Make the most of Disneyland California

One of the most famous destinations in the world for family fun, Disneyland California is a must visit theme park, only about a 30 minute drive from downtown Los Angeles, in Anaheim, CA.

There are actually two parks right next to each other, Disneyland and California Adventure. They share the same parking facilities but are two separate parks with separate entrance fees. You can get good deals on park hopper tickets that allow you to visit both parks. They are both big parks with lots of rides and you can meet your favorite Disney/Pixar characters and enjoy Disney and Pixar themed rides in both.

If you only have one day, focus on Disneyland, the original Disney park, with some of the iconic rides like Peter Pan and Pirates of the Caribbean. On your first visit, it is pretty much impossible to cover both parks. Yearly pass holders can go on off-season days and visit both parks in one day, but as a first timer, especially during vacation season, you better focus on one park.

If you are visiting either park in vacation season or on weekends, you will need a plan, otherwise you will be walking a lot, standing in line for hours, without ever getting on the really good rides. Weather you visit both parks or just one, you will have considerable walking to do, so you may want to study the map to locate the rides you want to cover and bring or rent a stroller if you have younglings.

Here are some useful ideas to maximize your fun:

1. Use the FASTPASS system as much as you can. Both parks offer it for selected popular rides and it’s free.

By using the FastPass (FP) system, you can limit your time spent on waiting in line for a ride. FastPass rides have a FP booth where you can get a FP using your park ticket, which allows you to get on the ride with no wait, if you come back in the assigned return time window. Before getting a FastPass, check what the return time window is to make sure you are OK to come back at that time. Not all the rides are on FP and they can run out of return times on popular rides like Space Mountain or Splash Mountain or California Screaming, so you should get a Fast Pass first on the rides that you want most.

Using the park entrance tickets, one person can get the FP for the whole group, while the rest of the group can wait in line at non- FP attractions. When you get a FastPass, it blocks you from getting another one until a certain time (shown on the FP). Go to other rides while you wait for your assigned return time and get another FP as soon as the system lets you (check your FP for next available time). It may sound a bit complicated but you will get the hang of it and it definitely allows you to maximize your rides and minimize standing in line.

More info on the FASTPASS system here:

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/plan/guest-services/fastpass/

2. Have a plan and prioritize.

Take the map/program schedule as you enter (you can also plan ahead on the website). Depending on the ages in your group you will obviously get on different rides. Nevertheless, instead of lingering on Main Street, go straight to your priority rides and get a FP to a FP ride. There are some rides/attractions that you should only do, if you have extra time left (see our least interesting attractions list for both parks at the end).

As a general rule, the more rides you get done before lunch, the better. As the day goes on, the rides get busier, you get more tired and rides may break down. You may also want to grab a FP before settling down for a meal.

If you are a first time visitor, remember to check the schedule for the Parades, Fantasmic and the Fireworks. They are spectacular and a must see. At the time of the parade, fireworks and Fantasmic, it is very difficult to pass through the venues of these events and certain areas can be temporarily closed, so even if you don't want to see these events, it is a good idea to plan around them.

Also be aware that Toon Town opens later and closes earlier than the park itself and it can get quite hot in the middle of the day (not much vegetation), which is somewhat regrettable considering that it’s designed for the little ones. Unless there is no line or you have a FP, do not stand in line for Roger Rabbit. It has a never ending maze of wait line inside the building, not much air and a fairly basic ride.

MEALS:

Planning your meals before the typical lunch/dinner time can also save you time and allows you to have a more peaceful meal. There is good dining in the New Orleans district (near Pirates) and in Fantasy land (near Dumbo) but hardly anything in Toon Town. If you have food allergies, Disneyland is more allergy aware than some other theme parks. Ask for the manager of the restaurant, they usually have a list of ingredients and they might even alter the meal for you. If you do have food allergies, I would defintely try to avoid the peak dining hours, when the staff maybe to busy to adequately address your concerns.

RELAX:

If your kids need a bit of play time after standing in long lines, you can try the Tom Sawyer Island in Disneyland, or if you are in California Adventure, check out the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. With Tom Sawyer Island you need to consider that it takes time to get over there (waiting for the ferry) and can get hot midday. Redwood Creek is great, shaded and you can actually sit down a bit…

Having a plan doesn’t mean that you have to do each ride in a certain order, but it’s good to have a general idea what rides and attractions you want to try.

3. Be at the park at or soon after opening and get ahead of the crowds.

While there is a bit of waiting when getting into the park when it opens, it is still a good idea (no need to get there way ahead of park opening). Rides do fill up as the day goes on and it won’t get better until very late, if at all. Also, most people start at the rides closest to the entrance. For example, Pirates of the Caribbean tends to be pretty fast moving in the morning and gets busy by noon (you can walk to it pretty quick from both the main entrance or from the 1^st train stop).

If you want to get on Peter Pan, best to do it first thing (it is in Fantasy land behind the castle), because chances are there will be a long wait later. Get a FP for a FP ride that’s important to you and get on some of your priority non FP rides early.

4. Use the single rider option

Another good option is to utilize the single rider option, if your kids are older and can ride alone or if you want to hop on… Basically, if you are OK with not getting on the ride with your group you can skip the long line and get on in a matter of minutes! It’s either a separate entrance or together with the Fast Pass entrance.

5. Use the parent Swap option:

If you have younger kids who can’t (or won’t) get on certain rides that you want to try, you can get on while your partner watches the kids, then swap the kids and your partner can get on without wait. The advantage is that you both get to ride (even though separately) but only have to wait once.

6. Consider distances between the attractions and the two parks

If you have a Fast Pass or you want to go back and forth between the parks, remember that you will have to walk quite a bit and it takes time. If you are in California Adventure and want to get back for the fireworks to Disneyland, it will take more than a few minutes (thousands of other visitors have the same idea…).

Best of Disneyland:

For younger kids:

• Buzz Lightyear (FP)
• Peter Pan (favorite for all ages, very busy ride)
• Mr. Toad’s Wild ride
• It’s a Small World
• Nemo (underwater, can make you feel closed in)
• Winnie the Pooh
• Alice in Wonderland

For older kids/adults:

• Pirates of the Caribbean (the classic ride that the movie was based on, now updated based on the movie…)
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (FP, roller coaster, fast!)
• Matterhorn Bobsleds (great ride, not available at the Florida park)
• Indiana Jones (FP, bit rough ride but not a roller coaster, it’s like you are in the movie!)
• Splash Mountain (FP, you will get wet…)
• Space Mountain (FP, you will get dizzy…)
• Star Tours
• Haunted Mansion

For younger kids:

• Monsters Inc.
• Toy Story Mania (long wait, try it in the morning)
• Bugs Land rides

For older kids/adults:

• California Screaming (FP, you will be screaming…)
• Mullholland Drive
• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (FP)
• Grizzly River Run (FP, you will get wet…)
• Soaring over California (FP, classic)

If you are short on time, skip these:

To skip at Disneyland:

• Innoventions (they will need to come up with something instead of this, hopefully soon…)
• Astro Orbiter (simple carnival ride, only worth it with minimal wait)
• Autopia (while highly popular with long wait times, it’s pretty similar to what you experience at Boomers and has no Disney “flair”)
• Enchanted Tiki Room
• Meet Mickey (if you have little ones you probably can’t skip this, but you could probably get away with not mentioning it the second time around…)
• Roger Rabbit (it’s in Toon Town, too far to go and get a FP for it, and without a FP, you will be waiting in a never ending maze of line inside the building to get on an average kid ride… only do it if there is no wait)

To skip at California Adventure:

There are a few exhibits on the Hollywood lot you can skip as well as

• Animation Academy
• Duffy the bear
• Muppet 3D
• Sorcerer’s Workshop
• Turtle Talk with Crush

Whichever park you decide to visit, don't forget rule #1: HAVE FUN!