Hi there, Amy! Thanks for popping in to planDisney with your question. You are a very caring mom to be thinking ahead about how to make this a very special trip to Disneyland Resort for your daughter.
One of the million reasons I love Disney Destinations is their commitment to creating a meaningful, magical experience for all Guests. There is a great deal of effort and care that goes into accommodations to enable all Guests to enjoy the magic in a way comfortable to them.
Disability Access Service (DAS) is a great program designed to support Guests who have difficulty waiting in queues for long periods of time. DAS gives you the ability to request return times for attractions, rather than waiting in line. While it doesn’t give you immediate access to the attraction, by requesting a return time, you will reduce the time you are standing in line near other Guests. Just head over to City Hall at Disneyland Park or Chamber of Commerce at Disney California Adventure Park once you arrive, and a Cast Member from Guest Services will assist you in getting started with DAS.
Another idea is, if you add
Disney Genie+ service to your tickets (assuming you haven’t already) then you could use Genie+ in parallel with DAS and request return times via both. For instance, you could request a return time for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad through DAS and reserve a Genie+ Lightning Lane for Haunted Mansion Holiday. By utilizing both you’ll get to more attractions during the day without waiting in long lines.
Be sure to download the
Disneyland mobile app before your visit so you can manage your DAS and Genie+ selections through the app. Bring a portable mobile charger too to keep your phone powered up!
You can bring your own water bottles (reusable ones are even better, so you can use the refilling stations throughout the day) and some snacks to keep yourselves powered up too.
When I am feeling overwhelmed by the crowds, there are two places I like to go for a break. Snow White Grotto is to the right of the Sleeping Beauty Castle (when facing the castle) and it’s a quiet nook with peaceful sounds of water and soft melodies playing in the background. Not far from there is
Jolly Holiday Bakery Café with a large seating area outside the restaurant. It’s typically easier to find a table there than other quick service restaurants. You can mobile order a meal or snack from the app if you want to avoid waiting in line.
You can pick up a complimentary 1st Visit button for her at any Disney gift shop or Guest Services location if you think she might like that! I hope these tips will help make your day a bit easier and more enjoyable. You’re doing the right thing by being prepared. You’re going to have a wonderful time with your beautiful daughter. I wish you sweet memories to last a lifetime.
Kamini