Disneyland for Beginners

There are many families going to Disneyland for the second, third or fourth times. What about you? Are you planning a first trip to southern California and Disneyland in particular? Well I have a few tips that should help you get better time and value out of your first Disneyland trip.

As a Family Vacation blogger I have always enjoyed writing about holiday destinations but the great thing about writing about Disneyland is that I will always remember the look in my kids eyes when they go into the Magic Kingdom. There is good reason that Disneyland is called the Happiest Place on Earth.

So for a first timer her are some tips in no particular order.

Make sure that you get a three day pass - With a three day pass you not only have three days at Disney but you also have a great chance to get in an hour early one day in the three days before anyone else. Finally, there is a discount when buying a three day pass. Be sure to shop around for this. Also there is a lot to see and do at Disneyland and the California Adventure Park next door and the park hopper passes let you go to both.

Bring in your own food - Disney does not care if you bring in your own snacks and water and with the price of food there and entrance tickets you will not want to be spending even more on food. It is a long time in the park without snacks.

Use the Fast Pass - For the busiest rides at Disney you can use the Fast Pass option. This allows you to get a time an hour or two later and bypass most of the lineups. This can only be used for one ride at a time so make sure you are using this throughout the day and you can get in a few more rides each day. There is a list in the park guide that will tell you what rides have Fast Pass option.

Be at Disneyland Early and Late - The quietest times at the park are early in the day at 8:00 when it opens and late in the day after 7:00 and you will get more rides in at those times.

Go to Disneyland on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday - These are the quietest days of the week, also you should make sure that you are going to the park in the off season, not Christmas, Summer or Spring Break. We went once in August and it was so hot that it was too hot to spend a lot of time in the park and we got tired and thirsty quickly.

Finally Have lots of fun - There are lineups, cranky kids, pleading kids, some boring rides, and disappointments. There is no way that I know of that you can have the perfect trip to Disney so don't try to. Instead make sure that you take lots of pictures and video, have fun, laugh and have as great a time as you can and know that even with a few struggles you will make some of the greatest memories ever with your family in going to Disneyland.