These are our best Disneyland tips. A trip to the happiest place on earth is always exciting, but the anticipation of planning in the weeks leading up can also be an integral part of your Disneyland experience. Whether this is your first visit to Disneyland or your hundredth, we have plenty of tips that will make your park experience as smooth and convenient as possible.
We will focus on the 130 key Disneyland tips for making your experience amazing, breaking these down by category: preparedness, rides, food, kids, navigating the offerings of the park, and fun.
If you just planned a Disneyland trip and want to do some research to make sure everything goes perfectly, be sure to read our top 130 crucial Disneyland tips below for everything you need to know!
Preparedness Disneyland Tips
First, we will share some tips to prepare for your day at the park! Some of these are things that you might forget about or not consider when visiting Disneyland.
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1. Make sure you pack everything you need. From sunscreen to snacks, bandaids, and more, make sure that you account for everything that you might need for your trip. This doesn’t need to take up much room, as there are several smaller items that will make your Disneyland trip run more smoothly. While packing needs may differ per party, you can check out our ultimate Disneyland packing list for a breakdown of everything that will be helpful for your day at the park.
2. Avoid the times of year when Disneyland is the most crowded. During school breaks, holidays, and three-day weekends, the park tends to be the busiest. If you want to avoid long lines and crowds, be sure to consult our Disneyland crowd calendar. There are still certain months when you can enjoy seasonal offerings during summer, Halloween, and Christmas without falling victim to huge crowds, which we break down in our guide to the best months and specific dates to visit Disneyland.
3. Bring a charger for your phone. Especially if you’re utilizing Lightning Lane Multi Pass and the Disneyland app in general to keep track of wait times, mobile ordering, park experiences, and more, you need to make sure your phone doesn’t run out of battery. You can either bring a charger and plug it into an outlet or utilize a portable charger to carry with you as you wait in lines and explore the park. CLICK HERE for a link to our favorite portable charger we bring on every trip. If you forget your portable charger, don’t worry, as these are available for purchase at Disneyland.
4. Be sure to bring an extra camera battery into the parks. If you are taking lots of pictures or video, your battery will likely die on your camera. Having an extra really helps.
5. Know where to find the best discount Disneyland tickets. Be sure to buy your tickets in advance, and you can get the best prices through our travel partner and authorized ticket re-seller, Get Away Today. Get Away Today is committed to providing their customers with the best prices for Disneyland tickets out there. They price-match competitor prices through their Best Price, Best Service Guarantee and offer incredible customer service, on call to help you before and during your vacation. Be sure to buy your tickets and hotel nights through our exclusive Mickey Visit link! They also have discounts on the best hotels near Disneyland.
6. Booking a Disneyland vacation package can help you save money. When you book your tickets and hotel together you will save quite a bit more. See all of our information on how to save money with discount Disneyland packages.
7. Stay in a hotel that is close to the parks. You can either stay at a Disney-owned on property hotel or at a partner hotel right next door to the resort. The partner hotels are less expensive but have many fewer amenities. See our recommendations for both types of hotels near Disneyland.
8. Be sure to call your hotel in advance to tell them about your vacation. Recently I was traveling with my grandmother who had never been to Disneyland. I called the Disneyland Hotel to let them know and they greeted us with a First Visit button and a special upgrade to include a fireworks view room and dessert party. All that just by letting them know I was celebrating something. If anyone in your group has an anniversary, birthday, graduation, promotion, or anything else notable that has happened recently, let your hotel know. They are looking for a reason to be nice to you!
9. Take a photo of the back of your ticket to use in case you lose your Disneyland ticket. Using the barcode from the photo, Guest Relations is able to replace any lost ticket.
10. The Anaheim Convention Center is the biggest on the West Coast. Crowds from the convention center can really change the crowd levels inside both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. See more Disneyland tips in our when to visit Disneyland guide to avoid these crowds.
11. There are lots of Magic Key annual pass holder locals. Whether or not they come determines how full the park is. When the lower level Magic Key holders are blocked out, the parks will be much less crowded. See our Disneyland crowd calendar.
12. Know the best airport to fly into. While LAX offers the most flight options, we recommend flying from John Wayne Airport (SNA) to Disneyland if you are able. This airport is smaller and easier to navigate than other options, and it’s also the closest airport to Disneyland. From here, we recommend getting an Uber for a quick ride to Disneyland. You can read more about details for the best ways to get from John Wayne Airport (SNA) to Disneyland in our guide.
13. Use the Uber app to get around and from the airport to Disneyland. Uber is a fantastic option for transportation that will save you a lot of money throughout your vacation.
14. If you are being dropped off at Disneyland, get dropped off at the Grand Californian Hotel. This is much better than the taxi stand and pick up area on the Harbor Boulevard side of the park. The hotel address is 1600 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802.
15. The Hotels of the Disneyland Resort will store your luggage free of charge at Bell Services. I do recommend you give a tip when you pick up your bag. You can see other Disneyland free things here.
16. Wear comfortable clothes. While it’s tempting to don the not-so-comfy photo-perfect outfit for your Disneyland day, keep in mind that you’ll be wearing this through lots of walking and potentially warm weather. Clothes that are breathable and comfortable walking shoes are a must! See the best shoes for Disneyland that we would recommend for your trip. Also, remember to bring layers like a light jacket, as it can get slightly chilly at night when watching the shows or walking around.
17. Get to the Disneyland gate 30-45 minutes before opening. Getting up a little earlier than you’d like will pay off, as you’ll be able to enjoy the quieter morning hours when waits for popular rides are shorter. Many days, the parks open before their scheduled opening time, so you’ll be prepared for this if you arrive early. Be sure to use our Disneyland morning strategy and Disney California Adventure morning strategy.
18. You can get an extra 30 minutes in Disneyland or Disney California Adventure before the parks open to the public. You can get this extra time in a designated theme park each day by staying at a Disney-owned hotel. Take advantage of Disneyland Early Entry to get a head start on popular attractions before the rest of the crowd! Early Entry is offered at Disneyland Park on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday and at Disney California Adventure Park on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
19. If you do not have access to Early Entry, start the day in the park that does not have the extra 30 minutes. If Disney California Adventure has Early Entry and you don’t have access because you aren’t staying on property, start your day in Disneyland. And vice versa. Visiting the park without with early opening will prevent you from running into lines that were formed by the crowds of people who got to enter the theme parks early.
20. Note where you parked your car! It’s so easy to forget where you parked, so you can either take a picture, write down where you parked in your notes, or drop a pin in your car’s location so that you can remember where your car is at the end of the day. The Disneyland app (read our guide) also has an easy car locator feature that is easy to use.
21. Track how far you walk. Use your pedometer or iPhone application to track how far you have walked during your trip. On average my family walks about 9 miles a day at Disneyland.
22. Download games to play on your phone as you wait in lines. You can download the Play Disney Parks app (which has lots of great trivia and games designed for single-players or large groups), try our daily Mickeyrdle (a Wordle-inspired Disney game), or download any other mobile game to keep busy. Try to look at options ahead of time so that you don’t have to worry about downloading apps while you’re on the move! We love the Heads Up game.
23. Bring a poncho for water rides. These are also offered at the park, but if you’d like to get out ahead of things, you can buy one ahead of time. Our favorite ponchos linked here. I promise, it’s no fun walking around in soaking clothes all day if you decide to ride Grizzly River Run or Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in the morning. You won’t walk away completely dry, but you’ll definitely be more comfortable.
24. Do your research to see what seasonal offerings will be at Disneyland when you visit. From riding Soarin’ Over California during the Food and Wine Festival at California Adventure in the spring to checking out the themed treats offered at Disneyland during Christmas, be sure to make a list of everything you want to see and experience so you don’t miss anything. Read our full Disneyland calendar for happenings every month.
25. Have a plan for transportation to and from Disneyland. While Disneyland is designed as a pedestrian park, you’ll want to account for the time it take for you to travel to and from your hotel. You can utilize the ART shuttle bus or account for the time it takes to walk to Disneyland from your hotel so that it doesn’t bleed into the valuable morning hours right after park opening. You want to be at the parks at least 45 minutes before official park opening.
26. Download the official Disneyland mobile app. Through the app you can see entertainment times, attraction wait times, character meet and greet locations, park hours, and other ticketing information.
Tips for Rides at Disneyland
One of the best parts of any Disneyland experience is the moment when you’re about to step on your first ride. We’ll talk about some tips for making the most of Disneyland’s iconic ride offerings!
27. Be sure that everyone in your party goes on the top attraction they want to ride. Plan ahead by asking everyone what they’re looking forward to, and this will ensure your group is happy and satisfied during your park day. On a similar note, if someone doesn’t want to ride a certain attraction, you can help make a plan for what they’ll be doing during the time the rest of the group is riding. Perhaps another member of your party also isn’t wild about a certain attraction, so they could spend that time together getting a treat or meeting characters, etc. Check out our Disneyland 1-day itinerary and Disney California Adventure 1-day itinerary.
28. Take advantage of Single Rider, which allows you to split from your party and fill in individual spaces on rides that aren’t occupied by stand-by line guests. At Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, Single Rider is offered for several rides, which you can read more about in our guide to Disneyland Single Rider lines. We recommend this trick for Radiator Springs Racers in particular, as it can dramatically minimize your wait time.
29. Use Lightning Lane Multi Pass to skip long lines. Disneyland’s Lightning Lane Multi Pass, a paid service that replaced the old FastPass and MaxPass services, offers Lightning Lanes that allow you to skip the lines for select attractions in both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. Lightning Lanes are offered for the most popular attractions, and you can select return times that will allow you to bypass the long wait time once per ride each day of your visit. You can read more information about pricing and tips for making the most out of the Lightning Lane Multi Pass service in our guide to Disneyland Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
30. Know when to buy Lightning Lane Single Pass for rides. Lightning Lane Single Pass provides you with the option to skip long lines for an additional fee per person, offered at an a la carte rate for the most popular rides at the park, and they are not included with the purchase of Lightning Lane Multi Pass. There are certain rides that we recommend buying Lightning Lane Single Pass for, like Rise of the Resistance, while you can get away with a very short wait for rides like Radiator Springs Racers using Single Rider. You can read our guide to Disneyland Lightning Lane Single Pass for a full breakdown of pros and cons of purchasing Lightning Lane Single Pass per ride offered, costs, and more.
21. You can request specific rows for rides. You will need to wait slightly longer, and of course, be respectful to the Cast Member helping you. My favorite rows are the front of the Incredicoaster and Space Mountain (some people love the very back row too!) and Row 1 Section B (center section) of Soarin’. Personally, I really love the experience of an unobstructed ride view for these three attractions.
22. Be conscious of your battery while on underground rides. On underground rides, your phone battery will be drained more quickly while searching for a cellular signal, so putting it in Airplane Mode can help combat this. I’ll often put my phone on Low-Power mode on rides in general or during periods when I know I won’t be using it often.
23. Attractions don’t close right when the park closes. When the park closes, the lines to these attractions will cut off new guests, but you can still join the queue before official park closing. This is helpful to keep in mind for riding popular attractions late at night with often shorter wait times. Pick an attraction to end your night with by hopping in line right before the cutoff. During this period, Disneyland Cast Members work hard to get everyone on the line quickly so everyone can go home. There is also minimal, if any, Lightning Lane line at this hour so the standby line moves quickly.
24. Some of the attractions take on-ride photos, which will be shown on a screen as you are walking out. Know which rides offer these (currently Space Mountain and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disneyland and Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, the Incredicoaster, and Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure). Be sure to strike a pose for these! They occur near the end of the ride. Grab the code from these an add them to your app. Disneyland offers complimentary digital downloads of these photos for guests.
25. Ride Fantasyland attractions early in the morning, immediately after the land reopens post fireworks, or right before the park closes. There is no Lightning Lane available for most of the Fantasyland attractions.
26. Ride Peter Pan immediately in the morning. The ride has a 45 minute line that exists nearly the entire day. Get to the park right when Disneyland opens and get in line for Peter Pan, or if you miss it, you can aim to ride later in the day using our Disneyland evening strategy.
27. Ride Toy Story Mania first thing in the morning or get a Lightning Lane time slot. Another time to ride is during World of Color as Toy Story Midway Mania is one of the only attractions in Pixar Pier that stays open during the shows. Typically the line is shorter at this time.
28. Ride Radiator Springs Racers either first thing in the morning or by using the Single Rider line. You should not wait longer than 30 minutes for this attraction if you follow this advice. If the Single Rider line stretches back past the bridge that crosses over the queue, get out of line and come back to this attraction later.
29. The Haunted Mansion is transformed into the Haunted Mansion Holiday from late August to January. This overlay is themed to Nightmare Before Christmas. During this period, the Haunted Mansion will have a longer line. See all our Disneyland tips in our Disneyland Christmas guide.
Tips for Navigating Disneyland’s Offerings
30. Shops on Main Street USA and Buena Vista Street are open for 30 minutes to an hour after the official park closing time. This can be a good time to get your shopping done.
31. Enter the parks from Monorail or Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel entrance. While you don’t always have to utilize this Disneyland tip, be aware that you can enter Disneyland from the end of Downtown Disney at the Monorail station and enter Disney California Adventure from the Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa private entrance (aside from Early Entry and rope drop hours, when access to this hotel entrance can be restricted guests of the Disneyland Resort Hotels).
32. Use the Single Rider system to maximize time. This system splits up parties and lets you jump the line so that Disney can fill all the empty seats. See our Disneyland tips in the Disneyland Single Rider guide.
33. Do not use Single Rider for Soarin’ because this line Single Rider line often takes longer than the real standby queue. Use Lightning Lane for Soarin’ or go here early in the morning for a short wait.
34. It can be beneficial for one person in your group to have a Magic Key just for the discounts it provides you. Price out your tickets and consider the discount rates that are provided to pass holders. The discounts provided on dining and souvenirs may make purchasing a pass worthwhile. Consider using this Disneyland hack.
35. If you need a wheelchair for someone in your group, do not rent one from the parks. Rent one from the hotel as these can be taken out of the park with you and walked back to the hotel.
36. Be sure to park hop at Disneyland. This is such a nice attribute of the resort. Everything is so close together that you can really jump around from one corner to another without wasting much time. Do not feel limited in the same way you would at Walt Disney World. I always recommend Park Hopper tickets. You can park hop starting at 11 AM to either park.
37. Know where the Disneyland parade starts. Watching from the point the show is starting from means that you’ll be done viewing it before everyone else and at the actual start time. The first parade of the day will start back by “it’s a small world” and the second parade will start in Disneyland Town Square near the entrance of the park. The parade can take up to 20 minutes to reach your spot if you are sitting at the far end of the parade route from where the performance begins.
38. Plan for World of Color and Fantasmic! The World of Color nighttime fountain and projection show is incredible along with the classic Fantasmic! Don’t miss out on these nighttime spectaculars.
39. My favorite spot to watch the fireworks is halfway between the end of the shops on Main Street and the partners statue. You can secure a spot for the Disneyland fireworks pretty easily all the way up until the show begins.
40. Don’t be afraid to take a break during the day. One of the biggest rookie mistakes you can make at Disneyland is neglecting to take the time you need to rest for the second part of your day. You can stop by the hotel and take a nap, swim in the pool, start a Disney movie, or find a dining option outside of Disneyland to get a break from the park chaos. That way, everyone in your party will be well-rested and ready to tackle the nighttime offerings and attractions. We’ll talk about a few of our favorite locations to take a break below!
41. The Grizzly River Run lockers are free for the first two hours. Located on the left hand side of the entrance to the attraction, the free lockers are a perfect place to put things you don’t want to get wet during the ride.
42. Never wait more than 15 minutes for fireworks or a parade unless you are with small children. For all of these in-park shows, you can still stand back a few rows and get the entire experience. You can also take advantage of reserved parade viewing. Read our guide to reserved dining package Disneyland parade seating here.
43. Be sure to pick up an entertainment schedule when you enter the parks. Do not miss the incredible shows, parades, and entertainment throughout both theme parks. The paper entertainment guide, available at the ticket turnstiles when you walk into the park (or from one of the Cast Members sweeping the street once you are inside the park), is critical.
44. Watch shows later in the day to escape the busier park crowds that form during peak hours. This applies to both parades and shows, as they provide you with a nice rest from the crowds while still soaking in all of the Disney magic.
45. Visit the Animation Building for a nice break. At the Animation Academy, you can draw Disney characters, chat with Crush in the Turtle Talk With Crush show, and more. This is a great way to take a breath and relax before returning to the excitement of the rest of the park.
46. Go to the Grand Californian Hotel lobby to relax. The Hearthstone Lounge has a great atmosphere, and you can stop for a drink and a snack here. You can read more recommendations for quiet places to take a breather in our list of relaxing places at Disneyland.
47. Don’t overlook the atmosphere entertainment offered at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure! From the Dapper Dans to the Disneyland Band, make sure to explore all of these offerings.
48. Find a private restroom in the Enchanted Tiki Room. The Tiki Room is one of the only attractions with its own restroom, because the attraction was originally going to be a restaurant.
49. Request the front cabin on the monorail for privacy and fun views of the parks! Plus, this is the only place in the monorail that has air conditioning.
50. Disneyland offers private VIP tours and guided tours. There are a number of tour options ranging from very expensive VIP tour guides where you have free rein of the park to half day tours that center around themes like Christmas at Disneyland. See my Disneyland tips on booking a Disneyland VIP tour.
51. Disneyland Halloween runs from late August through October. The parks get more and more busy the closer you are to Halloween. If you want to see Disneyland during Halloween time, go to the parks in late August or September so that you can still see the decorations, but have less crowds. See our full guide to Disneyland Halloween.
52. If you are planning on going to Oogie Boogie Bash, do not purchase a park ticket for that day. The Halloween party is a private after hours event that happens on nights throughout August, September, and October. The special event ticket also includes access to the park starting at 3pm. Thus, there is no reason to double buy park admission if you plan on attending the party.
53. Go midweek if you do not like crowds. The crowds in Disneyland pick up in the evenings and on weekends.
54. PhotoPass Cast Members will take photos on your camera. There are PhotoPass Cast Members stationed throughout the theme parks who will take your photo on their camera. You can purchase that professional photo or just have them take another photo on your own camera.
55. PLEASE turn off the flash on your camera!!! There is nothing worse than having a flash go off on Disneyland attractions. On top of that, these photos will not come out well.
56. Do not attempt to use selfie sticks in Disneyland. They are totally banned from inside the parks. If you do manage to sneak one into the parks and bring it on any ride, that attraction will be shut down.
Tips For Families With Kids at Disneyland
We’ll cover some tips for visiting Disneyland with kids so that your family has the safest and most enjoyable experience possible!
57. Try not to promise your kids they’ll see a certain character in case the one you promised doesn’t show up in the park that day. To avoid disappointment, it’s better to avoid any promises, as you never know for sure which characters will appear. Be sure to read our guide to character meet-and-greets at Disneyland to see the characters you can find at both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure listed by land.
58. Be sure to check height restrictions before your trip. Look ahead of time to see if your child is tall enough for certain rides. On a similar note as the above, it will be disappointing for kids to anticipate going on a certain ride for the first time and then be turned away based the height requirement. You can read more about this in our guide to Disneyland height requirements and Rider Switch, the latter of which we will discuss more below.
59. Take advantage of Rider Switch. This allows an adult in the group to wait with a child who is not tall enough to ride while the other rides the attraction, then they switch. This way, the child is always supervised and both adults get to experience the ride. You can read our guide to Disneyland Rider Switch here.
60. Utilize the baby care centers at Disneyland. If your party has a baby with you on the trip, you can use the baby care centers at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure that are fully stocked with everything you may need, from nursing chairs to diapers and baby food from vending machines. There is also medicine available here. Read our guide to finding medicine at Disneyland for more specific tips on this.
61. Establish an emergency meeting point in case your party gets separated, and make sure it’s very specific. This way, if your child gets lost, they will know exactly where to meet you with a Cast Member. For more information, be sure to check out our guide with tips to avoid losing kids at Disneyland.
62. Write your phone number on your child somewhere in case they are lost. It is easy to get separated in Disneyland when traveling with a group. I recommend Safetytat, a temporary tattoo for your child, as a method to put your phone number directly on your child without any skin damage. If the number is there, you will receive a call from a Cast Member letting you know exactly where you can come meet your lost child.
63. Bring your own stroller if you can. The ones you rent from Disneyland can only be used in the park, so you can’t use them to go back and forth between your hotel, which can make for some problems at the end of the day. Read our guide to Disneyland stroller rentals for a full breakdown of your options when visiting Disneyland!
64. Purchase your souvenirs and costumes for kids in advance. If you plan on having your kids wear costumes or use an autograph book, you should definitely purchase these items in advance to save money. You can also find plush toys of Disney characters at much better prices by buying items in advance. See our full Disneyland tips and tricks for finding the best Disneyland souvenirs.
Food Tips for Disneyland
Dining is an integral part of the Disneyland experience, and we have several tips to help you save money and make the most out of dining experiences while at the park.
65. There are multiple Starbucks throughout Disneyland. If you think you will want Starbucks, the lines are usually much shorter at the new Downtown Disney location next to the Disneyland hotel across from the Downtown Disney Monorail station. (Or just order Starbucks instant coffee online as we recommend in our Disneyland packing list guide.)
66. Gluten free items are available at almost every restaurant in the resort. Don’t be afraid to ask at the restaurant. Take full advantage of this Disneyland tip by visiting Guest Relations at either theme park to get an overview of the best restaurants to fit your needs.
67. Make dining reservations ahead of time. Not only is this extremely important in ensuring you have a spot at your preferred dining location, but it also gives you an extra thing to look forward to for your trip. Especially for very popular experiences, make sure you’re ready at the 60 day mark to make reservations. You can read more in our top five tips for getting Disneyland dining reservations.
68. Choose your dining options by looking at your daily schedule. Having a nice sit down dinner can be a great way to break up the day, especially if the park is open late. If the park closes at 9 pm or earlier, make a reservation in Downtown Disney for right when you are leaving the park.
69. Pack snacks for the morning. Many of the counter service locations and carts don’t open until 10AM so carry snacks in your park bag to hold you over while you ride the attractions before the lines get long.
70. Make special requests for your dining reservation. If it is your birthday or if you are celebrating something, be sure to let them know.
71. Know you can order kids menu items from Quick Service restaurants. Even though the kids menu items have recommended ages, you can order these at counter service restaurants in Disneyland. The smaller portion sizes are perfect for lighter eaters or those who get full easily and don’t want a bigger meal.
72. Another option is to split meals with someone else in your party if you’re a lighter eater. My family did this for the Food and Wine Festival, and it was definitely worth it to be able to try several of the foods without overeating!
73. You can bring your own food and snacks into Disneyland. There are certain conditions surrounding this, like no loose ice in coolers, so make sure you pack something like a sandwich that doesn’t need to be reheated. You can read more about details in our guide to bringing food into Disneyland.
74. Bring a refillable water bottle. There are locations across Disneyland where you can refill these, which you can find on the Disneyland app under “Bottle-Filling Stations.” You can also find these locations on the Disneyland website—note that there are less stations in Disney California Adventure.
75. We recommend not eating breakfast at the park. Because the morning time at the parks is so valuable with lower crowds and shorter wait times for popular rides, we recommend getting breakfast at your hotel (or if you’re in the area, at home). For all other meals, we recommend eating in the park due to the amazing variety of options offered. For more tips on how to make the most of your mornings, be sure to read our Disneyland morning touring strategy.
76. Mobile order through the Disneyland app. You can see which locations offer mobile ordering through the Disneyland app, and this is an effective way to bypass long food lines. You can mobile order while waiting in line for a ride and then walk right up to the counter to get your food without the wait!
77. Try Character Dining, which can be a great guaranteed way to meet characters during your Disneyland visit. There are a few different options offered for character dining, with most in the Disney Resort Hotels and one in the park. Be sure to read our guide to Disneyland Character Dining for our reviews of the different experiences and tips!
78. Mix it up with your dining and try new food locations. While it’s tempting to stick to the same routine, don’t ignore the variety of options offered at the parks, from snacks to sit-down dining locations. If you’ve been wanting to try that Black Caf Cold Brew at Galaxy’s Edge or have never enjoyed a Mickey cream cheese pretzel, go for it! You might find a new favorite.
79. Consider a dining package for shows. If your priority is securing great viewing for shows like Fantasmic! or World of Color, you can get two birds with one stone by buying a dining package for these experiences. There are several dining package options offered for the shows at Disney California Adventure and Disneyland, which you can read about in our guide to Disneyland dining packages.
80. Children under the age of three can eat for free in the buffets throughout the resort.
81. Interested in a recipe for something you ate in the park or a plant you saw? You can visit Guest Relations and they will be able to get you a recipe for most dishes or identification of most plants.
82. The Carthay Circle Theater Lounge and Restaurant is a fantastic upscale fine dining location. Carthay Circle serves as a perfect oasis of tranquility in the middle of Disney California Adventure park. This restaurant is expensive and real treat! See my review of the Carthay Circle Restaurant.
83. You have to eat a corn dog!!! I don’t care what your feelings are, you must try one of these deep fried delights. This is a must for every single one of my trips to Disneyland. See Disneyland tips on my three favorite Disneyland snacks.
84. You can purchase corn dogs from multiple places in Disneyland. The Red Wagon Corn Dog cart always seems to have a massive line, so I usually buy mine at the Stage Door Cafe which is attached to the Golden Horseshoe or the Corn Dog Castle in Disney California Adventure.
85. You can order a corn dog a la carte and save $2. The corn dog on the menu includes a side of apples or chips. When you remove the side, you will save $2. Be sure to request this if you don’t want the side, as it is not written anywhere on the menu.
86. There are a number of healthy food options at Disneyland. At almost every sit down restaurant there is a salad option and there are carts throughout both theme parks selling fruit.
87. The best counter service restaurants in Disneyland Park are Bengal Barbecue and Jolly Holly Bakery Cafe. Both of these locations have great food and the lines move quickly. See my favorite Disneyland restaurant options.
88. The best counter service restaurants in Disney California Adventure are in the San Fransokyo Square area of the park. I really like the Yaki Udon avaliable at the Lucky Fortune Cookery.
89. The Earl of Sandwich is a great sandwich place in Downtown Disney for a quick meal. See our list of the best Downtown Disney restaurants ranked!
90. The best sit down restaurants at the Disneyland Resort are outside of Disneyland park (in the hotels and Downtown Disney and in Disney California Adventure). These restaurants also have the added bonus of being able to provide a selection of alcoholic beverages. Some of the top sit-down restaurants outside Disneyland Park include Lamplight Lounge, Carthay Circle Restaurant, Napa Rose, Storyteller’s Cafe, Din Tai Fung, and Céntrico.
91. Many people rave about the Blue Bayou Restaurant in Disneyland, but the menu items are quite expensive. For many of the same menu items at a lower price, check out Cafe Orleans. The allure of the Blue Bayou is the fact that it is inside Pirates of the Caribbean, but I have never really enjoyed the dark sleepy atmosphere.
92. If you still want to experience the ambiance of the Blue Bayou restaurant you can make a reservation and just have dessert. Just make reservations for later in the night and attempt to get a table next to the water.
93. Get free bread and chocolate from the San Fransokyo Square factory tours. A loaf of good sour dough can be purchased for around $7-12 depending on the shape. This is a great filling snack.
Fun Tips for Disneyland
Now that we’ve covered some of the major tips important for planning your Disneyland trip, we’ll go through some fun tips that can enhance your experience!
94. Get your silhouette cut on Main Street. Inside a shop on Main Street you can find incredibly talented silhouette cutters who will cut your silhouette on black paper. These cuts are inexpensive and make an extremely memorable souvenir!
95. Please watch the Disneyland Flag Retreat ceremony honoring our country. This daily ceremony happens in the late afternoon in Town Square on Main Street. All of the branches of the armed forces are recognized. Make time to see the presentation! For many this is the best part of a Disneyland visit. Check out our list of the most patriotic things in Disneyland.
96. There is an invisible 50,000 point target on Zurg’s chest on Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. This target can be hard to find, but pays off big. See all our Disneyland tips on how to beat your friends on Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.
97. Watch Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln. I have to mention this item in this list because so many people miss the show completely. The show has great American history and Disney history all wrapped up in one. Mr. Lincoln was the first human Audio-Animatronic Walt Disney Imagineering ever built.
98. Don’t miss Trader Sam’s Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel. Located in the middle of the pool area at the Disneyland Hotel, this is a highly themed bar with fun tropical drinks and special effects throughout.
99. Check out the Disneyland Secrets Facebook page for updates on the latest news, fun historic photos, and more Disneyland hacks. On the page you can find the latest news and fun Disneyland commentary. Be sure to like the page to get a daily post from the parks.
100. Don’t miss the nightly sh-boom moment when the lights come on in Cars Land. Every night at dusk, all the lights come on in Cars Land to the famous sh-boom song. See the video. This nightly light show was suggested by John Lasseter’s son Ben when walking the construction site with his dad near the completion of the project. The show can be seen nightly two minutes after sunset.
101. For a nice view of Cars Land, enter from the Pixar Pier side of the land. This is will provide a breathtaking view of the rockwork and Radiator Springs Racers attraction.
102. If someone in your family doesn’t want to go into the park, consider sending them to the spa at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. My mom and aunt made sure I included this tip. They called it a “fantastic” spa located in the Disney California Adventure hotel. Only for those who don’t want to spend every day in the parks–personally I don’t know why you wouldn’t want to.
103. Buy the souvenir you want when you see it! Every store throughout the Disneyland Resort has a different selection of items available for purchase. You do not want to set your heart on one specific item and then not be able to find that item later. When you see something you want, buy it!
104. The mailboxes throughout Disneyland are real. Disneyland used to have its own mail cancellation stamp, but now mail sent here is sent out with the Anaheim area stamp.
105. Talk to Cast Members whenever you get the chance. Getting to know the people who work at Disneyland makes the experience that much more dimensional and memorable. By the end of the trip you will end up having a shared experience of some sort with one of them. Ask about where they are from, how long they have been working at Disneyland, why they chose to work in the parks. You will end up hearing some fun stories.
106. Cast Members with solid blue name tags have received a prestigious award. The solid blue name tag honors Cast Members who have received the Walt Disney Legacy Award for embodying the leadership spirit of making magic from Walt Disney. I like to say congratulations when I see these Cast Members who have been recognized by the Disney company.
107. Cast Members are given pins to wear on their name tags honoring them for the number of years they have worked at the park. Pins range from 1 year all the way up to 50. Keep your eye out for the unique pins worn on the name tag. See our photo guide to all of the pins on the name tags.
108. The best Sleeping Beauty Castle photo can be taken from the right-hand side of the castle. There are fewer people from this side angle and you are surrounded by greenery rather than concrete.
109. Ride an outdoor attraction at night when the fireworks are going off. Big Thunder Mountain is a fan-favorite option for this, as you get a completely unique seat for the fireworks show as you go racing by. Especially for guests who have already experienced rides multiple times, this is a special and memorable way to experience them. Recently, Disney just started running the Incredicoaster during World of Color. Seeing the show from this angle enhances the ride and show.
110. Keep an eye out for the Disneyland cats! There are about 200 feral cats, cared for by Cast Members, who roam around Disneyland and help keep the rodent population in check. Look for them during the day, as you may spot one emerge for a brief moment although many stay hidden.
111. If you are traveling alone, an eReader can make the lines go by quickly. Load up a new book or one of the many books on Disneyland.
112. The Walt Disney Imagineers have hidden Mickey Mouse heads throughout the theme parks. These are called “Hidden Mickeys” and there are entire books dedicated to helping you find them.
113. Try a new ride or revisit and old one! It’s easy to get into a routine where you ride the same attractions every visit to Disneyland. Branch out a bit and go on an underrated or nostalgic ride you’ve been passing up.
114. Accidentally popped Disney balloons can be replaced. If you bring evidence of your popped Disneyland balloon to a balloon vendor, they will provide you with a new one.
115. Look for Hidden Mickeys around the park. These are hidden Mickey Mouse heads that Disney Imagineers sprinkled throughout the park that are incorporated into the architecture. Be sure to read our guide to Hidden Mickeys at Disneyland for a full breakdown of what they are and where to find them. You can also spot the entrance to the exclusive Club 33.
116. Don’t let the rain get you down! Rainy days can make for excellent park experiences, as crowds tend to be smaller with Southern California locals deterred from visiting. Some of our best days at Disneyland have been on days when it has rained. All of the Southern California locals will be scared away and you will sometimes have the park to yourself. We went on Big Thunder Mountain four times in a row without getting off on one of these days.
117. Pick up a celebration button. Disneyland makes unique buttons for almost every celebration including birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoons, first visits to the park, and anything else you are celebrating. Wear a button so that Cast Members will say hello and have a reason to make magic for you. That could mean anything from a free dessert to a random front of line pass or just friendly greetings. You never know! See all of our Disneyland tips about celebrating a birthday at Disneyland.
118. Try out pin trading. You can buy a base set of pins in bulk for trading, then find Cast Members with pin lanyards or other guests willing to trade at the park. This is a fun activity that allows you to collect Disney-themed pins of attractions, characters, and parks! Be sure to read more about this activity in our guide to pin trading at Disneyland.
119. Purchase your pins for pin trading before going to the parks. Since you are going to be trading your pins away, consider purchasing your trading pins in bulk before arriving at the parks. In the parks, pins cost between $8-$12. When buying in bulk you can find bags of pins for about $1 per pin.
120. Check out the park bench in the opera house. Walt Disney sat on this bench in Griffith Park in Los Angeles while watching his daughters on the carousel when he was dreaming of Disneyland.
121. Listen to the area music throughout the park. The soundtracks vary from line to line and land to land. Each set of music is meant to further evoke the theme or feelings from that area. You can hear some of this fantastic music on the great WML95 Youtube channel.
122. The Jungle Cruise gives away free maps. This makes a great souvenir and is one of the best free things in Disneyland. See all of other Disneyland free things.
123. Running in Disneyland is not allowed, but I’ve never had someone stop me from skipping through the parks. Truly, let your inner child out.
124. Let Guest Relations know if there is a problem. Disney is nothing if not understanding. They want to make sure you have the best vacation possible.
125. On the other hand, PLEASE write down the names of Cast Members who were doing a really fantastic job and leave them compliments at the end of the day. Each trip I leave a list of names and comments with Guest Relations. These comments go into their permanent file and help with promotions.
126. Please do not be demanding. You will have much more success if you tell a Cast Member a problem or ask them for a favor and you are totally understanding that it may not be possible. Remember they are people too.
127. Consider visiting Universal studios if you have teenagers or a Harry Potter fan in your family. This park is up and coming in Southern California and worth checking out for a day. See all our tips on discount Universal Studios tickets. Side note: The last time I was in the park, it was packed! Be sure to consider the Front of Line ticket. See the guide linked above on how to get the Front of Line ticket for a discount.
128. Consider visiting Legoland if you have younger family members! There has been lots of work completed at the resort recently with the addition of new attractions. See all info on discount Legoland tickets here.
129. Be sure to leave room for spontaneity. While it is tempting to try to plan your Disneyland trip down to the minute, keep an open mind in case something unexpected pops up. If you’re walking towards a ride and become captivated by the parade, you can always find a viewing spot out of the way of foot traffic and enjoy the show for a few minutes. Don’t let your plan get in the way of what your interests might be in the moment!
130. If you’re staying at the Grand Californian, try what we call the “Grizzly River Run to Grand Californian loop.” Some people don’t want to do on Grizzly River Run out of fear of walking around in wet clothes all day. But with the Grand Californian just a few steps away, you can put on your bathing suit underneath your clothes and ride as much as you’d like without having to worry about how wet you’ll get because you can enjoy time at the pool and change into new clothes shortly after!
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