Hi Stuart! Thanks for bringing your question to planDisney.
You're going to have the best time at the Disneyland Resort! And I'm a planner, so I can appreciate wanting to plan for your must-do activities and experiences. I'm happy to share some of my advice with you.
With must-do Attractions, I'd prioritize arriving early to the parks and heading for that Attraction first thing. Another good option is to select
Lightning Lane passes, which allow you to choose a return time for many of the most popular Attractions. If you didn't select this option when purchasing your tickets, you can still add it, using the
Disneyland mobile app, after entering the parks, depending on availability. This option allows you to spend more time enjoying the magic of the parks and less time in queues. While not all your must-do Attractions offer Lightning Lane entrances, you can prioritize Attractions without it first, while having a return time selected for those that do.
One of the things my family loves about the Disneyland Resort is that many of the Characters in the parks are roaming, meaning you won't need to stand in a queue to see them. Instead, they're out in the parks, interacting with Guests. It's really magical to run into your favorite Character in that organic way. We still laugh about my reaction to running into Chewbacca in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge for the first time. I may have accidentally abandoned a stroller in my excitement.
To find your favorite Characters, use the Disneyland mobile app. Bring up the map and select "Characters" at the top. Mickey icons will populate the map, showing where you can expect to find Characters either roaming or meeting and greeting Guests in a traditional queue. If you tap the icon and select the listed Character, it'll show you when you can expect the Character to make an appearance. These appearances are subject to change or cancellation without notice, but it's a good way to sketch out a plan for your day once you're in the parks.
Another great way to meet Characters is to select a
Character Dining Experience. There are several choices, both inside the park and at the Disneyland Resort Hotels. You get a delicious meal and get the chance to interact with several of your favorite Characters in a relaxing environment. If the Princesses top your list of Characters you'd like to meet, the Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures at Napa Rose in Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is a really special choice. The food, setting, and Character interactions are truly regal! These experiences are popular, however, and reservations can fill up quickly.
You're within your dining reservation window, so if you'd like to
book a Character Dining Experience or any other dining reservations, do so as soon as possible. Availability isn't guaranteed. But Disneyland Resort has a myriad of yummy choices, so you can't go wrong with anything you select!
Have a magical day.
Elizabeth