In my 6+ years as a Disney travel agent, I had some of the best clients I could ever ask for. I wanted to pass on some of the Disneyland first timer tips and tricks shared from my clients over the years.
Before you go to Disneyland
- Tell your kids to go talk to a Cast Member with a name badge on if they get lost. The cast members will take them to the “Lost Parents” area at City Hall/Guest Services.
- Bring in food and beverages if you’d like as long as there aren’t any glass containers.
- Protect your electronics by putting a label on your phone, backpack, camera, etc. with another number to contact if it gets lost.
- Use a helpful App service like Touring Plans (DLR Lines) or RideMax to maximize your ride plans!
- Dining reservations for sit-down dining can be made 60 days before travel. There are 5 Character meal options. Two are premium: Ariel’s Grotto in California Adventure park on the pier and Goofy’s Kitchen in the Disneyland hotel. Premium serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The other 3 are breakfast-only. Mickey’s at PCH Grill in the Paradise Pier hotel, Chip and Dale’s Critter breakfast at Grand Californian hotel and Minnie’s Breakfast in the park at the Plaza Inn restaurant at Disneyland park.
In the parks
- There are lockers and charging stations at the front gate areas.
- Cast members will take a picture and scan a card linking the picture to it called a Photopass. They will also take a picture with your camera/phone if you ask.
- Take a picture on your phone/camera of the barcodes on tickets and Photopass cards you get in case you lose them.
- Disneyland has a program that saves your spot in line called FastPass. This gives you an hour window to jump in a shorter line (usually) for a shorter wait time. Head to the FastPass distribution line and put your admission ticket in the machine. You will get an hour window to ride and also see when you can get your next FastPass. Keep an eye on those times!
- If your child is too small to ride, go up to the front of the ride as a group and ask for a Rider Swap pass. The first rider can use a FastPass then the second rider has any time that day to do the ride with another guest.
- Bring glow sticks/wands for World of Color and evening parades and fireworks shows.
- At City Hall/Guest Services, you can get buttons for whatever you are celebrating during your visit. They have options like: Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary or just an “I’m Celebrating” button. Cast Members and guests will definitely say something to add to your special day!
Are you looking to go on a Disneyland vacation? I will take care of you- email me and give some details about when, where, and who will be traveling.
What are some of your most useful Disneyland tips and tricks? How many times have you been there?
What questions do you have for me to discuss in future Disney posts?