3 Common Mistakes Families Make at Disneyland (and How to Avoid Them)
Aloha! I’m Kelli, a Disney travel expert with Sharpe Traveler. I help families, especially from Hawaii to plan stress-free, magical Disney vacations they’ll never forget.
Imagine this… you’re about to kick off your magical Disney vacation.
By some miracle, everything’s going smoothly. The kids got ready without a fuss (no tantrums, just “yes, Mom”), you breezed through airport security, grabbed breakfast, and now you’ve made it through Disneyland security. You're just steps away from entering the park and right on time for Rope Drop.
Then suddenly… you’re turned away at the entrance.
I wish I could say this was just a made-up story, but I’ve seen this happen one too many times.
As a Disney-loving travel advisor who works with families from Hawaii and beyond, I’m here to help you avoid the common mistakes that can turn a magical day upside down. Here are three things that can catch guests off guard—and how to make sure you’re not one of them.
1. Not Making Theme Park Reservations 🎟️
So what happened to that poor family at the entrance? They had tickets—but no theme park reservation.
At Disneyland, valid admission isn’t enough. Guests must also have a reservation for the specific park they’re visiting that day. If you’re using a Park Hopper ticket, your reservation must be for the starting park.
🎯 Pro Tip: On high-capacity days, reservations can fill up fast. I secure these for my clients the moment the window opens—no surprises at the gate.
During Spring Break this year, theme park reservations were completely unavailable.
2. Underestimating Where You Stay 🏨
That “budget” hotel further from the parks might seem like a good deal—until you factor in daily parking, long shuttle waits, and the energy drain of commuting with kids.
I always recommend choosing a hotel that maximizes your time and comfort:
On-property perks: Early entry, exclusive entrances, epic pools, and walking distance to the parks.
Nearby favorites: Some offer free breakfast, kid-friendly rooms, and relaxing pools.
On Property Stay: Disneyland Hotel Villas
💬 Check out my favorite family-friendly hotel picks on my Instagram!
👉 @kelli.nextstopmagic
3. Not Using Mobile Order 🍔📲
Meal times at the parks can get as crowded as the rides. That’s why Mobile Order on the Disneyland app is a game-changer.
Skip the lines by placing a mobile order and selecting a pickup time at your favorite quick-service spots.
Mobile ordering at Disneyland
⏰ Pro Tip: Place your order at least an hour before you plan to eat to avoid hangry meltdowns and save valuable time.
✨ Let’s Make Your Trip Magical
Planning a Disney vacation doesn’t have to be overwhelming. A little prep (and some behind-the-scenes help) goes a long way.
If you're dreaming about your next Disney trip, I’d love to help make the planning process stress-free and full of magic.
👉 Follow along and request a free custom quote on Instagram:
@kelli.nextstopmagic
Mahalo,
Kelli Ling | Sharpe Travel Agency
