Disneyland: How to skip the crowds at one of the world's busiest theme parks

I think I just clocked Disneyland.

I have been waiting days to roll down bunny hills, zoom around high-banked turns and cruise along camelback straightaways.

It costs US$25 (NZ$39) for the perk of queue-jumping at one of the world’s busiest theme parks, but even then you still might be twiddling your thumbs for half an hour. As I discovered, with some simple planning, you can walk right past the crowds.

It’s a crisp sub-ten-degree morning and the sun is just beginning to show between the towering rocks of Ornament Valley.

You’d be forgiven for thinking you’re in the depths of America’s desert states following Route 66.

It’s all quaint roadside motels and diners, and cacti rising from evenly spread red-rock dust. The mountain peaks here were designed to look like tail fins of classic Cadillac models.

I’m walking around the Happiest Place on Earth before the churro carts have started pumping out their heavenly scent. Other than costumed ride attendants and a lone cleaner sweeping the spotless pavement, there is barely another soul in sight. It is eerily quiet.

The masses you’d expect here, dressed from head to toe in a kaleidoscope of Disney merchandise and custom-made t-shirts, are all waiting behind a line of staff members as they wait for the clock to tick past 8am.

It is typically over an hour’s wait to get behind the wheel at Radiator Springs Racers, one of the most popular rides at Disney California Adventure Park.

I simply walked into the park from one of the onsite hotels through a private entry point. By presenting a room key, guests can enter 30 minutes before the general public.

Soon I’m strapped in next to a father and son as we enter the world of Pixar's Cars franchise. Our six-person vehicle encounters characters from the animated film before we’re racing another car around turns and hills.

The rush is over within minutes, allowing ample time to walk straight over to the park’s biggest rollercoaster and score myself a better ride photo than the shell-shocked version the day before. Then, it’s over to the soaring rocket ride for another quick buzz – all before the stampede begins.

This is Disneyland on the day Walt's original vision turns 100 – and the crowds are here for three brand-new additions. I’m here to squeeze in as many rides as possible.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is the first ride-through attraction to be based around the theme park’s headline stars and an honourable tribute to the 1928 animated short, Steamboat Willie.

Located inside an art deco picture palace in Toontown, the new attraction starts like your average day out at the movies before riders are thrown into the cartoon.

The family-friendly experience takes places aboard trackless train cars between hypercolour physical sets and animated media to music and sound effects. Moving through the world, a Goofy hiccup takes the vehicles on their own individual journey through factories, down waterfalls and into a joyful dance lesson. It’s laugh-out-loud fun.

To ride, visitors can join a virtual queue or purchase an individual Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane arrival time. At US$25 per day, the fast-track add-on is one of the best ways for visitors to make the most out of their visit. Disneyland says that on average, guests can enter two to three attractions per day using the service, however once you have checked into one ride, it is easy to line up your next in the app.

Paying extra for the privileges of queue-jumping services and staying next door in the ski lodge-themed resort aren’t the only ways to beat standing in line.

By ditching my group, I make a beeline for the Single Rider lane and slot in with odd-numbered mini-Jedis between two rides in the popular Star Wars land. I do the same for classic attractions like Splash Mountain and Matterhorn Bobsleds, as well as Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout!, a gut-churning free-fall ride set in a gantry lift. The wait times are remarkably quick.

There’s time to preorder a giant battered corndog to settle the stomach, before I head off reenergised and ready for another hit of adrenaline. Autopia, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad are more rides for the checklist.

Come nightfall, you might save yourself time as crowds flock to the central locations of Main Street USA and Paradise Bay for Disneyland’s twin nighttime spectaculars, but you would be foolish to skip the shows.

The headlining events are the reason why most kids want to visit Disneyland on holiday. The Disney magic isn’t lost on adults either; some may find themselves welling up upon hearing the theme song of a fantasy adventure princess musical.

I put my phone aside to watch World of Color – ONE, the new water and light show that tells the story of how a single action can grow into a wave of change through a medley of hits. Under the shadow of the park’s swinging Ferris wheel, the show transforms an unassuming lagoon into a display of water, projection and fire.

Characters from the Disney, Pixar, Avengers, and Star Wars worlds appear across the curtain of mist as musical notes strike in unison with spouting fountains, and lightsabres slice through the night sky.

Risk the first-come, first-served walk-up option, or you can access dedicated viewing areas without head-and-shoulder obstruction by joining a free virtual queue. You can also see a tamer version of the show from a secret balcony in the neighbouring hotel.

The virtual queue also counts for the all-new light and fireworks show, Wondrous Journeys. The buildings of Main Street USA and Sleeping Beauty Castle become the canvas for the 13-minute show which pays tribute to all of Walt Disney Animation Studios films with lighting effects, projections, fireworks and special guests flying by wire above the iconic structure. It’s a quintessential extravaganza to round off your day.

Of course, just when the families with young children head home for sleep and the exhausted are picking tomorrow’s mouse ears in the gift shop, there’s still time for some final thrills before closing time. Longer park hours on weekends mean you can really make the most of your time at this magical kingdom.

Admission to Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California starts from US$104 (NZ$164) per day, per ticket. For $65, a Park Hopper Ticket allows guests to visit Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane from $25 per day. See:

Grand Californian Hotel & Spa provides direct access to Disney California Adventure Park. See:

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