For some parents, taking your kids to Disneyland is a childhood goal. You can’t wait to see their faces light up as they approach their favorite characters. Or ride their first dark ride. Or watch fireworks light up the night sky. For others, Disneyland is a crowded and expensive venue in the middle of a traffic-ridden city. Something to be endured. And, as the saying goes, these two people end up marrying each other (obviously, not always).
With a little planning, it is possible to enjoy a trip to Disneyland with toddlers or preschoolers, whether you are hyped up to experience the magic or being dragged along by your enthusiastic partner. Keep the following in mind as you prepare for your next Disneyland adventure with little kids.
Toddlers and Preschoolers Don’t Do Great Waiting in Lines
Lucky for us, part of the Disneyland charm is in the attention to detail, which includes things to look at while waiting in a ride’s queue. Be prepared to use distraction to the max in order to keep your youngster occupied as they await the next amazing activity.
There are a few things you can do to reduce the amount of time you are generally waiting in line.
#1 Go during a less popular time of the year.
If you can, avoid school breaks and special events such as Halloween or Christmas in the park. February and September are said to be a couple of the sweet spots. The month of May, prior to Grad Nite events (avoiding May The Fourth), also sees a relative lull in traffic.
#2 Go during a less popular time of the week.
This is pretty much a no-brainer. Friday evenings and weekends are generally going to see more guests entering the park given that most people have this time off.
#3 Go at a less popular time of day
If you can get your family up and moving to make it to rope drop (disclaimer: I have not been able to do this with mine), you will encounter fewer crowds than later in the morning or day. Take advantage and hit up some of the more popular attractions that are on your must do list for introducing your little ones to Disney magic.
Alternatively, most families with young kids leave the park earlier in the evening to maintain bed time. So, if you live with night-owls, take advantage of fewer Fantasyland crowds later in the evening.
#4 Make use of Disney’s new Genie service.
You can add activities ahead of time that you’re interested in completing any given day. This populates a general itinerary of the best times to hit certain attractions. Additionally, you can refer to the tip board to see approximate wait times and key in on rides with shorter queues.
#5 Plan on Attractions Everyone Can Ride
Even worse than waiting in line for the next ride is keeping your kid on the sidelines as someone else waits in line. The first time I took Little Sis to Disneyland with extended family, she ended up waiting outside while other people went on Space Mountain. She was three at the time. At the age of 12, she still talks about how terrible it was waiting outside. It can be hard missing out on those big ticket rides when a Disneyland trip is a rare occurrence. However, we suggest tempering expectations from the beginning and trying to minimize how often something like this happens.
The Disneyland website lists out all of the activities in each section of both parks and includes information such as height requirements. The Disney Genie service on your Disneyland App will also include this information as long as you click the option during set up for your Disney day. Doing a little research ahead of time will give you an idea of what attractions everyone can get on.
Scope out Spots to Take Breaks during the Day
Have a meal or snack while you take a break
The Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country is an often-recommended meal location. The food isn’t great, in our opinion, but there is a ton of shady seating, which is a definite win. Sit up on the second story in order to enjoy the surroundings. Both Big and Little Bro enjoyed regularly encountering the Mark Twain Riverboat and the Disneyland Train (choo-choo!). It kept them entertained throughout the meal. Additionally, watch out for the adventure canoes. Big Bro enjoyed announcing whenever the “boats” could be seen heading around the lake.
While the adults weren’t super excited about the meal fare, the kids’ meals were a hit. Mac and cheese, chicken nuggets and fries were devoured and (sort of?) balanced with applesauce and Cuties mandarins. I appreciated that bottled water was a drink option without an up-charge.
Another great spot to take a breather, located in Fantasyland, is a small shady spot with tables across from the bathrooms next to the Red Rose Taverne. This area is fenced in with multiple tables and plenty of seats. Even on a Saturday morning, we had no problem grabbing a table. It isn’t directly attached to any food establishments, but there are multiple stands nearby to grab a drink or a snack.
Get off your feet and reduce stimulation on a train
Taking a break doesn’t have to mean sitting and having a snack. Sometimes, it can just be a matter of reducing stimulation. The Disneyland Train is an actual means of transportation around the park. There are four stations where passengers can get on or off the train: Main street, New Orleans Square, Toon Town and Tomorrowland. But, you are free to get on and ride all the way around the park. It is a way to give tired feet (and backs) a break while reducing stimulation but still doing something fun in Disneyland. Besides the joy of simply riding a train, there is a stretch between Tomorrowland and Main Street with some scenes set up on the grand canyon… now and a million years ago. It was a hit with both of the boys.
Alternatives include the monorail or Mark Twain Riverboat in Disneyland or the Red Car Trolley rides through California Adventure.
Let Your Kids Explore
With the huge crowds that are synonymous with Disneyland, keeping your child close-by is generally a priority. So, being able to give your kids a chance to run off some energy and explore on their own is something we recommend you build into your day. I haven’t met a kid who doesn’t like a playground, and Disneyland does provide some options for independent exploration.
Toontown recently reopened in March of 2023 and it was a hit with both of our young boys. Running around the open “grass” area in CenTOONial Park and balancing on “tree roots” was a great chance for them to let out some wiggles. Goofy’s How-To-Play yard and Donald’s Duck Pond also fit the bill, letting the little kids roam, explore and play on imaginative equipment. It was a nice break for the parents and a good time for the children.
The classic Adventureland Treehouse is currently still under renovation as it evolves into the Tarzan Treehouse. I expect this walking tour will be another opportunity for open exploration for our children.
In California Adventure, Grizzly Peak features the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. Another opportunity to climb, play and explore awaits. With the exception of only three activities, there are no height restrictions to this area, making it a perfect place to let your kids roam a little while in the California Adventure Park.
Build Naps into Your Day
It can be incredibly tempting to push through and skip naps during a Disneyland vacation. There is a ton to see and do… and tickets are not cheap. However, we suggest you should still schedule your children’s naps into your Disneyland day. There is a lot of walking, a lot of excitement and potentially a long day in store for your youngsters. Again, every kid is different, but for most, that nap is absolutely necessary. Give them the chance to rest and enjoy the time you are actually in the park.
For this, it is helpful if you are able to book a room at a hotel near the parks. The Disneyland resort has three hotels to pick from, themselves, which are situated within walking distance of Disneyland and California Adventure parks. However, there are also several nearby hotels off the premises which are also easily walkable.
For large families, the Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance has rooms that easily bed six people and also feature an onsite waterpark. Staying here really made our Disneyland vacation easier.
Bring a Stroller
Whether or not your child has hit the “no I want to walk!” phase, make sure you bring (or rent) a stroller. There is a ton of walking to be done and those little legs are going to need a break. Check out the stroller specification on the Disneyland site to verify that your stroller falls within the rules (you definitely can’t bring your wagon). There is a marked out area on the walk into Disneyland where you can check the dimensions of your stroller to make sure you can bring it in the park. It’s sort of like making sure the dimensions of your carry-on at the airport are small enough. However, who wants to pack a stroller along just to be unable to use it? Double-check ahead of time.
Make a Game Plan Ahead of Time about Purchases
There are a million and one souvenirs that can be bought in Disneyland. And your kid wants all of them. And they each cost 75 dollars. Do yourself a favor and figure out a plan before arriving at the park for how you are going to purchase things.
Some families set a dollar limit per kid per day and others a dollar limit per trip. This tends to work better for older kids who understand the concept of money. They might even learn a little something about budgeting and prioritizing.
For our little guys, however, it generally works better to set item limits. Perhaps one item/toy per day fits your family’s budget. A preschooler can grasp that much better than a dollar amount. They probably aren’t going to like it very much. But sometimes a game plan can lessen the blow.
Schedule in Activities that You Want to Do, Too
When they are this little, your toddler or preschooler is going to enjoy almost anything that Disneyland throws at them (as long as they are able to participate). Don’t feel bad planning on hitting up an attraction or area that is important to you. Does your partner love Star Wars? Make sure you visit Galaxy’s Edge. Are you really looking forward to fireworks? Plan on staying up late one night.
Our kids can sense our mood and that can impact everyone’s day positively or negatively. Definitely plan a Disneyland vacation for your family. Hit up the attractions that you know will excite your little guy or gal. But also, share some of your favorite things as well. It might end up being the highlight of the trip.
When planning your trip to Disneyland, keep your child’s personality and habits in mind. You know your kid the best. I always maintain, they aren’t going to spontaneously morph into some other kid or monster (although you could argue the case during a tantrum meltdown). Every family and every kid is different. Don’t try to force a square peg through a round hole or you’re in for a day of frustration.
If you have early risers, head for the park early and take advantage of rope drop’s lack of crowds. If you have night owls, get excited for late night firework extravaganzas.
Everything takes just a little bit longer with little kids. It’s just the way it is. It’s pretty much impossible to do everything, or even as much as an adult trip or trip with teens. But, I would argue, it might make it a little more magical. Focus on your joy. Explore the parks from a different perspective. And leave new activities to discover for next time.
