Disneyland: the Happiest Place on Earth

The television commercials for Disneyland often show smiling children holding handfuls of balloons and traipsing down Main Street with Mickey. But when most people arrive, they find that instead of being greeted by that famous Mouse, they’re met by throngs of tourists, and their children often tire before they even see Splash Mountain. But don’t be discouraged! Careful planning and healthy expectations will go a long way toward making your trip as magical as you imagine it.

Make an effort to visit the park during the off-season, and preferably on a weekday; there’s nothing like weaving through crowds and dodging herds of baby buggies to take the magic out of the Magic Kingdom. That’s why it’s well worth your while to try to plan your visit at a time when crowd capacity is at its lowest. Off-season includes late winter and most of the spring as well as early autumn, when most kids are headed back to school. You should avoid visiting around any major holiday (Christmas and New Year especially) or school vacation such as spring break. Summer is also a time of peak capacity for Disneyland; keep in mind that this is also when temperatures are at their highest.

Another benefit of visiting this magical park off-season is that room rates at nearby hotels are substantially lower. Call or check online in advance to see what kind of promotions they are offering; remember that you have the upper hand in bargaining for better rates during slow spells when they’re looking to book more rooms.

If you must go during the busy season, try to schedule your visit for a weekday. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are statistically the least crowded days at Disneyland.

Bring a backpack and adequate supplies: a backpack or bag of some sort is a must for any Disneyland visitor; if you have kids, it’s a guaranteed lifesaver. Some of the essentials to pack include:

• Water bottles — running around all day can dehydrate you and make you sick.
• Snacks — frequently buying food from kiosks can be unhealthy and expensive; pack your own nutritious, high-protein foods.
• Sunscreen — even on overcast days, the sun can scorch.
• Entertainment for waiting in line — kids (and grown-ups!) will have more fun if they have a book, magazine, or handheld video game to keep them busy while waiting in long lines.
• A light sweater or jacket — even the hottest days can turn into chilly nights. If you’re planning on staying for fireworks or any other nighttime entertainment, be prepared.

Take a mid-day break, if possible. The charm of the Magic Kingdom starts to wear off when you’re hot, tired and hungry. Instead of pushing through those afternoon hours, consider taking a refreshing siesta. If you are staying close by or in the Disneyland Resort, it may be worth your while to head back to your room for some down time; you’ll be amazed at just how peaceful and quiet your room is after the crowds and commotion. Parents of young children know that naptime is a must — any kid who’s burnt out on Mickey Mouse and teacups will have more fun after a good rest.

If your hotel is not close by, still try to make an effort to have down time. Find a cool, less-crowded restaurant (The Hungry Bear in Critter Country can be a good option) and take your time soaking up the atmosphere, or visit the Main Street Cinemas, where you can take in some quiet entertainment in a cool, dark venue. The Carnation Plaza Gardens and Big Thunder Trail are two little nooks that are often free of crowds and perfect for taking a midday breather.

FastPass is an ingenious organisational system designed by the people at Disney to shorten wait times in line. If you work it into your day, FastPass can end up saving you a lot of time so you can have more time for things you want to do. This system works by giving you a specified time to show up for certain ride; when you arrive, you are allowed to take the FastPass line, which is always much shorter than the regular line. To obtain a FastPass free of charge, find the kiosks located near the ride entrances and simply scan your park entrance ticket. A pass that gives you a time frame (usually one to four hours away) will be printed out of the kiosk, and all you have to do is give the pass to an attendant in the FastPass line. Remember when you are planning your day, however, that you can only have one FastPass at a time, and only the more popular rides have them.

Don’t over-plan: Disneyland and California Adventure are both large parks with lots to see; don’t think that you can take it all in at once! Plan your daily activities reasonably, allowing time for waiting in line and resting periods. The average park visitor takes in nine rides a day; not many compared to how many hours they’re actually in the park. Be conservative in your planning of what you’ll do in a day, especially if you have small children. Remember that it’s all about the experience, and if you’re not having fun, it’s not worth your time or money!

A trip to Disneyland can be one of the most magical experiences of your life if you know how to do it right. Following these tips can help save you time and keep you sane, but remember that in the end, it’s all about what works for you and your family. So don’t worry if your experience isn’t identical to the commercials on TV — who knows, maybe it’ll be better!