One Day at Disneyland: Tips for Making the Most of Your Park Hopper Visit

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 most of what 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

• 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

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.

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

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

Food and Dining

Rides and Lightning Lane Passes

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

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.

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.

4. Make Time for Photo Opportunities

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.

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.

5. Use Park Hopping to Your Advantage

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.

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.

6. Enjoy Nighttime on Your Terms

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

BEFORE YOU TRAVEL TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, CHECK OUT THESE RELATED READS:

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• 15 California Foods Worth Trying
• Los Angeles Day Trips to Add to Your California Bucket List
• One Day in Los Angeles? Here’s What Not to Miss