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We went to Disney World in December 2020 for our first time. It was amazing to be there at a time when the capacity was limited, even though we had to obey strict rules for masks and social distancing. We are going back to Disney very soon but this time we’ll be in Disneyland and California Adventure. We know these parks better because we’ve been many times. I can’t wait to get back!
This will be my third time in a Disney park since my kids were born, and I thought it might be useful to share some of the things I’ll be bringing that help improve the experience, as well as some cute clothing recommendations and fun stuff.
Staying Cool
- I’m taking 2 of these stroller fans. One for each kid. I haven’t used them before, but I’m excited to try them out. I may also have to buy one of these cute Mickey fans too.
- I use this misting spray bottle for styling Emmett’s hair. I decided I’ll get a 2-for-1 by packing this for his hair and also bringing it into the park for a refreshing mist.
- Insulated water bottle. I don’t know what I’d do without my insulated water bottles. Water stays cold all day and the outside of the bottle doesn’t get any condensation. I have a 32 oz. Takeya water bottle and a 40 oz. Stanley mug. Emmett uses this 12 oz. Hydro Flask. It really doesn’t matter what brand you have, as long as it’s insulated.
Staying Safe
- My kids touch everything. And Beth puts EVERYTHING in her mouth. Some germs can’t be avoided, but I do my best to keep their hands clean…ish. I bring a mini hand sanitizer that can connect to my backpack. These Mickey and Minnie ones are perfect for Disneyland!
- My babies have pretty dark skin, but I still lather them with sunscreen when we’re going out all day. I like Babyganics for little babies, and for older I like spray sunscreen because it’s quick.
- Don’t you dare judge me… I have a leash backpack for Emmett. We don’t always use it, but when we’re in an airport or busy, public place and he gets in his silly mood where he runs away cackling, this thing is necessary. (P.S. Emmett’s alter-ego is named Emilio. When he’s crazy or mean or destructive, that’s Emilio not Emmett) Even when we aren’t using the leash part this is a good backpack for him to put his toys and snacks into.
Staying in Style
Now for the really fun part, here are some things we will be wearing on our next trip. I’ve also included other things that I want to wear but won’t have enough days in the park to justify getting them all.
- For Beth – I got her two Taylor Joelle dresses. I love that they look like the characters yet can be used as a regular play dress. It was so hard for me to decide which ones to get, but I went with The Wishing Dress 2.0 and The Cowgirl Dress.
- For Beth – I’m going to pair her wishing dress with this crown headband. I tried it on her the other day and it is so cute! I can’t wait to share photos.
- For Emmett – He has so many Mickey Mouse shirts, so I didn’t buy him a new one for this trip. He’s going to wear a Mickey shirt in Disneyland and a Marvel shirt from Costco in California Adventure. My favorite place to get Disney clothes for my kids is actually H&M. I just type “disney” in the search bar and there is always so much cute stuff. Here are a few of the cute kid clothes I saw on there today:
- For me – I finally got a Disney spirit jersey and I can’t wait to wear it in the park. I subscribed to Shop Disney emails and was notified about a sale so I got mine for 40% off. If you couldn’t tell from previous blog posts, I love getting a good deal!
- For me – I discovered that my favorite shoe choice for park days are my Tevas. These are the ones I have. I love the extra padding they have.
- Here are some more tops that I’d like to buy but maybe shouldn’t… But someone should!
Staying Fed
- My favorite protein bar is G2G Bar. These bars have more than just protein. They have great fats and carbs too so they sustain you well. Plus, they taste great and my kids love them too. They are Gluten-Free and made with whole ingredients. My go-to is the peanut butter chocolate chip, but I honestly haven’t found a flavor that I don’t like.
- The easiest and most stable snack that I always bring along for my kids is applesauce. I’m sure I’m not the only one. Applesauce pouches are the best.
- We also bring fruit snacks, oranges, and crackers. The usual.
- Besides that, I thoroughly enjoy the food inside the park and I try to save room for of much of it as possible! I’ll be writing a post dedicated to Disney food soon.
Staying Happy
- My children’s happiness relies heavily on how much they sleep; especially in the case of Beth (9 months). Lucky for me both of my kids are pretty good at sleeping on the go. One thing that helps them get naps in during Disney days is this portable white noise machine.
- The other thing that influences their nap is the stroller I take with me. I have the Mockingbird single-to-double stroller and I love it so much! In Disney World when Beth was 2 months old I used the bassinet seat and it was like having a mini crib with me at all times. This time I will be taking regular seats for both kiddos. The stroller has room for both kids to recline all the way back and has awesome sun shades that cover the whole seat. It’s like they’re in their own, dark, little room.
- The thing that keeps me most happy is seeing how excited my son gets when he sees the Disney castle or a character he knows. Or when he wants to ride Winnie the Pooh 5 times in a row because there’s no line. Those are the greatest moments and what make Disney “The Happiest Place on Earth”.
In All Places 