Greetings, Deena, and welcome to planDisney. There’s nothing sweeter than making memories at the Happiest Place on Earth with little ones, especially when you see the magic through their eyes. I've got two young kids 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 (with a corresponding theme park reservation), check in to your
Lightning Lane entrance selections (if you have them), and link
Disney PhotoPass photos. However, some experiences will 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 3 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. You could also choose not to bring a MagicBand+ for him if you're 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, so his mom gives him hers during interactive experiences.
Deena, here are a few more tips I thought to share from my experience 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