The family suite there seemed to be a good setup and breakfast /light dinners included was a bonus. Unless your child is particularly obsessed with one character my advice would be just to see the characters with the shortest queues and know when and where you are likely to see some walking around/. Take a look at it to see how much you can get done at both parks. It gets me prepared and excited for our trip. I am excited about using them. So maybe an afternoon appt on the DL day while 2 1/2 year old goes back to the hotel for rest? Knowing how to move through the park efficiently will make such a difference in your day. We usually do this during nap time or take our toddler for free play time while the other rides one of the bigger rides. Or Single Rider vs MaxPass for a ride like Space Mountain, that only I want to ride? Dont panic too much over grad nights, especially since you have a little one. Disneyland can be an overwhelming place for toddlers especially at nap times. We live in Los Angeles and are taking my son for his third birthday. This is another dark ride that toddlers can go in. Again, the Haunted Mansion has non height restrictions but I would urge caution taking your little one on this. However, if you are going to the parks at a very busy time you may want to consider a park hopper ticket in case one park is busier than the other you could choose to alternate for the afternoon. However, if you have the option try and do a rider swap as we really enjoyed this experience. Screen capture the graphic I have in it for easy reference while youre in the parks: https://disneylanddaily.com/a-fastpass-guide-for-disneyland-and-california-adventure/#Single_Rider_Lines, https://disneylanddaily.com/a-fastpass-guide-for-disneyland-and-california-adventure/ Walking around Fantasyland in the morning (around 9-9;30 we saw Peter, Wendy and Hook, and we saw Alice and the Mad Hatter around lunch). If it does, I would just wait to ride until later. We are taking our 2.5 year old and 11 month old to California Adventure in April, and this has been so helpful, thank you! I doubt she will care about Toy Story in 3 to 5 years (the estimated time for another visit). There are plenty of toddler friendly rides at Disneyland however just because they have no rides doesnt necessarily mean they are suitable for your toddler, especially if you little one is sensitive. Do this earlier in the day after you have done Fantasyland. Hi Casey, my husband, 5 year old, and 18 month will be going to Disneyland and C.A in December. Splash Mountain
The Pirates of the Caribbean does not have a height restriction but we did not ride this with either of our toddlers. Thanks for the kind reminder! At the Baby Care centers you can also find supplies such as diapers and wipes, first aid and more child size toilets. Shows have always been a highlight for my daughter at Disneyland. Review my suggestions for what to do when Disneyland is crowded. Kids in this age group really believe in the magic and embrace so much of what I love about Disneyland. If you want a mix of options for young kids but want to do some bigger rides, too, use my Big Kids plans. Questions to ask Disney princesses questions to ask Belle, When planning a Disneyland with toddlers itinerary you have to make sure you plan in lots of things i.e.
The best prices we found for Disney costumes were on amazon and there is a great range of characters.
This site is amazing, thank you so much! Days at Disneyland can be long especially if you are travelling to Disney with a toddler. Disney is great for a 2 year old. Hope you have a lovely visit! You save me a lot of time of researching! We are going in September with our 2 year old and 4 year old. Rider Switch rules changed recently. Hell be between 4 months and 16 months during the time we have our passes and your advice is so valuable! Wanting to take them both to the Anna and Elsa Boutique but my little wont be 3 yet. We last visited in 2013 (my first time ever) with my then 4 year old. Be prepared to wake your child if you board these options. This post details your current options with info on when to watch. The other way to meet characters without a queue is knowing where you can see them. Heres how it works: As you approach the line, let a cast member know youd like to do a Rider Swap. Of all the lands in Disneyland, Frontierland is doesnt have lots of rides for toddlers. Toddler princesses are pretty much the cutest thing ever and they deserve to see and do everything princessy possible at the parks. 
There are three onsite hotels at Disneyland California. I actually recommend doing the BBB or Anna and Elsas Boutique the afternoon or night before and then touching up the hairstyle the next morning. So much more research to do, but this site is the absolute best. ke my toddlers will adore all the character interactions and parades. Just wanted to let you know that when we visited in May 2015, Radiator Springs Racers told us they did not allow anyone to do the child swap. I never enjoyed taking my young kids to it.
It can be hard to find a good stroller parking space so park it in one location per land to cut down on time. I recommend spending more time at Disneyland than California Adventure. What to do? . play hound haba leo lucy cat Mickeys Tales of Adventure Breakfast Buffet held at Storytellers Cafe at Grand Californian Hotel and Spa.
Now that I type it seems like itd be logical, but Ill ask anyway. Last time we came, we really took advantage of the fast pass system and rarely stood in any lines. I dont recommend it for every family with young children because its not an entirely easy show to see. Jungle cruise is a no height restrictions ride in Adventureland and was one of my sons favourites. Head to Fantasyland first as this is where you will find most of the toddler friendly rides and you will get on a lot quickly. Im excited for my older kids (2 are now teens!) /* Add your own MailChimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. It is gentle and endearing and both my children have adored this boat ride that takes you round the landscapes from your favourite Disney films. Copyright 2022 Wandermust Family | Birch on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, Decide if you want to visit Disneyland and California Adventure.
Im so glad, Ashley! My little boy was so excited to see Goofy in the parks because he knew him for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. My husband and I had to take turns standing in the single rider line. Again having ridden this before we thought this would scare our toddlers. You have the choice about sitting in a conventional carriage or a circus cage. Please let me know if you have any trouble with them. Thank you so much for all the help Everyone (adults and children) will then stand in line together. Let me know if I can help with anything else.
Also, if you decide to take your toddler to BibbidiBoppity Boutique to get a princess makeover it is cheaper to dress them as princess before entering the park and just getting them the hair and makeup package. Disney Princess Breakfast at Napa Rose at Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. . You can try to ride straight after rope drop but the line gets big quick so the genie plus is worth while.
Were only able to go for one day, and was wondering if you had any good off-site tips for a chilled change of pace for an hour or so (after the hideous tantrum the toddler will have at having to leave, obviously) We live in Los Angeles, so we wont have a hotel room to return to sadly! When to tell your toddler? If you travel off season then you are likely to face less queues which is a sure fire win when travelling with a toddler. These are smaller than regular kids meals and come with a smaller price tag. California is undoubtedly a hot place especially if you are travelling to Disneyland in summer. (Also, any and all recent updates on her meeting AnnaElsa (one word) are always greatly appreciated. That will allow you and your husband to essentially double up on FASTPASSES during both days. We are discussing whether to do both parks or just DL. ), Go to the Grand Californian Hotel lobby in Downtown Disney to relax and escape the crowds. In this section of our guide we round up the best Disneyland rides for toddlers and the rides that might be too scary. We were very please that he was wearing pull up diapers as this made changes on small changing tables easier. What time do you suggest? Then touch up in AM for the CA adventure day? To meet and greet the other Princesses, should I do it first thing on our Disneyland day?
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Be sure to use rider swap for these. Cross off everything you arent interested in doing and then keep moving through DCA. Please let me know if you have any other questions. You might get wet on windy days here, so know that before going in.
Now to convince my husband that we should stay at hotel between days! I would get it for you and your husband. Goofys Kitchen for breakfast or dinner at Disneyland Hotel, At the train stations platform overlooking Main Street.
If you do decide to decide to do the princess breakfast then be sure to check out our post on questions to ask Disney Princess or questions to ask Disney characters to ensure great character interactions. Off-Site Hotels are less expensive and are often closer to the parks than DLR Hotels.
(6 and 8). Yes, they cant go on the big rides but there is more than enough for them to go and if they are li. We have a full Disneyland Planning guide which will take you right from booking planning tips up to planning your time in the park here. This is basically a canoe ride around the Critter Country / Frontier Land area. Hi Casey, Living so close, We know we will eventually do both parks, but are only going to do one for right now. Were taking our first Disneyland trip in August. There are lots of rides they can ride and it is overall one of the best ages to go to Disney in my opinion. When we visit Disneyland California we usually stay at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Anaheim Resort Area. https://disneylanddaily.com/grad-nights-at-disneyland/. Thank you Casey. Theyre the absolute best! Thank you. What day/time do you think is best? I think this is particularly worthwhile if you had a Princess mad toddler as the queues for the Princess Pavilion in the park can easily get up to 2 hours long on a busy day. My husband and I will be taking our 22 month old to the parks in June. Looking for information about Disney California Adventure with kids then check out this post. While it may be tempting to have a leisurely start we recommend getting to the park for rope drop. Also, there are obviously rides our son cant go on that we would like to do and there are ones that Id like to do, but my husband doesnt. Find more about them and more here: https://disneylanddaily.com/how-to-manage-your-stroller-at-disneyland/, Are there printable PDF files for your disney itinerary? Prepare yourself and your children by knowing which attractions will be closed for refurbishment during your visit. Again no lightening lane but the good thing about this ride is that the queue for it rarely goes above 25 minutes.
No need to fumble around for everything upon getting in line. You know those people who tell you not to visit Disneyland until kids are old enough to remember it? Staying at a Good Neighbour Hotel Homewood Suites by Hilton Anaheim Convention Centre. Please dont hesitate to ask me if you have any questions. Your trip sounds like fun! Another ride in Fantasyland whose inspiration comes from the film Dumbo. I was thinking DL the first day to stay late for fireworks then DCA the second day. Keep checking the calendar for it to be added. After lunch, head to Tomorrowland to ride Buzz and Astroblast. Here are the rides your toddler can ride in fantasyland with some added information about height restrictions, scary moments and more!
Can you bring a stroller into the line? Just look at whats close by the attractions I listed above. Both parks have so much right now. When it says Lunchbreak in your plans is this the time you recommend taking the little ones to nap back at hotel? Were these added? Both my kids loved this and we rode this one multiple times. We were surprised with how many of the toddler friendly rides in Disneyland didnt have much shade cover. I wouldnt fuss with Single Rider during your day, as it can be surprisingly longer in some situations.
When planning your trip, consider a meal with Disney characters. Cars Land will be there for a while and will actually have a new attraction coming soon. You might be wondering whether Disneyland with toddlers is worthwhile and I would say that it absolutely is having been to Disneyland when both my daughter and son were toddlers however it does take a little planning. It is also a necessity if your toddler is still taking a nap. This way you can get straight to the rides you want as soon as the park opens. Where to meet characters at Disneyland with toddlers. It will also reduce your costs as hotels Disneyland California will be cheaper. Located near the Hungry Bear restaurant, this another attraction rather than ride. For the 2 day little plan, day 1, can you explain why you recommend going to 3 fantasyland attractions, the go to toontown, and then go back to fantasyland? This has food that any toddler will love such as chicken tenders. And, you would be surprised how long kids actually like Toy Story. In the past this ride was scary and was toned down in a refurbishment however the evil queen / witch still makes an appearance that could scare a sensitive toddler. While it is not a scary ride it is dark. The truth is Mr Toads Wild Ride could be scary for some toddlers (like my son). For me, that also included princess dresses and Mickey ears that I would not want to replace. Bag #2: Pack this bag with non-essentials, in case it were to get lost or stolen. Then, take a break. Toddlers light up during these times and the experience will give you a chance to do several things that you would have had to stand in line for at the park, including taking photos and getting autographs. My toddlers number one favourite thing to do at Disneyland are the parades. Ill be updating soon and will make a note of this. Really just depends on what he would enjoy most. This is actually one of our favourite rides at Disneyland for toddlers because it has a lightening lane and doesnt usually have a long queue early in the day. Rope Drop Strategies at Disneyland with toddlers. As expected, most bathrooms at Disneyland will have diaper changing stations.
I also recommend taking blankets as you will need to reserve your place for the parade early so they get a good view. toddler leash disney travel tips meaningful demonstrating expectations makes much close Best Things to do at Disneyland for toddlers (other than rides), what to pack for Disneyland with toddlers, Disneylands Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, Disneylands Paradise Pier Hotel soon to be renovated with a Pixar theme, SpringHill Suites by Marriott Anaheim Maingate, Howard Johnson by Wyndham Anaheim Hotel & Water playground which has the added bonus of a great water play area for toddlers. We will get a 5 day park hopper. World of Color isnt temporary. There are two rides with no height restrictions in New Orleans Square however my advice would be to take your toddlers on these rides with caution. We had great fun doing this, and the leader has banter similar to the Jungle Cruise however I would not recommend doing with a toddler.
Each offers something a little different, so review your options to see what best works for your crew. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left; font:14px Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; }
I explain more in this post: Is the world of color show temporary? I would choose a 2 day hopper. If you only have one day to go to Disneyland California then I recommend sticking to a park a day. Waiting too long would mean you would miss some things.
If you feel like your little one can handle the news, there are plenty of ways to announce your trip that will add to the anticipation. If you get a yellow pass, arrive an hour early and move as close as you can to the front of the viewing area. Spend a few minutes learning how Genie+ works at Disneyland.
Disneyland isnt the focus of our CA trip (unfortunately ;o) so were just going to be making a day trip there from Laguna Beach. Review the ones I think might surprise you. can you bring a little baby in a front carrier or hold them or have them sitting on your lap? 
During one parade when my daughter was dressed as Princess Elena, the princess in the parade saw her and came over to give her a high five which was a highlight of my daughters trip. Tuesday day 2 this is our only day for MM, so we need to do DL this day.
We already have Minnie breakfast reservations at Plaza Inn for the Thurs, so I guess our Magic Morning will be Tues. Should we do DCA on both Monday and Wed? My husband and I are bringing our 3 children in November. Review this link for all the specifics: https://disneylanddaily.com/a-fastpass-guide-for-disneyland-and-california-adventure/#Rider_Switch. We want to do a character dining on of these days (need to book now!) She wont be with us this time, but my aunty will be, but she is also into riding rides. Ignore them. Is Pirates of the Caribbean Scary for toddlers?
Not something thats really expected to scare them but we have had some leave early crying.
Tickets for Disneyland California are currently selling out and when I checked for tickets a month in advance there were some days that were already full. On the day we have MM? Im just worried that my 1 yr old would be napping in the stroller and then we cant do the rider swap because I certainly dont want to ruin his nap! My toddler wasnt scared on this one but I can image that it would scare some. I keep these items in a backpack that I wear throughout the day. My advice is to book your tickets as soon as you start the Disneyland vacation planning process. Have the other adult use the Rider Switch pass to ride next. Casey will you be updating this blog anytime? https://disneylanddaily.com/how-to-start-your-day-at-california-adventure/#Your_Strategy_Without_Guardians_of_the_Galaxy_8211_Mission_BREAKOUT. I believe they can since infants are allowed in your lap. Wednesday day 3 CA. She LOVES Toy Story and Disney Junior characters which are all at DCA but we cant have her first visit omit DL! She will be 8, and tall enough for all the rides, by the time we go in June and we now have a 2 year old. It was chaotic, stressful at times, and worth every bit of effort.
The rides that are listed below have the potential to scare. Our 5yo is Cars obsessed! I recommend putting a blanket down in your spot and having your self a lovely evening picnic. Although fewer toddler rides include them, youll be glad you used them for the ones that do.
We recommend sitting opposite the Matterhorn for the Disneyland parades. We have never experienced a theft at Disneyland but always take a stroller lock with us for our Bugaboo just in case. NOTE: specific characters at the character dining are not guaranteed and you wont know until you get there who you are going to meet. I would definitely go with a good double stroller. Some attractions will allow you to get a rider swap pass upon entering the line, negating the task of standing in line.
This is another dark ride which of course has the potential to be scary due to the darkness along but has added scary themes. Haha. They provide a great seat for parades, too! -Asmi. We found we met or last saw characters impromptu in the following places; At some of the counter service restaurants at Disneyland they offer toddler power packs. Thank you so much!!! My husband and I had ridden this before and knew the dark ride, cannon fire and the drop would terrify our littles so we avoided. Another great thing about this ride is that you can sit 4 or 5 abreast meaning even larger families can sit together on this ride. Ill be grabbing Return tickets for Anna and Elsa meet and greet and FP for Radiator Springs Racers first thing on the California Adventure day. Galaxys Edge is the Stars Wars area of Disneyland California. Your site has been a big help! They are both huge frozen fans so which park would be best to go to for just 1 day? Please note; Toontown is currently closed for renovations. Thank you! thank you. Your days ticket will cover every land. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Wandermust Family is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Details with testimonials from many readers over the years here: https://disneylanddaily.com/i-recommend/#Lansky_Enterprises. If you are travelling to Disney with a toddler there are inevitably rides they will not be able to go on but you or other members of your party would like to ride.
This is another dark ride which made my son cry from the get go. Here is what worked for me: Bag #1: Pack one with valuables (camera, wallet, tickets, phone) that is easy to carry on rides. */. But, what would you recommend doing for the hot/busy afternoon if the lines and heat become too much for us? that wont happen with our baby until later in the year. Before you go, check out the Disney Junior Dance Party on Hollywood Blvd and Bugs Land for pre-school focused fun. MY son loved making all the noises of the animals he spotted. My MIL was with us last time and she wasnt into rides, so she watched my then 4 year old for all the rides she was too little for. I think I just spent an hour going page to page reading all your tips on DL. Visit this post for how to start your day at each park. I have a question i will be taking my son for his 2 birthday for the first time. The two rides we tend to prioritise in this period are Peter Pan and Dumbo as these get the longest queues later in the day. Dark rides, called because they take place in the dark, can be scary for children just by the presence of darkness but many also have other elements to watch out for i.e. It allows you, on certain rides to book a time to ride slot later in the day and means you basically skip the queue. My question is what do you think the best stroller is to take? Omit any attractions you were able to get done on day one.
It is a short 10-15 minute walk into Downtown Disney and we have always had good experiences there. We were so worried about disneyland with our two year old, and what rides we could ride. This slow train round circles around the landscape from the Storybook boats. I also havent included character meet and greets but you should plug these into your itinerary dependent on who you want to see and what times they are out.
I pushed a stroller single or double through the park until my kids were 5+ years old. If Should I take a stroller to Disneyland? is a question you have I would definitely recommend erring on the side of caution and taking a stroller with. When we travel to Disneyland Paris with toddlers I always recommend staying on site however when we visit Disneyland California with toddlers we never stay on site. 