Top 5 Must do activities at Disneyland for kids.
Disneyland really is the happiest place on earth, however, if you have decided to go in Peak season, or only have a couple of days to experience it, it can be a bit overwhelming trying to fit everything in. We have put together a list of our children’s top 5 must do activities at Disneyland for kids. Because, as much as you want to do everything at Disneyland sometimes it is just not possible.
A Twelve-year-olds must-do activities at Disneyland.
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters (fast pass- Max pass)
Located In Tomorrowland. Make sure you grab a FastPass as during the day the line can get long.
Buzz Lightyear needs your help, board a spaceship and help save the galaxy for this interactive ride. Shoot targets and try and get a high score with the toy laser gun.
No height restrictions however children under seven must be supervised by someone fourteen years or older.
- Fireworks
Best Viewing areas – in front of Sleeping beauty castle, Main Street USA, near it’s a small world.
(Dependent on weather) If you are only at Disneyland for a couple of days, don’t wait. Make sure you see Fireworks when you can as it is weather dependent and if it is too wet, or windy they have been known to be cancelled. On our last trip to Disneyland, we watched the fireworks from a distance on our first couple of nights. Then when we wanted to watch it from out of the front of the castle it was cancelled two nights in a row.
There is something magical about watching the fireworks cascading above sleeping beauty’s castle.
- Fantasmic (Fastpass – gets you a better view)
Located in the waters around Pirates Lairon Tom’s Sawyer Island Mickey’s amazing dream comes to life, including a 45foot fire-breathing dragon.
Fantasmic and fireworks are on at the same time so you need to do them on different days.
- Star Tours (Tomorrowland)
Offers Fastpass, Max pass and rider switch.
From the minute you wait in line to catch a ride on the Starspeeder 1000, the fun starts for Star Wars fans. Take a look at the decorations, keep an eye on the window and see if you can see the shadow of your favourite character.
This 3D ride you need to be 102cm, and all children under 7 years old must be accompanied by someone 14 years over.
* My kids favourite part of the ride is one person at random is chosen to be a spy and their pictures flashes on the screen. We rode it over a dozen times hoping to be chosen.
- Dole Whip (Adventureland)
Just outside the Enchanted Tiki room in Adventureland is the Tiki Juice Room. The place to get the famous dole whip. No visit to Disneyland is complete without tasting a Dole Whip.
Dole whips are only $4.99
- Honorable mentions – It’s a small world. (Fantasyland)
My daughter struggled to limit her list to 5 and this was the one that almost made it. This iconic ride that was featured in the movie Tomorrowland with George Clooney, is a family favourite. This is pure Disney nostalgia, however, I must warn you the song will get stuck in your head.
Must do activities at Disneyland as voted by a ten-year-old.
- Star Tours
(See above)
- Indiana Jones Adventure (Fast pass, Max Pass, Rider switch, Single rider line)
Children 117cm or taller, with a little bit of an adventurous streak, will love the Indiana Jones ride. Once again children under the age of 7 must be supervised by someone over the age of 14. The Indiana Jones ride is a great experience from the themed line, you enter the legendary temple of the forbidden eye. You climb into a twelve man vehicle and you move over a rocky terrain, fast at times, sometimes backwards. It’s a really unique experience, not really a roller coaster but not slow like some of the other rides either.
- Pirates of the Caribbean (New Orleans Square)
Pirates of the Caribbean ride is a great ride for all ages.There are no height restrictions although it can be a little dark at times. You climb into a boat that floats through a Caribbean village or two. Our children loved trying to look for Captain Jack Sparrow who was hiding in various parts of the sets.
You float past people sitting in the Blue Bayou restaurant as they eat their meal.
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
(See above)
- Jedi training academy
Follow the steps of a Jedi master and train with the Jedi. This was a highlight of our trip both our children got to battle Darth Maul. Tips – Go early get a spot at the front. Dress up as a Jedi, bring a lightsaber, or a sign. You are more likely to be picked.
- honorable mentions – Make your own Lightsaber
In the Star Trader shop in Disneyland is a make your own Lightsaber a stand. Our children spent ages building their own lightsaber. (Which they then took to try and get into Jedi training academy.
Must do activities at Disneyland for kids as voted by a five-year-old.
Book into the Bippity Boppoty Boutique to get a makeover by your own fairy godmother. Dress up as your favourite princess, get your nails, hair, and makeup done. Then. Head straight into princess Faire for her next recommendation which is to and get your photo and an Autograph with a princess at Fantasy Faire
- Mad Tea party (Fantasyland)
No visit to Disneyland would be complete without a go on the spinning teacup rides. Children any height will love climbing into a giant pastel teacup. This is classic Disney magic at it’s best. The best thing about the Mad Tea Party is you control how much spin you can handle.
- Casey Jr Circus train (Fantasyland)
The Casey Jr Circus train is an enchanting train ride, that has been at Disneyland since 1955. It is an enchanting ride through a tour of mini-villages showing many of your children’s favourite fairytales. All while riding in a gorgeous ‘circus train’
- It’s a small world (Fantasyland)
(See above)
Must do activities at Disneyland as voted by a three-year-old.
*Casey Jr Circus train (Fantasyland)
(see above)
It’s a small world (Fantasyland)
(see above)
Donald’s Boat (Mickey’s Toontown)
Children any height can stretch their legs and explore Donalds Boat, climb the spiral staircase to ring the bell, spin the steering wheel, pull the whistle and see what happens.
Goofy’s Playhouse (Mickey’s Toontown)
Probably the best spot in Disneyland for children under three. Our children loved climbing through tunnels, having a turn on slides, and running around and exploring the Goofy playhouse Yard.
The many adventures of Winnie the Pooh (critter country)
Children all ages will love exploring the many adventures of Winnie the Pooh, they will see all their favourite characters as they ride around in Giant honeypots.
#Feetdotravel
Have you been to Disneyland? Have you been to Disney’s California Adventure Park?
What are your must-do Activites at Disneyland for kids, tell us below in the comments?
Ah thanks for taking me down memory lane! I grew up going all the time! The Mad Tea Cups were always my favorite!! #FeetDoTravel
I have to admit, even as an Adult the Teacups are still a favourite of mine.
I haven’t been to Disneyland in a long, long time – it’s much easier for me to get to Disney World. But I’m hoping for a return trip in the spring. It looks like I’ve missed an awful lot – time to start planning!
I am yet to get to Disneyworld. We are hoping that we will be able to go on our next trip to the States 🙂
Wow! Your kids are Disney pros! I have been to Disney Land only once even though it is relatively close. I would like to go to see all the holiday decorations.
My kids are all Disney obsessed the fact we live almost 13000kms away hasn’t dampened their enthusiasm. We are either on a visit to a Disney holiday or planning the next one. I would love to visit over the Christmas period one year.
Is it sad that I loved the Buzz Lightyear ride as an adult?! LOL! Disney is just such a magical place for kids of all ages. Thanks for sharing this great list!
I agree I loved it too. I think two of my favorite rides are Buzz Lightyear in Disneyland and Toy story Mania in California Adventure Park.
If you’re going to Disneyland with or without kids, you are a big kid at heart right? So this is a great perspective to help little ones and big kids aka adults choose how best to spend their time! I would definitely do the fireworks .. and the teacups 😀 #feetdotravel
I think it is as much fun for the adults as the kids. 🙂 so I must be a big kid at heart then.
I have to admit, I think I had as much fun as the kids.
Disneyland and Disneyworld have both been on my own travel wishlist for so many years. Have yet to go, but we definitely will when we have kids. I love how you’ve split everything out by age… but you’re missing a category: ‘Must do activities as voted by a 27 year old kid’!! Haha! 😉
True. I might have to do this as my next post 🙂
Love the way you list “must-do” activities according to the kids’ various ages, brilliant idea! Looks like a really fun and magical place for kids.
It really was magical for children and parents as well
I haven’t been to the US park but I loved the Star Tours and tea cups in the parks I’ve been to! Guess that makes me young at heart 😉
I can’t wait to go to some of the other Disney Parks to see if the rides are the same as the US ones.
Looks so much for kids! They look all excited and having great time.. cheers
My kids love it, it really is the Happiest place on earth in our house.
Disneyland is such a magical experience – I only went once as a kid, but it stayed with me forever! Loved this rundown of all the best activities to do with kiddos!
I agree, It really is an experience that stays with you. 🙂
Ahh I loved Disneyland as a kid! My all time favorite throughout time was Splash Mointain – still is!
I agree, it’s my favorite as well.
Love this! I haven’t been to Disney in ages, and really need to go again! (Can grown ups take part in the Jedi training academy?? Haha.)
I have to admit I was totally jealous of my kids fighting with a lightsaber.
I’m glad you actually group it by ages! I’ve always been a believer that, as a kid, you get to enjoy Disneyland after you’re 10. When younger, those are memories and experiences more for the parents rather than for the kid itself (most of my friends don’t remember the first time they went to Disney, but their parents remember it with love) This post is a great way to plan what to do when visiting.
Different ages really do get different experiences from it don’t they.
Would like to visor Disneyland one day. Even as a grown up 🙂
It really is magical for all ages. Not just children.
Love how you have the best of’s from the perspective of a 10 year old and 5 year old. Invaluable insights for parents planning a trip.
Thanks. It was interesting getting their perspective as my list of top 5 rides for each age would have been different. 🙂
we just went on Sept 1 (my daughters sixth birthday) I’d say my 6 and 8 year old are aligned with your 10 year old. We ran out of stream for the fireworks, we saw some, but had to exit the park. I tried to get FP for Fanatasmic, I went early but they were out for the early show, so I would recommend going first thing to get these.
Awesome we were there for our youngest daughters birthday too, and they really made it so magical. We booked a on the go dining package to get our ticket to Fantasmic.
I’ve been to Disney world but have not been to Disneyland! I’ll have to use some of these tips if I do! 🙂
We haven’t been to Disneyworld yet, we are planning our first trip.
Awesome info! Love how you’ve broken it down by each age group because the kids definitely differ! Excellent guide!
Thanks.
Looks like such a fun day! I think I would enjoy all of that just as much as the kids haha
Great guide to navigate Disneyland for activities for kids of different ages. Also which passes to help make your trip there easier with kids. Great family trip idea now made easier! #feetdotravel
Thanks. 🙂
I visited Disneyland a few times when I was child and I must say I had a great time. It’s the ultimate paradise to go there at that time in your life. Hopefully when I have children I can take them too.
I agree I have had a great time every visit. I especially enjoyed taking my children.
There’s a bit of kid left in all of us, no matter our age. I loved Disneyland on my visit when I was about 30 years old. Racing around, going on all the rides and being so disappointed when closing time came. Seeing it from 3, 5, 10 and 12 year old’s perspective is a nice touch.
I have to admit, I think I love it as much as the kids.
It looks like the children had so much fun… what about the activities as voted for by the adults? I’m just a big kid at heart and love Disney
Thanks for sharing!
That’s my next couple of posts 🙂 I agree I loved Disneyland as much as my kids.
I remember all I wanted to when I was a kid was going to Disneyland! I still haven’t so all the activities for kids would be a big hit for me too haha!
Well worth visiting, I love Disneyland as much as my kids.
It’s fantastic place for children of all ages, I guess for adults too. I would love to see fireworks myself! Thanks for sharing!
I loved the fireworks, their is something magical about seeing the fireworks over Sleeping beauties castle.
I loved the teacups as a kid, that was my favorite in the whole world. I can’t wait to go back as an adult with my husband, he’s never been!
I still love the teacups as an adult. 🙂