Disneyland can be such a fun and memorable family vacation, but it can also be stressful and miserable standing for hours in line, fighting the crowds, and dealing with meltdowns.
We have learned a lot over the years and have come up with these tips and tricks for visiting Disneyland so that your time at the Happiest Place on Earth really will be happy!
*Updated January 2023
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13 Tips and Tricks for Visiting Disneyland
Table of Contents
- 1. Use a Crowd Forecast Predictor
- 2. Don’t Use Multi-day Passes Consecutively
- 3. Double up on Fast Passes
- 4. Take Advantage of the MaxPass
- 5. Use the Rider Switch Pass
- 6. Use the Single Rider Line
- 7. Use the App to Monitor Wait Times
- 8. Don’t Waste Your Money on Expensive Souvenirs
- 10. Where to get Cheap Souvenirs
- 11. Sign up for Jedi Training
- 12. Get in the Park an hour Early
- 13. Where to find the best food in Disneyland
1. Use a Crowd Forecast Predictor
Before purchasing tickets, be sure to check sites such as Is It Packed for a crowd forecast predictor to see when the park is least crowded.
Also, keep in mind that the park is open longer in the summer so you’ll get the most bang for your buck.
Hours are subject to change during special events and ticket prices are the same regardless of if the park closes early.
For instance, during Mickey’s Halloween Party, the park will close at 6:00 and there will be no fireworks show with the parade.
2. Don’t Use Multi-day Passes Consecutively
Keep in mind that multi-day passes do not need to be used consecutively. If you purchase a 2-day park hopper pass you will have 13 days from your first visit to redeem your second visit.
Disneyland is so fun but can be exhausting. One of our favorite tips and tricks for visiting Disneyland is to consider planning a relaxing day at the beach in between your visits to the park to re-energize.
You can also visit some of the sites in the city. See our guide 8 Cool Things to Do in Downtown LA for recommendations.
After a much needed day of rest, everyone will be ready to hit the ground running again!
3. Double up on Fast Passes
*Update: The FastPass has since been retired and the Geni+ Lightning Lane Passes are now in use. See our guide 10 Disney World Magic Kingdom Tips and Tricks for more details.
Everyone knows that the FastPass is the way to go. But did you know that the Disneyland and California Adventure FastPass systems are not connected?
That means you can get one from each and have more than one FastPass at the same time.
The FastPasses for some of the most popular rides, like Radiator Springs, may run out. Be sure to get your FastPass first thing in the morning.
4. Take Advantage of the MaxPass
*Update: The FastPass and MaxPass have since been retired and the Geni+ Lightning Lane Passes are now in use. See our guide 10 Disney World Magic Kingdom Tips and Tricks for more details.
The Disney MaxPass is one of the best tips and tricks for visiting Disneyland. It makes using a fast pass even faster!
For $10 per person, you can reserve and redeem fast passes from your mobile phone. As soon as the fast pass bar code has been scanned at an attraction, you can immediately reserve another attraction.
This saves so much time from having to run back and forth between rides to pick up a fast pass. It is definitely worth the extra money to maximize your time in the park.
Disney MaxPass also includes unlimited Photopass downloads for the day! You can include this as an add-on when purchasing your park ticket, or you can purchase it from the app.
5. Use the Rider Switch Pass
If you have young kids, be sure to take advantage of the Rider Switch Pass where both parents can enjoy the ride without having to wait in line twice.
Once one parent rides, they take the pass to the parent who was waiting with the child then they can go on the ride with minimal wait time.
Ask the Disney cast member about getting the pass before getting in line.
6. Use the Single Rider Line
The Single Rider line is always shorter. As long as everyone in your party is over 7 years old and you don’t mind being split up, then this is a great option.
*Related post: While you’re in California, be sure to check out our 9 Things to Do in Orange County with Kids and Family Friendly LA guides!
7. Use the App to Monitor Wait Times
Download the My Disney Experience app to get the most accurate wait times for each ride.
The app can also be used to order food and make reservations.
There are other apps and software you can purchase, such as Ride Max. It is $14.95 for 90 days and comes with a money-back guarantee.
Just enter the date and time you will arrive and leave the park, along with the specific rides you would like to go on.
It then uses the information and historical data to generate a custom itinerary that guarantees shorter wait times.
There are so many positive reviews for this, however, when we tried it we felt like there was not enough flexibility. It didn’t take into account the extra potty breaks, snack breaks, etc. so we were constantly getting off schedule.
So many families love it so it is worth looking into, I just wanted to let you know about our experience with it.
You will inevitably be waiting in line, so to make things a little more interesting be sure to check out this guide to discover hidden things in Disneyland.
Such as, did you know that there are a few secret things to look out for while standing in line for Indiana Jones?
If you look closely, you can find messages written along the walls in Mara. You can even download Disney’s Mara Decoder Card and you can translate them while waiting in line!
You can also check Finding Mickey to see where to find a specific character in the park.
8. Don’t Waste Your Money on Expensive Souvenirs
Buy princess and Mickey Mouse attire and souvenirs before you go. It is fun being able to dress the part when you go to Disneyland, but it will cost you a fortune if you wait to buy your memorabilia at the park.
Hop on Amazon and purchase an inexpensive pack of Mickey and Minnie Mouse headbands or t-shirts. Hide them in your suitcase and you’ll get the mom of the year award when you pull them out and surprise them!
Along those same lines, check the forecast and if there is any chance of rain, be sure to bring your own umbrellas.
We learned the hard way just how expensive they are in the park. It’s worth picking up some dollar store ponchos for the water rides as well.
9. Autograph a T-shirt instead of a Book
Instead of an autograph book, purchase an inexpensive Disney shirt before you go.
Bring a Sharpie marker and have the characters sign the shirt for a fun and memorable souvenir.
The autograph book will most likely end up collecting dust on a shelf, but a t-shirt can be worn to sleep or play in and will be a fun reminder of their trip!
10. Where to get Cheap Souvenirs
If your child is dying for a souvenir, the pressed pennies are the cheapest souvenir option at only $.51.
Your child will be fascinated watching as the penny gets pressed and stamped. It makes for a fun keepsake without breaking the bank!
If you want a free souvenir, kindly ask any cast member at the Jungle Cruise and they will give you a free antique-style map.
As a side note, while you’re on the Jungle Cruise look for the large Banyan tree near the angry hippo.
The designers of the Jungle Cruise would drive the streets of Beverly Hills looking for the perfect tree. They discovered this tree in the front yard of a Beverly Hills home.
The owner said he hated the tree and they could have it for free if they would just remove it and plant something new. The tree has since been thriving in its new home!
The captain of Mark Twain’s Riverboat will also give you a special certificate if you ask to steer the vessel.
11. Sign up for Jedi Training
Kids between 4-12 years old can participate in Jedi Training. They will love pretending to be a Jedi and having a lightsaber battle with Darth Vader.
Spots are limited and fill up fast, so get to the park early and as soon as it opens head straight to Tomorrowland then look for the sign-up location near Autotopia. Your child must be present to sign up.
12. Get in the Park an hour Early
If you purchase a 3-day hopper pass then you can enter Disneyland Park 1 hour before it opens on either Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday.
If you stay at one of the Disneyland hotels then you can get into California Adventures 1 hour before opening on either Monday, Wednesday, or Friday.
13. Where to find the best food in Disneyland
- The cafe in front of Adventureland offers more flavors of Dole Whip
- Lemon soft serve from the Adorable Snowman in California Adventures
- The Corn Dog Castle in California Adventures
- The Plaza Inn’s fried chicken adult-sized meal is big enough for 2-3 kids to share and cheaper than individual kid’s meals.
- Caramel apples at the Plaza Inn
- Pineapple hamburgers at the Tangaroa Terrace at the Disneyland Hotel
- Bread Bowl with Clam Chowder or Mac & Cheese at the Pacific Wharf Cafe in California Adventures
- Chicken and beef skewers and bacon-wrapped asparagus at the Bengal Tiger near the Jungle Cruise
- Grilled cheese and tomato soup at the Jolly Holiday Cafe
- Lobster rolls from the vendor in front of the Haunted Mansion
- The Monte Cristo sandwich at the New Orleans Cafe or Blue Bayou.
- Ghost Pepper Mac&Cheese from one of the Food & Wine specialty kiosks in California Adventures
- Red’s Frozen Apple at the Cozy Cones in Cars Land (frozen apple juice with whipped passion fruit and toasted coconut)
- Beignets at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney
- Churro Funnel Cake at the Hungry Bear restaurant
- Churro English Toffee at Bing Bongs Candy Shop in California Adventures
- Raspberry and Coconut Macaroons from the Jolly Holiday Cafe. Just be sure to place a mobile order before 9 am or there is a good chance they will sell out.
- The Cookie Butter Churro Shake from the Golden Horseshoe is unbelievable!
And if you love Disney World, check out the Best Snacks at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!
Most importantly, just relax and have fun! There will be crowds, there will still be waits and there will still be those inevitable melt-downs.
One of the best tips and tricks for visiting Disneyland is just to stay positive. Don’t let the little things ruin the day and remember to laugh and smile in those moments of chaos. You’re making memories that will last a lifetime!
Hopefully, these tips and tricks for visiting Disneyland will help make your experience an unforgettable one!
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