13 tips for travelling to Disneyland with toddlers

When it comes to travelling to Disneyland with toddlers, it can be just as special as it is at any age, but it’s all in the planning. Toddlers thrive on routine, but a day at Disneyland will always be out of the ordinary, so planning around your child's schedule is a must. In this article, we uncover 13 tips and tricks that are sure to make your family day out as seamless as possible.

Secure your Disneyland tickets in advance because at 07:20, Disneyland begins scanning tickets and letting guests into the entry area. From here, most people will gather at the ‘rope drop’ on Main Street, waiting for the official park opening – California Adventure does the same.

If you're staying at a Disney hotel, you get ‘early entry’ through a separate rope drop at 07:30, which alternates between the two parks. Early entry happens at Disneyland Park on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and at California Adventure on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Double-check this when booking tickets and hotels, since it can influence which park you should start in.

If you're not a hotel guest, start your day at the park that does not have early entry. You'll get a head start with fewer crowds.

Top tip: in 2026, early entry is being replaced. Instead, you’ll receive one complimentary Lightning Lane entry per person for a select list of attractions during your resort stay.

Before promising your toddler a ride on ‘the big roller coaster’, check the official list of ride height requirements. Many of the best rides for toddlers at Disneyland, like Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Mad Tea Party, have no height limit but you'll want to know in advance to avoid surprises at the entrance.

Toddlers run on toddler time, not Disney time. Some days they'll ride five attractions before lunch, other days you'll barely make it through Main Street before they need a nap break. The park is huge, full of wonder and excitement, so give yourself permission to slow down and pivot if necessary.

The first ride of the day sets the tone. Use the official Disneyland app to check wait times and consider upgrading by purchasing Lightning Lane Multipass options, which let you skip the line at multiple rides.

If you’re starting at Disneyland Park, consider:

• Heading to Fantasyland first. In Fantasyland, start with Peter Pan's Flight and Alice in Wonderland. This themed land doesn’t offer a Lightning Lane, so starting here means you’ll avoid the long lines later in the day. 
• Trying out Toontown. Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway is a toddler-friendly standout and makes for a magical first memory.

If you’re starting at California Adventure, consider:

• Going for a ride on The Little Mermaid – Ariel's Undersea Adventure or Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. Both are toddler hits and easier to ride early.
• Heading to Cars Land for toddler-favourite character greets. A ride on Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree can be fun for older toddlers, but note they have a height requirement of 81 centimetres. 

Top tip: many Fantasyland rides like Snow White's Enchanted Wish and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, are surprisingly dark. Consider this in advance to avoid any unexpected spooks. If you’re after gentler rides, try out It's a Small World, Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage.

Every Disney park has a baby care centre that is fully staffed and offers various amenities for infants and toddlers. They're complimentary to use and include private nursing rooms, changing rooms with tables, toilets, feeding areas with highchairs and full kitchens. You’ll even find a shop with formula, baby food, nappies and other toddler essentials.

In addition, lost children are escorted by Disney staff to the nearest Baby Care Centre and Lost Children facility, so it's good to have them on your radar, just in case.

Top tip: you can use the baby care facilities instead of the busy public toilets when you need a calm space.

If you’re travelling with another adult to Disneyland, make sure to take advantage of rider switch. This allows one adult or parent to ride whilst the other stays with the little ones who don’t want to go on the ride or those that aren't big enough. Once the first parent is done, they can swap places and the other parent can ride with your child again (permitting they’re tall enough), without waiting in line twice.

Disneyland treats toddlers like VIPs, with a variety of perks including: 

• Free admission: kids under three years old get free admission, which means a saving of over $200 a day, depending on the time of year.
• Free food: at buffets and family-style restaurants, kids can eat free if they share from your plate. 
• Free Lightning Lane access: kids under three years old can simply tag along with your reservation.

Staying at Disneyland hotels can make a trip flow better, allowing ease and ensuring a more seamless experience. If your toddler still naps daily, the proximity may help you get the most time-value out of your trip. 

The three official Disneyland Resort hotels: Disneyland Hotel, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Pixar Place Hotel, offer some undeniable advantages that can make a toddler’s trip much smoother.

Disneyland hotels offer the following perks:

• Proximity and convenience – being able to walk (or hop on the monorail) straight into the park means you can head back to your room easily for naps or forgotten items.
• Early entry – currently, guests at the official hotels get early entry to one of the two parks each day. That extra 30 minutes may not sound like much, but when you're trying to beat the lines at the rides, it can be well worth it.
• Immersive experience – Disney hotels keep the magic going after you leave the park – whether it's themed pools with waterslides, character breakfasts or firework views from your balcony. For toddlers, the fun doesn't have to stop when you exit the gates.
• Easy logistics – transportation is relatively effortless, with no car seats, car parks, trams or shuttle buses required. You also get the option to send park purchases back to your hotel room, which saves you from carrying stuffed animals and bubble wands around all day.
• One-stop solution for families – the hotels are fully equipped with babysitting referrals, kid-friendly dining, pools with shallow play areas and shops for forgotten essentials. The on-site hotels are tailored to families who want convenience over complication.

While the nightly rates are higher than nearby off-property hotels, if you’re looking to save time, gain early entry and be close by to your hotel room, it might be worth paying more.

Consider packing toddler essentials such as snacks, refillable water bottles, suncream, hats, light jackets, an extra outfit, a clip-on fan, a pushchair rain cover, tracking bracelets and portable chargers. It can also be wise to pack two bags: a heavier one for the pushchair and a small ‘essentials’ bag (like a bum bag) you always keep with you. If you hire a pushchair, add a brightly coloured ribbon for easy spotting in the pushchair parking spot.

Disney prides itself on inclusivity. The Disability Access Service (DAS) programme helps guests who can't access traditional queues. Register via video chat before your visit or stop by the in-park accessibility window.

For some toddlers, meeting Mickey can be more exciting than any ride. There are plenty of opportunities to meet Disney characters. If you don't want to wait in lines, character dining (like Plaza Inn's Minnie & Friends breakfast) guarantees interactions without long lines. Bring an autograph book or have characters sign something practical, like a hat or tote bag, for a memorable keepsake.

Disneyland offers live entertainment, which is a great way to split up your day to stop little ones from getting restless. Popular shows include:

• Storytelling at Royal Theatre (Fantasyland) – soak in classic Disney fairytales with a comedic twist. Short and silly and utterly perfect for toddlers.
• Turtle Talk with Crush (California Adventure) – experience an interactive chat with a digital version of Crush the sea turtle. Kids love the laid-back vibe.

While Disneyland's nighttime shows are dazzling, they are also loud. Toddler ears are sensitive – so make sure you’ve packed headphones or earplugs to keep everyone happy.

A Disneyland trip with toddlers can be a memorable time for all. The trick isn't to conquer every attraction but to make the small moments count: watching your toddler's face light up on Dumbo, giggling at bubbles in a parade or meeting Elsa for the first time. With some strategy and flexibility, your trip will be remembered for the magic.