During our recent trip to Vancouver Island, BC last month, we really only had one day to explore the Pacific Rim National Park, so we needed to make the most of it! Two of the biggest draws in the park are the beaches and the rain forest, so in selecting the main hike for our morning, Schooner Cove was the clear choice since it would provide us with a little bit of both!
6 Reasons for Families to Plan Ahead for Travel
We often get poked fun of or are the recipients of eye rolls because of how far in advance we plan for travel, but we have our reasons for making travel arrangements ahead of time! While I know it’s not for everyone, and we certainly don’t end up scheduling in advance for every trip, I wanted to share why we plan ahead, and why we think it’s such a good thing for families to consider.
At the time I’m actually writing this post, summer vacation is about 3 months away, so it really is smart to be thinking about trip ideas and booking tickets and lodging if you haven’t already!
One-on-one Outings with Kids: Special Adventures Provide Special Connection
When I was a mom of one, I never thought twice about one-on-one outings with Bergen (our 4-year old). That was just life as I knew it, the regular routine of errands or adventures. Now as a mom of two, even though that 2nd child can’t even walk or talk (and she’s often quite content tagging along in the carrier or stroller), opportunities where it’s just the two of us, mother and son, are so precious.
Not only do I get to experience life with my little guy without distraction and interruptions for “baby stuff”, but all the typical ways that he tends to misbehave seem to disappear. I know it’s because I can give him my full attention and it’s not necessarily the destination or what we happen to be doing. Just going to Goodwill together is such a blast! Bergen senses that my focus is on him, and he doesn’t need to do anything special, or outrageous in order to connect with me. [Read more…]
Vancouver Island Family Road Trip to Victoria & Tofino: 7-Day Itinerary
Thank you to Moon Travel Guides for Sponsoring this post. All opinions are mine alone.
We just returned from our much anticipated road trip to Vancouver Island with visits to Victoria and Tofino! We have many stories to share, with ups and downs worth reflecting on, but first I wanted to give you an overview of our journey! Vancouver Island, located in British Columbia on the Pacific coast of Canada, truly is a special place, and I can’t wait to dive into the specifics and tell some of the tales of our adventure.
In the meantime though, here you’ll find our 7-day itinerary with activity highlights, and some of the restaurants we chose for our meals (one of our favorite parts of travel). You’ll see that we broke up our roughly 7 days of travel into 2 destinations: Victoria & Tofino. This provided a great balance of city and small town. Victoria is British Columbia’s capital city, and while it’s smaller than it’s close neighbor Vancouver, it’s still a thriving metropolis with a population of about 350,000 in the greater area. Tofino is a small coastal town (about 4.5 hours from Victoria) on the Pacific Ocean of just under 2,000 residents.
Family Road Trip to Victoria & Tofino, BC
Road Trip Packing List for Families with Babies and Young Children
We’ll soon be traveling to Vancouver Island, British Columbia for a week of fun and adventure mostly centered around the towns of Victoria and Tofino. It’s hard for me to believe and sort of embarrassing to admit that I wasn’t more organized, but until just recently, I was writing out a new packing list for EVERY SINGLE trip we took! Often I would copy or use a previous packing list as reference, but what a waste of time!
I’ve finally compiled all the notes and scraps of paper, from over 4 years of traveling as a mom, into an organized road trip packing list. Now, I can just quickly print off the list, add items specific to the particular trip we are taking at the time, and start packing!
Oregon-California Road Trip: Oregon State Capitol in Salem
On our spring break road trip last year, we traveled through three states (Washington, Oregon & California), and managed to drive through each of those states’ capital cities. We only actually stopped at one of them though. I’d visited Olympia and Sacramento before, so I was happy that a pit stop in Salem, Oregon was part of our agenda.
Salem is located about 3.5 hours south of Seattle (1 hour from Portland), and worked well as our first overnight stop since we’d started our drive mid-day. We also have family in the city, which made the stopover even sweeter as we were able to introduce Georgia (3 months at the time) to Slaed’s aunt, uncle, and cousin.
How to Prepare for Cabin Camping with Kids
We love taking advantage of the cabins available through our state park system. We try to plan cabin getaways at least twice a year. Lodging is inexpensive, and preparing for cabin camping is a whole lot easier than tent camping via the car or backpacking. Our most recent cabin camping experience was at Samuel P. Taylor State Park in Marin County (north of San Francisco), and we have our next cabin camping trip planned for this spring at Ike Kinswa State Park about 2 hours south of Seattle in Lewis County.
Wenatchee, WA’s Chateau Faire Le Pont Winery: 5 Reasons to Visit
While visiting Wenatchee, Washington last fall, we were treated to a wine tasting from Chateau Faire Le Pont, a winery in the north end of town close the the confluence of the Columbia and Wenatchee rivers. We arrived in the late afternoon in order to beat the evening crowd, and take advantage of some free time before dinner elsewhere in the city.
Things can go terribly wrong when wine tasting with kids, if you’re not prepared (our tips here), but our experience at Chateau Faire Le Pont was lovely, and I wanted to share a few of the reasons why this particular place felt special to me. I know when we’re back in town, I’ll certainly want to stop back in, and maybe someday, we’ll even have the pleasure of enjoying a meal in their dining room.
Exploring Oakland, CA: The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse
The last thing you might think of for exploring a city while on vacation is to go visit a store full of junk, however, that’s exactly what Bergen, my mother-in-law, and I did while we were in Oakland, California for Christmas. After spending 2 days camping in Samuel P. Taylor State Park in their rustic cabins, we had just 1 day to relax in Oakland, where Slaed’s sister & her family call home. So while Georgia (our 1-year old) napped, we paid a visit to the East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse.
Shopping with a 4-year old little boy can be stressful at times, at least with my particular 4-year old. I’m worried that he’ll break things or mess up displays, but shopping at a junk store with a 4-year old was a pleasure! Treasures to delight him were around every corner, and nothing (within reach) is too terribly valuable.
Drawers full of crayons, markers, and pencils!
Christmas Vacation: Samuel P. Taylor State Park + Cabins
Before we get any further into 2016, I wanted to share some of our 2015 Christmas vacation with you! We visited family down in the Bay Area, and instead of crowding into family members homes, renting a vacation house or staying in a hotel (though we did spend one night at a Hilton Garden Inn), we rented cabins, and camped in a state park about 30 miles northwest of San Francisco.
Truth be told between travel, set-up, clean-up, and packing-up, it was a lot of work, but for me WELL WORTH all the effort. I put together a video that features a tour of the cabins, a little bit of our Christmas celebration, and some snapshots and clips from our hikes around the park.
Visiting Wenatchee, Washington with Kids
We traveled to Wenatchee, Washington (located about 2.5 hours east of Seattle) this fall to escape the hustle and bustle of our busy city before the holidays, and get the chance to take in the beautiful autumn colors of North Central Washington. However, Wenatchee, and the entire North Central Washington region is a destination that’s fitting anytime of year! The area boasts almost 300 days of sunshine annually, yet 4 distinct seasons, making it great for families looking to enjoy the outdoors.
For this particular visit, we had 2 nights to enjoy the small city of about 33,000, also known as the Apple Capital of the World. Based on our experience, I put together our recommendations for things to do, places to eat, and where to stay when visiting Wenatchee, Washington with kids!
Things to do when Visiting Wenatchee, Washington with Kids
Pybus Market
Air Travel with a Soft Structured Carrier: What Parents/Babywearers Should Know
Our soft structured carrier (we use the Ergo) has been a lifesaver for us when it comes to flying with our babies. It might actually be our number one thing for parents of babies and young toddlers to bring with them when traveling by air plane, aside from extra clothes, diapers, and wipes of course. The carrier allows me to be hands free so that I can pull luggage or hold my preschooler’s hand, I’m not bogged down with a stroller, and it provides a place for the child to sleep or just hang out around the airport and on the plane.
There are several important things to be aware of though before venturing off with your little one. Hopefully these little pieces of information will help you know what to expect so that your not caught off guard when approached by a TSA officer or flight attendant. Safe travels!
Wenatchee, WA Weekend in Pictures
Last weekend we got to enjoy the small city of Wenatchee, Washington. Wenatchee is located in North Central Washington about 2.5 hours from Seattle and 3 hours from Spokane, Washington at the confluence of the Wenatchee and Columbia Rivers.
After Slaed attended a conference there over the summer and brought back various tourism information showcasing their new public market and natural beauty of the region, I knew I just had to get out to Wenatchee! I had to see it all for myself, or at least more than just a passing through for breakfast or lunch like I’d done once or twice on our way elsewhere.
Wenatchee’s claim to fame is Apples, and the city identifies as the Apple Capital of the world. Washington State produces the most apples in the U.S. (about 100 million boxes), and a huge chunk of the deliciously tasty fruit comes from the Wenatchee Valley. Fun fact: Every single one of those apples are picked by hand!
Since the area boasts 300 days of sunshine a year (plus rich lava-ash soil), it’s ideal for growing apples, but it’s also ideal for a family who may be a little tired of the rainy Western Washington late fall & winter. We didn’t get sunshine for this visit, but we did get a break from the precipitation, especially on this particular day where there was flooding, high winds, and power outages all throughout the state.
Be on the look out for a full city guide of things to do with kids, places to eat, and where to stay, but in the meantime please enjoy this quick snapshot of our trip!
2015 Holiday Gift Ideas for the Young Traveler and Outdoor Adventurer
Here come the Holidays! I must admit–the thought of a Holiday Gift Guide just a couple of days ago made me want to run for the hills, or maybe crawl under a rock. I’ve decided to lighten up a bit though, and just let the holidays happen. I want to be present, enjoy the reason for the season, and appreciate how excited my children get at the sight of twinkle lights, Christmas trees, and ornaments. Plus, gift giving is so much fun!
Here are my picks to help inspire and equip young travelers and outdoor adventurers:
Gifts for the Young Traveler
No Layovers! Why Flying Direct with kids (and renting a car) Works for Us
When you are traveling from your city to another major city, of course it makes sense to fly direct. It’s faster and more streamlined–that’s no question. But what about (long haul) travel to a smaller area when a layover and 2nd flight is almost always necessary?
You might be surprised, for example that when we travel to the Carolinas to visit family, we often fly to the Atlanta airport. And instead of catching a connecting flight to Charlotte, we drive over 4 hours to where our family lives. We had a similar situation with our trip to the Outer Banks in September. We flew into Washington, D.C. and drove 4.5 hours to our family’s cottage in Duck, North Carolina instead of connecting to Norfolk. Also, instead of flying directly to Wisconsin for a week-long vacation there a couple summers ago, we flew in and out of Chicago, and rented a car to travel to Madison and further north to a small town on Lake Michigan.
We have our reasons, and I thought they might provide some help or ideas in planning your holiday travel and vacations in the new year. One important factor: These reasons are all based on the fact that we need a car at our destination, and would rent one regardless of how close our ultimate destination was to the airport.
Seattle Scavenger Hunt (with printable) for Kids
We love exploring our city and especially love seeing the sights we’ve known and gone to for years through the eyes of our children. Seattle has so much to offer for the entire family. At least from our perspective, there are landmarks, attractions, museums, and parks that we can enjoy just as much as our kids.
For Bergen (now 4 years old), the more we involve him in our everyday adventures around town and in our travels around the country, the richer the experience becomes. When I saw how engaged he was recently as we completed a scavenger hunt together at his school, it got me thinking. Wouldn’t it be fun to hunt for various items that identify our city and make it unique? Why not create our own Seattle Scavenger Hunt?
2 Days in Missoula, Montana with Kids
Missoula, Montana was the last leg of our big Idaho-Montana road trip this past summer. Missoula is near and dear to our hearts. Slaed went to college there at the University of Montana, and for me, Missoula was the very first town that I visited in Montana. That may not seem like a big deal, but Montana was high on my list of places to see, so I have fond memories of crossing the border from Idaho, where I was volunteering with Americorps after college, to Big Sky Country.
For this particular visit, we stayed two nights, and as usual managed to squeeze in quite a bit of fun and activity into our days. This was our first time bringing the kids to Missoula and so much nostalgia comes along with visiting your old college town, so we had a lot to show them! My guide of what to do, where to eat, and where to stay with kids will hopefully give you an idea of what we were up to, and provide you with some possible plans for when you decide to visit!
Highlights from 6 Days in North Carolina’s Outer Banks
A week in North Carolina’s Outer Banks was quite the trek for our wild little family, but the cross country flight and decent (4.5 hours) car ride were more than worth the hassle to have an unforgettable experience.
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Quality time spend with my brother, sister, and their families, plus my mom and dad, a family friend, and my cousin & her family.
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A chance for Bergen and Georgia to play with their cousins (6 in all)
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Getting to show Slaed, Bergen and Georgia my family’s beach cottage and the place my family vacationed throughout my entire childhood, but haven’t visited in 10 years!
In short the trip involved a lot of sand, a lot of sun (and sunscreen), many magical sunsets, and a ton of tasty meals. I’m sharing a few snapshots and highlights here, but as always stay tuned for more nitty-gritty details in the coming weeks.
We spent the majority of our time in Duck, a small town on the northern end of the Outer Banks. However, you’ll see from the quick photo essay that we ventured north to visit Corolla Beach Lighthouse as well as south to climb the east coast’s tallest sand dunes at Jockey’s Ridge, and honor our wizards in the flight at the Wright Brother’s Memorial.
Visiting Helena, Montana with Kids
Helena, Montana was supposed to be a resting place in our 12-day Idaho-Montana road trip. A “lull” of sorts between our lake adventures at Flathead and our high country explorations in Red Lodge. Instead, we ended up doing and seeing a lot in Helena because as we researched prior to the trip, and as we talked with friends about the small capital city, the more we wanted to experience.
I absolutely adore this town appreciating it’s history, charm, and family friendliness. The hospitality that I’ve grown to expect (and respect) in Montana shined through from the hotel to dining establishments, and all the activities we participated in in-between. I can’t wait to get back and experience more!
Things to Do when Visiting Helena, Montana with Kids
Last Chance Gulch (Helena’s Walking Mall)
Taking a wander up and down this outdoor walking mall was the first thing we did when we arrived in Helena. After our the drive from Flathead Lake, it gave everyone the opportunity to stretch their legs, and jump right into learning about the town’s history. Last Chance Gulch was where gold was first discovered in Helena in 1864. Unique local shops and restaurants line walkway that runs from 6th Avenue to Broadway with statues, interactive displays, and historical bits and pieces to admire and learn from along the way.
Red Lodge, Montana Adventures: Beartooth Highway
On our first full day in town, our friends and Red Lodge hosts had quite the adventure up their sleeves! Luckily they prepped us with a hardy breakfast complete with stacks of fluffy pancakes, fresh fruit, and their family tradition of little smokies.
Then we filed into our car and followed wondering what we might be getting into. As we began to climb higher into the mountains after driving just a few minutes out of town, Slaed got his bearings. He realized that we were traveling through the Beartooth Highway, arguably one of the most beautiful mountain passes in the states.
Red Lodge is located in south-central Montana about an hour from Billings. We had the pleasure of staying with dear friends in their family cabin for a few days as part of our 12-day Idaho-Montana road trip.
12 days, 5 Destinations: Idaho-Montana Road Trip
Greetings from the road! Our Idaho-Montana road trip is coming to a close so as the kids nap at our vacation rental here in Missoula, Montana I thought I’d check-in with a quick overview of our trip.
Days 1, 2 & 3: Hayden Lake, Idaho
Traveling to See Out-of-Town Grandparents: 10 Tips for a Fun and Successful Visit!
With all four of our children’s grandparents living a significant distance away from our home here in Seattle, we have quite a bit of experience with out of town visits. Lucky for us, we love to travel, AND each of our parents happen to live in fun, beautiful locales.
Through the years, we’ve learned ways to make each trip comfortable for everyone involved, and at the same time memorable and special. If you take the following into consideration, we think you too will have a successful visit with the grandparents.
1. Length of Stay.
We suggest planning well in advance, and settling on an ideal number of days that is comfortable for both you and your host. Personally we think that a week would be the longest we’d stay (unless we rented a vacation home) with 4 or 5 nights being the most ideal. However itineraries greatly depend on how far you might be traveling. When we travel all the way across the country, we tend to plan a longer stay. Regardless, be sure to send your host a copy of your itinerary so they are aware of your travel arrangements!
2. Sleeping Arrangements.
Consider your sleeping arrangements at home and what works best for you and your kids. Then work with your host ahead of time to plan for a similar set up. In a perfect world we would all have our own separate spaces just like at home, but we all know that is hard to recreate on the road. We do get creative though, and have had kids sleeping in closets and laundry rooms! Definitely important to think outside the box. Not all grandparents have ample room (or are prepared to accommodate entire families) in their homes, so vacation rentals should also be considered. VRBO, Home Away, and Airbnb are great places to start.
3. Food.
Our parents have always been happy to stock up on a few important food staples to make the kids feel more at home, and to make meal time easier. Milk, bread, fruit, cheese, and cereal seem to please most. Come up with a short list a few days before your trip, and make sure to alert your hosts of food allergies.
4. Toys and books.
A few toys and a small collection of books picked up at the thrift store or goodwill (even the dollar store!) will go a long way with keeping little ones entertained and happy while grown-ups visit and catch up. This also comes in handy for those early risers who need some amusement before the rest of the house wakes up. See if your host might be willing to do a little shopping for you ahead of time.
5. Transportation.
Important questions to think about:
- Car Seats?
- Number of spots in the host’s car?
- Will you need a rental car?
- Is your host able to pick you up at the airport, train station, etc?
6. Kid/Baby Accessories.
Note all of the devices and accessories that you use for your routines at home. Choose what’s essential, and work with your host to see if they are able to secure any items for you. Car seats, high chairs, strollers, baby seats/swings can often be rented or collected from friends and family nearby.
7. Activities.
We try to do a bit of research ahead of time to get an idea of some of the attractions and sights we are most interested in seeing. We prepare for a balance of activity and downtime so as not to exhaust everyone. We also consider what would work best for the ages (and nap times) of our kids at the time of that particular visit. We also leave wiggle room (or talk ahead) for allowing our hosts to choose activities–no need to run the entire show!
8. Courtesy and Flexibility (Dos and Don’ts).
Do make yourself aware of your host’s sleeping preferences. If your hosts go to bed early, keep the house quiet in the evening. If they like to sleep in, do your best to quiet your kids if they are early risers. We often take the kids outside for a walk or run to get coffee in the morning.
Do clean up after yourself and your children. Dishes, picking up clothes & toys, straightening up in the bathroom, making beds all should be part of your routine.
Don’t plan a rigid and packed schedule. No need to micromanage the entire visit. Plan for a few activities or have a loose outline, and leave the rest to figure out as you go.
Don’t leave without tidying up. Talk to your host and find out what would be most helpful. You might strip the beds and start a load of laundry with linens and towels, but check with your host first!
9. Kid/Baby Proof.
Close to our arrival, we try to do a quick sweep of the home for potential hazards and items that are breakable and within the reach of tiny hands. Often our parents do this ahead of time any way, but sometimes they miss things or don’t realize just how destructive kids can be at times! Better to be safe than sorry with valuable, important, and/or sentimental possessions. We also talk with our kids, and lay down some ground rules for what’s okay and not okay to touch.
10. Gifts and Thank yous.
Simple gifts go a long way in showing hosts how much you appreciate their hospitality and willingness to open their home to you. Coffee, a bottle of wine, a candle, flowers, or something special from your hometown are all good gifts that come to mind. Hosts might also appreciate being taken out for a meal, or having a meal cooked for them at home. When we return home, we always send a written thank you note. Sometimes we even enclose photos from our visit!
What else should families consider when visiting out-of-town grandparents?
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Southeast USA Travel: Waxhaw, NC with Kids
Waxhaw, North Carolina isn’t exactly a hot spot for tourism or a big adventure destination, but since we’ve visited the lovely small town a few times now, and it’s where my sister and her family call home, I thought it deserved a little attention.
Waxhaw is located about 40 minutes south of (downtown) Charlotte, and is situated just over 2 miles from the North Carolina-South Carolina border. This proximity actually causes a great debate around the region as to where the true birth place of our 7th president, Andrew Jackson, was born. Both states claim him as their own and feature plaques depicting this to be true. In my opinion, after visiting Andrew Jackson State Park in Lancaster, South Carolina, the Palmetto State gets to hold the title, but that’s neither here nor there.
Since we always stay with family, I don’t have recommendations for lodging or accommodations, but I do have plenty of recommendations for fun activities and delicious dining!
Where to Play in Waxhaw
Disneyland with a Preschooler: How to Prepare for a Successful Trip
Just before the Diamond Celebration (60th Anniversary) hullabaloo at Disneyland got started, Slaed and Bergen (3.5 years old) squeaked in a visit to the park for the little guy’s first Disney experience. While I was somewhat bummed that I wouldn’t be present for Bergen’s introduction to the happiest place on earth, there’s definitely something to be said about a solo-parent and child trip. Bergen got the one-on-one attention that he craves, and the whole weekend was able to be focused around him and his preferences and needs making it all a huge success.
Parents have to do what’s best for their particular family, but we believe that 3 years is the best age for a first time visit. The child is old enough to understand and navigate on their own, there are plenty of rides for them to go on, and the experience for them is positively magical and awe inspiring. Slaed reported that our normally rambunctious little boy spent the majority of his time sitting, wide eyed with his mouth open captivated by the all of the action happening around him.
After months of preparation and research, combined with his own knowledge from numerous visits to the park prior, Slaed put together an amazing itinerary. Their experience, one day in Disneyland and one day in California adventure was nothing but positive. I picked his brain, and we’ve put together 9 tips to help parents plan and prepare for a trip that is just as successful.
1. Tear-Free in Disneyland
Soon after Slaed decided to take Bergen to Disneyland, he purchased the Tear-Free in Disneyland book. He read it cover to cover, studying up almost every night during the months prior to their trip. The book is filled with practical tips and ideas for making the whole Disney experience positive and stress free. He learned a ton, and gained the confidence and bravery needed to tackle it all on his own. Many (but not all!) of the the tips that follow come from or are adapted from the book.
2. Buy Your Tickets
Make sure to purchase tickets directly through Disneyland. Doing so ahead of time will give you peace of mind, and save you from waiting in one more line! In our opinion, there is no need for park hopper passes when you are visiting Disney with little kids. Focus on one park per day. Slaed and Bergen spent one day in Disneyland, and one day in California Adventure.
3. Get Your Kid(s) Excited!
You may know all about Disneyland, but mostly likely, and certainly in Bergen’s case, your kids have little to no idea what the park is really all about. Even if they visited as a baby or toddler, they are unlikely to remember much. Just like we build background knowledge before visiting a new destination, we worked to make sure he had an understanding of what the experience would be like. Our suggestions:
- Watch Videos: Poke around and find shows, programs, music videos, etc. that feature the park itself. We recommend, Sing Along Songs Disneyland Fun. It’s just 30 minutes long, and takes you on a tour of the park while singing classic Disney songs (“It’s A Small World”, “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah”, “Whistle While You Work”…).
- Coloring Books with Characters: Bergen received a Disneyland coloring book from the flight attendants during a couple of our Alaska Airlines flights prior to the trip. This worked out perfectly to teach him about the classic characters (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, etc.).
- Picture Books: Check your library for books that show the park experience. D is for Disneyland is a great example as it has pictures showing the rides, quick facts about rides, and fun historical information.
4. Purchase Gifts and Gear
Plan ahead so you can shop sales and consignment stores for shirts, hats, and maybe even underwear for your big trip. Buying at the park (and in Downtown Disney) is very expensive and wastes precious park time. Slaed also bought a few small gifts (Tow Mater & Lightning McQueen hot wheel type cars & a small doddle board) to give Bergen once they arrived. This prevented Bergen from asking to buy things in the gift shops, and also gave him something to do while waiting in line.
5. Ride Research
Know the following about all the rides and attractions:
- Height limits–measure your child!
- Fear Factors–dark, heights, pirates, thunder…can all be scary to kids. Know what your kid can handle.
- Closed rides–some rides are closed for various reasons. Know this ahead of time so that no one is disappointed!
- Make a priority list of what rides your kid wants to do. Slaed and Bergen had about 10 on their list (for 1 day in Disneyland), so anything additional was a bonus!
- Bonus tip: Mickey’s Toontown (a top attraction for preschoolers) opens one hour after the park opens, so choose rides close to this area for your first hour or so in the park. Bergen and Slaed checked It’s a Small World, Dumbo, & the Teacups off their list, and were right at the entrance to Toon Town when it opened. They were immediately greeted by all the characters & met 4 or 5 in a matter of just 10-15 minutes!
6. Get Restaurant Reservations
If you are interested in dining at any of the popular restaurants throughout the park, we highly recommend that you secure reservations ahead of time. Disney allows you to do this up to 60 days in advance. You can find a list of the restaurants here, but Slaed suggests the Blue Bayou, and recommends lunch over dinner to save money. Not only is the food tasty, but the atmosphere prepared Bergen for the Pirates of the Caribbean—a ride that was definitely a stretch for him as far as fear factor.
7. Don’t Bring a Stroller!
Contrary to popular belief, the stroller will actually just slow you down rather than making travel throughout the park quicker. Disneyland is crowded. You’ll constantly be running into people, will always have to worry about parking the stroller, and your child won’t really engage in the full experience. Go on walks frequently (everyday!) prior to your visit to Disneyland to build stamina. Overall, you and your child will do a lot of walking at Disneyland, but it’s never that much all at once since you just pop from ride to ride, attraction to attraction, etc.
8. Character Alert!
Know whether or not your child is afraid of people in costumes, mascots, and dressed up characters. We were lucky enough to get to test this out during our trip to Oahu when we attended Aulani’s character breakfast, and we also attend plenty of sporting events to get an idea of how Bergen reacts to the mascots like the Seattle Mariner Moose. When he met Mickey for the first time, he was surprised at how big he was compared to the Mickey that he is used to watching on TV! If your child is too afraid, you can just avoid that whole aspect of the park experience. My friend Keryn from WalkingonTravels.com has an excellent post about tackling your child’s mascot/character fears.
9. Day Before/Day of Tips
- Makes sure EVERYONE gets a good night’s sleep.
- Eat breakfast before entering the park (saves money & time). Bring snacks along. As long as you are not bringing an entire picnic meal, Disney is okay with you bringing in small food items. Hungry kids get cranky, so be prepared!
- Talk to your child(ren) about the plan for the day so that they know what to expect. Show them a map & circle the priority rides on your list.
- Arrive 10-15 minutes before the gates open. No need to arrive SUPER early. You’ll just end up waiting in yet another line. If you can time it perfectly, just arrive exactly when the gates open–you’ll get right in, the lines go quickly at that point.
- Plan to leave the park for rest/nap time. If you build this into your day, to your kid, it’ll just be part of the experience. It’s essential to recharge EVERYONE’s batteries. It’s just not worth it to try to “do it all” and run you and your kids ragged. Leave when it’s fun, NOT when your kids are completely exhausted, and you’re dragging them out of the place kicking and screaming.
- Wondering about fireworks? We say, don’t worry about it. You’re better off getting back “home” so your preschooler can get to bed fairly close to their bedtime. Plus, you’ll avoid the crazy crowd exiting right as the fireworks show is over.
Have you been to any of the Disney Parks? We’d love to hear about one of your highlights! Or…share your own tip for how to prepare for a successful trip.
For more great money saving tips, head to Trekaroo where you’ll find 15 Money Saving Tips for Disneyland Deals!
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Summer Gear We Love for Traveling and Adventuring Tots
1. Klean Kanteen Water Bottle.
Bergen uses this water bottle all year long (he’s had it since he was about 1.5 years), but we find it especially essential during the hot summer months. Klean Kanteen bottles (I have one too) are easy to clean, BPA-free, and extremely durable.
Both Slaed and Bergen “live” in their Keen Sandals in the summer. Open enough to keep feet cool, but structured (and closed-toed) enough to hike, walk, ride bikes, wade, stroll the beach…you get the idea!
Super stylish, durable, and 100% UVA & UVB production for sensitive little eyes. Plus, if they are lost or broken within a year of purchase, Babiator will replace the glasses for free!
We tested out this sunscreen during our trip to Oahu last fall, and found it to be a reliable sunscreen–no burns, no sensitivities, just happy skin! The bottle is still going strong this summer, and I’ve found that I love it even more. Since its chemical free, its safe for the whole family–even little Georgia, and we’ve found that a little goes a long way. We’re actually using less of the Block Island Sunscreen to cover our skin compared to some of the more mainstream brands.
With Bergen attending forest school this summer (and for the upcoming school year) and for as much time as we spend outdoors in general, not to mention the unusually hot summer we’ve had this year, I love that we found this moisture wicking tee while shopping the North Face sales recently. It even has a pocket on the back of the neck that you can pack the entire t-shirt into! We think it’ll be his go-to summer shirt.
6. REI Sunhat
We are fair people, and need as much sun protection as we can get, so I love how much coverage this hat provides for Bergen’s face and neck. There’s a bungee on the back for adjustments, it’s made of moisture-wicking material, it’s lightweight, & dries quickly.
Do you have a favorite summer-specific item for travel and outdoor adventure? Do share!
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