It’s time to start planning your trip to Disneyland! While planning the perfect trip can be exciting, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the details. But don’t worry—I’m here to help!
The best way to simplify the planning process is by working with a travel planner who specializes in Disney vacations. When you book with me, I don’t just help you explore lodging and ticket options; I also guide you every step of the way. From providing a detailed Disneyland guide and assisting with restaurant and park reservations to arranging enchanting extras and sharing all the tips and tricks, I make sure your trip is truly magical.
Ready for this kind of personalized help with your Disney trip? Follow this link, and I’ll reach out to get started!
Now, let’s dive into the pre-trip questions!
Pre-Trip Planning Tips
1. Make a Priorities List: Write down the rides you want to experience, ranked from highest to lowest priority.
2. Think About Entertainment: Decide which shows you’d like to see, such as fireworks, Fantasmic!, parades, or World of Color.
3. Lightning Lane Decisions: Will you purchase the Lightning Lane Multi-Pass or Single-Pass options?
4. Plan Your Park Days: Determine which parks you’ll visit on which days, and also think about dining. Do you want to do character meals? Here’s a FREE guide to Character dining at Disneyland. Click HERE
5. Know Your Group: Is it an adults-only trip? Are you bringing kids or teenagers?
Once you’ve figured out these details, you can start piecing together your itinerary. Below is a typical plan my family follows at Disneyland.
Why I Love Rope Dropping
I’m all about rope-dropping! Being at the parks right when they open is the best time to go because the crowds are much lighter. Gates open at 7:30 a.m., so we try to arrive as close to that time as possible. This gives us extra time to grab breakfast if needed. We usually opt for fresh fruit and pastries from either Jolly Holiday (Disneyland) or Trolley Treats (California Adventure). During this time, I also purchase Lightning Lane Multi-Passes or Single Passes and keep an eye on the Virtual Queue (VQ) if we’re planning to see World of Color.
Disneyland Itinerary
Rope Drop and Early Morning:
The rope has dropped, and it’s go time!
You have four main options for your first ride: Peter Pan’s Flight, Indiana Jones Adventure, Rise of the Resistance, or Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. My personal favorites are either Peter Pan or Rise of the Resistance, depending on who I’m with. If I’m with kids, we head straight to Peter Pan. With my husband, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge always wins.
After that, we like to hit all the Fantasyland rides. These attractions don’t have Lightning Lanes, and early in the morning, the lines are shorter because many families with younger kids haven’t arrived yet.
By 10 a.m., Fairytale Hall opens, and it’s a must-visit for my princess-loving daughter. If you don’t have a princess-loving child, you can look for another character meet and greet. Popular spots are in front of a It’s a Small World or usually are walking around Fantasyland. Or skip this part and head straight to a snack break!
Snack Break:
After meeting the princesses, we take a quick snack break. We’re already near the front of the castle, so we check for short lines to grab pictures. Convenient snack options nearby include churro carts, popcorn carts, Jolly Holiday, and a corn dog cart.
During the break, we also check wait times to decide where to head next.
At this point, you might be wondering when we start using Lightning Lanes. With lower crowds in the morning, I prefer to hold off on using them until after lunch, when lines are longer.
We start grabbing Lightning Lanes after lunch and use them for the rest of the day. You can decide whether to stack your passes (schedule multiple rides for later) or grab one, use it, and immediately book another after scanning in. This method works well for us and often allows us to ride popular attractions multiple times.
Evening Plans:
For dinner, we usually mobile order from somewhere near the castle. Our go-to spot is Galactic Grill, and we enjoy our meal while finding a spot on Main Street to watch the fireworks. If we’re planning to see Fantasmic!, we prefer the dining package or grab food from Tiana’s Palace for a riverside view.
After the nighttime shows, you can either head home or stay in the park for a couple more hours. We love using this time to ride more attractions. Fantasyland is a great option since many families with young kids leave after the fireworks.
When we’re ready to call it a night, we head to the front of the park, check the line for castle pictures, and grab one last churro for the walk home.
I hope this gives you an idea of starting an itinerary for your Disneyland trip. As a travel planner who specializes in Disney, I can help create an itinerary for your Disney trip, not only for Disneyland but also for California Adventures as well. I do this complimentary for my families who book their trips with me. I also offer a 15+ page guide and 15+ years of Disney experience. If you are interested in booking a trip with me, fill out my form HERE, and I will contact you soon! Follow me on Instagram for all the Disney tips and tricks! @disneywithjojo
