5 Reasons You Should Take Your Toddler to Disneyland FIRST

5 Reasons You Should Take Your Toddler to Disneyland FIRST Disneyland with a Toddler 4

Being Orlando locals, my son’s first visit to Walt Disney World was at two months old. However, his first visit to Disneyland was at one year old and being in the park was so much easier and dare I say, more magical. It really got me thinking, regardless of the flight to California, I would always recommend visiting Disneyland first with your baby or toddler. So if you’re ready to book your little one’s first Disney trip, here are 5 reasons you should consider Disneyland first!



1. Walkability to the Parks

The entrances to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure are within feet of each other, meaning you can park hop in less than a minute. This also means no extra transportation or need to fold up the stroller; opening up the possibility of getting more done each day. We also take advantage of the coveted stroller naps and walk from Disneyland to California Adventure so the adults can ride Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! or enjoy a beverage from Pym Tasting Lab.

Even better, if you stay at a Disneyland Resort (Grand Californian, Disneyland Hotel, or Pixar Place Hotel) you are no more than a 15 minute walk to Disneyland. Again no folding up the stroller! You can also very easily head back to your resort for a nap, pool break, or to just grab anything you left in the room. This is an absolute game changer and makes our mornings so much easier – no extra time getting to the parks or having to strategically pack the stroller.



5 Reasons You Should Take Your Toddler to Disneyland FIRST Disneyland with a Toddler 10

2. Mickey’s Toontown

Mickey’s Toontown inside Disneyland Park is a toddler’s paradise. You could literally spend your entire vacation just in Toontown… it’s that good. The play area includes activities for children of all ages, including Goofy’s interactive house and Donald’s boat, complete with splash pad. Even the fountain in the center of the land is created to be a water table for your little one to play in. Of course, there is also the opportunity to walk through both Mickey and Minnie’s houses, which offer priceless photo ops including a meet and greet and countless play opportunities.

As if that wasn’t enough, there are two attractions with no height requirement; Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway and Rodger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin. I’ll never understand why Disney World no longer has its own Toontown – yet another reason your toddler will love Disneyland.



5 Reasons You Should Take Your Toddler to Disneyland FIRST Disneyland with a Toddler 2

3. The BEST Character Interactions

If you’ve ever been to Disneyland, chances are you have a story about a time a character walked with you through Fantasyland or seemingly appeared out of nowhere just to see you. Not only does there seem to be an abundance of characters but the lines are much shorter compared to those at Disney World.



This is huge if your toddler loves characters but doesn’t have the patience to wait in line. This is also a great way to introduce your little one to characters in a less intimidating way. Seeing Peter Pan strolling through Fantasyland is much less pressure than walking up to him after waiting in a line.

5 Reasons You Should Take Your Toddler to Disneyland FIRST Disneyland with a Toddler 8



4. More Toddler Friendly Attractions

The Disneyland Resort may only have two parks but there are are over 100 attractions. In Disneyland Park alone, there are over 45 attractions with no minimum height requirement. In fact, Disneyland’s Fantasyland is condensed enough that you can park your stroller in one place and experience 11 toddler-friendly attractions. Being able to experience so many kid-friendly attractions within a close walking distance is helpful for everyone’s stamina, especially when your baby is first learning to walk.

5 Reasons You Should Take Your Toddler to Disneyland FIRST Disneyland with a Toddler 5

5. Comfortable Weather

The beauty of visiting Southern California is that even on the warmest day, you can still wear a sweatshirt at night. If your toddler is anything like mine, he gets aggravated when he gets hot plus we don’t have the same endurance to wait for a parade or stay in the park during the heat of the day. Being able to stay in the park during the afternoon hours and not worry about him over-heating, really helps maximize our time at Disneyland.






5 Reasons You Should Take Your Toddler to Disneyland FIRST Disneyland with a Toddler 7

Regardless of Disneyland’s proximity to home, I would still choose it as my favorite destination to vacation with my toddler. We have made so many special memories unique to Disneyland and there is something so sweet about being able to take to your child to the first Disney Park.

5 Reasons You Should Take Your Toddler to Disneyland FIRST Disneyland with a Toddler 9



Let us know in the comments if you agree about Disneyland being the most toddler-friendly Disney Park!

5 Reasons You Should Take Your Toddler to Disneyland FIRST Hannah Headshot 2024 2

Hannah Anderson is a Dreams Unlimited Travel Agent, DIS Contributor, former Disney Cast Member, and Orlando local. Mostly importantly, she is a mom and loves spending time in the Disney Parks each week with her family.
[email protected]














FREE VACATION PLANNING!

Dreams Unlimited Travel is here to help you plan your ideal Disney vacation, with no additional cost to you. Our Authorized Disney Vacation Planners offer expert advice, answer all your questions, and constantly seek out the best discounts, ensuring you get the most value for your trip. Let us handle the details so you can focus on making magical memories.
CLICK HERE