Last Minute Disneyland Planning

Updated April 1, 2025

I’ve essentially been writing this post in my head for 11 years now while helping people plan their Disneyland trips.

There are a few absolute basics that you should know before visiting.

And, there are a few tricks that will help your trip go smoothly.

Spend an hour reviewing the following information to ensure you know what you need to know! One hour will truly make a difference.

Basic Layout of the Disneyland Resort

The Disneyland Resort is comprised of 2 theme parks, 3 Disney hotels and Downtown Disney. Disneyland is a fraction of the size of Disney World (500 acres vs 30,000+ acres). Check out the layout of the resort including details on parking, lockers and more.

Disneyland is the original park and it opened in 1955. In addition to Main Street, it includes 8 lands:

• Adventureland
• Bayou Country
• Fantasyland
• Frontierland
• Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
• Toontown
• New Orleans Square
• Tomorrowland

Disney California Adventure or DCA opened in 2001 and enjoyed a grand “re-opening” in 2012 with a major transformation, which has brought the once troubled park to life.  In addition to Buena Vista Street, it includes 5 lands:

• Cars Land
• Avengers Campus
• Grizzly Peak
• Hollywood Land
• Pacific Wharf
• Pixar Pier

Transportation to the Disneyland Resort is fairly easy if you know what you’re looking for. There are 6 large airports that are all realistic options within 1.5 hours of Disneyland.

You can get to the parks via car, shuttle, train, or car service. I highly recommend Lanksy Enterprises for transportation from the airport to your hotel.

How Lightning Lanes Work

Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass are new and there’s a lot to know, even though they work similarly to Disney Genie and FASTPASSES.

This post explains everything.

Your Daily Plan 

For recommendations on when to arrive, how to use Lightning Lanes to their fullest potential, which order of attractions to go in, etc, etc, visit this link.

Mobile Ordering

Just like FASTPASSES, Mobile Ordering will drastically reduce your wait time in line – but this time for food!

Visit this post for how it works. This service is free to all guests.

For a list of all participating restaurants, go here.

Disney Theme Park Tickets & Hotels

I recommend Get Away Today for all Disney vacation planning needs. They have discounted tickets and hotels and the best service in the industry.

Find more about how they can help you here.

Thorough Planning

The above information is essential for your visit, but there’s a lot more to know if you have time.

My First Timer’s Guide covers everything.

And, it’s free! So many blogs charge you these days for information. Everything I share is at no cost to you. Enjoy.

Take a look at how Get Away Today can help with your vacation