SoCal and Disneyland: 7 Vacation Essentials When Traveling with a Toddler

Wow, I can’t believe we are headed down to Southern California and Disneyland AGAIN. If you didn’t know, Tanner, Lillian, and I went in the end of January with some of his younger siblings, and now we are going again with my side of the family. No complaints here! We love Disney, and so does our little girl. Kind of crazy that she’s going twice before two, but whatever, haha.

Traveling and vacationing with a toddler/baby is very different and something Tanner and I didn’t really think about before having our daughter. When we first started traveling with her, it took a suitcase and two carry-ons because we never knew what to expect. Now we have gotten it down to just a suitcase and a carry-on (not including the diaper bag and backpack).

Are you ready for my funny list of things I need as a mom going on vacation? Let’s get started.

A Fanny Pack

Yes, you read that correctly. Don’t worry; fanny packs are making a comeback! I originally got my fanny pack from Amazon when I was pregnant, so almost two years ago? Unfortunately, the one I bought is no longer available, but there are a lot of great options! Here is one that caught my eye! I like this one because it has a lot of pockets and it can fit a lot of stuff in it, and I like the grey! I like to keep my wallet and phone in my fanny pack and perhaps a little snack too because I just like to have easy access to those things. It also helps me not worry about losing those items because I can easily check to make sure they are there.

Diaper Bag Backpack

Sadly, you can’t fit eight diapers, a pack of wipes, sippy cups, and all of those other baby essentials in a fanny pack. Using a one shoulder diaper bag would also hurt your shoulder by the end of a busy day at Disney, so we got a diaper bag backpack for when we go on vacations (we got it last time we went to Disneyland). I got my diaper bag from Target, it is Cloud Island. I like it a lot because I like the height and depth of the backpack. I also like how it has a pop of color! We are so glad we got a backpack for vacation instead of our usual diaper bag. If you don’t already have one, then I highly recommend you get one, especially if you are a mom who travels a lot.

A Baby Carrier

I am assuming most moms already bring their stroller, but have you considered a baby carrier too? The reason why I am suggesting this is because if you are waiting in a line for half an hour, or longer, your arms can get pretty tired, so having a baby carrier makes a huge difference! We forgot ours last time we went to Disneyland, but luckily we had a big group so we all took turns carrying Lillian. This time around I do NOT want to forget it! Lillian is not walking yet and she is a lot bigger than she was at eight months, so our baby carrier is definitely coming with us! We use the Ergobaby 360 and have loved it!

Lots of Fluids

Whether you are waiting in lines all day at Disney or playing on the beach, you need to be sure to stay hydrated, especially in the summer! We are definitely going to be drinking lots of water and I plan to buy some Pedialyte for us to drink. Yes, you can drink Pedialyte as an adult. I actually like it better than Gatorade for when I am not feeling well or I am feeling a bit dehydrated because Pedialyte has less sugar than Gatorade.

Swim Diapers

Going to California, we are definitely planning on lounging in a pool and letting Lillian dip her feet in the ocean for the first time too. Sometimes you dip a little more in than just the feet, and that is why it is good to remember to bring swim diapers for when you are planning on your little one taking a dip in the ocean/pool.

A Sound Machine

I am not sure if Lillian should even be using a fan or a sound machine, but I always bring her sound machine when we go on vacation because it just makes bedtime easier for all of us. You never know what new sounds the place you are staying at can have, and after a fun but exhausting day out and about, you want to be able to make sure everyone gets a good night’s worth of sleep in order to tackle the next day of vacation!

Disney Gear

If you are going to anywhere Disney, you have to have something Disney to wear! Lillian has a few onesies, but I plan on buying her a new shirt or something while we are there, as well as her Minnie Mouse dolls (yes she has two, haha). Tanner and I have Nike hats with Mickey on them, one white and one black. I also have an MU hat, but I hope to buy my first pair of ears when we go this trip! Having a little piece of Disney to wear and bring home with you helps get you excited for the next trip!

So there you have it. My list of (mostly Disneyland) Southern California vacation essentials with a toddler! Obviously, this does not include the basics that you should be bringing. These are the little extras that help things run as smoothly as possible. Let me know if there is anything you have on your list that you’d recommend for me!