Lightning Pass

Question

We(family of 3 with a 5 year old) are planning on going Oct. 21st(Tuesday). A day trip from Palm Springs. We haven't decided if we are staying overnight yet. We've been to Disney World and Disneyland Paris so making sure we do rides we haven't done and unique to the park. Is a lightning pass necessary on a Tuesday that time of year? Also should we stick to 1 park or would we be able to experience enough of both parks in 1 day?Thank you!

Answer

Visiting Disneyland on a Tuesday in late October can be a relatively pleasant experience compared to weekends and peak holiday periods, but a few key points can help you plan your day and decide whether a Lightning Lane (previously called Genie+ or FastPass) is necessary.

First, weekdays generally see lower crowds than weekends, and October is considered a shoulder season before Thanksgiving. That said, Disneyland often has seasonal events like Halloween decorations and themed rides, which can attract locals and make certain popular attractions busier.

Lightning Lane / Genie+ Considerations: For a family of three with a 5-year-old, you may not strictly need a Lightning Lane if your goal is to ride the most kid-friendly attractions and enjoy seasonal entertainment. However, it can be useful to guarantee shorter wait times for popular rides such as Radiator Springs Racers, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout, or the Incredicoaster. If you want to maximize the number of attractions in one day, especially across both parks, it may be worthwhile.
One Park vs Two Parks: Disneyland Resort consists of Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. If this is your only day and you want to fully enjoy new experiences unique to Anaheim (versus Disney World or Disneyland Paris), you could prioritize one park to avoid rushing. Many families find it more relaxing and satisfying to focus on one park, especially with a younger child. However, if you use a Park Hopper ticket and plan strategically, you can visit both parks but will need to plan your route carefully and accept that you won’t experience every ride.
Unique Attractions: Since you’ve been to Disney World and Disneyland Paris, the rides unique to Disneyland Anaheim include:
- Indiana Jones Adventure (Disneyland Park)
- Radiator Springs Racers (California Adventure)
- Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout (California Adventure)
- Space Mountain (Disneyland Park, slightly different from other parks)
- Matterhorn Bobsleds (Disneyland Park)

Additional tips for a day trip from Palm Springs:

Arrive early, ideally at park opening, to maximize time and enjoy lower morning wait times.
Download the Disneyland app for real-time wait times, mobile food ordering, and Lightning Lane reservations.
Plan meals strategically to avoid peak lunch and dinner times.
Consider bringing snacks and water for your 5-year-old to keep energy up.
If you don’t plan to stay overnight, ensure you have transportation back to Palm Springs arranged ahead of time, since traffic leaving Anaheim can be heavy in the evening.

In summary, a Lightning Lane is not strictly necessary for a Tuesday in October, but it can save time and make the day more relaxed if you want to hit the top attractions efficiently. If your priority is a relaxed experience and fully enjoying your child, focusing on one park may be the best approach. If you want to experience a bit of both parks, a Park Hopper with selective Lightning Lane use can work, though it will be a busy day.

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