Tips for Your Day At Disneyland/California Adventure

Known as “the happiest place on Earth”, Disneyland is a highly sought out destination for many due to its incredible attractions. Offering tasty unique food and drink options, character meet ups, rides/coasters, shows, and more! Between all of that, high prices, long wait times, and the large crowds it can get a bit overwhelming at times. However, no need to fret I’ll be going over some of my favorite recommendations and tips that I’ve learned as someone who has a magic key (annual pass) and has been going frequently for a few years. So let’s dive in!

Fave Foods:

Disneyland

1. Jolly Holiday Cafe

Jolly Holiday has great dining options, they have sandwiches, soups, salads, and pastries. My go to is the beef birria grilled cheese sandwich. Very flavorful and a decent sized portion. They also offer seasonal options. Around the holidays they have a turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce that’s definitely a must have.

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2. Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree

Hungry Bear has a great menu selection offering barbecue, burgers, chicken tenders, and tons of delicious desserts. If you’re a barbecue fan you’ll definitely want to check it out! I love to try their seasonal funnel cakes so if you ever see one available make sure not to miss out on it!

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California Adventure

1. Lamplight Lounge (Boardwalk)

The boardwalk dining for Lamplight Lounge is the perfect stop for shareable appetizers, and a delicious drinks. My all time favorite is the “Spotlight” barbacoa nachos. I personally am not a seafood fan but I’ve heard amazing reviews about the lobster nachos as well. Besides the amazing food and drinks it has a beautiful view as it sits on the pier by the ferris wheel. To get seated you just walk up and join their virtual walk up list. Definitely worth the visit!

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2. Cocina Cucamonga

Cocina Cucamonga is located in San Fransokyo Square, and serves Mexican cuisine. Most of their food is incredible, the only item I’m not a fan of is the street corn. My go to order is the quesabirria tacos. If I’m feeling extra hungry I’ll add on a side of cilantro lime rice, and of course wash it down with an horchata. Seriously too good to pass up on!

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*Tip: Do NOT eat at Galactic Grill at Disneyland I’ve tried it a few times and every time has been disappointing. Save your money and go literally anywhere else!*

Best Drinks (alcohol)

Disneyland

1. Oga’s Cantina- must join waitlist before hand or make reservation, for those who are under 21 no problem there’s no age restriction to enter! Make Reservation

California Adventureland

1. Hollywood Lounge
2. Shmoozies
3. Award Weiners (get the Brewery X Baja Blast)
4. Lamplight Lounge (get the Dole whip shots)
5. Pym Testing Lab (get the R&D Martini)

Navigating the Lightening Lane:

The Lightening Lane isn’t perfect and can be confusing so this is my advice on using it as someone who doesn’t like to wait!

• Plan ahead which rides are a priority for you. If you’re park hopping the pass applies to both parks, and you are able to book slots every 2 hours.
• Popular rides will run out of slots earlier in the day. I constantly see rides like Guardians of the Galaxy, Space Mountain, and Indiana Jones only offering slots for 11pm by 3pm. So, for popular rides like those I’d advise you book them earlier in the day to ensure a slot.
• There are two rides that are excluded from the pass and are available for separate purchasing. These rides are Rise of the Resistance at Disneyland, and Radiator Springs Racers at California Adventure. Each ride is available to buy a separate pass for $20 each.

-If you don’t feel like spending an extra $20 I’d advise using the single rider line for Radiator Springs Racers, since you can wait the entire time with your party and just ride separately.

-Rise of the resistance doesn’t do single riders so your best alternative would be to either go right when the park opens or right before the ride closes. Do note though that this ride closes by 10pm even when the park closes at 12am.

• As everyone knows rides do break down here and there and will close for maintenance, in the event that the ride you booked the pass for is not operating during your time slot you’ll be given a unique pass. A cast member will scan it and you’ll see a single use multi-use experience will pop up. You’ll be able to use this at any ride that accepts lightening lane. (Some people will use this as a hack if they know a ride will be down most likely all day in order to use the pass on a ride that doesn’t offer a slot for a long time)
• You can only book each ride one time. Although you get new bookings every 2 hours, you cannot repeat a ride using lightening lane. So, if the wait time for a ride is relatively short I’d recommend waiting to use it until it gets busier.

• Lastly, use the tip board where you schedule slots to keep up with wait times and in between slots fit in rides with shorter wait times to maximize your experience.

Ride Hacks

• On Big Thunder Mountain try to maintain eye contact with the goat while going through the bend as it’s said to make it feel faster.
• The Matterhorn ride has two tracks; the left side and right side. The left side is more aggressive, while the right is more gentle. So, if you like thrill take the left, and if you like a more mellow experience go right.
• The Winnie the Pooh and Storybook ride offer a special experience to the first riders everyday. If you’re the first in line to either ride you get to sign a book. Personally, I’m not usually there that early, but for my morning people you may want to consider it as it’s a unique experience!
• The Monsters Inc ride at California Adventure sometimes offers their own version of the single rider line and is referred to as a buddy pass. Buddy pass is applicable to parties of 2 and 1, and the entrance is through the exit. Just make sure to ask a cast member to see if they’re offering it that day.

Rope Drop Hacks

• Most people who rope drop will go to the right side of the park first, so do the opposite and go left for less crowds at Disneyland
• If you rope drop at California Adventure start at Pixar Pier, and knock out all of those rides

Thank you for reading, and I hope these help you with your next Disney day! If you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out 🙂