We had the most wonderful time at Disneyland this past month and we already miss it! It was a spur-of-the-moment trip, but with quick prep and excitement, we were ready to go! I knew that it was going to be a little new for us going 16 weeks pregnant as well as with a toddler so I did my research and planned ahead some things that prepared us for the 2 days we were there.
So here’s what rides we did with Hudson being 2, and I being pregnant. The delicious foods that were gluten-free we could eat, and the best tips and tricks for going to the happiest place on earth preggo!
Okay, so here’s the scoop on the rides at Disneyland that I felt safe with doing pregnant as well as for my 2-year-old: I’ve included a few precautions and tips for a couple. *LL- Lightning Lane for Genie +. (More on that later in the “tips”).
✓ Jungle Cruise
✓ Disneyland Railroad
✓ King Arthur Carousel
✓ Mr. Toad- I don’t recommend it for toddlers- dark and scary, the only ride he did not like.
✓ Davy Crockett – Usually shorter wait times
✓ Winnie the Pooh – Usually shorter wait times
✓ It’s a Small World -LL
✓ Mad Tea Party – Hudson only did this one but LOVED it. I didn’t feel safe enough doing it personally.-Usually short wait times.
✓ Peter Pan
✓ Pirates of the Caribbean – I forgot about the drops and didn’t love them but felt it was safe enough, it’s up to your own discretion.
✓ Buzz Light Year -LL
✓ Storybook Canal
We were able to do so many as well as so many in a day and it felt like just perfect for us!
Rides we did at California adventure:
✓ Jessie’s Critter Carousel
✓ The Little Mermaid – Usually shorter wait times
✓ Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sully to the Rescue
✓ Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
✓ Maters Junkyard Jamboree – Hudson and I loved this one so much we did it x2! So fun!
What I brought in my Minnie Backpack:
When it came to what to bring in my backpack I wanted minimal but necessary. So, here’s what I brought, and most things I actually used:
Snack pack – we did GF fig bars, fruit/veggie pouches, fruit strips, and almond butter pouches.
Portable phone charger- Came in SO handy.
Gum
Band-aids
Medications – Tylenol, Benadryl- adult and children’s.
Wet wipes – A MUST! Here’s my easy DIY refillable case!
Thieves hand spray
Walmart sac for trash
Autograph notebook with a sharpie
Mini sunscreen
Change of outfit For Hudson
Debit card
Collapsible water bottle
Sunglasses for Hudson – These were actually really helpful and he used them!
Travel tissue
Lipgloss
Security wristbands – I put one on my backpack just in case it got lost.
I’ve linked a lot of these items below!
The Good Stuff! – gluten-friendly food we had at Disneyland.
California Adventure: Cherry freeze from Cars Land, Tacos Dorados de Papa from Cocina Mexican Grill, Iced coffee and Macaroon.
Disneyland: Mac and Cheese- not GF, and BBQ Pork sandwich – (GF bun) from River Belle Terrace, Beans, and Potato Bites, Lemonade freeze with Cherry, Dole Whip, Cheeseburger from Galactic Grill (good burger- pretty plain though), Raspberry Macaroon from Jolly Holiday Bakery.
My favorites had to be the Tacos Dorados de Papa, and the Cherry freeze from Cars Land. The tacos are perfectly crispy and the salsa they put on top is the bomb! The cherry freeze was so different and amazing!
Alright, so here are “the tips and tricks” for Disneyland:
First and foremost good shoes. I brought a pair of memory foam tennis shoes, and the 2nd pair of tennis shoes with a pair of insoles I bought. And I was so glad I did!
The second is a 2 part. First, download the Disneyland app that has your map so you can track where the nearest bathrooms are as well as water refill stations. I brought my own collapsible reusable water bottle and it came in handy! And second, if it’s in your budget, and you’re doing a park-hopper 2 -3 day trip, I highly recommend getting Genie + for those days. It allows you to get on many popular rides way ahead of the line and it was so worth it. Because of it, we were able to do so many more rides than if we had to wait. It also allows you access to all the photos taken on rides plus photos taken by any of the Disneyland photographers.
Third, bring some snacks! They were great to not only have for my toddler, for ride lines, but also if I felt my energy or blood sugar getting low.
Fourth, do some more chill rides in between quicker ones. A great ride for needing a break is the Disneyland Railroad. It’s about a 1/2 hour long and takes you throughout Disneyland and has a few extra exhibits you wouldn’t see otherwise!
Alright, so the last 2 tips. Before going I couldn’t decide between a regular stroller or bringing one that reclined, that was a heavy bulky one. Fortunately, I was able to find the best of both worlds in a stroller, linked HERE! It held up great and had also a small basket underneath for a few things as well as cup holders and a kids tray. In the afternoon, both days, as we walked, he was able to fall asleep and get a nap so we didn’t have to go back to our place.
Alright, and here’s one for last that I decided on the spare moment and it was great! Pack a onesie pajama for at night. Once it got a little chilly and dark out, we zipped him up in his onesie and he felt warm and content enough to fall asleep in the stroller whenever he was done for the night. Best of both worlds!
Disneyland was truly a magical place and we made so many fun memories! I’m very thankful that we had the opportunity to do this as a family of 3 and enjoy seeing it all thru our little boy’s excited eyes!
If you have any questions I might have missed please leave me a comment below!
xoxo, Shantel