Playgrounds?

[AussieCanuck]

Can anyone tell me if there are any playgrounds in the Disneyland area? We are staying at the Homewood Suites and won't have a car, but could take ART somewhere if possible. My 2 year old gets a bit overwhelmed with crowds sometimes, so it would be nice to have somewhere to take him for a bit.


Thanks.

 

[skiingfast]

I happened apon a couple. I don't know about junlge gyms though. This is from a while back to and they may of been at schools wich could limit your access.

On was on a major road between Katella and Chapman and near I5. The other was about a block south off of Katella This was before Euclid. Of course neither of these were in hotel areas more residential areas.


In the parks there are some play areas. In DCA the Redwood Creek Challenge trail has some tame slides for little ones. Other than that a lot of the area will be buzzing with fast moving older kids.

In DL in toontown there is a play area near Goofy's House which is better for small kids. 2yo will probably like this because it's really best for very youngs children and not many older kids will be in it.

 

[anotherdismom]

In addition to the areas skiingfast mentioned, I like Pirate Island for a break. The crowds are lighter there and it gives a chance to run and play. Definitely a nice place to take little ones for some "free" time.

 

[amamax2]

I just google/maps Disneyland and then looked at the satellite view.

It looks like the one park skiingfast mentioned is called Stoddard Park - it is at Katella and 9th - doesn't look too far (but would need to drive) - and on the picture I can see a small playground right off 9th, plus a huge grassy area.

If you do the same thing I did, you can see several other parks; zoom in close to look for playground equipment, although this seems like the closest.

In the DL parks, I agree with what others have said - there are definitely out-of-the-way spots you can bring you little one when he needs a break from the crowds. On Tom Sawyer Island, if you go past the fort to where the "pirates treasure chest" is, hardly anyone is ever there. Behind the GCH is a grassy area, again, rarely anyone there. Lots of grassy spots to run around at the DLH (though not sure about access with construction going on?). Neither of those have playground equipment, but are quiet with room to just be by oneself (which I know is often what my son needed at that age). Maybe you can bring an inflatable beach ball and keep it in the bag, then find one of these grassy spots and blow it up to play with?

ETA: Just saw that you won't have a car...not sure if ART will take you, or might be a cheap cab ride as it is fairly close.....

 

[Goofy_Mom]

There is also a small area in Critter Country for little climbers. It's got a bench and is at the exiting area of Splash Mountain.

 

[azdisneylover]

In DCA there is a small spot in Bug Life area for little kids. That place doesn't get terribly crowded. The other posters listed great spots too. Maybe you can take your little one for a swim to tire em out for a nap.

 

[AussieCanuck]

Thank you so much for all of the suggestions! I'm happy to hear that there are a few spots in Disneyland we can go for a bit of quiet time. I will look on google maps to see what is around us as well.

 

[gweeptrish]

Do the DLR hotels have playgrounds? The parks aren't opening until 10a the week we are there and we have two small kids who will likely be up at dawn.

Thanks!

 

[mellers]

They don't list any playgrounds on the website, but if you have a couple of early risers, I would recommend making reservations at a resort character breakfast. It will give them plenty of "character time" before they ever get to the park, and it's always best to hit the parks right as they open.

Also, there is a little "theatre room" in the Disneyland Hotel where they show Disney movies.

 

[LavenderPeach]

Anotber quiet spot, although it's inside, is the Innoventions building. There are some big empty spaces in there and it's usually pretty empty - unless it's raining when people are looking for a dry place to go. But even then, i bet it's not that crowded. Just another idea in case you happen to be on that side of DL and need a place to go.

 

[DTDkettleCORNfan]

Skiing Fast already mentioned the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail....such a great suggestion. We usually go off season, but it has never been crowded there. They have a little slide (cut into fake rocks)...that my 2 year old niced loved. There is stuff to climb through, on, and over. They have animal paw prints stamped into the concrete trails there, and it is fun to follow them. Its shaded, quiet, has sweet relaxing music....one of our favorite places to visit in DCA. It does close earlier than the rest of the park though....at least it did in December.

 

[dptabrown]

Thanks for asking this question OP!!! Will definitely need to make myself a list of these spots before we go in June with my 2 & 4 year old!

 

[gweeptrish]

So no hotel playgrounds like they have at WDW?

 

[cccdisney]

So no hotel playgrounds like they have at WDW?

No, unfortunately not.

 

[mellers]

Kingdom Magic Travel lists a children's playground for the Disneyland Hotel, but I don't know if it is still there, or where it is if it is there.

 

[pinktink83]

Tarzan's Treehouse is also a great place for little ones to just run around and play and chill out a bit. My kids LOVED it when they were younger. We spent over an hour on it the 1st day, and we had to stop every day after that, too. Only negative is that you're "supposed" to stay with them, which is a lot of climbing stairs, etc, lol. So you may not get much of a break!

Second Tom Sawyer's Island, but be prepared that there are very tiny cave tunnels, and kids can get lost super easily. We got separated from our DS last time we went, and even though he was older and I wasn't worried about his safety, it took FOREVER to finally find him so we could go do something else. Its quite a big island, and lots and lots of little hiding places!

Also, a ride on The Sailing Ship Columbia is fun and restful. Lots of places for him to explore below the deck, and fun secret things to see behind the island.

And a ride on the train is super nice! If you've never rode it all the way around, you totally have to! Lots of fun things to see "behind the scenes" (dinosaurs!!) It takes awhile to get all the way around, and its a great way to relax your feet. Buy him a drink and a snack and kick back.

Redwood Creek Challenge is really cool, too, and plenty of benches for mom & dad to sit down while they play.

 

[pinktink83]

Oh, I just thought of another...at the Princess Fanatsy Faire they have a huge area with tables and chairs and place to run around, they do crafts throughout the day (free) and have the princess storytime (you get to sit on the rug and hear her tell a story, its really fun, even for boys!), and then every so often they do a performance on the stage with princesses and princes and they dance and go into the audience and do may poles, etc. Parents can just sit up on the risers/bleachers while the kids enjoy themselves down in the arena. Its all covered, too, so nice and cool and shady!