The Ultimate Disneyland Guide, from Someone Who's Visited Over 300 Times

Headed to Disneyland? I’m jealous! As a Passholder and Magic Key Holder, I’ve been to Disneyland many, many (many) times. Over 300, in fact! Over the years, multiple friends, family members, and coworkers have asked for my tips and tricks to plan the perfect day at the Happiest Place on Earth. And now, I’m sharing my knowledge with you! Which rides should you hit, and in which order? What are the best snacks in the park? How do you find out where to meet Mickey and Minnie? I’m answering all those questions and more. Keep reading for everything you need to know before your next Disneyland trip.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU ARRIVE AT THE PARKS

1. What to know about arrival and parking. 

Here’s the thing. Getting to Disneyland can be, well, a bit of a hassle. Parking is never going to be fun, and there’s always going to be a line. But there are some ways to make it easier for yourself!

Get there as early as you can.

You may not be an early riser — but you’ll have to be for a jam-packed Disneyland day. I recommend getting to the Mickey and Friends parking structure or Toy Story parking area by 7am. Yes, this is EARLY. But it will be worth it, I promise!

There are multiple places to park.

The easiest places to park are either the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure or the Toy Story Parking Area. I prefer the parking structure, since you get on a tram that takes you right to Downtown Disney. I’ve done the lot, too, but it can be a bit more difficult and take longer to get back to your car. 

Parking costs are as follows:

• $40 per car or motorcycle
• $45 per oversized vehicle, motor home or tractor (without trailer) — Toy Story Parking Area only
• $50 per bus or tractor (with extended trailer) — Toy Story Parking Area only

2. Get the Disneyland app.

Having the app is a must for your Disneyland visit. It’s chock-full of so many things you’ll need for the day:

• It stores your tickets
• You can buy Lightning Lane passes
• You can mobile order food or make dining reservations
• It links all your PhotoPass photos and lets you download them
• You can view the park either as a map or a list, and break it down by Disneyland Park or California Adventure

Whew, that’s a lot! As you can see, the app comes in handy throughout the day.

3. Mobile order your food in advance.

Lines for food can get pretty long, especially at peak times. But there’s a great way around this conundrum — mobile order it in advance! You can even do it first thing in the morning before you're at the park, or throughout the day. Just make sure you have a credit card saved in the app so it goes pretty quickly. Then you can select the place to get food and the time so you don't have to wait in lines.

4. Bring at least one external charger.

This is imperative. If you don’t bring a charger, it’s pretty likely that your phone will die before the day is over. There's also the opportunity to buy a replaceable FuelRod charger at different spots around the park, like at the lockers on Main Street. These chargers are $38, but then you can swap it for free as many times as you want! There are spots all over the park where you can drop it and get a new one.

5. Lightning Lane will speed up your wait times.

If you don’t like waiting in ride lines, then Lightning Lane will absolutely be your best friend for the day. You can actually purchase it in advance when you buy your park ticket and make your reservation, or you can wait until you’re in the park and have gone through the arrival gates.

Lightning Lane starts at $32 per ticket. You can use it one time on each available ride, book your times right from the Disneyland app, and get free PhotoPass perks.

To note: Some rides require an additional Single Pass, even if you’ve bought Lightning Lane (like Radiator Springs Racers and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance). 

Once you’ve bought your Lightning Lane pass for the day, you can start booking times right from the app. You can book another ride either after you’ve ridden the current Lightning Lane ride, or an hour and a half after that booking was made. I always set a timer or alarm on my phone to remind me when it’s time to book the next one. 

You book your Lightning Lane on the tip board in the app:

1. Tap the three lines in the bottom right corner
2. Scroll down to "today's plans" and tap
3. Tap "tip board"
4. It should show all the rides and let you select your next Lightning Lane ride.

6. Lockers can be a lifesaver.

If you don't want to tote around all your stuff all day long, a locker is definitely worth it. On the Disneyland side, the lockers are right on Main Street, near the Starbucks. On the California Adventure side, they’re on Buena Vista Street. You can also get a locker on the Esplanade between the two parks. 

Costs are $7 for a small locker and $10 for a large locker. I’ve always found a small locker to be big enough for my items.

7. Check out some character meet and greets.

Some characters like Peter Pan or Gaston roam around the park at random. Others have scheduled meet and greets, which you can find in the Disneyland app. Here are a few I recommend trying.

Running into Gaston near Sleeping Beauty Castle. He simply had to show off his muscles.

 

Fantasy Faire/Royal Hall: Located in Fantasyland, near the castle. This is where you get to meet the princesses. They’re always rotating, so you don’t know who you’ll meet — but usually they have ones like Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty. This happens until about 5pm.

Meeting Snow White at Fantasy Faire.

Minnie’s House and Mickey’s House: Both are located in Toontown. There are always waits, but the houses are adorable and you actually get to meet the characters at the end of the walkthroughs.

Snapping a photo outside Mickey’s House in Toontown.

My friend Jen and I got lucky with a five-minute wait to meet the man himself, Mickey Mouse!

Minnie Mouse's house in Toontown is so cute!

Pixie Hollow: This is where you get to meet Tinker Bell! It’s not always open, but if so, it’s a great meet and greet.

8. Enjoy a character breakfast.

The character breakfasts are a great way to meet a ton of characters while enjoying a delicious buffet (complete with Mickey Waffles!). I’ve done them at Plaza Inn, Goofy’s Kitchen, and Storytellers. Each one has different themes and characters, but all are very fun and completely worth it. You see all the classic characters — they come to your table multiple times, take photos, and interact with you. 

Plaza Inn is where you’ll get the most unique character interactions. On my last visit, I met the mice from Cinderella and Eeyore!

Hugging Pluto during the Storytellers character breakfast.

Spending time with one of the mice from Cinderella at the Plaza Inn character breakfast.

 

Dancing with Eeyore outside the Plaza Inn.

9. Have fun with your outfit!

Whether you go for a Disney bound (dressing inspired by a character but not AS a character), or you just don some polka dots for a Minnie Style-inspired look, you can have a little fun with your Disneyland ’fit! I’ve done both, and I love having the opportunity to step outside my typical fashion box. Some of my favorite looks have included polka dot jumpsuits and dresses, or Disney bounds inspired by the Wicked Stepsisters, the Queen of Hearts, and Tinker Bell. Plus, you can never go wrong with a pair of Minnie Ears!

Disney bounding as Tinker Bell for Oogie Boogie Bash at California Adventure.

Disney bounding as the Queen of Hearts.

10. Grab a castle photo ... but not right in front of it. 

A photo with Sleeping Beauty Castle is an obvious must. But here’s the thing. If you try and snap a photo right in front of the castle, there will be TONS of people in it with you. My best advice is to head to one side, near the benches or right next to them. You’ll get a great view of the castle, and you can get it without anyone else taking up space in the pic.

Snagging a castle pic to one side is key — fewer people, and great view of the castle!

I love this spot to the left of the castle — if you wait your turn, you can always snag a photo without any other people in it!

If you really, REALLY want that photo right in front of the castle, though, go EARLY. And I mean at rope drop. Head straight to the castle and you’ll have it all to yourself.

11. Look for unique photo spots.

Speaking of photos … there are so many fun, unique spots to snap pics around the parks! Some of my favorites include the little pink door near the Mad Tea Party, the bridge to one side of the castle, the Small World wall, and the trick photo spot in Avengers Campus. Keep your eyes peeled for areas that look Disney-ish, but aren’t overdone — those will yield your best photo results!

The Small World Wall.

The trick photo spot in Avengers Campus.

WHAT RIDES ARE A MUST?

Okay, you’re inside Disneyland or California Adventure and you’re ready to ride the rides! These are the ones I absolutely recommend.

Fantasyland 

Peter Pan: In my opinion, the absolute best ride ever! You fly through London in an enchanted pirate ship. This ride ALWAYS has a long wait — prepare to stand there for about 30-45 minutes — but it’s completely worth it. This is classic Disneyland at its finest and not one you should skip if you’ve never been to the parks.

 

The entrance to Peter Pan.

Dumbo: There’s just something magical about flying around inside a Dumbo vehicle. This is another of my favorite rides in Fantasyland. I don’t recommend waiting more than 20 minutes, though.

Flying on the Dumbo ride is utterly magical.

Casey Jr.: I actually didn’t ride this until a few years ago, and can’t believe I missed out for so long. This train ride is AWESOME — don’t skip it! Tell the ride operator that you want to ride in the caboose or up front, because otherwise you might be stuck inside one of the cages in the middle.

Snow White: This is considered one of the “Dark Rides” (Pinocchio and Mr. Toad are the other two). Out of all three, this one is my favorite. It was revamped a few years ago, and it’s cute and fun. 

The book at the entrance to the Snow White ride.

Alice in Wonderland, King Arthur Carrousel, and the Mad Tea Party: All of these are classic Disneyland rides that should be experienced. If you hit the park at the right time, you won’t have to wait more than 20 minutes for each one.

Riding the Tea Cups with my family. If you look closely, you can see Alice and the Mad Hatter riding them with us in the background!

Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough: This is a do not skip! You can actually walk through the castle and see Sleeping Beauty’s whole story. It’s very interactive and unique.

The beginning of the Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough.

Mickey's Toontown

Toontown was remodeled and reopened in March 2023, after about a year being closed. There are LOTS of characters there (all the classic ones) — some just walk around, while Mickey and Minnie have dedicated houses where you meet them. There's also a Roger Rabbit ride and Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway.

There are so many adorable, cartoon-inspired photo spots scattered around Toontown.

Speaking of the Railway … it’s one of the best rides in the park! I am not going to spoil it for you, but I will tell you it is a MUST RIDE. There are also so many cute photo moments throughout the line! 

 

The design for Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway is impeccable.

***HOT TIP:*** Go to Toontown right when the park opens, especially since it’s located at the back. You can typically get on the Railway without much of a wait if you get there around 8:30. Plus, then you can use your Lightning Lane and ride it a second time. (Trust me, you’ll want to!)

It's a Small World

So, what part of the park is this ride in, anyway? It’s kind of Fantasyland, kind of Tomorrowland, so I’m calling it Small World Land. In any case, this ride is a MUST. It’s an iconic Disney ride, and it’s actually very different from the Disney World version because you can find all of the iconic Disney characters within their own countries! 

The exterior facade of It's a Small World with one of the boats beneath.

***HOT TIP:*** This ride is especially fantastic during the hot summer months. Not only do you sit down for about 10 minutes, but it’s air conditioned. Enough said.

Plus, they do a holiday takeover every year that’s fantastic. Small World meets Winter Wonderland, complete with different music, dolls, and costumes.

It’s a Small World, all lit up for the holidays. It’s spectacular.

Will you get the Small World tune stuck in your head for days after riding? Probably. But is it something you just have to do when you go to Disneyland? Absolutely.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

If you’re a Star Wars fan, you just can’t skip Galaxy’s Edge. There are two rides — Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Both are fun, but Rise is INCREDIBLE. One of the most unique rides I’ve ever been on. 

Even if you don’t buy anything else the entire day, buy an extra lightning lane for Rise. It’s worth it.

The Millennium Falcon at Galaxy’s Edge.

 

Stormtroopers galore inside Rise of the Resistance. And this is the only spoiler I’ll give you!

Adventureland, Tomorrowland, and Frontierland

To be honest, I’m not breaking out these three lands into individual ones because I don’t recommend allll of the rides in each one. These three lands do have a significant amount of rides to choose from, but these are the ones I think are most worth the, well, ride.

Haunted Mansion: Do I even need to say more? Come on, foolish mortals, you know you want to ride this epic icon. Yes, yes, ABSOLUTE YES. If you go to Disneyland between October and December, there’s a Nightmare Before Christmas takeover that’s not to be missed (and doesn’t happen at any of the other parks).

The Haunted Mansion during the Nightmare Before Christmas takeover.

Space Mountain: The dark roller coaster you’ve always heard about, and yes, it’s worth the wait. If you want a Lightning Lane for it, get it early, because they book up FAST.

Indiana Jones: Snakes, spears, even the big ball rolling toward you … this ride has it all. It’s sort of a roller coaster, and you’ll get jostled around, but it’s worth it. If they have single rider open, do it.

Disneyland Train: Want to take a load off and ride a ride at the same time? This is your best bet. The train goes around the park and you can get off at different stops throughout or ride from Main Street all the way around. It’s actually pretty fun and convenient at the same time.

Winnie the Pooh: A very cute character ride complete with Heffalumps and Woozles. It’s located at the back of the park. Plus, there are usually meet and greets with the Pooh characters over there.

Enjoying a meet and greet with Winnie the Pooh and Tigger outside the Winnie the Pooh ride.

California Adventure 

I’m actually putting all of my favorite DCA rides together instead of breaking them out by area of the park, since honestly the park is not that big and it isn’t difficult to find where anything is.

Radiator Springs Racers: A definite must! This Cars-themed roller coaster is an absolute blast. It’s also busy ALL. DAY. LONG. Try to get Lightning Lane for it so you don’t have to wait in line. The single rider line is a great option too and always moves quicker than the regular line (especially if you want to ride a second time).

It’s almost impossible to see a standby line for Radiator Springs Racers that’s only 10 minutes long! Typically, I’d recommend doing Single Rider for this ride.

Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT!: MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE RIDE. It’s a must. This used to be the Tower of Terror ride, and now it’s Guardians themed. IT IS AMAZING. If you like drop rides and roller coasters, DO IT. And if you can snap a fun photo, all the better.

I never skip Guardians. My brother and I had fun with our ride photo.

Incredicoaster: A very fun, Incredibles-themed roller coaster, complete with an upside-down loop. It also has a single rider line, which can be helpful on more crowded days.

The Little Mermaid: This is my favorite of all the character rides. You sit inside an oversized shell, hear the music, and get completely immersed in Ariel’s world. If you love The Little Mermaid, it’s an absolute must do.

The Little Mermaid ride is my favorite character ride in the entire park.

Mickey’s Philharmagic: This is a 3D movie experience with a bunch of classic Disney movies in it. It’s so fun and adorable. (Psst: Look behind you at the very end for a Donald-themed surprise.) 

Soarin’: Hop in a hot air balloon and take a ride through different locations around the world. This ride is just magical. I don’t know how to even explain why. But it’s a must.

Toy Story Midway Mania: This is a 3D, shooting gallery type of ride with all the Toy Story characters, and it’s very cute. Just don’t wait too long for it.

WHAT SHOULD YOU EAT?

Do I also have food I’d recommend throughout the parks? Absolutely. Here’s everything you should plan on eating during your Disney day.

Disneyland Food

Ronto Roasters: My absolute FAVORITE meal is the Ronto-less Garden Wrap here (a pita filled with Impossible™ sausage, spicy kimchi slaw, sweet pickled cucumbers, and Gochujang spread). It is DELICIOUS. You’ll find this in Star Wars Land and I could not recommend it more!

The Ronto-less Garden Wrap is my absolute favorite food in the park. You can get it at Ronto Roasters in Galaxy’s Edge.

Little Red Wagon: Located on Main Street. The best corn dogs in the whole park!

Jolly Holiday: If you’re looking for everything from healthier options like salads and sandwiches to delicious tomato soup and holiday-themed treats, this is where to go. And if you’ve been curious about the Mickey Gingerbread Cookie, this is where you get it!

Enjoying the Mickey Gingerbread Cookie from Jolly Holiday during the holiday season. And, yes, I dressed like a gingerbread cookie.

Plaza Inn: The fried chicken is epic. You get three pieces and a couple sides, so this meal is very shareable, too.

Stage Door Cafe: This is a good option in Frontierland. You can get chicken tenders and corn dogs here. 

Tropical Hideaway: Want different flavors of dole whip or bao buns? This spot in Adventureland is a great option, and it has plenty of seating.

Dole Whip Swirl from Tropical Hideaway in Adventureland.

Bengal Barbecue: This grab-and-go restaurant located in Adventureland has different skewers. Another good quick service location, and they have a decent amount of seating inside.

Mint Julep Bar: An absolute must, located near the Haunted Mansion, with Mickey Beignets and nonalcoholic mint juleps. They always have special themed ones for the season. Trust me, you want these.

Mickey beignets and a mint julep from the Mint Julep Bar.

Refreshment Corner: Ridiculously good hot dogs. Right on Main Street.

Cafe Daisy: You can get items like donuts, hot dogs, and lemonade at this little restaurant in Toontown. The donuts are surprisingly delicious!

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo: This quick-service restaurant inside Galaxy's Edge has food like fried chicken bao buns and a plant-based meatball sub. They also have the BEST cold brew in the entire park — it's topped with chocolate puffs!

This cold brew from Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo is EPIC. The sweet cream cheese topping and chocolate puffs give it a sweet flourish!

Carnation Cafe: This spot on Main Street serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I personally prefer the breakfast menu because of the oversized Mickey waffle, but the fried pickles during lunch and dinner are pretty darn delicious, too.

How can you say no to this adorable Mickey waffle at Carnation Cafe?

 

California Adventure Food

Boudin Bakery Tour: A walk-through bakery tour on the pier that’s really fun. And you get free bread.

Pym Test Kitchen: The oversized pretzel here is a must. It’s HUGE. And delicious. Their breakfast options are also pretty decent.

The soft pretzel at Pym Test Kitchen is bigger than my head and it’s delicious.

Lamplight Lounge: If you want a reservation for a restaurant on that side, this is the one to try and get. Really good/fun drinks and decent food. They have a secret drink menu with cocktails that are delightful to look at (and drink, of course).

Enjoying a cocktail at Lamplight Lounge, with the Incredicoaster and Mickey’s Fun Wheel in the background.

Award Wieners: This hot dog restaurant in Hollywood Land has unique takes on — you guessed it — hot dogs. My favorite is the Bacon Street Dog, an all-beef hot dog topped with grilled onions, bell peppers, and crispy bacon crumbles. I always ask for it without red pepper ketchup, but otherwise it comes with that as well.

The Bacon Street Dog at Award Wieners is topped with grilled onions, bell peppers, and crispy bacon crumbles, and it comes with a side of fries.

 

THAT'S IT! 

If you’ve made it this far, WHEW. You’re ready for a day at the parks! Enjoy yourself!