Since my family and I go to Disneyland a lot, people planning their visit often ask me if I have any tips or tricks to make the most out of their trip.

YOU KNOW I DO.

I’ve collected my ten favorite tips to give Disneyland visitors below:

Save Time and Money: 10 Must-Know Tips for Your Disneyland Trip

// I may earn money from the companies mentioned in this post. //

The best hotel deals are off-site.

Staying on-site at a Disneyland hotel is expensive and personally, I think that the “perks” that go with it are minimal compared to the cost. If you can afford it – stay! They’re lovely.

If you’re looking to get a little more bang for your buck then stay off-site at one of Disney’s Good Neighbor hotels.

They offer a lot of different budget and rooming options and most are within walking distance of the park or Disney’s Toy Story parking lot (with free shuttle service).

If you’d like to reserve a Disneyland resort hotel room, book through Get Away Today!
They’re offering my followers $10 off (use the code: KMT10) right now and they offer a layaway plan!

Be the rope drop family or the close the park down family – not both.

This is especially important if you are visiting the park with special needs kids. Asking your kids to do opening all the way through closing is pushing their limits and can lead to a miserable experience for everyone.

If your family prefers mornings, then plan to go at the park opening and leave once people are D O N E. Night owls? Show up for lunch and stay through closing.

Buying park hoppers are highly recommended.

A park hopper is when your ticket allows you to go from one park to the other in the same day. We always get this ticket option since it provides the flexibility needed for young children.

If one park gets super crowded then we move to the other. If they prefer the food at the other park for lunch, we just cross over. If the fireworks are too overwhelming at Disneyland then we do rides at Disney California Adventure.

You must reserve your park for each day.

The reservation system was introduced during the pandemic and Disney is sticking with it for now. Just buying your ticket isn’t enough to get you in the park.

You also have to reserve your spot at a specific park (Disneyland or Disney California Adventure) to be allowed in that day. You can do this via the app or website after you add your tickets to your Disney account.

Guest services = your best friend.

Located in City Hall in Disneyland, near Oswald’s in Disney California Adventure, and under a green (sometimes blue) umbrella next to each land/section of the parks.

Need help with DAS? Guest services. App giving you trouble? Guest services. Need a stroller-as-a-wheelchair tag? Guest services. Celebrating something special? Guest services.

Know them. Love them. Thank them.

You can’t do everything so don’t bother.

People ask how we manage to enjoy the Disney parks without getting overwhelmed and my answer is always “do less”.

Before we go, I have each family member tell me one ride, one experience, and one food they want to try/see/eat at each park.

I make sure we do those things at least once before we leave and then literally everything else we do is considered a fun extra.

The best times of the year to go.

I highly recommend that you don’t go to Disney during high volume times (spring break, summer, winter break). The park is SO crowded and at peak pricing.

We like to go in late January or early February. Yes, my kids miss school and have to do assignments on non-park days but being able to go to Disneyland during their lowest pricing season and not having to deal with crowds of people? WORTH IT.

The best ticket/hotel deals are with Get Away Today.

Hands down, the most affordable tickets, best hotel + ticket packages, and great customer service.

You can either tell them your requirements and they’ll try to get you the best deal OR you can tell them your budget and they’ll find something that works.

I have been recommending them for years and have used them myself. Plus, they offer a generous layaway plan.

Get $10 off using the code: KMT10

Download the app.

The My Disney Experience (MDE or MDX) app is your greatest tool both in and out of the parks.

Your tickets will be on the app. If you are using it, your DAS options are on the app. Maps, reservations, wait times, menus, mobile ordering, park hours – all on the app.

You can even chat with a cast member! Available for free on Google Play and in the Apple Store.

You don’t need the Lightning Lane Multi Pass if you have DAS.

At one time, Disney offered free FastPasses that allowed guests to wait for a ride in a shorter line than the standard standby one. A few years ago, they tabled the program and created Lightning Lanes – essentially Fastpass lines but now they charge you for it.

Disney Lighting Lane Multi Pass is a flat rate to access 13 Lightning Lanes at Disneyland and nine at DCA one time each during a single day.

If you’re taking your neurodivergent child to the park then you’ll be eligible for DAS (which basically works the same) so skip this purchase.

Hope that helps y’all plan your amazing Disneyland adventure!