It seems like it doesn’t matter what time of year you plan a trip to the Disneyland Parks, it is always crowded. Which we totally understand. We love going to the parks all the time too. Even though the parks may be crowded when you are on your trip, these tips are sure to help you enjoy your time at Disneyland anyway.
Plan to visit the parks for more than one day. This is especially important if you are traveling with little ones who need to nap. Or can’t go, go, go without getting a little cranky. Visiting the parks for 2 or even 3 days will allow you to be able to do and see everything your party wants to do and see, without feeling rushed or flustered.
Arrive early. Getting to the parks at least 45 minutes before the park opens is a great way to beat the crowds. The parks tend to be more crowded in the afternoons. Utilize the morning to ride as many of the rides as you can, before the lines get longer and the crowds get bigger. Sometimes 3 or longer park hopper tickets will come with a magic morning. This allows you to get into the parks an hour before it opens. This really helps to get a lot done before the crowds get to be too big.
Max pass. Max pass is an additional cost to your park ticket. It is $10 a day per ticket. However, on a busy day in Disneyland, it is totally worth it. It allows you to schedule fast passes for rides in both Disneyland and California Adventure as you are standing in line for another ride. There is no need to run across the park to get fastpasses for your group. Plus, your max pass comes with photo pass. You can utilize the Disneyland photographers and get your perfect castle pic, and those photos are included in the max pass upgrade.
Always have a fastpass. Whether you splurge for the max pass or not, always have a fastpass in your pocession. Once you grab a fastpass, the ticket will tell you when you are able to get your next fastpass. Set a timer and make sure when you are able to get another fastpass, you get one.
Take a break in the afternoon. A good way to not get so overwhelmed with the crowds, is to take a break after lunch. Head back to your hotel for a nap, or visit the shops in Downtown Disney. This is especially important if you have little kids. During your break you can rest, take naps, eat outside the parks (saving some money), utilize some of the amenities at your hotel, etc. Then come back in the evening, ready to shut down the parks. Or at least enjoy a parade and some fireworks.
Stay close to the parks. Staying close to the parks is probably the best way to have an enjoyable time at the parks when it’s crowded. The Howard Johnson Anaheim is just a 10 minute walk to the parks. This saves time and money. Guests can park for free in our parking lot. And there is no need to take the time to park at the Disneyland parking lot and take the tram or bus over to the parks. Add the 10 minutes it will take you to walk to the park to your plan, arrive early, and get as much done as you can in the morning.
The Howard Johnson Anaheim has a water park the whole family will enjoy. On those busy park days, when you are ready for an afternoon break, head back to the HOJO and spend some time at the water park. Castaway Cove has water slides, water canons, splash pad, a heated kid pool and a hot tub. It is open year round and is a great way to have fun when the parks are just too crowded. We also have a heated full size pool and game room for older kids.
If the parks are just so crowded that you can’t make it back in the evenings, you can still enjoy the fireworks from the balconies of building 1 here at the HOJO. Pop some popcorn and turn on your favorite Netflix show to wind down for the night and head back early to the parks the next day.
Crowds at the parks can be a real bummer if you haven’t planned on fighting them. But these ideas and tips will help you and your family have a good time, and make the most of your time in Anaheim. Even though Disneyland is crowded.