Trying to do one day at Disneyland and California Adventure with a park hopper can sound stressful and even impossible. The truth is, you can see the best of both parks in a single day if you plan it right.
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A one-day park hopper is great for hitting the highlights, and if you really hustle, you might get through most of the top rides. That said, two days would give you more time to slow down, explore, and enjoy everything these parks have to offer.
From my days as a Los Angeles local and Disney Adult with an annual pass to my recent visit with just a one-day park hopper ticket, I’ve learned that the best approach isn’t racing from attraction to attraction. It’s having a flexible plan, knowing your must-dos, and leaving room for the unexpected magical moments.
These tips will help you enjoy both parks in a single day without feeling like you’re running a marathon.
Before You Go to Disneyland for the Day
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- Download the Disneyland app for tickets, reservations, Lightning Lane passes, mobile ordering, and park maps.
- Buy your Disneyland Resort tickets and make park reservations early.
- Decide which park you want to start in and reserve accordingly, since you won’t be able to park hop until 11 AM.
- Check the park calendar for special events that could affect park hours, like Oogie Boogie Bash.
- Avoid peak days if possible. Weekends, holidays, and school breaks are the busiest times, which can lead to longer waits for rides and food.
Tips for Making the Most of One Day at Disneyland
1. Decide What Time You Will Arrive
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Getting your arrival right can set the tone for your entire day.
The time you arrive matters because it will shape the rest of your day. Factor in parking, security, and lines, which can take up to an hour before you’re inside your first park. If you plan to do rope drop, expect a line to get into Disneyland.
PinCalifornia Adventure Entrance
California Adventure may have a shorter wait in the morning, so consider starting there with your park hopper ticket. You will not be able to switch parks until 11 AM, so those first few hours are important.
Here’s my unpopular opinion: if you know you won’t make it to closing time, you may want to skip the early rush and arrive mid-morning instead.
If you plan to rent a stroller, wheelchair, or scooter, arrive early to secure one before they run out for the day.
Check for special events that could impact hours, like Oogie Boogie Bash in California Adventure, when the park closes early. On those days, you may want to start your morning there before hopping to Disneyland.
2. Use the Disneyland App Like a Pro
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The Disneyland app is your main tool for the day. Your digital tickets will be stored there, so download the app before you go to Disneyland and log in. Spend a few minutes exploring the layout so you know where to find everything.
Before You Go Setup
- Add a payment method ahead of time so you are ready when it is time to place a mobile order or buy Lightning Lane passes.
- The maps on the app will serve as your compass for the day as you navigate the parks. They show wait times for rides, restroom locations, and counter-service spots for free cups of water. You can also check showtimes for parades, fireworks, and character meet-and-greets, so you can plan your day around entertainment as well as rides.
Food and Dining
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- Use the app to mobile order snacks and meals to skip lines. You can also make dining reservations in advance or join a same-day waitlist for table-service restaurants.
Rides and Lightning Lane Passes
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- Check ride wait times in the app and adjust your plan throughout the day to avoid long lines.
- Consider Lightning Lane passes to skip standby lines. The Multi Pass lets you book multiple rides in advance, while the Single Pass is for one popular ride at a time. You can buy them in the app up to three days before your visit, starting around $32 per person per day for the Multi Pass. Prices for Single Passes vary by ride — check the list in the app before purchasing.
- Watch a quick YouTube tutorial on Lightning Lane before your day at Disneyland. Seeing the booking process in real time will help you navigate it quickly when you’re in the park.
Other Useful Features
- The app may be used for virtual queues when new attractions or special experiences open. These replace physical lines and fill quickly, so check if any are running on the day of your visit.
- Some stores offer mobile checkout through the app. This lets you scan your items and pay from your phone, saving time during busy periods.
3. Keep a Short Must-Do List
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Before you arrive, decide on your top rides, shows, and snacks for both Disneyland and California Adventure. Separating them by park and area will help you maximize time in each location instead of crisscrossing all day. For example, I might plan to ride Haunted Mansion and, while in line, place a mobile order for Mickey Beignets at the Mint Julep Bar. From there, I could either book my next Lightning Lane for Pirates of the Caribbean or decide if the standby line is worth it.
If one of your must-do rides has a single rider line, like Indiana Jones Adventure, Matterhorn Bobsleds, or Radiator Springs Racers. This is a great way to cut down on wait times if your group doesn’t mind splitting up.
PinGoofy & Donald Spotting
If parades, stage shows, or fireworks are part of your must-do list, check the times in the app and plan around them. These events draw big crowds and can block off certain walkways, so knowing when and where they happen will help you avoid surprises. If you plan to hop over to California Adventure during the day, you may want to return to Disneyland in time for the fireworks.
Make a separate list for your Disneyland must-eat snacks and treats. Classics like popcorn, pretzels, and churros are available from carts all over the parks. Other items are tied to specific lands or restaurants — you will not find Blue Milk on Main Street, for example, since it is only sold at the Milk Stand in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Pro tip: Use the Disneyland app to check where your must-do rides and snacks are located. Group nearby favorites so you can plan your route and avoid unnecessary backtracking.
4. Make Time for Photo Opportunities
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It might seem obvious to take photos at one of the most photogenic places in the world, but Disneyland and California Adventure have a few spots you will not want to miss. Popular choices include the Partners statue, Sleeping Beauty Castle (day and night), Pixar Pier, and Cars Land.
For something less crowded, look for the Red Car Trolley on Buena Vista Street, the lamp post with the “Storytellers” statue of Walt and Mickey in California Adventure, the Court of Angels in New Orleans Square, or the tiled walls near the entrance to Adventureland. These add variety to your photos and often have shorter waits for a clear shot.
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Snack breaks can be a perfect time to grab a photo. A churro, Dole Whip, Mickey-shaped treat, or even the Matterhorn Macaroon makes a fun prop and a delicious eat.
Tip: If you are celebrating something, ask a Cast Member for a celebration pin to wear in photos and take home as a keepsake.
5. Use Park Hopping to Your Advantage
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With a park hopper ticket, you can switch between Disneyland and California Adventure starting at 11 AM (subject to change). The first park you choose when making reservations is where you will start your day until park hopping opens.
On our last park hopper visit, I booked Disneyland as my first park, and I regretted it — there were no lines to get into California Adventure that morning so that I could have started my day faster. Disneyland will always be the most popular as it is the classic park, but choose your starting park based on your plans and what is most important to you. Park attendance can vary depending on the season and day of the week, so your experience may be different.
PinDisneyland California Adventure Pixar Pier
If one park feels busy, check the app for wait times in the other and decide if it is worth hopping. You might start in California Adventure for shorter morning lines, then return to Disneyland in the evening for fireworks. Or, spend most of the day in one park but hop over for a meal, snack, or must-do ride in the other.
Check entertainment schedules for both parks. Parades and nighttime shows are a highlight, and park hopping is an easy way to see them. Be aware of parade times, as the crowds can make it slower to get in or out of the park when hopping.
Pro tip: Group rides and attractions by area before hopping. Finish everything you want to do in one section before moving to the next park. It saves time, energy, and a lot of walking. Remember you only have one day in Disneyland.
6. Enjoy Nighttime on Your Terms
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Fireworks and nighttime shows are magical, and I love them, but most of the time we skip the front-row viewing. We usually choose to see them from other parts of the park so we can keep moving and avoid long waits. Sometimes we’ve even caught them from the parking lot on the way out. You can often fit in a few rides during this time since standby lines are much shorter, and still catch glimpses of the fireworks from certain areas — and even from some rides — without camping out for hours.
If the fireworks are a must, check the schedule in the app and plan to get to your spot early. Popular and crowded viewing spots include Main Street, U.S.A., and in front of the Partners statue.For a different perspective, consider “It’s a small world” with lighter crowds, or visit by the Main Street train station near the fire station for a quick exit afterward. Some shows include projections on “It’s a Small World,” but for fireworks-only shows, you’ll get the sky view without the castle effects.
If you’re at California Adventure, the current nighttime spectacular is World of Color – Happiness! To secure a good spot, join the virtual queue in the Disneyland app at noon or book a dining package or dessert party for reserved viewing. Without one of these, you’ll need to arrive early to get close, especially if you want a front-row view.
If nighttime shows aren’t a priority, enjoy the lighter crowds, grab an evening snack, or take a stroll down Main Street, U.S.A. as the lights come on.
7. Bonus Park-Hopper Day Tips
- Wear comfortable shoes: You’ll be walking a lot and no doubt be getting your steps in.
- Bring a refillable water bottle: Water stations are available throughout the park, and you’ll be saving $9 on a Smart Water bottle.
- Reapply sunscreen: Arrive with it on, bring it with you, and then reapply throughout the day.
- Carry a portable phone charger: You’ll quickly run out of battery while using the Disneyland app and taking photos and videos.
- Stay flexible: Rides can and do break down, plans shift, and sometimes the unexpected ends up being the highlight of the day.
Your Disneyland and California Adventure Day Plan
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- Download the Disneyland app for tickets, reservations, Lightning Lane Passes, mobile ordering, and park maps
- Buy tickets and make park reservations early
- Choose your starting park wisely since you can’t park hop until 11 AM
- Check the park calendar for special events that may affect hours
- Decide what time you’ll arrive and factor in parking, security, and entry lines
- Have a short must-do list of rides, shows, and snacks for each park
- Use single rider lines when available to save time
- Plan around parade and show times to avoid blocked walkways and crowds
- Make time for photos at iconic and hidden spots
- Use the app for mobile food orders and to check wait times
- Park hop strategically based on crowds and show schedules
- Decide how you’ll spend the nighttime: fireworks, World of Color, or shorter ride lines
BEFORE YOU TRAVEL TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, CHECK OUT THESE RELATED READS:
Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she’s become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She’s always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.
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