Today I would like to share a few tips on how to get the most out of your trip to Disneyland. I have included the video I made covering all these tips in greater detail, along with the video script, below. That way, whether you prefer watching a video or reading, you have both resources handy! Also, if you just want a quick list of tips, I’ve added that to the end of the post. I hope you find these tips helpful & have a magical trip to Disneyland!
Now everyone is going to have a different situation in terms of what you want to accomplish at Disneyland, how many people/ children are going with you, and how far your travelling, so I’m just going to cover the basics- starting with preparations.
So before you even head out to Disneyland, you need to pack the essentials; which include: money, definitely, your phone- with the Disneyland app already installed that way you can check wait times and character schedules, an external charger, water, snacks- yes food is allowed inside the parks- but I actually don’t know if there are any restrictions, I know you can take things like sandwiches and crackers, but if you want to bring in a tub of spaghetti, I really don’t know- but yes, snacks. Walking around all day will give you an appetite! Also, sunblock, a sweater, extra socks, etc. I can get really specific on what to pack when you go to Disneyland in another video, if you want, just let me know in the comments if you would like that. So once your done packing everything you need to survive a day of walking and standing around, don’t forget to pack your tickets! It would be a real shame if you did all this work, came all this way, waited all that time, just to realize that you forgot your tickets at home.
Okay so my second tip would be to get there early. I would say it’s best to get there half an hour to an hour before the park opens, depending on if you need find parking. Parking takes forever. Not only do you have to wait in line to get into a structure, you also have to drive around and find a spot, walk down the structure, wait in the bag check line, then wait in line again to go onto the tram that will then take you to the front of Disneyland… where you then wait in line to get in…. Be mentally prepared to spend most of your day in line, it’s fabulous. So yes, get there early, and don’t be discouraged if you see a bunch of people already in line and the park hasn’t even opened yet, once people started getting into the park, they all disperse, and it seems like there’s a lot less people.
So once you’re finally through the gates, be sure to grab a map so you know where everything is. Then, if your carrying a bunch of stuff you don’t really want to lug around all day, go to the lockers here in Main Street and rent a locker for the day that way you can keep your extra sweaters and snacks to use for later instead of hauling it everywhere you go. After that quick stop, if you needed it, my next tip is to get a Fastpass for your favorite popular ride, like Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, It’s a Small World, etc. because those are going to get packed really quick, and Fastpasses help a lot. If you’re not sure what a Fasspass is exactly or how to get one: Well, a FassPass is basically a service that saves your spot in line. Say you get to the ride at 11 am and there is an hour wait. You can get a FassPass and it will tell you to come back anywhere between 12:30-1:30 pm so you can go to the FassPass line and basically skip most if not all of the line- although that’s rare. Usually you still have to wait like 20 minutes, but still better than like 90.
So where do you get these Fasspasses? Well, you will see that most of the rides at Disneyland have these little areas next to or near the attraction with these boxy machines. Usually it says something like Fasspass Distribution so you know you’re in the right place. And if you ever have any questions, just ask a cast member, everyone is super nice and helpful. But anyway, just go in here, get your ticket out, insert it into the machine, or scan it, there are two types that either make your insert your ticket or it scans it. Then wait for it to print out your Fastpass reminder and it will say from what time to what time you can come back and use the Fastpass. Now before, you would need to keep this little print out when you came back to the ride to use it, but now these are just reminders and the thing that will actually be used as your Fastpass will be your ticket. Upon arrival to the Fastpass lane, you will need to scan your ticket and it will let the cast member know that 1. You got a Fastpass for the ride and 2. You came on time. Because cast members are super strict on times and staying on schedule, so be sure you come back to use your Fastpass within the time slot it gives you. Also, make sure that each person in your party gets a FassPass when you do. You can’t use one Fasspass for you and your child, you will need to make sure that you get a Fasspass for your child too. Also, Also, you can only have one Fastpass at a time. So if you have a Fastpass for Space Mountain that is valid until 2 pm, you can’t get another Fastpass until after 2 pm. And that’s how it works.
So use FastPasses, they save you a bunch of time and they’re free, you just have to remember to get them, and yes, get another one after your previous FassPass expires and just keep using them all day. Speaking of Fastpasses, they just implemented this within the past year, but if you want to see Fantasmic, you know that awesome DIsneyland firework show everyone loves, I mean I love it, it’s a great show- you now need to get a FastPass for it. Before, it was a first-come-first-serve basis where people would just camp out at the specified viewing areas a hour or so before the show and then just watch the show. But now, cast members only allow people with FassPasses to sit in those specified areas to watch the show. And those FastPasses run out quick, so make sure you get them early. They are located in front of the River Boat area, and if you’re not sure, or you don’t see it, don’t hesitate to ask a cast member, again, they are always super nice and happy to help.
So usually, everyone’s main goal when they go to Disneyland is to go on as many rides as possible, and that’s a great goal, Disneyland rides are unique and pretty awesome, but Disneyland offers much more than just rides. So if you need a little break from rides or you want to experience more, I would suggest meeting some characters. Now, before I got my pass, I didn’t want to waste any time looking for characters and waiting in line again just to take a picture with them and then realized that I blinked. I was all about getting as many rides in as possible. But then I met Mickey Mouse out of sheer luck without having to wait in line, and that changed everything. All the characters throughout the park aren’t just props you take pictures with, they are actual charismatic characters that provide you an experience each time you meet them. So, if you are tight on time, I would suggest that you choose a must-see character. Say, Mickey is your number one. All you have to do is either go to his house over in ToonTown, or use your Disneyland app to see when and where he will have his next meet and greet. Same goes with the Princesses and other characters in the park. And once you experience meeting a character, you will either be satisfied that you now have a nice picture souvenir to remember your trip, or you will be addicted and want to meet all the characters. All the characters! Which I haven’t even done, but I’m working on it. Oh, did you know you can meet Chewbacca and Darth Vader and Kylo Ren at the Star Wars Lauchbay in Tomorrowland? Because you can, and it’s amazing.
Speaking of Tomorrowland, there you can get a ride on the the Monorail that takes you on a mini tour around the Disneyland Resort and drops you off at DownTown Disney, where you can grab a bite to eat, or just chill for a bit if you’re tired. You can then either go back to Disneyland through the main entrance, or take the monorail again and have it drop you off at Tomorrowland. You can also grab a bite to eat within the park as well. Disneyland actually has some pretty tasty food, overpriced, but tasty, and Mickey shaped! Which I think is the main appeal. I don’t buy any food from Disneyland unless it’s Mickey shaped- or a churro, or a Dole Whip- which out can get at this little stand that’s right at the entrance of Tomorrowland and the Enchanted Tiki room. This was actually my first Dole Whip, I got it just for you guys, just for this video, and I mentioned that it was my first time trying it and the lovely cast member gave me this pin to celebrate my first Dole Whip, awww I told you the cast members are super nice and amazing! So yeah, that’s where you get Dole Whips and Dole Whip Floats. I asked what the difference was and which I should get and the lovely cast member said, “Well, that depends on you. Do you like pineapple, or do you love pineapple?” I smiled because I freggin love pineapple and was so happy I got the float. It’s delicious my friends, and just fabulous on a hot day like that one. So yeah, there are lots of little stands where you can get snacks like popcorn and churros and pretzels; there are also “fast food” locations where you order your food at the window and they have it ready for you within minutes, and then there are sit down restaurants within the park. You’re going to need reservations for these, so make sure that if you want to try this, to prepare and make a reservations, like, a couple weeks in advance if you can. I never ate at any of the sit-down restaurants within Disneyland, but I would bet that they get booked well in advance.
Finally, I would suggest that you watch any one of the magical shows and parades that Disneyland has to offer. The times and locations will be on your map, so you can plan which show or parade you want to watch and find a comfy spot with a great view. Just remember that for Fantasmic, though, you will need that FastPass. And if you don’t really care for shows and parades, well, it’s a great time to ride some rides because most people are watching the show. But yeah, that’s really it. I like to end my Disney Day with Fantasmic and a stroll through the Main Street shops, which stay open an hour after the park closes. I usually get an ice cream and wait for the crowds to die down before heading to the parking lot. And those are all my tips on how to get the most out of your trip to Disneyland. I hope you enjoyed it and if you want more, because I’m pretty sure I forgot some things, I will have a full article listing all these tips and more on my blog which will be linked in the description box below. Thank you for all your support, please share this blog post if you found it helpful, don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel for some more Disney-themed videos!
Thanks again & have a magical day. ・゜☆・
SUMMARY
1. Be Prepared
- Pack essentials – money, phone, water, snacks, etc
- Download the free Disneyland app
- Don’t forget your park tickets!
2. Get there early
- Try to be at the Disneyland Resort half an hour to an hour before it opens
- Parking structures open an hour (and on some days, an hour and a half) before the park opens
3. Grab a Map
- Park maps are helpful for locating attractions
- Park maps are also helpful because because they list show and parade times
- You can grab a map at the entrance to the park, information booths, and even in some shops
4. Rent a locker
- Perfect for those carrying large backpacks filled with items they plan to use later on in the day
- Lockers are located on the right side of Main Street, U.S.A, within an opening of the Main Street shops
- If unsure of the location (because it’s pretty hidden) ask a friendly Cast Member! They are always happy to help
5. Get a Fastpass
- Make sure to get a Fastpass for your favorite popular attraction
- Fastpasses are free and save you a lot of time waiting in line for your favorite rides
- You will now also need a Fastpass in order to sit down and watch the nighttime show Fantasmic
- You will need to go to the Fastpass Distribution for the ride and insert your park ticket in the machine
- You will then be given a printout with a time frame for you to return, and that serves as your Fastpass Reminder
- When you come back to the ride to use your Fastpass, the item that you will be scanning will be your ticket, not the printout
- Be sure not to lose your park ticket! And be sure to get to the ride on time to use your Fastpass. Cast members do not tolerate tardiness!
6. Experience More Than Just Rides
- Take the time to meet some, or at least one, Disney character
- Find them at their homes in ToonTown, walking around, or at meet and greets
- Use your Disneyland app to check the schedule and locations of each character
- You can find Mickey and Minnie in their homes in ToonTown, or at meet and greets on Main Street
- As for the Princesses, you can find Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, and Snow White inside the Royal Hall within Fantasyland
- All other characters have different meet and greet locations throughout the park. You can either get lucky and spot them, or use the app!
7. Collect Some Free and Inexpensive Souvenirs Throughout the Day
- Ask for a free button from City Hall or any of the Main Street Shops
- Ride Autotopia in Tomorrowland and save your free Autotopia driver’s license
- Get autographs from your favorite Disney characters, they are always happy to sign!
- Ask a cast member to take a photo of you and your entire party with your camera or phone
- Spend 51c in any of the many Penny Presses throughout the park. You will need two quarters and a penny
8. Ride the Monorail
- The Monorail entrance is located next to Autotopia and the Finding Nemo Submarine Ride
- Riding the Monorail is free and takes you on a trip from Tomorrowland into DownTown Disney
- You can come back into the park using the Monorail again, or simply go back through the Disneyland entrance
- Remember that in order to get back into the park, no matter where you left from, you will need your Disneyland ticket!
9. Try Some Unique Foods and Treats
- You can grab a bite to eat from the abundance of food stands throughout the park
- Disneyland is filled with Disney-themed treats – Mickey pretzels, BB-8 Rice Crispies, etc.
- Find Dole Whips at a stand right by the entrance to Adventureland & Enchanted Tiki Room
- You can also eat actual meals from any of their “fast food” locations or sit-down restaurants
- Sure, they are a bit overpriced, but trying them is part of the experience! (& you have no other choice, really)
- You can eat at locations within the park, or in DownTown Disney, or leave the resort & find a regular restaurant to eat at
10. Make Reservations
- If you do pan on eating at a sit-down restaurant within the park, call ahead and make a reservation
- Try to call a few weeks in advance to see if you can make a reservation for restaurants like the Blue Bayou
11. Watch a Show or Parade
- Find a spot to sit early that way you can have a nice view of the show or parade
- Remember that you will need to get a FastPass in order to find a seat for Fantasmic
12. Don’t Care for Shows or Parades? Ride the Rides!
- The lines for the rides will be much shorter during these times
- Since many people will be camping out to watch the shows and parades, that is a great time to ride the rides
