Disney Tips to Survive the Day
Disneyland and California Adventures, Recommendation, Travel

Disney Tips to Survive the Day

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No traffic, minimal wait, easy parking and access to Disney parks. Access the entrance of Anaheim Hotel parking on Disney Way.
No traffic, minimal wait, easy parking and access to Disney parks. Access the entrance of Anaheim Hotel parking on Disney Way.
Disneyland Parking Tip
To bypass the crowds and queues to get into the main parking lot, try parking off the Disneyland Resort at Anaheim Gardenwalk (which can be entered from Disney Way). It’s a short 5-10 minute walk to the security lines and price wise it is the same price as the Disneyland parking ($30 is the daily maximum, check for updated pricing as this tends to change often).
If you are an annual passholder and typically go to the parks for half the day or less, parking at the Anaheim Gardenwalk would be a fraction of the daily maximum. What’s great too, is that it’s also covered parking. To get to the parks from Anaheim Gardenwalk, you would need to get onto Disney Way, make a left and walk towards Harbor Blvd, make a right and the Disneyland parks would be on the left side.
Parking here saves a lot of time walking to and from the car to the parks and not having to wait for the parking lot tram. There’s also the convenience of not having to break down the stroller and wait to sit in certain rows dedicated to those that have strollers. That means more time saved to enjoy that Disney family vacation!
We recently found another option even closer on the corner of Disney Way and Harbor Blvd, at the Anaheim Hotel. It’s $32 for the day (please check for updated pricing, if any) and is uncovered. Enter from Disney Way and find a parking spot in the lot. A parking pass would then need to be purchased and obtained from the lobby of the Anaheim Hotel and placed on your dashboard. This parking spot shortened the walk a little more than parking at the Anaheim Gardenwalk, making it helpful to quickly get the tired kids to the car after a long day.
My kids usually pass out immediately once they know we are leaving the parks, so it is really nice not having to wake them to get them onto the tram and then into their car seats.
Bring a battery pack or two
Of all the Disney tips, for me, this is a must bring. You’ll be constantly on your Disney app and taking photos of everything cute, you’ll go through that battery life quick. Make sure to bring a battery pack that is fully charged. And if you are traveling with others in your family that will probably need the extra charge, bring more than one.

I like to use the Anker PowerCore 13000 or the Anker Portable Charger, 20K Power Bank. Both battery packs are each capable of keeping my phone and my husband’s phone fully charged for the day and possibly more.

Note: the Anker Portable Charger, 20K Power Bank is significantly heavier and bulkier since it is more heavy duty. I did find the Anker PowerCore 13000 to be sufficient for the both of us for a full day’s trip.

If you have a phone that uses only USB-C chargers, I would recommend using the AOGUERBE Magnetic Power Bank or for a compact battery that will provide less than two charges, the Anker Nano Power Bank

AOGUERBE Magnetic Power Bank

AOGUERBE Magnetic Power Bank

Anker Nano Power Bank

Anker Nano Power Bank

Snacks
Although there are so many delicious snacks and foods at the parks, it’s nice to have some handy while you wait in lines and of course, it’s wallet friendly. I tend to bring in my Starbucks coffees, bottles of water, milk and juice boxes for the kids. I also like to pack lots of fruits to make sure I have some healthy snacks with me.

Make sure you download the Disney app ahead of time and to plan out your day. I suggest to do this days or even weeks earlier, since you can already make restaurant reservations ahead of time.

For those who need a caffeine fix during the day, Disneyland made it convenient to get your Starbucks in both Disney Parks, located on Main Street in Disneyland park and the other located on Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure.

Don’t forget to use Rider Switch if you have younger children so you can maximize all your time on your Disney vacation.

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Disneyland With Toddlers
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Dining At The Disneyland Parks