Disneyland is at the top of every child’s list. Regardless of the age, it’s the experience of a life-time. Disney got it right when they labeled it magical and the Happiest Place on Earth. There’s so much to see and do that it can be overwhelming, especially if you only have a one or two day pass. Here are the 10 best Disneyland experiences for toddlers. Although they are geared toward younger kids, they are fun for the entire family.
Top Ten Disneyland Experiences for Toddlers
1. Crown Jewel Theatre at Disney’s California Adventure
The Muppet Vision 3D is temporarily taken over and reimagined as the Crown Jewel Theatre where you can laugh and sing along to a timeless retelling of Frozen. Two Arendellian Storytellers host the festivities and introduce each magical musical number, complete with Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff joining in the fun. Guests, of all ages, are encouraged to sing along with a few favorite Frozen tunes. (Let’s face it, we all know the songs by now.)
2. Dumbo the Flying Elephant in Fantasyland
Soar high in the sky on a fanciful flight above Fantasyland aboard Dumbo the Flying Elephant. The line-up is usually long for this ride so head over early to beat the crowd.
3. A Bug’s Land at Disney’s California Adventure
This area includes three rides for toddlers that you can experience rather quickly since the lines tend to be short. Tuck and Roll’s Drive’Em Buggies, Flik’s Flyers, and Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train will take less than 30 minutes to ride but offer big fun for little ones.
4. Aerial’s Undersea Adventure at at Disney’s California Adventure
Step into your “clam-mobile” and visit favorite characters and enjoy unforgettable music form the animated classic, The Little Mermaid. You slowly descend to an underwater world where you’re met by Ariel, Prince Eric, Sebastian, Flounder, Scuttle and the wicked sea witch Ursula—a towering figure 7.5-feet tall and 12-feet wide. Ursula can be a little scary so be prepared to distract your child with other characters if they get nervous. The unforgettable songs like “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls” and “Kiss the Girl” make the ride worth it.
5. Disney Junior – Live on Stage
Perfect for preschoolers, Disney Junior characters, including Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy, Minnie, Doc McStuffins, and Jake and the Never Land Pirates, all perform together on one stage. The show is short enough to hold your toddlers attention and long enough to make the short weight worth it.
6. Mickey’s Fun Wheel at Disney’s California Adventure’s Paradise Pier
This huge Mickey Ferris Wheel provides a great aerial view of the park. Opt for the mild swaying gondolas rather than the swinging, scarier ones. You’ll thank me for the advise.
7. Disneyland Railroad
All children love a choo-choo train. You can climb aboard or disembark at Main Street U.S.A., Tomorrowland, Mickey’s Toontown, or New Orleans Square. The entire ride is a relaxing 18-minutes onboard an authentic steam-powered train or you can hop on and off at different locations.
8. King Triton’s Carousel at Disney’s California Adventure’s Paradise Pier
Most kids love carousels and the lines are never long. Triton’s underwater-themed carousel offers such choices as seahorses, whales, and other ride-able sea creatures. Even adults can relax and enjoy the wind in their face on this joyful ride.
9. Mickey’s House and Meet Mickey
Long lines and a cramped tour of this famous mouse’s house can’t scare you off. It’s a Disneyland must to meet Mickey and get a photo.
10. King Arthur’s Carousel in Fantasyland
Another carousel can be found in Fantasyland and with 68 wood-cared white horses and one intricately carved chariot, your kids are going to love a spin around atop a regal steed at this classic attraction.
Special Occasions
Additionally, Disneyland can make an already special occasion even more special. Disney Trippers has a number of excellent suggestions for making your special occasions at Disney even more remarkable. As an added bonus, they have they have a great list of best things to do at Disneyland too!
What is your toddler’s favorite experience at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure? Share below in a comment. Maybe I forget something that should have made the top ten.
These photos are so amazing they make we want to hop on a plane and take our two girls to Disneyland tonight. WOW!
I can’t wait to see it for myself.
Thanks for sharing.
i love Disneyland and California Adventure parks for toddlers too! We have taken our son on several visits before age 4 and each was fantastic!
We hope to take her at least once a year. We live 20 minutes away but I always want it to be special for her so I’d prefer not to go daily or even weekly.
Have you visited any of the other Disney properties? I went in Florida several years ago but it was before Athena was born. I’d love to check out the Paris location as well.
What gorgeous pictures. I agree that any age is good for Disney! I loved that Dumbo ride, and I’m far away from being a toddler….
This is so cool to see what is the same at Disney World and what is different. We LOVED the Frozen sing along but I look forward to doing the new things on this list with my 3 year old. Great list!
Great list! My husband and 3-year old just visited Disneyland a couple of weeks ago (3 year old’s first time) & his favorite ride was Dumbo! Other highlights were It’s a Small World (still singing that one non-stop), Pooh & the Rocketships.
My kids loved Disneyland when we took them – ages 3 and 4. The Dumbo ride, Tea Cups and Carousal were their favorites.
Aggghhhhh the little girl is so cute, I want to squeeze her!!! 🙂 Unfortunately, I’ve never been to Disney California’s Adventure so I cannot add anything on your list. I have a niece (my brother’s daughter) so I’ll keep this in mind! Thanks for sharing! Xx
Fantastic, thanks for this! Dumbo escpecially looks like so much fun! We’re heading to California next year with my two young nephews, so will definitely make sure we hit up some of these rides – they’re going to have such a blast! Thanks for the help!
It’s nice to see that there are a lot of rides even for toddlers. I love Disneyland and someday when I have a child, I would like to experience Disneyland with him/her.
I grew up in Southern California just 30 minutes from Disneyland, so this brought back some great nostalgia. The Jungle Cruise was always a favorite when we took my little brother!
Ha even funny r adults I would say! Dumbo did look quite fun, wondering if kids these days know who he is. And I guess every kid needs a Mickey Mouse photo. May even out these on my bucketlist
Your post makes me wish I were a kid again – going to Disney was such a magical experience when I was little. Maybe I need to borrow some kids and go back! What fun.
GOD I LOVE Disneyland. This list is great for adults too! ahaha.
Fun list!
I remember going to disneyland at the age of 4 and the dumbo ride was a big hit!
I’d love to take a ride with Dumbo as well! I’m a bit of a wimp when it comes theme parks so most of the activities for toddlers are perfect for folks like me too!
I’ve never been to Disneyland but Disney World in Florida was a favorite trip of mine when I was a kid! So many wonderful memories and such a favorite among the young & old 🙂
Great list! Ahh… to be a kid again! The ferris wheel might be a little scary for kids, but agreed- the non-swaying car would be best!
I remember the Dumbo ride from when I was a kid! We’ve since been once with our kids and they keep asking to go back….better not show them these photos or they’ll want to go back today! 🙂
Such a magical place for toddlers! Ours were 6 and 8 when we visited Disneyland and it was SO much fun.