Hi again, Jessica!
Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel. One day at the Disneyland Resort is still so much better than no days, so I'd be happy to help you plan your magical day at the Happiest Place on Earth!
With so much to see and do at both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, you will want to do a little planning to make sure you don't miss any of your "must-do's." Download the official Disneyland app to view park maps, attraction locations, and even make dining reservations. To visit both parks, you will need to purchase a One-Day Park Hopper Ticket. I also recommend that anyone with limited time at the Resort add
Disney MaxPass to their ticket when purchasing their ticket or after entering the park gates on the
Disneyland app. This will allow you to truly maximize your experiences and minimize time in attraction lines so you can do and ride as much as possible. Another great time-saver for us is the Mobile Ordering feature on the app which allows you to order and pay for food and drinks at select Quick Service dining locations in both parks.
Although everyone's priorities are different, I suggest planning to make your first Disney MaxPass selections for the day for attractions that are more popular like Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT!, Radiator Springs Racers, Incredicoaster, or Space Mountain. Make sure you check out the daily schedule to prepare yourself for nighttime entertainment and other exciting shows. With both parks being only footsteps apart, it's easy to park hop throughout the day. I also recommend arriving as early as possible since wait times are typically less in the morning.
Remember You've Got a Friend in Me here at the Disney Parks Moms Panel if you have any other questions!
-Jennifer