If you are planning a quick trip to the Disney Parks, time is of the essence! Trying to fit in the most fun in the shortest period can be chaos, but this fast-paced fun trip can also be perfectly adequate with the right amount of planning beforehand. A few time traps can slow you down, and they aren’t the same across the Disneyland Resort as they are in Walt Disney World. We will tackle these one at a time to ensure your quick getaway goes as smoothly as possible.
Disneyland Resort
Park Hopper tickets are a must for quick trips to the Disneyland Resort. They allow you to move between the two parks quickly and easily, maximizing your use of a Lightning Lane Multi Pass and giving you more options as some attractions will inevitably ‘temporarily close.’
Whether short on time or with a lot to spare, getting to Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure in time for park opening is always the best way to enjoy a few rides before the crowds pour in. Don’t miss this opportunity to visit some of the busier attractions that don’t have Lightning Lane options before it’s too late.
Staying at one of the Disneyland Resort Hotels gives you access to special early morning admission, getting you into a select park each day before the rope drop crowd. Hit your favorite ride (not all are open early) and give it a few runs back to back to get the most out of this time.
Skip those table service meals. Packing the most into your day means making some sacrifices and the easiest ones to knock off the list are table service meals. When making a quick trip, I prefer to get all meals on the go, saving just a table service dinner or two to get those unique experiences in.
Walt Disney World
If you make a short trip to Walt Disney World, you won’t want to waste time on park hopping. Unlike Disneyland, the parks are a lot further apart, and it can be a lengthy commute between them that you could be spending in the parks.
Try to book your accommodation closer to the area of Walt Disney World where you will be spending the most time. Easy access for morning entry will be key to enjoying the early part of the morning before the lines get too long and time-consuming.
Leave time for transport. Walt Disney World has a terrific complimentary transport system. Buses, trains, monorails, and boats can move you around this expansive resort easily but not necessarily quickly. In the mornings, many guests in each resort will be making the same trip as you are, and the queue to get on the buses can be lengthy. Leave extra time in the morning to use the included services or splurge on another form of private transport that will give you the value you need from the short span of time available.
Grabbing breakfast on the go can be the most valuable move at Walt Disney World. Instead of spending an hour getting breakfast, be the first to enter the parks and start your day. There are so many fantastic quick service options that you won’t feel like you are missing out on anything while also maximizing your time.
Disneyland and Walt Disney World
Some tips apply equally to both Disney Parks locations, and the key is planning and prioritizing. Make a list of all your must-do experiences and hit those before anything else. You never know when you might come across the dreaded Disney breakdown, and if you’ve left your favorite attraction until last, you might leave disappointed.
When adding some time-time festivities to your plans, like fireworks or a show, choose a park for the next day that opens a bit later in the morning so you can catch up on that much-needed sleep without losing time to the crowds that will come in while you wait.
A Lighting Lane Multi Pass is an added cost, but one that your short trip will appreciate as you skip parts of the longest lines. Adding this service to either location will benefit your schedule and relieve your stress.
Skip unnecessary shows. This is a tough one because some shows and presentations at both resorts are world-class, and some are even Broadway-esk. On the other hand, they are time-consuming, and when you are struggling to fit it all in, this type of attraction can put a dent in your to-do list. Save them for your next-time notes, and keep moving on this trip.
Add your time-saving tips for short Disney Parks trips to the comments below.
Zoë Wood is a travel writer from Sydney, Australia. Since her first visit to Disneyland at the age of 6, she has spent her years frequently visiting Disney Parks and traveling around the world.
Join Zoë as she lets you in on all the tips, tricks, anecdotes, and embarrassments that arise from her family adventures.
