Guide

The Ultimate Guide to Best Rides for Toddlers at Disneyland

Planning a trip with little ones? Discover the best toddler rides at Disneyland and tips for visiting Disneyland with 2 year olds for a magical experience.

Making Magic: The Best Toddler Rides at Disneyland

Planning a trip to the 'Happiest Place on Earth' with a little one in tow? While Disneyland is famous for its thrill rides like Space Mountain, the park was actually designed with families in mind. If you are researching disneyland for 2 year olds or looking for the best toddler rides at Disneyland, you’ll be pleased to know that there are dozens of attractions with no height requirements at all.

At Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, toddlers aren't just tolerated—they are the stars of the show. This guide covers the must-do attractions, survival tips for parents, and how to maximize the magic for your smallest travelers.

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Top Toddler Rides in Fantasyland

Fantasyland is the heart of the toddler experience. Almost every attraction here is designed for all ages, making it the perfect home base for families.

it’s a small world: This is the gold standard for toddler rides at Disneyland. The gentle boat ride, catchy tune, and vibrant colors keep 2-year-olds mesmerized. Plus, it’s a long ride, offering a much-needed 15-minute break in the AC.

Peter Pan’s Flight: Fly over London in a pirate ship. While this is a favorite, the line gets long quickly. Try to ride this first thing in the morning.

King Arthur Carrousel: A classic for a reason. Toddlers love picking their favorite horse, and the upbeat Disney music creates a perfect atmosphere.

Casey Jr. Circus Train: This whimsical train ride offers great views of Storybook Land and is perfectly sized for little legs.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant: A rite of passage. Let your toddler control the lever to make Dumbo fly high or stay low.

Adventure and Exploration in Mickey’s Toontown

Toontown was recently reimagined with toddlers specifically in mind. It is now a sensory-friendly, open-play space that is essential when visiting Disneyland for 2 year olds.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway: This trackless dark ride has no height requirement and features dazzling colors and sounds that will keep any toddler engaged.

CenTOONial Park: This isn't a ride, but a grassy area with water tables and a 'dreaming tree' with sculpted roots for climbing. It's the perfect place to let a toddler burn off energy.

Donald’s Duck Pond: A splash pad area perfect for cooling off on hot Anaheim afternoons.

Minnie’s House and Mickey’s House: These walkthrough attractions allow toddlers to touch everything, explore at their own pace, and meet the Big Cheese himself at the end.

Best Rides for Toddlers at Disney California Adventure (DCA)

Don't skip the second park! DCA has some of the most immersive toddler-friendly areas in the entire resort.

The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure: A slow-moving 'clamshell' ride with wonderful music and no wait times usually.

Toy Story Midway Mania!: While it's a game, even a 2-year-old can pull the string and enjoy the 4D effects.

Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure: There is no height requirement here! Toddlers can simply wave their arms to 'shoot webs' just like the big kids.

Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree: If your toddler is at least 32 inches tall, this spinning tractor ride is a guaranteed belly-laugh inducer.

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Essential Tips for Disneyland with 2 Year Olds

1. Use the Baby Care Centers

Located at the end of Main Street, U.S.A. (Disneyland) and across from Ghirardelli Soda Fountain (DCA), these centers offer quiet changing tables, nursing rooms, and tiny toddler-sized toilets for those in the middle of potty training.

2. Master the 'Rider Switch'

If the adults want to ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance but the toddler can't, ask the Greeter for a 'Rider Switch.' One parent waits with the toddler while the other rides, then you swap without waiting in the full line again.

3. Mobile Order Everything

Toddlers and 'hangry' outbursts go hand-in-hand. Use the Disneyland App to mobile order snacks and meals 30 minutes before you actually want to eat to avoid long standing queues.

4. Know the 'Scary' Factors

Even rides with no height requirement can be dark or loud. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and Snow White’s Enchanted Wish have moments that might frighten sensitive 2-year-olds. If your child is afraid of the dark, start with Dumbo or the Carrousel first.

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Sample Itinerary: A Perfect Morning for a Toddler

8:00 AM: Rope drop Fantasyland. Ride Peter Pan's Flight and Dumbo.

9:30 AM: Head to Mickey's Toontown. Ride Runaway Railway and let them play in the grass.

10:30 AM: Snack break (Mickey Pretzel!) and a visit to Mickey's House.

11:30 AM: Take the Disneyland Railroad around the park. It's a great way to rest while still seeing the sights.

12:30 PM: Lunch and a nap in the stroller in a quiet corner like Pelican's Landing.

Visiting Disneyland with a toddler requires a slower pace, but seeing the magic through their eyes is an experience you'll never forget. Focus on the 'no height requirement' list, stay hydrated, and remember: it's about the memories, not the number of rides you check off!

Plan around shorter lines

Pick your park and dates. We watch every major ride and text you the moment a wait gets short.

Get ride alerts · from $5/dayAlerts for at least 3 rides or your money back.

Frequently asked questions

Do 2-year-olds need a ticket for Disneyland?

No! Children under the age of 3 enter Disneyland Resort for free and do not require a park reservation.

What happens if my toddler isn't tall enough for a ride?

You can use the 'Rider Switch' service. This allows one adult to wait with the child while the rest of the party rides, and then the waiting adult can board the ride through a shorter line afterward.

Can I bring my own stroller?

Yes, as long as it is no larger than 31" (79 cm) x 52" (132 cm). Stroller wagons are currently not permitted.

Are there quiet places for a toddler to nap?

Yes! The Disneyland Railroad, the back of Fantasyland near the theater, and the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail (DCA) offer shaded, quieter spots for a stroller nap.