Hi Julie, and welcome to planDisney! I’m so excited that you’re planning a visit to the Happiest Place on Earth! As a mom of two little princesses (ages 3 and 6), I know just how magical and memorable the Disneyland Resort can be with young kids. I’m thrilled to share some of my favorite tips and experiences to help you make the most of your family’s adventure.
Before your visit, I recommend browsing the rides and entertainment
on the Disneyland website and making a list of the experiences you and your family are most excited about. You'll be delighted at how many kid-friendly attractions there are to choose from! My little ones most frequently ask to go on "it's a small world," Casey Jr. Circus Train, Mad Tea Party, Dumbo, and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.
You'll definitely want to stop by
Mickey's Toontown, where you'll find Goofy's How-To-Play Yard (with rainbow roller slides), Mickey's House and Minnie's House, a kid-size roller coaster, and Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway. There's a grassy area that's perfect for picnics as well as a quiet area.
If your little ones like to explore, then head to
Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island. There are so many caves to walk through, and there's hidden treasure somewhere on the island! I've found that it's a little quieter than other areas of the park, making it a nice spot for a midday break.
Now let’s talk about meeting some beloved Disney friends! Character meet-and-greets are pure magic for little ones, and I highly recommend visiting
The Royal Hall, where you can meet up to three princesses in one visit. We usually like to arrive a little before it opens (usually around 10 a.m.) While you’re in the area, catch a live storytelling performance at
Royal Theatre.
For a truly special start to your day, consider booking
Minnie & Friends – Breakfast in the Park at Plaza Inn. Between the delicious buffet (Mickey waffles, made-to-order omelets, pastries, and much more) and surprise visits to the table from Disney Characters, it’s a magical way to fuel up before a full day of fun.
And Julie, here are a few tips from one mom to another:
- Come early. The first two hours of the day are amazing because the wait times for many attractions are typically shorter compared to other times of the day. You should be able to fit in quite a bit of fun.
- Take lots of breaks to rest and snack. The Disneyland Railroad, Jungle Cruise, and Pirates of the Caribbean are examples of attractions that are both entertaining and restful.
- The Disneyland mobile app is helpful. You can use it to filter attractions by age, thrill level, and height. Plus, mobile ordering food is a time saver.
- Rider Switch is a great solution if there's an attraction that only the older of your two kids is tall enough to ride.
Julie, I hope you and your family have the most magical visit to the Disneyland Resort. If you have any other questions, please reach out. We're always happy to help here at planDisney!
Your pal,
Kriss