I visited Disneyland last weekend expecting huge crowds, busy restaurants and monster ride wait times. But the day was quite enjoyable thanks in part to Disneyland’s Lightning Lane Pass.
I commented to some employees throughout the day, “I thought this would be worse.”
Almost unanimously, each had the same answer: The real rush was yet to come.
You’re reading the Essential California newsletter
That’s when the cost of a single-day adult park-hopper pass, which allows a patron to visit Disneyland and adjacent California Adventure Park, soars to $314 (buy a week later, prices will drop by $50.)
Many Disney experts and influencers advise you to avoid the resort during this time.
But what if you’ve already bought tickets? What if out-of-town family is desperate to visit? What if this is the only free time to take the kids?
Traver explained to me that preparing for the holiday rush is not all too dissimilar from spring break.
One essential tip is to arrive at Disneyland before the park’s opening at 8 a.m.
Security checks begin as early as 7 a.m. and the gate, which opens around 7:20 to 7:30, allowing patrons to line up for the rope drop.
“For people interested in getting on the most popular rides, this is how you cut down on wait times,” Traver said.
He noted rope drop, the insider term for the moment a literal rope around attractions, restaurants and shops drops when the park opens at 8 a.m. is the best time to head to the “Star Wars”-themed “Rise of the Resistance,” which can easily draw two-hour lines later in the day.
Traver added this tidbit: Disney hotel guests receive early entry on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, so the other days are best for early arrivers.
Consider eating at the bigger restaurants
He said patrons looking to maximize time and find a seat should search for larger capacity places.
Those include Rancho del Zocalo in Frontierland, the Red Rose Taverne in Fantasyland, the Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree in Bayou Country, Galactic Grill and Alien Pizza Planet in Tomorrowland.
“The larger the crowd, the bigger the fight for seats,” Traver said. “Go to places with more seats.”
Next week, there might be one more consideration: Forecasters predict rain on Tuesday and Thursday.
Traver said restaurants like Alien Pizza Planet, which is 90% covered, or the Golden Horseshoe Restaurant in Frontierland, which is completely indoors, will be in high demand.
Take advantage of single rider
Both Disneyland and California Adventure offer a handful of single-rider lines.
If family members don’t mind riding alone, they can cut long waits at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the Matterhorn Bobsleds, Space Mountain and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Disneyland, the lone single-rider attractions at the park.
Traver’s favorite single rider attraction is California Adventure’s Radiator Springs Racer, where wait times are notorious.
“It will cut the wait time by a third,” Traver said.
Be realistic, but bring a good attitude
Maybe the biggest secret: Set proper expectations, Traver said.
“If you expect things to go smoothly and they don’t, now you’re disappointed,” he said. “But, if you arrive with lower expectations and an understanding that lines are going to be long and you’re just going to have to wait, you may be pleasantly surprised.”
The week’s biggest stories
(Jim Cooke / Los Angeles Times; Photos via Getty Images)
A chance for justice. A strain on today’s classrooms
Starting in 2020, Assembly Bill 218 offered survivors of childhood sex abuse in California a three-year window to sue over past molestation and sexual assault.
The wave of litigation has caused financial strain across the state’s schools and programs.
Tyler Skaggs’ family reaches settlement with Angels
Friday’s settlement in the wrongful death case brings an end to several days of juror deliberations and a four year legal battle.
Terms of the agreement, which follows previous unsuccessful settlement efforts from the former Angels pitcher’s family, were not immediately available.
Reiner slayings
After the fires…
What else is going on
Must reads
Other gripping reads
Nearly a year after the L.A. fires, the television drama “Fire Country” drew inspiration from those who fought it.
Six directors on “wasting” (and saving) money, the future of movie theaters and more.
For your downtime
Lively video projections behind a 1965 Ford Mustang make guests feel like they’re on a ride through Southern California at “American Icon: A Mustang Immersive Experience.”
(Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)
Going out
Staying in
L.A. Timeless
A selection of the very best reads from The Times’ 143-year archive.
Have a great day, from the Essential California team
Jim Rainey, staff reporter Hugo Martín, assistant editor, Fast Break desk Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editor Andrew J. Campa, weekend writer June Hsu, editorial fellow Karim Doumar, head of newsletters
A travel blogger has shared three affordable European cities ideal for winter city breaks, which also stick to tight budgets
There are three affordable destinations you could go to this winter(Image: Karl Hendon via Getty Images)
Winter has officially arrived and amidst the Christmas chaos, it might be time to consider a short getaway. We’ve still got a fair stretch until summer, which is the prime travel season.
But there’s no need to hold out for the warmer months to enjoy a budget-friendly escape from the UK. If you’re keen on embracing the winter vibes, a travel blogger has revealed her top three European cities that are ideal for a short trip.
Plus, they’re all quite affordable, so your wallet can breathe easy. TikTok travel enthusiast emsbudgettravel has divulged her top three budget-friendly destinations from the UK.
Em sets herself a £200 limit per country she visits, which she assures you’ll be able to adhere to as well. Her first recommendation is Yerevan in Armenia, which she declares as one of her favourites.
Em elaborated: “It is perfect on a budget. You can find really cheap connecting flights here and I recommend combining this city break with an overnight stop over in a city like Milan or Rome.”
“This is an amazing option if you are on a budget. The accommodation is so affordable, we got this apartment overlooking the city’s main tourist attraction for £12 each per night.
“And, the metro costs just 20p per journey. It is also surrounded by beautiful mountains and scenery and is cheap to take a day trip out of the city to visit.”
Content cannot be displayed without consent
She also recommended Poznan in Poland, which she claimed rivals more renowned destinations like Krakow. Em continued: “My next destination has a beautiful old town and the food is also delicious and affordable.
“There’s loads to do on a budget like the Palm House or this amazing spa, which is the largest in the country and costs just £16 for a three-hour pass.
“I thought this was such an underrated Polish city, just as good as the more popular city breaks like Krakow and Gdansk. But, I actually found it to be a little bit cheaper.”
Her final winter getaway recommendation is Tallinn, Estonia. Em revealed: “The final recommendation is in the Baltic region of Europe with really affordable flights recently. It probably is one of the most picturesque cities I have visited.
“It is also really affordable for accommodation. We recently paid £21 each to split this Airbnb in the centre of Old Town.
“It’s one of Europe’s best preserved Medieval cities and every street is so photogenic. I’d say this is the perfect destination for a snowy weekend away and I have also heard it’s got a lovely Christmas market.”
We’ve all wondered what goes on behind the galley curtain 35,000ft in the air. From the reality of mid-air romances to the one divisive passenger habit that crew members actually love, a flight attendant has spilled all the secrets
A flight attendant has revealed secrets from the cabin (Image: Getty Images)
For many, the life of a flight attendant is the ultimate daydream: jet-setting to exotic locations, waking up in a new country, and calling the world your office.
But behind the glamorous Instagram posts and the crisp uniforms lies a reality of strict safety protocols, secret signals, and the constant management of hundreds of personalities in a metal tube. Grace Hampson, an international flight attendant, has opened up about what really happens on board.
It is the oldest cliché in aviation history: doing the deed in the airplane bathroom. But according to Grace, if you are hoping to join the “Mile High Club,” you are likely to be disappointed.
While she admits it isn’t a “total myth,” the reality is far less exciting than the films suggest. “It doesn’t happen often like people think,” Grace tells Sky News.
Between heightened post-9/11 security measures and flight attendants who are trained to vigilantly patrol the cabin, getting away with it is “near on impossible.”
So, while the fantasy persists, the likelihood of sneaking two people into a cupboard-sized toilet without an awkward interception by the crew is slim to none.
The ‘cringe’ habit
There is one passenger behaviour that divides the internet like no other: clapping when the plane lands. It is often mocked as “cringe” or unsophisticated by frequent flyers.
However, Grace confesses that while she has to maintain a professional, stony face, she is actually a fan. “I try to play it cool when passengers clap as the plane lands,” she says, “but deep down, I love it.”
For her, it’s not about the passengers being easily impressed; it’s a moment of recognition for the colleagues up front. “We fly with some talented pilots and they deserve the applause for getting us all there safely.”
The one thing you should never do
While the clapping is secretly appreciated, there is one habit that causes the crew a genuine headache: the mid-boarding seat swap.
We’ve all seen it – someone spots an empty row and tries to jump into it before the doors close. Grace warns that this isn’t just annoying; it’s a safety issue.
“We need all passengers to take their allocated seat for take-off,” she explains. The aircraft’s weight and balance are precisely calculated based on where passengers are sitting.
If everyone starts playing musical chairs, it can affect the plane’s stability. Her advice? Sit where you are told, wait until the seatbelt sign is off, then ask to move.
Being called ‘waitresses’
Perhaps the biggest frustration for crew is the lingering “waitress in the sky” stereotype. Grace stresses that while serving chicken or beef is part of the routine, it is secondary to their real purpose.
“We can deal with a large number of emergencies that have the possibility of emerging in the air, with fewer resources than you would have on the ground,” she notes. From medical incidents to turbulence – which she says she handles calmly to reassure passengers – the crew are safety professionals first, servers second.
Grace’s Insider Travel Hacks
After years of flying, Grace has picked up some elite travel habits:
The Best Time to Fly: Tuesdays and Wednesdays are cheapest, and morning flights are best because they are less likely to be delayed.
The Secret Language: Yes, the crew use signals. If you see a subtle hand gesture down the aisle, they are likely signalling for a “top-up of tea or another serving of chicken.”
Packing: Roll, don’t fold. And stick to a colour palette so you can mix and match outfits without overpacking.
So next time you fly, keep your seatbelt on, don’t try to sneak into the bathroom with your partner, and feel free to clap when the wheels touch the tarmac.
The new Entry-Exit system (EES) has been rolled out across Europe, and UK holidaymakers have been warned to expect long queues at airports this festive season — here’s how to avoid delays
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
You can avoid long queues at the airport, especially during the Christmas period(Image: Getty)
Brits planning a festive getaway have been warned to brace themselves for queues of up to four hours at European airports, following the launch of the new Entry-Exit system (EES) on October 12. The EES, which swaps traditional passport stamping for biometric checks, requires every non-EU traveller to undergo fingerprinting and facial scans.
This extra step, combined with the influx of passengers travelling during the holiday season, can cause significant delays when multiple flights land at the same time.
Early signs show that major hubs like Paris and Amsterdam are already struggling with congestion during busy times, and with Christmas fast approaching, more chaos is anticipated. Representing one of the biggest overhauls to European border control in years, the EES applies to all non-EU travellers — including Brits — entering the ‘Schengen area’ (29 EU countries including France, Italy, and Spain).
While registration only takes a few minutes per person, when multiplied by hundreds of passengers, it leads to lengthy queues.
This alert comes as winter holidays continue to rise in popularity, with 51% of Brits planning to jet off abroad between November and February. To help holidaymakers dodge the mayhem, travel guru Jane Bolton from ski holiday specialist Erna Low shares her top tips for navigating the new rules and ensuring a hassle-free trip, reports the Express.
Arrive well in advance
“Airport wait times can vary, but with the new EES checks, queues of up to four hours are expected at peak times,” Jane explains. “In the past, travellers were advised to arrive at the airport two hours prior to a domestic flight and three hours for an international flight. Now, it’s worth allowing more time than usual – especially during school holidays and weekends. I’d recommend arriving at least three to four hours before your flight to make sure you don’t miss it.”
Keep tabs on your departure airport’s latest information
Jane advises: “As the EES rolls out across Europe, it is unavoidable for airports to be at different stages of this process, given the scale of the system. Some major airports like Charles-de-Gaulle (France), Düsseldorf (Germany), and Rome Fiumicino (Italy) have already implemented self-service EES kiosks, while others will still be manually registering the biometric facial and fingerprint recognitions.
“Those doing it manually are expected to take longer, so check your airport’s website before you leave home to plan appropriately.”
Choose ‘fast track passes’ wherever available
With lengthy queues anticipated, passengers are urged to consider alternative time-saving options. The travel expert’s advice?
“Purchasing fast-track tickets for security is a great method for reducing the time needed prior to a flight. These tickets cost between £3 and £12 per person, depending on the airline, and can shave off hours within peak travel times. It’s a relatively small investment for peace of mind.”
Allow additional time when travelling with families
Jane explains: “Whilst the new system requires facial and fingerprint recognition, children under twelve are exempt from this requirement and instead must be linked to an accompanying adult who is registered on the system.
“For families or large parties travelling, allowing extra time at the airport is essential. This process will take longer than average, so plan ahead and keep all documents ready.”
Verify passport validity
Jane warns: “Since Brexit, many Brits have been caught out by new passport rules. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before your travel date and be valid for at least three months after departure.”
The travel specialist further adds: “The key date to look at is the issue date rather than expiration. For example, a passport issued in March 2015 and expiring in December 2025 won’t be valid for EU travel after March 2025. Checking this before you book is essential to avoid being turned away at the airport.
“Whilst the new entry/exit system may seem likely to cause chaos for your upcoming travels, holidaymakers should be assured that this process will, in the long-term, streamline your travel. Once registered, the travel process will become much smoother for those travelling within the Schengen area.”
The travel expert concludes: “If you check your passports, allow extra time for queues, purchase fast track where possible and check your departure airport for updates, your holiday should be off to a great start.”
