In the summer of 2021, both Disneyland and Disney World recovered for park visits and had numbers close to 2019 levels. Now that most pandemic restrictions have lifted and normal life’s resuming, you can bet that even more people are flocking to these amazing theme parks!
You might be considering visiting Disneyland yourself, especially if you want to treat your family. But you can’t throw a trip together haphazardly; you have to make sure it’s the best one possible!
If you need to plan a trip to Disneyland, then keep reading. Here are 6 great tips for a magical trip!
1. Visit When It’s Not as Busy
If it’s your first time visiting Disneyland, then you won’t want to visit during a busy time. Otherwise, all you’ll do is spend hours in line!
Now, keep in mind that Disneyland is the second most popular theme park in the US, so there’s no true “dead” season. However, if you visit in late summer and fall, the park shouldn’t be as busy and you’ll be able to fit in more attractions.
However, do note that Disneyland will shut down rides for refurbishments during some of these months, so you might not get to go on every ride you desire. The park will announce ride closures 1 or 2 months in advance, so keep an eye out so you can plan accordingly.
2. Buy Your Tickets in Advance
You’ll want to secure your tickets in advance so you don’t have to stand in line first thing in the morning to check off this task. The good news is, there are many places to buy tickets, and not just the park entrance. You can try the Disneyland Resort hotels, grocery stores in SoCal, the Walt Disney Travel Sales Center, or the Disneyland website.
The ticket prices will depend on which tier you’ll need to buy. These are numbered 1 through 6 with prices from $104 to $164 per adult ($98 to $155 per child). Do note that while there are Disneyland discount tickets, there are rarely any for 1-day tickets.
The tier you need to buy will depend on how busy the park will be; the busier, the higher the tier. The good news is, children under 3 get in for free!
3. Make Your Reservation in Advance Too
If you’ve been to Disneyland before, then you might recall that so long as you have tickets, you can go anytime you wish. However, this has all changed. You need to make a reservation in advance to get into Disneyland. If anyone in your party doesn’t have a reservation for the same day, they won’t be admitted in.
There are also no same-day reservations, so we highly recommend booking the reservation early on to avoid disappointment.
4. Disneyland Resorts vs Regular Offsite Hotels
Of course, you’ll need somewhere to stay during your Disneyland trip. Now, you can choose either an official Disneyland resort or a regular hotel. There’s no right or wrong answer, but you’ll want to weigh your options carefully.
Disneyland resorts put you right next to the theme park and offer unique experiences since they’re decorated in Disney themes, of course. The amenities are also amazing, such as quality pools and luxurious rooms. But all this comes at a high price.
If you’d like to save some money on accommodations and only need a place to rest, shower, and sleep, then booking a cheaper regular offsite hotel is feasible. Many are located nearby Disneyland and you can drive to the theme park within 10 to 40 minutes.
5. Study the Park Map and Attractions
Disneyland is a huge theme park and it’s easy to get lost. You don’t want to waste what precious time you have at the park, so you’ll want to study the map beforehand.
This is a great opportunity to discuss which rides you want to go on and then plan a route. You’ll also want to plan when to get Disney Genie+ service and for which attractions (we suggest the most popular ones so you can save time). The nice thing about Genie+ is that it helps you plan your day so you can get the most out of your Disneyland Vacation!
Don’t forget about shows either. You’ll want to slot these in between attractions. You should also decide where you want to eat your meals so you’ll be nearby the rides and attractions on your list.
6. Pack the Essentials
Spending a day (or more!) at Disneyland is a huge deal. Not only will there be the hot Californian sun, but you’ll easily get over 10,000 steps in a day as well. So you want to make sure everyone’s well taken care of and not miserable by midday.
You should pack things like sunscreen, lip balm, bottled water, and some small snacks. You can even bring your own meals, provided they’re not in glass containers and aren’t pungent. Packing your own food and drinks can be a great way to save money, especially if your party is large.
If you’ve got little ones, you’re allowed to bring your own strollers. However, they also have some available to rent if you can’t bring your own.
Easily Plan a Trip to Disneyland With Our Tips
You might feel overwhelmed just thinking about traveling. But you can plan a trip to Disneyland without breaking a sweat if you follow our advice! In addition, our Disneyland planning tips can help you save money, so you won’t have to spend a fortune either.
Once you’ve gone through it once, you’ll be a pro at planning Disneyland trips. And when you see how easy it is, you’ll be coming back repeatedly in the future!
Are you also going to SeaWorld during your time in SoCal? Then check out our articles on SeaWorld for more tips!