Disneyland with Teens

Question

We are arriving on Saturday morning with our 12 & 14 year olds. We land at LAX at 8:50am but have heard that we’ll want a full day each at Disneyland and California Adventure so was going to wait until Sunday and Monday to visit the parks. I can seem to find much to do in Anaheim the day we land. Are there any suggestions? We will be driving up to Hollywood on Tuesday to visit Universal and other attractions in that area but need something to do on the day we land.

Also, do we need lightening lanes with our older kids? Is it worth it? We are going in mid-March during spring break.

Answer

Hi there,

Arriving at LAX at 8:50 AM and planning to spend Sunday and Monday at Disneyland and California Adventure is a smart approach, especially during mid-March spring break when the parks will be crowded. Your Saturday arrival day can be used to ease into your trip without overextending yourselves after a flight.

Things to do in Anaheim on arrival day:

Downtown Disney District: Located just outside the parks, this is a great place to grab a bite, shop for souvenirs, and enjoy the atmosphere without entering the theme parks. There are plenty of restaurants, live entertainment, and shops suitable for teens.
Hotel pool / resort amenities: If you’re staying at a Disneyland-area hotel, many have pools and recreation options that teens enjoy. This can be a relaxing way to recover from travel.
Nearby shopping / entertainment: Consider visiting The Outlets at Orange, Anaheim GardenWalk, or South Coast Plaza if you want to do some shopping or grab dinner. GardenWalk also has entertainment options like bowling, movie theaters, and arcade-style games.
Walk around Anaheim Packing District: This historic food hall offers casual dining and a fun, local vibe for a relaxed evening.

Using Lightning Lane / Genie+ for older kids:

Since you have a 12- and 14-year-old, Lightning Lane (via Genie+ or individual Lightning Lane selections) can be very useful. Mid-March is spring break, so wait times will be high for popular rides like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout!, Radiator Springs Racers, and Indiana Jones Adventure.

Genie+ allows you to reserve select attractions throughout the day and reduces wait times for multiple rides. It can save a few hours per day.
Individual Lightning Lane selections are recommended for the most popular attractions that aren’t included in Genie+ (e.g., Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance). You can purchase up to two of these per day.
For older kids, who can handle more intense rides, Lightning Lane is often worth the investment to maximize your park time, especially in peak season.

Tips for Disneyland and California Adventure:

Arrive early to rope drop if possible to enjoy lower wait times for popular rides.
Download the Disneyland app to track wait times, mobile order food, and manage Lightning Lane reservations.
Plan meals during off-peak hours to avoid long waits at restaurants.
Encourage teens to wear comfortable shoes, stay hydrated, and bring sunscreen.

In summary, use your arrival day to relax, explore Downtown Disney or nearby attractions, and have a low-key start. For the parks, Genie+ and individual Lightning Lanes are highly recommended during spring break for older kids to maximize ride experiences without spending the entire day in lines.