Hi Lauren! Thanks for visiting planDisney.
According to the current Park Rules at the Disneyland Resort, children must be at least 7 years old to ride an Attraction by themselves. Of course, they must also meet any
height requirements. If your 9-year-old meets the height requirement for an Attraction, he is free to ride solo if he's comfortable doing so! Children younger than this must be accompanied by someone 14 or older, however. So your littlest one will always need to be with you while enjoying an Attraction. I hope this helps!
I want to assure you that I've visited the parks with my two boys solo when they were both little, and I found Cast Members to be extremely helpful whenever I had a question or needed an extra hand. Always feel free to ask a Cast Member for assistance. They're happy to help any way they can.
I've got a couple of suggestions for enjoying the park with your kids without another adult to assist. One is to consider
renting a stroller for your youngest. Even if your youngest no longer uses a stroller outside of the parks, park days are long and can involve a lot of walking. Little legs get tired! And I know from experience that you won't want to be responsible for carrying a little one who has passed out midday. The rental process is easy and conveniently located outside Disneyland Park. Arrive early for the best selection, as it is possible for strollers to run out for the day and availability isn't guaranteed. Feel free to also bring your own stroller while visiting. Just be sure it meets the current stroller guidelines in the
Park Rules. You don't want to get turned away at security!
The other is to consider making at least one
dining reservation per day. Having a table reserved for lunch or dinner means you won't be hunting down a table to eat when your feet are tired. Your time and table will be reserved for you, and you can take that meal time to recharge and connect with your kids about what they've liked best about the day so far. Locations offer options that should appeal to both you and your kids, and you can check out the current menus just to be sure before making your selection. Dining reservations typically open 60 days out for your visit, so make a reminder on your mobile device. Availability isn't guaranteed, and popular spots can fill up quickly.
I hope you have a magical day!
Elizabeth