I used to be a VIP tour guide at Disneyland. Here are 5 things you should never do in the parks.

• I worked as a VIP tour guide at Disneyland, so I know which offerings aren't worth visitors' time.
• The Pixar Pal-A-Round looks cool and relaxing, but the monorail is way better for scenic views.
• I suggest avoiding busy areas, such as the Mickey & Friends parking structure and Fantasyland.

In the five years I worked as a VIP tour guide at Disneyland, I got to know the park very well.

Part of my job was to become an expert at ensuring guests had the best possible experience, so I quickly learned which attractions and stops were rarely worth visitors' time.

With that in mind, here are five things I recommend skipping at Disneyland.

Instead of boarding the Pixar Pal-A-Round, try the monorail

Nothing beats a sky-high view of the park, but I don't think the Pixar Pal-A-Round is as relaxing as it looks.

This 150-foot-tall ride isn't your average Ferris wheel. You have the option of riding in a swinging or non-swinging gondola, but, in my opinion, both options are uncomfortable.

Whether swinging or stationary, the nearby screams of the Incredicoaster, a roller coaster next to the Pixar Pal-A-Around, can spoil the otherwise peaceful scenery. 

If you want a more relaxing alternative, I recommend boarding the Monorail for a 13-minute-long scenic ride with views of the park.

Consider steering clear of Fantasyland, which can get packed with strollers

It's nearly impossible to avoid crowds at Disneyland, but Fantasyland is the one place that's almost guaranteed to be packed for the majority of the day. 

While working at the parks, I quickly learned that this area is a hub for parents and animation-loving children. As a result, it is often filled with strollers and babies learning to walk.

The crowd may be adorable, but it can get frustrating trying to comfortably make your way through Fantasyland. Traffic jams here can be worse than on the I-10 during rush hour.

I suggest guests try to avoid Fantasyland until the end of the day, when it's slightly less crowded — or if you want to move through rides and attractions quickly, steer clear of this area altogether.

Don't shop for merch until you're on your way out of the park

Trust me, I understand the urge to make a beeline for the gift shops to snag must-have hoodies and limited-edition popcorn buckets.

However, figuring out how to comfortably carry and store your merch can take away precious time in the park. If you're planning to buy items, especially bulky ones like lightsabers and drink sippers, do so at the end of your day.

It's not fun to lug your merchandise around until you eventually feel pressured to purchase a locker or leave the park to store your new items in your car.

Consider skipping the Mickey & Friends parking structure

No matter where you park at Disneyland, there will likely be many cars already there. However, you do have a few options.

If you drive a standard-sized vehicle, a $40 parking voucher will get you into the Mickey & Friends, Pixar Pals, and Toy Story lots. Of the three, Mickey & Friends is the best-known and thus I've found it's often the most crowded parking structure.

I recommend trying the Toy Story lot, which is also a designated parking area for oversize vehicles and buses and allows for a shorter walk to the entrance gate. In my experience, this lot is less popular among guests, so you might even find the parking spot of your dreams.

Don't wait at City Hall for a minor issue or question 

Disney's City Hall, a guest-relations center, offers assistance regarding disability services, app troubleshooting, itinerary planning, and day-of park issues, so it's usually very busy.

Since this center is typically inundated with guests with high-priority problems, I recommend going elsewhere for general questions or minor matters.

Namely, there's no need to spend an hour standing in line at City Hall for something as simple as requesting a birthday button when there are so many guest-relations locations throughout the park staffed with employees who can help you.

Simply open the Disneyland app, search for "guest relations," and the locations will appear on the map. City Hall is so small and gets busy fast, so why wait forever for something that could be a quick fix elsewhere?

This story was originally published on September 19, 2023, and most recently updated on April 23, 2026.