Last updated: 30 August 2023
They say its the happiest place on Earth. As a kid it’s all I ever wanted to do – go to Disneyland, see the Castle, pretend I was a princess and live happily ever after.
We had limited time in CA so we bought a one day ticket and made the tough decision of Disneyland or the Disney California Adventure Park. It HAD to be Disneyland. All those years of fantasying about seeing Mickey and riding the Tea Cup ride – it was a no brainer.
I was so pumped and ready to be Disney-ified. Map in hand and off we went to fulfill my childhood dreams.
However, something I hadn’t factored – it was July. The US are on their summer vacation throughout July, its as hot as hell and Disneyland is complete and utter chaos. It seemed to be the opportunity for parents to fill their little ones full of sugar and let them run completely wild. Disneyland during vacation would appear to be the best contraception in the world.
Lines for rides were minimum an hour wait, and with the exception of the Space Mountain the lines are in full sun, so be prepared to melt like an ice cube in the desert.
My advice to anyone doing Disneyland without children – PLAN AHEAD.
Get yourself a copy of the Disneyland Map and plan your day. Get there as the gates open and head for ride you most want to get on. Hopefully after you get off that one, the next one isn’t too far away. I don’t recommend crisscrossing your way across the park. If you find yourself running out of time, take advantage of the Fast Pass. This will jump you to the front of the queue for a ride at a specified time. Use this wisely. They’re not available on all rides so consider planning your day around which rides have Fast Passes and are likely to be particularly busy. You can’t have more than one Fast Pass at a time, so collecting them from all the rides also isn’t an option.
If you’re a sucker for punishment, stretch your visit out over multiple days. I had friends visit and over four days they said they still didn’t see everything. Disneyland is what you make of it.
Stay for the fireworks, there’s nothing quite like seeing Tinkerbell fly across the night sky and fireworks shoot out over Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. – If you can, secure a spot towards the exit up Main Street (see image below) once the fireworks is over you can make a quick exit!
For me, Disneyland was a bucket list item. Something I dreamed of doing since I was a little girl. I’m glad I went but I doubt I’ll ever return. Happiest place on Earth? Not for me! I prefer Vegas!
The Essentials
- Go prepared. Have a pre-planned route for all the rides you want to go on.
- Familiarize yourself with the Fast Pass concept. Not all rides offer it so plan accordingly.
- Especially in summer: take a bottle of water for each person.
- Take your own snacks and sandwiches to eat while you’re waiting in line.
- Pack your patience. If you’re not a fan of crowds, children or crowds OF children then don’t go, EVER!
I live in Los Angeles so have been here a couple of times (and have also visited the one in Florida). The park in Florida is definitely more magical. When you go makes a lot of difference in Disnelyland and can completely influence your experience. I think there is also a strategy that people follow on which rides to hit first. I was in the Anaheim Disnelyand a few weeks ago with my son’s class trip and it was practically empty – we got to go on rides twice. And the Star Wars Exhibit has just opened up – which to be honest was very impressive. But, I don’t think I am ever going to Disnelyand again unless my son really wants to go.
Thanks Vipula, there certainly seems to be a trick to mastering Disneyland!