What to plan for a Disneyland Family Vacation
Here are some of the tips that worked for us when we went to Disneyland and Disneyworld
Summer is here and and as such warm weather wardrobes are being fussed over, beach bodies are being prepped and talk of summer destinations may have already reached your ears. In my house, our summer plans are all that’s being talked about right now so, naturally, I’ve been reflecting on the trip to Disneyland that our family took last year (we went to DisneyWorld a few years ago too).
Between my family and our close friends who joined us with their 9 year old daughter there wasn’t a single one of us who didn’t have a blast or make memories that we would cherish in years to come. With so many people venturing to theme parks like Disneyland this summer I thought it might be helpful to create a little guide of my own to help you get the most out of your vacation.
Cars Land is definitely one are you want to stop at while at Disneyland. It was one of our favorite areas, we loved it so many fun things to see and do, including going on the most popular ride Radiator Springs!

- Parade
- Parade
- Having fun in Bug Land
- Color changing Minnie Mouse shirt from Del Sol
- Fireworks
Adriane says
I haven’t been in almost a decade – hopefully this year!
Deborah Cochran says
I love your honest review of Disneyland! Park hopper tickets aren’t for every family but at least have the option to hop between the two parks is what our family likes in case we want to either dine at another park. We love World of Color and especially enjoyed the 60th Anniversary show.
Nicole Aben says
Great review, I can’t wait until we can take our three kids..just waiting until they are all old enough to remember.
Cindy S. says
We are so lucky to live less that 30 minutes away from Disneyland. We used to have yearly passes. Sadly, their prices have gotten so high, we just can’t afford them anymore. 🙁
Darlene W says
Hope to be taking the grandkids there this summer
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
I’ve never been to Disneyland but I have been to Disney World a couple of times. My kids loved it, though of course they could have stayed there for ever 🙂 I enjoyed reading your post and it’s easy to tell that you all had a great time, some good tips on how to save money for those planning a trip too. 🙂
Michelle Elizondo says
Disneyland is magical.
Deb E says
I love looking at other family’s Disneyland pics. I live near Universal Studios Hollywood, but have never been there either. I do love the Disney characters though. It’s getting more expensive every year to attend.
Theresa Lafavor says
yeah I totally agree as far as I know now it’s 99 dollars a day and that’s just for one park it doesn’t include the other things in Disney Land.
michelle elizondo says
I have not been to Disney world and am always curious about it.
Cindy S. says
We are fortunate to live just 25 minutes away from Disneyland. Our family has been there many times. Sadly, they have raised their prices so high…that the average family can no longer enjoy a trip to the “Magic Kingdom.” Very sad.
lori b says
I have never been to Disneyland. I have always wanted to go, perhaps one day. complete the bucket list.
Deborah D says
Someday maybe I will get a chance to go to either Disney Land or World! One can dream! LOL!
Jerry Marquardt says
I really would like to go to Disneyland again. I went in 1991 more than a couple of years after the earthquake, and everything still wasn’t in order still. It would be good to go now, with it all up and running.
Jeanine says
Great tips! We also plan our trip in advance and buy tickets from home for much cheaper than at the park.
Charlene says
As someone who’s been to Disney World and Disneyland I have to say you give some really good advise. Thanks for the review.
Kelly S says
I’ve been to Disneyland 4 times and we are going again in October. I definitely agree with your tips, especially mapping your day, my husband used to zigzag all over the park going to different rides and it wastes so much energy. We also like to take a break, go back to the hotel to relax and nap around early afternoon when it’s the hottest part of the day, that helps us stay awake to enjoy the cooler evening hours until the park closes.
Jayne says
I’ve teetered for years between visiting Disneyland again (I’ve been once in the 70s when they still had the eTickets) or going back to The World. I tend towards The World because I can go 7 days there with 4 parks vs 3 days in Cali with only 2 parks for the same price.
The Park Hopper issue is another thing I’ve tossed around. I’ve always gotten it “just in case” but with the new Magic Bands in The World I’m not sure it’s needed.
I do want to see Cars Land, though.
Mare W says
Someday we may make it to Disneyland. I may be back to review these tips!
Jayne says
I went to Disneyland in 1978 and have had no desire to go back except there are now two things that would entice me to go: The Nightmare Before Christmas overlay for The Haunted Mansion during the Fall season and Radiator Springs.
Disneyland is just so much more expensive than Disney World. I can do a week in Orlando for what it costs for 3 days in Anaheim.
Okie says
I’ve always wanted to visit Disneyland, or World, I’m not picky! Perhaps someday I’ll get the chance.
Michelle Lafayette says
I love the tip of buying souvenirs before the trip!
Jeani b says
i agree with you on all of these tips! we’ve only been to disneyland once and disney world once. we took our daughter to disneyland when she was 3. it was so much fun! we road tripped there so we could pack quite a bit, but, they have a lot of affordable opportunities to pick up items when you arrive, vs having to carry them with you.
Linda Manns says
It looks like you had a wonderful time. We are going to Disney World this weekend and staying at Disney. I can’t wait. My grandchildren are so excited. Thank you for sharing this with us
Deborah D says
Planning for the heat is the most important i think.
lisa says
I’ve never been there. It sounds like a fun vacation spot for the whole family.
melanie smtih says
Disney World is only about 3 hrs away from me vs Disney Land is across the country LITERALLY lol. I took my at the time 8 yr old son to Disney world. We went to Magical Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. He loved it. And his favorite part was getting to meet Captain Jack Sparrow and getting to sword fight with him. Hope one day to be able to take my older boys to The Wild World of Spots and EPCOT.
Laurie P says
I think a trip to Disneyland is in the near future for us…..my girl is obsessed! Great tips for the first timer!
Leny says
i wish that i could bring my kiddos in Disneyland!
Katie H says
It’s been so long since I’ve been to Disney World! I can’t wait to go again! Thanks for the tips!
Pam H. says
Thanks for the great tips. My family has been to Disney World once, but not Disneyland. Expecting the heat and staying hydrated applies to both parks.
April says
Great advice and tips. Thank you!! Looks like you all had a lot of fun too! ^-^
Jo-Ann Brightman says
Thank you for all your tips. they shall definitely be used when I can take my grandkids to see Disneyworld.
Renee Smith says
You mention some really great tips in your review. It’s been a while since we have taken the family to Disneyland so this was an excellent refresher for me. I can’t wait to go back!
Ree Dee says
Thanks for the Disneyland tips! WE haven’t been there in a few years so this was a great refresher!
Kimberly M. says
My son and his family took their trip to Disney this past March. I wish I had read this then. I would have told them some of these tips. Well they did pretty good except for the packing a lunch. They spent a fortune on eating. They did have a little kitchenette in the room so they could have packed a lunch. They rest of the trips someone else has already told them. I would like to take the grandson that lives with me so I will be sure to follow the tips you pointing out when I am lucky enough to be able to take him. Thanks for the pointers.
renee duffield says
beautiful
Sarah L says
Planning is a good tip for any trip, but especially good for Disneyland trips.
Kelly O says
Great ideas. I am currently planning my family’s Disney trip in October. I am so excited and our kids are ecstatic. Any help is helpful, so I will print this out and take. 🙂 Thanks.
Brigitte Inderbitzin says
Awesome and useful information. Thank you!
Lisa Priest says
Disneyworld is my first love! I have been very fortunate to visit several times. We have stayed on property and off property, and I must say that on Disney property is the way to go because you can live the dream immersing yourself in Disney for your entire stay. My family said more than 5 times is enough, but it is my elderly mother’s desire to do a Disney Cruise or any cruise for that matter. Her Bucket List is cashing in too early and her desires are overlapping.
On a different note, look at Pinterest to find great tips to get free drinks, eats, souvenirs and all things Disney. Outside of Mom’s Bucket List, I want to be a Disney Mom who promotes Disney through Social Media but the current “cool kids” aren’t telling me anything and the dad’s lie about it. So high school and so selfish. I am on the outside looking in. On a side note, I found late October or early November is the best time to visit WDW few people and no lines.
Diana says
We are going to Disneyland in September! I’m running the Disneyland 10k! Super excited!
lisa says
I have never been. You have some good tips posted for being prepared. I imagine the heat could really get to you. Especially in a crowded area.
Lori Pouncey says
Such an amazing vacation for the fmaily! I took my adult children back in 1995, I hope to take my 3 yer old some day when she is a little older. Thank you for all these great tips, ideas and very helpful information 🙂
Michelle Elizondo says
Thanks for the tips! The only thing I hate are crowds!
MOHAMMAD ANJUM says
LOVE TO VISIT DISNEY LAND
Cindy S. says
We are very fortunate to live near Disneyland. We have been there many times. It’s very sad that they have continued to raise their prices to the point that the average American family can no longer enjoy the fun. It’s especially more difficult for families that must pay for lodging too. We won’t be going back for awhile. Just way to expensive. Disney has become very greedy over time.
lana simanovicki says
one of these days I would love to take a family tril this is beautiful
M.Clark says
I have never been to Disneyland or Disney World, but I think you need to plan for any trip no matter what your destination. These are great tips, thank you for sharing this post.
Erika E says
We love Disneyworld! I usually forget to bring snacks and drinks and we pay a lot for them at the park. But the trade off is we don’t have a lot to carry and we can all go on rides without having to leave anything behind.
Sophia,M.,McConnery says
Wish I could go :/
STEPHEN ALEXANDER says
Disney is way to expensive now a days
Sandra Watts says
Awesome pictures but that is the closest I am gonna every get to Disneyland. Living on one salary here.
Linda Manns Linneman says
This looks and sounds like so much fun. I want to do this with my grandkids this summer. Thank you so much for sharing this great article and pictures.
lisa says
I can see why kids would enjoy this. I’ve never been. I really am uncomfortable in big crowds.
Holly Thomas says
We are going next month, I can’t wait!
Michele Ash says
WOW! Thanks for the Wonderful Review on Disneyland Family Vacation Tips! We have never been to Disneyland and my husband has no plans of taking us either! He says that it’s way too expensive and we can’t afford it! I was at the Disneyland in Florida when I was in high school with the Band. We only had 1 hour of free time in the park! You know that 1 hour is definitely not long enough to see too much! I really don’t count that as actually being there because we really didn’t have the opportunity to really look and see and ride hardly anything! Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful review, all the wonderful pictures, and your personal and professional information on how to save money while at Disneyland with all of us! I truly do appreciate it as always and really enjoyed reading this review!!! Thanks again! Michele 🙂