Disneyland Lightning Lane and Ride Priorities for Families with Young Kids

Planning your Disneyland visit with littles? Maximizing your time with Lightning Lane selections can make all the difference! Here’s the best strategy for using Lightning Lanes efficiently, focusing on attractions that cater to younger kids while also including must-do experiences for the whole family.

Top Lightning Lane Selections for Young Families

The following rides and attractions are included in the Lightning Lane system and are ideal for families with young kids:

Best Picks for All Ages (No Height Requirement)

• It’s a Small World – A classic boat ride featuring international dolls singing in harmony.
• Haunted Mansion – A spooky-but-fun experience (may be scary for sensitive kids).
• Jungle Cruise – A guided boat tour with animatronic animals and humorous skippers.
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters – A fun, interactive laser-shooting game.
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway – A wacky and immersive animated adventure.

Attractions with Height Requirements

For kids ready to take on a little more adventure, here are the height requirements for Lightning Lane attractions:

• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure – (40”) Join Tiana and friends on a lively musical journey through the bayou.
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run – (38”) Pilot the fastest ship in the galaxy.
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue – (40”) A thrilling 3D space ride through Star Wars worlds.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – (40”) A fast and fun runaway train through an old mining town.
• Indiana Jones Adventure – (46”) A high-speed journey through a perilous temple.
• Matterhorn Bobsleds – (42”) A thrilling toboggan ride through the icy peaks of the Matterhorn.

Lightning Lane Strategy for Families

With Disneyland’s new Lightning Lane system allowing you to prebook three Lightning Lanes per day and then continue booking after each redemption, here’s a great way to plan your day:

1. First Three Selections: Prioritize attractions that fill up quickly, such as Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
2. After Redemption: Keep an eye on availability and book rides like Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters or Haunted Mansion to balance thrill rides with calmer attractions.
3. Afternoon Picks: Use Lightning Lane for rides that tend to have long waits in the afternoon, like Jungle Cruise or Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.

Other Must-Do Attractions for 40”+ Riders

If your child is at least 40 inches tall, don’t miss these thrilling attractions!

• Radiator Springs Racers (40”) – A high-speed race through the world of Cars.
• Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! (40”) – A thrilling drop tower experience with a rocking soundtrack.
• Space Mountain (40”) – A high-speed indoor roller coaster through the stars.

Final Tips for Success

• Rope Drop Strategy: Arrive early and head straight for a popular ride before Lightning Lane queues get long.
• Mobile Orders: Use the Disneyland app to order food ahead of time and avoid long waits.
• Break Times: Schedule shows or slower attractions in between Lightning Lanes to keep kids from getting overwhelmed.

With a solid Lightning Lane plan, you’ll maximize your fun and minimize wait times for the whole family. Enjoy your Disneyland adventure!