13 Tips to Avoid Meltdowns at Disneyland
My friend Keri took her family of five to Disneyland on a budget, and she came home with a list of hard-won wisdom on keeping everyone happy. Given how many tears I've seen in the park, I knew you'd want it too. Here's Keri.
Disneyland may be the happiest place on earth, but it can turn into meltdown city fast, for kids and adults. The crowds, lines, noise, and late nights are a lot more stimulation than everyday life. These tips (plus a few deep breaths) will help you stay happy and sane.
1. Plan Around Your Youngest
Disney is magical at any age, but it's extra magical for little ones. If your youngest is thrilled by something you'd rather skip, go anyway. Next trip, they may not care about it at all. Adjust your expectations to their wishes and remember they won't be this little forever.
2. Act Like a Kid
Take yourself less seriously. Laugh at the corny jokes, hug the characters, and let your inner child out. Keeping your serious parent face on all day will wear you out by day two.
3. Set a Souvenir Budget
Saying "no" over and over is no fun for anyone. Give each person a souvenir budget so kids know they're making a choice, not begging. We also asked our kids to wait until the last day to buy, so they could see everything first and avoid buyer's remorse.
4. Play the Games
I rarely spring for arcade games at home, but at Disneyland I give in. The Main Street Penny Arcade and the Frontierland Shootin' Exposition are favorites, and the midway games at Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure are a fun splurge.
5. Encourage, but Don't Force
Some kids balk at rides you know they'd love. Nudge gently, but stop before tears. Work up gradually. Once our boys loved a small coaster in Toontown, we knew they were ready for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Respect each child's personality, too. Some kids find dark rides spooky or loud shows overwhelming, and that's okay. If anyone gets motion sickness, take precautions before you hit the rides.
6. Break Up the Day
Hours of standing in line can push anyone over the edge. Schedule shows or a parade during the afternoon slump, alternate thrill rides with gentle ones, and let kids burn off energy at places like Tom Sawyer Island, Toontown, or the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.
7. Split Up
With kids of different ages, divide and conquer for part of the day. One parent takes the big kids on Indiana Jones Adventure while the other takes the little ones somewhere gentler. Meet up again at Pirates of the Caribbean. Everyone gets rides they love, with less sibling grumbling.
8. Eat Real Food
Bringing your own snacks and meals (allowed at Disneyland) gives you more control over what your kids eat, and it saves money. Space out the sweets. I learned this the hard way the night I let everyone have ice cream for dinner and one child got sick. Oops.
9. Check Height Requirements Before You Go
Look up ride height requirements and measure your kids (with shoes on) at home, so nobody gets their heart set on a ride they can't go on. Disney's app lets you check this, and rider-switch options let parents take turns on rides with height limits.
10. Caffeinate
Feeling your own meltdown coming? Grab a coffee on Main Street U.S.A. or Buena Vista Street. Even better, take a few kid-free minutes to enjoy it.
11. Take a Midday Break
Even kids past the napping age benefit from a rest. Head back to your hotel during the hottest part of the day, especially if you plan to stay late for fireworks.
12. Bring Extra Family
Some of my best childhood Disney memories involve a fun uncle or older cousins tagging along. Grandparents and relatives can even out your group for ride vehicles, entertain the kids, and maybe even give parents a kid-free date night in the park.
13. Be Flexible (but Have a Plan)
You'll make a million decisions in the park. Go in with a rough plan so everyone is on the same page, but leave room for long lines, weather, and grumpiness.
No matter how well you plan, you can't do it all. That just means you'll have to go back, and Disneyland is a little different every time.
What are your best tips for avoiding meltdowns? Share them in the comments!
Planning a Disney trip? See 5 free things you probably haven't done at Disneyland and our Walt Disney World planning guide.
