Which Disney Destination is BEST with littles?
It is no surprise that people with young children often think about a Disney vacation with their kids. And I often get asked “what’s the best age” to take your kids to Disney and many people are surprised when I tell them “before they turn 3!” (although this can very much depend on your child/your family dynamics. I say before 3 because children under 3 do not need a park ticket to visit Disney so they are essentially FREE.
Yes, there can be some challenges with taking children this young and the common complaint or push back is “but they won’t remember it”…to which I say, I have trips that I took in high school and college that I don’t really remember. A trip shouldn’t just be about your child being able to remember it. The trip should be about the experience you are creating as a family and honestly when children are young, there are such special memories to create.
But which Disney Destination is best when going with a child under 3? While every Disney destination has the space to create magical memories with your littles, my top recommendation is Disneyland in California.
Walt Disney World in Florida is MASSIVE and when you are going with a little who needs to be in a stroller, it can quickly become overwhelming. You will have to take transportation to and from the parks and it can take a bit of time plus you will need to fold your stroller on transportation like the buses which can be a challenge with a tired little.
Disney Cruise line can be wonderful with littles as well, however, a health rule on ALL cruise lines is that guests who are in diapers are not allowed in the main pools. Disney Cruise ships do have a splash pad but depending on your child’s age, if they like being in the water, they might get frustrated to not be allowed in the pools. Also when kiddos are under 3, if you want them in the Kids Club, the kiddos need to go to the “it’s a small world” nursery and there will be a small hourly fee.
So why is Disneyland different?
First and foremost, everything at Disneyland is SO close together. There are only 2 theme parks at Disneyland Resort (Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure) and they are only a football field distance apart. There are 3 official Disneyland hotels (Disneyland Hotel, Disney Grand California Resort and Spa, and Pixar Place Hotel) that are all just steps from the parks, but there are also dozens of great hotels also within walking distance. This means there is no need for additional transportation to get to and from the parks.
The next big win is that there are dozens of attractions that are family-friendly/don’t have a height restriction, especially in Disneyland Park. This means that you can ride together as a family and really enjoy the magic together. Some of my favorites with littles include “it’s a small world”, Peter Pan and Storybook Land Canal Boats. It is important to also note that there are a number of dark rides that can some times have elements that may be frightening to some children such as Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Pinocchio and Snow White.
Also, one of my absolute favorite character meals ever (on either coast) is Goofy’s Kitchen, located at the Disneyland Hotel. You do NOT have to be staying at the Disneyland Hotel to go and dine here and again, kiddos under 3 get to eat free because it’s a buffet. The character interactions here are so fun and there are so many food choices to enjoy.
Any Disney Destination can be magical with young children, but I know that I am personally so excited to take my own child to Disneyland for their first Disney trip. No matter which Disney destination you choose, I can help you navigate with your child/children to help you have a wonderful trip. Head over to my quote page to get started or send me an email with any questions you might have.
