Hello , My husband and I will be taking our 2 GKIDS to Disneyland in a couple of days We are over the moon excited. My 5 yr old GD’s 1st visit !My GS’s 7 yrs old and he has ADHD. Is there anything we can do to help him ?when we arrive to the park GIGI”

Hey howdy hey, Kathy! Thanks for stopping by the Disney Parks Moms Panel!

I am SO excited for your getaway to the Happiest Place on Earth tomorrow! You’re going to create so many special memories. My parents often visit the parks with my three children and I, and it truly is our happy place!

I recommend stopping at City Hall (in Disneyland Park) or Chamber of Commerce (in Disney California Adventure Park) upon arrival. First, you can ask for a complimentary “1st Visit!” button for your granddaughter. Then, you can also inquire about your grandson’s needs. The Disneyland Resort does a wonderful job of making sure all Guests, including those with disabilities, feel welcome! Here’s a helpful link with information about how the Resort helps Guests with cognitive disabilities. For example, if your grandson has a difficult time waiting in traditional attraction queues, perhaps Disability Access Service may be helpful for him. A Cast Member will be happy to guide you through this process, if needed.

There are so many new attractions and fun experiences to check out at the parks right now! For starters, Pixar Pier recently welcomed Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind and Jessie’s Critter Carousel. Your granddaughter will get a kick out of both of those attractions! My 5-year-old daughter especially loved riding the unicorn-themed Memory Mover on Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind. My whole family recently loved watching “Tale of the Lion King,” a new outdoor musical production at Paradise Gardens Park. I’d recommend watching it earlier in the day or in the late afternoon to avoid the warm sun, since there isn’t much shade. 

I also highly recommend visiting a galaxy far, far away in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! My 7-year-old son can’t get enough of it! My son’s favorite experience so far has been building his own droid at the Droid Depot. Be sure to make a reservation online at 7:00 AM if you plan to visit Oga’s Cantina or make a lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop. 

Last but not least, here’s the Entertainment Schedule for your Disney day. It’s never too early to start mapping out the fun! And, to get you even more excited, check out this recent blog post (featuring my children and I!) showing you just how much you can do in one magical day. 

Wishing you a day filled with magic and memories!
Kristin