Kiki & Ollie
Experiencing Disneyland with my little one for the first time was pure magic. This guide will help you choose age-appropriate attractions for your toddler.
Favorite Ride: King Arthur Carousel
Age of Visit: 18 months
Though Disneyland seems like the ultimate destination for kids, it has something for EVERYONE!
Surprisingly, I found that many rides “for kids” were quite dark and scary.
There are many things to consider, such as height requirements, wait times, and fear factors. One long line or unexpectedly spooky ride could turn your happiest day on Earth into a very sad one.
That’s why I’ve compiled the best rides and experiences at Disneyland for toddlers for your next visit.
We took Oliver to Disneyland when he was 18 months old—a young toddler—so I made sure to plan so we knew which rides would be appropriate for him.
Keep reading to see which Disney rides & attractions are perfect for your little one!
Using the Disneyland App to Find Rides
Since more than fifty attractions are scattered around the park, it’s easy to find something for almost any age and thrill level.
The Disneyland website and app are your best pre-planning/day-of resources for rides. The first thing I’d research is rides based on height. There are quite a few rides with no height limit (filter by unchecking the height requirement filter).
This is a big time saver when researching in advance!
If you have a little one who’s easily frightened, remember that many of the rides in Fantasyland (just like the animated films) have some dark/scarier moments. You can filter rides by age-appropriateness by selecting “preschoolers” and then by “dark,” “loud,” “scary,” etc., to know which to avoid.
NOTE: Just because there’s no height requirement doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for all ages. You know your kiddo best!
The rest of this post shares some rides that generally work best for toddlers, but this app can help you filter out more specific requirements—especially for little ones with sensory issues.
Rider Switch (The Ultimate Toddler Hack)
If you visit Disneyland with at least 2 adults (14 years or older) and a toddler, you can utilize Rider Switch.
This is a great option for adults to take turns riding some “adult” rides during nap time. Or, if there is a long wait for a kid-friendly ride, one adult can queue while one adult stays with the toddler. After the queuing adult rides, the other adult can skip the queue to ride with (or without) the toddler.
You can also utilize the paid Lightening Lane for the Rise of the Resistance. We took a divide-and-conquer approach, so while one parent took Oliver back to the hotel to nap, the other went on adult rides for those two hours.
One day, I decided to wait in line for the entire nap for Rise of the Resistance (2+ hours), and then we paid for 1 Lightning Lane pass for the other parent to ride after nap time. This is essentially the same “Rider Switch” hack but a paid version.
And make sure to read more in my Ultimate Guide to Disneyland with a Toddler post so that you’ve prepared everything–and then some.
The Ultimate Guide to Disneyland with a Toddler
Best Experiences for Babies and Toddlers on Main Street
Main Street is the perfect hub when it comes to visiting Disneyland with small children. It hosts shopping, characters, simple attractions and that “magical” Disneyland vibe!
I love the feeling of strolling through Main Street.
With that in mind, here are a few activities you can do with your baby/toddler in this part of the park:
- Main Street Cars/Horse-Drawn Carriages (short lines, well-lit) – If you have an animal or auto-lover on your hands, this is an absolute must! I really wanted to take Oliver on one of the Main Street cars because he’s OBSESSED but they stop running at 2:30 pm (when he’s just getting up from his nap at the hotel). So plan for this early!
- Character Meets (long lines, well-lit) – Technically these can happen all over in and outside of the park, but you’ll find more characters here than anywhere else. We opted to book a character breakfast to skip Character Meets which was a huge time (and emotion) saver. More on that below!
- Full Loop on the Disneyland Railroad (short lines, well-lit) – This is a great ride to get a lay of the park while being able to kick back and relax. The lines are mostly short, but certain depots are busier.
Best Rides for Babies and Toddlers in Fantasyland
You might think that Fantasyland is MADE for the littles; that every ride must be safe for toddlers and babies.
Wrong.
Is it just me or are some of the rides SO scary? Like why is Snow White so unnecessarily frightening?
Rides like Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, Peter Pan’s Flight and Alice in Wonderland are considered to be toddler-friendly (and are also all available for Early Entry), but we decided to pass on them all.
You know your child best and this is where you must use your own discretion. These rides will almost ALWAYS have long queues and often end in tears with sensative little ones.
Here are some of the more guaranteed-good-time options for babies and toddlers:
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant (varied lines, well-lit) – We managed to get on this ride quickly with the help of Early Entry, but lines for this can vary. Depending on the time of day and season. It’s definitely a favorite with the toddlers and babies, not to mention it’s a classic photo-opp. (Early Entry Available)
- Mad Tea Party (long lines, well-lit) – In the scheme of general wait times, this one can be one of the shortest waits. This is a giggly favorite for babies and toddlers. You can sit in the teacup without having to turn the wheel for less spinning. (Early Entry Available)
- King Arthur Carrousel (short lines, well-lit) – This was truly Oliver’s favorite ride (we went on it a couple of times each day!) and is usually a short wait. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a toddler who doesn’t love a good carousel spin. (Early Entry Available)
- Storybook Land Canal Boats (short lines, well-lit) – Similar to the Disney Railroad, this is a great opportunity to sit, relax and move slowly. It’s a bit of a longer ride compared to some of the others, but also tends to have a short wait.
- It’s a Small World (occasional long lines, a little dark) – The lines here may vary depending on the season and time of day, but you’ll definitely want to head straight here during the holiday season when lines are long. It is technically a “dark” ride, but the smooth ride, cheery singing, and puppets make this the perfect toddler ride. (Lightning Pass Available)
- Casey Jr. Circus Train (short lines, well-lit) – Another perfect ride for the babies and toddlers with short wait times. If you’re a history buff, adults will love it as well as since it’s one of the original park rides.
Helpful Tip
On our last visit, we decided to utilize Early Entry and it was one of the best decisions we made!
By staying at the Grand Californian Hotel, we managed to get access to Early Entry and thus 30 min of practically-empty park use.
Click here to learn how you can utilize Early Entry during your next visit!
Best Rides for Babies and Toddlers in Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland gives big kid energy, what with the aliens and Space Mountain coaster. But there are still quite a few things to do with your baby and toddler!
- Astro Orbitor (varied lines, well-lit) – Similar to Dumbo, this one is great for the little ones. We didn’t get a chance to ride this time, but would in the future. (Rider Switch and Lightning Pass Available)
- Autopia (short lines, well lit) – This was our main ride for our visit to Tomorrowland. Technically, most toddlers won’t be tall enough for this, but Oliver is very tall and also obsessed with cars, so this made sense for our family. (Rider Switch and Lightning Pass Available)
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters (long lines, pretty dark, a little scary) – While this ride is technically ok for little ones, younger toddlers might not love this one. It could be good for older toddlers who can shoot the laser guns. (Early Entry and Lightning Pass Available)
- Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage (short lines, pretty dark, a little scary) – Another one we skipped just because I was worried about a meltdown and being stuck on the submarine lol, but now that Ollie is 2 I think he’d love it.
Helpful Tip
Do you want to skip the standby lines and go straight to the front of some rides? You can access Lightning Lanes through the Genie+ App for an extra fee. Check out The Ultimate Guide to Disneyland with a Toddler for more info on Genie+!
Read More
Disneyland Packing Guide for Toddlers
The Perfect 2-Day Disneyland Itinerary with a Toddler
Jungle Cruise
Enchanted Tiki Room
Best Rides for Babies and Toddlers in Adventureland
Despite the amount of rides available for small children at Fantasyland, we found that there was a lot more we could do and experience in Adventureland.
So many different food options, interactive activities as well as age-appropriate rides made this one of our favorite parts of the park!
- Adventureland Treehouse (no lines, well-lit) – Another great option if you’re trying to burn off some energy before nap time.
- Enchanted Tiki Room (short lines, a little dark) – Another thing I hadn’t done in 98239042 years–The Enchanted Tiki Room. Honestly this was a godsend. If your kid needs to MOVE their body, head here. The room is enclosed (so they can’t escape) and kiddos can dance and walk around for a solid 10-15 minutes to singing birds. He was getting annoyed that he couldn’t run through the park so this gave him some freedom and we got the zoomies out.
- Jungle Cruise (short lines, well-lit) – This line is usually very short (though I don’t know why, I’m obsessed!). It’s a very slow ride and is perfect for toddlers as it usually as their favorite things: boats and animals. 10/10 for Littles! Also, there are usually pretty short lines!
If you have a short amount of time to hit all the rides on your schedule and don’t want to leave the lines, consider Rider Switch! This allows you to make use of your time to get food while your other parties ride and switch. You can read more about this here!
Best Rides for Babies and Toddlers in New Orleans Square
Adventureland may seem big with some of the best rides in the park, but two of my favorites are actually located in New Orleans Square (including some of the best dining options and the infamous Club 33).
But as far as rides for littles go, here are the best ones:
- Pirates of the Caribbean (long lines, pretty dark, a little scary) – Another more “adult” ride that you should consider for your family. Oliver loved it and it’s one of my favorite rides so it was fun for us. It is dark, some scary scenes, and there are a couple of drops with light sprays, so you just want to be mindful and potentially skip. If this suits your young ones’ tastes, get in line as early as possible. (Lightning Pass Available)
- Haunted Mansion (long lines, pretty dark, a little scary) – We’re starting to enter more adult/older kid territory, but Oliver LOVES Halloween and was still a bit young to be afraid of things. These are not recommended for every toddler, obviously. (Lightning Pass Available)
Best Rides for Babies and Toddlers in Critter Country
There are only two rides in Critter Country, one for young ones and one for older kids (Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is set to open in November 2024, but it is best for older riders). Still, the baby-approved ride is a must-visit with the little ones!
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (short lines, pretty dark) – Due to the long walk and its far location, this ride hardly has any lines. You can also get a pass to skip the line (see below). Oliver knew Winnie the Pooh, so he really liked it!
This area is usually pretty quiet, and the ride is usually a short wait, so it’s a good option for letting littles run around a bit, too.
The absence of multiple ride options makes for a less crowded area, which is thus perfect for meet-and-greet opportunities with characters like Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, and Tigger, as well as a few others, in anticipation of Splash Mountain getting a Tiana’s Bayou makeover.
Santa is also in Critter Country if you’re heading to Disneyland during the holidays!
The Roo Pass Hack
A Roo Pass is available for the Winnie The Pooh ride and works similarly to Single Rider. Parties of 2-3 may use it so long as you’re willing to all sit in one row. All you need to do is:
Simply find a nearby Cast Member and kindly ask for one. You’ll be led through the exit and can skip the line!
Best Experiences and Rides for Babies and Toddlers in Toontown
Thanks to Early Entry, we were also able to explore Toontown without many crowds first thing in the morning. We didn’t get a chance to ride all the rides, but touring Toontown and letting our little one run around was just as fun.
- Exploring Toontown (short lines, well-lit) – One of the more fun experiences of Toontown is visiting the characters’ homes! The lines are short or non-existent and you don’t have to worry about being taken for a scary ride. This is also a great spot to meet some of the characters! No need to go on rides; they can walk around and explore
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (short lines, well-lit) – We skipped this because we felt Oliver was still too young, but it might be a good option for older toddlers. (Lightning Pass Available)
Make sure you download the Disney App! Not only does this tell you wait times for lines, but you can also get Mobile Orders for certain restaurants and snack stops. We definitely want to avoid a hangry tantrum situation!
Best Experiences for Babies and Toddlers (Non-Rides)
It’s important to remember that much of the Disneyland experience (and magic) is outside of rides. You could go and skip all of the rides and still have a fantastic time. Here are some experiences that can be booked in advance AKA no long lines!
- Character Dining Experiences at Storyteller’s Cafe at The Grand Californian Hotel and The Plaza Inn in Disneyland (Reservation Only)—These are honestly some of the best hacks for visiting Disneyland with a toddler! Plaza Inn is great, but it’s very hard to get a reservation, so always check Storyteller’s Cafe! It’s the best way to meet all of your favorite characters in a controlled environment while getting some much-needed food in those bellies.
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique inside Disneyland (Reservation Only) – This is like a little kid’s DREAM! Oliver was too young, but our friend did this with their little girl, and she loved the experience. It’s for older toddlers and kids only (3-12 year olds) but is a Prince/Princess boutique where they can get a costume and hairstyle to make your mini feel like royalty! Just make sure you make a reservation and have a valid park ticket to go.
- Parades! These are held at different times throughout the year, but they are GREAT for little ones. It gives you a break to just sit/stand and watch something for a while, and they will most likely see some of their favorite characters.
