Everything You Need to Plan Your Visit to Disneyland!

I apologize in advance for any snarkiness that may come out while I am writing this. It's not that I don't love you, or the job I held for almost seven years (that ended in 2008, btw), I am just tired of answering the same questions over and over and over again. If you feel singled out, please don't! I have lost count as to how many times this pops up in my message box or as a text or even email (who are you people?). :) This is why I figured the best thing to do is write it all down in one place so that I can simply refer people here instead of typing everything out. Again. Again again. These are just some of the many messages I have received:

Hey. We're thinking about going to Disneyland for (fill in the blank: birthday, holiday, vacation, summer, etc.). Do you know any good deals or inside tricks?
 
What is the very best time of year to go as far as good weather and no crowds?

Got a good friend heading to Disney LA in Dec...any advice on cheaper tix?

We found the iPhone app for finding the princesses. Any other gems you know of for a toddler?

We wanted to buy tickets today but I was wondering if you knew of the cheapest place to buy them at? We heard Costco down there? Is there a place online? What do you think?

Is it crazy busy during Christmas? Would we be crazy to go that time of year?

We have never been with a toddler. Any advice as to how to make the adventure successful? What is there to do with her? Should we get Disneyland only tickets? If you know of any advice, that would be great!

Any input you can share would be great!

I thought I would ask you if you had any good tips for me!

Hey, we are planning a family trip to Disneyland the end of September. Do you know any cheap ways to get a couple of park hopper passes? I would need three of them, probably just two day passes. Or do you know anyone who could get them for free?!!!

Can you still get me in for free?

I know you're not doing this to me on purpose, and I get that I would know the answers to your questions, but this is how I feel every. single. time.

 

SO. I am writing this post to be helpful. I don't have to repeat myself so much, and you get your answers.

Everyone wins. :)

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I will say this a few times:

THE BEST PLACE TO GO FOR CURRENT AND RELEVANT INFORMATION IS

Disneyland.com

Here you will find park hours, ticket prices, what to do, places to stay, vacation packages (through the Walt Disney Travel Company which has some pretty sweet deals), entertainment schedules, etc. 

Most (if not ALL) of your questions can be found here. :) I have been gone for over five years and things have changed!!! I haven't seen let alone even know the name of the current parades and shows.

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Though I hated the sites when I worked there because most of the posters are Disney know-it-alls, check out these unofficial Disney fan boards. They have a TON of information because they go to the parks all. the. time. Like daily. Seriously. They have inside sources into the company too somehow. They knew things way before I ever did. Remember, these are UNOFFICIAL, so you can't hold the poor Disney people accountable for anything you find on these boards.

http://micechat.com/miceage-wp/

http://www.mouseplanet.com/

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I do realize that there are some unusual questions that you can't readily find on the official page, so here are the most FAQs I answer. Remember, my answers are FIVE YEARS OLD. They might be relevant still, maybe not.

When is the best time to go for crowds/weather?

This all depends on what you want to see and do. The longer the operating hours, the more crowds they expect so the more entertainment options they offer. Fireworks are not held Mon-Thu during the off season (10-8 operating hours). Don't care about fireworks, parades, shows, etc.? Go during the week.

After Labor Day through about mid-October it's not as busy but it can be hot and dry thanks to the Santa Ana winds. Jan and Feb are great for low crowds but you might get rain. Some attractions close for the rain. Check Disneyland.com for this. 

Also check the website for any attraction refurbishment schedules. They have a rotating schedule EVERY YEAR for attractions to be closed down. They post this well in advance on the website so you don't get all the way there just to find out Space Mountain is closed for three months. Keep in mind, attractions can also go down throughout the day spontaneously for any number of reasons. They will probably open again later. THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN/IF THAT WILL HAPPEN SO DON'T ASK. 

The best time to visit might be after all the Spring Breaks are over but before all the schools get out, so May through mid-June but not Memorial Day weekend.

Check out Disneyland.com and look at the operating hours for when you plan to be there. 10-8 is a projected low attendance day. Anything outside of that (including weekends), they're expecting crowds.

How about discounted tickets?

The best deals were always through travel company packages or City Pass. One day deals don't exist. They just don't. Well, I guess if you count saving $2 per person a deal, then sure. That was the discount for one-day tickets at ALL Costcos nationwide, the local hotels, etc. Again, this information is from when I worked there. It might have changed since then.

I'd do something with a travel company. You get some extra perks like going in early. I think Fun Sun Vacations was a really popular one. Even the Walt Disney Travel Company has some sweet deals.  

Any advice on going with young children?
Best general advice is go when it first opens, take a break during the middle/hottest/busiest time of the day. That way they get their naps still, and you don't get worn out either. Trust me on this.

Come back later in the afternoon.

Stay until after the fireworks if possible. The biggest mass exodus happens immediately after the parades and shows. Hang out on a bench eating a churro until the crowds thin out. You'd just be waiting to exit, waiting to get on the tram, waiting to exit the property, etc.  

Have a plan of the things you want to do, but allow for alternatives and options. You won't be able to do it all! Prioritize!! 

Minimize walking 1,000 miles by going in a circle around the park as you go about your day. Don't go back and forth. Plan your route.

You can bring food/snacks in, just no meals and no glass bottles/jars. There aren't any microwaves to heat up the baby food, so bring the kinds that don't need to be heated. I highly recommend the pouches that can easily be found in the baby food aisles. No spoons, no fuss.
 
I have heard that there are awesome new apps to make your visit even easier with regards to wait times, character findings, etc. I have NO idea what they are or how they work. Check out any of the fan boards for info on those.
 
Can you still get me in for free?

I have a hard enough time trying to get my own little family in. Someone has to take time out of their day (usually their day off) to come down, park, meet us, and then sign us in. I don't know too many people that still work there. I hate asking for myself, let alone any extension of mine. Please don't ask me.

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All that being said, HAVE FUN. If you have any other questions that you'd like me to address in here, let me know!!