21 Don't-Miss Attractions For Kids At Disneyland

Because utter frustration kind of goes against that whole happiest place on earth vibe.

Disneyland is a whole lotta awesome for kids to take in.

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Fairies, and stormtroopers, and people in giant furry costumes — oh my! But for some of the kindergarten-and-under set, it can be meltdown city if you're not careful. The good news is there are a ton of activities that even the most anxious kiddos will love doing.

1. Start slow. There's plenty to see and do on Main Street USA.

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If your little gets overwhelmed, like mine does, (or just plain freezes up at the sight of anything coaster-like) taking your sweet time to get anywhere near a ride can help.

2. There's almost always a show going on somewhere on Main Street, whether it's the Dapper Dans or even Mickey himself conducting the famous Dixieland Band.

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3. Main Street is also a great spot to catch a parade.

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For the wallflowers who are reluctant to wait in line to meet characters, the top of Main Street is a great place to catch the cast at their most energetic as the parade comes out of the gate. (Most guests are lined up further down the parade route.)

4. Visit the Hook and Ladder Company.

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Who doesn't love exploring century-old fire engines? Just make sure you ask guest relations about performances that may be happening out front, if your kid is skittish about characters.

5. Or pick up the Disneyland Railroad, which will take you throughout the park, giving your kids a chance to catch their bearings before launching into anything.

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Pro tip: If your kid gets easily spooked, you'll want to hop off the train at The Toon Town stop before you take a nightmare-fueled trip through the Jurassic Era.

6. If you're starting on the California Adventure side, Buena Vista St. has tons of great show options for the ride-averse.

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Hang left to stroll through the Hollywood pictures backlot for access to shows and sights.

7. Got a Cars fan on your hands? Radiator Springs has tons of great sightseeing.

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You can walk right down Route 66 as it appears in the movie, complete with Flo's V8 Cafe and the Cozy Cone motel. Get to know Mater, Lightning McQueen, and the rest of the Cars gang without ever stepping foot on Radiator Springs Racers. Luigi's Rockin' Racers is a great attraction for riders-in-training.

8. A Bug's Land also makes you feel like you've stepped into the movie...

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Tucked off in a hidden corner, A Bug's Land is a great place to wade into the California Adventure experience.

9. And it's home to a bunch of low-impact, short-line rides that are great for reluctant riders!

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Check out Heimlich's Chew Chew Train and Flik's Fliers, in addition to Tuck and Roll's Drive-Em Buggies, pictured above.

10. Back on the Disneyland side, Fantasyland is full of wonder... and some scary sh*t to be aware of.

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Dumbo? Yes. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride? Hard pass. The "story" rides (Snow White, Pinocchio, Mr. Toad, even Winnie The Pooh!) may appear benign, but trust, they're likely to leave your kids wailing.

11. It's also home to the Carousel, the Tea Cups, and the Storybookland Cruise.

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Tea cups are a great option for anxious kiddos, since they (or you) can control the speed and spin themselves.

12. And no trip to Fantasyland would be complete without a visit to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

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A magical makeover (there are a bunch of options, including pirate) is a great way to bring out that Disney spirit in your shy kid.

13. It's a Small World is a Disneyland rite of passage, and a great opportunity for your whole family to ride together.

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Keep your kiddos (and yourself) entertained by looking for cameos from Disney favorites like Woody, Ariel, Jasmine, and Elsa on their respective continents.

14. Mickey's Toontown is an awesome stop for younger kids.

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You can meet Mickey, Goofy, and Minnie as you tour their houses and see where they live!

15. Jedi training in Tomorrowland is a don't-miss.

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Young padawans can learn from Disney's finest, and cheer on the Jedi as they conquer the dark side.

16. The Adventureland Bazaar is full of amazing knick knacks from faraway lands.

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Don't miss the pomegranate lemonade at the Bengal BBQ next door.

17. Climb with them through Tarzan's Treehouse, and swing from vines like you're in The Jungle Book.

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18. Catch a show at The Royal Theater.

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Whether it's Tangled or Beauty and the Beast, the shows are short, sweet, and seriously good — the cast members are amazing!

19. Shrink your way into Pixie Hollow.

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Winding through the tall grass of Pixie Hollow, we like to pretend we're shrinking down to pixie-size to meet Tink. Also look for Silvermist jumping through the fairy abodes that lead up to the character's homes.

20. Back at California Adventure, cut character lines with a swim through Ariel's Grotto for lunch.

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Have a decent food budget and want to meet the characters? Book a meal at Ariel’s Grotto and save yourselves hours of waiting in frantic lines to meet even the most sought-after princesses as they come to your table for photos and autographs.

21. Try your luck on Paradise Pier.

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Home to carnival games galore, boardwalk snacks, kid-friendly rides, and a giant ferris wheel, Paradise Pier is the centerpiece of California Adventure and a great place to unwind when everyone gets overwhelmed.