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10 tips to get the most out of Disneyland

I recently attended a holiday blogger event at Disneyland. I’m excited to share more from my Disneyland stay with you plus a few Disneyland tips. Whenever we plan a trip to Disneyland we always go at least two days. With the expansion to the parks there is no way we could fit everything in one day. There are way too many fun things to do. :) Disneyland Resort is a wonderful multi-day, family vacation destination with lots of fun for all ages. Today I’m going to share a few Disneyland tips to help you get the most out of your family vacation.

10 disneyland tips

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1. Make sure to get a 3 day hopper ticket. When you buy a multi day ticket you don’t feel the pressure to cram everything in one day. There is just no way to squeeze it all in with little kids. By staying there a few extra days it made our trip more relaxed and enjoyable. Look for special savings on 3-day park-hopper tickets and hotel packages that go on sale starting  for visits in early 2013; see www.disneyland.com/offers.

2. Download the free Mobile Magic phone app with attraction wait times to help keep you in the loop.

3. Learn how to use a FASTPASS to make sure you don’t have to wait in long lines. Look for the fast pass distribution centers by your favorite rides. By using FASTPASS tickets, you’ll spend less time waiting in lines and have more time to watch the parades and explore the different rides in the parks.

4. Take advantage of the rider switch pass (also known as a stroller pass). I would take my son on a ride, while my husband took my daughter on Pooh (her favorite ride) and then I’d ask the nice worker for a stroller pass before going on the ride. When we came off the ride I handed the pass to my husband and he could get right on. You can also save these passes for later in the day if you want to save them. We LOVED those passes!

a small boy with a tiger mascot

5. If traveling with young kids, check the height restrictions on rides before you go. The night before we headed to Disneyland I looked on their website and wrote down every ride that my son (age 3) and daughter (age 2) could go on. My son surprisingly could go on most of the rides including Splash Mountain, Soarin’, Thunder Mountain, Racers and even Space Mountain. He is quite the dare devil. He was laughing the whole time. My daughter got to enjoy most of the rides too.

6. Bring a small cooler for drinks and snacks. Disneyland food can be expensive… and if your kids are anything like mine, they snack a lot! I brought lots of water bottles and healthy snacks so that we didn’t have to spend extra money on those things and to help keep my kids happy while waiting in lines.

a man and boy looking at a red car

7. Get your fast pass for radiator springs FIRST thing in the morning. This was one of our all time favorite rides, but it always has SUPER long lines… so make sure to get your fast pass first thing. You can get the fast passes on your way to radiator springs (right next to Bugs life).

8. Arrive to the parks EARLY. If you get there right when it opens you can walk right onto the big rides. Make sure to be at the entrance gates the minute the park opens—8 A.M (on weekends). You know the saying… the early bird gets the worm… very true at Disneyland!

9. Ask cast members for help. If you’re lost and need help finding something, don’t hesitate to ask. The workers at Disneyland are SUPER nice and happy to help.

10. Stay close to the park. We stayed at the Grand and there is no place more magical than staying right on the property. With little kids I always tend to forget things, so it was nice to be able to run right back to the hotel. We also LOVED being able to get into the parks an hour early. We would hit all of our favorite rides (like Racers) and didn’t have to wait in line. It was also nice to be able to walk back to our hotel room and let the kids take a nap. It’s definitely a splurge, but the hotels location (in the park) cannot be beat! Check back often on their website for special discounts.

Also one last thing… don’t miss the fireworks and world of color. They are both fantastic!! My whole family loved the show! So there you have it 10 Disneyland tips!

rainbow colored water fountains shooting into air

HUGE thanks to Disneyland for inviting my family on this amazing trip!

Do you have any Disneyland tips? Please share in the comments…

 

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