So you are traveling to Disneyland from overseas. It’s going to be quite an incredible adventure, but there are quite a few things that you will need to keep in mind outside of the usual Disney planning tips. We are going to take you through a quick shortlist of things to be aware of: everything from booking your trip to saving yourself money on credit card fees, roaming data, and more.
Avoid Local School Vacation Periods
Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure are very much local’s theme parks. Unlike Walt Disney World, where every second person has traveled a substantial distance to visit, its west-coast counterpart has a lot more homegrown love that populates the area. Because of this, it becomes extra important to avoid the local school vacation periods whenever possible. WDW seems to always have a visiting convention or school tournament that can bring in thousands of students. Disneyland offers a sweet spot in between school breaks where, during the week, we can really see the difference in attendance at certain times of the year. It’s worth researching these dates before you book.
LAX-IT
If you are coming to Los Angeles via LAX, you will want to know about the new transport hub called LAX-IT. Introduced just a few years ago, a new hub houses all of your taxi, ride-share, and pickup services just outside the immediate terminal area. The system might feel a lot more complicated, though, in practice, it is much more straightforward and seems to save time and the chaotic congestion that was the previous LAX experience. As you exit your arrivals terminal, make your way to the nearest pickup point. I would highly recommend heading to your left for an earlier collection point along the route, as the buses do fill up. Even though they are expected to arrive every seven minutes or so, I do notice that as you reach the last few terminal stops, the lines are longer, and often, no more passengers are able to board due to existing capacity. Where possible, get on at an earlier stop.
If it’s been a few years since you’ve visited the airport in Los Angeles, be sure to make a mental note of the changes.
Skip The Car Rental
If you are only visiting Disneyland or it is your main destination while in the Los Angeles / Anaheim area, it might be an idea to rethink the need for a rental car. Aside from getting to and from the Disneyland Resort (covered above), everything is within walking distance. From the Downtown Disney District and the Disneyland Resorts (Disneyland Hotel, Grand California, and Pixar Place Hotel) to the parks and Good Neighbour hotels nearby, a car can be much more trouble than it’s worth.
Tax Is Not Included
Some countries like to include their Tax or GST in the pricing noted on a menu or an item, making it easier to know your total spend. In the USA, tax is calculated separately at the time of purchase, meaning that anything you order or buy will be a bit more expensive at the cash register than it first appears. Know the tax rate where you will be. In Disneyland, expect to pay roughly 7.5% on top of the ticket price of your purchase.
WIFI & Data Roaming
Not all WiFi is created equal. When relying solely on the WIFI, you might find that there are times when you struggle to use the Disneyland app and refresh certain information. Bringing your phone from overseas into the USA can leave you returning to an extraordinarily large bill for calls and data. Know your options before you go. Often, your carrier will have packages available where you can pay a certain amount per day and be covered for enough data to function. I know what you are thinking. Yes, most of Disneyland has free WiFi; however, it can be patchy, and you can bet that the moment you need it most to book that Lightning Lane reservation, it will drop out. See what is available before you leave, and don’t rely on your international roaming data unless you know you are covered.
Currency Conversion & International Credit Card Fees
Foreign Currency Credit Card Fee is a phrase that no international traveler likes to hear. Unfortunately, it’s a lovely surprise that your credit company will likely add when making purchases while overseas. In my experience, it comes in at around 3% on top of your total. So when you are eyeing that Mickey Mouse plush to take home, first add your sales tax, then convert the currency, and then your credit card fee to better understand what it will cost you. This then gets extra complicated when you need to add gratuity (we will get into this a little more in a moment) to a dining experience or service. In that circumstance, add your tip, then your tax, then convert to your currency and add your credit card fee. A great way to avoid some of these extra fees is to get yourself a global currency card, which many banks now offer. You can pre-load it with the currency of your choice and avoid those fees. That way, you will know exactly what you are spending in US dollars without the conversion or credit card fees.
If you don’t have a pre-paid global currency card, familiarize yourself with the latest exchange rates and give yourself a few reference points. When visiting a country that has a different conversion to what I am familiar with, I like to make a note of what $10, $50, and $100 are in that currency, which then helps me break down the conversion on the spot.
Be Weather Prepared
We often hear a lot about the weather at Disney theme parks, with guests noting extreme heat, frequent rain periods over the summer, and even some pretty intense storm action. However, most of these woeful weather tales are specific to Walt Disney World. Disneyland’s position in Southern California can often be quite different, offering a more even-keeled weather forecast. You won’t find the same volatility in the warmer months here as you will in Orlando. And though the heat might not be as fierce and storms not as frequent in summer, there can be a cool twist that hits unexpectedly after dark the rest of the year. Check the weather forecast, paying special attention to the highs and lows if you are planning to be in the park early in the morning or late at night.
Tipping / Gratuity Adds Up
Yes, we are tackling the controversial topic of tipping. It’s the age-old argument that those of us who come from countries where our service providers are adequately paid will never fully understand. Even so, it is essential to know that when you are visiting the USA, there is a standard that you will need to be aware of. Expectations will vary depending on who you speak to, though most bills that have a service component will have a very convenient table at the bottom to make the calculation easier. Be aware that some areas (outside of Disney) will offer unreasonable suggestions as well. For example, a few years ago, I was in a small (very casual) Florida restaurant in a touristy location that kindly offered me a 38% gratuity calculation. It’s safe to assume that I rejected this and offered a lower number than what I would have had they just left this foreigner to it.
If you are an International visitor with questions about your trip to Disneyland, let us know in the comments below. Looking for the Walt Disney World version of this guide? You can find it here.
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.
