Growing up with an Imagineer dad and then becoming a pass-holder family since our oldest (now a teen) was a baby I can confidently say I have my fair share of Disneyland tips and tricks to make our visits more enjoyable. Beating the heat and escaping the Disneyland crowd is what I am known for. Take note… these are some great tips to bea the Disneyland Crowds.
12 Ways to Beat the Heat + Outsmart the Disneyland Crowd
1. Ice Water is FREE
This may seem like no big deal. But it can be EVERYTHING on a hot and sunny SoCal summer afternoon. People are NOT happy (big people & little people) when they are dehydrated and hot. This solves both. Head to any spot that serves fountain sodas and they will be happy to give you as many cups of ice cold water as you need. My kids may or may not even dump some of their water over their head to chill them out… pun totally intended!
2. Download the Disneyland App
The Disneyland app will be a lifesaver for your journey. (Download the App Here). You can check wait times for all the rides, book dining reservations, see show times. Other things you can do is scan your ticket to the app so that you don’t have to worry about losing your ticket.
*Super Awesome Bonus Tip* – One of the best ways to beat the Disneyland Crowd is now you can order food directly from the Disneyland app. So rather than standing in another line, simply place your order and head to the mobile order counter inside the restaurant and your food will be ready. (That is a guaranteed 30 minute time saver)
3. Divide & Conquer + Head to the Back of the Park
You are going to be excited if you get through those gates early but FOCUS. You can get on a ton of rides early and beat the Disneyland Crowd if you use this strategy
- Send a responsible party to go grab a FASTPASS for your second favorite attraction. (No Need if you have Disney Max Pass see tip #4)
- The rest of the party should head to your number one/ favorite attraction to be joined by the responsible party soon.
- This works best if your top two are near each other.
- You may want to hit up your favorite attraction that does NOT offer FASTPASS first.
- This includes quite a few in Fantasyland.
- After you ride your first ride, head to the back of the park and begin hitting the attractions you like over there.
- Then head to your FASTPASS attraction at the stated time on your ticket.
- Make sure to get another FASTPASS immediately after your ride is over.
This process maximizes the number of attractions you can ride with the least amount of time in queue.
*Bonus Tip – Most people head into Fantasyland and Tomorrowland first, head over to Frontierland and ride Indiana Jones, Big Thunder & Splash Mountain with no waits.
4. Get Disneyland Genie +Â Â
Yes, the Disneyland Genie + is an extra $15 per guest, and with my family that is an extra $70 that my husband finds hard to let go of, but after the first time we used it we never went back. Here are the benefits of the Genie +
- You can book your FastPass right from your phone, so no need to walk all the way to a ride just to get a FastPass
- Once you redeem your FastPass you can immediately book another Fastpass, so once I scan my Max pass to get on the ride I immediately book another Fast Pass
- Unlimited Photos – You can download every photopass photo you take, including ride photos, when you have the Max Pass. There is no additional charge. This is great especially if you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary to capture all the special moments
You can check out all my Disney Fastpass Secrets on how to maximize Disney Max Pass Here!
5. Head to Disneyland First then California Adventure
If you are lucky enough to have a park hopper pass make sure you hit up Disneyland Park first. It is usually the more crowded of the two parks and by the afternoon it gets pretty packed. With this tactic when the crowds get overwhelming, you can escape to California Adventure and enjoy the large walkways and the mellow atmosphere. Usually, we head out of Disneyland either right bright or right after lunch right when the Disneyland Crowd is at it’s highest level, then we return in the evening.
6. Cool Off & Escape the Disneyland Crowds
There are a few amazing attractions you MUST head to when the heat and/ or crowds are putting a damper on your day. *The following attractions are known to either be air-conditioned and/or have minimal queue times.
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Disneyland
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Star Wars HQ
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Mickey and the Magical Map
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The Disneyland Story with Mr. Lincoln
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Watch candy being made at the Candy Palace
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Check out the magicians sampling their tricks and illusions inside the Magic Store
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California Adventure
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Turtle Talk with Crush
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Animation Academy
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The Little Mermaid
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Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
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Sorcerer’s Workshop
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It’s Tough to be a Bug
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The Bakery Tour
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Ghiradelli- they give out chocolate samples
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7. Character Meetings
If your little one is hoping to see their favorite character make sure to inquire with Guest Relations (or any information booth). They receive a roster and generally know where most characters will be and around what times. Also download the Disneyland App, as it will have a list of all the characters and times. Arrive a few minutes early to the characters and you can be one of the first in line. This will save you big time. You don’t want your kiddo to see their favorite character only to rush to the line and be told the line has closed. That is never fun!
8. Pack Lunch
Many theme parks prohibit any outside food or drink (besides water). Disney, however, isn’t one of them.
You can save a ton of money packing snacks and lunch when you visit. Just be sure to pack it in a soft cooler. Large hard-cased coolers are only allowed in the picnic areas.
Not only will this tip save you money but, it will also help you manage everyone’s moods. It is much easier to avoid a hangry (hungry + angry) family member if you have snacks ready to go. Click here to see exactly what I pack in our summer day bag.
9. Parade + Picnic
Waiting for a parade doesn’t have to be blah. Pack a lightweight beach blanket and arrive about an hour and a half early to your parade spot. Have one parent be a squatter. Not a bad gig really now that there is a Starbucks in the park and you can catch up on social media.
Have the other parent (or responsible party) take the kids on a few rides and then head to Pizza Port where they can grab a salad, garlic bread and family sized pizza pie for everyone to share. Its cheaper than grabbing individual meals and Pizza Port will give you all the plates and utensils you need allowing you to head back to your blanket for a picnic right there as you wait for the parade.
*Some of my favorite memories are with us chowing down on pizza, people watching or playing Ellen’s “Head’s Up” iPhone game while we were waiting for the parade. And, I’m not going to lie… sitting front row at the parade is magical!!!
10. Pack Distractions
This is key! You will wind up waiting in lines. It’s just part of the theme park experience. Turn that down time into fun time by packing a few distractions in your backpack. Here are a few things we like to have. It’s age dependent but we have quite the assortment (2-13 years).
- Bubbles (baby, toddler, kid)
- Glow Sticks – I get the 100 pack on Amazon for $8.99 and use them all year long (kids, teens)
- Matchbox Cars (toddlers, kids)
- Head’s Up App & other iPhone App Games (kids, teens)
- Autograph Book and Pen– Also, check out how to make your own autograph book for your kids
- Deck of Cards (kid, teen)
11. Firework Tips
Main Street has the best view of the fireworks but it gets C.R.A.Z.Y. If you prefer a more mellow experience head towards Small World and view the fireworks from there. The view is still very good and you aren’t smashed between a ton of sweaty exhausted people.
The other option is to double dip. What I mean is you can get seats for Fantasmic (there are a few options below with zero wait involved) and then hang out for a few minutes after the show ends. About 10 minutes later the fireworks begin and you will again have a very good view without all the hassle of the crazy crowds.
- Fantasmic Dining Packages are now available.
- The package includes:
- Reserved seating right dab in the center of the show via a special FASTPASS + Your choice of:
- Sit Down Dinner at either Blue Bayou or River Belle Terrace (priciest option)
- Hungry Bear Restaurant Dessert Party (reasonably priced)
- Aladdin’s Oasis Grab & Go Meal (cheapest option)
- Reserved seating right dab in the center of the show via a special FASTPASS + Your choice of:
- You can also grab a fast pass (for FREE) which gives you reserved seating on the sides.
- *I was a bit bummed at our view though with this option. So consider yourself warned!
12. Parking
If you are driving to Disneyland you are likely to get maneuvered into one of the supplementary parking lots which are kind of a pain. To enjoy the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure which has the ease of both the tram and a walkway through Downtown Disney:
- make sure to route yourself so you exit from the 5 freeway on Disneyland Drive.
- Stick to the left as you cross Ball Rd and take the bridge up and over.
If you need help planning and booking your magical Disneyland vacation, contact our friends at Tink’s Magical Vacations. They are truly Disney Experts, and not only are their services FREE, but they will save you both time and money.
Bonus***
*** First Day of Annual Pass has ZERO Block Outs
Many people don’t realize that even if you buy one of the cheaper annual passes there is NO block out days on your first day of entry. Instead, it is treated like a normal ticket!!!
*For discounted Disney Tickets – Here are the top 9 places to Save!
Need somewhere to stay the night? Here are 15 of the Best Hotels nearby.
Celebrating a Birthday at Disneyland? Check out these great tips to make the most of your special day!
Looking to book Dining Reservations? Disneyland Dining Reservations – 5 things you should know!
Questions about flying into Disneyland? Trips with Tykes has you covered here.
Pin for Later-
Do you have any tips for beating the Disneyland crowds or staying cool that I forgot to mention?
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Don’t have any kids myself (yet) but as someone who enjoys Disneyland even as an adult (kind of) these are great tips! And a fun read 🙂
That is so amazing that your dad was an imagineer!
These are really great tips, I will definitely keep them in my pinterest folder for when I plan my trip!
I love a Disneyland trip and these are great tips! The Mickey & Friends parking structure is always a good choice for quick tram access! And during my last trip, I played Heads Up in line, totally helped pass the wait time!
Love these ideas! I totally agree about doing the Disneyland park FIRST. That is key! In terms of beating the heat and crowds my mom and I have been known to ride the train over and over again. Rest your feet, see some sights and get some air!
Never knew about the free water. That will make the trip much more enjoyable. I also heard there are lockers. How does it work?
So, glad you found my post helpful. Lockers are available for a fee and are located inside the park. You pay and pop in your stuff and have a key so that you can return to pull your stuff back out as needed.
First off, your kids are ADORABLE! I love your strategies! We went to Disneyland for the first time last year and I thought I had done so much research ahead of time. Now I know to definitely bring more food into the parks so we don’t have to waste so much time at restaurants.
Ahhh… you are too sweet!! Thank you!! Yes,bringing food is key, we always arrive with a big stash of healthy snacks and treats so we can jam through all our fav rides 😉 Great tip!
I always review your tips before each trip!
You are too kind, thank you!!!
Turtle talk is one of my favorite things at California adventure! I also love the zoetrope of toy story. That whole animation building is so cool.
YES!!!! We love turtle talk, I think they added Dory now too but we haven’t been in awhile so I need to double check that 😉 Thank you for stopping by.
Love the tips. Great resources
Thank you!! Glad you found them helpful. ?
These are some awesome tips. I really think having distractions in line is a key to a good time for everyone especially during peak times. I also always pack food. It saves so much time and money.
Yes, distractions are a big one. Recently, I bought a pack of sensory fidget toys on Amazon. They are miracle workers with my kids. I think having toys like this that are only used once in awhile are great.
Wow! This is the best blog post with the best tips on hot days at Disney.
Thank you so much! i am happy that you found it helpful 😉
I love that Disney lets you bring in your own food. That is so helpful with small kids. My husband still always wants popcorn and/or a churro, but at least snacking in line can help pass the time and hold off lunch until after the ride is over.
Yes, we love that Disney is so accommodating with food. It helps so much especially when you have littles in tow and kids with allergies. I can’t blame your hubby we always save room for a few treats too 😉
Great info thanks for all your help
Our favorite way to beat the heat is with Dole Whips and the Tiki Room. WONDERFUL!
That is a Great Plan ???? Thank you!!
Anymore, there’s never a guarantee of getting to park in the structure, even when arriving early. It all incredibly frustrating. You can waste a lot of time getting rerouted around the structure. Better off heading straight to Toy Story lot and riding the bus.
Interesting, thank you for letting me know Carrie. I appreciate that!
#2 is great! Protip: Always ride single-rider for Cars!
Nice! Thank you for that great tip ??
Great ways to take a break
Thank you! Glad you liked my tips and thank you for stopping by ?
Anything to skip some line time
Right, exactly!! Thank you so much for stopping by
Thank-you for sharing. 🙂
You are SO welcome!! Thanks for stopping by ?
Great tips, thanks!
You are SO welcome! Glad you found them helpful!
Great tips to beat the heat! We went last Feb and it was over 90F!!
Thanks for all the helpful Disneyland info! It helps looking at it even if we don’t have a trip planned right now. The withdraws aren’t so bad. 😉
Great info!
Definitely pack some snacks so u can munch on while waiting in the long lines
I think these are great tips
But expecting crowds is a reality when going to a theme park at all
Patience is a virtue to wait in lineups is probably a tip when visiting places crowds would be
Do they have popcycle stands ? I find Popcycles great for heat
Great tips!
We did the free water and own breakfast/snacks followed by late lunch to help beat crowds last visit. Also, go left instead of right helps. Peter Pan always has a line–go first thing especially on your early entry day to keep it under an hour.
The App!
Thanks for the great i fo!
The whole fast pass thing kind of confuses me!
thanks for the great article!
Oh, great catch! Definitely a necessity!
Thank you for the tips. Glad we can bring some snacks and find a few places to beat the afternoon heat when we go in July.
So glad to be of help. You may also like this post full of things beyond the parks you can do in Anaheim-
https://globalmunchkins.com/destinations/travel-within-the-states/10-things-to-do-in-anaheim-besides-disneyland/ You are going to have so much fun!!! Let me know if you have any questions.
Fast passes are a life saver.
Thanks for all the tips
Jan K
You are SO welcome, thank you for stopping by.
Thanks for your tips! I have been to Disney World but not Disneyland!! I bookmarked this page for later. My husband is always the fast pass runner! He’s quick! I love the fact that ice water is free! kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you. Happy Spring!
Those husbands seem to be the go to fastpassers, although lately we’ve been sending our 14 & 12 years old boys to get them 😉
i USE THE FREE water, read your tips and hide in pirates of the carribbean
Awesome!! Glad you found the info helpful 😉
Great information! Thanks
thanks for the awesome tips
Two things that will keep me from Disney are the crowds and the heat. Great article!
So helpful! We haven’t gone to Disneyland yet and hope to someday. We did hit Disney World last summer and it is so important to make sure you keep hydrated! I being the oldest one in our group should have known better I was so busy making sure the grandkids drank enough water I wasn’t keeping an eye on myself and almost passed out holding my granddaughter while watching one of the parades. Plus also make sure everyone eats something I didn’t notice I wasn’t eating and didn’t even feel hungry but I’m sure that didn’t help matters.
I love the idea of a picnic while waiting for the parade. Food, a short rest, and then front row! 🙂
great tips. Had no idea you could ask for ice water for free!
Our biggest tips for crowded days is to bring late morning snacks so we can eat our big meal around 2:30 when lines are long & quick service restaurants are quiet. Then my husband will buy us an actual Disney snack for during the parade (Mickey pretzel, anyone??) & we eat dinner similarly after the big rush.
Thanks for the great tips
The iced water for free is a golden tip! We also bring in empty water bottles then fill them as we need. Don’t carry that extra weight!
Very smart! We’ve always had a stroller bc we have so many kids. But, in the future bringing them empty will come in handy ??
Great tips.
Great tips! Thank you!
I can’t even imagine how much money we’ve spent on bottled water over the years! Wow! Thank you for that!
Can’t wait to go back!
Thanks for the tips. My kids would love the parade experience.
I’ve noticed the crowd is thinned out in October. The best time to go to Disneyland. Plus you beat the southern California hot weather too !!!!
Very smart! Especially the beginning of Oct before the Halloween crowds start taking over ?