Enjoying Disneyland with little kids

The mickey waffle at the Carnation Cafe on Main Street

As winter break approaches, many are planning to go visit family, go on vacations, etc. For those of you who live in California or are planning to visit Anaheim with children this is a blog to help you!

BEFORE THE TRIP:

1. Check the hours to the park beforehand, as times can vary depending on special events or day of the week.

2. Pack up

   • sunscreen

   • hats

   • sunglasses

   • walking shoes

   • Backpack to carry essentials

   • toys

   • family and friends addresses

   • stamps for letters and postcards

   • jacket

   • shorts

   • camera

ONCE AT THE DISNEYLAND RESORT:

1. Go to city hall or at ticket booth get a special brochure called Magical Beginnings. Most of the information that I wrote is from there. It is a special map that outlines a typical day with kids.

2. Check out the stroller rentals which are available near entrances of both parks

3. Locker rentals: They are outside and inside each of the parks. In Disneyland, they are in the center of Mainstreet. In California Adventure, they are located near the entrance to the left.

4. Baby Care Centers

5. RIDES for young kids!! DISNEYLAND

   • Fantasyland

     • Alice in Wonderland

     • Casey Jr. Circus Train

     • Storybook Land Canal Boats

     • Dumbo the Flying Elephant

     • “it’s a small world”

     • King Arthur Carousel

     • Peter Pan’s Flight

   • Tomorrowland

     • Astro Orbitor

     • Autopia (minimum age 12 months, min. height 52″ to drive alone)

     • Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters

   • Adventureland

     • Enchanted Tiki Room

     • Jungle Cruise

   • Critter Country

     • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

   • Frontierland

     • Big Thunder Ranch/Petting Farm

     • Tom Sawyer Island

     • Mark Twain Riverboat

   • Mickey’s Toontown

     • Goofy’s Playhouse

     • Mickey’s House

     • Minnie’s House

     • Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin

   • Main Street, U.S.A.

     • Disneyland Railroad

6. RIDES for young kids!! CALIFORNIA ADVENTURES:

   • Hollywood Pictures Backlot:

     • Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!

     • Turtle Talk with Crush

     • Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue

   • “a bug’s land”

     • Flik’s Flyers

     • Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train

     • Princess Dot Puddle Park

     • Bountiful Valley Farm

   • Paradise Pier

     • King Triton’s Carousel

     • Golden Zephyr

     • Jumpin’ Jellyfish (40″)

     • S.S. rustworthy

     • Sun Wheel

   • Golden State

     • Redwood Creek Challenge Trail (various height requirements)

7. Other rides with height requirements

   • DISNEYLAND:

     • Gadget’s Go Coaster (35″)

     • Matterhorn Bobsleds (35″)

     • Space Mountain (40″)

     • Star Tours (40″)

     • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (40″)

     • Splash Mountain (40″)

     • Indiana Jones Adventure (46″)

   • CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE

     • Tuck and Roll’s Drive ‘Em Buggies (36″)

     • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (40″)

     • Soarin’ Over California (40″)

     • Mulholland Madness (42″)

     • Grizzley River Run (42″)

     • California Screamin’ (48″)

     • Orange Stinger (48″)

     • Maliboomer (52″)

8. Rider Switch

   Lets one adult ride while the other waits with the child, then lets you switch places without having to wait in line all over again.

9. Check out the parade times when the kids start to get tired

10. When in doubt ask a cast member but beware what you ask.

Additional resources

Mouseplanet offers weekly updates on Disneyland, as well as discount information.

Miceage has articles including the changes that are being made at the Disney Parks.

Disneyland Homepage includes a web page on what to do with the little ones at www.disneyland.com/littleones.

Fodor’s Disneyland and Southern California with Kids