From hardcore Disney fans [1] to first-time visitors, everybody loves a good Disneyland holiday! If you're looking to step up your game for your next trip to the happiest place on earth, there are tons of little-known tricks for making the most of your time and money while in the park. While many of these tips also apply to other Disney parks, some are specific to the original Disneyland resort. Read on for Disneyland hacks that will save you time, money, and stress [2] on your next holiday.
— Additional reporting by Allison Chan
If you're visiting the park for a special occasion, ask for a pin.
Main Street City Hall is the place to visit for free special occasion pins! Whether it's your first time in the park, you're recently engaged, or somebody is celebrating a birthday, the friendly City Hall cast members will be happy to give you a celebratory button.
Use Disneyland websites to locate your favourite characters.
If you're on the hunt for a specific character during your day at the park, use Finding Mickey [3] to determine their whereabouts.
Touch Snow White's apple for a spooky surprise.
If you touch the brass apple in front of Snow White's Scary Adventures, you'll be greeted with the witch's cackle and loud thunder.
You can bring food and drinks into the park.
Because Disneyland allows guests to bring in their own meals, you can save a lot of money on snacks. Set aside money for your "must have" meal in the park, whether it's a churro or Dole Whip, then keep your stomach full with your own food for the rest of the visit.
Visit Walt's special bench for inspiration.
In the Main Street Opera House, you can sit on the Griffith Park bench where Walt Disney dreamt up Disneyland.
Save money by buying souvenirs ahead of time.
Disney plush toys, candy, and other brand souvenirs are extremely costly within the park. To avoid these high prices, buy your souvenirs ahead of time at shopping mall Disney stores!
Pressed pennies make wonderful (and cheap!) souvenirs.
Disneyland's penny-press machines churn out the most affordable souvenirs in the entire park, with each trinket costing only $.51 to customize. If you're tight on funds but want a token from your travels, these Disney pennies are the perfect option!
When it comes to price, all snacks are not equal.
While the best way to save money in the park is to bring your own food, Disneyland's delicious eats are all part of the experience. Plan ahead to figure out the best dining deals [4] for your holiday, from under-$4 Dole Whip to character-dining experiences.
You can get free souvenirs simply by asking.
Any cast member at the Jungle Cruise will be happy to give you a free antique-style map [5] if you ask nicely, and the captain on Mark Twain's Riverboat will award you with a special certificate if you request to steer the vessel.
Your Disneyland store purchases can be held at will call or sent to your room.
If you decide to shop during your time at the park, ask the store cast members about sending your purchases to will call. This way, you won't be stuck holding bags and boxes for the rest of your day at Disneyland! Disney hotel guests are also able to send store purchases directly to their rooms, so be sure not to waste energy carrying heavy souvenirs.
Asking nicely might land you a special seat on the Disneyland Railroad.
While it's not a guaranteed perk, asking nicely about the tender seat [6] on the Disneyland Railroad locomotive might get you invited to ride up front with the conductor. While the tender seat is very small, the experience of riding in the tender is something most Disney visitors will never get to enjoy.
Go to non-Fastpass attractions immediately upon entering the park.
To skip the crowds, try visiting popular rides like Peter Pan's Flight during your first hour at Disneyland. Because this ride doesn't offer Fastpasses, it usually boasts lines that are hours long!
Breaking the rules in line for Indiana Jones results in a fun surprise.
While you wait in the perpetually long line for Indiana Jones, you'll come across a rope descending from the ceiling. Pulling on this rope will trigger a "lost explorer" crying for help!
Visiting on a rainy day means fewer lines.
If rain doesn't bother you, consider visiting Disneyland on a wet day. Many guests will skip the park or leave early in bad weather, which means more fun for you! Just don't forget a poncho.
The single-rider line is always shorter.
If your party doesn't mind riding the busy attractions separately, opting for the single-rider line will usually spare you from lengthy wait times.
Disneyland has longer hours during Summer, so it's a better deal!
During Summer hours, Disneyland stays open until midnight. If you're looking to get the most for your money, visit during this season!
You can try to get selected for a stay in the Disneyland Dream Suite.
Above the Pirates of the Caribbean ride is a 2600-square-foot luxury suite, aptly titled "The Dream Suite." [7] While many have tried to buy their way into a night at the suite, the only way to stay in these exclusive Disney accommodations is by random selection. Every so often, there will be Disney-sponsored contests that offer a night in the suite as the prize, and it's also rumoured that Disneyland cast members will select random park guests to stay in the apartment. While it's a long shot, you could try asking a cast member about the Dream Suite in hopes of being chosen.
Look for special shout-outs on the Main Street USA windows.
The upper windows on Disneyland's Main Street USA buildings are emblazoned with the names of Walt Disney's biggest influences. From family members to business partners, these names serve as Walt Disney's subtle way of saying thanks.
Time your meals around parades for the best seats.
Because getting a view for the Disneyland parades can be tough, My Frugal Life [8] suggests timing meals around the events. Sit down in a prime spot for the parade to enjoy your food, killing two birds with one stone!
Shuttle from your hotel to save $17 per day in parking costs.
Most area hotels offer a shuttle service for guests to get to and from the park, allowing you to skip the $17 Disneyland parking fee.
Riding the train is the best way to rest your legs.
If you've got sore legs from a long day of walking through the park, take a rest on the Disneyland Railroad. The ride takes about 20 minutes, which is the perfect amount of time to get off your feet . . . and you won't have to stop enjoying the Disney amenities! The ride is extremely informative about the park's history.
Visit during nonpeak months for shorter lines and fewer crowds.
If you plan your Disneyland trip to fall during the least crowded months at the park [9], you'll usually be able to avoid gigantic lines.
Attend the flag retreat ceremony during the afternoon.
Every afternoon, there is a special ceremony at the Main Street flagpole that features a band, colour guard, and an honour to veterans. As Walt Disney World Info [10] says, though this is on the Disneyland itinerary sheet, it's not really touted. "This is a must-do at least once a trip, particularly if you have a member who's been a part of the armed services as they are honoured there."
Disneyland hotels come at a high price tag, so weigh your options.
If you're looking to save money on your holiday, the resort hotels at Disneyland are probably not the way to go. There are many places to stay within walking distance of the park for a fraction of the cost!
Some Disneyland eateries include store discounts in the fine print.
"One day at the park I broke down and hit the burger and fries place over by the Nemo subs. Printed in very small print at the bottom of the receipt was a coupon for 20% off my entire purchase made before 12:00PM, valid at all of the larger shops on the Disneyland property. On the morning we checked out of our condo, we headed to Downtown Disney and picked up all of our souvenirs at 20% off," states one commenter on My Frugal Adventures [11]. While these types of discounts are not available at every eatery in Disneyland, make sure to double-check your receipts!
The later nighttime shows are usually emptier.
Certain Disney shows, like Fantasmic, offer two different performance times. If you're able to stay at the park late, attending the second showing is a great way to beat crowds! Take the time to enjoy short lines on popular rides during the initial showtime.
If you ask, Photopass Photographers will snap a picture on your cell phone.
While the photographers are there to take professional photos for guests to purchase, they're happy to help with personal photography if you ask.
Disneyland offers bargain tickets for military personnel, D23 fans, and AAA members.
If you're a military service member, a member of the D23 club, or a AAA member, you're eligible for discounted prices [12] on your Disneyland holiday. AAA members can also waive their Disneyland parking fees!
Stand to the side during Fantasmic for a sneak peek.
According to the Disneyland Secrets [13] blog, "The cast of Fantasmic uses Tom Sawyer’s Island as 'backstage' for the show. By standing at the railing of the Davy Crockett Canoes, you can see characters getting on their floats and prepping for the show!"
Disneyland stores are open for an hour past closing.
While Buzzfeed [14] states that this is the busiest time to shop, it's also important to note that shopping past the park's closing time will not get in the way of your daytime Disneyland activities.
You can double up on Fastpasses.
If you've got park hopper ticket, you should double up on your Fastpasses to reduce wait times. You're able to hold Disneyland passes and California Adventure passes concurrently because the parks' tracking systems are not synced.
Use the free Disneyland app to view wait times.
The Disneyland app [15] will help you predict (and avoid!) the lines at your favourite park attractions.
You can score VIP seating by eating in the park.
If you want to catch the renowned World of Colour show at California Adventure, consider taking part in World of Colour Dining [16]. This program gives you reserved seats for the show in exchange for buying a meal at one of three restaurants in the park, so it's a great option for guests who didn't bring a meal from home.
Make sure to get a Fantasmic fastpass.
Going on a high peak Disney day? Make sure you get a fast pass for Fantasmic just in case. If a fire Marshall feels uncomfortable in the park, they can shut it down and not admit anyone else in. If for any reason you have to leave Disneyland, show your fastpass to someone at the turnstile and they’ll let you back in.
Look out for celebrities.
Bored waiting in line? Try celebrity spotting! The best way to do this is to follow DisneylandCeleb on instagram to see who’s in the park that day. Be on the lookout for the Disney Escorts in plaid vests, a celebrity is usually trailing right behind them.
Ask to ride in the Lily Belle Car.
The Lily Belle Car on the train is a car Walt Disney dedicated to his wife. Only high-profile guests were allowed to ride in it. The train is usually out on muggy mornings on less crowded days. To secure a spot, right as the park opens, go to the Main Street Train Station and ask a conductor about it. They will tell you where to put your name down for a reservation and what time to come back.
Get a Disney Visa card.
If you’re a Disney Visa card holder, be on the lookout for exclusive meet and greets around both parks. Present your card, and you’ll be ushered into a room with a surprise Disney character! You can take as long as you want and as many pictures as you’d like, and you’ll even get a free 5"x7" printout of a picture of your choosing.
Get your Dole Whip faster.
Long line for Dole Whip? No problem, just go right into the Enchanted Tiki Room attraction and line up on the other side! It’s shorter, and you can choose to stay to watch the show or continue on your way!
Sit at the front of the rides.
Want to sit in the front of a ride? All you have to do is ask! Cast members will kindly accommodate you if you don’t mind waiting for a few more minutes.
Use an electric scooter for more than just scooting.
If anyone in your party rents an electric scooter for the day, it comes equipped with a built-in USB port to charge your phone.