Disneyland Trip Planner (Updated for 2023)

The anticipation, excitement, and adventure of a Disneyland trip allows you to leave your worries behind and immerse yourself in the magical world of Disney, long before you’ve even left the house. Planning a Disneyland trip is half the fun. Even if you don’t have children, you’ll thoroughly enjoy making travel plans for Disneyland theme parks.

We’ve always loved our trips to Disneyland. My husband grew up a few hours away from the theme park and went so often that he knew exactly which rides to get on and when to maximize the fun and minimize the waiting in line. There are a few tips that can make your trip to Disneyland much more enjoyable, and way less stressful that we will share in our Disneyland Trip Planner.

» You might like Halloween at Disneyland: What to Expect.

Planning your trip? We’ve got tons of helpful Disney planning guides from our awesome list of 40 essential tips, to how to get to Disneyland, where to stay near Disney, what to pack, what to wear, where to park, and what to eat in both Disneyland and California Adventure.

That’s why we’re sharing our best Disneyland planning tips with you. If you do it right, Disneyland can be about so many things, including fulfilling your childhood dreams, eating fun Disney food, and getting a day or two completely away from the stresses of every day life.

If you’re spending more time, see our guides to Los Angeles and Anaheim. You can also purchase discount Los Angeles attraction tickets.

When to Go to Disneyland

Crowds can have a huge impact on your Disneyland experience. If you’re putting valuable time and money into your trip, you should make sure you understand the best time to go to Disneyland and when to avoid, if possible.

It is best to go to Disneyland during the shoulder season, which is roughly around early January to mid-February, or after Labor Day through mid-December.

While there isn’t ever truly an “off season” for Disneyland, there are less people, less congestion and less headaches for you during this time. What’s more, it rarely gets cold in southern California, even during winter season, but it gets very hot and humid during summer, so early spring, late fall and winter really are the best times to go.

How to Start Planning

Now that you know when you want to go to Disneyland, the questions remaining are how many days to spend, how to break up your time, and where to stay.

You’ll want to make time to see Disneyland, Disney California Adventure Park, and Downtown Disney.

It’s a great idea to download the Disneyland app at this point. You can purchase tickets and make park reservations from the palm of your hand. Plus, there is great information there on food, ride times and park requirements that may always be changing.

While you are at it you will want to download the Play Disney app as well. It has fun games and trivia that you can play to help standing in lines pass more quickly and some of the games are specific to what lines you are in.

» See these 40 essential tips for Disneyland First Timers you might not know about.

How Many Days to Spend in Disneyland

There are around 90 attractions between Disneyland and California Adventure. Unless you have a few weeks to spend, you really need to have a plan of attack. For more information, check out this information on how many days you need in Disneyland.

If you just want to experience the parks and don’t have any set things in mind that you want to do, then one day in each park might be sufficient for you. Just keep in mind that you might not get a chance to ride a popular attraction if you only have one day, because tickets can be difficult to come by. Having 2 days will increase the chance of getting a ticket.

If you have a list of things you have to see and you want enough time to see them, you’ll need to plan for at least 3-5 days.

To answer this question you’ll need to make a list of the “must see” and “want to see” attractions to determine how much time you need.

Buying Tickets

Buy your Disneyland tickets online in advance (save $26 on 4-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper through our affiliate link on Undercovertourist.com – an authorized Disney vacation planner). You can easily purchase them through the Disneyland app as well.

You will need a park reservation for the days you plan to attend as well as a ticket. If you are purchasing park hopper passes you will stipulate which park you will be starting the day in. You can purchase tickets up to 120 days in advance.

Don’t buy single-day single-park tickets, unless that’s all you want to do. The park-hopper ticket is the way to go, if you’re planning to see both parks. This ticket will allow you to change parks during the day, so you can leave one park and go to another after 11 am. They aren’t that much more expensive and give more flexibility.

Tickets expire 13 days after first use, so if you buy a 3-day pass, you don’t have to use them on back-to-back days. You reserve the specific days you want to go on a calendar on the website, then choose which park you want to visit first that day.

You can also add a parking pass to your purchase online.

How to Spend Your Days in Disneyland

To maximize your time, make your list of attractions and rides and then divide it up into sections of the park. That way you can work your way around the park without having to double back for missed rides. Make sure to use a park map so you don’t get lost. It’s very easy to move away from a section of the park without even realizing it!

Plan your days around what’s close by each other, and check to see what dining areas are in each section of the park so that where ever you are, you know a good place to stop for lunch or a snack.

Here’s our 1-day itinerary for Disneyland that can be modified to stretch to 2 or 3 days.

Top Attractions to See in Disneyland

With over 50 attractions and 30 rides, there is a ton of stuff to do at Disneyland. That’s only going to make your decisions harder, though because you can’t possibly get through all of it in the time you have – even if you were to spend weeks there.

Most people will spend 2-3 days at Disneyland, so it’s important to plan out your schedule so you can hit up the things you want to do most. To help you get started, below are a few of the top features at Disneyland that most visitors want to fit in.

• Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened in 2019 and the Rise of the Resistance ride opened in 2020. You will need to get a boarding group through the virtual queue in the Disneyland app to ride this ride
• Space Mountain – this iconic ride is one of the most popular in the park, and is a must for anyone who loves dark rides.
• Haunted Mansion – an oldie but goodie, this attraction blends humor and haunting with a ride in a Doom Buggy. This is a classic ride that you can’t miss!
• Pirates of the Caribbean – the ride that started the famous franchise of the same name is worth a visit. Catchy songs paired with creepy and fun visuals make this ride unique.
• Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye – this ride simulates one of Dr. Jones’ escapades and aptly immerses you into the world of Indiana Jones and his world of ancient secrets and amazing stunts.
• Splash Mountain – any fan of water rides will absolutely love this one. Be ready for a soak and a good time.
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run – A thrilling interactive smuggling mission.

Other rides you’ll want to make time for, if possible, are Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, It’s a Small World, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (this is my personal favorite), the Matterhorn Bobsleds and the rides in Cars Land.

Be sure to check out the Disneyland Map so you can see where everything is located and plan a route.

Disney Genie Service

Disney has now done away with the Fast Pass system. The new system is called Disney Genie Service. Be aware that there is Genie, Genie Plus, and Lightening Lanes. If you’re wondering if it’s worth it, here’s our thoughts.

What does all this mean?

Disney’s Genie Service

They like to say it’s like having a genie right in the palm of your hands. The Genie service is built right into the Disney app, which you will download on your phone to use while you’re in the park. You can view your map, recommendations, and make changes along the way.

Genie Service is complimentary. It creates your best Disney day inspired by your top interests. You’ll have access to planning tools so you can build an itinerary in the app. You just tell the Genie app what you’re most interested in and it will give you personalized recommendations for rides and restaurants based on that. It will also map out the best route for you to take to see the things you want.

Genie Plus

To get the extra benefits of Genie Plus, you’ll pay at least $20/day per ticket. With Genie Plus, you can select the next available arrival window for Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane entrances at select attractions (19 in total), one at a time, throughout the day. You also get audio experiences and unlimited PhotoPass downloads from your day.

You might be asking yourself if paying extra money to buy Genie+ is worth it? We have broken it down for you here. You can make your own decision.

Lightening Lane

The Lightening Lane is a way you can purchase individual passes that grant you quicker access to the attractions you really want to see. You can select the next available arrival window for up to 2 attractions per day. You don’t have to have Genie Plus to buy the Lightening Lane tickets.

The thing to know is that there are only 2 attractions you can purchase and inside Disneyland it’s only Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. However, this ride isn’t included in the Genie Plus attractions.

Where to Stay

If you’re looking to stay inside the park, which is great for convenience and making the experience feel more magical, finding the right hotel is super important. You can also buy Disneyland vacation packages that will include hotels, tickets, etc.

• Disney Grand California Hotel & Spa– This beautiful and luxurious hotel has great accessibility to Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney District.
• Disneyland Hotel– This modern and themed hotel adds whimsy to any visit to the park, and there’s several types of rooms to choose from.
• Disney Paradise Pier Hotel– This boardwalk and beach themed hotel is close to the park, and sometimes guests can see characters at breakfast.

Hotels outside the park

• Best Western Plus Park Place Inn– Only a few minutes walk from the front gate of Disneyland, this hotel is a great relaxed place to stay on your vacation.
• Anaheim Desert Inn & Suite– A short walk from the park, this hotel has a great deck that you can watch the Disneyland fireworks from.

For more information on where to stay you will want to read about these 7 best Disneyland hotels within walking distance of the park.

Where to Eat in Disneyland

Disneyland has a lot of very mediocre food, but there are some amazing hidden gems to eat inside the park. Be prepared to spend quite a lot for food. Nothing is cheap inside Disneyland. Read up on these great Disneyland snacks and desserts before you go.

Consider placing a mobile order for your snack or dinner through the Disneyland app. Choose the locations you want to order from and pay directly through the app. Then wait for your appointed time to pick it up. It really is the way to go. It’s so convenient and there is very little waiting.

Fun Foods to Eat in Disneyland

Dole Whip

This is the most famous food from Disneyland and there is a reason for that. This zingy and fresh soft serve is perfect to refresh you after a day running around the park. Get some at the Tropical Hideway in Adventureland.

The line is often long for this treat. Just around the corner at the Tiki Juice Bar by the entrance to the Enchanted Tiki Room you can use mobile ordering and pick it up without waiting in line.

Ronto’s Roasters

Ronto’s Roasters in Galaxy’s Edge is a great place to eat, and they have wonderful pita wraps, as well as delicious vegetarian options!

Grey Stuff Gateau

this red velvet cake filled with raspberry and topped with white chocolate mousse can be found at the Red Rose Tavern in Fantasyland, and is a perfect dessert to end your day with.

Mickey-Shaped Beignets

Located in New Orleans Square at the Mint Julep Bar, use mobile ordering to get your hands on these tasty beignets. Served in a white paper bag, just close the top and give it a shake before eating the powdered sugar covered treat.

Churros

You can find these crunchy, cinnamon-sugar treats all around the park. Make sure to grab one or two or three, you won’t be disappointed. Check around the park for special holiday flavored churros as well.

Tips For When You Arrive

• Get to the parks early in the day. Most families like to sleep in and enjoy a late breakfast. So even with the parks opening early in the day they are relatively empty first thing in the morning.
• The rope drop for entering the park is at 8 am. That takes place within the park not at the gate. So, get to the park and make it through the security screening and park gate before 8. This is helpful for rides with long wait times.
• Ride the park rides at the back of the park first. It may take a while to walk into the park, but most people stop at the first rides. As the park starts to fill they move to the back rides. Utilize this time to enjoy some of the popular rides at the back of the park.
• Make sure that you carry a backpack with you into the park. This pack will serve you well during the day. At a minimum, you should bring water, sunglasses, and sunscreen. And, if you don’t want to carry it with you look for lockers within the park. They are cheap and convenient. See our full list of what to pack and what to wear to Disneyland to make sure you’re prepared.

How to Avoid Long Lines

If there’s one thing that visitors to Disneyland find annoying and frustrating, it’s the long lines for rides. You can literally spend several hours of your day standing in line for popular attractions. While all lines cannot be avoided in Disneyland, there are a few ways you can dodge the lines.

• Download the Disneyland app to check current ride times. They are being updated all the time so they are pretty accurate.
• Download the Play Disney app for games and trivia to play while standing in line. Some games are specific to what line you are standing in.
• Get Disney PhotoPass for the day. It costs $20 per day, per ticket, but could be worth it if you have limited time. PhotoPass is also included with Genie+ for free.
• Ride popular rides later in the evening, while the majority of people are watching the night time entertainment. This is a good time to find shorter lines. Of course, it means you’ll miss the entertainment, but if you’re visiting Disneyland for a few days, you can always see the night time entertainment on another day.
• Avoid going to Disneyland during busy times such as between Christmas and New year, spring break, the summer months, and on Saturdays.
• Get to the park early. The lines are shorter in the morning when the park first opens. Instead of jumping in line for the first ride you see, head for the rides you want to ride the most.
• Make a plan of attack and stick with it. Check out how to spend one day in the park for strategies and tips.

Stay Up to Date on Changes

This Disneyland trip planner 2023 is a general guide to Disneyland and isn’t updated with all the changes and goings-on in Disneyland day by day. Read this What’s New & Next for Disneyland for details of what’s going on, so you can make an informed decision.

FAQ

Are there lockers to store my stuff?

Yes, you can take advantage of the lockers that are in the park to store your stuff so you don’t have to carry it around all day. There is one set in the cul-de-sac between Market House and Disney Clothiers and another to the left of the ticket turnstiles before you enter the park. They are pay lockers – the small are $7, large are $10 for the day. You can pay with your credit card.

Can I take a stroller into the park?

If you are taking a stroller to the park, make sure that it fits the size requirements. Strollers larger than 31” x 52” and wagons are not permitted. You can rent single ($18) and double ($36) strollers per day outside and to the right of the ticket turnstiles.

Can you bring food into the park?

Yes you can. Make sure food is wrapped up. You can bring drinks in as well. No glass and all ice must be contained. You can bring a cooler in with your lunch if you want. A soft sided cooler works best with reusable ice packs. 

How to Get to Disneyland

These are the main airports to choose from to get to Disneyland: 

• John Wayne Airport in Orange County (SNA) – 15 Miles from the park. 
• Long Beach Airport (LGB) – 25 Miles from the park. 
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – 35 Miles from the park. 
• Hollywood Burbank Airport, Bob Hope Airport (BUR) – 45 Miles from the park.  

Drive times vary depending on the time of day. On-site car rental, taxis, and rideshares are available at all airports.

Uber and Lyft are convenient options. Consider checking the price of both before deciding. Prices will vary depending on the time of day.

Shuttle services can be reserved in advance. Lansky shuttle car service has a complimentary 30 minute grocery/fast food stop on the way to the hotel and they provide car seats. Karmal Shuttle car service only goes to LAX and John Wayne Airport and they don’t provide car seats.

One Final Note

Visiting Disney’s California Adventure is definitely worth adding a few extra days to your trip. It has a completely different feel than Disneyland. If you are a Marvel fan or love Pixar movies this is the park for you. Explore Avenger’s Campus and enjoy superhero sightings, meander through Radiator Springs, and enjoy the feel of old California throughout the park.

Here are a few resources to help you plan a visit to Disney’s California Adventure:

• Disneyland vs California Adventure: Which One to Choose?
• 20 Disney California Adventure Foods You Must Try

Conclusion

Disneyland is one of the happiest places on earth, as the saying goes. And half the fun is in the planning. This guide is just the start of your amazing adventure. If you have any tips and advice to share from your own planning, we invite you to leave a comment below.

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September 18, 2023