Tips for a Great Summer Disneyland Trip

Vacation season is currently in full swing at Disneyland Resort, and you can expect high attendance from now through Labor Day. If you’re headed to Anaheim soon, here are a few quick tips for enjoying summer at the Happiest Place on Earth.

Stay within walking distance.

The three onsite resort hotels are the ultimate in convenience. You can also find affordable motels on Harbor Boulevard—and some are an even shorter walk to the front gates.

Go against the early entry flow.

Multi-day tickets include Magic Morning early admission into Disneyland on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and onsite hotel guests get an hour head-start at California Adventure on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. If you aren’t eligible for these perks, be sure to start your day at the opposite park when its gates open; otherwise, attractions will already have lines by the time you enter.

Buy MaxPass to minimize melting.

At its current price of $15 per guest daily, MaxPass is well worth its price when the weather gets warm. Not only does the smartphone-based ride-reservation system allow you to experience more attractions in a day, it can save your party from overheating while crisscrossing the parks picking up standard FastPasses.

Hydrate!

Nothing will spoil a summer day swifter than dehydration. With the SoCal sun shining, if you wait until you’re downright parched to drink, it’s already too late. Refill your reusable bottle at drinking fountains in the park or request free ice water from any counter service restaurant to cool off.

Take a Swim or Snooze

Slip out of Disneyland during the hottest part of the day for a quick dip in your hotel pool. When the parks are operating from 8 a.m. to midnight, it’s nearly impossible to sustain a smile from opening to closing without a short siesta. Escape for a couple hours in mid-afternoon when wait times are peaking, and return refreshed for the evening events.