THE ULTIMATE
Disneyland
GUIDE
How to Do Disneyland the Smart Way
It’s not about doing everything.
It’s about doing the right things in the right order.
☑️ Ride more
☑️Spend less
☑️Avoid meltdowns
☑️Actually enjoy your day
This is your start-to-finish game plan!
QUICK NAVIGATION
BEFORE YOU GO
Download The Disneyland App
This is your biggest time saver!
✔ Check wait times
✔ Mobile order food
✔ Book Lightning Lanes
✔ Find dining reservations
✔ Mobile checkout
💡This avoids long security lines and gets you in faster!
Getting To Disneyland
✔ Take the far-right entrance lane (it’s usually the quickest)
✔ Park at Pixar Pals Parking Structure
✔ Snap a photo of your parking location before you leave the car
✔ Skip the tram and walk through Downtown Disney instead
💡Less money, shorter lines, better breakfast.
Breakfast Before The Park
Start your day at Beignets Expressed in Downtown Disney.
✔ Fresh, made-to-order beignets
✔ Seasonal flavors
✔ Must-try: Flavor of the Month
✔ Our favorite: Fruity Pebbles Beignet
💡Start with a ride, not a line.
Monorail Entry Trick
Enter Disneyland through the Monorail in Downtown Disney.
✔ Scan your ticket there
✔ Skip some of the front gate crowds
✔ Get into the park faster
ROPE DROP
Get there at rope drop if you can!
✔ The shortest wait times of the day
✔ Ride 3–5 attractions before crowds build
✔ Kids are rested, excited, and ready to go
💡 The first few hours are the most productive you’ll have all day.
Families with Toddlers
Start your day in Fantasyland while wait times are at their lowest.
✔ Peter Pan’s Flight (do this FIRST!)
✔ Dumbo the Flying Elephant
✔ Alice in Wonderland
✔ Storybook Land Canal Boats
✔ It’s a Small World
💡 Knock these out early before the lines get much longer later in the day.
Families with Big Kids
Head straight for the rides that build the longest waits.
✔ Space Mountain
✔ Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
✔ Indiana Jones Adventure
💡 These attractions can reach some of the longest wait times in the park, making the morning your best opportunity to ride them with minimal waiting.
PARK STRATEGY
🗺️ Stop Walking Across Disneyland!
Don’t zig-zag across the park. It wastes time, adds miles of walking, and leads to tired, cranky kids.
✅ THE SMART WAY
✔ Stay in one land at a time
✔ Do the rides you want there (or your top priorities)
✔ Then move to the next land once
✔ Save Lightning Lanes for nearby attractions
❌ WHAT NOT TO DO
❌ What NOT to Do
❌ Don’t go Fantasyland → Star Wars → back to Fantasyland
❌ Don’t chase short wait times across the park
❌ Don’t bounce for Lightning Lanes without a plan
THE ONLY TIME TO BREAK THIS RULE
Rope drop (first 1-2 hours)! This is when you should jump around a little to hit your highest priority rides before lines build.
After that → go back to staying in one area.
🔁 The Best Flow Through Disneyland
PRO TIPS
Morning = rides
Midday = play areas & slower attractions
Evening = big rides & favorites
Use snack breaks as reset points between lands.
RIDE STRATEGY
How to Skip Long Waits!
If you don’t want to spend your whole day standing in line, you need a simple plan. The trick is using a mix of strategies together, not just one.
USE A MIX OF:
⚡Lightning Lane
✔ Book your first ride early
✔ Keep checking for better times
✔ Save it for the biggest rides
👤 Single Rider
Fastest ways to skip long waits Perfect for popular attractions Best for older kids and adults
👨👩👧 Rider Switch
Great for families with little ones One parent rides while the other waits Switch without waiting in line again
PIXIE DUST PASS
If your child is just under the height requirement, Cast Members may sometimes offer a return pass.
Once your child meets the height requirement, they can return and skip the regular line.
(Not guaranteed, but it does happen!)
ROO PASS
If there are only 2 of you, Cast Members may sometimes offer a “Roo Pass.”
The Roo Pass lets small groups bypass the main queue for Winnie the Pooh ride.
(It never hurts to ask!)
MATTERHORN BREAKDOWN
LEFT SIDE (TOMORROWLAND)
✔ Faster
✔ More thrilling
✔ Rougher ride
Best for thrill seekers!
RIGHT SIDE (FANTASYLAND)
✔ About 20 seconds longer
✔ Smoother ride
✔ Less bumpy
Best for families and younger kids!
Midday Survival
This is where people start to burn out!
Midday means longer lines, hotter temperatures, and tired kids. This is when you slow down and take advantage of breaks that naturally fit into your route through the park. The goal isn’t to stop doing things. It’s to recharge so you’re ready for the evening when wait times start improving again.
GO TO TOONTOWN
A great spot for kids to burn energy, explore, and reset before heading back out.
RIDE DISNEYLAND RAILROAD
A relaxing ride all around the park-perfect for sitting back, resting your legs, or napping for your little one.
SIT IN THE ENCHANTED TIKI ROOM
Cool air, fun atmosphere, and a chance to slow down and recharge together.
FOOD GUIDE
Save Time & Money
Food at Disneyland can get expensive fast, but with a little planning you can eat really well without overspending or wasting time standing in food lines.
Pro Tip: Order food while you’re waiting in ride lines. Use the Disneyland app to mobile order ahead so your meal is ready when you get off the attraction.
USE MOBILE ORDER:
Mobile Order Early
✔ Order early to get the best pickup times
✔ Skip long food lines
✔ At most quick-service locations
Choose Pickup Window
✔ Pick the time that works best
✔ Modify later if plans change
✔ Easy to adjust in the app
Check In While Walking
✔ Food is ready when you arrive
✔ Saves valuable park time
✔ Best Disneyland hacks
🌭 BEST BUDGET LUNCH
Little Red Wagon (Main Street)
✔ Famous Disneyland Corn Dogs
✔ Comes with chips or apple slices
✔ Large portions that are easy to share
✔ One of the best values in the park
💡 Mom Tip: Mobile order through the Disneyland app and simply pick it up when you’re ready.
🥪 BEST SIT-DOWN MEAL
Cafe Orleans
✔ Famous Monte Cristo Sandwich
✔ Relaxing sit-down atmosphere
✔ Serves alcohol
✔ Great meal without the premium Disney price tag
💡 Mom Tip: Make a reservation before your trip. Same-day availability can be hard to find.
👑 CHARACTER DINING TIP
Plaza Inn
✔ Most affordable character dining option
✔ Meet multiple characters at once
✔ Great for younger kids
✔ Avoid long character meet-and-greet lines later
💡 Mom Tip: Character dining is only worth it if your kids really want to meet the characters. Plaza Inn usually includes Minnie plus several other surprise character visits.
🍦 MUST-HAVE SNACKS
✔ Churro — The Disneyland classic everyone talks about.
✔ Dole Whip (Tiki Juice Bar) — The most iconic Disney treat.
✔ Garlic Cheesy Pretzel Bread (Edelweiss Snacks) — One of the most popular savory snacks in the park.
✔ Fresh Popcorn — Simple, affordable, and somehow tastes better at Disneyland.
💡 Mom Tip: Skip dessert after meals and save room for the iconic snacks.
EVENING STRATEGY
As the day goes on and the sun starts to go down, this is your time to shift back into rides. Crowds start to move, temperatures drop, and energy comes back.
This is when you can start knocking out some of the bigger, high-demand rides again.
GOOD EVENING RIDES:
Big Thunder Mountain → one of the BEST rides at night
Indiana Jones Adventure → lines fluctuate a lot (watch the app)
Matterhorn Bobsleds → this one you should ride early or ride later in the night.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run → usually shorter at night
Holiday version = Nightmare Before Christmas
WHAT'S THE REAL TRUTH
✔ Ride during dinner time (5–7 PM)
✔ Ride during fireworks (shorter lines 👀)
✔ Stay AFTER fireworks → lowest waits of the entire day
✔ Evening is NOT automatically “short wait time” for everything
✔ The BEST time is actually:
👉 During fireworks
👉 After fireworks
👉 Right before park close
STAR WARS LAND (GO AT NIGHT!)
This area is completely different at night.
Cooler
Less crowded
Way better atmosphere
Hidden trick: Ask for “Chewie Mode” on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
MUST-DO:
Cold Brew Black Caf
Featuring smooth cold brew topped with sweet cream cheese foam and crunchy chocolate cereal
(Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo)
Oga’s Cantina
Bar complete with themed drinks, music, and a lively Star Wars atmosphere. Reservations help, but the walk-up waitlist is often worth trying too.
BEST ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AT OGA'S:
Bespin Fizz is famous for its eye-catching cloud effect and fun presentation, making it one of the most popular drinks
Fuzzy Tauntaun is famous for its unique tingling foam that creates a fun, lip-numbing sensation
PHOTOS & SAVINGS
Memories You'll Never Regret
Photos and character meet-and-greets are some of the most special parts of your day. Photos are one of those things you’ll be SO glad you planned ahead for, especially when you actually want to be in the pictures too. Meeting characters isn’t just a quick stop… It’s like meeting their real-life heroes, and those reactions are something you don’t want to miss.
USE THE DISNEYLAND APP
Find Everything Fast
Find PhotoPass photographer locations
See where characters are meeting throughout the park
Screenshot your code for easy access. This saves time so you’re not digging through the app every time a photographer asks!
CHARACTER MAGIC
Make It Even More Special
✔ Bring your child’s favorite costume from home
✔ Let them change into it before meeting characters
✔ This makes the experience feel even more real and exciting for them!
DISNEY CREDIT CARD PERK
FREE Character Photo
📍 Star Wars Launch Bay (Tomorrowland)
✔ Meet Darth Vader (most common character)
✔ No PhotoPass purchase required
✔ Exclusive Disney Visa cardholder benefit
MUST-DO PHOTO LIST
Memories to Cherish
✔ Castle photo (morning or night
✔ Family photo on Main Street, U.S.A.
✔ One photo in every land
✔ Character meet-and-greet photo
REAL MOM TIP: Don’t count on coming back later. If the line is short, stop and take the photo!
Small Things That Save Big Money
WATER SAVING HACK
Bring Your Own Bottle
✔ Free water stations throughout the park
✔ Quick-service locations provide free ice water
✔ Fill with ice early in the day
SNACK STRATEGY
Bring Snacks From Home
Good options: Granola bars, Crackers, Fruit snacks, Trail mix, and Cookies
Use snacks while waiting in line instead of buying extras.
HOTEL PRICE BREAKDOWN
Nearby Hotels:
$150 – $300 per night
Disney Hotels:
$500 – $1,000+ per night
BIGGEST MONEY SAVER
Where You Stay
One of the easiest ways to save hundreds, sometimes even thousands, on your Disneyland vacation is choosing the right hotel. You don’t need to stay at a Disney hotel to have an amazing trip. Many nearby hotels are just as convenient and can leave you with a lot more money for food, souvenirs, and Lightning Lanes.
A Great Option: The Anaheim Hotel
✔ About a 5–10 minute walk to Disneyland
✔ Spacious, family-friendly rooms
✔ Significantly cheaper than Disney-owned hotels
✔ Easy access to the parks without paying Disney hotel prices
END OF DAY
The last 1-2 hours of Disneyland can either be the most stressful… or the most productive part of your entire day.
OPTION 1: LEAVE SMART
Watch fireworks from the Pixar Pals Parking Structure
Head out before the big exit rush
Skip traffic, trams, and long lines leaving
Best for families with exhausted kids.
OPTION 2: STAY LATE
✔ Stay inside the park after fireworks
✔ Head straight to your top rides
✔ Enjoy some of the shortest waits of the day
PRO TIP: Ride during fireworks for even shorter lines!
Ready To Plan Your Own Disneyland Trip
You’ve got the strategy. You’ve got the tips. Now it’s time to make planning easier.
Grab these free Disneyland planning tools to save time, stay organized, and make sure nothing important gets forgotten before your trip.
DISNEYLAND PARK BAG
Never forget a park essential with this simple, family-friendly Disneyland packing guide.
DISNEYLAND PLANNER
Plan your perfect Disneyland day with an itinerary that keeps your family on track.
DISNEY BUDGET TRACKER
Know what your Disneyland trip will cost and stay on budget with this simple planning spreadsheet.
Height requirements
Quickly see which rides your child can ride before you arrive at the parks.
ROPE DROP STRATEGY
Maximize your first few hours with step-by-step rope drop plans for the most popular attractions.
SNACK CHECKLIST
Check off Disneyland’s most iconic snacks and treats as you explore the parks.
Best rides by land
Find the top rides in every Disneyland land so you never miss the park’s biggest highlights.
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