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40 Tips to Maximize Your Time at Disneyland

by Leap on December 1, 2023 260 Los Angeles   Video

Maximize Your Time at Disneyland - PinterestAs long-time Disney frog-natics, Disney is practically our home, second to our humble lily pad. Disneyland trips are almost as routine as visiting the grocery store. We use our extensive experience to give tips and tricks so that you can get the most out of your Disneyland visit. A lot has changed over the last year or so, but things and finally back to normal. We always plan to make the very most of our Disneyland day. And we want the same for you — you've taken a frogtastic step in planning a Disneyland trip! Knowing that the Happiest Place on Earth can be also one of the busiest places on Earth, it's important to have some strategies when going to the parks. Well, frogs, that's why we're here! Here's a list of Disneyland tips that will help you maximize your time.

The Disney Genie service is available in the Disneyland app. Disney Genie+ is a paid service that replaced MaxPass (and FASTPASS). As the Genie+ gurus, we're sharing what we know about this tool, as well as how to maximize your time at Disneyland.

Also, you'll see Fantasmic! and World of Color mentioned a few times in this post. Fantasmic! is on refurbishment and returns May 24, 2024. World of Color refurbishment takes place Jan. 8 through Feb. 29, returning on March 1, 2024.

40 Disneyland Tips to Maximize Your Time

1. Buy Tickets Online

Maximize Your Time at Disneyland - Park Ticket and MapWe always advise purchasing tickets online, but now you'll need both a valid park ticket AND a park reservation before you arrive. Did you know you can purchase your discount Disneyland tickets through Undercover Tourist and save some green? We even sell tickets pre-loaded with Genie+ at the lowest prices! BTW, we toadally recommend purchasing Genie+ tickets for two reasons: 1) You can lock in the lowest price, and 2) You'll be covered if Genie+ sells out that day.

As soon as you receive your ticket order, book your Disneyland Park reservations to secure your dates. You'll need to pick the park you want to visit when you make your reservations. If park hopping, you'll choose the park you want to visit first. You can now park hop as early as 11 a.m.!

Don't purchase tickets at the ticket booth because if there aren't any reservations left that day, you will not get in. Also, when you buy tickets in advance, you'll save a lot of time (in addition to money) by going straight to the entrance. You won't have to spend any time in ticket booth lines. This can save you an hour on a busy day! For now, you'll want to purchase well in advance (up to 180 days). Buy them as soon as you can to lock in the lowest rate. Keep an eye out for our ticket sales and promos! There are some great child ticket rates for early 2024 and California resident promo tickets that can save you hundreds of dollars!

2. Pick the Best Times to Visit

While it's always a good time to visit Disneyland, there are times during the year that are better than others. Holidays, school schedules and local visitors have a big impact on Disneyland's schedule. Use this guide to determine the best time to visit Disneyland. Our Disneyland events guide can also fill you in on fun festivals and entertainment so you can plan your trip to experience them.

Here are two additional links you may find hopful when planning your visit:

  • Disneyland Park Availability Calendar — This calendar allows you to make sure the park you want to visit is available on the day you want to visit (before you buy or start to reserve).
  • Disneyland 1-Day Ticket Tier Calendar — Disneyland 1-Day tickets vary in price by day (from $104 to $194)! There are seven price tiers. Popular days such as weekends and holiday periods are higher tiers and cost more than, say, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at a non-peak time. This calendar shows you the price per day. If you purchase multi-day tickets, you don't need to worry about this calendar.

3. Stay at a Disneyland Resort Hotel

Maximize Your Time at Disneyland - Stay at Disney's Grand Californian

For the most immersive Disneyland experience, stay on the property. The three on-site hotels — Disneyland Hotel, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel  (Pixar Place Hotel as of Jan 30, 2024) — are creatively themed with great Disney touches (plus you can save money by booking your stay through us!).

If you want to be the first one at the park gates, staying on-site is a nice perk. Resort guests at the Grand Californian can use the dedicated resort entrance to Disney California Adventure from Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, which is a nice perk to staying there. (Here are even more benefits to staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel.) You'll want to choose that park as your first park of the day if park hopping. Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel also has a dedicated entrance into Disney California Adventure. Any on-site hotel guest with a room key can use it.

A huge perk to staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel is Early Entry. Only hotel guests with room keys or reservations in the app may access select rides, restaurants and shops in either theme park (with ticket and reservation) 30 minutes before everyone else.

4. Can't Stay on Property? Stay Close by

Some of the off-site hotels near Disneyland are actually closer than the on-site hotels and less than a five-minute walk to the Esplanade that connects the entrances of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. If you stay close by, you won't have to pay to park at Disneyland and you won't lose any time in the parking garage or waiting for transportation. There are other benefits of staying at hotels near Disneyland, too! Some hotels are a short walk to the free parking lot shuttles at the Toy Story Lot. (Ribbit! We can save you $$$ if you book your hotel through Undercover Tourist!) People start to line up at Harbor Boulevard security before 7 a.m., but once the security line starts moving (about 45 minutes before the park opens), it goes quickly.

5. Ease Your Way Through the Security Line

The best way to get through the security line quickly is to be prepared. Only bring the items you will need for the day. Bring bags with the fewest zippers and compartments possible. Make sure all of your bags are out and open for the cast members to peek into. Have keys, cell phones, coins and any metal devices in your pockets in bags or ready to be placed on the table at the security scanners. Have something that you know will buzz, such as a belt? Take it off and shove it into a bag for a moment. At times, some security entrances have an expedited screening for people with no bags. If you have no bags to check, you may save yourself a long line there!

Remove all banned items from your bags before you visit such as selfie sticks, loose ice, whistles, pocket knives, balls or zip ties or restraining devices. It's a bummer to have to go all the way back to return an item you frogot was in your bag (or dispose of it). Make sure your stroller fits the guidelines so you don't get turned away. Read more in our post on using a stroller at Disneyland.

6. Get to the Parks Before They Open

Maximize Your Time at Disneyland - Rope DropWe say this a lot, and here it is again: The shortest waits of the day are in the first hours of a park's opening (and the last two hours before the park closes). When you arrive at the park before it opens, you will be one of the very first people inside.

The park turnstiles generally open 30 minutes earlier than posted. If you're early, you can usually enter up to the ropes and when the park officially opens, you will hear an announcement and the cast members will pull back the ropes. This is called "rope drop." Once the rope drops, you can enter the rest of the park and go straight to the rides. For the most popular ride, such as Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, you'll head through Frontierland.

One of the best ways to maximize your time at Disneyland and get the most out of your day is to be one of the first people in the park.

On-site hotel guests have access to Early Entry to select attractions 30 minutes before park opening. To take advantage of this be at security an hour and 15 minutes before park opening.

7. Snag a Locker

Lockers can be a lifesaver (and a back saver). It's smart to travel light in the parks, but you want to bring sweatshirts, jackets and cameras. Make renting a locker your first priority of the day. This eliminates the need to haul all of your gear around, yet isn't out of the way for a quick stop for more sunscreen, layers and such. Plus you can safely store your souvenirs there.

8. Download the Disneyland Mobile App and Get Familiar With Its Features (Including Disney Genie)

Life. Save. Er. Download the Disneyland mobile app before you arrive. It has wait times, show listings, character locations, park maps, restaurant menus and so much more. You can show your barcode at the gate for admission when you first arrive at the park! Having the Disneyland mobile app is necessary for using Mobile Order for food. Order meals ahead of time so you don't get caught hungry, but be sure to cancel or modify if the pickup time doesn't work.

You can also use the app to access the virtual queue for World of Color (it opens at noon each day for guests who have entered a theme park).

Virtual queues are not in use for any rides at this time, but that could change. If the virtual queue is used for more than one ride in one day, you will need to enter these queues one at a time. However, you can enter a virtual queue for a ride and an entertainment experience (such as the World of Color — One) at the same time.

Since the attractions using virtual queues are subject to change in the future, check the Disneyland app just before your visit — and again before 7 a.m. on the day of your visit — to see which experiences will require a virtual queue.

Disney Genie is a new feature in the Disneyland app. It helps you plan and customize your day and itinerary based on your interests.

You can use the Disneyland app before you arrive. Set up your account ahead of time. You can link your park tickets so you will be ready to make your park reservations. You can link MagicBand+ ahead of time too.

Look ahead at restaurant menus to see what's available and plan dining (60 days in advance about 6 a.m.) and even make dining reservations through the app. If you miss getting dining reservations, you can use the app to join a walk-up waitlist in the park when available.

9. Follow These Tips for the Shortest Wait Times

Maximize Your Time at Disneyland - Pirates of the Caribbean with a short morning lineFollow these tips to find the shortest lines:

  • Arrive early before park opening.
  • At Disneyland, focus on Indiana Jones Adventure, Haunted Mansion and Pirates just after park opening or at the end of the night.
  • Watch the Rise of the Resistance standby line wait times. Its line closes early, usually at 9 or 10 p.m., but it can vary. Parade time is a great time to ride.
  • At Disney California Adventure, focus on rides without Genie+ at park opening.
  • Follow a park plan.
  • Check the Disneyland app for wait times.
  • Focus on characters and shorter lines midday.
  • Stay late to take advantage of shorter evening lines.
  • Hop in a line before park closing.
  • Keep in mind that wait times may be faster than posted times.
  • Consider paying for Genie+ or individual Lightning Lane to use the Lightning Lane and skip the standby line.
  • Use Single Rider lines when available (if your party can split up).
  • Hotel guests should take advantage of Early Entry. Hotel guests can enter either theme park 30 minutes before park opening for select attractions, shopping and dining.

10. Use Genie+ to Schedule Ride Return Times and Use PhotoPass

Maximize Your Time at Disneyland - A person buys Genie before hopping on the Monorail

Disney Genie+ is a paid option that allows you to skip the standby line to use a quicker Lightning Lane to shorten your wait for select attractions. PhotoPass downloads are included in Disney Genie+. Hop over to our PhotoPass post for the deets.

As for Disney Genie+, the ultimate way to maximize your time at Disneyland comes with a price tag. Disney Genie+ is an optional add-on service that starts at $30 per day, per person. The price can vary per day if you purchase in the park. You can only use the Lightning Lane one time per ride, per day.

Disneyland Park Disney Genie+ Attractions

You can start making Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane reservations once you have entered the park for the day. Here are the attractions that are available on Disney Genie+:

  • Autopia
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
  • Haunted Mansion / Haunted Mansion Holiday
  • Indiana Jones Adventure
  • "it's a small world" / “it’s a small world” Holiday
  • Matterhorn Bobsleds
  • Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway
  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
  • Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin
  • Space Mountain
  • Star Tours — The Adventures Continue

Disney California Adventure Disney Genie+ Attractions

  • Goofy's Sky School
  • Grizzly River Run
  • Guardians of the Galaxy — Misson: BREAKOUT! / Monsters After Dark
  • Incredicoaster
  • Monsters Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
  • Soarin' Around the World
  • The Little Mermaid
  • Toy Story Midway Mania!
  • WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure

There are some limitations to Disney Genie+. Many of the rides in the park are not on it. Certain high-demand attractions are not included, but you can pay to skip the lines for those rides through individual Lightning Lane selections. You may choose up to two of these attractions per day and may not book the same ride twice. Pricing varies per date, attraction and park. Hop over to our guide that outlines the ins and outs of Disney Genie at Disneyland. Standby lines remain available for free.

Maximize Your Time at Disneyland - Entrance to Radiator Springs Racers

The following popular attractions are available for individual Lightning Lane selections:

  • Radiator Springs Racers (standby line and Single Rider line remain open for no additional charge)
  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (standby line remains open for no additional charge)

The price can vary per ride and day (generally between $15 and $30 per person, per ride for front-of-the-line access). You may only purchase each ride once and a maximum of two different individual Lightning Lane selections per day. You may make these selections once you enter the park for the day.

11. Take Advantage of Early Entry for Disneyland Resort Hotel Guests

Maximize Your Time at Disneyland - Early Entry Sign

Disneyland Resort hotel guests with park tickets and a reservation can enter either theme park 30 minutes before it opens. People with Early Entry can access select rides, restaurants and stores during that time.

12. Consider a Show Dining Package

You can save time and score a great viewing area for the parade, Fantasmic! and World of Color with dining packages. After all, you need to eat, so this solves two problems — where to eat and where to watch the show. Plus, people camp out for over two hours for some shows, so you'll save some time there. If you cannot get a dining reservation, try to join the Walk-Up List in the Disneyland app for table-service dining locations and ask to upgrade to the dining package.

13. Do Not Head to the Most Popular Rides First

Maximize Your Time at Disneyland - Radiator Springs Racers

If you're set on riding Radiator Springs Racers first thing, for example, you won't be alone. You can hit this ride first after rope drop if you want to. However, many other people have the same idea and the line can be long right after park opening. Instead, head to Guardians of the Galaxy or WEB SLINGERS and then hit the other Cars Land rides with short waits before committing to Radiator Springs Racers. Use the Single Rider line in the morning to practically walk right on! The Pixar Pier area is the least crowded in the morning. You can also accomplish a lot by starting there before heading to Radiator Springs Racers.

Radiator Springs Racers' line moves fastest in the first hour of park opening because there are fewer Lightning Lane users slowing down the standby line. Or, save more time and hop in the Single Rider line (all single riders must be 7 and up).

14. Use Rider Switch if Needed

Rider Switch is available to families with small children — yay! If you have tadpoles who aren't tall enough to ride (or don’t want to ride), go to the entrance of the ride with the entire party and get a digital Rider Switch return window added to the supervising parent’s park ticket (along with one other person). One parent can supervise the tadpole(s) while the rest of the party rides; then, once the riders return, the supervising parent can have a turn to ride while skipping the line. A member of the first party can also be part of the second party and ride with the first supervising parent when they take their turn, but they have to scan their tickets in advance before their first ride because they can’t change their mind later. Hop over to our Disneyland height requirements and Rider Switch post to see how your tadpoles measure up.

15. Appoint One Genie+ Wizard

Maximize Your Time at Disneyland - Man uses Genie+ on phone

If you opt to pay for Disney Genie+, have one person make selections and keep track of everything that is happening in the park and set an itinerary. When the hard work of planning pays off, let the rest of the party think it all just magically worked out. It's easier to make ride selections for the whole party to ensure that you all get the same ride windows so you can ride together. You may find it easier to select rides for the entire party rather than individually.

16. Park Hop

Maximize Your Time at Disneyland - Disney California Adventure Entrance

To hop or not to hop? It's much easier to hop at Disneyland than it is at Disney World. Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park are just a short hop, skip and jump away from each other. With the entrances maybe a one-minute walk apart, park hopping can be an effective way to maximize your time at Disneyland. At this time, you may hop after 11 a.m. and can hop back and forth between parks after that. Hopping is subject to park capacity, but it has not been a problem yet.

Double-check the calendar, but Disney California Adventure usually closes earlier than Disneyland. When Disney California Adventure Park closes, you can head to Disneyland for a final ride or two. We like to end our night with Gibson Girl ice cream (order ahead via Mobile Order). We recommend starting in Disney California Adventure and then hopping over to Disneyland. You can usually get through all the major rides in California Adventure before hop time, especially if you use Genie+ and Single Rider.

Allow at least 30 minutes from entering one park before entering the other park or you might get delayed at the gate for hopping too quickly. Here are more Disneyland tips on choosing the best ticket.

We do have some money-saving advice for park hopping. You'll pay $65 to add park hopping to a 1-Day or 2-Day ticket; $70 for a 3-Day or 4-Day ticket and $75 to add park hopping to a 5-Day ticket. So the more days on your ticket, the cheaper the price you'll be paying per day of park hopping. Fun! (Psst ...  you can save even more when you buy a park hopper through your favorite froggy friends.)

17. Have a Plan and Prioritize Attractions

You want to visit the attractions with the longest waits when they have the lowest waits at park opening and closing. If you've got one day for each of the parks, follow our 1-Day Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure park plans.

18. Use MagicBand+

Maximize Your Time at Disneyland - Woman scans MagicBand at Park Entrance

MagicBands have made their way to Disneyland. While all the capabilities of this magical bracelet are still in development at Disneyland, you can use it to save some time and get your head out of your phone. You can link the MagicBand+ to your park ticket or Magic Key pass. Use it to enter the theme park, redeem a Lightning Lane, quickly capture images from a PhotoPass photographer and so much more. It streamlines your day.

Maximize Your Time at Disneyland - MagicBand at World of Color

Besides helping you save time (and your phone battery), it's also fun. MagicBand+ interacts with nighttime entertainment, shows in Avengers Campus and attractions, and can be used to hunt bounty in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Learn more in our MagicBand at Disneyland post.

19. Buy Your Souvenirs Ahead of Time

Yes, who doesn't want a Disneyland hat, spirit jersey, set of ears, plush, pin, framed artwork and all the other tempting Disney trinkets? We all want a little something special from the parks, but we prefer to buy souvenirs online and at discount shops to give to Tad and Lily ahead of the trip. This saves us time spent in the shops and also money. Plus, if you arrive with your souvenir Disney clothes, you can wear them in the park! They look great in photos.

You can either stash items in a locker or you can have them held at select shops on the day of purchase with a receipt for free. Hotel guests can have items sent to their hotel gift shop for next-day pick-up.

20. Wait Until the End of the Evening to Shop

If you must shop, wait until the park closes. The shops on Main Street, U.S.A. and Buena Vista Street are open an hour after the parks close. Also, World of Disney in Downtown Disney is open after Disneyland closes.

21. Save the Shows or Sit-down Experiences for Later in the Day

The parks are the least busy during the first few hours of the day. You don't want to find yourself in a 30-minute show when Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Alice in Wonderland will see their lowest waits of the day! When lines peak in the afternoon, it’s showtime (and a good time to rest those legs).

Save certain sit-down experiences for the afternoon such as Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room or the Disneyland Railroad at Disneyland Park, or Turtle Talk with Crush or Mickey's PhilharMagic at Disney California Adventure. They give your flippers a little break. And in the case of the Disneyland Railroad, it also serves as transportation. Longer rides such as Pirates of the Caribbean and "it's a small world" make for nice air-conditioned breaks.

22. Make Use of the Single Rider Line or Buddy Pass

Maximize Your Time at Disneyland - Single Rider Lines at Radiator Springs Racers

Single Rider is a great way to maximize your time at Disneyland. Ride operators use single riders to fill empty seats.

If you don't mind splitting your group up on the actual ride, you can experience the following attractions at super low waits on select attractions (Single Rider availability may vary per ride per day at this time):

Disneyland Single Rider Attractions

  • Matterhorn Bobsleds
  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
  • Space Mountain

Disney California Adventure Single Rider Attractions

  • Radiator Springs Racers
  • Incredicoaster
  • Goofy's Sky School
  • Grizzly River Run
  • WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
  • Soarin'

Buddy Pass is a similar option to reduce the wait for small parties. Monsters Inc. may offer Buddy Passes to parties of one or two (as well as up to two adults and a small child) at certain times. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh offers a Roo Pass. Buddy Pass and Roo Pass holders enter a separate line (usually the exit) and fill in empty rows as they come up. Buddy Pass is subject to availability.

23. Know When and Where to Find Your Favorite Characters

Maximize Your Time at Disneyland - Pooh is in Critter CountryWhile a handful of Disney characters have their own dedicated meet-and-greet stations, many of them roam freely at Disneyland. You can catch several characters at Town Square at Disneyland or near the Carthay Circle Fountain at California Adventure. You can talk to princesses in the Royal Hall at Fantasy Faire, or chat up Captain Jack Sparrow or Redd at New Orleans Square. Mickey's Toontown has characters outside their houses and wandering around the land the whole day. Avengers Campus, in California Adventure, also has many characters around to meet.

You'll also see characters playing in new locations. Look to the raised area across from "it's a small world." Pooh and friends are in Critter Country. Anna and Elsa in the Animation Building. Some characters wander freely in their lands.

The Disneyland mobile app offers some character locations. Keep your eyes open and look for them in unusual spots. Also, character-helping cast members — usually in red vests and hanging out with the characters — will let you know if and when you can catch your favorite.

Character cavalcades travel through Disneyland Park in the afternoons. You can catch them on the parade route in Disneyland. Check the Disneyland app for cavalcade times.

Check out our tips on meeting your favorite Disneyland characters! We've added some new tips for finding characters now that meet and greets have returned.

24. Cozy Up to Your Favorite Characters at Breakfast

Maximize Your Time at Disneyland - Girl and Minnie at Brunch

A character meal is a great way to see a bunch of your favorite characters all at once. To really maximize your time at Disneyland, schedule a breakfast before the park opens or stop for brunch after a morning in the park. It's so nice to have the characters come to you while you dine. Talk about maximizing time! Hop over to our character dining post to choose the best one for you!

25. Have a Plan for a Lost Child

It's easy to get distracted in a theme park, for kids and adults as well. There are lots of people and lots to see. On more than one occasion, we stopped to shoot off a quick text message, looked up, and couldn't see the tadpoles among the sea of guests. Make sure you have a plan in place in case someone gets separated from your group. Here are the top 10 don'ts for getting lost in the theme park (this post is focused on Disney World but our tips remain the same elsewhere!).

26. Pack Your Own Snacks and Water (or Lunch)

This is always good advice. You'll save time, money and meltdowns by packing your own snacks and water (just no glass bottles). Fill stations and drinking fountains are open, plus you can usually ask for free ice water from a restaurant. Avoid the lines with instant snacks when the tadpoles start to crash.

If you really want to save time and money, bring your own lunch. Think picnic items such as sandwiches, raw veggies and fresh fruits. You may even bring a full picnic and store it in a locker outside of the park near the Picnic Area. No glass containers, loose ice or dry ice are allowed through security.

27. Make Dining Reservations or Check the Walk-up Availability

Knowing when and where you're going to eat can be a timesaver. By eliminating the time it takes to consider your options, hopping right to your restaurant really speeds up your day. Visit the Disneyland website or the Disneyland mobile app to see your options and reserve. Our three favorite spots are the Blue Bayou Restaurant in New Orleans Square, Carthay Circle Restaurant on Buena Vista Street and Lamplight Lounge at Pixar Pier. Café Orleans has fun food too (such as the Monte Cristo and Pommes Frites). Disneyland dining reservations open 60 days in advance at 6 a.m. PT but keep checking back if you don't see any dining times that work for you.

Restaurant availability and menus still vary. If you don't get reservations, you can check the Disneyland app. When you're near the restaurant, open the restaurant page and tap Join Walk-Up List. You might get lucky with this new feature and score a table.

28. Eat During Off-peak Hours or Dine on the Move

Maximize Your Time at Disneyland - Disneyland Yeti Popcorn

If you can't secure a reservation or would rather dine at a quick-service location, you'll save time waiting in line and finding a place to sit if you dine during the off-peak hours. This is from 10:30 a.m. to noon and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Here are some of our Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure quick-service favorites. Enjoy outdoor tables set up in new places around that park so you can enjoy the beautiful views.

Maximize Your Time at Disneyland - Fried Cheese on a Stick

You can save some time by dining on Disneyland eats that can be enjoyed on the move. Turkey legs, chimichangas, corn dogs, meat skewers and chili cone queso (in Cars Land) are all compact enough to be munched on while you're moving. Hop over for help in finding the best on-the-go Disneyland foods for when you need a light meal.

29. Plan Your Visit to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

Disneyland Park's newest land takes a little planning if certain experiences are important to you. You can make advance reservations to build a lightsaber at Savi's Workshop, visit Oga's Cantina or build a droid at Droid Depot. Learn more about how to make the most of your time in Batuu from our galactic guide to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. You can maximize your time in the park by saving your visit to the land for later in the day when the lines may be shorter and the land will be less sunny or hot. If Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is a priority for you, hop over to our post for tips for riding Rise of Resistance.

30. Use the Mobile Order Service

Maximize Your Time at Disneyland - Dole Whip Float

The days of long food and Dole Whip lines are gone! With Disneyland's Mobile Order service, you can order food from anywhere. Make a food order while you're in line for a ride, at the back of the long restaurant line or even in your hotel room. Just stop by the Mobile Order window and pick up your food. Many restaurants inside Disneyland, Disney California Adventure and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa currently offer Mobile Order.

With more people using Mobile Order, even the mobile waits are bound to get long, especially for popular spots at mealtimes or near the parade route (such as Jolly Holiday Café). If you know where you want to eat and approximately when, order early. You can choose an order window that is several hours away. You can always cancel or change it to later if you can't make it until you tap "I'm here, Prepare my order." But it's smart to plan ahead. We know you're supposed to wait until you arrive to say you're there, but it takes time to prepare the food, so we always tap ahead of time while we walk over. Order ahead for popular spots. You can now mobile order treats from the candy shops too!

Our new time-saving move at breakfast is to mobile order breakfast at Galactic Grill while we ride the monorail into the park. When we arrive in Tomorrowland, breakfast is served!

31. Plan an Extra Day for Holidays or Festivals

Maximize Your Time at Disneyland - Lunar New Year Procession

If you are visiting for the Disney 100, Lunar New Year, Food and Wine Festival, Halloween Time or Holiday Time, add an extra day to your visit. Disneyland has so much extra must-see entertainment during festivals and celebrations that you do not want to feel stressed to do and see it all. The daily projection shows usually only have fireworks added Friday through Sunday, except in summer and Holiday Time, when fireworks are nightly. You'll want to be sure to reserve a weekend night to see the full show.

Maximize Your Time at Disneyland - Moana Float

Parades and nighttime shows take some time to get in place and watch, so allow time in your schedule to catch this amazing entertainment. And did we mention the food? All the festivals and celebrations offer many new foods and beverages to try.

32. Pack the Essentials

Don't froget sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, cell phone cords, chargers, battery packs and band-aids. Using the Disneyland app on your phone can drain your battery. It doesn't rain very much in Southern California, but if you don't want to get wet on the water rides or plan on being in the front row at World of Color, you should bring your own poncho. You'll save time and money when you need them. Speaking of getting wet at Disneyland, we have a post with eight essential rainy-day tips!

We also have a Disneyland weather post. It takes you month-by-month on what you need to pack to be prepared.

33. Know When the Different Park Areas Close

Mickey's Toontown — where you'll find Mickey, Minnie, other characters and more family rides — closes earlier than the rest of the park on nights with fireworks but reopens later on. The land will typically close from 8-10 p.m. for fireworks shows.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance usually closes early, so check the hours. We like to hop in line right before it closes for a short wait.

At Disney California Adventure, Pixar Pal-A-Round and some food and merchandise locations close before World of Color performances. Keep in mind that Toy Story Midway Mania remains open during World of Color and has the shortest line of the night at that time!

If you want to ride the Incredicoaster at night (our favorite time to ride!), you can ride it during World of Color for a limited time! The park often closes just before or after the last World of Color show.

34. Plan Meals Around Parade Times, Showtimes or Restaurant Hours

Choosing a great spot for parades, Fantasmic!, World of Color or the fireworks is a rite of passage in our Frog Family. We make the most of this time waiting for the show to start by making it "dinner time," or "snack time" as well. We find our ideal viewing location, and then one family member sets out for burgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, fried chicken from Plaza Inn or other grab-and-go type foods for the rest of the family. While we wait for the show to start, we eat sitting down!

Check restaurant operating hours and plan ahead so you don't go hungry. Mobile Order in advance so you don't miss out!

35. See the Second Show

Maximize Your Time at Disneyland - World of Color Viewing - Pixar Pal-A-Round

During the busiest times of the year, there are often two showings of the parades, World of Color and Fantasmic! The later you stay, the less time you need to stake out a viewing location for these shows. When there is a later World of Color show, the crowds tend to be much thinner for the second show, especially since it may take place after the park is officially closed. Even the virtual queue viewing areas are much less crowded, as people leave before the show. For Fantasmic! jump in place after the fireworks or the first show ends.

36. Plan for World of Color in Advance

Maximize Your Time at Disneyland - World of Color Dining Section

World of Color uses a virtual queue for the main viewing areas. Although it's free, spaces go quickly. You can join the virtual queue at noon each day. Follow our World of Color post for tips on viewing this amazing show with colorful fountains, projection, music and special effects. There are dining packages and a dessert party that also provides a reserved area to stand. Wear your MagicBand+ and watch it light up with the show!

37. Save Attractions with Long Waits Until the End of the Night

Wait times drop off in the last couple of hours of park operation, which makes this a perfect time to hop in line at Indiana Jones Adventure, Peter Pan's Flight or Space Mountain. If you're already in line when the parks close, you can stay in line and ride. We enjoy riding Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance right before that ride closes. Check the ride's hours in the app since it closes early.

38. Ride During Showtimes

The wait times drop significantly for rides in New Orleans Square and Critter Country during Fantasmic!, making showtime the best time to ride Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion and Splash Mountain. You may also find shorter lines in Disneyland during fireworks and at available rides at Disney California Adventure during World of Color if the park is still open. Nobody seems to know that Toy Story Midway Mania! is open during the 9 p.m. World of Color showtime. You can often walk right on!

39. Make Sure You're in a Ride Line when the Park Closes

Once you're in a line, you will get to ride, even if it's already past the park's closing time. Just hop in line before the park closes. Keep in mind that some rides close early, such as Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. The only risk is if that ride breaks down you'll be out of luck.

40. Catch the Flag Retreat

In Town Square, the patriotic flag retreat is still hoppening each day. It's slightly modified, but it occurs at 4:30 p.m. daily. Grab a bench and enjoy!

We hope you've enjoyed our tips to maximize your time at Disneyland. Do you already follow any of these tips? Have a tip we haven't listed? Share in the comments below! If you're looking for Disneyland tickets, you can save on multi-day tickets through Undercover Tourist.

Related: Best Time to Visit Disneyland

Related: The Ins and Outs of Disneyland Dining Reservations

Keep hopping!

Keep hopping, Leap!
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1–50 of 127 comments
Jun 5, 2023 at 2:28 a.m. Leah Says...

Hi, I will be going on the days of July 24 and 25 (both parks) and I will be going for 2 Adults and 2 Kids, 12, 6. My 12-year-old loves rides and anything thrilling but the 6-year-old hates them. Is there anything to do while waiting for the 12-year-old to ride the rides with me and my 6-year-old son that won't make my baby cry extremely loud?

Reply
Jun 5, 2023 at 10:28 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Leah!

Well, you're at the perfect spot! Disneyland has so much to offer for toddlers. There are many gentle rides if he can stand slower-moving rides such as Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Mad Tea Party and King Arthur's Carrousel. You can meet characters, watch the parades or shows, explore Mickey's Toontown or Tom Sawyer's Island in Disneyland Park, or play at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in DCA. For more tips and info, you can check out our park plan for families with smaller children.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Jun 5, 2023 at 6:33 p.m. Leah Says...

Hi, its me again! Thank you for your response to my other message but I have another question. Do I have to purchase a Genie+ for all of the members in our party or can I just do it for my 12 year old (the one that loves rides and anything thrilling)? And also, Do I have to purchase Genie+ online or in person at the park? Thank you and I love your article

Reply
Jun 5, 2023 at 1:51 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Leah!

No, you do not need to purchase Genie+ for your entire party — you can just buy for the people who will find use for it. If you haven't purchased tickets already, you can buy Genie+ as an add-on with the ticket! But if you already have tickets, then you can purchase Genie+ through the Disneyland app same day, on each day of your trip.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Apr 30, 2023 at 5:19 p.m. Stephanie Says...

Hello! Quick question, if I have my group’s Genie+ tickets on my account and we split up later in the day, is it easy for them to take control of their own Genie+ tickets on their own device once we split up?

Reply
May 1, 2023 at 11:48 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Stephanie!

Yes! They would need to link their tickets onto their own account, and once they do, they'll have control and can make Genie+ reservations on their own. For more Genie+ info, you can hop to our main guide, FAQ post and tips for using Genie+ with a group.

Keep hopping!

Leap

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Jan 10, 2023 at 4:34 a.m. mama-bear Says...

Thank you for the wonderful and insightful article. Appreciate the work you put into this!

Reply
Jan 10, 2023 at 9:49 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Thanks so much, Mama Bear! :) from our family of frogs to your family of bears, have a great trip!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Dec 20, 2022 at 6:11 a.m. Dina Says...

Hi,

I'm not sure what is the best ticket purchase for my family. I have an 81 year old mom (handicap placard), 2 teenage boys that do not ride rollercoasters, and me that can ride anything!!! What type of tickets should I buy? Genie+ or not...The only popular rides they want to go on are Radiator Springs, Millinneum Falcon, and Rise of the Resistance.

Reply
Dec 23, 2022 at 10:56 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Dina!

There are a few rides that are not thrill rides included with Genie+ such as Haunted Mansion, Autopia, small world, Buzz Lightyear, Monsters Inc., Soarin' and Toy Story Midway Mania, Web Slingers as well as Millennium Falcon and Grizzly River Run. If you are all staying together and want to do these rides, then you might want to get Genie+. You can also get return times for the wheelchair for many additional rides in Disneyland park. We have a helpful post on using a wheelchair at Disneyland. But if you are not sure about Genie + you can always just buy it for yourself or wait until you get to the park to purchase. For Radiator Springs Racers and Rise of the Resistance, you can purchase individual Lightning Lanes if you don't like the wait time. Radiator Springs Racers also has a single rider line that is short in the morning.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Dec 5, 2022 at 6:29 p.m. Rachael Says...

Hi, my husband and I are headed to Disneyland for our first time in April. We're contemplating going for either 3 or 4 days. Do you think it would be possible to ride everything, in addition to seeing the night shows and trying the popular restaurants/foods in 3 days or should we try to go for 4? We're planning on staying open to close.

Reply
Dec 14, 2022 at 12:32 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Rachael!

With all the entertainment and the Food & Wine Festival going on, four days will give you plenty of time to see and do it all. You could do all the rides in three days, but taking entertainment and dining into consideration, we'd recommend four days!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Dec 2, 2022 at 11:27 p.m. Molly Says...

It's been 20 years since we last went...any advice?

Reply
Dec 16, 2022 at 9:33 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Molly!

You've found our 40 Tips to Maximize Your Time at Disneyland post, which is a good place to start! You could also reference our First Timer's Guide to Disneyland Resort guide (we know you're technically not a first timer, but since it's been a long time, you may find it to be useful!). Major changes include mobile ordering, new lands such as Avengers Campus and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Disney Genie+ service. If you have any other questions, let us know and we'd be hoppy to help!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Oct 11, 2022 at 1:04 p.m. Katie Says...

We are headed to Disneyland on Thursday! (Oct. 13). We have 2 days at Disneyland and 1 Day at California adventure. Disney will be Friday and Sunday and California on Saturday. Do you have a 2 day park plan? Our group is 5, 8, 40, 40, 67, and 68

Reply
Oct 12, 2022 at 1:25 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Katie!

We do not currently have a 2-Day Park Plan, but we do have 1-Day Park Plans for each theme park, which you could still use if you're not park hopping. You can find them here. Have lots of froggy fun!

Keep hopping!

Leap

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Sep 9, 2022 at 8:45 p.m. Sue Says...

Your article provides a lot of good information! We ( a 3 year old, a 6 year old, and 3 adults) are coming from Canada in mid October. We will either purchase 4 day/1 park per day tickets, or 3 day park hoppers. Which would you suggest? We have the 18-23 to attend so can go on a couple of weekdays. Also, are there rides that the 6 year old can go on that the 3 year old won't be able to ride? Thanks for your help.

Reply
Sep 14, 2022 at 11:04 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Sue!

Thanks for hopping by! Either would be fine so it's up to you and your plans, though we do like the convenience of park hoppers so we can be sure to hit the nighttime entertainment in either park. You'll want a mix of weekend and weekday visits since fireworks and Fantasmic! only run Friday through Sunday at that time. As for rides, check out our post about height requirements — it also has information about rider switch in case the 3-year-old cannot go on a ride.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Aug 31, 2022 at 11:31 p.m. Kris B. Says...

Are there charging sites in the park for our phones?

Reply
Sep 1, 2022 at 11:05 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Kris!

There aren't any free charging stations in the parks (other than the occasional outlet you might find near a bathroom but those are hard to find), so we'd suggest bringing your own battery pack or picking up a charging kit at a FuelRod kiosk.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Aug 10, 2022 at 4:25 p.m. Jessica Says...

Hi, first off I would like to thank you for your site as it has given me a lot of information. However I do have a question as I am not able to find it in the site or I may just be overlooking it. My family and I are planning to go to Disneyland, DCA, and Universal on the week of Thanksgiving and I am trying to find a itinerary that will allow us to do the most rides as possible at all the parks since we will be purchasing Genie+ and Express Pass. Is there something that can guide us into like how to do each ride in order format to better our chances to doing as many rides as possible? Your response is greatly appreciated.

Reply
Aug 11, 2022 at 12:46 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Jessica!

Be sure to check out our Park Plans for a helpful itinerary - have fun!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Aug 8, 2022 at 9:49 p.m. monica Says...

I have my group of 6 on my app, can I share my access to the app with other members of my group? Can we make different reservations for the 6 in the app?

Reply
Aug 11, 2022 at 12:41 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Monica!

Yes, you'll just need to share your login information and everyone can access the same info on different devices.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Jun 6, 2022 at 8:35 p.m. Andrea Says...

I’m new to the app. You mention one person should be in charge of Genie+. Does that mean I keep all tickets on my phone and the others download the app without an associates ticket?

Reply
Jun 7, 2022 at 10:09 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Andrea!

You can link all of your tickets to multiple accounts, so if you link everyone's ticket to your account, you could be the Genie+ guru of the group, but each person can still have their associated ticket linked to their own accounts.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
May 31, 2022 at 10:34 p.m. Renata Says...

Im going next friday and saturday and definitely feel better prepared after reading some posts! Thank you for sharing.

Reply
Jun 1, 2022 at 8:26 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Renata!

Thanks for hopping by, and we hope you have a frogtastic time!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
May 22, 2022 at 12:07 a.m. Paula Says...

Hi- staying at Grand Californian with 3 day park hoppers. Should we start at California adventure 2 days and Disney 1 day or all 3 days at CA?

Reply
May 23, 2022 at 4:36 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Paula!

You’ll want to take turns starting in each park since morning is the best time of day in both parks. The Grand Californian entrance into DCA is so convenient, but definitely take a day or two to start at Disneyland park, depending on your interests. You’ll get to Disneyland through Downtown Disney. On the days you start at Disneyland, you can end in Disney California Adventure, which is so nice when you are tired at the end of the day.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
May 10, 2022 at 8:16 p.m. Steven Says...

This is so helpful! We are about to take our 7 year old daughter on her first Disneyland Trip and I feel WAY more prepared after visiting your site. Thanks!

Reply
May 11, 2022 at 8:05 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Thanks so much for hopping by, Steven! Have a magical first trip!!!

Keep hopping!

Leap

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Apr 8, 2022 at 12:59 a.m. Kimberly Says...

Hi!

We are going to Disneyland only for one day with a two year old, four year old, and eleven year old. How should we maximize our time?

Thank you!

Reply
Apr 11, 2022 at 2:37 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Kimberly!

Our main advice is to take advantage of Rider Switch and break up into groups, if possible, since the 11-year-old may enjoy rides that the other kids are not tall enough for. You could buy Genie+ for the 11-year-old and one parent to cut down on wait times and use Mobile Order for food. Arrive at park opening and follow our park plan to hit a lot of the iconic rides on the left side of the park in the morning. When one parent takes the 11-year-old to Splash Mountain, the other should take the little ones on Winnie the Pooh or meet Winnie. Likewise, when the older group goes on the Matterhorn Bobsleds, the younger ones can go on some of the Fantasyland rides. That way, you're in the same area but you can keep the tadpoles occupied with rides and experiences for them. If the supervising adult wants to ride the big rides too, then use Rider Switch. Many rides without height requirements are good for the whole family, such as Jungle Cruise, it's a small world, Haunted Mansion and most Fantasyland rides. Also, catch the character cavalcades and never underestimate the power of bubble wands for the younger ones!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Mar 23, 2022 at 6:35 p.m. Beverly Kay Emerson Says...

I am excited to see Disneyland!!!

Reply
Mar 23, 2022 at 5:52 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Yay, we're excited for you! Have a great trip :)

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Feb 13, 2022 at 4 p.m. Amanda Says...

Hi! We are looking to go to Disney Land in June. We heard about a dog kennel there at Disney, but I see the website has said it temporarily closed for a while now. Have you heard anything about their reopening?

Reply
Feb 14, 2022 at 10:24 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Amanda!

We know that the Disneyland Kennel is still closed for now — we don't know a reopening date but we'll certainly update once we hear any news.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Jan 18, 2022 at 2:22 p.m. Debra Bourgeois Says...

Can visit park 1 day . Have child with Down's need fast pace and best way to see park .

Reply
Jan 18, 2022 at 11:53 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Debra!

Your best bet is to arrive at park opening to beat the crowds. You can talk to Disneyland about DAS before your trip to set it up, choose two rides in advance and get return times to allow you to avoid a standard queue. Another tool that can help you out is Disney Genie+. Between Genie+ and DAS, you should be able to move through the park at a quick pace and accomplish a lot.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Jan 14, 2022 at 4:13 a.m. Karen Walsh Says...

Great tips! My husband and I are taking our kids/young adults (21, 21, 25 and 24) May 9th - 11th. I'm thinking of spending all day Monday in Disneyland and all day Tuesday in the Adventure Park. Any suggestions for the best ticket prices?

Reply
Jan 14, 2022 at 8:17 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Karen!

Thanks for hopping by :) You can save some green by purchasing discount tickets through us!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Sep 30, 2021 at 7:46 a.m. Natalie Says...

Do you know if either of the parks have WiFi?

Reply
Sep 30, 2021 at 8:42 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Natalie!

Yes, both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure have free Wi-Fi in select areas.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Jul 19, 2021 at 5:49 p.m. First time Disneylander Says...

Hi Leap,

Just got back from a day trip to Disneyland over the weekend, this post and your 1 day Disney plan recs with the maps were SOOO helpful. I couldn't get over how smooth the trip went! Thanks so much!

Reply
Jul 19, 2021 at 12:51 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Oh my goodness, First Time Disneylander, this makes our hearts SO hoppy - we're so glad you had a great time! Thank you for hopping by!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Jul 8, 2021 at 12:10 a.m. Harry Says...

Hi,

Thanks for the info.

We plan to rent a locker in the morning (tip #7) and then put some clothes and snacks/drinks (tip #26) in there until later in the morning. From the Disneyland website, it looks like only the lockers in the Esplanade are open and the lockers inside the parks remain closed?

Also, if we bring our own lunch (tip #31), what are some places you recommend eating lunch? Outside the park by the Picnic Area? Doesn’t that take you away from the attractions?

Thanks,

Harry

Reply
Jul 8, 2021 at 7:57 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Harry!

The lockers inside the park are now open! The website and app just haven't been updated yet. We haven't had any issues using a restaurant table to eat lunch items from home, but there are picnic tables to the left of the Disneyland entrance too.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Jul 2, 2021 at 11:41 p.m. Amie Says...

Hi!

Thank you for all the amazing tips and tricks. I'm planning a trip to Disneyland CA in October. We want to stay on site and I would love to Disney hop and do two days at the parks. Do you know how to get the best deal for two adults and one 7 yr old child? Is it best to do one day at Disneyland and one day at CA adventures?

Thanks so much for your help!

Reply
Jul 6, 2021 at 5:23 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Amie!

You've hopped to the right spot! We offer a 2-Day Park Hopper ticket, as well as hoppin' deals on hotel stays for the on-site Disneyland Resort hotels. We would recommend to start at Disneyland one day and Disney California Adventure the next. You can park hop as much as you'd like after 1 p.m. If you happen to be a California resident, we also have a 3-Day Park Hopper ticket deal that is good through Sept. 30.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Apr 30, 2021 at 2:17 a.m. Becky Says...

Ok we are going May 8. I took a leap and jump on the VIP tour. What should I know, there is 7 in our group. What do we do first, does tour guide set everything up. Would love to ride star wars rise of the resistance,

Reply
Apr 30, 2021 at 3:14 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Becky!

The VIP tour guide will set up the itinerary for you, so you don't need to plan anything. The schedule is toadally flexible though, even on the day of (in case a ride breaks down or something is unavailable), and can be tailored to your preferences. If you haven't already, you should let them know what time you're planning to arrive. Beforehand, you can provide a list of must-do attractions or restaurants, so they can be sure to incorporate them and book your reservations in advance. The VIP tour lasts a minimum of 7 hours, but if you want to keep going, you will have the option to do so! However, if you want to ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, you will still need to get a Boarding Group that morning on your own (it's the only attraction you won't have automatic access to).

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Apr 23, 2021 at 9:05 p.m. Brad Says...

My wife and I are surprising out 2 kids (9 and 5) with a 2 day trip to Disney on 5/13 and 5/14. The 5/13 date unfortunately closes at 7pm so there are two less park hours that day. I had heard that Marvel area in Ca Adv won't open until after June 4th so I'm guessing that leaves less to do at CA Adve than at Disneyland in regards to areas closed off and we're thinking of switching our reservations around to do Disneyland on the "closes at 9pm" night and CA Adv on the "Closes at 7pm" night. Are we right in our thinking there? Why or why not? Thanks! *Also, our kids have done Disneyland in the past 2 years, but haven't done Ca Adv since they were much younger. Thanks for any tips/advice!

Reply
Apr 25, 2021 at 11:43 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Brad!

It's hard to say how long things will take with the physical distancing measure in place, but Disneyland in general has more to do than Disney California Adventure Park, so we agree with your strategy! We would check to see if the days are still available, and if so then it seems like a good idea to switch them. Have a great time!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Mar 27, 2020 at 8:03 p.m. Kayla Burden Says...

This was very helpful

Reply
Mar 5, 2020 at 11:22 p.m. Rob Says...

We are planning to bring our 3foster kids Sept 2021 to California they are autistic are there any special services

Reply
Mar 6, 2020 at 7:30 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Rob!

Disney's Disability Access program may be a good fit for your kiddos! You can learn more about that service here. Have a great trip!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Jan 13, 2020 at 9:46 p.m. Bryna Says...

Hi they just came out with this So Cal resident deal. And I wanted to go 2x between now and end of May. Its seems worth it cost to do the 3 day pass even you go 2x. What do you think.

Reply
Jan 14, 2020 at 3:11 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Bryna!

It's definitley a good deal! Go for the Promo Deal! Don’t froget that Undercover Tourist sells the 3-day So Call promo for even less than Disneyland! You can find those here.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Sep 13, 2019 at 6:07 p.m. Peter Says...

Thanks for the great guidance. One question I am hoping you can help me answer... we have purchased 5 day passes but are interested in adding a 6th day (for which there is no option). I have heard that you can add on a day at the ticket counter but that it can be hit or miss. Do you know if/how this works and what the cost is? Thanks!

Reply
Sep 16, 2019 at 12:29 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Peter!

They may charge you for a full-day ticket, but there is a cheaper way! Look at the day of the week your sixth day falls on. Then look at the blockout calendar for the Southern California Select pass. If it is an available day, before end of day on the last day of your ticket you can go to the photo booth to upgrade your ticket to the annual pass to upgrade inexpensively. (If you have a park hopper ticket, it will just cost $4 to get that 6th day by upgrading to the pass/$59 without park hopper). Plus you’ll get discounts on food and merchandise with the annual pass. Hope this helps!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Sep 5, 2019 at 11:49 a.m. Cookie Says...

Hi! Thanks for all the great info and tips! We’re Disney World veterans and are headed for our first trip to Disneyland - taking 3 days anywhere between November 23-28. We will have MaxPass, and are debating the hopper. What are your suggestions during the busy week of Thanksgiving? Thanks again!

Reply
Sep 5, 2019 at 8:17 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Cookie!

Since things are so close together at Disneyland, and because MaxPass will work in both parks, we'd suggest upgrading to the Hopper. According to our Crowd Calendar, things will get busier as Thanksgiving approaches, but that timeframe ranges from 8-10s. Since you have MaxPass, we'd pick the dates that work best for your family! Have a great time!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Jul 29, 2019 at 3:28 p.m. Kristina Says...

Hi we will be in the area August 2-5! We only have one day to do both parks! Either going on Friday Saturday or sunday ! Which day would be best and do you think we could do most of the parks in one day! First time for Disneyland! Been to Disney World many times ! Any advice would be greatly appreciative! ????

Reply
Jul 29, 2019 at 1:43 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Kristina!

You'll find that Disneyland is a toadally different experience than Disney World! Both parks are super close together, which makes them perfect for hopping. We'd suggest two days with hoppers if you can swing it, but if you have MaxPass, you should be able to knock out a fair amount in a day. Friday, Saturday and Sunday are all slated to be pretty busy, so we'd go with whichever day works best with your schedule :) Be sure to take advantage of Rope Drop! Have fun!

Keep hopping!

Leap

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Jun 25, 2019 at 4:38 a.m. Rohit Raj Says...

Very informative!!!

Reply
Jun 22, 2019 at 5:01 p.m. Mary Says...

Hi there! Love your site, lots of great information. My 1st time at Disneyland, 5 adults July 12 and 13 no park hopper, but we do have Max Pass. Which days do you recommend we do each park? Since there will not be any fast pass for Smugglers Run should we go 1st thing in the am or get in queue just before close? Thank you!

Reply
Jun 25, 2019 at 11:44 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Mary,

We'd do Disneyland on the 12th and DCA on the 13th since Magic Morning will be hosted in DL on the 12th. Please also check out our guide to Star Wars, because the virtual queue system should insure you get into Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Apr 30, 2019 at 7:25 p.m. Jay Says...

I’m headed to Disneyland May 25th & 26th with my family of 5, our 3 kids ages range from 6-13. Since we’ll only have 2 days, how would you suggest we best utilize our time? We haven’t purchased tickets yet. We’re staying about 5 minutes from the park. Thanks!

Reply
Apr 30, 2019 at 4:28 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Jay!

The best plan is to arrive before the park opens and use Disney MaxPass. If you want to visit both parks, we recommend Park Hopping one day (starting at Disney California Adventure on Saturday and then hopping over to Disneyland) and spending at least one whole day at Disneyland Park on Sunday. Be sure to check the entertainment calendar before your visit to catch parades and fireworks. Have a frogtastic trip!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Apr 30, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. YUNGDAGGER Says...

hi ppl

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Apr 24, 2019 at 5:54 p.m. Sandy Dee Says...

we are giong in June We are from Bc canada Going for a wedding and want to see Disneyland one day ,,We have someone who is 75 and uses a walker ,, If the go on any attractions what can we do will the walker while they are on any

Reply
Apr 24, 2019 at 5:16 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Sandy Dee!

Disneyland will store your walker for you at the rides similar to what they do with wheelchairs. Many queues can accommodate wheelchairs or walkers in terms of width, and then will have you leave them on the dock when you board the ride itself. Cast Members at the ride entrance will be able to walk you through the procedure. There are also wheelchair and ECV rentals available if you need them!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Apr 18, 2019 at 3:46 a.m. Sandy Says...

We are taking our twin 6 year olds to Disney for the first time this May. We have 2 days in the park - the 21st and 22nd. We don't have park hopper passes. Given the ages of our kids, would you recommend doing two days at the original Disneyland or one at each park? Thank you!!!!

Reply
Apr 19, 2019 at 3:50 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Sandy!

That’s a tough call! You could easily spend both days at Disneyland because it offers the most rides and other entertainment. If your kids really love Cars and Frozen and some thrill rides, then taking a day at DCA will be enjoyable. Otherwise, you could spend two days at Disneyland, especially with the new Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to explore. (Personally, we don't think there's any right or wrong way to do this - it's all magical :) ) Have a frogtastic trip!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Mar 30, 2019 at 5:47 a.m. Kristen P Says...

My family is going to DL in early July. I am reading about crowding due to the new Star Wars section opening late May. Any guidance on UCT about guidance for this?

I am concerned about park capacity. We will get there early.. but if we leave... are we guaranteed to get back in (if the park would hit capacity)?

Reply
Apr 1, 2019 at 10:26 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Kristen!

Things will definitely be busy, and unfortunately this is new territory for all of us! Be sure to take advantage of MaxPass and get to the parks early. If you do leave, there IS a chance that you may not get back in if they hit capacity. It's worth noting that Disney handles these closures in phases, so for some of the lower-level closures, you'd still be permitted; it's more or less the highest level of closure when your entry would be denied (which is certainly possible). We're hoping that the reservation system Disneyland is using will mitigate the crowds a bit, but we still anticipate this being a very busy summer.

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Mar 24, 2019 at 4:39 a.m. Shaniqua Says...

I can't believe I am just finding your blog, better late than never I suppose, so thank you for all the incredible tips.

I am also wondering about a few things:

1. Is it worth it to pay for the dessert party to see the World of Color show? Perhaps there is a restaurant that might offer a similar experience (as the dessert party with a view)?

-I would ask the same question for the Fantasmic show, I don't know much about that one and I haven't been able to piece together enough tips about Fantasmic.

2. Do you have a planner or blog post about visiting Disneyland and Universal on one trip and making the most of it?

3. If you do offer advice about Universal, are those VIP tickets worth it or will the express tickets suffice?

4. Do you offer the Max Pass and or photo pass on your site as well?

This is my first trip to California, I am a single mom with an elementary school age child. I am looking at all your amazing deals on tickets, parks, and transportation and I am trying to make the best decisions to make the most out of our vacation. Sorry, I asked so many questions. I have been reading through the site for a couple of weeks now trying to learn from you. Thank you.

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Mar 25, 2019 at 9:11 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Shaniqua!

Welcome! We're so glad you found us and took the time to say hello!

1. Whether or not the dessert party is worth it tends to come down to preference. It is certainly convenient to have a place to sit, and many park visitors love the party. You can either pay to have preferred seating with the dessert party, or as you noted, some of the restaurants offer a dining package that provides you with a designated viewing area for the show. The difference is that the dessert party overlaps with the World of Color showing, while the dining packages require that you eat earlier at the restaurant, but provide you with a designated viewing area. If you're planning on eating at one of the restaurants that offer the dining package anyway, it's certainly worth it (like a bonus FastPass)!

2. We sure do have planning tips for visiting both Disneyland and Universal! You can find those here.

3. The VIP experience includes benefits like valet parking, a paid meal and snacks, a private tour, and escorted express access to rides. We personally think that Express tickets are sufficient, but also think that the VIP experience would be a neat one to try :) Again, it just comes down to preference! Others in the Frog Pond may be able to weigh in with additional information.

4. MaxPass and PhotoPass (which will be included with your MaxPass purchase) are purchased directly through Disneyland using the Disneyland app upon entering the park.

We hope this is hopful! Have a frogastic trip with your tadpole!

Keep hopping!

Leap

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Mar 17, 2019 at 11:24 a.m. James Bolduc Says...

It has been 10 years since we were last at Disney Springs (Downtown Disney) Marketplace. Sad to say that they did away with the Adventure Club and the Comedy Club. It is basically an upscale shopping mall and overpriced NBA center focused place now. Not a p place for the children of baby boomers who remembers the magic of Disney of the sixties and seventies.

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Jan 9, 2019 at 7:42 a.m. Shelley Says...

Thank you for all these tips and tricks!

Is it known for the park to be “slower” on holiday weekends?

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Jan 16, 2019 at 2:51 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Shelley,

No, it is not. You can see more on our Disneyland Crowd Calendar.

Keep hopping!

Leap

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Nov 14, 2018 at 8:38 p.m. Taryn Says...

Thank you for taking the time to write up this article. Although I have been to Disneyland several times when I was younger, I needed a little guidance on how to navigate most efficiently this time around and your tips really helped! Blue Bayou restaurant reservations were all booked up :( I'll have to book in advance next time! Going tomorrow for the first time in 4 years and so excited! Thanks again!

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Oct 17, 2018 at 3:18 p.m. Michelle bowden Says...

Hello,

This is my first trip to Disney anything. I want to go on my birthday which is January 7th and the day after. What all can I expect for these times to maximize my stay?

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Mar 6, 2019 at 9:16 p.m. Pops Oldman Says...

So how was it??? ????

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Oct 17, 2018 at 9:09 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Michelle!

Hoppy early birthday! Check out our Crowd Calendar for what to expect with how busy the parks are :)

Keep hopping!

Leap

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Oct 6, 2018 at 6:26 a.m. Robert Says...

Hello, just booked a 5 day trip to Disneyland on March 28th through April 3rd. Any pointers besides what is on this post? How are crowd volumes during this time?

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Oct 12, 2018 at 3:47 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Robert!

Ah, you should have beautiful weather during that time of year! Check out our Crowd Calendar for how busy we expect the park to be. We definitely recommend MaxPass to make the most of your trip!

Keep hopping!

Leap

Reply
Sep 6, 2018 at 3:10 p.m. Linda Says...

How crazy am I to want to go the Monday before Thanksgiving with a 3 and 10 year old? Not staying on site, but driving up from Oceanside. Only have 1 day.

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Sep 6, 2018 at 3:15 p.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Linda!

Our Crowd Calendar predicts pretty heavy crowds. We recommend purchasing MaxPass to make the most of your time ... enjoy! Still totally worth the trip!

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

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Aug 29, 2018 at 8:50 a.m. Cindy Says...

Coming in on Oct. 25 and 26 with one of those being Mickey's Halloween Party, which we are not planning to attend. We will not have EE or MM perks. Would you still recommend doing Disneyland on a non EE day even though they close early (at 7:00 pm)? The other option is to do Disneyland on a EE day and thus enter the park 1 hour after EE/MM but have more hours in the park overall which will close later. Thanks for a great site to help us all out! :)

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Aug 31, 2018 at 4:05 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Cindy!

Oh, man! That's a tough choice. What it breaks down to is what you'd be happiest doing. Are you a morning bird or a night owl? Which park do you want to spend more time in? Don't stress too much, and enjoy your trip!

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

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Aug 29, 2018 at 4:23 a.m. Alan Saxton Says...

Thanks for the info for someone who hasn't been there for 30 yrs. Can I bring a small backpack into the park and take it on the attractions? Also, may I bring a plastic water bottle into the park and find places to fill it?

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Aug 31, 2018 at 4:02 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Alan!

Yes and yes! You're good to go.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

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Aug 27, 2018 at 9:56 p.m. Lisa Menday Says...

We will be in Disneyland Sept 12-17 with our 16, 17 and 21 year olds. Any suggestions for older teens?

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Aug 28, 2018 at 7:20 a.m. FrogBlog Says...

Hi Lisa!

Many of the more thrilling rides such as Guardians of the Galaxy and Incredicoaster are in Disney California Adventure Park. These are sure to be a hit with your older teens! Be sure to dedicate a day at this park.

Hoppy planning!

Mommy Frog

Reply
Aug 26, 2018 at 7:18 a.m. Carrie Beermann Says...

great ideas. thanks for pulling them together for us newbies

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