Our 1-day Disneyland touring plan presents a step-by-step itinerary to effectively do exhibits, rides, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. We record eating places at which we’d dine, issues we’d do, and the metaphorical roses we’d cease to scent. Essentially, that is our good day in California’s fortress park. (Updated November 1, 2022.)
This single day Disneyland itinerary has been overhauled a number of occasions within the final yr, bearing in mind the ever-evolving leisure choices, addition of Early Entry, Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, elevated crowds, and extra. Suffice to say, rather a lot has modified at Disneyland for the reason that park reopened over a yr in the past, each from a substantive and technique perspective.
We go to Disneyland repeatedly “for the sake of research,” monitoring wait occasions, testing plans, and fine-tuning our technique. This is the revised Late 2022 Disneyland itinerary we’ve devised in consequence, together with rope drop precedence and the best way to hit the highlights of the vacation season.
To these factors, there are a few different assets you need to seek the advice of in the event you’re visiting Disneyland within the subsequent two months. First, our Ultimate Guide to Christmas 2022 at Disneyland. While this itinerary incorporates a few the highlights, you actually ought to learn that for a complete take a look at every little thing Disneyland does for Christmas.
Second, our Guide to Genie+ and Lightning Lanes at Disneyland & DCA. If you’re visiting this vacation season, meaning you’re–greater than doubtless–visiting on a number of the busiest days of the yr at Disneyland. While this itinerary will probably be useful in beating the crowds, you actually need would possibly to think about paid FastPass to scale back your wait occasions considerably. (If so, seek the advice of our 1-Day Disneyland Itinerary w/ Genie+ Lightning Lanes.)
Even with savvy technique and Lightning Lanes, it’s troublesome to do every little thing at Disneyland in a single day. This plan will make it easier to expertise as a lot as attainable, however most likely not every little thing. For our journey scores and critiques of each attraction, learn our complete Best Disneyland Attractions & Ride Guide publish. For complete planning help overlaying every little thing from the place to buy low cost tickets to eating and extra, learn our 2022-2023 Disneyland Resort Vacation Planning Guide.
What we’re offering is a tough blueprint of our favourite issues to do in a super day at Disneyland and when you need to do them for the ‘best experience.’ In so doing, we try to stability a pleasing day within the park with effectivity, quite than simply racing from attraction to attraction.
For added comfort, we additionally advocate staying at Disneyland Hotel or Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel on your go to. Staying at one in every of these lodges places you in a great place to make the most of Early Entry to do extra. If these lodges are outdoors of your finances, take a look at our Disneyland Area Hotel Reviews & Rankings for extra on the professionals and cons of every lodge close to Disneyland–many are literally nearer to the parks than Disneyland Hotel!
Once you get up from wherever it’s that you’re sleeping, right here’s what to do…
Rope Drop Arrival – If you may, we advocate arriving at Disneyland’s safety checkpoints about 45 minutes earlier than official park opening time or earlier throughout peak seasons.
As lined in Disneyland Park Opening & Rope Drop Tips, Disneyland’s turnstiles sometimes open 30-45 minutes earlier than park opening, at which period company are allowed onto Main Street. We advocate heading instantly for the Central Plaza, in entrance of the Partners statue of Walt Disney & Mickey Mouse.
Early Morning Attractions: Fantasyland – We at all times really feel a way of accomplishment by beginning the morning in Fantasyland, as a result of there are such a lot of brief sights right here inside shut proximity to at least one one other that may be performed rapidly. It’s additionally a great way to keep away from this space in the course of the day, when it’s chaotic.
We extremely advocate beginning with Peter Pan’s Flight, however provided that you’re in direction of the entrance of the pack. If not, skip it. Next, do Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, adopted by Alice in Wonderland. Our different must-dos right here for the morning are Dumbo, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, Storybook Land Canal Boats, and Mad Tea Party (in that order). You ought to have the ability to hit 75%+ of the sights in Fantasyland within the first hour the park is open in case you are environment friendly.
Haunted Mansion Holiday – An attraction that occurs when two holidays collide, Haunted Mansion Holiday has been operating at Disneyland for the final 20+ years. While it’s divisive with some Disneyland purists, it’s extremely fashionable throughout the holidays, and most company like it.
Around late afternoon and dinner-time, Haunted Mansion Holiday attracts its longest waits of the day. While we advocate doing it earlier to keep away from crowds, be sure that to return to the realm at night time, as a result of it’s lit up superbly.
Rumble within the Jungle – At this level, you may both go deeper and deeper into the jungle or the frontier.
Given the time of yr, our suggestion is to knock out Indiana Jones Adventure adopted by Jungle Cruise. Both ought to nonetheless have comparatively brief waits at this comparatively early hour.
Head West – At that time, bounce to the Frontierland, which ought to nonetheless be comparatively quiet.
Start with Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, then do Splash Mountain, adopted by the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. At this level, wait occasions are doubtless beginning to get longer, think about backtracking to Main Street for a snack. Or, you may head to the close by Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge for a Ronto Wrap in the event you’re making an attempt to attenuate your steps!
Morning Snack: Matterhorn Macaroon – With Fantasyland and extra principally crossed off your record, it’s time to decelerate and have a snack break. An enormous a part of our days in Disneyland includes consuming!
Head right down to Jolly Holiday Bakery on the fringe of Main Street and get these scrumptious Disneyland originals. Consult our Top 10 Delicious Disneyland Desserts for different candy treats to attempt.
Late Morning Attractions: The Disneyland Classics – This is an efficient time for decrease profile rides which have posted wait occasions below half-hour. What you do actually is dependent upon the place you’re within the park…and posted wait occasions within the Disneyland app.
One factor we’d advocate doing is rounding out your morning with one in every of Disneyland’s flagship sights situated in New Orleans Square: Pirates of the Caribbean. After that, it’s time for the third large attraction in New Orleans Square: meals!
Mealtime in New Orleans – Three of our absolute favourite Disneyland eating places are in New Orleans Square. Our high suggestion is Blue Bayou, Disneyland’s hottest restaurant attributable to its location alongside the water in Pirates of the Caribbean. If it’s your first go to to Disneyland, Blue Bayou is a must-do ceremony of passage restaurant.
Other alternate options are Cafe Orleans (learn our full assessment) is a desk service possibility, whereas French Market (learn our full assessment) is counter service. Both provide good worth for cash, and good open-air outside seating. You can’t go fallacious both means, however in the event you’re brief on time, decide French Market.
After you’re performed consuming (our whereas ready in your desk), take a couple of minutes to discover the nooks, crannies, and outlets of New Orleans Square, one in every of Disney’s greatest theme park lands wherever.
Afternoon Attractions: Relaxing Disney Originals – The center of the afternoon is when Disneyland sees its longest traces, making this a good time to take pleasure in a number of the gems of Disneyland that go unnoticed by most company whereas ready for Soundsational, the afternoon parade. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and the adjoining Disney Gallery, the Disneyland Railroad, the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-Through, Mark Twain Riverboat, and Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room are all beneficial.
Other choices embrace Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes, Tom Sawyer Island, and Sailing Ship Columbia. You received’t have time to do all of those originals, so plan on selecting an assortment which are most interesting to you.
Twilight in Tomorrowland: Head to Tomorrowland and benefit from the ambiance as day transitions to nighttime.
While you’re in Tomorrowland, knock out the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters, and Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. Not solely will the waits be shorter, however the solar must be decrease and make the waits extra bearable.
A Christmas Fantasy – Unlike Walt Disney World, seasonal leisure is included with the common value of admission at Disneyland.
The vacation spotlight is ‘A Christmas Fantasy’ Parade, which has two every day performances. The daytime one tends to be barely much less busy, however ready within the solar will be brutal. Plus, it’s merely not as a lot enjoyable with out the floats and Christmas lights absolutely illuminated. As such, we advocate seeing the second parade, which is greatest seen from the top of Main Street (nearer to Sleeping Beauty Castle) wanting again on the Christmas tree. Be certain to seize a spot no less than 30 to 45 minutes upfront of the efficiency time.
Evening Alternative: Ride Rerides – Splash Mountain, Jungle Cruise, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and the Matterhorn are the 4 sights that we advocate doing at night time for a superior expertise. If you choose in opposition to watching ‘A Christmas Fantasy’ Parade, think about revisiting a few these. (Which is exactly why we beneficial doing 3 of the 4 earlier within the itinerary!)
We have a full record of the 10 Best Disneyland Attractions at Night, in case you could have time for greater than these–or need alternate options.
Outer Space: Shorter Waits at Night – Now is an efficient time for Space Mountain, which usually has one of many longest wait occasions in Disneyland. The standby line can also be excruciatingly slow-moving because of the Lightning Lane.
This curler coaster by outer house may be very fashionable, and in addition has the Hyperspace Mountain (Star Wars-themed) model relying upon if you go to. This plan doesn’t change primarily based upon the model you’re seeing.
Blast Off to Batuu – We advocate doing every little thing in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at night time quite than very first thing within the morning for a few causes. First, crowds are literally worst within the morning and get progressively higher because the day wears on. (Just remember the fact that Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance normally stops operating early–get to it shortly earlier than it closes for the day.)
Second, as a result of Star Wars Land is just higher at night time. The lighting provides rather a lot to the moody off-planet ambiance, and makes the expertise much more immersive. While you’re in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, make sure to do Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, go to Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, and have dinner at Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo. From the realm in entrance of the Millennium Falcon, you’ll have an ideal view of Disneyland’s fireworks.
If you’re planning on visiting the brand new land, you’ll additionally wish to learn our Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Guide. This covers a variety of subjects from fundamentals in regards to the land and its location, to strategically selecting a lodge on your keep, beneficial technique for the land, and the best way to beat the crowds. It’s a great primer for this large addition.
Fantasmic! – After leaving Star Wars Land, head again to the Rivers of America for Fantasmic. This is the must-do of Disneyland leisure, that includes reside performers, Disney characters, mist screens, projections, and pyro. While you may watch the fireworks from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the very best follow is to reach to the Rivers of America about 10 minutes earlier than the fireworks begin and slip right into a spot then, and watch the fireworks from right here whereas ready for Fantasmic.
Beyond that suggestion, technique for Fantasmic is past the scope of this itinerary. Just bear in mind that the Rivers of America is chaotic and viewing may be very aggressive. As a outcome, think about buying the Hungry Bear On-the-Go Dining Package for Fantasmic or studying our Viewing Guide for Fantasmic at Disneyland. Whatever you do, don’t go into Fantasmic “cold.” You want to know how viewing this works so that you’re not overwhelmed by the crowds and chaos.
Note that some seasons of the yr, the schedule for Fantasmic and fireworks would possibly differ, with fewer nightly performances or no pyro. (The fireworks are additionally canceled often, attributable to even the mildest Santa Ana winds.) Be certain to seek the advice of a every day occasions information to verify these choices are being proven throughout your go to.
Better at Night: Part 2 – If you made the good alternative and opted to observe “A Christmas Fantasy” Parade at nightfall, you’ll nonetheless have just a few ‘better at night’ sights to expertise.
In addition to those we talked about above, you’ll additionally wish to no less than see the exteriors of Haunted Mansion Holiday and “it’s a small world” vacation in the event you’re visiting for Christmas at Disneyland, which runs by January 8, 2023. In addition to these, you need to have time to knock out one other attraction or two, or just benefit from the distinctive ambiance of Disneyland throughout the vacation season.
Park Closing Tranquility – If you continue to have time earlier than Disneyland closes, use that to hit whichever sights you missed, or maybe return to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to complete up no matter you didn’t get to there earlier than.
Things just like the Pixie Hollow water present, grabbing a seat below the popcorn lights on a Main Street porch, and wandering round within the neon of Tomorrowland can all be enjoyable experiences. Also, remember the fact that the outlets on Main Street are sometimes open an hour after park closing, making that the time to get your memento buying performed.
Nightcap: Trader Sam’s – End all of it initially, by the adults in your get together heading to Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at Disneyland Hotel after Disneyland closes for drinks and uniquely Disney enjoyable. Trader Sam’s is extra enjoyable than a barrel of drunken monkeys, and even in the event you’re not a drinker, the interactive and detailed Trader Sam’s is a good time.
Plus, it’s an excellent place to take action extra consuming…you recognize, in the event you weren’t already waddling from all of the consuming this itinerary requires! The handy location of each Tangaroa Terrace and Trader Sam’s are why we think about Disneyland Hotel a super location for a day at Disneyland.
If you’re capable of do even 75% of the issues on the Daily Trip Blueprint, you’re just about assured of getting an incredible day at Disneyland. That’s our DTB by DTB.com Guarantee! (Please word that this assure has no money worth and isn’t supplied to residents of any state besides Wyoming. Also word that any day you’re at Disneyland must be wonderful, so in the event you don’t have a good time, it’s most likely your personal fault! ;))
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Tips for Saving Money on Disneyland Tickets. Learn about on-site and off-site lodges in our Anaheim Hotel Reviews & Rankings. For the place to eat, take a look at our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, take a look at What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide. Finally, for guides past Disney, take a look at our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, and tons of different locations!
Your Thoughts
What would you embrace in your very best day at Disneyland? If you haven’t visited Disneyland but, what do you intend on doing? Are the brand new sights in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge amongst your must-dos? Think it’s well worth the effort of scoring a boarding go for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance? Do you agree or disagree with our step-by-step Disneyland itinerary? Any questions? Hearing your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!