A One Day Disneyland Itinerary

Growing up in Northern California, I was lucky to visit Disneyland frequently. My family and I would always have one day to spend at the happiest place on earth, trying to fit as many rides, shows, parades, and snacks as possible in a 12 hour period. The trick if you only have one day in the park is to plan out a detailed Disneyland itinerary. This is not the time to wing it, trust me. Especially now with larger crowds, you need to have a game plan if you want to ride Space Mountain before dinner.

Here is a sample itinerary of making the most of your time at the park including rides, shows and where to eat. Even with the most careful planning, it’s impossible to ride all the rides and see all the attractions, so think of this as a highlight reel of the most popular sights. Of course feel free to mix and match this Disneyland itinerary with rides that are more your style and that suit the personal tastes within your group.

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Start your Disneyland itinerary at Main Street U.S.A., that was modeled after Walt Disney’s hometown of Marceline, Missouri.

One Day Disneyland Itinerary

Breakfast

Wake up early and start your Disneyland itinerary out with one of the best views in the park: the patio at River Belle Terrace in Frontierland, with views of the Rivers of America. Indulgent options include the cinnamon roll French toast, biscuits and gravy, and a Mickey Mouse pancake for the kids or kids at heart in your group. Make sure to make reservations beforehand.

If you have small kids, and want to go the character breakfast route, Goofy’s Kitchen in the Disneyland Hotel is always a hit with the little ones. It’s pricey, but it’s buffet-style, and there are also great food choices including a make your own omelet station and the classic Mickey pancakes and waffles.

There is also a Minnie & Friends-Breakfast in the Park at the Plaza Inn, if you want to eat within the park. Reservations for this buffet-style are highly recommended, and can be made 60 days in advance.

Morning

First things first, make a beeline for Space Mountain in Tomorrowland to pick up a FASSPASS (FP). This ride is one of the most popular and can run out later in the day. Then head to New Orleans Square and go straight to Pirates of the Caribbean, which doesn’t have a FP option, and can get quite crowded later in the day.

Head next door to Adventureland and stop by the Tiki Juice Bar for a mid-morning snack of dole whip. Get in line for Indiana Jones, a classic ride that just celebrated its 25th anniversary (I remember when it first opened!). Once you’re finished conquering the Temple of the Forbidden Eye, your Space Mountain FP timeslot should be available, so board the park’s only in-the-dark roller coaster ride through space. Afterward, grab a FP for Matterhorn Bobsleds. You can get a new FP once you are done with the one you currently have, or within a two-hour period.

Lunch

Café Orleans in New Orleans Square is a solid choice with Monte Cristos, mint julups, and Mickey beignets. Grab a seat on the patio, a perfect spot to people watch. It’s highly recommended that you make reservations if it’s a busy season, but you can also just walk in as well if you’re not sure what time you will be having lunch.

For a lighter (and relatively healthy) option, Bengal Barbeque in Adventureland has lighter choices that include meat, and veggie kebabs. Take advantage of mobile ordering and avoid the line at this popular spot. There is limited seating, and if you cannot find a spot, I recommend taking your kebabs to the benches near the Walt Disney statue in front of Cinderella’s Castle.

Afternoon

Disneyland naturally tends to be more crowded in the afternoon, so plan accordingly for crowds. Wait in line for Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters in Tomorrowland. After going on the Haunted Mansion, get a FP for Big Thunder Railroad in neighboring Fronterland.

If you want something a bit slower, heard to Main Street, where you can explore attractions like Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and the attached Disney Gallery, grab a coffee at Market House (the only Starbucks in the park) or take a ride on the Disney Railroad that brings you around the park.

Dinner

Right after you ride Big Thunder Railroad, make your way to the Plaza Hotel, which is famous for its fried chicken platter, grilled salmon, and ornate Victorian interior. It’s casual cafeteria-style dining, where you pick-up your food at different stations and then seat-yourself at either the indoor or outdoor tables. Disney PSA: the serving for the fried chicken can easily feed two people, or you can always get a half order. You can also get a side order of the salmon as well.

For a fancier option, the Blue Bayou Restaurant has similar items on the menu as Cafe Orleans, including the Monte Cristo as well as dishes like Surf and Turf, but is set next to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. The dinning room feels like you’ve been transported to an evening on a bayou, and is a memorable experience for the ambiance and a great break from the crowds. Reservations are highly recommended as spaces fill up quickly.

Evening

After dinner, make your way to Fantasyland to experience low-key rides like Peter Pan’s Flight, Alice In Wonderland, and Storybook Land Canal Boats (especially pretty all lit up at night). If you have the stomach for it take a whirl on the Mad Tea Party ride, but if you want something slower the classic ride It’s A Small World should be right up your alley.

Alternatively, check out Galaxy’s Edge, where it feels like you are on a different planet. Drop by Oga’s Cantina, where you can taste themed cocktails like the Jedi Mind Trick cocktail. The evening is an ideal time to visit this land, where crowds thin out as the day goes on and the line for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is more bearable. Another benefit of visiting in the evening is seeing Galaxy’s Edge all lit up. If you want to try and get a spot for newer Rise of the Resistance, here’s a helpful article on how to secure a boarding group slot.

Night

The classic Fantasmic! firework show is not to be missed, and you can actually get FP for the reserved viewing area earlier in the day (but get there early since they tend to go quickly). There’s also rotating seasonal Disney fireworks every night, depending on the season. It’s important to note that shows can get canceled due to weather conditions like wind or rain.

Make sure to grab one of Disneyland beloved churros at carts scattered around the park, right before a show. There’s nothing like having a warm churro in your hand while watching the fireworks. The way the churros are crunchy on the outside and soft inside with the perfect amount of cinnamon sugar, makes it one of the Disneyland treats that you should not miss.

On your way out stop along Main Street to pick up souvenirs and treats. Emporium is the largest gift shop and has an extensive array of collectible items to browse and buy. Make sure to stop by Candy Palace to take care of all your sweet tooth cravings, including seasonal Mickey-shaped rice crispy treats, caramel apples, and cake pops.

One Day In Disneyland Itinerary Tips

The biggest piece of advice is to arrive at the park right when it opens at rope drop or take advantage of the extra magic hour if you’re staying at one of the Disneyland hotels (available Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays for Disneyland). The weather will be cooler and you can enjoy the park when it’s a little less crowded. It will be a long day, but you can always do low-key activities after lunch to rest up a bit. Disneyland park hours can change depending on the season, so be sure to check them before you go.
Another important thing for planning a successful one-day Disneyland itinerary is to download the Disneyland app before you arrive, since it will allow you to purchase and use Disney MaxPass (mobile FP), see wait times for rides, locate characters, and order food ahead of time. It also allows you to purchase your park ticket and download it to the app, enabling you to skipping the ticket line and go straight to the entrance gates.

Best Time To Go To Disneyland

This Disneyland itinerary is created for a less crowded day in the park, and is not applicable for those almost-to-capacity days during summer, spring break, and holidays, so take this into consideration. Especially during the holiday weekends during Halloween Time and Christmas, you will have to cut your schedule in half and endure crowds that are not for the faint of heart.

Speaking of lesser crowds, the off-season after the holidays (January-March) or in early autumn once school begins again is the best time to go for lesser crowds. It does rain occasionally in the winter in Southern California and can get chilly once the sun goes down, but nothing a warm coat and an umbrella can’t remedy. Early autumn in Southern California is the regions warmest times, so be prepared for hot and dry weather, when the Santa Ana winds blow in.

Where To Stay Near Disneyland

There is the trio of Disney hotels: the Disneyland Hotel, Paradise Pier Hotel, and Grand Californian Hotel, but if you are looking for a more moderate price range these are great alternatives that are close by. If you don’t have a rental car, ride share companies like Uber and Lyft are great options for zipping to and from the park.

Best Western Plus Stovall’s Inn

A 15-minute walk to Disneyland (you can see Disney California Adventure across the street), this hotel is a clean, spacious home base. The area is well lit, so you can feel safe coming home from the park late at night. The pool area is a nice retreat with two large pools, two hot tubs, and shaded cabana areas. A hot breakfast is included.

Check out the reviews on TripAdvisor | Book your stay on Booking.com

Staybridge Suites Anaheim At The Park

A bit further from the park, this 3-star hotel is modern, clean, and offers spacious suites complete with modern kitchenettes. A reasonably-priced option for families or travelers looking to have the convenience of a fridge, microwave, and stove top in their rooms. Walking to the park is a bit far (25 minutes or more), but a blink of an Uber ride takes you straight to the front gates.

Check out the reviews on TripAdvisor | Book your stay on Booking.com

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Anaheim Resort Area

A mid-range hotel that is a solid choice with amenities that include an outdoor pool, snack bar, and a complementary hot breakfast buffet. Suite rooms include a separate living room area with a sofa pull-out bed, that is perfect for larger groups. Ask for a back-facing room to avoid highway noise. Disney is a quick 11-minute walk door to door.

Check out the reviews on TripAdvisor | Book your stay on Booking.com

What is on your one day Disneyland itinerary?

Updated: 3/19/20