by Todd Pheifer

Created on: February 26, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

The "happiest place on earth" is a popular tourist attraction when people come to Southern California. Disneyland attracts visitors from literally every corner of the country and all over the world. A few years ago Disneyland opened California Adventure, which sits right next to Disneyland. Though not as popular as Disneyland, it still boasts some very interesting attractions to give people more options when they visit Southern California. To be sure, Disneyland should not be taken lightly, as it is a big park with lots of options. People who intend to visit Disneyland should keep some things in mind before attending. Here are a few tips.

Have a plan (with options)

The most important thing to do when planning a trip to Disneyland is to have a plan. There is much more information than can be captured in a short article like this, so a tour book or guide may be in order. People should familiarize themselves with the layout of the park and decide what rides, events, or attractions are most important. It is difficult to do everything in one day, or even two days. Therefore, priorities should be set ahead of time so routes and timetables can be planned accordingly. In addition, people should have backup plans and backup-backup plans so that timetables are not destroyed when people encourage an extremely long line.

Use Fast Passes

A few years ago Disneyland introduced the idea of the "Fast Pass." This allows visitors to scan their ticket at a kiosk next to a few major rides. The person is given a time slot where they can return and ride the attraction via the Fast Pass line. This line is much shorter than the regular line. Before scanning their ticket, people can check and see what time slot is currently being given, so that they can decide if it is convenient. The visitor can only hold one Fast Pass at a time, but it is a great way to make sure some rides are enjoyed before the day gets away from people.

Get there early

Starting the day as early as possible is one way to hit the major attractions before the crowds get too large. Therefore, people who want to enjoy as much as possible should get up early and be at the gates when the park opens. Again, this goes back to planning, as people should know what is most important to them. If they make a "beeline" to an attraction or two right away, they can hopefully beat some of the crowds who come later.

Be flexible

Finally, people have to remember that Disneyland is busy. If people can attend during the winter months, that is much better for crowds, but unfortunately most people have to go in the summertime when the kids are off of school. Therefore, people have to be ready to be patient, prepare for crowds, and try to enjoy the experience as best they can. Getting a good night sleep the day before, being prepared for snacks and meal times, and having a plan, can make a major difference in the enjoyment level with attending the "happiest" place on earth.

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