Advice for visiting Disneyland in 2024: 17 strategies to save money and enhance your enjoyment

Located in Southern California, Disneyland is celebrated as the Happiest Place on Earth, but visitors who come well-prepared tend to have an even more joyful experience. A trip to a Disney theme park can be tricky, overwhelming, and costly. However, with the right approach, you can avoid long lines and spend less than the average guest.

After countless hours spent exploring the two theme parks in Anaheim, I've gathered numerous tips and tricks for Disneyland. Here are the must-know tips to maximize your budget, reduce wait times, and enjoy a more enchanting vacation.

Remember to secure your theme park reservations

Earlier this year, Walt Disney World in Florida removed its theme park reservation requirement for most visitors. However, Disneyland still requires reservations. To enter the parks in California, you'll need a reservation for the first park you plan to visit each day.

When purchasing a theme park ticket directly from Disney's website, you will be prompted to make park reservations automatically. If you buy from a third-party seller like Get Away Today or Undercover Tourist (which can be a smart choice, as it may save you money on multiday tickets), you'll have to complete the reservation process yourself. It only takes a minute or two to link your ticket and make your selections, but be sure not to forget this step until it's too late.

How far in advance should you plan? Fortunately, many dates at Disneyland are no longer fully booked for regular ticket holders. However, if you intend to visit during peak times, such as the week between Christmas and New Year’s, it’s wise to make reservations at least a few weeks ahead to ensure availability.

Consider pricing out single-day tickets, even if you plan to visit for several days

Disneyland offers both single and multiday park tickets that are valid for up to five days. If you're planning to visit for two or three days, you might be surprised to learn that a multiday ticket isn't always the most economical choice.

It may seem counterintuitive, but this is due to Disneyland's fixed pricing for multiday tickets and the variable pricing for single-day tickets. There are seven pricing tiers (from Tier 0 to Tier 6) for single-day tickets. In some cases, purchasing two or even three of the cheaper single-day tickets (like Tier 0 or Tier 1) may cost less than buying a multiday ticket.

You won’t need to crunch the numbers if you’re visiting during peak times, such as school holidays when single-day tickets are pricier. However, if you strategically plan your visit during a less busy period with shorter lines, you might find that you can save money, too.

Keep in mind that one-day tickets offer less flexibility compared to multiday tickets, as the lower-priced ticket tiers can only be used on select days. If you need to change your plans or visit on a different day, the single-day tickets may not provide the flexibility you require.

Choose accommodations within walking distance — but you don’t have to stay on property

In contrast to Disney World, Disneyland is quite compact. The two theme parks, three Disney-owned hotels, and the Downtown Disney shopping and entertainment district are all within easy walking distance. This close proximity allows you to accomplish much more during a short visit without wasting time on transportation.

Maximize your Disneyland experience by choosing a hotel within walking distance. All three Disney-owned hotels (Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel, and Pixar Place Hotel) are close to both parks, but numerous off-property hotels are equally near and often more affordable. While you might miss out on some perks and Disney-themed decor, you'll save time by avoiding shuttles and parking hassles.

You can even redeem points and miles at several nearby hotels to reduce your vacation costs. At least one hotel in every major hotel loyalty program — including Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, World of Hyatt, IHG One Rewards, and more — is within a 15-minute walk of the parks.

Schedule character meals at optimal times

Meeting characters is a beloved activity at Disneyland, especially for children, but enduring long waits in the sun might not align with your idea of a fun vacation. A more enjoyable way to snap photos with Mickey and friends is by booking a character meal. Disneyland features four restaurants that offer character dining experiences: three located in Disney hotels and one within Disneyland Park.

Character dining at Disneyland can be pricey, so it’s wise to avoid paying for it alongside high-cost theme park tickets. I find it much more cost-effective to arrange a character meal outside the parks either on the night of arrival or the morning of departure. This allows my family to enjoy some Disney magic without shelling out for an additional day of park tickets or sacrificing time on Disneyland's best rides.

If you do need to schedule a meal on a park day, avoid booking it first thing in the morning. That’s prime time for enjoying shorter lines on rides. Instead, consider a late morning brunch or lunch, using the meal as a break after several hours of attraction rides. After all that walking, you'll have definitely earned those Mickey waffles.

Think about purchasing Park Hopper tickets, even if you initially decide against them at Disney World

For an extra fee, guests can experience both theme parks in a single day. The Park Hopper ticket option at Disneyland adds $65 to $75 to the overall ticket price, leading many visitors to skip this choice to save money. While there are times when avoiding the Park Hopper option makes sense, this isn't always the case.

Since the parks at Disneyland are located just a short walk apart, it's easy to move between them (even several times in one day) if your group is flexible and eager. Park hopping can help you create a more effective touring strategy and allows you to revisit your favorite rides. Personally, I've found that with a Park Hopper ticket—especially when utilizing Disney's cut-the-line service Genie+—I can accomplish as much in two days at Disneyland as I would in three days if restricted to one park each day.

If you usually avoid park hopping at Walt Disney World due to the distance between parks, consider adjusting that approach at Disneyland.

Use mobile ordering to bypass food lines

Most quick-service restaurants at Disneyland now feature mobile ordering. Instead of waiting in yet another long line, you can place your order via the Disneyland app and pick it up during a designated 30-minute window at your selected time.

Mobile order slots can fill up quickly, particularly during peak meal times at popular eateries. To secure a pickup window that aligns with your plans, place your order an hour or two ahead of lunch or dinner rush. You can easily do this while waiting in line for a ride. If you find yourself running late or early, you can adjust your pickup time in the Disneyland app with just a few taps.

Utilize MouseDining to score those elusive dining reservations

Booking reservations for table service restaurants at Disneyland has become increasingly competitive. Popular dining locations like Blue Bayou and Lamplight Lounge often fill up instantly when reservations open (typically 60 days in advance). Even if you're on Disney's site at the exact right moment, securing your preferred restaurant or time slot can be tricky.

Guests frequently cancel reservations, and Disney sometimes releases additional availability, so you may still score a table even if you miss the initial booking window. Additionally, a third-party service called MouseDining can help by searching for new openings on your behalf. MouseDining offers a free version that sends email notifications and a paid version for text alerts. I’ve successfully used MouseDining to grab at least a dozen sought-after reservations over the past couple of years.

Enjoy the flavors at California Adventure's food festivals

Disney hosts various food festivals throughout the year at Disney California Adventure Park, including the Lunar New Year celebration in January and February, the Disneyland Food & Wine Festival in the spring, and the Disney Festival of Holidays every winter season. Many guests love to indulge in one or two meals from the unique offerings at these food festivals.

During many of these festivals, Disney offers a Sip & Savor pass. For a fixed price, guests can purchase a pass that can be exchanged for six to eight menu items at the festival booths. This pass can be a savvy option for families or groups looking to save on food while still enjoying a variety of selections.

Just be sure to do a bit of math to ensure you're redeeming the pass for items that provide good value relative to its cost. Generally, you'll often save several dollars on most entrees, but drinks and desserts may not always be worth the investment.

Pre-purchase Genie+ along with your park ticket

If you want to minimize wait times for many of Disneyland's top attractions, using Disney Genie+ is advisable. With Genie+, guests can make reservations to access popular rides through express queues known as Lightning Lanes. While Genie+ is not a necessity—especially if you visit during less crowded times or focus on rides without Lightning Lanes—it's a helpful option for many.

For those planning to use Genie+ every day during their visit, it's best to buy park tickets that include it in advance. Otherwise, you'll have to wait until you enter the theme park each day to purchase it. Disneyland charges $30 per person, per day when you buy Genie+ at the time of ticketing, while the price can vary up to $35 if you wait until later.

Buying Genie+ in advance not only saves you money but also eliminates the hassle of fiddling with your phone each morning once you arrive at the park. You should be enjoying the shorter ride lines instead.

Adjust (don’t cancel) your Genie+ Lightning Lane reservations

If you’re planning to buy Genie+, make sure to understand how to utilize it for the best experience.

Guests can make a Genie+ reservation at least every two hours, and sometimes even sooner. A common mistake among guests is to cancel a reservation when their plans shift. By canceling, you reset the two-hour countdown, which means you’ll have less time to book and enjoy attractions throughout the day.

Rather than canceling, it's better to adjust your Genie+ reservations. Modifying your booking doesn’t reset the eligibility timer. You can change it for a different time on the same ride or switch to another ride, provided it's in the same park.

Book your Genie+ reservations for popular rides early—but not too early

Not all rides at Disneyland have the same popularity when it comes to Genie+. Certain attractions are significantly more sought after than others. The return windows for these popular rides will fill up quickly, and their Genie+ reservations will be claimed first. Guests who want to make the most of Genie+ should prioritize these high-demand attractions early.

What should you prioritize for booking? The top Genie+ attractions at Disneyland Park include Indiana Jones Adventure, Space Mountain, and Haunted Mansion Holiday (available in the fall and winter). At Disney California Adventure Park, Toy Story Midway Mania, Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: Breakout!, and Web Slingers are the quickest to fill up. Make sure these rides are among your first or second choices to secure early return times.

While it's wise to book these attractions early, you shouldn't use your Genie+ reservations right away. The parks experience shorter standby lines right at opening, so using a Genie+ reservation just five minutes after the park opens isn't the best strategy. Take advantage of the shorter standby lines for rides that don’t have Genie+ and for those you'd like to enjoy more than once in a day. Then, once the lines start to grow—about an hour or two in—use your Genie+ Lightning Lanes.

Plan your park reservations considering the early entry schedule

Guests staying at the three on-property Disney hotels at Disneyland enjoy early entry 30 minutes ahead of other visitors each day. Unlike at Walt Disney World, early entry is limited to one park per day. Disneyland Park opens early on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, while Disney California Adventure Park has early entry on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

This staggered schedule requires some strategic planning. If you're a guest at one of the on-property hotels, it’s advisable to take advantage of early entry every day possible to enjoy shorter ride lines in the morning. This means you should make park reservations for the park that offers early entry each day.

If you lack early entry privileges, consider doing the opposite. Opt to reserve for the park that isn’t providing early access. At rope drop, all guests will be on equal footing; no one will have a head start to fill the queues. If you can rise early enough to get ahead of the crowds, you'll enjoy shorter ride lines without splurging on an on-property hotel.

Avoid rope dropping Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Even more than four years post-opening, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance continues to be the most sought-after ride at Disneyland Park. Many visitors, whether new or returning, hope to board this attraction without enduring a lengthy wait or paying an additional $20 (or more) for an individual paid Lightning Lane. Note that the ride isn't available during early entry, making it a popular target at rope drop.

While it's feasible to find a shorter wait in the morning, rushing to Rise of the Resistance at rope drop may not be the most efficient strategy. The ride is located in the far back corner of Disneyland Park, requiring time to reach it. Those who move slower will likely miss out.

Even the fast-paced will pay their dues. The ride features multiple preshows and is quite lengthy. So, even if you zip through the queue, you won’t finish until at least 30 to 60 minutes after the park opens. By then, many other attractions will already have long standby lines.

What are some effective rope drop strategies for Disneyland? Families with younger children or those who cherish Disney nostalgia should head straight to Fantasyland. It’s entirely feasible to experience five or more classic dark rides within the first hour of park opening with minimal waits. Another clever approach is to kick off with Space Mountain and tackle a few Tomorrowland rides before the lines build up.

Bring home a budget-friendly Disneyland keepsake

Souvenirs from the various Disney shops along Main Street, U.S.A. or Downtown Disney can easily cost hundreds of dollars. However, there are a few affordable options, some of which are delightful nods to Disneyland's quirky and distinctive history.

One of my personal favorites is the classic silhouette portrait. Skilled Disney artists can create a side-profile cutout of you or your child in just a few minutes at their cozy studio on Main Street, U.S.A. The price is a reasonable $11.99, and basic frames are only slightly more expensive. Over the years, my family has loved collecting these silhouettes of our kids at various ages during our Disneyland visits, and we've even had some made at other Disney parks around the globe.

Another budget-friendly keepsake is Disneyland's pressed pennies. For just $1, you can have a coin imprinted with your favorite character or scene. Many kids enjoy gathering these in an inexpensive portfolio available at one of the gift shops. Plus, many other tourist spots also feature machines, making pressed pennies a fun and affordable memento beyond the theme parks.

If you’re looking for a more whimsical souvenir that comes with an experience, check out one of Disneyland's fortune-telling machines. For only a quarter or two, an audio-animatronic character will dispense a fortune card. Keep an eye out for Esmeralda (located in the Penny Arcade on Main Street, U.S.A.), Fortune Red (near the exit of Pirates of the Caribbean), or Shrunken Ned (in the Bengal Barbecue seating area opposite the Jungle Cruise).

Be on the lookout for wandering characters

One of Disneyland's standout features is its spontaneous character interactions, which happen more frequently than at Walt Disney World. While there are designated meet-and-greet areas where guests can queue for photos and autographs, you’ll also encounter characters wandering the parks in unexpected and unscripted locations. These interactions often lead to truly magical moments.

In Disneyland Park, the most impromptu character encounters can be found in Fantasyland and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Additionally, Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Park is particularly rich with opportunities for more informal character interactions.

Be prepared for varying weather conditions

Fortunately, Southern California typically enjoys pleasant weather, especially when compared to the intense heat often experienced at Disney World in Orlando. Due to this favorable climate, many attractions at Disneyland are either partially or fully outdoors. This means you'll want to be ready for the elements if the weather forecast isn't on your side.

While rain isn't a frequent occurrence for extended periods, it's wise to pack a poncho just in case. To minimize the likelihood of encountering a rainy day at Disneyland, steer clear of visiting in January and February. Heat waves are rare, but they can happen a few times each year, with August and September typically being the hottest months.

Always be ready for a range of weather conditions during your visit. Disneyland often operates with long park hours, and if you're planning to enjoy early entry at dawn and stay until park close at midnight or later, you might experience temperature swings of 20 to 30 degrees throughout the day. Layering your clothing is crucial. Even on scorching days when I’m in a T-shirt and shorts, I usually start the morning and end the night in a hoodie.

Utilize single-rider lines and the Buddy Pass

If you’re not planning to rope drop or purchase Genie+, there are still various strategies to cut down on wait times at Disneyland. One of my favorites is the single-rider line, where cast members use a special queue (often shorter than the regular standby line) to fill in empty single seats. You can take advantage of this line as long as your group is okay with splitting up and your children are old enough to ride solo (typically age 7 and up).

Single-rider lines are generally most effective in the midmorning hours. During the afternoons and evenings, especially on weekends, local annual pass holders tend to fill the parks, and many of them are savvy to this strategy. The attractions that provide single-rider lines can vary, but this service is frequently available for popular thrill rides like Radiator Springs Racers, Space Mountain, and Incredicoaster.

A similar option to the single-rider line is the Buddy Pass, which allows small groups to occupy an empty row on larger ride vehicles. This has typically been offered at Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue. There’s also a variation called the Roo Pass, occasionally used for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. While the Buddy Pass is less consistent than single-rider lines, it can occasionally provide a shortcut on your Disneyland visit.

Key Takeaway

Effective planning can significantly save you both time and money during your Disneyland theme park vacation. By following these touring and booking tips, you're on the path to becoming a Disneyland pro.