Learn how to Plan a Disneyland Journey for Disney100

The Walt Disney Co. is about to show 100 years previous this yr, and the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, is celebrating with new exhibits and a Mickey-themed attraction throughout its two theme parks: Disneyland and Disney California Journey. Each parks will even be decked out with new decor.

Festivities formally start on Jan. 27. And although it would really feel such as you want a fairy godmother to plan (or pay for) your go to, there are many methods to maximise your money and time to see the brand new points of interest.

A lot of Disney’s common characters have their very own rides, so it’s solely becoming that Mickey Mouse ought to lastly get one in all his personal. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will open on Jan. 27 as a darkish journey.

Len Testa, president of Disney trip planning web site Touring Plans, recommends lining up on the “rope drop,” which is when the park opens, to beat the crowds.

“The one strategy to keep away from a protracted watch for Runaway Railway can be to reach on the park early — not less than an hour earlier than the park’s scheduled opening time,” Testa says. “Then you definitely’ll be on the head of the pack speeding to Runaway Railway very first thing within the morning.”

The remainder of the renovated Mickey’s Toontown land will reopen on March 8. When you’ve got toddlers who would benefit from the kiddie curler coaster or new play areas, plan your Disney100 journey for the spring or later within the yr.

The short-lived Magic Occurs parade is returning on Feb. 24 after a hiatus as a result of pandemic. This rendition of the parade options characters from newer films, together with “Frozen 2” and “Moana.”

“Search for spots not less than an hour earlier than if you would like an unobstructed viewing spot in entrance of the gang,” Testa says.

Whereas he says any spot alongside the parade route is ok, photographers ought to prioritize Essential Avenue, U.S.A. or the park’s central hub in entrance of the citadel for higher backgrounds.

Beci Mahnken, founder and CEO of journey company MEI-Journey and Mouse Fan Journey, prioritizes crowd avoidance.

“I desire the realm close to It’s a Small World or Pixie Hole, the place it’s much less crowded and you could even discover a bench for those who arrive early sufficient,” she says.

Disneyland will debut a nighttime present referred to as Wondrous Journeys on Jan. 27 with a brand new track and projections across the park. Baymax, the inflatable robotic from the movie “Huge Hero 6,” will star within the present, chickening out by way of the skies round Sleeping Magnificence Citadel.

Not each efficiency of Wondrous Journeys will embody fireworks, however these much less dazzling exhibits will in all probability be much less crowded, too. If you wish to see fireworks, you’ll must go on the weekend or a peak evening in the course of the spring or summer season, in line with an e-mail with a spokesperson for Disney. 

“One of the best spot to view fireworks is within the central hub with a transparent view of the citadel and the sky above Disneyland,” says Testa.

At Disneyland’s sister park, California Journey, the enduring water present, World of Coloration, is about for a refresh as effectively. The brand new present is named World of Coloration – One.

Park Hopper tickets help you entry two parks in a single day, and so they’re dearer per day than the alternate one-park-per-day ticket. In the event you solely have someday to go to each parks, then Park Hopper is the one strategy to go to each. It’ll put you again not less than $169 for one-day, two-park grownup admission. However if in case you have not less than two days, it’s typically cheaper to get a one-park-per-day ticket, which begins at $143 per day for 2 days of grownup admission.

Ticket costs fluctuate relying on the dates you propose to go. While you purchase your ticket, you’ll want to order the dates you propose to go to the park. It’s additionally a very good time to consider whether or not you need to buy line-skipping privileges, akin to Disney’s Genie+ or Lighting Lane.

All these ticket choices might be complicated to some visitors, so Mahnken recommends doing your individual analysis or working with a fee-free journey agent.

“There’s an preliminary studying curve, and typically an extra cost, however when you perceive the way to use the instruments, it may be an enormous time saver,” Mahnken says. “It’s no secret {that a} go to to Disneyland isn’t so simple as shopping for a ticket and simply exhibiting up.”

(Prime photograph courtesy of Walt Disney World)

This text was written by NerdWallet and was initially printed by The Related Press.