Greetings, Nora, and welcome to planDisney! As a mom of two young kids, I have lots of experience navigating the attractions of the Disneyland Resort with little ones. I'm happy to answer this question for you.
The
Haunted Mansion is one of Disneyland’s most iconic attractions – there’s nothing quite like gliding through the eerie halls in a Doom Buggy as the 999 happy haunts come out to socialize! The tour begins in the Portrait Chamber, often called the Stretching Room, where the walls grow taller as the ghostly tales unfold. While it’s an immersive start to the ride, it can be a bit intense for some Guests, so I understand wanting to skip it.
Nora, the best approach would be to speak with a Cast Member at the attraction entrance (at the start of the queue). In the past, I've seen Guests use a bypass route that goes directly to the Doom Buggy loading area. Using that entrance would avoid the Stretching Room. The Cast Members at the attraction will be able to give you the most up-to-date information about the availability of that special entrance. You'll likely need to make the request to the Cast Member just outside of the attraction building, but posing the question first to the Cast Members at the start of the queue makes sense to me.
If you'll be visiting between August 22, 2025 and the end of the year, you're in for a special treat, as the Haunted Mansion will be
transformed for the holidays, featuring Jack, Sally, and others from The Nightmare Before Christmas. My kids first rode this version of the ride last year, including my youngest at three years old. Because of the festive touches, it seemed more approachable for them, and they were able to do the ride, including the Stretching Room, without issue. It's something to keep in mind as you're planning your visit!
Even if you decide to skip the Haunted Mansion, there are plenty of other fun attractions your child may enjoy. You can
explore attractions on the Disneyland website or use the
Disneyland mobile app – just filter for attractions by age, height, and thrill factor.
Also, Nora, there's a new Family Adventure Map that you can pick up once you enter the park's front gates. In it, you'll find a list of attractions perfect for little ones with information about what to expect, such as if there are drops, if it is dark, and more. There is also a list of kid-favorite foods, other helpful information for parents, and a beautifully illustrated map that invites kids to find hidden objects.
If you plan on visiting soon, I can't recommend the entertainment enough. A few fan-favorites have returned for the
70th Disneyland Resort Celebration, such as Paint the Night and Wondrous Journeys. There is also a new World of Color show, a Pixar-themed parade, the cutest Celebrate Happy Cavalcade, and more. The
Disney Junior: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! Show just started, too, and it's fantastic! Original songs (each with a different vibe), a fun story, and other surprises make this a great family experience.
Nora, I hope you and your little one have a fantastic time at the Disneyland Resort. If you have any other questions before your trip, please reach out. We're always happy to help here at planDisney!
Wishing you magic,
Kriss