What to expect at Disneyland in 2023
Visiting Disneyland is an experience like no other, and can create lifelong memories for you and your family. However, it can feel overwhelming when planning, especially with young children. And let’s be honest, the first thing that comes to parent’s mind when they think Disneyland is EXPENSIVE/OVERPRICED. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
As someone who once upon a time owned a season pass (back when it was $140 for locals), I went a plethora of times in my twenties, and twice with small children. I can help you take a closer look at what to expect at Disneyland, and how to make the most of your visit, with some budget friendly tips as well.
1. Purchasing Disneyland Tickets
There a few options to purchasing your tickets, the app, website or at the gate. To save time (and often money) I say do either the app or website.
*Hint. They now require a ticket AND park reservation per each ticket holder (both seperate things). When you purchase on the website, it automatically books your “park reservation” with your ticket, so it’s one less thing to remember…or forget 😳
*2 and under are FREE
2. Strollers
If you have any children 5 or under DEFINITELY bring a stroller. The park does have stroller rentals ($18/day for single stroller, $36/day for a double stroller). They aren’t amazing, but they aren’t terrible. It’s also nice to have a place to store snacks, water, purses, cameras etc. Believe me, if you have small kids, YOU WILL WANT ONE!
*Tip. Unlike Disneyworld, you only need to break down the stroller once when taking the tram from the parking lot, and once back. So it really adds more convenience than being cumbersom. There are also stroller parking stations all over, and I’ve never had anyone steal anything out of it. …they also have employees monitoring the stroller sections.
3. Food & snacks
My favorite part of Disneyland has always been the food! Yes it’s pricy, but believe me, half the experience really is in sampling the unique and delicious items you can only get at the park. And ask anyone and they will tell you, Disneyland does food right.
We as a culture often try to find ways to takes trips on a budget, get the best deals, visit places on a budget…and while I’m all about budget travel, “budget” doesn’t have to mean “cheap”. To me it means creating a budget I can afford, and sticking to it. Everything is about “cost and worth”. It’s worth it to my family to make food a part of our budget.
That being said….DEFINITELY brings some of your own snacks. The park lets you bring in your own food and water etc. Just not coolers full of food. But if it can fit in a bag, your hands, or a stroller, then you are good.
SOME FAVORITE FOODS + WHERE TO FIND THEM
- Mickey beignets (like a doughnut, but lighter) and mint julips (minty flavored lemonade).
They often have a seasonal mint julip flavor as well, so be sure to ask.
–can be found at the Mint Julip Bar in the French Quarter (right outside the Haunted Mansion ride - Giant corndogs.
They have a few carts around the park that sell corn dogs, but the only place to get the GIANT ONES is at the Red Wagon cart in Frontier land, near Splash Mountain and Winnie The Pooh rides. - Mickey Mouse and Chocolate Macarons
I’m always pleasantly surprised how much I enjoy these cookies. Get one to go, because you will be craving it the following day.
These can be found at the Jolly Holiday Bakery, right outside the entrance to Adventure Land - Clam chowder bread bowls, jambalaya, turkey legs
All can be found at the French Quarter cafeteria, right next to the Mint Julip bar, you can sit and in the evenings they bring out a New Orleans vibing band. It’s also shaded
4. Other details to note
⭐️ Be weary if a day is a “close early for event” day. We learned the hard way that enticing as these days may be (because they cost less) they are BUSIER!
⭐️ If you want to be most effecient with your time, and have a schedule laid out for you, we liked using RideMax. It’s arount $16, and it’s a program where you input all the rides you want to do. What time your day at the park will start, what time it will end, if you want breaks etc. And it will tell you when to go to each ride and how long the wait will be. Now if you don’t care about having a schedule pre oulined for you, the Disney park app is sufficient enough in telling you wait times etc.
⭐️ Download the app. You can order food on it, check wait times for rides, and search specific places, and items. But bring a phone charger! The app drains your battery like nobody’s business!
⭐️ There is a mother’s lounge near the entrance to Tomorrow Land aka the Star Wars area.
5. The most important tip of all
Don’t force your childhood dreams on them.
Be PRESENT and LISTEN to your kids and what would bring them joy. Don’t force your lived or unlived childhood dreams onto them.
We passed up unheard of short wait times on multiple rides I love because all the girls really wanted was to look at the gift shop. And they were SO happy because we said “sure”
In truth, there is no “WRONG” way to do Disneyland, it only becomes “wrong” when you get caught up in your expectation, and you’re not honoring your children then they in turn don’t honor you. Decide prior what your priorities are, and what’s important to you, then go from there.
❤️