Hi N.,
My family is cuckoo for Disneyland (have been numerous times and have a sister whose family still goes annually, the whole family even though her "kids" are now 24 & 28 and one lives across the country, lol). My son is 13 now, but the first time we went, he was 4, and the first time I went (at 14), my niece was 3. Here are my tips:
Best rides for little ones and rides you can all go on:
If you can, head out as early as possible and go straight to Fantasyland before the lines get too, too long (and they will early into the day). Hit Peter Pan first b/c that particular ride is always the longest line. You'll ALL love it and you can all fit on it together. It's one of my favorites. Then just hit all the Fantasyland rides you want, but know that some are scary for some kids (almost always, those have the shortest lines... or even no line). We love them, but they can scare some little ones (Snow White and Pinnocchio, in particular --but not ALL little ones get scared). They're all worth experiencing if your kids are up for it, though. In Fantasyland, you should be able to ride most of them as a family, given the ages of your kiddos. Btw, a great spot for pictures, either your own or ones the Disney staff take of you to purchase later, is in front of Cinderella's castle off the side, Snow White's grotto area. You can get pics there, most often, w/o strangers in the background of your shots (a nice bonus). Also, Ariel's grotto area between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland is good for this, too. Unfortunately, Small World is closed right now (and for several more months, I think), but whenever you go back to Disneyland, make sure to take the kids on that one --it's ideal. Snaking up to Toon Town, ride-wise there's a kiddie coaster and Roger Rabbit, but they might not be your kids speed (my son liked them by 7-10; he wasn't into speedy or jerky rides as a little one). There are some things to check out there, though, that your little ones might enjoy playing on, w/, & around. Plus, the characters come out at certain times there (another pic opportunity). On another day that you can head out early, go straight for Tomorrowland and hit Finding Nemo before that line gets long (boy, does that line get long). It's an enclosed submersed ride, so if any of you aren't sure about that, know ahead of time --but, it's a really fun one for little ones b/c they watch a Nemo 'show' as you move through the ride in the water (all together). We love it. Also, definitely take them on Buzz Lightyear's Astro Adventure in Tomorrowland --great fun! I think you might have to split 2 & 2 for that one, unless you can lap each child and ride that way. Know that, just before the end of the ride, the ride takes your picture in the astro vehicle and when you exit, walk to where the computer terminal are to find your family's pic(s) and enter your home email address. They'll email the pictures right to your home computer --every time you ride it. Star Tours is in Tomorrowland and might appeal to your little ones, or it might be too much, depends on the kid. You can all ride it together. It's a simulated ride and a jerky one, but if your kids like that, they'll enjoy it. It takes you on a pretend space tour w/ some pretend 'uh oh' moments. We think it's fun -and you can all ride together. More Tomorrowland, the Honey I Shrunk the Audience show might scare your little ones. There's a 'can scare you' think w/ a snake in the visual show. You can all go together, but it might scare them. Innoventions is in Tomorrowland and it will either bore your kids at their age or they'll love running around to touch and play on the different computers and things they have there. Autopia is right by it, though, and they'll probably enjoy that one. It's a slow-paced car ride and I think you can all fit in one car (maybe). Space Mountain is out for their age, but if they don't mind heights, there's an Astro ride in the front of Tomorrowland they might like (kind of like Dumbo, but higher up). They do shows in an outdoor area in Tomorrowland that might interest your 4yo, so check what's listed for when you're there. They do a Jedi show and involve kids in the audience ---if your son likes Star Wars. The Pizza Port is there, too, if you want tasty, giant pizza slices for lunch or dinner. In New Orleans Square, you HAVE to ride Pirates of the Carribbean --you can all fit together. My son was a little nervous about some of the figures and a 'spooky feel' when he was 4, but still loved it. We just diverted his attention from the things that gave him chills. He really loved it, though. And, so do we. It's our #1 fave. Look for the Blue Bayou Restaurant when you're in New Orleans Square (it's near the exit to the Pirates ride) and book reservations for lunch or dinner the following day (you have to book before noon to get reservations for the following day, almost always). If you do, you can all dine inside the Pirates ride for a meal (the kiddie menus are also a pirate hat your kids can wear). If your budget is tight, do it for dessert only, b/c it's one of the pricier restaurants. If you do get dessert, order the pirate ship brownie --the whole thing is edible, sail, mast, and all (sail is spun sugar, I think). The Haunted Mansion is in New Orleans Square also, but may scare your little ones, depends on the kiddo. My niece LOVED it when she was 3, the whole thing. My son, at 4, loved it AFTER the beginning in the elevator only. It's another you can all ride on, too. The treehouse connects New Orleans Square and Adventureland and your kids will probably love climbing it (be cardio ready for the climb). Then, in Adventureland, they'll probably enjoy the Jungle Cruise -another 'all-ride-together' ride. I don't think that would scare them, but maybe startle at first -if they aren't sure the animals are fake. Indiana Jones is there, but, like Space Mountain, I think you have to skip it. My son always loved the gift shop in Adventureland -the animals and things they had there.. he just always loved that one. Oh, the riverboat rides on the water --you can all ride together and sail around the 'river' inside Disneyland.. your kids might like that. The island, too --my family hasn't been there since they changed it from Tom Sawyer's Island to Pirates, but my son LOVED it as Tom Sawyer's Island when he was 4. He would have spent one entire day there alone if we could have. You should definitely check it out for run-around, climbing, exploring play. I'm sure it's still super fun even though it's changed now. Back over the water from the island, you move into Critter Country. You can't miss the Winnie the Pooh ride, there! Your kids will love it. My family still loves Pooh even though we're 39, 36, & 13 yo. It's one of our favorite rides, takes us 'back'. You can all ride together, too. And, don't miss the sweet shop and gift shop outside the exit of the Pooh ride --yummy and fun to look through, too. Also, there's a photo op area there for the Pooh characters --check when they're available for pics and autographs (gotta meet Pooh, Tigger, and Eyeore, after all). The Country Bear restaurant is a nice lunch stop (I love that they have tasty Boca burgers, but they have great 'real' burgers, too). Splash Mountain is in Critter Country, too, but may be too steep or wet for your kiddos. I'm not sure what the height restriction is -my son has refused to ever ride it b/c of the steep drop (even at 13.. sigh for me). Also, I swear it's almost always closed when we're there. But, when you ride the train that takes you all around the park or from Land to Land, you can see inside the Splash Mountain ride and your kids will likely enjoy that. Definitely catch that train and ride all through at least once --to see the Dinosaurs and Grand Canyon 'then and now'. Also, use the train if you get tuckered and need a way from one Land that's from another w/o walking. Frontierland is left --Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is not to the speed of your little ones, so skip that, but there are great areas in Frontierland for pics and they have shows/activities, too. Your son (and husband) might like the shooting gallery there, too. Mine both love it. I am probably missing something, but I think that's a good rundown for rides for little ones and rides you can all ride on together (and some food thrown in). Oh!~~your kids might enjoy the old silent Mickey cartoons on Main Street. My son discovered Mickey Mouse at 4yo w/ those and was hooked. It's one of his favorite things to do when we go. The Penny Arcade and Gibson Girl ice cream parlor there should entice them, too. There's an old firetruck they can climb on (and take pics on) just inside the park on Main Street and they run old fashioned vehicle rides to take you to Cinderella's castle (double-decker bus is my son's favorite). The First Aid station, should you need it is to the right of Main Street walking toward Tomorrowland, tucked around the corner of the corner photo shop (the shop you go to later in the day to check on any Disney pics the staff have taken of your family). If you have any medicine you need to bring w/ you, they will hold it for you there, if you'd like (refrigerated meds, too). My son has medical issues and we always have meds to bring w/ us.
Also, on Disney Walk, outside the park, you might want to hit the 2-story Build-a-Bear workshop and the Lego store. Btw, if you can swap Universal Studios for Legoland, that would be much more 'little one friendly'. If Legoland is too far, what about the LA Zoo? We spent half a day there easily.
If you're going to California Adventures, I'd advise you skip the Bug's Life show --scared the buhjeebuss out of my son at 4yo (we had to leave during the show), but the Muppet Movie show is a fun one to take in instead. Even though your kids are little, see if you're allowed to go on the Soaring Over California ride there --it's so worth it, but I don't know about the height restrictions. I'm not as into CA Adventure, but there are some great areas in there for the little ones w/ little one rides and an area for running around and just playing on stuff, too.
Travel tips --bring stuff to amuse them, lol. :o) And, pack snacks and water. They sell both healthy and sugary snacks and water in the Park, but it's costly. Refill your water bottles at the fountains if you can (and if you don't mind the taste.. it's not that bad). Eat at off times, but know there will always be lines and crowds even then. Oh, shoot, and when or if you book that Blue Bayou reservation --after you arrive for your reservation, tell them you'd like to wait for a table near the water (as long as it won't be a ridiculous wait --or you'd rather not). My family prefers a table by the water inside the ride for the ambience, so I thought I'd suggest it. Another "OH!" --The Rainforest Cafe on Disney Walk --you should try really hard to get a reservation there b/c your kids would LOVE it!! The entire restaurant (ceiling, walls, everything) is decorated as if you are inside the rainforest, complete with animatronic jungle animals that go off every 20-30 minutes (and the rainforest has a 'storm' every 20-30 minutes, too). Make sure your kids know the animals are fake, so they won't be startled, but it's really, really cool --even the giant 'bridge' fish tank inside is cool --and the gift shop (of course, lol). When you book your reservation (same thing --book a day ahead), ask for seating near an animatronic animal (it's worth it, if you can get it). They're open for breakfast, too, so consider it for any meal of the day. The Disney monorail stops and starts right next to it --you can ride it out of Tomorrowland to the Cafe or vice versa (and you can ask to wait for seating in the front of the monorail--they usually let you if you're willing to wait for the next train). Nevermind going ahead to book reservations, I found my #'s and will give them to you --(714) 781- DINE is the # to book reservations for Disneyland restaurants (Blue Bayou incl) and ###-###-#### is the # to book the Rainforest Cafe on Disney Walk. Also, if you should need it, here's the # for Disneyland's Guest Communications -###-###-####.
Have a GREAT trip! I can't wait 'til my family can go back next year. :o)
M. B
