Disneyland is a household name. It’s one of those attractions you should experience at least once in your lifetime. Disneyland is an easy drive from LAX using airport car rentals. You should do some planning before you head out for a day at the Magic Kingdom. Between the crowds, the lines, and all the fun things to do, it can be kind of overwhelming. Here are some tips for visiting Disneyland that will make sure your trip is truly unforgettable.
Pack the Right Things
Most tourists going to Disneyland worry that they’ll forget to bring everything they’ll need. That’s not as big a problem as you might think. The most common mistake travelers make is to bring too much stuff with them. Airport car rentals make it easy to haul a lot of gear with you wherever you go, but you’ll have a better time at Disneyland if you travel light.
Your essentials should fit into something you can carry comfortably. You’ll definitely need sunscreen and a refillable water bottle. You’ll also want to pack some small snacks to nibble when you’re waiting in line for rides and other attractions. If you’ve got food allergies or dietary restrictions, packing some extra food is highly recommended.
It’s also smart to bring a portable charger to keep your phone topped off throughout the day. If you’re relying on your mobile phones as a way of keeping your group together, a dead battery can be a real problem. Another way to get the most out of your phone battery is to put it in airplane mode or turn off data.
Dress Comfortably
There’s a lot of walking and standing in line at Disneyland. That means you should prioritize comfort over fashion when you choose how to dress. You’re going to be on your feet for most of the day. Wear shoes that you will be happy to be wearing eight or more hours later. Be ready for cooler temps in the early morning and late evening, but remember that Anaheim can be scorching hot during the afternoon. Experienced park-goers pack a sweater or light jacket that they can carry in a backpack when it’s hot, or park in a locker. In addition to a sweater or jacket, you might want to bring a spare set of clothes, in case you decide to ride Splash Mountain a lot. Don’t forget a hat and sunglasses as well.
Use the FastPass System
The FastPass system is an invaluable tool for making your trip to Disneyland go more smoothly. Most of the popular attractions use the FastPass System. Simply visit the ride ahead of time and you’ll get a ticket with a specific return time that lets you jump in to the express line. You can only have one FastPass at a time, so you’ll want to start early and get a new one each time. Remember though, that the two parks are separate so you can get a FastPass from each one. The last thing to know about FastPasses is that there is only a limited amount of tickets for each window. If you don’t get to your ride’s FastPass in time, you won’t be able to jump the lines with FastPass. However, if you don’t mind being split up, you can go in the single rider line.
Plan Your Trip Ahead of Time
While a rigid agenda for the day can definitely take away from the fun, you should use some kind of time management. There are more than 50 major attractions to see at Disneyland, and hundreds of smaller places of interest. In addition to attractions, there are restaurants, shows, and shops you’ll want to see.
Start by blocking out time for specific events like parades and shows. Once you’ve decided which big shows you want to see, turn your attention to gathering your FastPasses. Which FastPasses are you going to get? In what order? Once you’re set with your ride schedule, you can decide if you want to eat at one of the nicer restaurants inside the park. If you do, make reservations well in advance to make your meal go more smoothly. The official Disneyland app is a great tool for planning your day, and it’s available for Apple and Android devices.
Turn Off Your Flash
You’re going to want to take a lot of pictures of your outing. For most of the park, you’re better off without a flash on your camera. When you’re on rides, you don’t want to wash out the photos with a bright LED flash. Another common mistake is taking photos of fireworks using a flash. Flashes make objects in the foreground clearer, but anything far away will be a blurry mess. Additionally, it’s a nice courtesy for the other park-goers.
Value Rental Car in Inglewood has affordable, close to the airport car rentals that will make it easy and enjoyable to visit the Magic Kingdom for a day trip, or several times in a week.