How to Navigate That Giant Parking Structure & Getting to the Parks

Be warned that one of the longest lines you will wait in at Disneyland is the one to get into the parking structure. Standard parking rates are set at $35, with preferred parking closer to the tram for $55. There are EV charging stations available. Let a parking attendant know you need an EV charging spot and they will direct you! If you are bringing a stroller or wheelchair, expect a bit of a wait at the elevator. 

As a stroller family, we often opt to walk to the parks. Head over the bridge in the Pixar Pals structure and follow the path to the Downtown Disney entrance. The walking entrance typically has a shorter security line than the tram entrance.

We've found it's easier to push the stroller than to attempt to remove all of our bags and fold it up to take the tram (also, strollers are only allowed in a few specific spots on the tram, so wait times are typically longer to get on). We also walk back after a day at the parks. Normally our "stroller kid" is asleep at that point and the last thing we want to do is wake her up to board the tram. 

Downtown Disney is worthy of a stop before or after the parks. 

Downtown Disney Pit-Stops Before You Enter the Park

Yay! You made it to Downtown Disney. Should you head right to the parks? Don't be too eager as there are some amazing shops and great bites in Downtown Disney. If you can't wait to grab a souvenir, World of Disney has the best selection available, and they can hold your purchases at the shop for the day. They also have some of the cleanest and least crowded bathrooms in the area. The Starbucks next to World of Disney is less crowded than the spots in either park, so if you want a cup of caffeine, this is your best bet. 

Strollers: To Rent or Not To Rent?

On my first parenting trip to Disney, friends advised me to to rent a park stroller. What I discovered, though, is that renting creates a problem at the end of the day. Unless you're prepared to pull your half sleeping child out of a stroller and coax them into walking long distances, I'd recommend bringing your own. It will be subject to a quick search at security before you enter.

Make sure your stroller is not more than 31" wide and 52"in long. Oversize strollers are not permitted. Disney also doesn't allow wagons or trailers of any kind, regardless of their size. Stroller parking is clearly designated in every land at Disneyland. Keep in mind that cast members may move your stroller to a different location within the land if they are re-working the area for an attraction, parade, or line queue. 

RELATED: Disneyland with a Baby? All You Need Is This Game Plan

Enjoy a day of Disney magic with these tips!

Everything You Need to Know About Lightning Lane, Genie+, and the Disneyland App

The Disneyland app isn't optional. It's pretty much an order straight from the Mouse himself. The app powers everything from Lightning Lane to dining reservations to ordering food. You can store your family's tickets in there and keep track of the day's schedule, mapping your routes between attractions. It's a lifesaver. Use Disneyland Wi-Fi to pop it onto your phone when you are in the park. Take advantage of the alerts for upcoming entertainment, and make sure to utilize the order-ahead features for food to save yourself a lot of time, and a lot of hangry attitudes. 

There are whole websites devoted to the science of the Lightning Lane (formerly known as Fast Passes). On any given day, there are a couple of popular rides that offer paid, a la carte Lightning Lane passes which can be purchased and reserved in the Disneyland app. Prices on these vary, but are generally in the range of $10-$15. A pass can easily save an hour or more in line on the few rides that offer it, so if you have a "must do" ride on the list, consider pulling the trigger on purchasing. 

To cover a larger suite of rides, Lighting Lane Multi Pass is another paid add-on that allows users to book Lightning Lane passes on the non-a-la-carte rides. This option functions similarly to the old Fast Pass system, in that you can hold one reservation every two hours, but you can make those reservations on your phone, rather than sprinting around the park looking for a machine.

Is it worth it? I would say yes. For a small additional fee, you can maximize your day at Disneyland and hit (almost) everything on your bucket list. While I'll always reminisce about the days of free Fast Passes, the Lightning Lane Multi Pass option does replicate the efficiency of the good old days. 

If speed is really of the essence, you can use both Lightning Lane Multi Pass and individual Lightning Lane passes together to nearly double the number of rides you achieve in a day. It can all be kept track of in the app on your phone and/or in a collectible Magic Band bracelet—if that's how you roll.

Single Rider Lines

Many rides have a single rider line, which can make for much shorter wait times. Of course, your kids need to be old enough to ride without you to take advantage of this option, but when you get to the front of the line you may be able to ride together anyway. 

Disneyland rides with single rider optons include the Matterhorn Bobsleds, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, Space Mountain, and Tiana's Bayou Adventure.

Rider Switch — The Way to Do Disney with Littles 

Have you ever really wanted to go on a ride with your "tall-enough" kiddo, but had to wait out with the baby while your partner has all the fun? You don't have to do that! All you need to do is walk up the ride that you are hoping to go on (Space Mountain, for example) and show the attending cast member that you have a child that does not meet the height requirement.

Your party can proceed to the ride and wait in the queue like normal, but you wait for them to return off the ride. Once they are done on the ride, the cast member will let you (rider two) know when you can board later. It's one of my favorite Disney hacks, and we've used it countless times to ensure that everyone gets to go on their bucket-list rides. 

On a related note, if you don't want to split up your party while waiting in a line, Disney rides always have an exit option right before boarding. A child who isn't tall enough to ride, or one that is hesitant to hop on, can still wait in line with you and then use the convenient exits offered. 

Early Admission with Breakfast

Want to get a headstart on your day? Make reservations for an early Minne & Friends breakfast at the Plaza Inn on Main Street and you can get into the park half an hour before everyone else—a great way to make the most out of one day in the park (plus you get to meet some of the most iconic Disney characters without waiting in a queue!). 

RELATED: Universal Studios Hollywood: Insider Tips for the Park and Wizarding World

Dine with your favorite Disney characters. 

Character Encounters at Goofy's Kitchen, Napa Rose, & Storytellers Cafe

Speaking of food, a meal at Goofy's Kitchen can take care of your kids' entire character encounter wish list. Storytellers Cafe also offers the Mickey's Tales of Adventure Breakfast/Brunch where kids can intreact with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Chip, and Dale.

For little ones who are dying to meet the princesses, there is a Disney Princesses Breakfast Adventure held at Napa Rose. This one comes with a steep price tag, but also includes an immersive storytime and special keepsake to take home. None of these character breakfasts are in the park, and none of them require park admission, meaning that you could come for a meal, meet your favorite characters, and bounce on home, if you so choose. 

Character Interactions You'll Love 

Did you know that many of the Disney characters have secret interactions that they'll only perform if you know the "magic" words? For example, if you happen to catch Flynn Rider wandering about, and ask him what's in his satchel, he'll timidly reveal Rapunzel's tiara.

Ask Belle if the Beast is behaving today, and she'll typically spin you a tale of something he has done recently. Gaston is sure to flirt and flatter if you happen to see him stalking about. I always giggle at my interactiosn with Cruella, who is as cold and disparaging as ever (in a funny way!). One time, my son held hands with Mary Poppins and went for a stroll throughout Fantasyland, providing me with some of my favorite Disney photos of all time. 

When meeting a character, there's no need to rush. Cast members are trained to let guests linger and interact with the characters. If you have a princess-loving little, make the Royal Hall in Fantasyland a top priority. There is often a bit of a wait, but guests meet three surprise princesses and are able to interact with each one, hugging, taking photos, and asking questions. Some of my favorite Disney memories are watching my three-year-old, clad in a Cinderalla ballgown, converse with these princesses in her squeaky little voice. 

Charging Devices

Let's be honest—our phones are our lifelines, whether it's for photos, or because we're trying to rejoin our families over the course of the day (and using that Disneyland app all day long!). Running out of juice can be a big source of stress, so knowing places to charge is a huge help.

You can purchase a FuelRod for $30 from kiosks throughout the park (at the Main Street Lockers, the Star Trader Store in Tomorrowland, New Orleans Square, or Adventureland, just to name a few). The purchase comes with free swaps for a fresh battery throughout the day, so your phone will never be on empty.

A cheap mom tip? Purchase a FuelRod outside the park for around $22 to save some cash. You can still swap it in the kiosks all day long for free. If you brought a charger along, there are free spots to charge, too. You can use an outlet at the nursing area at the Baby Care Center, if you've got a little one. Some restaurants have outlets, too, including the Edleweiss Snack Shop, the Plaza Inn, and the Golden Horseshoe. 

"Free" Disney Souvenirs You Need to Know About 

The most obvious "free" souvenier may be a button, which can be picked up at Guest Services in City Hall upon entering either park. Whether it's your first time, you're celebrating a birthday, you just got married, you have an anniversary coming up, or you just want a button, there's one for everyone. Cast members will often give you special attention if you are wearing one! 

When you exit Jungle Cruise, ask the cast member if you can have a map. There are pre-printed, vintage maps of the ride available for anyone who knows to make the request (we had this map re-created and painted as a mural in my house as a kid).

Many cast members carry a stash of classic Mickey Mouse stickers. Just approach and ask (I've noticed that often it's the janitorial workers that have them handy).

Sometimes, you'll encounter a cast member with "Honorary Citizen of Disneyland" cards. Normally, the workers will want you to answer a bit of Disney trivia before they'll release the special cards. Also, on occasion, cast members at the Enchanted Tiki Room will give out vintage-style hand-outs if asked (depending on availability).

When entering the Mark Twain Riverboat, ask if you can check out the wheelhouse at the loading dock. Sometimes, cast members will let you steer the ship with the pilot, and then present you with a signed "pilot" certificate for your efforts. There is also a souvenir coin available for completing a scavenger hunt in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge (more on that below). 

The Baby Care Centers 

Need a quiet place to breastfeed a distracted baby? A changing table that isn't in the middle of a public restroom? A microwave to warm up a bottle? A extra diaper because you're running low? A place to change the kids into their jammies before the car ride home? A high chair with a table? A tiny potty without a loud automatic flush for a newly potty-trained tot?

The baby care centers at Disneyland (and California Adventure) have thought of everything, and they are lifesavers for an overwhelmed parent. I can't tell you the number of times I've hid out with a nursing infant in one of the private nursing stalls or warmed up a bottle in the microwave here.

The baby care center has a vending machine packed with baby essentials, in case you lost that VIP (Very Important Pacifier) in line, ran out of wipes, or need a couple baby food pouches to make it though the afternoon. Cast members are stationed inside each baby care center and are eager to help in case you need assistance with all things baby. 

There are lots more tips on how to do Disneyland with a baby! 

Stroller Nap Spots in Both Parks 

Speaking of babies, if you are taking a little one to Disneyland, the key to your success may be in the infamous stroller nap. But how do you make this happen? As a mom of four wide-awake and over-aware kiddos, I've learned the tried and true ways to secure a nice, long stroller nap on a long Disneyland day. It requires a bit of beforehand prep. Make sure you bring along any sleep essentials such as blankets, pacifiers, or stuffies. Also, if your kid sleeps with white noise, bring a portable white noise speaker along, or use a YouTube video on your phone.

Once your kid is settled in and cozy, you have a few options regarding where to stroll. If you are in Disneyland, I suggest the stretch of bumpy road between Thunder Mountain, coasting around the lagoon to the entrance of Critter Country.

The bumpy cobblestones always lull my little ones to sleep. Another option is the pathway from Frontierland into Star Wars Land. There is a giant "tunnel" on the pathway, and I've worn circles in the pavement as my kids nod off to sleep in the cool dark. In California Adventure, there is a walkway that traces the Grizzly River Rapids ride with a giant waterfall. It's cool, hardly every crowded, and the white noise is provided. 

RELATED: See Knott's Berry Farm Like a Local: Insider Tips for a Great Visit with Kids

 
Enchanted Tiki Room photo by Albert Lam, courtesy disneyphotoblography.com

When Your Feet Need a Break 

Do you feet need a break from hoofing it around the parks? If you're in Disneyland, take the Disneyland Railroad all the way around, and you'll enjoy around 18-20 minutes off your feet (and see some dinosaurs while you're at it).

Another favorite is the Enchanted Tiki Room. On particularly hot days, we've sat through multiple showings in a row. The cast members will let you stay in the room, and food is welcome too, so you can grab a Dole Whip, or even just break out some granola bars from your bag and enjoy the A/C and a bunch of singing feathered friends.

My husband would be remiss if I didn't also mention Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, an oft passed-up mainstay near the park entrance. This presidential animatronics show runs 15 minutes in cool A/C, and is an easy way to work some education into your Disney trip. Starting July 17, 2025, it will rotate in tandem with Walt Disney- A Magical Life, a new exhibt and show about the Disney's iconic imaginary.

Main Street Cinema is another air conditioned refuge from the crowds. Walk past that creepy lady in the ticket booth and enter a cool, dark, calming space with retro Disney cartoons if you need a breather. 

RELATED: Things To Do in Anaheim with Kids: To Disneyland and Beyond

 
Splash into Tiana's Bayou. 

Cooling Off on Hot Disney Days 

There are some suggestions for A/C havens above, but what if the a/c isn't cutting it on a toasty Southern California day? If you're in Disneyland, Tiana's Bayou Adventure may seem like the obvious choice for a soaking, but it isn't the only one.

There is a seasonal splash pad located at Donald Duck's Boat in Toontown. Bring a change of clothes and some waterproof shoes along if you want to let your kids splash, play, and cool down in the fountains. There are also small splashing areas built into the new Mickey and Minnie fountain right in the center of Toontown. 

When the Kids Need to Wiggle and Run

As much as you may need to sit and rest, the kids often need the opposite. My antsy bunch can get quite wiggly after a few hours of standing patiently in lines. My new favorite is the play area in Toontown, with colorful bar slides, plenty of obstacles to climb on, and free space to play.

There are also several wide, grassy areas, perfect for a picnic (the area tucked back by Gadget's Go-Coaster in the back of the park is my favorite!). There is even a small, gated, soft play area for babies in Toontown if you have littles who need to get out of the stroller and crawl around while avoiding the dirty floors.

Another often skipped-over spot with plenty of room to roam is Tom Sawyer Island. With rickety bridges, dark, spooky caves, and trails galore, this island in the center of Disneyland is worth an hour of your time. Take the raft across from the docking station near the Haunted Mansion, and play for awhile. 

A Few Ways to Maximize the Magic 

If you want to add a bit of sparkle to an already wonderful Disney day, here are a few tips. Look for hidden Mickeys when you are in lines or on rides. I have one child who loves a good scavenger hunt, and he spends most of his Disneyland days oogling for a hidden Mickey to add to his collection.

Speaking of scavenger hunts, there's a really fun one in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge that is available for free: Bina's Guide to Creatures of Batuu. Go to the Creature Stall in the Black Spire Market and ask a cast member for a booklet (this scavenger hunt is only available for kids under the age of 9).

Walk through Galaxy's Edge to discover different creatures or their footprints, and get each location stamped in the guidebook. Return the guidebook the the Creature Stall for a special coin (another free souvenir!). During the Season of the Force, there is another scavenger hunt available for all ages called the Join the Resistance Seek and Find. 

If you have a little princess that wants to get pampered, you can spring for the (very pricey) packages at the Bibbity Boppity Boutique in Fantasyland. Or, if you're a "cheap mom", you can replicate the makeover yourself for a fraction of the price.

I let my daughter pick out some colorful hair extensions, a tiara clip, and some body jewels in the shop attached to the salon (a grand totaly of approximately $25). Then, we head over to Castle Courture and ask the cast member at the register for pixie dust. They pull out a wand with glitter, and sprinkle it all over her head for free (even adults are welcome to ask)! 

Keep an eye out for custodial water artists, who use their mops to create quickly-fading portraits of Mickey, Stitch, and other beloved Disney characters throughout the parks as they clean. You can ask politely if a custodial cast member can draw something for you—those with the skill love to do so!

RELATED: See California Adventure Park Like a Local

 
Fireworks give a great day a super finale. Photo by Scott Brinegar courtesy of Disneyland

Fireworks in the Main Plaza

We all want to finish the night with fireworks—but the problem is that we all want to finish the night with fireworks. The rush for the gate afterward can be crazy. The view of the fireworks is just as wonderful, though, from the Main Plaza, outside the gate. Placing yourselves out there in time to watch allows you to be the first in line for the tram afterward.

And as a note for another day: you can always dinner in Downtown Disney, outside the gate, and watch the fireworks without paying park admission. Check your Disneyland app for fireworks show times, as well as fun nighttime spectaculars such as projections on It's a Small World and the castle (plus the Paint the Night parade!). 

This post was originally published in 2017 and has been updated since. 

All photos, unless otherwise indicated, are courtesy of the Disneland Resort © All rights reserved.