Planning a visit to the Disneyland Resort can be a bit overwhelming, especially if it’s your first visit. I’ve been quite a few times and had good days and not so good days. Through trial and error I’ve come up with some do’s and don’ts that will hopefully help you when planning your next Disneyland vacation.
Do: Purchase the park hopper option. Disneyland and Disney California Adventure are right next to each other which makes park hopping super easy!
Don’t: wear uncomfortable shoes. The Disneyland Resort is big and you’ll be doing a LOT of walking (especially if you decide to park hop). Wear shoes that are already broken in and comfortable.
Do: take snacks and water into the park with you. This will save you a good amount of money as you won’t be purchasing all of your food and drinks in the parks.
Don’t: forget sunscreen! California is bright and sunny most of the year and you’ll be out in that weather for a majority of your Disneyland vacation. Being sunburned on vacation is no fun!
Do: take advantage of FastPass and Rider Swap. Disneyland still uses paper FastPasses so you’ll have to go to the kiosk at each ride to get one. If you have small children who can’t ride an attraction, one parent can ride and get a Rider Swap pass for the other parent which allows the second parent to get onto the ride quicker.
Don’t: expect to do everything in one trip. The Disneyland Resort has so much to do and see and the imagineers are always creating new experiences for guests. One of the reasons I love going back is so I can see what’s new!
Do: make advanced dining reservations. There aren’t as many dining options as at Walt Disney World but there are some really great restaurants and they fill up fast! If you want to eat at a specific restaurant or having a character dining experience, make reservations early. You can make them as early as 60 days in advance.
Don’t: rent a stroller at the parks. If you need a stroller, bring it from home or rent from an outside company. The strollers at the parks are not very comfortable and you have to return them when you leave. My kids are usually passed out at the end of the day and it’s so much easier leaving them in the stroller on our way back to the hotel rather than carrying them.
Do: arrive to the parks early. They usually let you in through the turnstiles 30 minutes before park opening. Try to arrive at least 30 minutes before that. This will give you the most time to spend in the parks and experience all they have to offer.
Don’t: stress! Keep in mind you’re at the Happiest Place on Earth! You may run into some grumpy guests or have a cranky child at some point. Take a breath and start over. Don’t let it ruin your day!
Do: slow down and take time to look for the small details. We live in a fast-paced world as it is. Disneyland is a one-of-a-kind experience and there is so much detail put in to every corner of it. Be sure to slow down at some point on your trip to take in the beauty of those little details.
What are some of your Do’s and Don’ts when visiting the Disneyland Resort? Let me know in the comments!
I love visiting the Disneyland Resort and I’d love to help you plan a visit as well! I’m a travel agent with World of Magic Travel and my services are free! Email me at sarasolberg@worldofmagictravel.com to start planning your next magical adventure.
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