About Lindsay Brookshier

Lindsay has blogging experience through various nonprofits, charities, and online magazines. She has blogged for Stupid Cancer, First Descents, and Healthiest Manitowoc County. In addition to writing for Mickey Visit and Disney Dose, she also writes for the online magazine Colorado Culture. She is an English instructor at Colorado State University and enjoys teaching a variety of composition classes. In regards to Disney, she has been obsessed since childhood! Lindsay has been going to the parks since she was little and started carrying on that yearly tradition with her son. She keeps up to date on all the latest Disney news, park trends, and every new Disney movie. As the editor of Mickey Visit, she oversees article content and leads our fantastic team of writers to meet guest vacation needs. You can still find her writing weekly content to help make your Disneyland trip fantastic here on Mickey Visit and writing Disney culture pieces on DisneyDose.com.

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Halloween Time: Disneyland Touring Strategy to Maximize Time and Experience the Spooky Fun

Disney Oogie Boogie

Updated 9/18/18. Visiting during Halloween Time at Disneyland is exciting because there’s so much to see and do. One of the biggest questions guests have that are visiting during Halloween Time is “how do we see and do it all?” One factor that comes into play for this Halloween Time Disneyland strategy is whether or not you are attending Mickey’s Halloween Party. 

We wrote this guide to offer a plan for guests that don’t plan on attending the party because if you have a ticket- you can easily see all the entertainment and attractions during the party due to the limited amount of guests that are allowed to attend. We recommend that you pursue the Disneyland Morning Strategy or California Adventure Morning Strategy to start your day if you plan on visiting the park before the party.

As always, we at Mickey Visit recommend planning your day in advance to avoid feeling overwhelmed (especially for Disneyland first timers!) at the parks.

There are a few basics that are essential to becoming familiar with in order to best use your time at the Disneyland Resort. This is especially important when you’re visiting during a seasonal celebration and the crowds may be higher than usual.

Save on your stay! Disneyland COMBO Hotel + Ticket Discounts Save big when you book your Disneyland tickets and hotel through our recommended travel sponsor (they have worked with Disney for 28 years). Make sure you are getting the best deal for your summer vacation! Book now >

Disneyland App To Jumpstart Your Day

Morning strategy for Disneyland: Cast member holding plate of food

Disneyland has an app that you can download for either Android or iPhone that will give you the most accurate wait times for rides. This app is a must have for anyone visiting Disneyland. You can link your park tickets to it, make dining reservations, use the mobile food ordering feature, link your PhotoPass tickets, and book FastPasses with MaxPass!

Pro tip: download this app PRIOR to your trip and become familiar with it. This way when you show up to the gates you are already a pro at using the app. Take a look at the layout of each park on the app so you have a rough idea of where you are going once you enter!

Halloween Time Disneyland Strategy FastPass

We have written an ultimate guide to using FastPass at the Disneyland Resort. This is definitely a must read for first time guests. Check out our guide here. FastPasses give you a return window to come ride the attraction later to help avoid guests waiting for hours in the standby line. Be sure to be familiar with FastPass because they are essential for having a smooth start at either park! Some FastPasses go quicker than others due to the popularity of the ride so that is why it is so important to grab them in the morning. Fastpasses are essential to this Halloween Time Disneyland strategy!

Pro tip: check out the list of attractions that offer FastPass and see which ones are your group’s top must sees. Make those your priority in the morning!

Disneyland MaxPass Strategy

Image of cellphone with maxpass option: Morning Strategy at Disneyland

Disney released a mobile version of the FastPass system called MaxPass in Summer 2017. MaxPass, unlike FastPass, isn’t a free feature and costs $10 per person per day. Depending on the size of your group, this feasibly may not be an option. But it is a great feature that makes touring the parks a breeze.

MaxPass allows you to book FastPasses from your mobile device so it saves you a walk across the park. This not only helps you grab FastPasses efficiently but it also helps save energy! MaxPass also comes with unlimited PhotoPass downloads for the day which is a great additional feature. If you only have one day in the parks, MaxPass is highly recommended for your group.

Doing Disneyland Rope Drop Right

Disneyland Halloween Pumpkin

Thirty minutes before park opening, cast members will begin letting guests into the parks. This helps control the flow of crowds and it can be a huge advantage for morning park visitors! There will be ropes (guarded by cast members) that block off access points of the lands until the official park opening time. Being one of the first groups positioned at those ropes can be a huge advantage for your morning strategy for Disneyland! You can also begin booking MaxPass once you enter the gates so this is also a great plus for groups that plan on purchasing MaxPass. To be there at Rope Drop plan to arrive at least one hour prior to the park opening.

Pro tip: Grab breakfast to go and eat while you’re waiting to be let in through the turnstiles. This will help keep adults happy and kids occupied during that early morning wait time. We always recommend either eating here or at your Disneyland hotel.

Popular Seasonal Attractions

There are five rides at the Disneyland Resort that get the Halloween Time seasonal treatment which are definitely worth centering your day around. These attractions become even more popular than usual during these holiday overlays so our Halloween Time Disneyland strategy prioritizes these attractions so you don’t miss out!

  • Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy
    • Disney describes this spooky overlay as being full of chills and thrills, “Dip and careen past spectral stars and scary satellites during your spirited space ride in the dark. Shiver and shudder amid the inky blackness—glowing apparitions reaching out in all directions to grab you. Behold ghoulish orbs of light, howling comets and materializing meteors. And shriek in fear inside a wicked wormhole—piercing screams, ghostly music and inhuman sounds echoing all around.”
  • Haunted Mansion Holiday
    • The Haunted Mansion gets a makeover inspired by Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Be prepared to experience decor courtesy of Jack Skellington such as jack o’ lanterns and wreaths, terrifying toys, and a spooky scented gingerbread house! Sally and Oogie Boogie are also on hand to wish you “Season’s Screamings!”
  • Guardians of the Galaxy- Monsters After Dark 
    • Groot was left behind in the escape and it’s up to you to help save him from the monsters that have been unleashed in The Collector’s Fortress!
    • This spooky theme only takes place after 5PM each day in California Adventure. FastPasses run out quickly so make sure you don’t miss your chance!
  • Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween
    • Luigi and Guido celebrate Halloween with a dance party complete with Halloween themed decor.
  • Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree
    • Don’t miss Mater’s Halloween celebration with ‘high spirited’ Halloween music.

The Best Halloween Time Disneyland Strategy Halloween Time Disneyland Strategy: Haunted Mansion Holiday

If you do not have a ticket to Mickey’s Halloween Party then it is essential to start your day at Disneyland to see the Halloween Time fun and attractions before it closes for the party. Now let’s take a look at our Halloween Time Disneyland strategy to help you experience all the Halloween Time fun!

  • Grab Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy FastPass with MaxPass when you enter the park.
  • Get your picture in front of the Mickey Pumpkin on Main Street (We recommend doing this in the morning for a few reasons: you’re fresh and looking your best, the line will be short, and it’s right on your way as you make it down Main Street)
  • Line up by the rope drop to Adventureland.
  • Ride Haunted Mansion Holiday.
  • Ride Pirates of the Caribbean. 
  • Ride Indiana Jones Adventure. 
  • Ride Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy with FastPass.
  • At this point, begin checking the FastPass arrival times for Guardians of the Galaxy- Monsters After Dark. You need to time it so you can get a FastPass with a return time that is AFTER 5pm to experience this Halloween overlay. Typically, FastPasses will run out by lunch during Halloween Time so it’s important to be on top of this!
  • Grab Star Tours-The Adventures Continue FastPass with MaxPass. (If it’s not time yet to grab your Guardians FastPass!)
  • Ride Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.
  • Ride Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage.
  • Ride Autopia.
  • Ride Star Tours- The Adventure Continues with FastPass.
  • Ride Astro Orbiter. 
  • Grab Big Thunder Mountain Railroad FastPass with MaxPass (Remember: stay on top of getting your FastPass for Guardians of the Galaxy- Monsters After Dark. If you have one in hand already, skip to the next part of the strategy. You can also CANCEL an existing FastPass using MaxPass if you need to- make sure to keep checking those times!)
  • Ride Jungle Cruise. 
  • Ride Splash Mountain (The earlier you ride- the shorter the standby line will be. If you’re worried about getting wet, wear ponchos! You can get them at the Dollar Store for a buck!)
  • Ride The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. 
  • Ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad with FastPass. (Or with standby if you can’t pull a FastPass yet)
  • By this point, you should have your Guardians of the Galaxy- Monsters After Dark FastPass. Check when you can pull another FastPass and when you can, pull Radiator Springs Racers. If the Radiator Springs Racers FastPasses run out then pull Toy Story Midway Mania instead.
  • Break for lunch.
  • It’s up to you how you plan on spending the afternoon, you could stay in Disneyland and tackle low wait time rides in ToonTown and Fantasyland or you can cruise over to California Adventure right away.
  • At California Adventure, make sure to take the time to go to Cars Land and see the Halloween decorations and themed attractions such as Luigi’s Honkin’ Haul-O-Ween and Mater’s Graveyard JamBOOree. 

MaxPass and Park Hopper tickets are essential to our Halloween Time Disneyland strategy so make sure you have both of those things before using this touring plan.

If a ride on this list offers FastPass and has a standby time of over 20 minutes, I recommend skipping it and moving to the next one in the Halloween Time Disneyland strategy. You can always catch it later with a FastPass- don’t waste precious morning time standing in long standby lines.

Pro tip: You can cancel FastPasses after you’ve booked them with MaxPass using the Disneyland app. This way, if you have a current FastPass and notice you need to abandon that one and grab your Guardians of the Galaxy-Monsters After Dark FastPass- you can cancel the existing one so you’re free to grab your Guardians FastPass.

More Disneyland Planning Tips

There is always a lot of information to consider before planning an Disneyland vacation. Make sure to spend time planning your days in the theme parks and become familiar with everything Disneyland has to offer. Don’t forget to subscribe to our FREE Deals Newsletter to stay on top of the current planning tips, strategies, and deals.

You can discover more about planning your trip to Disneyland from these links:

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Entertainment Review and Guide to Frozen: Live at the Hyperion in California Adventure

Anna and Elsa holds hang while singing

Updated 9/16/18. Seeing Frozen: Live at the Hyperion in California Adventure is a great way to take a break from the heat and refresh yourselves before taking on the afternoon and evening.

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The Hyperion theater is spacious, well designed, and air conditioned! The show itself is breathtaking and is a must for everyone- not just Frozen fans.

Overview of the Experience

Close up of the Live at the Hyperion sign

The Hyperion is a large theater in Hollywood Land in California Adventure park. This theater is spacious, well designed, and offers beautiful projections on either side of the stage. There really isn’t a bad spot to sit in this entire theater.

Currently, the show being offered at the Hyperion is Frozen: Live. We enjoyed this show in August of 2018 and we absolutely loved it. Keep in mind that my son and I are not necessarily giant Frozen fans- the show was just that good. I’d highly recommend it to anyone.

You will see a streamlined performance of the movie including the most popular songs, characters, and stunning special effects. We were blown away by the effects- such as the snow coming down from the ceiling- during some of the songs.

You have three options of seating in this theater: orchestra, mezzanine, and balcony.

The orchestra seating is floor seating directly in front of the stage. The performers often use the aisles during the show so if you sit here you will be close to them when they do this.

The mezzanine is the second floor up from the orchestra and offers a wide view of the entire theater of not just the stage but the projections that will show on the walls of the stage.

The balcony is the highest seating up in the air where you will look directly down on the stage and the projections.

When you arrive for the show, we recommend coming at least an hour prior if you have your heart set on certain seating in mind. If you walk through the entrance under the sign of the Hyperion theater it will direct you towards a cast member standing at a podium by three entrances marked by the seating area name. Simply walk through the seating area of your choice and it will lead you to a roped off waiting area. A cast member will start letting guests inside the theater at about 15 minutes prior to show time.

The show lasts for one hour from start to finish. We enjoyed the 12PM show on our visit on a hot and crowded day in August. It was a perfect break from the crowds- we left feeling happy and refreshed.

To get an idea of what to expect, see my video from Elsa performing Let It Go during the performance we saw in August.

Top Tips for Viewing the Show

Elsa with arms outstretched in gown

Here are my top tips for viewing this show including where to sit, what time to select, and basic advice based on our experience in August.

  • Pick a showtime that coordinates when the sun is the highest and the crowds are the largest. This is the perfect time to take a break and relax. I recommend the 12PM or 3PM show. The show lasts for one hour. You can find showtimes on Disney’s website here.
  • Depending on where you want to sit will help you decide how early to get in line.
    • Orchestra seating is very popular because the cast will use the aisles often throughout the performance. If your heart is set on sitting here- line up at least an hour early. These spots go quick!
    • The mezzanine is my favorite because you have a wider view of the stage which has beautiful projections that extend out on either side. We only had to get in in line 30 minutes prior for this seating area and there was still plenty of space before the show started. As always, gauge the crowd level and get in line earlier if need be. Keep in mind that the first few rows might put the railing in your way. Sit row three and up to avoid that if you think it would bother you.
    • The balcony is the highest up so might not be a good choice for people afraid of heights. It still offers spectacular views though! On days when they’re expecting fewer crowds the balcony seating won’t be available.
  • They will let you in 15 minutes before the scheduled performance will start so make sure everyone in your group is there in the waiting area- it’s not really possible to save seats in this theater.
  • There are no bathrooms in the theater. Make sure you take your kiddos to the restroom beforehand. There is one close by right next to the Captain America meet/greet area. If you must leave during the performance for any reason, make sure you tell a cast member and they will give you a pass to get back in.
  • Food is allowed in the theater so feel free to bring whatever you like inside. Before showtime, there will be vendors selling popcorn in the aisles.
  • No flash photography during the performance- the cast members will remind you of rules beforehand.
  • If you take plan on using our morning strategy for California Adventure, seeing the 12PM show works out perfectly while you wait for FastPass arrival times.
  • There are places to sit across the street where you can find pretzel carts and other quick food options. We sat here around 11:00AM and enjoyed a few snacks while watching the lines for Frozen across the street. This was a good way to keep an eye on the line but also just enjoy a place to sit too!

Dining Packages

Outside of Carthay Circle

There is one dining package offered for this show at Carthay Circle. If you have plans to eat there anyways and plan to see this show, a dining package is a great idea.

Carthay Circle Frozen Dining Package Basics

  • Only available for lunch and includes a three course meal. Mickey Check Meals available for kids. Dessert is included in the three course meal.
  • The Frozen Dining Package costs $89 per adult and $45 per child (ages 3 to 9), plus tax and gratuity. There is no charge for children under 3 years of age.
  • You will be admitted first into the theater and have first choice seats in the orchestra seating area.
  • Annual Passholder discounts are not available for this package.
  • Book online or call Disney Dining at (714) 781-DINE or (714) 781-3463 between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM daily.

Based on the crowd level we saw in August 2018 for this show, I don’t think a dining package is necessary to ensure good viewing. We were able to get great seats by simply lining up 30 minutes prior to the show time. And honestly, we could have walked right in five minutes before show time and still had great seats in the mezzanine area.

But there are perks to the dining package of not having to worry about reserving your seat and knowing you’re going to get front row spots in the orchestra area! Some people really LOVE sitting in the orchestra area and for kids that are Frozen obsessed- I can see the value in going for this dining package.

Meeting Anna and Elsa

Meeting Anna and Elsa from Frozen at meet and greet

A great way to conclude this magical experience, if you have huge Frozen fans, is to go down the road to meet Anna and Elsa!

You can find Anna and Elsa daily at Character Close-Up inside the Disney Animation building on Hollywood Boulevard just down the road from the Hyperion theater.

You can check the website or the Disneyland app for character times. The nice thing about doing this in the afternoon is that the building is air conditioned and offers a break if there are high temperatures. You may wait in a long line or not- it’s a bit unpredictable. We’ve been able to walk right in on some afternoons and others we’ve waited in a longer line.

Occasionally, you’ll find Kristoff and Olaf meeting guests here too! Make sure you have the Disneyland app installed on your phone so you can keep an eye out for those appearances.

Ready to See Frozen: Live at the Hyperion?

There is always a lot of information to consider before planning an Disneyland vacation. Make sure to spend time planning your days in the theme parks and become familiar with everything Disneyland has to offer. Don’t forget to subscribe to our FREE Deals Newsletter to stay on top of the current planning tips, strategies, and deals.

You can discover more about planning your trip to Disneyland from these links:

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Walt Disney World Christmas: Tips and Tricks Guide 2018

Fireworks at Walt Disney World

Updated 9/16/18. Walt Disney World has so much to offer at Christmas and our guide seeks to give you all the information you need to know for a successful vacation including tips, discount tickets, and tricks to making the most out of your time.

What could make a Walt Disney World vacation even more magical? Visiting around the holiday season! Walt Disney World has so much to see and do for the holidays including Mickey’s Very Christmas Party, holiday overlays at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, Toy Story Land holiday overlays, the Candelight Processional, more!

Save on your stay! Discount Walt Disney World tickets! Start preparing now for your Walt Disney World vacation and book your hotel with the best prices! Make sure you are getting the best deal for your vacation! Book now >

Read on to find out everything you need to know for enjoying the holiday season at Walt Disney World.

The Basics

The holiday season begins at Walt Disney World this year on November 8th which allows for plenty of time for guests to plan a seasonal vacation to one of the Happiest Places on Earth! Typically you can expect the holiday decor to remain up until early January. Walt Disney World’s website lists most holiday events as ending on January 6th. 

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Mickey in front of the Christmas tree

The dates have been announced for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party held in Magic Kingdom for this current holiday season.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2018 Dates:

  • November 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 25, 27 and 29
  • December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 21

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party tickets start at $95 in advance or $105 at the gate, if available. We recommend buying them in advance not just to save money but they will sell out!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party experience includes entertainment options such as:

  • A Frozen Holiday Wish
  • Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration
  • Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
  • Holiday Wishes—Celebrate the Spirit of the Season
  • A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas
  • VoicePlay
  • Club Tinsel
  • Snowfall on Main Street

Most popular Magic Kingdom attractions are open during this party and you can expect shorter lines due to many guests enjoying the entertainment options. You can expect to see the Jungle Cruise transformed with holiday decorations into the Jingle Cruise during this party (and all seasonal dates).

During the party you can enjoy meet and greet from classic and popular Disney characters dressed in seasonal fashion along with rare appearances from Santa, Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws and Scrooge McDuck.

And don’t forget the food options! Complimentary seasonal sweets and beverages will be available all throughout the park. Several holiday treat locations will be open until midnight during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World Parade

Magic Kingdom is where most of the Christmas magic happens at Walt Disney World. This is the theme park where Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party takes place and so most of the best decorations can be viewed here.

Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade

During Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (and after the party dates end) you can enjoy Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade that takes place in the evening and features SNOW on Main Street, USA. The parade features a Christmas theme with bright lights and popular characters such as Anna, Elsa, Mickey, and Santa!

Holiday Wishes

Season of Light fireworks

The seasonal fireworks that take place in Magic Kingdom are called Holiday Wishes and they are breathtaking. Hosted by Jiminy Cricket, the fireworks include holiday-themed projection effects on Cinderella Castle along with seasonal classics such as:

  • “Sleigh Ride”
  • “Jingle Bells”
  • “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”
  • “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”
  • “O Christmas Tree”
  • “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”
  • “Spirit of the Season”

Guests can enjoy these fireworks during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and for a limited time after the party dates end.

Jingle Cruise

Jingle Cruise

This Magic Kingdom attraction gets the seasonal treatment and renaming from Jungle Cruise to Jingle Cruise during the holiday season. Disney describes this holiday overlay as:

Jingle Cruise is again themed as if the Skippers are once again homesick for the holidays and decorated the attraction queue and boathouse with homemade decorations, gifts and items from back home. (If you listen carefully, you may also hear a holiday-themed radio broadcast playing in the background in the queue). The boats have been renamed to receive holiday names and the skippers are getting guests laughing with additional holiday jokes. The jungle has also received new seasonal supplies. Unfortunately, some missed their final destination falling deeper into the jungle.

Make sure that you don’t miss this holiday themed attraction on your visit which is open during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and regular park hours.

Epcot

Christmas decor in front of epcot

Epcot has plenty to see and do during the holiday season including great food, a candelight processional, and more!

Epcot International Festival of the Holidays

The Epcot International Festival of the Holidays takes places during  – , 2018 this holiday season.

The festival is a celebration of international holiday traditions from around the world. This festival experience includes:

  • An International Yuletide Extravaganza: featuring 11 holiday traditions of the 11 World Showcase nations
  • Holiday Kitchens: featuring seasonal food from around the world at select kiosks around the park
  • IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth: a fireworks show featuring laser and water technology to celebrate the holiday season.

Epcot Candlelight Processional

Epcot Candlelight Processional

The Epcot Candlelight Processional is quite popular and due to this Walt Disney World offers dining packages available to help you reserve your spot.

In the Candelight Processional you will hear the biblical story of Christmas typically told by a celebrity narrator and accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and massed choir.

The 2018 Narrators and Dates:

  • Chita Rivera – November 22 to 23, 2018
  • TBD – November 24 to December 2, 2018
  • Neil Patrick Harris – December 3 to 6, 2018
  • Whoopi Goldberg – December 7 to 9, 2018
  • TBD – December 10 to 12, 2018
  • Blair Underwood – December 13 to 14, 2018
  • Gary Sinise – December 15 to 17, 2018
  • Pat Sajak – December 18 to 20, 2018
  • TBD – December 21 to 23, 2018
  • Edward James Olmos – December 24 to 25, 2018
  • Jodi Benson – December 26 to 27, 2018
  • TBD – December 28 to 30, 2018

This dazzling presentation runs November 22 through December 30, 2018.

We will keep this page updated as Disney continues to announce their celebrity narrators this holiday season.

Animal Kingdom

Close up of Christmas tree

At Animal Kingdom you can expect the park to be decked out in breathtaking holiday decor. During the holiday season Rivers of Light and Pandora- The World of Avatar will still be running nightly.

UP! A Great Bird Adventure

UP show

This favorite entertainment option featuring characters from the movie UP! is tranformed into “A Special Holiday Celebration” that runs from November 8, 2018 to January 1, 2019,

During the show except to discover the story of Diwali—the holiday festival of lights in India—during this special version of the show.

You can find characters such as Mickey and Minnie dressed in seasonal attire at the Adventurer’s Outpost. Around the park you can also find characters such as Santa, Goofy, Baloo, King Louie, Donald, Chip and Dale dressed in seasonal clothes.

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios at Christmas

There is plenty of entertainment to be found in Hollywood Studios for the holiday season along with fabulous holiday decorations.

Sunset Seasons Greeting’s

Sunset Seasons Greetings

Sunset Seasons Greeting’s projection show is definitely worth a look as the Hollywood Tower becomes full of light including laser projections and snow! Taking place November 8, 2018 through January 6, 2019.

When evening falls, the billboards transform into real life characters tell a tale of their love for the season.

These holiday scenes include:

  • Mickey and Minnie reminiscing about a hometown Christmas as the scene shifts into a romanticized, Norman Rockwell-inspired town—starting in black and white before slowly changing into color.
  • The Toy Story characters guessing which new toys are coming this Christmas as the scene becomes covered in holiday wrapping paper.
  • The Swedish Chef from The Muppets babbling as only he can while the scene turns into giant gingerbread houses.
  • And finally, Olaf pining over his holiday wish as iconic music plays and the scene freezes over into a Frozen winter wonderland—complete with dancing Aurora Borealis lights and projected falling snow.

“Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!”

Jingle BAM

This spectacular holiday show includes festive music, special effects, and Disney grade entertainment.

Santa’s Gone Missing

This show centers around searching for Santa in this festive show with celebrity stars leading the entertainment.

Join the festive fun as the stars of ABC’s Prep & Landing search high and low for Kris Kringle. Landing nightly at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a limited time, it’s Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!

The Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! Holiday Dessert Party is the reserved viewing and dining package option for this popular show in Hollywood Studios.

Holiday Cheer in Toy Story Land

Stay tuned for more information as we receive for Disney! From what we know so far, we an expect a level of holiday cheer from Toy Story Land for this coming holiday season!

Echo Lake Holiday Decorations

Echo Lake gets a merry makeover with extra-large ornaments, colorful garlands and a giant Christmas tree centered on the water. Even Dinosaur Gertie will be festively dressed for the occasion!

Disney does not disappoint with their seasonal decorations so take the time to soak it in and enjoy!

Santa Greetings

Little girl with Santa

Visit with Santa Claus from November 9 to December 24, 2018—or meet Santa Goofy from December 25 to December 31, 2018.

Minnie’s Holiday Dine

Join Minnie and her friends for a holiday themed dinner party at Hollywood & Vine! This seasonal option is available November 9, 2018 – January 6, 2019.

Disney Springs

Disney Springs is fully decked out in its holiday finest along with the theme parks in early November. You can find seasonal treats and shopping in this Disney district

Disney Springs also features a variety of entertainment for the holiday season such as:

  • Christmas Tree Trail: a walk through wonderland of Disney themed Christmas trees featuring falling snow and holiday music.
  • Stitch’s Holiday Gift Hunt: a scavenger hunt to find all of Stitch’s lost items, if you find them all you receive a prize!
  • Santa’s Chalet: Santa meet and greet options are available at select times.

There are also carolers wandering through Disney Springs along with other roaming varieties of seasonal entertainment.

Seasonal Treats and Shopping

Half of the fun of enjoying a Walt Disney World Christmas is enjoying the delicious food and great seasonal shopping options! Walt Disney World will offer many seasonal themed treats and dishes in all of their theme parks that are worth trying.

In addition to treats, the shopping at Walt Disney world offers many Christmas and seasonal themed items sure to make someone on your Christmas list very happy.

As you can see, there is much to see and do to enjoy a Walt Disney World Christmas!

Plan Your Walt Disney World Vacation!

Ready to plan your day at Walt Diney World? Be sure to subscribe to our Disney deals newsletter for all the latest information on deals and saving tips to help you save money and experience more! Sign up here.

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Ultimate Guide to Discount LEGOLAND California Tickets

Front of Legoland Entrance

Updated 9/16/18. There is no reason you shouldn’t get discounts on LEGOLAND tickets! LEGOLAND California is a popular destination for many families visiting Southern California. This theme park is a must if you have children that are Lego fans! We broke down all the available cheap LEGOLAND tickets so you can get the best deal for your vacation.

Save on your stay! Discount Legoland Tickets + Hotel! Start preparing now for your Southern California Vacation and book your hotel with the best prices! Get special Legoland discount tickets when you book a tickets hotel combo. Make sure you are getting the best deal for your summer vacation! Book now >

Legoland Gate Admission Prices

Sea Dragon roller coaster

Before planning your trip, take a look at some of the offerings available to both out-of-state vacationers and locals. LEGOLAND typically offers deals where you buy one day and get more days free. Make sure to check their website for their most up to date promotion. Like with most theme parks, you will save money if you buy ahead of time instead of at the gate.

Typically, at LEGOLAND you can expect to pay around $10 more per person if you pay at the gate instead of online. Also, certain times of year will be more expensive so you can expect to see some variance in ticket prices depending on the day you choose. That’s why we recommend buying your tickets through Get Away Today so you are getting the best and most consistent prices.

One-Day Legoland Tickets

When buying directly through LEGOLAND’s website you can expect to pay prices starting at $95 per person for a one-day admission to LEGOLAND California.

Multi-Day Legoland Passes

When buying directly through LEGOLAND’s website you have a few different options for multi-day passes:

  • 2-Day LEGOLAND + Sea Life Hopper– This hopper gives you 2-day admission to the LEGOLAND Califoria + the Sea Life Aquarium. Prices online start at $100 per person.
  • 2-Day Resort Hopper– This hopper gives you 2-day admission to LEGOLAND California + SEA LIFE Aquarium + Water Park. Prices online start at $105 per person.
  • 2-Day LEGOLAND + hotel stay– This is a bundle option and rates will vary based on the LEGOLAND themed hotel you select.

LEGOLAND Annual Pass

LEGOLAND offers a variety of annual passes to choose from. If you live in Southern California or if you know you will be visiting LEGOLAND more than five days a year- it’s a good decision to buy one of these passes. LEGOLAND offers three different annual passes:

LEGOLAND Annual Pass

  • $159 OR $27 down payment + $12/month
  • Unlimited admission to LEGOLAND California only
  • LEGOLAND hotel discounts
  • LEGOLAND e-newsletter (exclusive invitations, previews and more)

Merlin Annual Pass Standard

  • $199 OR $34 down payment + 15/month
  • Buy three annual passes, get one free (not available with pay per month plan)
  • Unlimited admission to LEGOLAND California and SEA LIFE Aquarium
  • Limited admission to LEGOLAND Water Park with black out dates
  • Free Parking
  • Discounts on dining, shopping, LEGOLAND Resort Hotels and more
  • Admission to 30+ Merlin Attractions in North America
  • LEGOLAND e-newsletter (exclusive invitations, previews and more)

Merlin Annual Pass Premium

  • $279 OR $48 down payment + $21/month
  • Buy three annual passes, get one free (not available with pay per month plan)
  • Unlimited admission to LEGOLAND California and SEA LIFE Aquarium
  • Unlimited admission to LEGOLAND Water Park
  • Free LEGOLAND admission ticket
  • Free Parking
  • Discounts on dining, shopping, LEGOLAND Resort Hotels and more
  • Admission to 30+ Merlin Attractions in North America
  • LEGOLAND e-newsletter (exclusive invitations, previews and more)

Legoland Discount Tickets

Legoland go carts going down the road

There a variety of discount options to take advantage of for LEGOLAND California. Here are all the discount options we could find to help you save money on your California vacation!

How We Get Such Low Prices For Discount Legoland Tickets

discount disney ticketsWe have found a Disney-approved ticket reseller that has partnered with us to offer exclusive discounts just for MickeyVisit.com readers.

The best discounts available for LEGOLAND park tickets are from the authorized ticket reseller, Get Away Today. Not only do they have better discounts than the other resellers, but the customer service and easy support is absolutely fantastic. They have an entire department dedicated to making sure every order has a 10/10 experience. When a customer shared that having tickets in advance would improve their experience, Get Away Today committed to physically sending the tickets to their guests so they can avoid the lines at the ticket booths.

To offer these discounts, Get Away Today purchases huge blocks of tickets and breaks them up to sell to guests.

Through our exclusive partnership, we are able to offer the lowest priced tickets. Check out the Get Away Today website for information on all ticket discounts. These discounts are exclusively available to Mickey Visit readers. You have to click through our private links to unlock exclusive access to these lower prices (if you just go directly to the Get Away Today website you will just see their normal prices).

After purchasing your tickets, you will either be emailed a receipt which you can take to any of the ticket booths to pick up your tickets or if you booked far enough out in advance, Get Away Today will send you your physical tickets so you can avoid a line picking up the tickets. The email with the voucher comes sometime in the 24 hours after you purchase your tickets. Book your tickets at least two days before your arrival to ensure that they are processed in time for the first day of your vacation and about a week before if you want your tickets to be sent to you without and overnight shipping cost.

Go San Diego Cards Discount Tickets

Go San Diego Cards are passes to explore theme parks, zoos, and other sites around Southern California. Costco online offers the most popular 2-day and 4-day passes.

The 2-Day card includes an all-inclusive visitor’s pass with admission to the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Knott’s Berry Farm, LEGOLAND, and smaller tours, museums and more. Prices are $110.99 for adults and $94.99 for kids ages 3-12.

The 4-Day pass includes the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Knott’s Berry Farm, LEGOLAND and again, some smaller venues. Adults are $209.99, and children are $182.99.

Go Los Angeles Card Discount Tickets

The Go Los Angeles Card works in the same way the Go San Diego Card does except it offers a few other Orange County options too! Includes admission to Universal Studios Hollywood™, LEGOLAND® California, plus 2 top attractions of your choice. You can customize the pass to fit your family’s interests.

SOCAL City Pass Discount Tickets

If you plan on hitting the Southern California theme parks BIG TIME, look into this pass which includes Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Parks 3-day hopper passes, one-day passes at SeaWorld San Diego, LEGOLAND, and either San Diego Zoo or San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Prices tally in at $411 for adults and children (3-9) at $381.

You can get the discount Legoland tickets via the CityPass by purchasing through our recommended discount travel provider. Buy NOW > 

Military Discount Tickets

Current, active military personnel are offered a variety of discounts when purchasing ahead of time via LEGOLAND’s military discount page. At the gate, they will receive 10% off the one-day admission fee with valid dependent ID card. Retirees and military veterans may check with local military bases for discount packages.

AAA Discounts Discount Tickets

Current AAA card holders will receive a 5% discount on one-day admission and 10% off a LEGOLAND hotel reservation.

Costco Discount Tickets

Costco often offers Southern California vacation packages and discount ticket options. Check Costco’s Travel website and search for “Legoland” to see if there are any current deals. Costco’s deals change often so it’s always good to keep checking back!

Teacher Appreciation Days Discount Tickets

FREE admission for California Classroom Teachers and discounts for family and friends if you present your valid teacher ID.

2018-2019 Eligible Dates

  • Sat/Sun only, September 2 – November 18, 2018
  • January 5 – March 31, May 4-12, 2019.

Advance reservations required, call 760-438-5346.

  • FREE Admission for California classroom teachers.
  • Valid for K – 12 California classroom teachers.
  • Includes full day LEGOLAND Park admission.
  • Family and Friends $52. Upgrade to include SEA LIFE Aquarium for $5 more.
  • Pick up tickets at Guest Service window on the day of your visit.
  • Verification of classroom teacher status required.
  • Bring valid teacher ID.
  • Classroom teachers only

California Home School Days Discount Tickets

LEGOLAND also offers discounts to families that can provide home school verification on select dates.

2018-2019 Eligible Dates

  • Weekdays during regular Park hours in September – June.
  • Not available select holiday weeks in December – January (December 22, 2017 – January 1, 2018) and March – April (March 26, 2018 – April 6, 2018).

To obtain Home School Tickets

  • Call 760-438-5346 at least two weeks in advance or pre-register online.

Ticket Information

  • Tickets are $28 Adult or Child for admission to LEGOLAND, and $33 Adult or Child for admission to LEGOLAND and SEA LIFE Aquarium, for verified Home School-serving Charters or Home School families.
  • Minimum purchase 10 tickets.
  • Offer valid weekdays during Park hours, September – June, on traditional school days, excluding winter break, spring break.
  • Downloadable resource guides available for a self-guided experience.
  • Guests arriving in family groups must show Home School verification at Guest Services to redeem offer. (Examples include verification of membership in a public or private school, independent study or satellite program, CA private school affidavit, or homeschool organization such as K-12 or CAVA)
  • Payment required in advance.
  • No refunds provided. Pricing subject to change without notice.

California PTA Discount Tickets

If you’re a local California PTA member, here are some ways you can save on LEGOLAND tickets for you and your family/friends.

PTA Family Field Trip

  • More than 50% off a LEGOLAND California/SEA LIFE Hopper ticket – only $55 per person!
  • Must be reserved and pre-paid by phone at least one day in advance. Call 760-438-5346 and have your school name ready. Minimum purchase 6 tickets.

Kids Go Free Online Offer

  • Free child with paid adult admission offer.
  • Available only for purchase online, in advance of your visit.
  • Contact your California PTA membership chairperson for details. Restrictions apply.

LEGO Life Subscription Discount Tickets

Occasionally, subscribers to the LEGO Life magazine will receive discounts and updates about current promotions. You can sign up here. 

Kids Free October Discount Tickets

Each year, San Diego attractions offer a KIDS FREE everything for the month of October. For LEGOLAND California, you will receive one free child hopper ticket with the purchase of a full-price adult hopper ticket.

LEGOLAND water park

LEGOLAND Discount Tickets Basics

Family of four walk out of the Legoland Castle entrance

LEGOLAND offers three main areas to chose from:

LEGOLAND also has two LEGO themed hotels to chose from if you wish to stay on site:

  • Legoland Resort Hotel– this hotel features LEGO themed rooms in your choice of Pirate, Kingdom, Adventure, LEGO NINJAGO or LEGO Friends.
  • Legoland Castle Hotel– this castle themed hotel features LEGO Castle themed rooms with your choice of Knights & Dragons, Royal Princess or Magic Wizard.

The benefits of staying on site at LEGOLAND include the convenience of being steps away from the park entrance, early admission into the park, free breakfast, Lego themed rooms, interactive on site games, and LEGO themed play throughout the hotel.

LET US HELP YOU PLAN YOUR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VACATION!

The discounts extend not only to just to LEGOLAND California, but to many other Southern California theme parks and tourist attractions.  Don’t forget to subscribe to our FREE Deals Newsletter to stay on top of the current planning tips, strategies, and deals.

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Dining Review: The Blue Bayou Fantasmic! Dining Package

Updated 9/16/18. Join us for dinner as we take you through what an experience of the Blue Bayou Fantasmic! dining package looks like. This dining package comes with a high price tag so check out our review to see if it’s worth the price for your family or group.

Save on your stay! Disneyland COMBO Hotel + Ticket Discounts Get the best price on your hotel and Disneyland tickets by checking out our travel partner. Discounts include free parking and free breakfast at certain hotels, free hotel nights, and more! Book now >

If you haven’t heard of the Blue Bayou restaurant, you should know about it before considering this package. The Blue Bayou was once (and still is high on the list) the fanciest restaurant in Disneyland. When it first opened in 1967, it was common to see patrons dressed in their finest before dining in this establishment.

No need to worry about a dress code today- it is common for people to come wearing their regular ‘park clothes’ and feel right at home. I always, personally, think it’s more fun to dress up a bit more for this experience but it’s not required at all. Come with us as we walk you through what our experience of this dining package was like!

The Basics

Blue Bayou Fantasmic!: lanterns light up a dark atmosphere restaurant

One of the things that makes the Blue Bayou restaurant so spectacular is the atmosphere. This restaurant is located inside the popular Pirates of the Caribbean ride so while you dine you can watch the boats float by. Enjoy the sounds of crickets and frogs, the glow of the fireflies, and the peaceful night-time setting of a Louisiana bayou. The atmosphere truly transports you to another place.

The Blue Bayou Fantasmic! dining package works like many of the other dining packages at Disneyland. You will enjoy a three course meal and afterwards you will be given ticket vouchers to the Fantasmic! reserved seating for that same evening.

The Blue Bayou Fantasmic! dining packages offers the best seating for the Fantasmic! show which seats guests front and center of the show. This package also includes a Fantasmic! themed cushion (as seen below) to sit on during the show which you can keep as a souvenir.

Close up shot of a purple and black cushion

The pricing for this package for lunch is $59 per adult and $29 per child. For dinner the pricing is $69 per adult and $29 per child. Disney considers child pricing to include kids aged 3-9. If you have a child younger than three, they are allowed to eat off your plate. You may want to include their count in your dining reservation though so they give you enough chairs. Pricing does not include tax or gratuity.

I highly recommend making this reservation in advance due to its popularity and likely chance it will sell out. However, it doesn’t hurt to ask at check-in if they’ve had cancellations either. You can make a dining reservation up to 60 days in advance.

Tables for this dining package are available starting at 11:30 AM for lunch and 4:00 PM for dinner—space is limited. Same-day reservations based on availability. Book online or call (714) 781-DINE or (714) 781-3463 between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM Pacific Time daily.

The Menu

View of the boats going by inside the Blue Bayou

When you arrive for your dining experience, I recommend getting there 15 minutes early and asking for a water side table. Sitting next to the water will you give you a view like the one above and it’s well worth the wait.

Take a look at our most recent dining experience at the Blue Bayou on August 10th, 2018.

The menu for the Fantasmic! dining package.

Each table is lit with a small lantern.

You can chose to order a Mint Julep as your drink, if you like.

Every table gets (unlimited) bread and butter.

I chose salad for my starter with the house dressing. It was very good!

The child’s meal starter is a vegetable crudité with ranch dressing.

My son chose Mickey’s Cheesy Macaroni for his entrée. It came with grapes and broccoli- he loved it.

Since I am a vegetarian, I chose an alternative option (Disney is great at doing substitutions for allergies or other dietary needs like vegans/vegetarians, etc.) to the menu which was simply noodles with marinara sauce and cheese. It was delicious! They gave me a gigantic portion.

The Sorcerer Mickey dessert was to die for.

The child’s option for dessert, the Fondant Chocolate Cake, was also heavenly.

Overall, I felt we received great food in large portions for the price we paid which helped justify the cost in my mind. My only regret is not saving more room for dessert! Make sure to save room at the end- the dessert is so good. The bread they served at the table was warm and delicious- they kept it coming too! The service was excellent, as it usually is at most table service restaurants in Disneyland.

When you make your dining reservation, the website or app will tell you which Fantasmic! show you will get reserved seating for. Make sure you pay attention to this so you get the seating for the show you want!

I always recommend the earliest showing so you can stay put in your reserved viewing location to watch the fireworks after Fantasmic!

We ate dinner at 5:45 and we took our time so it was around 7PM when we finished. That left us an hour to ride a few close by attractions before heading to our reserved seating area. I made sure to grab FastPasses with MaxPass prior to our meal to attractions (Indiana Jones and Haunted Mansion) that were close by.

Fantasmic! Viewing Location

Our view from the Blue Blue Fantasmic! reserved viewing location.

After dinner you will be given your Fantasmic! themed cushions and your Fantasmic! reserved viewing tickets. DO NOT lose these tickets- this is how you will be admitted to your viewing location. They look like this:

Notice how the pass says to come back between 8-9PM. I recommend getting to your reserved viewing location right at 8PM or even ten minutes earlier. People will be lining up right at 8PM or sooner. Your ticket guarantees you a spot in this section but if you’re like me and want front row viewing- show up early. Buy some snacks to enjoy while you wait to keep you busy. Enjoy the time to rest your legs a bit.

You can find the reserved viewing entrance near the Haunted Mansion- ask a cast member if you’re unsure where to go and make sure you get in the correct line for the Blue Bayou Fantasmic! reserved viewing.

We arrived at 7:50PM and there was already about 15 people ahead of us in line. The cast members let us in the reserved area right at 8PM and we sat in the second row of people. Last year we sat in the first row and the railing obstructed our view a bit, the second row helps alleviate that problem.

Here’s our view of the stage area from our Blue Bayou Fantasmic! reserved viewing:

Our view from the reserved viewing location.

The show will start promptly at 9PM for the first showing. Be courteous of those behind you and remain seated. No flash photography either!

Here’s a few images from the show taken from our spot in the Blue Bayou Fantasmic! reserved viewing area.

Beginning of the show- notice the rail in the bottom of the photo I mentioned before.

Look at how close we are to the boats!

Almost close enough to touch. So cool.

The pirate scene is really neat this close up. You can really see the action.

My son’s favorite part.

Here you can watch two smaller clips from our Blue Bayou Fantasmic! viewing location:

 

 

As you can see, we had a great spot.

Overall, I highly recommend this experience if Fantasmic! is at the top of your list for your visit. The food and atmosphere at the Blue Bayou is well worth the high price tag. The reserved viewing location is great, even if you’re not in the first or second row, you’re going to have awesome views. I believe it was worth every penny. I always factor this dining experience into our trip planning costs now because I always enjoy it so much.

Bonus for First Fantasmic! Shows: Fireworks

 

I highly recommend you watch the first Fantasmic! performance at 9PM so you can watch the fireworks afterwards. When Fantasmic! ends, you will be instructed to stand for the fireworks before they start. You will then be able to watch the projections on a water screen directly in front of you while the fireworks go off to your right. This is absolutely one of my favorite places to watch the fireworks. Enjoy!

If there are high winds (which happens often) and the fireworks are cancelled they will still show projections on the water screen in front of you. It’s always worth watching so stay tuned for that.

Enjoy our video above of the finale for the Pixar Fest “Together Forever” fireworks and book your dining package for your next trip! I hope you enjoy it as much as we always do.

Ready to Enjoy the Blue Bayou Fantasmic! Experience?

There is always a lot of information to consider before planning an Disneyland vacation. Make sure to spend time planning your days in the theme parks and become familiar with everything Disneyland has to offer. Don’t forget to subscribe to our FREE Deals Newsletter to stay on top of the current planning tips, strategies, and deals.

You can discover more about planning your trip to Disneyland from these links:

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Dining Review: The New Lamplight Lounge on Pixar Pier in California Adventure

Lamplight Lounge during the daytime

Updated 9/16/18. Join us for dinner as we enjoy the newly designed Lamplight Lounge  on Pixar Pier in California Adventure.

Save on your stay! Disneyland COMBO Hotel + Ticket Discounts Get the best price on your hotel and Disneyland tickets by checking out our travel partner. Discounts include free parking and free breakfast at certain hotels, free hotel nights, and more! Book now >

Although this space isn’t entirely new, it was once the Cove Bar and Ariel’s Grotto, it has been entirely redone into a fresh Pixar theme. Disney describes the theme of the Lamplight Lounge as:

Renovated from an old warehouse factory, this eclectic eatery boasts cool architectural elements like concrete and exposed brick walls that reveal its storied past—all while creating an airy, bright and organic-yet-sophisticated ambiance. Guests will be excited to see a trove of Pixar treasures sprinkled into the California casual décor, including concept art, napkin sketches, knick-knacks, collectible toys and other mementos “left behind” by the filmmakers.

Disney did not disappoint with their goal of bringing Pixar treasures into a bright and sophisticated warehouse factory setting. Come see for yourself!

The Artistic Atmosphere

Let’s start with the atmosphere and decor of this beautiful restaurant. The renovation has been a clear Disney success with touches of Pixar appearing everywhere from the entrance to the bathrooms to the floors. Come take a walk with us as we explore these hidden touches.

Right when you walk in you will see artistic touches decorating all of the walls by the check-in podium.

Such beautiful decor all throughout this restaurant.

Take your time admiring the artwork while you wait to check in- it’s breathtaking.

Look down on the floor as you walk in to see the famous Luxor Jr. and the Luxo Ball featured in the tile.

To the right of the check in desk, you will see stairs that take you downstairs to the lounge which offers the full restaurant menu.

Look up to see the beautiful Pixar sketch chandelier.

The wall behind the check-in desk for the downstairs lounge.

The t-shirt wall adorned with Pixar themed t-shirts.

Make sure you take the time to use the restroom while you’re there… We all know Disney’s restrooms have a tendency to be beautifully decorated and this one is no exception!

Find this cool wall (perhaps a new Instagram wall in the making?) at the end of the hallway by the restrooms.

The walk to the restrooms features these walls with Pixar quotes.

Each brick wall in the downstairs lounge features finished artwork (such as posters) and original sketch replicas.

These lamps are featured throughout the restaurant.

Even the chairs have Pixar touches.

We were seated by the Coco wall.

The Basics

The Lamplight Lounge features two areas for varying appetites: the upstairs lounge and the downstairs lounge. Both areas feature outdoor and indoor dining options. The outdoor dining areas are equipped with fans to help keep guests cool on hotter days.

The upstairs lounge features appetizers and drinks such as shareable appetizers including (the notorious) lobster nachos. This area is for lighter appetites as there is no full menu or desert served here.

The downstairs lounge features the full menu including entrées, appetizers, kids meals, and a full drink menu. You can also find their dessert option here- fluffy donuts served with dipping sauces.

I highly recommend making a reservation in advance. Each time we have passed the Lamplight Lounge, there has been a long line waiting for availability. They do take walk-ins but it’s likely there will be more space for their upstairs lounge than the downstairs. To ensure your spot, book a reservation. You can book up to 60 days in advance.

To book online, use the Check Availability tool to reserve a table for your specified date. You may also call (714) 781-DINE or (714) 781-3463 between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM daily (Pacific Time).

The Menu

The drink menu is an entire book!

To see the full menu options for the Lamplight Lounge, check out Disney’s website here. 

The food menu itself is a piece of art with beautiful sketches throughout each page. We spent a considerable amount of time admiring the sketches before ordering!

The full food menu.

I ordered the Potato Skins and they were HEAVENLY.

Potato Skins

My son ordered the PB&J Roll which he enjoyed. That’s high praise from one of the pickiest eaters on the planet.

PB&J Roll

We also decided to order the donuts for dessert. These were absolutely delicious. Make room for dessert, I’d come back for these alone.

Donuts served with chocolate dipping sauce and strawberry sauce with Pop Rocks!

The drink menu is fantastic. There’s a large variety of mocktails, cocktails, and draft beers. Most of the cocktails and mocktails have Pixar themes. To see their entire list of drinks check out their online menu. 

Cocktail options.

More cocktail options!

My son got the Infinity Fizz with the Pixar Lamp and Ball Straw.

There is dry ice in the bottom of the drink- separated by the plastic-that makes the drink fizz and the cherries dance.

 

Here is more artwork from the drink menu that I found picture worthy.

I could stare at this menu all day. I might have done just that.

You will find artwork every other page alternating with the drink menu.

The coasters are cute and feature a variety of sketches on each side.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I adored the Lamplight Lounge. If you enjoy cocktails and love upscale pub food, this is a great place to dine. And if you’re a Pixar fan, this is an absolute MUST. We spent so much time enjoying the artwork and finding hidden Pixar elements everywhere we looked. It was such a bright and happy atmosphere.

The food was delicious and reasonably priced for the portions you got. I ordered an appetizer (the Potato Skins) and I felt reasonably full afterwards. But with still room for donuts! Which are a MUST. Get. the. donuts.

The only downside from the menu that I saw was being a vegetarian, I didn’t have too many options other than a salad, potato skins, or the deviled egg toast. I loved the potato skins so that was fine but I could see vegans having a hard time here. It’d be great if they eventually added a veggie burger- I was surprised not to see one.

The mocktails were cute and reasonably priced. I did end up ordering my son a second drink because he finished his mocktail in five minutes flat. So depending on the kid I wouldn’t expect their drink to last all through dinner. The Pixar Ball & Straw was a cute souvenir. The Pixar Ball comes off as a key chain.

I didn’t try a cocktail (I know, I’m so boring) but next time I will. It was hot and I was feeling dehydrated when we were there so I stuck to the super healthy/hydrating choice of Diet Coke. Let us know in the comments what you think of their cocktails! We saw many pass by our table and they looked delicious.

The service was outstanding but that is often my experience at most table service Disney restaurants. They didn’t rush you through dinner and the waiter had excellent recommendations.

Overall, I’d give the Lamplight Lounge five stars. Even if you stop in for just a drink, make the time to do so! The atmosphere alone is worth it.

Ready to Visit the Lamplight Lounge?

There is always a lot of information to consider before planning an Disneyland vacation. Make sure to spend time planning your days in the theme parks and become familiar with everything Disneyland has to offer. Don’t forget to subscribe to our FREE Deals Newsletter to stay on top of the current planning tips, strategies, and deals.

You can discover more about planning your trip to Disneyland from these links:

 

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Star Wars at Disneyland: Ultimate Guide

Updated 9/16/18. There are many things Star Wars related to enjoy at the Disneyland Resort while we count the days until Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens in summer of 2019. Between character interactions, shopping, and shows there’s plenty to keep even the most avid Star Wars fan happy until next summer! You can also read our full guide to the new Star Wars land to help you plan your 2019 Disneyland visit!

Save on your stay! Disneyland COMBO Hotel + Ticket Discounts Start preparing now for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and book your hotel for next summer with the best prices! Make sure you are getting the best deal for your summer vacation! Book now >

Attractions & Shows

Everything on this list is extremely popular- we recommend an early start to your day so you don’t miss out on everything from a galaxy far, far away!

Star Tours- The Adventures Continue

Inside view of Star Tours with C3PO looking out at the room

Since it’s original opening in 1987 and conversion in 2010, Star Tours has been known as a classic Tomorrowland attraction. Star Tours-The Adventures Continue is a 3D simulator attraction that takes you through multiple scenarios and adventures in the Star Wars universe.  What’s awesome about this ride is that every time you ride it, there’s a chance for a different experience! Recently added is a glimpse of the new Star War’s Galaxy Edge planet that is the centerpiece of the new Star Wars themed land opening next summer. Make sure to grab your FastPass early so you don’t miss your chance to see this classic attraction! And be sure to check out our extensive guide on FastPasses if you are new to the parks!

Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple

Darth Vader on the stage during Jedi Training

If you have kids aged 4-12 then do NOT let them miss out on this awesome experience. At the Jedi Academy, little jedis will be trained, robed, and outfitted with lightersabers as they prepare to duel Darth Vader, the Seventh Sister, or Kylo Ren. This experience is fantastic and kids love it. And the adults are so envious! Even if you don’t have kids participating, it’s a great show to watch.

Here is how this experience pans out:

  1. Register your kiddo immediately at park opening to make sure they get a spot. If you’re following our early morning strategy, do this first and continue throughout your day. Registration takes place on the side of Star Wars Launch Bay closest to Autotopia. You will see the signs with a choice of times for the day. Times vary between 9AM-5PM. Pick whichever works best with your crew. The sooner you get there- the more likely your kid snags a spot and the better choice of times you get!
  2. Come back at the time given to you on the piece of paper from the cast member. Don’t lose this paper!
  3. The cast members will robe your kiddos and get them prepared with their lightsabers. There will be many PhotoPass pictures taken for this experience so make sure to get a PhotoPass card from the photographers.
  4. Once your kid is situated with the cast members, go grab your seat! The stage is located right next to the Galactic Grill. The kids are separated from the general crowd with the cast members so they are in good hands. Don’t miss out on getting that front row view!
  5. Once the show starts, cast members/Jedi Masters will bring the kids out and get them organized. They will lead them through some practice lightsaber moves before they are interrupted by a dramatic entrance from some Sith lords.
  6. This is when your kiddo will get their chance to battle Darth Vader, Kylo Ren, or the Seventh Sister. The cast members do a great job with the kids to make sure they know what to do and are comfortable with the experience. All you have to do is sit back and watch the show!

Child battling Darth Vader with lightsaber

This experience is fantastic. If you have kids in this age range, don’t miss out! Afterwards they’ll be given a cool button to keep and lots of photos of their epic battle with the Dark Side. This is a definite must if you have Star Wars fans!

Star Wars Launch Bay

Entrance to Star Wars Launch Bay with Star Wars writing on the floor

The Star Wars Launch Bay is the mothership for all things Star Wars at the Disneyland Resort. Located right next to Space Mountain in Tomorrowland this is a great place to take a break from the heat in the afternoon. This attraction is all indoors and air conditioned so this is a great place to go for an afternoon break.

Currently, they are showing a huge exhibition of themed displays that show guests behind-the-scenes of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. There are many galleries to look at that show actual props borrowed from Lucasfilm and replicas created just for the Star Wars Launch Bay. It is every Star Wars fan’s dream come true. Not only are there galleries of themed displays but there are also settings inspired by the films that fans can take photo ops in.

The Launch Bay typically has documentaries on various Star Wars topics. Currently, they are showing a documentary on the Force and the creative time behind the Star Wars movies. There is also a video game area with the latest Star Wars games so fans can test out their skills!

Last but not least, the Star Wars Launch Bay is the number one stop to meet many of your favorite Star Wars characters.

Characters

Luckily for Star Wars fans, most of our favorite characters are found in one place. We have tracked down every character and a rough estimation of their appearance locations and times. As always, we recommend you download the Disneyland app to help you track character times and appearances!

Chewbacca

Chewbacca in launch bay

You can find Chewbacca meeting guests in the Star Wars Launch Bay: Light Side. Chewy is one of the most reliable character meet and greets as he is typically occupying this space throughout the day and evening.

Darth Vader

Darth Vader with his hand raised

You can find Darth Vader intimidating guests in the Star Wars Launch Bay: Dark Side. Keep in mind this Darth Vader is VERY in character- he might be a bit scary for little ones. He is also a reliable character experience meeting guests throughout the day and evening.

Rey

Rey looking to the side

Rey is a new character experience this summer at the Disneyland Resort and because of that she has been VERY popular. Not to worry, though, so far her character times have been quite consistent throughout the day. You can find her in the Star Wars Launch Bay: Light Side.

Kylo Ren

Kylo Ren looking into camera

Kylo Ren, just like Darth Vader, is a bit intimidating in person. Keep that in mind for the real small kiddos and make sure they can handle his imposing presence. You can meet him at the Star Wars Launch Bay: Dark Side at various times throughout the day. Make sure to keep an eye on the app!

 Boba Fett

Boba Fett standing in front the Cantina

Boba Fett is a bit harder to track down as his character times are random throughout the day. Keep an eye on the app to get a chance to meet him! Often his times do not last long and his lines form quickly. You can typically find him in the Star Wars Launch Bay.

Captain Phasma and Stormtroopers

Captain Phasma and stormtroopers walking towards camera

One of the newest character additions in Tomorrowland is the entrance of Captain Phasma and her crew of Stormtroopers walking along to the Imperial March. Captain Phasma typically won’t stop for photo ops, at least as we’ve seen so far, but the stormtroopers wandering around Tomorrowland usually will.

Shopping

You can fairly easy track down Star Wars merchandise throughout Tomorrowland but there is one go to spot for all your Star Wars needs.

The Star Trader

Star Trader at night in Disneyland

You can find this ultimate Star Wars souvenir store in Tomorrowland next to Space Mountain and across from the Star Wars Launch Bay. And when you exit Star Tours, you will land right in this store. This store has everything Star Wars from clothing, collectibles, and a build your own lightsaber station!

Food & Drink

Once the new Star War’s Galaxy Edge opens, we will have so many immersive options for food and drink our minds will be blown. Until then, there are still many Star Wars themed options to be found in Tomorrowland!

Galactic Grill

BB8 sipper cup

The Galactic Grill is your go to stop for all things Star Wars themed when it comes to food and drink. Here you can find a BB-8 Sipper with a choice of beverage for $14 and a Captain Phasma Stein with choice of beverage for $14. Occasionally, they will have Star Wars themed foods so keep an eye on their menu for those! You can also find popcorn containers with Star Wars themed at many of the popcorn stands in Tomorrowland!

Let Us Help You Plan Your Vacation!

There is always a lot of information to consider before planning an Disneyland vacation. Make sure to spend time planning your days in the theme parks and become familiar with everything Disneyland has to offer. Don’t forget to subscribe to our FREE Deals Newsletter to stay on top of the current planning tips, strategies, and deals.

You can discover more about planning your trip to Disneyland from these links:

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The Ultimate Guide to PhotoPass at Disneyland: Tips and Tricks for the Best Picture Experience

Family holding tinkerbell in their hands

Updated 9/16/18. One of the best souvenirs for remembering your trip to the Disneyland Resort are the pictures that you bring home with you. These pictures will last a lifetime in your family photo album and are something to cherish for years to come. Disneyland has their own crew of PhotoPass photographers strategically placed around the park and ready to take your picture.

Save on your stay! Disneyland COMBO Hotel + Ticket Discounts Start preparing now for the Happiest Place on Earth and book your hotel with the best prices!  Book now >

PhotoPass at the Disneyland Resort offers a variety of photography options for guests at Disneyland. We’ve put together an extensive guide on PhotoPass, the benefits of MaxPass, and tips for taking the best pictures at Disneyland.

PhotoPass Options at Disneyland

There are a variety of package options for PhotoPass at Disneyland and this can get a bit confusing for first time guests. Here are the different tiers of cost for PhotoPass packages currently available at Disneyland.

Disney PhotoPass+ One Week

Disney PhotoPass+ is a purchase option that includes all your PhotoPass photos linked to your Disney account for a seven-consecutive-day period. This will include all attraction, dining, and Magic Shot photos too!

What is Included

  • Digital downloads of all Disney PhotoPass photos from a seven day period.

Price

  • The cost of this PhotoPass option is currently $78.

When to Buy

  • Before your visit if you have plans to do a character meal.
  • You also have up to 45 days after your park visit to purchase your photos if you don’t buy them ahead of time or at the parks.

How to Buy

How to Activate 

One of the most confusing things about PhotoPass is the activation process. When you buy the PhotoPass package online you will be prompted to create a Disney account if you don’t already have one. Your PhotoPass package will be stored on your account. Once you go to your first character meal or get your first PhotoPass card from a photographer, scan that card into your Disneyland App account. Once you do that, our photo package will appear on your account with the option to activate it.

Disney PhotoPass Collection

Disney PhotoPass Collection is a purchase option that includes all your PhotoPass photos linked to your Disney account from a 45 day period. This will include all attraction, dining, and Magic Shot photos too!

What is Included

  • Digital downloads of all Disney PhotoPass photos in your account at time of redemption
  • Voucher for a Dining Print Package (Voucher may not be redeemed online. See voucher for restrictions.)
  • Disneyland Resort Gallery Disc, featuring more than 350 high-resolution professional photos from around Disneyland Resort

Price

  • The cost of this PhotoPass option is currently $99.

When to Buy

  • At your character meal if you plan on doing one.
  • This package can only be purchased in the parks so you must buy during your park trip.

How to Buy

  • This package can only be purchased in the parks at the Disney PhotoPass Sales Center, dining locations with PhotoPass photographers, and all attractions with PhotoPass on-ride photos.

How to Activate 

This is important! Make sure you do not activate this until after your trip. Once the photo package is activated, it will download all images up to 45 days prior to the activation date.

Disney PhotoPass Collection + Disc

Disney PhotoPass Collection + Disc is a purchase option that includes all your PhotoPass photos linked to your Disney account from a 45 day period. This will include all attraction, dining, and Magic Shot photos too!

What is Included

  • DVD disc with all Disney PhotoPass photos in your account at the time of purchase.
  • Digital downloads of all Disney PhotoPass photos in your account at time of redemption
  • Voucher for a Dining Print Package (Voucher may not be redeemed online.)
  • Disneyland Resort Gallery Disc

Price

  • The cost of this PhotoPass option is currently $119.

When to Buy

  • Right when you enter the parks and before your character dining, if you have one booked. Go straight to the Disney PhotoPass Sales Center to purchase.
  • This package can only be purchased in the parks so you must buy during your park trip.

How to Buy

  • This package can only be purchased in the parks at the Disney PhotoPass Sales Center.

How to Activate 

This is important! You must be in person to activate this PhotoPass package as the cast member at the PhotoPass center will physically hand you your DVD with your images burned on them.

MaxPass Photo Downloads

Phone with the Disneyland app

MaxPass has been a great addition for guests at the Disneyland Resort. You can read our extensive guide to MaxPass here. One of the best perks of purchasing MaxPass is the unlimited PhotoPass downloads that come with the purchase!

For $10 a day per person, you have unlimited download access to all of your PhotoPass images including Magic Shots, attraction rides, and character dining. This is such a fantastic deal- we highly recommend it!

Even if you have a large group and don’t plan on purchasing MaxPass for everyone, one person could purchase MaxPass on their phone just for the PhotoPass benefit and use that to download all the PhotoPass pictures onto their account. That’s a great savings which turns out to be a better deal than the PhotoPass+ one week option.

How to Use PhotoPass at Disneyland

Radiator Springs Racers attraction ride

Once you’ve selected your PhotoPass option, it’s smooth sailing to using PhotoPass at the parks.

Character Dining

Typically, most character dining options will offer at least one PhotoPass photo before the dining experience begins. The photographer will hand you a card with a code on it to put into your Disneyland Parks App. I recommend saving all of these to put into your phone at once at the end of the day and not spend park time messing with them. Store them in a safe place for later!

PhotoPass Photographer Spots

You can locate PhotoPass Photographers on the Disneyland Parks App to see which photographers are currently available. Don’t worry, they have the most popular photo spots covered! If you want a Magic Shot, you can ask the photographer if they don’t suggest it! A Magic Shot is where the photographer digitally inputs Tinkerbell or some other cartoon character into your image. These can be so fun!

Attraction Photos

The attraction photos that offer PhotoPass currently are:

At Disneyland Park:

At Disney California Adventure Park:

Once you exit the ride, you will be led to a room that has TVs on the walls displaying your attraction photo. Once you find your group, you will see in the bottom corner of the photo a code to put into your Disney app. I recommend taking a picture of this code with your phone so you can put the code in later.

Using the Disneyland App for PhotoPass

It is absolutely essential to have the Disneyland App on your phone for your visit. I recommend downloading it ahead of time and getting familiar with it before your visit.

When you log into the app, follow these steps to link your photos to your account.

  1. Log in and scroll down the main page until you see ‘My Photos.’
  2. You will see two options: Link Photos & Show PhotoPass Code
  3. When you select Link Photos you will be given two options: Link Attraction Photo & Link PhotoPass card.
  4. To link an attraction photo simply input the 8-character attraction id that was shown on the TV after the ride into the app.
  5. To link a PhotoPass card you will scan the code into your phone using your phone’s camera feature.
  6. The Show PhotoPass Code feature is a great way to save time and hassle at the parks. Rather than messing around with a pocket full of PhotoPass cards from photographers, simply show them this code on your phone. They will scan it and viola! Your picture will appear instantly. You can also use this code to access your photos at the PhotoPass Sales Center.

PhotoPass Issues

Overall, most guests have a great experience with PhotoPass. But sometimes mistakes can happen and photos may not show up even after a photographer linked them to your account.

This tragic incident happened to us on our last visit! Our images from our character dining did not show up on my app even though the photographer linked our photos using the PhotoPass code.

Once I got home after our trip, I called the PhotoPass help center to see if they could find my image. And they were beyond helpful! The amazing cast member I spoke to spent hours looking through all the character dining images from the date and time I gave her until she found us. She quickly sent me the photo by the end of the day.

If this ever happens to you in the parks, don’t be afraid to ask the PhotoPass customer service cast members for help! They are more than happy to help find your photos. You can go directly to the PhotoPass Sales Center in the parks (there’s one in each park) or visit the PhotoPass website. Make sure you are ready with a date and estimated time- this will help them find your photo quicker!

Photography Tips for Getting the Best Photo

Boy posing with spiderman

These are photos you’re going to cherish for a lifetime! Make sure that you take the time to ensure you’re getting the best photos to take home with you. Here are some tips for getting that perfect PhotoPass photo.

Assume the Character Pose

Ask the characters for pose ideas, they will be more than happy to show you their signature pose for the camera. Rather than having 20 pictures of simply standing next to the characters, incorporate some matching poses for added fun. Kids, especially, love to do this.

Take Advantage of Magic Morning/Early Magic Hour

If you’re taking advantage of your park hopper or Disneyland Resort Hotel privileges, you’ll be in the parks for Magic Morning/Early Magic Hour. While this is a great time to ride attractions, it’s also a great time to get fantastic pictures! This is the one time in the day you can get a perfect picture in front of Sleeping Beauty’s castle with NO crowd in the background. How cool is that?

Let Your PhotoPass Photographer Guide You

Remember, these PhotoPass photographers are professionals! Ask them for advice on how to pose or stand for your pictures. They will be more than happy to oblige. This is always easier though when there’s not a huge line behind you for a photo so make sure you take that into account.

Don’t Forget Your Magic Shots!

Make sure you ask the photographers for some Magic Shots! These are so fun and you don’t want to miss out on them. Basically, the photographer can put a digital image of Tinkerbell or other Disney characters into your image. Then your group reacts to it! They’ll guide you through the process and the result is typically a really awesome picture! Don’t be shy, get into the fun. One of our favorite park pictures is my son and I holding Tinkerbell in our hands with our mouths wide open. It’s so silly and great. It ended up being one of my favorite pictures of us from our trip!

Dress for the Occasion

We always recommend being comfortable at the parks because of all the miles of walking you end up doing! However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t also dress savvy for your park pictures! If you’re staying in a close by hotel and have multiple days to take advantage of, you can always dress up a bit in the morning for your pictures and dress down in average park clothes for the evenings. You’ll be happy you did if you have a few pictures of your group looking fresh and nice first thing in the morning. And don’t forget to take off your sunglasses for a few photos so your face is visible!

Remember: Kids WILL Be Tired

It’s always best to get those perfect PhotoPass pictures first thing in the day with kids. Your kiddo will be happier, cleaner, and it makes for a better experience for everyone. Trying to force your overheated, sticky, and cranky toddler for a picture at the end of the day will not end in a glorious picture. Although, it may be a funny one!

Plan Your Disneyland Trip Today!

Let us help you plan your Disneyland vacation! To get started, subscribe to our FREE deals newsletter for access to exclusive content and deals you won’t find anywhere else. Check it out HERE! Don’t forget to check out some of our other helpful planning guides:

  1. Best Times to Visit Disneyland 2018
  2. Best Disneyland Souvenirs 2018
  3. Disneyland Restaurant Reviews and Tips
  4. Disneyland FastPass Guide
  5. Booking Disneyland Packages

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Ultimate Guide to Extra Magic Hour & Magic Morning at Disneyland

Nemo sub voyage in the water

Updated 9/16/18.. Disneyland Magic Morning and Extra Magic Hour can help you to have an even better day at the parks. This extra hour in the parks in the morning before all guests enter can make all the difference when planning your touring strategy.

Extra Magic Hours are available to Disneyland Resort Hotel guests and allows guests to enter either Disneyland or Disney California Adventure one hour early each day of their stay. Guests that aren’t staying at the Disneyland Resort hotels are eligible for Magic Morning Early Admission into Disneyland Park for one day if they’ve bought a 3+ day park pass in advance of their visit or a Southern California admission pass.

Magic Morning and Early Magic Hour at Disneyland look different than regular park hours as only a limited number of attractions are open. We’ve put together the best tips and tricks to get the most out of your early morning entry.

Mornings are the best times at Disneyland to see popular attractions because lines are shorter and the California sun isn’t quite so hot. Before planning an efficient morning strategy for Disneyland there are a few key features of the Disneyland Resort that you must become familiar with.

As always, we at Mickey Visit recommend planning your day in advance to avoid feeling overwhelmed (especially for Disneyland first timers!) at the parks.

Save on your stay! Disneyland COMBO Hotel + Ticket Discounts Save big when you book your Disneyland tickets and hotel through our recommended travel sponsor that’s worked with Disney for over 28 years! Get the best deal for your vacation so you don’t break the bank! Book now >

Disneyland App To Jumpstart Your Morning

Morning strategy for Disneyland: Cast member holding plate of food

Disneyland has an app that you can download for either Android or iPhone that will give you the most accurate wait times for rides. This app is a must have for anyone visiting Disneyland. You can link your park tickets to it, make dining reservations, use the mobile food ordering feature, link your PhotoPass tickets, and book FastPasses with MaxPass!

Pro tip: download this app PRIOR to your trip and become familiar with it. This way when you show up to the gates you are already a pro at using the app. Take a look at the layout of each park on the app so you have a rough idea of where you are going once you enter!

Disneyland Magic Morning Strategy FastPass

We have written an ultimate guide to using FastPass at the Disneyland Resort. This is definitely a must read for first time guests. Check out our guide here. FastPasses give you a return window to come ride the attraction later to help avoid guests waiting for hours in the standby line. Be sure to be familiar with FastPass because they are essential for having a smooth start at either park! Some FastPasses go quicker than others due to the popularity of the ride so that is why it is so important to grab them in the morning. Fastpasses are essential to this morning strategy for Disneyland guide!

Pro tip: check out the list of attractions that offer FastPass and see which ones are your group’s top must sees. Make those your priority in the morning!

Disneyland MaxPass Strategy

Image of cellphone with maxpass option: Morning Strategy at Disneyland

Last summer, Disney released a mobile version of the FastPass system called MaxPass. MaxPass, unlike FastPass, isn’t a free feature and costs $10 per person per day. Depending on the size of your group, this feasibly may not be an option. But it is a great feature that makes touring the parks a breeze.

MaxPass allows you to book FastPasses from your mobile device so it saves you a walk across the park. This not only helps you grab FastPasses efficiently but it also helps save energy! MaxPass also comes with unlimited PhotoPass downloads for the day which is a great additional feature. If you only have one day in the parks, MaxPass is highly recommended for your group. Be sure to read our full guide to Disneyland MaxPass.

Magic Morning Early Admission Details

Sleeping Castle is still beautiful during summer at Disneyland.

There are a few details to be aware of before you utilize your Magic Morning early admission at the Disneyland Resort. You can only use your early entry on certain days of the week and only certain park passes are eligible. Here are the nitty and gritty details on how and when to use that Magic Morning pass!

Eligible Park Tickets:  3+ day park passes bought in advance of park arrival and the Southern California City Pass when bought online or at the ticket booth. (You can get these tickets for a steep Disney discount here.)

Eligible Parks: Disneyland Resort. Magic Morning cannot be used at California Adventure.

Schedule for Magic Morning: Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays. Guests may pick from one of these days to use their early admission.

MaxPass: Guests can purchase their MaxPass experience and book FastPasses as soon as they enter the gates for Magic Morning. However, FastPass arrival times will only be issued for times that experience is open to the general public after the park officially opens.

Available Attractions & Experiences for Magic Morning and Early Magic Hour at Disneyland

King Arthur's carousel

Not all attractions and lands are available during Magic Morning and Early Magic Hour. There are only select experiences and attractions open during this time. It’s important to plan ahead so you know what is open and what attractions are priority for your family.

Fantasyland

  • Alice in Wonderland
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant
  • King Arthur Carrousel
  • Mad Tea Party
  • Matterhorn Bobsleds
  • Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
  • Snow White’s Scary Adventures

Tomorrowland

  • Astro Orbitor
  • Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
  • Disneyland Monorail
  • Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
  • Space Mountain
  • Star Tours: The Adventures Continue

Other Available Experiences

Generally speaking, there will be some food carts or quick service options (in the designated lands open) during Magic Morning and Early Magic Hour. These options will vary and we recommend bringing snacks during this valuable morning hour rather than waste precious attraction time hunting down food.

One of my favorite tips for guests is to utilize at least one Photopass option during Magic Morning and Early Magic Hour. Not all PhotoPass photographers will be around but the most reliable is the photographer that is stationed in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. This is your prime opportunity to get that perfect castle picture without a crowd in the background. During one Magic Morning, my son and I got the perfect castle picture without one single person in the picture with us. It only takes a few minutes and it’s definitely worth the time before riding the attractions! Magic Morning and Early Magic Hour is also a great time to take your own pictures of the parks with your kids because of that limited crowd. Some of the best pictures I’ve taken at the Disneyland Resort of my family was during Magic Morning hour.

Magic Morning: close up of Walt and Mickey statue

Strategy Tips and Tricks

Even though there will be a limited amount of park guests during Magic Morning hour, the most popular attraction lines will still fill up faster than the others. If Peter Pan’s Flight is a must for your family, we recommend going there first. Here is a simple strategy to help maximize your Magic Morning time.

  • Buy MaxPass upon entry
  • Book MaxPass for Space Mountain
  • Ride Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Ride Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
  • Ride Space Mountain with MaxPass
  • Book MaxPass for Matterhorn Bobsleds
  • Ride Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
  • Ride Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
  • Ride Astro Orbitor
  • Ride Matterhorn Bobsleds with MaxPass
  • Book your next MaxPass for a park attraction that opens after Magic Morning/Early Magic Hour or repeat Space Mountain, Star Tours, or Matterhorn Bobsleds
  • Go to Fantasyland and ride the available attractions

We recommend families utilize the Tomorrowland attractions during Magic Morning and Early Magic Hour as Fantasyland will still have lower wait times when the park officially opens. If you have small children and most of Tomorrowland doesn’t fit your family- then go straight to Fantasyland and enjoy the minimal to no wait times!

After Magic Morning ends, you can keep strategizing for great success. Read our morning strategy for Disneyland for all our best tips.

Extra Magic Hour Admission Details

The outside of the Disneyland hotel

There are a few details to be aware of before you utilize your Extra Magic Hour early admission at Disneyland or California Adventure. Here are the nitty and gritty details on how and when to use that Extra Magic Hour pass!

Eligible Guests:  Guests that are staying at an official Disneyland Resort hotel enjoy early hour admission every day of their hotel stay to either Disneyland or California Adventure. More info in our Disneyland hotels review here.

Eligible Parks: Disneyland and California Adventure

Schedule for Disneyland: Tuesdays, Thursdays,  and Saturdays

Schedule for California Adventure: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays

MaxPass: Guests can purchase their Disneyland MaxPass experience and book FastPasses as soon as they enter the gates for Magic Morning. However, FastPass arrival times will only be issued for times that experience is open to the general public after the park officially opens.

Available Attractions & Experiences for Extra Magic Hour at California Adventure

Not all attractions and lands are available during Early Magic Hour. There are only select experiences and attractions open during this time. It’s important to plan ahead so you know what is open and what attractions are priority for your family.

Attractions

  • Soarin’ Around the World
  • Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
  • Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
  • Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
  • Radiator Springs Racers
  • The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
  • Incredicoaster
  • Toy Story Midway Mania!
  • Goofy’s Sky School
  • World of Color FASTPASS Kiosk

Other Available Experiences

Generally speaking, there will be some food carts or quick service options (in the designated lands open) during Early Magic Hour. These options will vary and we recommend bringing snacks during this valuable morning hour rather than waste precious attraction time hunting down food.

One of my favorite tips for guests is to utilize at least one Photopass option during Early Magic Hour. Not all PhotoPass photographers will be around but you can check the Disneyland App to see which ones are. This is your prime opportunity to get that perfect park picture without a crowd in the background. It only takes a few minutes and it’s definitely worth the time before riding the attractions! Early Magic Hour is also a great time to take your own pictures of the parks with your kids without a crowd clogging up the background of your photos.

Outside of the Cozy Cone

Strategy Tips and Tricks

Even though there will be a limited amount of park guests during Early Magic hour, the most popular attraction lines will still fill up faster than the others. Especially since some of California Adventure’s most popular rides are included in the open attractions! Here is a strategy to help maximize your time in this hour at California Adventure.

  • Buy MaxPass upon entry
  • Book Radiator Springs Racers with MaxPass
  • Ride Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
  • Ride Radiator Springs Racers with MaxPass
  • Book Incredicoaster with MaxPass
  • Pull World of Color FastPass located near The Little Mermaid- Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
  • Ride Toy Story Midway Mania
  • Ride Goofy’s Fly School
  • Ride Incredicoaster with MaxPass
  • Book your next MaxPass for an attraction that opens after Early Magic Hour or repeat favorites from the morning. We recommend getting another Radiator Springs Racer MaxPass!
  • Ride Soarin’
  • Ride Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
  • Ride Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree

We prioritized the most popular attractions with high wait times in this strategy. The Little Mermaid generally has a low wait time all day long so save that one for later in the day. Soarin’ usually won’t run out of FastPasses until late afternoon so that one can be low priority as well. Focus on the most popular rides that are hard to get FastPasses for during the day like Radiator Springs Racers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Toy Story Midway Mania, and the Incredicoaster.

Once you complete your Extra Magic Hour in Disney California Adventure, you can use our Morning Strategy for Disney California Adventure for once the park is officially open.

More Disneyland Planning Tips

There is always a lot of information to consider before planning an Disneyland vacation. Make sure to spend time planning your days in the theme parks and become familiar with everything Disneyland has to offer. Don’t forget to subscribe to our FREE Deals Newsletter to stay on top of the current planning tips, strategies, and deals.

You can discover more about planning your trip to Disneyland from these links:

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Disneyland Morning Touring Strategy: Guide to Maximize Your Mornings

Disneyland Main Street: empty in the morning

Updated 9/16/18. Mornings are the best times at Disneyland to see popular attractions because lines are shorter and the California sun isn’t quite so hot. Before planning an efficient morning strategy for Disneyland there are a few key features of the Disneyland Resort that you must become familiar with.

As always, we at Mickey Visit recommend planning your day in advance to avoid feeling overwhelmed (especially for Disneyland first timers!) at the parks.

Save on your stay! Disneyland COMBO Hotel + Ticket Discounts Save big when you book your Disneyland tickets and hotel through our recommended travel sponsor (they have worked with Disney for 28 years). Make sure you are getting the best deal for your summer vacation! Book now >

Disneyland App To Jumpstart Your Morning

Morning strategy for Disneyland: Cast member holding plate of food

Disneyland has an app that you can download for either Android or iPhone that will give you the most accurate wait times for rides. This app is a must have for anyone visiting Disneyland. You can link your park tickets to it, make dining reservations, use the mobile food ordering feature, link your PhotoPass tickets, and book FastPasses with MaxPass!

Pro tip: download this app PRIOR to your trip and become familiar with it. This way when you show up to the gates you are already a pro at using the app. Take a look at the layout of each park on the app so you have a rough idea of where you are going once you enter!

Disneyland Morning Strategy FastPass

We have written an ultimate guide to using FastPass at the Disneyland Resort. This is definitely a must read for first time guests. Check out our guide here. FastPasses give you a return window to come ride the attraction later to help avoid guests waiting for hours in the standby line. Be sure to be familiar with FastPass because they are essential for having a smooth start at either park! Some FastPasses go quicker than others due to the popularity of the ride so that is why it is so important to grab them in the morning. Fastpasses are essential to this morning strategy for Disneyland guide!

Pro tip: check out the list of attractions that offer FastPass and see which ones are your group’s top must sees. Make those your priority in the morning!

Disneyland MaxPass Strategy

Image of cellphone with maxpass option: Morning Strategy at Disneyland

Last summer, Disney released a mobile version of the FastPass system called MaxPass. MaxPass, unlike FastPass, isn’t a free feature and costs $10 per person per day. Depending on the size of your group, this feasibly may not be an option. But it is a great feature that makes touring the parks a breeze.

MaxPass allows you to book FastPasses from your mobile device so it saves you a walk across the park. This not only helps you grab FastPasses efficiently but it also helps save energy! MaxPass also comes with unlimited PhotoPass downloads for the day which is a great additional feature. If you only have one day in the parks, MaxPass is highly recommended for your group.

Doing Disneyland Rope Drop Right

Sleeping Castle is still beautiful during summer at Disneyland.

Thirty minutes before park opening, cast members will begin letting guests into the parks. This helps control the flow of crowds and it can be a huge advantage for morning park visitors! There will be ropes (guarded by cast members) that block off access points of the lands until the official park opening time. Being one of the first groups positioned at those ropes can be a huge advantage for your morning strategy for Disneyland! You can also begin booking MaxPass once you enter the gates so this is also a great plus for groups that plan on purchasing MaxPass. To be there at Rope Drop plan to arrive at least one hour prior to the park opening.

Pro tip: Grab breakfast to go and eat while you’re waiting to be let in through the turnstiles. This will help keep adults happy and kids occupied during that early morning wait time. We always recommend either eating here or at your Disneyland hotel.

The Best Morning Strategy for Disneyland: Older Kids/Adults

Outside of Jungle Cruise attraction sign

  • Grab Space Mountain FastPass with MaxPass when you enter the park
  • Ride Peter Pan. (This ride is one of the most popular attractions in Fantasyland. The downside of that is the ride is slow loading and the lines for this ride move slowly as a result. If you are present at Rope Drop, line up facing Sleeping Beauty’s castle. The entrance to Peter Pan will be on the right once you walk through the castle. Walk as quickly (no running, Disney rules!) as you can to snag a place in line. If you are not present at Rope Drop, save this ride for the evening rather than spend precious morning hours waiting in this line.)
  • Ride Star Tours- The Adventures Continue
  • Ride Space Mountain with FastPass
  • Grab Indiana Jones Adventure FastPass or if you plan on park hopping to Disney California Adventure get a MaxPass reservation for Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! as they run out quickly.
  • Ride Matterhorn Bobsleds
  • Grab a snack from the many food carts on the way to Adventureland when you pass through the park hub
  • Ride Haunted Mansion
  • Ride Indiana Jones Adventure with FastPass
  • Grab Big Thunder Mountain Railroad FastPass with MaxPass
  • Ride Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Ride Jungle Cruise
  • Grab a snack from the Tropical Imports Stand right across from the Jungle Cruise
  • Walk around towards Big Thunder Mountain to the right side of the Tropical Imports Stand building to access the restrooms on the way
  • Ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad with FastPass
  • Grab Splash Mountain FastPass with MaxPass
  • Break for lunch and ride Splash Mountain with FastPass after lunch

This morning strategy for Disneyland will take you through some of the most popular rides for older kids and adults before lunchtime. Spend the afternoons doing the attractions with lower wait times and keep grabbing those FastPasses along the way! The bonus of this morning strategy for Disneyland is it tries to take into account minimal walking back and forth across the park to conserve energy for the entire day. The key to this energy saver is with using MaxPass there is no need to run to each FastPass distribution point. However, this plan can easily be used with regular FastPass for your group.

Pro tip: Assign one person to keep track of everyone’s FastPasses and park tickets so they can run and grab FastPasses during snack breaks/restroom breaks/etc. Again, the perk of adding MaxPass is that you won’t have to criss cross the park to keep up with this plan.

The Best Morning Strategy for Disneyland: Younger Kids and the Young at Heart

Starting your day in Fantasyland if perfect for families that are focusing on their young children or young children at heart. By starting with Peter Pan and then working through all of the other attractions in that area you will have ridden about 10 classic Disneyland attractions within the first two hours.

Dumbo ride in the air

  • Grab Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin FastPass or Big Thunder Mountain with Maxpass when you first enter the parks
  • Ride Peter Pan. (This ride is one of the most popular attractions in Fantasyland. The downside of that is the ride is slow loading and the lines for this ride move slowly as a result. Parents of small children aren’t able to as quickly park strollers and hop in line as folks without can. If this ride is a MUST for the little ones then might as well cross it off the list early. If not, come back in the evening and move to the next ride.)
  • Ride Alice in Wonderland
  • Ride Dumbo the Flying Elephant
  • Ride Snow White’s Scary Adventure
  • Ride Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
  • Ride it’s a small world
  • Ride Casey Jr. Circus Train
  • Ride Pinocchio’s Daring Adventure
  • Ride Big Thunder Mountain or Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin using your MaxPass
  • Ride Storybook Land Canal Boats
  • Ride Sleeping Beauty’s Carousel 
  • Ride the Mad Tea Party
  • Grab a snack from the many food carts between Storybook Land Canal Boots and it’s a small world on the way to Toontown
  • Also access the restrooms on your left before you walk past it’s a small world
  • Grab Splash Mountain FastPass with MaxPass
  • Meet Mickey at Mickey’s House in ToonTown
  • Ride Gadget’s Go Coaster
  • Break for lunch in ToonTown and ride Splash Mountain after lunch

This morning strategy for Disneyland will hit all the higher wait time youngster attractions before lunch which is especially great for little ones in the California sun. Spend the afternoons doing the attractions with lower wait times and keep grabbing those FastPasses along the way! The bonus of this morning strategy for Disneyland is it tries to take into account minimal walking back and forth across the park to conserve energy for the entire day.

The key to this energy saver is with using MaxPass there is no need to run to each FastPass distribution point. However, this plan can easily be used with regular FastPass for your group. If you opt not to get MaxPass, don’t worry about getting a FastPass for Big Thunder Mountain or Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin–just get in line when you are ready for these two.

Pro tip: Assign one person to keep track of everyone’s FastPasses and park tickets so they can run and grab FastPasses during snack breaks/restroom breaks/etc. And make sure that person is an adult! This will keep your morning strategy for Disneyland free of stress!

More Disneyland Planning Tips

There is always a lot of information to consider before planning an Disneyland vacation. Make sure to spend time planning your days in the theme parks and become familiar with everything Disneyland has to offer. Don’t forget to subscribe to our FREE Deals Newsletter to stay on top of the current planning tips, strategies, and deals.

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