18 Traveling to Disneyland Tips That Will Save Your Sanity and Your Wallet
Planning Your Disneyland Vacation
When to Visit Disneyland
Planning your Disneyland vacation at the right time can make a world of difference! The park is at its busiest during summer, holidays, and weekends, so if you can, try to avoid these peak times. For smaller crowds and shorter wait times, consider visiting during the off-season, which typically runs from mid-January to mid-March and from September to mid-November. Keep an eye on the park’s schedule for special events and festivals, like the Disneyland 70th Anniversary Celebration, which can draw larger crowds. Trust us, a little strategic planning can help you enjoy a more relaxed and magical experience!
How Long to Visit Disneyland
Deciding how long to stay at Disneyland can be tricky, but we’ve got you covered! For a well-rounded Disneyland vacation, we recommend a minimum of 4 nights (3 full days plus 2 travel days). This gives you enough time to explore both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park without feeling rushed. If your schedule allows, consider adding an extra day or two to soak in all the entertainment options, like nighttime shows and character meet-and-greets. More days mean more magic, and who doesn’t want that?
Getting to Disneyland
Traveling to Los Angeles
Getting to Disneyland is a breeze with several airport options to choose from. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the largest and most popular choice, but it’s about an hour’s drive from Disneyland. If you prefer a closer option, John Wayne Airport, Orange County (SNA) is a smaller airport just a short drive away, though it has fewer flights. If you’re flying into LAX, renting a car or booking a shuttle service can get you to your hotel with ease. For those flying into SNA, a quick taxi or Uber ride will have you at your hotel in no time.
Here are some extra tips to make your journey smoother:
Consider staying at a hotel within walking distance to Disneyland, like the Disneyland Hotel or the Grand Californian. This saves you time and money on transportation.
If you’re driving, be aware that parking can be limited, especially during peak seasons.
Take advantage of Disneyland’s early entry option, which lets you enter the park 30 minutes before opening. This is perfect for beating the crowds and enjoying popular rides like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Use the Disneyland app to plan your day, check wait times, and make dining reservations.
Think about purchasing a park hopper ticket to visit both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park in one day.
Remember to take breaks and rest, especially during hot summer days, to avoid exhaustion.
Don’t miss out on the park’s entertainment options, like parades and fireworks, to make the most of your Disneyland vacation.
By following these tips, you can save your sanity and your wallet, and have a magical time at the Happiest Place on Earth!
1) Get to the park early for a head start on the fun!
Let’s be real, mama – one of the best good neighbor theme park tricks is arriving as early as humanly possible! The park gets busier and busier as the day rolls on, so early arrival is key.
If you’re staying at a Disney hotel like the Grand Californian or Disneyland Hotel, you get a sweet perk! You’ll have access to Early Entry, which lets you enjoy select rides and attractions 30 minutes before everyone else.
This is a total game-changer!
Not staying on property? No worries! We still recommend getting there before opening.
Grab your coffee beforehand and eat breakfast at your hotel to maximize those precious morning hours when lines are shortest!
2) Use the Disneyland app for up-to-date info on wait times
OMG ladies, the Disneyland app is an absolute game-changer for us park visitors seeking entertainment and fun ! We can’t stress enough how it saves our sanity when managing our day with the kiddos.
The app shows real-time attraction wait times so we can skip the ones with crazy lines and hop on rides when they’re less busy.
No more wandering aimlessly or standing in hour-long queues with cranky toddlers!
Just a heads up – if your wait times aren’t showing after your admission , it might be a VPN issue blocking the info.
We learned this the hard way!
To find wait times in the app, just tap the upside-down teardrop icon at the bottom of the screen. It takes you right to a map with all the current wait times. So convenient!
3) Grab a portable phone charger—your battery will thank you
Let’s be real – your phone will be working overtime at Disneyland! Between taking cute family pics, checking wait times on the app, and mapping your way around the park, that battery drains FAST.
We always bring a portable phone charger with us because nothing’s worse than a dead phone when you’re trying to coordinate with your group or use MaxPass.
Don’t stress if you forget yours! The park has FuelRod charging kiosks throughout where you can buy a portable charger on the spot.
This little tip is a total day-saver!
4) Buy tickets online and save yourself some dollar bills!
We’re all about saving that cash for more churros and Mickey ears! To make the most of your trip, start planning and you can actually purchase tickets online to save time AND money.
Buying tickets in advance online can save up to $20 per ticket compared to gate prices.
That’s a whole lot of Dole Whip money, friends!
You can even use Disney gift cards online for ticket purchases. Plus, if you’re planning a longer stay, check out those multi-day tickets for bigger savings.
5) Stay hydrated and bring a water bottle; theme park thirst is real.
Walking around Disneyland all day can leave you parched faster than you’d expect! We always recommend bringing a reusable water bottle to the parks – it’s totally allowed and will save you serious cash.
The California heat is no joke, and staying hydrated is super important for keeping the fun going.
You can refill your bottle at water stations throughout the park instead of shelling out for bottled water every time.
Not a fan of the park’s tap water? Some visitors find it tastes a bit off, so another option is to buy a multi-pack of water before your trip and bring a couple bottles each day.
6) Rope drop strategy is a must for ride-loving peeps.
Okay, let’s spill the tea about rope drop! It’s simply what Disney fans call the official park opening time, and it’s a total game-changer for maximizing your day.
We swear by getting there early because you can knock out a dozen rides in 2-3 hours that would normally take way longer!
That’s like magic, right?
Pro tip: Get your coffee and breakfast before you arrive at the park.
We learned the hard way that eating at your hotel saves precious morning minutes!
For families with littles, we recommend hitting Fantasyland first. The lines get crazy long later, and your kiddos will be thrilled to start the day with zero wait times!
7) Disney’s PhotoPass makes capturing magic moments a snap!
Let’s be real – we all want those perfect family photos at Disneyland, but someone’s always stuck behind the camera! That’s where Disney’s PhotoPass comes to the rescue.
PhotoPass photographers are stationed at iconic spots throughout the park, ready to snap professional pics of your whole crew. No more awkward selfies or missing family members!
You can buy PhotoPass for about $25 per day or save by purchasing a full week for around $78.
Such a steal for those priceless memories!
The photographers can even add fun “Animated Magic Shots” to your photos. Disney characters magically appear beside you – how cool is that?
For something extra special, book a private 20-minute photo session called “Capture Your Moment” in gorgeous park locations!
8) Invest in comfy shoes; blisters are NOT part of the magic.
Let’s be real, friends – walking 20,000+ steps daily through Disneyland with the kids is no joke on your feet! We learned the hard way that cute shoes aren’t worth the pain.
Running or walking shoes are your best bet. Visit a specialty store where they’ll evaluate your walk and recommend the perfect fit.
Trust us, your feet will thank you!
Got bunions? Don’t worry! Dr. Scholls bunion cushions can be a total game-changer for comfort.
We always recommend bringing two different pairs of shoes. This helps prevent blisters since different shoes rub different spots.
And don’t forget to break in new shoes months before your trip! Nothing ruins Disney magic faster than painful blisters on day one.
9) Mobile order your food—it’s a line-skipping game changer
Who wants to waste precious Disney time standing in long food lines? Not us!
Mobile ordering is seriously a game-changing hack that’ll save you tons of time.
Just open the Disneyland app, select a restaurant, choose your food, and pay—all while you’re waiting in line for rides or walking between attractions. So easy!
When your food is ready, you’ll get a notification. Then you can just skip those crazy-long lines and head straight to the pickup window. Our favorite mom hack ever!
The key is to order early, especially during peak meal times after you have your admission settled . Trust us, your hungry kiddos will thank you!
10) Consider staying at a Disney hotel for that sweet, sweet early entry
One of the best perks of staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel is getting 30 minutes of early entry to the parks!
This magical head start lets us beat the crowds and knock out some popular rides before everyone else arrives.
To snag this perk, we just need to be checked in at one of the three on-site Disney hotels and have our park tickets and reservations ready to go. It’s like having a VIP pass!
Yes, Disney hotels cost more than off-property options, but that extra morning time can be worth its weight in pixie dust. We’ve found those 30 minutes can help us ride 2-3 attractions with practically no wait times!
The early access advantage is especially clutch during busy seasons when the parks get packed fast. Plus, the convenience of being right in the Disney bubble? Priceless!
11) Make dining reservations well in advance for the best spots
One of the biggest Disney trip mistakes we see is waiting until the last minute to book restaurants. Trust us on this one!
Disneyland dining reservations open 60 days in advance at 6 AM Pacific Time. Set those alarms if you want the popular spots like Blue Bayou!
Can’t snag your dream restaurant? Don’t lose hope!
Many people cancel reservations 1-2 days before their date to avoid no-show fees. Keep checking the app for these last-minute openings!
Traveling with a big crew?
You can make separate reservations for the same time and let the host know you’re together when you arrive. Problem solved!
12) Bring your own snacks; those churros are delicious, but pricey!
Let’s be real – we all know those Disneyland churros are absolutely to die for, especially during the holidays ! They’re an iconic park treat that we crave even months after our visit.
But honey, those magical cinnamon sticks will cost you! Park snacks add up fast, especially when you’re feeding a whole family of hungry explorers.
We always pack a backpack with granola bars, fruit snacks, and water bottles. This saves us so much money throughout the day!
Then we can splurge on one or two of those specialty churros without breaking the bank.
13) A stroller can be your best friend if you’re traveling with kiddos.
Trust us on this one – a stroller at Disneyland is a total game-changer when you’ve got little ones in tow!
Your kiddos’ legs will get tired after walking miles around the park, and a stroller gives them a comfy place to rest.
Remember that Disneyland has specific stroller guidelines – they can’t be larger than 31 inches wide and 52 inches long. Wagons are definitely not allowed, so don’t bring those!
Even if your child is older (like 6 or 7), many parents still recommend bringing a stroller for long park days.
It’s also super handy for storing water bottles and other essentials while you explore the magic!
14) Have a backup plan for rain with ponchos or jackets
Rain at Disneyland? Yep, it happens – even in sunny California during summer ! We’ve been caught in surprise showers more times than we can count.
Ponchos and rain jackets are absolute lifesavers during unexpected rain.
They pack super small in your bag but make a HUGE difference when the skies open up!
Don’t worry if you forget to bring rain gear!
The park sells ponchos if you get caught in a shower. They’re pricier than ones from home, but hey – dry is always better than soggy!
Umbrellas are also allowed in the park (unlike selfie sticks!). We love having these as backup for those light sprinkles.
Understanding Disneyland’s Layout
Getting to know the layout of Disneyland is a total game-changer for your visit!
We’ve found that understanding the park’s organization helps you waste less time wandering and spend more time enjoying those magical moments with your family.
Knowing the Parks: Disneyland vs. Disney California Adventure
Let’s get this straight – there are actually two separate parks at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim!
Disneyland Park is the original magical kingdom that Walt himself walked through. It’s home to classic attractions like Space Mountain and “it’s a small world.”
Right across the esplanade is Disney’s California Adventure (DCA), which opened in 2001. This park celebrates California’s history and culture with areas like Cars Land and Avengers Campus. When planning a visit, consider making advanced dining reservations at popular locations like the Lamplight Lounge within Disney’s California Adventure. The park also features new attractions, including Marvel and Pixar rides.
Each park requires its own ticket unless you have a park hopper option. We recommend giving each park its own full day if possible! Disney parks offer a wide range of rides, entertainment options, and dining experiences that cater to all age groups.
You’ll find Downtown Disney between the two parks – perfect for shopping and dining without needing a park ticket.
Navigating the Lands: A Quick Breakdown
Disneyland Park is laid out like a wheel with the iconic castle as its hub.
From there, different “lands” branch out in a circle:
Main Street USA: The entrance area with shops and restaurants
Adventureland: Jungle-themed experiences
New Orleans Square: Home to Pirates and Haunted Mansion
Critter Country: Where Splash Mountain lives
Frontierland: Wild west vibes
Fantasyland: Behind the castle with classic rides
Tomorrowland: Futuristic attractions
Disney California Adventure has its own distinct areas too, like Buena Vista Street, Hollywood Land, and Pixar Pier.
We always recommend getting to the parks early and moving counter-clockwise through the lands to maximize ride time and avoid the biggest crowds!
Maximizing Your Disneyland Experience
We’ve discovered some awesome secrets to make your Disney visit magical without the stress!
Time management and smart planning will save you hours of standing in lines and help you squeeze in more fun.
Strategic Timing: When to Hit the Popular Attractions
Let’s be real – especially on weekends, nobody wants to spend their entire Disney day waiting in lines!
The best time to tackle those super popular rides is right when the park opens. Rope drop is your BFF here! This means arriving at least 30 minutes before official opening time.
Another golden rule: avoid hitting the big attractions between 11 AM and 12:30 PM.
This time slot can see wait times up to 20 minutes longer than other parts of the day!
Later evening hours (especially during fireworks or parades) are also magical for shorter lines.
While everyone’s watching the sky light up, we’re zooming through Space Mountain with practically no wait!
Pro tip: Understanding crowd behavior and staying ahead of the curve is key to Disney success!
Understanding Genie+ and Lightning Lane
OMG, Genie+ has been a total game-changer for our Disney trips, much like the old fastpass system! For around $25 per person per day, you can skip the regular lines on many popular attractions by utilizing Lightning Lanes. Is it worth it? On busy days, absolutely YES!
Here’s our strategy:
First: Buy your tickets in advance (super important!)
Next: Add Genie+ when purchasing or through the app on your visit day
Pro move: Don’t use Genie+ until after you’ve already hit the most popular rides at rope drop
Make sure everyone in your group is linked to your account so you can book Lightning Lane passes together.
We love that you can book your next Lightning Lane as soon as you scan in for your current one!
Don’t forget to use mobile food ordering too – it’s another huge time-saver that lets you skip those lunch lines! 💖
