This will be an ongoing list as I have time/energy to add to it. If there is something you would like to know ASK & I'll get to it sooner than later. Truly it's just a list of my opinions and what has worked well with my kids.
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I've been doing the kiddie scene at Disneyland for SEVEN years. We first got season passes when I just had the two boys and baby Jake was just 15 months old. I've gone on my own with the two boys and when Jessica came along I took all three along with just me. (When she SCREAMED the whole ride on It's a Small World, it didn't seem so small). Sure I enjoyed the days when Daddy could come too, but it's a place that I like to be with the kiddos during the day. Which brings me to this point: I don't stay all day. We put in a good 4-6 hours and call it good. We go for either the day scene or the evening scene. Since you'll be trying to do this all at once, it's going to be trickier for you. When our family comes to town, we drag our kids out for the whole day too. This is why I suggest
Tip #1- Go for a multi-day ticket. If you are visiting with children, you will be more relaxed spending 2 partial days in the parks than 1 ridiculously long day. When you were in high school, it made sense to arrive when it opens and stay 'til it closes. Let just say: tantrums, tears, tired - don't make for cute Disney pictures or happy memories. If you only go one day, remember that your kids don't know what they're missing. Don't rush. Enjoy each of the rides you get to. Plan time to just sit and eat snacks or let them wander. This is where ToonTown comes in handy for those new walkers that need to exercise their independence. The early toddler goes bonkers waiting in lines. They do not anticipate the thrill of the adventure like an older child will.
Disneyland vs. California Adventure - over time I have developed a love for the attractions at California Adventure. There are definitely some things worth seeing, but not enough for a whole day at California Adventure. You will be wishing that you had more time to finish things up at Disneyland and maybe a half day at California Adventure Park.
Tip #2 - Understanding the Park Hopper. Most multi-day tickets are also hopper tickets. This means that you can go in and out of either park on the same day. If you buy a one day ticket, it is JUST for ONE park for the whole day. You pay more for a one-day park hopper ticket & the privilege of going to both parks on the same day. In my opinion - not worth it. Unless you are staying more than a day, skip California Adventure. Also note that hopping isn't as convenient or simple as it sounds. It's time consuming to walk to the front of the park, cross to the other and re-enter (pull out tickets, check stamps, etc) the other park. California Adventure usually opens an hour after Disneyland and will close BEFORE Disneyland.
Some promotions are for a day at Disneyland & a day at California Adventure. If the price is right, this could be a fun deal. Just know that these promotions are not HOPPER tickets. You get one day at each park.
If you've already planned your trip, my tips on when to go to Disneyland will be useless. Crowds come and go throughout the year - holidays and summer break. Add scorching temperatures to summer months and that is why we NEVER go during July or August anymore. We have convinced all our family to adjust their trips so we don't have to accompany them during that time.
WHEN to visit Disneyland: The best trick is to look at the hours of operation. You may be sad to see that the park opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m., but often you will be able to visit MORE attractions on those days during those 10 hours than you would if you brought your kids on a marathon day from 8 a.m. until midnight - seriously, NO young child wants to be at Disneyland for 16 hours in one day. I have heard the frustrated tones of many parents speaking of bribes and dolling out dollars for Mickey Ice Creams to soothe their heat exhausted children who have missed their naps. Look for shorter operating hours - this means that Disneyland is expecting fewer guests. Also look at the Annual Passholder Blockout Schedule. Those of us with passports have blockout dates when Disney expects the most visitors. I advise you to wait and come on a day that my passport is valid. It's less crowded. THIS link should hook you in to the blockout calendar - if not go to their site and follow the annual passholder info.
LINES & Wait Times- off season: don't wait more than 30 minutes. I prefer 15 minutes. There are exceptions: Peter Pan will ALWAYS be the longest ride in Fantasyland that's worth going on. If the line is still contained inside the covered maze, it will be alright to wait. If guests are waiting along the chain in front of the ride and around the corner - walk on by. Most young children will be excited about going on Dumbo also. If their whole trip hinges on riding the elephant, you might have to waste more time in line to fulfill their dream. My rulebook says: 30 minutes or less or walk on by.
Busy season: anything under 60 minutes you should go for, but make sure you are taking advantage of FAST PASS. Get a fast pass for one, then wait an hour for another. By the time you wait one out, your fast pass will be almost ready to use. Fast pass works great for the big rides, but kiddie rides in FantasyLand DO NOT have a FastPass option. Get one for Autopia or Buzz Lightyear (unless of course Buzz ride has a 10 minute wait time - just hop on).
During the off season, expect less crowds. But also note that certain rides will be "Closed for Refurbishment." They keep a pretty accurate list on the calendar on Disney's website.
January - wonderful - Small World & Haunted Mansion are closed to take down the Christmas decor. Our coldest weather comes in January or February- rain & winds too. Hard to know if you are booking in advance.
February - wonderful
March - 1st half is wonderful. 2nd half is when Californians have Spring Break - it gets crazy busy!!! We've been to Disneyland in rain ponchos in March. Don't let the rain scare you. The temperatures don't get too bad. The forecast will scare lots of locals away (because we are spoiled and can wait it out). So many attractions are inside anyway. There are lots of covered areas in the park. I suggest picking up some ponchos at Target (there's one a couple miles south of Disneyland) instead of paying a premium price for ones with Mickey ears.
April - Neighboring states have their spring breaks so we get lots of visitors - unpredictable crowds. Weather is lovely. I'd rather brave a crowd now than in the summertime.
May - Wonderful. We start seeing school groups or high school tour groups visit for their end of year trips. Weather heats up.
June - You can still sneak in some nice days at the beginning of the month during the week (before the CA school get out), but the tourists start invading and the temperatures soar.
July - Plan for crowds. Pack lots of water & juice boxes. I do give Disney credit for managing the masses. When they expect lots of guests, they put both trains on the track. They have more boats afloat, more vehicles on the course etc. Sometimes it's a pain to navigate when they make some areas a one way zone or re-route you. Overall, it's all for your good. For me - TOO hot. Lines TOO long. Sometimes they will run out of Fast Passes for the DAY. All you can do is bake & wait!
August - HOT. Crowded. At the end of the month the pass holders can return. The next couple of Friday nights get flooded with us returning before school starts or after our first week back.
September - Do come. Skip school and you won't regret it. It's still VERY HOT here. The Californians are back to school during the day. It's wonderful.
October - Wonderful. They've started Halloween/Harvest Festivities. Cute! Temperatures mild and so enjoyable.
November - Christmas decor goes up usually the first weekend, so you can get into the holiday spirit early. Weather is WONDERFUL. The Christmas Parade, Fireworks, & Events don't start until Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving week is ONE OF THE MOST CROWDED EVER. If you expect to ride rides, you'll be waiting. Our family has gone - we get the ENTIRE Thanksgiving week OFF of school - during this week. We visit in short spurts and don't expect to go on many attractions. We go for just the parade, fireworks, & maybe a ride or two. If you are trying to see everything, don't go for Thanksgiving.
December - Of course there will be crowds for Christmas, but the first and second weeks in December are not bad. Go at the beginning of the week (Mon,Tues, Wed). The firework schedule will probably be nightly by then. Evenings will get busier, but lots of the locals are attending company parties and finishing their shopping. Plan on sharing the festivities with lots of other guests. Avoid weekends and the week of Christmas. We've never gone between Christmas & New Years - it's ALWAYS blocked out for us. I believe the Christmas stuff is still up into the first part of the New Year - check the calendar.
February - wonderful
March - 1st half is wonderful. 2nd half is when Californians have Spring Break - it gets crazy busy!!! We've been to Disneyland in rain ponchos in March. Don't let the rain scare you. The temperatures don't get too bad. The forecast will scare lots of locals away (because we are spoiled and can wait it out). So many attractions are inside anyway. There are lots of covered areas in the park. I suggest picking up some ponchos at Target (there's one a couple miles south of Disneyland) instead of paying a premium price for ones with Mickey ears.
April - Neighboring states have their spring breaks so we get lots of visitors - unpredictable crowds. Weather is lovely. I'd rather brave a crowd now than in the summertime.
May - Wonderful. We start seeing school groups or high school tour groups visit for their end of year trips. Weather heats up.
June - You can still sneak in some nice days at the beginning of the month during the week (before the CA school get out), but the tourists start invading and the temperatures soar.
July - Plan for crowds. Pack lots of water & juice boxes. I do give Disney credit for managing the masses. When they expect lots of guests, they put both trains on the track. They have more boats afloat, more vehicles on the course etc. Sometimes it's a pain to navigate when they make some areas a one way zone or re-route you. Overall, it's all for your good. For me - TOO hot. Lines TOO long. Sometimes they will run out of Fast Passes for the DAY. All you can do is bake & wait!
August - HOT. Crowded. At the end of the month the pass holders can return. The next couple of Friday nights get flooded with us returning before school starts or after our first week back.
September - Do come. Skip school and you won't regret it. It's still VERY HOT here. The Californians are back to school during the day. It's wonderful.
October - Wonderful. They've started Halloween/Harvest Festivities. Cute! Temperatures mild and so enjoyable.
November - Christmas decor goes up usually the first weekend, so you can get into the holiday spirit early. Weather is WONDERFUL. The Christmas Parade, Fireworks, & Events don't start until Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving week is ONE OF THE MOST CROWDED EVER. If you expect to ride rides, you'll be waiting. Our family has gone - we get the ENTIRE Thanksgiving week OFF of school - during this week. We visit in short spurts and don't expect to go on many attractions. We go for just the parade, fireworks, & maybe a ride or two. If you are trying to see everything, don't go for Thanksgiving.
December - Of course there will be crowds for Christmas, but the first and second weeks in December are not bad. Go at the beginning of the week (Mon,Tues, Wed). The firework schedule will probably be nightly by then. Evenings will get busier, but lots of the locals are attending company parties and finishing their shopping. Plan on sharing the festivities with lots of other guests. Avoid weekends and the week of Christmas. We've never gone between Christmas & New Years - it's ALWAYS blocked out for us. I believe the Christmas stuff is still up into the first part of the New Year - check the calendar.
Your Disneyland tips came at a convenient time for us. We just decided maybe we will make a trip there this fall. We're thinking October...or the first week of November. Do you have any blocked out days there? I'm wondering if the Utah UEA days off school (Oct 16-17) get busy down there? If you get any free time (ha!) I'd love some advice. Thanks! Kami
ReplyDeleteJennifer if Kami every checks back let her know uea is a joke! We went down last year and booked before we new is was uea, I can't tell you how bad it was and how many byu and u of u tee and sweatshirts we saw. It was like disneyland in July.
ReplyDeleteOkay, we did NOT make it to Disneyland last year so we're now in the planning stages for a trip there THIS fall. We're thinking Nov. 1-7th. Do you think the transition from Halloween to Christmas decor will get in the way of our enjoyment? I appreciate your tips here that I keep referring to!
ReplyDelete