When I first went looking for an email address about 10 years ago, I knew that I wanted a Disney-themed screen name. After finding that some of the more straightforward ones had already been taken, I eventually came across one that I felt fit me pretty well - Disneyexpert. Having twice been a finalist at the Disney Store National Trivia Competition, I was secure in thinking that I was an expert at Disney. And though my knowledge of the company has waned as the years have gone by, I still consider myself fairly knowledgeable about all things Disney and in particular about my favorite place in the world - Disneyland.

Strangely enough, visiting Disneyland the first time as a new parent made me suddenly aware that I didn't know as much as I thought I knew. Yes, parenting at the parks was a whole new world for me. One that I'm not sure I'll ever master. But for every challenge that I face, I find the ultimate reward in experiencing different aspects of the Disney parks with my baby girl for the first time.

I've been to Club 33. I've been backstage. I've even been to Walt's apartment above the Fire Station. But I had never before needed to visit the Baby Care Center on Main Street. I've never cared to visit the family restrooms at the parks. I didn't need to worry about lines at the changing tables or where to park my stroller or whether an infant would be allowed to ride on an attraction. But these things are concerns for me now and navigating the proverbial waters as a parent at Disneyland has been an eye-opening experience since Chelsea's first visit nearly 9 months ago.

Chelsea's first time at Disneyland was on my sister's birthday last June. She was about 8 weeks old and we planned a relaxed visit to see how she'd take to the Happiest Place on Earth. With the diaper bag packed and ready and the stroller folded as small as it would go, we were ready to make the trip to Anaheim. After pulling into the parking structure and boarding the tram, I would experience my first feelings of being "one of those parents" when I was yelled at by a cast member to move all the way into the tram row to make room for others to board. Apparently, she didn't see that the space between my wife and me contained Chelsea in her baby carrier. I know that I moved as far in as possible and couldn't do anything more but I felt bad, almost as though there was more that I could do. Future solution: We walk from the parking structure through Downtown Disney to the front gates to avoid taking up too much space on the tram.

The stroller and carrier would continue to be the biggest challenges and represent the largest learning curve of being the parent of an infant at Disneyland. We were told that we couldn't wheel the stroller into the Opera House to see the Walt Disney Story. But we could fold it up and carry it with us onto the Disneyland Railroad. Realizing that the stroller isn't allowed on most other attractions, I took Chelsea's carrier from the stroller and tried to board The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. The cast member at the ride's entrance didn't say boo about it but at the front of the line I was told that she couldn't ride that way. I opted to go another time.

Chelsea's been to Disneyland an additional 16 times since that first trip. I don't always feel so bad about being a parent there anymore. And while I get a grasp on some of the issues of parenting at the park, I know others will continue to present themselves, making for an adventure nearly every time out. Some of the things I've learned so far include:

• Despite what many people claim on Disney discussion boards, probably 9 times out of 10 if you get your ankles run over by a stroller it is your fault. I can't believe how many times people rush in front of strollers, trying to squeeze in a two-inch space between you and someone walking in front of you. People stop in front of you without warning. People step out in front of you without looking. But they always shoot you the look that you ran into them with a stroller. Not usually my fault.
• There is rarely a line for a changing table in the men's room, though there often is in the ladies' room. It is my job to change Chelsea when we are at Disneyland because of this simple fact alone. I definitely don't mind doing it and am glad that changing tables are available as a resource in men's rooms, period. Of course, the ideal situation is for both Kathy and me to take care of diaper duties together in one of the family restrooms - located in a seemingly secret alcove near Carnation Plaza in Disneyland and in a bug's land at Disney's California Adventure.
• Give yourself extra time for everything. We get to the Disneyland Resort later than we did as a couple. And we need to be prepared to leave at a moment's notice, like when Chelsea got sick and dirty her supply of spare clothing. Or when we forgot to pack enough diapers and decided to call it a day after the final changing. Sometimes Chelsea's fallen asleep when we planned to do something. Or she needs to be fed or changed. Having a flexible schedule allows for a change in plans without it ruining our fun time at the parks.
• Don't listen to the "experts" who say that your child is too young to enjoy Disneyland. Or that they'll never remember it. You can tell by the look on her face that Chelsea loves visiting Disneyland. She loves the sights and the sounds of the place. She may not remember the day's events with an clarity when she's older but she is building an awesome collection of experiences when she's there. She's loves the whistle of the train. She loves going on Winnie the Pooh. She knew what direction we were supposed to go to get to it's a small world when the queue took us a different way.

Being a parent at the park has distinct disadvantages. I still haven't experience either Rockin' roller coaster. I still haven't seen the latest incarnation of fireworks. I'm not able to take as many pictures around the parks when I'm pushing the stroller. But for all of the enjoyment that Chelsea has had at Disneyland, we know it is all worth it. Kathy, Chelsea and I represent Walt's greatest wish when he built his Magic Kingdom -- it is a place where parents and children can have fun together.

There are still plenty of things for me to learn as a parent at Disneyland. Someday, I may figure out how to take advantage of the child swap privileges offered on some attractions. I'm still trying to gauge when Chelsea may be ready to experience certain rides that may be too scary for her. I'll need to figure out when she's potty trained whether I need to place something over the sensors of the automatic toilets so they won't flush while she's using them. And I'll need to learn just how fast I can spin a tea cup without making her lunch spew everywhere once we're off.

I'm enjoying being a parent. It is an awesome thing. And I'm glad to be able to share my favorite place in the world with my daughter. I know that as she gets older that we'll have even more special moments together. Parenting at the park maybe a whole new world but it is certainly one that I'm happy to experience.

Please find below one picture from each of Chelsea's trips to the Disneyland Resort so far.

- Story by Matthew Walker. Photos by Kathy and Matthew Walker.
Posted February 27, 2007

E-mail Matt at matt@startedbyamouse.com, discuss this article in the StartedByAMouse.com Disney Discussion Forums or use the Talkback feature below.

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