London might not have a Disney theme park, but the city is absolutely brimming with magical experiences that will delight your Disney-loving children while creating unforgettable family memories. From the streets that inspired beloved animated classics to spectacular West End productions that bring fairy tales to life, the capital offers a treasure trove of Disney-connected adventures waiting to be discovered. Whether your little ones dream of dancing with Belle, sailing with Peter Pan, or joining Mary Poppins on a rooftop adventure, London provides the perfect backdrop to step into their favourite stories and experience the magic beyond the screen. Let’s explore some of the best things to do in London with kids who love Disney.
See a Disney show
Taking children to see a Disney musical in London’s West End creates truly magical memories. As at July 2025, the two Disney shows running in London are The Lion King (at the Lyceum Theatre) and Hercules (at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane). Both feature memorable songs and stories and a Disney West End show can also be a great way to introduce children to West End shows as the content of the show itself will already be familiar to them.
Do note that these are proper West End shows and they last over two hours long. Both shows are recommended for ages 6+ and do not admit children under the age of four for Hercules and three for the Lion King. Even where your child does meet the age requirement, do consider whether they are able to understand and observe basic theatre etiquette – sitting still and not talking – for the duration of the show. Be aware that theatres often employ loud noises and can contain scenes that may worry younger or more sensitive children. Tickets to shows are not cheap and out of courtesy to those also attending, you should only go if your child is old enough to not disturb anyone else’s enjoyment of the show.
Visit the Peter Pan statue
Peter Pan’s deep connection to London stems from J.M. Barrie’s original 1904 play and 1911 novel, which were set in the Bloomsbury area of London where the Darling family lived before their magical journey to Neverland.
Disney adapted Barrie’s work into their acclaimed 1953 animated film, though Disney had to license the film rights from Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. In 1929, J.M. Barrie unexpectedly gifted the copyright to Peter Pan to Great Ormond Street Hospital, with anyone using the characters or story in productions contributing royalties to the hospital. This unique arrangement means that Great Ormond Street Hospital benefits financially from Peter Pan adaptations, making it one of the most generous literary gifts in history, as the beloved character who refused to grow up now helps fund the care of seriously ill children in the city where his story began.
You can pay tribute to this marvellous legacy by visiting the Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens which stands as a beloved tribute to J.M. Barrie’s iconic character. The statue was erected in 1912 next to the Long Water. This 14-metre-high bronze sculpture was a gift from Barrie himself, who funded the project personally, featuring Peter Pan standing atop a tree stump blowing a trumpet while small animals and fairies dance around the base at the perfect height for children to interact with.
Pay a visit to the Disney Store on Oxford Street
The Disney Store on Oxford Street spans three floors and offers the premier shopping experience for Disney fans of all ages. Located near Bond Street station, the shop has an extensive selection that goes far beyond traditional Disney merchandise. You’ll find everything from Disney Princess dresses inspired by Ariel and Moana to Star Wars and Marvel’s Avengers cosplay and costumes, including items featuring Rey, Baby Yoda, Spider-Man, Captain America, and Black Panther.
The store’s comprehensive inventory includes Disney clothing, toys, games, and stuffed animals from beloved characters like Elsa and Anna to Lilo and Stitch to Buzz Lightyear and Woody, plus National Geographic merchandise for those feeling adventurous.
Whether you are stocking up before a trip on the Eurostar to Disneyland Paris, or you just want to indulge in some shopping for goods featuring your child’s favourite characters, you’re sure to find what you need here.
If you can’t make it to the Disney Store, don’t worry, there are plenty of other places to pick up Disney Merchandise throughout the city.
Look out for Disney-themed street art
Look out for Disney-themed street art. Although the nature of street art being an ever-changing rotation of graffiti means that there’s no guarantee as to what you will see, Disney characters do often pop up on walls around London.
For those looking to see street art in London, why not try our Shoreditch and Spitalfields with kids: self-guided walking tour which takes you to some of the best spots in East London? Alternatively, visit Leake Street Grafitti Tunnel to see what has been recently added to the walls there (for more information, see our post A look at: Leake Street Arches graffiti tunnel).
Visit locations that inspired, or featured in, scenes in Disney films
While many Disney films were created in 2D form or in studios, they drew inspiration from real London locations that fans can visit today to experience the magic firsthand. And of course, some live-action films were filmed in real London locations. Why not visit some locations that your child may recognise from the films they have watched:
- The Thames from Big Ben to Tower Bridge – Peter Pan
- St Paul’s Cathedral steps – Mary Poppins (in particular ‘Feed the Birds’);
- Portobello Road – Bedknobs and Broomsticks
- Regents Park and Primrose Hill – 101 Dalmations
- Liberty London – Cruella
There are many more, but these are perhaps some of the most famous examples.
Watch a Disney film outdoors
If you are visiting London during the summer months and have some time to kill, look out for the various outdoor cinemas that pop up around London. Many of the outdoor cinemas have a programme of children’s films that often include Disney films.
A lot of outdoor cinemas offer the possibility of you bringing along your own food and drink, so pack a blanket and make an experience of it. For more information about outdoor cinemas, see our post The best outdoor cinemas in London for kids.
See a statue of Mary Poppins
Leicester Square’s Scenes in the Square statue trail is a collection of bronze sculptures celebrating iconic film characters from the past century of cinema. One of which is none other than Mary Poppins! Installed in February 2020, the statue of Mary Poppins appears complete with umbrella and carpet bag and looks ready to take off. Whether your children are familiar with the original or the remake, they’re sure to recognise this iconic character.
Take a selfie, and while you’re there, see whether you can spot the various other popular characters dotted around Leicester Square. Family favourites include Harry Potter, Paddington Bear and Mr Bean.
Watch your favourite characters take to the ice
If you are in London in winter, watch your favourite Disney characters in a whole new world, that of an ice rink with Disney on Ice! Mickey and Minnie will introduce your children to world-class ice skating by some of your children’s favourite characters, including Moana, Anna and Elsa and the Disney princesses – all to some oof Disney’s most iconic music.
Explore real life castles and palaces
Although not purely a Disney activity, exploring London’s real life castles and palaces may be a way to make a connection between your child’s favourite fairy tales and tales of real-life history. For example, walking into the Tower of London might evoke images of the castle from Sleeping Beauty and you can use that as an opportunity to explain the nature of moats and how they protected castles. Compare the simple lines of Buckingham Palace with the intricate detail of Disney castles and think about the sort of castle or palace you might like to live in if you were a real life princess.
Look out for pop-ups and other temporary events
London is a dynamic city and so there are always things going on, whether that be pop-ups, temporary events or exhibitions. So there’s a chance that when you visit, there may be something Disney-related going on in the city. That’s especially likely to be the case if there is a new Disney film that is just about to be released. So keep your eyes peeled!
Is your child a Disney fan? Have you done something that our readers should know about? Share details in the comments!
