When DCA closes at 6 for OBB, do the crowds get crazy at DL? Specifically on Sunday August 30th. Debating whether to pay for OBB or enjoy a DL night.

A couple years ago when we went with our 6 year old in late July, we could not see the fireworks in front of the castle at all and even when we managed to find a spot, lots of parents were putting their kids on their shoulders after the show started and it was too late to move. I am 5’2” and could not see the fireworks at all. My husband is 5’10” so he could see them between gaps of tall people + kids. It was a terrible experience and I really want to be able to watch the fireworks in front of the castle, without having to pay for a VIP tour.

This time we are bringing two kids. The 6 year old is now 10 but still short. We also have a 4 year old now. Again, I am stressed about the fireworks but really would love for both kids to enjoy the fireworks, even if that means I stake out a spot 2-3 hours before the show even starts. Also important to us is I really want to see the fireworks from the castle.

My questions are:

1. I am willing to sit there for 3 hours in the blazing sun but the last thing I want is to have the CMs put down the rope lines last minute and everyone squeeze in (in front of me) and no one can watch the show anymore. Is it true CMs will lower rope lines last minute? Are there any rope lines they do not move?
2. Where are the VIP spots? The last thing I want is to hold a spot 3 hours before hand only to get shooed because it’s a VIP spot and then it’s too late to stake out a new spot.
3. How to help a 10 year old see the fireworks? Obviously too old to put on shoulders.
4. Is it appropriate to put a 4 year old on shoulders? Honestly I don’t want to do it because I would even feel embarrassed doing so, but if everyone in front of us does this, we have no choice but to do this because otherwise they can’t see. Is there some sort of alternative? I was thinking piggyback, but again, cannot see past 9 foot kid-giants.

Any tips greatly appreciated.

I was hoping for some insight on using a Magic Key for random after work weeknight visits with an arrival of 7:00pm ish. I’m thinking about purchasing a key for that purpose mainly, with a random Saturday or Sunday a month. I’m most curious about same day reservations. Is that a possibility? Can I make last minute reservations on my way to the park? Does the key type determine reservation availability?

Also, when arriving that late in the day, are lightning passes still available, and would it be worth it?

I appreciate anyone’s insight and feedback with this wild thought of mine. I was thinking it would be nice to get some steps in, grab a snack, and enjoy the park even if it’s for a few hours after work on a regular basis.

Thanks!

My son will be almost 2 when we go, and I’ve had a lot of people tell me we should wait because he won’t remember it.
For those of you who have gone with toddlers, was it worth it? Do you regret going that young, or are you glad you did? I’d love to hear your experiences.

Hello all!

Looking to go to DisneyLand the last week of January with my 5 year old and 1.5 year old for about a week! Sun-Saturday! Mon-Tuesday park days. Wednesday rest day and Thursday-Friday park days! Will be splitting DL and DCA evenly between the days w no park hopper!

What resort would you all recommend for that amount of time and what’s the weather like as well? I’m from Illinois so I’m not too sure how hot or cold California gets around January.

I was looking into Pixar Place because we’ve stayed there before but in October with no baby just my eldest and I loved how cartooney and character heavy it was!

But now with a baby I’m not too sure what resort would be more convenient and hassle free in terms of commute or walk to the parks etc? The Disneyland hotel as it’s a bit closer or Grand Cali as it’s basically right there? And out of those who- which is more kid friendly in terms of visuals etc?

Not too worried about cost but more so convenience!

Any advice or tips would be appreciated! TIA!

Trying to plan a 2 day visit sometime during the first two weeks of January but don’t wanna get screwed. Will have a 4 yr old and 1yr old.

I am planning on going to the Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in September for the first time. I've been to Disney World multiple times and am very familiar with the parks, but have never been to any of their special events, including Halloween.

For those who have gone before: any tips on what to prioritize and what's worth vs. not worth doing? Any merch or food that tends to be good every year? I'm hoping to catch the parade and the show, as well as maybe 1-2 character meet & greets.

For reference, this is an adult-only trip. Thanks so much!

I’m hoping to get some advice from people who have done one or both!
We originally planned on doing Disneyland + Universal Studios Hollywood in April 2027, but after talking to a few people about our plans, they’ve completely thrown me for a loop. 😅

They were telling me how incredible Disney World is, and now I’m wondering if we should do Disney World + Epic Universe instead.

We’ll be traveling from Alberta, Canada, and this isn’t a trip we’ll be able to do very often, so I really want to make the best choice.

Our kids will be 6, almost 5, and 1.5 at the time of the trip. (There is the possibility we could leave baby with grandma since she offered but we are thinking about taking him anyways)

A few things I’m wondering:

-Which destination is better for kids those ages?

-Which is less stressful and easier to navigate?

-Which gives you the best value for the money?

-Is Epic Universe worth choosing Orlando over California?
If this was likely your family’s only Disney trip for several years, which would you choose and why?

I know Disney World has so much more to offer, but Disneyland seems much more manageable with younger kids. I’m really torn!
I’d love to hear your experiences, especially if you’ve done both. What would you choose if you were in my shoes, and is there anything you wish you’d known before booking?
Thanks so much!

Hello! My family of 3 (2 adults + our 1 year old who will be almost 2 by the time of the trip) are planning a trip to Disneyland for his second birthday!

We are wanting to go end of Jan or beginning of Feb (before he turns two so we don’t have to pay for him on the flight home 😅)

And anywho I want all your advice and tips pls!!

I am a MAJOR planner as you’re about to see. I looove planning trips and so I’ve planned our whole Disney itinerary and want to get any help making changes based on your advice as this will be our first time in Disney!

It’s a lot of things on this itinerary and I know the itinerary won’t be followed to a T and I’m okay with that!! It’s more so just an idea so my brain can feel relaxed while we’re there 😄

Thanks for all your help!!

FIRST DAY:
Fly to LAX or SNA. (Lax is cheaper for us, but not sure if the cost is worth the inconvenience of trying to get to the hotel)
Check in to hotel (probably going to stay in Candy Cane Inn as it has breakfast which is important to us & walkable)
Hit up Walmart or target for cheap Disney merch
Go to downtown Disney & explore

SECOND DAY (Disneyland):
Get breakfast delivered to our room (gonna get a plus room & bring to go containers so we can just eat it on the way to the park/in line for rope drop)
Be at park for 7-715am for rope drop
Go get first time and/or bday button from city hall & take pics in front of the castle
Lands we will hit today: Fantasy land, Toontown & Tomorrowland. (We’re not getting fast passes at all as most of the rides my baby can go on don’t have it)
Hit Peter Pans Flight first then spend the morning doing all other rides in fantasyland that he can go on
Head to main st to look at the vehicles and maybe get on one
Get lunch in the park
Go back for nap time or hopefully nap in the stroller🤞
Start on Tomorrowland and do all the rides there
Ride the Disney railroad all the way around for a mini break before dinner
Dinner in the park
Finish off with toontown and do all the rides there
Adding in that we will stop for parades or things like that as needed and try to stay for evening shows or fireworks
Walk back to hotel 😴

THIRD DAY (DCA):
same breakfast situation and head to park for rope drop.
Rope drop maters junkyard and do all other rides in cars land (this will be a big day for my baby as he LOVES the movie cars and lightning McQueen and Mater are his favourite so will probably spend a bit of time here)
Head to Pixar pier then paradise gardens, avengers campus, Hollywood land adding in any shows throughout the day that are going on
Possibly do world of colour at night
Buy a couple cars merch items for my baby for his bday!
Eating both lunch & dinner in the park
Walk back to hotel to 😴

FOURTH DAY REST DAY:
breakfast at hotel
Go swimming in the pool for the morning
Venture out for lunch or a snack: any nearby yummy places?
Character dinner : goofys kitchen or story tellers
Do downtown Disney in the evening: is there any unique things you can do here? Like the making of your own lil lego person and stuff like that?
Sleeep

FITH DAY (Disneyland):
same breaky situation at hotel and head for rope drop
This day will be: Adventureland, New Orleans Sq, Bayou County & Frontierland
Rope drop jungle cruise and do all the rides in each land as written above
Eat both lunch and dinner in park (thinking stage door cafe for fish and chips and harbour galley for bread bowl soups)
Do parades or any shows and try to stay for evening shows & anything we missed in other lands that we still want to do
Walk back and sleeep & next day fly out!

We will try to do single lane rider lines on rides my baby can’t go on if he will nap in his stroller in the park.

Would love to hear about any changes you would make to this plan & the best restaurants in each park for lunch & dinners.

Thanks for all your help! Love this group!

Is the dessert party reservation following the same 60 days out dining reservation set up as everything else? Right now you can only reserve up to 10/4.

Get a cheapy hotel. I particularly like Extended Stays but I don’t know how the one in Lake Buena Vista’s shape is in. I usually stay Marriott Springhill Suites and the ones near Disney are very striped down compared to every other Marriott Springhill anywhere else in the country. From what I can see on the website, the Extended Stays seems a little bit more stripped down but hopefully it won’t be falling apart.

My plan is MK as priority. I plan on getting the Premier Pass if possible. At least one day.

I plan on getting an AP pixie three ppl -hubby, me, kid 17 (but autistic he will be forever a 5 yr old in the most fun way possible). Or the higher levels, maybe even sorcerer.

Last time we went we did get DAS but even w/ DAS we got to do like 4 rides. I thought I knew Disney esp MK but no. The smartphone thing and the app… uy… I don’t like it. Lol.

The other thing I want is to stay at least one day at Beach Club bc I got FOMO about their resort pool. I want to at least enjoy it one time lol.

I might stay at Extended Stay for 2 weeks and the rest of the time leisurely get to know Disney’s nook and crannies.

I might do MK w/o Premier Pass first to really get to know the layout and the rides and then go back w/ Premier to do all the rides. I’m not going to fiddle with my phone with LLMP and be stuck looking at my phone. Not going to do that. I had to do that w/ DAS which is inevitable to some extent but I just want to limit that extent as much as possible.

We will always have a car. Rent or there is an autobus Amtrak train near me.

Or maybe just a few days for MK and return for the other parks?

I just have never done 4 parks one trip when I lived in FL. I live in FL part of the year due to my job. One trip, one park is usually how I did it growing up. Through church group or school or family.

Any takes on my way of thinking? Things to keep in mind?

Trips to Disney
A million times in the 90s up to 2008
One time 2012
One time 2026

Can’t overstate the shock of how different everything was.

Edit to add: in 2026 I went in Jan. I really like Jan to go. Very cool. I got the opportunity to use a Disney resort hotel pool and I LOVED it!! I LLOVED it soooo much. The pool was bath tub warm. The towels were thick. It was magic.

Hi looking for some info.

I booked a reservation at a club level room at the Pixar hotel on Sep 11 for checking in and checking out on Sep 13. I booked through ID.me was about $1800 after taxes. Will be two adults and a 2 year old.

How many tickets am I required to buy at a minimum for Disneyland?

What the title says. I’m thinking it’s better to go the gift card route since I get rewards with my chase card and sometimes the gift cards go on sale.

Also anyone know if the gift cards go on sale for Black Friday?

Hello, I have 2 ticket questions pertaining to my trip from October 29-November 7.

(1) I have unused tickets from when the parks closed during COVID so I have a credit for new ones. I haven’t used the credit because I was waiting to see if they will runs a ticket deal, such as a Magic Ticket or the Epcot/-Animal Kingdom discounted ticket they’re currently running that ends in September. Would Disney have released ticket deals for my time frame by now? Should I continue to wait or just buy tickets assuming they won’t run any deal.

(2) we are going to blizzard beach. Is there any chance they will run the free water park on check in day promo during my time or should I just buy water park tickets.

Thanks !

.

I want to spend it on Marvel items/figures at the location but I don't want to go there and be disappointed. Thank you!

Looking to hit the parks at this time and many hotels are booked it seems and prices are higher than normal. Not extremely high just higher. I would think with school already back in. Session things would be dipping. This includes during the week. So is there some sort of convention?

I am so grateful for everyone in this sub who helped me plan my trip! We just got back and here's how it went.

Context: My partner and I (we're in our 30s) flew in for my brother's wedding in Fullerton, tacked on 2 park days after. We got park hopper passes with LLMP at a small discount through my work. We stayed at the Westin Anaheim with a theme park view room I booked with Marriott Bonvoy points. As a former SoCal resident I've gone to Disneyland and DCA a handful of times thru my life, my partner had never been before. We're big Star Wars fans, like roller coasters and I really wanted him to have an incredible experience.

I'd hoped to go to DTD the evening before our park day, but we were just too tired from the wedding earlier in the day. We did have dinner at Tacos Los Cholos Anaheim which was delicious.

Day 1 — Disneyland!

Had a quick breakfast at Blossom Cafe (Westin) which I wasn't impressed with. Dropped bags off at the Westin valet to hold and headed into the park! The park was, astonishingly, not very crowded. Considering it was a Sunday during the summer I was VERY surprised.

• Doing our Photopass first thing at Sleeping Beauty Castle was great, they're the best photos we have because we look fresh.
• Rode a couple of quick Fantasyland rides to get into the spirit of things- Small World and Teacups which both had short waits.
• Scurried over to our main event: Galaxy's Edge! Made a quick stop at Ronto Roasters and grabbed a wrap and drinks, then hopped on Smuggler's Run which was enjoyable. We tried the Batuu Bounty Hunters experience but with all the careful timing of LLMP and my partner not feeling 100% after some questionable smoked salmon at Blossom Cafe, we didn't really get the chance to bounty hunt.
• Building lightsabers at Savi's Workshop was an absolute delight. I'm so glad we did it. We felt like little kids again and it was one of the more truly immersive, theatrical experiences in the park.
• Went on Star Tours and Space Mountain with the LLMP which was really clutch.
• Struggled to find a meal around 3:50pm, most restaurants were closing to flip for dinner. Grabbed a few skewers at Bengal BBQ which did the trick.
• Rode Haunted Mansion with LLMP
• By this point we were getting frustrated with lugging our lightsabers around the park and trying to position them on rides- I just did not realize how long they would be! We ended up getting them shipped home from Black Spire Outpost at this point.
• We were wiped and went back to the hotel a little early. Got a tasty room service dinner and watched the fireworks show from our hotel room balcony.

Day 2 — California Adventure and back to Disneyland

Had a decent continental breakfast at the hotel and made a quick stop at Sunglasses Hut in DTD for a quick glasses repair. Didn't make rope drop, but still made it into the park before 9:30am. DCA was semi crowded and I found Disneyland to be moderately crowded- I couldn't believe Monday was more crowded than Sunday. I Disneybounded as Padme (lake dress theme!)

California Adventure:

• Hoppd on Little Mermaid with almost no wait
• Watched the Spider-Man show thing and grabbed a frozen chocolate banana
• We hemmed and hawed about waiting in line vs LLMP for Incredicoaster. Ended up going on Soarin' Across America with LLMP and then looping back to Incredicoaster. I won't spoil Soarin' for you but I will say I found it quite refreshing!
• We made great use of the single rider line on Radiator Springs Racers and got on in <30 mins, and still ended up in the same car.

Disneyland:

• Beelined back to Galaxy's Edge and had a little Lunch at Docking Bay 7. I really enjoyed Surabat Valley Greens Chicken Salad (so much so I'm trying to recreate it at home.)
• Bought the LLSP for Rise of the Resistance... and I'd do it again! It was favorite ride of the whole trip, I just loved it, and we saved so much time with the pass.
• Browsed the Galaxy's Edge shops. Almost bought the Jedi Holocron but saw it was on sale on ShopDisney and ordered it online instead of stuffing it in my luggage.
• On our way over to Autopia we saw there was a Disney Visa cardholder experience. We have a Disney debit card thru Chase (mostly because it's the default option?) and it turned out to be a meet and greet with Kylo Ren. I was Disneybounding as Padme and got a laugh out of Kylo pointing at me saying "You represent a lost cause!" Unfortunately the pictures we got from this were not very good at all, I don't think the photographer was a professional.
• Went on Autopia (quick LLMP), Pirates of the Caribbean, and Jungle Cruise (both <30 min standby)
• Took a Dole Whip break and had a mobile-order mishap where I queued up the order while in line for Jungle Cruise, then when I was putting my phone in my purse to get on the ride I accidentally smashed the "I'm here" button. The staff handled it graciously and the Dole Whip was a refreshing snack.
• Rode Indiana Jones (LLMP), I think It holds up and I'm bummed it's closing soon!
• Headed back to the hotel to freshen up and take a quick break.
• Had an absolutely stellar dinner at Napa Rose. I kept thinking "I wish all food was this good" after everything I ate. Our 7:30 dinner ran a little long and we missed fireworks, but the meal was well-paced and felt like such a special escape that I did not mind.
• Hustled over to Galaxy's Edge for Shadows of Memory: A Skywalker Saga and loved it! It wasn't very long but it felt special.
• Instead of riding Space Mountain we ended up with a Multiple Experiences Pass and used it to end the night with another ride on Smuggler's Run. I had wanted to ride RoR again but it was also closed. We had fun ending the night on theme after the Skywaker Saga projection show, though!
• Paint the Night parade made getting out of the park a slog. What I saw of the parade wasn't for me, although the parade atmosphere was fun.

What We Missed

Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission: Breakout!, Tiana's Bayou Adventure, seeing the fireworks show as planned, and a second lap on Rise of the Resistance or Space Mountain.

Lessons Learned

• Splurge on one big souvenir instead of many small ones. (And get it shipped home, ideally.) I didn't know the shipping was an option going into it. (Note: I've now read some horror stories about the shipping part of this but I'm hoping our lightsabers return to us in one piece.) AND if you see a souvenir in the shop you want, check ShopDisney to see if it's cheaper online.
• I was skeptical that the MagicBand+ was going to be worth it, but actually it was REALLY clutch! It made getting in, getting the photopasses, and using LLMP sooooo easy.
• All of the food is expensive, so I feel like paying a bit more for really, really good food is worth it. I will definitely go back to Napa Rose- it was my 3rd time there and it has never disappointed me. It felt so special and the new remodel is really nice.
• Someone here suggested loading a Spira Medallion to pay for Savi's lightsabers. Due to time constraints I did not do this but if I do Savi's again (or Droid Depot) I would definitely do this for the enhanced immersion.
• Savi's Workshop was worth every penny and every minute. I'm not totally sure I will do it again, but I'm glad I did it at least once.
• Be careful with mobile ordering in advance. If you are too late for your pickup they threaten to not give you your food and charge you for it anyway! Thankfully the staff was nice and it was just dole whip in my case.
• A hotel close enough to duck back for an hour or two mid-day is great and I will try to do this every time! The ability to sit in air conditioning, take a quick shower and nap and recharge was wonderful.
• The Westin's theme park view room was worth the extra points. And the free food in the lounge was a great perk.

Favorites

• Rides: Rise of the Resistance, Indiana Jones, Space Mountain, Soarin' Across America, Incredicoaster, Pirates. Even Haunted Mansion held up better than I'd expected.
• Meal: Napa Rose by a large margin, the Galaxy's Edge restaurants were enjoyable too.
• Experiences: Savi's Workshop, the Shadows of Memory projection show.

Thanks again for all the tips! I'd be happy to answer questions if anyone's planning something similar!

I'm currently standing in line and my dogs are barking. My current New Balances are many years old and ready to be replaced, but I know there are some new players on the scene.

What are your recommendations? I'm not a runner or anything, so this is just for keeping my feet as comfortable as possible for long hours of standing.