A Disney vacation is already a dream come true, and with a bit of extra planning, you can make even more memories with your little one that you’ll treasure as they grow. We’ve gathered some of our top travel tips for a fun and kid-friendly visit to the Disneyland® Resort—including favorite attractions, restaurants and entertainment for preschoolers.
As you prepare for your getaway, don’t forget to pack your Disney Rewards Redemption Card so you can fuel up by redeeming Disney Rewards Dollars toward necessities like snacks.0 And, because we all know convenience is everything when traveling with kids, you can even redeem while using mobile ordering for extra ease when hunger strikes.
What Families Need to Know About the Disneyland® Resort
There are two theme parks within the Disneyland® Resort. Disneyland® Park was the first to open, in 1955, and earned the iconic nickname The Happiest Place on Earth. Disney California Adventure® Park is the newer kid on the block, open since 2001. To visit, every member in your party will need a valid ticket and park reservation for the same park on the same date. Kids under three years old do not need park tickets or reservations.
Both parks offer their own unique experience. If you can, visit them both! But not to worry if you can’t—there are many kid-friendly amenities, with Baby Care Centers, companion restrooms and lockers to store personal belongings located in both parks. Between all the areas, there are more than 60 attractions that don’t have height restrictions, making them perfect for young kids. Some fan favorites are listed below.
Best Disneyland® Resort Attractions for Young Kids
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At Disneyland® Park
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Calling all Space Rangers! If you’re looking for some hands-on fun with the little one, whisk over to this attraction and fire your laser to defeat Zurg in an epic space battle. Tots will love acting out their Galactic Hero fantasies.
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Location: Tomorrowland, Disneyland® Park
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Attraction Type: Slow ride, spinning, dark, loud
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Cast away from civilization and enter a guided tour of the world’s most remote rivers. Enjoy lively narration with old gags and hilarious moments as you glide past tigers, cobras, shrines, waterfalls and more.
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Location: Adventureland, Disneyland® Park
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Attraction Type: Slow ride, water ride, loud
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Take a fairytale journey aboard a wooden mine cart alongside Snow White as she flees from the Evil Queen. Smell the scent of pies baking and spot magical touches like Snow White dancing and bubbling potions.
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Location: Fantasyland, Disneyland® Park
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Attraction Type: Slow ride, dark, loud
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At Disney California Adventure® Park
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A fun and mellow ride for any age, this Toy Story 2-themed carousel features Jessie’s favorite desert dwellers and a cute Southwestern motif. Pick a critter, such as a raccoon or a tortoise, and give it a whirl!
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Location: Pixar Pier, Disney California Adventure® Park
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Attraction Type: Slow ride, spinning
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The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
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This whimsical journey through the underwater world of Ariel and friends has plenty of eye-catching entertainment, so it’s great for young children. Sing along to iconic tunes, spot classic movie scenes and even get a look at Ariel’s gizmo-filled grotto.
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Location: Paradise Gardens Park, Disney California Adventure® Park
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Attraction Type: Slow ride, dark, loud
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Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
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Ride along with Mike and Sulley as they race to return Boo to her home before the rest of Monstropolis knows she’s there. Zip through the whimsical world of Monsters, Inc. and keep your eyes peeled for any mischief.
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Location: Hollywood Land, Disney California Adventure® Park
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Attraction Type: Slow ride, dark, loud
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At Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, tiny explorers can climb, play and jump. Help them scale the Cliff Hanger Traverse Rock Climb, whoosh down a natural rock slide or practice park ranger skills at Sequoia Smokejumpers Training Tower.
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Location: Grizzly Peak, Disney California Adventure® Park
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Attraction Type: Outdoors, open, range of activities
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Best Disneyland® Resort Shows and Entertainment for Young Kids
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At Disneyland® Park
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Narrated by the Storytellers of the Pride Lands, this show revisits Simba’s journey from timid cub to mighty king with song, dance and captivating voices. Toddlers and preschoolers will love the spectacle, and you’ll love the chance to hear classic tunes like “Circle of Life” and “Hakuna Matata.” Check the schedule for showtimes, which may not be daily.
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Location: Fantasyland, Disneyland® Park
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Type of entertainment: Storytelling, music, dance
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At Disney California Adventure® Park
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Dance with Disney Junior stars at this high-energy show where kids can get their wiggles—and giggles!—out in a fun and music-filled environment. Vampirina, Doc McStuffins and even Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Roadster Racers all make a grand appearance.
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Location: Hollywood Land, Disney California Adventure® Park
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Type of entertainment: Sing-along, dancing
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Kids can chat live with Crush, everyone’s favorite turtle from Finding Nemo and Finding Dory, in this totally tubular interactive experience that also includes splash-bys from Dory, Nemo and Marlin. Crush will answer the kids’ questions, whether about his favorite foods, his friends or beyond.
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Location: Hollywood Land, Disney California Adventure® Park
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Type of entertainment: Talking, spontaneous, animation
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At Both Parks
Cardmember Photo Opportunities
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You want to snap adorable photos to remember this vacation forever, and your kids want to meet some favorite Characters. Great news—you can do both at private, Cardmember-only locations. Use your Card for entry to get a Disney photo and a Star Wars photo, with complimentary digital download.
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Locations: Hollywood Land, Disney California Adventure® Park and Tomorrowland, Disneyland® Park
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Type of entertainment: Character experience, photo opportunity
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Best Disneyland® Resort Character Dining and Food Options for Young Kids
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At Disneyland® Park
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Sink your teeth into an intergalactic feast inspired by the lovable little Aliens from Toy Story. Try pizza, pastas, salads and even alien-shaped macarons. While you eat, check out original posters showcasing past attractions, such as Mission to Mars (which was located where this restaurant now stands!).
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Location: Tomorrowland, Disneyland® Park
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Food Type: American, Mobile Orders, Quick Service, Dinner
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Reservations: Not accepted
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American comfort food is the star of the show here, and you’ll even find some of Walt Disney’s favorite dishes on the menu at this Main Street, U.S.A. establishment. Modeled after a turn-of-the-century cafe, it’s a great place to kick back for an al fresco family meal under the candy-striped umbrellas or take a seat in the Victorian-esque dining room.
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Location: Main Street, U.S.A., Disneyland® Park
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Food Type: American, Table Service, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Reservations: Recommended
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Located on the shores of Rivers of America, this rustic retreat is perched near The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and boasts a woodsy charm inspired by the American South. Order some cheeseburgers and cheesy macaroni, then explore the pine forest surroundings with your little ones. And you definitely don’t want to miss the House-Made Funnel Cake.
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Location: Critter Country, Disneyland® Park
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Food Type: American, Quick Service, Lunch, Dinner
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Reservations: Not accepted
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Little ones will love this charming quick-service tavern themed after Beauty and the Beast. Breeze by for lunch or dinner and share a Garden Mozzarella Flatbread or Enchanted Cauli-Flower Sandwich. (Don’t worry: There are plenty of kid-approved options, too, including burgers and chicken nuggets.) Kids will love the bites and being transported to Belle’s village.
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Location: Fantasyland, Disneyland® Park
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Food Type: American, Quick Service, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Reservations: Not accepted
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Down-home American cooking comes with a side of riverfront views at this fan favorite restaurant. Kids will get a kick out of choosing sides to create their own entrees, and parents will appreciate mouthwatering options like the Sweet & Sticky Pulled Pork. Set your sights on the river and you may even catch a glimpse of the Mark Twain Riverboat as it floats by.
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Location: Frontierland, Disneyland® Park
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Food Type: American, Table Service, Lunch, Dinner
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Reservations: Recommended
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At Disney California Adventure® Park
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This quick-service, food court-style eatery is easy and downright delicious, with three stations of grab-and-go grub, an open-air patio and arcade-style indoor seating area. Pizza, pasta and plated entree salads are prepped right before your eyes in an onstage kitchen. For a preschooler, it’s basically dinner and a show!
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Location: Paradise Gardens Park, Disney California Adventure® Park
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Food Type: Italian, Quick Service, Lunch, Dinner
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Reservations: Not accepted
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This eatery is a preschooler’s Cars dream brought to life. Kids will swoon over its Route 66 ambiance, complete with vintage-style gas pumps and tailpipe light fixtures. Stop by and fuel up on mouthwatering burgers and shakes, enjoying the kitschy memorabilia as you nosh.
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Location: Cars Land, Disney California Adventure® Park
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Food Type: American, Quick Service, Lunch, Dinner
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Reservations: Not accepted
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Pym Test Kitchen featuring IMPOSSIBLE™
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This epic eatery is a total feast for the senses—with a captivating menu featuring massive entrees, tiny treats and shareable bites. Designed to look like an old lab facility run by Ant-Man and The Wasp, it features enormous soda cans, oversized condiment bottles and other eye-catching quirks.
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Location: Avengers Campus, Disney California Adventure® Park
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Food Type: American, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Healthy Selections
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Reservations: Not accepted
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At Resort Hotels
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Stop by this spot for a meal presented by Chef Goofy. It’s especially exciting during breakfast and dinner, when Goofy and his pals roam the aisles. Snap a selfie with some beloved Characters and then tuck into crowd pleasers like Mickey Mouse waffles and French toast or crisp salads and pizza.
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Location: Disneyland® Hotel
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Food Type: American, Buffet/Family Style, Breakfast and dinner
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Reservations: Recommended
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Mickey’s Tales of Adventure Breakfast Buffet at Storytellers Cafe
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Is there a better way to spend your morning than sharing a meal with Mickey Mouse and friends? We think not! This experience includes Character sightings, plus the legendary Mickey Mouse waffles for breakfast and brunch. It all takes place in the cozy backdrop of a Craftsman-style living room that’s warm, welcoming and bursting with Disney charm. Cardmembers receive 10% off most meals, most days when using the Disney® Visa® Credit Card.00
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Location: Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
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Food Type: American, Buffet/Family Style, Character Breakfast
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Reservations: Recommended
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We hope this dedicated travel guide makes planning a preschool Disney adventure a breeze! Remember, Cardmembers can redeem Disney Rewards Dollars toward meals, activities and shopping during any visit to the Disneyland® Resort.0 Have fun and bon voyage!
