Growing up in Orange County, Disneyland was always a hop, skip, and a jump away. A large chunk of my childhood was spent romanticizing what princess life would have been like and trotting through Main Street, cotton candy in hand. My friends and I would skip classes during High School to go to Disneyland with our $15/month Disneyland annual passes. There were so many memories from the obligatory turkey legs to even having my first kiss with my first boyfriend in front of the lit up castle.
Although I never considered myself a Disney fanatic, I loved the park and I loved the magical storytelling that sparked imagination and awe. When I became a flight attendant in my 20s, I happily left Disney behind to collect passport stamps around the world. Suffice to say, Mickey Mouse never strayed too far because I was lucky enough to experience Disney Paris and Disney Tokyo Sea. In all actuality, I always needed Disney in my life.
Fast forward to motherhood and ending up back in Orange County to raise my daughter around family and a 15-minute drive to Disneyland. My partner and I took our daughter to Disneyland several times before I saw they were offering the Southern California resident annual passes and after much resistance, I knew it was time to share the magic with my daughter.
As a mother to a two-year-old daughter who loves Mickey Mouse, I wanted to not only share the magic with her but familiarize her with compelling storytelling while selfishly wanting to get out of the house. We had to take a financial pause on traveling the world so I thought Disneyland would be a controlled environment where I could take her by myself and create the illusion of traveling to a magical placc.
Below is my curated guide to taking a two-year-old to Disneyland by myself:
There are affiliate links to products I have done research on my own. They are not sponsored.
What I bring:
Stroller - Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 All-Terrain Stroller
You can also rent strollers at Disneyland for $18 (single stroller) or $36 (double stroller).
Snacks - Hand rolls from Tokyo Central, apple sauce from Trader Joe’s, Cheerios (easy), seaweed
Food and drinks are allowed into the park. They just can be inspected through security. I bring a little cooler as well.
Water bottle - Owala Kids Flip Insulated Stainless-Steel
Diapers (Healthy Baby), wipes (Honest Co.), etc.
Extra clothes (Toontown can get wet)
Parking:
Mickey & Friends Parking Lot or Pixar Pals Parking Lot ($35)
There is a shuttle that takes you to the park entrance or you could take the elevators to the second floor (Coco level) and walk across the pedestrian bridge to Downtown Disney.
Toy Story Parking Lot ($35)
You have to take a bus to get there and fold your stroller.
Downtown Disney Simba Parking Lot ($10 for the first hour)
4 for $10 with validation from a restaurant or minimum of $20 purchase from shops.
6 hours for $10 with validation from Naples, Jazz Kitchen, Splitsville, Centrico or Paseo restaurants.
You do not have to take a shuttle and the validation depends on where you eat or make a purchase.
ARTIC Sports Complex Line
The Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) is a bus and train station that can get you to Disneyland on bus 14 or 15 that will take you directly to the Disneyland Resort. Parking is complimentary and the bus ticket costs $6 for an Adult All-Day pass and $2.50 for a Child All-Day pass (3-9).
I have not tried it yet but I plan to soon. It would cost me and my daughter $6 because she is free until she is 3 years-old.
Disney California Adventures
Halloween Time is currently in session at the Disney parks. You could expect Fall decor, seasonal spooky rides and Halloween-fun shows. My daughter loves the Mickey’s Trick and Treat at the Disney Theater in Hollywood Land. It’s a cute little show with the Disney gang dressed up in their Halloween costumes. Lately, the weather has been very hot so we have been spending more time at Hollywood Land because there are more air-conditioned attractions and shows to go to. During my solo trips with Ava, I would rather stay at this park because it is easier to navigate and easier to take it at our own pace.
Rides for a two-year-old with a 0-32” height requirement:
Avengers Campus
WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
Cars Land
Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters (32”)
Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree (32”)
Hollywood Land
Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
Pixar Pier
Pixar Pal-A-Round Swinging Ferris Wheel
Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
Jessie’s Critter Carousel
Toy Story Midway Mania
Paradise Gardens Park
The Little Mermaid - Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
Disneyland Resort
The OG home of Mickey Mouse that is currently celebrating 70 years of existence. Disneyland is currently decked out in 70s and Fall decor, providing a nostalgic and warm ambience. It is more difficult to find places to beat the heat because of how packed it normally is and a minimal amount of indoor attractions. However, Disneyland Resort is a classic and there are more kid-friendly rides. Instead of listing off every ride, I put her favorite ones.
Rides for toddlers with a 0-32” height requirement that were her favorites:
It’s a Small World
Always a classic and a favorite.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
The line was long and it is a loud ride. It scared my daughter and it was pretty jerky to imitate a train ride off the tracks. It’s fun but I know she did not enjoy it.
Astro Orbiter
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Haunted Mansion
Super fun because it is The Nightmare Before Christmas themed. She was scared but enjoyed it afterwards. I would not take her on the ride after the holiday season.
Jungle Cruise
Mad Tea Party
Peter Pan’s Flight
Diaper Changing Stations
There are changing tables in every restroom but there is one family restroom in each park that has everything you may need from lactation rooms, comfortable changing tables, bottle warmers, and supplies. In Disneyland, the baby center is down Main Street next to the First Aid Center. In California Adventures, the Baby Center is next to the Baymax mural next to Ghiradelli. See baby centers here. They are much more comfortable than the normal restrooms!
Full transparency, I pay $599 for one annual pass. Since she is still free, I feel like it is worth it because she is cognizant of everything going around and she fully remembers our days at Disneyland. There are a lot of blockout dates but since I am a flight attendant, I tend to be off during the week.
I hope this little guide helps. I know that I am fortunate to be able to make these memories with my daughter and I plan on sharing these memories with you along the way. Comment below what your Disney tricks and tips are or your favorite memory!
