First visit to Disneyland – know before you go GUIDE

The ultimate guide for first time visitors to Disneyland. Plan the most magical trip, find everything you need to know in this post.  Whether this is your first visit or your 100th visit there’s always something new to learn about Disneyland.  I’m a planner!  I love to plan trips especially to Disneyland, but it can be overwhelming.  There’s so much to see and do.  Where do I start? How do I fit it all in?  No worry, I’m here to help you!  I’ve included FREE printables of all the attractions to help you plan, suggested order to go on rides and more!  And if you normally visit Walt Disney World you’ll find in this post some of the differences to help you plan.  This post contains affiliate links which means I make a little something when you purchase through the link with no extra cost to you.

First step book your trip!

When I plan a trip to Disneyland I use and highly recommend Get Away Today.  As a Disney partner for over 33 years, they offer discounted tickets, hotel discounts like free or extra nights.  Plus some packages include free parking, complimentary breakfast and no resort fees.  Take the guess work out of where to stay or purchase tickets.  Let my friends at Get Away Today help you for no added fees.  There’s no cost to you when you use them..  Plus I have a promo code DTG10 to save an additional $10 off your vacation package (hotel + ticket).  If you prefer you can call 855-GET-AWAY to speak to one of their travel experts.  Let them know I sent you for the best deal!  More on why I ALWAYS use them to save here.

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The Disneyland Resort includes ….

The Disneyland Resort has 2 parks, Downtown Disney and 3 Disney hotels. There are 2 parks to enjoy, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. Unlike in Florida, the parks are across from each other, a one minute walk!  Also within minutes you can enjoy Downtown Disney home to World of Disney, more shopping and eating. There are also 3 Disney properties you can walk to, the Disney Grand Californian hotel, Disneyland Hotel and Pixar Place hotel.  The Grand Californian hotel and the Paradise Pier hotel have a separate  entrance into Disney California Adventure.  Near the Disneyland hotel is the monorail stop.  More about this other form of transportation here.  Also Disneyland Resort Hotel guests will be able to enjoy Early Entry for 30 minutes prior to each park’s opening.

For first time visitors familiar with Walt Disney World, unlike in Orlando there are only 3 Disney hotels, but there are many Good Neighbor hotels within walking distance of the resort.  So it’s not necessary to stay on property since there are so many other close hotels.  Look on a map when planning your visit and look at off property hotels for much less.  If you want to stay on property and be right in the magic I have more information about the perks of staying at a Disneyland resort hotel here.  For my hotel recommendations and places where I’ve stayed check this post.

Things to consider when planning a trip to Disneyland

Pick a date – look at my crowd calendar here.  And you’ll want to know about special events and holidays in both parks.  Decide on a time you want to go.  If you can avoid holidays, summer and school breaks do it.  Not everyone can.  But if you have the option to pick a less crowded time I would encourage you to do so.  I also have a video explaining the best and worst times to visit during the year.  Many things affect the crowd level and I break it down by each month to help you pick your dates.

Lightning Lane Multi Pass, skip the lines option

Disneyland offers a paid system to skip the lines called Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass. Lines at Disneyland can get very long.  If you don’t want to waste your time in the stand by line then you should consider Lightning Lane to skip the lines. 

If you’re familiar with the old FastPass system or former name Disney Genie+ then you’ll want to read up on the new way to skip lines. Familiarize yourself by reading this post about why I recommend Lightning Lane Multi Pass for your magical vacation!

Disney PhotoPass service is an option to have professional shots taken by photographers at iconic park locations and dining spots. Plus, enjoy selection attraction photos and Magic Shots. There is a Disney PhotoPass One day pass you can purchase in the Disneyland app. The other option to consider is for $32 per day you can get unlimited Disney PhotoPass photo downloads when you purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass on one ticket.

Guests with disabilities.  The parks are very accommodating for guests with disabilities.  If you need to rent a scooter I have used A Scooter 4 U several times.  Call Jerry at 562-697-7725 and tell him I sent you for the BEST rate.  I rented a scooter 3 months post bilateral knee replacement with no problems.  Rent the scooter and they deliver to your hotel! 

Things to do 60 days before your visit

Make dining reservations starting 60 days before your visit.  At Disneyland you can make reservations on the website or call 714-781-DINE.  For more dining tips and how to get FREE dining alerts search here.

Also if meeting characters is on your priority list then keep this tip in mind.  You can locate them in the Disneyland app.  More about that here. Character hugs are back and you can get autographs again.  Many of the characters wander around it’s fun to spot them in the parks.  Consider character dining experiences where the characters come to your table, it’s pretty magical.  Make those character dining reservations 60 days before you arrive for the best times.  Check out my review of the best character dining on property The Plaza Inn.

Check park hours before you arrive.  You can see hours up to 60 days before your visit.  Find out what time the park you’re visiting opens.  And take advantage of the 30 minutes Early Entry into one of the  parks if you’re an onsite Disneyland Resort guest.

Check for refurbishments to see if any rides will be closed on your trip.  Look at the Disneyland calendar.  Another way to get updates is sign up for the newsletter on the home page.  I only send emails when I need to share news or updates about Disneyland.

Things to do before you arrive

Download the free Disneyland app to help you at the parks!  You can use the app to locate attractions, look up wait times, find characters, find places to eat, look at the menus for each restaurant, mobile order your food and skip the line, figure out show times, park hours, refurbishments, locate restrooms and so much more.  Download it before you arrive so you can familiarize yourself with how it works.  When you are in the parks if you have a question about it you can ask a cast member. 

You will need the app in order to join the virtual queue to see the best show in Disney California Adventure, World of Color.  Learn more about joining the virtual queue here.

Watch my short video with my TOP 5 tips for planning a Disneyland trip!

Print the FREE Attractions list.  I have created a list of all the attractions in both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.  You will want to print this list and use it as a guide in the parks, but more importantly to help plan your vacation.  Use this checklist to mark what you want/must do on your visit.  The list includes height requirements, single rider options and other tips.  Click here to print your lists.

Come up with a touring plan – It’s important that you go to the parks with a plan so you’re not spending precious vacation time deciding where to go.  Print the checklists above, then look at the park maps online or in the app to get an idea of what your party would like to do and see before you arrive.  Come up with a plan. Here’s a possible touring plan for Disneyland with strategies to get on all the rides.  Here’s a possible touring plan for Disney California Adventure with strategies to get on all the rides.  

Food at Disneyland is part of the experience.  You’ve seen all the photos on social media of the iconic must eat Disneyland food.  But where can you find these items when you get there?  There are so many must try food items and I’ve complied a list and tips to help you.  I created a whole separate blog post with a checklist of where to find food items that are available YEAR round in each park. Plus I’ve included tips and my favorites.  You can also find FREE printable checklists of food, breakfast, drinks and kids meals found year round in the parks.  Need allergy friendly tips you’ll find that too!  All you need can be found over here.

Create a budget for your trip.  I have 4 categories to help you plan – hotel, tickets, food and transportation.  Find tips to save in each category here.

Purchase your park tickets BEFORE you arrive at a discount here.  You must have a park reservation in order to go inside the parks.  Read more on how to get a park reservation here.

MagicBand+ has arrived at the Disneyland Resort.  Decide if you want to purchase and use them on your trip.  To find out more about what they do, if you need them and more check out this post.

Guided Tours are another great way to see the parks.  I have done many at the Disneyland Resort including Walt’s Main Street Story, Happiest Haunts Tour and the Holiday Tour.  Click on each one for more details and my review on each one.  I have also gone on a VIP Tour, which was amazing.  For an explanation of what’s included, how to save money and more hop over here.

Buy Disney gift cards – I get them at Target because you can get an additional 5% off the gift cards if you use your Target red card. I purchased a $50 Disney gift card for $47.50, every little savings helps.  Remember you can use Disney gift cards throughout the parks. And now you can put them in the app to pay for mobile ordering. You can use gift cards to make purchases in gift shops, at restaurants and even kiosks for merchandise, food etc.  Purchase gift cards here ahead of time.

Things to know about packing for your trip

You CAN take food and water in the parks. I recommend bringing essential items but don’t get your backpack too heavy if you plan to carry it around all day! You CAN take your backpack on rides.  There are also locker rentals if you need to store things during the day. Bring snacks and frozen water bottles to refill at drinking fountains around the park. Snacks will help tide you over between meals and entertain littles in line!  A portable fan is a must in the summer.  And don’t forget a portable phone charger cause using the app drains your battery.  For theses items and more that I pack when I go to the parks you can check out my Amazon park days list. 

Things to know for the day you arrive

Make sure you plan enough time to park, go through security and get lined up for rope drop.  More explanation about rope drop, who can do it?, how to do it?, what does it look like etc. watch this video!  My number one tip is arrive early, you will get so much done in the first 2 hours of the morning.  Make sure you read about arrival tips!

Things to know once you get to the parks

• Mobile ordering food – Not only are the ride lines long, but the dining lines are long as well.  Mobile order is such a time saver.  It helps especially if you have hungry kids. It’s like a FastPass line for food!  Find out more on mobile ordering here.
• Height requirements – You should find out what rides your little ones can and can’t ride on. Check this post for height requirements in both parks. 
• Pregnant mamas – learn about rides for pregnant mamas here.
• Baby/toddler – Here’s a list of what rides babies and toddlers CAN go on.  You’ll be surprised at how much you can do with them.
• Entertainment – There are plenty of shows and more at each park.  There’s something for everyone in your group.  There are daily things that happen all over the parks and some shows that are only on certain days of the week.  You will want to take a look at them and decide which shows you want to see.  Use the Disneyland app to show you entertainment options and schedules.   The Disneyland Resort offers fantastic entertainment in each park.  Watch the Magic Happens parade (parade tips found here), see Fantasmic! (tips found here) and nighttime projections and fireworks on select nights.  Check this post for fireworks tips and when they have fireworks at Disneyland.  Then over in Disney California Adventure every night there’s a show called World of Color.  Everything you need to know about World of Color is found here.  

  

First timers from Walt Disney World – things you should know

If you normally visit Walt Disney World and you’re coming to Disneyland I’m here to help!  I have another blog post you should read about the differences between the two.

• Lightning Lane Multi Pass is available and it’s a little different at Disneyland.
• Disneyland doesn’t offer a dining plan.
• Yes there is a monorail but it’s not the main form of transportation.  Read more about how the monorail works here.
• Make sure you don’t miss any rides that are unique to the Disneyland resort.  Read all about those tips on this post. 
• There are only 2 parks and they are right across from each other.  You can walk in a minute to the other park.  Park hopping is available after 11 a.m.
• It’s not necessary to stay on property to get around.  You can find lots of nearby hotels within walking distance.  Check here on the blog for hotel reviews. 
• Characters wander around at Disneyland.  They also do meet and greets in several parts of the park.  You just need to locate them in the app, more on that here.  
• At Christmas time there is no separate ticket for a Christmas party.  Your park ticket includes all the holiday offerings like the parade, fireworks etc.

Still need help or have questions?

And after reading all that you deserve an award!  But seriously if you have any planning questions please don’t hesitate to email me at disneylandtourguide@gmail.com

I also share when new or special events are coming up in my newsletter.  So make sure you’re signed up so you don’t miss out on important information for planning your trip!  Sign up for the newsletter on the home page.  I only send emails when I need to share news or updates about Disneyland.

Make sure you’re following along on Instagram too.  I share more tips and information there daily that will help make your visit more magical.

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