Disneyland Tips
If you’re planning a Disneyland vacation with toddlers, I have tips to make the most of your family trip! We spent two days at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure and I’ve picked up some tricks to make the experience smoother. From where to stay to the best rides and dining spots, here’s everything you need to know for a stress-free trip to The Happiest Place on Earth!
Check out my Tips for Flying with Kids. And for kid-friendly trip ideas, read about our recent adventures in Joshua Tree, San Diego, and the Reef at Atlantis.
Why Disneyland is Great for Toddlers
If you’re deciding between Disneyland and Disney World, I’d argue that Disneyland is the better choice for toddlers. The park’s smaller size makes navigating easier, and planning your day is much simpler. Plus, most of the rides were suitable for my toddler’s height—something that may be unique to Disneyland compared to Disney World.
General Disneyland Info
Founded: The park opened on July 17,1955.
Size: Disneyland sits on about 500 acres of land and includes Downtown Disney, Disney California Adventure, and the Disneyland theme park. The park itself is about 100 acres.
Weather: Southern California generally has pleasant weather year round, but early spring and fall are the best times to visit. Thats when temperatures average in the 70s, so it’s not too hot or cold. And you don’t have the humidity of Disney World in Florida.
Park Hours: Disneyland opens at 8:00 AM everyday and closes at 10:00 PM.
What to Bring to Disneyland
A little strategy goes a long way when it comes to packing for Disneyland. Here’s what I recommend bringing:
Snacks & Water: The food is great, but having quick snacks for the kids can help when hunger strikes in long lines.
Stroller or Carrier: Even if your child is a great walker, the park is huge, and those little legs will need a break.
Comfort Items: If your child naps in the stroller, bring a small blanket.
Backup Outfit: Messes happen! Pack an extra change of clothes.
Sunscreen & Hats: Even in February, the sun was strong.
Quick Tip: If you’re a pack rat, no need to lug everything around the entire day. Rent a locker in the morning. They’re just $10 for the day.
Getting to Disneyland
The closest airport to Disneyland is the John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Santa Ana. We flew in from there. SNA is small, easy to navigate, and about 15 miles away from Disneyland. The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Long Beach Airport (LGB), and Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) are within 50 miles of Disneyland.
Since we didn’t want to rent a car, we used Anaheim Town Car Services from the airport, and I highly recommend them. They were easy to book online, provided car seats, and had super clean, comfortable cars.
Where We Stayed
If you want to be fully immersed in the Disney experience, you can stay at a Disneyland Resort Hotel. But if you’re on a budget, there are plenty of great hotels near Disneyland.
Fun fact: Some off-site hotels are actually closer to the park than Disneyland’s own resorts! And you can still get that Disney magic because there are so many Disney-themed activities within Anaheim.
We stayed at the Residence Inn, which was the perfect choice for our family. It was just a 10-minute walk from Disneyland (so we didn’t have to pay for Disneyland parking) and at just $200 a night, it was an affordable option. Our room had plenty of space for my husband, our two toddlers, and me. We also had a separate living area and pull-out couch.
The complimentary breakfast buffet was a huge hit with the kids, especially the Mickey-shaped waffles!
The hotel also had a great pool with a splash pad, which was perfect after a long park day.
They even had a balloon artist, who made the boys fun balloon animals.
The only downside? They don’t offer cribs, only Pack 'n Plays.
A Day in Disneyland with Kids
Rides for Toddlers
Some of the best rides for our little ones included:
Storybook Land Canal Boats: A relaxing boat ride that the kids loved.
Casey Jr. Circus Train: A fun, classic train ride perfect for toddlers.
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage: Really cool for the kids, but might be a little claustrophobic for adults.
Toontown: Nostalgic and fun, but Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway wasn’t a favorite—it was a little too fast and loud for my youngest, and the line was long.
Disneyland Food
The foodie culture in Disneyland is something serious. And all that walking builds up an appetite! The strawberry churros were a fun twist on the classic—sweet, crispy, and easy to snack on while walking to the next ride.
And of course, I had to get a turkey leg—smoky, savory, and absolutely massive! Perfect for sharing… or not. There are tons of other great options, but these two were definitely my favorites!
The boys loved the mango and raspberry soft serve the best.
We were also lucky to visit Disney California Adventure Park during the Food & Wine Festival. We got to try limited-time menu items. The standout dish? Birria Mac & Cheese—so good!
Where to Eat in Anaheim
The only meal we had outside of the parks was at Roy’s Restaurant, which was within walking distance of our hotel. The food was amazing and worth the stop if you’re looking for a break from park food.
The edamame hummus was a stand out dish! It was served with a yuzu balsamic glaze and broccoli that had been blanched, then grilled and tossed in an herbed balsamic. So flavorful!
Disneyland Tips
Use Rider Switch to avoid waiting twice. If someone in your group can't or doesn't want to ride, Rider Switch lets adults take turns without rejoining the full queue. Just let a Cast Member know before entering. One guest waits while the other rides, then they swap, with one additional rider joining.
Download the Disneyland app ahead of your visit to help you plan. It’s your best tool for planning, with real-time wait times, ride availability, show schedules, and mobile food ordering. You can also make dining reservations and get live updates on park events.
Save on tickets by choosing the right option. Disneyland 1-day tickets have tiered pricing based on demand, with weekends and holidays costing more. If you’re visiting for multiple days, buying a multi-day ticket lowers the per-day cost.
Plan ahead for Disney merch and souvenirs. Buying Disney-themed items before your trip saves money and ensures you have them ready for photos. If you’re purchasing in the park, wait until the end of the day to avoid carrying bags around (and minimize the chance of losing them).
Be strategic with ride timing. To avoid long lines, purchase a Lightning Lane pass or arrive at park opening and head straight for the most popular rides. Another trick? Ride during planned shows, when crowds gather elsewhere.
Disney California Adventure: Cars Land & More
On our second day, we visited Disney California Adventure, and Cars Land was an instant favorite.
Crew loved Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters and Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, while the Ferris wheel and carousel were fun for the whole family.
One ride I’d recommend skipping? The Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind. It was cute, but the wait was long, and the ride itself was very short.
Disneyland vs. Disney California Adventure
We experienced full days in both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park. Between the two, we preferred California Adventure.
Less Crowded & Easier to Get Around. The walkways felt wider, and we weren’t constantly dodging strollers or weaving through massive crowds like in Disneyland. The park layout made it easier to get from ride to ride without feeling overwhelmed.
Shorter Wait Times. While Disneyland had long lines all day, we found that wait times at California Adventure were much more manageable, letting us experience more rides in less time.
Cars Land Was a Huge Hit. The attention to detail in Cars Land made it feel like stepping into the movie, and the rides here were some of our favorites—especially for little ones who love Lightning McQueen.
More Thrilling Attractions. While Disneyland leans heavily on classic rides, DCA had more high-energy attractions like Incredicoaster and Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
Laid-Back Atmosphere. Disneyland can feel non-stop and overwhelming, but DCA had a more relaxed vibe. Whether it was strolling through Pixar Pier or grabbing a bite at the Food & Wine Festival, we felt less rushed and more able to enjoy the day. Plus, the food and drink options felt like a step up from the usual theme park fare.
Final Thoughts
I hope these Disneyland tips help you plan a fun and stress-free family trip! Whether you're visiting with toddlers or older kids, a little strategy goes a long way in making the most of your time at the parks.
And remember—it doesn’t have to be all or nothing! You can stay at an offsite hotel, enjoy the savings, and still experience the magic with a well-planned day at Disney California Adventure or Disneyland.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
You can bring water, snacks, and nonalcoholic drinks into the park. Water bottles are allowed and there are filling stations conveniently located around the property. Bringing your own snacks can save money and help keep little ones happy while waiting in lines.
-
The best time to visit Disneyland with lighter crowds is mid-September to mid-November (before Thanksgiving) or mid-January to mid-March. These months offer shorter wait times and more hotel availability, but keep in mind that park hours may be reduced, and some attractions might be closed for refurbishment. If you prefer extended hours, full entertainment, and seasonal events, weekends and peak times like summer, Christmas, and Spring Break are ideal—but expect bigger crowds.
-
Yes! Disneyland has plenty of toddler-friendly rides, character meet-and-greets, and stroller-friendly paths. Just plan for breaks, bring snacks, and take advantage of Rider Switch if adults want to enjoy bigger rides.
