Parenting in the Parks: Top Tips for Your Kid’s First Disneyland Trip

When is the right age to take your child to Disneyland for the first time? There’s no right answer! Some parents love having photo documentation of their newborn baby in his Mickey ears in front of the castle, while others prefer to wait until late toddlerhood when their little one begins to recognize favorite characters and appreciate some of the attractions. 

Whatever the right age is for your family, a first trip to Disney can be a magical moment… if you do it right. If you do it wrong, you’ll find yourself overstimulated, cranky, and questioning whether the money you spent was really worth it. Are you taking your baby, toddler, or small child for their first trip soon?

Here are our top tips for a kid’s first trip to Disneyland: 

#1 – Know the Ride Height Requirements Ahead of Time

Disneyland’s attractions are beloved by all sorts of people of every age. However, not all attractions are created equal. Some have specific height requirements in order to ride, while others have none at all. It’s really important that you spend some time on the Disneyland phone app or website to see which attractions your kids are tall enough to ride. There are a surprising number of rides, attractions, and experiences that don’t have a height requirement, but many do. 

40 inches is the magic number for many of the big thrill rides (Space Mountain, Big Thunder, Radiator Springs), with some rides (like Incredicoaster) going up to 48 inches. A few of the toddler-friendly rides such as Autopia and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree also have height requirements (32 inches). Measure your child ahead of time so you can set expectations for what they can and can’t do in the parks. 

Parents who still wish to ride the “big kid” rides can take advantage of Rider Switch. Rider Switch allows parents to switch off between riding the attraction and watching the kids, but only the first rider has to wait in line. Before getting in line, both parents need to check in with a cast member and let them know you would like to Rider Switch. 

# 2 – Start with a Mellow Ride

Take the advice from the parent who took her 15-month-old on Peter Pan first and made him cry because it was “too dark” and “too scary.” (It’s me… I’m that parent!) If your baby or toddler has never been on an amusement park ride before, my suggestion is to make the first one something mellow and outdoors with good lighting. 

Dumbo or the King Arthur Carrousel are great first rides, and also make for a fantastic photo op.

Once you get your child used to the concept of riding a ride, you can work your way to a low-key dark ride like It’s a Small World. You might find you have both a daring adventurer and a more timid traveler in your party, but if you ease into the fun, everyone will have a positive day.

My recommendation is to avoid the Fantasyland dark rides with scarier elements like Pinocchio, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, and Peter Pan until your little one can handle a bit of thematic drama. Snow White’s Enchanted Wish is now less scary than it used to be (but it’s still got a few frightening elements). So, when you think your kid can handle it, this might be a good dark ride for them.

# 3 – Take Your Disney Day at Their Pace

I’m going to give you the most important piece of Disney parenting advice anyone will give you. Ready? You don’t have to do everything. In fact, you won’t be able to do everything. And that’s ok!

The sooner you let go of trying to ride every ride and see every part of the park, the sooner you’ll be able to relax and enjoy making memories as a family. We typically let each family member pick one “must do” and make sure to honor that request, then create a list of things to do “if we have time.”

Take time to stop and explore. Let your kiddo run around. Take frequent breaks. Shows and parades are great places to rest your feet and have someone else entertain your little one for a spell.

To keep the balance of things we also take breaks away from the stimulation and look for a quiet corner or bench for a rest.

And don’t forget to schedule in that regular nap; all the excitement and stimulation from a day at Disneyland really can affect your baby’s schedule. Favorite rest places for our family include Main Street Cinema, the upstairs balcony at Hungry Bear, and the dining area tucked behind Edelweiss Snacks on the old Motor Boat Cruise Dock. 

# 4 – Check Out the Play Places

Our favorite way to spend time at Disneyland with our toddler is in the play areas around the resort. Leave plenty of time to check out ToonTown and Pirate’s Lair in Disneyland, along with Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in DCA. Each of these areas have spaces for both younger and older kids to explore, imagine, and play.

And don’t forget that “play” can happen anywhere in Disney Parks! Our toddler loves strolling down Main Street, exploring Galaxy’s Edge, and running along the trails behind Grizzly River Run. 

# 5 – Splurge on Character Dining

This is the age where the magic of Character Dining makes it worth the price. And those Character Meet-and-Greet lines are long! So, skip the lines and enjoy some one-on-one attention with your favorite characters over a meal. 

Disneyland offers four Character Dining Options, each with their own benefits: Storytellers Café, Plaza Inn, Goofy’s Kitchen, and Princess Breakfast Adventures. 

• Storytellers Café in The Grand Californian Hotel & Spa has the best food of the four and provides a chance to see Mickey Mouse himself at either Breakfast or Brunch. 
• Minnie & Friends — Breakfast in the Park at Plaza Inn at Disneyland has the best variety of characters and offers the opportunity to dine without leaving the park. 
• Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel offers the only dinner option and has the best food for picky eaters.
• Princess Breakfast Adventures at The Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, while the most expensive, can be worth it if you have a princess fan in your party, as the Disney Princess interactions are some of the best at the resort.

# 6 Consider a Nearby Hotel

If this is your child’s very first trip to Disneyland and you want to make the most of it, consider reserving a hotel room nearby, even if you live within driving distance. The on-property hotels (Disneyland Hotel, The Grand Californian Hotel, and soon-to-be Pixar Place Hotel) are always a nice treat if you can afford the luxury of the close walk to and from the parks. However, there are many great hotels within walking distance with more affordable options.

Getting to take a break back at the hotel for a nap or quick swim in the pool will recharge your little one for the late night ahead, should you wish to stay for the fireworks or Fantasmic (when it eventually returns). Staying up for the nighttime magic is worth it! Our favorite place to watch the fireworks with young ones is in front of It’s A Small World or, if using a Fantasmic Dining Package, on The Rivers of America directly after the first show.

Let’s Hear From You

How about you? Have you taken your child to Disney yet? If so, what age do you think is best for a first trip to Disney Parks? Let us know if you have any additional tips for other parents braving Disneyland with a baby or toddler for the first time!

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