We’ve had the annual pass for locals since before the girls were born – not because I’m a Disney adult, but because we always wanted to be able to meet up with family and friends when they’d come to town to go. Now it doesn’t make as much sense to have for many reasons, but this year we got a few days in with friends with the 3-day local pass to celebrate the girls’ little best friend’s birthday.
I won’t pretend to be a Disney blogger, but here are some essentials to do Disney like a local, outfits links included….
Romy & Piper’s Ears (they light up and they’re only $16 for both!) | Romy and Piper’s Striped Shirts ($14) | Romy & Piper’s Shorts (come in a pack of 3) | Romy’s White Shoes | Piper’s Red Shoes | Mickey Ears for Shoelaces | My Mickey Shirt (I love Junk Food for vintage disney tees and sweatshirts – I also love shopping the Disney stuff at Zara for both me and the girls!) | My Shorts | My Shoes
- Portable phone charger. Because you’ll be using your phone ALL day for the Disney app (lightening lane, map, ride times, mobile food orders), comms with whoever you’re with, photos, etc….I promise you it won’t last and you’ll be so bummed if/when it dies!
- Comfortable shoes. I wear my MOST comfortable shoes no matter what, even though that meant I wore the SAME shoes every time we’ve gone to Disneyland in the last few years. They’re the only ones that my feet honestly don’t even hurt in after 20k steps!
- Leggings/bike shorts (instead of jeans!) Every time I wear leggings or bike shorts instead of jeans I’m so glad I did, so comfy and free!
- Poncho. I used to think they were dorky, but the disposable ones on Amazon are SO worth it, especially because the new Tiana ride is so cute!!! Also nice to have if you want to do Grizzly River Run. It’s rare that it’s hot enough when we go that I actually WANT to be wet!
- Earbuds. If I bring the girls alone, I LOVE having airpods for the long walk to/from the car, especially late at night if they pass out in the stroller. We usually park in Mickey and Friends – Anaheim Garden Walk is a good parking hack for locals but I feel safer walking back to Mickey and Friends at night when it’s just me and the girls.
- Jacket/sweatshirt…even on most warm days, it cools down at night to where we need one!
- Snacks. We pack minimal snacks to make it easier – we have some favorites we like to grab in the park (if you need something quick and cheap, do a mobile order at the Refreshment Corner for hot dogs or “firefly chili”). But it’s always nice to have some emergency things if someone is starving at a time where we are about to get in a line or something. I bring meat sticks, bars, apples…easy stuff.
- Sunscreen. Especially for little legs poking out in the stroller, bare shoulders, and faces when we want to wear ears instead of hats!
- Waterbottles. I bring full waterbottles for the girls, a full Stanley for me with cold water, and usually a Stanley with something else in it, too….trust me, no one checks.
- Stroller. It’s still a non-negotiable, even though the girls are 7! The only time we still use the stroller is for things like Disneyland and the zoo. They last a lot longer, I’m not tracking them through crowds, and althought it’s gotten heavier over the years I consider it a great workout! But the biggest reason I will bring the stroller as long as they can still squeeze into it? I don’t have to carry STUFF! I don’t know if I still have people following along who need strollers, but this Bugaboo has been such a gem. I love that it’s side by side, turns on a dime, and pushes so easier. So important for when they’re this heavy! My one qualm….I wish the bottom storage was better/bigger!!! I’m always working to shove my MZ Wallace bag in there (another Disney essential for me!)
**My friend Carissa is a classy Disney pro, and she sells so much cute stuff on her site! Including the Mickey ears that tie to your shoelaces and are so freaking cute – we got compliments all day from cast members – thats how you know it’s GOOD Disney merch!!!
Ok, that’s it! It’s not a COMPLETE guide, but some little helpful things I like and that I’ve learned after years of Disneyland with kids!
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