LISTEN UP! If the Monsters, Inc. line is more than 10 minutes, then you can ask the cast member at the entrance (the pink door) for a buddy pass! The pass is good for small groups of 3. (My family of 6 will divide into two groups.) The cast member will give you the pass pictured above and you will walk through the exit of the ride. There is a red line you will wait behind, and you will fill in the extra rows. Typically, there might be one group ahead of us, but we usually walk on! Try this hack at Toy Story Mania too. They weren’t doing it for awhile, but the latest information we heard is that they ARE doing it again. It’s basically a fastpass to the front of the line. Anyone else miss fastpass?!?
Disney with a Baby
Disney with a baby is pure magic! They may not remember it, but you certainly will! Here are some of our best tips when visiting the parks with a baby. There are SO many rides and shows babies can experience. Here is a list of them:
Disneyland
Rides:
-Jungle Cruise
-Winnie the Pooh
-Alice in Wonderland
-Casey Jr Circus Train
-Dumbo
-it’s a small world
-King Arthur Carousel
-Mad Tea Party
-Mr Toads Wild Ride
-Peter Pans Flight
-Pinochio
-Snow Whites Enchanted Wish
-Storybook Canal Boats
-Mark Twain River Boat
-Main Street Vehicles
-Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
-Pirates of the Caribbean
-Haunted Mansion
-Astro Orbiter
-Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
-Finding Nemo Submarine
-Disneyland Railroad–4 different spots to hop on (ToonTown, Tomorrowland, Main Street and New Orleans Square), great way to see the park and rest your legs!
Things to explore:
-Tarzans Treehouse–walk around and explore!
-Tiki Room–a fun show with singing birds
-Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough–over by Bibbiddi Bobbiddi Boutique see the story of Sleeping Beauty
-Tom Sawyer Island–a great place to explore and run around
-Main Street Cinema–sit down and enjoy a show while baby naps
-Chip n Dale Treehouse–play area
-Donalds Boat–play area
-Goofys Playhouse–play area
California Adventure
Rides:
-Monsters Inc
-Golden Zephyr
-Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
-Toy Story Mania
-Jessies Critter Carousel
-Pixar Pal a Round
-Web Slingers
-Little Mermaid
Things to explore:
-Disney Jr Dance Party–our favorite show! Check the app for times
-Sorcerers Workshop–a fun place to explore and see how animation comes to life!
-Turtle Talk with Crust–ask your favorite turtle any questions!
-Redwood Creek Challenge–climb, run, jump and explore!
Baby Wear
Baby wearing is a life saver at the parks. You are not able to take a stroller into lines so it really saves your arms and your back! Also (depending on the cast member) you can usually baby wear on rides! So if a little one falls asleep in line, the sweet babe can continue to sleep while on the ride, score!
Bring your own stroller
To rent a stroller at Disney it is $18 for a single and $36 for a double per day. So to save money we always bring our own stroller! Not only is a stroller nice for pushing baby around but it’s also a great place to store stuff! Diaper bag, water bottles, snacks, jackets, etc.
Utilize the Baby Care Center
The Baby Care Center is a game changer when at the parks! Forget diapers? Lose a binky? Need some baby food? Baby Care Center has you covered! They also have nursing rooms, changing tables, high chairs, etc. Check out our blog post about it here.
Rider Switch
Rider switch is a life saver when at the parks with little ones! With Rider Switch, one adult (14 years or older) can wait with little ones while the rest of the party goes the ride. Then, they simply switch roles to allow the adult to experience the ride without waiting in the regular line again (this can sometimes be the fast pass line or sometimes a completely different line.)
To Use Rider Swap:
First, with your whole group, go to the cast member at the front of the ride and ask for a rider swap pass. The cast member will give you the rider swap pass, which is uploaded to your magic band or ticket on your phone! Part of the group goes on the ride while the other part waits with the little ones that cannot go on the ride.
Once the first group is done riding the ride the person waiting with the little ones can now go on the ride and take two additional people on the ride with them. They go to the cast member and show them the rider swap pass and the cast member will direct you what line to go to.
Rides that have rider swap:
Disneyland
-Autotopia
-Thunder Mountain
-Gadgets Go Coaster
-Goofy’s Sky school
-Grizzly River Run
-Rise of the Resistance
-Guardian’s of the Galaxy
-Space Mountain
-Splash Mountain
-Star Tours
-Matterhorn
California Adventure
-Incredicoaster
-Indiana Jones
-Luigi’s
-Maters
-Millennium Falcon
-Radiator Spring Racers
-Silly Symphony Swings
-Jumpin Jellyfish
-Soarin Around the World
Nursing
Feel free to nurse wherever you like! But two of our favorite rides to nurse on are Small World and Pirates of the Caribbean. These rides are long and air conditioned. What’s better than being on a ride while nursing your little one?!
Changing Stations
There are changing stations in every bathroom. So whenever you need to change a diaper just find your closest bathroom!
What to bring
Here’s what we pack in our diaper bag:
- snacks
- baby food
- extra diapers and wipes
- diaper changing pad
- extra outfit
- pajamas (if you’re closing the park!)
- hand sanitizer
- lightweight blanket
- binky
- sunscreen
- small toys
Check out this blog post of what to bring to the parks here!
Enjoy watching the magic through their eyes!
Watching your baby look around and take everything in is the best part! There are so many new, bright and beautiful things for them to look at! It’s so sweet watching them soak it all in!
Tips for Oogie Boogie Bash
Our family attended the Oogie Boogie Bash this year for the first time. This is a ticketed even that is offered about every other night during the Halloween time season. I paid $134 per ticket. The party is new to California Adventure park these last few years. Be aware that if you do not have a ticket to the party, the park will close at 6:00pm and you will have to leave the park. I want to share a few tips and must do’s!!
- Be early!! Take advantage of extra park time. The party is 6:00-11:00pm but party go-ers can enter DCA at 3:00pm. It only makes sense to be there at 3:00 and fit a few more rides or snacks in! Many people suggested going to the park entrance at the Grand Californian to have a quick line. I ended up getting there right at 3:00pm, and not wanting to lose time to get over to the hotel got in the main entrance. It moved really quick and was in the park within 5 minutes. Up front you get a wrist band and treat bag.
2. TREAT TRAILS! Maybe it’s covid and lack of character interaction but this was probably my favorite part! There were 7 treat trails with amazing character displays. They love to interact and entertain and be creepy! On each treat trail you get to to trick or treat to four different cast members. There were 3 candy stations and 1 healthy snack. The lines may seem long, but move quick! Bring your own personal bag for more room! You get lots of candy!
3. PHOTO PASS! Photo pass is a free feature offered with your ticket. This is something we usually skip at the parks to save money, but when included be sure to take advantage!! They have many fun photo ops and sets around the park! Also, they have lots of extra character villain’s out to take distanced pictures with!
4. DRESS UP! You should dress up!! It makes it all the more festive and the characters love to interreact with your costumes. Of course have your kids dress up to trick or treat and really get in to the Halloween spirit. And get one more use out of their costumes. Family themes are really popular! The night we were there, the temperatures were comfortable, remember it’s not too chilly yet in So Cal, so dress accordingly.
5. CARSLAND is the real MVP! It’s creative and the incredible decor really is a must see!! So many lights and fun things. Be sure to take time to stroll Carsland after dark! And you can catch your favorite Cars in their costumes.
6. The Frightfully Fun Parade! We’ve all missed parades and excited for their return for the Christmas season. It was so fun to sit down for a parade again and this one is a new favorite. From the Haunted Mansion ghosts and all the Nightmare Before Christmas characters and Really fun music too. You don’t have to save seats for long, it doesn’t get too crowded. There are two parades, the later one is less busy.
7. Another amazing feature at the Bash in the Villian Grove. The Redwood turns in to a spooky trail with amazing effects and music. It’s dark but not scary. I think most kids will be comfortable with it. There are no characters here, so you’ll just be watching the fairy forest come to life. It’s really magical and well done.
8. Guardians of the Galaxy turns in to Monsters After Dark after 3:00pm. This is a fun thrill and always exciting for something new. All attractions are open during the Bash, so you can fit in as many as you can. The wait times are much shorter with the smaller party crowd.
And there you have it! It’s a really fun event and so glad we finally did it! I hope this helps give you an idea of how the night goes and what to expect. Its a lot to pack in to a limited time so be sure to prioritize what you want to see! My kids varied from age 6-11 this year. I thought they were the perfect age to be able to hang late, no stroller and not get scared by anything. Age may be something to consider as its not a cheap event. It’s so fun to see all the creative costumes and kick off Halloween! Be sure to watch for ticket sales mid summer. They do sell out!
Disneyland Brings Back Christmas Fantasy Parade
For the first time since Disneyland closed for the Covid 19 Pandemic is 2020, a parade will be making its appearance once again on the Disneyland streets. The Christmas Fantasy parade will start when the Christmas season arrives at the parks on November 12th. The Christmas Fantasy parade is such a darling parade, with beloved characters such as Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Daisy in their holiday attire. A grand appearance from Mr. Santa Clause himself ends the parade on a larger than life float. This is one parade you will not want to miss!
We are hoping this is the start of regular parades back at Disneyland. Prior to the Christmas Fantasy Parade opening this season, Disney has been cautious about the return of parades due to social distancing. Quick calvacades would grace main street throughout the day, but not a full parade. This is big news and we cannot wait to see this parade once again.
Baby Care Center
Run out of diapers? Need more baby food? Lost a binky? All these things and more can be purchased at a Baby Care Center! This place is a life saver for every parent!
What is a Baby Care Center?
Open during regular park hours, each full-service facility is complimentary for Guests and includes:
⭐️ Nursing room with chairs
⭐️ Changing room with tables
⭐️ Feeding area with highchairs
⭐️ Kitchen with microwave and sink
⭐️ Main room with television, table and chairs
⭐️ On-site shop offering formula, baby food, juice, diapers, wipes, sunscreen, over-the-counter medications and pacifiers for purchase.
Baby Care Centers are a peaceful place to take a break, feel some air conditioning and let your little one decompress for a bit!
Where are they located?
⭐️ Disneyland Park
The Baby Care Center is at the end of Main Street, U.S.A., next to First Aid.
⭐️ Disney California Adventure Park
The Baby Care Center is next to Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop and across from The Bakery Tour in Pacific Wharf.