Strategy…

Question

Back to panicking here lol so we will be at Disney next week Wednesday. I do have a special needs child so we have a DAS. Due to my special needs child I want to be sure I have a good plan and I’ve seen/gotten mixed advice so I’m unsure of my plan… The reason we are going to Disneyland is for Star Wars, so all things Star Wars are on the top of the list but I’m wondering if because everyone runs for rise of the resistance it would be smart to start somewhere else like fantasyland or somewhere we could knock out a few while waiting for the immediate galaxy’s edge rush to die down a tiny bit? Or do we just haul A to galaxys edge like the rest of the masses because we don’t want to miss it? The top rides on the list to hit are all the big ones of course… Matterhorn, big thunder, space mountain, rise, star tours, smugglers run and some of the dark rides. They’d like to do things like teacups, Mickey railroad, Storybook, tiana, gadget coaster but the ones above are the oh please let us get on these ones. Do you think it’s possible and what plan would you suggest to be sure to get Matterhorn, big thunder, space mountain, rise, star tours, smugglers run and some of the dark rides. We will get there just before it opens, not planing rope drop though we will be on central time internally so maybe! Also, they are going to build a droid at the droid depot and my anxiety is already feeling rushed like we have to make this droid fast so we don’t waste time and miss rides but I’m concerned about doing the droid at the end as not to have to backtrack. I guess I’m just needing some advice on strategy. Thank you!

Answer

Visiting Disneyland with a special needs child and a DAS pass does make planning a bit different, but it’s absolutely manageable. Since your top priority is Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Galaxy’s Edge, careful sequencing is key, along with factoring in downtime and less stressful attractions.

Here’s a suggested strategy:

Arrival: Aim to get just before park opening if possible. This will give you an advantage in booking rides with shorter waits and using your DAS efficiently. Even if you’re not doing rope drop, being there early helps.
Galaxy’s Edge first: Rise of the Resistance is extremely popular. Using DAS, you can request a return time once inside, which allows you to explore nearby rides or Fantasyland while waiting. For Smugglers Run, it’s generally less crowded than Rise, so it can be done early or mid-morning.
Fantasyland & smaller rides: Start with a few “dark rides” and classic rides your family wants (Teacups, Storybook, Gadget Coaster). This gives your child some lower-stress rides and avoids having long waits for these later.
Big thrills: Space Mountain, Matterhorn, Big Thunder: Use a mix of DAS and standby. Big Thunder and Matterhorn are easier to schedule with DAS mid-morning or after lunch. Space Mountain often has longer waits, so check the app for return times and consider using DAS strategically.
Star Tours: Usually a moderate wait; can slot in mid-day or between DAS return windows.
Droid Depot: If your child is excited to build a droid, book it as early as possible through Disneyland’s reservations system. This prevents the need to backtrack later and allows you to plan nearby rides in that area while waiting for your Rise return time.

Suggested itinerary approach:

Enter park → Request DAS for Rise of the Resistance → Explore Galaxy’s Edge and do Smugglers Run → Book Droid Depot if not already reserved.
Head to Fantasyland / Tomorrowland for lighter rides (Teacups, Storybook, Star Tours, Gadget Coaster).
Check DAS return times → Ride Rise of the Resistance.
After lunch → Big thrill rides (Matterhorn, Space Mountain, Big Thunder) depending on DAS return times and app updates for standby waits.
Use gaps to enjoy other smaller rides, rest, or take snack/meal breaks.

Additional tips:

Keep the app open for real-time DAS notifications and ride wait times.
Use rider switch for attractions that smaller kids cannot ride; this works well with your DAS plan.
Plan meals in advance to reduce waiting—consider mobile ordering.
Stay flexible; the DAS system is there to help avoid stress and long lines, so adjust as needed.

By starting with Galaxy’s Edge, using DAS efficiently, and booking the droid depot early, you should be able to cover Rise, Smugglers Run, Matterhorn, Big Thunder, Space Mountain, Star Tours, and some dark rides without feeling rushed. Also, alternating high-intensity and lighter rides helps manage energy and reduces stress for your special needs child.

Strategy…

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