How to Start Your Day At Disneyland: Which Strategy Is Right For You?

Wondering how to start your day at Disneyland? Planning your perfect Disneyland day starts with one big decision: what time are you getting to the parks? How you start your day at Disneyland makes a difference! Whether you’re an early riser with a strategy or rolling in just before lunch, your arrival time can totally shape your experience.

There are four main ways to start your day at Disneyland, and each one has its pros, cons, and ideal scenarios. Let’s break them all down so you can find the best fit for your next visit!

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How To Start Your Day At Disneyland

🌅 Early Entry – Disney Hotel Guests Only

If you’re staying at a Disney-owned hotel (Disneyland Hotel, Grand Californian, or Pixar Place Hotel), you get access to Early Entry – 30 minutes before regular park opening. But to really make this perk worth it, you need to plan ahead. If you’re staying on Disney property, taking advantage of early entry is a great way to start your day at Disneyland!

Important details:

• Early Entry alternates between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, so check the schedule for your visit.
• There’s no separate entrance for Early Entry. You’ll need to be at security about an hour before Early Entry begins to make the most of your time.

What’s open at Disneyland: Only Fantasyland and Tomorrowland are available. Rides include:

• Space Mountain
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
• Star Tours
• Alice in Wonderland
• Dumbo
• King Arthur Carrousel

What’s open at DCA:

• Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
• Incredicoaster
• The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
• Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
• Monsters Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
• Soarin’ Around the World
• WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure

Not open, but worth lining up for: Radiator Springs Racers and Rise of the Resistance. You can’t ride them during Early Entry, but lining up for them early can help you beat the crowds.

Breakfast tip: Eat before you enter the parks or wait until around 10:00–10:30 a.m. when the park gets busier. Use the early hours for rides!

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🗺️ Rope Drop – Maximize the First Hour

Rope drop means entering the park right when it officially opens. It’s not just about being early—it’s about being strategic. Rope dropping is the best way to get on rides with the shortest wait times, so that makes it a great way to start your day at Disneyland! I’ve got a full guide to rope drop at Disneyland for more info.

Best rides to rope drop at Disneyland:

• Space Mountain
• Indiana Jones Adventure
• Big Thunder Mountain
• Haunted Mansion

Avoid at rope drop:

• Peter Pan’s Flight: the line fills immediately and stays long all day.
• Rise of the Resistance: it’s often delayed in the mornings, and the crowd rush can be overwhelming.

Best rides to rope drop at DCA:

• Incredicoaster
• Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
• Toy Story Midway Mania
• WEB SLINGERS

Avoid at rope drop: Radiator Springs Racers – the line gets long right away and you’ll waste valuable low-wait time.

Breakfast tip: Grab something before you arrive or wait until later in the morning to take a break.

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🚪 Right at Park Opening – The Balanced Approach

This is for those who don’t want to rope drop, but still want a full day in the parks. Arriving right at opening (usually 8:00 or 9:00 a.m.) still gives you a good head start. This is a great way to start your day at Disneyland if you’re not interested in getting up super early!

Expect light-to-moderate waits and a less rushed experience. This is a great option for:

• Families with young kids
• Guests who want a break midday
• Those who prefer not to wake up at 6:00 a.m.

Use this time to hit:

• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Jungle Cruise
• Haunted Mansion
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

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😎 Arriving Later – The Night Owl Plan

Not a morning person? No problem. Just know that lines are longest from late morning through early evening.

If you’re arriving in the afternoon, be realistic. You won’t ride everything, but if you:

• Stay until closing
• Plan around entertainment
• Focus on atmosphere and food

…you can still have a great day.

Tip: The last two hours before closing are often the best time to ride popular attractions with lower wait times.

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Use this link to book or give them a call at 855-GET-AWAY and tell them Mix In Some Magic sent you for the best rates!

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🎮 Want a Step-by-Step Touring Plan?

If the idea of planning your day sounds stressful, don’t worry—I’ve got you! My Disneyland Touring Plans give you a step-by-step guide so you know exactly what to ride, when to ride it, and how to make the most of your day with the shortest wait times.

These plans are updated for current crowd levels and have options for plans with or without Lightning Lane Multipass.

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Final Thoughts

There’s no one right way to start your day at Disneyland—just the one that works for you.

Recap:

• Early Entry: Ideal if you’re staying on property and ready to arrive early.
• Rope Drop: Maximize your day by hitting the best rides right away.
• Right at Opening: Balanced start with less stress.
• Later Arrival: Focus on evening fun and flexibility.

No matter how you start your day at Disneyland, a little planning goes a long way in making your Disneyland visit magical!

Follow Along

Make sure to check out my YouTube videos for helpful info and my podcast for lots of Disney planning information! You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Just search for “Mix In Some Magic” Follow me on Instagram or Facebook for lots of Disney tips and fun and make sure you join my Disney planning Facebook group! It’s a great place to ask all your Disneyland planning questions and get expert help.