Our 1-day Disneyland itinerary affords a step-by-step plan to effectively do exhibits, rides, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and all the pieces new. We record eating places at which we’d dine, issues we’d do, leisure we’d watch, and extra. Primarily, our excellent day touring California’s citadel park. (Up to date March 3, 2025.)
This single day Disneyland itinerary has been overhauled a number of occasions in as a few years, making an allowance for the ever-evolving leisure choices, Early Entry, Lightning Lanes, altering crowds, attraction closures & reopenings, journey reimaginings, and extra. Suffice to say, issues proceed to ‘evolve’ at Disneyland, each from a substantive and technique perspective.
We go to Disneyland repeatedly “for the sake of analysis,” monitoring wait occasions, testing plans, and fine-tuning our technique. This Disneyland itinerary for 2025 takes into consideration all the pieces we’ve discovered, together with when to do Tiana’s Bayou Journey and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance through standby, the place to observe fireworks, rope drop precedence, and hit the highlights…
We’ll replace this once more as soon as Disneyland’s seventieth Anniversary begins, however the broad strokes of the itinerary gained’t change primarily based on the nighttime leisure throughout your go to. Nonetheless, whether or not it is best to make an additional effort and take the time to safe a spot will change as soon as Wondrous Journeys and Paint the Evening Parade return.
You additionally may need to contemplate paid FastPass–formally generally known as Lightning Lanes. For the ins and outs of that, see our Information to Lightning Lanes at Disneyland & DCA. Whereas this itinerary will probably be useful in beating the crowds, you actually need may to contemplate paid FastPass to scale back your wait occasions considerably. If that’s the case, you’ll be able to seek the advice of our 1-Day Disneyland Itinerary w/ Lightning Lanes.
Even with savvy technique and Lightning Lanes, it’s tough to do all the pieces at Disneyland in a single day. This plan will enable you expertise as a lot as attainable, however in all probability not all the pieces. For our journey rankings and evaluations of each attraction, learn our complete Greatest Disneyland Points of interest & Trip Information submit. For complete planning help protecting all the pieces from the place to buy low cost tickets to eating and extra, learn our 2025 Disneyland Resort Trip Planning Information.
What we’re offering is a tough blueprint of our favourite issues to do in a perfect day at Disneyland and when it is best to do them for the ‘finest expertise.’ In so doing, we try to stability a nice day within the park with effectivity, fairly than simply racing from attraction to attraction.
For added comfort, we additionally suggest staying at Disneyland Resort or Disney’s Grand Californian Resort in your go to. Staying at one in all these inns places you in a superb place to make the most of Early Entry to do extra. If these inns are outdoors of your price range, try our Disneyland Space Resort Evaluations & Rankings for extra on the professionals and cons of every lodge close to Disneyland–many are literally nearer to the parks than Disneyland Resort!
When you get up from wherever it’s that you’re sleeping, right here’s what to do…
Rope Drop Arrival – When you can, we suggest arriving at Disneyland’s safety checkpoints about 45 minutes earlier than official park opening time or earlier throughout peak seasons.
As coated in Disneyland Park Opening & Rope Drop Ideas, Disneyland’s turnstiles sometimes open 30-45 minutes earlier than park opening, at which era company are allowed onto Predominant Road. We suggest heading instantly for the Central Plaza, in entrance of the Companions statue of Walt Disney & Mickey Mouse.
Early Morning Points of interest: Fantasyland – We all the time really feel a way of accomplishment by beginning the morning in Fantasyland, as a result of there are such a lot of quick sights right here inside shut proximity to 1 one other that may be accomplished rapidly. It’s additionally a great way to keep away from this space in the midst of the day, when it’s chaotic.
We extremely suggest beginning with Peter Pan’s Flight. Subsequent, do Snow White’s Enchanted Want, adopted by Alice in Wonderland. Our different suggestions right here for the morning are Dumbo, Casey Jr. Circus Practice, Mr. Toad’s Wild Trip, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, and Storybook Land Canal Boats (in that order).
You need to be capable to hit 75%+ of the sights in Fantasyland within the first hour the park is open if you’re environment friendly.
Rise & Shine – We’ve noticed an attention-grabbing dynamic emerge: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance isn’t as excessive of a precedence for as many company. To make certain, there’s nonetheless the rope drop rush to the Galaxy’s Edge headliner, however there’s now a slight lull most days after that preliminary rush.
As such, our suggestion is doing Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance about 1 hour after park opening. This might additionally change with crowd ranges, however it’s one thing we’ve skilled pretty constantly for the reason that reimagined Toontown debuted. Accordingly, it’s our recommendation for now to do Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance early within the day–however not very first thing. (It’s a unique story for those who’re eligible for Early Entry, through which case you’ll be able to knock out most of Fantasyland after which be on the entrance of the pack within the rope drop rush to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.)
Whilst you’re in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, it may additionally make sense to do Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run if the wait time is manageable (half-hour or much less). You may as well cease for a snack for those who’d like a extra leisurely morning–the Ronto Wraps are extremely advisable.
Head West – At that time, exit Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge immediately into Frontierland, which ought to nonetheless be comparatively quiet. When you took the right path, you need to be close to Massive Thunder Mountain Railroad–begin by doing that. From there, it’s a “select your personal journey” type of dynamic.
When you’re close to Massive Thunder Mountain, you’re additionally pretty near Predominant Road. When you love characters, now is an effective time to move again that solution to (probably) spot some free-roaming characters round Sleeping Magnificence Fort, in addition to meet & greets for Mickey & Associates in City Sq. on the very entrance of the park. (Technique-wise, it’s higher to satisfy Mickey and Associates later, when fewer new company are coming into the park.)
Rumble within the Jungle – At this level, you’ll be able to go deeper and deeper into the jungle.
One possibility is to knock out Indiana Jones Journey adopted by Jungle Cruise. If crowd ranges are reasonable or under, each ought to nonetheless have quick waits at this comparatively early hour.
We don’t thoughts backtracking, so our optimum method is doing Indiana Jones Journey however saving Jungle Cruise for later. The wait time for Indiana Jones Journey is simply going up till the tip of the night time, whereas Jungle Cruise could be manageable all through the late afternoon and night.
Mid-Morning Intermission – Upon getting a superb variety of sights knocked out, contemplate having a snack break. An enormous a part of our days in Disneyland entails consuming!
Because you’re already in Adventureland, one good possibility is Bengal Barbecue. This can be a nice grab-and-go possibility if you need one thing savory to gasoline you thru to lunch. Parts are pretty small, so Bengal BBQ is healthier handled as a snack spot fairly than a fully-fledged counter service restaurant.
When you’d want one thing candy, we’ll be heading to New Orleans Sq. subsequent. One possibility right here is Mickey Beignets at Mint Julep Bar; one other is the viral fresh-baked cookies at Harbour Galley, which (shockingly) truly do stay as much as the hype. Seek the advice of our Prime 10 Scrumptious Disneyland Desserts for different candy treats to attempt.
New Orleans Sq. Classics – This can be a good time for 2 of the Disneyland’s flagship sights positioned in New Orleans Sq.: Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion.
Now that each of those sights have Lightning Lanes, the standby strains are typically longer, which is why we’re prioritizing them earlier within the day. When you hit them now, they need to have wait occasions underneath quarter-hour most days. If you’d like till after lunch, 30-60 minutes is extra probably.
Down on the Bayou – Disneyland’s latest (reimagined) journey is Tiana’s Bayou Journey, which was beforehand Splash Mountain. To this point, Tiana’s Bayou Journey has solely been open for the coldest months of the 12 months, and its wait occasions have tended to be roughly equal to its predecessor.
Our suggestion of doing it at this level–versus earlier or later–is each a quantitative and qualitative one. You’re going to get moist on Tiana’s Bayou Journey, and relying upon the load distribution in your log (and whether or not you’re seated within the entrance), chances are you’ll get soaked. This makes it a superb possibility as soon as it’s a bit hotter.
As soon as summer season rolls round, you’ll in all probability need to transfer this up forward of Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. The order there doesn’t change technique a lot, as you’re consuming in New Orleans Sq. regardless, and that’s proper round this trio of sights.
One other attainable hack is prioritizing Tiana’s Bayou Journey. When you do that within the first hour of the day, it’s typically attainable to have a log to your celebration. Having a pair empty seats in your log is the ‘particular spice’ to not getting moist on the attraction. There are not any ensures to this, although, so it’s a dangerous method!
Mealtime in New Orleans – Three of our absolute favourite Disneyland eating places are in New Orleans Sq.. Our prime suggestion is Blue Bayou, Disneyland’s hottest restaurant on account of its location alongside the water in Pirates of the Caribbean. If it’s your first go to to Disneyland, Blue Bayou is a must-do ceremony of passage restaurant.
One other different is Cafe Orleans, which is a less expensive desk service possibility. This affords good worth for cash, and good open-air outside seating. It additionally options a number of of the identical iconic entrees (specifically, the Monte Cristo) that’s beloved at Blue Bayou.
The ultimate possibility is the brand new Tiana’s Palace Restaurant. We suggest doing walk-up eating versus Cellular Order–it’s a greater expertise. Tiana’s Palace is our new #1 counter service restaurant in Disneyland!
After you’re accomplished consuming (our whereas ready in your desk), take a couple of minutes to discover the nooks, crannies, and retailers of New Orleans Sq., one in all Disney’s finest theme park lands anyplace.
Afternoon Points of interest: Enjoyable Disney Originals – The center of the afternoon is when Disneyland sees its longest strains, making this a good time to get pleasure from among the gems of Disneyland that go unnoticed by most company.
The Disneyland Railroad, Sleeping Magnificence Fort Walkthrough, “it’s a small world,” Mark Twain Riverboat, and Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room are all advisable. Different choices embrace Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes, Tom Sawyer Island, and Crusing Ship Columbia.
That is consolidated right into a single entry as a result of all of those are “anytime” sights–it doesn’t actually matter whenever you do them, so that they’re excellent for midday till 6 pm or so. You gained’t have time to do all of those originals, so plan on selecting an assortment which can be most interesting to you.
Homestyle Dinner – When you haven’t already eaten, you’ve got a number of choices for dinner. The primary is ready till you go to Tomorrowland (the following cease). That is the worst attainable possibility, and is to be averted in any respect prices.
The second is heading again to Predominant Road early, and grabbing meals at Plaza Inn (residence of Disneyland’s wonderful fried rooster and our advisable restaurant) or Jolly Vacation Bakery & Cafe. Close by each are Refreshment Nook and Little Crimson Wagon, in case anybody in your celebration would like some type of corn or scorching canine.
Twilight in Tomorrowland: Head to Tomorrowland and benefit from the early night environment.
Whilst you’re in Tomorrowland, knock out the Discovering Nemo Submarine Voyage, Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters, and Star Excursions: The Adventures Proceed. Not solely will the waits be shorter, however the solar must be decrease and make the waits extra bearable. If the wait time isn’t too lengthy for House Mountain, you also needs to do that now.
Night Different: Trip Rerides – Jungle Cruise, Tiana’s Bayou Journey, Massive Thunder Mountain Railroad, and the Matterhorn are the 4 sights that we suggest doing at night time for a superior expertise. We have now a full record of the 10 Greatest Disneyland Points of interest at Evening, in case you’ve got time for greater than these–or need options.
When you missed Adventureland earlier on account of greater wait occasions or crowd ranges, you may need to do Indiana Jones Journey now. It actually relies upon upon how late Disneyland is open whenever you go to and what you continue to have to get accomplished. In case you have loads of time and never a lot left in your “record,” it can save you Indiana Jones Journey till the road dies down extra. (It may very well be accomplished after Batuu, probably.)
Fireworks – Which fireworks present you see to conclude the night time at Disneyland relies upon upon whenever you go to. For a lot of 2024, your choices will probably be Mickey’s Combine Magic or Wondrous Journeys. The previous is simply okay, whereas the latter is implausible.
All nighttime spectaculars have two variations: “with projections” and “with fireworks.” Each variations have projections, so actually it’s with or with out pyro. As a superb rule of thumb, the nighttime spectacular is introduced “with fireworks” Friday via Sunday nights, and on weekday evenings which can be busier (e.g. Spring Break, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and so forth). Try the Disneyland Leisure Schedule or the Disneyland app for dates and showtimes.
Both means, watching from Predominant Road is the one spot to see the exhibits of their entirety, with all particulars and results current. Truthfully, in case your celebration is extra “journey individuals” you’ll be able to skip Mickey’s Combine Magic. We suggest seeing Wondrous Journeys regardless, although.
When you do choose to observe, it’s a lot simpler to snag a great place (with out tenting out prematurely) on “with projections” days, whenever you solely have to arrive quarter-hour prematurely. On “with fireworks” dates, arriving extra like 30-45 minutes early is advisable, or much more if you need one of many very best spots. To that time, see our Disneyland Fireworks Viewing Information for suggestions as to the very best and worst spots for the present.
Late Practice to Runnamuck Park – Whereas it is perhaps tempting to run(away) to the latest headliner attraction at Disneyland to begin your day, the higher possibility is doing Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway within the night, after Toontown reopens following the fireworks.
Like most family-friendly sights, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway has shorter strains late at night time. The opposite upside of ready to do it’s experiencing shorter strains in Fantasyland and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, earlier within the day–particularly as these lands are typically busier within the night.
Blast Off to Batuu – When you don’t thoughts criss-crossing the park once more, we suggest returning to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at night time. The crowds get higher and the land is just higher within the night. The lighting provides quite a bit to the moody off-planet environment, and makes the expertise much more immersive.
Whilst you’re in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, be do Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run for those who didn’t earlier, go to Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, and easily wander round. Simply understand that Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance often stops working early–so for those who missed it earlier than, you’ll truly need to return earlier. Doing Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at round 7 to eight pm is an effective different to the primary hour of the morning.
Talking of options, one middle-ground choice to skipping the fireworks completely is catching them from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The realm across the Millennium Falcon affords an important view and can quickly characteristic its personal soundtrack. As soon as the present is over, race over to Rise of the Resistance for a journey on that. (You may’t do Toontown through the fireworks, so flip-flop these entries on this state of affairs.)
Park Closing Tranquility – When you nonetheless have time earlier than Disneyland closes, use that to hit whichever sights you missed, or maybe return to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to complete up no matter you didn’t get to there earlier than. Now is an effective time for House Mountain, which generally has one of many longest wait occasions in Disneyland. The standby line can also be excruciatingly slow-moving as a result of Lightning Lane.
Issues just like the Pixie Hole water present, grabbing a seat underneath the popcorn lights on a Predominant Road porch, and wandering round within the neon of Tomorrowland can all be enjoyable experiences. Additionally, understand that the retailers on Predominant Road are sometimes open an hour after park closing, making that the time to get your memento procuring accomplished.
Nightcap: Dealer Sam’s – Finish all of it in the beginning, by the adults in your celebration heading to Dealer Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at Disneyland Resort after Disneyland closes for drinks and uniquely Disney enjoyable. Dealer Sam’s is extra enjoyable than a barrel of drunken monkeys, and even for those who’re not a drinker, the interactive and detailed Dealer Sam’s is a good time.
Plus, it’s an important place to take action extra consuming…you realize, for those who weren’t already waddling from all of the consuming this itinerary requires! The handy location of each Tangaroa Terrace and Dealer Sam’s are why we contemplate Disneyland Resort a perfect location for a day at Disneyland.
When you’re in a position to do even 75% of the issues on the Every day Journey Blueprint, you might be just about assured of getting an incredible day at Disneyland. That’s our DTB by DTB.com Assure! (Please be aware that this assure has no money worth and isn’t provided to residents of any state besides Wyoming. Additionally be aware that any day you might be at Disneyland must be wonderful, so for those who don’t have a good time, it’s in all probability your personal fault! ;))
Planning a Southern California trip? For park admission offers, learn Ideas for Saving Cash on Disneyland Tickets. Find out about on-site and off-site inns in our Anaheim Resort Evaluations & Rankings. For the place to eat, try our Disneyland Restaurant Evaluations. For distinctive concepts of issues that’ll enhance your journey, try What to Pack for Disney. For complete recommendation, seek the advice of our Disneyland Trip Planning Information. Lastly, for guides past Disney, try our Southern California Itineraries for day journeys to Los Angeles, Laguna Seaside, and tons of different locations!
Your Ideas
What would you embrace in your supreme day at Disneyland? When you haven’t visited Disneyland but, what do you intend on doing? Are the brand new sights in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge amongst your must-dos? Assume it’s well worth the effort of scoring a boarding move for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance? Do you agree or disagree with our step-by-step Disneyland itinerary? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
