Are you looking for the best Disneyland tips for your trip upcoming trip?
Well, look no further!
I’m here to help.
Planning a Disneyland vacation is so much easier than planning a Walt Disney World vacation.
Partly because the resort is much smaller, there’s less to see and do, and traveling between the two Disneyland parks is super simple.
I’ve rounded up our 13 best tips for living out your best day ever your first time at Disneyland.
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Disneyland Ticket Tips
To get in to Disneyland or Disney California Adventure you’re going to need tickets.
This will likely be your most expensive item outside of your hotel room (if you didn’t get a discount of some kind).
Be sure you get the right ticket for your what you’re wanting to do at Disneyland and connect it to you MagicBand before you arrive.
You MagicBand allows you to go hands-free, cash-free and key-free with it!
1. Purchase the Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lanes to Skip the Lines
No matter what type of ticket you purchase, you’re also going to want to purchase the add-on called Genie+.
This paid system allows you to make a Genie+/Lightning Lane ride reservation from the Disneyland app on your phone for either of the two parks
Since replacing the older MaxPass and FastPass system, Disney’s Genie+ reservation system is the only way to “skip the line” and save time in the theme parks..
You’ll want to make the most important Genie+ selections at 7a.m. the day of your visit.
The Genie+ upgrade starts at $30 per person, per day, but it’s a huge time saver if you’re wanting to get on as many rides as possible.
Thinking about making a trip out to the Disneyland Resort in California, then be sure to get your Discounted tickets here!
2. Add Park Hopper Options To Your Ticket
Unlike Walt Disney World where adding a park hopper option to your ticket isn’t necessary, at Disneyland adding the park hopper is a must.
Since the parks are so close together it’s super easy to hop over to Disney California Adventure for a ride then pop over to Disneyland for a meal.
With the park hopper option you can swap parks as many times as you want during your vacation and get even more done than if you were just staying inside one park per day.
Hipster Power Tip: Download the My Disney Experience app and familiarize yourself before the trip. Also, connect your party in the My Disney Experience app so that you can get everything setup inside of it before you go.
3. If There’s A Special Event Going On Get A Ticket For That
Throughout the year Disneyland hosts quite a few special events that require an extra ticket.
If you have the budget, I highly recommend getting a ticket for a special event, especially if it’s the Halloween after hours event Oogie Boogie Bash!
With special event tickets usually comes:
- Lower crowds
- Unique entertainment
- Fun food options
- Rare character meet and greets
- Along with being able to ride as many rides as you can in the allotted amount of time
4. Look For Ticket Discounts Or Bundle Packages
If you’re wanting a cheaper ticket and hotel option, try looking for bundle packages at some of the neighboring hotels that are not owned by Disney.
Many hotels offer a room and ticket package if you stay for a certain amount of nights, or will offer a fourth night free if you pay-in-full when you book the room.
When it comes to bundle packages, just be sure to read the fine print and know what you can and cannot do in terms of changing or canceling.
Also, SoCal Residents can get discount park tickets so be sure to look out for those deals.
This is one of the best Disneyland tips to remember for your visit!
Read NEXT: How to Plan the BEST California Road Trip Itinerary for 7 Days
Disneyland Hotel Tips
The Disneyland Resort is currently home to three Disney-owned hotels and there are dozens of other hotels within walking distance of the parks.
So, you will want to book a hotel within walking distance of the parks.
5. It’s Not Necessary To Stay At An Official Disney Resort
Staying at a Disneyland Resort Hotel can be pricey. A cheaper alternative would be to stay at one of the off-site resorts that are within walking distance to the parks.
There are hotels all the way down Harbor Boulevard that offer clean rooms at a fraction of the cost of staying at a Disneyland Resorts Hotel.
If you must stay at an official Disney Resort, then consider going all out and booking a room at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort and Spa.
The hotel is beautiful, the rooms are large, and it will put you right in the middle of the Disney magic.
6. You Can Tour The Disneyland Hotels Without A Room Reservation
If you’re just wanting to get a look inside the Disneyland Hotels, you can do that without a room reservation.
Also, if you’re at the parks, you can easily walk to the Grand Californian and look around inside.
Just across the street from the Grand Californian is the Disneyland Hotel, which is super fun to explore and grab a late afternoon drink at Trader Sam’s.
The last resort is Pixar Place Hotel, which is a little far from the parks and not as highly themed as the other two resorts so it’s not an issue to miss checking this one out.
7. The Secret Entrance From The Grand Californian To The Parks
If you are going to explore the Grand Californian for a while or enjoy lunch at their outdoor pool bar (which I highly suggest) and want to get back to the parks, do not walk around to the front of the hotel.
Just go past the pool and either enter the Downtown Disney checkpoint to walk to Disneyland Park, or enter the Disney California Adventure checkpoint to walk right in to DCA!
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Disneyland Dining Tips
Disneyland has some of the best theme park food in the country so you will want to book your Disney dining reservations ASAP!
8. Book Most Of Your Dining In Advance
Disneyland does require that some dining be booked in advance.
The parks have dozens of dining options, but the best ones all require reservations in advance, no matter what time of day you plan on dining.
Honestly, the best way to make dining reservations is to call Disneyland’s guest service line or through the Disneyland website.
Read NEXT: Forget the Kids! 5 Best Restaurants at Disneyland Resort for Adults Revealed
9. Be On The Lookout For Fun Snacks And Treats
The Disneyland Resort is constantly coming up with fun snacks and treats for you to enjoy.
Here the best place to find baked goods is right on Main Street U.S.A. at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe.
I also recommend trying the Mint Julep which is a classic drink at Disneyland Resort and having dinner at Tiana’s Palace Restaurant.
If something savory is what you’re after consider going over to Disney California Adventure and stalking the Shawarma Palace where you may see some familiar Marvel characters walking by.
Hipster Power Tip: Use the Mobile Food Ordering system to skip the line at Quick Service restaurants and to get your food faster!
10. Seasonal Treats Are Usually Better Than Year-Round Options
There are some treats that are better than others and I can attest that the seasonal treats that are offered at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure are usually better than the year-round options.
At Halloween time, do not miss the fried pepper jack cheese on a stick at Disney California Adventure, and at Christmas don’t miss the homemade candy canes at Disneyland Park.
Ready to start planning your next Disney World vacation? Listen to the latest podcast episode on Apple or on your non-Apple device now!
Disneyland Ride and Attraction Tips
No matter if you love big thrill rides or something a little calmer, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at the two Disneyland Resort parks.
So rope drop (meaning get there before the park opens) to make the most of your day!
11. Go To The Bigger Attractions First
There are some larger attractions at Disneyland that usually have a low wait in the morning, so when you enter the park you’re going to want to get to those first.
Rides like The Jungle Cruise, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and Pirates of the Caribbean should be first on your list to get in line at once you enter the Disneyland park.
At Disney California Adventure, you will want to head to Radiator Springs Racers, Incredicoaster and Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout first.
Hipster Power Tip: Take advantage of the Single Rider Line if you’re traveling alone to skip the longer line in the queue.
12. Explore Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Later In The Evening
Right when Disneyland Park opens everyone is going to try to rush to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, when in fact the better time to visit the land is later in the evening.
The land is filled with just about anything Star Wars you can imagine.
As a solo traveler you’ll get to enjoy the Single Rider Line on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and can expect a lower wait time because of it.
Mobile order any snacks or meals you want, then just enjoy touring the land. This is one of the best Disneyland tips to remember for your visit!
13. Do Not Skip The Kid Rides
Even though Disneyland is for everyone, don’t skip out on the kid rides.
These have some of the best storytelling aspects, and many were designed by Walt Disney and his hand selected group of original Imagineers.
Most of the kid rides in Fantasyland won’t need a Genie+ reservation, so the best time to ride these is either first thing in the morning, when a parade is going on, or right after the fireworks when many people are leaving the park.
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My Final Thoughts on Visiting Disneyland for the First Time
Going to Disneyland for the first time is something you won’t forget. Below are a few more expert tips to help you with your California vacation:
- Get purchases delivered to your room from the parks when staying on-site
- Use the Disneyland Crowd Calendar to help you choose the best days to go
- Create your own personal foodie tour
- Let Guest Services know if you are celebrating or if it is your first visit
- Take breaks from the parks
- You can enjoy down time at your hotel or Downtown Disney
- Have your Disneyland itinerary ready so that you don’t waste your time
With these 13 tips you’re sure to have the time of your life!
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
Megan is a theme park expert and frequent traveler to magical places. She covers all things Disney and Universal and runs marathons for fun.
She thinks you can tell a lot about someone by the name of their signature lipstick, and hers is NARS Dragon Girl.
(Original Article Date: April 26, 2020/Updated by Editor on May 23, 2024)