People often ask me to give them tips for their upcoming Disney trips. Not long ago I took the time to actually type some out that came to the top of my mind. I certainly have plenty more but this is just a quick list I came up with! Hope you find this helpful.
Disney Tips:
• Buy your tickets in advance! Kern School Credit Union gives HUGE discounts. If you aren't a member of Kern School still buy your tickets online at disneyland.com. It saves lots of time not having to wait in the ticket lines.
• Take advantage of Fast Passes, several of the bigger attractions have “fast passes.” There are kiosks near major ride entrance where you swipe your ride ticket and it dispenses a fast pass. On the pass it gives you a time from of when you can come back for example 10am-11am to cut a large portion of the line to get on the ride more quickly. Here is a well kept secret: you can use the fast pass any time after the first number (10 am in the example) Though they tell you to return within the hour listed you they will gladly accept the fast pass any time after the first number. Use this to your advantage! On the ticket it tells you the next time you can get a fast pass, keep that number in mind through out the day so you can collect several and use them whenever you would like.
• If you purchased a park hopper ticket, which you should, I recommend going to Disneyland first thing in the morning then going over to California Adventure in the mid afternoon. Disneyland is busiest from around 1-5 so take that time to go enjoy California Adventure.
• Once you are in Disneyland I always tend to go towards Adventure Land first, my normal route is: Jungle Cruise, Indiana Jones, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Winnie the Pooh, then Splash Mountain then I head back down the hill. Take advantage of the maps they provide and don't be afraid to ask a Cast Member where you're going. They'll probably teach you something you'll be excited to know. My next stop is usually Thunder Mountain then I do all of Fantasy Land. That's around the time I head over to California Adventure. When I get back I head towards Tomorrow Land
• In California Adventure be sure to stop by the animation studio, its in the Hollywood Back lot and they teach you to draw a Disney character, it's a lot of fun, even if you can't draw like me.
• Also in CA Adventure don't miss out on the bread factory tour and tortilla factory tour, they give free samples (If its your birthday make sure you get a birthday button from customer service or most any gift shop) At the tortilla factory you get a free bag of tortillas for your birthday. Both tours are located on the wharf right across from one another.
• In CA Ad. Get a fast pass for Soaring over California as soon as you get into the park, its off to the right after you go through the main entrance. This ride is always busy and a fast pass really cuts down on the wait.
• I've found that if you're ready for food head out of the park and into downtown Disney, the food is typically better, cheaper, and you can sit down and a table and relax a little without all the commotion. My favorites are the Rainforest Cafe and the Jazz Kitchen (try the begniets)
• As far as snacks in the park if you like things a little spicy my very favorite is the jalapeno cream cheese pretzel, they are the best! Disney also has tons of homemade sweets made on the property, try the caramel apples or the raspberry chocolate chunk cookie is my personal favorite. Another fun treat is the Dole Whip Floats located in Adventure Land.
• When waiting in lines for anything, if you have a choice it seems the line towards the left moves faster. I've tested it several times and never been let down.
• If you plan on shopping I'd look around but wait until the end of the day to buy anything. Take bags on and off the rides is too much work and too easy to forget things. On your way back to the car there is a giant Disney store that has 95% of the same merchandise as the stores in the park, this is a great place to do one stop shopping on the way out.
• Take lots of pictures, though the Disney workers try to bombard you with their expensive photos if you ask any of them will take a picture for you on your own camera so you can capture the memory for free instead of paying $17 a print (I may be exaggerating, but not much)
