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Tips for Visiting the Disneyland Resort with Preschoolers

Published: April 18, 2024

Tips for Visiting the Disneyland Resort with Preschoolers

ANAHEIM, Calif. – There is nothing like a young child’s first encounter with Mickey Mouse at the Disneyland Resort. As the child’s eyes light up with wonder, family memories begin, and those memories are sure to last a lifetime. From cherished character experiences to attractions ideal for toddlers, plus healthy dining options, there is so much magic for little ones to enjoy.

Another plus for families with small children is the close proximity of both theme parks and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort, making this a walking resort that is easy to navigate. Complimentary resources and services also are available to enhance a visit with young children.

Guest services

  • Baby Care and First Aid: In Disneyland Park at the end of Main Street, U.S.A., and in Disney California Adventure Park at San Fransokyo Square across from The Bakery Tour, guests will find complimentary Baby Care Centers. These comfortable, staffed locations offer nursing rooms, changing rooms, small toilets, feeding areas, bottle warmers and more. First Aid Centers are also available at the end of Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland Park and next to the Chamber of Commerce on Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure Park.
  • Family-friendly restrooms: Families will find companion restrooms conveniently located throughout both parks. With nine companion restrooms at Disneyland Park, and five at Disney California Adventure Park, parents have access to convenient public restroom alternatives. These restrooms can be located in the Disneyland app.*
  • Secured items: Four locker rental locations are available for storing valuable items during a visit, with two in the main entrance plaza, one on Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland Park and another one on Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure Park. Parents of young children may benefit from this service by safely stowing items they do not wish to leave in their stroller.
  • Stroller rentals: Single and double strollers are available to rent for usage at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. The rental location can be found outside the theme parks, east of the Disneyland Park main entrance.
  • Disneyland app: The official Disneyland app offers useful information, including attraction wait times, park hours, entertainment schedules and restaurant menus. Guests may also use the app to look for character appearances, mobile order food and beverages at select quick-service restaurants, join the walkup list for select table-service restaurants, and more.

Attractions for toddlers and preschoolers

Families can find fun, age-appropriate attractions for young children at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.

  • Disneyland Park has many attractions young families can enjoy, including:
    • Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
    • Dumbo the Flying Elephant
    • “it’s a small world”
  • Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park: Families and young children can play together at this reimagined land, which features green space to unwind, interactive play areas, character sightings and delightful dining for guests of all ages.
  • Disney California Adventure Park also offers family-friendly attractions such as:
    • Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
    • Turtle Talk with Crush
    • The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
  • Rider Switch: The Rider Switch policy gives both parents a chance to enjoy an attraction that a young child may not want to board or may not be tall enough to enjoy. A parent who waits with that child while the other parent rides the attraction may then board the ride with minimal wait time after the first parent exits. Guests may ask a cast member at an attraction’s entrance about this service.
  • Height requirements: Some attractions have height requirements to ensure the safety and comfort of all guests. Before visiting, parents may want to measure their small children to limit any surprises upon arrival. Guests will find height requirements for applicable attractions on Disneyland.com and the official Disneyland app.

Character experiences

  • All the Resort’s a stage: For some children, the shows at Disneyland Resort are their first experience with live music and theater. Various performances include Storytelling at Royal Theatre at Disneyland Park and “Disney Junior Dance Party!” at Disney California Adventure Park.
  • Magical meetings: Throughout Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, families may encounter and snap photos with characters. On the day of their visit, guests can locate Disney characters by checking the Characters tab of the Disneyland app. Examples of greeting opportunities include:
    • Fantasy Faire, where Disney Princesses interact with guests at Disneyland Park
    • Mater and Lightning McQueen can be found cruising through Radiator Springs at Disney California Adventure Park in Cars Land.
    • At Mickey’s House and Minnie’s House in Mickey’s Toontown, guests can discover playful gags and special surprises. When they are home, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse may also be available for photos.
    • Families may find heroic encounters with some of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes when visiting Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure Park
  • Character dining: Parents and children may enjoy a tasty meal in the company of characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy or Donald Duck. Four locations currently offer character dining experiences (advance reservations are highly recommended):

Dining

  • Delicious healthy meals: The Disney Check symbol on kids’ menus helps parents easily identify healthier dining options that meet Disney nutrition guidelines. For guests seeking to make healthier choices, the Disneyland Resort offers power pack meals designed for children, with snacks such as crackers and carrots.
  • Special dietary requests: Table-service restaurants and select quick-service locations across the resort offer allergy-friendly menus. Guests must speak to a special diets-trained cast member about their allergy-friendly request.** These options help families choose the safest ingredients and alternatives for young children who have common food allergies.
  • Fruit carts: Seven fruit cart locations within Disneyland Park, and three locations inside Disney California Adventure Park, offer healthy snack options for families looking to refuel between attractions and entertainment. Fresh fruit, yogurt and juice are just some of the options parents will find at these locations.

Photo opportunities

  • Snap the magic: Iconic picture spots across the Disneyland Resort are marked in the Disneyland app, such as the Partners statue in the Central Plaza at Disneyland Park and the Pixar Pal-A-Round at Disney California Adventure Park. As children grow older, photos from a special trip to Disneyland Resort become a lasting treasure.
  • Get everyone in the picture: Guests with preschool-aged children can easily capture priceless memories with Disney PhotoPass service. Photographers are staffed at iconic locations, character greetings and select dining experiences in both parks. Guests can purchase Disney Genie+ service on the Disneyland app for access to unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads for the day.

Magical memories

  • Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique: Children ages 3-12 receive the royal treatment at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Fantasyland at Disneyland Park. In this unique experience, parents may choose from a variety of packages with fun hairstyles, beautiful dresses and photography options. Parents watch the magical transformation unfold as young ones truly believe they are becoming their favorite Disney Princess or a shining knight. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made on Disneyland.com
  • Special merchandise: Disneyland Resort guests will find many shops with fun merchandise that will help create lasting memories. Parents may pick up their child’s first Mickey Mouse ear hat that can be embroidered with the child’s name or their very first plush of a favorite Disney character. A special souvenir is a sweet reminder of the precious preschool years.

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Check the latest entertainment details and schedules at Disneyland.com or the Disneyland mobile app. Entertainment, experiences, and offerings may be modified, limited in availability or unavailable, and are subject to restrictions, and change or cancellation without notice. Both Theme Park reservations and valid admission for the same Park on the same day are required for Park entry. Park reservations are limited, subject to availability and not guaranteed. Park admission and offerings are not guaranteed. Visit Disneyland.com/updates for important information to know before visiting the Disneyland Resort.

*Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations and features may vary by handset or service provider. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.

**Guests must speak to a cast member about their allergy-friendly request. While we take steps to help mitigate cross-contact, we cannot guarantee that any item is completely free of allergens. Our allergy-friendly recipes may use highly refined oils, such as soybean oil, and/or ingredients that are processed in facilities that also process allergens. It is ultimately our Guests’ discretion to make an informed choice based upon their individual dietary needs. For more information about allergy-friendly requests, ask to speak with a Special Diets Trained Cast Member upon arrival at the location.

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Disneyland Resort Public Relations
dlr.public.relations@disney.com
DisneylandNews.com
DisneyParksBlog.com
@Disneyland