Disneyland is truly a magical place whether you’re visiting solo, with friends, or as a family. There’s something about stepping into the world of Disney, but a successful trip requires a bit of planning. If you’re visiting Disneyland for the first time, I’ll guide you through everything you need to know for a magical, stress-free day.

Quick Q&A :

Where is Disneyland?

Disneyland is located in Anaheim, California. The main entrance address is: Disneyland East Esplanade, Anaheim, CA 92802

When is Disneyland Open?

The park hours vary depending on special events and time of year. However, the park is typically open from 8:00am to midnight. You can check the official schedule here.

How much are Disneyland Tickets?

Disneyland tickets vary due to numerous factors like how many days you’ll be visiting, whether you’re visiting during a special event, if you want to get a park hopper pass and also visit the California Adventure Park, as well as whether or not you want to purchase add ons such as the Lightening Lane Pass. Despite all those variations in tickets, you can expect to pay between $110-$190 USD per day per person. Get updated pricing here.

Preparing for Disneyland as a First-Time Visitor

Planning your Disneyland trip in advance is key to ensuring a smooth experience. Here’s what you need to think about before you even step through those magical gates.

Book Tickets in Advance

Buying your tickets online ahead of time can save you a lot of hassle. Not only do you avoid long lines at the ticket booths, but you’ll also have a guaranteed spot since Disneyland can reach capacity during busy seasons.

When buying your tickets, you’ll need to decide if you want the One-Park Per Day or the Park Hopper ticket. The One-Park Per Day ticket allows you access to Disneyland, but not Disney California Adventure Park. The Park Hopper ticket allows you access to both parks and you can go back and forth between them.

You’ll want to look at both parks to see what you’re really interested in visiting and if the extra cost of a park hopper is worth it for you personally based on what rides and attractions are available at each park.

If you have a few days to visit, you may want to opt for the Park Hopper, but if you only have a day, you will have PLENTY to do in Disneyland alone if you opt for the one-park ticket.

Check the Park Hours

Disneyland’s hours vary depending on the day and season, so check online ahead of time. If you’re an early bird, you can maximize your day by arriving at opening. Night owls, however, might prefer staying until closing to enjoy shorter lines later in the evening.

If you’ve only got one day to spend at Disneyland, I advise getting there early, taking a little break in the middle of the day, and heading back in the evening for a long night – like I did!

Plan Around Events and Holidays

Disneyland has seasonal events like Halloween Time and the Holiday Season, with exclusive decorations, shows, and parades. While visiting at this time may add to the magic, it may also cause a rise in ticket prices and increased crowds so be prepared if you’re planning on visiting around the holidays.

What to Bring to Disneyland

*Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking through one of my links, I may receive a small commission for your purchase, so thanks in advance!

Having the right essentials can make visiting Disneyland for the first time a lot easier. I created A Simple, but Comprehensive Disneyland Packing List to guide you on your first trip to Disneyland!

Included in the Comprehensive List (among other things):

• Comfortable Shoes – You’ll be walking a lot—I recorded over 16,000 steps on my Apple watch—so wearing comfortable shoes is a must. Leave the flip-flops at home and opt for sneakers or other supportive footwear.
• Backpack or Bag – A comfortable backpack is essential for carrying your necessities throughout the day. Make sure it’s lightweight, easy to open for security checks at the entrance, and can fit in a ride cart at your feet.
• Refillable Water Bottle – Staying hydrated is key, especially during warmer months. There are water fountains throughout the park where you can refill your bottle.
• Snacks – While Disneyland has some incredible food options, packing a few snacks will save you money and time standing in line. Granola bars, nuts, and fruit are great choices.
• Portable Phone Charger – The Disneyland app is a lifesaver (more on that later), but using it all day can drain your phone’s battery. A portable charger ensures you stay connected and can capture all the memories.

A Simple, but Comprehensive Disneyland Packing List

Arriving at Disneyland

Once you’ve purchased your tickets and packed your bags, here are some things to know about the day of arrival at the park.

Parking & Transportation

If you’re staying in the area, I would highly advise taking public transport or walking to the park if you are able. During my visit, I utilized public transport and it was by far the most efficient and affordable option. The bus only cost $2.00 a ride and dropped me off very close to the entrance. Read the post here: Getting Around Anaheim, CA.

However, if you must drive and park for any reason, there are multiple parking options around the park in which you can purchase parking passes for in advance. Parking passes are typically $35 a day (check the website for the most up-to-date pricing) and are not a guarantee that you’ll be close to the park entrance. You may have to park in a lot and take a shuttle to the entrance depending on availability.

Getting Around Anaheim, CA as a Visitor Without a Car

Security Checks

Before entering the park, you’ll go through a security checkpoint. Make sure to have your bags ready to be inspected, and if possible, pack light to make the process quicker. Be sure not to pack anything on the prohibited items list or you’ll get things confiscated and hold up the line!

Download the Disneyland App

The Disneyland app is your best friend for navigating the park efficiently. You can check wait times for rides, view restaurant menus, and even make dining reservations all in one place. This is the main reason you need to bring a portable phone charger too, because you’ll be checking this app all day long!

Utilizing the Disneyland App

The Disneyland app is a little overwhelming at first and honestly, I don’t even know if I utilized it to its full potential after a whole day in the park, but it absolutely necessary for you to have if you are visiting Disneyland for the first time. Here are some things you can do in the app:

Check Wait Times for Rides

One of the most useful features is the real-time wait times for every ride. This helps you plan which rides to hit first. This was by far my favorite part of the app. As soon as I got off a ride, I’d check to see what ride had the shortest wait time and head over to that ride next. You can also see peak times for certain rides on the app so you’ll know when to avoid those rides.

Make Dining Reservations

There are three categories of dining at Disneyland and for those visiting Disneyland for the first time, this can be kind of confusing so let’s break it down.

Character Dining

There are five character dining experiences at Disneyland. These restaurants not only provide delicious food but have guest appearances of Disney characters too! These experiences require reservations and typically prices range between $40-$80 per person (not including gratuities).

Fine/Signature Dining

There are two fine dining restaurants at Disneyland- Carthay Circle and Napa Rose. Reservations are accepted and I highly suggest making them in advance, as day-of availability is almost impossible. Prices range from $60 ->$100 for adults and between $30-$50 for children.

Quick Service Dining

There are an abundance of quick-service dining options around Disneyland. These are more food truck style, grab-and-go places vs. a typical sit-down and enjoy restaurant. Some of them do have seating, but not all.

In an effort to save money, I only ate one meal during my visit and it was at River Belle Terrace, which is considered a quick-service restaurant despite having both indoor and outdoor seating. I ordered the Big Belle sandwich (shown below).

Quick Service foods can be ordered on the Disneyland app, which is great because you’ll be notified when it’s ready and then you skip the line and just pick up! Later in my day, I ordered some cheesy garlic bread and marinara sauce from the Edelweiss Snack Stand and I was NOT disappointed! Highly recommend.

Utilize your Lightening Lane Pass (if purchased)

Prior to July 2024, Disneyland had what was called Genie+ passes. They have renamed this service and now offer Lightening Lane Passes for single or multi-ride use.

The Single Pass is just that, a one-time-use pass for one specific ride where you can skip the line. This pass is an add-on and is typically around $30.00.

The Multi-Pass allows you to use the pass one time PER RIDE at the park. So you could use the pass multiple times throughout the day, but only once per ride. This pass starts at $30.00 but the price varies throughout the year.

I visited the park before Genie+ was rebranded and essentially I had purchased the multi-lightening lane pass. Since I was only there for a day, and it was my first ever visit to Disneyland, I found that it was a bit too much for me to navigate. I could have been just fine without it. I only used it for one ride and it honestly caused more stress for me because when you use your pass, you go into the app, select a specific time you want to ride the ride, and then you have to be there within 10 minutes. The park is not small so this may alter your whole route and if you’re in a line that’s longer than you thought it would be, the stress of having to be someone else in a short period was just a lot to take on.

Not all rides allow Lightening Pass usage, which was a surprise to me when I visited Disneyland for the first time.

Get to Know the Rides/Attractions

Before you visit, you should do your research to figure out what rides and/or attractions are on your “must-do” list and plan your day around getting those in first. If you have more than a day, you may be able to do it all, but if you’re just visiting for a day like I was, then you’ll want to be prepared to get to the rides you want to do most quickly so you don’t miss out.

In doing my research, I couldn’t find any official list of Disneyland statistics for which rides had the most riders, but the following are 5 popular rides at Disneyland (in no particular order).

5 Popular Rides at Disneyland:

• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Space Mountain
• Haunted Mansion
• It’s a Small World
• Indiana Jones Adventure
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Disney’s website lists all the rides and attractions at the park to help you plan your trip successfully.

If you’re flexible with your schedule, like I was, and are just trying to fit in as much as you can no matter where that took you, planning is still important, but less so.

Preparing for & Watching the Fireworks Show

The fireworks show at Disneyland is a magical experience, but securing a good viewing spot takes a bit of strategy.

When visiting Disneyland for the first time, I was woefully unprepared for this event.

Claim a Spot Early

People start camping out for fireworks viewing spots about 2 hours before the show begins, especially near Sleeping Beauty Castle. This is where bringing a sit pad or blanket to sit on is important. There’s no “seating” people just sit in the street or on walkways, which are either concrete or stone – not comfortable.

I walked around for over 30 minutes trying to find somewhere to stand because I didn’t know where the good spots were and every sidewalk and roadway was filling up so quickly.

Best Viewing Areas

If you can’t grab a spot right in front of the castle, don’t worry. I didn’t get a spot near the front and I still had a great view. The image below shows where I stood in relation to the Sleeping Beauty Castle. There is ONE solo tree that blocks some of the castle during the show, but otherwise, I was really happy with my location!

As someone visiting Disneyland for the first time, I would suggest just following the crowds and if you have the time sit for 2 hours, try to get right in front of the castle. If you don’t want to waste those 2 hours, just squeeze in wherever you can.

I saw a lot of people standing in front of Cafe Orleans to watch the fireworks over the water so that may be another great option for you as a first visitor to Disneyland.

Be Ready to Stand

Once I had finally found somewhere I felt comfortable with, I sat down on the ground with everyone else near me. About 30 minutes of sitting later, still an hour before the show, the cast (staff) came around to tell us that we were now needing to stand because we needed to squeeze more people into that space. So we sat for 30 minutes and then stood in place for another hour before the show even started.

Best Spots to Get Photos

Disneyland is full of Instagram-worthy photo spots! Here are a few of the best spots I found to take selfies at the park!

Sleeping Beauty Castle

This is the ultimate Disneyland photo op. For a unique angle, head to the side near the wishing well for fewer crowds and a more intimate setting.

Main Street, U.S.A.

The classic Americana feel of Main Street is perfect for family photos or solo shots. Try to get here early in the morning or late in the evening for fewer people in the background.

*there’s a picture of Main Street at the top of the blog!

Near the Tea Cups Ride

The Mad Tea Party ride has a colorful and whimsical design that makes for great photos, especially when the lanterns light up at night.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

For Star Wars fans, there’s no better place for a photo than in front of the Millennium Falcon. Don’t forget to snap a selfie with a Stormtrooper!

Before You Leave Disneyland

If you’re visiting Disneyland for the first time, you can pick up a FREE 1st time visitor button. The buttons can be picked up at the front desks of the Disney Resorts Collection hotels if you’re staying at one of those or you can visit Guest Relations in the park once you arrive. The button is a cute, small, luggage-packable souvenir from your first visit!

Unfortunately, I didn’t make this a priority and I missed out on obtaining my 1st time visitor button, but if you want to see what they look like there are hundreds of images on Google Images.

Disney California Adventure Park (additional purchase)

Although I did not visit Disney California, you’re able to do both parks during your visit if you get the park hopper pass. They are right across from each other so you can easily walk from one to the other.

I would have loved to visit Disney California as well, but I only had one day and figured I’d save some money and just explore Disneyland Park, which was a great decision because there was more than enough to do in a day.

Conclusion

When visiting Disneyland for the first time, I was a bit overwhelmed with the preparation and planning of my visit. I didn’t know what I could or couldn’t bring. I didn’t know the best route around the park or which rides drew the largest crowds. I was entirely new to the Disneyland app and learning it took some time.

I hope the above information helps you be a little more prepared than I was on your first visit to the park and that you have a magical experience! No amount of preparation will prepare you so remember to do your best, but go with the flow and just enjoy the experience!

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If you’re staying in Anaheim longer and looking for other things to do, visit my related Anaheim blog posts:

• A Day at the BallPark: Your Guide to Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA
• Hilton Anaheim Hotel: Your Perfect Stay Near Disneyland
• A Simple, but Comprehensive Disneyland Packing List
• Exploring the GardenWalk Center in Anaheim, CA: A Complete Guide
• A Guide to Visiting the Anaheim Packing District
• Getting Around Anaheim, CA as a Visitor Without a Car