There's a lot to be said for a relaxing day at Disneyland, but if your goal is to see and see all the attractions, this will be a completely different kind of trip - especially if you don't have much time to do it all. If you're wondering how to visit Disneyland in one day, I'm not going to lie: it's hard. But it’s doable—it just takes a little effort. However, when the day is over, you will have had the most magical day ever. And your feet might hurt too, but that's not the point. It's worth it.
Attempting this challenge is definitely not for the faint of heart, and if you’re more laid back, it might not be for you – and that’s okay too. If you've already done Disneyland in one day, try doing both Disneyland and California Adventure in one day to up your challenge level. Honestly, there's nothing wrong with playing Disney, which is one of the reasons these parks are so much fun.
Are you ready for the ultimate Disney challenge? Here's everything you need to know.
Make sure to plan ahead
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Remember, you need a good night's sleep before visiting Disneyland. You'll need a fully charged phone, and if you have a portable battery, it's a good idea to carry one with you. Make sure you're dressed appropriately for the weather and, most importantly, wear comfortable shoes - you'll be on your feet for a long time. It also doesn’t hurt to check the park’s opening and closing times.
Some places will inevitably close – sometimes even Sleeping Beauty Castle – so you’ll want to be prepared for that, too.
Download the Disney Parks App
The Disney Parks App is your key to accessing all the information you need on the go during your time at the parks. You can find park maps, wait times, show times, and even order food on the app. This is absolutely crucial to making the most of your visit and getting the job done efficiently. It can be found in the App Store and Google Play.
Pack lightly
Going through security when entering the park can take a long time , which can slow down your arrival at attractions - packing light will help when it's your turn to check your bags. Only bring what you need and you'll thank yourself when you're in the park for 12 hours and not carrying a backpack the whole time.
Use max pass
MaxPass is relatively new to Disney Parks—it does cost extra on top of park admission—but it pays off hugely if you want to ride everywhere . If you've been to Disney World before, you'll be familiar with making FastPass reservations on the app, and here's how it works.
Once you purchase a MaxPass on the Disney Parks app ($15 per person per day), you can also freely reserve rides through the app - the app will tell you when you can book again, meaning you can book rides multiple times facility. immediately. You can really use this to your advantage. You just scan your ticket at the front door to start your reservation, so you can't reserve these MaxPass in advance.
So which rides should you buy MaxPass for? Places that typically have long lines include Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain and the Indiana Jones Adventure. This will save you a ton of time, and you'll then only have to worry about waiting in shorter lines instead of wasting an hour or more visiting more popular attractions.
Get to the park before the rope falls
The term "rappelling" means park opening - and if you really want to get a lot done while at Disneyland, you'll want to arrive about an hour before the park opens. Then, when you're allowed in, you can make a beeline for one of the most popular rides. There's a lot you can do in the first hour or so the park is open, and as the crowds grow, the rest of the time is free to visit less popular attractions.
Enjoy food anytime, anywhere
Disneyland has a lot of amazing sit-down restaurants, but unless you do a great job on time, they'll just slow you down. While grabbing a quick meal is the way to go, there are plenty of authentic options at Disneyland, such as bread bowls and pudding and Beauty and the Beast -themed snacks and desserts at Royal St. Veranda in New Orleans Square. The Red Rose Tavern in Fantasy World. If you 're really pressed for time, eating a turkey leg or corn dog while walking or waiting in line might just have to do.
Use a single line
While it's sad to be separated from your friends, this part is necessary if you want to visit the entire Disneyland in one day. Disneyland, Splash Mountain, Indiana Jones Adventure, and Matterhorn Bobsled all have solo rides that can cut your wait time in half (or more). You'll be reunited with your friends soon.
Don't forget to take a moment at the end of the day to marvel at your accomplishment - and take plenty of photos along the way. After discovering how tiring it is to do everything at Disneyland in one day, you may never want to do it again, so these photos are important. It's really tiring, but it's also fun.
