As warmer weather approaches, plenty of families are thinking about vacations and contemplating heading to a theme park with their kids for the first time. Disneyland and Disneyworld seem particularly popular options lately with the promotions being offered for birthdays and military personnel.

I’ve been to Disneyland twice with my kids. I have family who live just a couple of hours from the Magic Kingdom, so it’s hard to resist the urge to head down for a day, especially when there is the potential for my daughter meeting one of the princesses and my son can meet Woody. Since I’ve been there twice – and made mistakes both times – I’m hoping my experiences can help you if you’re planning to include this popular attraction into your vacation this year.

Get a room.
Even though we were staying only a couple hours away from Disneyland, we still rented a hotel room directly across from the front gates of Disneyland for a day. This allowed us to get there the night before and get a good night’s sleep. It was also great to know that if the kids needed a break, we could take a quick walk across the street and grab a quick nap or simply some time to relax while also being able to return to the park. How did we know to do this? The year before I had taken the kids without my husband and without a hotel room, and it was pretty close to a nightmare.Start slow.
The first year I braved Disneyland my husband was away on military deployment, so I went with the kids and my brother. His kids had been to Disneyland about a million times since he worked at the Disney studios and could get in for free, so when he saw that the Pirates of the Caribbean ride didn’t have a long line he urged us all onto the ride. It wasn’t until we were all loaded into our boat that I realized that this could be a really scary experience for my poor kids. It was their first theme park ride ever, and it included bombs going off and skeletons screaming. I felt like the worst mom in the world while my poor kids sat trembling in my lap. Of course, their cousins who are of the same age were cheering because they had been on the ride so many times in the past, but I was sure my kids would be scarred for life.

It’s worth it.
My daughter waited in line for an hour and a half to meet Cinderella, Belle and Ariel. At first I was going to say forget it, this isn’t worth it, but if you have never seen a toddler girl get her first glance of Cinderella in all her splendor then you haven’t lived. Was it worth it to stand in line for so long? Absolutely.

Don’t talk up one thing in particular.
On our second trip to Disneyland I kept telling the kids how much fun it would be to go on the ride It’s a Small World. We talked about how much we loved it last time and how great it would be to do it again. Guess what? The ride was closed for repairs the day we were there. My kids cried, I was angry, and my husband could do nothing but offer everyone some ice cream (at $8 each) to get our minds off the ride I had built up so much in their minds. Next time, I’ll just stick to talking about how great the park will be, but not one particular ride.

Two final tips:

1. Bring or rent a stroller. Even if your kid is usually able to keep up with walking around town or in the mall, there is just something about Disneyland and other theme parks that is downright exhausting for little kids.
2. Take A LOT of pictures! You never know when that priceless shot of your little one is going to present itself. Be ready! There are so many fun things you can do with photos these days like imprinting the shot of my daughter with Cinderella on to a pillow for her bed, or creating a scrapbook of the entire vacation to share with family.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Disney Store Recalls Toy Tool Sets Due to Choking HazardName of Product: Playhouse Disney “Handy Manny” Toy Tool Sets

Units: About 20,000

Importer/Retailer: Disney Store USA LLC, of Pasadena, Calif.

Hazard: The tools contain eyes that can separate, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received three reports of detached eyes, including two reports of children who started to choke on the pieces. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recalled Playhouse Disney “Handy Manny” Tool Set is a plastic, eight-piece toy set that includes a tool box, hammer, saw, pliers, wrench, tape measure and two screwdrivers. The name “Handy Manny” is embossed on one side of the tool box. The UPC (#405144100614 or #422147400633) can be located on the product’s packaging.

Sold exclusively at: The Disney Store nationwide from October 2007 through January 2009 for about $15.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toy away from children and return it to any Disney Store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact the Disney Store toll-free at (866) 902-2798 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.DisneyStore.com

Disney Store Recalls Pirates of the Caribbean Sleeping Bags Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Pirates of the Caribbean Sleeping Bags

Units: About 4,100

Retailer: Disney Store, of Pasadena, Calif.

Importer: Hoop Retail Stores LLC, of Secaucus, N.J.

Hazard: The surface paint on the sleeping bag?s zipper pull contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled Pirates of the Caribbean sleeping bags have a cartoon pirate design of Davey Jones and Jack Sparrow on the front. Style number F1652B0003 is printed on the logo label inside the sleeping bags. The sleeping bag with the skull art design is not included in this recall.

Sold exclusively at: Disney stores nationwide from April 2007 through October 2007 for about $25.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled sleeping bags away from children and return them to any Disney Store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Disney Store toll-free at (866) 902-2798 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT, or visit the firm?s Web site at www.disneystore.com

Disney Store Recalls Tinker Bell Wands Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Tinker Bell Wands

Units: About 8,000

Retailer: Disney Store, of Pasadena, Calif.

Importer: Hoop Retail Stores LLC, of Secaucus, N.J.

Hazard: The paint on the pearl beads in the flowers of the wands contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled Tinker Bell wands are green and light up and sound when a button in the handle is pressed. The top of the wand has white plastic flowers, a green bow, and a pin with Tinker Bell?s face on it.

Sold at: Disney stores nationwide from April 2007 through October 2007 for about $13.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toy away from children and return it to a Disney Store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Disney Store toll-free at (866) 902-2798 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm?s Web site at www.Disneystore.com

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Product Features:

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• Birth +

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From now until March 5th, save up to 57% on various Disney movies like:

• Dumbo
• Lilo & Stitch ( I & II )
• Brother Bear ( I & II )

Head over to Amazon.com and check it out.