Las Vegas & Disneyland - Trip Review

This month I took a mini spring break trip with my youngest to go meet her aunt and uncle for the first time! They live in Las Vegas, Nevada, we’re in Wisconsin, so that distance plus extra family needs on both ends had made getting to see them with the kids kind of hard. This was a special trip, just Mom and Natalie, where we were able to spend quality time together and create incredible memories *without* her brothers around.

In fact, we visited Disneyland together; the first time for both of us! We walked, relaxed, and swam away our days at my brother’s house, and mixed in a tiny day trip to Disneyland. It was absolutely unforgettable, the perfect mix of adventure, new places, and visiting the Disney magic—exactly the kind of experience I had hoped for.

First Flight!

Disneyland Review & Tips

This was not exactly what I had hoped—it’s spring break season, and it also happened to be St. Patrick’s Day, so it was incredibly busy and it took me roughly 2 hours to get into the park between driving 40 minutes and then having to sit in standstill traffic at the parking garage. Aside from that, this location is much smaller which could have also contributed to it feeling busier. I felt the lightning lane system wasn’t great either. Let me know if you want me to elaborate on that more.

– If you are staying off property – park at a parking garage with a free tram to park entrance. The best part is that you go through security before getting on so once you hop off you get to go right into the parks!

– Grab your FREE celebration buttons – you can get these at City Hall or any store you visit. It’s so special to have these FREE souvenirs for your kids to look back on – because let’s be real, Disney can be expensive.

– The best snacks – I indulged in some quick service treats and I have to say, these were better than the ones I’ve had at Disney World. The Raspberry-Rose Mickey-shaped Macaron was HEAVENLY – an absolute 15/10 rating. The jalapeño cheese filled pretzel was the exact snack I was looking for once it started to sprinkle – also a 15/10.

– Smaller location & walkable – The park entrances at Disneyland are quite literally right across from each other. You don’t need to hop on a bus or tram to get to either park, you can simply leave one park and walk across to the other. Plus, getting to Downtown Disney (similar to Disney Springs at Disney World) is walkable and has additional restaurants and shops, which made exploring super easy.

Honestly, I don’t know when I will return to Disneyland since I live so far away. I think it’s a great option if you live on the west coast, but Disney World has my heart. If you’re planning a trip, I highly recommend a park to park ticket so you can visit both parks seamlessly.

All of the NEW Food!

Hands down, this was a highlight of our trip! My husband is kind of picky and doesn’t enjoy trying new anything, IYKYK, haha. And wow—the food was AMAZING. I ate Indian food one night, REAL sushi (not just a California roll) at NABE HotPot, and I learned how to use chopsticks at the ripe age of 32, plus ate my entire meal with them! I have always been intimidated by sushi and chop sticks, but my sister-in-law showed me and explained it in approximately 3 minutes. The sushi was so good I sat there questioning myself on why I had never tried it. I even tried some with *fish eggs* (pictured below). As you can tell, Natalie really loved the noodles and rice!

Las Vegas With Kids

Las Vegas might be known for its nightlife, but there are plenty of fun, family-friendly activities for young toddlers! and kids! From interactive museums to splash pads and wildlife encounters, check out some of the best toddler-approved activities in Vegas, from the Shark Reef Aquarium to indoor play zones.

Indoor Activities

– MGM Grand’s Lion Habitat Ranch – A chance to see big cats up close.

– Shark Reef Aquarium (Mandalay Bay) – A beautiful aquarium with sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles.

– Discovery Children’s Museum – Hands-on exhibits and a special toddler play area.

– Las Vegas-Clark County Library Storytime – Free storytime events at various branches.

– Kinderland Indoor Play & Café – A soft-play indoor playground perfect for little ones.

Outdoor Activities

– Springs Preserve – Nature trails, botanical gardens, and a fun indoor museum. Natalie slept her whole way through after an early plane ride.

– Lion Habitat Ranch (Henderson) – See rescued lions and a painting giraffe!

– Las Vegas Zoo & Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary – A small but fun animal experience.

– Exploration Park at Mountain’s Edge – A great playground with a splash pad and mini Old West town.

– Town Square Children’s Park & Splash Pad – A shaded playground with a fun water play area.

Unique Experiences

– Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. – A superhero experience with interactive exhibits.

– Train Rides at Boulder City Railroad Museum – Take a short train ride with scenic views.

– Downtown Container Park – A fun play area with a treehouse and slides.

springs preserve vegas

Springs Preserve, Las Vegas

Final Thoughts

Traveling with kids can be overwhelming, BUT it is always worth it. Things that help me stay organized include packing cubes, heavy duty travel bags for strollers/car seats/pack n plays, making a mock itinerary to loosely follow for packing, and allowing myself EXTRA time at the airport.

Every time we travel we grow, we learn, and we make memories that stick with us forever. This trip was no different. I’m so grateful for this time with Natalie — to experience new adventures together and get that one on one time. Even when plans didn’t go exactly as expected (flight delays, sleeping toddlers, etc), I can look back on this trip and be happy for the experience.

Ready to Plan Your Own Trip?

If you’re looking at a trip like this—or something totally different—for your family, I’d love to help you make it happen! Whether it’s a national park adventure, a relaxing all-inclusive resort, or an unforgettable cruise, I can help craft the perfect family vacation that fits your needs. Summer is right around the corner, and now is the perfect time to start planning! The best part? My travel planning services are completely free to you! My help is covered by my travel partners, so you get expert guidance, stress-free planning, and a trip tailored just for you—without any extra cost.