How to Avoid Lines at Disneyland

1. Check crowd calendars.

The time of year, day of the week, and major events all affect Disneyland crowds. That’s why pros use a crowd calendar. Our favorite is this one, which helps you skip lines at Disneyland and California Adventure by revealing the least-crowded days. Take this guidance with a grain of salt, however, as changes like surprise deal drops may increase crowds.

2. Become a Lightning Lane pro.

The system to access short lines has had many names: FastPass, MaxPass, and Genie+. Now Lightning Lane Multi-Pass and Single Pass are key to saving time at Disneyland. Snag yours the moment you’re able. They run out! You can stack two Lightning Lane Single Passes on top of your Lightning Lane Multi-Passes each day. The real secret, though? Once you “tap in” to a ride entrance, you can schedule your next Lightning Lane Multi-Pass ride. Immediately. You don’t have to wait two hours (if the system works correctly). Schedule your next one fast, before hopping in line, at which point you may risk entering a wi-fi dead zone.

Pro Tip: Lightning Lane passes can only be used once per attraction, per day.

3. Use the app and check the map.

At the bottom of the Disneyland app, there’s a map button. It looks like an upside-down raindrop. Press it, and you can see ride wait times. Consider which you’d like to ride the most. Figure out which of your preferred attractions have the longest lines at 11am, a peak time. Those are the ones to hit early—especially if they aren’t Lightning Lane options, like “Peter Pan” and “it’s a small world.” Rise of the Resistance lines are long enough to make a Lightning Lane Single Pass totally worth it. Still need more insider info on how to avoid lines at Disneyland?

4. Learn insider secrets and hacks.

Sometimes, you won’t have enough Lightning Lane passes to cover every attraction on your wish list. If you’re over 7 years old and happy riding solo or next to strangers—and cool with missing fun queue experiences—“Single Rider” lines are an excellent solution. Don’t waste your multi-passes on these attractions if you’re willing to go Han Solo. Join Single Rider lines during the most crowded times of day. It’ll work out as long as they’re open. Sometimes Single Rider lines are off-limits in the morning and/or when the lines get too long.

The rides: Space Mountain, Matterhorn Bobsleds, and Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run all have single rider lines. (California Adventure offers twice as many!) You’ll likely get stuck as an engineer on Smugglers Run, so try another strategy if you’d prefer to pilot the aircraft.

5. Rise and shine!

Arrive before “Rope Drop.” Plenty of guests-to-be will be sleeping in. Give yourself time to park, ride the tram or a Disney bus to the theme park entrance, and go through security. You can enter the theme park 30 minutes before opening. Walk to the castle. At Rope Drop, dash to high-traffic rides.The lowest-crowd times are opening and closing hours; showing up early is worth it. Head to rides in the far back for ultra-short lines. Also consider which popular rides don’t offer single-rider or Lightning Lane options, such as “Peter Pan” and “it’s small world.”

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6. Stay until the last possible minute.

Lines shrink during fireworks shows and parades. Even better, if you hop in line one minute before closing time, you’ll still get to ride. Disney doesn’t shut it down at closing time. That’s when they rope the lines. If you purchase a “Disney After Dark” ticket, you’ll enjoy even later park hours and smaller crowds. No Lightning Lane passes needed.

Pro Tip: When you’re determined to avoid lines at Disneyland, attractions aren’t your only concern. What about food lines? To save even more time, mobile order meals through the app.

7. Check into a Disney Resort.

Disney Resort guests are allowed to enter the theme park 30 minutes before rope drop. They can purchase their Lightning Lane passes 7 days in advance instead of 3, increasing their chances of snagging passes before they run out. Pixar Place is the budget option. Disneyland Hotel is the mid-level choice, and the Grand Californian is ultra-luxurious. 30 minutes of short lines is definitely a time-saver. Pro tip: Pack breakfast bars so you can maximize your morning opportunities on-the-move. When guests are eating breakfast, the lines are shorter.

8. Breakdowns

If a Lightning Lane ride breaks down, people can choose their next ride immediately. A large number will pick the closest open ride, making the line longer—especially for standby. If this happens when you’re already in line, consider whether it’s better to cut your losses and come back later. If you’re not in line yet, avoid areas where rides have broken down. Monitor the app map to stay informed.

9. Become a Disney VIP.

Unlimited Lightning Lanes. Reserved spots to view shows. Insider tips and tricks. Someone to pick up and deliver quick service meals, who knows the best places to sit and eat. It’s great to be a VIP. If possible, schedule meal reservations for after your tour. Full-service meals can be time-consuming. If you’re a Disney Resort guest, you can schedule dinner reservations yourself 60 days in advance on the app. We recommend this over trusting any other system or service.

ACCOMODATIONS

10. Don’t wait twice. Rider Switch!

What if one guest can’t ride? The “Rider Switch” option may work for you. For example, if you have a service animal or young child, guest #1 in your party may ride before you. That makes you guest #2. When guest #1 returns, you assume their spot on the ride. Simply inform the cast member (i.e., ride attendant) you’ll be doing a Rider Switch beforehand. Search “Rider Switch” on the app for details.

11. Explore the Disability Access Service.

Look into Disney’s Disability Access Service (DAS). It’s more for people with significant developmental challenges (e.g., autism) than physical ones. Guests approved to skip lines all together may be joined by up to three other guests. Wait times will be similar to standard guests’ wait times, but for DAS beneficiaries, that time may be spent out of line.