June 2024: Summer Magic at Disneyland – Tips for an Unforgettable Family Trip
Summer is here, and that means peak season at Disneyland Resort in California! Many Arizona families hit the road or sky for a vacation at the Happiest Place on Earth once school’s out. June 2024 is a fantastic time to visit Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, with long park hours, warm evenings, and a slate of entertainment running nightly. Whether you’re a first-timer or a Disney veteran, we’ve got tips and highlights to make your summer Disneyland trip truly magical.
What’s New & Must-See in Summer 2024
Even if you’ve been to Disneyland before, there’s always something new or special happening. Here are some attractions and experiences to put on your list:
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway: One of Disneyland Park’s newest rides (opened in 2023 in Mickey’s Toontown), this zany family-friendly attraction pulls you into a cartoon adventure with Mickey and Minnie. It’s trackless, whimsical, and fun for all ages. The Toontown area was also recently refurbished, offering a refreshed play space for kids and interactive fountains and games – worth checking out while you’re there.
- Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge: If you haven’t visited since pre-2020, Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland will blow you away. Pilot the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run or face the First Order on Rise of the Resistance (arguably Disney’s most impressive ride ever, with mind-blowing tech and immersion). New for 2024, characters from The Mandalorian (yes, Mando and little Grogu!) now roam Batuu – keep an eye out, they make surprise appearances to fans’ delight.
- Avengers Campus: Over at Disney California Adventure, superhero fans should swing into the Avengers Campus. Team up with Spidey on WEB Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure (a 3D ride where you actually sling virtual webs with your arm movements) and feel the rush on Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! (a free-fall tower with a rockin’ soundtrack). Characters like Iron Man, Captain America, and Black Panther often greet guests or stage impromptu fight shows on the rooftop – you might catch Spider-Man flipping through the air!
- Nighttime Spectaculars: Summer means the return of Disneyland’s famous night shows. Fireworks burst over Sleeping Beauty Castle most nights, usually paired with projections and music (“Wondrous Journeys,” a 100th anniversary-themed show, has been a hit). Over in California Adventure, World of Color dazzles crowds as fountains, lasers, and projections bring Disney scenes to life on a curtain of water – truly a must-see. Pro tip: use the virtual queue in the Disneyland app for World of Color in the morning to secure a good viewing spot (or book a dining package). And if Fantasmic (the riverside show) returns by Summer 2024, try to catch that in Disneyland, too – it’s incredible, but check status as it was on hiatus for refurbishments.
- Summer Seasonal Fun: Disneyland sometimes offers summer-only entertainment or celebrations. For example, past summers have featured the “Pixar Pals Dance Party” or special characters coming out. June is also Pride Month, and in recent years Disneyland has offered Pride Nite after-hours events (ticketed separately) and Pride-themed merch and treats during the day. Keep an eye out for any limited-time parades or events in June.
Summer Strategies: How to Beat the Crowds and Heat
With great summer fun comes great crowds. But fear not – a little planning goes a long way:
- Start Early (or Stay Late): Disneyland parks typically open by 8:00 a.m. in summer (sometimes earlier). The first two hours of the day are golden – cooler temps and shorter lines as many folks arrive later. Conversely, if you’re a night owl, stick around until closing; crowds thin after the fireworks. During summer, Disneyland Park might stay open until midnight, California Adventure until 10 or 11 p.m. Take advantage of those lower crowd times at rope-drop or late night.
- Use Genie+ and Lightning Lane: Disney’s Genie+ service (paid) lets you skip the longer standby lines on many popular rides by booking one Lightning Lane at a time throughout the day. It can be a worthwhile splurge on a crowded summer day to maximize rides. For the very top-tier rides (like Rise of the Resistance or the new Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway), Disney may offer Individual Lightning Lane purchases – basically pay-per-ride front-of-line access. If it’s a bucket list ride and you want to save 2+ hours of waiting, it’s an option to consider. (Also, use the free Genie itinerary tool in the app for tips – even if you don’t buy Genie+, it can suggest good times to hit shorter lines.)
- Mobile Order Food: Summer crowds mean food lines, but you can save time by ordering meals and snacks from your phone. The Disneyland app’s Mobile Order feature lets you choose a pickup window at most quick-service restaurants. Order a Dole Whip, chicken tenders, or a Ronto Wrap in advance, then just grab it from the mobile order counter without waiting in the regular line. It’s a game-changer, especially when you’ve got hungry kids in tow. Just remember to order a bit ahead of when you actually want to eat, since prime meal times fill up windows.
- Beat the Heat: June days can be warm (highs in the 80s or 90s°F), though not as scorching as Arizona. Still, plan for an afternoon rest when the sun is strongest. Enjoy indoor attractions during 1–4 p.m. to stay cool – great choices are “it’s a small world,” Pirates of the Caribbean, The Enchanted Tiki Room (grab a Dole Whip and enjoy the show), or catching a showing of the Frozen musical at California Adventure’s air-conditioned Hyperion Theater. You can also retreat to your hotel for a swim or nap and come back refreshed in the evening. And hydrate! Carry water bottles; there are filling stations and cups of ice water are free at quick-service eateries.
- Parade & Show Hacks: The afternoon Magic Happens parade (if running) or any character cavalcades are delightful but require staking out a curb spot. One strategy: have a member of your group secure a parade spot 30-45 minutes early while others do a nearby ride or grab snacks, then swap. For fireworks, you can snag a spot in front of the castle or along Main Street early… or avoid the throng and watch from afar. Main Street’s projections are beautiful and you’ll see most fireworks from there without having to camp out super early. In California Adventure, World of Color viewing is best from Pixar Pier (with a reservation as mentioned, or try the standby viewing areas on either side of the bay).
More Tips for a Magical Visit
- Park Hopper Benefits: If you have a Park Hopper ticket, you can switch between Disneyland Park and California Adventure starting at 11 a.m. (as of 2024). This is great for flexibility – you could spend the morning in Disneyland, hop over for a late lunch and afternoon in California Adventure, then return to Disneyland for night entertainment. The parks are a 5-minute walk apart, so hopping is super easy. It’s definitely worth it if you want to maximize experiences in both parks in one day.
- Capture the Moments: Consider buying Disney’s PhotoPass service for a day (or it’s included if you purchase Genie+). There are PhotoPass photographers around the parks ready to snap your family in front of iconic spots like Sleeping Beauty Castle or the Millennium Falcon, and those photos are high quality. They’ll also add fun Magic Shots (like Tinkerbell in your hand, or Stitch popping out of the ground). It’s nice to have everyone in the picture for a change! Alternatively, don’t be shy about asking a friendly cast member or fellow guest to take a quick group photo with your phone.
- Enjoy Seasonal Treats: Summer might not have as many themed treats as Halloween or Christmas, but Disneyland always has seasonal goodies. Check Jolly Holiday Bakery for a special cupcake or the Tropical Hideaway for a limited mango Dole whip. And classics are classics for a reason – a churro or Mickey-shaped ice cream bar on a warm June afternoon is pure happiness.
- Plan a Rest Day (or Lighter Day): If you’re in SoCal for several days, consider not doing parks back-to-back nonstop. Disneyland days are amazing but can be exhausting. Maybe spend a day at the beach or hanging by your hotel pool in between park days. That way everyone recharges (and sunburns have a day to heal – wear that sunscreen!). If a full rest day isn’t an option, make one of your Disney days a shorter one: sleep in, enjoy a nice brunch in Downtown Disney, and enter the parks in late afternoon to stay until closing. Sometimes starting late can refresh you for a late-night finish.
A summer trip to Disneyland is a rite of passage for many Arizona families – a chance to escape into a world of imagination and make lifelong memories. With a bit of planning and a dash of Disney magic, June 2024 could be your best Disneyland vacation yet. So pack your Mickey ears, slather on some sunscreen, and get ready for adventure!
And be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook – we’ll be sharing our favorite Disneyland tips, photos, and maybe a few nostalgic throwbacks all summer long. See ya real soon! 🌟
Our Partner Travel Advisor @adventures_with_snacks specialize in crafting unforgettable Disneyland experiences tailored to your unique preferences and interests.
