Disneyland, California – How to plan and have the perfect trip (just like we did)

Disneyland. A magical place on the wish list of boys and girls from all around the world. (and some adults). We were fortunate enough to take the children to Disneyland, California, when they were 2 and 4. In fact, it was 8 years ago today that we finished 3 days in the happiest place on earth.

It was part of a 3 month trip around the world, and the start of 5 weeks in the US. Like all long travel, it requires careful planning. And even though a Disney park is one of the easiest things to plan, I wish we had some guidance of what to expect when we got there.

So why Disneyland, California?

California is one of the most popular states in the US, with its diverse landscapes, and stunning weather. It is also known for its theme parks. Possibly the most famous one would be Disneyland. As one of the five Disneyland’s spread across the world, a trip to Disneyland is like walking into a fairy tale. Yes, real Disney princesses, Alice in Wonderland, Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse, and other Disney characters are mixed with fast thrills and magic. No wonder it attracts tourists all year round! Disneyland has expanded since it first opened in 1955, with the opening of an additional park next door in 2001, California Adventure. 

This helpful guide contains a summary of what we think you should know before taking a trip to Disneyland, and what we did to have the perfect trip.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Disneyland?

For most people, summer is the only time families can travel while having time off from school and work. For those with flexibility, you may prefer to go “off peak”, when it is not vacation time in the US. 

However, to enjoy your trip with fewer crowds, the best time to visit is before or after the holiday season. During this period, the queuing time is shorter and there are some great deals to be found. Consider mid-January till March, after the Christmas season. This is also a great time to go if you would like to stay in one of the specified Disney resorts too. The downside is that the opening hours are reduced and you get reduced entertainment hours. 

If you want an experience like nothing else, the best time to visit Disneyland is October. And more specifically, Halloween. The park is transformed into a Halloween wonderland. Some of the more spookier characters are out this time of year and there are even more themed food items for you to try!

We went in September and while of course it was busy, we didn’t mind the queues and wait times were bearable, as the US and Europe summer school vacation was over. It was still quite warm, so if you aren’t a huge fan of warm weather in crowded places, I would avoid September as well. (or go on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and It’s a Small World ride, over AND over AND over, because those rides are in the cool and the shade).

How To Get To Disneyland

Being prepared before you head off is the key to a stress free vacation. With many options available to suit everyone’s needs, check out our suggestions to get to Disneyland below.

Disneyland by car

A road trip to Disneyland is where the fun begins. You get to enjoy the roadside view of southern California. Pick up a car from the airport and choose an accommodation close to the park that offers parking included in the accommodation price. 

Disneyland by bus

If you are getting to Disneyland through the Los Angeles metro, Norwalk Station is the most convenient station to transfer to metro express 460. A bus from there will take you to Disney. Another way to get to Disneyland by bus is through the Orange County transit. This transit connects to Disneyland through route 50, route 43, route 46, route 83, and route 430. From these routes, you can access the Anaheim Resort Area. There are affordable shuttles in the Anaheim resort area to convey you to Disneyland Park. 

Disneyland by train

One benefit of getting to Disneyland by train is to avoid traffic. You can take the Amtrak from Central California or the metro link from Southern California. Stop at ARTIC (Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center). From there, transfer to Anaheim Resort Transit to get to Disneyland.

Metro link has seven lines, but the most convenient for ARCTIC is the Orange County line. From there, you transfer to Anaheim Resort Transit to get to Disneyland.

Disneyland by air

Depending on the airport you land in, you can either take the train, take the bus, or get a taxi. Or of course, hire a car.

Depending on how you book your trip to Disneyland, California, transfers to the Anaheim region may be included from LAX. 

What we did

We flew into LAX from Europe and then took a transfer to our hotel in Anaheim. We didn’t hire a car as we were going straight back to LAX then onto San Francisco, after our 3 days in the Magic Kingdom.

Tips For Visiting Disneyland

Besides choosing the best time to visit and choosing how to get to Disneyland, check out what else we recommend to organize before you leave home.

Get your tickets online

You save a lot of time and enjoy discounts when you get your tickets online. Not only that, but you can also make reservations if you’d be staying for more than a day. Even better, you can buy your ticket up to 60 days in advance, perfect if you like planning and budgeting a vacation well in advance. Keep in mind that you can buy tickets just for Disneyland Park OR California Adventure. But the most popular choice is a 3 or 5 day combo pass that allows you to visit both. 

What we did

We booked about 9 months in advance from Australia. At the time, Tatum was 2 so was free, making it more affordable then what it was to head to Disneyland Paris earlier this year.

Stay at a Disneyland hotel or close to the park

Rather than staying off Disneyland property to save money, you can book early or get some great package deals for Disney Hotels. Some are located walking distance from the Magic Kingdom. And for Disney Hotels a little further away, they offer regular shuttle buses. The added benefit to staying at a Disney Hotel is often these accommodations have themes, and character meet and greets, so you can have Disney 24/7. Another bonus is that you can leave the park and come back, especially if you take advantage of our next tip.

What we did

We stayed in a hotel about a 15 minute walk from the parks. A decent distance to save some money, close enough to walk late at night (with tired children, or carrying them), and also close enough to head home for naps in the middle of the day if need be. Some non-Disney affiliated hotels may offer a shuttle, so check before hand if this is something you need.

Plan to do everything early

Going to the park early means short waits in the queue and maximizing the time you get to spend enjoying the fun in the park. You should also buy your souvenirs early before it gets crowded. 

What we did

When you have a 2 and a 4 year old, you know being up early is easy! So we took advantage of this. We would be at the gates before they open and would head to where the busier rides would be in one of the lands such as Big Thunder Railroad or It’s a Small World. Also keep an eye out for characters early in the morning too. Often they will be a little out of sight, especially if you are rushing past to get to your favourite ride.

Ease your way through security

There are ways to not waste time when going through security. Go with only what you need. Hold your metal – keys, and phones in your pocket for easy security check. Or better yet, place them in your bag in the line to avoid scrambling for your loose items. 

What we did

We only took one back pack for all of us. Rog emptied his pockets of wallet and phones so it was only one bag needing to be checked. This also allowed the other parent to go in a separate line with the kids and their little legs, and get a little bit of a head start in front of the crowd.

Know where to find your Disney characters

Disneyland is full of Disney characters. While some roam the park freely and you get to bump into them, others have a fixed place where you can find them. Download the App for the park you are visiting to get real time information about where to find characters (and ride wait times too)!

What we did

We weren’t as lucky as visitors today to have an App 8 years ago to use. We just happened to get lucky in being able to meet Minnie and Mickey. And it was as soon as we walked in on our first day so the kids were beaming for the entire time!

Make reservations or bring your lunch

Touring Disneyland can be so distracting that you’d forget about lunch. You should make plans of where to eat and when. There are restaurants on-site in Disneyland where you can grab a quick bite. You can also pack yourself lunch and eat on the move to save yourself time and extra expense.

What we did

Honestly, reservations were not a thing back then, or needed, so we were easily able to find a table at Blue Bayou on our first day. We did wish we had planned ahead due to the cost, so on day 2 and 3 we bought snacks and had a big breakfast and dinner. But to be honest, we were so busy we didn’t want to stop and eat!

What To Do In Disneyland in 2022 and beyond

There is lots to do in Disneyland, the list just does not end. Below is a glance at what you can do in Disneyland in 2022 and beyond.

Meet your favorite Disney character

Your trip to Disneyland is not complete unless you meet your favorite Disney character. This is probably the main reason why people take a trip to Disneyland. There are a lot of different opportunities to meet characters in Disneyland. You can head to meeting points within the park, have meals with them, and also bump into them randomly.

Go on as many of the rides as possible (and your favorite, more than once)

The next best reason why people take a trip to Disneyland besides meeting Disney characters is to go on the themed rides. Disneyland has so many rides that it’s hard to make a choice. Check the App in advance for height, age, and other restrictions for each ride. And then make a plan based on the lands, as some lands open early on certain days. 

Shop for costumes and souvenirs

There are lots of theme stores with amazing souvenirs at Disneyland. Each store sells costumes and souvenirs in line with its theme. Like the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, which sells princess costumes, and sometimes face painting. 

See live shows

Disneyland has so many different types of live shows. These live shows also feature our favorite Disney music and interactive moments. Perfect for families with little kids. And of course no visit to Disney would be complete without seeing the parade down Main Street. 

Treat yourself to Disney themed food

While there are so many restaurants to choose from. But the best part about Disneyland is the themed food. Mickey Mouse shaped pretzels and ice cream sandwiches are two must-have delights. And adults can’t go past Dole Whip!

Famous Restaurants In Disneyland

Disneyland has a lot of cafés and restaurants so there is something for everybody. The menu for each restaurant varies, same as their availability. Start checking them out months in advance, as you need to make reservations online, especially if they are included in your package. Check out these amazing options below

Blue Bayou Restaurant

Blue Bayou is a Pirate of the Caribbean theme restaurant, located in New Orleans square. It serves Cajun/creole and Louisiana cuisines for lunch and dinner. But you need to make reservations and have a valid ticket

Carthay Circle Restaurant

Carthay Circle Restaurant is an open area dining restaurant on Buena Vista street, in California Adventure Park. It serves American and Mediterranean cuisine. From the lounge, you can enjoy the vantage view of Buena Vista street. However, just like Blue Bayou, you need to make reservations and have a valid ticket.

Lamplight Lounge

Lamplight Lounge at Pixar Pier serves meals as low as $15. From lobster nachos to tuna poke and crab cake, unique dishes are available for lunch and dinner. You can either eat in or take out. 

Final Thoughts

Every kids’ dream, and some adults, is to see that magical castle and possibly meet Mickey Mouse. This dream can be made a reality with a little bit of forward planning and using our tips to enjoy a perfect trip to Disneyland.