Disneyland Tips and Secrets

The Disneyland App

Before you go, download the official Disneyland App.  You can get park hours, up to date wait times for rides, show times, ride closures, reserve dining, and you need it if you plan to purchase Lightning Lanes. Be sure to scan in everyone’s park tickets to the app ahead of time so you are ready to purchase and schedule rides for your whole group.

Lightning Lanes

Lightning Lanes are basically a front of the line pass on your mobile device.  It is not free.  But definitely worth it if you are only going to the park for one day, or want to make the most of the time you have.  You can purchase a Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Individual Lightning Lanes as soon as you scan into the parks.

Lightning Lane Multi Pass

The Lightning Lane Multi Pass allows you to book return times for multiple popular attractions in the park. This can be used once per ride per day and can be scheduled every two hours. You can schedule your next ride in less than two hours if you scan in to go on that ride before your two hours is up. The Multi Pass can also save you time with the ability to see all the rides lightning lane return times to know which ones are pushed out to later in the day.  You can even schedule lightning lanes for the other park if you are planning to park hop. Put 1 to 2 responsible adults in charge of keeping track of when you can schedule your next rides. We sometimes set alarms on our phone so we don’t miss a schedule time.

Another AWESOME thing about the Lightning Lane Multi Pass is that it includes a Photo Pass!  That means that you can link up and keep any photos taken by cast members around the park including ride photos. We definitely took advantage of grabbing the pics of the rides we went on.  Have someone take a picture of the ride photos on their phone, so you can plug in the picture codes later.  Once you add the codes to your app on the phone you can download the originals to keep forever.

Lightning Lane Singe Pass

Lightning Lane Singe Pass is reserved for the very most popular rides in the park and are not available on the multi pass. It is a one time purchase just for that ride. Usually there is only 1-2 rides with this type of pass per park.

Virtual Queues

Virtual Queues are used to reserve viewing areas for popular shows. For Disneyland it is Fantasmic and for California Adventure it is World of Color. As of right now the Virtual Queue for World of Color begins at 12:00pm. If this is a show you would like to see be sure to set an alarm for a few minutes before this time to enter the queue for your group to get a spot. Virtual Queue times can change so be sure to always check your app for when the virtual queue for that show will open.
When rides are brand new often times Disney will use a Virtual Queue for that ride as well. These times will be listed on the app. You want to go for them the second that time comes up and have multiple people in your group trying on their own devices because they go fast!

Go Against the Flow

• At Disneyland we tend to go for rides in Adventureland and Frontierland first. Most people in the morning are heading to Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, or over to Galaxy’s Edge to ride Rise of the Resistance. We can usually do several rides in these areas before the crowds come over that way.
• In California Adventure we like to do Pixar Pier first. Most people head to Cars Land and Avenger’s Campus in the morning. We can usually get on every ride along the pier before it starts getting busy.

Rides to Avoid if you are short on Days or Time

• The Monorail, unless you are using it for transportation to Downtown Disney
• Autotopia (big time killer, if you must do it, get a lightning lane)
• Finding Nemo (LONG lines with no lightning lane for a ride that is another time killer)
• Gadget Coaster in Toon Town. 
• Outdoor rides in Fantasyland (Dumbo, Casey Junior Train, and Storybook Canal) – cute rides but long lines.  It’s impossible to go on everything.

Fit Smaller Rides Between Lightning Lane Times

You can fit in some of the smaller rides that don’t use Lightning Lanes while waiting for your Lightning Lane times. Check your app to see the wait times and rides nearby to decide from there.

Use the Single-Rider Lines

For a fraction of the wait time, do single rider! You can still wait in line with your group, just not sit with them on the ride. It’s totally worth it, and gives you more time to do other rides that you can ride together. Many of the big California Adventure and Disneyland rides like Space Mountain, the IncrediCoaster, Radiator Springs Racers, Web Slingers, Millennium Falcon, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and the Matterhorn offer single rider.

Rider Switch Service

If you are doing Disneyland with small kids who aren’t tall enough to go on the big rides, do the “rider switch”. The first adult and older kids can go on the ride, then do a switcheroo and the second adult can ride with the older kids. The best part is that the older kids get to go twice without a wait on the second ride. Go to the entrance of any ride and the worker will tell you how to do the rider switch. SUPER easy and SO worth it!

Park Closing

SECRET TIP: For anyone wanting to get on one last favorite ride.  As long as you are in line before park closing time, you can stay in that line.  The last hour of the day, they keep wait times posted long, even if they have gone down to discourage people from riding.  We have gotten in line 5 minutes before park closing for a ride with a wait time posted for 60 minutes, and it only took us 20 minutes to get on the ride.
Once we got in line for Guradians of the Galaxy 5 minutes before the park closed, it was listed as an 80 minute wait time, and it only took us 17 minutes to get on the ride.

Wear the Right Clothes

• Keep your clothing super simple and light! Avoid dark colored shirts, which will attract heat. A lighter colored shirt will keep you much cooler on those hot days.
• Bring a lightweight windbreaker, instead of a sweatshirt. The windbreaker will keep you warm and dry, and you can roll it up and it hardly takes up any room. Sweatshirts are bulky, will absorb water and weigh you down.
• Wear stretchy or light weight work out clothes. They dry quickly and work terrific in hot or cold weather.
• Avoid jeans or even denim shorts. They never seem to dry once you get splashed on the wet Disneyland Rides.

Shows

You can check for any shows and parades and their times during the day on the Disneyland App.  We like Mickeys Magical Map, Jedi Training, and the Main Street Parade.  The Fireworks over the castle at night are amazing too with projections on the buildings down Main Street.  If you plan on going to the Castle Fireworks you may need someone to get a spot early.  If you are there multiple days plan to do Fantasmic one night and the Fireworks at the Castle a different night. Or if you would rather do rides, wait times are relatively short during big shows.

Shop for Souvenirs Later

If you only have one day to spend in the parks, stay focused on the rides! The shops are open an hour after park closing so it is a great time to shop. Then you also won’t have to carry your purchases around all day. You can also visit the World of Disney in Downtown Disney after the parks close or the day before or after your park day. You can find many of the things in that one store that you can find inside the park and you’ll save tons of time! The World of Disney Store usually stays open until 2 a.m.

Some Extra Disneyland Tips

• For all the details on where and what to eat at the Disney parks, check out how to eat GLUTEN FREE at Disneyland or read up on Our Favorite FOODS at Disneyland and Our Favorite FOODS at California Adventure.
• Before booking your trip, talk a travel planner to get the best deals before you go. We always go through Get Away Today and they’re so helpful! You can even purchase passes with a Lightning Lane Multi Pass already included. Use our discount code: FAVORITE for terrific deals from Get Away Today!