With so much to do at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, it’s no surprise that the Happiest Place on Earth is also one of the busiest spots on the planet. As the very first Disneyland to open in the world, Disneyland Resort California holds heaps of attractions that both first-time visitors and returning guests love to line up for.
If you need help exploring Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure like a pro, Klook’s got you covered! Read through our list of Disneyland tips that will help you guarantee the best time at the Disneyland Resort in California:
1. Book your tickets online
Enjoy your day at Disney California Adventure. Credits to @shoulalala
… with Klook, of course! Not only do you get instant booking confirmation, but you also can get an open-dated booking, park hopper tickets, and thrilling discounts!
Is it your first time visiting the Disneyland Resort in California? Take note that Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park are two separate parks. With Klook, you can get Park Hopper or 1-Park per Day tickets to skip the hassle of booking individual tickets if you wanna visit both during your trip. You can also upgrade your tickets to Disney Genie+ service to access Lightning Lanes and avoid wasting precious time in queues!
After your booking, go to the official reservation link to create an account and link your confirmation code on the voucher to your account before your visit.
Klook’s Disneyland tip: Check your visit date before purchasing, in case your desired date is fully reserved!
2. Know the best times to visit
While there’s never a wrong time to visit the Disneyland Reosrt California, some people prefer visiting when there are less crowds. The parks usually get busier than usual when there is a major American holiday or when kids are on school breaks, such as spring and summer breaks.
Klook’s Disneyland tip: Visit during the end of August and the entire month of September!
3. The early bird gets the worm
Skip the queues when you arrive early. Credits to John Benitez on Unsplash
Well, you know what they say: the earlier, the better because you get shorter queue lines! Arrive at the park before it opens at 8:00 AM to be one of the first visitors. Most of the fastest wait times you’ll experience at any Disneyland park happen in the first and last two hours of the park.
4. Get a locker
While it’s wise to travel light, bringing jackets or raincoats, sunscreen, and cameras are a must when exploring Disneyland. Save yourself (especially your back!) the hassle of lugging around your bag by getting a locker. Rentals are available at Main Street U.S.A. in Disneyland Park and Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure Park.
5. Get familiar with the Disneyland Mobile App
Have first dibs on rides with the Disney Genie+ Service. Credits to @jenngray93
Experience the magic right at your fingertips with the Disneyland mobile app, your personal in-park consultant. This app shows you attraction wait times, show listings, park maps, and restaurant menus which saves you time that could be wasted from running around. It even allows contactless purchasing of tickets and lets you join waitlists for dining.
6. Schedule ride return times with Disney Genie+ Service
Another Disneyland tip we got is to get Disney Genie+ Service. This optional add-on service works just like the Genie from Aladdin—it helps you design your magical day the way you want it. Disney Genie+ Service gives recommendations based on the top interests you logged onto the mobile app. It also allows you to use Lightning Lanes, which lets you skip standby lines for some attractions. To enjoy all its unique features, the add-on costs around $39 (US$ 25) per day, per person. Trust us, you’ve never had a friend like Disney Genie+!
7. Avoid lining up to the most popular rides first
Disneyland in California is Insta-ready in every corner. Credits to Gabriel Tovar on Unsplash
Contrary to popular belief, it’s better to skip lining up for the most popular rides as soon as the park opens. Most visitors will have the same idea, so you’ll all end up in the same line first thing in the morning. Hit the other rides with short waits before committing to the popular rides. This way, you won’t start your day waiting in a queue at Disneyland.
8. Hop from one park to another!
To hop or not to hop, that’s the question. Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure are separate parks, but they’re just a short skip away! If you only have one day to enjoy all of Disneyland Resort in California, you can enjoy one park in the morning, then hop by 1 pm to go to the other!
Note: park hopping is subject to availability
9. Planning is the key
Aside from the rides, plan out your photo spots for the best pictures at Disneyland. Credits to @amandabqr
We cannot stress this enough: make sure you visit Disneyland resort in California with a game plan! Know which attractions you want to ride, all the snacks you want to try, and shows you don’t want to miss. Aside from the Disneyland mobile app and Disney Genie+ service, you can read through our Disney California Adventure Park guide to help plan your visit.
10. Save souvenir shopping for last
Of course, a trip to Disneyland wouldn’t be complete without shopping for souvenirs. Put this last on your itinerary so you won’t have to fret about where to put your shopping bags when you ride on roller coasters. Also, the shops on Main Street USA and Buena Vista Street are open an hour after the park closes, so you have enough time to buy Mickey memorabilia for your home.
11. Use the Single Rider Line or Buddy Pass
Don’t waste your day on queues and use the Single Rider Line. Credits to @cdpiglet
Another Disneyland tip on skipping waiting lines is to make the most of the Single Rider Line service or the Buddy Pass. If you’re riding solo or don’t mind splitting your group up on the actual ride, you can join the dedicated Single Rider Lines. Ride operators use this line to fill empty seats. Single Rider Lines are often available at the Matterhorn Bobsleds, Splash Mountain, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Disneyland Park and Grizzly River Run, Incredicoaster, Goofy’s Sky School, Radiator Springs Race, and Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure at Disney California Adventure Park.
The Buddy Pass is a similar option for two rides in Disney California Adventure, Monsters Inc. and Toy Story Mania. All you have to do is approach a cast member and ask if any Buddy Passes are available.
12. Book reservations for dinner
Need more time-saving hacks? Know when and where to eat while at Disneyland. Consider your options before arriving so you can book reservations for lunch or dinner. You won’t have to line up for the waitlist to score a table. You can also dine during off-peak hours, from 10:30am to noon and 3pm to 5pm.
13. Dine on the go
Have your fill of Disney-themed food during your visit. Credits to @themeparklunchbox
Or you can dine on the go! Disneyland has heaps of tasty treats you can enjoy on the move, like turkey legs, corn dogs, and churros. There are a variety of carts all over the park that will keep you fuelled throughout your trip.
14. Order on the go with Mobile Order Service
Bid goodbye to long food queues as well! Grab your phone and open the Disneyland mobile app to use the Mobile Order service and order Disney food from anywhere, whether you’re in line for a ride or just saw a long queue for a restaurant.
15. Know when park areas close
Take the whole family for a fun day out at Disneyland! Credits to @lethrice
Some Disney California Adventure Park rides close early so you can enjoy the World of Colour, a nighttime spectacular near Pixar Pier. Knowing which areas close early so you can plan which attractions to prioritise is better!
16. Watch the second parade
World of Color and parades often have two showings during holidays and busy times. Since more people usually flock to the earlier showtime, crowds tend to be thinner for the second show, especially for World of Color since it takes place after the park is officially closed.
17. Plan for World of Color
Be amazed by the wonderful spectacle of World of Color. Credits to @melissamichelle_travels
In case you don’t know, World of Color is Disney California Adventure Park’s nighttime show and is known to be a breathtaking extravaganza of fire, water, lights, and music. There are roped-off viewing decks that give the best view of World of Color, and to access them, you have to join the virtual queue. You can also book dining packages or a dessert party so you can have something to eat as you watch the spectacle.
18. Save the best for last
Wait times for popular rides like Space Mountain and Indiana Jones Adventure drop off as the park nears its closing time. Plus, ride operators let you stay and ride even after park hours if you're in line when the parks close. Don't forget to check the app for your favourite ride's hours so you won't miss it.
19. Ride during showtimes
Have fun with cast members that wander all over the park. Credits to @gaysofparks
Skipping World of Color or the fireworks show? That's the time to ride popular attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and Splash Mountain! Wait times drop during showtimes because most visitors head over to watch the show. Keep the mobile app open to know which rides operate during these times.
Written by: Elle David
