Hiya, Amber! Thanks for stopping by planDisney. I'm so excited about your question and I'm imagining a magical couple of days in the parks. Let's get started!
A couple of logistics to begin: First, give yourself a solid hour to arrive in time for rope drop/park opening. Parking, trams, and security lines can be unpredictable - even if you are a Disneyland Resort Hotel Guest - so allot more time than you think you'll need. Next, if you are planning to purchase
Lighting Lane Multi Pass (LLMP) or Lighting Lane Single Pass (LLSP) during your park days, you can purchase these and book your return times immediately after scanning into the parks for the day. The earlier you arrive at the parks, the earlier return time options you will have, thus maximizing your day! I always recommend booking return times for your must-do rides first, ensuring a good return time. Also, be sure to utilize Single Rider Lines (when available) on some of the most popular attractions, like Space Mountain and Incredicoaster. Your group won't ride together but it will generally cut down your overall wait time!
At Disney California Adventure Park, I would book an LLSP for Radiator Springs Racers while heading to Pixar Pier. While there, I'd hit up
Toy Story Midway Mania! and Incredicoaster while the lines are shorter. Then, head back toward San Fransokyo Square (be sure to stop in the middle of the bridge to feel the mini earthquake!) and towards the back entrance of Cars Land. Check out the rides in Radiator Springs while waiting for your Radiator Springs Racers return time and then swing like Spiderman to Avengers Campus to experience Avengers Assemble!, Guardian of the Galaxy, and Webslingers. Many of
these rides offer Lighting Lane Multi Pass, but I also find that when you arrive early, many of these rides can be experienced with shorter wait times without using LLMP. Dance your way through Hollywood Land with stops at Animation Academy or Mickey's PhilharMagic, grabbing an affogato at Schmoozies! to keep up your energy. Then, head to Monsters Inc. or Soarin' Around the World before circling back to Pixar Pier to finish the other rides there. Catch World of Color – ONE to end your day!
At Disneyland Park, book an LLSP for
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and an LLMP for Big Thunder Mountain or Haunted Mansion earlier in the day, if you can. Then, rope drop Tomorrowland for Space Mountain, Autopia, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, and
Star Tours. From there, jump on Matterhorn Bobsleds before heading over to Adventureland for Jungle Cruise, Indiana Jones Adventure, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Say "hey ya'll" to Tiana and Pooh when you head to Bayou Country on your way to Galaxy's Edge. Grab a Cold Brew Black Caf at Docking Bay 7 before heading to a galaxy far, far away on Smuggler's Run and Rise of the Resistance. Then circle back to Big Thunder Mountain, Fantasyland, and Toon Town for some nostalgic Disneyland fun, including some live musical entertainment by the Pearly Band or Disneyland Band. End your day with Mickey's Mix Magic with Projection on Main Street, U.S.A.
Amber, if you are a night owl like me, you will benefit from lower crowds after any of the Fireworks or Nighttime Entertainment, right before the park closes. Keep an eye on the
Disneyland Mobile App for return times, unexpected ride closures, and the daily entertainment schedule. You can also mobile order food!
I hope you have a magical visit! See ya real soon!
Melissa