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So, you’ve decided it’s time to take the family to Disneyland. Yay! We’re so excited for you! But now that you’ve made that decision, you’ve probably realized how much work it is to plan a Disneyland vacation.
What to Pack
Now that you’ve figured out when you want to go and how to get the most savings on a Disneyland vacation, it’s time to figure out what to pack. It can be confusing on what you can bring into the parks. For families traveling to the Disneyland Resort, one tip we love to share is to have everyone wear matching, or at least coordinating, clothes. We’ve found matching t-shirts is the way to go. Search “Disneyland shirts” on Amazon, Google, or Etsy to find a huge assortment of shirts to choose from. This is not only a fun memory when looking back at photos, but it’s a great way to help the grown-ups keep track of everyone! If you know that everyone is wearing mostly red shirts on day one in Disneyland, it’s one less thing to think about when mentally doing head counts as you walk through the park.
Packing lightweight rain gear is another great tip for when you are visiting Disneyland. Rain isn’t often in the forecast for Southern California, but it happens! And when it does, it pays to be prepared. It may also help when riding on Splash Mountain!
Consider the following additional suggestions when packing for your Disney vacation:
- Small, waterproof backpack or fanny pack
- Comfy walking shoes (bonus if footwear is waterproof during rainy season!)
- Lightweight layers
- Swimsuit
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Compression socks (This is an insider family tip that will make your feet so happy. If you are planning to be at Disneyland for more than one day, compression socks are a life saver. If you are going on a cool enough day to wear pants, wear them! If you don’t want to wear them in the park, that is fine too. When you get back to your hotel, put the compression socks on and sleep in them. The next morning, when you take them off, your feet will be re-energized and ready to hit the park for another day of fun.)
And here is a list of what else you are allowed to bring into Disneyland:
- Food
- Soft-sided coolers (about the size of a six pack of soda)
- Beverages or water bottles
- Blankets
- Bags
- Backpacks
- Medications or other items needed to maintain health
- Personal cameras
- Strollers
- Service dogs
While not comprehensive, here is a list of what you are NOT allowed to bring into Disneyland:
- Wagons or over sized strollers
- Hard-sided coolers or coolers larger than a six pack of soda
- Glass containers or alcoholic beverages
- Selfie sticks
- Suitcases
- Folding chairs
- Masks (even for costumes! Try face paint as an alternative if you’re dressing up)
- Skateboards, inline skates or roller skates
- Wrapped gifts
- Drones
FastPass and MaxPass
Okay, so now that you know what you can bring into Disneyland, how about a tip for maximizing your day at the Park? That’s where the FastPass and MaxPass systems come into play. When you purchase a Disneyland ticket, you have access to the FastPass system. FastPasses are available for free for select rides and allow you to reserve your spot to ride, eliminating long wait times! The only downside to a FastPass is that they need to be picked up in person from the ride you want. It isn’t always convenient to run around Disneyland and pick up FastPasses. This is where MaxPass saves the day.
For an additional daily fee per person, you can have access to FastPass reservation and redemption on your electronic device. So instead of physically being at a ride kiosk to grab a FastPass, you can be enjoying a meal at your favorite Disneyland restaurant and use the Disneyland App on your phone to reserve a FastPass with your MaxPass access. Additionally, purchase of the MaxPass gives you unlimited downloads with PhotoPass.
You can use the PhotoPass to access and download any photos from rides and official PhotoPass photographers throughout the Park. Since MaxPass is an optional, additional purchase, you could choose to take advantage of its conveniences as you see fit. Using a FastPass or MaxPass is a great way to maximize your time at Disneyland!
“Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy.” – Walt Disney
Do you feel ready to book a Disneyland vacation now? So many fun adventures await you!
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