Hollywood and Disneyland with Kids: A California Family Itinerary
Planning a Hollywood and Disneyland with kids itinerary can feel overwhelming — but for Maria and her family, it became a milestone, a memory, and a moment of joy.
Thoughtfully Planned. A Milestone Worth Celebrating.
Planning a Disneyland and Hollywood family trip is always special — but for Maria and her family, it was more than just a vacation.
After years of personal loss and saying goodbye to her childhood home, she wanted to honor her late mother’s dream of visiting California together — and create magical memories her children would carry forward.
We timed their California family vacation with kids perfectly for Pixar Fest at Disneyland, filling their week with colorful Disney magic, once-in-a-lifetime character moments, and fireworks over Sleeping Beauty Castle. And with Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebrations just around the corner, the parks were already brimming with extra touches of nostalgia and joy.
Together, we designed a custom, weeklong Hollywood and Disneyland family trip that balanced iconic moments, family-friendly pacing, and three unforgettable days at Disneyland — a milestone trip they’ll never forget.If you’re planning your own Disneyland with kids itinerary — or looking for Disneyland 70th anniversary trip ideas — this real-life itinerary is full of inspiration and expert tips.
How We Planned This Hollywood & Disneyland Family Trip: Our Approach
Every meaningful family trip starts with a vision — even before the details take shape.
For Maria, it was about keeping the pace manageable for her young kids, weaving in her late mother’s dream of seeing Disneyland through her grandchildren’s eyes, and creating magical moments they’d remember forever.
We started by sharing a curated guide with her — outlining what’s possible: the best Hollywood attractions for kids, tips for avoiding LA traffic, what to budget for a Disneyland family vacation, and when to visit for special events like Pixar Fest.
From there, we designed a custom, thoughtful plan — with family-friendly hotels, smart transportation tips, and plenty of downtime built in to make it seamless and stress-free.
Some highlights of their Hollywood and Disneyland with kids itinerary:
✔️ A well-paced, weeklong trip blending Hollywood sights with downtime by the pool
✔️ Staying at The Hollywood Roosevelt — a family-friendly, iconic hotel close to the Walk of Fame and Chinese Theatre
✔️ Renting a car through Turo — the best option for traveling with car seats and avoiding long rideshares in LA
✔️ Priority access to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour and Friends Experience — a personal, full-circle moment for Maria
✔️ Three magical days at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure during Pixar Fest — complete with character meet-and-greets with Luca and Alberto, fireworks over Sleeping Beauty Castle, and even meeting Mary Poppins at It’s a Small World
This trip worked because it was designed just for them — thoughtful, personal, and paced in a way that honored both their dreams and their reality.If you’re wondering how to plan a Disneyland trip with kids, or want your own California family vacation with kids to feel just as special, use this as inspiration — or reach out and let me help you design a trip your family will never forget.
Trip Overview: Hollywood & Disneyland Itinerary with Kids
A custom, weeklong California itinerary — blending big Hollywood moments with three magical days at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.
Before we dive into the full day-by-day breakdown, here’s a quick snapshot of this Hollywood and Disneyland with kids itinerary — designed to feel thoughtful, manageable, and unforgettable:
✔️ A well-paced, weeklong trip blending Hollywood sights with downtime by the pool
✔️ Staying at The Hollywood Roosevelt — a family-friendly, iconic hotel close to the Walk of Fame and Chinese Theatre
✔️ Renting a car through Turo — the best option for traveling with car seats and avoiding long rideshares in LA
✔️ Priority access to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour and Friends Experience — a personal, full-circle moment for Maria
✔️ Three magical days at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure during Pixar Fest — complete with character meet-and-greets with Luca and Alberto, fireworks over Sleeping Beauty Castle, and even meeting Mary Poppins at It’s a Small World
This itinerary was crafted to minimize stress, avoid LA’s worst traffic headaches, and give the family plenty of time to enjoy each experience fully — not just rush through a checklist.
If you’re planning your own Disneyland 70th anniversary trip with kids or looking for ideas for a California family vacation with kids, this structure is a great place to start.
Days 1–3: Hollywood with Kids
Hollywood makes everything feel larger than life — and for Maria, a lifelong pop culture lover, these first three days were a dream come true. From The Sound of Music to The Muppets to The Godfather, she’s always loved the magic of movies, and sharing that with her kids made it even more meaningful.
These days gave her family time to ease into vacation mode after the flight, enjoy some of Maria’s favorite cinematic moments, and experience the best of Los Angeles without feeling rushed.
Where They Stayed: The Hollywood Roosevelt
If you’ve ever wished you could step into the golden age of Hollywood — but without the kitsch — The Hollywood Roosevelt delivers. This iconic hotel oozes history at every turn, with just enough glamour to feel special while still being approachable and family-friendly.
It’s a bit like stepping into the Tower of Terror’s grand lobby — only without the fright. Timeless style, hidden stories in every corner, and a quiet magic you only find in places that have truly seen it all. Its whispered reputation for being haunted only adds to the charm.
This is the kind of elevated-yet-comfortable choice I love recommending to families — where the hotel isn’t just a place to sleep, but part of the story. The gorgeous pool, iconic architecture, and unbeatable location on Hollywood Boulevard made it the perfect home base for their Hollywood and Disneyland with kids itinerary, letting them walk to nearby sights while avoiding LA’s infamous traffic.
It’s the kind of experience families come to me for — Disney-grown, but ready for something a little more sophisticated and unforgettable.
Day 1: Arrival & Scenic LA Highlights
After an early flight from New York, the family picked up their Turo rental car with car seats and checked into The Hollywood Roosevelt. The afternoon was kept light to help everyone adjust: they explored Griffith Park, let the kids play on the playgrounds, and ended the evening watching the sunset over the Hollywood Sign from Griffith Observatory — one of the best free things to do in LA with kids.
Day 2: Warner Bros. Studio Tour & Hollywood Walk of Fame
The day started with the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Burbank, including the iconic Friends set — a personal bucket-list moment for Maria, who’s loved the series for years. They sat on the Central Perk couch, explored soundstages, and learned how movie magic is made.
After lunch at The Grove, the family strolled the Hollywood Walk of Fame, stopped by TCL Chinese Theatre to compare handprints, and wrapped up the afternoon with some pool time at the hotel before dinner.
Day 3: Paramount Studios & the Petersen Automotive Museum
The morning began at the Paramount Studios Tour, a classic Hollywood experience full of vintage props, soundstages, and behind-the-scenes stories from some of the most iconic films ever made. For Maria — a lifelong movie lover — seeing the history behind her favorite films made this one of her favorite moments in Hollywood.
After lunch nearby, the family headed to the Petersen Automotive Museum, one of Los Angeles’s most unique and family-friendly attractions. The kids lit up as they spotted cars from some of their favorite stories — including Scooby-Doo’s Mystery Machine, Sally Carrera from Cars, and even the Batmobile. With galleries full of racecars, movie cars, and rare classics, the Petersen turned out to be an unexpected highlight of their Hollywood with kids itinerary.
Days 4–7: Disneyland with Kids
If Hollywood was for Maria’s love of movies, Disneyland was her mother’s dream — finally bringing her grandchildren to the happiest place on earth. The transition from Hollywood to Anaheim marked the start of a new kind of magic — one that felt joyful, colorful, and deeply personal.
One of the most memorable moments came when her kids spotted Mary Poppins casually strolling down Main Street — no long line, no scheduled time, just a perfect Disneyland surprise. For Maria and her mom, Mary Poppins had always been special — a reminder to find magic in the everyday. It’s one of the many ways Disneyland feels different — and sometimes even more magical — than Walt Disney World.Unlike the Florida parks, where character meet-and-greets are tightly scheduled with long queues, at Disneyland with kids, you often see beloved characters wandering the park, riding carousels, or stopping for spontaneous photos. For Maria, that unplanned encounter with Mary Poppins was just as magical as the fireworks over Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Where They Stayed: Disneyland Hotel
For families who grew up on Disney magic but want a more elevated, seamless experience, staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel is one of the best choices you can make.
Disneyland feels different than Walt Disney World — smaller, more walkable, and right in the middle of Anaheim. That’s part of its charm. Some families opt for a Good Neighbor hotel to save a little while still being close to the parks, but staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel really changes the experience. The convenience, the little Disney details, and the feeling of being part of the magic make it worth considering if it’s in your budget.
Here’s a quick look at the three on-property options so you can see how they compare:
| 🏨 Resort | 📍 Distance from Parks | 💲 Price Range | 📝 Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Californian Hotel & Spa | Direct entry to Disney California Adventure | $$$$ | Most luxurious option, Craftsman-style design, private park entrance, upscale dining and spa. |
| Disneyland Hotel | Walking distance or monorail access | $$$ | Classic Disney nostalgia, spacious family rooms, fun pools and character touches. |
| Pixar Place Hotel | Short walk | $$ | Colorful Pixar-themed décor, more budget-friendly, playful vibe for families. |
For Maria’s family, the Disneyland Hotel was the perfect fit. It hit that sweet spot: nostalgic and charming, plenty of space for her kids to stretch out, and close enough to walk or hop the monorail right into Disneyland Park. It felt like part of the story — a place her mom would have loved, with just the right mix of comfort, magic, and ease to make their time at Disneyland feel even more special.
Day 4: Arrival, Goofy’s Kitchen & Downtown Disney
After checking out of The Hollywood Roosevelt early to avoid LA traffic, the family drove to Anaheim, checked into the Disneyland Hotel, and spent the afternoon enjoying the hotel pool and exploring Downtown Disney District.
Dinner that evening was at Goofy’s Kitchen, Disneyland’s version of Chef Mickey’s — a lively, family-friendly character meal where the kids got to meet Goofy, Minnie, and friends in a relaxed setting. Afterward, they wandered through Downtown Disney, listened to live music, and watched the fireworks from their hotel room.
Days 5–7: Three Days of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure
Maria’s family had three full park days, planned to let them see everything they wanted while still leaving space to relax and enjoy the details. Staying on property meant they could take advantage of Early Entry each morning, enjoy poolside breaks each afternoon, and hop between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure easily with Park Hopper tickets.
Their days were designed to feel full — but never rushed — and full of the little Disney surprises that make a trip like this so memorable.
✅ Morning Highlights
- Starting early in Fantasyland, when the park was quiet, for favorites like Peter Pan’s Flight, Alice in Wonderland, and It’s a Small World — especially magical for their toddler.
- Cars Land in Disney California Adventure — a highlight for her son, who loved seeing Lightning McQueen and Mater come to life and riding Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree.
A Pixar Fest Moment They’ll Never Forget
At the very top of their Disneyland wish list was seeing Luca and Alberto during Pixar Fest. This wasn’t just another character meet-and-greet — it felt personal. A nod to their Italian heritage, and a highlight Maria’s son had been counting down to for months.
Meeting them in person delivered everything they hoped for — and more. Later that same day, as the family watched the Pixar Play Parade, Luca and Alberto spotted them in the crowd and waved, calling out as if they’d remembered. It was one of those signature Disney moments you can’t plan — but you never forget.
For Maria, it was a story she knew they’d tell — and smile about — for years to come.
✅ Afternoon & Evening Magic
- Pool breaks at the Disneyland Hotel to recharge — a lifesaver for their youngest, who was just under 3.
- Character breakfast at Plaza Inn — a classic Disneyland experience with Minnie and friends.
- Dinner at Carthay Circle — one of the best table-service options in the parks, elevated yet welcoming for families.
- A spontaneous sighting of Mary Poppins at It’s a Small World — a moment Maria and her mom had always dreamed of seeing.
- Fireworks over Sleeping Beauty Castle, Fantasmic!, and World of Color — the perfect way to end each night.
Why Three Days Was the Right Choice
Three days at Disneyland gave Maria’s family the flexibility to revisit favorites, see every Pixar Fest show and parade, and still slow down to soak in the magic. They were able to experience the best of Disneyland with kids, create unforgettable Pixar Fest memories, and honor her mom’s dream — all without feeling rushed.
Some families opt to visit Disneyland as a day trip from Los Angeles — and if you’re willing to rope drop at park opening and stay through the fireworks, you can cover a lot in one full day. With both parks so close together and easy to hop between, it’s possible to fit in quite a bit, especially if you’re strategic with Genie+ and Early Entry.
But staying overnight — especially at a Disneyland Resort hotel — gives you the chance to truly relax into the experience. You can enjoy pool breaks, wander through Downtown Disney in the evening, and soak in the little moments that make Disneyland feel so personal and magical.
For families planning a California family vacation with kids, three park days strikes the perfect balance: enough time to see it all while keeping the trip joyful and manageable — and giving you space to appreciate Walt’s original park and the vision that started it all.
“One of my favorite parts of the trip, which seems so silly, was sitting in front of It’s a Small World, watching the fireworks with popcorn and bubble wands. Seeing my kids so happy — twirling, laughing, and just being in that moment — is something I will never forget.”
– Maria
Ready to Plan Your Own Hollywood & Disneyland Family Vacation?
For Maria and her family, this trip was so much more than a vacation — it was a milestone, a memory, and a moment of healing wrapped in joy.
That’s what the right Disneyland with kids itinerary can do: give you space to relax, time to soak in Walt’s original park, and memories your kids — and you — will never forget.Whether you’re celebrating something big or simply want a seamless, thoughtfully planned California family vacation with kids, I can help you design the perfect trip — one that fits your family’s pace, priorities, and dreams.
The impact didn’t end when the trip did. In fact, it’s still unfolding. Lucy, her 7-year-old, made a decision shortly after they returned home — no birthday party this year or big celebration for her First Communion. She just wanted to go back to Disneyland.
➡️ More Real Family Itineraries: See how another family explored London, Paris & Disneyland Paris →
Lindsey Rinaudo
