Hi Madison, and welcome to planDisney. Golly, you'll be visiting the Disneyland Resort shortly after the
70th Anniversary Celebration begins! There will be special entertainment, colorful decorations, food and drinks, exclusive merchandise, and more, all centered around the theme of "Celebrate Happy!"
Now, let's talk about
Grad Nite. On dates when this after-hours event is held, California Adventure typically closes a little earlier than usual. There are a few different Grad Nite ticket types, and all of them include admission to California Adventure, either just for the event or for the full day. Only one of the options includes the ability to park hop to Disneyland. With that in mind, I’d recommend spending your day in Disneyland. Just be aware that other Guests may make the same decision, so both parks may feel a bit busier at certain points of the day. That said, I still think you can have a wonderful day!
I am happy that you plan to rope drop. The first few hours of the park's opening time are my favorite. In my experience, the wait times for many attractions are typically shorter compared to other times of the day. Check with a Cast Member near the front of the rope to see if you can take a photo with the "I made it to rope drop" sign. I took a similar photo with my daughter a few months ago, and it turned out super cute.
Madison, consider getting the
Lightning Lane Multi Pass to save time experiencing many of the more popular attractions. Another benefit to the multi pass is that it includes unlimited digital downloads of
PhotoPass photos taken throughout the day. So, between attractions, meals, and entertainment, stop at the various PhotoPass locations to capture memories of your visit.
I also recommend
making dining reservations, especially for dinner. Or, if you prefer casual dining spots, plan to
mobile order on the
Disneyland app. And don't wait until mealtimes – order in advance and select your pickup window for later. That way, you won't have to wait long to eat once you're hungry. If I could recommend one thing, Madison, it would be to get the
Paint the Night Dining Package. With it, you'll enjoy a delicious meal from Plaza Inn, and you'll also receive a voucher for reserved viewing of the
stunning Paint the Night parade. This is my all-time favorite parade, and it's making a much-anticipated return as part of the Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration. Keep an eye out for reservations.
My last tip is to have a list of the things you really want to do, but try to go with the flow. Some of my favorite days at Disneyland were when my family leisurely walked around the park. Exploring Tom Sawyer Island, getting our fortunes from the Great Esmeralda machine, walking through Sleeping Beauty Castle, watching the Dapper Dans and Disneyland Band perform, enjoying a Dole Whip inside the Enchanted Tiki Room – there is so much magic to be discovered.
Madison, I hope you have the most memorable visit to the Happiest Place on Earth. If you have any other questions as your trip approaches, you know where to find us!
Your pal,
Kriss