Disneyland is known as “The Happiest Place on Earth,” but sometimes the magic is lost during your trip. Have you considered that you’re doing something wrong at Disneyland? Is that even possible?
Everyone else around you is smiling, not screaming at their kids, who aren’t crying for yet another toy, or struggling to get out of their stroller.
This is supposed to be a fun family trip gosh-DARN-it. We’re supposed to be making magical memories upon which we WILL fondly look back someday. But I’m tired, sweaty, have screaming kids/pouting teenagers, and am counting the minutes until we leave.
“What am I doing wrong?”
If you’ve ever had a bad day at Disneyland, chances are you’ve asked yourself this question. What tarnishes the magic for you?
Believe it or not, there are a few small things you can change that will give you the magical experience you’ve been waiting for. Take it from a former Cast Member: you’re doing a few things wrong.
But don’t fear! Rectify a few of these wrongs and your next trip will be like night and day! And believe it or not, they’re simple fixes:
2022 UPDATE: Genie, Genie+ and Lightning Lanes have replaced FastPass, but the process is similar. Read more here.
#1: Not Taking Advantage of FastPass
What is a FastPass? If you’ve been to Disneyland and haven’t heard about FastPass, I am SO SORRY! In a nutshell, the Disney FastPass is a ticket that holds your spot in line for certain rides and is available to all Park guests. Since 1999, Disney FastPass has been a great way to make the most of your ride experience at the Disney Parks.
To obtain a FastPass at the participating rides and attractions, a member of your party can take all of your entrance tickets to the “FastPass Distribution” machines, usually located by the queue entrance. When the entrance tickets are inserted correctly into the machine (there’s a picture showing you how, and usually a Cast Member nearby), it will produce a return ticket, known as your FastPass. The FastPass will have a window of time that you can return to the attraction and enter a special, shorter line.
Even better, nowadays there are various FastPass options that you can take advantage of, depending on your preferences. While many bloggers and websites have written articles and posts regarding the different FastPass options, I would highly recommend using the actual Disney sites for the most accurate information.
Keep in mind that the base FastPass option is FREE. Yes, that’s right. You don’t have to pay for the basic FastPass option. Once you start looking into other varieties, there will be some paid options. If the Park is super busy, I would recommend the MaxPass, where you can obtain the passes on your phone through the Disney app. Check here for more information.
#2: Underestimating the Endurance of Your Group
Believe it or not, people get tired from being on their feet all day. Kids get exhausted. Not everyone can go, go, GO, all day long and still be chipper, eager to keep running around. If you underestimate the endurance of everyone in your group, you’ll find yourself burned out by midday.
Before embarking upon a trip to a Disney Park, take stock in who you’ll be bringing along. If you’re wanting to run from ride to ride, is it wise to bring 10 children under the age of 8? If you want to mainly shop and watch shows, would your teenager be amenable to that, or would they prefer to run around?
If you’re traveling with small children or senior citizens, consider taking numerous breaks. If you’re staying at a hotel close to the Parks, it might be worth it to take the kids back to your hotel for a nap. Yelling at and forcing your group members to “keep going” will quickly put everyone in a bad mood. Consider getting a stroller for the children or a wheelchair for the seniors in your group.
#3: Getting Dehydrated and Overheated
Newsflash: Disneyland is in Southern California. SUNNY Southern California. It gets HOT during the day, and running around sweating will not help the heat. It can be so tempting to run from ride to ride, barely taking a break. If you’re not used to moving around in the heat for extended periods of time, you’ll most likely find yourself thirsty and in need of shade.
Did you know that Disneyland actually has water fountains throughout the Park? And you can bring your own water bottle (or reuse a purchased one) to refill throughout the day? And there are places you can stop and relax, get off your feet, and cool your body temperature? By allowing yourself to become rehydrated and cooled off, your temper will improve and you’ll find yourself with more energy than if you tried to push through.
Related: How to NOT Lose Your Cool at the Disneyland Resort
#4: Packing the Wrong Items
No, you don’t need to bring a duffle bag full of clothes into the Park. No, don’t bring your selfie-stick: they’re prohibited in the Parks. You won’t need all those umbrellas. Expensive ponchos are unnecessary. Your children’s toys will get lost or broken. Leave them all at home, in your car, or in your hotel room. There’s nothing fun about pushing around a stroller that is laden-down with excess junk.
Yes, bring the reusable water bottles, the light sweater/jacket to wrap around your waist, the spare bottle and pacifier for your toddler. While there are some places around the Parks to plug in your electronic devices, bring that power bank, just in case.
One of my favorite “secrets” about Disneyland is the fact that they have locker rentals in Main Street USA. If you’re traveling in the winter or on a rainy day, utilize the lockers to store your bulky items to keep your hands and arms free. Or bring a small backpack.
#5: Being Shocked at Disney Prices
Once you enter the Disney property, prices will increase significantly. Failing to plan on this fact will leave you shocked and angry. Don’t yell at or get angry with the Cast Members who provide your total bill for that meal or toy: it’s not their fault. They don’t set the pricing and will agree with you – Disney is expensive. Nobody is denying this.
If you plan on eating at a Disney restaurant, check online for prices. Call ahead and ask. There’s nothing cool with blowing your entire trip budget with a meal at the Blue Bayou if you weren’t planning on it. You can pretty much Google any item and find the amount you’ll have to pay.
Save up. If you have kids that you’d love to take to Disneyland, talk to them ahead of time to start a little piggy bank for a toy. Traveling with adults? Maybe set aside money each paycheck and place it in a separate savings account for the trip.
There are also numerous ways to cut down on costs associated with a trip to Disney. And while all my tips and tricks merit their own post, might I suggest the following:
- Bring a refillable water bottle
- Pack snacks
- Consider eating only one meal at a restaurant in the park
- Balloons are a waste of money and they don’t last long
#6: Assuming a Wheelchair = Front of the Line
When Disneyland first opened its gates back in 1955, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) had not been passed (and wouldn’t be until 1990). There were no regulations for how wide and accessible rides and attraction queues needed to be. Wheelchair ramps and other accommodations were not commonplace and those who needed a little extra assistance were often unable to follow the standard queue to enter an attraction.
Today, attractions and shows are built within ADA compliance regulations and are able to accommodate wheelchairs comfortably. Prior to the ADA regulations, guests in wheelchairs and those needing a little extra help loading onto a ride were permitted to enter through the attraction exit. Some particular attractions in Fantasyland still engage in this practice out of necessity.
I’m going to come out and say it – riding in a wheelchair does not mean you get to cut to the front of the line for an attraction. In 2013, reports surfaced that wealthy guests were hiring disabled people in wheelchairs to accompany them to the Park. The people in wheelchairs were to act like family members, thus ensuring that everyone in the party would get to the front of the line.
**EXCUSE ME WHILE I VOMIT**
Accommodations for guests in wheelchairs and those who need extra help were put into place so everyone could enjoy Disney…not for people without a moral compass to take advantage of others or The System. Be warned: karma will come to get you if you bring/rent a wheelchair for the sole purpose of assuming you’ll get to skip the line. Disney is aware of scammers and acts accordingly.
#7: Failing to Make Reservations for Restaurants
Did you know that you can call the Disneyland Resort at +1 (714) 781-DINE to make dining reservations for certain restaurants up to 2 months in advance? Or you can even make and manage a reservation through the Disneyland app on your phone? It’s never been easier to book a table at the Disneyland Resort.
Certain restaurants in the resort are serviced on a first-come, first-served basis. Check the Disneyland website to see which restaurants you need to call ahead in order to obtain seating, such as the Blue Bayou in the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction and Goofy’s Kitchen in the Disneyland Hotel. Sure, you can show up the same day, hoping that someone doesn’t show up for their reservation, or that there was a last-minute cancelation…but don’t get mad if you can’t get a seat. Other people had the foresight to plan ahead.
#8: Chasing Characters
Most of Disneyland’s characters have specific times that they are in the Park, and can usually be found in the same locations every day. If you’re looking for a particular character, you can ask any Cast Member and they can find out the times and locations if that particular character will be out and about.
Chasing after characters and trying to guilt them to stay and take a picture with you as they’re trying to get backstage is NOT cool. They need a break from the screaming kids, posing for your numerous photo opportunities, and are probably hot. Running after them as they head off to a much-needed break sets a horrible example for everyone around you, especially if you’re with kids. Have some class.
#9: Using a Stroller as a Battering Ram
Anyone who thinks that using a stroller (especially with kids IN it) as a battering ram to get people to move deserves to be smacked in the face with a chair. As someone who has repeatedly been given flat tires by strollers following too closely (while I’ve been a guest and while I’ve been working), I can tell you that you’re now on-par with the person that hires a disabled person in a wheelchair to get them to the front of the line.
Yes, Disneyland gets crowded. Yes, it can be difficult to navigate Main Street USA during fireworks with a double stroller. I’ve been there. But I’ve also found that people are much more willing to make room for me if I’m kind and polite, apologizing if I bump into someone and asking for some space.
Do not use your child as an excuse to be rude.
#10: Thinking YOU Won’t Get Wet on a Water Ride
Will you get wet on Splash Mountain? How about the Grizzly River Run in Disney’s California Adventure?
Yes.
“Splash” and “River” have something to do with water. Don’t believe me? Wait at the exit to Splash Mountain and see how many people are dripping wet, waddling out and trying not to let their loose clothing touch more skin than necessary.
Water rides at the Disneyland Resort are refreshing when you need to cool off…and they’re always super-busy during the summer. If you choose to go on a water ride during the early morning, evenings, or on a colder day, chances are you’re going to be miserable after the ride. You WILL get wet. Yes, you can take precautions by wearing ponchos or large trash bags.
People that disembark from a water ride and complain about how wet they are look ignorant and dumb. You went on a WATER ride. There’s a TON of water. You WILL get wet. Complaining is low-class. Be excited that you get to take a part of Disneyland home with you…until you wash your clothes!
What other things do you think people do wrong at Disneyland? Have you done any of these?
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