Summary

Plan ahead

Buy things ahead of trip to avoid buying from Disney
- Autograph book and pen
- Mickey/Minnie ears
Install Disneyland app
Buy tickets for the days you are going as they can be sold-out
- Genie pass is well worth it even though it does not cover all the rides
Pack comfortable walking shoes (we did around 15k steps all the days)
Bring a stroller for even older kids; with the long queues and long days gives them a place to rest all day.
Hopper pass is useful if you have limited time and want to visit both Disney and California adventure

During visit

Stayed at Marriott Anaheim across from Disneyland with Panera Bread in the front
Queues are less 8 to 10 in the morning or 9 to 12 at close (when they are open until 12 at night). we went in late and stayed until closing
If everyone in the family is not interested in the same rides
- Book the same ride with multiple genie passes, you can do the same ride multiple times
- You can split half of the family into one ride and other half in other ride
Map in the app shows where the characters are active.
Book your food in the app to avoid the long lines for food
You can take food with you to save money
If you want to do breakfast with characters they are much cheaper in the Disneyland hotel that you can get to without ticket.
Genie pass gets you free photos around the park; look for the photographers with vest and SLRs.
- Although no way to download photos in bulk in the app; supposedly website has, but I couldn't link our ID
Carry powerbank for the phone; app and phone must have.
Fireworks was less crowded from near It's a small world (and also had additional display on the walls of small world)
Train around the park is a practical option to reduce walking.

Good rides (for me)

Soaring around the world
Incredicoaster
Rocketship
Space mountain
Big thunder rail road
Stroller coaster (by me)
Autopia (for smaller kids)
Bob sled
Indiana jones
smugglers run
Incredi coaster

Good shows

world of Color in California adventure; worth the money to get seats
Parade
Fireworks from near It's a small world

Dud rides (for me)

Haunted mansion
Paying for front row for the parade because we still had to line up
Splash mountain