Which parks to choose Memorial Day weekend?

Question

Will be there Wednesday Thursday Friday and Saturday Memorial weekend. Which DL parks should we choose reservations for? Will likely not do park to park. Open to MLL lightning lane. Which parks would you reserve at- do they both open at same time- is there a parade at both or only one? Are some of the shows specific to days of the week? Will likely rope drop due to time change. Coming from Midwest/south. Not sure if stamina till close. 2 generations of adults.

FYI 70th anniversary sale for 3 and 4 day tickets started today, some hotel discounts. 4 days $400 so that’s ok with me!

Thanks for any info. I know WDW, never been to DL. Also will skip super thrill or bumpy rides. Unless it is Star Wars themed!

Answer

Visiting Disneyland Resort over Memorial Day weekend can be busy, so planning ahead is key, especially for two generations of adults and avoiding intense rides.

Regarding park choice and reservations:

Disneyland Park (DL): The original park with classic attractions, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Main Street parades, and iconic rides. Great for first-time visitors. Rope drop here is recommended to experience popular attractions like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, and other mainstay rides before crowds build.
Disney California Adventure (DCA): Offers Pixar attractions, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout!, and shows like World of Color. Star Wars rides are only in Disneyland Park, so for Star Wars-themed experiences, your group should focus on DL.

Opening times and events:

Both parks generally open around 8:00–9:00 am during holiday weekends, but check the Disneyland app for exact times, as they can vary by day.
Parades and shows: Main Street parades, such as the 70th Anniversary Celebration, are typically at Disneyland Park, not DCA. Some shows are day-specific, so verify the schedule in the Disneyland app for your specific dates.
Since you are skipping thrill rides, prioritize shows, character experiences, gentle rides, and Star Wars attractions at DL.

Suggested strategy for 4 days:

Day 1 (Wednesday): Disneyland Park – rope drop, focus on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and classic attractions, gentle rides, and parade viewing.
Day 2 (Thursday): Disneyland Park again – use Lightning Lane (MLL) for any remaining must-do attractions, shows, and character meet & greets.
Day 3 (Friday): Disney California Adventure – explore Pixar Pier, Guardians of the Galaxy, shows, and lighter rides.
Day 4 (Saturday): Repeat favorite park or park hop if stamina allows. Morning at DL for Star Wars/Disney favorites, afternoon/evening at DCA for shows like World of Color.

Other tips:

Reserve Lightning Lane selections early for popular rides to minimize wait times.
Take advantage of hotel discounts and the 70th anniversary ticket promotions.
Plan breaks in the middle of the day to avoid fatigue, especially with older adults.
Check entertainment schedules in advance via the official Disneyland app, including parade and showtimes.

With this approach, you can see key highlights, enjoy Star Wars experiences, and pace yourself across the holiday weekend without feeling overwhelmed.

Which parks to choose Memorial Day weekend?

More Anaheim Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions