Planning a Disney vacation can be overwhelming! Between the apps, tickets, add-ons, and extras, it can be exhausting to try to keep up. But we have good news! We are here to help you make the most of your next Disneyland vacation with these expert tips and tricks! If it’s your first time visiting Disneyland Resort, this guide is for you!

11 Expert Disneyland Tips and Tricks to Make the Most of Your Vacation

Be Sure to Download the My Disney Experience App

Step number one when planning any vacation is to download the app. If you’ve been to Disney World recently, you may already have downloaded the My Disney Experience app. However, that will only help if you are headed to Florida.

For a Disneyland vacation, you need to download the Disneyland app. This app can serve as a hub for everything about your trip, including park tickets, reservations, mobile order, photos, wait times, maps, and more! You won’t regret installing, setting up, and linking your party together in the app ahead of time. It will be a huge time-saver, and help during your trip.

Bonus Tip: Pack a portable phone charger or extra charging cable- you may use more phone battery than you think!

Check for Special Offers Before You Go

As you are planning your Disneyland vacation, be sure to check for special offers before you go. Often, employers, businesses, travel agents, or trip planners will have special deals and insight. This is one of the simplest Disneyland tips and tricks.

It can save you some money and help you discover experiences you may not have known about before. For example, Disney Visa cardholders have the opportunity for exclusive character meetings and photo ops.

Don’t Plan Too Long of a Visit

Don’t overshoot it. Though we recommend at least a 4-day visit to Walt Disney World, Disneyland is a bit different. Everything is smaller and closer, making it easier to see and do everything. Two to three days is ample time to experience just about everything Disneyland has to offer. Especially if you opt for a park hopping ticket, a few days is all you need.

Opt for a Park Hopper Ticket

Our next tip for making the most of your trip is just that. If you’ll only be visiting for a few days, opt for a park hopper ticket. Hopping between parks is incredibly easy at Disneyland. In fact, the distance between the park gates is only about 300 feet!

This gives you the freedom to switch parks quickly if you see shorter wait times, want more dining options, or schedule other Lightning Lanes. Plus, sometimes the park hours differ slightly. If you aren’t done having fun when one closes, head over to the other for that extra hour or two of magic.

Don’t Skip on Rope Drop

Though getting up early on vacation may not sound ideal to most travelers, Disney fans know that it is the key to extra magic! We recommend that if you are able to arrive before the park opens, you take full advantage. This is called rope-dropping.

Disney will let you enter the park before it is technically open. You just have to wait until the park’s official open time to enter any specific land. But this is a great time to enjoy Main Street, grab a coffee, and head towards the land you want to go to first to wait.

You can then head straight to your priority attraction and hopefully find a shorter wait time than later in the day! Popular attractions like Rise of the Resistance, Radiator Springs Racers, and Mission: BREAKOUT are a few to consider waking up early for.

Lightning Lane Multi Pass Will Help With Crowds

If the park is crowded, Lightning Lane Multi Pass may be a good option for your trip. Though it is quite a large additional fee, it lets you schedule Lightning Lanes one after the other throughout the day. This is a huge time-saver for waiting in lines, and if your goal is to see and do everything in a short time, Multi Pass can help ensure that happens.

However, if the crowd level is decent, Multi Pass may not be necessary. We recommend rope-dropping your top attractions or opting to purchase a Lightning Lane Single Pass on qualifying rides.

Pack Your Park Bag Wisely

Pack your park bag wisely. This may sound simple, but knowing what to bring with you to the parks can help make your experience seamless. A few essentials to prioritize would include sunscreen, a poncho if you plan to ride water rides, a phone charger, sunglasses, snacks, and a refillable water bottle.

It is important to stay hydrated while visiting Disney Parks. But buying drinks while you’re there can add up quickly. Disney allows outside food and reusable water bottles into the park. They even have multiple fill stations around to keep you cool, even on the hottest days. If you’re a pin trader, don’t forget to pack those beauties as well. You will have endless opportunities to trade!

Check for Last Minute Dining Availability

If you have your heart set on a specific reservation that is proving tough to book, don’t give up! Continue to check, even up until the very last second. Last-minute cancellations or no-shows could open up just in time for you to enjoy that meal you’ve been dreaming about.

Additionally, some restaurants will allow you on the walk-up waitlist. This is another instance where the Disneyland app can come in handy. You can check for and make reservations directly in the app. And, again, if you can’t get the reservation you are hoping for, it’s worth a shot to keep trying.

Bring Some Snacks With You to Save Money

On the topic of food, did you know, Disney will allow you to bring your own food into the park? It’s true! If you have allergies, dietary restrictions, are trying to save money, or simply want to have your favorite snacks on hand, this is a great option for you. You can bring in drinks as well, except for alcohol, of course.

Take Advantage of Mobile Order

On those days when you are busy rushing from one attraction to the next, you still need to take a break to eat. Did you know you can mobile order at many counter service restaurants directly in the Disneyland app? Yep! You can even schedule your mobile order ahead of time.

Skip the line, schedule your order, and get a delicious meal, all just by tapping a few buttons. Fans of planning ahead will love the option to have an arrival window to pick up food after they finish the next ride or attraction.

Don’t Miss Downtown Disney

When thinking about a Disneyland trip, Downtown Disney isn’t always top of mind. However, it is a great place to go on the days you don’t have active park tickets, and even on the days you do!

Downtown Disney is positioned right between Disneyland Park and California Adventure. Complete with delicious restaurants, unique experiences, and fabulous shopping, this is something you won’t want to miss when visiting Anaheim. There is no ticket required to visit Downtown Disney; however, you do have to pay for parking. Be sure to keep your receipts and validate if you can- it will save you lots of money!

And don’t forget about Downtown Disney during your park days, either. Being so close, it is a great option for extra dining or shopping during the day. You can always head back to the park when you’re done!

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