Day-Of Essentials Guide

The practical side of a park day. Logistics that affect your comfort.

Phone charging: Your phone handles tickets, Lightning Lane, wait times, mobile ordering, and photos. Battery drains fast. FuelRod portable charging kiosks are located throughout both parks and Downtown Disney. Purchase a FuelRod for $30, then swap it for a fully charged one at any kiosk for free, unlimited times. Disneyland Park kiosk locations: near the Main Street lockers (right side as you enter, close to Starbucks), near the Space Mountain exit in Tomorrowland, inside Pioneer Mercantile in Frontierland, inside the "it's a small world" gift shop in Fantasyland, and at Hungry Bear Restaurant's lower level in Critter Country. DCA locations: outside Mortimer's Market on Buena Vista Street, Gone Hollywood shop in Hollywood Land, Ramone's House of Body Art in Cars Land, and in front of Bing Bong's Sweet Stuff on Pixar Pier. Hidden power outlets exist at The Golden Horseshoe upstairs (Disneyland), Hungry Bear Restaurant lower level, and Smokejumpers Grill seating area (DCA). Best bet: bring your own portable charger (Anker or similar).

Water refill stations: Bring a refillable water bottle. Disneyland Park has stations near the Autopia exit and Galactic Grill in Tomorrowland, at Red Rose Taverne in Fantasyland, at Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland, near Black Spire Outpost restrooms in Galaxy's Edge, near Pooh Corner in Critter Country, and in Mickey's Toontown by the restrooms. DCA has stations at the Ancient Sanctum in Avengers Campus, inside Pym Test Kitchen, and near restrooms in San Fransokyo Square and Grizzly Peak. Any quick-service restaurant will give you a free cup of ice water on request, no purchase required.

Stroller tips: Disneyland rents single strollers for $18/day and doubles for $36/day. First-come, first-served, hard plastic with overhead shade but limited storage. Third-party companies like Cloud of Goods deliver cushier strollers to your hotel for about $15+/day and let you take them off-site. If bringing your own, it must be under 31 inches wide and 52 inches long. Stroller wagons are not allowed unless medically approved. Label your stroller clearly (use a unique ribbon or bandana). Cast Members frequently consolidate and move strollers in parking areas. Never leave valuables in your stroller. Fantasyland has the busiest stroller parking (lots of toddler rides), followed by Cars Land at DCA. Practice folding your stroller at home. You must fold it on the parking trams. The Toy Story parking lot is often easier with strollers since buses replace trams and security lines tend to be shorter.

Baby care centers: Both parks have dedicated Baby Care Centers open during park hours, free to all guests. In Disneyland Park, it's at the end of Main Street U.S.A. next to First Aid. In DCA, it's next to the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain in San Fransokyo Square. Both offer private nursing rooms with curtained sections, padded changing tables, toddler-sized toilets, highchairs, a kitchen with bottle warmers, microwave, and sink, plus filtered water for bottles. Vending machines stock emergency supplies: diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, sunscreen, and pacifiers (credit card only). These centers are also the reunification point if a child gets separated. They're air-conditioned and well-maintained. Most park restrooms also have changing tables.

Rider Switch (step by step): Rider Switch is free and available at most rides with height requirements in both parks. (1) Approach the attraction entrance with your entire group. (2) Tell the Cast Member you want to use Rider Switch. (3) Party A rides while Party B waits with the non-rider. (4) When Party A returns, up to 2 people from Party B enter through the Lightning Lane entrance without re-waiting. The supervising adult must be at least 14 years old. You don't need a child to qualify. Any party member who can't ride triggers it. Combine with Lightning Lane: if Party A uses LL, Party B still gets their own LL return time. In a group with older and younger kids, the oldest child can ride twice, once with each adult group. While Party B waits, explore nearby low-wait attractions, grab snacks, or visit restrooms.

“Rider Switch is free. Up to 2 people from Party B enter via Lightning Lane without re-waiting.

Rainy day plan: Rain at Disneyland keeps locals away, and wait times drop. All indoor rides stay open: Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones Adventure, Space Mountain, Rise of the Resistance, Buzz Lightyear, "it's a small world," Winnie the Pooh, and Enchanted Tiki Room (a good place to dry off). At DCA: Guardians of the Galaxy, Monsters Inc., and Little Mermaid all run normally. Rides that close in rain include Alice in Wonderland, Mad Tea Party, Gadget's Go Coaster, Storybook Land Canal Boats, and most outdoor flat rides. Pack ponchos (cheaper than Disney's $15 rain gear), waterproof shoes, and plastic bags for phones. A small microfiber towel helps dry glasses and screens. Parades and fireworks are typically canceled in steady rain, but Disney sometimes runs a "Rainy Day Cavalcade" with characters in vehicles. Characters move to indoor locations like the Main Street Opera House and Toontown houses. Check the Disneyland app for real-time ride closures.