Disneyland

I grew up near Disneyland and have been visiting my entire life. While I don’t consider myself a “Disney Adult” and I wouldn’t call myself a ‘Disney Creator”, I do have fun at Disneyland and I have some little tips and tricks to share!

My kids and I are Magic Key holders, and they all nap better at Disneyland than they do at home, so we find ourself at the park once a week or more!

Disneyland has changed a ton over the years, and now it is so exciting to visit as parents! Here are some of our favorite tricks, snacks, and things to do as a family at Disneyland!

Disneyland Ride Hacks

RIDER SWITCH SERVICE

Disney Parks’ Rider Switch Service allows your group to ride a ride in two groups while only waiting in line once. For example, if you have kids that are not tall enough for the ride or they are not interested in riding the ride, you can use the Rider Switch Service.

This video explains how it works, or you can ask a Cast Member at any ride entrance for help!

STORYBOOK LAND CANAL BOATS – Whale Watcher

Paint the Night Parade Dining Package

This package has limited availability and is only available when the Paint the Night Parade is running. A different dining package may be available for Holiday Parades.

Character Dining at Goofy’s Kitchen

Parking Tip for Disneyland

If you aren’t staying at a hotel that is within walking distance from the parks, I highly recommend this parking strategy.

I have always recommended avoiding the Toy Story lot because it uses a bus system to transport guests to the park, and buses are NOT FUN with strollers. You have to fold your stroller down on the bus. It sounds like Disneyland will be removing the bus option from this parking lot soon anyways, but if you want to walk, that is an option.

Here is exactly what we do:

Navigate to Mickey & Friends parking lot.
You will be guided where to park. If you are there early enough,
you will likely end up on the Pixar Pals side of the lot.

This is not necessary, but I always stay as far right as possible in the line to pay for parking
and we usually end up on Level 3 Pixar Pals!

Head down to Level 2 on the Pixar Pals side of the lot.
If you end up parking on the Mickey & Friends side,
you can walk across the parking lot to the Pixar Pals side without going down to Level 1.
Follow signs for the walkway to Disney Parks and Downtown Disney.
You will cross a bridge, go through security at Downtown Disney,
and walk across Downtown Disney to the parks entrances.

You can take the tram from the parking structure to the parks entrances,
but you will need to fold your stroller down for the tram.
There is more room for folded strollers on the tram than on the bus, so I occasionally use this option. The front row of the first and last tram cars have extra room for strollers.
Once going through the parking structure tram security lines, I walk all the way to the right to get to the front of the tram!