These are the attractions parents won’t want to skip when visiting Disneyland or California Adventure with kids age three and younger.
Disneyland Resort may be home to plenty of thrill rides, but parents of toddlers will also find numerous attractions that cater to the three-and-under crowd. And no, you don’t have to hang out in Fantasyland all day to find the best rides at Disneyland for toddlers.
I’ve been visiting Disneyland monthly for more than 30 years, and now that I’ve graduated from Disney Adult to Disney mom, I’ve found there are so many options when it comes to the best rides for toddlers that it’s super easy to fill an entire day with fun. From slow-moving dark rides featuring little ones’ favorite characters to attractions filled with music and exciting scenery, I’m sharing my picks for the best options at both Disneyland and California Adventure below.
The Best Disneyland Rides for Toddlers
- Best Rides for Toddlers at Disneyland Park
- Best Rides for Toddlers at Disney California Adventure Park
Best Rides for Toddlers at Disneyland Park
Photo by Dom Tabon
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
There’s a reason the line for Dumbo the Flying Elephant usually clocks in at over 45 minutes – it’s a huge hit with guests of all ages. For the littlest guests in particular, this is a must-ride attraction, and in my opinion as a parent, it’s one of the best rides at Disneyland for toddlers.
With no height requirement and the chance to fly high above Fantasyland, Dumbo is as exciting as it is scenic. Plus, it puts toddlers in control (and let’s be honest, what toddler doesn’t love being in charge?), allowing them to lift and lower their elephant as much as they’d like.
My son loves this Disneyland ride so much he doesn’t even mind waiting in the queue – the chance to watch the ride spin and the elephant ride vehicles lift off every few minutes is enough entertainment to keep him busy.
King Arthur Carrousel
An icon at Disneyland for just as many years as Dumbo, King Arthur Carrousel is another one of Disneyland’s best rides for toddlers. The under-three age group will love the slow rotations, iconic music, and up-and-down motion of this classic carousel-style attraction.
Best of all, little kids can choose their own horse, adding a level of customization to this attraction. While Jingles, Walt Disney’s own favorite horse, is always in high demand thanks to his golden bells, there are enough options that the wait is (usually) pretty short.
Even if your toddler seems a bit too small to ride, don’t be afraid to give King Arthur Carrousel a try. You can hold little ones on their horses as long as the seatbelt is wrapped around them, regardless of how much slack there is.
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Whether your little one is a huge train enthusiast or simply likes a ride with plenty to see, Casey Jr. Circus Train is a great option. Pint-sized and inspired by the train from Dumbo (although it also pulls inspiration from the Little Engine Who Could with its iconic “I think I can, I think I can” audio), it’s slow-moving and takes guests around the sights of the teeny-tiny Storybook Land Canal Boats attraction, entering tunnels and climbing slight hills.
I personally love Casey Jr. Circus Train because it offers toddlers great agency. Your child can choose whether they want to ride in an open-air vehicle, a cage for animals, or even the caboose. Plus, with no possible frightening moments along the way, it’s perfect even for toddlers who don’t love the dark.
Disneyland Railroad
Here’s another train toddlers will absolutely adore: the Disneyland Railroad. I’d argue that this one of the best rides in all of Disneyland for both toddlers and parents alike. Adults get to sit down (and you don’t have to carry your kid!), and there’s plenty of fun for the under-three crowd along the route.
While toddlers will love seeing the train and all of the scenery along the ride, the dioramas are some of the most exciting moments. I mean, where else can little ones see dinosaurs, get a look at the Grand Canyon, and also get a unique perspective on attractions like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and “it’s a small world” within the park?
The journey along the Disneyland Railroad does take about 20 minutes in total, with stops along the way. Toddlers will likely get a little wiggly while the train isn’t in motion, but keep in mind that you don’t have to stay onboard whenever you arrive a new station – you’ll just be a bit far from wherever you parked your stroller.
“it’s a small world”
It’s the happiest cruise that ever set sail, and its earworm of a song has been captivating kids for decades. While parents may not love “it’s a small world,” it’s hands down one of the best rides for toddlers at Disneyland.
Featuring scenes filled with dolls decked out in culturally-inspired attire and glimpses of iconic Disney characters, it’s a feast for any toddler’s eyes and ears. The three-and-under age group will particularly love all there is to see, and don’t be surprised if they want to ride again and again
I first took my son on “it’s a small world” before he could even speak, and while it seemed like he may not have had much of an opinion, when our boat exited back out into the sunlight, he immediately began making the sign for “more”… and kept demanding “more” until we rode three more times.
Now that he’s older, it’s still a favorite of his, offering new details to see and point out on every ride. I highly recommend it for any toddler parent (yes, even if you have to hear the song five times in a row!).
As an added perk, if you visit during the holiday season, you can see “it’s a small world” all decked out with Christmas lights and festive decorations, making it even more exciting for little ones and adults.
Storybook Land Canal Boats
A classic Fantasyland attraction, Disneyland’s Storybook Land Canal Boats is one of the best slow-moving toddler rides. Everything on this ride – minus Monstro the whale, of course – is pint-sized and perfect for little ones.
Storybook Land Canal Boats takes guests on a tour of some of the destinations from Disney’s iconic animated features, including Pinocchio, Aladdin, Alice in Wonderland, Frozen, Peter Pan, and Cinderella. Even if your toddler is too young to know what, exactly, they’re seeing, the boat, adorable little houses, and friendly ducks who often join along the way all make for an exciting ride.
Plus, as you cruise, you’ll get to catch sights of Casey Jr. Circus Train, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and Fantasyland in general along the way, making the background filled with action.
Pro tip: If you’re nervous about your wiggly toddler on a boat that doesn’t sit on a track and has pretty low sides, I highly recommend bringing a Tushbaby Hip Carrier with you. You can use it as a hip seat in lines, then add the soft Snug Attachment to it for a little extra security, which I’ve found is especially handy if your little one is under 2 years old.
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
If your toddler loves visiting the aquarium or is a big Finding Nemo or Finding Dory enthusiast, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage will be one of Disneyland’s best rides for them. This slow-moving underwater journey is like a classic Disney dark ride, but the experience takes place inside a submarine.
Guests journey underwater to explore the seas, with Nemo, Marlin, and Dory included. The attraction retells the story of Finding Nemo, and it’s easy for toddlers to follow along. Best of all, the ride includes elements the under-three crowd adores, like bubbles, brightly-colored fish, and plenty of exciting scenery.
Just heed this warning: If your little one is afraid of the dark, they may not love every moment of this ride. A good portion of the later part of the ride takes place in the dark (both in the submarine and “underwater”), so it can be a bit scary.
Best Rides for Toddlers at Disney California Adventure Park
Photo by Danny Shuster
Jessie’s Critter Carousel
After trying King Arthur’s Carrousel in Fantasyland, you’ll want to make sure to take a spin with your toddler on Jessie’s Critter Carousel at California Adventure’s Pixar Pier. This is just like any other carousel, but it features theming inspired by Toy Story 2 and a Woody’s Roundup playset.
My son might actually adore Jessie’s Critter Carousel more, since he’s a big Woody fan. Plus, this carousel features a variety of boldly-colored critters, including snakes, rabbits, and turtles, and skunks, which gives it a fun twist.
Either way, with far fewer toddler-friendly options available at California Adventure, this is easily one of the best.
The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
Whether or not your toddler is a princess fan, you’ll want to take them on a ride under the sea on this attraction. The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure is a classic Disney dark ride, but with no scary moments and very few “dark” moments.
Guests board clamshells and head underwater to experience Ariel’s world (and a retelling of The Little Mermaid, complete with the film’s iconic catchy tunes). While you will encounter Ursula and her hench-eels, Flotsam and Jetsam, overall there are really no frightening scenes. Toddlers of all ages should be perfectly comfortable on this all-around bright and light attraction.
