Planning a trip to Disneyland is exciting but also takes a lot of work. As a parent you want to make sure of two things: you get the most for your money and that your family has a great time. If you haven’t been to a Disney park in years, let me tell you- things have changed! And I’m not just talking about the parades or the prices (don’t even GET me started on those)- how you purchase park tickets, get info on show times and finding out wait times has all gone digital. Thanks to technology, there are tons of apps out there that will help you maximize your time while visiting the Disney parks, and ensure you get to see and ride everything you want. Check out these 5 apps you shouldn’t go without!
1. MouseWait
Perhaps one of the best things about MouseWait is the Crowd Index projection. No one wants to visit the park when it’s filled or projected to be filled to capacity. MouseWait will give you historical numbers on just how busy the park will be so you know how to plan your trip. From the moment the park opens, you can see estimated wait times on all your favorite rides, as well as restaurant lines. You can also connect with other Disney enthusiasts, and get insider information you can’t get anywhere else! This is a great app to help you hit the popular rides during slow times, and avoid cranky toddlers who can’t handle standing in long lines.
2. Disneyland
My family and I recently became annual passport holders to the Happiest Place on Earth after 10+ years from the last time, and we learned that many things have changed- including the introduction of Disneyland’s first signature app. One of the most innovative ideas Disney has come up with is the idea of their PhotoPass Service. Park Photographers can be found all over Disneyland and with a simple scan of your park ticket or annual pass, you can have access to all your professional photos through the new Disneyland app. Simply create an account and link your PhotoPass card and you can immediately see all your photos in one place! If you purchase a Signature or Signature Plus annual pass, all photos are yours to keep for free. You can purchase photos if you have a daily park hopper pass. Additionally, the Disneyland app has wait times for both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, restaurant locations, character whereabouts and much more. This is a free app and a must-have!
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3. Disneyland Inside Out
If you’re a fan of details then this app is for you. Not only does it contain helpful info like local weather, estimated capacity numbers and wait times, but also extras like how to plan your trip, restaurants within the parks and actual restaurant menus. This is priceless info if you’re on a budget, have a picky eater or just want to save time and avoid wandering around. It’s also free!
Get The App
4. Disneyland Secrets Gold
Are you a history buff? Or maybe you just like knowing fun trivia and secrets to getting the best seat in the house? The Disneyland Secrets Gold app is a fun way to learn more about your favorite park, with its secrets and walking tour. You don’t need internet and can go at your own pace. For just $2.99, this is a great app for annual pass holders who want to take their their visits to the next level!
5. RideMax
If going to Disneyland is the trip of a lifetime for your family, you may want to check out RideMax. It’s not actually an app and it’s not free, but it can optimize your trip to Disneyland like nothing you’ve ever seen. For 90 days, you can get access for $15 to this program that will give you individual itineraries for maximizing your time and eliminating waiting in long lines. It’s a very detailed process that takes many factors into consideration (which I’m not knowledgeable about at all!) so I suggest you head over to the RideMax website and see what it’s all about. I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews and plan to try this out for myself.