An Expert’s Guide to a Disneyland Trip With Children

When Disneyland first opened in 1955, Walt Disney said, “To all who come to this happy place: Welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here, age relives fond memories of the past. And here youth, may say savor the challenge and promise of the future.” His dream, which he first conceived after watching his daughters happily play in a park whilst he sat alone on a bench, became a place where adults and children alike can have fun together.

Although Disneyland has undergone significant changes in 70 years, one thing that has remained steadfast is the number of families who visit every year. Indeed, everyone who takes their children to Disneyland wants them to have the best time possible.

While the magic feels inevitable, vacations and short trips come with their fair share of hiccups. Luckily for readers, we’ve got the best tips and strategies for those visiting with kids to make their day a happy, magical experience.

One of the most crucial aspects of any Disney vacation is planning, especially when going with children. Before your trip, download the Disneyland app. This is necessary for various reasons, including ticket information, checking wait times, mobile ordering, reservations, and more.

If your kids are old enough, go over the list of attractions and pick out their “must-dos” with them. Be sure to make it a handful of attractions and entertainment options. That way, anything extra you get done feels like a bonus and limits disappointment.

Just remember to manage expectations and go with the flow. Adapting can be difficult with little ones, so prepare them for the possibility of ride closures or characters not appearing. The key is to keep a positive attitude, especially if it’s crowded.

There are several options for entering Disneyland, one being parking at one of the structures, either Mickey and Friends or Pixar Pals. From there, you will hop aboard a tram that takes you just outside the park entrance. The question remains- is this the best option for families?

If you’re staying at one of the three Disney hotels, the tram isn’t necessary. You can walk to the park from your hotel. Likewise, several other hotels nearby are within walking distance.

However, at the beginning of the day, walking may not seem bad, but at day’s end, when kids are tired and cranky, that walk back may be undesirable. On the flip side, the tram does require patience, and those with strollers must fold them up before boarding. It’s up to each family which works best for them.

When it comes to planning, I would say food is even more important than ride strategy. Disneyland restaurants can be quite busy, and there’s nothing worse than waiting in long lines when hungry. Children are apt to become upset. In these cases, making dining reservations and mobile ordering becomes your best friend.

I recommend making a dining reservation for at least one meal per day, either breakfast or dinner. Reservations open 90 days in advance at 6 am PST. So getting them can be a challenge, especially for places like Carnation Cafe and Blue Bayou.

Mobile ordering also saves so much time, particularly at the heart of the day. One thing many do not know is that you can mobile order as soon as the park opens and choose from numerous arrival times. In other words, you can map out the meals in advance, making for a happier, less stressful day.

Disneyland also allows guests to bring in food, so having snacks in tow that you know your kids enjoy remains key.

While some believe theme parks are only for older kids, Disneyland can be a magical place for babies and toddlers. Families can create everlasting memories, take beautiful photos to cherish, and all and all have a joyful time.

Some may also be surprised at the number of attractions that babies and toddlers can enjoy, with no height restrictions at all. At Disneyland these include King Arthur’s Carousel, Dumbo, Alice in Wonderland, Mad Tea Party, Peter Pan, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Casey Jr., Storybook Land Canal Boats, It’s A Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Winnie the Pooh, Mark Twain Riverboat, Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin, the Monorail, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Astro Orbiter, and the Disneyland Railroad.

Babies and toddlers may also love The Enchanted Tiki Room, Adventureland Treehouse, Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough, the classic Mickey Mouse cartoons inside Main Street Cinema, and the numerous Main Street vehicles.

At Disney California Adventure, babies and toddlers can ride The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, the Golden Zephyr, Jessie’s Critter Carousel, Inside Out: Emotional Whirlwind, Pixar Pal-A-Round, Monsters Inc: Mike & Sulley to the Rescue, and WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure. There’s also Turtle Talk with Crush and Mickey’s PhilharMagic.

Best of all, at the Disneyland Resort, children three and under do not require a ticket.

Families with older children will undoubtedly have different priorities, or at the very least, have other rides as their “must-dos.” It all depends on their ages. For example, kids in the five to seven range will most likely have attractions like Autopia and Dumbo at Disneyland, and The Little Mermaid and Toy Story: Midway Mania at DCA on their lists. The ten and up crowd may want to prioritize rides like Big Thunder Mountain and the Matterhorn at Disneyland, and Soarin’ and Radiator Springs Racers at DCA.

It’s important to note that various rides have height requirements. Guests can find that list here or by checking the list of attractions on the Disneyland app.

Families visiting the Disneyland Resort with little ones should always bring their own strollers. Both parks require a lot of walking that exhausts even the most fit of adults. Children need a break, or even a nap in their stroller.

On hot days, make sure to have fans or misters that can attach to the strollers. Shades can also help cut down on the heat.

Importantly, families should not rely on the strollers Disneyland has available to rent. The quality pales in comparison, and you cannot leave the park with one, making the walk back to the hotel or car a difficult one.

Just remember that cast members often move strollers, so don’t panic if it’s not where you left it. Also, never leave anything of value, like purses or merchandise, in your stroller while on an attraction. Sadly, many guests have reported items stolen.

Theme park days can be very exhausting, especially for young children. Going from morning to night will tire out even the fittest adults. Taking a nap at Disneyland may seem like a time waster, but very young children will need one.

If you’re within walking distance, an afternoon nap at your hotel will be most welcome. For everyone else, long and calm attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean or the Disneyland Railroad can be nap-inducing for babies. If everyone wants to relax, both parks have quiet, out-of-the-way areas perfect for your little ones to sleep.

Some of the best Disneyland spots include the shaded tables near the Small World Promenade, the outside tables at Plaza Inn, the back end of Bayou County near Winnie the Pooh, and near the exit of Space Mountain. At DCA, the tables at the back of Flo’s V8 Cafe, the lobby of the Animation Academy (if music won’t disturb them), and the shaded tables at Sonoma Terrace are ideal.

Although there are many quiet spots throughout the parks, sometimes parents want something more private and serene. The Baby Care Centers offer private nursing rooms where mothers can sit and rest in peace while feeding their babies. There are also changing rooms with tables, toddler-sized toilets, a kitchen with a sink, bottle warmers, and microwaves for baby food, and a vending machine with diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, and pacifiers.

Best of all, it’s quiet, air-conditioned, and completely out of the way of the hustle and bustle of the parks. In Disneyland, the Baby Care Center is located at the end of Main Street, next to First Aid and across from Little Red Wagon. In DCA, you’ll find one on the Pacific Wharf next to the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop.

The First Aid Center also comes in handy for any unexpected ailments or injuries for any guest. For your children, adults can breathe easy. Any unforeseen injury will be attended to by qualified nurses. Bandages, ice packs, and medication are available when necessary. Disneyland’s First Aid is located on Main Street, and DCA’s is on Buena Vista Street next to the Chamber of Commerce.

Lastly, guests can find companion bathrooms throughout both parks. These single stall spaces offer more room, perfect for those with strollers or more than one child.

Adults who bring children to the Disneyland Resort often look for ways to entertain them and get some energy out safely. Two places are ideal. In Disneyland, Mickey’s Toontown now offers more play spaces than ever before that toddlers and young children will love. The grassy area, or CenTOONial Park, allows kids to play and run around, or families to rest and enjoy a meal.

Donald’s Duck Pond and Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard feature interactive elements, slides, bouncy rides, and plenty of other fun things that bring joy and burn plenty of energy.

The Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in DCA offers a peaceful respite as well as several kid-friendly playground activities such as slides, rope bridges, zip lines, and interactive trails.

Attractions are undeniably a part of Disneyland’s magic. At the same time, some of the most special and beautiful moments for children come from meeting characters or enjoying live entertainment. Disneyland Resort guests have many more opportunities for magical moments with characters than Walt Disney World, with both designated meet and greet areas and free-roaming characters.

Above all, children should meet Mickey Mouse, the most timeless and iconic character of them all. In Disneyland, find him on Main Street and inside his house in Toontown; at DCA, he will be on Buena Vista Street. Mickey’s pals like Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Pluto are in the same areas. Character dining at either Plaza Inn, Goofy’s Kitchen, or Storyteller’s Cafe is also always a hit and guarantees your kids will meet characters.

Disney Princesses also make for memorable interactions. Head to Princess Fantasy Faire adjacent to Sleeping Beauty Castle to meet Cinderella, Aurora, Snow White, Ariel, Belle, Rapunzel, and Tiana. At the Animation Academy in DCA, you’ll find fan favorites Anna and Elsa. Kids will also love playing musical chairs with Alice and the Mad Hatter at Refreshment Corner. To find characters, check out the appropriate tab on the Disneyland app.

Which live entertainment guests with children choose all depends on what your kids enjoy. Some will love the sweet and silly shows at Princess Fantasy Faire, which act out abbreviated stories of either Tangled or Beauty and the Beast. Other kids may love the music performed by the Disneyland Band or Toy Drummer Soldiers.

Of course, parades and fireworks shows will delight kids of any age with bright lights, colors, characters, and projections. Seeing little ones amazed at the spectacle or waving to their favorite characters may end up being your favorite memory from your trip.

Anyone visiting the Happiest Place on Earth should always try to include merchandise in their budget. Kids inevitably will find something they want, while adults with babies cannot help but delight in the infant-sized apparel. Besides clothes, things like pens, pins, photo albums, plushies, and autograph books prove ideal for those with smaller budgets. You can also get complimentary buttons at the entrance, City Hall, and various stores throughout the parks.

For another special memento that won’t break the bank, head to the Silhouette Studio on Main Street. At only $11.99 per person, you can get a hand-cut silhouette in less than five minutes- sometimes only 90 seconds. You’ll receive two copies and can upgrade to a beautiful frame for only $20.

For those with larger budgets, a trip to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Fantasyland will delight the adults as much as the little ones. They pamper the kids with princess and prince outfits, a special makeover, and photos. They offer several packages at different price ranges.

For many, taking photos at Disneyland with your kids is almost as important as the rides. After all, photos help keep memories alive forever, and can be cherished long after your visit. Besides taking your own photos, do not forget to look out for the PhotoPass Photographers throughout both parks.

These photographers help pose everyone, take high-quality pictures, and sometimes offer magical shots that insert characters, balloons, and other things into the photos. Some of the most iconic spots you’ll find PhotoPass Photographers include the Mickey flowers under the Main Street Train Station, Sleeping Beauty Castle, the Partners Statue, Main Street Town Square, the Mad Tea Party Teacup, the entrance and back of Radiator Springs, and the Hollywood Backlot. They are also at every single character meet and greet.

Those who buy Lightning Lane Multi-Pass have PhotoPass included. You can also purchase them separately, either for the day or on an individual basis. Simply click Photo Gallery in the Disneyland app to purchase.