Family FAQ & Quick Guide
The Disneyland questions we hear most often from families, plus what we have learned from experiencing Disneyland ourselves.
Why take our advice?
We are Ana and Travis, and Disneyland has been part of our family travel since 2017.
We have experienced Disneyland with babies, toddlers and school aged kids and have visited during spring, summer, fall and winter, including Halloween and the holiday season.
We have celebrated a gender reveal, first, second and fourth birthdays at Disneyland and experienced special events including Oogie Boogie Bash, Sweethearts Nite and Star Wars Nite.
- Disneyland Hotel
- Pixar Place Hotel
- Hyatt House
- Motel 6
- Travelodge
- DoubleTree by Hilton
- Best Western
Travis is also a Navy veteran, and we have access to military ticket resources through Nellis AFB. If you qualify for military benefits, we can help you look at those options before you book.
Disneyland planning is not one size fits all. The best choice depends on your family, your budget and what matters most to you.
What do you want to know? 🏰
🏨 What is the best hotel near Disneyland?
There is not one best hotel for every family. The right choice depends on your budget, children’s ages, walking tolerance, room needs, transportation preferences and how important convenience is to you.
Want the ultimate Disney experience?
If your budget allows, you may want to consider a Disneyland Resort hotel. We have personally stayed at both the Disneyland Hotel and Pixar Place Hotel.
Want to save money?
A nearby hotel within walking distance can provide a great balance between price and convenience.
Traveling with kids?
Look beyond the room rate. Consider:
- Walking distance
- Room size
- Breakfast
- Pool
- Parking
- Transportation
- Stroller needs
- Afternoon breaks
- Overall convenience
🚶 How important is walking distance?
Walking distance can make a big difference, but what feels like a reasonable walk depends on your family.
A hotel that looks close on a map can feel very different after you have already spent hours walking around Disneyland.
Consider:
- Your children’s ages
- Whether you will use a stroller
- How far your family is comfortable walking
- Whether you plan to return to the hotel during the day
- Parking and transportation
- How much convenience matters to you
🛒 Do I really need a stroller?
If you have younger children, we recommend seriously considering one. A full Disneyland day is very different from a normal day at home.
Disneyland stroller rules
- Strollers must not exceed 31 inches in width and 52 inches in length.
- Stroller wagons are not permitted.
- Strollers cannot be taken on escalators. Use elevators or ramps where available.
- Children must be removed from strollers when boarding parking lot trams.
- Strollers must be folded before boarding parking lot trams.
- Avoid leaving personal belongings unattended.
- Cast Members may move strollers due to operational needs.
🍽️ What character dining is available?
Character dining can be a great option for families who want character interaction while enjoying a meal.
🐭 Goofy’s Kitchen
Located at the Disneyland Hotel. Goofy’s Kitchen offers character dining during breakfast, brunch and dinner.
Goofy’s Kitchen information and reservations
🌲 Storytellers Café
Located at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. Storytellers Café offers character dining during breakfast, brunch and dinner.
Character appearances and themed experiences can vary by season and meal. Current offerings can include Mickey, Donald and other Disney Characters.
Storytellers Café information and reservations
👑 Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures
Located at Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. This special breakfast experience is centered around Disney Princesses.
Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures
🎀 Minnie and Friends Breakfast in the Park
Located at Plaza Inn inside Disneyland Park. This is a character breakfast featuring Minnie and other Disney Characters.
Minnie and Friends information
📅 When should I make dining reservations?
Disneyland dining reservations can be made for selected restaurants up to 60 days in advance.
Popular restaurants and character dining can fill quickly, especially during busy travel periods.
If a specific restaurant or character meal is important to your family, plan for that 60 day window.
👑 What about Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique?
If your little one is dreaming of a royal makeover, plan ahead.
Reservations open 60 days in advance and can fill quickly.
🎟️ Do I need more than a Disneyland park ticket?
Potentially, yes.
Depending on what you want to do, you may also need or want:
- Theme park tickets
- Park reservations when applicable
- Dining reservations
- Character dining
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
- Lightning Lane options
- Special events
- Other experiences that require reservations
⚡ Should I add Lightning Lane?
Maybe.
Lightning Lane can be worth considering if maximizing your time is important to your family, but it is not automatically something every family needs.
Consider:
- How many days you have
- When you are traveling
- Which attractions are priorities
- How much waiting your family is comfortable with
- Your budget
👑 Should I consider a VIP Tour?
For the right family, a VIP Tour can be an incredible experience.
It may be worth considering if you:
- Have limited time
- Want to maximize attractions
- Prefer having someone else handle the logistics
- Are celebrating something special
- Have a larger budget
- Want a highly personalized experience
It is a splurge, but it is an option worth knowing about, especially if convenience is one of your highest priorities.
🎟️ Should I consider a Disneyland vacation package?
Absolutely worth considering.
A Disneyland vacation package can combine your hotel and theme park tickets and can make planning your trip more convenient.
Select packages can be booked with a $200 deposit when reserved more than 30 days before arrival, with the balance due 30 days before arrival.
Select packages also allow payments along the way as long as the balance is paid by the deadline.
Packages generally require a minimum two night stay and can include theme park tickets.
Optional additions such as Lightning Lane can also be considered.
You can absolutely book a package yourself. If you would rather have us compare the options and book it for you, we can help.
🎖️ Are there military discounts?
Definitely check before you book.
Disneyland offers special pricing and offers for eligible United States military members.
Travis is a Navy veteran, and we have access to military ticket resources through Nellis AFB.
If you qualify, let us know before you book so we can help you look at the available options.
💵 Is Disneyland really that expensive?
Disneyland can absolutely be expensive.
The best thing you can do is understand the total cost before you book.
Think about:
- Hotel
- Tickets
- Transportation
- Parking
- Food
- Lightning Lane
- Special experiences
- Souvenirs
Sometimes spending a little more on the hotel can make the trip easier. Sometimes spending less on the hotel gives you more money for experiences.
🏰 Can I really do Disneyland in one day?
You can certainly visit Disneyland for one day. Whether one day is enough for your family is a different question.
Trying to do everything in one day can mean rushing from attraction to attraction and ending the trip exhausted.
If your budget allows, another day can give you more flexibility to:
- Take breaks
- Experience more attractions
- Enjoy meals
- Meet characters
- Shop
- Slow down
- Let the kids enjoy the experience
📅 When should I start planning Disneyland?
You can plan Disneyland last minute, but waiting can mean fewer hotel choices, less desirable dates, fewer dining options and limited availability for popular experiences.
For popular experiences, planning ahead matters.
If something is really important to your family, put it on your planning calendar rather than assuming you will be able to grab it at the last minute.
❤️ What is your biggest Disneyland planning advice?
Do not ask:
Ask:
A family traveling with a baby may need something completely different from a family with teenagers.
A family celebrating a birthday may prioritize completely different experiences than a family trying to maximize attractions.
Your Disneyland vacation should be planned around your family, your priorities and your budget.
How much help do you want?
We can review a plan you have already started, plan your Disneyland vacation for you, or handle everything for you.
Review My Plan
You have already done some research and want another set of eyes on your choices.
Plan It For Me
You want someone to build the trip around your family, priorities, dates and budget.
Handle Everything For Me
You want help with the details, reservations and planning so you can focus on your family.
Travel Strategy Sessions start at $50 and include our 45 page Disneyland Full Guide.
Book Your $50 Travel Strategy Session