Curator’s statement
Disneyland is special to me because, growing up, this is where our family went a couple times a year and it always reminds me of family. The Disney way feels like family even when you’re not with your family, from the staff to being able to create experiences and memories that are fitting for you. Being able to continue creating memories as an adult and share them with my children is such an amazing experience.
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Things to do at Disneyland
Baby girl meeting Princess Jasmine at the Royal Hall
Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard: Located in Toontown, this is a great play area for kids of all ages.
Haunted Mansion: Great ride to take your toddler on for a midday nap and to take a break from walking in the park.
Fantasmic!: If you’re going to stay late, Fantasmic! is a great show for all ages, located in Frontierland at the river. There are shows at 9 pm and 10:30 pm, and there is first-come standing room for the show. There is an option for designated seating areas if you purchase a Fantasmic! dining package at one of these three restaurants: Cafe Orleans, River Belle Terrace or Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante.
Meet Disney Princesses at Royal Hall: Located on the left side of the Sleeping Beauty Castle (if you’re walking to the castle from Main Street). A great place to meet different princesses. I love the mystery of not knowing who is inside the Royal Hall until you get inside. You may also run into some princesses on your way to the Royal Hall.
Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island: Take a small boat across the river to a secret hideaway island. Great interactive activity for all ages. My kids love to run around on the island as well.
Fantasyland: This is a great place for the littles. Fun fact: if the ride doesn’t have a height requirement, anyone can ride, even babies. The majority of these rides are located in Fantasyland.
Places to eat & drink at Disneyland
Dole Whip!
Fantasyland fruit cart: Great place to grab snacks for on the go such as fruit, pickles and chips. There are a lot of fruit carts throughout the park, but this one is my favorite because they have frozen lemonade and, our ultimate favorite, frozen apple juice.
Little Red Wagon (mobile order): The best corn dogs ever! Corn dogs are also available in California Adventure (Corn Dog Castle).
Pooh Corner (mobile order): If you're looking for a sweet treat, the churro toffee square is a must. Don’t get me wrong, Disney churros are a must-have, but the toffee square is the cherry on top!
Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante: Great restaurant that is a self-serve Mexican option in Frontierland. My personal favorites are the burritos and the Caesar salad. For the littles, they have chicken tacos and bean and cheese burritos.
Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo (mobile order): When you need a pick-me-up (for my coffee drinkers) the cold brew is amazing.
Tiki Juice Bar (mobile order): You can’t come to Disneyland without getting a Dole whip! This frosty treat is my favorite, rain or shine.
Napolini Pizzeria (Downtown Disney): My kids and I love to end our day at Disney by picking up pizza from Napolini. You can create your own personalized pizzas. They give discounts to Magic Key holders. Not only is the food good, but I also love how they have stackable pizza boxes for parents like me who are holding the food and pushing the stroller.
Need to know
Allergy-friendly: Let cast members know about allergies. There are allergy-friendly menus available at all food places
Arriving as early as possible: Arriving at 8 am (rope drop) allows you to avoid big crowds for about an hour or so and ride a couple of rides with short lines.
Parking at Mickey and Friends / Pixar parking lot gives you access to the on-property trams. The Toy Story parking lot is not on property. Walking or bus transportation is an option.
Strollers have to be folded up when getting on the tram. There is an option to walk through Downtown Disney to get to the park. There is a bridge located in the Pixar parking lot on the second level (Coco level) that will take you to Downtown Disney where you can walk through to get to the parks without folding your stroller.
If you are parked in the the Mickey and Friends lot, you can walk to the Pixar lot (past the elevators in the Mickey and Friends lot) since both lots are connected.
Baby Center is located off Main Street, right by the Little Red Wagon. There are changing tables, small toilets for toddlers and an area for nursing and pumping. There are also bottle warmers and a microwave to warm up baby food. When I would have adult days at Disney, I would have to pump and I was also able to wash my pump parts. There are also high chairs to feed your little one. They also sell baby supplies that you may need, such as pacifiers, wipes, etc. If your child is lost, you can let someone in the baby center know or you can find your child there if a cast member finds them. There is also a baby center at California Adventure.
Travel Advisor
Kai Mitchell
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