Hi Guy! Thanks for dropping by planDisney.
We've had younger children at Disneyland Resort, who were struggling a bit with jet lag. I know that can present a bit of a challenge. Our time change scenario meant we were very early risers during the trip, which worked out well for us. We ate breakfast at our hotel and were in line for entry before the park opened. Crowds aren't as bad in the morning, especially in Fantasyland at Disneyland Park, which features great attractions for toddlers and preschoolers. We rode a lot of our favorites before lunch, grabbed a quick bite at a
Quick Service spot, and then headed back to the hotel for a rest.
If you want your kids to nap, the two options would be to walk back to your hotel or use a stroller for a quick nap. Even if you think your older child is too old for a stroller, we find that Disneyland requires one! It's lots of walking for little legs. You can bring your own if it meets Disneyland Resort's
stroller size specifications or you can
rent one. After nap time, a dip in the pool might invigorate everyone too, so you're ready for nighttime entertainment.
With a budget in mind, we stayed at a location across the street from the parks and found it to be comfortable and convenient. When selecting from
Good Neighbor Hotels, you can narrow your search by distance from the parks and sort by price to find the right combination for your needs. You can even select Complimentary Breakfast as an option, which is a budget-friendly choice. Also, a
Good Neighbor Vacation Package offers Guests increased value for every family's size and budget.
Saving money where we can is important to us too. The good news is that your daughter won't need an admission ticket! She also can eat off your plate at
Table Service locations. For the rest of your family, while Park Hopper and Genie+ are upgrades that come at an additional cost, we choose them on 1-day and 2-day tickets, so we can spend less time in line and get through our must-do list at both parks with greater flexibility. With a 3-day park ticket, however, you might find that you don't need upgrades quite as much. Plus, the more you stay, the less you pay per day, so there's value in the 3-day ticket. You'll also always have the option of adding Genie+ at any point in your vacation if you decide you'd like the ability to book
Lightning Lane Entrances.
I love coming to the parks with little ones! I know you'll have the best time. If you need any other recommendations for dining or attractions with little ones, feel free to come back with more questions.
Have a magical time!
Elizabeth