Top Tips For Visitng Disneyland in 2022
Eep! Tiffany here. Today my husband pressed the button confirming our next trip to Disneyland, scheduled for mid-January. We’d been waffling about the next time we’d be able to go, but today’s (expensive!) purchase confirmed it. We’re excited. And a little nervous. The last time we were in Disneyland was just a few lucky weeks earlier than the first major U.S. outbreak of Covid, so we watched in horror as the park shut down and realized how lucky we were to already be safely home.
I had no idea what to expect from our next trip in a post-Covid world, so I asked Charity and Laci, who went in October and November, respectively, what the park is like these days.
Here’s some of their best tips as Montanans traveling to the Happiest Place on Earth.
PLAN AHEAD
If there is one theme to most of these tips, it’s that to make the most of your time, money, and avoid meltdowns, you’ll want to plan ahead.
Book your flight: There are some good deals to be had if you are booking a flight on Allegiant from Missoula to Santa Ana (SNA airport is the closest to Disneyland) with departures and arrivals each Thursday and Sunday.
Download the App: Disney is limiting capacity and utilizing mobile a lot more, so the Disneyland app is a must before and after your trip. From dining reservations to ride wait times, you’ll use the app a lot!
Park Tickets: Not only do you need to buy your tickets ahead of time, you also need to reserve which park you are starting in each day. If you are park hopping between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, you can switch parks anytime after 1 p.m., but you need to select your starting park after your tickets are purchased. You can do this through the Disneyland website, but it is easiest to use their app. Unless it is a really busy holiday, you should be able to cancel your reservation and change parks, but it is good idea to download the app now while you are thinking of it.
Transportation: Don’t forget to plan your shuttle, ride share or car service now. Many hotels charge per night for parking, so you probably don’t need a rental car unless your vacation is taking you to other SoCal destinations!
DINING & FOOD
Dining Reservations. Thinking about enjoying a sit down meal at one of Disneyland or Disney California Adventure? You’ll want to get dining reservations ahead of time. There is very limited availability for a walk up list, so if a Monte Cristo at Blue Bayou or Lobster Nachos at Oga’s Cantina are on your bucket list, you’ll want a reservation. Don’t be surprised if you don’t see any available spots in the app for popular places. A dining alert service like Mousedining.com will come in handy, and although there is a free service, the $9 for one month will get you unlimited text alerts and can help you score every restaurant you want, particularly on the weeks and days closest to your trip!
Mobile Ordering: For most meals and snacks, mobile order will save you time and frustration. Many quick service counters will have immediate mobile order slots open, or a short wait for peak times. It is so handy to reserve your time slot (typically in half hour increments), put in your order, and let them know when you arrive!
Must Try Food:
There are so many fun and unique foods to try in both parks. Here’s some of our favorites.
Disneyland:
Monte Cristo from Cafe Orleans, Blue Bayou or Smokejumper’s Grill (in DCA)
Dole Whip at the Tiki Hut
Ronto Wrap from Ronto Roaster
Banyan Beef Skewers from Bengal BBQ
Mickey Raspberry Macroon from the Jolly Holiday
Mickey Mouse-shaped pretzels
Churros. You can find them anywhere!
DCA:
Quesabirria from Cocina Cucamonga
Giant Pretzel at Pym’s Test Kitchen
Lobster Nachos at Lamplight Lounge
Soft Serve Ice Cream at the Cozy Cone
In Park Experiences
Fastpasses: The system of fastpasses and lightning lanes are currently paused while Disney gets ready to roll out a new program called Genie +. Expected to launch this winter, if you want to maximize rides, you may want to check out if Genie + becomes available during your trip.
Want to build a custom light saber or Drone? There is limited walk up availability, but again, it’s best to make a reservation, even if it is the same day. These experiences can be pricey, but if it’s on your bucket list, they make a pretty cool souvenir. Don’t forget to ask about storage! Once you are done playing with your drone in Galaxy’s Edge, many shops throughout the parks will store your purchase until the end of the day for you!
Virtual Quest: Two of the newest and most popular rides utilize a system of boarding groups. On busy days, set an alarm for the day of your visit to log onto the app and get in the “virtual que” for Rise of the Resistance (DL) and Webslingers (DCA). Spots open at 7am and 12pm, and disappear fast, so as long you are in the app and refresh right on time, you’ll be assigned a time frame to check in at the ride. Otherwise you can take your chances with the wait time for standby if it is available.
Rider Switch: By far the best tool for families with little ones. Anytime you head to a ride with a minimum height requirement, ask a cast member if you can rider swap. It allows up to three members of your group to stay back with little ones and get food or change diapers while the other rider(s) stand in line. After riding, the other members of the group can return to the ride and skip the line! Some rides will just have you enter through the exit, while others you can scan your app and get right on! Which means some riders can ride twice without a second wait time, and no one gets left out of the fun!
Other Post Covid Changes:
Fireworks are currently only happening Friday-Sunday nights and at this time there are no parades or shows.
There aren’t the same character dining experiences that were available before. You’ll still see characters, just not up close and personal like before.
The Bippidi Boppidi Boutique is also closed for now.
Characters are kept distanced behind ropes for socially distanced selfies.
Don’t forget your mask! Masks are required any time you are inside.