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Disneyland with kids is the most magical experience…if you do it right. There’s really nothing more amazing than seeing Disney’s original park through the eyes of a child. Disneyland is the Happiest Place on Earth but it’s also easy to overdo it. You don’t want your family to wind up exhausted, overwhelmed, and cranky while exploring theme parks. Follow these 25 best Disneyland with kids tips to minimize stress and maximize fun during your Disney vacation in California.
This story is brought to you in partnership with shopDisney, the official site for Disney merchandise.
1. Rank rides and shows in order of importance.
Between Disneyland and its sister park, Disney California Adventure, it’s not possible to experience everything in one day, or even in one vacation. Therefore, you must prioritize.
Brainstorm with your family about the rides, shows, and other attractions that appeal most to everyone. Make a list of must-do experiences followed by second-tier attractions, things that would be nice if there’s time, and what can be skipped. When traveling with different age groups, top picks will vary greatly so get ready to compromise.
Not sure what to put at the top of your list of favorite attractions? If traveling with young children, then be sure to read our picks for the best Disneyland rides for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Meanwhile, those traveling with bigger kids and teens should take a look at the scariest rides at Disneyland.
The earlier you enter the parks; the shorter lines tend to be. Therefore, plan to hit the most popular rides like Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land first.
2. Group attractions together.
The best Disneyland rides are spread throughout the various lands at both Anaheim theme parks. Don’t waste time running from WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure in Disney California Adventure to Splash Mountain in Disneyland. Instead, pick one popular ride and then plan out from there.
So, if the Matterhorn Bobsleds top your family’s wish list, then plan to hit up some other Fantasyland attractions right afterward like Peter Pan’s Flight and Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Alternatively, since the Matterhorn is also in close proximity to Tomorrowland, you could group this with rides like Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage and Space Mountain instead.
Then decide which nearby land contains the next bunch of attractions that appeal to your family and move on to those. Believe me, you’ll be doing enough walking without crisscrossing lands unnecessarily.
3. Develop a schedule but make room for magic.
When planning a trip to Disneyland with kids, develop a schedule before you enter the parks. You don’t want to waste precious time staring at park maps and arguing about what to do next. But it’s equally important to live in the present moment and soak up the fun.
The first few times I went to Disneyland as a new mom with little kids, I scheduled each moment to make sure we maximized every minute. This left me feeling uptight instead of joyful.
Take time for more mellow activities like watching the Dapper Dans perform on Main Street or exploring Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer’s Island with your kids. Everyone will be happier if you do.
4. Let your child become a Disney character for a day.
Childhood doesn’t last forever so lean into the wonder of Disney when visiting with young kids, especially on their first visit to the amusement parks. Indulge your child’s fantasy of being a princess, pirate, or other Disney character while at Disneyland Resort. Purchase costumes and accessories from shopDisney before your vacation.
Got a mini Aurora or Moana at home? Browse the Disney Princess Celebration collection now!
Take a look at other Disney costumes, too. From Star Wars to Toy Story and beyond for boys and for girls at shopDisney.
5. Get into the spirit with Disney clothing.
Everyone is a kid again when you’re at Disneyland, so be sure to get Disney clothing like themed t-shirts, hats, and dresses for parents, too. Buying Disney gear in advance from shopDisney saves time and money during your vacation.
Bright matching shirts are a fun way to go for the whole family. Plus, this trick makes it easier to find each other in a crowd.
6. Pace yourselves.
Many families want to squeeze as much fun as possible into their Disneyland vacation. They arrive at opening time in the morning and only leave after the last firework has burst over Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. Especially when visiting with small children, this is sure to lead to a meltdown from at least one family member. Instead, pace yourselves.
If you want to be there at rope drop to take advantage of the shortest lines of the day, then consider skipping the evening entertainment. Or get to the parks as early as possible and then head back to your hotel in the afternoon for naps or a swim before heading back for some park play post-dark.
When visiting Disneyland with teens, on the other hand, you might plan to arrive in the afternoon to ride roller coasters and stay until closing time.
7. Consider visiting just one theme park per day.
Park Hopper Tickets allow guests to visit both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure in one day. This is helpful if you have only one day and lots of must-sees spanning across the two parks. It’s also handy if, for example, you want to spend the morning at Disneyland and then enjoy the World of Color nighttime spectacular at Disney California Adventure.
In my personal experience, however, it’s best to spend at least two full days at the Disney theme parks. Then you can dedicate one day to Disneyland Park and another day to Disney California Adventure.
You will save some money by choosing One Park Per Day Tickets. Plus, you’ll spend less time hiking from park to park. And there’s less pressure to do everything all at once. Instead, your family can focus on the excitement of each park individually.
8. Invest in Genie+.
Replacing MaxPass and FastPass, Genie+ is an optional Disney upgrade. It offers electronic access via smartphones at Disneyland to make shortened queue wait-time requests.
For popular attractions, use Genie+ to skip the standby line and give your kids better access to their favorite rides via the Lightning Lane. Reserve your spot in line upon entry to Disneyland or Disney California Adventure. Note: you can reserve each Genie+ ride or attraction just once per day.
Additionally, Genie+ includes unlimited PhotoPass downloads. Selfies are great, but PhotoPass photos are even better!
Genie+ Lightning Lane Attractions at Disneyland
- Autopia
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Buzz Lightyear Astroblasters
- Haunted Mansion
- Indiana Jones Adventure
- “it’s a small world”
- Matterhorn Bobsleds
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
- Space Mountain
- Splash Mountain
- Star Tours – The Adventure Continues
Genie+ Lightning Lane Attractions at Disney California Adventure
- Goofy’s Sky School
- Grizzly River Run
- Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
- Incredicoaster
- Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue!
- Soarin’ Over California
- Toy Story Midway Mania!
- WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
9. Skip lines with an Individual Lightning Lane purchase.
For the uber-popular rides, like Star Wars Rise of the Resistance and Radiator Springs Racers, you can buy an Individual Lightning Lane purchase. No, you don’t have to purchase Genie+ (which typically gets you skip-the-line privileges for three to four rides in a full day). This is an additional cost on top of (or in place of) Genie+.
10. Use the Disneyland App (a.k.a. Disney Genie).
Disney Genie is free but Genie+ costs extra to access attractions via the Lightning Lane. Confused yet?
Even if you don’t purchase Genie+, you can still scope out theme park options like wait times, height requirements, dining options, and Disney Park hotel reservations via your smartphone with the Disneyland app (also known as Disney Genie).
The complimentary Disney Genie will help you plan your day by suggesting nearby rides based on your preferences. To save time waiting in long lines for meals and snacks, you can even order food in advance from your mobile device at no extra charge from some quick-service restaurants.
11. Wear comfortable shoes.
Of course, you want everyone in your crew to be comfortable at the Happiest Place on Earth. According to Kylie Gibbon, a mom and travel enthusiast, “Disneyland is huge and you’ll be doing tons of walking. In fact, my family clocks over 20,000 steps per day when we visit!”
She continues, “Therefore, it’s super important that everyone wears appropriate shoes. Don’t wear anything uncomfortable or that is likely to give painful blisters to your family members’ feet. Ideally, the top pick for footwear for you and your kids is worn-in, sturdy trainers or cushioned walking sandals. Flip-flops are too flimsy, and heels are an obvious no-go.”
12. Prioritize sleep at Disneyland with kids.
Nothing leads to family arguments and amusement park tantrums faster than lack of sleep. That’s why families should stick to healthy sleep routines during a Disney vacation.
Depending on their age, children need eight to 13 hours of sleep per night (and even more for babies and toddlers). Just because kids are having fun, it doesn’t mean they need less sleep. Therefore, you might plan to turn in at a decent hour and wind down with bedtime stories as you do at home, especially if you plan to get up very early.
If you have a child who still takes naps, then build these respites into a long day at Disneyland. Some children do best with a stroller nap. On the other hand, many younger kids prefer nap time in a crib back in the hotel room.
Read additional travel sleep tips for children to make sure everyone is well-rested and ready for their favorite rides and special events at Disneyland.
13. Bring or rent a stroller.
Make your life easier by renting or bringing a stroller on your Disneyland vacation. Debbie Fettback with WorldAdventurists.com says, “Even if your children can walk during adventures near home, Disney is a whole other level of stimulation and tiredness.”
She advises, “A stroller is helpful when experiencing Disneyland with kids, even up to age 6 or so. If you have big kids or you are visiting Disneyland with a large group, then you will get more out of your day by using a stroller for younger children. Little ones can comfortably nap in a stroller while other family members take turns enjoying rides and attractions.”
“Additionally, a stroller is also a good place to store easily replaceable items while on rides,” says Fettback. She also recommends marking your stroller with a balloon or bow to make it easier to find in the sea of strollers in theme parks.
14. Make use of Baby Care Centers.
When visiting with young children, Disneyland’s Baby Care Centers might be your family’s best friend. These two facilities are staffed by Disney Cast Members and come equipped with an array of helpful items for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
At Disneyland, find the Baby Care Center at the end of Main Street next to the First Aid center. Meanwhile, the center is located next to Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop and across from the Bakery Tour in Pacific Wharf at Disney California Adventure.
Forget baby formula or run out of diapers? The Baby Care Centers offer vending machines with formula, baby food, juice, diapers, wipes, sunscreen, pacifiers, and over-the-counter medication. All you need is a credit card to purchase the items.
Want to nurse your baby somewhere comfortable and private? Head to the nursing room in the nearest Baby Care Center.
Potty training your child? There are super helpful toddler-sized toilets (for guests under 42″ tall) at both Baby Care Centers. Changing tables are available for babies, which can also be found in most bathrooms at the theme parks.
The Baby Care Centers also provide a feeding area with highchairs and a kitchen with a sink, bottle warmers, and microwave (for bottles and baby food only).
15. Know what to do if you can’t find your child.
Even if you don’t have a baby, it’s good to know where the Baby Care Centers are. That’s because lost children found in the Disney Parks are brought to the nearest Baby Care Center. Lost kids found in Downtown Disney are brought either to the Disneyland Hotel or the Baby Care Center off Main Street in Disneyland, whichever is closest to where the child was found.
If you can’t find your child, alert a Disney Cast Member to get assistance with reuniting your family. Put your mind at ease by reading additional tips to avoid losing your child at Disneyland and other public places.
16. Take a break via indoor Disney performances.
Nicole Hunter with Go Far Grow Close recommends taking a break from the bustle of the parks when crowds are heavy in the afternoons. She says, “When you have had enough of lining up and dodging crowds, this is a great time to go see one of Disney’s incredible live musical theatre extravaganzas. Not only will you enjoy an incredible production, but also you can rest your feet and cool down or warm up, depending on the weather.”
The Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure Park seats nearly 2,000 people and showcases Broadway-caliber performances. You should consider lining up 30 minutes to an hour before shows at the Hyperion Theater to be sure to get seats.
Also at Disney California Adventure, young children adore the indoor Turtle Talk with Crush and Disney Junior Dance Party. Over at Disneyland Park, all ages enjoy the 15-minute Enchanted Tiki Room show featuring animatronic singing birds and flowers. Bigger kids might also appreciate the technology of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln in Main Street USA.
17. Use Rider Switch when visiting with young children.
With the Rider Switch system, you don’t need to skip thrill rides just because you’re visiting Disneyland with young children. According to Disneyland.com, “With Rider Switch, one adult or supervising Guest (14 years or older) can wait with non-riders while the rest of the party enjoys the attraction. Then, they simply switch roles to allow the supervising Guest to experience the attraction without waiting in the regular queue again.”
About Rider Switch, Kris with Nomad by Trade says, “Best of all, the adult riders get to bring two other riders with them so older kids may get a chance to ride twice in a row if they want. If the line is long, then the parent and kid waiting outside may even have time to hit a different ride or grab a snack.”
Rider Switch Rides at Disneyland
- Autopia
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Indiana Jones Adventure
- Matterhorn Bobsleds
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Space Mountain
- Star Tours – The Adventure Continues
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Rider Switch Rides at Disney California Adventure
- Goofy’s Sky School
- Grizzly River Run
- Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
- Incredicoaster
- Jumpin’ Jellyfish
- Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
- Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
- Radiator Springs Racers
- Silly Symphony Swings
- Soarin’ Around the World
18. Cut wait times with the Single Rider line.
Thrill seekers will especially appreciate Disneyland’s Single Rider option. You can wait with family and friends during long lines, but then will be separated and slotted into empty spots when it comes time to ride.
Tweens and teens not afraid of riding on their own will cut wait times significantly by standing in the Single Ride line instead of the standby line. This is a great way to maximize your time in the parks when visiting with big kids but don’t push young children to ride on their own before they’re ready.
Single Rider Rides at Disneyland Park
- Splash Mountain
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Matterhorn Bobsleds
Single Rider Rides at Disney California Adventure
- Goofy’s Sky School
- Incredicoaster
- Radiator Springs Racers
- Grizzly River Run
- WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
19. Keep your family entertained while waiting in line.
Disney does a good job of providing interesting things to look at while waiting in line. For example, there are funny, pun-filled tombstones to read while in the queue for the Haunted Mansion and an animatronic Mr. Potato Head interacts with people lined up for Toy Story Midway Mania. Still, you will want to have some extra entertainment on-hand to keep the troops occupied.
One of my family’s favorite diversions is the Heads Up! app. This video game is a word-guessing game for all ages. You hold the answers up to your forehead while the rest of your crew gives clues. Often, other bored parkgoers look on and sometimes even start playing with us!
If traveling with little kids, a small bottle of bubbles goes a long way when waiting for attractions. A small hand-held game of tic-tac-toe or a Rubik’s cube makes a great way to keep bigger kids off electronics for a while. For more ideas, read my top tips for travel games for kids and travel toys.
20. Don’t get dehydrated.
With all the excitement of a visit to Disneyland with kids, it can be easy to forget to drink enough water. But walking, standing, and riding all day can lead to dehydration. Especially on hot, sunny days, dehydration can become dangerous quickly.
Steer clear of sugary drinks, caffeinated beverages, and alcohol because this can worsen dehydration. Instead, stick to low-sugar rehydration drinks with electrolytes or good old-fashioned water.
Claudia Laroye with Claudia Travels recommends packing your own refillable water bottles. She says, “It’s the eco-friendly way to keep the family hydrated and cut down on disposable waste at the park. Disneyland makes staying hydrated easy by locating many water bottle refill stations and fountains throughout the park.”
Take a look at this helpful map of drinking fountains at Disneyland Resort, which is also viewable in the Disneyland Mobile App.
21. Book Disneyland meals in advance.
Interesting dining experiences are one of the joys of a Disneyland vacation. You can book restaurant reservations up to 60 days in advance, and you should. Sometimes a quick corndog is all your family craves but for table service meals, advanced bookings are highly recommended.
You could dine “under the stars” while watching Pirates of the Caribbean boats sail past at Blue Bayou Restaurant in Disneyland, enjoy a fine dining experience at Carthay Circle Restaurant at Disney California Adventure, or listen to mariachis while munching tacos at Tortilla Jo’s in Downtown Disney.
22. Splurge on a character dining experience.
Some of my favorite memories at Disneyland with my kids have taken place during character meals. These special dining experiences give children a chance to pose for photos with classic characters like Goofy and Minnie Mouse or princesses like The Little Mermaid and Snow White. Kids can get autographs for their Disney autograph book from less common characters like Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother, too.
Be sure to dress children up as their favorite characters for the best photos and most memorable experience! Read my review to learn more about Disneyland character dining and decide which meal works best for your family.
23. Choose the right accommodations for your family.
Accommodation options abound near Disneyland. From budget motels to Disneyland Resort’s upscale, themed hotels, you’re sure to find a place that fits your family’s style and budget.
A fabulous hotel pool adds even more magic to Disneyland with kids. View the best hotels near Disneyland with pools to see what I mean!
Staying on property at one of Disneyland’s three hotels creates an immersive Disney experience. My favorite is the Disneyland Hotel with its classic Disney styling and short walk to the Downtown Disney Monorail stop. Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa is the fanciest of the trio with its exclusive Disney California Adventure entrance and impressive lobby designed like a U.S. national park lodge. Meanwhile, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel boasts a beachy California setting and fireworks views from its rooftop pool.
If you’ve got a large family, you’re traveling with a big group, or you just want lots of space to spread out — then maybe a vacation rental home is more your style. Decide for yourself by browsing through vacation homes near Disneyland.
24. Take advantage of Early Admission.
Disneyland has done away with Early Magic Hours and replaced them with Early Admission. This bonus is available to guests staying at one of the three Disneyland Resort Hotels.
Basically, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure open one half-hour early to Disneyland Resort hotel guests. Limited rides, dining, and shopping are available during this time period.
It may not sound like a lot of time, but while other families are still queueing up to enter the parks, you could be riding Peter Pan’s Flight or Incredicoaster!
25. Build excitement before visiting Disneyland with kids.
Did you know that people often actually enjoy the anticipation of a vacation more than their actual travels? To spread out the joy of your Disneyland vacation, build excitement before leaving home.
You can create your own countdown calendar or download a free Disney countdown printable. Many parents also up the happiness by choosing a unique way to tell kids they’re headed to Disneyland.
In the weeks prior to your Anaheim getaway, celebrate all things Disney at home. Ask for your children’s input regarding Disney restaurants and rides so they feel ownership of the trip.
Let each family member choose one (or more!) Disney movies to watch together per week. Read Disney books to your kids at bedtime, too.
And try on those Disney Princess gowns, Marvel Superhero outfits, and other Disney costumes so your kids will be ready to strut their stuff at the parks. You could even host a family Disney fashion show one night!
Explore California beyond Disneyland.
It would be a shame not to explore more of The Golden State during your Disneyland vacation. Disneyland is located in California’s beautiful Orange County. Go beyond theme parks and explore the best things to do in Orange County with kids.
What would a trip to Southern California be without a beach day? Pack your swimsuits and sand toys to hit the best beaches in California.
San Diego is just 95 miles from Disneyland, making it a great addition to your holiday. I lived in San Diego for many years and I’ve got the inside scoop on all the things to do in San Diego with kids.
Walt Disney created Mickey Mouse and dreamed up Disneyland while working and living in Burbank, California. Explore fun things to do in Burbank, the Media Capital of the World.
From exciting cities to small beach towns and beautiful national parks, California has a lot to offer families. Take a look at the best places to visit in California with kids!
Keep these tips for visiting Disneyland with kids.
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Who is your favorite Disney Princess or character? Let us know in the comments below!
A Note from The Travel Mama: I received compensation from shopDisney.com related to this post. This story contains affiliate links for which Travel Mamas earns a small commission at no extra charge to readers. This story is updated regularly to ensure up-to-date information for readers.
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