disneyland trip reddit

Reddit drama about Disney trip by grandma and kids goes viral as she refuses to apologize to family

A grandmother who took her grandchildren to Walt Disney World for their first visit when she was unexpectedly forced to babysit the kids for multiple days did nothing wrong and was right not to apologize to her daughter-in-law, said social media users as well as a family therapist.

Reddit user "Simple-Band-9096" revealed the situation on the AITA ("Am I the A--hole") subreddit in a post on Thursday, March 7, asking, "AITA for taking my grandchildren to Disney for the first time without their mother and refusing to apologize when confronted?" 

Fox News Digital also interacted with the poster via Reddit's messaging feature to learn more about the story; the woman lives not far from Disney World. 

WOMAN ON REDDIT IS CONFUSED BY BOYFRIEND'S NEGATIVE REACTION TO HER CARE PACKAGE: 'UNGRATEFUL DUDE'

In the post, the woman said her son asked her to make a Reddit account and share the story, "because he claims my normal meter is skewed and the internet is going to tell me" she's wrong, she wrote.

She said, "I recently babysat my grandchildren (5 and 4) for a period of four nights and five days so my son and his wife could attend a wedding in Mexico, and spend a few days on vacation."  

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Initially, the woman said she did not want to babysit her grandchildren for that long a time period — and told her son and daughter-in-law that she was not comfortable doing so. 

"It seemed like a long time to watch the kids, and she has point-blank told me that the woman's family is more important than the man's, so I was irritated I was being asked" to babysit the kids, yet the daughter-in-law's mother was not asked to do, the woman wrote.

But Simple-Band-9096 changed her mind and agreed to babysit the kids after her son "became very emotional," she shared. Even so, she felt that they were being manipulative. 

DAD ASKS REDDIT IF HE SHOULD LET HIS TEEN DAUGHTER MEET A BOY FROM INSTAGRAM IN PERSON

Flash ahead to the babysitting time period. While the kids were with her, Simple-Band-9096 said she was invited to a birthday party at Epcot, one of the four main theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort — and wanted to go.

"It didn't even occur to me to run it by my son or daughter-in-law, as I had the kids for an extended period of time and obviously they knew they would be going where I went," she said. 

In the past, the woman's daughter-in-law said she planned on taking the kids on a multi-day trip to Walt Disney World, but "never made me aware it was something super special to her." 

REDDIT USER ACCUSED OF SPOILING HER YOUNG SON BY ASKING FOR AN INVITE TO GIRLS-ONLY EVENT

Added the woman on Reddit, "Also, it was Epcot. It's not like I took them to Magic Kingdom and they had some magical moment of seeing their favorite character." 

In follow-up comments, she said she lives about two hours away from the park and they did not need to stay overnight in a hotel . 

When her son and daughter-in-law got back from their trip, they did not take the news of the trip very well at all.

"My daughter-in-law was furious and burst into tears," she said. "She said I stole one of her kids' 'firsts' and called me entitled ."

She continued, "To be honest, I didn't react well to being called entitled, when she was the one who previously demanded babysitting."

She went on, "My son asked me to apologize as she was distraught over missing their first Disney trip , but I declined and asked them to leave." 

The son later asked again for an apology, and Simple-Band-9096 again declined.

REDDIT RELATIONSHIP DRAMA GOES VIRAL AS WOMAN DITCHES DATE WHO LIED TO HER ABOUT HIS AGE

"I know she is a huge Disney person, but it was Epcot, not quintessential Disney and I don't feel I should have had to miss out on a birthday party I wanted to attend," the woman wrote. 

"I told my son I am not apologizing for anything and maybe they should think about how they made me feel when they didn't respect my initial 'no,'" she said. 

Simple-Band-9096 added, "My son feels like Reddit is going to show me the error of my ways."

Speaking to Fox News Digital, the grandmother said she felt good about the resulting responses to her post.

"I know my son read all the comments and is feeling pretty embarrassed right now," she said. 

A family therapist told Fox News Digital that while the daughter-in-law's emotions were understandable, she needed to adjust her views of the situation. 

"It's understandable for the daughter-in-law to feel disappointed that she wasn't the one to introduce Disney to her kids," Rachel Goldberg, LMFT, founder of Rachel Goldberg Therapy in Los Angeles, told Fox News Digital via email.

FRIENDS AT ODDS IN DRESS DRAMA AS BRIDE INSISTS ON NEW BRIDESMAID GOWN NO MATTER WHAT

The daughter-in-law and Simple-Band-9096 already did not get along well, something that may have "heightened" her distress, suggested Goldberg.

"Taking care of two young children for an extended period can be challenging, and if you're entrusting Grandma with that responsibility, it's essential to relinquish some control over how things are done, even if it doesn't meet your expectations," said Goldberg.

The day at Epcot was a positive experience for the grandchildren and their grandmother, said Goldberg — meaning that she did not do them any harm.

"It could be beneficial for the daughter-in-law to reframe her mindset to focus on the joy the children experienced rather than solely on not being the one credited for the outing," she said.

Reddit users largely agreed with this sentiment, saying that Simple-Band-9096 was not in the wrong to take the kids with her to Epcot.

On the AITA subreddit, people can reply to posts and indicate the poster is "NTA" ("Not the A--hole"), "YTA" ("You're the A--hole"), "NAH" ("No A--holes Here") or "ESH" ("Everyone Sucks Here").

Users can "upvote" responses they think are helpful and "downvote" ones that are not. 

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While there was somewhat of a debate, most of the 7,000 or so replies to the post said that Simple-Band-9096 was "NTA" — and that, instead, her son was wrong.

"I hope your son feels humbled here today," said Reddit user "BulbasaurRanch" in the top-upvoted comment, saying that Simple-Band-9096 was not wrong about what she did. 

"They imposed on you to watch their children. You did exactly as they requested. You’ve done nothing wrong," said BulbasaurRanch. 

The user continued, "You are not responsible for your rude daughter-in-law crying. Tears don’t make a person right." 

Other users criticized the mentality that placed so much value on experiencing a child's "first" everything.

"My mom has more of my kid’s 'firsts' than I do because I gotta work," said user "BadTanJob." 

"That’s life. It was just as magical the second, third and fourth time," added the same user. "DIL and son need to get a grip."

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle .

Original article source: Reddit drama about Disney trip by grandma and kids goes viral as she refuses to apologize to family

The mother of the children (not pictured) was very upset that she wasn't the one to take her young kids to Disney World before anyone else did. Fox News

Planning Away

10 Amazing Options for a 2-Day Disneyland Itinerary (Includes A California Adventure Itinerary)

Are you thinking about creating a 2-Day Disneyland itinerary? Feeling a little overwhelmed?  No worries! I have a two days at Disneyland plan! 

We have been to Disneyland more times than we can count.  Planning a trip to  Disneyland always gets me excited! 

In this post, we will have lots of options for a Disney itinerary based on the stage of life you are in and your interest. These options will help you create 2 day Disneyland itineraries.  They will include both Disneyland and options for creating a Disney California Adventure itinerary.

If you only have a day in Disneyland, you can easily create a 1 day Disneyland itinerary.   If you have more than two days in Disneyland even better.  You can spend more time in each area and create the best Disneyland itinerary EVER !

Before we jump into the Disney itinerary section, we will start with some basic and really important Disneyland information that will help you plan a trip to Disneyland.  Hopefully, this will answer any questions you might have about your upcoming Disneyland trip . 

Let's create the best Disneyland itinerary! 

If you would like to save this information for later be sure to pin this to Pinterest.

This post may contain affiliate links (Including Amazon) that will give me a commission at no additional charge to you. 

When is the Best Time for Touring Disneyland

As you plan your itinerary for Disneyland figuring out the best time to visit is key! California has really nice weather year-round, so that is a plus! 

January – April typically has lower crowds. There will be some spikes for Spring Break attendance. (First week of April)

May-August have the typical summer vacation crowds.  September is a great month to visit. It might be a little warm but manageable. 

October is extremely busy!! Fall break in Utah, Arizona, and California attract many families to the area as well as the Disneyland Halloween Party . We have been in October many times. The Halloween Party is so awesome, so even if it is crowded, it is still worth going. 

Avoid holidays!! If you hate crowds avoid holidays.  Thanksgiving and Christmas are some of the busiest times at Disneyland.  However, there is something to be said about all the magical decorations at Disneyland during Christmas time.  You decide! 

Hopefully, you can find a perfect time to plan your Disneyland itinerary!  

How Long Should I Spend at Disneyland?

3 day disneyland itinerary.

Most people like to create a 3-day Disneyland itinerary.  This Disneyland 3 day touring plan gives you time to go to both Disneyland and California Adventure for a full day and then have an additional day to do whatever you miss or want to do again.  You also can save money by buying a 3-day Disneyland ticket.  

2 Day Disneyland Itinerary

Personally, I like 2 days at Disneyland.  I prefer to do one park per day.  That's why in this post we are going to focus on a 2-day Disneyland itinerary.  It is my favorite amount of time for touring Disneyland. 

1 Day Disneyland Itinerary

If you only have 1-day for Disneyland you can grab either of the main Disneyland itineraries and adapt it to the time that you have.  One day in Disneyland is probably not enough time to do everything in both parks.

What Disneyland Ticket Should I Get for 2 Days at Disneyland

There are a few Disneyland Ticket options to choose from.

The one-park per-day ticket is perfect if you only have 2 days at Disneyland.  You can evenly split your time between Disneyland and California Adventure.  

The park hopper ticket is nice for both 1-day tickets and 3-day tickets.  If you only have 1 day at Disneyland you can get a taste of both parks. 

The 3-day park hopper is nice for the last day you visit when you want to do specific attractions you might not have done on day 1 and day 2. They may be in separate parks. 

Getaway Today

Where should you get your tickets? Well , GetawayToday is one of the best Disneyland travel agencies out there.  They know all things Disney and can really help you plan your trip to Disneyland. 

They typically offer really great deals. (Ask me what promotions they are running in my Facebook Group )

If you want a Disneyland vacation package I have a coupon code : Planaway10 (This will get you $10 off) 

Best 2 Day Disneyland Itinerary - Accommodations

Staying near Disneyland is really nice, especially, if you have little ones that need a break during the day. There are a ton of hotels near Disneyland !  You can easily walk from your hotel.  

Disneyland has 3 official hotels: Pixar Pier, Disneyland Hotel with the new Disneyland Hotel Villas, and Grand Californian.  Personally, I think the Grand California is the best. You actually have your own separate entrance to California Adventure. It is really nice! 

Early Morning Disneyland

If you stay at one of the Official Disneyland Resorts you will be able to get into the park 30 minutes before the park opens. 

David's Vacation Club

Want to save money? The Grand Californian is a Disney Vacation Club. (Basically a timeshare property)  You do not have to be a DVC member to stay there.

David's Vacation Club is an awesome way to save money. People who are members of DVC might not want to use their points. David's Vacation Club will allow everyday people to buy those points and book discounted rooms.

I LOVE David's Vacation Club.  It has saved us so much money…..Almost $1000 for a 1-night stay at Disney's Aulani! I recently looked up the price for Disney World and the same thing, half the cost! 

If you do want to stay at the Grand Californian or the new Disneyland Hotel villas look into David's Vacation Club and see if it could save you any money! 

Best Attractions at Disneyland

I think it is really important to know what the most popular rides are at Disneyland so that you can create a Disneyland itinerary that includes them. 

  • Space Mountain
  • Rise of the Resistance
  • Indiana Jones Adventure
  • Splash Mountain (hot days)
  • Thunder Mountain Railroad

Best Attractions at California Adventure

The best attractions to add to your California Adventure itinerary are:

  • Radiator Springs Racers
  • Web Slingers
  • Incredicoaster
  • Guardians of the Galaxy
  • Soarin Over California
  • Toy Story Mania

Get the Disneyland App

The Disneyland App is essential.  You can do a lot of cool things with it. 

  • Upload Your Ticket and Scan at Gate
  • Mobile Food Ordering
  • Connect Hotel Reservations (Disney Hotels)
  • Join Virtual Queues
  • Access to Photos

You will probably be using your phone all day at Disneyland.  You will want to make sure to bring a portable phone charger while in the park. 

Disneyland Rope Drop

What is Disneyland rope drop? Rope drop is where your itinerary for Disneyland begins. (Unless you got into the park 30 minutes early.)

Disneyland Opening Time

At Disneyland every morning when the park opens, the whole Mickey gang greets you with a song, the rope then drops and you are allowed into the park. 

At California Adventure it is a little different.  You are allowed into the park to a certain point and then the rope drops and you can get in line at the most popular rides.  

Rope drop is really important at Disneyland.  If you want to ride the newest, most popular rides, getting in line right when the park opens is essential.  

Disney Itinerary Using Genie

The Genie system is supposed to be a Disney itinerary planner on the app. You are supposed to be able to enter everything you want to do and it will populate a Disneyland itinerary.  

I don't think we used this correctly when we went last, I will give it a try next time.  However, we did use Genie Plus.  

The Genie+ system is the new fast pass system.  Genie allows you to skip the line on all major rides. Yes, it costs money! But it is 100% worth it!  

I decided to test it out on our last trip.  We went for 1 day to Disneyland without the Genie.  The next day we went to California Adventure and decided to buy it. I wish we would have gotten it both days!!!  

It was awesome to use the Lightening Lanes and walk right on.  Having this pass will make planning your Disneyland California itinerary a breeze.   

Basically, you will pick a time window to ride a specific ride.  When your time window opens you can ride the ride.  You will scan your app at the ride.  

Disneyland Individual Lightening Lane and Single Rider Lane

What is a Lightening Lane? A lightning lane is a special line that allows you to hop right on the ride.  You will only use the lightning lane if you purchase Genie +.

You will need your Disneyland App to scan the bar code to allow you to enter the lane.  

Disneyland Single Rider 

One more important Disneyland tip.  If you don't mind riding as a single rider, you can save a lot of time. 

Single Rider Lines At Disneyland and California Adventure

  • Matterhorn Bobsleds
  • Splash Mountain
  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
  • Grizzly River Run
  • Incredicoaster 
  • Goofy's Sky School

1. Disneyland Itinerary for First Timers

Okay, if this is your first time to Disneyland, this is going to be awesome.  Part of planning which areas of the park you visit first depends on crowd levels and ride times.  Make sure to have your app open with the ride times.  

The app is important to make your Disneyland plan! 

If you make it in time for rope drop you can pretty much guarantee to just walk on at least 3-5 rides without having to wait very long.  Most people take time to get to the park and do not arrive until 11:00 am.  These first few hours are GOLDEN ! 

If you are entering Disneyland for the first time, you probably want to go straight to the Sleeping Beauty castle.  If this is the case, take your time walk through and head to Fantasyland

Fantasyland Disney Itinerary

Head straight to PETER PAN .  Peter Pan is one of the most popular rides at Disneyland.  The line will be long the entire day. 

If your party consists of older kids, teens, or adults after Peter Pan skip to the next section – Adventureland, Frontierland, and New Orleans Square. If you have little kids stay and ride. These rides:

  • Snow White's Enchanted Wish
  • Alice in Wonderland
  • Mad Tea Party
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant
  • Pinocchio's Daring Journey
  • Mr. Toads Wild Adventure
  • Casey's Jr. Train
  • Storybook Canal

Entertainment

  • Story Telling at the Royal Theater (Different times throughout the day.)
  • Tale of the Lion King
  • Meet Princesses 

Adventureland, Frontierland, and New Orleans Square Disney Itinerary

Ride the following rides in this order. 

  • Indiana Jones
  • Jungle Cruise
  • Pirates (if open)
  • Haunted Mansion
  • Big Thunder Railway 
  • Splash Mountain (Maybe if the weather is warm)

Do not do these rides and attractions in the morning :

  • Tom Sawyers Island
  • Mark Twain Riverboat
  • Enchanted Tiki Room
  • Tarzan's Treehouse
  • Sailing Ship Columbia
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

At this point, you will probably want to get a snack or eat.

Snack Options

  • Bengal Barbeque
  • Funnel Cake (Hungry Bear)

Head to Star Wars Land.

Star Wars Land

  • Smugglers Run 

Tomorrow Land

  • Buzz Light Year

Go Back and do the fun things you may have missed in each land. Check the time for the parade, Fantasmic, and the firework show!  These are all amazing and you will want to see them! 

This Disney itinerary can be completed if you only have a day at Disneyland. 

Tip for this Disneyland Itinerary

If you purchase the Genie + you should be able to ride all major rides.  If you do not purchase Genie+, you will be able to do 2/3 of the park in one day, depending on crowd levels.  

If it is my first time to Disneyland I highly recommend buying an Official guidebook to read before your trip.  There are lots of tips and tricks that will be helpful on your trip. 

disneyland trip reddit

2. Disneyland Itinerary for Star Wars Lovers

For a Disneyland 2 day itinerary for a Star Wars lover, head straight to Galaxy's Edge. Get in line and ride Rise of the Resistance.  Ride Smugglers run.

Star Wars Rides

  • Smugglers Run
  • Build a Droid (Droid Depot)
  • Build a Lightsaber (Savi's Workshop)
  • Shop at Batuu Shops

Meet Characters

  • Fennec Shand
  • First Order Storm Troopers

Star Wars Snacks 

  • Try Ronto Roasters

Head to Tomorrowland for more Star Wars

Tomorrowland

There are 54 ride combinations of Star Tours. This makes each time you go on it different. So go on it at least 3 times. You can also meet Darth Vader in Tomorrowland. 

Downtown Disney

After your day at Disneyland be sure to check out Downtown Disney .  There is a really cool Star Wars store you are sure to love! 

disneyland trip reddit

3. Disneyland Itinerary for Thrill Seekers

Disneyland is not an intense amusement park . It is a theme park.  There are a few rides that will give you a thrill but if you are comparing these rides to Busch Gardens or Six Flags they won't compare.  

Best Rides to Add to your Thrill Seeking Disney Itinerary

  • Big Thunder Mountain

Disneyland Plan Attractions

If you want to hit the major roller coasters Genie+ is the way to go. Otherwise, you will be waiting in long lines and wasting precious time! You want to create the best Disneyland touring plan! 

4. Disneyland Itinerary for Toddlers

Disneyland in 2 days is possible with toddlers! Fantasyland is the best area of the park if you have young children.  There are lots of rides they can go on. 

Fantasyland

  • King Arthur Carousel 
  • Storybook Land Canal Boats
  • Small World

 Entertainment

  • Story Telling at the Royal Theater (different times throughout the day)

After you explore Fantasyland head to Tomorrowland.

There are some fun rides to take your little ones on in this area if they are tall enough. 

  • Astro Orbitor
  • Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
  • Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

I think at this point a good nap is in order! I like to take my littles back to the hotel for a rest.  When returning from a nap you can explore the other side of the park.

Adventureland, Frontierland, and New Orleans Square

  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Mark Twain River Boat
  • Sailing Ship Colombia
  • Tom Sawyer Island

Main Street

  • Disneyland Railroad

5. Disneyland Itinerary for Foodies

Forget the rides let's focus on a food tour.  The beauty of this 2 day Disneyland itinerary you seriously do not have to wait in line with the Disney Mobile ordering . 

I want to be clear if this is your first time to Disneyland the food at California Adventure blows Disneyland out of the water. However, there are a few things you will want to try.

You can go in any order you please.

Must-Have Snacks

  • Dole Whip (Tiki Juice Bar)
  • Funnel Cake (Hungry Bear) 
  • Mickey Popcorn
  • Mickey Pretzel
  • Macaroon (Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe)
  • Beignets (French Market)
  • Curro Cupcake (out of this world good)

My Favorite Counter Service

  • Casey's Corner (Hot Dogs)
  • Rancho del Zocalo (Favorite Mexican)
  • Red Rose Tavern (Grey Stuff is Here) 
  • Bengal Barbeque 
  • Stage Door Café (American) 
  • The Golden Horseshoe (American) 
  • Harbour Gallery (Seafood)

Table Service

  • Blue Bayou (You can watch the Pirates of the Caribbean ride as you eat)
  • Plaza Inn (Character Dining During Breakfast)

6. Disneyland Itinerary for Those Who Hate Roller Coasters

If roller coasters are not your thing don't worry you will still love Disneyland. There are so many rides and attractions that are not intense.  

I will list below each ride in the different lands that are perfect for you if you do not like roller coasters.  You can create a 2 day Disneyland itinerary based on these recommendations. 

Fantasyland has character meet-and-greets and shows

  • Star Tours 
  • Finding Nemo
  • Autopia 
  • Astro Orbitor 

Frontierland

  • Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes 
  • Sailing Ship Colombia 

Fantasmic is in Frontierland (night time show)

Adventureland, Critter Country, and New Orleans Square

  • Pirates 
  • Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  • Tarzans Treehouse
  • Rise of the Resistance (not really a roller coaster) 
  • Great Moments with Lincoln
  • Main Street Vehicles 
  • Disneyland Railroad (4 stops around the park)

Making a Disneyland plan from this list is easy! My Disneyland route if I have little kids with me I always do Fantasyland followed by Tomorrowland. If I have older kids I start with Adventureland and on to Star Wars Land. 

One thing that is great you will want to do while in the park is shop for all the awesome Disneyland souvenirs.   Make time to shop around! 

Day 2 - Disneyland California Adventure Itinerary

Hopefully, you were able to pick the right Disney itinerary for your first day.  If California Adventure is set for day two I have a few ideas for you.  

I love California Adventure! It is my favorite (probably because of the food) but yes I love spending my time at DCA.  

7. Disneyland California Adventure Itinerary for the First Timer

Okay I am going to list every ride and attraction in each land.  At rope drop you should head to Radiator Springs Racers or Web Slingers. (These rides are not included in the Genie +.  However, both have single-rider lines… which is awesome! 

California Adventure gets busier at night however the lines for rides do not.  Lots of people come to DCA to eat and drink.  You should have plenty of time to ride every ride in the park in one day. 

Incredicoaster and Soarin are also the other rides that are very popular in the park.  We typically ride Soarin as the very last ride of the day.  

  • Radiator Spring Racers

Do not ride these rides in the morning:

  • Lugi's Rocklickin Roadsters
  • Mater's Junkyard Jamboree

Avengers Campus

Entertainment .

  • Spiderman show 
  • Character meet and greets
  • Doctor Strange Mystic Arts
  • Wakanda Black Panther Show

These shows are awesome, if you are close by, take the time to watch them. The Spiderman show is incredible! 

  • Inside out Emotional Whirlwind
  • Pixar Pal-A-Round Ferris wheel 
  • Silly Symphony Swings
  • Jessies Critter Carousel 

Grizzly Peak

  • Soarin around the World
  • Grizzly River Run (wear a poncho!)
  • Redwood Creek Challenge Trail 

Hollywood Land

  • Disney Junior Dance Party
  • Monsters Inc Mike and Sully to the Rescue
  • Sorcerers Workshop
  • Turtle Talk with Crush
  • Mickey's Philharmagic
  • Animation Academy 

8. California Adventure Itinerary for the Marvel Lover

Avenger Campus is awesome.  It is so detailed! 

Avenger Campus is not that big you could probably spend 2 hours in this area.  

Avenger Campus Disney Itinerary 

  • Ride Web Slingers
  • Eat Breakfast at Pym's Kitchen
  • Watch Spiderman Show
  • Enjoy a Character Meet N Greet
  • Ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout
  • Watch a Show 
  • Eat at Shawarma Palace or Pyms Kitchen 

Everything about the Avenger Campus is awesome! There are random shows all day. If you hang around this area long enough you will get to see your favorite Marvel characters.  Most of the time they are doing crazy stunts.

Pym's Kitchen is unbelievable! It is so delicious and so well-themed.  The chicken sandwiches are huge with a tiny bun, just like Ant-Man.  

The rides are really fun! 

disneyland trip reddit

9. California Adventure Itinerary for the Pixar Fan

If you love Pixar, Disney's California Adventure is perfect. Throughout the park, there are Pixar-themed areas. 

I would head straight to Toy Story Mania and Incredicoaster. You can ride the smaller rides and grab a cookie from Jack Jacks. You could also get a Churro from Senor Buzz. 

Then head over to Cars Land and go on Radiator Springs Racers. You can do the smaller rides and be sure to eat at Flo's 8 Diner or grab a snack at one of the Cozy Cones. 

You can head to Hollywood Land and go on the Mike and Sully's ride.

  • Radiator Spring Racers  Lugi's Rocklickin Roadsters

Pixar Pier Rides

  • Jessie Critter Carousel 
  • Pixar Pal-A-Round
  • Mike and Sully's 

You might see sightings of the green toy soldiers from Toy Story but it is not guaranteed.  This Disneyland itinerary is perfect if you love Pixar and only have a day at Disneyland! 

disneyland trip reddit

10. Disneyland Itinerary California Adventure Food Tour

If you are a foodie like me, California Adventure has the best food! Make a reservation for Lamplight Lounge! 

Eat breakfast at Pym's Test Kitchen.  It is so good! Take your time and snack your way around the park.  Eat Lunch at Lamp Light Lounge. 

You could snack your way till dinner and I recommend eating at a counter-service restaurant.  Pym's has amazing chicken sandwiches or you could head over to Smoke Jumpers, Pacific Wharf, or Cocina Cucamonga.

Best Snacks

  • Mac and Cheese Cozy Cone (Cars Land)
  • Adorable Snowman Frosted Treat (Pixar Pier)
  • Churro Toffee (Buena Vista Street)
  • Jack-Jack Cookie Num Num's (Pixar Pier)
  • Ghirardelli Ice Cream (Pacific Wharf)
  • Huge Pretzel (Pyms Test Kitchen)
  • Churro (Pixar Pier) 

Favorite Counter Service

  • Smoke Jumpers 
  • Flo's 8 Café
  • Pym's Test Kitchen
  • Cocina Cucamonga Mexican 
  • Pacific Wharf Café

What I love about the food at California Adventure is that they really try to bring the best of California into the park. 

Ghirardelli and the Pacific Wharf are a  taste of San Francisco.  There are specialty restaurants that have a taste of the California wineries.  I love how you get to experience California cuisine within the park. 

If you love food this 2-day itinerary Disneyland and California Adventure plan is perfect! 

Best Disneyland Itinerary 2 Days

Hopefully, this post helps you come up with a Disneyland plan.  I know you will be able to create the best 2-day Disneyland itinerary. Southern California is awesome! 

I hope I made it easy for you to adapt it if you only have a day in Disneyland or extend it to create a 3 day Disneyland itinerary! This should also work if you want to plan a Disneyland 2-day park hopper itinerary.  I know you will come up with the perfect Disneyland itinerary! 

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Are you planning a summer Lake Tahoe trip? Want to visit the best beach in Lake Tahoe? Sand Harbor Lake Tahoe is where you will want to go!  Sand Harbor Lake Tahoe is one of the most beautiful areas around the entire lake!   In this post, we will give you a complete guide to visiting…

27 Best Rides at Legoland California (Including Our Top 10 Legoland Attractions)

Are you thinking about which rides at Legoland California you have to go on? Are you so excited to visit Legoland California theme park and experience all the Legoland California attractions and fun? Awesome! We have been to Legoland in San Diego many times and love the rides at Legoland California! In this post, we…

Where To Get A Disneyland Funnel Cake And How To Use Disney Mobile Ordering

Is this your first time to Disneyland? Are you looking for the best snacks at Disneyland? Awesome! I have one piece of advice for you….YOU HAVE TO GET A DISNEYLAND FUNNEL CAKE!  There are so many delicious treats at Disneyland but the funnel cake wins.  What makes the Disneyland funnel cake amazing is that there…

Best Age For Disneyland (Let’s Plan A Disneyland Trip!)

Are you wanting to plan a family vacation to Disneyland? Wondering what the best age for Disneyland is?   You are in the right place! We are going to help you decide what the best age to go to Disneyland is.  There are lots of different opinions on the best age to take a child to…

30 Best Things To Do At Disney Springs (Located Near Disney World)

Are you planning a day at Disney Springs? Looking for some of the best things to do at Disney Springs?   Awesome. You are in the right place.  I have been to the Disney Springs shops and restaurants in Orlando many times and I am excited to share with you some awesome Disney Spring attractions.  Disney…

22 Comments

I love how well organized this 2 day travel itinerary for Disneyland is! I’m definitely bookmarking this for our next Magic Kingdom trip because I always feel like our time there is a little chaotic and having an itinerary to refer to will make things much more pleasant (and hopefully keep the kids from arguing about what order to do things in haha). Thank you for sharing!

I like when I have a list pre-planned…and we go!

We have not been to Disney because the thought of it overwhelms me! but I know eventually that day will come, and this 2 day disneyland itinerary will really come in handy!

It is a fun family vacation!

I haven’t been to Disneyland, but it looks similar and yet different from Disney World. Great 2 day Itinierary for Disneyland – I look forward to visiting.

Disneyland has some fun unique things and is much smaller than Disney World. Love both!

I appreciate your advice on planning a two day Disney Itinerary! Looks like a great opportunity for family fun time!

Such a great family vacation!

I’ve done a few trips to Disneyland and I think three days is perfect! When I’ve gone for longer, it’s just been too repetitive.

Three days is nice!

The Disney Apps sure do enhance your trip to any of the Disney parks. We used it in Disneyland Paris and loved the convenience of it. I think you should visit Disneyland or any of the other parks at least once!

I agree 100%

I have not yet been to either one of the Disney parks. This is a very thorough guide! I have been to Universal Parks and I can attest to the fact that the single rider lines are where it’s at! You get more time on the rides and less in the lines!

Yes, it is so worth going on the single rider lanes!

I love the attention to detail to everything in Disneyland, it makes the whole experience extra magical. Would love to use these suggestions if I ever go to the US

I like a good guide when I visit Disney!

This was very well organized! I love tomorrowland, can’t want to go!

Space Mountain is my favorite!

Such a great guide! I’ve been to one in Paris and loved it. I’m more excited about the Universal Studios in the USA tho.

I am a totally amusement park fan. They are all great!

Such an incredibly detailed way to spend two days in Disneyland! The attention to detail was excellent.

Thanks, You would think we lived in California for as much as we have been!

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101 Great Disneyland Tips

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Want to do Disneyland and Disney California Adventure like a pro? We have 101 tips that’ll help you save money and time and info to improve your vacation! Everything from Star Wars Land to avoiding lines to best fireworks views and so much more is covered. ( Updated September 6, 2019 .)

Over our years as Annual Passholders, we’ve learned a lot–and share that with you in this post. Of course, as with things like this not all of these tips will be universally applicable, but there should be something for everyone here. Whether you’re a Disneyland first-timer or a veteran visitor to California who still has nightmare-flashbacks to Light Magic, there are tips for you here!

Oh, and be sure to read the comments at the end, as some readers have shared additional tips that are pretty strong. Keep in mind that these tips are pretty random…if you’re looking for start to finish vacation planning advice, read our comprehensive Disneyland Trip Planning Guide instead of or in addition to this post.

Note that this post is regularly updated, removing tips that are no longer applicable and replacing them new tips based on things we’ve learned recently. We’ve visited several times since Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has debuted, and will be going back again right at the start of Halloween Time at Disneyland for Oogie Boogie Bash!

Make sure to also read the additional reader tips in the comments, as some of you readers have some great tips of your own that are really helpful. If you have some good tips, be sure to add them there, too. The more, the merrier!

With that said, let’s get started with the list of the best Disneyland & Disney California Adventure tips for visiting like a pro…

disneyland trip reddit

1. You can save money on Disneyland tickets by purchasing at a discount from Authorized Disney Ticket Sellers . Authorized is the operative word there, and we recommend the best options in our ticket guide . As we discuss there, it’s important to be careful, as there are a lot of Disneyland ticket scams.

2. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is now open! Read our Star Wars Land Info & Galaxy’s Edge Guide for everything you need to know about this huge new addition to Disneyland.

3. The easiest spot to watch the Disneyland fireworks is the area by ‘it’s a small world’, but the best spot is right on the center of Main Street, USA. Check out this article for a map of the best and worst Disneyland fireworks viewing locations . There are some hidden gem spots–and popular views that are actually poor!

4. The most iconic and flagship character meal at Disneyland Resort is Goofy’s Kitchen, which is like Chef Mickey’s: California Edition. Read our Guide to Character Dining at Disneyland for more hotel and in-park character meal recommendations.

5. If you are celebrating a special occasion, make sure to pin up a button reflecting the celebration at one of the Disney-owned hotels or in the parks from Guest Services. Other areas of both parks also occasionally offer special, non-celebrating buttons.

6. Christmas entertainment is included in the cost of daily admission–there is no separate hard ticket event. Christmas offerings include ‘it’s a small world’ holiday, Haunted Mansion Holiday, and much more. For more in-depth info about the holidays, read our Ultimate Guide to Disneyland at Christmas .

7. If planning your trip, you may encounter outdated resources suggesting that there’s little benefit to staying in on-site, Disney-owned hotels at Disneyland Resort. This changed with the opening of Cars Land, as early access to Radiator Springs Racers can be very valuable. Our on-site v. off-site hotel post reflects the current pros and cons of staying off-site and on-site .

8. Selfie sticks are not allowed at Disneyland. Do not try to sneak one in and use it–especially on attractions. They will stop the ride, embarrass you, and kick you out of the park. This has happened numerous times, and has caused significant ride downtime.

9. As much as we dislike up-charges, we have to admit that buying MaxPass will save you time and allow you to see more attractions in a single day at Disneyland–especially on busier days. Read our MaxPass & FastPass Guide to Disneyland Resort for more information and tips.

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10. Lots of changes have come to Disneyland Resort’s shopping and entertainment district in the last few years, including some must-do dining (including the glorious “Crazy Shake” pictured above). Read everything you need to know in our Guide to Downtown Disney at Disneyland .

11. Fond of booze? While it’s not as cool as “Drinking Around the World” in Epcot, you can have a similar bar crawl in Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney, and the Disney-owned hotels. Just follow our “Disneyland Drinking Debauchery” Guide for tips!

12. FastPass should be used to avoid long lines, but if you must wait in one long line, make it Indiana Jones Adventure. The queue is an experience in itself, and you can use this decoder to translate some Mara-glyphics in the queue .

13. A “re-imagined” version of Fantasmic now plays nightly on the Rivers of America, with FastPass available for each showing. We highly recommend the last show to avoid the crowds.

14. Disneyland gets into the Halloween spirit with “Halloween Time at Disneyland,” which includes attraction overlays, seasonal restaurant menus, and more. Read our Guide to Halloween Time at Disneyland for everything you need to know.

15. Several rule changes went into effect in 2019 . As a result, smoking, oversized strollers, wagons, and loose ice are no longer allowed in Disneyland or Disney California Adventure.

16. Mobile Ordering for restaurants is now available at Disneyland. We love it for allowing us to save time in line at counter service restaurants, particularly during peak dining hours.

17. If you’ve never visited Disneyland Resort, you should go in with at least a rough plan of attack. Read our 1-Day Disneyland Itinerary and 1-Day Disney California Adventure Itinerary for perfect touring plans. Failing that, prioritize Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure and Fantasyland rides in Disneyland.

18. Due to the large population of Annual Passholders and how blockout dates redistribute them, the best time to visit Disneyland isn’t as simple as when school is in session. Read about the other best times to visit Disneyland Resort in our When to Visit Disneyland post, which includes crowds calendars and more.

19. Have kids that want to trade pins with Cast Members? Buying pins from Amazon or eBay to trade with Cast Members is far cheaper than in the parks, and makes for a fun activity on the trip. (See our Disney Pin Trading Tips post for more info and suggestions.)

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20. Guests staying at the Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel (and its Disney Vacation Club Villas) have access to a private viewing deck, which overlooks Paradise Pier and offers a very unique view of World of Color.

21. It rains very few days per year in Southern California, so packing ponchos is probably unnecessary unless rain is in the forecast. Instead, pack extra juice for your phone , collapsible water bottles with filters (while perfectly safe to drink, the drinking fountain water has a funky taste), and parade blankets . Read our other suggestions in our What to Pack for Disney List post.

22. Napa Rose, located in the Grand Californian Hotel, is Disneyland Resort’s best restaurant. Second best is Carthay Circle Restaurant in Disney California Adventure. Read our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews for food photos, and our thoughts on the good and bad of Disneyland Resort dining.

23. Both parks have Baby Care Centers and First Aid Centers. Baby Care Stations are great quiet places to take your kids, and the First Aid Centers have nurses on site who can assist with minor issues (like blisters).

24. We aren’t huge fans of the World of Color Dining Packages, but if you’re going to do one, pick the Carthay Circle Restaurant lunch (not dinner) package.

25. Want to know which rides to do and which to skip in Disneyland and Disney California Adventure? Our Disneyland Ride Guide and Disney California Adventure Ride Guide have summaries of every attraction, tips, and numerical scores so you can plan your day and avoid the duds.

26. Jungle Cruise skippers sometimes have free maps of the ride that they’ll give out to guests if asked. There are actually a lot of freebies at Disneyland–for other things, read our Free Things at Disneyland post.

27. Even though Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! is one of the most popular attractions at Disney California Adventure, we still recommend rope-dropping Radiator Springs Racers, as fewer people go towards it, and both attractions will have nearly-equal waits later in the day.

28. If you’re visiting on a night when Disney California Adventure has 2 World of Color performances, always go to the later one for the lowest crowds. This means strategically pulling your World of Color FastPass later in the day so you don’t get “stuck” with an earlier show. Read our other Tips for Viewing World of Color for more info.

29. Disneyland now enforces FastPass return times, but there is a 15 minute grace period, so don’t discard your FastPasses if you’re only a bit late.

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30. For Halloween 2019, there’s a new event replacing the popular Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland. Read our Guide to Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party for everything you need to know about this exciting new party!

31. Mad Hatter sometimes plays “musical chairs” with kids at Coke Corner on Main Street in Disneyland once daily. This usually occurs at 2:30 p.m., but the time is subject to change and is not listed in the Times Guide. Ask a Cast Member at Coke Corner for the exact time it will be occurring during your visit. Here’s a video of the game .

32. Make sure to arrive at Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room far enough in advance of a show to pick up a Dole Whip . The line inside the queue/waiting area is usually shorter than the one in the Adventureland walkway. They’re “classic” Disney snacks, and you can take them in the show with you.

33. Using Uber between John Wayne Airport (SNA) and Disneyland-area hotels is about $20 each way and given that many of these hotels are within walking distance, you may not need a rental car at Disneyland Resort. Here are some other Disneyland Transportation Tips .

34. Did you know that there is a nightly “Sh-Boom” moment at dusk when the lights come on in Cars Land? Read our other Cars Land Tips & Tricks .

35. During the Christmas season, handmade candy canes are prepared at Candy Palace in Disneyland and Trolley Treats in DCA. Lines form for these early (before park opening) for these. Despite the fanfare, there really isn’t anything all that special about these candy canes. The fun is in watching Cast Members make them.

36. The Disneyland Dining Plan is no longer offered. There is no such thing as the “Free Dining” promotion at Disneyland Resort.

37. Non-drinkers normally avoid bars & lounges, but everyone should visit Trader Sam’s at Disneyland Hotel . The theming is Walt Disney Imagineering at the top of its game, and you can spend hours examining all of the wonderful little details.

38. A great selection of CDs featuring Disney theme park music are available in the Emporium on Main Street USA, but some of the best music is available (legally) online .

39. Although Disney California Adventure has received a massive overhaul in some areas to correct problems that plagued the park when it opened in 2001, there are still remnants of “extinct” areas. Check out the restrooms in the front of the park and in Paradise Pier for a taste of Sunshine Plaza and Route 66, respectively.

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40. You WILL get wet on Grizzly River Run in Disney California Adventure. Store your electronics in the lockers near this attraction, which are free for the first two hours.

41. Did you know that there are secret restrooms in Disneyland? Not even kidding. Check out some other Disneyland Secrets & Hidden Details in that post.

42. The Anaheim Convention Center is located within walking distance of Disneyland and is huge. If a large convention is in town, nights in the park can be very crowded even in the off-season. Hotels near Disneyland will also often charge higher rates during conventions. Make sure to consult the Anaheim Convention Center calendar when planning your trip.

43. With the exception of Splash Mountain, Critter Country is generally a less-busy land. Stop by Hungry Bear Restaurant (one of our favorite restaurants) in late afternoon and get a table by the water as the sun sets on the Rivers of America.

44. One of the best snacks at Disneyland is the Matterhorn Macaroon at Jolly Holiday Bakery . Go first thing in the morning for a freshly made Matterhorn Macaroon!

45. Want some other ideas of the best places to get a quick meal at Disneyland? Check out our Top 10 Disneyland Counter Service Restaurants post.

46. Haunted Mansion Cast Members used to hand out “Death Certificates” to guests who asked. These are no longer given out, but you can print your own from DoomBuggies.com and give it to your kids after their first ride on the Haunted Mansion!

47. Star Wars Launch Bay is nothing special unless you want to meet characters, but the second story balcony outside the exit offers the best view of Disneyland. To see this view without going through the exhibit, walk up the exit ramp.

48. Disneyland Resort counter service restaurants will give you a free cup of water (ask for a large cup!) or a free cup of hot water.

49. City Hall has recipes for popular Disneyland dishes that they can provide to guests; alternatively, simply asking your server for the recipe of a dish you like might result in a visit to your table by someone from the kitchen.

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50. Looking for the most exclusive spot in all of Disneyland Resort? Check out the secret Club 33 , which is only open to members and their guests .

51. Disneyland offers a number of Guided Tours for an additional charge, most of which are fairly popular among fans. We’ve only done the Holiday Time at Disneyland Tour , which we thought was just “okay.”

52. If you watch the window above Snow White’s Scary Adventures, you will see The Evil Queen appear and disappear.

53. Bell Services at Disney hotels will store your luggage, meaning you can enjoy the parks if you arrive too early on check-in day or have a late flight out on check-out day.

54. There is an “invisible” 50,000 point target in between Zurg’s breast plates in Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters. Aim (roughly) for the “Z” on his chest.

55. Although not as necessary in the temperate climate of Southern California, if you’re visiting in the height of the summer, Frogg Togg Chilly Pads are a great way to keep cool in the parks.

56. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Radiator Springs Racers, and Incredicoaster are all much better at night. In fact, many Disneyland attractions are better at night .

57. Adults can order from the kid’s menus, which is a great way to save money while still getting a meal that will satiate smaller/moderate appetites.

58. The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland is the best Disneyland guidebook. While it’s smaller than its Walt Disney World counterpart (known as the “Disney Bible” among fans), it’s incredibly comprehensive.

59. Grizzly Peak Airfield in Disney California Adventure has an extensive backstory involving the history of aviation that is told throughout the land in some subtle ways. Make sure to keep an eye out for the details there. If you don’t, here’s a summary of the original backstory , and here’s info about some of the changes .

disneyland trip reddit

60. A Christmas Fantasy Parade is not as impressive as its Walt Disney World cousin, but the best viewing place for the parade is in the hub facing Main Street or at the end of Main Street near the hub. The parade comes right at you, and is well-lit for photos by the lights of Main Street.

61. Guests are allowed to bring their own snacks into Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, just no glass bottles or outside alcohol.

62. PhotoPass Cast Members will take (free!) photos of you with your phone or camera , so don’t be afraid to ask! Make sure your settings are dialed in before handing them the camera, as they will not typically adjust settings.

63. Attractions don’t close when the parks close, meaning that you can get in a 90-minute line at 10:59 p.m. when the parks close at 11 p.m. and be in the park well past closing. This is a great way to experience rides with perpetually long lines, like Radiator Springs Racers, without wasting “valuable” time.

64. Plaza Inn in Disneyland serves the greatest fried chicken known to man . It also serves amazing yule log during the holiday season.

65. The Haunted Mansion queue passes through one pet cemetery, but there’s actually a second that is now out of the view of guests. Ask a Cast Member to see it.

66. There are a few free tours available at Disneyland Resort, including the “Art of the Craft Tour” at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, which examines the hotel’s influences and theme.

67. If you have growing kids, a great spot for an annual photo is near the Cigar Shop Indian on Main Street USA. He’s a great measuring stick for their growth.

68. Hidden Mickey spotting is a fun game for kids . The books/apps have different point levels for the various Mickeys. Offer prizes to add to the fun. If Hidden Mickeys aren’t your thing, bringing along the Imagineering Field Guide to Disneyland and searching for interest details is a great way to increase your appreciation for the design of Disneyland.

69. Bayside Brews in Disney California Adventure serves the best beer (Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA), Trader Sam’s in the Disneyland Hotel has the best mixed drinks, and Napa Rose in the Grand Californian has the best wines.

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70. Disneyland Resort’s best counter service restaurant is GCH Craftsman Grill at the Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Just check out all of the great food available in that post!

71. If you’re not interested in staking out a spot and watching Disneyland’s fireworks, riding attractions from which the fireworks are visible during the fireworks can enhance the experience. The highlights of these attractions are Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Matterhorn. Best of all is Storybook Land Canal Boats, which actually stops moving when the fireworks start, giving guests a view of the fireworks from their boat!

72. The Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage has one of the dullest queues of any Disney attraction and much of it is in the sun. It’s also a low-capacity attraction, so lines move slowly. Avoid the midday heat and sun here.

73. Toontown contains a number of gags both of the interactive and sight variety. Spend a little time exploring this area–some of the gags are quite clever!

74. If you anticipate “needing” a princess dress or pirate costume while at Disneyland, buy it in advance, not in the park. There are several options here for princess dresses under $20 . They cost triple that (or more) in the parks.

75. If you listen carefully to Snow White’s Wishing Well, you can hear her singing. This Wishing Well is also a great spot to propose.

76. Fantasyland attractions are best experienced first thing in the morning or last thing at night to minimize waits.

77. Disneyland is known to many as the “smaller” cousin of Walt Disney World, but there’s really a ton to do at Disneyland Resort (check out our article comparing and contrasting Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort for more info). Read as much as you can when planning your trip and plan out where you want to eat, what you want to see, etc., for the best trip possible!

78. Shops on Main Street in Disneyland are open for an hour after the park closes. Do your shopping once you can’t do rides.

79. The Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough is an oft-overlooked attraction, but it’s a very well done attraction featuring “window” vignettes from Sleeping Beauty. Likewise, Tarzan’s Treehouse, another walk-through is an okay attraction, but makes up for its substantive shortcomings with great views of the park.

disneyland trip reddit

80. Disneyland Resort has a couple of excellent bread bowl soups: at Pacific Wharf Cafe in Disney California Adventure and at Royal Street Veranda in Disneyland. We usually go for the seasonal option at Pacific Wharf Cafe, or order the off-menu mac & cheese bread bowl.

81. Several attractions (more than at Walt Disney World) have single rider lines that will save you a lot of time if you don’t mind splitting up from your group. The best of these is Radiator Springs Racers, where it’s not uncommon to save an hour or more on the posted standby time.

82. If you want to get the world famous Disneyland Monte Cristo, consider going to Cafe Orleans instead of Blue Bayou. It’s cheaper at Cafe Orleans, although you won’t have a view of Pirates of the Caribbean there.

83. One of the less-popular bars is Al Fresco Tasting Terrace in Disney California Adventure, which is located upstairs in Wine Country Trattoria. It’s a nice, tranquil place to relax in the afternoon, and it has a great view into Cars Land.

84. Disneyland and Disney California Adventure both have a daily flag retreat ceremony that is short, but nice to watch. It’s the patriotic thing to do.

85. If you give a PhotoPass photographer a (discrete) heads up, they generally can help you capture photos of your proposal.

86. If you need a place to store your luggage, there are luggage lockers at the Desert Inn & Suites across the street from Disneyland. This can be useful if you’re staying farther from Disneyland and want to maximize your time in the parks on your last day, or don’t trust the Bell Services in your own hotel. Read more about Desert Inn & Suites in our review .

87. Instead of spending $10+ on each on-ride photo, get PhotoPass+ for UNLIMITED on-ride photos plus photos from PhotoPass photographers around the parks. Pre-purchase this to save more money.

88. Ask a Cast Member at the station if you can ride in the front of the next monorail. It’s the only compartment that has air conditioning and the view is great!

89. Peter Pan’s Flight does not have FastPass at Disneyland and is a very popular ride. Go first thing in the morning.

disneyland trip reddit

90. The “standard” entrance to Cars Land in Disney California Adventure is down Route 66, but the best entrance is through the bluff that connects to Pacific Wharf, which offers a great reveal of the Cadillac Mountain Range. It feels like you’re in a real National Park!

91. Instead of photographing Sleeping Beauty Castle from the front or near the Partners statue, try photographing your family from the fence near the Wishing Well or on the opposite side (on a path to Fantasyland). You can easily get photos without other guests in them from these two spots, along with a great angle of Sleeping Beauty Castle!

92. Disneyland Resort corn dogs have iconic status. Corn Dog Castle in Disney California Adventure has a variety of options, and Little Red Wagon on Main Street in Disneyland is a long-time fan favorite. Corn dogs can be found a couple other places, but these are the clear-cut “best” spots if you ask locals.

93. The Disney Gallery (immediately to the right when you enter the park) has a rotating exhibit focusing on an artistic component of Disneyland. Take the time to check out the art in here–you’ll gain a new appreciation for some aspect of the park!

94. Don’t buy into Disney Vacation Club by the alluring promotions while at Disneyland Resort. Wait until you get home, do the research , and buy via the resale market if you’re going to buy at all.

95. Pay attention to Roz at the end of Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue in Disney California Adventure. She is interactive.

96. Paradise Pier Hotel was originally a third party hotel, but was renovated when Disney purchased it. As such, some of the theming is a bit on the light side, but the rooms are nice.

97. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is not to be missed. It’s a divisive attraction (we love it), but even if you don’t like it, you get to relax in AC for 15-20 minutes. What’s not to like about that?

98. There is a skeleton in Indiana Jones Adventure wearing Mickey Mouse ears as you go around the left turn when first approaching the bridge. He’s almost impossible to spot unless the ride breaks down and you’re evac’d.

99. Walt Disney had an apartment in Disneyland above the Fire Station that is still intact to this day. A candle burns in the window of this apartment, and at Christmas, there is a tree in the window.

100. Carnation Cafe is one of the best table service restaurants at Disneyland and is relatively inexpensive. Make sure to book reservations in advance, as it’s fairly popular, too!

101. Even the restrooms at Disneyland Resort are themed. Restrooms in the Hollywood Land are in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Storer House, in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles. Similarly, the restrooms near the Alice in Wonderland dark ride in Disneyland are quite well done.

That covers it on our list of 101 tips for doing Disneyland like a seasoned local. Really, though, this just scratches the surface of the Disneyland tips we have on this blog. If you’re planning your first visit to Disneyland, you should definitely browse other posts, probably starting with the above-mentioned planning guide. Have a great trip! 🙂

If you’re preparing for a Disneyland trip, check out our other planning posts, including how to save money on Disneyland tickets , our Disney packing tips , tips for booking a hotel (off-site or on-site), where to dine , and a number of other things, check out our comprehensive Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide !

Your Thoughts

Do you agree or disagree with our tips for having a better Disneyland experience? If you have solid Disneyland or Disney California Adventure tips that aren’t mentioned here, please post them below. Your feedback is half the fun! If you have any other comments or questions, please feel free to post those, too.

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Written by Tom Bricker

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#32? can you still bring dole whip into tiki birds post pandemic?

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I don’t know why I just now stumbled on to this, but you asked for other tips, so here’s one in case anyone takes your advice and checks the comments: In addition to the monorail front cabin (and assuming a country not being ravaged by a deadly airborne disease), you can ask for the caboose on the Disneyland Railroad (only if it’s attached, and not to be confused with the Lilly Belle car). It still has the cupola seats although you can’t access those after there was an accident involving a tree in Adventureland that crashed through the top of the caboose (I know what you’re thinking, but it wasn’t my fault, at least not that time). But you can still see the super-tall seats. It’s a cool and unique ride, but people riding the train for the first time should stick to the open air cars since views are less limited there. Also #69 is outdated, Sierra Nevada Torpedo is no longer offered at Bayside. Shame, it’s a fine beer. Sierra Nevada does make an IPA for Oga’s, however, called Bad Motivator, and it’s quite good. But even if Torpedo was still offered, it wouldn’t be the best beer in DLR, that honor goes to Noble Ale Works Naughty Sauce sold at Lamplight Lounge.

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Is this still a thing in DL? It is not at WDW

88. Ask a Cast Member at the station if you can ride in the front of the next monorail. It’s the only compartment that has air conditioning and the view is great!

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It’s still a thing at Disneyland, but up to the discretion of Cast Members. We haven’t tried in a couple of years, but the policy did not change in California following the collision several years in Florida.

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Hi Tom. Love reading all your Disney tips and experiences. Quick question: do you have any advices on what to do outside Disneyland? Plan a vacay there next year and I know we don’t need a week in the parks like the World. Thanks

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I know of at least 4 “secret” areas in Disneyland I’ve always wanted to see: 1) Club 33 (this isn’t really secret any more) 2) 21 Royal (formerly Dream Suite) 3) Walt’s Apartment inside the Fire Department Station 4) Basketball hoop inside the Matterhorn

Is there any tour that allows you to see these? Doesn’t look like the VIP tour does.

I’d just like to see #1 and #2, not dine there. (21 Royal charges $15,000 to dine in the suite!) I suspect they don’t allow access to #3 for preservation reasons and #4 for safety reasons.

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Hi Scott. You can see the inside of Walt’s Main Street Apartment during the Walk in Walt’s Footsteps guided tour and the entryway/lower level of Club 33. Apparently the tour does vary because when my friend went she didn’t get to see Club 33, but some other fancy area, possibly the Dream Suite entry, but I can’t remember for sure.

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This is so helpful! Thank you!!

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Help get Disney to put in filtered water stations!!!

https://www.change.org/p/disney-filtered-water-at-disneyland?recruiter=927127000&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=tap_basic_share

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Thank you for such a comprehensive list! Just a heads up– your link for the anaheim convention center calendar does not work. I was easily able to find it with a quick google search, so the tip was still handy!

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Love tor tips, but just to note…Peter Pan’s Flight now has the Fast pass facility

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I enjoy your writing Tom, keep up the great work! thanks for sharing, cant wait to share this with my followers.

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I don’t have time to read through hundreds of comments so I’m not sure if someone mentioned this. Last time I was at Disneyland my daughter an I got our silloutte done in the shop on main street. Such a COOL souvenir! Not too pricey and it’s a piece of art of yourself (and Disney character if you want) If nothing else go watch the man who cuts them out. He’s amazing!! He just cuts them. No drawing beforehand. A wizard with scissors!!

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I had this done when I went to Disney in 1992! I still have it and show my boys all the time. I can’t wait to take them!

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Disney is amazing. I have visited four times and every time I go I discover something new.

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11 Amazing 2 Day Disneyland Itinerary Ideas For Families

disneyland trip reddit

What’s a fun vacation treat for families who love to travel? How about a trip to Disneyland! Our little worldschooling family enjoyed a memorable 2 day Disneyland itinerary with members of our extended family in August 2022. And while it was a departure from our usual adventure travel, it was still epic just the same.

If you’re looking for your own epic 2 day Disney itinerary, then look no further! After coming back from our two days at Disneyland trip, I put together this list of Disneyland two day itinerary ideas to help traveling families like you make the most of their time at the happiest place on Earth.

disneyland trip reddit

With a little bit of planning, you can see everything Disneyland has to offer in just 48 hours. So all you have to worry about when you get there is having fun!

This article was originally published on September 25, 2022.

This post may contain affiliate links. That means I may receive a small commission if you click on the link and purchase something. But don't worry, this will not result in any extra costs to you.

Table of Contents

Top tips for a 2 day Disneyland itinerary

Want my top three tips for a great Disneyland experience when you visit Los Angeles in 2 days? Here they are:

  • Stay at the Hampton Inn and Suites for the best value stay
  • Take advantage of the Genie Plus service and the Single Rider Lanes
  • Use the Unofficial Guide To Disney for insider tips

Where to stay for a 2 day Disneyland itinerary

In terms of lodging, the most convenient option is to stay at one of the hotels that are part of the Disneyland resort:

  • Grand Californian Hotel
  • Disneyland Hotel
  • Paradise Pier

Most of these hotels are located near Downtown Disney, where you can find restaurants and stores for shopping. 

disneyland trip reddit

Alternatively, find hotels in Anaheim to stay during your 2 days at Disneyland that are either close to the park or close to the parking lots .

Hampton Inn and Suites Anaheim Resort

If you're a family that values dependability, then a stay at the Hampton Inn and Suites Anaheim Resort during your 2 day Disneyland itinerary would be a good option for you. Located in Anaheim, this hotel is conveniently located near Disneyland, so it's also a great option if you're looking for a place to stay near the park (and don't want to pay Disney prices for a room!) We stayed here in 2022, when we were visiting Disneyland, and loved how close it was to the park.

disneyland trip reddit

Since this hotel is part of the Hampton by Hilton chain, you'll get all the amenities that you'll find at most Hampton Inns: WiFi, in-room fridge, and free hot breakfasts. This Hampton Inn has an outdoor pool, hot tub, and a gym as well.

Rooms can accommodate families of up to 4 people. The hotel is a few minutes walk from Anaheim Garden Walk, where you'll find a wide range of restaurant options. We loved this hotel for our 2 days in Disneyland trip because it offered the best value for money.

Tropicana Inn and Suites

If you want to stay close to Disneyland, but don’t want to pay the resort fees, you can’t get much closer than Tropicana Inn and Suites. This hotel is literally across the street from Disneyland. And it’s about as old as the park, having first opened in the 1960s. It’s a Southern California institution.

disneyland trip reddit

Rooms at the Tropicana Inn and Suites can fit families of up to 4 people. Rooms have WiFi, TV, microwaves, and refrigerators. There’s an outdoor pool with a hot tub for relaxing at the end of those long days during your 2 day Disneyland itinerary. 

Cambria Hotel and Suites Anaheim

While not as close to Disneyland as the other hotel options, Cambria Hotel and Suites Anaheim is still a good choice for lodging during your 2 day Disneyland itinerary. It's located about a 10 minute walk from the Toy Story parking lot. And also a 10-15 minute walk from the restaurants at the Anaheim Garden Walk.

disneyland trip reddit

Families will enjoy Cambria Hotel and Suites for their Disneyland two day plan because rooms can accommodate families of up to 7 people. Some of these family suites have bunk beds! There's also a great outdoor pool with water slides. Breakfast is included and rooms come with free WiFi. Families visiting Disneyland can also take advantage of the theme park shuttle for a fee.

Packing ideas for a 2 day Disneyland itinerary

Be sure to pack for the weather during your 2 day Disneyland itinerary. Southern California is sunny most of the year, and if you’re walking around the parks, you’ll want to have a hat or sunscreen to protect you.

These are the things we brought along for our trip to Disneyland and California Adventure:

  • KEEN Wome n ’s Newport Sandals
  • GRAYL GeoPress 24 oz Water Purifier Bottle
  • Cotopaxi Luzon 24L Hiking Daypack
  • Panama Jack Women’s Floppy Hat
  • Reef Safe Sunscreen

disneyland trip reddit

Also be sure to buy one of these Disneyland guide books to help prepare you for visiting Disneyland for two days.

The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland

Birnbaum's Disneyland Resort: The Official Vacation Guide

Disneyland's Hidden Mickeys: A Field Guide to Disneyland Resort's Best Kept Secrets

The Disneyland Encyclopedia

Check out more eco-friendly supplies to buy for travel.

Ideas for a Disneyland itinerary for families

As I was putting together this list of 2 day Disneyland itinerary ideas, I wanted to make sure that families had the right 2 days itinerary for their various needs and interests.

disneyland trip reddit

Here, you’ll find ideas for classic Disney lovers, as well as lovers of Marvel and Avengers. You’ll also find 2-day Disneyland itinerary ideas for families with young kids, families with teens, and families with accessibility needs. Take a look through this list of itineraries and find one that fits your family.

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Ready for a change? Take the first step to living a life of full time travel.

1. Classic Disney itinerary

This 2 day Disneyland itinerary focuses on all the classic Disneyland rides in the Magic Kingdom. 

disneyland trip reddit

The rides in this Disneyland ride itinerary are some of the oldest Disneyland rides, including Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square. And some of them are from the first year that Disneyland opened! To learn more about the rides in this particular itinerary, check out this Magic Kingdom guide .

Rides in Disneyland:

  • Disneyland Monorail
  • Disneyland Railroad
  • Dumbo The Flying Elephant 
  • Haunted Mansion
  • “It’s a small world”
  • Jungle Cruise
  • King Arthur Carousel
  • Mad Tea Party
  • Main Street Cinema
  • Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
  • Pinnochio’s Daring Journey
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk Through
  • Snow White’s Enchanted Wish
  • Space Mountain
  • Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

2. Toddler-friendly itinerary

For families with very young kids, this 2 day Disneyland itinerary for toddlers is full of rides geared towards kids of all ages. There are no height limits. And the rides are fairly gentle and slow.

disneyland trip reddit

During our visit, I noticed that Mickey’s ToonTown was closed for redesigning. So rides like Roger Rabbit Car Toon Spin were not running. 

However, there are still plenty of attractions available for families with toddlers. This is the best Disneyland itinerary for families with younger children.

  • Alice in Wonderland
  • Astro Orbiter
  • Casey Jr. Circus Train
  • Dumbo The Flying Elephant
  • Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh
  • Storybook Land Canal Boats

Rides in Disney California Adventure:

  • Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
  • Jessie’s Critter Carousel
  • The Little Mermaid - Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
  • Mickey’s PhilharMagic
  • Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sully to the Rescue
  • Turtle Talk With Crush

3. Teens-focused itinerary

If you’re traveling with teens, then you’ll want to pack your two days at Disney with as much action and thrills as possible. This 2 day Disneyland itinerary is full of roller coasters and thrill rides that will entertain teens.

disneyland trip reddit

Rides in this itinerary are in both Disneyland park and California Adventure park. I particularly like this Disneyland 2 day park hopper itinerary because it’s most similar to the one we did as a family!

  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition
  • Indiana Jones Adventure
  • Matterhorn Bobsleds
  • Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
  • Star Tours - The Adventures Continue
  • Splash Mountain
  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
  • Grizzly River Run
  • Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: Breakout!
  • Incredicoaster
  • Radiator Springs Racers
  • Silly Symphony Swings
  • Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure

4. Multigenerational family itinerary

Disneyland and California Adventure Park is a great place for multigenerational trips. If you’re traveling with grandparents, you’ll want a 2 day Disneyland itinerary that offers some slower paced rides and activities.

disneyland trip reddit

This Disneyland park hopper itinerary has a mix of rides that will please multiple generations. 

  • The Disney Gallery
  • Droid Depot
  • Mark Twain River Boat
  • Animation Academy
  • Games of Pixar Pier
  • Golden Zephyr
  • Goofy’s Sky School
  • Pixar Pal-A-Around
  • Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
  • Soarin’ Around The World

Prep for your family vacation with this handy checklist .

5. Wheelchair accessible itinerary

Disneyland makes a big effort into making the park wheelchair accessible. Walkways are spacious and most entryways have ramps. 

disneyland trip reddit

If you’re a family that has special mobility needs, this 2 day Disneyland itinerary offers rides and activities that are accessible for wheelchairs. Most of the activities and rides are in Disneyland, but there are some in California Adventure park too.

  • Mark Twain Riverboat

6. Itinerary for thrill seekers

Most people think that Disneyland is just for kids, but there are plenty of rides that are fun for grown-ups to enjoy too! If you’re spending two days in Disneyland without kids, or if you’re the type of family who loves thrill-rides, this 2 day Disneyland itinerary is perfect for you.

disneyland trip reddit

This Disneyland 2 day itinerary includes all the rollercoasters, thrill rides, and action rides found in both Disneyland and California Adventure park.

7. Low key rides and attractions

If you’re the type of family that likes to keep it low key, this 2 day Disneyland itinerary might be more of your pace. All the rides in this Disneyland suggested itinerary are slower paced, with minimal scares or drops.

disneyland trip reddit

This is the perfect Disneyland itinerary to introduce young kids to amusement parks in general. They’ll enjoy riding the vehicles along Main Street in Disneyland and the trolley down Buena Vista Street in California Adventure.

  • Main Street Vehicles
  • Sailing Ship Columbia
  • Red Car Trolley

8. Itinerary for activity and adventure lovers

While both Disneyland and California Adventure park are known for their rides, there are also some more hands-on activities you can do at the parks. This 2 day Disneyland itinerary is perfect for families who prefer more active and hands-on options.

disneyland trip reddit

  • Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes
  • Savi’s Workshop - Handbuilt Lightsabers
  • Tarzan’s Treehouse

9. Itinerary for storybook fans

If you’re big fans of classic Disney movies, coming to Disneyland is almost like stepping into these stories! This 2 day Disneyland itinerary is a special one for storybook fans. It’s full of rides from all the storybooks you loved reading as a kid.

disneyland trip reddit

  • Sleeping Beauty’s Castle
  • Peter Pan’s Flight

10. Pixar fan itinerary

For Disney movie fans who prefer the Pixar movies, there are plenty of rides and activities you can do in both California Adventure and Disneyland in 2 days. This primarily California Adventure itinerary has all the Pixar themed rides and activities for families to do.

disneyland trip reddit

  • Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
  • Jumpin’ Jellyfish
  • Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
  • Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
  • Toy Story Midway Mania

11. Star Wars and Marvel itinerary

We love the feel of stepping into another world. We felt this way when we went to the Harry Potter studio tour in London, and we felt this way visiting Kidzania parks with our kids. So we were pleasantly surprised by the amount of world-building that happens in Disneyland.

disneyland trip reddit

Nowhere can you see this the most than in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland. Walking through this part of the park, you really do feel like you’ve been transported to a galaxy far far away!

In addition to Star Wars, you can also find a lot of Marvel world building in the California Adventure park. We loved walking through Avenger’s campus and trying out food in Pym’s Test Kitchen.

If you’re a fan of both Star Wars and Marvel, this is the 2 day Disneyland itinerary that you need!

  • Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Bonus: Itinerary for worldschoolers

Who says that you can’t learn while you’re in Disneyland? We always love making travel educational for our kids.

disneyland trip reddit

While the theme park is primarily aimed for entertainment, there are still plenty of ways for worldschoolers to squeeze in some learning too! This 2 day Disneyland itinerary has activities that encourage learning, creativity, and immersive experiences.

  • Disneyland Story - Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln
  • The Bakery Tour

Visiting more of California? Read my California posts .

Things to know for a Disneyland itinerary

A trip to Disneyland is a trip of a lifetime for most families. Because tickets to Disneyland and the adjoining California Adventure park are not cheap, you want to make the most of your time there.

disneyland trip reddit

Having a plan ahead of time helps you maximize your fun in Disneyland. As you’re putting together your 2 day Disneyland itinerary, keep in mind some of these tips to help prepare for your trip.

Transportation options for a Disneyland park itinerary

Disneyland is not far too far from Southern California cities like San Diego or Los Angeles. So if you’re driving during your 2 day Disneyland itinerary, you can take a shuttle from any of the Disneyland parking lots. The shuttle buses come often, and operate during the same times as the park opening hours. 

disneyland trip reddit

Parking rates are $30 for cars and motorcycles, and $35 for oversized vehicles. Closer parking spots have a premium rate of $45 per vehicle.

Hours and tickets for Disneyland and California Adventure

Keep in mind the park hours as you’re planning your visit. Opening hours for Disneyland are 8 am to 12 am. And for California Adventure, the hours are 8 am to 10 pm. 

disneyland trip reddit

Ticket prices vary depending on the number of days. For a 2 day Disneyland itinerary, a One Park Per Day ticket starts at $128 per day. However, you can get a 2-day Park Hopper pass, which costs an additional $60 per ticket that allows you to travel back and forth between the parks.

Additional tips for a great Disneyland itinerary 

I’ve offered some great ideas for a 2 day Disneyland itinerary that suit a variety of family needs.

disneyland trip reddit

In addition to itinerary ideas, take a look at these simple tips to help you make the most of your itinerary. Besides the tips I offer below, you can also check out tips from this Disneyland Resort Guide .

1. Use the Disneyland app to plan out your Disneyland itinerary 

Gone are the days when you had to deal with paper maps, and guessing the wait times for rides. The Disneyland app offers a map of the parks.

disneyland trip reddit

The app also offers current wait times for the rides, so you can anticipate how long you’ll need to wait for your favorite ride during your 2 day Disneyland itinerary. Additionally, the Disneyland app also lets you see which rides have lightning lanes. 

The other thing the Disneyland app lets you do is mobile ordering for food. You can order food ahead of time and pick up your mobile order at special lines.

disneyland trip reddit

Get prepared for any emergency with the insurance made for digital nomads!

2. Have a backup plan in case of ride closures or long wait times 

With travel, nothing ever goes exactly as planned. And that’s true for Disneyland too. 

disneyland trip reddit

For your 2 day Disneyland itinerary, prioritize your must-see rides. And be okay with skipping the others if the lines are too long. Also have some back-up rides as part of your Disneyland California itinerary in case of ride closures and repairs.

3. Pay attention to height limits

Some rides have height limits. So depending on how young your kids are, they might not be able to go on a ride.

disneyland trip reddit

When we were at Disneyland, we were worried that our youngest kids would be too short for the Incredicoaster. But thankfully, they just barely made the height limit. Check the height limits ahead of time to avoid disappointment during your 2 day Disneyland itinerary.

4. Build in down time during your Disneyland itinerary

A day at Disneyland can be long. So leave some space for down time or rest during your 2 day Disneyland itinerary.

disneyland trip reddit

Use rides like the Jungle Cruise and It’s A Small World for down time. Or do a few loops on the train or monorail to give your little ones a nap.

5. Bring snacks to Disneyland park

Guests are allowed to bring snacks into the Disneyland and California Adventure parks. This is a great money-saving tip for your 2 day Disneyland itinerary as the food in the parks can be expensive. 

disneyland trip reddit

Bring a lightweight backpack to carry snacks, sunscreen, and souvenirs. Make sure it’s not too big, so that you can tuck it under your legs during rides.

6. Get the park hopper tickets

Disneyland and California Adventure are huge parks. One way to make the most of your 2 day Disneyland itinerary is to purchase park hopper tickets. They are an extra $60 per ticket, but makes seeing the park more convenient.

disneyland trip reddit

When using the park hopper tickets, you’ll need to identify the park you want to start with each day. You’ll spend the morning at that park, and then can go to the other park after a certain time.

7. Use the Single Rider Line

Some rides in Disneyland and California Adventure have Single Rider Lines which allow individuals to fill in gaps in rides. If your kids are older, and you’re willing to break up your group for certain rides, this is a great hack to avoid waiting in long lines.

disneyland trip reddit

These are rides at Disneyland and California Adventure that have a Single Rider Line:

  • Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run

8. Maximize your Disneyland itinerary with Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lanes

Another way to maximize your 2 day Disneyland itinerary is to purchase the Genie+ (Genie Plus) and Lightning Lane add-ons. This allows you to use the lightning lanes for most rides.

disneyland trip reddit

The Genie+ is an additional $20 per person per day. Some of the more popular rides also require you purchase specific lightning lane passes. Individual lightning lane pass costs vary depending on the ride.

Bond with your family even more on your trip with these fun ideas .

9. Splurge for the VIP tour during your Disneyland itinerary

To make your 2 day Disneyland itinerary extra special, why not splurge for the VIP tour ? With the VIP tour, you have a personal concierge who guides you through the park.

disneyland trip reddit

Your concierge also allows you access to all the lightning lanes. Or if the ride doesn’t have a lightning lane, you can jump to the front of the line.

The VIP tour experience starts at $3,500 (in addition to theme park admission) for a minimum of 7 hours. The maximum number of people for a VIP tour is 10, so this is a good idea if you’re going with a big group. Just a note, VIP tours are also available for Walt Disney World too!

If you’re pressed for time, and you have a big group to split the cost of the VIP tour, this is actually a pretty good deal. In one day, we saw 15 fifteen rides. We also got seats to watch the night-time fireworks show!

We were gifted the VIP tour by friends of ours. But I might consider doing it again the next time I’m in Disneyland because being able to see all the rides we wanted was definitely worth it.

A memorable Disneyland itinerary 2 days of fun!

For many families, a trip to Disneyland and California Adventure is a once in a lifetime experience. So why not make the most of your time as much as possible?

We loved our 2 day Disneyland itinerary, and made so many special memories with our family. If you’re planning a trip to Disneyland, use one of my suggestions to create the best itinerary for Disneyland for your family.

Is Disneyland part of a bigger family travel adventure for you? Use my ebook, Hey Kids, Let’s Go Travel! as a resource for tools, advice, and action steps for planning your trip.

11 Epic 2 Day Disneyland Itinerary Ideas For Families | The Wandering Daughter | Pinterest images with text overlay. Top image is of a pier with roller coaster and a ferris wheel with the face of Mickey Mouse. Bottom image is of a parade with Mickey and Minnie Mouse waving during the parade.

Need help thinking through how to budget for a family trip? My  Travel Budget Worksheet  is just the tool you need! Click  here  to receive your free copy by signing up for my newsletter.

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Need help thinking through how to budget for a family trip? My  Travel Budget Worksheet  is just the tool you need! Click  here  to receive your free copy by signing up for my newsletter.

Want to connect with me on social media? Find me on Facebook , Instagram , Pinterest , and Twitter. And for those of you who are dedicated to traveling more responsibly, sustainably, and ethically, join over 200 like-minded families on my Facebook group, Responsible Family Travel .

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Stuffed Suitcase

Ultimate Disneyland Guide – My Best Disneyland Tips

By: Author Kim Tate

Posted on Published: March 4, 2017

Since I’m a west coaster, Disneyland has been our family’s theme park of choice when planning a Disney vacation. Between trips with the kids, and a couple of runDisney races, I’ve been in the parks about ten times now. Recently I had a friend ask for some tips and I realized that I needed to share my best Disneyland tips here with my readers!

Looking for some Disneyland secrets? Here are my best Disneyland tips to help you plan a magical vacation!

In this article:

Disneyland Tips for Flights & Transportation

Flying to disneyland.

One of the great things about traveling to Disneyland is that there are a few airport options. Our favorite by far is the John Wayne/Santa Ana airport (SNA). It’s the closest airport, and also much easier to navigate than LAX. That being said, LAX often has some great airfare deals, so it’s worth considering.

Many airfare search engines and sites will allow you to check nearby airports, so you might consider that. The airports that are in the area (listed from closest to farthest) are: John Wayne Airport (SNA), Long Beach Airport (LGB), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Ontario International Airport (ONT), Bob Hope Airport (BUR), San Diego International Airport (SAN).

Disneyland Airport Transfers

In regards to getting to Disneyland from the airport, you can always rent a car or book a shuttle. It’s important to know that there are NOT Disney transportation options that are booked through Disney. They rely on third-party providers. This is different than the Magical Express options at Walt Disney World.

You can look for a Southern California airport shuttle service or consider using Uber or Lyft rideshare services. You will need a car seat for children under 8 according to CA law.

Traveling by Car to Disneyland

You can also consider driving, we had a great road trip from Seattle to Disneyland . It can be a beautiful drive, and if you have some extra time you can really see some great attractions. You can also rent a car for your time at Disneyland. This is great if you plan to move around southern California during your trip. Just be prepared for some brutal traffic, and parking fees at hotels.

Tips for Buying Disneyland Tickets & Packages

Saving on disneyland tickets.

Everyone is looking to save money, but in my experience, there are that many hacks to save you money on your park tickets. One of the ones I’ve seen recommended most often is to purchase Disney gift cards with your REDCard at your local Target. This will save you 5%, then you can use the gift cards to buy your tickets.

Of course, you can always use a cashback credit card and purchase gift cards at a store that offers you a gas discount or such so you’re “double-dipping” on some savings. Earning cash back on your card and earning a gas discount.

I have also heard of people finding discounted tickets at Costco, but I’ve never seen them in Seattle. For our very first Disneyland trip, we purchased  CityPass tickets, which gave us entry into various southern California attractions, including 3 days at Disneyland.

Tips for Buying Disneyland Packages

Booking a package is another option for your Disney vacation. My best Disneyland tips for packages is to look at Get Away Today , Costco Travel, and AAA, in addition to direct Disney pricing. I know and trust all three of those providers. Packages are a tricky thing with Disneyland. Often they won’t save you money. Sometimes they come with added perks like a gift card or a free character meal.

My best advice is to price out the options separately, then check those sites for the package prices. You might find one is better than another. Also, be sure to consider change/cancellation policies if you book a package vs. booking separately. Seattle and west coast peeps, consider checking out Alaska Airlines vacation packages if you need airfare.

Disneyland Hotels

Where to stay at Disneyland is one of the hardest questions for me to answer. It all comes down to budgets and personal preferences. We have stayed off-site and driven in, we’ve stayed off-site and walked over, and we’ve stayed on-site at each of the three Disney properties.

If you have the budget, I highly recommend staying on-site. There are three onsite hotels, The Paradise Pier Hotel, The Disneyland Hotel, and The Grand Californian Hotel. In addition to the nice property amenities, you’ll also get the perk of magic morning admission. This gets you into one of the parks an hour before opening, every day. This is especially good if you’re a fan of some of the prime attractions and want to get as much done as possible.

The Grand Californian Hotel

The Grand Californian is themed in a craftsman woodsy style, and features the special side entrance into Disney’s California Adventure park (near the Grizzy River Rapids attraction). I love the lobby of this hotel, especially at Christmas, and it’s the most understated in Disney decor of the three onsite properties.

The Disneyland Hotel

The Disneyland Hotel is probably their signature hotel and features three towers of rooms. The towers and rooms were remodeled a few years back and feature modern blue exterior glass and special LED light-up headboards.

Another signature feature of the Disneyland Hotel is the monorail waterslides at their pool. One of my favorite aspects of staying at the Disneyland Hotel is the walkthrough Downtown Disney to the parks. You also have quick access to the Monorail if you’d prefer to ride into Disneyland.

The Disneyland Hotel has fun light up headboards in their rooms - do you see the hidden Mickey? | © Stuffed Suitcase

The Paradise Pier Hotel

If you’re really looking for a great theme park view, you might consider The Paradise Pier Hotel. We stayed here once with a room that overlooked the Paradise Pier section of Disney’s California Adventure park. It’s a great way to get a back-water view of the World of Color night show if you need to have early nights.

The Paradise Pier Hotel is now the farthest walk into the parks. When we stayed there you were able to cut through the Grand Californian, but that’s not allowed now. Plus, the security bag check stations are now near the hotels and Harbor entrance, with the Grand Californian having only one metal detector and table, so that means it might end up with long lines.

Related Post:  Hotels by Disneyland: How to Choose Where to Stay

If your budget won’t allow the added price of staying onsite, probably an extra $150-$300 per night, I definitely advise you to stay within walking distance. Our early trips we stayed far offsite and drove to the parking garage, but from what I’ve heard lately that can be a real-time waste. There are quite a few budget hotel options available across the street from the park along Harbor Blvd.

Tips for the Parks and Resort Layout

It’s good to understand the layout of the Disneyland Resort before your trip. Especially if you’re a Walt Disney World native, the parks will throw you off a bit. The Disneyland Resort is the title that encompasses the three onsite hotels, the Downtown Disney District, and the two theme parks, Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. All of these are within easy walking distance.

I highly recommend you look over the online Disneyland maps before your trip and start to acquaint yourself with how the lands are laid out and where the signature rides are located. Navigating the parks can be a tight and crowded affair, so you want to avoid pulling out your park map in the middle of Main Street. One of my best Disneyland tips is to understand the resort layout and where your prime rides are before your vacation.

Studying and knowing the park layouts BEFORE you go is one of my BEST Disneyland tips! | © Stuffed Suitcase

Disneyland Park

The Disneyland park is what some people term and compare to the Magic Kingdom park in WDW. However, it is known as Disneyland. This is where you’ll find all your favorite classic lands, Adventureland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square, Critter Country, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Mickey’s Toontown, and Main Street USA.

Some of the signature Disneyland attractions are Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones Temple of the Forbidden Eye, the Jungle Cruise, Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, Star Tours, as well as the classic Fantasyland attractions like Peter Pan and the Teacups.

Disney’s California Adventure Park

Disney’s California Adventure Park was the expansion park that opened in 2001. It is located directly across the esplanade from Disneyland, making hopping between both parks easy. In Disney’s California Adventure park you’ll find Cars Land, Hollywood Land, A Bugs Land, Paradise Pier, and Grizzly Peak.

Some of the signature attractions at Disney’s California Adventure Park include Frozen Ever After, Radiator Springs Racers, Soarin’ over the World, Grizzly River Rapids, California Screamin’, and Toy Story Midway Mania.

Both parks offer a lot of great attractions and entertainment options, so I highly recommend visiting both.

Tips for Entering the Parks

As I mentioned above, there are security bag checks for the property. These are found at the Grand Californian, at the end of Downtown Disney by the Disneyland Hotel, and near the pedestrian entrances to the resort. Be ready to have your bags unzipped, and to walk through a metal detector. No matter what line you pick, it will always be the slowest moving one. :)

One of my best Disneyland tips is to allow extra time for security and park entry! | © Stuffed Suitcase

Once you’ve cleared the security check you’re now ready to hit the parks or Downtown Disney. If you’re entering one of the parks I highly recommend getting all your tickets ready. If you have multi-day tickets , you’ll need to get your picture taken at the turnstile on the first day you use your ticket. You’ll also want to write your name (first is fine) on your ticket so you can keep everyone’s tickets matched to the correct person. The photos are used to prevent people from reselling unused days on multi-day tickets.

If you have a one-day ticket , you won’t have your photo taken, BUT you need to get a handstamp when exiting the park if you want to re-enter. This handstamp will then be checked with blacklight when you re-enter with a one-day ticket. If you have a multi-day ticket, you do NOT need to get a handstamp when you leave the parks, so just pick the quickest turnstile to exit.

Once you’ve cleared the turnstiles, be sure to grab a park map and entertainment schedule. These are stuffed in slots at the turnstiles. I also recommend that you immediately put away your tickets in a safe but accessible spot. These tickets will be used to get fastpasses in the parks.

Tips for Fastpasses

Read my full guide of tips for  disney maxpass and disneyland fastpass.

If you’ve never been to a Disney park, you might have no idea what fastpasses are. Fastpasses are reservation tickets that are available for most of the popular rides, as well as some of the entertainment options. They’re free to obtain with your park admission and allow you to come back at a later time to ride the ride with a shorter wait.

How you get fastpasses is by going to the participating ride and inserting your park admission ticket into the specified fastpass distribution machines. For each ticket you insert you’ll receive a fastpass reservation that is linked to your park ticket. These reservations will give you a specified one-hour timeframe for when you can return to the ride and enter the fastpass queue. While standby lines can be an hour or even two hour wait, fastpass lines often have little to no waits.

It’s important to realize that you have to wait two hours between fastpasses. There’s a rare exception if the return time for your fastpass is before the two hour timeframe. Say you get a fastpass for Soarin’ at 10:30 am and it has a return timeframe of 11:30-12:30, you can get a new fastpass at 11:30 instead of waiting the two hours from 10:30 (i.e. 12:30). Another exception is that the entertainment fastpasses aren’t linked to the attraction fastpasses. So getting fastpasses for World of Color, Fantasmic, and Frozen Ever After don’t keep you from getting other fastpasses.

Realize that fastpasses are limited. It’s quite common for popular rides to run out of fastpasses on busy park days. Some of the most popular attractions that can run out are Radiator Springs Racers, Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, and possibly Star Tours.

Disneyland Fastpass is free to use for all guests with a park ticket. MaxPass is an additional fee option that allows you to book your fastpass reservations via your phone instead of going to the ride distribution machines.

My best Disneyland fastpass tips | © Stuffed Suitcase

My Disneyland Fastpass Tricks

There are some fastpass strategies that are part of my best Disneyland tips. The first tip is to designate a fastpass “runner” if you’re traveling as a group. This is a person who is good at navigating crowds and can handle heavy walking. Runners will then take everyone’s tickets to the fastpass distribution ride and get the fastpasses for the whole group while the others ride a ride or eat. This can save families and large groups a lot of time.

Disneyland MaxPass

Disney recently started offering a MaxPass program for fastpasses. This allows you to use the Disneyland app to reserve your fastpasses from your phone once you’re in the parks. It also includes Disney PhotoPass and ride photos. MaxPass costs $20/person/day. Each person needs MaxPass to reserve fastpasses. For a family of four it would be an additional $80 a day.

Disneyland App

Be sure to download the Disneyland app on your smartphone before your trip. The app is the best way to keep an eye on attraction wait times, plus helps you navigate around the park. Do take note that Disneyland does not offer wifi in the parks like at Walt Disney World. So if you have a limited data plan, keep an eye on how much you’re using the app.

The app also helps you see the fastpasses for the attractions. If you click on the wait time on the map a balloon info bubble will pop up. Clicking the bubble will show you a further detailed screen about the ride and the current fastpass distribution times will be noted. This can help you plan which fastpass to get next.

Other Great Disneyland Posts:

Disney MaxPass Secrets and Best Disneyland FASTPASS Tips

5 Most Interactive Disney Characters for Kids & Where to Find Them at Disneyland

Disneyland checklist for planning your disney vacation days, hotels by disneyland: how to choose where to stay, 20 things about disneyland halloween time, money saving disneyland tips, my favorite disneyland planning resources.

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Alice Carroll

Thursday 26th of November 2020

It's great to know that there are Disneyland transportation services that can serve as an airport transfer as well. One of my goals as a parent is to take my kids to a Disneyland someday because its cartoons have been my childhood as well. getting to share that magic with them would surely be a special moment.

Whitney Russell

Sunday 2nd of February 2020

These are some great tips!!! I love Disneyland if there are more than 3 of us going down its more cost-effective to drive. However, I usually save even more money by staying at hotels that are within walking distance and has free parking and breakfast. This way we don't have to buy breakfast or pay for parking at Disney or the hotel!

Monday 3rd of February 2020

Yes! We stayed off-site for most of our first trips down. Now that we know the parks so well and since our girls are older we're able to splurge for an on-site hotel for a night or two to maximize the on-site perks and divide our time with a more budget-friendly option for the other nights.

Wednesday 13th of June 2018

[…] sure to read my BEST Disneyland Tips! And check out my Disneyland posts page to help you plan your […]

Full Guide to Enjoying Food and Wine Festival at Disneyland

Monday 5th of March 2018

[…] Related Post: Ultimate Disneyland Guide & My Best Disneyland Tips […]

Blissfully Fun One Week Southern California Itinerary + Disneyland

Thursday 16th of November 2017

[…] California itinerary we’ll plan to fly into the LAX area and depart out of San Diego. In my best Disneyland tips post I share about the airports near Disneyland. My favorite is SNA (John Wayne), but LAX has great […]

Trips With Tykes

The Ultimate 2024 Disneyland Guide: Planning & Touring Tips

By: Author Leslie Harvey

Posted on Published: February 13, 2024

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The Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California has now been reopened for nearly three years, and operations have returned to normal for quite some time. But things are still, practically speaking, quite a bit different in 2024 at the Happiest Place on Earth – some of them permanently so.

If you haven’t been to the parks in awhile, it’s important to get up to date! As a guest, that means you need to come prepared for things to work in very new ways. Many of the old pre-2020 Disneyland tricks and hacks won’t work anymore. You need to have a few new tools at the ready to have the best vacation experience. That’s where this Disneyland guide comes in.

Disneyland Railroad by Small World

If you are planning a trip to Disneyland in Southern California in 2024, this complete Disneyland planning guide will walk you through all the basics of what to expect this year – new requirements, changes from what you might have experienced in previous years, new ride and land openings, revised touring strategies, and more. I’ve been there first hand all along the way, visiting Disneyland and Disney California Adventure numerous times each year, including another recent trip in February 2024.

I’ll continue to update this annual guide regularly to reflect more changes. So be sure to bookmark and come back to it if your trip is several months down the road from now.

(Trips With Tykes uses affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through links in this post. See our full disclosure policy linked in the menu at the bottom of this site.)

What’s New, Returning Soon, or Closed at Disneyland in 2024

Before we get to all the operational changes and new park touring tips, let’s briefly dive into what’s new to see and do at the resort in 2024. And of course, we have to discuss the flip side as well – what’s closed this year for refurbishment or for good.

MagicBand+ at Disneyland Castle

A little over a year ago, Disney finally brought an important technological feature to its California parks. MagicBands had been in use at Walt Disney World for about a decade, but now the third generation MagicBand, MagicBand+, works at Disneyland too.

The uses for MagicBand+ at Disneyland are more limited. As a result, fewer guests have chosen to use them than do in Orlando. I’ve found some value in using mine, but they certainly aren’t essential – especially for infrequent visitors. That said, they are a fun and sometimes useful accessory or souvenir.

To explore what MagicBands do at Disneyland as you decide whether they are a must-have or can-skip item for your 2024 trip, check out my guide to Disney MagicBands and the new MagicBand+ .

Nighttime Spectaculars: World of Color – ONE & Wondrous Journeys

Disneyland Wondrous Journeys Fireworks for Disney100

In 2023, Disneyland celebrated 100 years of Disney company history during the Disney100 celebration. While this event has come to a close, a few remnants have been left behind in 2024. Most notable of these is the World of Color – ONE nighttime spectacular.

This show runs nightly in Disney California Adventure. For access to some of the better standing viewing areas, be sure to log into the Disneyland app at noon to secure a virtual queue reservation. If you want a seat to view the show, however, you’ll have to spring for the World of Color Dessert Party package.

Related : Get details on the best spots to view World of Color from my pal Jessica at The Happiest Blog on Earth.

The other nighttime spectacular for the Disney 100 celebration was the well-reviewed Wondrous Journeys in Disneyland park. In fact, it might just be my favorite Disney nighttime spectacular ever. It hasn’t run since last summer, but Disneyland recent announced that it will be returning for a limited engagement run from March 22-April 14, 2024. So if you have a spring break trip planned this year, I highly recommend adding a viewing to your agenda!

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Mickey and Minnies Runaway Railway El Capitoon Theater Exterior Disneyland

The year 2023 brought a brand new attraction to Disneyland – Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Runaway Railway has already been in Orlando in Hollywood Studios for several years, but now it also has a home in Toontown in Disneyland park. The indoor dark ride is family-friendly and has one of the very best queues that Disney Imagineers have ever created.

Check out my complete ride guide and wait time tips article on Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway for all the latest details.

Toontown Renovation

Mickeys Toontown Entrance Disneyland

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway isn’t the only new offering of note in that area of the park. In fact, the remainder of Toontown around the attraction reopened in early 2023 after a significant facelift. The land has several new and reimagined play areas and much more green space. Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin returned, and the Gadget Go-Coaster got a new theme as Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Gadget Coaster.

Related: Best Non-Ride Things to Do with Preschoolers at Disneyland

There were some unfortunate hiccups in 2023 with the durability of some of the new play areas, but all seems to be repaired well as of my first 2024 visit. Just be aware that if you are used to retreating to Toontown during the heat of the day to escape crowds (as I often did when my kids were little), you’ll find the crowds have followed you into Toontown now!

Magic Happens Parade

Disneyland Magic Happens - Mickey Mouse opening float

The Magic Happens Parade parade had only just debuted when the parks closed unexpectedly in March of 2020. The parade ran from February through October in 2023, and a lot of guests wondered what would become of it after that. But as of February 2024, Magic Happens is back again!

This edgy parade has an energetic vibe and soundtrack and is a much-needed addition to Disneyland park. The parade goes between Main Street U.S.A. and it’s a small world twice daily. The first showing is in the daytime, and the second is usually after sunset, where elements on the floats light up, making for an extra magical show.

Tiana’s Palace Restaurant

Tiana's Palace Exterior Disneyland

The counter service restaurant French Market in New Orleans Square closed for good but reopened in September 2023 with a new theme and new menu. The restaurant is now called Tiana’s Palace, featuring Princess and the Frog, leading the way in that section of the park for the refurbishment of Splash Mountain into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure later this year.

The food is some of the very best quick service that Disney has to offer, and has already become one of my favorites (and I’m Southern, so I’m a tough judge of Cajun and Creole cuisine!). Thankfully, it has mobile order (more on that later!) to dodge the long lines.

San Fransokyo Square

Child at Golden Gate Bridge in San Fransokyo in Disney California Adventure

Last year, an often overlooked part of Disney California Adventure received a refresh. The Pacific Wharf area (in between Cars Land and Pixar Pier) is now themed as San Fransokyo, the hybrid West-Coast-Meets-Asia city featured in Big Hero 6.

Like Pacific Wharf, the area is mostly seating and quick service eateries, but there are a lot of new menu items that make it much more of a foodie destination, especially at times when DCA is in between food festivals. And Baymax is a frequent character meet and greet in the area as well. Definitely a major improvement to this area of the park worth seeing!

Disneyland Hotel DVC Tower

Disneyland Hotel DVC Villas Tower

As of late September 2023, a new tower debuted at the original on-property Disneyland resort hotel – the Villas at the Disneyland Hotel. This property features a variety of studio and one to three bedroom Disney Vacation Club (DVC) units plus a Steamboat Willie splash pad.

Related: Disneyland Hotel vs. Disney’s Grand Californian: Which Hotel is Right for Your Family?

Our family took a trip last fall to stay in the new Villas and were very impressed by the addition. Rooms feature one of several different characters (we had a Tiana-themed studio unit), and the accommodations feel luxurious while matching the hotel’s classic Disney vibe. Rooms aren’t that much pricier than the Disneyland Hotel regular rooms, so if you need the extra space or can make use of the kitchen, definitely give it a look. If you aren’t visiting at a peak time, I recommend looking into renting DVC points as a way to save big on these accommodations.

Adventureland Treehouse

Adventureland Treehouse in Disneyland 2024

What used to be the Swiss Family Treehouse and later became Tarzan’s Treehouse has now returned to its roots (pun intended). The newly renovated treehouse reopened at the end of 2023 and is inspired by the Swiss Family Robinson movie once again.

I didn’t get a chance to walk into it on my most recent visit (I’m saving it to experience with my kids!), but the exterior is breathtaking. For classic Disney fans, the treehouse seems to blend the old with the new in a highly satisfying way.

Pirates of the Caribbean Genie+ Lightning Lane

Pirates of the Caribbean Lightning Lane Entrance in 2024

For a limited time in 2024, there is a new attraction offering Lightning Lane access via Genie+ at Disneyland . Pirates of the Caribbean is temporarily available for booking with Genie+ while several other attractions nearby in Disneyland park are down for refurbishment (more on that below).

This means that savvy Genie+ users will need to adjust their Genie+ strategies to take the addition into account. So far, this isn’t an attraction that runs out of Lightning Lane times that early thanks to its high capacity. I recommend securing more popular Lightning Lanes like Indiana Jones Adventure, Space Mountain, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and even Big Thunder Mountain first.

And as you might imagine, the addition of Pirates to Genie+ also means that guests who are used to riding this attraction through reasonable standby lines will have to adjust their strategies too. Regular lines are quite a bit longer now for Pirates, and the queue stretches through New Orleans Square in ways that unfortunately block access to visitors just walking by.

Disney hasn’t announced how long Pirates will be offering Lightning Lane, but we expect it could be until the end of summer (when Haunted Mansion reopens again). Stay tuned and watch for an end date if you have a trip during the second half of 2024.

Pixar Place Hotel

Pirates of the Caribbean Lightning Lane Entrance in 2024

Last but certainly not least of all things new in 2024….Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel just completed the final stages of a renovation to become the Pixar Place Hotel. This property was in dire need of a major refresh so I was super excited to see the finished product when I stayed at Pixar Place just a week after its January 31, 2024 reopening.

I must admit I was very pleasantly surprised by the transformation after being pretty hard on Paradise Pier in the last few years. It really feels like the property got a complete gutting – far more than the regular refresh that Disney hotels often get.

Rooms are quite large with completely renovated and bright bathrooms. Two queen rooms have a couch that turns into a daybed to sleep families of 5. Bold and bright Pixar themed character and colors are everywhere.

Pixar Place Hotel Room Two Queen Beds

The rooftop pool and splash pad are ideal for younger kids. Bonus that Bing Bong often hangs out in the lobby for a free and unique character meet and greet.

Bing Bong at Disney's Pixar Place Hotel Lobby

That said, Pixar Place Hotel is certainly not cheap by any means. I paid $405/night plus tax and some peak dates are already listed at $500+ a night. But Pixar Place is running about $150 a night less than the Disneyland Hotel. For visitors who want the benefits of an on-property stay like Early Entry, this is definitely the hotel where you can get them for a little less. The price is now much more in line with what the hotel has to offer.

Closures & Coming Soon

Disneyland is always evolving and changing, so you can also expect some closures and construction this year too. There are always a number of short term attraction closures on calendar, so always be sure to check official Disneyland sources before your trip for those. But more major things to watch include the following:

Downtown Disney

Disneyland’s shopping and entertainment district, Downtown Disney, is a serious construction zone in places right now. For now, La Brea Bakery is gone and has been replaced by a temporary location for Earl of Sandwich. A lot of other new restaurants are coming including Porto’s Bakery and Din Tai Fung, so keep watching Disney news for other announcements.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

The attraction formerly known as Splash Mountain took its last rider last year. But the log flume drop will live on in a new form! Disney is re-theming and re-doing the attraction to become Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The opening date won’t be until well into 2024, so expect construction walls on that end of the park.

Haunted Mansion Area Refurbishment

This year has also brought construction walls all around the Haunted Mansion. The queue and gardens area to the left of the mansion is getting an expansion, and the area next to Tiana’s Palace Restaurant will eventually have more open space as well. Additionally, a new shop is going in to the right of the mansion (closer to where Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be).

Essential Tips for Disneyland Planning & Touring in 2024

Disneyland 2024 Merchandise

So now that all of those dates are out of the way, how do you plan your Disneyland vacation differently in 2024? And how do you approach touring the parks in new ways? Here are all my very best practical tips.

Plan Earlier!

Remember the days when you could wake up and decide to go to Disneyland for the day? Or if you are not a local but are within a few hours driving distance, the days when you could decide mid-week to head down to Disneyland for the weekend? While I won’t say those days are long gone, they are certainly fewer and farther between.

With an ever-increasing number of folks traveling again, the demand for Disneyland has continued to exceed supply many times of year. That means you need to plan early to be able to go at all – to find theme park reservation availability, to lock in a hotel that doesn’t cost and arm and a leg, and to book flights to Disneyland if you are coming from longer distances.

How early is early enough? Thankfully, supply and demand have normalized a bit so you don’t need to plan quite as early as you might have in 2021 and 2022 especially. But even still, I’d say you need to plan at least a couple of weeks in advance from drive markets. I’d recommend a month or more if you are coming by air or hope to go at peak times like the holidays. If you want to snag the best pricing and availability for hotels, at least several months in advance is necessary.

Secure Theme Park Reservations ASAP

Disneyland park reservations final confirmation image

In the last couple of years, we’ve all gotten used to the fact that an increasing number of activities require advance reservations to take part. While a lot of those activities have dropped their reservations requirement (and indeed Disney World dropped theirs in January 2024!), Disneyland is one place keeping them around for the indefinite future for now.

Be sure to read my comprehensive guide to Disneyland reservations as you are planning your Disneyland trip to make sure you get the reservations part right. The bottom line is that you need to a) check to make sure there are reservations available for the days you want to visit and the ticket type you plan to buy before planning a trip and b) book those reservations ASAP.

While reservations open 120 days in advance for regular theme park tickets, it’s certainly not necessary to book them quite that early. But earlier is better, especially if you plan to go at a high demand time like Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays.

Practically speaking, reservations at at least one park usually remain open for almost all dates more than a few days in advance now (especially if you have park hopper tickets, where reservation availability is more generous). Sometimes, there are still reservations available the night before or even same day! No, that shouldn’t make you complacent. Availability can really fluctuate.

There are a lot of factors that might cause the parks to book up more quickly at some times of year. Ticket specials (especially SoCal resident deals), Disney adjusting allotment of space to annual passes (now known as Magic Keys), or the draw of seasonal offerings like Food and Wine Festival or Oogie Boogie Bash can all cause one or both parks to fill farther in advance. For example, last year I noticed most dates in October booked up in Disney California Adventure weeks in advance for one park per day tickets due to the popularity of Halloween offerings there.

Buy the Right Ticket Type

Disneyland Tickets 2022

Before making park reservations, guests of course need theme park tickets. So what are your options for regular tickets? Disneyland offers both single day or multi-day tickets (up to 5 total days). There is an optional park hopper add on for both of these as well that costs a $65-75 extra, depending on length of ticket.

Related: Disneyland Park Hopper Tickets: Worth it or Waste of Money?

Over the course of the past year, I have heard a lot of stories of guests who bought the wrong ticket in the first place or who changed their minds about what ticket was right for them after more research. In most cases, however, you really can’t afford to do this right now. You need get your ticket purchase right out of the gate because Disneyland doesn’t make it easy to change or upgrade tickets from afar.

For this reason, I also highly recommend buying multi-day Disneyland tickets from Trips With Tykes partner Get Away Today. Get Away Today is the only place that offers refundable Disneyland tickets if you get this ticket purchasing step wrong (free if you purchase their Peace of Mind Plan or otherwise a per ticket fee). Plus, their tickets are discounted off of regular Disney direct prices! Book discounted Disneyland park tickets from Get Away Today here . (And also be sure to peek at their discounted Disneyland hotels and vacation packages too – use code TYKES10 for $10 in additional package savings.)

So what else do you need to watch for in terms of tickets? Here’s what can trip up many guests and what to know:

  • One day tickets are the most complicated, with 7 different prices, corresponding to 7 different tiers (inexplicably numbered Tiers 0-6). Only Tier 6 tickets can be used every day on the calendar. Other tiers have blockout dates. Be sure that the tier you purchase will allow you to go on the day you want (as well as any day you might switch to if your vacation plans are not yet firm).
  • Multi-day tickets thankfully do not have tiers at all, so you are eligible to book any day on the calendar with them.
  • Multi-day tickets expire 13 days after first use. This makes them great for a multi-day vacation for out-of-towners. Locals who can bunch up several single day visits in a two week window might find some value as well, although usually the SoCal ticket specials (when offered) are better for anyone who lives nearby.
  • Park hopper tickets and single-park-per-day tickets each have their own separate reservation availability calendar , regardless of the number of days you purchase on these tickets. Make sure you are checking the reservation calendar that matches the ticket type you intend to buy. The single-park-per-day reservation calendar usually fills up first. If you are booking more last minute, paying extra for park hopper will likely open up more days on the reservation calendar to you.
  • Magic Key (annual pass) reservations are a totally separate system. Magic Key dates open up 90 days in advance, and many popular dates become booked very quickly. Magic Keys are not always on sale (or only some types are available), so they may not be an option for many guests to even purchase.

Consider New Hotel Options

Westin Anaheim Resort Exterior at Night

A lot of Disneyland visitors have their favorite hotels they’ve stayed in year after year, and loyalty and familiarity are certainly good things. But whether it’s been a while since you’ve investigated the choices or you are coming to Disneyland as a first timer, I’d encourage all Disneyland visitors to shop around and look at the hotel options anew.

The 2020 closures brought a lot of changes to the hotel market. Multiple new hotels have opened, some of which have some pretty tempting perks and value propositions. Additionally, the prices of a lot of hotels have gone up quite a bit in these inflationary times. As I’ve been monitoring prices closely, I’ve noticed some hotels have had much more substantial price increases than others and some have changed their included benefits. The relative prices have shifted considerably, and a hotel that used to be a deal or value may not be anymore relative to its current benefits.

If you want to get a peek at what my top hotel picks are in 2024, check out this fully updated guide to hotels within walking distance of Disneyland .

Additionally, Disney is always tweaking its benefits for on-property hotel guests. This changes the incentives for some guests deciding between a Disneyland owned hotel or an off-property Good Neighbor Hotel nearby. Extra Magic Hour and Magic Morning from pre-2020 times have both been gone for quite awhile, but Disneyland began offering guests at on-property hotels 30 minutes of early entry.

As of early 2024, however, this Early Entry benefit has changed yet again. Disneyland opens early on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and DCA opens early on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. You can get a lot done in 30 minutes, but query carefully whether this is a benefit you will fully use before paying several hundred dollars more per night to stay on-property, especially given the new alternating park schedule.

Finally, one important thing to keep in mind – conventions and other special events have largely returned to the Anaheim area making hotel demand higher than ever at some times you might not expect . Walking distance hotels especially seem to book up quickly in 2024 as a lot of travelers don’t want the hassle of shuttles or harder-to-find (and increasingly expensive) ridesharing to the parks. So earlier really is better when it comes to being able to plan a Disneyland vacation with your preferred logistics.

Park Hop at 11:00 AM!

For guests who purchase Disneyland’s park hopper ticket add on, the year 2023 brought a welcome policy change for the better. When the parks initially reopened back in 2021, park hopping was only allowed at the Disneyland Resort starting at 1:00pm. As of February 4, 2023, the park hopping time at Disneyland has been moved up to 11:00am.

It’s still not quite like the good old days when there was no time restriction on park hopping, but at least this frees guests up to make lunch reservations in whatever park they prefer. It also helps with using and redeeming Genie+ Lightning Lanes more strategically (more on that below).

Adjust Your Disneyland Dining & Restaurant Strategy in 2024

Disney-California-Adventure-Lamplight-Lounge-Pixar-Pier

For a long time after the parks first reopened, things simply weren’t up to speed on the Disneyland dining front. Finally almost all restaurants are open (and at full capacity) in 2024, but the dining scene has changed quite a bit.

Some menus are still pared back to a more limited number of choices at some restaurants. Reservations at table service restaurants are also harder to get, and quick service restaurants have increasingly moved towards encouraging guests to mobile order.

Table Service Restaurants

For table service restaurants, my best advice is to book early (and often). Reservations didn’t used to be incredibly hard to get at Disneyland except for a very few popular restaurants, but they are much more challenging in 2024. You may not be able to secure your top choice, so consider making backup reservations for restaurants you are happy with when you see they are available – because those too may soon be gone!

When do you need to plan to book dining reservations? Officially, Disneyland table service reservations open up exactly 60 days in advance, usually at 6:00 am PT. Some restaurants, however, will not open up availability at that time, releasing all availability several days later or releasing additional times in dribs and drabs.

How do you navigate the uncertainty? My best advice is to at least set an alarm to try first thing in the morning 60 days in advance. After that, I would suggest saving yourself dozens of fruitless refreshes and sign up for a Disney dining reservation monitoring service.

I highly recommend the site Mouse Dining , which is a great tool to help you snag a hard to find reservation by notifying you of cancellations or Disney adding capacity. Mouse Dining has both a free and a paid version, and I’ve had personal success using it to snag reservations many times.

If you are serious about a specific hard-to-get restaurant you’ll likely need the paid service to be competitive. This version sends instant text alerts. If you are more casually looking for openings at one of several places, the free version which sends email alerts can usually get the job done. A lot of guests book multiple or extra reservations to hedge their bets and cancel some as their plans firm up. Snagging those cancellations is possible, especially with some assistance.

All hope is not lost for the last minute planners either! Disneyland recently changed its cancellation policies for table service reservations, allowing guests to cancel until 2 hours in advance with no penalty. This means it’s possible to snag a same day reservation off of these cancellations.

Additionally, most table service restaurants have walkup availability too. You can join a same day walkup wait list on the Disneyland app on the day of your visit.

Quick Service Restaurants & Mobile Ordering

Disneyland Pym Test Kitchen Mobile Order Pickup Window

If you don’t want a fancier or longer meal, head for one of Disneyland’s quick service restaurants. Actually, don’t physically head there. First, you need to open the Disneyland app. The new normal for these dining locations is that you need to mobile order your food on the app. Disneyland thankfully still has regular lines with cashiers to enable walk up orders, but they are in smaller numbers than before. Mobile ordering will still save you time almost all the time.

To use mobile ordering, the app will first display a list of available time windows for you to return to each restaurant to pick up your order. The closer you get to peak mealtimes, the more other guests start to place their mobile orders. And the farther out the return times become (although this thankfully has improved somewhat).

The bottom line? It’s essential to order on the early side, especially if there is a particular popular restaurant that is a must-do for you (like Tiana’s Palace!). You can always cancel an order with no penalty before your pickup window if you change your mind. You can also modify your pickup window if you are running late. See the quick and easy guide to Disneyland mobile ordering that my friend Casey at Disneyland Daily has created with step-by-step instructions.

Master the Disneyland App

Speaking of the Disneyland app, it’s important for more than just mobile ordering. It’s a backup for your theme park ticket, your ticket to Lightning Lanes (more on that later), your park map, the way to access your PhotoPass images, and more. Disneyland has even been testing it to check out of stores by allowing guests to self-scan merchandise in the app.

It’s essential that you download the app, know your login and password, and load a credit card to your account. Every adult doesn’t need to have it, but the most tech-savvy adult in your party (or at least the one managing the Disneyland vacation planning) should. If more than one adult will be using it, it is sometimes easiest for both to log in to the same account so that both phones get alerts.

Note that Disney gift cards are a permitted method of payment in the app as of a few years ago. So if you’ve acquired Disney gift cards at a discount , you can use them to save on food too. The only problem is that the app doesn’t store the gift card each time, so be prepared to enter the 16 digit code anew for each purchase (hot tip: copy and paste the number in your phone’s text notes so you don’t have to fish out the card each time).

My friend Jessica from the Happiest Blog on Earth has even more detail and information in this detailed guide to the Disneyland app .

See Characters Up Close & Get Hugs Again!

Chip n Dale Character Meet and Greet at Disneyland Disney100

One of the favorite parts of a Disneyland vacation for many visitors – especially young kids – is seeing favorite Disney characters. These encounters were highly modified for a long time. But in 2024, hugs and close encounters are fully back for character meet-and-greets!

There are still characters that pop up in the distanced spots (especially on the Disneyland Railroad balcony overlooking Town Square in Main Street U.S.A.). So if you don’t want to wait in a long line to see a character, this is a helpful alternative I’m glad has stuck around. Check the Disneyland app under the Entertainment menu option to see the many locations where characters will appear in the parks, both near and far.

Disneyland character dining has returned entirely to its pre-2020 modes of operation as well. Characters come by tables again in addition to sometimes doing a parade or dance a few times per hour. Some restaurants will also take a character photo with guests to start the meal. See all the details in my complete guide to Disneyland character meals .

Have a New Strategy for Lines & Crowds

Disneyland Peter Pan Wait Time sign

If you don’t want to be standing in line for rides (who does?), you’ve got a LOT new to learn in 2023. Fastpass, MaxPass , Extra Magic Hour, Magic Morning, even virtual queues for rides…. most of the tricks and hacks we used to use to shortcut lines in the good old days are GONE.

In their place are a few brand new tools that you absolutely need to know about. Whether you use them or not, they will affect how long the lines are and what rides you should do and when.

So what are these new options? The most important ones to know about are Disney Genie+ and paid Lightning Lane . Disney Genie+ is a pretty close cousin to MaxPass and allows guests Lightning Lane access for up to 20 eligible attractions. Paid Lightning Lane is a separate Fastpass-like offering for 3 additional super-popular rides with a separate fee.

If you want short waits most like the Fastpasses of old, these are upcharges that you should seriously consider. The flip side of course is that they can make standby lines for everyone else much longer. See my complete FAQ for Disneyland’s Genie+ and Lightning Lane and then read these additional advanced Disneyland Genie+ strategies for all the details.

Genie Plus Lightning Lane Sign at Disneyland

For those of you who like to shortcut lines by going during less busy times, is it even possible to find a less crowded day to go to Disneyland in 2023? With the theme park reservations requirement, there are fewer really slow days at Disneyland. That said, midweek dates are still usually going to be less crowded than a holiday weekend – except for when a SoCal resident special is live.

Disneyland crowd calendars can help, but I find them less reliable than before, especially many months in advance. Personally I’d say that it’s less important to try to game the dates you are going to go to hope to luck into low crowds rather than just pick what works best for your travel schedule.

How else can you minimize your Disneyland wait times in 2023? This is an ever changing target, but here has been working of late:

  • Rope dropping still works. Starting early is vital to a successful touring plan. Get in the front of the line to enter the parks up to an hour before park opening and you’ll be in prime position for your first ride of choice – and probably also your second and third. Although early entry means that on-property guests have a half hour head start on all other guests, there aren’t enough on-property guests to make lines long by the time everyone else is let in at rope drop. And because early entry is in alternating parks, rope drop in the park not offering early entry is a level playing field for all.
  • Use single rider lines when available. Single rider lines are back but not necessarily for all the rides that offered them in 2020 and in quite the same way. But they are a great benefit, especially if you are flying solo or have older kids who are ok riding alone.
  • Know when paid Lightning Lanes may sell out for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. While most rides offering Genie+ or paid Lightning Lane don’t run out of reservation times until late in the day, paid Lightning Lane for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge can still go very fast on high crowd days. Check out the latest strategies and trends in my Guide to riding Rise of the Resistance .
  • Hop in line for one last ride a minute or two before closing time. As long as you are in line before the park officially closes, you get to ride. Lines are often very short at this hour as many guests head for the exits. Squeeze in one last ride, especially if you are a night owl!
  • Ride during the fireworks or parades. Now that fireworks, parades, and other shows are back at Disneyland, a lot of guests won’t be on rides in the minutes that lead up to and during the shows. Fantasyland attractions close during fireworks nights (usually weekends only), but you can head elsewhere in the park to find shorter ride lines.

Final Thoughts

Disneyland Jungle Cruise Entrance

Disneyland is undoubtedly different in 2024, but still exudes much of the same joy that we all expect from the Happiest Place on Earth. And now you should be armed with all the information you need to adjust accordingly and take maximum advantage of the new rules.

Where to Book Your Disneyland Vacation & Save Money!

Get Away Today Graphic Disneyland 2024 Kids Ticket Deal

Save big on your Disneyland vacation with trusted Trips with Tykes partner, Get Away Today. Get Away Today sells park tickets at a discount, helps you find great deals at both on-property and off-property hotels, and provides expert customer service from representatives who visit Disneyland all the time.

For park tickets, don’t purchase direct from Disney and pay more! Book discounted Disneyland park tickets from Get Away Today here . Tickets purchased now are valid through December 31, 2025. Both park hopper and single park per day tickets are available, as well as tickets that include Genie+.

To take advantage of hotel and other package discounts from Get Away Today, explore and book Disneyland vacation packages here . Be sure to use code TYKES10 for $10 in additional savings.

Current Get Away Today Specials & Deals :

  • Southern California Resident Offer : SoCal residents can get three day tickets for as low as $75 per day for visits on weekdays from January 2 -June 2, 2024. Can be used on non-consecutive days.
  • Extra Day Free Tickets : Get 5 days at Disneyland for the price of 4 with this extra day free special for longer vacations.
  • 3rd or 4th Night Free : available at select Anaheim area hotels exclusively through Get Away Today bookings (can be combined with all ticket discounts).

Taking a trip to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California in 2024? Get all the latest planning and touring tips, from park reservations to Disney Genie+ to what's new and coming soon at Disneyland in 2024.

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John McFarland

Sunday 29th of May 2022

Thanks for all of the helpful information. My wife and I are trying to plan a trip for us, our 4 kids (all under 9, with the youngest being almost 3) and probably a few grandparents. We are excited!

Like you, my wife and I are planners and since, this will most likely be our only Disney trip for the foreseeable future, I want to do all that I can in the pre planning stages to help set the trip up for most success (knowing that there will be unforeseen things, ride closures, melt downs, and other unexpected issues.) With all that being said, we are looking at trying to go to Disneyland one of the three following dates, so I wanted to see if you had any insight and advice on these dates and any other thoughts that can help us plan a truly magical trip for our family.

1) November 14-17, 2022 - this is currently our first choice, as it will be Christmas season but probably without the thanksgiving to New Years crowds? It seems park hours, shows, rides, and everything should be going strong as it’s the start of Christmas season at Disneyland. Thoughts?

2) September 5-9, 2022 - this is our second choice, as it seems to be less crowded. - in your experience what do park hours and entertainment look like in what in theory is off season? - saw that D23 is 9/9-9/11, which in theory will bring crowds before and after, right?

3) October 10-13 - 3rd choice, but know that due to Fall Breaks, tends to be more crowded then the other two options. - if crowds are comparable then would rather see Christmas then Halloween at Disneyland.

I know that this become a long post and you probably get a lot of “please help me plan my trip” comments, but any advice and insight you can share would be greatly appreciated! Again, thanks for all that you do and all the helpful posts! And, thanks in advance for any advice you can give my wife and I.

Disneyland Tips and Tricks 2024- An Insider’s Guide

A group of teen agers laughing with Pluto and the Mickey Ferris wheel in the background at Disneyland in Los Angeles, California, USA

A landmark icon of childhood happiness and carefree fun, Disneyland® California is the premier west coast vacation destination.

Children and adults alike will be entranced by the magic of meeting their favorite fairy tale characters, spectacular parades, thrilling rides, and nightly fireworks. A few days or even weeks spent at Disneyland is a magical experience that will create lasting memories for both you and your loved ones. So let us prime you with our exclusive Inside Guide to Disneyland.

At 500 acres, Disneyland Anaheim may seem dainty compared to her sister park in Orlando, but rest assured there is a wealth of Disneyland tips like park knowledge, strategy, and planning to be carried out to make the most of your Disneyland vacation. 

Follow along as we share Disneyland Tips and Tricks that will make your trip to the happiest place on Earth most magical indeed!

family playing with Goofy character at Disneyland in Los Angeles, California, USA

Disneyland Tickets & Ticket Packages

Now that you’ve decided when to visit the land of magic and Mouseketeers, it’s time to lock in those tickets. 

Save money, time, and resources by pre-purchasing your Disneyland California tickets as soon as possible. Whether you desire a two-day or a five-day park visit (with or without the Park Hopper option), we have Disneyland tickets for you!

If you’re not a SoCal local, why not embrace the beautiful weather and laid back attitude of the Golden State by bundling your Disneyland tickets with other popular nearby entertainment and attractions such as:

  • Universal Studios and Disneyland
  • LEGOLAND and Disneyland
  • Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm

Pro Tip: Want in on one of the best Disneyland secret tips? Did you know you can save some significant spending by bundling your Disneyland tickets with your accommodations with our Disneyland Vacation packages ?

About the Park

Disneyland California manages to pack an unparalleled level of fantasy, adventure, and classic Disney charm into their resort. The entire resort includes two theme parks, three Disney hotels, and the Downtown Disney area. The two major theme parks are as follows:

Disneyland Park

  • Disney California Adventure Park

Related Post: Ultimate Guide to Disneyland®: Coupons, Discounts, and Deals

There are incredible rides, attractions, and entertainment at both parks, so depending on your travel party’s preferences (are they more into Star Wars Galaxy s Edge or all about the Pixar characters?) You may opt to begin your Disney journey in one park over the other. 

Pro Tip: Wondering how to have the best Disneyland experience? With so much ground to cover and new attractions constantly popping up, we highly recommend spending a minimum of two days at both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.

Girl and Mom Standing with Sleeping Beauty at Disneyland castle in Los Angeles, California, USA

Are your mouse ears packed and ready to go? Before you pull the trigger on pre-purchasing your Disneyland tickets , you need to find the perfect time to visit Mickey and his friends! Find out the best time to go to Disneyland, even if only Disneyland for a day.

Although anytime is a great time for a Disneyland trip, there are a few general rules to follow to avoid days of heavy crowds and long wait times. We suggest:

  • Avoiding major U.S. holidays, especially if you only want to experience Disneyland in a day
  • Checking school schedules, including those of neighboring states
  • Being aware of the influx of local visitors, such as Southern California residents
  • Prioritizing weekday dates

If you’re searching, “Disneyland is it packed,” we have the answers. Usually, you can expect lower to moderate crowds from:

  • Mid-September through mid-November 
  • Mid-January through mid-March

Related Post: Disneyland Resort Upcoming Events and Festivals

Have a specific holiday in mind for your mouse-themed visit? If you are puzzled over whether a particular date, say Mothers Day, will be met with massive crowds, we strongly recommend checking out the Disneyland Crowd Forecast Calendar . 

Pro Tip: Although visiting Disneyland during any major holiday or celebration will undoubtedly mean a more crowded park, Disneyland does offer amazing events such as Halloween time or the Holidays at Disneyland Resort that make for extra special memories.

father and daughter in front of disneyland

Disneyland Hotels

Any Disney lover will tell you that you must stay at a Disney resort for a truly immersive Disneyland experience. 

While we don’t think this is one hundred percent necessary for every Disneyland getaway, we can’t deny there are benefits to staying on-site like:

  • Earlier park access, including Magic Morning and the Extra Magic Hour options
  • Extreme proximity to the theme park and Downtown Disney district 
  • Preferred access to dining and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique reservations
  • Ability to use your room key to charge items within the park 
  • Package delivery 

If Disneyland is not the sole focus of your California vacation, you can find many quality hotels by Disneyland . From budget-friendly inns to sumptuous luxury suites, we offer a range of lodgings for every type of California stay. 

Plan for Success

Disneyland might not seem massive, but there is still plenty of ground to cover in this wonderland of exhilarating roller coasters, haunted mansions, and enchanted rides. 

Related Post: Wheelchair Rental Disneyland: Everything You Need to Know for a Day at the Park

We believe in getting the most memories possible out of your trip. Therefore, a park strategy is an absolute necessity for a successful day at Disney. Experience Disneyland like a pro with these tips!

We know it’s your vacation, and you’re probably dying to hit that snooze button at least a few more times, but to get a jump start on your Disney day (and beat the lines), we ask you to refrain from sleeping too late. 

Our number one tip for a winning Disney day is to arrive early!

One of the best and easiest ways to maximize your time at Disney is to get to the park at least 45 minutes to an hour before it opens.

Related Post:  3 Days in Los Angeles: How to Make the Most of 72 Hours

You may have heard this practice referred to as ‘Rope Drop.’ Disney cast members drop their ropes when the opening announcement is made and allow guests to enter the park. 

Generally, the park turnstiles are open anywhere from 30-60 minutes before their posted times. 

Arriving early to the park may seem like a pain, but remember, the shortest waits of the day are in the first hours of a park’s opening.

Public Transportation to Disneyland

Visiting the ‘Happiest Place on Earth’ sans car? Don’t sweat it! There are plenty of mouse-certified, marvelous ways to arrive at the amusement park whether you are flying into LAX or John Wayne Airport.

Choose to hop on the Metro/Orange County Transit Authority, or utilize a shuttle, limo, taxicab, or Uber. Find endless options for dynamic Disney public transit here . 

Pro Tip: Did you know that the Long Beach Airport (LGB) is only 19.4 miles from Disney Drive

Little boy with Mickey ears hat holding donald duck stuffed toy sitting on mother's lap in Disneyland in Los Angeles, California, USA

Disneyland Park Strategy

In work, life, and in theme parks, organization is the key to success. Some might call it crazy, but we swear by creating a simple park strategy to ensure our Disney LA day runs smoothly. 

Fun Fact:  Wondering how many acres is Disneyland? It’s a whopping 500 acres! So better strap up those adventure boots and prepare for some serious theme park planning.

Related Post:  Current Events and Festivals in Los Angeles

Of course, depending on your personal tastes (are you a Star Wars nerd or a Marvel movie fanatic), your order of operations may differ.

  • If you enter Disneyland park first, focus on Indiana Jones Adventure, Haunted Mansion, and Pirates of the Caribbean.
  • Entering California Adventure first, focus on Radiator Springs Racers and Toy Story Midway Mania at the park opening.
  • Plan to ‘meet characters’ midday 
  • Take in a show in the afternoon when it’s hottest, and you need a break
  • Consistently check the Disneyland app for wait times
  • Stay late(r) to take advantage of shorter evening lines
  • Keep in mind that wait times can be faster than posted

Pro Tip: If you are the proud owner of a Park Hopper ticket, make sure to make a reservation for the park you’d like to visit first. You will be allowed to ‘hop’ to the next park at 1 pm.

If you’d prefer to ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, choose Disneyland as your first park.

If you’d prefer to ride Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure, choose Disney California Adventure as your first park.

Main Street Disneyland decorated in red, white, and blue banners for the fourth of July celebrations Los Angeles, California, USA

Disneyland Height Requirements

Everyone from tiny sprouts to towering teenagers wants to get in on the fun and exhilaration of a Disneyland thrill ride. However, for the safety of all park guests, Disneyland has imposed certain height requirements.

As a general rule, most roller coasters or rides will require a height of 40” (102cm) or greater. Littlest members of the family will be able to cruise along on rides like Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters or Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree which only require heights of 32” (81 cm) or taller.

Adrenaline junkies seeking the spins and drops of the fierce Incredicoaster will need to measure 48” (122 cm) or taller. For a full list of ride height requirements please click here . 

Apps & Passes

Are you ready to meet your new best friend? The Disneyland Mobile App is a true lifesaver and affords you the ability to:

  • Check ride wait times and show listings
  • View character locations
  • Place mobile food orders
  • Purchase a Photo Pass
  • Join a Virtual queue
  • Browse Maps

Pro Tip: You will need to download the Disneyland App to access the new virtual queue feature. Both Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure are only accessible via the virtual queue.

Lastly, keep your eyes peeled for a new Disneyland app feature coming Fall 2021, called Disney Genie. Disney Genie will act as your substitute travel planner, offer return times, and aid you in customizing your own unique Disneyland itinerary based on your favorite rides and attractions.

Aerial view of village in Star Wars Galaxy's Edge in Disneyland in Los Angeles, California, USA

Have you heard whispers about the mysterious ‘Buddy Pass’?’ Well, it’s not for guests looking for a single rider line, but we are here to spill all the tea on this well-kept Disney secret.

A lifesaver for harried and time-stressed parents, the Buddy Pass refers to a system where you get a card from a cast member near the ride that lets you fill in an empty row, and essentially skip the standby or fast pass lines.

Currently, only two rides at Disney California Adventure allow Buddy Passes (Monster’s Inc. and Toy Story Midway Mania). However, when available, they quickly aid in shortening the wait times on these rides. Maximize your day at Disneyland! 

VIP Tour Guide

Enjoy the eternal enchantment of Disneyland like the royalty you are when you spring for an exclusive VIP Tour Guide . Let you and your nearest and dearest delight in the perks and pleasures of having your own private tour guide.

Related Post:  The Ultimate Guide to LA Theme Parks

Revel in white-glove service and the famed Disney hospitality as your charming concierge peppers your visit with fun facts and behind-the-scenes stories. Your group will enjoy ‘hassle-free planning’ based on your specific Disney desires and needs, advanced dining reservations, priority access to favorite Disneyland Resort attractions, and more!

And if you’re wondering what rides to go on first at Disneyland, your VIP tour guide will recommend rides based on your preferences. Disneyland can bring your ideal theme park vacation to life!

VIP Tour guide packages begin at $2,975 and can accommodate a maximum of ten guests. 

Close up photo of Reimagined Beef Brisket Wellington at Disneyland California Adventure Food and Wine Festival in Anaheim, California, USA

Stroller Rentals

Cranky toddlers are most definitely a Disney ‘no-no.’ Keep your tiny tykes in high spirits and save their little legs all that stepping when you reserve a stroller rental at Disneyland.

A single stroller rental will run you $18/day while a double is $36. You can conveniently locate a stroller rental station just outside the Disneyland Park Main Entrance adjacent to the Kennel and inside the Pixar Pals Parking structure.

Senior Photos at Disneyland

School’s out forever! Commemorate your graduation with Goofy and the gang when you score some sensational senior photos at Disneyland.

Thankfully, because you are not saying ‘I do’ at the castle you do not need formal permission to snap some cap and gown pics. However, if you are all thumbs when it comes to capturing memories on camera we highly suggest investing in the Disney PhotoPass. 

Disney PhotoPass provides professional-level keepsake shots of you and your entire group at key popular locations throughout the park. The beautiful mementos can then be purchased as photos, prints to share, or made into stunning photo products!

Got an artistic eye? Harness your creativity and spice up that senior shoot with photos at any of our favorite Disneyland spots:

  • Sleeping Beauty’s Castle
  • Paradise Pier
  • The patterned wall outside of It’s a Small World
  • The pink teacup outside of The Mad Tea Party
  • Walt and Mickey Statue
  • Holding Disney Balloons
  • The Forced Perspective Wall in California Adventure Park

Wide shot of the Mad Tea Party ride at Walt Disney World at dusk in Orlando, Florida, USA

Disneyland Attractions

Both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park serve up oodles of excitement, exhilaration, and wholesome family fun. If you read these tips in advance, we know you entered the park fully equipped with knowledge about which popular ride to try next!

While we thoroughly endorse taking your time and appreciating all the detail and magic that makes Disneyland so special, we understand that some vacations require a bit more hustle. 

Here are our top tier, can’t be missed Disneyland activities, attractions, and rides:

  • It’s a Small World (ride)
  • Pirates of the Caribbean (ride)
  • Haunted Mansion (ride)
  • Star Wars Launch Bay (character experience)
  • Indiana Jones Adventure (ride)
  • Princess Meet at Fantasy Faire (character experience)
  • Mickey’s Toon Town 
  • Space Mountain (ride)
  • Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run (ride)
  • Splash Mountain (ride)
  • Enchanted Tiki Room (show)

Disney California Adventure

  • Incredicoaster (ride)
  • Radiator Springs Racers (ride)
  • Soarin’ Around the World (ride)
  • Meeting Disney Pals on Buena Vista Street (character experience)
  • World of Color (show)
  • Guardians of the Galaxy: Monsters After Dark (ride)
  • Toy Story Midway Mania! (game)
  • The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure (show)

girl hugging Pluto character at dinner with food on table at Disneyland in Los Angeles, California, USA

New Rides at Disneyland

In addition to the Disney classic attractions that you know and love, like Jungle Cruise and It’s a Small World, USA Disneyland California takes great effort to update and innovate within their park continuously.

Related Post: Los Angeles on a Budget: How to Save BIG With a Go City Pass

Therefore, Disney guests should keep their eyes peeled for the following new additions at each theme park:

  • Snow White’s Enchanted Wish (ride)
  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (ride)
  • Avengers Campus – an entirely new land to discover!
  • Jessie’s Critter Carousel (ride)
  • Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind (ride)

Disneyland Food & Drink

If you’re wondering what can you bring into Disneyland, it’s definitely not outside food and beverage. But not to worry! True Disneyland fans will know that a few cult food and beverage items have put Disneyland on the map (culinary-wise).

Although you can bring small snacks into the park, Disneyland insiders would tell you that it would be a shame to miss out on the legendary Dole Whip from the Tiki Juice Bar or the futuristic space-inspired meals at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo.

Keep in mind that if you aim to secure a dining reservation at one of Disneyland’s table service restaurants, such as the famed Blue Bayou, you will need to reserve early as they are in high demand. 

Pro Tip: Dining reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance, and resort guests have access to a limited number of reservations for select dining venues.

Group of young people, some wearing Mickey ears, drinking different alcoholic beverages at the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival near Los Angeles, California, USA

Mobile Food Ordering

Now, more than ever, Disneyland’s dining establishments are relying on Mobile Food Ordering. An integral feature of the Disneyland mobile app, Mobile Food Ordering allows you to plan and pre-order your favorite food and drinks from anywhere in the park.

Related Post: A Parent’s Guide on Things to Do in Los Angeles with Kids

Then, kiss long food lines and hangry children goodbye as you place your order while you wait in a ride line or relax in your hotel room.

Things to Bring to Disneyland

Days at Disneyland may be some of your happiest on Earth, but they can be exhausting! So skip the tears and tantrums with our handy list of ‘must bring items’ for a day of theme park fun. Here’s what you need for Disneyland, so you no longer need to wonder what to pack for Disneyland or what to bring to Disneyland!

  • Portable phone charger
  • Water bottle & snacks
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Poncho/raincoat/umbrella

Disneyland has charmed guests of all ages and shown them the power of true joy and happiness for over sixty years.

This quintessential California theme park vacation will capture your heart with classic interactive experiences such as Mickey’s Soundsational parade and newer inventive thrills like Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! 

All set to return to the land of magic? Start planning your ultimate Disneyland Vacation today!

Have Any Tips to Add to Our Disneyland Travel Guide?

Let us know in the comments below!

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Written by Isis Maya Nissman

A New York native, Isis-Maya spent most of her professional life working in TV production until a vacation whisked her away to Central...

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How can I get the most out of my Disneyland trip? Pro tips from insiders who know it best

disneyland trip reddit

If there were ever a golden (or in honor of Disney100 , platinum) opportunity to visit Disneyland, this is it.

Not only is the Southern California resort celebrating 100 years of the Walt Disney Co. with two new nighttime spectacular shows and other special offerings, but Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway just opened, the beloved " Magic Happens " parade just returned,  Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival  runs through April 15, and Mickey's Toontown is reopening March 19 after a major overhaul.

To make the most of a trip to the "Happiest Place on Earth," we turned to three people who know Disneyland inside and out: cast members who grew up as annual passholders.

From what to avoid to what not to miss, here are their pro tips.

Disneyland vs. Disney World: What's the difference? How to choose.

Is one day enough at Disneyland?: No, and here's why Disney fans may want to avoid it

What to do at Disneyland

Like many Disney cast members, Michael Parisi fell in love with the parks as a kid.

"Specifically it was the Haunted Mansion  stretching rooms that would always really get me excited. It set up the story for the attraction, and it involves the cast member," he smiled. "I loved watching them perform that role and so ever since I was little, I always specifically wanted to work the Haunted Mansion."

He got his wish, then did some working in attractions before shifting into a maintenance response specialist role at the resort.

Ride fan-favorite attractions

He still loves Haunted Mansion and  Rise of the Resistance , which he rides regularly and highly recommends to guests. "There's just so many details and so many things to look at that you can go on it dozens of times and you may notice something you didn't notice the time before," he said. "It just never gets old."

He also recommends Indiana Jones Adventure , which isn't available at Walt Disney World. "That is another just incredibly immersive attraction that just tells the story so clearly and really makes you feel like you're actually part of the world," Parisi said.

Nostalgic fans may also appreciate another of his favorites,  Mr. Toad's Wild Ride , one of the original opening-day rides at Disneyland. It closed in Florida decades ago.

"It has the charm of classic Disney," Parisi said. "You can feel a lot of Walt's hand in the storytelling and just progression of the attraction and how much love and attention to detail it has. ... And luckily it never has too long of a wait."

Gallery:  These Disney rides are long gone, but their memories are holding still strong

Use the Disneyland app

Parisi's go-to tip for first-time guests is to use Disneyland's free app to check wait times at attractions. "That's generally how I strategize my day," he said. "Also the very first thing in the morning or the very last thing at night, generally those are shorter wait times, so you can kind of prioritize the attractions that are a little bit more popular."

Be strategic with steps

He tackles the parks section by section, hitting up everything he wants to do in one before moving on to the next, instead of traversing back and forth all day. 

"The more amount of time that you're walking from area to area, that's just not wasted time, but that's essentially time you can utilize for other things," he said, adding one caveat. "If an attraction has a shorter wait time than it normally does, that's usually when I just book it over there as fast as I can."

Interact with cast members

Another tip he shares is to engage with cast members throughout the day. "A lot of the cast members that work in the resort are extremely passionate about the company, the job, their role in everything, and so they're always really excited to talk about it," he said. "They always have some of the best tips possible, especially over at Galaxy's Edge . ... All the cast members on Batuu have their own stories that they've incorporated with their show, and so you're able to have these really unique, fun interactions."

Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Done: Why some Disney fans are done with Splash Mountain

What to see at Disneyland

When Esteban Valerio isn't working, he likes to sit in the parks and soak everything in.

"Just immerse yourself. Focus on the small things," the guest relations manager said. "There's something so incredible to me when it comes to just relaxing on a park bench on Main Street or on the Hub, looking at Sleeping Beauty Castle." 

His love for Disney "goes back really all the way to the '90s, growing up with Disney on VHS tapes" and visiting the parks. "I've always considered Disneyland to be my home."

He knows many guests come with a long checklist of things to do.

Slow down and savor

"My tip for people who have the checklist: Study the checklist at home, but when you're at Disneyland, stop and smell the roses. Stop and smell the churros," he laughed. "And just appreciate that you're here because for some of those families, they may have saved for five years to visit our parks and that moment when they're finally here, appreciate that moment."

One of Valerio's favorite ways to slow down is to savor the entertainment offerings across the resort.

"Obviously I didn't design any of the shows, but there's a huge joy that I get when I hear people react," he said. "I don't think anyone, including myself, ever gets tired of watching Fantasmic! " 

During the holidays, he enjoys the live performances of Disney California Adventure's  Disney ¡Viva Navidad!  Right now, he's into the new nighttime spectacular Wondrous Journeys . "I want to be able to watch it from all the little different vantage points and just be able to see all the hidden Easter eggs and all the tributes to all of our films that are in the show."  

All showtimes can be found under the Entertainment tab of the map on Disneyland's app. "It'll show you where all these shows are going to be, whether it's a big nighttime spectacular like World of Color – One  or the Dapper Dans  (barbershop quartet) on Main Street, U.S.A.," he said.

Don't watch spoilers

There are two things he advises against: watching spoiler videos before your visit and getting disappointed if you don't get to everything while you're there.

"One of my philosophies when it comes to traveling, in general, is if I don't see it, I'm able to enjoy this (now), and it gives me a reason to hopefully come back one day," he said. 

Does Disney have military discounts?: Yes, and so do these popular theme parks

What to eat at Disneyland

Aprille Hwang tries to eat everything she can when she visits the parks as a guest.

"I always try to plan what I'm going to eat before I go," she said, reading up on  foodie guides and blogs. "Gotta optimize my trip, get as much food in my belly as possible."

The marketing strategy manager always knew she wanted to work at Disneyland and says she still has to pinch herself sometimes working behind "it's a small world."

Before beginning her career at the resort, she always got three staples during visits: clam chowder in a bread bowl,  Plaza Inn's  famous fried chicken, and "obviously churros," which she's convinced are "magically dusted" and come in a rainbow of flavors like sweet and sour and lemon raspberry pie.

Try new foods

"I love that Disneyland continues to cycle out new flavors and offerings and takes new takes on classic items," she said. "For example, there's this really good toasted birria sandwich at Jolly Holiday . ... I actually didn't have birria prior to birria being brought into Disneyland. I don't know if that negates me from being a foodie by saying that."

She encourages guests to be open to unfamiliar cuisines. Guests can try eight dishes with a shareable  Sip and Savor Pass  during Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival. Hwang likes to share with friends to be able to try more flavors.

Mobile order to save time

She also mobile orders, when possible. "I'm a big fan of not waiting in line so that I can maximize my foodie adventure."   

Reserve dining early or walk up last minute

For table-service meals, particularly at high-demand restaurants like Blue Bayou , Hwang recommends booking reservations as soon as possible, up to 60 days in advance, and considering dining packages that guarantee reserved viewing of parades and nighttime spectaculars . If you can't get advance reservations, she advises joining walk-up lists for restaurants once inside the park.

"There's so much opportunity to explore through taste," she said. "I think that's what makes us such a unique place."

Is Disney character dining worth it?: What families should know before booking.

Here for the food: You don't need a park ticket to try these 10 iconic Disney World snacks

Kate Abroad

9 Tips You Need for Visiting Disneyland Alone

You don’t need to take your whole family, or even a partner, to have a great time at Disneyland. I went to Disneyland Anaheim on my own and found that there are some serious advantages to being a solo traveller at Disneyland.

Disneyland is the most magical place on earth so when I was in the area, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to go, but as this was part of my cross-country USA solo trip, I didn’t have anyone to go with. I decided not to let that stop me and planned a solo Disneyland trip which was epic.

Here are my top tips to help you make the most of going to Disneyland on your own.

Tip #1: Embrace your solo status at Disneyland

Even though I’ve done a lot of solo travelling, going to Disneyland on my own still felt intimidating.

I think because it’s a place that’s really designed around families so as a 21-year-old girl on my own I felt that I would really stick out and not have the same Disney experience as I would have if I had kids or a partner. 

Of course, it’s not the same experience but it’s definitely better in some ways.

There’s no waiting on anyone else, you can choose only the rides you want to go on and go completely at your own pace. And no one will judge you for eating your body weight in Mickey-shaped food!

Disneyland parade from my solo Disneyland trip

Tip #2: Travel to Anaheim the day before

It’s no surprise that Disneyland gets super busy. My trip coincided with Thanksgiving week so there were close to peak crowds.

To experience the park at its quietest, you want to arrive before it opens (usually at 8am but check the  published hours ).  

As I found out, lots of people have the same idea so you’ll still end up in a big queue at the gates but it’s nowhere near as bad as the queues 2-3 hours later.  

It is possible to get up super early and travel to Anaheim to arrive at Disneyland before opening but if you do that, you’ll probably end up exhausted by lunchtime. So, save yourself the trouble and travel to Anaheim the day before and stay the night close by. 

I travelled from Los Angeles on the Amtrak train to Anaheim station. This was super easy and the most budget-friendly option at $16 one way.

There’s a  shuttle  that connects Anaheim station to the Disneyland resort and nearby hotels that you can ride for free using your Amtrak ticket. 

I arrived in Anaheim mid-afternoon which was plenty of time to get to my accommodation, grab some food and chill before the big day at Disneyland.

If you want time to actually explore Anaheim think about adding an extra day or arriving in the morning. 

Anaheim packing house

Tip #3: Stay close to the Disneyland park 

My priority was to get as much of a sleep-in as possible while also making it to the park entrance ahead of opening.

That meant staying within walking distance of the Disneyland gates and really just as close as I could afford (accommodation in Anaheim gets more expensive the closer to Disneyland you are). 

I stayed at the Islander Motel which was cheap and ticked all those boxes – click here to see prices for this motel .

If you have the money to splash out you could stay at one of the Disneyland resorts which come with extra perks like, in some cases, early park entry. Click here to see prices for Disneyland resorts in Anaheim.

If you aren’t keen on a motel as a solo traveller (it made me a bit nervy the first time) try the Days Inn which is part of Wyndham hotel group – click here to check prices and book online .

Disneyland gates

Tip #4: Use those solo rider lines on Disneyland rides

Solo rider lines are the biggest perk of being a solo traveller at Disneyland so use them as much as you can.

These lines are always much much shorter than the regular lines, and you can sometimes even walk straight onto rides with no wait time at all.

Even if a ride doesn’t have an obvious solo line, you can ask the staff and they might be able to skip you ahead to help fill the last empty seat on a rollercoaster car etc.

Disneyland solo travel tip use solo rider lines

Tip #5: Do your research on Disneyland passes

Going to Disneyland is not as simple as just buying a ticket. There are FASTPASSs MAXPASSs and Genie+ and who knows what else next.

These additional systems can help you get on the rides you want faster and can make your Disneyland experience much more seamless.

I bought a MAXPASS which allowed me to prebook spots on the rides I really wanted. This saved me a lot of waiting time and meant I could see more of the park in the one day I had there, so I think it was 100% worth it.

Disney are often changing the booking systems and passes and not everyone wants to preplan or pay extra but either way you should research the options so that you can make the best choice for your Disneyland experience.

Some of the options (like FASTPASS when I went) are more suited to couples/groups who can divide and conquer, sending people to different parts fo the park to collect ride booking tickets so make sure to read the detail and see what works for you as a solo traveller. 

I recommend reading some of the major Disneyland blogs that have reviews of every pass on offer like Disney Tourist Blog . I ended up going down a rabbit hole with Disney blog content which wasn’t completely necessary but got me super hyped for the trip.

disneyland trip reddit

Tip #6: Plan your meals

Speaking of blogs, if you do any Googling of Disneyland, you’ll find that Disney food has its own fandom and there are some iconic ‘only in Disneyland’ foods you might want to try while you’re there like grey stuff, chimney cakes or Dole Whip. 

There’s food everywhere in Disneyland, some of it good, some not and there’s no way you can try everything on your own so if you are a foodie like me then it’s worth doing a bit of research to get an idea of what you might want to try and where its sold. Disney Food Blog is the place to go for this, plus an Instagram location search.

mickey chimney cake Disneyland

Tip #7: Eat off-peak

When you’re visiting Disneyland on your own, there’s no one forcing you to stick to regular mealtimes so you can and should eat at s weird hours to avoid the crowds.

All the restaurants in Disneyland fill up around lunchtime and there’ll be queues outside all the stalls so if you can avoid that by having an early or late lunch then you’ll save yourself some hassle and get to enjoy shorter queues on the rides while everyone else is eating.

How I did it was getting to Disneyland before breakfast (at around 7/7:30 in time to be near the front of the line at opening) then having breakfast at around 9/9:30 after I’d ticked off a few big rides.

That meant I could eat Disney food for breakfast (hello, Mickey waffles) and could then wait until 2:30ish for lunch by which time most restaurants and food stalls had quietened.  

You could also skip having a main meal altogether and just snack on food stall dishes all day which is a totally valid option when you’re at Disneyland alone.

Disneyland cafe

Tip #8: Take a break

Speaking of day-planning, Disneyland is pretty exhausting, especially when you don’t have a group around you to keep you hyped up. E

ven though you’re on your own and not needing to keep up a conversation, there are a lot of people around, lots of music and just general sensory overload. This is totally ok and taking a break in the afternoon helped me get through a full day at Disneyland while still having fun.

I just found a quiet spot near one of the Cinnabon stalls and spent a half hour or so drinking a coffee and having a moment to myself to recharge.

The other option is just heading off early. Just because you bought a day pass doesn’t mean you need to spend every hour there.

No one’s making you stay, and no one will know you bailed before closing time so if you’re feeling over it or you’ve ticked everything off then don’t be afraid to call it a day.

Most days, Disneyland is open from 8am-12am but 16 hours of Disney was a bit too much for this introvert so I called it quits around 8pm and was very happy with every I fit in. 

Disneyland Mickey and Walt

Tip #9: Get in the spirit

My final Disneyland solo travel tip is to get in the Disney spirit. There’s nobody to judge you for getting fully kitted out in Disney paraphernalia and if you do, you’ll fit right in (trust me on that, people at Disneyland are a bit OTT, especially by the standards of Kiwis). 

You don’t need anyone else to buy you Mickey ears or whatever souvenir you want so go for it and make the most of being in the only place where adults wearing tutus and tiaras is socially acceptable.

Disney ears single

I hope these tips help you prepare for your solo Disneyland trip.  It really is an incredible experience that’s in no way diminished by being on your own. 

If you’re interested in more USA travel guides, jump over to this page or check out some of the below itineraries:

  • 10 Days in Northeast USA
  • 3 Weeks on the East Coast

Happy travelling!

USA Travel Resources

  • Find the best prices on hotels with flexible cancellation at Booking.com
  • Find tickets for attractions and awesome day tours on Viator
  • Save $$$ on attractions in NYC, LA, Miami and more with a Go City Pass
  • Compare prices on cars and campervans at RentalCars.com
  • Sort your US dollars with a Wise currency card

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Did Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un Once Use Fake Brazilian Passports To Go to Disneyland?

In 1991, kim jong un and another boy did enter japan using fake brazilian passports. they were reported to have visited tokyo disney resort., nikki dobrin, published march 13, 2024.

For more than a decade, various   posts on Reddit  and across social media have claimed that in the early 1990s, the then-heir apparent for the leadership of North Korea, Kim Jong Il, used fake passports to take his young son, future Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, to visit Disneyland:

disneyland trip reddit

( @historyinmemes/ X)

Another post on X (formerly Twitter), by the account  @VisionaryVoid , stated the same claim this way:

The story goes that Kim Jong-Il and Kim Jong-Un, in an attempt to keep their identities concealed, acquired counterfeit Brazilian passports to gain access to international destinations, including the famous Disneyland theme park in the United States. This purported escapade was seen as an unusual and somewhat ironic move for the leaders of a secretive and isolated regime like North Korea.

Due to the various confirmed reports about members of the Kim ruling family using fraudulent passports to travel internationally, and with some, but not all, family members reportedly having visited Tokyo Disney Resort (but not Disneyland in the U.S.), this story could do with separating fact from falsehood. 

Articles on the Tokyo Disney story published by U.K. news outlets Express  and  Telegraph , and by Al Jazeera , cite Japanese news outlets NHK and the widely read newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun. In 2011, Yomiuri Shimbun reported that on May 12, 1991, Kim Jong Un and another boy thought to be his older brother Kim Jong-Chul entered Japan using fake Brazilian passports. They were reported to have stayed in the country for more than a week, visiting Tokyo Disney on multiple occasions during that trip. According to Express:

The future leader was eight years old when he made the trip from the rogue state to Tokyo's Walt Disney inspired resort, according to Japanese broadcaster NHK.  They alleged that a number of covert tricks, illegal actions and steps were taken to ensure Kim's safety. Reports stated that Kim Jong-un and another boy, believed to be his older brother, Kim Jong-Chul, visited the attraction "a number of times" in 1991.  The siblings were said to have entered Japan on May 12, 1991, using Brazilian passports and left more than a week later, according to newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun.

The reports said that although NHK claimed the two boys were accompanied by up to 10 adult officials from North Korea, there was no evidence that the boys' father Kim Jong Il — who ascended to North Korean leadership in 1994 and died in 2011 at age 70 — was among those adults, nor is there any evidence to suggest the family visited any Disney theme park located in the U.S. or any other Disney location throughout the world, aside from the Tokyo Disney theme park. 

Separately,  Reuters  reported that in the late 1990s, Kim Jong Il and then-teenaged Kim Jong Un used fraudulent Brazilian passports. Both passports carried the stamp "Embassy of Brazil in Prague," and were issued Feb. 26, 1996. The subjects in the photographs used for the faked documents were confirmed as Kim Jong Un and his father, of whose birthplaces were listed as São Paulo, Brazil. Per Reuters:

"They used these Brazilian passports, which clearly show the photographs of Kim Jong Un and Kim Jong Il, to attempt to obtain visas from foreign embassies," one senior Western security source said on condition of anonymity.

Kim Jong Un's older half-brother, Kim Jong-Nam, entered Japan illegally in 2001 along with his wife, then-4-year-old son, and another woman who was believed to be either a relative or nanny, according to  The Guardian  and multiple outlets . They were headed to Tokyo Disney, with Jong-Nam traveling on a fake passport from the Dominican Republic. The family was detained by immigration officials at Tokyo's Narita International Airport for attempting to enter the country on false documents before being deported to Beijing. Kim Jong-Nam reportedly never made it to Tokyo Disney on that trip.

An article published by The Japan Times  on May 4, 2001, said:

A man detained by immigration officials at Narita airport on suspicion of trying to enter Japan illegally has admitted he is the oldest son of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, Japanese public security officials said Thursday. The officials quoted the man, who confirmed that he is Kim Jong Nam, as saying he wanted to visit Tokyo Disneyland. ... South Korean sources in Japan said it was "highly likely" that the detained man was Kim, adding that Kim has entered Japan before on a fake passport.

As the eldest son of Supreme Leader Kim Jong Il, Jong-Nam was considered the heir apparent before reportedly being exiled to China due to the incident at Narita Airport, which is said to have embarrassed his father, thus leading to Jong-Nam's swift replacement by his younger sibling Jong Un in the line of succession.

On Feb. 13, 2017, Jong-Nam was assassinated at Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur International Airport at the behest of his younger brother Jong Un. The Wall Street Journal showed security footage from the airport, in which two females could be seen carrying out the attack on Jong-Nam, after he had his face swiped with a cloth said to be soaked in the deadly nerve agent VX .

Author, No. "Son of North Korean Leader Detained at Narita Airport." The Japan Times , 4 May 2001, https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2001/05/04/national/son-of-north-korean-leader-detained-at-narita-airport/.

Berlinger, Joshua. "VX Nerve Agent Used to Kill Kim Jong Nam, Police Say." CNN , 24 Feb. 2017, https://www.cnn.com/2017/02/23/asia/kim-jong-nam-vx-nerve-agent/index.html.

Faulconbridge, Guy. "Exclusive - North Korean Leaders Used Brazilian Passports to Apply for Western Visas: Sources." Reuters , 27 Feb. 2018. www.reuters.com , https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN1GB2AZ/.

"Https://Twitter.Com/Historyinmemes/Status/1656426885637632003." X (Formerly Twitter) , https://twitter.com/historyinmemes/status/1656426885637632003. Accessed 7 Mar. 2024.

"Https://Twitter.Com/VisionaryVoid/Status/1761445343860809900." X (Formerly Twitter) , https://twitter.com/VisionaryVoid/status/1761445343860809900. Accessed 7 Mar. 2024.

"Japan Expels North Korean Leader's Son." Washington Post , 17 Jan. 2024. www.washingtonpost.com , https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2001/05/04/japan-expels-north-korean-leaders-son/ed6c37be-aa3c-4081-9ebe-663e99632675/.

Kim Jong-Un: North Korean Leader's Secret Visit to Disneyland under False Identity Exposed | World | News | Express.Co.Uk . 3 May 2020, https://web.archive.org/web/20200503030350/https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1276988/kim-jon-un-news-dead-secret-visit-disneyland-false-identity-north-korea-asia-undead-spt.

"Kim Jong-Un 'Secretly Visited Tokyo Disneyland as a Child.'" The Telegraph , 22 Dec. 2011, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/northkorea/8972975/Kim-Jong-un-secretly-visited-Tokyo-Disneyland-as-a-child.html.

North Korea and the Brazil Passports: Why Were They Used by the Kims? 1 Mar. 2018. www.bbc.com , https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-43242596.

Park, Ju-Min. "Five Years Ago, North Korean Leader's Brother Pleaded for His Life." Reuters , 15 Feb. 2017. www.reuters.com , https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN15U1OR/.

"The Moment Kim Jong Nam Was Attacked: CCTV Footage." WSJ , https://www.wsj.com/video/the-moment-kim-jong-nam-was-attacked-cctv-footage/D4AAC6B7-60BE-4457-8B20-093F3F063197. Accessed 7 Mar. 2024.

The Seoul Times . https://theseoultimes.com/ST/?url=/ST/db/read.php?idx=3052. Accessed 7 Mar. 2024.

Watts, Jonathan, and John Gittings. "Little General Gets Marching Orders on Trip to Disneyland." The Guardian , 5 May 2001. The Guardian , https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/may/05/northkorea.

By Nikki Dobrin

Nikki Dobrin is based in Los Angeles and has previously worked at The Walt Disney Company, as well as written and edited for People, USA Today and The Hill.

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  4. /r/Disneyland

    r/Disneyland: The happiest subreddit on Earth! Posts should follow reddit's rules on self-promotion and should refrain from being "blogspam." If your "submitted" tab has 10% or more posts from a certain website, you will not be allowed to post from said website.

  5. Disneyland One Day Itinerary [2024]

    Disneyland One Day Itinerary [2024] May 19, 2023. In this post we walk you through the process of planning a day at Disneyland, the original Disney park at Disneyland resort. We're focusing just on that one park—not the other park at the resort, Disney California Adventure. We'll introduce what the itinerary covers before walking through ...

  6. 2024 Disneyland Planning Guide

    2024 Disneyland Planning Guide. Our Disneyland vacation planning guide covers what's new & next in 2024, when to visit to avoid crowds, best restaurants, hotels in Anaheim, money-saving ticket tips, Halloween & Christmas in the parks, and more. It's a great resource for first-timers to Southern California or lifelong WDW fans.

  7. 10 Amazing Options for a 2-Day Disneyland Itinerary (Includes A

    Planning a trip to Disneyland always gets me excited! In this post, we will have lots of options for a Disney itinerary based on the stage of life you are in and your interest. These options will help you create 2 day Disneyland itineraries. They will include both Disneyland and options for creating a Disney California Adventure itinerary.

  8. 101 Great Disneyland Tips

    20. Guests staying at the Disney's Grand Californian Hotel (and its Disney Vacation Club Villas) have access to a private viewing deck, which overlooks Paradise Pier and offers a very unique view of World of Color.. 21. It rains very few days per year in Southern California, so packing ponchos is probably unnecessary unless rain is in the forecast.

  9. 11 Amazing 2 Day Disneyland Itinerary Ideas For Families

    Ticket prices vary depending on the number of days. For a 2 day Disneyland itinerary, a One Park Per Day ticket starts at $128 per day. However, you can get a 2-day Park Hopper pass, which costs an additional $60 per ticket that allows you to travel back and forth between the parks.

  10. Ultimate Disneyland Guide

    It's good to understand the layout of the Disneyland Resort before your trip. Especially if you're a Walt Disney World native, the parks will throw you off a bit. The Disneyland Resort is the title that encompasses the three onsite hotels, the Downtown Disney District, and the two theme parks, Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure.

  11. The Ultimate 2024 Disneyland Guide: Planning & Touring Tips

    Southern California Resident Offer: SoCal residents can get three day tickets for as low as $75 per day for visits on weekdays from January 2 -June 2, 2024. Can be used on non-consecutive days. Extra Day Free Tickets: Get 5 days at Disneyland for the price of 4 with this extra day free special for longer vacations.

  12. Disneyland Tips and Tricks 2024- An Insider's Guide

    Although anytime is a great time for a Disneyland trip, there are a few general rules to follow to avoid days of heavy crowds and long wait times. We suggest: Avoiding major U.S. holidays, especially if you only want to experience Disneyland in a day. Checking school schedules, including those of neighboring states.

  13. 10 Disneyland pro tips from people who work there

    Slow down and savor. "My tip for people who have the checklist: Study the checklist at home, but when you're at Disneyland, stop and smell the roses. Stop and smell the churros," he laughed. "And ...

  14. 9 Tips You Need for Visiting Disneyland Alone

    Tip #8: Take a break. Speaking of day-planning, Disneyland is pretty exhausting, especially when you don't have a group around you to keep you hyped up. ven though you're on your own and not needing to keep up a conversation, there are a lot of people around, lots of music and just general sensory overload.

  15. Disneyland Tips (10 Things I Wish I knew Sooner)

    8-Explore the Park at Night. When going to Disneyland I highly recommend that you explore the park at night. The park lit up in lights is a magical place. Main Street comes to life with lights on all of the shops. The castle is a thing of beauty lit up in all of its colors.

  16. Disneyland Theme Park Tickets in Anaheim, California

    Explore the magic of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park with the purchase of Disneyland theme park tickets!

  17. Disneyland Resort

    Save Up to 15% on Select Stays at a Disneyland Resort Hotel on Sunday Through Thursday Nights. Valid for Sunday to Thursday night stays from March 11 to June 6, 2024. Subject to availability and restrictions. Book through June 3, 2024. Offer Type: Room.

  18. Did Kim Jong Il and Kim Jong Un Once Use Fake Brazilian Passports To Go

    For more than a decade, various posts on Reddit and across social media have claimed that in the early 1990s, the then-heir apparent for the leadership of North Korea, Kim Jong Il, used fake ...