17 BEST TODDLER FRIENDLY RIDES AT DISNEYLAND
There’s a very good reason that Disneyland is named the happiest place on earth. From the moment you step in through the gates, you can’t help but feel joyful and excited (especially if you’re a toddler!)
As a Disney-loving toddler parent myself, I know just how hard it can be to plan a day out, navigate the crowds, and keep your little ones entertained all day long. And, if you’re not familiar with the rides, it can be even harder to curate the perfect day for your younger Disney fans.
However, there is plenty at the park for everyone! You just need to know the best rides for toddlers and plan ahead. So, today, I’m giving you my list of the top Disneyland rides for kids under 4!
Here they are:
17 Best Toddler-Friendly Rides at Disneyland
Jungle Cruise
Location: Adventureland at Disneyland Park
The whole family can embark on this exciting safari adventure! Safe for little explorers, the Jungle Cruise features exotic wildlife, engaging animatronics, and so much more. This gentle and calm boat ride offers a lovely scenic journey through lush landscapes where toddlers can marvel in awe at the environment around them.
The skipper also delivers playful commentary along the way, which adds to the fun and makes it the perfect choice for families with younger children. Better yet, there’s no height requirement for those who want to enjoy this engaging ride.
Snow White’s Enchanted Wish
Location: Fantasyland at Disneyland Park
The classic Snow White ride at the Disneyland Resort has been completely reimagined as Snow White’s Enchanted Wish to appeal to the younger generations (so, not as creepy).
It still has a lot of the charm of the original but with more vibrant and modern imagery for new riders! The ride moves slowly and gently, and all the fun is in the visuals, making it ideal for toddlers.
I will say, a lot of this ride is in the dark and some of the noises are sudden. My girls never minded this, but I can see how more sensitive riders may not like this! So, know your little one’s preferences, but if they like Snow White (an iteration) we think Snow White’s Enchanted Wish is a must.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Location: Critter Country at Disneyland Park
Who didn’t dream of exploring Hundred Acre Wood as a kid? In The Many Adventures Of Winnie the Pooh, your littles can do just that and see all their favorite Winnie the Pooh characters.
You ride in on slow-moving honeypots and watch the story unfold around you. There are lots of songs and bright imagery, which your toddlers will love.
Like the Snow White ride, it can get dark and loud at times, so be aware of that. But, overall, this ride is gentle and fun!
It’s a Small World
Location: Fantasyland at Disneyland Park
This iconic boat ride has been open since the 60s, and it’s still a must for our family. On It’s a Small World, your family is taken on a cruise through every region of the world through catchy music and vibrant visuals.
It’s for all ages, with no limits on height. So, take your toddlers on board to make a splash and have a lot of fun.
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Location: Fantasyland at Disneyland Park
This one is every Disney princess lover's dream! So, whether your toddler loves Elsa or The Little Mermaid, The Storybook Land Canal will be a favorite attraction!
It’s a calm open-air boat ride where passengers are taken through miniature versions of nearly a dozen favorite Disney movie fantasy locations from Aladdin’s royal city of Agrabah to Cinderella’s French country village.
We also like that only 12 people can ride on each boat, so it’s a more intimate and relaxed environment.
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
Location: Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park
This one is literally a “blast.” Your toddlers get to become “junior space rangers” in Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, ride through a joystick-controlled spaceship, and shoot down targets with laser guns.
It’s available to all ages and is something that’ll get your toddlers energized, laughing, and squealing with joy! Though it is slow, it’s also dark and has a lot of movement and loud noises, so be mindful of your younger toddlers and how they may or may not like that.
However, if you have Toy Story fans at your house, you can’t miss this one!
Peter Pan’s Flight
Location: Fantasyland at Disneyland Park
Run away with Peter Pan on this magical journey to Neverland. Peter Pan’s Flight is a gentle adventure with toddler-friendly drops and turns as your toddlers soar over London like Wendy, Michael, and John do in the movie!
This has been a favorite of ours for years, and we’re not the only ones who have it at the top of our list. So, be prepared for longer wait times on this one. It’s one of the most popular rides at Disneyland!
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Location: Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park
There’s not a generation that doesn’t have some version of Mickey Mouse that they love! In Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, you can see the whole cast of characters from Donald to Goofy in vivid 2D and 3D animation.
It’s a slow ride, but it’s full of lots of funny moments and bright visuals that’ll keep your toddler entertained the whole way through. And, you’ll enjoy the museum leading into the ride, which showcases years of Mickey's history and memorabilia.
Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster
Location: Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park
If you have a little thrill-seeker, this ride will be up their alley! Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster offers a ride totally safe for older toddlers, but also super exciting! There are twists, turns, and fast fun for younger kids who are taking their first step up into the world of roller coasters.
The enchanting yet gentle thrill will be the perfect thing to kick off a lifelong love of thrill rides. The only thing to keep in mind is that there are height requirements for this ride. Kids under 35 in. tall will be unable to go on this ride, so save this one for your 3+ year-olds.
Alice in Wonderland
Location: Fantasyland at Disneyland Park
This is another ride that’s been around almost since the beginning! The Alice in Wonderland ride has only gotten better over the years, and my toddlers have always enjoyed it. The ride is bright, exciting, interactive, and stimulating.
Whether or not their fans of the movie is honestly irrelevant, the visuals are so fun and nonsensical that any little one will love this ride!
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Location: Fantasyland at Disneyland Park
If you’re looking for something different than the tram-style rides, then add Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride to your list. Instead of being in a cart or tram, you’re in two-seater, open-air buggies that you ride all over Toad Hall.
Of course, you and your partner will have to drive the ride, but your toddlers will love the experience of you “dodging” obstacles and narrowly escaping run-ins with the police. It’s goofy, fun, and definitely memorable for little ones!
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
Location: Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park
Here’s another unique ride your family will want to ride again and again. In the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, you climb into a submarine and get an incredible undersea experience. Your toddlers can look out portholes and see marine life, but also some of their favorite Nemo characters.
If your toddler gets spooked by going down in the sub, you can still experience some of the magic of this ride from the shore in a special Observation Outpost.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Location: Fantasyland at Disneyland Park
Take flight with the cutest elephant, Dumbo, on this classic attraction! Toddlers absolutely love flying all on their own on the Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride. They can either keep the ride stationary or use the simple lever to raise their gondola up or down!
Not only is this interactive, but also provides a sense of empowerment and control for younger kids. The theme is absolutely iconic and makes a magical experience for the whole family.
Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
Location: Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park
You may feel like you’ll have enough emotional whirlwinds at Disney with your toddler, but this one will actually be fun. On Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind, your toddler will get to spin, glide, and fly on one of Riley’s emotions depicted in the movie: joy, sadness, fear, disgust, and anger.
It’s another great intro ride to some of the more thrilling attractions in the park! Your older kids will enjoy it as much as the toddlers.
Toy Story Midway Mania!
Location: Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park
Join Woody, Buzz, and all of the best Toy Story characters in this interactive 4D shooting game. Toddlers will love this easy-going yet engaging ride where they can use blasters to shoot down “toy-jectiles” and help the Toy Story characters in their quest.
Toy Story Midway Mania is similar to the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters attraction, but it’s a little more immersive. Your kids will need to wear 3D glasses and not every toddler likes to keep stuff like that on, which could hinder their experience. Consider that when adding this ride to your itinerary!
The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
Location: Paradise Gardens Park at Disney California Adventure Park
Enjoy life under the sea when you set off on The Little Mermaid ride. This musical journey takes you through Ariel’s incredible underwater world. This ride is packed with breathtaking visuals some impressive animatronics and lots of color.
Of course, your toddler can also sing along to familiar tunes as you ride around in your colorful clamshell. Princess lovers especially will enjoy this ride, but really anyone would have a blast on Ariel’s Undersea Adventure!
It is a little dark and loud, so just make sure you check it out before you hop on to see if it is suitable.
Turtle Talk with Crush
Location: Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure Park
Okay, I know this isn’t really a ride, BUT it seriously deserves a special mention because it’s so much fun. You’ve probably seen a lot of clips of Turtle Talk with Crush on TikTok and Reels because it’s really gone viral in the last couple of years. (As it should, it’s hilarious!)
For those of you who don’t know, Turtle Talk with Crush is essentially a comedy show with Crush from Finding Nemo. He interacts with the kids and adults in the audience and comes up with all sorts of funny quips and comebacks.
It’s all family-friendly, of course, and it’s truly magical for your toddler to have a real conversation with a familiar Disney character!
There are plenty of Disneyland rides for toddlers to enjoy!
Trips to Disneyland don’t have to be chaotic. When you plan out your trip the day can actually be relaxing and enjoyable from start to finish.
For more, here are additional tips on traveling to Disney with a toddler and my Disney packing list! We’re normal Disney World travelers since we live nearby, but most of this advice goes for either park.
Of course, there’s more on the blog about traveling, parenting, and kid-friendly activities, so check it out! I hope everyone can experience the joy of family travel like we have!