Hello there Margaret! Welcome to planDisney, we're so glad you're here!
When my family visits the Disneyland Resort, we also have a mission to ride as many of our favorite
attractions as we can! Not that we don't love catching the wonderful entertainment, shows or parades, but we are all about the Disney thrills.
My first recommendation is to explore purchasing
Disney Genie+ Service during your visit. Disney Genie+ Service is so valuable since it helps save time with access to
Lightning Lane entrances and shorter wait times. You can purchase it as soon as you scan your theme park ticket at the entry gates to either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park through the
Disneyland mobile app. I like to secure one of the more popular selections first thing in the morning such as Indiana Jones Adventure or Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission - BREAKOUT!
We have had great stays at both Disneyland Resort Hotels and Good Neighbor Hotels, but we prefer to stay at a
Disneyland Resort Hotel because of the access to early entry. Guests who are checked in and staying at a Disneyland Resort Hotel will receive
early entry into a designated theme park each day 30 minutes early to enjoy select attractions, shopping, and dining locations. We find that we can ride several of our favorite attractions first thing in the morning, so I highly recommend taking advantage of early entry if you can!
If you're really looking to maximize your time in the parks, I recommend that you arrive early to the theme parks, at least an hour before they are scheduled to open, you can check the
hours & events calendar prior to your visit. The parks are usually less crowded first thing in the morning, since many people are looking to sleep in during their vacation! If you prefer to stay up late, the parks do get less crowded as the night goes on, so you could opt to stay later, and ride attractions all the way until the parks close!
I hope this information is helpful for your upcoming trip, Margaret! Make sure to stop by City Hall on Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland Park or Guest Services at Disney California Adventure Park to pickup your complimentary "First Visit" celebration button! If we can help with any other questions,
please come back and ask.
Have a magical day!
Melissa