Want to do Disneyland and Disney California Adventure like a pro? We have 101 tips that’ll help you save money and time and info to improve your vacation! Everything from Star Wars Land to avoiding lines to best fireworks views and so much more is covered. (Updated September 18, 2024.)
Over our years as Annual Passholders, we’ve learned a lot–and share that with you in this post. Of course, as with things like this not all of these tips will be universally applicable, but there should be something for everyone here. Whether you’re a Disneyland first-timer or a veteran visitor to California who still has nightmare-flashbacks to Light Magic, there are tips for you here!
Oh, and be sure to read the comments at the end, as some readers have shared additional tips that are pretty strong. Keep in mind that these tips are pretty random…if you’re looking for start to finish vacation planning advice, read our comprehensive Disneyland Trip Planning Guide instead of or in addition to this post.
Note that this post is regularly updated, removing tips that are no longer applicable and replacing them new tips based on things we’ve learned recently. We’re locals who visit weekly, and have already been several times for Halloween Time at Disneyland and the 2024 Oogie Boogie Bash!
Make sure to also read the additional reader tips in the comments, as some of you readers have some great tips of your own that are really helpful. If you have some good tips, be sure to add them there, too. The more, the merrier!
With that said, let’s get started with the list of the best Disneyland & Disney California Adventure tips for visiting like a pro…
1. You can save money on Disneyland tickets by purchasing at a discount from Authorized Disney Ticket Sellers. Authorized is the operative word there, and we recommend the best options in our ticket guide. As we discuss there, it’s important to be careful, as there are a lot of Disneyland ticket scams.
2. As much as we dislike up-charges, we have to admit that buying Lightning Lane Multi-Pass will save you time and allow you to see more attractions in a single day at Disneyland–especially on busier days (we never buy or recommend Single Pass). Read our Guide Lightning Lanes at Disneyland Resort for more information and tips.
3. The easiest spot to watch the Disneyland fireworks is the area by ‘it’s a small world’, but the best spot is right on the center of Main Street, USA. Check out this article for a map of the best and worst Disneyland fireworks viewing locations. There are some hidden gem spots–and popular views that are actually poor!
4. The most iconic and flagship character meal at Disneyland Resort is Goofy’s Kitchen, which is like Chef Mickey’s: California Edition. Read our Guide to Character Dining at Disneyland for more hotel and in-park character meal recommendations.
5. If you are celebrating a special occasion, make sure to pin up a button reflecting the celebration at one of the Disney-owned hotels or in the parks from Guest Services. Other areas of both parks also occasionally offer special, non-celebrating buttons.
6. Christmas entertainment is included in the cost of daily admission–there is no separate hard ticket event. Christmas offerings include ‘it’s a small world’ holiday, Haunted Mansion Holiday, and much more. For more in-depth info about the holidays, read our Ultimate Guide to Disneyland at Christmas.
7. If planning your trip, you may encounter outdated resources suggesting that there’s little benefit to staying in on-site, Disney-owned hotels at Disneyland Resort. This changed with the opening of Cars Land, as early access to Radiator Springs Racers can be very valuable. Our on-site v. off-site hotel post reflects the current pros and cons of staying off-site and on-site.
8. Selfie sticks are not allowed at Disneyland. Do not try to sneak one in and use it–especially on attractions. They will stop the ride, embarrass you, and kick you out of the park. This has happened numerous times, and has caused significant ride downtime.
9. If you’re not buying Lightning Lanes, it’s imperative that you arrive early or stay late. The first and last two hours of the day are arguably more valuable than the entire time in between. See our Disneyland Rope Drop Strategy for the best step-by-step plan of attack for the beginning of the day.
10. Lots of changes have come to Disneyland Resort’s shopping and entertainment district in the last few years, including some must-do dining (including the glorious “Crazy Shake” pictured above). Read everything you need to know in our Guide to Downtown Disney at Disneyland.
11. Due to the large population of Annual Passholders and how blockout dates redistribute them, the best time to visit Disneyland isn’t as simple as when school is in session. Read about the other best times to visit Disneyland Resort in our 2024-2025 Disneyland Crowd Calendar, which also highlights red flag dates in the immediate future.
12. Lightning Lanes or other savvy strategy should be used to avoid long lines, but if you must wait in one long line, make it Indiana Jones Adventure. The queue is an experience in itself, and you can use this decoder to translate some Mara-glyphics in the queue.
13. Fantasmic once again plays nightly on the Rivers of America, but the version remains in b-mode and will through at least some point in 2025 because Murphy the Dragon caught on fire and has been replaced by Maleficent on a stick. If you’re not watching Fantasmic, we highly recommend this corner of the park for the 90 minutes before showtime, as crowds and congestion can be pretty bad.
14. Disneyland gets into the Halloween spirit with “Halloween Time at Disneyland,” which includes attraction overlays, seasonal restaurant menus, and more. Read our Guide to Halloween Time at Disneyland for everything you need to know.
15. Fond of booze? While it’s not as cool as “Drinking Around the World” in Epcot, you can have a similar bar crawl in Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney, and the Disney-owned hotels. Just follow our “Disneyland Drinking Debauchery” Guide for tips!
16. Mobile Ordering for restaurants is now available at Disneyland. We love it for allowing us to save time in line at counter service restaurants, particularly during peak dining hours.
17. If you’ve never visited Disneyland Resort, you should go in with at least a rough plan of attack. Read our 1-Day Disneyland Itinerary and 1-Day Disney California Adventure Itinerary for perfect touring plans. Failing that, prioritize Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure and Fantasyland rides in Disneyland.
18. Disneyland is experimenting with seasonal character meals in the resort hotels, adding new options for Halloween and Christmas at Goofy’s Kitchen and Storytellers. Here’s our photos & review of Mickey’s Autumn Adventures at the Grand Californian.
19. Have kids that want to trade pins with Cast Members? Buying pins from Amazon or eBay to trade with Cast Members is far cheaper than in the parks, and makes for a fun activity on the trip. (See our Disney Pin Trading Tips post for more info and suggestions.)
20. Guests staying at the Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel (and its Disney Vacation Club Villas) have access to a private viewing deck, which overlooks Paradise Bay and offers a very unique view of World of Color.
21. It rains very few days per year in Southern California, so packing ponchos is probably unnecessary unless rain is in the forecast. Instead, pack extra juice for your phone, collapsible water bottles with filters (while perfectly safe to drink, the drinking fountain water has a funky taste), and parade blankets. Read our other suggestions in our What to Pack for Disney List post.
22. Napa Rose, located in the Grand Californian Hotel, is Disneyland Resort’s best restaurant. Second best is Carthay Circle Restaurant in Disney California Adventure. Read our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews for food photos, and our thoughts on the good and bad of Disneyland Resort dining.
23. Both parks have Baby Care Centers and First Aid Centers. Baby Care Stations are great quiet places to take your kids, and the First Aid Centers have nurses on site who can assist with minor issues (like blisters).
24. We aren’t huge fans of the World of Color Dessert Party. In fact, most of Disneyland’s upcharges for nighttime spectacular viewing are not worth the money. The biggest (perhaps only) exception is the Fantasmic Dining Packages.
25. Want to know which rides to do and which to skip in Disneyland and Disney California Adventure? Our Disneyland Ride Guide and Disney California Adventure Ride Guide have summaries of every attraction, tips, and numerical scores so you can plan your day and avoid the duds.
26. Jungle Cruise skippers sometimes have free maps of the ride that they’ll give out to guests if asked. There are actually a lot of freebies at Disneyland–for other things, read our Free Things at Disneyland post.
27. Even though Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! is one of the most popular attractions at Disney California Adventure, we still recommend rope-dropping Radiator Springs Racers, as fewer people go towards it, and both attractions will have nearly-equal waits later in the day.
28. For each of the last two years, Disneyland has raised prices on October 11. History is likely to repeat itself in 2024 (and probably 2025), albeit perhaps not on the exact same day. That’s the bad news–the good is that you can protect yourself from some increases, as explained in Price Increases Likely Coming Soon at Disney World & Disneyland for 2024-2025.
29. Disneyland enforces Lightning Lane return times, but there is a grace period. You can tap into Lightning Lanes up to 5 minutes early or up to 15 minutes late.
30. Oogie Boogie Bash replaced Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland, and moved over to DCA several years ago. Oogie Boogie Bash is insanely popular, and if you want any shot of attending, you need to buy tickets as soon as they go on sale. Since Oogie Boogie Bash began, every single date (over ~5 years) has sold out. In some cases, the entire season sold out on the very first day tickets went on sale. Read our Guide to Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party for everything you need to know.
31. Avoid DCA on Grad Nites dates, especially in the afternoon and early evening.
32. Although everyone still calls them Annual Passes, the correct term is now Magic Keys. And Magic Key APs are not always sold due to a “Disney Vault” strategy that creates an artificial perception of scarcity and demand. See When Will Disneyland Resume Magic Key Annual Pass Sales? for when you can expect sales to start again if/when they’ve stopped.
33. Using Uber between John Wayne Airport (SNA) and Disneyland-area hotels is about $20 each way and given that many of these hotels are within walking distance, you may not need a rental car at Disneyland Resort. Here are some other Disneyland Transportation Tips.
34. Did you know that there is a nightly “Sh-Boom” moment at dusk when the lights come on in Cars Land? Read our other Cars Land Tips & Tricks.
35. During the Christmas season, handmade candy canes are prepared at Candy Palace in Disneyland and Trolley Treats in DCA. Lines form for these early (before park opening) for these. Despite the fanfare, there really isn’t anything all that special about these candy canes. The fun is in watching Cast Members make them.
36. The Disneyland Dining Plan is no longer offered. There is no such thing as the “Free Dining” promotion at Disneyland Resort.
37. Non-drinkers normally avoid bars & lounges, but everyone should visit Trader Sam’s at Disneyland Hotel. The theming is Walt Disney Imagineering at the top of its game, and you can spend hours examining all of the wonderful little details.
38. A great selection of CDs featuring Disney theme park music are available in the Emporium on Main Street USA, but some of the best music is available (legally) online.
39. Although Disney California Adventure has received a massive overhaul in some areas to correct problems that plagued the park when it opened in 2001, there are still remnants of “extinct” areas. Check out the restrooms in the front of the park and in Paradise Pier for a taste of Sunshine Plaza and Route 66, respectively.
40. You WILL get wet on Grizzly River Run in Disney California Adventure. Store your electronics in the lockers near this attraction, which are free for the first two hours.
41. Did you know that there are secret restrooms in Disneyland? Not even kidding. Check out some other Disneyland Secrets & Hidden Details in that post.
42. The Anaheim Convention Center is located within walking distance of Disneyland and is huge. If a large convention is in town, nights in the park can be very crowded even in the off-season. Hotels near Disneyland will also often charge higher rates during conventions. Make sure to consult the Anaheim Convention Center calendar when planning your trip.
43. Bayou Country is generally a less-busy land. Stop by Country Bear BBQ Jamboree in late afternoon and get a table by the water as the sun sets on the Rivers of America.
44. One of the best snacks at Disneyland is the Matterhorn Macaroon at Jolly Holiday Bakery. Go first thing in the morning for a freshly made Matterhorn Macaroon!
45. Want some other ideas of the best places to get a quick meal at Disneyland? Check out our Top 10 Disneyland Counter Service Restaurants post.
46. Haunted Mansion Cast Members used to hand out “Death Certificates” to guests who asked. These are no longer given out, but you can print your own from DoomBuggies.com and give it to your kids after their first ride on the Haunted Mansion!
47. Star Wars Launch Bay is nothing special unless you want to meet characters, but the second story balcony outside the exit offers the best view of Disneyland. To see this view without going through the exhibit, walk up the exit ramp.
48. Disneyland Resort counter service restaurants will give you a free cup of water. There’s also an easier self-service option available at Rancho del Zocalo in the center of the outdoor seating area.
49. City Hall has recipes for popular Disneyland dishes that they can provide to guests; alternatively, simply asking your server for the recipe of a dish you like might result in a visit to your table by someone from the kitchen.
50. Looking for the most exclusive spot in all of Disneyland Resort? Check out the secret Club 33, which is only open to members and their guests.
51. Disneyland offers a number of Guided Tours for an additional charge, most of which are fairly popular among fans. We’ve only done the Holiday Time at Disneyland Tour, which we thought was just “okay.”
52. If you watch the window above Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, you will see The Evil Queen appear and disappear.
53. Bell Services at Disney hotels will store your luggage, meaning you can enjoy the parks if you arrive too early on check-in day or have a late flight out on check-out day.
54. There is an “invisible” 50,000 point target in between Zurg’s breast plates in Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters. Aim (roughly) in the middle of his chest plates, at a little unmarked hole–about 6 inches below the “Z” on his chest.
55. Although not as necessary in the temperate climate of Southern California, if you’re visiting in the height of the summer, Frogg Togg Chilly Pads are a great way to keep cool in the parks.
56. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Radiator Springs Racers, and Incredicoaster are all much better at night. In fact, many Disneyland attractions are better at night.
57. Adults can order from the kid’s menus, which is a great way to save money while still getting a meal that will satiate smaller/moderate appetites.
58. The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland is the best Disneyland guidebook. While it’s smaller than its Walt Disney World counterpart (known as the “Disney Bible” among fans), it’s incredibly comprehensive.
59. Grizzly Peak Airfield in Disney California Adventure has an extensive backstory involving the history of aviation that is told throughout the land in some subtle ways. Make sure to keep an eye out for the details there. If you don’t, here’s a summary of the original backstory, and here’s info about some of the changes.
60. A Christmas Fantasy Parade is not as impressive as its Walt Disney World cousin, but the best viewing place for the parade is in the hub facing Main Street or at the end of Main Street near the hub. The parade comes right at you, and is well-lit for photos by the lights of Main Street.
61. Guests are allowed to bring their own snacks into Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, just no glass bottles or outside alcohol.
62. PhotoPass Cast Members will take (free!) photos of you with your phone or camera, so don’t be afraid to ask! Make sure your settings are dialed in before handing them the camera, as they will not typically adjust settings.
63. Attractions don’t close when the parks close, meaning that you can get in a 90-minute line at 10:59 p.m. when the parks close at 11 p.m. and be in the park well past closing. This is a great way to experience rides with perpetually long lines, like Radiator Springs Racers, without wasting “valuable” time.
64. Plaza Inn in Disneyland serves the greatest fried chicken known to man.
65. The “tree trick” is a way to enter Disneyland faster that’s especially useful at rope drop or for Early Entry. Simply line up for a turnstile that is next to a planter with trees. Towards the front of the line, it’ll split into 2 different lines for different turnstiles–twice as efficient! (Note that the tree trick might stop working at some point, as Disneyland is upgrading turnstiles and seemingly removing or replacing these planters.)
66. There are a few free tours available at Disneyland Resort, including the “Art of the Craft Tour” at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, which examines the hotel’s influences and theme.
67. If you have growing kids, a great spot for an annual photo is near the Cigar Shop Indian on Main Street USA. He’s a great measuring stick for their growth.
68. Hidden Mickey spotting is a fun game for kids. The books/apps have different point levels for the various Mickeys. Offer prizes to add to the fun. If Hidden Mickeys aren’t your thing, bringing along the Imagineering Field Guide to Disneyland and searching for interest details is a great way to increase your appreciation for the design of Disneyland.
69. Make sure to arrive at Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room far enough in advance of a show to pick up a Dole Whip. The line inside the queue/waiting area is usually shorter than the one in the Adventureland walkway. They’re “classic” Disney snacks, and you can take them in the show with you.
70. Disneyland Resort’s best counter service restaurant is GCH Craftsman Grill at the Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Just check out all of the great food available in that post!
71. If you’re not interested in staking out a spot and watching Disneyland’s fireworks, riding attractions from which the fireworks are visible during the fireworks can enhance the experience. The highlights of these attractions are Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Matterhorn. Best of all is Storybook Land Canal Boats, which actually stops moving when the fireworks start, giving guests a view of the fireworks from their boat!
72. The Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage has one of the dullest queues of any Disney attraction and much of it is in the sun. It’s also a low-capacity attraction, so lines move slowly. Avoid the midday heat and sun here.
73. Toontown contains a number of gags both of the interactive and sight variety. Spend a little time exploring this area–some of the gags are quite clever!
74. If you anticipate “needing” a princess dress or pirate costume while at Disneyland, buy it in advance, not in the park. There are several options here for princess dresses under $20. They cost triple that (or more) in the parks.
75. If you listen carefully to Snow White’s Wishing Well, you can hear her singing. This Wishing Well is also a great spot to propose.
76. Fantasyland attractions are best experienced first thing in the morning or last thing at night to minimize waits.
77. Disneyland is known to many as the “smaller” cousin of Walt Disney World, but there’s really a ton to do at Disneyland Resort (check out our article comparing and contrasting Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort for more info). Read as much as you can when planning your trip and plan out where you want to eat, what you want to see, etc., for the best trip possible!
78. Shops on Main Street in Disneyland are open for an hour after the park closes. Do your shopping once you can’t do rides.
79. The Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough is an oft-overlooked attraction, but it’s a very well done attraction featuring “window” vignettes from Sleeping Beauty. Likewise, Tarzan’s Treehouse, another walk-through is an okay attraction, but makes up for its substantive shortcomings with great views of the park.
80. Disneyland Resort has a couple of excellent bread bowl soups: at Aunt Cass Cafe in Disney California Adventure and at Royal Street Veranda in Disneyland. We usually go for the seasonal option at Aunt Cass Cafe, or order the off-menu mac & cheese bread bowl.
81. Several attractions (more than at Walt Disney World) have single rider lines that will save you a lot of time if you don’t mind splitting up from your group. The best of these is Radiator Springs Racers, where it’s not uncommon to save an hour or more on the posted standby time.
82. If you want to get the world famous Disneyland Monte Cristo, consider going to Cafe Orleans instead of Blue Bayou. It’s cheaper at Cafe Orleans, although you won’t have a view of Pirates of the Caribbean there.
83. Disney will celebrate Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary in 2025. We’re expecting a lot of entertainment and much more for the milestone.
84. Disneyland and Disney California Adventure both have a daily flag retreat ceremony that is short, but nice to watch. It’s the patriotic thing to do.
85. If you give a PhotoPass photographer a (discrete) heads up, they generally can help you capture photos of your proposal.
86. If you need a place to store your luggage, there are luggage lockers at the Desert Inn & Suites across the street from Disneyland. This can be useful if you’re staying farther from Disneyland and want to maximize your time in the parks on your last day, or don’t trust the Bell Services in your own hotel. Read more about Desert Inn & Suites in our review.
87. If you’re visiting on a night when Disney California Adventure has 2 World of Color performances, always go to the later one for the lowest crowds. Read our other Tips for Viewing World of Color for more info.
88. Ask a Cast Member at the station if you can ride in the front of the next monorail. It’s the only compartment that has air conditioning and the view is great!
89. Peter Pan’s Flight does not have a Lightning Lane at Disneyland and is a very popular ride. Go first thing in the morning.
90. The “standard” entrance to Cars Land in Disney California Adventure is down Route 66, but the best entrance is through the bluff that connects to Pacific Wharf, which offers a great reveal of the Cadillac Mountain Range. It feels like you’re in a real National Park!
91. Instead of photographing Sleeping Beauty Castle from the front or near the Partners statue, try photographing your family from the fence near the Wishing Well or on the opposite side (on a path to Fantasyland). You can easily get photos without other guests in them from these two spots, along with a great angle of Sleeping Beauty Castle!
92. Disneyland Resort corn dogs have iconic status. Corn Dog Castle in Disney California Adventure has a variety of options, and Little Red Wagon on Main Street in Disneyland is a long-time fan favorite. Corn dogs can be found a couple other places, but these are the clear-cut “best” spots if you ask locals.
93. The Disney Gallery (immediately to the right when you enter the park) has a rotating exhibit focusing on an artistic component of Disneyland. Take the time to check out the art in here–you’ll gain a new appreciation for some aspect of the park!
94. Don’t buy into Disney Vacation Club by the alluring promotions while at Disneyland Resort. Wait until you get home, do the research, and buy via the resale market if you’re going to buy at all.
95. Pay attention to Roz at the end of Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue in Disney California Adventure. She is interactive.
96. Pixar Place Hotel was originally a third party hotel, but was renovated when Disney purchased it. As such, some of the theming is a bit on the light side, but the rooms are nice.
97. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is not to be missed. It’s a divisive attraction (we love it), but even if you don’t like it, you get to relax in AC for 15-20 minutes. What’s not to like about that?
98. Din Tai Fung is a new addition to Downtown Disney and is extremely popular. It’s worth it, though–as this is also an extremely popular real world restaurant that can have even longer lines at some of its other SoCal locations.
99. Walt Disney had an apartment in Disneyland above the Fire Station that is still intact to this day. A candle burns in the window of this apartment, and at Christmas, there is a tree in the window.
100. Carnation Cafe is one of the best table service restaurants at Disneyland and is relatively inexpensive. Make sure to book reservations in advance, as it’s fairly popular, too!
101. Even the restrooms at Disneyland Resort are themed. Restrooms in the Hollywood Land are in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Storer House, in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles. Similarly, the restrooms near the Alice in Wonderland dark ride in Disneyland are quite well done.
That covers it on our list of 101 tips for doing Disneyland like a seasoned local. Really, though, this just scratches the surface of the Disneyland tips we have on this blog. If you’re planning your first visit to Disneyland, you should definitely browse other posts, probably starting with the above-mentioned planning guide. Have a great trip! 🙂
If you’re preparing for a Disneyland trip, check out our other planning posts, including how to save money on Disneyland tickets, our Disney packing tips, tips for booking a hotel (off-site or on-site), where to dine, and a number of other things, check out our comprehensive Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide!
Your Thoughts
Do you agree or disagree with our tips for having a better Disneyland experience? If you have solid Disneyland or Disney California Adventure tips that aren’t mentioned here, please post them below. Your feedback is half the fun! If you have any other comments or questions, please feel free to post those, too.
