Best Things to Do in Anaheim, CA With Kids

The original Disney theme park, opened 1955, with the classic lands — Fantasyland, Adventureland, Frontierland, Tomorrowland — and attractions like the Matterhorn, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Space Mountain. Works across a genuinely wide age range from toddlers through teens, with character meet-and-greets and parades alongside real thrill rides.

Watch out: Weekend and school-holiday crowds are significant — download the official app for real-time wait times and use Lightning Lane (paid skip-the-line) selectively on the highest-demand rides. Don't try to combine with California Adventure on the same day; each deserves its own full day. Park-hopper tickets cost more but add flexibility if your trip is long enough.

The second Disneyland Resort park, opened 2001 and substantially reworked since, themed around California with Cars Land (a detailed Radiator Springs recreation with the Radiator Springs Racers ride), Pixar Pier, and Grizzly Peak. Generally has a different ride mix than Disneyland Park proper, with some of the resort's more thrilling rides alongside Pixar-character-focused areas for younger kids.

Watch out: Cars Land is consistently the highest-demand area in the park — plan to be there at rope-drop or use Lightning Lane if the budget allows. The World of Color evening water show requires arriving early to get a viewing spot without a dining package. Weather can affect some open-air rides; check forecasts.

A short drive from Disneyland in Buena Park, and a genuinely strong park in its own right rather than a discount alternative — more thrill-ride-forward than Disneyland with coasters like GhostRider (a real wooden coaster) and Xcelerator, alongside a dedicated Camp Snoopy area calibrated for younger kids. The park's boysenberry-themed food heritage (this is where the fruit itself was popularized) is a genuine only-here experience.

Watch out: Coaster height minimums lock out younger kids on the bigger rides — Camp Snoopy is where families with a wide age spread should plan to split up. Less crowded than Disneyland on most days, which is part of the appeal, but check for seasonal event crowding (Halloween Haunt, Christmas events draw big numbers). Parking is separate from Disneyland Resort parking.

A restored 1919 citrus-packing building converted into a multi-vendor food hall, a short drive from the Disneyland Resort. A good lower-key evening stop after a big park day — no ticket required, a wide variety of food options for picky eaters, and enough space for kids to move around without the intensity of a theme park.

Watch out: Popular vendors have real lines during typical dinner hours; go a bit earlier or later to avoid the peak rush. Seating can be tight on busy nights — some groups end up split across tables. Parking nearby can require a short walk depending on the day.

The free-to-enter shopping and dining promenade between Disneyland Park, California Adventure, and the Disneyland Hotel. Worth an evening even without park tickets — themed shops, character-adjacent atmosphere, and a range of restaurants from quick-service to sit-down. A good way to give kids a taste of the Disney atmosphere on a lower-budget evening or a travel day when you're not doing a full park day.

Watch out: Some shops and restaurants get crowded during peak park-exit hours (early evening) as guests filter out of the parks — a later or earlier visit avoids the worst of it. Doesn't require a park ticket, which can create confusion about what's included — check specific restaurant reservation policies since some fill up regardless of park admission.