Halloween Time At Disneyland

September 27, 2018

About a week about we were asked by Disney to check out all their Halloween Time festivities at Disneyland and we jumped at chance! It was our first trip as family of 5 and pretty much Zeke’s first visit since last time we were here he was an 8 month old.

Disneyland is magic but during the holidays starting with Halloween is on another level. Everything from the rides and attractions to the buckets that hold your popcorn is transformed into a fun and spooky Halloween theme. I think it’s important to note that it’s all done is a very tasteful way and did not scare our kids ages 6, 3 and 7 weeks. The boys had so much fun riding rides like the Tea Cup Ride, Buzz Lightyear, and It’s a small world and Ruby slept through it all peacefully in a baby wrap against my chest. We spent hours in Tune Town meeting characters and stuffed our faces with Halloween themed bread, rice crispy treats, and cookies!

We spent two days at Disneyland and California Adventure and spent the night at the Grand Californian Hotel. Here are our tips for doing Disneyland at Halloween Time with an elementary school kid, preschooler, and infant.

Number 1 download the Disneyland App for free in the app store. This was a huge help to us as it is equipped with maps and ride wait time and has the capability of letting you order your food at restaurants so it’s ready for you when you get there. It also allows you to make Disney FASTPASS selections and access Disney MaxPass where you can see all your photos taken by the pros throughout the day.
Map out the rides that your kiddos can go on. Using the Disneyland app you are able to see all the height requirements and the rides that you can ride with an infant. Most of the rides in Fantasyland are infant friendly. I had the best time with the boys on the Tea Cup rides while wearing Ruby.
If you can, stay at one of the Disney Hotels so you’re able to go back to your room for a rest or hop in the pool if your little ones get tired.
Bring a stroller you toddler will need it to nap in and you might need a break from holding or wearing your baby.
If you’re nursing, potty training or in need of a place to rest with your baby utilize the baby care centers on Main Street in Disneyland and by Boudin Bakery in Ca Adventure. The Baby Care Center is also the place where cast members look after lost children until they’re reunited with family. They play Disney movies there and make it super comfortable for kiddos.
If you can make it to 9:00pm get a spot by Tom Sawyer’s Island for the Fantasia show. Make sure to get there early enough to find a spot up from by the water, it’s quite spectacular. Waylon and Zeke were mind blown by all the special effects.
When in doubt bring the stroller, it just makes life easier and if you have a preschool aged child they will most likely get tired. Also wear comfy shoes and bring an extra change of clothes for the kids if you go on any “wet” rides.
Take advantage of the Parent Rider Switch. A supervising guest may stay with non-riders while the rest of the party enjoys the attraction, and then ride without waiting in line.
For an even more in depth fact sheet on how to Disneyland and CA Adventure with Preschoolers and babies click here.

This Instagram photo op wall is located directly across from It’s A Small World!

So many of the kid’s favorite characters are all in Tune Town. Waylon was so into getting all their autographs this year!

Zeke was so excited to meet Mickey but when it came down to meeting the mouse legend he got a little star-struck and resorted to a handshake. What you can’t see in this image is the huge smile he has on his face!

For all you nursing mamas I brought a cover and breastfeed wherever discreetly and no one batted an eye, but Disney has an amazing Baby Care Center where you can nurse in the quiet or warm up formula bottles or even buy diapers and sunscreen from a vending machine. It’s state-of-the-art!

If you have an infant I highly recommend babywearing as you can wear your baby on many of the rides like Buzz Lightyear and It’s A Small World. This wrap is from Solly Baby.

The Grand Californian Hotel:

We loved the character breakfast at The Storytellers Cafe at The Grand Californian Hotel. Waylon was into the characters and Zeke was v into the food!