Disneyland with toddlers sounds magical and chaotic, right? And honestly it is. But with a little planning, a flexible mindset, and some snacks (okay, A LOT of snacks), it can be a truly amazing day.
We recently took our 2.5-year-old twins to Disneyland (which just so happened to be the start of their 70th anniversary celebration!) and I’m here to report that not only did we survive—it was one of our most memorable days as a family.
Here’s how we made it work, what we learned, and what I’d tell any mom planning her own Disney day with toddlers.
Where We Stayed: Close but Not Too Close
We booked a suite at the Residence Inn, about 15 minutes from Disneyland. Having a kitchen and separate sleeping space was clutch. The twins slept on the pull out couch while my partner and I slept on the king size bed.
Having a full size fridge to store fruit, snacks, and drinks really came in handy!
This hotel also had complementary breakfast- so after getting ready for the day we grabbed a filling breakfast of eggs, sausage, pancakes, waffles, and oatmeal. Basically a toddlers dream.
Not being on Disney property was cheaper, less stimulating, and still close enough to where it wasn’t a long drive to get on Disney property.
First Park Moments: “Wow, This Is Beautiful”
When we first got into the park, my son took one look around and said,
“Wow, this is beautiful.”
My heart melted. I’m not really and emotional person, but seeing Disneyland through your toddler’s eyes is something close to magic itself. We walked around a bit while waiting for family to join us, and the twins just soaked in the magic.
Starting the Day with Toddler-Friendly Entertainment: The Tangled Show
Our day officially kicked off with a live performance of Tangled. The twins were mesmerized. It was just the right amount of stimulation to start the day—fun, colorful, and no line-waiting required.
If you’re starting your park day with toddlers, a short show is a great way to ease into things.
Lunch… and Some Toddler Meltdowns
After the show, we grabbed a quick lunch. But by then, the twins were hitting their limit—fussy, overstimulated, and basically on the edge of full-blown meltdown.
So, I pretty much forced a stroller nap.
We reclined the stroller seats, pulled down the shades, and walked around. Perfect. They napped for over an hour and woke up totally recharged.
A reclining double stroller with shade is a must. You don’t need a hotel break if your stroller can double as a nap zone.
We have this Jeep double stroller and LOVE it! – It was so nice for them to be able to recline back and be fully covered by the sun. It was also the perfect size for Disney. Enough space on the bottom to store all the snacks, drinks and toys- but it didn’t take up the whole sidewalk when walking through crowds.
Post-Nap Joy: It’s a Small World
Post-nap energy is real! We headed to It’s a Small World, and the twins were obsessed.
The bright colors, music, and boat ride kept them completely entertained. It’s also a great first ride—slow, gentle, and air-conditioned.
Mickey’s House & Toontown Magic
Next up: Toontown. We visited Mickey Mouse’s House, and YES we met Mickey himself! The twins were totally star struck and they were beaming with smiles the whole time.
Mickey Mouse gave both kids a big hug and a kiss and we took a cute family photo.
Outside Mickey’s house we also saw Goofy, and of course grabbed a picture.
Toontown is ideal for toddlers: lots of room to run, colorful buildings, and iconic characters just casually hanging out.
Rides Made for Toddlers: Carousel, Dumbo, Circus Train
After Toontown, the kids asked to ride the horses, so we hit the King Arthur Carousel. A total Classic ride.
Then came Dumbo, which gave us a gentle thrill and fun views of the park. We wrapped up our ride streak with the Casey Jr. Circus Train, which was super cute—and let us sit and rest while the twins still felt like they were doing something.
Dinner at Tiana’s Palace
After all the riding, we ate dinner at Tiana’s Palace, and it was honestly such a good choice.
We ate a shrimp po boy, gumbo, cornbread, ham & cheese sandwiches for the kids, and beignets.
The line was quick, the food was great, and it was a great time to just sit, eat, and rest for a bit. There were also bathrooms close by so our potty trained daughter could go quickly.
A Magical Souvenir Moment
After dinner, we stopped into a shop and let the twins each pick a toy. They both went straight for their very own Minnie and Mickey stuffed animals.
As a side note: I ordered some Mickey Mouse books that were delivered to the house by the time we got home. I told the kids that Mickey himself sent the books as a thank you for stopping by his house!
Ending the Day: Fantasmic & Fireworks
We ended the night with the Fantasmic show. It was amazing, but heads up—it’s a bit loud and dramatic. The twins were a little scared, so I’d only recommend it if your little ones are okay with fireworks and dark scenes.
After that, we slowly made our way toward the park exit and caught the Fireworks Show. It was the perfect final moment. The kids were wide-eyed in the stroller and as soon as the last firework popped, we hopped on the train back to the parking garage.
Zero fuss. Total win.
Final Thoughts: Yes, You Can Do Disneyland with Toddlers
Disneyland with 2.5-year-olds is not going to be relaxing—but it can be magical. We had our share of fussiness and snack emergencies, but the joy on their faces made it all so worth it.
Here’s a quick recap of what made our day work:
- ✅ Bring a reclining stroller with shade
- ✅ Plan a midday nap in the stroller
- ✅ Pack snacks + water (more than you think you’ll need)
- ✅ Start with shows to ease into the day
- ✅ Let the kids pick a souvenir near the end
- ✅ Fireworks = the perfect finale (if your kids can handle it)
Let go of perfection and embrace the magic that comes in between the chaos.
Have you done Disneyland with littles? What worked (or didn’t) for you? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear!
