27 Best Rides At Disneyland For Babies & Toddlers
We have recently come back from the most magical trip to Disneyland with our 15-month-old little boy, Oliver.
Our trips to Disney parks around the world have changed a lot since having a baby, but thankfully there’s still a vast number of rides and experiences at the Disneyland Resort that we were able to experience as a family.
1. It’s A Small World
π Location: Fantasyland at Disneyland Park π Height Requirement: N/A
It’s A Small World is one of the most iconic Disney rides of all time.
Having originally premiered at the 1964 New York World’s Fair the musical boat ride which features 300 animatronic characters was permanently moved to Disneyland in 1966.
This ride has no height requirement and has recently undergone a significant, multi-million dollar upgrade.
During the ride, you’ll sail past childlike models inspired by kids all around the world, singing in a harmonious chorus.
With the characters and coloured paper collages, it almost feels like you are sailing through the illustrations of a childrenβs book.
2. King Arthur Carrousel
π Location: Fantasyland at Disneyland Park π Height Requirement: N/A
The King Arthur Carrousel is located in the heart of Fantasyland and features 68 hand-carved horses that gallop to the music of an antique band organ.
Each horse is unique and beautifully decorated with bright colours, jewels, and other intricate details.
This incredible attraction has been a staple of the park since it first opened in 1955, and it continues to delight visitors of all ages today.
3. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
π Location: Mickey's Toontown at Disneyland Park π Height Requirement: N/A
One of the newest rides to come to the Disneyland Resort is Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
This ride is part of the newly overhauled Mickey’s Toontown area of the Disneyland Park, but can also be found at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.
This ride is based on a number of original Mickey Mouse short cartoons, and features twists, turns and hilarious transformations along with slapstick comedy and plenty of surprises.
4. Main Street Vehicles
π Location: Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland Park π Height Requirement: N/A
The Main Street USA vehicles include an omnibus, jitney, fire engine and horse-drawn trolley all of which are available to ride.
You can jump on the Main Street Vehicles at stops in Town Square near City Hall and outside the Sleeping Beauty Castle all day long excluding during the parades.
There’s often no queue here, and the journey is just a swift five to ten minutes.
5. Mad Tea Party
π Location: Fantasyland at Disneyland Park π Height Requirement: N/A
Taking inspiration from the 1951 animated classic, Mad Tea Party brings to life the Mad Hatterβs party sequence from Disney’s Alice In Wonderland.
This eccentric ride will leave you in a spin, as you jump into your own colourful tea cup and swivel and whirl through a wonderful world of excitement and song.
As celebration music fills the air, party guests rotate through a blur of pastel colours as the madness takes over.
Thankfully, unlike Alice, you are in control of how fast your cup revolves so for younger children or those prone to motion sickness you can experience a more gentle yet fun experience.
6. Jungle Cruise
π Location: Adventureland at Disneyland Park π Height Requirement: N/A
Take a ride on the Jungle Cruise and see incredible animals and enjoy a high-sailing adventure on an exploration like no other.
This waterway adventure takes you through Asia, Africa and South America in just ten minutes, with plenty of action and comedy to keep you entertained.
7. Pirates of the Caribbean
π Location: New Orleans Square at Disneyland Park π Height Requirement: N/A
While toddlers are unlikely to have seen the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise, they are still sure to enjoy the adventure of this ride.
Avoid close encounters with Blackbeard and Davy Jones, dodge cannon fire in a battle with Barbosa and enjoy seeing all the antics this scurvy bunch bring your way.
8. Haunted Mansion
π Location: New Orleans Square at Disneyland Park π Height Requirement: N/A
The ride name, Haunted Mansion doesn’t seem like the best place for a toddler. However, rest assured this dark ride is very family-friendly with mild frightening scenes.
Throughout the ride, you’ll sit in a Doom Buggy which will take you on a journey through the different chambers of the residency, as pranks are played on you and you meet some phantoms in the graveyard for a sing-song.
9. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
π Location: Critter Country at Disneyland Park π Height Requirement: N/A
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh takes you on an adventure through Hundred Acre Wood in a honeypot ride vehicle, where you’ll experience the whimsical world of Winnie the Pooh and his friends.
The ride is suitable for all ages and is designed to be an interactive experience featuring scenes from the Winnie the Pooh stories, such as Pooh’s honey pot, the bouncing Tigger, and the windy wind storm.
10. Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure
π Location: Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure Park π Height Requirement: N/A
The new Web Slingers ride is perfect for wannabe superheroes.
During this ride, you’ll help Peter Parker whose Spider-Bots have gone wrong, rogue, started multiplying and are beginning to take over the Avenger’s Campus.
Throughout the ride, you’ll stick the Spider-Bots back down with some web-slinging action that is sure to make you feel like a true hero of the day.
11. Dumbo The Flying Elephant
π Location: Fantasyland at Disneyland Park π Height Requirement: N/A
Based on the brilliant animated classic from 1941, Dumbo the Flying Elephant is a magical experience for toddlers.
Little ones are sure to adore climbing aboard their own elephant and taking to the skies, swirling and twirling around the circus.
Riders can control how high they fly, or stay closer to the ground if they are unsure about their wings. This is the perfect place to not only see an elephant fly but to be part of the action as well!
12. Astro Orbiter
π Location: Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park π Height Requirement: N/A
Situated at the edge of Tomorrowland, Astro Orbiter is a similar experience to Dumbo the Flying Elephant, albeit spaced-themed and higher.
As the captain of the ship, you’re able to use the lever on your dashboard to control how close to the cosmos you fly which is ideal for little kids who may be a little unsure.
13. Disneyland Railroad
π Location: Multiple Disneyland Resort Locations π Height Requirement: N/A
Railways were one of Walt Disney’s lifelong passions, it’s, therefore, no surprise that Walt was incredibly excited about bringing a fleet of steam trains to Disneyland to take guests on a tour of the park.
The Disneyland Railroad, calls at four stations around the park; New Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown, Tomorrowland and Main Street, U.S.A.
You’re able to go on the entire round-trip journey which takes 18 minutes in total or get off at any of the stops to explore the park on foot.
14. Toy Story Midway Mania!
π Location: Pixar Pier, Disney California Adventure Park π Height Requirement: N/A
Toy Story Midway Mania is one of our personal favourites!
This ride can be found at both Disney’s California Adventure and over in Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World in Orlando.
The ride itself sees you take a carnival-inspired tram around a number of different interactive screens where you’re required to use your spring-action shooter to earn points.
The games include Green Army Men Shoot Camp, Rex & Trixieβs Dino Darts, and Woodyβs Rootinβ Tootinβ Shootinβ Gallery.
15. Casey Jr. Circus Train
π Location: Fantasyland at Disneyland Park π Height Requirement: N/A
Directly from the 1941 animated classic Dumbo, the Casey Jr. Circus Train will take riders through miniature versions of some of the most memorable Disney locations.
Witness the Cave of Wonders from Aladdin, visit the cottage of the Dwarfs from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and discover the village of Arendelle from Frozen, as well as many more!
16. Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
π Location: Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park π Height Requirement: N/A
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is a slightly less modern / interactive version of Toy Story Midway Mania.
During this ride, you’ll join Star Command and journey into the Gamma Quadrant using your weapon to shoot the Z-shaped targets.
Each target is worth a set number of points which can be found on the dashboard. Your score will see you ranked as a Space Cadget or Galactic Hero and can be compared against family and friends who you ride with.
17. Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
π Location: Fantasyland at Disneyland Park π Height Requirement: N/A
The Sleeping Beauty Castle is incredible to view from a distance, but did you know that at Disneyland you can walk through it as well?
Inside does have limited accessibility and is a little dark, but if able we highly recommend heading inside to see the detailed dioramas retell the story of Princess Aurora.
18. Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
π Location: Fantasyland at Disneyland Park π Height Requirement: N/A
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey is the perfect ride for kids of all ages and has been at the Disneyland Park since 1983.
This ride is based on the beloved Disney film, Pinocchio, and takes you on a thrilling adventure through scenes from the movie.
19. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
π Location: Fantasyland at Disneyland Park π Height Requirement: N/A
Join Toad of Toad Hall on this epic adventure in his much-loved motorcar, out into the countryside, along the riverbank and into town. There are crashes, smashes, and even explosions!
This is an indoor slow-paced ride, however being unique to the Disneyland Resort it’s often incredibly popular with long wait times, as such we recommend either using Genie+ or heading to this ride for rope drop.
20. Mark Twain Riverboat
π Location: Frontierland at Disneyland Park π Height Requirement: N/A
Step back in time and board a replica of the steam-powered Colonial-era vessels that used to take people up and down the Mississippi river.
The 28-foot tall, 105-foot long riverboat sets sail on an authentic 14-minute trip around Pirateβs Lair on Tom Sawyer Island every 30 minutes during daylight hours giving guests a different view of the park.
21. Peter Pan’s Flight
π Location: Fantasyland at Disneyland Park π Height Requirement: N/A
Peter Pan’s Flight is one of the best Disneyland rides, having been a part of the theme park since it opened back in 1955.
Given the nostalgia involved with this ride it is often one with long lines, however, don’t let that put you off as the high-flying adventure is sure to thrill even the smallest of guests.
During your daring journey, you will wander through the Darling nursery, witness Tinkerbell getting up to no good and even see your own shadow come to life on the wall!
22. The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
π Location: Paradise Gardens at Disney California Adventure Park π Height Requirement: N/A
The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure is a gentle ride which takes you on a journey in a clamshell through scenes from the movie,
The ride features animatronics, special effects, and beautiful music from the film, making it a truly immersive experience.
23. Jessie’s Critter Carousel
π Location: Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park π Height Requirement: N/A
Jessie’s Critter Carousel is a more modern take on the traditional King Arthur Carrousel.
Situated at Pixar Pier over in Disney’s California Adventure Park this action-packed experience takes you into the fun of the Toy Story franchise.
Riders will be rootinβ and tootinβ as they enjoy a superb ride based on the second outing in the Toy Story films.
24. Disneyland Monorail
π Location: Multiple Disneyland Resort locations π Height Requirement: N/A
Take in views of the entire park from a completely different perspective on the Disneyland Monorail.
This 2.5-mile-long journey takes around 13 minutes to complete and has two stations; Downtown Disney and Tomorrowland inside the Disneyland Park, as such you will need a valid theme park ticket.
25. Enchanted Tiki Room
π Location: Adventureland at the Disneyland Park π Height Requirement: N/A
The charming and colourful Enchanted Tiki Room show has been entertaining visitors since it first opened in 1963, and it remains a beloved classic that is perfect for toddlers.
The show takes place in a Polynesian-style theatre and features a variety of animatronic birds and flowers that come to life and perform a lively musical number.
26. Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
π Location: Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park π Height Requirement: N/A
The Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage is a fun ride, suitable for the entire family.
To go on this ride you’ll board a real-life yellow submarine, similar to that shown in the film.
Once inside, you’ll be transported to a stunning underwater world filled with colourful fish, coral reefs, and even some familiar characters from the movie, including Nemo, Dory, and Crush.
27. Golden Zephyr
π Location: Paradise Gardens at Disney California Adventure Park π Height Requirement: N/A
Any space fans will love boarding this 1920s-inspired Astro ride situated at the edge of Pixar Pier at Disney’s California Adventure park.
These stunning retro spaceships will spin you round and round an ornate red tower, flying you high in the sky and almost up into the cosmos.
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