• Viral badge
  • win badge

35 Insider Hacks For Taking Your Kids To Disneyland

Make sure your visit to The Happiest Place On Earth is a great one.

1. To help you prepare for your trip Disneyland will send you a free Disney Parks Vacation Planning DVD.

2. If there's a long line for the ticket booth you can forgo the wait by buying tickets with your mobile device.

3. Write your cell phone number on your child in case they get separated from you.

4. Buy princess dresses, pirate costumes, and Mickey Mouse T-shirts before you get to Disneyland.

5. The Fastpass system is free and, more importantly, can be gamed a little.

6. If your kid is especially excited about meeting Disney characters, make a reservation for a Disney character dining experience.

7. Pressed Pennies are the cheapest souvenirs available at Disneyland resorts.

8. Add something distinctive to your stroller so you'll be able to spot it among all of the other strollers.

9. You will spend a large portion of the day in line, so bring something to entertain your kids while they wait.

10. Visit the Baby Care Center for a quiet, secluded place to nurse.

11. For nutritious items look for the "Mickey Check" symbol on kids' menus.

Disneyland expert Lisa Robertson, author of the blog, Babes In Disneyland: The ultimate Disneyland resort guide for families with young children, shared tips 12–19:

12. The best way to travel throughout the park with a baby is by using a baby carrier.

13. The "rider switch" policy lets both parents enjoy the attractions without the double wait.

14. Filtered water spigots are available in the Baby Care Centers at both parks as well as at Rancho del Zocalo, the French Market, and Tomorrowland Terrace restaurants.

15. The general rule for gauging crowd size is that if you and everyone else have the day off, it's going to be crowded. There's more to it than that, though.

16. Three restaurants inside Disneyland give free refills on soda and a to-go cup after the meal is over.

17. Disneyland menus may only present full meal options, but it is possible to purchase individual items à la carte.

18. Disneyland offers secure electronics charging stations at the Main Street locker facility for $2 per hour.

19. Tweet @DisneylandToday and @DCAToday to get quick responses to your park-related questions.

20. The Disneyland Wait Times app will let you know how busy the rides are throughout the day.

21. To avoid a potential meltdown it's important to know your child's exact height and the height requirements of a ride before you get in line.

22. Photopass photographers will take free photos of you with your camera if you ask them too.

23. With that said, you should get a free PhotoPass card.

24. If you stay at a Disneyland Resort hotel and have a valid three-plus-day ticket, you can get into the park one hour before the general public.

25. If it's your child's birthday or first time at Disneyland visit the Guest Relations office to get a special button.

26. If you plan to eat at one of Disneyland's better known restaurants you will need reservations.

27. Once a day the Mad Hatter and Alice play musical chairs with kids at Coke Corner on Main Street.

28. Your kids may be able to speak to Disney characters on the phone at the City Hall/Guest Relations office.

29. Disneyland employees will give you a new balloon if your kid's pops.

30. First aid centers can store medications that require refrigeration.

31. Keep the receipt for any souvenir you buy your kids.

32. If you're staying at a Disneyland hotel, take advantage of "Pinochio’s Workshop" for kids.

33. You can also have items purchased inside the park delivered to your room if you're staying at a Disneyland hotel.

34. The easiest way to get a photo with Mickey Mouse is by visiting his home at Toontown near closing time.

35. Where you stand for the fireworks shows makes a big difference in how well you will be able to see.

Looking for more great parenting tips? Sign up for the BuzzFeed Parents newsletter!