10 Tips For 1 Magical Day At Disneyland
If you are heading to southern California, then you will definitely want to make time for a visit to the happiest place on earth, Disneyland! While it is always nice to spend more than 1 day at Disney, with so much to do and see in California, sometimes 1 day is all you can squeeze in!
While it is impossible to do and see everything at Disneyland in 1 day, here are my top 10 tips for making the most out of 1 magical day at Disney!
1. Purchase tickets in advance
You will definitely want to purchase tickets in advance before heading to Disneyland! The Disneyland website is super easy to use. It is important to note that tickets cost different amounts on different days, so if you are looking to save some $$$ try booking a “Value” ticket as opposed to a “Peak” ticket. This could save you nearly $30!
To ensure that you have a full day at the park, you will also want to check park hours! With only 1 day to spend, you may want to consider booking a day with longer opening times.
Another important thing to consider when booking tickets is how crowded the park will be! Typically, weekends are the busiest, so if you can visit on a weekday that will definitely help you cut out some of the crowds! To find updated information on Disneyland crowd trends, try checking out this website!
You’ll also want to decide if you would like a park hopper ticket, which allows you to visit both Disneyland and California Adventure. I personally have visited both parks in one day, as well as just one, but you will have to gauge for yourself if a park hopper pass is worth it for you! A park hopper ticket is around $60 more than a single-park ticket. If you choose to visit both parks, you’ll want to pick and choose your favorite attractions and come up with a game plan for tackling both parks.
2. Arrive Early!
To get the most out of your day, you will want to arrive at Disneyland before the park opens! Keep in mind that you will need to park, board a shuttle to get to the park entrance, and pass through security/ticketing. Depending how busy the park is this could take 30 minutes to an hour! Arriving at the park early is a great way to get on some rides and beat the crowds that arrive later in the day. You’ll also be able to get your fast passes right away…which reminds me…
3. Utilize your FASTPASSES
The best way to avoid waiting in 2 hour plus long lines for some of Disney’s most popular attractions is to utilize the FASTPASS system.
What is a FASTPASS? Essentially, you can simply insert your ticket into a FASTPASS machine, and you receive a FASTPASS ticket, which allows you a window of time to return to the ride and head directly to the much shorter FASTPASS line.
A few FASTPASS tips:
- Not all rides have FASTPASSES, but nearly all of the most popular rides do
- Most FASTPASS distribution machines are located near the rides themselves
- FASTPASSES are free and included in the price of your admission
- Get a FASTPASS as soon as you enter the park, that way you will have more opportunities to get FASTPASSES as the day goes on (each ticket states when another FASTPASS window opens)
- FASTPASSES do run out, so be sure to get tickets for the rides you are most interested in first!
- For more great FASTPASS tips, try checking out this Fastpass Guide For Disneyland and California Adventure
4. Get a Disneyland App
One of the best ways to save time at Disneyland is by downloading a Disneyland app to help you track ride wait times! This is an awesome way to see how long a ride’s wait is (and any ride closures) before you head over to a ride. While there are a couple of apps to chose from, I used the official Disneyland app during my visit.
5. Single Rider Lines
Another great way to save time and avoid waiting in long lines is by utilizing single rider lines. Many of the most popular attractions offer the opportunity to enter a separate line and ride solo. While you won’t be able to sit next to the person/people you are visiting the park with, this can shave a lot of time off your overall wait time and is definitely worth keeping in mind.
6. Find The Best Food In Disney
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There are so many dining options in Disneyland that it can be a bit overwhelming! If you’ve been drooling over Instagram photos of Dole Whips or are craving some Mickey Mouse Beignets, then you might want to map out where you can find these treats once you are at the park, and line up your rides/meal breaks accordingly. If you are looking for some of the best Disneyland snacks, check out this list of 50 Amazing Things You Can Eat at Disneyland-my mouth is already watering!
You can also dine just outside the park in Downtown Disney. You can find a list of restaurants (and price estimates) here. This is a great option especially if you need a little break from the park or would like to grab a cocktail or two! No alcohol is sold in Disneyland itself, so you can only find cocktails in California Adventure or Downtown Disney. Last time I ate at Downtown Disney, I grabbed mid-afternoon margaritas with my friend. This would have been a great choice had we not had a FASTPASS for Space Mountain immediately after!
7. …Or Pack Your Own Snacks
A great way to save time (and money) is to bring your own snacks to Disneyland. This is also an excellent way to pass the time while waiting in line. It’s also a good idea to bring your own water bottles!
8. Make A Plan
Before heading to the park, come up with a list of must-dos, sees, and eats, and be sure to grab FASTPASSES for your top choices as soon as possible! You may not be able to do everything on your list, but putting together a logical game plan will really help the day go smoothly and ensure that you hit. There are several awesome online itineraries you can use as guides to get your planning started! You can find some here and here!
9. Don’t miss the Fireworks
I have seen the Disneyland fireworks show several times, and it truly is magical! The 16-minute show is amazing, and they shut down part of the park down for the show anyways. The fireworks are coordinated with music, lasers, and are really an excellent way to end your day with some Disney magic. If you are in Disney California Adventure, then I highly recommend also seeing World of Color-it is spectacular!
10. Get in a line before closing
If you aren’t worn out from a busy day exploring the park, then be sure to get in line for one last ride before closing! As long as you are in a line before the park closes, you’ll get to ride! You’ll definitely get the most out of the last few opening minutes with this tip.
Have you been to Disney or do you have any great tips for visiting? Let me know in the comments!
You might also like these California posts:
- 10 Things You Won’t Want To Miss In Santa Monica, California
- 10 Cool Things You’ll Want To Do In Venice Beach, California
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