by Becky Vieira posted in Parenting

Going to Disneyland is one thing. Going to Disneyland with kids is entirely different. Instead of rides and food the focus shifts to meeting characters and finding the best spot for a quiet nap. Disneyland hacks are practically a requirement to make the day a success.
So even though I consider myself a semi-pro when it comes to the park (annual pass holder, got engaged in front of Sleeping Beauty?s castle) I had no clue what to do when my husband and I decided to take our son for his first visit.
I turned to the Internet for help and was underwhelmed with my initial findings. It seems that everyone with a blog promises to have ?the only Disneyland hacks you?ll ever need!? Unfortunately most were more like common sense and not entirely helpful (bring sunscreen...use the baby care center...wear shoes!). I wanted insider information that had been validated by a third-party. When I couldn?t find anything that met my criteria I decided to do it myself.
I started by going to the mother of all Disneyland experts -- make that mamas -- the Magic Kingdom Mamas. These two sisters turned their love of Disney into a popular website and Instagram account offering mom-tested tips for families visiting Disneyland. They gave me their top tips and Disneyland hacks for a family day at the park, and I tested them out so you don?t have to. Here?s how it went:
Tip 1: Meeting characters

The characters typically rotate every 30 minutes (except during shows) ...