UPDATED JANUARY 2024. We know how valuable your time is on vacation. That's why we put together a list of 13 Ways to Save Time at Disneyland. Watch our video to get all of our best expert tips on how to make the most of your time at the Happiest Place on Earth.

Planning the perfect Disneyland vacation always begins with Get Away Today. All our packages are available to book online, saving you precious time because you can book anytime of day! If you need extra assistance, our agents are available to talk through hotel options and more.

Then the real fun just begins after your reservations are made. We're there for you from the moment you book and throughout your entire vacation. Part of making sure your vacation goes as smoothly as possible is being prepared.

Knowing how to most effectively use your time at Disneyland is one of the most important aspects of planning.

Get there early! No matter when the park opens, try to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to official opening time. Early mornings are one of the best ways to get a head start on your day.

Next, make sure you purchase a 3-day or longer ticket so you can be sure to experience all your favorite attractions and account for crowds, ride maintenance or other factors.

If you want the most park time possible, stay at a Disneyland Resort Hotel. All Disney Hotel guests get access to Early each day of your stay as long as you have a theme park ticket. Staying onsite is the only way to get into the parks and on rides before anyone else.

Much like early mornings, late nights tend to be less busy and late nights on the regular calendar are open to all ticketed guests. The later the hour, the shorter the lines. If you're doing early mornings and late nights, you may want to consider taking a midday rest when crowds are the highest.

Don't forget to check the official Disneyland calendar before your vacation for park hours. You don't want to show up at 8:30 am, thinking you're early, only to realize you're actually half an hour late! You'll also want to make sure to check park hours to maximize your time.

Download the official Disneyland app. You can use the app to check wait times, show and parade times, and so much more. The app helps you make sure a specific ride is working before heading over to the attraction. You don't want to waste time walking across the park only to find out an attraction is temporarily closed.

Use Disney Lightning Lane. Lightning Lane is like your place in line for the most popular attractions in both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. While Lightning Lane is an extra charge per ticket per day, we’ve found the price to be well worth it. You can read all about Lightning Lane here.

Use mobile ordering for quick service restaurants. One of the easiest ways to save time at Disneyland is using mobile ordering to place your food order at almost every quick service location throughout the parks. Using mobile ordering is so easy and a huge time saver. You can find out all about it in our article, Everything You Need to Know About Mobile Ordering.

Eat during off times. This one is pretty self explanatory, but it works! By being flexible with your meal times, you can ride attractions while most families are having lunch or dinner. You can also bring in snacks to help keep your family happy in between your meals.

Make reservations for Character Dining. Character Dining is one of the best ways to meet the characters. Instead of wasting park time standing in line to meet characters, let them come to you... while you eat. Reservations go quickly and can be made up to 60 days in advance.

Consider reservations for dining packages for any shows you'd like to see. Fantasmic!, World of Color, seasonal parades, and other entertainment will often offer dining packages. These dining packages include a meal and reserved viewing areas. There is no need to camp out and use vacation time waiting for a show to start.

Get tickets for a special event. If you really want to feel like a VIP and feel like you have the park to yourself, consider booking a ticket for a special ticketed event. Event tickets are extremely limited to maximize guest experiences. Because they are such limited experiences, they often sell out. Oogie Boogie Bash - A Disney Halloween Party nights are always popular, as are the themed Disneyland After Dark events.

Now that you know all the ways to save time at Disneyland, it's time to book your next vacation! https://www.getawaytoday.com/destination/disneyland-resort or call one of our friendly, knowledgeable agents at 855-GET-AWAY.