AA Family watching a live show; smiles
  • On Sep 9, 2024
    Irene from CA Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    How many days should I plan for my young family’s first visit to the Disneyland Parks? My daughter will be turning 5 and my son will be 2.

    Hey there Irene,

    Welcome to planDisney and thank you for your question! My wife and I took a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth when our kids were the same ages so I was excited for the chance to give you my opinion on this one.

    I'll say that if you were to poll the planDisney panelists, you'd likely get a bunch of different answers, but what we found with our kiddos is that 3-day tickets seemed to be the sweet spot for us. Typically, we'd arrive early on the first day and spend the rest of the day in the park and maybe into the early evening. This helped us to feel like we had time to see and do everything we wanted at our own pace without having to feel rushed. 

    The key for us was making sure at least our youngest got back to the hotel in the early afternoon for a bit of a nap. Our oldest would not nap, and we tried to get our youngest to sleep in the stroller while we were in the park but it just never worked with her. 

    If we weren't able to get the nap back in the hotel room then we knew it needed to be an earlier night in the parks!

    Additionally, I would highly recommend taking full advantage of the Baby Care Centers in each park. They're a great way for a quick and quiet break, and they offer changing tables, toddler toilets, and tables for a quick snack. It's so helpful when taking trips with little ones!

    Lastly, make sure to read up on Rider Switch for attractions where both parents want to enjoy an attraction - especially in instances when your older kiddo wants to ride, but it might not be a good attraction for your younger kiddo.

    Thanks again for your question, Irene! I hope you have a wonderful time making new magical memories as a family.

    Have a Magical Day,
    Greg
thumbnail image for Greg

Meet the Panelist: Greg, Arizona

Hello there! Greg here from sunny Arizona. I'm a husband, dad to two kiddos under five, and an avid fan of all things Disney, Marvel, and Star Wars. I've been visiting the Disneyland Resort since I was 5 and have loved making all new magical memories as a family of 4. I enjoy helping friends get the most out of their trip to the Disneyland Resort, and I am excited to help you plan your most magical vacation ever! Learn More About Greg

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