Making the Most of Your Day at Disneyland with Kids

If you’re the type of person who wants to maximize your Disneyland vacation, you’re in the right place. We love being in the parks from rope drop to fireworks, but let’s be honest — 16-hour days with kids are nearly impossible. The trick is knowing when to go hard, when to slow down, and when to take a break. Here’s how we like to structure our day:

Morning: Start Strong

Our kids are always up early at Disneyland, which works in our favor. The early hours are the absolute best time to be in the park: low crowds, cooler temps, shorter wait times, and all the excitement of rope drop. If you can rally your crew in the morning, you’ll knock out several big attractions before the park really fills up.

Midday: The “Witching Hour”

By late morning (around 11:00 AM), kids are getting hungry and the heat starts to kick in. We plan for lunch between 11:30 and 1:00 PM, knowing that once everyone is fed, we’ve got maybe one or two rides left before patience runs thin.

This is the perfect time to leave the park. Heading out between 1:00–2:30 PM means you miss the most crowded, hottest part of the day. Back at your hotel, you can nap, cool off in the pool, dim the lights for a cartoon, or do a little of everything. And the best part? You’re not missing much — the parks are jam-packed at this time anyway.

Evening: A Fresh Start

Around 5:00–6:00 PM, we like to head back in. A quick reset at the hotel (changing clothes, grabbing sweaters, swapping shoes) makes all the difference. Mobile order dinner before you go, then enjoy a relaxed evening of rides, parades, fireworks, and the magical nighttime atmosphere. Once the sun sets, the park feels brand new — with cooler temps, lighter crowds (especially after fireworks), and a little more energy to keep going.

We usually stay until we’re tired and then do it all again the next day.

When Leaving Isn’t Practical

We know that sometimes heading back to the hotel midday just isn’t an option. That’s where our “in-park break plan” comes in. Instead of pushing through, take advantage of attractions that double as a rest:

• California Adventure: Animation Academy, Turtle Talk, or Mickey’s PhilharMagic.

• Disneyland: Grab a snack and take a full loop on the train, enjoy the Tiki Room, or catch a show at Fantasyland Theater.

• Find a shady spot, stake out your parade spot early, and let the kids recharge with a treat.

Whether you’re leaving for a true break or slowing things down inside the park, embracing downtime in the afternoon makes a world of difference.

Why Your Hotel Matters

If you’re traveling with small kids and plan to take midday breaks, choosing a hotel near Disneyland is key. The easier it is to walk back and forth, the smoother your day will be. This is exactly where working with a travel agent (like us!) comes in handy — we make it a priority to match families with the hotel that best fits their needs.

If you’d like some help figuring out where to stay, just click the link at the top of the page to fill out our free travel quote request form. Our planning services are completely free, and we love helping families make their trip as smooth and magical as possible.