Disneyland Life Hacks!

Dive Diva
Telling it like it is
July 14th, 2017

Summer is here and that means family vacations! While kids are out of school for the summer, many will take this time off to travel and make memories. If you're a Disneyland enthusiast, then you know not only to expect fun and adventure, but long lines and high prices as well. In this article, I'll share my tips for a better experience at the happiest place on earth to help save money and maximize your ride time in the park!

Tip # 1
This tip actually takes place before you even arrive at the park. When booking your trip, be sure to check out the "is it packed" website. This page will give you the months and dates the park is most packed with other adventure seekers, but always be sure to cross check it with Disney's blackout dates. On this site, you can also look at not only Disneyland, but Walt Disney World to see the best dates to book your trip and have less wait times while in the park!

Tip # 2
This tip works best if action is taken before you make it to the park. Be sure to download the Disneyland app before entering the park. You can do it once there, however because of the high number of people it could take a long time to download. With this app you can buy your admission tickets, check fast pass wait times, see where Disney characters are in the park, find restaurants and restrooms, and there's even a an icon that shows where you are in the park in real time time. The app was updated July 13th, 2017 and has much more features to help maximize your visit.

Tip # 3
A stay at one of the Disneyland resort hotels can cost an arm and a leg, so if your like me and like to save money be sure to check out the hotels across the street from the Disneyland entrance. They are usually listed as "good neighbor hotels". Also, there's many restaurants next door to these hotels making it easy to grab a bite before, during, or after your trip to Disneyland! Personally, I go to Captain Kidd's! It's an all you can eat buffet serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. And considering the high cost of food in the park, it's also how I save money.



Tip # 4
While in the park you can save big bucks on water if you go to any sit down restaurant in the park! If you ask for a cup of iced water it is free!!! Personally I think this freebie tastes like pool water, so I ALWAYS opt to buy a case of water at a nearby grocery store and carry a few bottles in my backpack. The rest of the water, I put in my hotel refrigerator so it's cold for the following days. For the same price of one bottle of water in the park, I get a whole case. And if I want a flavored drink, I also bring along a bottle or two of my favorite drink mixes. Either way, this tip could save big while in the park!

Tip # 5
If you would like to see if there are any celebrities visiting the park while you're there, be sure to check out Disney's Twitter and Instagram accounts. It won't tell you where in the park they are, but celebs sometimes post when they are visiting. Keep your eyes peeled and you just might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a celebrity having fun in the happiest place on earth!


Tip # 6
Disneyland is full of fun FREE souvenirs, if you know where to look. Be sure to check out City Hall and ask for your FREE button to commemorate your trip to the park. There are lots to choose from depending on the occasion.

I've heard if you find a good dish in the park that you absolutely loved, you can also ask the cast members at City Hall for a copy of the recipe and they will be more than happy to print it out for you. I've never tried this, but only because I never eat the food in the park. Something I will try the next time my family and I visit!
When going on the Jungle Cruise ride, you can ask for a map and they will give you a FREE cool antiqued looking map that's perfect for a souvenir, scrap booking, or even a fun coloring page for kids.

And for something truly unique, remember this the next time you take a ride on the Mark Twain River Boat. If you ask the captain nicely, you just might be allowed to steer the massive boat and at the end will receive a FREE "Pilots Certificate"

Tip # 7
Now for the fun stuff! Lines in Disneyland and California Adventure can get pretty long and if you have to constantly wait for a fast pass time, you could be missing out on a full day of fun. If you don't mind riding some rides alone, you can skip the long wait on some of the rides that now have SINGLE RIDERS lines!!! I personally have taken advantage of this awesome perk and was able to ride multiple rides with NO fastpass required! While this eliminates the ability to ride with your party, it's a small price to pay for a ride that may have long wait times.




Tip # 8
As many of us know, when using fast passes, you can usually only get one per hour, but did you know this doesn't include shows?! That's right, shows don't count as a ride and you can get as many show fast passes you want without it affecting your ride fast passes! This is great way to experience other attractions in the park while waiting for your next ride's wait time or guaranteeing you a great spot during a light show!


Tip # 9
The next time you go on the Indiana Jones ride, be sure to keep an eye out for a rope marked "caution, do not pull rope" something most park goers mistake as just a decorative piece for the ride's theme. But go ahead and pull the rope and you just might hear someone screaming from inside the box.

Tip # 10
For added fun and memories, be sure to print out the Disneyland scavenger hunt! It's full of great hidden secrets and things to look for in the park and while on your favorite rides. You can also create your own photo scavenger hunt of things to take pictures of or places to take unique selfies. Fun doesn't have to be limited to just the rides and attractions, so be creative and make fun memories!


Tip # 11
After all this running around, it's time to cool off! If you're up for the famous Dole Whip ice cream then you also know the line is usually super long. Hint hint! Enter the Tiki Room entrance and literally just on the other side of the Dole Whip line is another customer counter with a much shorter line! Most park goers aren't aware there is actually two counters making it quick for those in the know ;-) And if this is your fist time trying this tasty treat, be sure to ask the cast member serving you for your FREE first Dole Whip button!!!


Tip # 12
If you're not a Dole Whip fan, have non fear because there are lots of other cool treats. If you like the traditional ice cream on a stick, be sure to use a cup lid to keep your hands from getting sticky as the ice cream melts.

Tip # 13
If you're new to pinning, this could be a really fun hobby while visiting not just Disneyland, but ANY Disney park in the world! While it costs money to buy the pins, it's completely FREE to trade with any cast member wearing pins. It's a great way to make a complete collection of your favorite characters or trade for pins to mark the places you've been. So be sure to check out the cast members lanyards to see if they have the pin you've been searching for.

Tip # 14
Now I know there are some people who might find this next tip "degrading" but it's usually people who don't have kids that feel this way and for me personally, there's NOTHING wrong with protecting children from becoming a statistic. I absolutely love kid harnesses. It allows a child to have a sense of independence while the parent is able to keep their most precious possession safe and in close proximity. These harnesses are designed to be handy backpacks children can use to carry their park souvenirs while parents have a secure grip on the tether. A perfect way to keep little ones close and safe. I dare anyone to give me a dirty look while my daughter wears hers. She loves her harness because it's her princess fairy wings she uses for dress up!



Tip # 15
This last tip will help choose the shortest lines when there are two. Statistics show majority of people are right side dominant which means when there are two lines to choose from, most people will pick the line to the right. If you choose the left line, you just might make it onto the ride a little quicker than those on the right.

And there you have it, a few of my favorite Disneyland life hacks to help you and your family enjoy your next visit to the happiest place on earth! I hope this helps those of you who will be visiting Disneyland or other Disney parks to have a more enjoyable trip. Happy park hopping and keep your little ones close! Safe travels everyone!
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~Dive Diva