LA & Anaheim with Kids: A 5-Day Itinerary

To kick off the trip, we opted for the Universal Express Pass. For a family with kids aged 6, 13, and 15, this was a lifesaver—it allowed us to bypass the long standby lines and kept the “I’m bored” complaints to a minimum.

Morning:

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: We headed straight for Hogsmeade at park opening. Exploring the shops and details of the village is much more magical before the midday crowds arrive.

Lunch at Three Broomsticks: We had lunch inside the Harry Potter area. The immersive theme is incredible, and it’s a great spot to fuel up before the afternoon.

Afternoon exploration:

We spent part of the afternoon knocking out the Upper Lot attractions. With the Express Pass, we were able to hit everything from Despicable Me Minion Mayhem (perfect for the 6-year-old) to the more intense attractions for the teens without the fatigue of standing in 60-minute lines.

Studio Tour and Mario Kart: After the Upper Lot, we headed to the World-Famous Studio Tour and then down to the Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge ride. We loved the Nintendo area so much that we were glad we had our dedicated “Early Access” scheduled for the following morning to do it all again!

For our second day, we purchased the Early Access add-on, which is a separate upgrade from the ticket itself. This gave us entry into the land one hour before the general public.

The Mario main event: We went straight to Super Nintendo World to ride the main attraction, Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge. Having the Express Pass, even during Early Access ensured we didn’t waste a second of that golden hour.

Toadstool Cafe: We had lunch at the Mario restaurant (Toadstool Cafe). Pro tip: You usually need to join a mobile waitlist for this early in the day! The “power-up” themed food was a huge hit with the kids.

Jurassic World — The Ride: We spent time in the rest of the Lower Lot, but come prepared: for this ride, you definitely want to wear appropriate clothes. Your feet will get wet!

After checking out of our hotel, we headed to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood. One of the coolest things about this tour is that it’s a working studio, so it’s constantly changing based on what is filming. Even if you’ve been before, it’s absolutely worth a repeat visit.

The Guided Experience: The tour starts with a guided tram ride through the backlot. Seeing the “Midwest Town” (famous from Gilmore Girls) and the soundstages is fascinating for the adults and teens.

Stage 48 – Script to Screen: The experience ends with a self-guided exploration of Stage 48. We spent a lot of time in the interactive areas dedicated to the DC Universe (the Batmobiles are a highlight!) and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts.

The “sweet” departure: Before making the drive down to Anaheim, we stopped at Bacio di Latte. It’s a Brazilian gelato spot that is totally worth the detour—their pistachio and Belgian chocolate flavors were the perfect treat before hitting the road.

Our first full Disney day! We used the Lightning Lane Multi Pass (which we purchased as a ticket add-on) and it was a game-changer for keeping a family of five on the move.

Logistics tip: At Disneyland Resort, you can only book your first Lightning Lane after you have scanned into the park for the day. Once you’re in, the app “unlocks,” and you can start stacking your reservations (3 at a time).

Big thrills for all ages: The highlight of the day was that our 6-year-old was tall enough for everything. She absolutely loved the big rides! We focused our Lightning Lanes on Incredicoaster and Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, which were huge hits for both the little one and the teenagers.

Cars Land: Even though Radiator Springs Racers was closed for refurbishment, we loved the atmosphere here.

For our final day, we focused on Disneyland Park. Since this park has the most attractions, we used our Multi Pass for the classics and specialized our strategy for the newest, most popular land: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Rise of the Resistance: This ride is in a league of its own. Because the line can easily exceed two hours, we purchased the Lightning Lane Single Pass (the individual “a la carte” purchase). It was worth every penny to skip the wait and ensure everyone—from the 6-year-old to the teens—got to experience the scale of the First Order.

Lunch at Café Orleans: We had a fantastic lunch in New Orleans Square. Pro tip: Reservations are an absolute must for sit-down dining here. I booked ours well in advance (up to 60 days out is recommended!). Sitting on the patio with a view of the Rivers of America while sharing the famous Monte Cristo and Pommes Frites was the perfect midday break.

The “Mountain” Loop: Using our Multi Pass, we hit the iconic peaks: Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, and Matterhorn Bobsleds. Because our 6-year-old was tall enough for all of them, we didn’t have to split up, which made the final day feel really special for the whole family.

Ending on a high note: We spent the evening soaking in the atmosphere of the fireworks. It was the perfect way to cap off five days of studio tours and theme park magic.