26 Most Useful Disneyland Tips for First Timers

Are you new to the “The Happiest Place on Earth” and looking for some Disneyland tips for first timers? As Disneyland aficionados, we have got you covered.

Let’s just say we have been to Disneyland more than our fair share. Each time we go we learn more about how to prepare for Disneyland and gain tips and tricks to make the best of our time. 

From our #1 tip of making it for “rope drop” to our #26 tip of where and why to get the first time visitor button, we have lots of practical advice for the best way to do Disneyland.

So what are you waiting for? Before you book your first time visit to Disneyland, get our best tips for your first day with Mickey and his friends.

Some of the links in this blog may be affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we will receive a commission at no extra charge to you.  

1. Be There for Rope Drop

“Rope drop” at Disneyland refers to the time when the park officially opens its gates to guests for the day. 

The name comes from the tradition of using a rope to mark off the area where guests wait before the park opens. When the park is ready to open, the rope is dropped and guests are allowed to enter.

Arriving at the rope drop is a popular strategy for many Disneyland visitors, as it allows them to enter the park before the crowds get too big and to experience popular attractions with shorter wait times. 

If you’re planning to visit Disneyland, it’s a good idea to check the park’s hours and arrive at least 45 minutes before the posted opening time so you can make the most of your day. 

Keep in mind that rope drop times can vary depending on the day and season, so be sure to check ahead of time to plan your visit accordingly.

The rope drop strategy is high on any veteran’s “how to Disneyland” list. Now, it is on yours.

2. Make Park Reservation

Gone are the days when you can buy a ticket day of. Since 2020, Disneyland and Disney World have both required both a ticket and a reservation to the park. 

You must make the reservation on the official Disney website. The date on the ticket and the date on the reservation must match. 

If you are at the park for multiple days, you need a reservation for each day. 

Making a park reservation and buying your tickets are the #1 thing to do before going to Disneyland.

3. Pick Your Park Dates First

Disneyland ticket prices vary based on demand. Before booking your flight and planning that perfect Disneyland vacation, check both the prices and the availability on the Disney website. 

The cost of the park is the biggest expense. A $15 increase for a family of 4 means $60 that you can’t spend on another day in the park.

4. Use the Disneyland App

Using the Disneyland app is Disneyland 101 for how to navigate the park. Everyone uses and so should you.

With the app, you can access wait times for attractions in real-time, locate characters, view restaurant menus and make dining reservations, and even use mobile ordering to skip the lines for food and drinks. 

 Additionally, the app provides maps of the park to help you find your way around and even has a feature that can help you find the nearest restroom or ATM.

5. Consider Buying Genie+

Okay, let’s get the lingo straight. Genie is the complementary service on the Disney app. 

Genie makes recommendations. It will even make a recommended itinerary for you based on typical wait times. Again, it is free. If you are using the Disney app and reading the suggestions,  then you are using Genie.

“Genie+” is a paid service on the Disneyland app that allows guests to use Lightning Lane, which is essentially a virtual queue for popular attractions.

With Genie Plus, guests can choose one attraction at a time to join individual Lightning Lanes and skip the standby line. Once you’ve experienced that Lightning Lane attraction, you can select another and continue throughout the day. 

If you are really on the ball and book a Lightning Lane right as you come into the park, you can probably get 2-4 Lightning Lane entrances in a day. You can not do an attraction twice a day using Lightning Lane.

As budget Disney goers, we don’t use Genie+. Part of it is just on principle. 

We were Disney fans when they offered the service free through Fastpass. Honestly, it just irritates us that after paying a lot of money to get into the park, we have to shell out another $25 per person to skip lines.

We also don’t use it because not all Disneyland rides have a Lightning Lane. 

And to add insult to injury, our favorite ride, Rise of the Resistance, isn’t covered in Genie+. Rise of the Resistance, along with some other popular rides, requires an individual Lightning Lane pass. 

An individual Lightning Lane means you could be paying $20 per person to skip the line on a single attraction. Ugh.

Instead, since our son is older, we use the Single Rider line as a way to bypass some of the lines. Read to our #4 tip for more info on Single Rider Lines. 

Of course, there are reasons you might pay for the extra add-on service. For some first time visitors to Disneyland, if this is your ONE trip to Disneyland, you may want to purchase the service to make the very best of it. 

Or maybe, you are only there for one or two days so can’t wait that 30 minutes for Big Thunder Mountain because you have a lot to see in a single day. 

Or maybe, your kids are too young for the Single Rider line.

Whatever you decide, a discussion about Genie+ should be a part if your Disneyland planning. 

6. Take Advantage of the Single Rider Line 

The Single Rider Line is a great option for those who don’t mind being split up from their group or family during an attraction. Essentially, it allows guests to skip the standby line and be placed in any available empty seat on the attraction.

The Single Rider Line is a huge time saver, especially for popular attractions that tend to have long wait times. By taking advantage of this line, guests can ride more attractions in a shorter amount of time, and spend less time waiting in line and more time enjoying the park.

First time visitors can save time by using Single Rider lines for popular attractions. Our two favorite Single Rider lines at California Adventure are Radiator Springs Racer and Webslinger. At Disneyland Park, we use Single Rider for Star Wars Millenium Falcon ride.

7. Visit During Off-Peak Seasons and Times

Avoid peak season to experience shorter wait times and smaller crowds.

To be honest, it is getting harder and harder to find off-peak times. But a general rule is that late September-mid November and late January-February are both good times to be in the park. 

We are huge fans of coming in the Fall, when the park is decorated for Halloween.

However, if you have to come and see the Disneyland Christmas decorations, and yes, we get it because we also have to come at this time, you should come during the first two weeks of December. After that, it is pure madness. Madness, we say. 

Of course, weekends are far busier than weekdays. We realize that the very reason why Disneyland is busier is the same reason you can’t come on the weekends. 

However, if you do have some flexibility in your schedule, you’ll save a lot of time in lines on a Wednesday over a Saturday. 

8. Stay Within a Mile of Disneyland

If you are not planning a trip to Disneyland on a budget, by all means, stay at a Disneyland hotel. The big benefit of staying at a Disneyland on-property report is that you are close to the action and you get Magic Hour.

What is Magic Hour? Magic Hour, also known as Extra Magic Hour, is a special perk available to guests staying at Disneyland Resort hotels or certain other hotels near the park. 

Magic Hour allows guests to enter the park one hour before regular opening time, giving them exclusive access to select attractions, shops, and restaurants.

Magic Hour is available on select days and varies based on the time of year and park schedule. It is typically offered at Disneyland Park on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and at Disney California Adventure Park on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

The benefit of Magic Hour is that guests can experience popular attractions with shorter wait times and smaller crowds. It’s a great opportunity to get a head start on the day and make the most of your time in the park. 

Of course, Disneyland Resort hotels cost most, quite a bit more. 

Don’t fret if you can’t afford those steep Disneyland resort hotels. Unlike Walt Disney World, there are so many great hotel options within a mile of the park.

We even have a list of the best 2-bedroom suites near Disneyland if you are looking for more space. All of these hotels are within a mile and Anaheim Regional Transit or ART makes travel in and around Disneyland a breeze.

If you can’t afford those higher Disney Resort prices but want to make the most of your day, use our #1 “rope drop” tip.

9. Book Dining Reservations in Advance

Okay, we are truly awful at this so please take our advice and not our experience. 

We have been to Disneyland three times since Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened and still have not booked into the Oga’s Cantina.

You can make reservations for all dining, including character dining experiences at Disneyland up to 60 days in advance. In essence, if you want any sit-down kind of meal with characters or without, you need to book it right at 60 days in advance. 

Some popular character dining experiences include the character breakfast at Plaza Inn, which features Minnie Mouse and Friends, or the character dinner at Goofy’s Kitchen, which features a variety of Disney characters. Keep in mind that character dining experiences can be quite expensive, so it’s important to budget accordingly.

We are putting this on the Disney for first timers list, but if it takes you a few times to figure this out, you are in good company. 

Just remember, Disneyland has lots of quick meal options so as long as character dining experiences are your main focus, there is still so much to see and do at Disney.

10. Bring a Backpack

One of our essential first time Disneyland tips is to bring a backpack to hold all of your essentials.

Our theme park essentials are sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, snacks, and a poncho for rainy days or those wet rides.

We always bring lunch to Disneyland in order to save money. If you don’t want to go to that effort, at a minimum you should pack snacks and a refillable water bottle. 

You will walk approximately 6-10 miles at Disneyland each day so you will need the extra calories and lots of water. 

We have tried out many, many backpacks during our numerous trips to Disneyland. 

Right now, our favorite amusement park backpack is the Kavu Cross Sling Bag. We love how comfortable and lightweight the bag is. 

When you are walking all those miles the last thing you want is more weight to carry. Kavu is also very stylish looking so instead of begging our teenager to carry it, he even offers. 

11. Use the Park Hopper Ticket for Quick Trips

If you have more than two days at Disneyland, you do not need the Park Hopper Ticket.

 If you have a limited time and want to experience both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks, then the park hopper ticket is a good option. 

With the park hopper ticket, you can switch between the two parks as many times as you want in one day.

However, if you have 2+ days to spend at the resort, then a single-park ticket might be a better option for you. 

A single park ticket allows you to fully experience one park without feeling rushed or having to prioritize which attractions to see.

Another factor to consider is cost. The park hopper ticket is more expensive than a single-park ticket. If you’re on a budget, you will want to stick with a single-park ticket.

12. Stay For the Fireworks

The fireworks at Disneyland are a Disney must do for first time visitors. Actually, the fireworks should be on everybody’s Disneyland must do list.  

This nighttime spectacular features a dazzling display of colorful pyrotechnics choreographed to beloved Disney songs and characters. The show is a perfect way to end your day at Disneyland and creates an unforgettable memory that you’ll cherish forever.

Not only are the fireworks visually stunning, but they also create a sense of community and togetherness as everyone watches in awe. It’s a chance for everyone to come together and share in the magic of Disneyland. 

The show is also incredibly popular, drawing large crowds of visitors every night. It’s a good idea to stake out a viewing spot early to make sure you get a good view. 

Our favorite place to watch the show is to get an outside table at the Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe and order a late night dessert. The cafe is really good about letting you stay at your table as long as you’ve purchased something. 

We give our feet a rest and wait to be dazzled.

13. Take Breaks

Remember to take breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge. One of our favorite ways to take a break is to use the Disneyland Railroad.

Around lunch when our feet are tired and our bellies hungry, we take a break from walking and ride the Disneyland Railroad for a scenic tour of the park.

The Railroad allows you to eat onboard so we enjoy our packed lunch as we watch the changing scenery of Disneyland.

At California Adventure our favorite place to take a break is at the Animation Academy. The Animation Academy, located on Buena Vista Street, teaches you in 20 minutes how to draw your favorite Disney characters.

Classes happen every 30 minutes. The studio has a daily schedule posted outside the studio that shows what character is being taught at what time.

In the afternoon when the lines are long and the heat is high, you will find us learning to draw Mickey, Minnie or O’s favorite, Stitch.

Maybe we will see you there.

14. Use the Virtual Queue For World of Color Show

The World of Color is a nighttime spectacular at Disney California Adventure Park. The roughly 22-minute show combines water, lights, music, and Disney characters to create an unforgettable experience. 

The show takes place in the Paradise Bay lagoon and features fountains, lasers, and projection screens that showcase classic Disney and Pixar films. 

Because of the nature of the show, you will want to get a good spot to see all the projections. 

Enter the virtual line.

You reserve a spot on the Disneyland app under the “Virtual Queues” Section. Once there, you find the “World of Color” option and select “Join.”

It’s important to note that virtual line availability fills up so quickly. The virtual queue opens at noon. You should have the opened app ready at noon if you want a spot. 

Once you have your spot, be sure to arrive at the viewing area during your designated return time to secure your spot in the virtual line. 

Once in the viewing area, you can choose how close you want to be to the water. 

If you are right up against the fence, you want to pull out those ponchos from your backpack because you are going to get wet. 

15. Buy Disney Gift Cards

If you are traveling with older kids and teenagers, purchase Disney gift cards so they can manage their snacks. 

Listen, Disney has so many amazing desserts and snacks. Your kids are not wrong to want a Dole Whip, churro, and Mickey Ear ice cream all on the same day. 

Enter the gift card. 

Decide how much you want to spend then give them a gift card and let them manage their funds. 

Your kid’s constant begging for a treat has now been eliminated. You are welcome.

16. Use The Rider Switch Option 

The Rider Switch Option is a service that allows guests with young children or children who do not meet the height requirements to still enjoy the attractions. 

The process involves splitting the group into two, with one group waiting in a designated area with the child while the other group rides the attraction. 

Once the first group is finished riding, they can then switch places with the waiting group, allowing them to ride without having to wait in the regular line again.

For example, let’s say a family of four wants to ride Space Mountain, but their youngest child is too small to ride. The family can approach a Cast Member and request a Rider Switch pass. 

The first group (say, the parents and the older child) will ride the attraction while the second group (the parents and the younger child) waits in a designated area. 

Once the first group is finished riding, they will switch places with the second group and the second group can then ride the attraction without having to wait in the regular line again.

17. Try Churros

Churros are a Disneyland must-do for first timers, so don’t miss out on this classic treat. 

Enough said.

18. Wear Comfortable Shoes

Every wonder how many miles you will walk in Disneyland?

Walking around the park all day can be exhausting, so wear comfortable shoes to avoid blisters. 

Our favorite park shoes are Teva sandals. They are so comfortable, and when you get wet on Grizzly River Run, your toes don’t wrinkle in a soggy tennis shoe. 

19. Visit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge At Night

Star Wars fans should visit the immersive land for a unique experience. First time visitors should plan at least an hour just to walk around and take it all in. 

There is a great patio that overlooks the Millenium Falcon with tables to have a snack or rest. It is especially cool at night when the Millenium Falcon is all lit up.  

20. Stay for The Parades

Disneyland’s parades are a must-see, so plan your day accordingly. Parades run daily at 3:30 and 5 p.m.

Our favorite parade is the one at Christmas, but any time of year you will love seeing your favorite characters ride past you on their unique float. 

21. Explore Downtown Disney

If you have a day off of the parks but still want some Disney magic, go to Downtown Disney. Downtown Disney offers shopping and dining options outside of the park. 

Downtown Disney is an especially good place and time to get souvenirs so you are not hauling them onto every ride on a park day. 

22. Don’t Miss “It’s A Small World”

“It’s A Small World”  is a classic Disneyland attraction that first time visitors should experience. 

Yes, the song can get incredibly annoying, but your first time through the ride it will still be enchanting. 

Whether it is your 1st trip to Disneyland or your 100th, this ride is so quintessential Disneyland, it can not be missed.

23. Play Head Up In Line

The Happiest Place on Earth gets not so happy when there are long lines. Download Head Up on your mobile phone and the time standing in line will fly by. 

Finding things to do in line seems like obvious Disneyland trip advice, but you would be surprised how many people would rather yell at their kids than engage them. 

If we all do our part, even the lines can earn the Disneyland slogan the “Happiest Place on Earth.”

24. Bring A Portable Phone Charger

The Disney app will keep your phone battery busy. Keep your phone charged all day with a portable phone charger.

You do not want to miss the opportunity to capture those special moments on your phone’s camera so bring along some extra charge. 

Or if you want to skip the selfies altogether and get Disneyland photos that everyone is in, check out our next tip.

25. Take Advantage of Disney PhotoPass

Are you done with the selfie holiday card? Then the Disney Photopass may be for you.

Disney PhotoPass allows you to capture memories with professional photos that include every member of your group. 

But be aware that the Photopass is not free. The pass is less than $100 if you purchase it pre-arrival. 

Due to its cost, it might not make the list if you are a budget Mouseketter. 

However, if you are visiting the park for a special event–like an anniversary, honeymoon, or birthday this could be a great investment in your memories.

26. Get the First Time Visitor Button

If you’re visiting Disneyland for the first time, you can ask a Cast Member for a “First Visit” to Disneyland button when you enter the park. 

These buttons are complimentary (and seriously, nothing is free at Disney so take advantage). The “First Visit” button can serve as a special souvenir to remember your first trip to Disneyland.

Disneyland Cast Members are known for their exceptional customer service, and they love to make guests feel welcome. Wearing a first-time visitor button can sometimes result in special attention from Cast Members.

When Cast Members or other regular parkgoers see the button, they may offer advice, tips or recommendations for your first visit. 

You can get these buttons at City Hall on Main Street, U.S.A., or at Guest Relations located in Disney California Adventure Park.

FAQs: Disneyland First Time Tips

Conclusion: Disneyland Tips for First Timers

If this is your first time to Disneyland and you are looking for tips and advice to make the most of your trip, you’ve come to the right place. 

As seasoned Disneyland enthusiasts, we have accumulated a wealth of knowledge on how to prepare for Disneyland and make the most of your time in the park.

We have shared our top tips, ranging from making it to rope drop to why you should get a first-time visitor button. 

We hope that our practical guide to Disneyland will help you have an unforgettable experience at “The Happiest Place on Earth.