Disneyland With Kids – 102 Tips You Need To Know

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Let’s just be honest, I am a Disneyland fanatic! It is the one place where you can be a a kid with your kids which makes the best family memories. If you are going to Disneyland With Kids 102 Tips You Need To Know will make your trip perfect. We have more tips and tricks on Instagram too! If you are planning a trip to Disneyland any time soon, these tips will help you have the best vacation at the “Happiest Place On Earth.”

1 – HOW TO GET DISCOUNT DISNEYLAND TICKETS.

My number one tip is to buy your Disneyland tickets online and in advance. There aren’t many discounts on Disneyland tickets so that is why I love Getaway Today. They have the best bundles on hotel and tickets which make going to Disneyland totally doable. Ticket lines at Disneyland can get long. Save your precious time and buy them before you go. A Disneyland annual pass is another way you can save money. Plus, annual Disneyland passes have some extra perks in the park.

2 – LOOK FOR BUNDLES – Disneyland With Kids – 102 Tips You Need To Know

You can save some money if you purchase your tickets at your hotel. Look Disneyland discounts at Disneyland hotels for Disneyland tickets. Again Getaway today has some awesome bundles that can save you some money.

3 – DISNEYLAND HOW MANY DAYS? PLAN FOR 3 DAYS OR MORE

I always suggest a 2 or 3 day minimum visit at the park. Because there are two different parks (Disneyland & Disney’s California Adventure) it is hard to do the Disneyland parks in just 1 day. We always do 3 days and still feel as if we could stay for 4 to experience everything there is to offer. Also, Disneyland tickets are cheaper per day the longer you stay. Disneyland ticket prices decrease the more days you are in the park. A one day park hopper ticket can be about $150 (depending on the day) versus a 3 day park hopper ticket $100/per day.

4 – WHEN IS DISNEYLAND LEAST CROWDED?

There are certain times of the year you should avoid Disneyland! Summer time is extremely busy, October is crowded because Halloween, the last couple of weeks of December and New Years Eve. Those are the times where the park hits its max capacity which makes for a not so magical trip. Our most favorite time to go is the first two weeks of September if you want to see the Halloween decor, the first two weeks of November to experience the holidays and the last week of April. It’s beautiful Disneyland weather during those time too! Disneyland hours do change throughout the year so I would suggest looking those up if you want to stay in the park later at night.

5 – WHAT ARE THE BEST HOTELS CLOSE TO DISNEYLAND?

We have stayed at almost every hotel near the park. My all time favorite is obviously The Grand Californian but that price tag is outrageous. There are a lot of perks if you stay at any of the Disneyland hotels that make the price worth it.

Here is my opinion on hotels. We spend most of our time in the park and don’t feel the need to splurge on a hotel. We have loved staying at the Hilton, Fairfield Marriot and Desert Palms. All of these are walking distance from the park. Here is more information on the best Hotels near the park and some amazing discounts.

6 – USE AN UBER

Here is a tip to save some money. The parking garage at Disneyland can be a bit overwhelming and expensive. Parking on the resort is $25/day. If you are from out of town my best advice is to stay at a hotel with free parking. Some hotels offer free parking for guests which can save you some money. If you don’t want to walk to the park it is very easy to use an Uber. They are ways fast and drop you off at the street entrance to the park. The Disneyland map above shows you where the uber/lyft/taxi drop off and pick ups are located.

7 – PARK HOP – Disneyland With Kids – 102 Tips You Need To Know

Disneyland and California Adventure are very close to each other which makes park hopping a breeze. We always get a park hopper pass to maximize our trip. Disneyland Park hopper tickets give you the freedom to see everything in a shorter amount of time.

8 – DOWNLOAD THE DISNEY APP

Before you enter the park, download the Disney App. The free app has everything you need while you are in the park. A virtual map so you can see where you are, all of the current wait times for rides, parade times, show times, character meet and greets, height requirements, bathroom locations and dining options. Using the Disney App will save you a ton of time in the park by booking your fast passes, making dining reservations and mobile ordering. Make sure you add all of your Disneyland tickets for easy access to fast masses and entrance into the parks. Disneyland With Kids – 102 Tips You Need To Know

9 – FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH DISNEY MOVIES

Disney has done an amazing job of bringing all of your favorite Disney movies to life! It’s as if you are actually walking into Radiator Springs or you are experiencing Batu in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. To maximize the “magic” I suggest having some family movie nights before you go to the park. You and your kids will appreciate the parks shows, parades and characters so much more if they have seen the movies.

10 – FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE PARKS

This is one of my most favorite tips. Before you go to the park create some excitement by introducing the park to your kids before you go. There are some amazing YouTube videos of the Disneyland rides with inside park secrets. This is also a good way for the kids to know what they are going to ride before we go to the park. It has helped with anxiety and some nervousness at the park.

Disneyland With Kids – 102 Tips You Need To Know

11 – GO TO THE PARK EARLY

My number one tip! You are on vacation, you want to sleep in. Everyone else is sleeping in too. To beat the crowds get to the park an hour before it opens. I know that sounds crazy but we hit every ride in about an hour. Totally worth it! The park is quiet, you can enjoy the scenery and ride everything without lines.

12 – USE THE FAST PASS

To avoid long lines, use the Disneyland Fast Pass option. This free service is a way to reserve a return time for an attraction when you can ride with little to no wait. Fast passes are distributed at machines which are located at the entrance of the ride where it is available.

It’s easy, insert each of your party’s tickets into a fast pass machine. You will get a printed stub giving you a one-hour return window come back and ride without having to wait in the regular standby line.  Note that once you insert your ticket, your fast passes are then tied to your tickets electronically. Essentially all the printed ticket functions as is a reminder stub. When you return to ride your hard tickets will be scanned or you can use your phone if you have downloaded the Disneyland App. 

FastPasses do not cost extra and are available to everyone with any type of Disneyland ticket. Park tickets must be activated at the front turnstiles (or Downtown Disney monorail station) before being used to obtain FastPasses. Disneyland With Kids – 102 Tips You Need To Know

Bonus Tip: There’s a new, centralized FastPass distribution kiosk in Disneyland Park’s Tomorrowland. All rides and attractions eligible for FastPass in Tomorrowland are available to request at the new kiosk, which is located outside the Tomorrowland Theater. This new FastPass kiosk is also completely digital, so no paper return time reminder will be printed. It will be loaded onto your ticket just like other FastPass requests.

13 – SHOULD I BUY THE MAXPASS? HOW DOES Disneyland MaxPass WORK?

The MaxPass is a must. MaxPass allows you to secure FastPasses anywhere in the park without having to physically visit a FastPass distribution machine. Your FastPass reservations can be made the minute you walk through the park on the Disneyland app. This saves so much time and walking!

Most of the MaxPass return windows are very short. As soon as you scan your ticket at a ride, you can immediately reserve the next ride while you wait for your current ride. Fastpass users have to wait, ride the ride and then walk to a distribution machine. The maximum waiting period is shorter with MaxPass. I highly suggest purchasing a MaxPass

The MaxPass also comes with unlimited Disney PhotoPass photo downloads. You can download all of your photos from the park.

14 – WHAT FAST PASSES SHOULD I GET EARLY?

If you are trying to ride a popular ride, you will need to get your fast passes right when you enter the park. Fast passes for Radiator Springs, Millennium Falcon, Rise Of The Resistance, Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain are usually out by late afternoon.

15 – HOW DO DISNEYLAND FAST PASSES WORK?

Assuming you purchased the MaxPass (again, I highly suggest it) book your FastPasses to the large attractions first. Space Mountain, Matterhorn, Millennium Falcon and Rise of the Resistance need to be first on your Fastpass list.

16 – HOW DOES MOBILE ORDERING WORK?

The greatest time saver! Use the mobile ordering option on your Disneyland App to order food at any quick-service dining location. It’s so easy. Find the food you want to order, pay for it on your app, select a time you want to go pick it up and thats it! We have loved this option for snacks and treats!

15 – TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE PHOTO PASS

There are amazing photographers walking around the park all day. It is so much fun to have them take some amazing Disneyland family pictures. This allows you to take unlimited photos and saves them digitally on your Disneyland App.

16 – USE YOUR MAGIC MORNING OR EXTRA MAGIC HOUR

If you purchase a 3 day park hopper or stay at a Disneyland Hotel, you have access to magic moringins in the park. A magic morning allows you to enter the park one hour before the posted time on either Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday.

Extra Magic Hours is offered to guests staying at one of the Disneyland Resort Hotels and includes an hour of early entry each day of your stay. It’s good for Disneyland early entrance on the same days that Magic Morning is offered and for early entrance into select areas of Disney California Adventure Park on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Staying at one of the Disneyland Resort Hotels is the only way to get into Cars Land before it opens to the public. (we actually learned that the hard way) Disneyland With Kids – 102 Tips You Need To Know

17 – MAGIC MORING SECRETS

Just so you are aware, Disneyland magic mornings does not mean the entire park is open. They only open a select few areas. Usually they alternate between Fantasyland and Tomorrow Land. There isn’t a way to check before hand but knowing this information before you enter the park will help you plan your morning.

18 – AVIOD MAGIC MORNINGS

On the flip side if you are not utilizing Magic Morning or Extra Magic Hour entry then be sure to head to the opposite park than the one offering early entry. Unless you can get that jump start to your day your best bet is to select the park that is likely to be much less crowded. So, head straight to Disneyland on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and start at California Adventure on Tuesday and Thursday.

19 – EARLY ENTRY FOR DISNEYLAND RESORT HOTEL GUESTS

One of the perks for staying at a Disneyland Hotel is early entry into the park. Hotel guests can enter both parks an hour before the park opens to the public. This is a perk that is totally worth paying a bit more for your hotel. The parks is pretty empty and you can ride all the popular attractions with little to no line.

20 – WHAT DISNEYLAND RIDES ARE CLOSED?

To avoid disappointment know which rides are going to be closed before you go. Disneyland is always refurbishing rides and sometimes thats a bummer. But if you know before you go you can make other plans and keep the magic alive.

21 – TAKE A PICTURE OF YOUR TICKET

If you have ever lost your ticket you know this is a brilliant tip. Even if you have your ticket linked to your Disneyland App take a pic of your actual ticket can save you some stress. You an still use the bar code to link your tickets to fast passes.

22 – WHICH TICKET LINE IS SHORTEST?

This is a Disneyland tip that not many people know! If you get to the park early stand at the ticket booths on the very far sides (both right and left). The those ticket lines are always empty and you can save a lot of time by knowing this easy Disneyland secret.

23 – ENTRANCE TIME VS ROPE DROP FOR GUESTS

There is a difference between when Disneyland opens and rope drop. Rope drop is when guests are allowed to go onto the rides. Rope drop is never later than the time the park is scheduled to open. At Disneyland, rope drop typically occurs at the time the park is scheduled to open, while the gates to the park typically open earlier. This is good to know so you aren’t surprised that you can’t enter the park right when you walk in. We suggest getting a breakfast treat, enjoying Main Street and avoiding the rope drop crowds.

24 – GO TO NEW ORLEANS SQUARE FIRST

Most people go straight to Fantasy Land when they enter the park. Fantasy Land is straight through the castle from Main Street. To avoid the crowds take a left through Adventure Land and hit everything at New Orleans Square. You will be able to ride Pirates of The Carriean, The Haunted Mansion and Splash Mountain will no line.

25 – WHAT IS THE RIDER SWICTH OPTION?

Rider Switch is your best friend if you have young kids who don’t measure up to certain attraction height restrictions. One person in your group will stay back with the small child while the riders collect a special pass at the beginning of the attraction, wait in line as usual, and then get a Rider Switch ticket before boarding the attraction. Then, whoever stayed back with the smaller kids go to the front of the line with up to two ride partners. Rider switch passes can be combined with FastPass tickets, and Rider Switch passes don’t have a specific return time offering ultimate flexibility. Bonus Tip: With Disneyland’s FastPass tickets going digital, Rider Switch is now digital as well and has approximately an hour return time.

26 – WHAT RIDES HAVE SINGLE RIDER OPTION?

Some of the rides offer a single rider option. Because most guests are riding with even numbers, this is an awesome chance to split up and ride those big rides without waiting in line or using a fast pass. Here are some singles rider lines. Incredicoaster, Goofy’s Sky School, Grizzly River Run, Indiana Jones Adventure, Radiator Springs Racers Soarin’ Over California Splash Mountain, Matterhorn, Space Mountain, Star Tours and Millennium Falcon.

27 – SOME RIDES ARE WORTH TO STAND IN THE QUE

Disney Imagineers have done an amazing job with making standing line interactive and fun! There are a couple of ques that are worth waiting in line for. Indiana Jones has some hidden secrets to look for such has trap doors and ropes. Millennium Falcon has some amazing gadgets. Inside Buzz Lightyear you can talk to Buzz.

Disneyland With Kids – 102 Tips You Need To Know

28 – WHAT ARE DISNEYLAND HEIGHT REQUIREMENTS?

This is a good one to know before you fo so you can avoid disappointment with your littles. Most of the bigger attractions have a height requirement of 40″. Indiana Jones has the tallest requirement of 46″. Disneyland Star Wars height requirements are, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is 38″ and Rise of the Resistance is 40″.

29 – READ UP ON RIDES BEFORE YOU GO

Some rides have big drops, scary characters, strobe lights and are very loud. Read up on the rides before you go if you have a sensitive child.

30 – PLAY Disney Parks

The new Play Disney Parks App has made waiting in line fun. The app offers activities such as themed games, Disney trivia, digital achievements, songs and more. The locations for the achievements and the games are shown on the maps of each of the parks that are included in the Play Disney Parks app. You can design your own rocket ship while waiting in line for Space Mountain or make Tinkerbelle magically appear in a lantern in the que for Peter Pan’s Flight. Play Disney Parks is free.

31 – KEEP YOUR KIDS BUSY IN LINE

Some days you can’t avoid the crowds and the lines are long. We always bring fun card games to pass the time. To keep the Disney theme we bring our favorite, “I Found It.” This card game is easy to carry and keeps the magic alive.

32 – KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN AND CAMERA READY

You never know when a character will be walking down the street. They are fast so it is a good idea to keep your eyes open and camera ready. I promise those moments with the characters are worth stopping.

33 – FUN IDEA FOR CHARACTER AUTOGRAPHS

It is always fun to get character autographs. If you want to buy an autograph book I suggest buying it before you enter the park. Here is another idea that my kids have loved. We bring a white pillow case, a sharpie and we have the characters sign the pillow case. They love having a souvenir they use everyday.

34 – PHOTO FAUX PAS

Let’s talk about the what not to do’s when it comes to photos in the park. Self sticks are prohibited in the park. If you are caught with one you will be asked to put it away or it will be taken. If you have one our on an attraction they will stop the ride and ask you to exit.

There is nothing worse than having a flash go off on Disneyland attractions and at shows. It ruins the magic.

35 – BUY IT BEFORE YOU GO

Everything in the park is expensive. There are a couple of things you must buy before you go. Mickey ears, plastic straws, wet ones, gum, glow sticks and other glow in the dark toys, ponchos, hats and Disney apparel.

FYI. There is no gum sold in the park. If you are a gum lover, bring as much as you need before you enter.

36 – BEST WAY TO PUT CONTACT INFO ON YOUR KIDS

I am one of those Moms that lost their kid at Disney World. It was terrifying and it happens. These bracelets are an amazing way to have your contact info on your child just in case.

37 – SET A MEETING POINT

If you have older kids that like to be on their own set a meeting place at a central location. For Disneyland I suggest the statue of Walt and Mikey. In DCA the top of Paradise Pier is a good central location.

38 – STROLLERS! ALL THE INFO YOU NEED

Strollers are available to rent or you can bring in your own. You will be doing a lot of walking so I suggest having one on hand for anyone under seven. I would also suggest taking a SMALLER STROLLER like this that handles well. Plus, it’s a great place to store park essentials like water bottles, snacks, sunblock and ponchos. It is very difficult to maneuver a large stroller and you really don’t want too much stuff in the park. A smaller stroller is easier to take care of. We also always take 2 so we can separate and still have a stroller with us. It has been a life saver.

There is stroller parking outside everywhere. You can keep your stroller in one spot for hours if you’d like. Theft from strollers is extremely rare at Disney. Always be safe and never leave your valuables in your stroller. Cast members are always moving strollers so don’t be worried if it is not in the exact same place where you left it. They do this to keep the area tidy and minimize how much space the strollers take up.

* There are some new rules with strollers. Strollers must be no larger than 31” wide and 52” long. Disneyland With Kids – 102 Tips You Need To Know

39 – MY BEST SOUVENIR TIP

There are souvenirs EVERYWHERE! It can drive a mom crazy. We created a reward system where they have to earn their souvenir. If they have enough stickers on their little chart, they can get a toy. We allow them to get one thing the last night of our trip. This has been a life saver. The kids know the rules and there is no more whining for toys.

40 – WHAT IS WORTH THE SPLURGE?

Hands down the Max Pass. Its $15 per day per ticket It is the best way to do the parks. Treats. There are so many good treats that are all part of the experience. The Bibity Bobidi boutique is a must do for first time visitors with little girls. Testing out the treats at Disneyland is always the best part so plan to spend some extra money on some yummy desserts.

41 – DOWNTOWN DISNEY

Downtown Disney is perfect if you are not going into the park but want a little Disney magic. You can shop everything from the Disney store to Sephora. There are some amazing restaurants like Tortilla Joes and Ralph’s Kitchen which are top on our list to have our first Disney dinner.

42 – WHAT ARE THE BEST PICTURE SPOTS IN DISNEYLAND?

There are some amazing picture spots in both parks. Here is a list of the best photo spots in Disneyland. The entrance to the park, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, Pixar Pier Skyline, Mark Twain River boat, Disneyland Railroad, King Arthur Carousel and Jingles, Millennium Falcon in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Cars Land, Redwood Creek Challenge Trail and Instagram Walls to name a few.

43 – DO YOU SMELL THAT?

Did you know that Disneyland pumps out smells to fully immerse you into a different land? It’s a machine called the “Smellitzer”. Disneyland has created away to enhance your experience with smell. If you walk around Radiator Springs it smells like the desert. Haunted Mansion created a smell that smells like an old house, damp wood on Splash Mountain, Waffle Cones and Vanilla outside of Main Street’s Candy Palace, gunpowder of Pirates of the Caribbean.

44 – PACK SNACKS

Kids are always hungry, even at Disneyland. Pack some easy and healthy snacks to keep the hangry away. Like almonds, granola bars, crackers or veggies.

44 – ENJOY THE PARK SNACKS

I know I just said to pack snacks but don’t pack too many. Enjoying all the snacks and treats at Disneyland is part of the experience. Try everything from the Mickey raspberry macaroon, a dole whip and my personal favorite is the Jack Jack cookies at DCA,

45 – WHAT ARE THE BEST DISNEYLAND RESTAURANTS?

There are a lot of food options in both parks. Not all restaurants are the same. Our top pick is Wine Country Trattoria in DCA, an Italian restaurant with seating outside. It’s beautiful at night. The Blue Bayou located inside Pirates of the Caribbean is a must. You can’t beat the atmosphere. Cafe’ Orleans is a restaurant where you can find the iconic Monte Cristo for a cheaper price.

46 – BEST DISNEYLAND COUNTER SERVICE

Counter service restaurants are an awesome choice if you are looking for a quick, cheaper meal. They are located all over the park and have a lot of different options. Our three favorites are Cocina Cucamongo Mexican Grill at DCA, The Tropical Hideaway and Rancho del Zocalo.

47 – MAKE RESERVATIONS IN ADVANCE

I highly recommend making dining reservations 60 days in advance if you are planning on eating at any restaurant at Disneyland, DCA or Downtown Disney. Reservations fill up fast. Most of the time if you do not have a reservation before entering the park you will not be able to get one.

48 – THE MONTE CRISTO

The best sandwich of all time. It is turkey, ham, Swiss fried in a light batter, disked with powdered sugar. Heaven. A couple of tips. It is huge. You can share this with a friend. You can order the Monte Cristo at Cafe Orleans and the Blue Bayou.

49 – BIBITY BOBBITY BOUTIQUE

This is a must splurge for little girls. They have their hair and nails done like a princes. There are different packages available but the basic package is perfect.

50 – CHARACTER DINING

There are so many options for character dining. They are all breakfast dining. You can have breakfast with all the Disney princesses or Mickey and Minnie. These fill up quickly. Make your reservations 60 days in advance.

51 – FREE WATER

There are a lot of clean drinking fountains around the park where you can fill up a water bottle. Starbucks will always give you free water as well as restaurants and counter service dining. You can not get free water at carts.

52 – REDWOOD CREEK CHALLENGE TRAIL

The Redwood Creek Challenge Trail is located in Disney’s California Adventure behind the Littler Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure and across from Grizzly River Run. It is a perfect spot if you need a Disney break. There are obstacle corses, rope swings and some pretty cool wilderness adventure attractions. You can let your younger kids play while you take a little break.

53 – IS THERE A SECRET MENU AT DISNEYLAND?

Yes, there are secret menu items in the Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure! The Glactic Style Burger. A burger topped with chips, bacon, cheese grilled onions and Thousand Island dressing located at the Galactic Grill in Tomorrowland. Whitewater snacks carnitas nachos. Pacific Wharf Mac ‘n’ Cheese bread bowl at the Pacific Wharf. Ice cream ‘nachos’ at the Golden Horseshoe and Flo’s V8 Neapolitan shake at Flo’s Diner.

54 – BEST TIME TO HIT FANTASY LAND

I mentioned about that everyone runs to Fantasy Land early in the morning so the best time to visit this land is later in the evening or during a magic morning time.

55 – ARE DISNEYLAND RIDES SCARY? FANTASY LAND FRIGHTS

Fantasy Land may seem life a land full of fairy tales but most of the rides is Fantasy Land are down right frightening. The Snow White ride is actually called “Snow White’s Scary Adventures” and Pinocchio is called “Pinocchio’s Daring Journey”. I suggest telling your little kids that the rides are scary before they enter the attractions.

56 – RIDE BOTH SIDES OF THE MATTERHORN

The Matterhorn as two sides that are totally different. The right side is longer but the left is faster and has more dips. You also see the Snow Monster more on the left side.

57 – RIDE BOTH SIDES OF THUNDER MOUNTAIN

Thunder Mountain Railroad has two sides and they are completely different. The right side of the attraction is shorter and the left side has a more interactive experience like a stalagmite cave and earthquake bridge.

58 – PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN LINE HACK

The two ques to Pirates of the Caribbean are not the same. Usually people head to the left line which is actually longer than the right. To save some time go to the right line.

59 – HOW TO GET THE HIGHEST SCORE ON BUZZ LIGHTYEAR

Find your aim and never stop shooting. Move your car. Look for certain shapes.

• Circle – 100 points
• Square – 1,000 points
• Diamond – 5,000 points
• Triangle – 10,000 points

Follow the light. When a target’s edges are lit up, it’s worth 10x the usual point value! 

The Hidden Goldmine.  The first time you see Emperor Zurg, he has a hidden target right on his chest. It’s exactly between his breast plates, about halfway down. This tiny target never lights up, but it’s worth 50,000 points! If you shoot the targets on his blaster, he will turn toward you, which makes shooting at his chest MUCH easier.

60 – RIDE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY MORE THAN ONCE

There are 6 different sequences of drops on Guardians of the Galaxy. Each sequence has a different theme song and drop timing. Ride it more than once to get a different experience.

61 – HOW TO GET THE HIGHEST SCORE ON TOY STORY MANIA

Don’t waste energy on the practice round. Harder-to-hit targets are worth more points. Don’t work too hard and Work with your partner!

Find the hen house in the bottom corner of the screen. Try to shoot the fox off of the house. The chickens will start running out. Fire as fast as you can at the chickens for some huge points.

Try to fire the darts at the long skinny balloons under the volcano. It will erupt after they are all popped and groups of 500-point balloons will appear. They are close together which makes them very easy to pop.

Work with your partner to break the plates. Hit the 2,000-point plates that are tossed in the air at the very start of the game. When you hit those first more high-point flying plates will appear. If you hit them all and a tank will appear with even more plates for you to shoot.

Go for the aliens in the rocket ship first. After the ship launches away a robot appears. You can shoot the rings in it’s mouth and earn points each time: 100 the first time, then 500, 1,000, and then 2,000.

The final round is split into sections. Fire at the bullseyes and bunnies to reveal more targets.. The second round hit every car you can. Look for the two bats that fly in at the top of the screen and shoot. Hitting them will make the mine carts worth more points. The bonus round you need to try to hit one target as many times as possible. The bullseye is worth more points every time you hit it.

66 – ALWAYS GO LEFT

Most people go into the park and go right. This is true for line ques too. When most people are going to the right line, go left for shorter wait. This is true for every attraction except for Pirates of the Caribbean. The right side of the line is significantly shorter than the left side.

67 – STEER THE MARK TWAIN

Did you know you can steer, the Mark Twain the big white boat on the Rivers of America, by yourself? It’s a Disneyland secret that if you ask the boat’s captian he will take you to the front of the boat.

68 – HEAD OVER TO PIRATE’S LAIR ON TOM SAWYERS ISLAND

Tom Sawyer’s Island is a hidden gem in the middle of the River’s of America. Hope onto a log raft to the island. There are quiet paths scenic views of the riverbanks. Some fun bridges in Smuggler’s Cove and some fun haunted caves of Dead Man’s Grotto. As you explore, look out for the long-lost pirate treasure rumored to be hidden on the island!

69 – DISNEYLAND CANOES

This is something not a lot of people know about but you can row a canoe at Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes. It’s a fun attraction that takes you to see parts of Disneyland that a lot of people don’t know about.

70 – REQUEST A ROW

Want to sit in the front? Or the back? Just ask! Cast members are there to help you enjoy the attraction. I always request the front of Matterhorn and Space Mountain so I can see everything better.

71 – RIDE RADIATOR SPRINGS EARLY

Radiator Springs in Cars Land is one of the most popular attractions in both parks. The line for Radiator Springs can exceed 120 minutes and fast passes are gone by the middle of the day. The best time to ride Radiator Springs is first thing in the morning when the lines are shorter.

72 – TAKE A PIC OF YOUR RIDE PICS

Those ride pics are pretty funny. We always get a good laugh at our family on the rides. Here is a Disneyland Tip. It’s always crowded by the Disneyland attraction pictures so quickly take a snap shot of your ride pic with your phone and download it later.

73 – HEAD OVER TO CARS LAND AT NIGHT – Disneyland With Kids – 102 Tips You Need To Know

Cars Land at night is spectacular. The street is lit up with beautiful lights and a party atmosphere. Ride Luigies Dance Cars at night. The ride is beautifully lit with string lights and the music is so fun. Radiator Spring is amazing at night time. The red rocks are all lit up making it a must ride after the sun goes down. There is even a street dance party with a car dj. The entire land turns into a party and it’s a must see.

74 – BREAK TIME AT DISNEYLAND

Take a break when you need it. You don’t even have to leave the park. Disneyland has amazing scenery that is peaceful and perfect for a toddler nap. The best quiet nap places are the benches near the Hungry Bear Restaurant, in front of Main Street Station, the benches around Walt’s circle in front of Small World, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, Mark Twain Riverboat, Disneyland Railroad and Grizzly Peak Pass.

75 – WATCH THE SHOWS

Disneyland shows are amazing. They have beautiful singers, talented dancers and technical stages. It is a wonderful break from the busy Disneyland rush. Some of my favorites are The Frozen – Live at he Hyperion, Storytelling at Royal Theatre and Mickey and the Magical Map.

76 – DON’T PASS UP THE PARADES

The Disneyland parades are amazing! You can see most of the characters we all love and more and some pretty cool floats as well. Here is a short video of the Christmas parade in Disneyland 2019. Your little kids will love seeing all the characters and dancers. If you your child has a birthday pin, sometimes they will get a shout out from a character which is pretty amazing.

77 – BEST WAY TO MEET MICKEY MOUSE

This is when waking up early is totally worth it. If you enter the park first thing in morning, Mickey Mouse and his friends are always on Main Street. Mickey Mouse is usually to the right. Don’t pass up this opportunity because this is the only time he is available. Go grab a picture, make some memories with your kids and have a magical day.

78 – BE CROWD SAAVY

Let’s just be honest. Disneyland is always crowded. Especially during the parades. It is nice to see people using some common sense and little but of selflessness when it comes to crowds. We had an experience where our kids couldn’t see the parade and a nice family let our kids sit next to them so they could see. That small act of kindness made a huge impact on our trip.

79 – BEST PLACE TO WATCH THE PARADE

The best place to watch the parade is in front of It’s A Small World. It is never crowded and usually that is where the parade starts. So you can head to another attraction while the rest of the park is watching the parade.

80 – DISNEYLAND RAILROAD IS A MUST

The Disneyland Railroad is the best way to see the entire park while you are giving your feet a break. It even takes you inside some of the attractions. There are stations in each land. Main Street, New Orleans Square, Toon Town and Tomorrow Land. We have a family tradition of riding the railroad on our last night at the park. We grab our favorite treat and just enjoy the park at night.

81 – HIT THE LATE SHOWS

There are usually two different show times for all of the big nighttime shows. The early show is always super crowded. The best thing to do is take advantage of those crowds watching the early show and head to the big attractions. You can watch the later show with less crowds.

82 – DON’T OVER PACK

You can walk up to 10 miles or more if you are in the park all day. That’s a lot of walking probably carrying your toddler. Save yourself and your back by packing light. You really don’t need a lot of extra stuff in the park. There are lockers available near the entrance of the park if you need to store some of your things.

83 – BRING A LIGHT JACKET

California days can be pretty hot but the night are cold. Keep yourself comfortable with a light jacket. Save some money by purchasing a Disneyland jacket on Amazon.

84 – BRING YOUR OWN GUM

Disneyland doesn’t sell gum. Anywhere. If you are a gum lover like me, pack extra gum in your bag. You will be glad you did.

85 – DISNEYLAND OUTFITS TIP

Matching or coordinating outfits in the park is always fun! Buy your outfits before you go! Matching or coordinating your park outfits looks awesome in Disneyland photos and you can find your group in a crowd easily. There are some very inexpensive T-shirts on Amazon and Target but my all time favorite Disneyland outfits are from Zara. They are good quality, a good price and a little bit different.

86 – BRING BACK UP POWER BANKS FOR YOUR PHONE

You will be using your phone a lot. Taking pictures, texting other people in your group to meet up and getting all of your fast passes. Most of your Disneyland information is on your phone on the Disneyland App. That battery on your phone will die very fast. Bring an extra charger like this for your phone to make sure you can keep your day at the park smooth.

87 – FIRST AID HELP – Disneyland With Kids – 102 Tips You Need To Know

You are not supposed to get hurt in Disneyland but if you do you can head over to the First Aide station near the Plaza Inn in Disneyland. There you can get everything from an aspirin, band-aids, ice packs, saline solution or even an antacid. You can get any assistance you need plus medication from an RN for free!

There is also a Mother’s Room where you can get all of your baby needs and find a quiet place to nurse.

88 – KEEP YOUR PHONE ON LOW BATTERY MODE

You are going to need all the battery life you have with the Disneyland App and all those fast passes. Turn your phone on low battery mode to save the life of your phone. You don’t need to get any notifications except if your Dole whip you mobile ordered is ready.

89 – ASK THE PHOTOGRAPHERS FOR PICS

I mentioned above that your Max Pass includes a photo pass. With the photo pass you can find any photographer and get some amazing pictures. They are located all over the park and usually there is no line.

90 – GO SLOW

Enjoy your time in the park. There is no rush. This is probably one of my biggest tips for first timers. It is hard to have the feeling that you have to see and do everything but you miss out on some magical events if you rush. Take a break if you need it. Eat a treat on a bench and people watch. There is no rush.

91 – TIKI ROOM

The Tiki Room is a classic attraction at Disneyland. Grab yourself a Dole Whip and head inside for 15 minutes of rest and air-conditioning. You can be a part of the show! Ask a cast member if you can wake up Jose’, the red, white and green audio animatronic parrot that hosts the show.

Disneyland With Kids – 102 Tips You Need To Know

92 – FREE BUTTONS – Disneyland With Kids – 102 Tips You Need To Know

Are you in the park to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or just something special? You can get a free pin from any merchandise store. They will write your name on your pin and you can wear it proudly around the park. Cast members will congratulate you or wish you a happy birthday. This one is fun with little kids. Cast member will wish them a happy birthday and maybe get a free treat.

Disneyland With Kids – 102 Tips You Need To Know

93 – OTHER FREE THINGS – Disneyland With Kids – 102 Tips You Need To Know

There are a lot of free options at Disneyland. Get some free chocolate at Ghirardelli chocolate from the Pacific Wharf in Disney California Adventure and free sample of sourdough bread at Boudin. The Jungle Cruise offers free antique style maps (if you ask) at the end or the attraction. You can attend a free drawing class taught by a real Disney animator and keep your masterpiece. 

A list of everything you can get for FREE

• Commemorative buttons
• Disney stickers from Cast Members
• Character autographs
• Autopia driver’s license
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters photo
• Sourdough bread from Boudin Bakery in Disney California Adventure
• Ghiradelli chocolate square in Disney California Adventure
• Disney Pin Trading – bring your own Pins from home, and trade for free with Cast Members, shops and other guests

94 – FREE REPLACEMENTS FOR POPPED BALLOONS – Disneyland With Kids – 102 Tips You Need To Know

Parents who have ever consoled a child over a popped balloon will be glad to know that Disneyland will replace any popped balloon free of charge. Just bring the damaged goods to any balloon vendor and they’ll give you a new one on the spot. While this isn’t technically a freebie, it’s nice to know that after the initial cost of a balloon, you can have it replaced free of additional charges if it happens to pop.

95 – ASK ABOUT FOOD ALLERGIES

If you or any of your family member have food allergies or specific dietary needs just ask for a different menu. Disneyland has been recognized as the leader in offering allergy friendly options at all of their restaurants. You can review the menus on the Disneyland App you can get a list of all ingredients used at each restaurant at City Hall on Main Street. A chef can even come out and talk to you at your table if you are needing extra assistance.

96 – DISNEYLAND LETTERS

Did you know you can mail a letter from inside Disneyland? There are mailboxes all over the park. You can send a postcard to anyone, you just need to provide the postage.

Disneyland With Kids – 102 Tips You Need To Know

97 – PACKAGE DELIVERY

If you are a guest at any Disneyland hotel you have a special perk. You can purchase an item in the parks and instead of carrying them around all day, you have the option of having it delivered to your room. This is an awesome perk that we love taking an advantage of.

98 – STAY LATE

Disneyland usually closes around 9pm on the weekdays and 12am on the weekends. That’s late but it can also be the best time to be in the park. Most of the young families are gone and you can ride Peter Pan and other packed rides with little to no line. The parks have done a great job at creating a different atmosphere than during the day. I suggest experiencing both day and night in both parks.

99 – JUST ASK A CAST MEMBER

Disneyland and DCA cast members are there to make sure you have a wonderful time at Disneyland. We have had some amazing experiences when we asked for something nicely. They want to create magic for you and your family, all you have to do is ask.

100 – LOOK FOR HIDDEN MICKEYS- Disneyland Tip

This is an amazing fun game. Did you know there are mickey outlines hidden all over the park. Searching for hidden mickeys is one of our most favorite things to do in the park. Look closely, some of them are hidden in unexpected places.

Disneyland With Kids – 102 Tips You Need To Know

101 – SAY THANK YOU TO A CAST MEMBER AT CITY HALL

If you have an amazing experience with a cast member, remember their name and head to City Hall. There you can write them a thank you card and it goes into their file. All of those positive experiences with guests can earn them a promotion or special perks. They hear a lot of negative things so it would be so nice to share something positive.

102 – JUST GO WITH IT – Best Disneyland Tip

Yes, there will be crowds, lines, rude people, crying babies and things you didn’t expect. The best thing to do is remember you are on vacation and to just go with it. Enjoy some quality time with your family and creating memories that will last a lifetime!

Disneyland With Kids – 102 Tips You Need To Know

Disneyland is a wonderful vacation for everyone in your family. I hope Disneyland tips and tricks create more magic at the Happiest Place on Earth. If you have more questions, please leave a comment below.

xoxo – Beth