Janna! Welcome to planDisney! You have no idea how thrilling it is for me to hear about this special visit to the Happiest Place on Earth you have coming up (very soon) with your sister! And I'm so honored to be a part of helping you plan a day maximizing the magic!
Because you will not be able to experience all Disneyland has to offer, my first tip is to make sure you and your sister have a solid idea what your 3-4 highest priorities are before arriving to the parks. Do you have your heart set on seeing the fireworks? Does she have to meet Mickey Mouse? Do you see yourself on a relaxing ride around the park on the
Disneyland Railroad? Spend time together looking at the
Daily Events Schedule to know what entertainment will be happening, as well as exploring the park maps in the
Disneyland app to decide what looks the most appealing to you both. Make your plan based on these priorities.
Consider purchasing
Lightning Lane Multi Pass to zip past those long lines on popular attractions, so you can experience more on your visit to Disneyland. Set a timer on your phone for every two hours to keep booking return times throughout the day.
Arrive to the main gates 30-45 minutes before the stated park opening time and begin your day in Disneyland Park. (Make sure you've
made a park reservation!) Use these first couple of hours the park is open to ride your highest priority attractions, as stand by wait times will be at their lowest. Space Mountain or Indiana Jones are a solid choice!
Utilize quick service and mobile ordering from the Disneyland app versus spending time at sit-down meals. I might have one sit-down meal on any given day, and the rest of the time I'm snacking my way around the park. There's so much to try and it will save you precious time!
Consider reserving a
Fantasmic! Dining Package and requesting the first performance for this incredible nighttime spectacular. Then stick around after the conclusion of the show to enjoy the fireworks from the same designated spot. Two for one!
I hope this information has been helpful in your planning, Janna, but oh goodness, there's just so much more I could share! Please
stop by again with another question! I didn't even get to tell you about quintessential Disneyland spots and moments that I always recommend for first time visitors to experience, like sunset in
Cars Land - Disney magic at its finest.
But no matter how you and your sister decide to spend your Disneyland day, remember, it's the time spent together that's the real magic.
I'm so very excited for you both. Enjoy.
Warmest wishes,
McCayla