What to Do 1st at Disneyland

When you arrive at Disneyland Park, what should you do first? Well, if your goal is to ride every ride in the resort here are some hints: First arrive at opening. Immediately go to Fantasyland, and start riding all of the dark rides. You will find this information in just about every Disneyland Guidebook you purchase, but few of them tell you why you should ride these rides first.

There are really a few reasons. One is because Fantasyland is one area of Disneyland with no age or height restrictions. Babies, toddlers, teenagers and adults alike can ride all rides in Fantasyland with one exception. The Matterhorn does require that you be at least 35 inches tall; and that is not very tall, being just shy of 3 feet. Even a 3 year old should be able to ride the Matterhorn.

Since that is the only ride with a restriction Fantasyland is very popular with the younger age group. And the older age group, who grew up going to Fantasyland, enjoying the attractions that have been at Disneyland forever. Perennial favorites for the younger children, Dumbo and the Teacups, as well as the much-loved dark rides; Peter Pan's Daring Journey, Snow White's Scary Adventures, and more all reside in Fantasyland. So here you have the well-loved very well known attractions.

But you will not find a Fastpass machine in Fantasyland. The only time a Fastpass Machine is seen here is for Small World Holiday during the Christmas season.

The lack of Fastpass, and the fact that the attractions in Fantasyland are so well loved account for incredible crowds. If you want to maximize your ride time, go to Fantasyland at opening and ride until you are ready for a break. You should be able to ride everything before the lines become too long. A few hours after opening, it is not unheard of to see the wait for Dumbo at well over 1 hour; or Mr. Toad's Wild Ride close to 2 hours. When you are at Disneyland in the heat of summer, with or without young children, a 2-hour queue for an attraction is the last thing you want to do.

Now that you know WHY the guidebooks tell you to ride the Fantasyland attractions first, it should make better sense. Of course, if you have no interest in the dark rides, or the flying Dumbo, the spinning Teacups the beautiful Carousel, or many others, then feel free to skip Fantasyland. If the other attractions, such as Indiana Jones or Splash Mountain are calling you, send one person in your group to get a Fastpass for everyone, and ride the Fantasyland attractions. Then use your Fastpass.

You have many options. The most important thing is that you get to ride the attractions YOU want to ride. If you will be riding everything in Fantasyland though, choose a morning and hit Fantasyland first. It is your best chance to ride everything quickly with minimal waits.

No matter what… you decide to do. It is your trip to Disneyland. Not mine; not the writer of a guidebook. So take some of our advise if it suits your needs and disregard what does not make sense to you; and have a great time at the Happiest Place on Earth!


Article Rating
  DateRatingComment
No comments added