Our last few visits, we’ve taken a family photo in the same spot. We didn’t do it intentionally, it just kinda of happened.

It’s fun to see how much everyone has changed in just a short time. continued

This might seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at how many people like to sleep in while they’re on vacation. Even when they’re vacationing at a Disney resort.

One of the key tips to having a great experience is to get in the park early. If you have “Magic Mornings” with your passes, take advantage of that extra hour in the park. We’ve been able to enjoy a few more rides with the extra hour passes and avoid the lines.

On the mornings we don’t have the extra hour, we plan our day to ride the more popular attractions first. If the wait is already long, we get a Fast Pass. The park tends to get busy about an hour after it opens. Getting there early will help maximize your day.

If you need to purchase tickets, ticket booths open half an hour prior to the park opening. Also, if you get to the park early, you’ll have the best available parking spots.

It seems as if we’ve been on the Jungle Cruise more times than I can count. Because of the colorful personalities of the Cast Members, each time is different. Even though we’ve been on it so many times, I don’t think I could tell you about the route. That is, until recently.

Did you know there’s an official Jungle Cruise map available?  My daughter loves maps. Even though she’s only 4, she can give the best directions. The Jungle Cruise map is definitely one for the collection.

As you are getting off, don’t forget to ask the Cast Member for your free map of the Jungle Cruise. This is such a great keepsake for any Disney fan.

The monorail is a great way to get around Disneyland. It’s close to the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier, so if you’re staying at either of those hotels, this is a must ride for you.

If you have a little extra time, ask the Pilot if you can ride in the front. Riding in the front will let you get a bird’s eye view of the park. At night, the views are incredible.

Before you board, make sure you ask a Cast Member if the space up front is available. The front compartment can only hold 4 people, so plan ahead. You might have to wait for the next train for your turn, but it’s worth the wait.

*I know they are still doing this at Disneyland, but not sure about Disney World. Have you been able to take the ride up front at WDW lately? 

If you are planning your trip to Disneyland, make sure you check the calendar before you go. Disneyland has many days throughout the year that are designated to individual groups and organizations.

Disney “Days” include Dapper, Homeschooling, Star Wars, and Gay Days. On any of these given days, plan on the park having higher traffic than normal. Last year, Gay Days brought in an additional 30,000 people over one weekend.

Not only will this effect Disneyland attendance, it will also impact the price and availability of hotels, parking, and wait times. Planning ahead will save you a lot of time and money.