Disneyland with Kids
When doing Disneyland with Kids, there is a lot to consider. In this Disneyland with Kids article we’re going to look at the rides available for children under 40 inches tall. Meaning rides that children under about the age of 5 can go on. Having been to Disneyland with Kids at ages ranging from 11 months to 6 years, some with wildly opposite opinions on rides, we can give you a good idea what rides might bother your child.
Please do remember that when doing Disneyland with Kids, each child is their own person with their own opinions and they constantly change. What may be fun once, may scare a child the next time, or vice versa.
Disneyland with Kids – The Rides
Fantasyland is the perfect spot for anyone going to Disneyland with Kids. All of the rides in Fantasyland except Matterhorn Bobsleds are indicated for all heights. Alice In Wonderland, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Peter Pan’s Flight, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, and Snow White’s Scary Adventures are all dark rides and can be frightening to some small children. Most of these Disneyland with Kids rides are pitch black with brightly colored scenes and the contrast can also frighten small children. The material displayed in some of the scenes, like the scary forest in Snow White can be pretty creepy. When doing Disneyland with Kids just take into account what movies your child likes to help determine if the ride for any given movie will scare your kid.
Matterhorn Bobsleds is 35 inches or taller and can be a bit bumpy, but if you think your kid is ready for a small roller coaster, this is a good starter (my son loved it; he went on it about 10 times in one day).
Another good Disneyland with Kids ride is Gadget’s Go Coaster in Mickey’s Toontown (also 35 inches or taller). Gadget’s Go Coaster has the added benefit of being completely outside so there is no darkness to worry your little one like there is on Matterhorn Bobsleds. If you go to Toontown when it opens, you do have the chance of riding multiple times. The last time we went to Disneyland, my son was able to ride 3 times without having to get off. You will find that Toontown isthe next best stop to Fantasyland when doing Disneyland with Kids.
Some other dark rides that everyone can ride are Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Haunted Mansion, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Pirates of the Caribbean. We took our son on Winnie the Pooh when he was eleven months old and the darkness coupled with the bright almost psychedelic colors freaked him out, he’s almost 5 now and has had no other problems with this ride on subsequent trips to Disneyland.
The Pirates of the Caribbean can also be pretty scary for small children especially the scenes with skeletons and extreme darkness. Our son has been on it multiple times and has never had a problem with it, but another little boy we went on the ride with absolutely freaked and he was about 6 at the time he first rode it.
The Haunted Mansion is hit or miss, sometimes our son is scared or a little frightened and other times he’s fine. While this is one of my favorite rides, when doing Disneyland with Kids just be aware of how scary this can be.
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters isn’t very scary and kids really like it because it’s like being in a video game, but the bright colors and noise might be a little overwhelming for tiny guys and girls.
When it comes to great Disneyland with Kids rides, you will find that Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage is great, while it is not truly a dark ride, but since you ride inside a submarine and your only view is underwater it might bother some children due to the enclosed space. Our son has ridden this ride multiple times since it was opened several years ago and has never had a problem, but then again he’s a big Finding Nemo fan.
Disneyland with Kids – The Characters
When doing Disneyland with Kids for the first time, or for the first time with your children, your children may also have a strong reaction to seeing the characters for the first time. Most will be introduced to Disney characters with the films. Seeing the character in person and sometimes bigger than dad may produce a strong reaction. Our son was terrified of Minnie the first time we saw her. Now he won’t want to miss meeting the characters.
Based on the age of your children, as well as their temperament, there are many things to do in Disneyland for kids of all ages. While they may never remember the trips, you always will. Make sure to take a camera to capture all those memories. Doing Disneyland with kids can be priceless. You will make many memories.
