Greetings, Deena, and welcome to planDisney. There's nothing sweeter than making memories at the Happiest Place on Earth with family – you'll see the magic through their eyes. I've got two little ones and visit the parks all the time with my nephew, who is a toddler, so you've got a friend in me to help with this question.
Let's start by talking about the
MagicBand+ at the Disneyland Resort. Linking one to a valid theme park ticket will allow you to use it to enter a park, check in to your
Lightning Lane selections (if you have them), and link
Disney PhotoPass photos. However, there are some experiences that would still work with the MagicBand+ even if it isn't linked to a ticket. Please note that the MagicBand and MagicBand 2 would not work at the Disneyland Resort.
Deena, you're right that Guests younger than three years old do not need a theme park ticket or reservation. That said, you could certainly still bring a MagicBand+ for your grandson to use without linking it to a ticket, just for fun. He could use it at
locations across Disneyland that have MagicBand+ experiences for the 70th Anniversary Celebration – tap the band to unlock interactive surprises. Some even provide a printed souvenir!
You could also choose not to bring a MagicBand+ for him if you are concerned about keeping it secure or having him wear it all day. I know that my nephew doesn't typically wear one for extended periods – his mom gives him hers at the interactive stations. Some retail locations may have MagicKeeper sliders available for purchase that can help keep the MagicBand+ in place.
You might want to look into purchasing the
Key to Disneyland during your trip. This is a fun, scavenger-hunt-style activity where you'll search for stations across Disneyland that interact with the Key to Disneyland. Bubbles, music, lights, and more may be unlocked! And, at the end, you'll stop at the station near the park entrance to unlock a hidden trading pin surprise. My nephew and my kids all loved this so much, and it would make it more exciting to travel from one land to another.
Deena, here are a few more tips I thought to share from my experiences of navigating the parks with little ones.
- A stroller is a great idea. You can bring your own (as long as it meets the guidelines), or rent one on-site. Single and double strollers can be rented for the day just outside the Disneyland Park entrance. This location also sells a foldable, umbrella-type stroller.
- There is a Baby Care Center at the end of Main Street, U.S.A. with toddler-size toilets, changing tables, and a vending machine with essentials available to purchase like sunscreen and over-the-counter medications.
- The Disneyland mobile app is helpful. You can use it to filter attractions by age, thrill level, and height. Plus, we love mobile ordering food so we can skip lines at mealtimes.
Deena, I hope this information felt like a sprinkling of pixie dust on your plans. Have the most amazing time with your grandson! If you think of any other questions, please reach out – we're always happy to help here at planDisney!
Your pal,
Kriss