Age-specific tips and things to do

Travelling with toddlers

If you’re travelling with just toddlers and smaller children (up to 5 years of age) it’s fair to say that you can expect to spend most of your time in the Disneyland Park, specifically in Fantasyland. It’s essentially the “live action” version of your favourite fairytales and early Disney classics, such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Dumbo, Pinocchio and Peter Pan. Beautifully laid out, you can work your way through all the attractions in this land in a big circle from the moment you step through the arches of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. However, my top tip would be to begin your Fantasyland adventure backwards! Passing under the Castle, head straight to the Disneyland Railroad Fantasyland Station, where just in front of the station, you can meet the Main Mouse in his permanent meet & greet location.

Exit stage left and wind your way through Alice’s Curious Labyrinth, ducking under the “jumping” water, squeezing through gaps in the hedges and avoiding the Queen of Hearts and her many cries of “off with their heads”! Pass the Cheshire Cats infamous grin and make your way to the top of the tower for a magnificent view of Fantasyland.

If you manage to escape the Queen of Hearts and her Card Soldiers, hang another left to 2 of my favourite Fantasyland rides: Casey Jr – Le Petit Train du Cirque and Le Pays des Contes de Fées (Fairytale lands). The former is a little “roller coaster” type ride based on the circus train from the film, Dumbo. The train takes you and your little ones on a magical journey around and above the Fairytale lands of the Le Payes de Fées ride. Meanwhile, below you, guests are gently sailing from one miniature Fairytale scene to the next. Le Pays des Contes de Fées is a relaxing boat journey through your childhood favourites, including many of the tales as told by the Brothers Grimm, depicted perfectly in miniature.

Once you’ve ch-ch-chuffed and sailed your way through all your favourite fairytales, you can then decide whether you to soar high above Fantasyland with Dumbo, mount a white charger or a golden carriage on Le Carousel de Lancelot, spin your way around the Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups or sail the 7 seas of It’s A Small World (although it’s currently closed for the rest of 2022, you will still be humming the song for at least 24 hours).

Back towards the entrance of Fantasyland in the shadow of the Castle, you’ll find 3 “dark” rides which, although suitable for all the family because there are no height restrictions, may frighten the smaller ones a little. Firm favourites of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains) and Les Voyage de Pinocchio are side by side, facing the magnificent Carousel, while the ever popular (and prone to long queues) Peter Pan’s Flight, is just to the left, facing Dumbo. Each of these classics portrays their respective fairytale with a combination of animatronics and special effects, which all lend themselves to an immersive atmosphere. However, as I mentioned, they can be a little scary to the younger members as they’re “in the dark”. Fantasyland may be where you spend most of your time if you have toddlers, but don’t worry, you, and they, will still get a chance to explore and enjoy the other areas of the Park and, of course, the Walt Disney Studios.

From Fantasyland, you can easily move to Adventureland (there’s a walk through beside Peter Pan’s Flight) and almost straight away encounter the home of Jack Sparrow and Pirates of the Caribbean. Settle in to your “boat” and experience swashbuckling pirate fights as you sail through the Caribbean seas. This is, in the main, a gentle ride, however it does feature a couple of “drops” and you may get splashed! After this, your little ones can let off steam and let their imaginations run as wild as the landscape through Skull Rock, Pirate’s Beach and, for the energetic amongst you, climb to the top of the Swiss Family Robinsons tree house for a panoramic view of the whole area (not suitable for pushchairs or those with mobility issues).

Once they’re finished hunting for pirate treasure, your little ones can explore their inner cowboy/cowgirl and mosey on over to Frontierland. A trip through the Rivers of the Far West on a paddle boat will give you all a chance to rest a little and take in the spectacular setting of the Thunder Mesa. If your little ones are still brimming with energy, there’s a great little playground close to the Frontierland Theatre, where they can let off more steam…or you can take in the latest show in the theatre as a well deserved rest! Across the Central Plaza (in front of the Castle) you’ll find Discoveryland. This land is more suited to the bigger kids, but toddlers can indulge their dreams of space travel with a trip in an Oribitron rocket ship! The Videopolis Theatre is normally a wide open space (cool and dark) for families to catch a breath or even a burger from Cafe Hyperion.

If you’re looking for some more up to date adventures, then the Walt Disney Studios is for you. Your little ones can enjoy a number of rides here, mainly in the Toy Story Play Land/Worlds of Pixar. Shrink to the size of a rat and experience the life of a rodent chef in the 3D adventure Ratatouille! This is an extremely popular attraction for all the family to enjoy and the queue can be skipped using Premier Access.

If they/you enjoyed the ups and downs of Dumbo and Oribitron in the Park, you’ll love taking a magic-carpet-ride through Agrabah on Les Tapis Volants (Flying Carpets Over Agrabah) where Genie oversees the adventures! Toy Story fans will love this area…you can (again) shrink yourself to the size of a toy, and ride on the back of Slinky Dog or join everyone’s favourite race car, Lightning McQueen in the Cars Quatre Roues Rallye – exciting, but not too fast for the smaller members of the family. Don’t forget Cars Road trip, located at the very back of Toy Story Play Land - it’s a welcome sit down, with fire and a light splash suitable for all ages.

Top tip: don’t forget drinks, snacks, breaks and medication!