We all know Disneyland is a great place to take small children. But Disney California Adventure seems geared toward an older or at least taller audience. Or so you might think. So what can toddlers do at California Adventure? There's actually a lot. Disneyland remains our top toddler park, but there's plenty for a toddler to do at California Adventure as well, whether or not your toddlers are tagging along with older siblings. We'll go over our top shows and entertainment, rides, character experiences and food choices for your tadpoles.
What Can Toddlers Do at California Adventure?
Disney California Adventure has rides, play areas and shows that appeal to toddlers. But it also has seasonal events that bring extra entertainment, parades, cavalcades and kid-friendly shows to the park. We'll touch on seasonal events and year-round options.
You can now pick up special kids maps for each park. They are full of fun and practical ideas for kids in the parks.
Best Rides and Attractions for Toddlers at California Adventure
The best rides for toddlers are those that have no height requirement:
- The Little Mermaid — Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
- Pixar Pal-A-Round (a unique enclosed Ferris wheel that has both rocking and non-rocking gondolas)
- Jessie's Critter Carousel
- Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
- Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
- Golden Zephyr
- Turtle Talk with Crush
- Redwood Creek Challenge Trail (some activities do have a height requirement)
- Toy Story Midway Mania! (it's a game and a ride that does require use of 3D glasses to see well; and it may be hard for parents to manage a toddler and play)
- WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure (does require use of 3D glasses to see well)
There are a few rides with a height requirement that might work for taller (and adventurous) toddlers:
- Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters — 32 inches (81 cm) or taller
- Mater's Junkyard Jamboree — 32 inches (81 cm) or taller
- Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT! — 40 inches (102 cm) or taller (may be too scary with darkness and drops)
- Jumpin' Jellyfish — 40 inches (102 cm) or taller
- Radiator Springs Racers — 40 inches (102 cm) or taller (goes fast during the big race, and the line can be prohibitively long for toddlers)
- Silly Symphony Swings (tandem only) — 40 inches (102 cm) or taller
- Soarin' Around the World — 40 inches (102 cm) or taller (may be scary with big heights)
Hop over to our post on height requirements and Rider Switch so you can see where your toddler measures up. If the taller or braver family members want to ride a ride, ask the attendant about Rider Switch so the parents can take turns riding and babysitting.
What Can Toddlers Eat at California Adventure
What are you going to feed your toddler? It can be stressful, depending on how picky your toddler is. We have a few family favorites that our tadpoles love. We also bring a lot of familiar snacks from home. The tadpoles love them AND they save time and money.
- Mac and Cheese — Whether you choose to get the bacon mac and cheese cone at the Cozy Cone Motel or the mac and cheese in a sourdough bread bowl at Aunt Cass Cafe (this location also has a kid portion of mac and cheese), these popular favorites and toddler tested and approved. Flo's V8 Cafe also has a mac and cheese kids meal.
- Chicken tenders— Get these classics at Smokejumper's Grill and Flo's V8 Cafe (ahem, chicken "fenders" when in Cars Land BTW). If your toddlers eat drumsticks, you can buy a box of three at Poultry Palace.
- Pasta and Pizza — Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta these staples for your toddler. Pym Test Kitchen has Mini Pasta and Impossible Meat-balls as well.
- More adventurous eaters may like to try fun options such as a bite-sized grilled cheese, a subatomic chicken sandwich, a do-it-yourself PB& J at Pym Test Kitchen. It's slo home to tater tots and giant pretzels great for sharing.
- San Fransokyo Square Kids Meals — Aunt Cass Cafe has a turkey sandwich (or mac and cheese). Lucky Fortune has kids chicken and rice, teriyaki chicken and plant-based yaki udon. Cocina Cucamonga has a pollo asado taco or a carne asada taco.
- Sourdourgh bread — If your toddler like sourdough bread, then they are in for a treat! How about a sourdough loaf shaped like Mickey or Baymax?
The kids meals come with fruit and drink. Bring some resealable bags to take leftovers on the go. Even the adults in our family like to get the kids breakfast options at Smokejumpers (or Pym Test Kitchen) in the morning.
In terms of snacks, Mickey pretzels, ice cream from Cozy Cone and popcorn (for older toddlers) always do the trick with our tadpoles. And be sure to hop by Boudin for a free sample of sourdough bread. Read more in our top kids foods at Disneyland post.
Best Kid-Friendly Shows and Entertainment at California Adventure
Exciting shows and getting to talk to their favorite Pixar characters? What's not to love if you're a toddler?
(New!) Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!
This new show replaced the Disney Junior Dance Party. This must-see new stage production was inspired by “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” and the upcoming “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse+,” which debuts later this summer. The show features upbeat original songs, interactive fun, dancing for the tadpoles, and appearances by Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Daisy and Pluto! Plus, we enjoyed a few surprises!
Turtle Talk with Crush
If you need to decompress in a dark theater, get out of the weather elements and have your funny bone tickled, here's something the tadpoles and adults can all agree on. Audience members can interact with Crush the sea turtle and, Dude, you can learn to speak surfer turtle. You can find it inside the Animation building in Hollywood Land. That's also a great spot to meet Anna & Elsa and take a sensory break while enjoying animation and music in the main central area with seats. "Cha!"
World of Color
If your toddler can stay up late, they'll be mesmerized by the colorful fountains of water with projection, special effects and music. Better read up on nap time. Join the virtual queue as soon as it opens at noon to get the earliest show. Set your alarm for just before noon so you don't froget.
Bubbles!
Toddlers are easily entertained by a bubble wand. They can hold it while they ride in the stroller or just stand on the sidewalk and make magic. If you have to wait for entertainment or a parade/cavalcade, pull out the bubble wand.
Smaller Shows
There's a lot of entertainment that pops up around the park. During Food & Wine Festival you can watch the Jammin' Chefs dance. At Holiday time there are several fun acts with characters around the park. And at other times, the Green Army Patrol rides by and interacts with the kids during Operation Playtime! Check the calendar to find out the schedule for smaller acts hoppening when you visit.
Characters at California Adventure
You can meet a variety of Disney, Pixar and Avenger characters in the park:
- Mickey, Minnie and pals are on Buena Vista Street in their early 20th century outfits.
- Pluto is by the airplane near Soarin'.
- Chip 'n' Dale are sometimes in Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
- High-five Spider-Man in Avengers Campus and meet other Superheroes. Don't froget to watch Spider-Man leap over the buildings!
- Talk to vehicles such as Lighting McQueen, Mater and Red in Cars Land and even watch them drive by.
- Give Baymax or Hiro a hug in San Fransokyo Square
- At Pixar Pier meet a variety of characters from The Incredibles, Toy Story, Inside Out and more.
- Find a rotating cast of seasonal characters at Paradise Gardens Park and in between The Little Mermaid and Grizzly River Run.
- Anna, Elsa and perhaps other Frozen friends are inside Disney Animation.
- Limited time Phineas & Ferb and Perry the Platypus In Hollywood Land
- Limited Time "Encanto" characters in Pacific Gardens Park
- Limited Time Rex
Even more characters are out for seasonal events such as Lunar New Year and Food and Wine Festival.
Keep in mind that sometimes toddlers like to see the characters from a safe distance. Sometimes they get nervous or cry if you force an interaction. Other times they run in for the hug.
For a limited time, as of June 1, 2025, you can meet Rex!
Best Places to Take a Nap or Sensory Break
Bring that familiar stroller from home for nap time. If you cannot go back to a hotel or home for a nap, here are some ideas for inside the park.
The waterfalls near Grizzly River run provide some nice white noise for nap time.
There are also shady benches in that Grizzly Peak area and Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.
Hop over to our posts on where to take a nap or a sensory break at Disneyland.
Seasonal Surprises
Certain times of the year bring new ways to play and be entertained in the park. The new year starts off with Lunar New Year, which brings a procession (mini parade), new foods to try and new characters to meet.
Food & Wine Festival might sound like it's made for adults, but there are kid-friendly elements. Kids can decorate cupcakes with the Super Kitties, do free coloring crafts, see a Jammin' Chefs show and engage in more character meet and greets. Halloween Time means characters in costume and an after-hours Halloween party — The Oogie Boogie Bash — as well as ride layovers and special not-too-spooky decorations.
Holiday Time means more entertainment, some with characters, new treats and activities, free crafts and even visits with Santa in the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. Plus, do not miss Mickey's Happy Holidays, the cutest cavalcade with a ton of Disney and Pixar characters. Find more fun in the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.
Tips for Taking Toddlers to California Adventure
Here are a few tips to make your day go easier with a toddler at California Adventure:
- Get the wiggles out at Redwood Creek Challenge trail.
- Let them touch and play at the Pixar Ball at Pixar Pier.
- At Pixar Pier, play the La Luna game, where everyone is a winner.
- Bring layers, hats and sunscreen
- Bring snacks from home.
- Take a break or nap midday.
- Use the Baby Care Center behind Ghirardelli in San Fransokyo Square for potty training, diaper changes and to purchase necessities for tadpoles.
- Read up on taking a baby to Disneyland and tips for using a stroller at Disneyland.
One thing that's great at Disneyland is that toddlers 2 and under are free. You can save on Disneyland tickets for the rest of the family (ages 3 and up) with Undercover Tourist. You can also save on hotel stays nearby!
Related: Disneyland Park Plan for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Related: All of the Not-to-Miss Rides, Experiences and Food at Disney California Adventure Park
Hoppy planning!
