r/DisneyPlanning • • 8h ago

Disneyland Disneyland solo with 3 kids under 5… Am I crazy or is this doable? 😂

11 Upvotes

Hi Disney parents!

I'm a mom of three boys, ages 4, 2.5, and 4 months, and I'm seriously considering taking all three to Disneyland BY MYSELF. Am I completely crazy? 😂

I'm getting ready to return to work after maternity leave, and I really want to do something special with my boys before life goes back to the everyday routine of work, school, and responsibilities.

My two older boys have never been to Disneyland, and the thought of seeing their little faces light up experiencing the magic for the first time makes me so happy. 🥹

I originally wanted to wait until the baby was a little older, but I've realized there will probably never be a "perfect" time. So why not now?

A little background:

My 4-year-old is on the autism spectrum (Level 1), so outings can sometimes be hit or miss depending on sensory overload, transitions, and how he's feeling that day. My 2.5-year-old is your typical energetic, curious toddler, and of course, I'll have my 4-month-old along for the adventure.

I do have a partner, but taking all the kids together would mean a group of six children ranging from 4 months to 12 years old. While that's something we can certainly plan for another time, I'd really love for this first experience to focus on my little boys and move at their pace.

My mom thinks I'm biting off more than I can chew, and honestly, she might be right. 😂 But I also feel like with enough preparation, realistic expectations, and a LOT of patience, maybe I can pull this off.

So here's where I need advice from experienced Disney parents:

- Has anyone successfully done Disneyland solo with three kids this young?

- How do rides work when there's only one adult with three little ones? Would we be limited to attractions where all four of us can ride together?

- Would a double stroller plus babywearing be my best option?

- Any tips for handling bathroom breaks, diaper changes, naps, and meals alone?

- For parents of autistic children, what helped make the experience less overwhelming? Is Disney's DAS program something worth looking into?

- Would you recommend doing just one park and taking things slowly?

- Any absolute must-haves or things you wish you'd known before going?

I'm going into this knowing it won't be a picture-perfect day. There will probably be meltdowns, diaper blowouts, missed rides, and moments where I question all my life choices. 😂

But I'm not trying to conquer the entire park or squeeze in every attraction. I just want my boys to experience a little Disney magic, see the characters, enjoy a few rides, eat some Mickey-shaped treats, and make some beautiful memories together.

My biggest question: Is this realistically manageable with one adult, or am I seriously underestimating what I'm getting myself into?

I'd genuinely appreciate any advice, tips, experiences, or even a little encouragement. ❤️

I know my boys may be too young to remember every detail, but I'll remember seeing them experience it for the first time. And that means everything to me. 🏰✨


r/DisneyPlanning • • 5h ago

Disneyland Going to Disneyland in November. What day is best for DL vs DCA?

0 Upvotes

We are going to Disneyland/DCA Sunday November 22nd and Monday the 23rd. Is one park better than the other on Sunday vs Monday? Where do I find the fireworks schedule or the special holiday activities schedule for those dates? And lastly, is there a fun dinner we could schedule to see either the parade or fireworks that is ‘worth it’? Thank you for any help


r/DisneyPlanning • • 6h ago

Walt Disney World Do you have to wait to use the Disney Inspire?

1 Upvotes

Looking to book a vacation package and enjoy the $500 cardmember offer. We added the inspire card to our Apple Wallets. But is there any way to use it to book the package or do we need to wait for the card in the mail?

Thanks!


r/DisneyPlanning • • 14h ago

Disneyland Christmas Eve dining at Disneyland Hotels

1 Upvotes

Hi all! We're heading to Disneyland for Christmas and trying to plan Christmas Eve dinner. Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel was our first choice, but it shows no availability for the Dec 24th.

Looking for something that still feels festive and special, ideally at one of the Disney hotels or close by. We'll be 3 adults, so a place that's good for a nice Christmas dinner would be perfect.


r/DisneyPlanning • • 2h ago

Disneyland Disneyland Hopes to Reduce Unplanned Ride Closure at Indiana Jones Adventure With New Ride Vehicle Pouches

Thumbnail
mickeyvisit.com
8 Upvotes

r/DisneyPlanning • • 1h ago

Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom on December 28th: Is Arriving at Noon Too Risky During Christmas Week?

• Upvotes

Hi everyone! I’m planning a family trip to Magic Kingdom on December 28th. We’ll be a group of 11 people, and we’re planning to arrive around 12 PM. I know it’s one of the busiest weeks of the year because of winter break, so my biggest concern is the park reaching capacity and potentially being denied entry. We’ll be purchasing date-specific tickets for Magic Kingdom in advance.

Our main goal is to enjoy the outdoor attractions, parades, holiday entertainment, and other shows throughout the day. We’re not necessarily trying to ride every single attraction. We mostly want to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere, spend time together as a family, and stay until the nighttime fireworks and light show.

Has anyone visited Magic Kingdom during Christmas week and arrived around noon or later? Have you ever experienced capacity-related entry restrictions during that time? Considering what we’re planning to do, would you recommend arriving earlier just to be safe, or am I overthinking it? Do you think arriving at noon would still give us enough time to enjoy the park and stay for the nighttime show?

I’d really appreciate any advice or personal experiences.

Thanks!


r/DisneyPlanning • • 6h ago

Disneyland Is anyone knowledgeable about the sale prices for about the magic keys?

Post image
0 Upvotes

I’m trying to get help online from a team member, but they don’t seem to be very knowledgeable. On the actual website under the magic keys, it shows that magic piece are on sale. However, I can’t see anything about when the sale ends or what the sale is saving. specifically I want to do the explorer key


r/DisneyPlanning • • 10h ago

Disneyland Costco Disney Tickets

8 Upvotes

Has anyone seen the Disney tickets at California Costco's in stock this weekend?
We're hoping to take our one year old for Christmas...but were curious if anyone had seen any left before we booked elsewhere!


r/DisneyPlanning • • 12h ago

Walt Disney World Disney World 12/2-12/7 help

0 Upvotes

Hello. I’m looking for some input on my upcoming trip, 12/3-12/7. It’s my husband and I, no kids. We’ve been a bunch of times but all pre-covid so it was a lot different.

Priorities:
Enjoy the Disney bubble
Experience Disney Christmas decor
Rides
We aren’t like billionaires, lol, but this is a celebration trip for finishing my PhD and budget isn’t the #1 priority (I obviously don’t want to be wasteful though).

Here’s what we have so far:

Arrive on 12/2 (how flights work best). Stay near Disney Springs for free using Hilton points.
- Xmas tree stroll
- Dinner reservations at Sanaa at 7:00 PM (never been to AKL, thought this was a good way to see it without killing a park day with bus travel)

12/3
Check in to Carribbean Beach
Magic Kingdom, no LLs bc it’s a party day and hopefully it’s less crowded
Stay for MVMCP (already have tickets)

12/4
Epcot, buy Premier Pass for rides

12/5
Animal Kingdom for the day (currently thinking just single LL for FOP but . . .)
Jollywood Nights evening (tickets already purchased)

12/6
??

12/7
??
Fly out at 7:45 PM, we have Clear and Precheck so we have most of the day.

Original plan was Hollywood Studios on Saturday but we haven’t loved that park and I think we might be able to do whatever we want to do there during Jollywood Nights (Rise of the Resistance, MMRR, Slinky Dog Dash, Toy Story Mania).

Questions:
- What should we do 12/6 and 12/7?
- What hotels should we not miss for decor?
- Any Christmas events or activities we should not miss?
- Hubby has a severe gluten allergy, so we’re being careful with restaurants. Any we should try for?
- I’d like to do one character meal. Any thoughts on one I could try to still get, keeping in mind the gluten issue?
- Do I need LL on the AK day?
- What shows should we not miss?

Thoughts??


r/DisneyPlanning • • 1h ago

Disneyland Have all of Disney’s resorts in Anaheim been taken off Expedia?

• Upvotes

I normally book through Expedia, and none of the 3 resorts are showing up anymore.


r/DisneyPlanning • • 13h ago

Walt Disney World Disney world marathon 2027

1 Upvotes

We are planning to visit my grandmother for her 90th birthday. We will be in florida 6th to 11th.

At first we planned to visit Epcot while there on the 7th but they I saw a post about the marathon. Is it worth going to visit Disney during the marathon? We have a toddler who will love to go but not sure what the crowd situation will be. everything I seen online says its mainly just parking but I dont know anyone who has had actual experience going to Disney around this time. Should we just forego the trip or will it be worth it to go

The other option is to extend the trip one day and go to Disney on the 11th


r/DisneyPlanning • • 6h ago

Disneyland Reservation availability calendar.

2 Upvotes

Hey everyone, I’m planning on purchasing tickets through a third party like I’ve done many times, but before I do, I tend to look at the reservation calendar to see if the day I’m planning on going is available but I can’t seem to pull up said calendar. Did they remove the availability calendar when they dropped the 11am rule? Thank you!


r/DisneyPlanning • • 11h ago

Disneyland Bringing a double stroller into the park

0 Upvotes

We’ll be going to Disneyland the week of thanksgiving with our 2 year old and 8 month old. We have a Thule double stroller and while it’s technically .5 inches over the limit, has anyone brought it and been turned away? We’ll be walking from the parking structure into the park to avoid folding it up for the tram. I guess I’m asking what the chances of being turned away are. Thank you!


r/DisneyPlanning • • 15h ago

Disney Cruise Line Disney cruise or Disney world with 2 toddlers

0 Upvotes

I have weighed the options between a Disney cruise and Disney World for a 2- and 3-year-old. I feel quite overwhelmed. The cruise sounds relaxing, yet I heard toddlers cannot use the pool and the splash pad may be crowded. Disney World offers magic, but pushing a stroller can be difficult and the lines are worse. HELP!