There are many websites that are already out there that discuss the pros and cons of travel to theme parks such as Disneyland. In my husband’s 23 years of annual pass experience at Disneyland, he’s also picked up a few tips that might not be found on those websites, especially when dealing with young children.

Did you know that there is a baby care center located at the end of Main Street on the east side? Not only can you buy any baby necessities and find a quiet place to nurse, but they also have little potties for the recently potty trained set.

Did you know that most of the Fantasyland rides and rides like Pirates of the Carribean and the Haunted Mansion do not have age or size restrictions? That means you take your newborn on the Haunted Mansion or Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride (that is, if you feel they are up for it!)

Since you are not supposed to bring in your own food, did you know that you can get relatively inexpensive food at several of the food service restaurants in Downtown Disney? A particulary good place to hit is Wetzel’s Prezels where you can get a pretzel dog and soda for about the price of just a soda inside Disneyland. Even better yet, get your handstamped and walk out of Disneyland and head east. Cross Harbor Boulevard and have lunch at McDonalds. Just make sure you keep your ticket stub to show with your handstamp for re-entry. If you decide to eat inside the park try to eat between 10:30 and 11:30 AM, 2 PM and 4 PM or after 8 PM to avoid lines and busy tables.

Did you know that even during the busy summer and Christmas seasons that if you arrive when the park opens and head to the Fantasyland rides, your little ones can get in a ride on all of the attractions with minimal wait times. The crowds don’t really start building until 11 AM.

My favorite tip for your 5 year old is aboard the Mark Twain steamboat. Just as soon as the boat gets underway, head to the top deck and knock on the door leading to the wheelhouse where the pilot sits. If you don’t get an immediate answer, open the door and politely ask if you and your little one can come up for a ride. More often than not, they’ll oblige and your child will have a memory to last a lifetime. You will have the opportunity to sign a guestbook and sometimes your child will even get a certificate.

There are lots of changes that have happened at Disneyand in the past month. Once we scope them out, we’ll come back here and make a post about them. This includes the new Pirates Cove themeing at Tom Sawyer’s Island and the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage.