Some time ago, I was going to Disney. My friend lives near Anaheim and goes there all the time. Unfortunately, he couldn't come with me, but he sent me a bunch of tips on how to make the most of your time at the park. These are those tips (it's been a few years so maybe outdated).
● I don’t have any special tricks, just buy them through Disneyland.com so that it automatically creates a park reservation if you buy. If you get through a 3rd party, you have to book a reservation (I don’t know how to do that).
● Get Genie+ when purchasing tickets, this gives you access to Lightning Lane (the new fast pass)- absolutely worth the money and I think it’s $5 more day of.
● If you get park hopper tickets (recommended), start on the Disneyland side so you can rope drop Rise of the Resistance.
Getting to the Park, Rope Drop
● Leave the hotel at 6:45am and walk to security (see below) which opens at 7. Almost no one uses this entrance and it’s a quick walk to the Esplanade.
● They’ll start scanning tickets and letting people into the park around 7:30, then hold
everyone in the hub until rope drop/park open at 8:00.
● Wait as close to the rope as you can and take the Frontierland entrance to Star Wars Galaxy’s edge.
● Rise of the Resistance is the highlight of the day, but it breaks down all the time, so getting in a ride first thing (with no wait) is essential. You can then buy an Individual Lightning Lane ($26 each) to skip the line if you want to ride again later.
● You can book your first Lightning Lanes (LL) as soon as you enter the park. I typically book Indian Jones first as it typically has the longest wait throughout the day and is an okay walk from Rise (it’ll have an 8-9:00am redemption time if you book when you enter the park). It’s too hard to get to Space Mountain in that window and it’s a waste on Big Thunder, Pirates, etc., which will have <25 min waits.
● You can book your next LL the sooner of (i) when you use your most recently booked LL or (ii) 2 hours after booking. If you’re using strategically, it’ll be upon use in the morning, then shift to 2 hours around lunch as redemption windows get further out. If you get a park hopper, don’t forget to start thinking about LLs at the other park for the afternoon/evening. Guardians of the Galaxy and Toy Story Mania are the toughest to get.
● Always know when to book your next LL. As soon as you scan into a ride, be ready to book your next, or if it’s the two hours know your time.
● The best food on the Disneyland side is Docking Bay 7 and Ronto Roasters in Galaxy’s Edge. Both have mobile order (which you should use).
● The best on the DCA side is Pym’s Test Kitchen, which also has a bar (Pym’s Tasting Lab) adjacent. Both of these also accept mobile order.
● On both Friday and Saturday, they’re doing fireworks on the Disneyland side at 9:30pm.
There’s a special version happening in Galaxy’s Edge where they’re synced to Star Wars music- it’s AWESOME. You can arrive by 9:00pm and get a decent spot without having to wait too long. Viewing area is right in front of the Millennium Falcon.
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