Hiya, Julia! Welcome to planDisney. We are so glad you found your way to our little corner of the magic with your question!
Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, it sounds like you are planning for a pretty special trip to the Happiest Place on Earth with your family! When heading out for a day in the parks, setting yourself up for success can often start with ensuring the littlest Mouseketeers are comfortable. I have had a few park days myself where my Huey, Duey, and Louis have gone from sweet like Daisy to cranky like Donald in a matter of minutes, so it's always good to be prepared with a few comforts from home and some pixie dust to get your day back on track!
One of the best ways to start preparing for your Disneyland day is to take a quick glance through the
property rules to ensure that anything you are bringing along with you is allowed into the park. I took a look myself and it does indicate that backpacks cannot be larger than 24" long x 15" wide x 18" high. I know that's not the news you were hoping for, Julia, so let's try to see if there are some other ways that might make your day easier as you move through the parks.
I know you mentioned that your kiddo is not a fan of strollers, but I do want to let you know that there are
stroller rentals available in case you don't want to bring one from home. You can find them just east of the Disneyland Park Main Entrance. They were recently redesigned which may make for a more magical stroller experience!
Snacks, lovies, stuffies, blankets, and even stroller fans from home are all welcome in the parks. When you are feeling like your family needs a break from the park hustle and bustle, the
Baby Care Centers located in both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park offer a calming space to relax and refresh. Designed for families with babies and young toddlers, there is a changing area with all the necessities, bathrooms for the littlest Guests, space for nursing, a kitchen for feeding or even washing out bottles or snack cups, and the sweetest of sweet Cast Members on hand to help with anything you might need. These areas are so peaceful, you can easily forget all that's happening just outside the door!
A key to a Disneyland day for my family is staying hydrated. We bring reusable water bottles from home and continually refill them at
bottle-filling stations throughout the parks. You are also always welcome to ask for a complimentary cup of water at any of the quick-service dining locations!
A hidden gem that I love to pop into when we are needing a reset is the
Animation Academy in Disney California Adventure Park. Learn to draw your favorite characters from a Disney Animator, visit the Sorcerer's Workshop to create your own animated sequence, explore The Beast's Library, and even have a whole conversation with Crush from
Finding Nemo!
Well, Julia, I hope this helped get those Donald Ducks in a row for your visit! And speaking of ... Donald is looking especially cute in his candy corn costume for Halloween Time! You'll definitely want to plan for pictures with Mickey, Minnie, and the rest of the gang all decked out for the season!
If you have any more questions, you know where to find us here at
planDisney!
Magic awaits!
Tara