We eat at the buffets because it is inexpensive for the young ones to eat because they eat free before a certain age. Bring plenty of snacks because it is cheaper to bring non-perishable snacks than to buy them in the park. If the boys are not afraid of the characters you can eat at anyone of the restaurants that have character dining but you need to reserve these in advance. We find the Mexican Cantina inexpensive to have a meal at and you really don't have to buy a kids meal. You can order a large plate and feed your kids from your plate, beans and rice.
The 9 month old can ride all the kiddie rides. We took my grandaughter when she was 6 months and she had a ball riding all the kiddie rides. She also loved the parades.
Take a backpack over a purse with you. That way your hands will be free and you don't have to worry about putting your purse down and forgetting it somewhere. We go to Disneyland every holiday and there has been times we went for as long as 2 weeks and as short as a weekend. We have been doing this for 3 years.
Good luck and have fun.
Hi Tiffany,
One advice is for your hotel. It would be best to get one that had plenty of its own parking. We stayed at a nice newer (marriott?) which had a 2 room suite with bunkbeds and kitchen, and they also had a breakfast every morning downstairs. It was dissapointing in two ways- one- they didnt have enough parking for their own clientel- so anyone who comes back to the hotel in the evening had to go to overflow parking- in the lot of the big hotel next door! We came in at 11pm, and there was no parking for us in our own lot.We had to go in and get a tag for our dash, and then leave our hotel and park next door. We had to carry sleeping kids and our other junk across the really large lot. When we got to the gate between the two hotels, it was locked!!! So then we had to carry the kids all the way to the street front and then back to the hotel lobby. Man, was my husband hoppin' mad!
The second disappointment was the cleaning. They only made our beds, they didnt wipe the table off, or vaccum or anything.
We purchased tix for two days in November. The first day was for Disneyland and the second was suppose to be for CA adventure. CA adventure was SOOOO spread out, that it took forever to get from one ride to the next. We spent so much time walking from one ride to the next, we found it dissapointing. Plus, alot of the attractions there are for older kids. So we skipped out and went back to disneyland for a second day. Had a blast in the main park- the lines wer low or nonexistant so we got on every ride they had. Your best bets for low lines is weekdays, Tues -Thursdays.
I wont ever attempt DL on a weekend. The young kids just dont have the patience to wait that long.
One other thing- the food there is way expensive but it is usually big portions. For our family of 5 on the first day we purchased hamburgers for 5- and we ended up throwing three quarters of it away. Personally, I think the open air hamburger place has cruddy food. The second day we got pizza for two- and shared it.It was much better than the burgers, and no food got thrown out. Look at the portion size that the people ahead of you come out with before you buy, and buy accordingly.
Don't forget you water, and Advil!
Have fun!!!!!!!!!
Hi,
We went to Disneyland with our 3 yr and 6 yr old a few weeks ago and had a blast - aia'm so excited for you!
Definately take a stroller, get to the park when it opens and check online to see which rides your 4 yr old is tall enough to ride so you don't waste your time. My 3 yr old loved the Buzz Lightyear ride and my 6 year old loved California Screaming in the California Adventures park. We found that Disneyland got very busy once the other park closed.
I wouldn't waste my time lining up for the Roger Rabbit ride in Toontown, not worth it. The Nemo submaine ride was good but again, long lines so do it early if you can. Definately make use of the fast pass tickets to save on line waiting and if you all go up to one of the attendants at the entrance to most rides where there is a line waiting and tell them that both parents want to ride but have to take turns because of the baby, they will give you a rider pass so your 4 yr old can go straight on the ride again with the other parent.
We ate mostly at the IHOP directly across from Disneyland main entrance and they had a deal on where kids eat for free. Food is expensive in Disneyland. We took our own snacks, fruit and drinks into Disney and I'm glad we did.
If you need a rest, try hopping onto the Mark Twain Riverboat, we liked that and there's stuff to look at as you go round.
If you can, try and see the Fantasmic light show in the evening - not on every eve but it is worth seeing. The fireworks above the Castle were good but my 3 yr old was frightened by the "scary moon that talks".
Hope you have fun. We stayed for 4 days and did just about everything. We found that Calfornia Adventures park was not busy most days and they are building rides there near the Ferris wheel. Some Ferris wheel carriages slide as they move, we loved that.
If it looks like rain during your stay, pack fold up rain capes and take them with you. We bought ours outside of Disney which saved some money. I think they started at $6 in Disney - that's if you can find somewhere that sells them.
Have fun!
Tiffany: Don't over think this great experiance. Take in the car what ever you generally use for a long drive for entertainment. We kept lots of childrens music esp. the themes to the Disney movies which you can get at any Walmart or I's think Target.
If you are staying at the Disneyland Hotel most of your things should be in the package. If your just going on your own-- expect to py a fortune for everything. My husband sais to close our eyes and just do it and stop worrying about it. There are several places just outside the park to eat at that are very good. As for the stroller-- If I ever do it with a little one again believe me I want to rent one of theirs. If it goes missing an employee will get you another and its not a trial to worry about.
You can buy just about anthing Disney, at Walmart so if you don't want to spend the money for outfits, sweatshirts etc then get it before you leave and give it to your little one. We made sure that we had pictures taken with Tigger and bought everyone!! We made the drive in about 7 hours so its not all that bad. Lots of stops and breaks along the way. My husband thought he's rather drive at night next time and we tried that too. So it took less time, and the kids all slept but I was tired the 1st day there. we never go for less than 3 days, its just to much for all in one 2 days-- although you will spend most of your time in the children's part and that is alot of fun-I think its called Toon Town. They have a wonderful new play this month & that will be fun.
My goal is to go with the Grandchildren at Christmas times.
Have a ball, Nana Glenda