Disneyland Planning & Tips

Parking at the Disneyland Resort
With the Mickey & Friends parking garage or the Timon lot you'll have a quick ride or a half mile walk to the front entrance. Out yonder is the Pumbaa overflow parking area. Tram service is not provided from this lot and a one mile hike to the entrance will be necessary. All lots have the same rates except Downtown Disney: $12 for cars and $17 for recreation vehicles. Downtown Disney parking is free for the first three hours and then costs $2 every 20 minutes up to a max of $30. Valet parking is $6.

Disneyland Monorail
The Disneyland Monorail System has two stations: Downtown Disney and Tomorrow Land. The Monorail will glide by Fantasyland and a sizable slice of Disney's California Adventure. A Disneyland Resort entrance ticket gives you full Monorail access.

For those flying in, the Disneyland Resort is 45 minutes by shuttle from the LA airport and 30 minutes from John Wayne.

The Art of Smart Timing
Timing a Disney trip to avoid the trample has developed into an art form. An easy rule of thumb is that if the kids are out of school, Disneyland is jammed. The most crowded times are summer, Christmas Day through New Year's Day, and Thanksgiving Day into the November weekend. The Monday and Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving are fairly safe. The quietest, most decorated time is the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas week. January 4 through the first week in March is also serene unless you're going during the President's holiday week. Arguably the best months to go are September and October. During early fall, the weather is great and the crowds are down. However, when the park becomes quiet, the Disney engineers take the opportunity to repair and enhance the rides so you may find some attractions closed. The best day and time to visit is early in the morning during mid week.

Because the Disneyland Resort entertainment schedule (parades, shows etc.) changes with the seasons, consult the Disney online schedule to learn precisely what's happening at what time in the Resort on each of your visiting days.

Back in '99, Disney's came up with an answer to long lines: the FastPass. If your ride is a Fastpass ride (only the popular ones are) and the line is too long (signs will tell you), then slip your admission ticket into a Fastpass turnstile and you'll get back an appointment for later in the day. Return at your appointment time and glide through the Fastpass line. And it's free. Genius!

For out of state visitors, Southern California weather can be chilly during fall, winter and spring months so pack accordingly. Rain is more likely November through April with the heaviest months being January through March. Mid August to mid September are the hottest months, pack spray bottles for the park. Bring light sweaters for evening and rain gear in the winter.

Mid March - mid June 70s
Mid June - mid October 80s
Mid October - mid December 70s
Mid December - mid March 60s

For Mom and Dad
Napa Rose
Located inside Disney's Grand Californian Hotel, the Napa Rose is considered to be one of the best restaurants in Anaheim. The dining tables feature a beautiful view of Disney's California Adventure. Each server is also a wine sommelier (a title that takes years to acquire) and while menus vary by the season, you might find grilled Angus beef, grilled bone-in Berkshire pork chop with an applewood smoked bacon and desserts like creme brulee and chocolate torte. Regulars suggest going with the Vintner's Table and the wine flight. For reservations call (714) 781-DINE.

Ralph Brennan's Jazz Cafe
An adult dining experience in Downtown Disney where live jazz and excellent cuisine bring the French Quarter in New Orleans alive for brunch, lunch and dinner.

Steakhouse 55
Steakhouse 55 is located in the Disneyland Hotel's Magic tower. Breakfasts include steak and eggs Benedict and dinners offer sublime Angus steak cuts that you can request to see before they sizzle. Incredible seafood is also on the menu and an extensive wine list is offered. For reservations call (714)781-3463.

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel's Mandara Spa is located within the hotel and is a luxury spa and salon that offers the works including couples' massages, men and women's separate steam rooms, a world class fitness room and an impressive menu of luxury spa treatments.

Off the Radar
Club 33 is a private club in Disneyland Park that hosts only 500 members at a time. Look next to the Blue Bayou Restaurant in New Orleans Square and you'll see a door addressed "33 Royal Street" with "33" engraved on the door. You've found an exclusive club that can only be accessed through snail mail, a sizable check and agreement by the Disney honchos. Write to them at: 1313 Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92802, Attention: Club 33.

For more information, planning and tips you may also want to see our Disney Family Vacations section.