If you're planning on visiting Disneyland for the first time you've probably got more than a few questions about the park.   Hopefully the information provided below will help.

Parking - Consists of a few lots, and an enormous "Mickey & Friends" parking structure. Depending on the direction you enter the park you will come to the pay booths at the entrance of each of these lots. The daily parking fee is now $12 per car (more for larger vehicles). The parking structure is a multi-level structure which you will be directed through by cones and Disney cast members - it's a very orderly process. Depending on the level that you park on you may have quite a walk to the escalators and elevators that lead to the tram transportation area. Go ahead and load the kids in the stroller if you need to, two elevators are available to get you down to the ground floor., and that sometimes there is quite a wait for them.  But please do NOT take your strollers on the escalators if children are seated in them, as it is unsafe for everyone.

Trams -You'll either need to take a rather long walk from the parking structure to the parks, or you will get in line at the tram stops at the bottom of the parking structure to catch a tram to the Downtown Disney area which sits just outside of both entrances to the Disneyland parks. Trams are able to Carry strollers but your children may not be seated in the strollers while on the tram. The first and last tram cars have space for large strollers, all other tram cars and rows are not very wide so you will need to fold your stroller to get it on to the tram. Some parking lots, such as Pummba and Simba do not offer tram service. Disney also offers special Wheelchair ramps and Shuttle Vans for those who need a bit more assistance.  If you need a Handicapped Parking Space, let them know when you pay at the Parking Toll Booths.

Entrance plaza - Once you get off the tram follow the crowd towards the entrance plaza. You'll now need to stand in line to have your, purse, backpack, stroller, etc. searched by security before you'll be allowed to enter. Once you enter the plaza you'll see the ticket booths directly in front of you to purchase your park tickets, Disney California Adventure is located to the south and Disneyland is located to the north.

Arriving early? - Main Street usually opens 30 minutes before the rest of the park when the Park Opening is 9 AM or later. If the park opens at 8 AM or earlier, then Main Street opens at 8 AM.

Stroller, Wheelchair and ECV rentals - Strollers are available for rent at both parks for $10 or 2 for $18.  There are only single strollers available, no doubles. They are the jogging type stroller with a small storage compartment under the seat. They maneuver easily. Be sure to keep your receipt because there is a chance that someone may "accidentally" take your stroller while you are on one of the rides - take your receipt to either the Main Street stroller rental or the Starcade stroller location in Tomorrowland for a free replacement. You will be given a card with your family's name on it that fits into a pocket on the top of the stroller shade so that you are able to find yours out of the hundreds of others in the park. You can take your rented stroller in to both parks, but you can not go into Downtown Disney or the resort hotels with the strollers. Disney also rents Wheelchairs ($10 plus a $20 refundable deposit) and ECV's ($35 plus a $20 refundable deposit, must be 18 or older with a valid photo ID to rent and use a rented ECV). Many folks opt to rent these items from outside vendors, so they can use the mobility devices going to and from their hotels, shopping outside the parks, etc. 

Lockers are also available outside of the main entrance of Disneyland park and inside on Main Street. Lockers rent for $7-$15 per day depending on the size of the locker.

Speaking of babies - High chairs are available at all sit down restaurants, and there is a Babycare Center and first aid station located at the end of Main Street.  They also have diapers, wipes, etc available in an emergency for purchase. There are also changing stations in all bathrooms .

ATM's - Need cash? No problem. There are 4 ATM locations, run by Chase Bank with a $2 surcharge for those using it from other banks in Disneyland. One on Main Street, one in the Tomorrowland Starcade, one in Frontierland, and one near the Fantasyland Theater. You can also write personal checks at most retail and dining location at Disneyland.

Shopping - Like to shop but hate to carry everything around all day? Disneyland has a package check service . You can leave your purchases at The News Stand at the main entrance, the Premier Shop in Tomorrowland, or the Pioneer Mercantile in Frontierland. They'll put your info on the packages, just pick them up as you leave the park.

The Blue Bayou - Hoping to dine at  this super popular Disneyland restaurant? You'll want to call Disney Dining at (714) 781-DINE to make reservations . You can call up to 30 days in advance, it is recommended that you call early as this restaurant is booked solid almost all day every day. Not sure what to order - try the signature non-alcoholic drink called a Mint Julep, and the famous Monte Cristo sandwich (Lunch only).  This is definitely a restaurant that you must try at least once. It's pretty pricey, so go for lunch if you're on a budget and split a meal (extra $4.99 split plate charge). You'll dine waterside by the light of colorful lanterns above your head as you watch the boats from the Pirates of the Caribbean pass by.  The restaurant has recently gone through a major refurb and has built a new kitchen, and is offering more high-end cuisine.  The refurb is complete but the dining area did not under go any major changes. The average check will be about $40 a person.  If you are looking for something a bit lower in price, Cafe Orleans now offers sit-down seating with a server, also with a new menu. You can now purchase that famous Monte Cristo sandwich at Cafe Orleans too!

Dining Discounts - Have a Disneyland Annual Pass? The pass will now get you a minimum of 10% discount at most dining locations except for the food carts. AAA members can also save 10% at the Plaza Inn - just show your card when you pay for your meal!

FASTPASS - FASTPASS only works one ride at a time. You insert your park ticket and out pops a paper ticket with a time frame later in the day for you to return to take your ride. You will enter in the FastPass line which will take you straight up to nearly the beginning of the line, you may still have a short wait on some rides.  Check out the FASTPASS tips section in the Anaheim Insider pages for more detailed info.

DIsneyland Park has two popular celebrations every fall where they decorate the park and offer special versions of certain attractions. The first celebration is called HalloweenTIme, and is offered the last few days in September and for all of October. Then Disneyland is converted to the Christmas Holiday season from late November (the week before Thanksgiving in the USA) until the first few days of January.