I love being outdoors, whether I’m hiking a new trail or just exploring nature. But I also enjoy visiting new cities and places like Disneyland. There’s something so special about Disneyland—it always brings me back to my childhood. I just returned from a girls’ trip to Disneyland in California; it was the perfect getaway. We were able to forget about reality for a week and just have fun. In this post, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite foods from the trip, along with a few tips and tricks to help make your Disneyland experience even better!
Lightning Lane Multi-Pass
For $30 a day, you have the option to purchase the Lightning Lane multi-pass, which allows you to bypass many of the regular stand-by lines and wait in a much shorter queue. We bought the pass for all three days we were in the parks, and it definitely helped us experience more rides. For example, instead of waiting 80 minutes for Space Mountain, our wait time was reduced to just 5-10 minutes. It was a huge time-saver!
So, is it worth it? Yes and no. The cost can add up, especially if you’re paying for your whole family. In the past, when my family visited, we only bought it for three out of the five days we were there. But on this recent trip, I only had to pay for myself, so it wasn’t too bad, and we ended up getting it for all three days.
One of the biggest reasons I buy the pass isn’t just for the shorter lines, but because it gives you access to Disney’s PhotoPass service. The park photographers are stationed throughout Disneyland and California Adventure (DCA) at all the iconic photo spots—like Sleeping Beauty Castle, the Mickey Pumpkin, and the Cars Land sign. You can use the Disneyland app to find their exact locations. Plus, there’s no limit to how many pictures you can take. If you don’t like how one photo turned out, you can always go back and try again. This is especially great for getting full-group photos, so no one has to miss out by being behind the camera.
While the Lightning Lane pass isn’t necessary, and you can still have an amazing time without it, if you’re looking to make the most of your time in the parks, it’s worth considering. You’ll skip a lot of long waits and get those memorable photos.
Tips and Tricks
Here are some other tips and tricks that you can use when visiting the parks
Holiday Seasons
If you have the chance, I highly recommend visiting Disneyland during a holiday season. We went during Halloween this year, which runs from August 26 to October 31, and Christmas follows from November 15 to January 6. The entire park transforms with holiday decor, special food, and seasonal experiences. Some rides even get a festive makeover—like Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, which becomes Mater’s Junkyard JamBOOree, complete with Halloween-themed songs. I think this ride is underrated—it’s a fun, low-key ride that still gives you a great time.
The characters also dress up in holiday costumes, and you’ll see more rare ones, especially villains. During Halloween, I spotted the evil stepsisters and stepmother from Cinderella, which was a fun surprise since you don’t normally see them around. If you go for Halloween, be aware of the Oogie Boogie Bash, a separate ticketed event that happens in California Adventure on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. If you’re not attending the event, you’ll be asked to leave DCA early, so plan accordingly. Many people get park hopper passes to switch to Disneyland on those nights, but personally, I don’t find the park hopper worth it. Also, on Oogie Boogie Bash nights, the crowds in Disneyland get crazy, and ride wait times skyrocket.
When we planned our trip, we scheduled Monday for California Adventure, Tuesday for Disneyland, and Thursday for Disneyland, specifically to avoid being kicked out early. (Pro tip: weekdays are cheaper!) Planning around the bash worked perfectly for us. I’ve been to Disneyland twice during Halloween, and both times were amazing. I haven’t experienced the Christmas season yet, but I’ve seen photos, and it looks like a whole new level of magic—I can’t wait to go!
Plan a Rest Day
If your budget allows, I highly recommend scheduling a rest day during your trip. It may mean an extra night at the hotel, but it’s totally worth it. For us, it made a huge difference in how much we enjoyed the trip. After two back-to-back days in the parks, we were completely drained. We pushed through and stayed from open to close, but by the end, everyone was tired, a bit cranky, and patience was wearing thin.
Our rest day, which we took right before the last day in the parks, was a game-changer. We did nothing but relax, eat, and sleep, and it was exactly what we needed to recharge. That break really helped us enjoy our final day in the park to the fullest, with fresh energy and a much better mood. If you have the option to add a day to rest, I’d definitely recommend it!
Pack Food and Water
The prices for food and drinks inside the parks are seriously high, so I highly recommend bringing your own snacks. Even if you don’t end up eating them, it’s better to have them just in case. We each brought a backpack with essentials like a sweater, snacks, and water. While there are water fountains, it can be a pain to find one, especially if you’re stuck in line for a long time. Plus, water isn’t free in the parks, so staying hydrated can become expensive if you’re not prepared.
To avoid this, make sure to bring a reusable water bottle. There are plenty of refill stations throughout the parks, and having water on hand is super important—you don’t want to get dehydrated. One person in our group did, and they had to leave early because of it. A little preparation goes a long way in keeping everyone hydrated and happy without breaking the bank!
Portable Charger
Don’t forget to bring a portable charger! Your phone battery will drain quickly throughout the day, and you’ll need it for so many things—taking pictures, booking Lightning Lanes, and staying entertained while waiting in line. Having a portable charger ensures you won’t run out of juice when you need it most, keeping your day stress-free and fully charged!
Wear Comfy Shoes
Be prepared to do a lot of walking at Disneyland! I averaged about 29,000 steps a day, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes. The right footwear can make a huge difference in keeping you going strong all day without sore feet slowing you down. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later!
Download the Disneyland App
Whether you’re getting the multi-pass or not, everyone should have the Disneyland app because it’s incredibly useful. The app syncs with the wait times for every ride in the park, so you won’t be caught off guard when you reach a ride. It also helps with food—while the lines for restaurants can be ridiculously long, with the app you can place a mobile order from anywhere in the park and pick it up when you’re ready.
Just be cautious when mobile ordering—sometimes places are so booked up that the soonest pick-up time might be 88 minutes or even 120 minutes later. Plan ahead to avoid long waits! The app also shows where and when characters will appear. We were really excited to see Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars Land, so we watched the app and headed over. It wasn’t exact though—we ended up waiting about 10 minutes before she came out, so keep that in mind.
There are tons of helpful features on the app, and I highly recommend downloading it. It will make your experience in the park so much smoother and more enjoyable.
Dining
When eating in the park, keep in mind that prices are on the higher side. Luckily, many meals and treats are big enough to share, which worked out great for me. By sharing, we got to try more items from my must-try list. In my opinion, California Adventure has the better food options—they’re newer and more creative, whereas Disneyland is improving but not quite there yet. I’ll be sharing a few of my favorite foods, but there were some we tried that, while still good, didn’t quite make the cut—so I won’t be sharing those.
Ice Cream at the Cozy Cone
The only place to get soft serve ice cream in the entire Disneyland Resort, this cone is a refreshing pick-me-up, especially on a hot day. They offer the classics—chocolate, vanilla, and a twist of both. During the Halloween season, they also feature a unique Ube flavor, which adds a fun twist to the menu. I went for the classic twist, and it was the perfect treat to enjoy while strolling through the park!
Chocolate Chip Cookies from Harbor Galley
These were easily one of my favorite treats in the park! When you pick them up, they’re warm, gooey, and absolutely delicious. You can get them in packs of 6 or 12—we went for the 12-pack and saved some for later, and they were still amazing. Definitely a 10/10!
Pumpkin Spice Fritters at the Royal Street Veranda
This seasonal treat comes with three mini fritter balls, served with a side of cream cheese frosting that was absolutely delicious. The combination was so, so good—definitely a must-try!
Boo-gogi Toasted Sandwich with Corn Cheese Soup from Jolly Holiday Bakery
Another great Halloween seasonal option! The flavor combination of the beef and corn soup worked really well together. The sandwich is huge—there’s no way I could finish it on my own. Luckily, it comes pre-cut in half, making it perfect for sharing.
Ronto Wrap from Ronto Roasters
This wrap is a great option when you’re craving something light. It is made with fresh ingredients. I really enjoyed it—it was tasty and refreshing. However, I wouldn’t recommend sharing this one, as it’s not quite enough food for two people. Perfect for a quick, lighter meal!
Dole Whip at the Tikki Juice Bar
A Disneyland classic! This delicious treat hits the spot every single time I get one. It’s always a must-have when I’m in the park.
Hopefully, these tips and tricks will make your Disneyland vacation a smoother and more enjoyable experience.
Stay safe and start exploring!