I’ve heard numerous people say something along the lines of, “don’t go to Disneyland with young kids. They won’t remember it, and you won’t have fun.”

It’s true your baby won’t remember their first time going on It’s a Small World (or get that song stuck in their head), but going to Disneyland with a baby can be a fun, stress-free experience.

I’ll even give you the cliche that your experience will be magical and your whole family will know they’re at “The Happiest Place on Earth”—but only if you follow these 10 tips and tricks for doing Disneyland with a baby:

1. Bring a stroller that reclines, is reversible and has a sunshade

Your baby will nap while you’re in the park, and a reclining stroller ensures they’ll sleep comfortably. Even better than one that only reclines is a baby stroller with a full-coverage sunshade. They call it sunny California for a reason, and you don’t want your baby in the sun all day. The sunshade protects your baby, and a stroller means you never have to

Let me take a deep breath. Traveling with a toddler is equal parts challenging and adorable. First of all, toddlers require their own set of everything. If you want to roll your luggage, the toddler wants to roll their own luggage too. If you are wearing a backpack, they want a backpack. If you want a Frappuccino, your toddler is going to want their own version of the "Baby Frappuccino" too. Whatever you thought you needed for baby, double it now that you have an opinionated toddler whose tastes change as quickly as their nap schedule. 

If your flight is leaving before 9am, I will not judge you for purchasing a bag of Frito's or that bag of Skittles to keep the peace. I don't know a single parent that hasn't used bribery to get their child to get from Point A to B, and Hudson News has everything your child could ever hope for when it comes to processed food bribery.

My nearly two year old protests almost everything that isn't her idea, and somehow we have managed to trek 200,000

Our friend Emily, a seasoned mama, shares what to pack when traveling with baby.  There are plenty of pockets in the new Ergobaby Diaper Bag!

• First thing, if you’re on baby duty wear slip-on shoes. Something you can do absolutely hands-free. Thank Heavens for the mule trend! Mine are from here.

• Binky Clips – Do you know you’ll drop your baby’s pacifier on average 30 times more in a crowded airport or flight than you will in your everyday life. Just kidding, but I swear it always feels that way. Blinky Clips are a must.

• Books, Toys, Passports, wallets. The Ergo Backpack has so many options but I love the open pocket (behind the logo) for the items I need to pull out most often while in lines.

• We have kiddo sized neck pillows for the big boys on road trips, but on a flight, its so great for baby too! It keeps them more secure through naps and turbulence and I swear Raleigh slept like a rock thanks to this pillow. If you have an extra seat for them it makes for the easiest transfer

Holiday Travel Days are here. Why not ENJOY them… no matter what?  Enjoy the Journey! Airport, airplane, car, hotel, train…any holiday moments are still family time. Holiday travel time is time spent together.  After circling the globe with my family, I have found the best itineraries are simple, flexible, and often formed as we go to capture unique last minute opportunities.  Here are my tips to enjoy the family time spent in airports:

Smile, laugh, giggle more. 

Snap memorable photos (posed, silly, casual, sleepy, etc.) of each other on airplanes and in airports. Adults included. Make your spouse, significant other, relative or friend laugh – it’s good for everyone.

Arrive early enough at the airport to “be the calm” in your child’s travel day.  

Extra time removes the stress from traffic, lines and interruptions. Smile often. Hug and appreciate little ones in this busy, unfamiliar, exciting, and often overstimulating and intimidating environment.

*Note even older children

For as long as I could remember, I was a traveller. Transatlantic flights to visit grandparents bookended our summers and the romantic sound of the night train clattering through stations remains a vivid memory from my childhood. The trips of my 20’s were those I took alone, to places where I knew no one and could be anyone. It was me and my camera and conversations with locals about everything and anything. And then came motherhood and baby Henri. My husband and I didn’t have the option to stay put those first years. Our family was still everywhere in the world but here (Brooklyn) and so off we went as soon as we got the pediatrician’s green light. Henri was 3 months old. He’s now three years old and travels the globe like a seasoned business man. Little Henri has frequent flyer miles on multiple airlines, prefers a window seat, and has even been bumped to first class. We’ve built our own list of travel must-haves and routines that get us there, no matter how far the destination.