Hello there, Tiffany! Sending you a warm planDisney welcome from sunny California—it's wonderful to have you stop by!
Oh boy, your trip is coming up next month! One day to experience the enchantment of Disneyland Resort with your family? That sounds like a fantastic challenge, and luckily, planning visits like these is our specialty here at planDisney!
First, let's talk park tickets. While the
Park Hopper ticket is often a favorite (including mine!), for a single day with a group traveling all the way from England, I agree that focusing on the One Park Per Day option might feel a bit more relaxed. Both parks are brimming with so much unique magic, you could easily spend the entire day exploring just one!
Now, you mentioned Lightning Lane, and yes—especially with only one day—I highly recommend adding
Lightning Lane Multi Pass to your ticket purchase. Throughout the day, you'll be able to book return times for Lightning Lane entrances at many of the Disneyland Resort’s iconic attractions, like
Space Mountain and
“it’s a small world”, right from the mobile app (subject to availability, of course!). Less time waiting means more time making memories!
If you’d like to enjoy some of the resort’s most popular attractions, like
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance or
Radiator Springs Racers, I’d recommend purchasing
Lightning Lane Single Pass. This upgrade can be added through the app as soon as you scan your ticket to enter the parks, allowing you to select a specific arrival window for those must-do rides.
Speaking of the
Disneyland mobile app, this will be your best friend as you plan and throughout your visit. There are lots of time-savers in here, including
mobile food and beverage ordering, as well as detailed park maps that show everything from attraction locations and wait times, to where you can expect to meet your favorite Disney and Pixar characters. One of the features that I think you’ll find particularly helpful is the complimentary
Disney Genie service available in the app. You can simply select your must-do attractions and any of the restaurants you’d like to visit, and Genie will curate a personalized park itinerary for you based on projected wait times. This is the sidekick you never knew you needed!
Lastly, Tiffany, since making the most of your time is key, I'd also suggest peeking at dining availability before your visit. You can check for openings on the
dining reservations page or directly in the app—just tap the plus sign (+) at the bottom, followed by “Check Dining Availability”. Even booking one sit-down meal reservation can provide a nice, scheduled moment for your group to relax and recharge together.
Wow! We covered a lot here, Tiffany! I hope this helps you feel even more prepared to make the most of your visit! Have the most wonderful time soaking up all of that Disneyland Resort magic!
Cody