Pwn Disneyland and Beat the Crowds

Just got back with the family from a full 10 hour day at Disneyland and spent most of the day finding the best ways to beat the Disneyland system.  Disneyland is an awesome place - a mecca for some - but can be a bit overwhelming to enjoy your day.  We came up with our top recommendations to beat the Disneyland system and pwn the park.

1. Get there early.  The park opened at 10am, and lines were long to get in by 9:30am.  The earlier you get there - the more rides you can enjoy.  Upon entering the park - use the Disneyland train or a brisk walk to ride the most popular rides such as Splash Mountain and Nemo's Submarine Adventure.  You'll also get a sweet parking space outside the parking structure.  Parking currently costs $11 everywhere.
2. Use your FastPass.  What is a FastPass?  A FastPass allows you to "reserve" a time for a popular ride.  It gives you a window of time that you can use a fast line (no standing usually) to almost walk on the ride.  There are currently a very limited set of rides that allow the FastPass.  Also note - the FastPass catch is that you can only get one -- at the actual ride.  Once you get the FastPass - there's a 1+ hour time until you can fast-board the ride by skipping the line.  FastPass current ride list at Disneyland:

• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
• Haunted Mansion Holiday
• Indiana Jones Adventure
• Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain

3.)  Enjoy the shows.  The sun can be hot - especially in the summer.  Most of the shows are great for kids to relax and provide some much needed shade.  Many of the shows are now also interactive where kids can dance with the characters.
4.)  Use time to your advantage.  Think about when other people won't be on the best rides such as:

• When the park has first opened.
• During prime lunch (11am - 1pm)
• During the highly overrated Main Street parade.
• During dinner (5-7pm)

Target these times to ride the most popular rides (see Fastpass above as your guide).

5.)  If you want to eat in a nicer restaurant (there are several in the New Orleans area) - make reservations BY PHONE way in advance.  They accept reservations 60 days in advance for many restaurants.  A wide variety of web guides misquote these rules that you must be in the park to reserve.  The most popular (and upscale) is Blue Bayou next to Pirates of the Carribean.  Call 714-781-DINE (3463) for all Disney park restaurants.

6.)  If you've got kids - Family Switch rocks.  Let's say you have a 5 year old and a 3 year old.  You ride with the 5 year old, while your spouse holds the 3 year old at the entrance.  After you ride, your spouse takes the 5 year old to ride again (no line waiting!) and you hold the 3 year old.  Happy kids and double rides for your older child.  You need to specially ask the staff for this benefit. 

7.)  Bring food.  Granola bars, power bars, fruit, Clif bars, bottled water, etc.  Food costs a fortune at the park and is mediocre at best.  If all your food is at their mercy - hold onto your wallet. 

8.)  Bring sunblock.  It costs over $9 at the stores and you'll need it.

9.)  Bring a small digital camera.  Photos of kids (or you) with Disney characters can be awesome.  You can also buy photos for $13 each from the park staff if your Donald Trump or want to draw on your home equity loan.

10.)  Use a lanyard and sleeve to carry your ticket.  Every time you get a Fast Pass - you'll need that ticket's bar code.  Otherwise - no Fast Passes.  Buy a traveling lanyard (shoelace?) and sleeve for traveling (credit card size) prior to arriving.  It'll cost you $9 for a souvenir version at the park.

Have a great trip and go easy on the drinking.   You just pwn'd Disneyland.

Disneyland and all related terms used within this review are a registered trademark of Disney Corporation.

Comments

[Marvan Hogan]

Next time you are there, look up at the second floor of the Main Street Fire House. That's where Walt Disney stayed in his private apartment as he added on to Disneyland.

http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/marvanhogan/vpost?id=2317191

[car transport services]

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Dorie Ellwell
Publicist