Top Disneyland Tips for Families

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One of our favorite family vacations is Disneyland. I love that it’s a place all ages can enjoy! It’s always such a healing, helpful, fun experience for our family. It’s been a hard few years, so we were excited to take some time together to just have FUN! So many of you had questions while we were there, so I wanted to take some time and gather the info all in one place as a reference for when you decide it’s a good time to take your family! 

It might be “The Happiest Place on Earth,” but that doesn’t mean it comes without some financial planning, a dash of organization, and just a sprinkle of stress! I’ve learned that the more planning you put into it, the more enjoyable the experience will be. 

These are some of the incredible tips and resources that I’ve picked up over the years that will ensure you have a smooth, memorable vacation. 

BEFORE YOU GO:

• Save up
  • For a 3 day trip, we budget about $750 per person for 3 days at the park, 4 nights at a hotel. This number includes hotel, tickets, food.

• Purchase tickets and reserve hotel
  • The simplest and most cost-effective way to do this is booking with Get Away Today. You can customize your experience, compare prices, and purchase your tickets and hotel stay all in one place. You will also have the opportunity to add on the Lightning Lane Multi Pass to each ticket, which I will talk about more below!
  • You also have the option to add insurance to your reservations, so you will get refunded if you get sick, have delayed travel, etc. I highly recommend getting insurance!

• Download the Disneyland app
  • You can view maps, wait times for rides, order food ahead at select dining locations, make dining reservations, find out where characters will be, and use the free planning tool. I cannot emphasize enough how helpful this app is!

• Register for Disability Access Service (if applicable)
  • I’ve never personally used this accommodation, but several of my friends said it was especially helpful for kids with neurodivergent or physical limitations. I’ve included all of the info HERE. 

WHAT TO BRING IN THE PARK:

• To see my “Disneyland Essentials” list on Amazon, check it out here!

INCREASED SAFETY MEASURES:

• Dress everyone in the same color
  • This makes counting/spotting your kids a lot easier when you’re on the move. Neon colors are awesome, especially for younger kiddos. We love the Walmart $4 boys’ solid tees! Our daughter wears them too. 
  • For this trip we got everyone in the family these matching Mickey Tees, as well as matching Amazon Essentials sweatshirts for chillier days. 

• Location
  • We love using air tags to keep track of our children
  • As kids get older, Apple watches and/or having their own phones is very helpful too!
• Rehearse your phone number with your kids
  • Write your number on their arm or lower leg if they are unable to memorize it
• Go over what to do if you get lost
  • Tell them to find the nearest Disneyland employee (they are everywhere!) 
  • Tell them to look for a family and ask them for help.
• Have a waiting destination for when you get off of a ride
• Take a picture of each kid each morning
  • This way you can show an employee a picture of them in their current outfit. They will announce your child’s description everywhere. 

WAYS TO SAVE $$:

• Don’t do park hopper tickets
  • We like to go to Disneyland on days 1 & 3, and California Adventure on day 2.
• If you have a rewards credit card, save up SkyMiles!
• Prepay for tickets and hotel through Get Away Today
• Instead of renting a car and paying to park, take an Uber 
  • Going from the airport to the hotel cost us $60 both ways. That was for a car large enough for 6 people. 
  • A lot of the nearby hotels have shuttle services that bring you right to the entrance of the park

• Food hacks
  • Split meals as a family. The portions are typically pretty large, and no one wants to be overly full running around a theme park all day!
  • Book a hotel with free breakfast, get one free meal!
  • Bring small snacks in a backpack
  • Do a grocery delivery order to the hotel. We get breakfast foods and snacks. This is especially helpful if you don’t have a car.

GOT A BABY? DISNEY MAKES IT EASY:

• Disneyland and California Adventure both have baby centers with changing tables, nursing rooms, formula available, toddler sized toilets, and so much more! I’ve included all of the info HERE. 
• They also offer the Rider Switch Service, so parents can take turns on rides if they have an ineligible rider. Click HERE to learn how to use this accommodation. 

THE LIGHTNING LANE MULTI PASS:

• You can read all about the Lightning Lane Multi Pass HERE
•  Not sure why Disney makes it so complicated with so many names, but in case you’re confused like I was, Genie+ is now called Lighting Lane (also used to be called Fast Pass!) and in the app after you book it it’s called a Multi Pass Experience?! It’s all basically the same thing!
• Basically, it allows you to make a reservation at the most popular attractions
  • You avoid the long line and go straight to the lightning lane
  • You can use it once per eligible ride, per day
  • It gives you an hour time frame to arrive to the attraction, so you can plan and not rush there
  • Once you have scanned into the ride you are about to go on, you are able to book the next reservation, OR you are eligible to book every two hours! I recommend setting a timer for every two hours so you remember to book
• Like previously stated, this feature is an add-on cost
• A few attractions, namely the Star Wars Rise of the Resistance and Cars Radiator Springs Racers require an additional fee to make a reservation
  • Decide if the extra cost is worth it for your family! We’ve waited in lines in the past, but avoiding a 2.5 hr line, and only waiting 10 minutes to get on Star Wars was definitely worth it for us.
• It’s extremely rare to have a low-crowd day in Disney Parks, so especially if you don’t go often, I feel like it’s worth it to invest in the LLMPs to ensure you have a full day of fun!

ADDITIONAL PRO TIPS:

• Arrive 1hr before rope drop (enough time for security and scanning into the park!) and then head RIGHT to the biggest ride of the day. You usually can walk onto that first one if you rope drop + walk fast
• While in line for that first ride, book lightning lane for another big ride on your app and then set your alarm for 2 hours. Every 2 hours you get the green light to book more lightning lane (or sooner if you scan into your booked lightning lane!) So keep an eye on your timer so as soon as it opens you book more!
• There are lots of YouTube tutorials on navigating the app, and I recommend watching some to familiarize yourself before you go!
• Enjoy every minute, but don’t be afraid to take breaks!
  • Whether finding a nice bench, cooling off on Pirates of the Caribbean, or even heading back to the hotel, listen to your body and take all of the breaks you need. 

• The 3-day recommendation
  • Anything less doesn’t feel like enough, anything more and you will be WORN OUT!

• Bring your army of self-care supplies because your feet will hurt! Ha 
  • Excedrin, Deep Blue, and my go-to heating pad 

I’d love to hear your best Disney tips!

XO ASHLEY

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