How to still have fun when Disneyland is crowded.
Holiday Edition.
There are so many ways to have fun and find the magic at Disneyland and DCA besides hitting the rides. The experience begins the minute you enter either park! Continue reading to find out how to enjoy a crowded day.
Monday morning, 9:00 am, Disneyland entrance.
Enjoy the ambiance.
Magic is in the details!
With the holiday season here, expect to be swept away in the ambience that only Disney can create. From October to the end of the year the parks are crowded for Halloween, Christmas and New Year but for good reason! Just before October hits to the beginning of November the fun of Halloween and the festive harvest colors are seen all around the parks. Make sure to snap a few pictures with the characters dressed up for Halloween too.
If you are considering joining in the fun of Oogie Boogie Bash next year keep your eyes open for sales about 3 months before hand (in 2021 they went on sale mid-July).
The second week of November (Nov. 12, 2021) is when you will see that the merriment of winter arrived to Disneyland. Christmas decorations are simply breathtaking as the castle is dripping in lights, the characters are dressed in their best holiday outfits and the treats and eats are just a bit more tasty as we all eat with our eyes.
The firework show is even more spectacular as “Believe… In Holiday Magic” lights up the sky! Afterwards, wait a few seconds for it to “snow” on Main St.!
At Disneyland specifically we will all be looking forward to seeing a “it’s a small world” lit up with its holiday lighting, a Christmas Fantasy Parade, and the 50ft tree lighting ceremony!
At DCA we will be delighted with Disney Festival of Holidays as the entertainment includes dance alongs, mariachi, jazz, big band, rock, a Bollywood party and Holiday Toy Drummers!! Be sure to stroll through Radiator Springs for Christmas as it goes through a complete “haul”-iday transformation. Sip and Savor Passes will also be available this year too.
Looking for Santa?! Santa and his elves will be at Redwood Creek Challenge!
Disney Merriest Nites: sold out with in a few days
Have fun getting freebies and more experiences!
At Disneyland
Buttons at City Hall on Main Street - There is a button for every type of Celebration! Are you celebrating an important event such as a birthday, anniversary, just got married, first time visiting, just graduate or celebrating another event? Pick up your free pin at City Hall. As you walk through the parks you will get many well wishes from cast members and visitors throughout your day!
Have a wish? A little Pixie Dust may just do the trick - you can ask a Fairy Godmother at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique to sprinkle you with a bit of fairy/pixie dust.
Captain The Mark Twain Riverboat - ask a Cast Member if you can visit the Pilothouse to drive the riverboat for part of the 14 minute trip
Sit in the front car of the Monorail - with the return of the monorail I am hoping this option is still available but you can request to sit in the front car which can accommodate 4 people at a time
Jungle Cruise Map - at the end of the ride you can ask for a map of the jungle.
Fun idea: I laminated mine and now my kids love using it as their treasure map at home
Mickey Sticker - kids under 42” can use the child size toilets at the Baby Care Center and will even be rewarded for going to the bathroom! If it’s not automatically given, you can just ask for one
Astro Blaster free souvenir photo - at the end of the ride make sure to have your picture e-mailed to you
At Disney California Adventure
Got Mail - ask a post carrier if they have any mail or messages for you!
Taste the sourdough bread - at the Boudin Bakery Tour on Pacific Wharf
Taste some Ghiradelli chocolate - on Pacific Wharf
Taste sample of popcorn from the Cozy Cone
Cups of ice water - you can always ask for a cup of water
Hidden Mickeys and secrets! It is always a fun past time going around the parks finding hidden Mickeys! One well known hidden Mickey is in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, in the room with a pirate laying on a cannon are a few chest plates hanging on the wall and if you focus your eyes to the center of one of them you will find a Mickey head. A fun little secret to go look at is the wall by the lockers; this was the spot that was used as the testing wall for the display of the bricks. One more, there is a tree near Snow White’s wishing well with a P and W carved into it for Peter Pan and Wendy. Now it is your turn to have fun finding more as I don’t want to unveil all the secrets!
Rides and lines I want to go on the rides but those lines?! Start the day by checking in with your own expectations and keeping a realistic view point of wait times especially with young kids. There will be lines and maneuvering may be challenging at times. Make waiting more manageable with snacks, games and activities. Playing “I Spy” and other guessing games while waiting with kids is a great way to pass the time and absorb even more of the parks surroundings by looking around while staying in line. Split up, have one adult wait in a long line while the rest of the group goes on a ride with a shorter line or better yet, hire me to wait while you all have fun together.
If you want to ride the 2 rides with virtual queues, Rise of the Resistance (Disneyland) and Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure (DCA), make sure to check out the previous blog about how to join a virtual queue.
Food and snacks is another way to find joy in your trip! The holidays bring lots of themed foods and snacks throughout the parks during this time and you will enjoy eating with our eyes just as much as with your mouth! Carts and kiosks are still available for the quintessential churros, popcorn, fruit, pickles, etc! In the morning, use your mobile app to make sure you preplan everything you want to eat for the day including the themed snacks. Sit-down restaurants will require a reservations which can be booked 60 days in advance (I do not recommend relying on possible stand-by/canceled reservations although you may get super lucky by checking with the host).
Magical Photos To capture all the magical moments consider getting the photo-pass. You and your group will have even more fun by creating images that capture a little more magic than you might expect!
Slow down If you are going for multiple days or just one day, take it a bit slower at times. The parks are large and be okay with the idea that you may not get through all your “must-dos.”
What ways do you and your family keep the magic going on crowded days? Comment below!
Enhancing your Magic, Nanny Caren