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Want to hit all your favorite Disneyland rides in one day? Follow these simple Disneyland tips and you’ll maximize your time at the Happiest Place on Earth!
How to Hit All the Big Disneyland Rides in a Day
If you want to get the biggest bang for your Disney buck, or if you only have a short time at the park, we’ve put together our best Disneyland tips for hitting all the biggest and best rides at Disneyland and California Adventure in a single day. It’s definitely possible, whether you’re with the family or on an adults-only trip, to get on all your favorite rides. You’re never too old to get the most out of Disneyland! We have been able to get on over 20 rides in a day on average while being efficient (30 at our best). Here are our tried and true tips.
Table of Contents
- How to Hit All the Big Disneyland Rides in a Day
- The Disneyland App
- Lightning Lanes
- Magic Bands
- Get to The Park Early
- Go Against the Flow
- Rides to Avoid if you are short on Days or Time
- Fit Smaller Rides Between Lightning Lane Times
- Use the Single-Rider Lines
- Rider Switch Service
- Park Closing
- Wear the Right Clothes
- Shows
- Disneyland Dining
- Shop for Souvenirs Later
- Some Extra Disneyland Tips
- More Disney Tips and Ideas
The Disneyland App
Before you go, download the official Disneyland App. You can get park hours, up-to-date wait times for rides, show times, ride closures, and reserve dining, and you need it if you plan to purchase Lightning Lanes. Be sure to scan in everyone’s park tickets to the app ahead of time so you are ready to purchase and schedule rides for your whole group.
Lightning Lanes
Lightning Lanes are basically a front-of-the-line pass on your mobile device. It is not free. But definitely worth it if you are only going to the park for one day, or want to make the most of the time you have. You can purchase Lightning Lane Multi-Pass or Individual Lightning Lanes as soon as you can into the parks.
Lightning Lane Multi Pass
The Lightning Lane Multi Pass allows you to book return times for multiple popular attractions in the park. This can be used once per ride per day and can be scheduled every two hours. You can schedule your next ride in less than two hours if you scan in to go on that ride before your two hours are up. The Multi Pass can also save you time with the ability to see all the ride’s lightning lane return times to know which ones are pushed out to later in the day. You can even schedule lightning lanes for the other park if you are planning to park-hop. Put 1 to 2 responsible adults in charge of keeping track of when you can schedule your next rides. We sometimes set alarms on our phones so we don’t miss a scheduled time.
Another AWESOME thing about the Lightning Lane Multi Pass is that it includes a Photo Pass! That means that you can link up and keep any photos taken by cast members around the park including ride photos. We definitely took advantage of grabbing the pics of the rides we went on. Have someone take a picture of the ride photos on their phone, so you can plug in the picture codes later. Once you add the codes to your app on the phone you can download the originals to keep forever.
Lightning Lane Singe Pass
Lightning Lane Singe Pass is reserved for the very most popular rides in the park and is not available on the multi-pass. It is a one-time purchase just for that ride. Usually, there are only 1-2 rides with this type of pass per park.
Virtual Queues
Virtual Queues are used to reserve viewing areas for popular shows. For Disneyland it is Fantasmic and for California Adventure it is World of Color. As of right now, the Virtual Queue for World of Color begins at 12:00pm. If this is a show you would like to see be sure to set an alarm for a few minutes before this time to enter the queue for your group to get a spot. Virtual Queue times can change so be sure to always check your app for when the virtual queue for that show will open.
When rides are brand new often times Disney will use a Virtual Queue for that ride as well. These times will be listed on the app. You want to go for them the second that time comes up and have multiple people in your group trying on their own devices because they go fast!
Magic Bands
Magic Bands are not necessary but definitely save some time. They are available for purchase at Disneyland or ahead of time on disneystore.com – just be sure to figure in shipping time so they arrive before your trip. Our family each has their own magic bands with our own favorite characters. You want to set these up and assign them to each member of your group on the Disneyland App before your trip. Be sure to check on the app if the magic band needs updating. This makes scanning into the park or for Lightning Lanes super fast and no one is having to try and pull it up on their phone.
Get to The Park Early
Rope Drop
This is the MOST IMPORTANT of any of the Disneyland tips on this post of you want to maximize your day. Be at the parks in time for rope drop (this happens inside the park where they drop the ropes that block you from the rides at opening time). You need to already be inside the park for this. My rule of thumb is to be at the park 45 minutes before opening time. Usually about 30 minutes before opening they will scan you into the park and you can enter the Main Street shops area. Use this time to purchase and schedule your first Lightning Lane for the day, use the bathroom, look at shops, or grab a snack. Then line up for a rope near the first ride you would like to go on that day. We can usually get on 2 to 3 rides in the morning with little to no wait before most people have entered the park.
Magic Morning
If you are staying at one of the Disneyland Resorts, you will be eligible for Magic Morning and be able to enter the parks earlier than other guests. Only certain areas of the park are open for magic morning but it definitely gives you a head start on some of the rides with very low crowds.
Go Against the Flow
- At Disneyland we tend to go for rides in Adventureland and Frontierland first. Most people in the morning are heading to Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, or over to Galaxy’s Edge to ride Rise of the Resistance. We can usually do several rides in these areas before the crowds come over that way.
- In California Adventure we like to do Pixar Pier first. Most people head to Cars Land and Avenger’s Campus in the morning. We can usually get on every ride along the pier before it starts getting busy.
Rides to Avoid if you are short on Days or Time
- The Monorail, unless you are using it for transportation to Downtown Disney
- Autotopia (big time killer, if you must do it, get a lightning lane)
- Finding Nemo (LONG lines with no lightning lane for a ride that is another time killer)
- Gadget Coaster in Toon Town.
- Outdoor rides in Fantasyland (Dumbo, Casey Junior Train, and Storybook Canal) – cute rides but long lines. It’s impossible to go on everything.
Fit Smaller Rides Between Lightning Lane Times
You can fit in some of the smaller rides that don’t use Lightning Lanes while waiting for your Lightning Lane times. Check your app to see the wait times and rides nearby to decide from there.
Use the Single-Rider Lines
For a fraction of the wait time, do a single rider! You can still wait in line with your group, just not sit with them on the ride. It’s totally worth it and gives you more time to do other rides that you can ride together. Many of the big California Adventure and Disneyland rides like Space Mountain, the IncrediCoaster, Radiator Springs Racers, Web Slingers, Millennium Falcon, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and the Matterhorn offer single riders.
Rider Switch Service
If you are going to Disneyland with small kids who aren’t tall enough to go on the big rides, do the “rider switch”. The first adult and older kids can go on the ride, then do a switcheroo and the second adult can ride with the older kids. The best part is that the older kids get to go twice without a wait on the second ride. Go to the entrance of any ride and the worker will tell you how to do the rider switch. SUPER easy and SO worth it!
Park Closing
SECRET TIP: For anyone wanting to get on one last favorite ride. As long as you are in line before park closing time, you can stay in that line. During the last hour of the day, they keep wait times posted long, even if they have gone down to discourage people from riding. We got in line 5 minutes before the park closed for a ride with a wait time posted for 60 minutes, and it only took us 20 minutes to get on the ride.
Once we got in line for Guardians of the Galaxy 5 minutes before the park closed, it was listed as an 80-minute wait time, and it only took us 17 minutes to get on the ride.
Wear the Right Clothes
- Keep your clothing super simple and light! Avoid dark-colored shirts, which will attract heat. A lighter-colored shirt will keep you much cooler on those hot days.
- Bring a lightweight windbreaker, instead of a sweatshirt. The windbreaker will keep you warm and dry, and you can roll it up and it hardly takes up any room. Sweatshirts are bulky, will absorb water, and weigh you down.
- Wear stretchy or lightweight workout clothes. They dry quickly and work terrific in hot or cold weather.
- Avoid jeans or even denim shorts. They never seem to dry once you get splashed on the wet Disneyland Rides.
Shows
You can check for any shows and parades and their times during the day on the Disneyland App. We like Mickey’s Magical Map, Jedi Training, and the Main Street Parade. The Fireworks over the castle at night are amazing too with projections on the buildings down Main Street. If you plan on going to the Castle Fireworks you may need someone to get a spot early. If you are there multiple days plan to do Fantasmic one night and the Fireworks at the Castle a different night. Or if you would rather do rides, wait times are relatively short during big shows.
Disneyland Dining
Mobile Ordering on The Disneyland App
Most quick service locations have an option for Mobile Ordering. This is free to use and saves so much time. Often times while we are waiting in line for a ride we will put in a mobile order and schedule what time we would like to eat. Then all you need to do is return during that window of time and let them know you are here.
Sit Down Dining
Save a special sit-down restaurant experience for another time if you are short on time. If you do have the time for sit-down dining be sure to make a reservation before visiting. Dining reservations open 60 days in advance and can be booked on the app. These go quickly so plan. Know your dining time and give yourself a little wiggle room in between rides. Occasionally we have been able to get in on the same day on stand-by, but this takes up a lot more time.
Shop for Souvenirs Later
If you only have one day to spend in the parks, stay focused on the rides! The shops are open an hour after park closing so it is a great time to shop. Then you also won’t have to carry your purchases around all day. You can also visit the World of Disney in Downtown Disney after the parks close or the day before or after your park day. You can find many of the things in that one store that you can find inside the park and you’ll save tons of time! The World of Disney Store usually stays open until 2 a.m.
Some Extra Disneyland Tips
- For all the details on where and what to eat at the Disney parks, check out how to eat GLUTEN FREE at Disneyland or read up on Our Favorite FOODS at Disneyland and Our Favorite FOODS at California Adventure.
- Before booking your trip, talk a travel planner to get the best deals before you go. We always go through Get Away Today and they’re so helpful! You can even purchase passes with a Lightning Lane Multi Pass already included. Use our discount code: FAVORITE for terrific deals from Get Away Today!
thanks im really gonna use the tips with my husban Gary. We are so attracted to disneyland this days!
Thank you! Very helpful! I wish I knew what days were ghost days!!
You’re welcome! Have fun on your trip!
My husband and I went to Disneyland in the middle of March 2016 for our anniversary just the two of us, and we were able to get on every ride we wanted at both parks, AND rode several of them multiple times. We even chose to stand in the 60+ minute standby line for RSR since we had already done everything anyway and it was towards the end of the day (we had also done single rider for it earlier in the day). It was great and we never felt like we were rushing.
We got to Disneyland before it opened, we were some of the first in line at the gate. Grabbed fast passes for Space Moutain and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters (since it’s not connected to the fast pass system) and then headed over to Peter Pan. After that it seemed like it was a breeze doing everything else. And after riding everything with a fast pass I don’t feel like we’re wasting any time having to wait in some of the longer lines without a fast pass (like Toy Story Midway Mania, and Radiator Springs Racers).
Having said all that, last year in September we went for one day with our kids and barely got to do anything we wanted to, and ended up missing the Paint the Night Parade because we were rushing. Kids really do slow things down, I hate to say it. So when we go in February with the kids we’re going to just do one park per day. I think that will really cut back on the stress!
That is awesome! I love a good day like that at Disneyland. I also think it’s a good idea to do one park a day. It saves so much time running back and forth… it’s also less expensive! Last time I checked you can save about $40 a ticket doing it that way. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Great tips. FYI Matterhorn has a single rider line also.
You are totally right! I will add that one on there, thank you!