Disneyland!

I will start by saying I am not a total devoted Disney fan. About 6 years ago, at my company Christmas party, I won a prize that included two - 2 day tickets. At the time, my kids had an unusual fall break and we didn't have enough money to travel out of state so we saved the passes and went in October. It has become an annual tradition and one that we love and look forward too although, I am sad to say, I think it is ending as my kids have gotten bigger and this was our last fall break.

We have seen the park busy and quieter in Covid but never vacant. Since Covid, it seems busier than ever - even on a Wednesday in October. And man, it is expensive. But - it is a blast. Part of feeling like it is worth it is maxing out your time so here are my tips and tricks to doing that.

Since Covid, the parks now open at 8:00 with early entry for Disney Hotel guests at 7:30. We get park hopper tickets and start in California Adventure. The downside to California Adventure is there are not as many rides that are of interest so you will be ready to leave by about 11:00 - but - there are LOTS of things that are better at California Adventure that make it worth it.

Tip #1 is arrive before rope drop (opening - 8:00) so you can hit the literal ground running. Go straight to Cars, do not pass go, do not collect $200. If you do not go as your first ride of the day - you will not go. If the line is already long when you get there, split into singles and go in the singles line. That will get you on within 30 minutes. We then head straight for Soaring which is our favorite ride overall (both parks) and can be done more than once. Usually the line is still short so you don't need a lightening lane (LL). While you are waiting, this is a good time to get your LL for either Web Shooters or Guardians of the Galaxy. I can't go on the latter as it's a drop and it is barf City if you are over 40. The food and the bathrooms at California Aventure are significantly better than at Disneyland. This makes it worth the hopper ticket. And - they sell alcohol! We like the food (breakfast and lunch) at Pim's Test Kitchen. It is easier and faster to order it on the app but when we went for breakfast, they didn't offer that menu on the app? After a meal, we usually wander around and hit the Silly Symphony Swings.. and the Redwood Creek Challenge which is really just a play area.

Tip #2 you can't go into Disneyland (or park hop) until 1:00 but if you can, try to get your LL in place for Disney from California Adventure. If you walk through the gates right at 1:00, we would recommend getting your LL for Matterhorn, Space Mountain, Rise of Resistance. In the meantime, you can try to wait in line for Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, Haunted House, Indiana Jones and Pirates of the Carribean. If the lines get too long and your LL are for later in the afternoon, it can be a good time to leave the park and head to Downtown Disney for a late lunch and a glass of wine. We like the Uva Bar and Cafe which is outdoors, right in the center of things and there is never a wait. You can take the monorail back into Disney and hit the rides once you have had a nice break.

The lines seem to be longer than ever no matter when we go, but usually at about 4:00 or 5:00 things quiet down a bit and the sun is lowering in the sky which it a nice time to be heading back into the park. Tip #5 The parks hit different at night so save your energy and plan on staying late. It is so fun to be on Cars when the sun is setting or the Incredicoaster in the dark, or Big Thunder Mountain when the fireworks are going off, or running onto Space Mountain at 11:00 pm. If you are only going to stay one night, I would recommend it's the night of the visit so you can maximize your park time!