We took a family trip to Disneyland with kids, and it was pure magic! From right when we walked in, to the snacks, the rides, and even just strolling down Main Street, it’s nearly impossible not to have the best time ever at Disney. And there’s truly nothing better than seeing the excitement on the kids’ faces!
We’re lucky enough to live less than an hour from Disneyland, so we try to go often. Having the yearly passes makes it easy to pop in for a day trip, and our kids always have the best time. With Jules being 3 and James just turning 2, they’re at such a fun age because they know what’s going on and can ride a surprising amount of rides. Before going to Disneyland or even in the car on our way there, we always make a game plan and rough itinerary of what we want to see and do so we know what to prioritize!
Top Tip For Disneyland with Kids
One of our best tips for visiting Disneyland with kids is to get there right when the gates open. Yes, it calls for an earlier morning than usual, but the excitement makes it easier. I always pick out outfits for the kids the night and show them so that they are excited to get dressed in the morning. It saves us so much time in the morning!
Arriving early to the park really paid off! The first three hours the park was open, most of the rides had just a 5 to 10 minute wait. Even the usually busy rides were a breeze, with the exception of Peter Pan which always has a decently long wait. If you know that’s a must for your family, my advice is to head there first before the line really starts to build up. After those first few hours, the park did start to get more crowded, but by then we had already crossed a lot off our must-do list and were able to enjoy the snacks and just let the kids run around and get their energy out.
Top Food and Snack Recommendations
Easily one of the best parts of Disneyland are the snacks! If you are looking for the top snack recommendations, here are my recommendations:
- Churros
- We always have to stop at a Churro cart! We love going at different times of year to see what seasonal flavors they have. Our go-to is the classic cinnamon sugar churro!
- Dole Whip
- This pineapple soft serve is probably on every top snack list because it’s that good! It’s refreshing on a hot day and feels like a treat.
- Available at Tiki Juice Bar or Tropical Hideaway in Adventureland.
- Mickey Beignets
- Fluffy, powdered sugar–coated treats shaped like Mickey Mouse. Even though they are a bit messy, I always make sure to have a pack of wet wipes in my bag to wipe the kids’ faces and hands after they enjoy this treat!
- Found in New Orleans Square at the Mint Julep Bar.
- Hand-Dipped Corn Dogs
- Served at Little Red Wagon on Main Street, U.S.A., and Corn Dog Castle in California Adventure.
Our little ones think these are a meal AND a snack all in one.
- Served at Little Red Wagon on Main Street, U.S.A., and Corn Dog Castle in California Adventure.
- Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar
- The Vanilla ice cream is shaped like Mickey Mouse and dipped in chocolate – truly delicious.
- Disney Popcorn
- Lightly buttered and served in collectible themed buckets. The popcorn is a staple you can’t go wrong with!
One Last Tip
The last tip I have if you are preparing to go to Disneyland with kids is to download the official app! You can see the wait times, make reservations, order ahead and more. The app truly saves me so much time.
If you’re heading to Disneyland with kids, seriously get there early! I know it means an early morning, but it makes such a difference. The lines are short, everyone’s in a good mood, and you can knock out so many rides before it gets too hot and busy.
This blog is all about Disneyland with kids and Disneyland snack recommendations. For other blogs about parenting, check out my blog everydaywithcassie.com.
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