Disneyland Tips

These practical tips can help you make the most of your Disneyland visit:

  • Get Ready: Study a map of the park before you arrive to become acquainted yourself with the layout and plot your itinerary.
  • Main Street Hours: Main Street usually opens 30 minutes before the rest of the park. Eat breakfast, shop, or pose for photos with the characters. Main Street shops are also open one hour after Park closing, in case you still need to buy a souvenir.
  • Park Hours and Closure Times: Get current information on ride and show times as well as closures at the Information Board.  This is usually located on Main Street.
  • Meeting Place: Plan and prepare a meeting place that the entire family knows about if  you get separated. Walk there together so everyone knows exactly where it is.
  • Restaurant Reservations: If you want to eat at a sit down restaurant, make reservations at the restaurant as soon as you enter the Park.
  • Parades: Arrive early (at least an hour, but up to two hours for the best views) to get a spot to see Fantasmic! and the parades. A second show, it is usually less crowded.
  • Fireworks: The best place to see fireworks is right next to the rope in front, where it feels like the show is just for you. If there are two shows, you can watch the fireworks, then go directly to Fantasmic! and still get a good (but not great) view.
  • Cool Down Spots It can get really hot.  You will need a spot to cool off and rest? Several ideas are  Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln,  Enchanted Tiki Room, or Cinderella's Castle. You'll find a cool mist, and plenty of places to sit, just below the rocket at Redd Rockets.
  • Help For Baby: The Baby Care Center has facilities for nursing, formula preparation and diaper changing. You'll find it next to First Aid on Main Street. Run out of diapers? You can buy them here.
  • Characters: The best place to meet characters are Town Square in front of the Castle, and Toon Town Square. Mickey is almost always at home here, and Minnie is often around, too. If you 're looking for a specific character, ask the Toon Finder who usually hangs out near the Adventureland entrance. If your kids want autographs, bring a big pen that's easy for the character to grip.
  • Buying Large Items: If you buy something in the park, use Package Express. It's free and you pick up your packages outside the Main Disneyland Entrance at the Newsstand when you leave. You don't have to carry anything and you can't lose it.