Toddler Fun at Disney California Adventure: Park Plan for Little Kids

This is your go-to guide for navigating Disney California Adventure with a toddler—without the overwhelm. I’ve made planning easy for parents along with magical moments for toddlers, too.

I often use my days at California Adventure as a leisurely re-set during Disneyland vacations. This theme park has plenty to do and see, but comes with a much more laidback approach.

• If you’re starting your Disneyland vacation at California Adventure, you’ll love being able to ease your toddler into rides and shows without overwhelming either of you in the process.
• If you’re visiting Disney California Adventure after Disneyland Park, you’ll love being able to slow down and really soak up the fun of Disney and Pixar here.

Best Time to Visit with Toddlers

There are pros and cons to every time of year when visiting Disneyland and California Adventure. The most important thing I want you to know is go when you can—you’re still going to have an amazing vacation even if other sources say it’ll be packed. 

The reason you’ll still have the best time? You’re here reading these tips! You’re already miles ahead of others who don’t spend the time to prep beforehand.

But if you can be flexible, here are a few things to consider regarding the best time to take your toddler to California Adventure:

• Wednesdays and Thursdays tend to be great during the week for slower pace and less people
• Saturdays might be surprisingly less crowded when many pass holders are blocked out
• Choose times of year with comfortable temperatures if possible, 70s are ideal but always bring sunscreen and wear layers
• See my annual Disneyland planning calendar here for more crowd predictions and details

Tickets and Lightning Lane

Everyone loves taking their little kids because of the automatic discount on Disneyland tickets for young children.

• Babies and toddlers are free before they turn three!
• Kids ticket prices are available for ages 3-9.
• I also offer additional discounts for family, friends and parents. These are the same Disneyland tickets you’d get from Disney but for less!

Do you need Lightning Lane for toddler-friendly rides?

Yes and No. Lightning Lane Multi Pass is Disney’s “cut the line” feature for certain rides at California Adventure. You’ll have the opportunity to purchase LLMP (Lightning Lane Multi Pass) with your tickets or after you enter the park for the day.

Yes, you will need LLMP for your toddler IF they are 3 years or older AND you plan to utilize the Lightning Lane queue on any of these rides:

1. The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
2. Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
3. Toy Story Midway Mania!
4. WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure

No, you will not need LLMP for your toddler IF they are under 3 years old. They can go with you in the Lightning Lane queue if you have purchases LLMP for yourself. 

No, you will not need LLMP for your toddler IF you plan to only utilize the standard (Standby) queue during your day at California Adventure.

Park Hopper: Worth it with a toddler?

Quick answer on this one, I say not worth it with toddlers. Save yourself the money and purchase a 1-Park per day ticket and go for multiple days instead of park hopping. 

Park Day Packing List

When traveling with toddlers, little ones and preschoolers you know it takes an extra amount of effort. The regulars come with you on the trip, but here’s what to bring inside the parks.

You can bring these items in your park bag, store it in a locker or your stroller:

• Stroller, be sure to bring your own within the size requirements or rent one from CityStrollers (locally and woman owned)
• Sunscreen
• Change of clothes and layers
• Snacks that won’t crush or melt (just no glass or loose ice)
• Shoes (or socks for babies—safety on rides)
• Wipes, sanitizer
• Pull-ups, diapers, extra underwear (they do sell these items as well)
• Noise blocking headphones for loud rides and fireworks

Also feel free to stop by the Baby Care Center in San Fransokyo Square, near Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop and across from The Bakery Tour.

Baby Care Centers are fully staffed and feature a host of helpful amenities for parents with infants and toddlers.

Open during regular park hours, each full-service facility is complimentary for Guests and includes:

• Nursing room with chairs
• Changing room with tables
• Toddler-size toilets (for Guests under 42” tall)
• Feeding area with highchairs
• Kitchen with sink, bottle warmers and microwave (select use only)
• Vending machine offering formula, baby food, juice, diapers, wipes, sunscreen, pacifiers and over-the-counter medication—all available for purchase with a credit card

California Adventure Toddler Rides

These rides, listed alphabetically are available options for little ones. But do read the fine print I’ve listed.

1. Golden Zephyr 

• Height requirements any height can ride.
• Seating in a galactic gondola seats about 10 people, soft strap seat belt.
• Waiting outdoors and usually less than 15 minutes.
• What we love high flying spins with views of California Adventure down below.
• What we loathe similar to other nearby rides.
• Insider secrets you can easily complete this and other nearby rides during the first hour of park opening.

2. Inside Out: Emotional Whirlwind

• Height requirements any height can ride, including babies and pregnant women.
• Seating in a core memory hot air balloon for about 4 or 5 people.
• Waiting outside in a short queue.
• What we love seeing Pixar Pier from above.
• What we loathe the massive amounts of spinner type rides in the same area and into Paradise Gardens Park.
• Insider secrets a great attraction for Rider Switch users at Incredicoaster.

2. Jessie’s Critter Carousel

• Height requirements any height can ride.
• Seating on one of many critters available.
• Waiting outdoors and usually less than 15 minutes.
• What we love proximity to Incredicasoter.
• What we loathe waiting longer than a few minutes for a standard attraction.
• Insider secrets take turns with your kids on Jessie’s Critter Carousel while another adult rides Incredicoaster next door.

3. Jumpin’ Jellyfish

• Height requirements 40 inches or taller (usually ages 3-4 hit this mark).
• Seating on a colored jellyfish with a pull-down lap restraint.
• Waiting outdoors and usually less than 15 minutes.
• What we love going up and down over California Adventure Park.
• What we loathe it’s a very short, 90 second ride.
• Insider secrets you can easily complete this and other nearby rides during the first hour of park opening.

4. The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure

• Height requirements any height can ride.
• Seating in a clamshell fit for 2 or 3 with a pull down lap bar.
• Waiting mostly indoors and usually less than 15 minutes.
• What we love the classic dark ride elements and the retelling of this favorite fairytale.
• What we loathe longer waits now that this has Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
• Insider secrets ride again and again if the wait time is low.

5. Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters

• Height requirements 32 inches or taller.
• Seating in a one of Luigi’s cousins from Italy. Each car has a different look and personality.
• Waiting both inside and outside with a decent queue full of Cars details for about 30 minutes or more.
• What we love even though it seems to spin and dance in crazy fashion, most people can handle the delicate motions (it’s not as bad as it looks).
• What we loathe going to the outdoor queue after finally cooling down inside.
• Insider secrets try to hit this ride early in the day for lower wait times.

6. Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree

• Height requirements 32 inches or taller (usually around 2 years old)
• Seating in a little tractor for 2 or 3 people.
• Waiting outside while watching people go for a spin for about 15 minutes or more.
• What we love being silly and laughing as we get tossed about.
• What we loathe squishing our littles on sharp turns.
• Insider secrets pair two kids to ride together if possible (must be at least 7 years old).

7. Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!

• Height requirements any height can ride, including babies and pregnant women.
• Seating in a taxi cab ride through Monstropolis.
• Waiting outside and then indoors with some clever Monster props.
• What we love the wild ride to take Boo home.
• What we loathe longer waits now that this ride has Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
• Insider secrets get here early and join in on the morning scream!

8. Pixar Pal-A-Round

• Height requirements any height can ride.
• Seating inside a spacious gondola with room for about 4 people.
• Waiting outdoors and usually around 20 minutes.
• What we love going up and over California Adventure Park.
• What we loathe the swinging gondolas, notice the barf bags inside—not a good sign.
• Insider Secrets opt for the stationary gondola aboard what many call Mickey’s Wheel of Death.

9. Silly Symphony Swings

• Height requirements 40 inches or taller.
• Seating in a swing for 1 or 2 riders.
• Waiting outdoors and usually less than 15 minutes.
• What we love flying high above it all.
• What we loathe it can be a little bit nerve wracking up there!
• Insider secrets you can easily complete this and other nearby rides during the first hour of park opening.

9. Toy Story Midway Mania!

• Height requirements any height can ride.
• Seating in a swiveling carnival car fit for 2 or 3.
• Waiting mostly outdoors in a pretty boring queue besides seeing Mr. Potato Head.
• What we love competing against others in this video game carnival.
• What we loathe long waits for this very popular ride.
• Insider secrets don’t waste your energy during the practice rounds, save it for the real thing!

10. WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure

• Height requirements any height can ride.
• Seating in WEB Slinger vehicle with 4 across.
• Waiting mostly inside with an awesome pre-show presentation by Peter Parker himself. Virtual queue may be required to ride.
• What we love this entirely new land celebrating all things Marvel.
• What we loathe this can be scary for toddlers and little kids.
• Insider secrets use the Single Rider line if ages 7 and up want to cut their wait time.

More Experiences for Toddlers

California Adventure Park is a haven for parents and toddlers because it offers a great mix of rides and experiences. These are some stand out meet and greets, activities and entertainment you won’t want to miss.

1. Animation Academy – learn to draw a Disney character, even little ones love this activity!
2. Anna & Elsa’s Royal Welcome – meet Anna, Elsa or maybe even Olaf inside the Animation Building in Hollywood Land.
3. Disney Junior: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live! – an adorable, high energy show featuring Mickey, Minnie, Daisy and Pluto.
4. Games of Pixar Pier – for a fee, play the La Luna game where every player is a winner with a prize to take home.
5. Meet Mickey, Minnie and Pals on Buena Vista Street – see your favorites and wave hi or wait in line to take picture together.
6. Meet Pixar Pals on Pixar Pier – see your favorites and wave hi or wait in line to take picture together.
7. Meet Cars Friends in Cars Land – see your favorites and wave hi or wait in line to take picture together.
8. Mickey’s Philharmagic – show in Hollywood Land
9. Redwood Creek Challenge Trail – run, play and explore in this nature-filled area in Grizzly Peak
10. Turtle Talk with Crush – join in the live show and ask Crush (from Finding Nemo) inside the Animation Building in Hollywood Land.
11. Seasonal Parades and Shows – don’t miss seasonal offerings and shows like World of Color and parades.

Ideal Toddler Itinerary

While I’ve listed out everything above, sometimes you just need a quick itinerary ready to download to your phone packed full of rides in the ideal order to lower wait times, scheduled breaks for naps or play time, dining options kids and parents will love and more. 

I’ve also added in photo spots and factored in cool, comfortable places to unwind during your day. This California Adventure toddler itinerary is meant for you, complete with flexibility.  

And a few last minute thoughts on bringing your toddler to Disneyland Resort:

• Pack your patience
• Encourage exploration
• Follow your toddler’s pace
• Eat before hunger sets in
• Let the little things slide, don’t let something small ruin your day

Reminder that magic comes in small, joyful moments which you’re sure to experience during your Disneyland vacation!