18 Reasons to Wait 18 Hours to get Disneyland Reservations

April 15th was the day that every Californian could book reservations for Disneyland. But being from Florida, I had no option in joining half the state of California in booking reservations for Disneyland. Still, I knew my great friend Taleia, who has joined me in previous podcasts on what we love most about Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, would be working hard to get a reservation. I text her on the 15th to see how it was going. No response. A day later I get a text from her at mid day. It took 16 hours the first day with no luck! Then she started again at midnight and finally got them two hours later. She scored two, two-day tickets at 2 am that morning. 18 hours total! She paid $470 ($235 a piece) for those two sets of two-day tickets, which would have handled the better part of a single annual pass for her a few years ago. Is it worth it? You bet! For that reason, I’m stating 18 reasons to wait 18 hours for reservations to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. It still may be a while before I get there since I’m an out-of-stater. But I can still dream, and I’m dreaming of when I get to go back. This is that list!

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1. Avengers Campus

We reviewed this in a previous podcast, but honestly, will anyone remember that Bug’s Life used to be here, much less Bountiful Valley Farm?

2. Animation Academy

Why is this not at Walt Disney World. This is the greatest moments of Disney animation wrapped up in one beautiful moment.

3. IncrediCoaster

Best 0 to crazy in no time at all coaster ever built. Loved it when it was California Screamin’. Miss the music, but I love the Incredibles overlay.

4. Soarin’ Over California

Notice I said Soarin’ Over California–not Soarin’ Over the World. This was brought back in 2019 just before the pandemic. It’s uncertain if it is returning as an option when the parks reopen. It’s on my list if it is.

5. Carthay Circle Restaurant

My first interest was in Lobster Nachos at Lamplighter Lounge. But then I though better of it. After all, if I’m paying a premium price to visit Disneyland, then I want to dine at a premium restaurant. And no one comes near to that at Disney California Adventure like the Carthay Circle Restaurant.

6. Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout

This is a first-rate attraction, even if it is an offspring of the original Tower of Terror. Still, it’s a great chance to see if not having FastPass or MaxPass will create a situation where queues are much more manageable.

7. Radiator Springs Racers

This is Disney California Adventure’s premiere E-Ticket attraction. Typically I take a single rider option when visiting. But I’d be more than happy to do the longer standby queue, because the queue is just that good.

8. The Porch at Flo’s V8

Nighttime on the porch at Flo’s with neon in one direction and Cadillac Canyon aglow in lights in another direction is about the best way to end a day at Disney California Adventure. Add a sundae from Ghirardelli’s and you’ve fully recreated heaven.

9. The Disneyland Railroad

I miss the railroad at Magic Kingdom. It’s been down for what seems the better part of three years. Not sure when it comes back up.

10. Jolly Holiday Cafe

So many great things on the menu here. It’s hard to say which one to order. I like to consider the option of grazing every time I walk by. Raspberry macarons is to be included in every order. Did I also mention Mary Poppins?

11. Snow White’s Enchanted Wish

I love this attraction. I was scared as a child seeing it. I’ve since become braver.

12. Alice in Wonderland

On my host page, I talk about Alice in Wonderland being the #5 top attraction of all attractions I’ve experienced world wide. This is my favorite dark ride experience–particularly of the Fantasyland dark ride genre. It deserves it!

13. “it’s a small world”

This is just enchanting. It is the essence of Disney Magic. you can’t miss it! We’ve done a comparison of this attraction all around the world. Check it out!

14. The Enchanted Tiki Room

This one is simply far more enchanted than the one at Magic Kingdom. Add the Tropical Hideaway and you’ve found paradise.

15. Savi’s Workshop: Handbuilt Lightsabers

I’ve been waiting for a special occasion to do this. My next visit to Disneyland may warrant it. Add a retractable light saber and I’m a definite shoe-in.

16. Haunted Mansion

New changes have been added to the haunted mansion. Plus it’s simply one of my favorite rides.

17. Blue Bayou

Monte. Cristo. Need I say more?

18. Pirates of the Caribbean

No surprises here. This is my #1 favorite attraction in the world. I would want to do it at night so I can get the real benefit of a lesser line, and a real feel of visiting a dark, mysterious world.

What I’ll Miss!

We’ve already done a podcast on what isn’t opening when the parks re-open at the end of April. Still, here are some personal favorites I’m still waiting for.

• Monorail
• Canoes
• Jungle Cruise
• Columbia Sailing Ship
• Storybook Canal Boats
• Paint the Night
• World of Color

For more about the Disneyland Resort, catch Taleia and I as we share what we love best in all of the individual lands of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

The Wayfinder Society: A Patreon Site for Disney Fans

We are offering a new program where you have the opportunity to enjoy exclusive offerings from Disney at Play and Disney at Work. Join us as we introduce our new Patreon program, the Wayfinder Society, intended to give you new insights to all things Disney, whether its work or play. I am truly excited to share this new opportunity with you and look forward to creating new experiences that you will enjoy whether at home or at the Disney parks. There are a variety of options for joining, depending on your interests:

When you join, you will be given access to unique, interactive apps that explores the parks in new ways, offering stories, photos, videos and more. 

Here are some of the interactive apps we share with members of our society: 

• Pandora: World of Avatar: This is an expansive and detailed look at every aspect of this land. You can’t find any source that has covered this entire land with its attractions, retail and dining more in depth.
• Pirates of the Caribbean Across the Globe: We not only compare this attraction in parks world-wide, but we deep dive into what makes each unique. Currently we’ve covered Tokyo Disneyland and Magic Kingdom. More to come!
• Coming Soon! S.E.A. Assembled! The Society of Adventurers and Explorers are coming to the Wayfinder Society. We’ll document their whereabouts and showcase their imprint on Disney attractions world-wide.
• Disney at Work Interactive Tour: Disneyland. For our upper tiers, we have an interactive business tour of Disneyland to include more than fifty attractions spread throughout the park. These are best-in-business ideas you can apply to your own organization.
• Coming Soon! Disney at Work Interactive Tour: Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary. Looking at the heritage of Most Magical Place in the World, we draw best practices from over the years that you can again, apply to your organization. 

As you see, we have so much to share. And when you donate, a portion of your contribution goes to Embrace Celebration, dedicated to helping Disney Cast Members and others in this area who are unemployed during this pandemic. To learn more, visit our site to discover our offerings and various tiers. Join us!