About Breakaway

Breakaway is part of the Neenan Travel Group who are a family run company that have been providing services to Irish holiday makers since 1968. In 1992, when Disneyland Paris opened their doors Breakaway were appointed the Official Irish Partner and have been ever since.

Our Disney experts know all the ins and outs of Disney and know how to get you amazing value and the best offer for you.

At Breakaway, we focus on specific holiday types that we are the experts in, such as Disneyland Paris Cruising, family Camping Holidays, Lapland, Adventure Holidays and Florida.

Our holidays experts are here to help your booking experience to be as seamless as possible. Breakaway are licensed and bonded and your booking is safe with us. You can book your Disney packages online and to book any of the other holidays types you can speak with our holiday experts.

Call Breakaway at 016079900 or email [email protected]

Experts in….

Disneyland Paris Cruise Lapland Adventure Holidays Family Camping Holidays

Why Book with Breakaway?

Licensed and double-bonded so your booking is safe with us., official partner for disneyland paris since 1992., we are a trusted family-run company that has been in business for 53 years., our travel experts have over 300 years experience between them..

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Club Travel acquire Neenan Travel

Club Travel Limited is pleased to announce that it has acquired Neenan Travel Limited.

Alan Neenan commented: “Neenan Travel was founded in 1968 by my Father Con Neenan and has under the ‘Breakaway’ brand been a key supplier to the Irish Travel Trade for Disneyland Paris for over 30 years.

We also have a strong Corporate and Retail business from a longstanding and loyal customer base.

Over the years, along with our exceptional team, we have forged some great relationships and friendships with our trade partners and customers.

It is clear that these relationships are our most valuable asset, and it is our sincere intent to maintain and grow these into the future.

While our business has continued to grow, it has become clear that aggressive growth can only be obtained through partnership.

We sought out a partner with whom we could share technology costs and maximise the potential of the Breakaway brand, and Club Travel was the obvious choice.

I will remain on but in a slightly different capacity, which allows me to focus more on my other software business.”

Liam Lonergan, Owner of Club Travel commented: “We are delighted to acquire Neenan Travel Limited. Breakaway and Neenan Travel are a great fit for us, and will join our other brands Abbey Travel, Budget Travel and Atlas Travel all of whom will continue to trade well under their own long established branding. It makes a lot of sense for similar business to share technology and administration costs and we are looking forward to working together with Alan’s excellent team to ensure the Breakaway and Neenan Travel brands prosper into the future.”

Ongoing Operations

Colman Burke, Commercial Director of Club Travel advises: “There will be no changes to the ongoing operations of Breakaway and Neenan Travel who will operate ‘as is’ for the foreseeable future. There is a phased plan to merge the back-office systems and online technology over the coming year however, we do not expect it to have any impact on our mutual customers.”

So for Breakaway, it’s Business as Usual and we thank you for your business and continued support.

neenan travel disneyland

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Neenan Travel software used to sell Disney by 120 Irish agents now to be sold abroad

  • Contract signed with Dnata. in Dubai
  • signed a large tour operator in Turkey, Etstur, 4 years ago
  • in advanced discussions with three other Disneyland Paris distributors

neenan travel disneyland

Neenan Travel have signed contracts with three of Disney’s international distributors and are in advanced discussions with several others to sell Disney-specific software already in use by 120 Irish travel agents.

According to Alan Neenan of Neenan Travel,

  • We signed a large tour operator in Turkey, Etstur, 4 years ago
  • In January we signed contracts with Dnata. They’re owned by Emirates Holidays, based in Dubai but distributing Disneyland Paris into several countries in the region
  • In February we signed Al Tayer based in Abu Dhabi and distributing into other Gulf State countries
  • We are finalising contracts with two other distributers and expect to have them on board in the next week or so
  • We are in advanced discussions with three other Disneyland Paris distributors in Europe, and in early stage negotiations with several others

We developed a bespoke piece of software to manage our distribution of Disneyland Paris in the Irish market. Our main focus was to address the needs of our trade partners, we wanted to provide our agents with a portal where they could get quotes and make reservations for Disneyland Paris. We also wanted to provide options for agents to sell on to their customers with online solutions including a full booking flow or an API feed. And of course we use the software to sell to customers on our own website.

After the initial development we showed the product to Disney and they told us that there was no other similar software available in other markets and that they were continually being asked by their distributors to provide a solution.  So we decided to enhance the software in order to make it available to Disney Distributors in other markets.

We approached Enterprise Ireland who supported the new development.  We now use the software to distribute into the Irish market and over 120 travel agents use the portal. We also provide an API solution to Click & Go.

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Club Travel Announces Acquisition of Neenan Travel

Geoff Percival

Club Travel has announced that it has acquired Neenan Travel.

Liam Lonergan, Owner of Club Travel commented:

“We are delighted to acquire Neenan Travel Limited. Breakaway and Neenan Travel are a great fit for us, and will join our other brands Abbey Travel, Budget Travel and Atlas Travel all of whom will continue to trade well under their own long established branding. It makes a lot of sense for similar business to share technology and administration costs and we are looking forward to working together with Alan’s excellent team to ensure the Breakaway and Neenan Travel brands prosper into the future.”

Club Travel acquisition Neenan Travel

Colman Burke, Commercial Director of Club Travel , said it will be a case of ‘business as usual’ for all brands.

“There will be no changes to the ongoing operations of Breakaway and Neenan Travel who will operate ‘as is’ for the foreseeable future. There is a phased plan to merge the back-office systems and online technology over the coming year however, we do not expect it to have any impact on our mutual customers.”

neenan travel disneyland

Neenan Travel’s Alan Neenan commented:

“Neenan Travel was founded in 1968 by my father Con Neenan, and has under the ‘Breakaway’ brand been a key supplier to the Irish Travel Trade for Disneyland Paris for over 30 years.

“We also have a strong Corporate and Retail business from a longstanding and loyal customer base.

“Over the years, along with our exceptional team, we have forged some great relationships and friendships with our trade partners and customers. It is clear that these relationships are our most valuable asset, and it is our sincere intent to maintain and grow these into the future.

“While our business has continued to grow, it has become clear that aggressive growth can only be obtained through partnership.

“We sought out a partner with whom we could share technology costs and maximise the potential of the Breakaway brand, and Club Travel was the obvious choice.

“I will remain on but in a slightly different capacity, which allows me to focus more on my other software business.”

  • Alan Neenan
  • Club Travel
  • Liam Lonergan
  • Neenan Travel

Geoff Percival

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Breakaway   Reviews

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Been with Breakaway for Disney holidays…

Been with Breakaway for Disney holidays for years, my son is autistic and they have always gone out of their way to help with any request. I've got to mention Deborah absolutely first rate

Date of experience : May 23, 2024

Absolutely fantastic

We are just back from an amazing 3 day holiday in Lapland. Absolutely everything was taken care of and from booking, to any questions and the full itinerary, Michelle really took care of us. I'd highly recommend this travel agency to anyone, they're extremely knowledgeable, will get back to you so quickly and are always so lovely and friendly on the phone. I would happily use them again for any future holidays. They are fantastic and we had an incredible holiday.

Date of experience : December 07, 2023

I booked my Disneyland Paris holiday with them for my family and they were so helpful! they made up the most perfect package for us and we had the best time! xx

Date of experience : October 26, 2023

Excellent customer service

Date of experience : June 14, 2023

2024 Disneyland Planning Guide

neenan travel disneyland

Our Disneyland vacation planning guide covers what’s new & next in 2024, when to visit to avoid crowds, best restaurants, hotels in Anaheim, money-saving ticket tips, Halloween & Christmas in the parks, and more. It’s a great resource for first-timers to Southern California or lifelong WDW fans. (Updated May 1, 2024.)

Let’s start with all of the latest update, which is that a couple of seasonal events are now underway with Star Wars Season of the Force running through June 2 at Disneyland and Pixar Fest continuing until August 4, 2024 at both parks. Of the two events, Pixar Fest is definitely bigger, with a new daytime parade at DCA, refreshed fireworks at Disneyland, plus dance parties and character meet & greets in both parks.

Disney has also shared that Halloween 2024 at Disneyland will start early (August 23), which likely means Oogie Boogie Bash Party dates beginning earlier. Conversely, Christmas 2024 at Disneyland will start later than normal (November 15), which is unexpected given the popularity of the holiday season. Those are the big things for the 2024 calendar at Disneyland, but there’s a ton more to cover…

From a planning perspective, the big newish thing is Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, which are essentially paid FastPass, for those who were familiar with that. It’s important to understand how this works and whether you should buy Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lanes before you visit Disneyland.

Everything you need to know, including ride priorities, where it’s NOT necessary to buy Genie+ or Lightning Lanes, and much more is covered in our Guide to Genie+ and Lightning Lanes at Disneyland and DCA . That’s regularly updated to include the latest price increases and additions to the Lightning Lane ride roster–both of which have changed in the last few months.

We’ve used Genie+ and Lightning Lanes many times, and cover our experiences and strategy there. If you’re a Walt Disney World regular, the good news is that Genie+ is much easier to use at Disneyland. We’d recommend definitely recommend that guide to get a sense for how to use it and priorities–and would also advise having savvy strategy for Early Entry (if eligible) and rope drop plans. Other than that, you don’t need to overthink things. Genie+ makes visiting Disneyland and DCA so much easier.

Regardless of whether you end up buying the Genie+ paid line-skipping, you’ll want to make the decision ahead of time, and plan your strategy accordingly to either get the most mileage out of Genie+ or have an efficient itinerary that finds alternatives for beating the crowds. (Our strong recommendation is to purchase Genie+ for at least one day. If cost is an issue, trim the ‘fat’ from your vacation budget somewhere else.)

neenan travel disneyland

Disneyland has been relatively busy in the last couple of years, which is precisely why we recommend buying the Genie+ service to save time waiting in line. It hasn’t been all bad–and it does appear that “revenge travel” is starting to exhaust itself. However, not nearly to the same degree as Walt Disney World. It’s still varying degrees of busy–just slightly less busy than last year.

Our expectation is that pent-up demand continues to die down in 2024. Following spring break season, the parks were definitely quieter in April, but it wasn’t consistent every single day–or even within days. For example, we were in the parks every day from April 27-30. Every single day during that stretch, wait times were low and crowds were slow in the morning.

The big difference is that there were massive evening rushes on a couple of days, to the point that one night DCA felt every bit as busy as during spring break. On another two days, even the nighttime hours were peaceful (at least comparatively speaking). It doesn’t help that Magic Key sales are now wide open, ticket deals are back, and park reservations are frequently fully booked (only to open more availability last minute). All of this can make crowds less predictable and more scattershot.

It feels like Disneyland is on the precipice of returning to a pre-2020 level of normal crowd dynamics, but we’ve thought this before only to have things get crazy again. Choosing less busy dates is important and that’ll continue to be the case even if pent-up demand fizzles out, but to the above points, you only have so much control. Trying to completely avoid crowds can be a fool’s errand, as they’re impossible to perfectly predict.

This is something we even admit in our totally free 2024 Disneyland Crowd Calendars . Those offer day by day guides as to when the parks will be least busy and busiest. These crowd calendars are influenced by a variety of factors, including marketing, discounts, park hours, new attraction openings, special events, Anaheim Convention Center events, and even weather (good or bad). We strive to keep our Disneyland crowd calendars updated to reflect changes in attendance trends.

neenan travel disneyland

We’re able to keep on top of all the changing crowd patterns and additions because we are Magic Key Passholders who reside in Southern California. Typically, we visit Disneyland and DCA at least once per week to refine this guide and provide you the best info.

In addition to park visits, we do frequent hotel stays, lots of eating, and field testing of Genie+ and Lightning Lanes as well as other itineraries and strategy for beating lines at the parks. Emphasis on typically since this past year has been a bit atypical and slower-paced for us as we our family grew in size.

But enough about us. Suffice to say, we’re at Disneyland and DCA frequently, and have planning updates and news to share on a regular basis. If you want to receive updates when discounts are released, new things are announced, etc., sign up to receive our free Disney email newsletter , which covers Disneyland plus Walt Disney World and the international parks.

neenan travel disneyland

Before we get to the nuts and bolts of Disneyland vacation planning, let’s start with quick background. Disneyland is “Walt Disney’s original magic kingdom.” It’s the castle park that debuted in 1955 and paved the way for other such theme parks around the globe. Disneyland is the only park that Walt Disney himself set foot in and had an active role developing. Beyond its historical legacy that makes it a California institution, Disneyland is incredibly attraction-dense, with enough rides to fill two full days or more (if you’re so inclined).

Directly across from Disneyland is Disney California Adventure (DCA), the second gate of Disneyland Resort. DCA is ostensibly inspired by the Golden State, but is more just a catch-all park with some attractions having a vague California connection and others being driven by Marvel, Pixar, and other Disney franchises.

In addition to the Disneyland and Disney California Adventure theme parks, Disneyland Resort is home to Downtown Disney and three official hotels. Downtown Disney is a shopping, dining and entertainment district just outside the two parks. The aforementioned resorts are Pixar Place Hotel, Disneyland Hotel, and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel–which is directly connected to DCA. The entirety of Disneyland Resort is walkable, with no transportation aside from your feet needed to get anywhere within the property.

Now let’s dig into planning, starting with what’s new and next at Disneyland Resort…

What’s New & Next at Disneyland

neenan travel disneyland

Beyond the aforementioned substantive additions, there are smaller ‘experience improvements’ at Disneyland. Specifically, the start of Park Hopping has been moved forward to 11 am; this makes it easier to switch parks for lunch.

There are also a handful of new on-site perks for hotel guests, the best of which is Early Entry. See our Guide to Early Entry at Disneyland for what you need to know about this pre-park opening access to Disneyland and DCA. (Note that Early Entry is now every other day for each park as of 2024; it was previously in both parks every day of the week.)

Additionally, PhotoPass digital photo downloads of on-ride photos are now free for all guests on the Disneyland app. This includes attraction photos captured on Radiator Springs Racers, Space Mountain, Incredicoaster, Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout, and more.

neenan travel disneyland

The Magic Happens daytime parade is back, and not to be missed. We recommend catching the parade’s first performance from the end of Main Street on the back side of the flagpole. Alternatively, the west side of Main Street will offer shade; welcome reprieve from the sun and heat during the summer months.

Then there are the nighttime shows. As of Summer 2024, Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular has returned for Pixar Fest. This is a fun show with new music and added scenes from Turning Red, Onward, Soul, and other movies that have come out in the last 4 years.

Also coming back from another year-plus hiatus is Fantasmic, which will be presented in modified form on the Rivers of America once again. See the 2024 Disneyland Entertainment Schedule for the dates of what’s returning and what’s missing.

neenan travel disneyland

Two of the biggest additions for 2024 at Disneyland are at the hotels. Late last year, the brand-new Discovery Tower opened at Disneyland Hotel. This is the new Disney Vacation Club wing, which can also be booked by cash-paying guests. Although they’re all technically part of the same resort, there’s a night-and-day difference between the DVC and hotel towers. See our Photo Tour of the Villas at Disneyland Hotel for more on the new tower.

In early 2024, Disney Imagineers overhauled Paradise Pier Hotel into Pixar Place Hotel. So here, it’s a matter of the same “bones” of the hotel, but with a fresh coat of paint ( and much more ). This project was truly transformative, breathing new life into the aging tower hotel. See our Pixar Place Hotel Review for more.

neenan travel disneyland

In terms of new rides, the biggest relatively recent addition is Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and its two attractions, Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. The latter is Disneyland’s biggest blockbuster addition since 1995, a modern masterpiece of Imagineering that is immensely popular and well-worth the multi-hour waits.

Over at Disney California Adventure, the most recent expansion is the Avengers Campus Marvel Land. This features one ride, one restaurant, meet & greets, and shopping. It’ll also showcases a Stuntronics Spider-Man, which is a sight to behold.

The next big attraction on the horizon is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure , which opens at Disneyland in late 2024. Our expectation–based on visible progress as compared to the version of the same ride at Walt Disney World (which opens this summer)–is that Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will debut at Disneyland between mid-October and Thanksgiving 2024.

neenan travel disneyland

Looking even further down the road, at some point sometime before 2030 (maybe?), an Avatar experience is coming to Disneyland . This is part of the nebulous DisneylandForward proposal, which is on the precipice of being fully-approved by the Anaheim City Council in May 2024. More details are expected at the D23 Expo in August.

If you’re curious about the specifics of other additions on the horizon, consult our What’s New & Next for Disneyland in 2024 . This gives you an idea of when you might want to visit if you’re still choosing dates, trying to find the best time in terms of special events, new rides, and more.

More is coming in 2024 and beyond, but those are the main things to know. Now, let’s get down to business: what you need to plan a Disneyland vacation…

When to Visit Disneyland

neenan travel disneyland

The single most important part of planning a trip to Disneyland is determining when to visit. As mentioned above, crowds are a big component of this, but should not be the sole determining factor. Weather, seasonal events, pricing, and other variables are all important.

To that point, our we also have the Best & Worst Months to Visit Disneyland list, which ranks every month of the year. Even more to the point, this covers our 3 favorite weeks of the year to take a Disneyland trip. That’s more qualitative, and thus can more useful than crowd calendars for many Disneyland planners.

Again, our crowd calendars and month by month ranking resources have been updated to take into account changing attendance patterns brought on by Magic Keys, make-up travel, discounted SoCal tickets, returning entertainment, and more. Crowds have already changed, and we will continue to monitor and update accordingly in the future. Just be warned that crowd calendars are less reliable right now due to pent-up demand, capacity limits, and everything else.

neenan travel disneyland

As for seasonal events, we have two favorite times to do Disneyland. We highly recommend Halloween, which is our #2 time of the year at Disneyland. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Disneyland at Halloween for reasons why, and assistance planning a trip during that specific timeframe.

We’re already looking forward to the return of Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party , which will be back for Fall 2024 ( and probably late summer! ). That’s a hard ticket event, meaning that tickets to it cost extra; you do not need  to attend Oogie Boogie Bash to have a great time during the Halloween season at Disneyland, but we recommend it to anyone who is willing and able to splurge–especially fans of rare characters ( and villains! ).

neenan travel disneyland

Our favorite time of year at Disneyland–by a wide margin–is the holiday season. Unlike Halloween, there is no Christmas hard ticket event, meaning that everything is included with the price of regular admission. This means holiday fireworks, special parades, decorations, attraction overlays, entertainment, and so much more.

You could literally spend multiple full days focused exclusively on the seasonal offerings at Disneyland during the holiday season. Read our Ultimate Guide to Disneyland at Christmas to learn more about what makes this time of year so special–and see photos of the parks in all of their Christmas glory!

neenan travel disneyland

Finally, before solidifying your travel dates, you’ll also want to check out our 2024 Disneyland Refurbishment Calendar to make sure any must-do attractions won’t be closed for renovations during your visit.

We typically do not recommend relying heavily on the refurbishment calendar. While Disneyland provides advance notice of most major multi-month closures, that’s not always the case. Some are scheduled last minute for necessary repairs or preventative maintenance. Short projects are sometimes scheduled at the last minute, and unannounced downtime (due to breakdowns or other issues) can also impact attractions.

Our biggest piece of advice with regard to refurbishments is not to visit in January or February if a high number of ride closures will negatively impact your trip. Winter is typically Disneyland’s refurbishment season, with many attractions going down for annual maintenance after the holidays.

Where to Stay

neenan travel disneyland

There are a ton of options in terms of where to stay near Disneyland: Good Neighbor Hotels, official Disney resorts, nearby hotels within driving distance, sprawling resorts in nearby beach towns, and more. In  Best Hotels Near Disneyland , we cover our top 10 picks for hotels within walking distance of the parks, with 5 family-friendly budget options, 3 luxury resorts, and 2 Disney-owned hotels. That’s a concise resource if you don’t want to comb through our more comprehensive hotel info.

For most vacation planners, the decision comes down to choosing among Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa ( our favorite! ), Disneyland Hotel (second favorite), and Pixar Place Hotel, or one of the cheaper hotels on Harbor Boulevard. We cover the pros and cons of each choice in our Where to Stay at Disneyland: Off-Site v. On-Site Hotels post.

neenan travel disneyland

If you’re looking for something more thorough, we’ve stayed at every on-site Disneyland hotel and most of the Good Neighbor Disneyland hotels and other off-site hotels within walking distance of the Disneyland Esplanade.

All of these are covered in our Rankings & Reviews of the Best & Worst Hotels Near Disneyland . This post ranks ~60 hotels near Disneyland at which we have stayed, along with room photos, pros & cons, and other useful information. That also details how to score a good deal on a hotel that’s close to Disneyland.

Fair warning: those comprehensive rankings can be overwhelming. We do a lot of hotel stays in Anaheim and report on them; most of that’s overkill for planners–you just need to know which ones are the ‘hotel hell’ options (bottom of the list) to avoid at all costs and the best ones to book (top of the list). If you’ve already booked accommodations, you might also want to search the list to see where your selected hotel ranks!

Park Tickets

neenan travel disneyland

Our Money-Saving Guide to Disneyland Tickets is a huge resource with recommendations on what type of Disneyland tickets you should buy, including how many days, whether you should get Park Hopper, and where you can buy Disneyland tickets to save some money.

There are some great offers right now–we recommend bundling park tickets and your hotel stay to save even more, especially with the 3rd and 4th night free specials at hotels near Disneyland . These package deals can save you a lot of money.

For the vast majority of guests visiting Disneyland, we recommend the Park Hopper ticket option. This allows you to bounce back and forth between the two parks throughout the day, which is easy to do given that their about a football field apart.

The practical upsides of this is starting at the park that opens first and ending your night at the park open later (Disneyland is often open 2 hours later than Disney California Adventure). You can also eat in the park with the dining options you prefer, grab a beer in DCA (there’s no alcohol in Disneyland outside of Oga’s Cantina in Star Wars Land), and enjoy the nighttime spectaculars in both parks.

neenan travel disneyland

If you’re a local or just a big diehard Disney fan planning to make multiple trips in a single year, Magic Key Annual Passes are also an option. See our Guide to Magic Keys at Disneyland: 2024 Prices, Perks, Blockout Dates & Discounts for more details.

Prior to moving to California, we were Disneyland AP holders while living in Indianapolis, Indiana followed by Orlando, Florida. We’d make several long weekend trips out to Disneyland each year, and the APs more than paid for themselves.

With that said, Annual Passes were  much  cheaper when we lived in the Midwest–a fraction of the current price–and we blogged about Disney by the time we moved to Central Florida. So our circumstances are a bit unique. Nevertheless, if you live in Nevada, Utah, or even Northern California…and can do a few long weekends each year, Magic Keys might make sense for you, too!

Disneyland Strategy & Itineraries

neenan travel disneyland

There are over 75 attractions between Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. On a normal day, the average guest will only experience 10-11 of those. It would thus take you at least 6 days to experience everything in the two theme parks, assuming you didn’t want to re-ride anything. Obviously, not many people are devoting over a week to their Disneyland vacation.

As such, we’ve developed a few step-by-step Disneyland touring plans, each of which will enable you to efficiently experience the parks, while also enjoying their leisurely offerings and atmosphere. More to the point, you’ll be able to do 20+ rides per day–and skip the ones not worth your time.

Here are our best and recommended itineraries:

  • Disneyland 1-Day Itinerary – Only have one day to visit Disneyland? This is a step-by-step plan of attack for which attractions you should do, where you should eat, what to see, and more. This covers all of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, including Rise of the Resistance.
  • Disneyland 2-Day Itinerary – Same idea, but spread over two days. We recommend most guests allocate two full days to Disneyland.
  • Disney California Adventure 1-Day Itinerary – Unlike Disneyland, DCA is easier to fully experience in a single day. This touring plan includes strategy for beating the crowds at Radiator Springs Racers, Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout, Web Slingers Spider-Man Adventure, and more!

neenan travel disneyland

We are currently working on additional multi-day itineraries for trips of 4+ days at Disneyland Resort. For now, if you plan on spending more time at DCA, consult our Disney California Adventure Ride Reviews & Guide . The article reviews every attraction at Disneyland, giving each a numerical score out of 10, plus highlights key attractions that we consider the best ones, which should be prioritized if you have limited time.

Our Disneyland Ride Reviews & Guide does the same thing for the castle park, in case you want to spend 3+ days there. (Which you totally could, especially now that Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is open!)

Dining at Disneyland

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Food is half the fun at Disneyland. Both parks have great restaurants, iconic snacks, decadent desserts, and great drinks. We typically go all-out when visiting the parks, doing breakfast at one of the hotels (or sometimes in the park), followed by a mid-morning snack, counter service lunch, and table service dinner.

The stereotype that all Disney food is unhealthy food like burgers and hot dogs is entirely false. Disneyland has inexpensive unique dining options as well as expensive fine dining. Good dining can help define a trip! To that end, we highly recommend checking out our List of the 23 Best Restaurants at Disneyland . Those are the places we dine the most, and recommend to friends visiting the parks. You’ll find several hidden gems on there, as well as explanations for why we’ve snubbed several hotspots.

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If you want advice, food photos, and more about all restaurants, see our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews . (Honestly, we think that’s probably overkill for 95% of you. The ‘best of’ list above covers where you should do meals, and there are more lists below for bars, snacks, and desserts.)

Beyond full meals, we have a few resources that can help you plan memorable meals at Disneyland. If you have kids, we highly recommend consulting our Disneyland Character Dining Guide , which covers the best character buffets in the hotels and parks.

Looking for the best quick meals? Our Top 10 Disneyland Counter Service Restaurants list ranks the best meals in the castle park, while our Top 10 Disney California Adventure Counter Service Restaurants list offers the same for DCA.

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Want to have fun with your food at Disneyland? Our Top 10 Delicious Desserts at Disneyland covers delicious treats, including some hidden gems, plus brand new items and recently-added restaurants in Downtown Disney!

If you’re into drinking, we also have posts about a few of our favorite lounges: Trader Sam’s , Lamplight Lounge , GCH Craftsman Bar , and Carthay Circle Restaurant . The last one is particularly noteworthy because–in addition to the lounge downstairs–the restaurant upstairs is the best in-park restaurant in either park.

Transportation

neenan travel disneyland

Should you fly or drive to Disneyland? Rent a car or use public transportation? What about getting around Southern California? There are a ton of questions you might have, and our Guide to Disneyland Transportation covers everything you need to know, answering these questions for you based on our first-hand experiences visiting Anaheim as tourists and living nearby as locals.

If you’ve already decided on flying to California but aren’t sure of the pros & cons of each option, check out our Guide to Airports Near Disneyland. That covers the strengths and weaknesses of the 5 airports in Southern California that are relatively convenient to Disneyland.

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In a nutshell, our strong recommendation would be flying into SNA (or even LGB) over LAX. Even if the flight is a little more expensive, it’s worth it. Not only is SNA closer to Disneyland, but LAX has tons of chaos, construction, and crowds.

We like LAX and its eclectic energy, but it’s more than a little overwhelming for a first-timer. If you’ve never been to Southern California or a large city like Los Angeles, it can be a bit much and start your trip off on the wrong foot. Meanwhile, SNA is laid back and quiet. If there were a list ranking the best airports for napping, it would be near the top and LAX would be near the bottom.

neenan travel disneyland

In addition to this, SNA is much closer to Disneyland than LAX, which makes it easier to simply take an Uber or Lyft from the airport to wherever you’re staying near Disneyland. In most cases, we’d recommend rideshare over renting a car at the airport, as the vast majority of hotels near Disneyland now charge for parking. So not only will you be paying to rent the car, but also to park it.

The vast majority of hotels near Disneyland are within walking distance, so you won’t need a vehicle during the theme park portion of your trip to Southern California. If you’re staying at one of the hotels we recommend in Anaheim, it’s literally counterproductive to drive to Disneyland since the parking structures are all farther away than most of the nearby hotels.

neenan travel disneyland

If you’re venturing beyond Disneyland to one of the destinations discussed below–and we strongly recommend that you do–while visiting Southern California, our advice would be to book a rental car in Anaheim. There are numerous rental car companies within walking distance of Disneyland, and most offer one-way rentals to the nearby airports. Walk over to one of those on your checkout morning, pick up your rental car, and continue your California adventure!

We do not  recommend relying on rideshare if you’re heading to Los Angeles. However, if you’re doing Laguna Beach or another coastal community, a rental car may not be needed at all. Many coastal towns have free trolley service that is fantastic. Simply take an Uber or Lyft from Disneyland to wherever you’re staying in the beach cities.

Southern California BEYOND Disneyland

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If you want to venture beyond theme parks, you’re in luck. Southern California is one of the best places in the world to visit! Thanks to Los Angeles, San Diego, and the beach cities in between, there’s a ton to do in the area.

In addition to this site, we have non-Disney blog: TravelCaffeine with resources for on an eclectic mix of the places where we’ve lived or visited extensively. California is one such emphasis, as we’ve spent a ton of time exploring our home state. If you’re planning on heading to LA after Disneyland, be sure to check out our Ultimate Guide to Los Angeles .

neenan travel disneyland

While LA is one of the greatest cities in the world, we’re particularly partial to Laguna Beach. It’s home to the best stretch of coast in California, has small-town charm and personality, and tons of things to do. To that point, see our  Ultimate Guide to Laguna Beach, California for extensive advice. If you feel overwhelmed by the idea of visiting Los Angeles, then Laguna Beach is for you!

In addition to these planning resources, we also give away a free eBook, 101 Things to Do in Southern California over on TravelCaffeine, so be sure to download that totally free resource!

If you’re thinking of visiting other theme parks in Southern California, we also have guides to those…

neenan travel disneyland

Universal Studios Hollywood Trip Planning Guide – In just a few years, USH has transformed and improved dramatically. The opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter was what really put the park on the map as a vacation destination, but many other additions have made this a great park in the last few years. Our favorite new attraction is Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash, a new family-friendly dark ride. (Read our review of it in Universal’s New Dark Ride Rivals Disney’s Best! )

The blockbuster new addition is Super Nintendo World. We love this land, and rate two of its biggest components in our Ride Review: Mario Kart Bowser’s Challenge and our Review of Toadstool Cafe in Super Nintendo World . For practical planning advice, check out our comprehensive  Strategy Guide for Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood . That offers tips & tricks, how to beat the crowds, and a ton of other advice for making the most of your time in this incredible new land.

Aside from that, the Studio Tour is our favorite attraction, which is a 45-minute plus tram tour through the working backlot of Universal’s studio. If you are only interested in this Studio Tour, you might broaden your potential options beyond just USH, and also consider the Warner Brothers Studio Tour and Sony Pictures Studio Tour as alternatives.

neenan travel disneyland

Guide to Knott’s Berry Farm – An Orange County institution that proudly proclaims itself as “America’s 1st Theme Park.” Really, Knott’s is a tale of two theme parks. It has modern roller coasters and other fare for thrill-seekers. Thematically, this leaves a lot to be desired.

Then there are the quainter areas, reminiscent of Frontierland at Disneyland. We love these areas–and the park’s annual Boysenberry Festival. All things considered, we love both Knott’s Berry Farm and Universal Studios Hollywood, and together with Disneyland Resort, these four gates make for a great theme park vacation in Southern California!

Other Disneyland Planning Resources

neenan travel disneyland

Now that we’ve covered the essentials to ensure you have a great trip to Disneyland, we have a bunch of other resources that will guide you through the planning process to make your visit to Disneyland more enjoyable, helping you save time and money. Armed with all of this knowledge, you will have a much better vacation.

What to Pack – Packing for Disneyland is comparable to packing for any vacation, but with a few twists. Here’s our list of “unordinary” items to pack that will help enhance your Disneyland trip!

Guide to Downtown Disney – We sort of gloss over it here, but Downtown Disney is a massive area within Disneyland Resort’s security perimeter. You can easily leave either park and get to one of these restaurants for a meal…or some of the best ice cream you’ll ever have…in under 10 minutes.

Our 101 Best Disneyland Tips – This is not nearly as structured as our other advice, but these tips offer great advice and sometimes obscure little things that will help you visit the parks like a local. This is more granular advice than what you’ll find in our other planning articles, but we’ve had a lot of positive feedback from readers who really got a lot more out of their trips because of those tips.

neenan travel disneyland

Renting DVC Points to Save Money on Accommodations – This is written from a WDW perspective, but there are also Disney Vacation Club villas at the Grand Californian. Booking there can be a challenge (it’s incredibly popular), but you can save a ton of money if your timing is right and you get lucky.

Best Credit Cards for Disney Travel – Leveraging credit card rewards can be a great way of getting free airfare or hotel rooms, and there are several options near Disneyland that you can book for free thanks to signup bonuses.

Tips for Buying Discount Disney Gift Cards – Want to save at least 5% on every single thing you buy at Disneyland? These hacks are for you. Some are relatively simple and straightforward (like using the Target RedCard) while others require a bit more effort.

neenan travel disneyland

In general, there are a variety of ways you can save money on a trip to Disneyland. If you’re looking for the best way to save on an entire vacation package, many of our favorite hotels near Disneyland can be booked via Get Away Today at a discount . If you bundle tickets into your hotel stay, you’ll get an even better deal. You can check package prices here .

Between this blog and TravelCaffeine.com , you should be totally covered with what you need to know if you’re thinking about visiting Disneyland Resort and Southern California sometime in 2024. We can’t encourage people enough to give Disneyland a try, especially Disney fans who are biased towards Walt Disney World as their “home” park. Disneyland is a totally different, much more relaxed experience. It’s intimate in both size and feel, and is oozing with history and incredible attractions.

I could go on for pages and pages about why I love Disneyland, and why everyone owes it to themselves to visit Disneyland, but hopefully this is a good-enough jumping off point. If you’ve never been to either Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort, it’s a good place to start as we attempt to weigh the strengths and weaknesses of each in an unbiased manner. If all of this is still overwhelming or you want personalized recommendations for Disneyland Resort, click here to get a vacation quote from a no fee Authorized Disney Vacation Planner .

Your Thoughts

Are you planning a Disneyland Resort visit in 2024? Debating between Halloween and Christmas? Have you already visited Galaxy’s Edge and done Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance? What about Avengers Campus? Are you excited for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway or the reimagined Toontown? Thoughts on Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, where to stay, best restaurants and snacks, or anything else covered here? Have you previously visited Disneyland? Have any tips of your own to add? Any questions you still have that this guide did not answer? We really appreciate reader feedback and your thoughts, so please share in the comments below! 🙂

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Written by Tom Bricker

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Do you have any thoughts/tips related to Ontario’s airport? We got a great deal on flights and are flying into Ontario in September. I used to live in LA, and while I have been to every other So Cal airport, I have never been there.

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My husband and I are planning a trip back to Disneyland this year. We are debating whether to fly or drive (we live in Utah). We stayed at a hotel across the street last time and it was a lifesaver with two toddlers and a stroller, so we plan to stay there again. We would both prefer to fly, but our dilemma is we have 3 and 1 year olds who will need carseats. Is there a shuttle or rental company that would provide carseats to and from the airport (SNA or LGB) so we could avoid having to rent a car for the whole trip?

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I am planning a trip to Disneyland for my husband and I’s first trip. We typically go to Disney World yearly. We’re going during a very busy week December 19th-24th and bought 4 day park hopper tickets with Genie+. Do you have a strategy for the parks for this time of year? I’m a bit nervous as we’ve never been this time of year. This is one of the only times we’re able to go though. Do you think the parks will be achievable in 4 days? Would you do 2 days in each park?

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We’re headed to California in June. Family of five with three young boys. Love Disney World, never been to Disneyland. Plan to do 2-days in the parks June 18th and 19th with non-hopper tickets. Seems like Disneyland is closing at 8pm on the 18th for an event. Will crowds be down that day like they are in DW for these kind of events? Other factor is Juneteenth is on June 19. Bottom line, which day should we Disneyland and which day should we do DCA? Thank you for any and all advice!

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I have been going to the Disneyland Resort with my daughters since they were four and six and I have enjoyed reading your blog as a planning guide that entire time. Now they’re 17 and 15! My question is I’ve always wondered if you have an opinion about what park to start at if you have a Park hopper tickets, and now since we need to reserve what park we start at, is there a preference one over the other? Maybe depending which has early entry is? We are not staying at a hotel that will have early entry, so should we try to not go to the park that has early entry or just ignore that? Any other comments about where to start your day with a hopper? Thanks and congratulations on your new family! You’ll discover how wonderful Disneyland is in a whole new way and as the years go by it only gets better!

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Early Entry doesn’t move the needle that much since it’s such a small pool of guests.

Personally, I’m a big fan of starting at Disneyland if you’re into the Fantasyland dark rides, because it’s so easy to knock out a half-dozen of those in an hour, which is such a satisfying feeling. I also think that, due to greater ride density, Disneyland wait times build slower over the course of the morning, whereas DCA can get busy quickly.

That’s my very subjective take, though. If you want to do Radiator Springs Racers, Avengers Campus, or other high-profile rides in DCA, maybe that’s a better option than Disneyland for you.

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It looks like we have a chance to visit Disneyland for the first time (as hard core WDW people) in April. Unfortunately it’s a very busy weekend (Apr 5-8) but I’ll take what I can get. We will buy Genie+ of course.. we will skip Galaxy’s Edge as we’ve done that many times in FL. Do you have a 2 day Itinerary for DL + DCA for people who are used to WDW? In other words – what are all the OG and unique to DL rides, and top 3 snacks/dining experiences? I’m thinking Lamplight Lounge for one meal and some snacks. It’s weird to feel like a noob with Disney since we are so familiar w/ WDW.

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We have visited WDW many times. Most recently first week of December 2022. It was fantastic!! Thanks for your recommendation on the week. Thinking about a first time trip to Disneyland this year. Would like to catch some other area sights as well. How many days should we plan as first timers to the parks? Best place to stay when we likely won’t be back for a while. Thanks!

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Thanks for the updated guide. Full of lots of great information as usual, and it’s nice to see more pictures of Sarah and Megatron! (And Tom of course.) We’re planning to go around November 10-12. Do you think Dapper Days combined with the start of the holiday season plus Veteran’s day will make it extra crowded? If so, any touring tips besides rope drop? We’re hopefully staying at the Grand so will have early entry.

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Thank you so much for all your help. Had a great Disney experience thanks to you!

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I’m wondering if you have a 1 day itinerary article that covers both Disneyland and DCA with park hopper. We only have 1 day to visit during this trip and we’re traveling with an infant so it does cut out on a bunch of high priority rides. We’re also diehard WDW people and have rode those attractions SEVERAL times so we’re ok with cutting out things like Galaxys edge, Toy story mania… there are a few rides we want to do without the baby, ie radiator springs racers and can utilize single rider or rider swap for those, but are most interested in original dark rides for a more nostalgic experience. Thanks for being such a great resource for planning research, your blogs have been more then helpful!

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Hello, My name is Jenna Taylor, and I’m a travel writer. I was simply conducting some research for content ideas when I came across your site.

What can I do to obtain a do-follow link on your site? Would you be willing to accept a guest post on your blog? If that’s the case, can you please let me know how much you would charge?

Please let me know what you think and please contact me if there are any additional specifics!

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Tom, appreciate all your work to put these guides out. Your site was a big help when our family first started going to Disney World back in 2015.

We’re looking at our first visit to Disneyland sometime in summer 2023. I saw mentioned in a few different places that weekends are worse than weekdays. Looking back at summer 2022, Friday-Sunday showed significantly lower wait times than Monday- Thursday (per Thrilldata). I’m assuming that had to do with Magic Key blackouts – would that pattern be expected to repeat in June/July 2023?

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Excellent information and orientation! Kind regards.

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Hello! So, I am one of those people who hate to compose trip itineraries. I LOVE to go, but hate to plan the details. Do you offer this as a service? My husband and I are planning to take our oldest 2 granddaughters (ages 6 & 8) to Disneyland in July 2023. We will be arriving on a Sunday, leaving on a Thursday. Your information on lodging, flying, the airport, and transportation is fantastic.

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You will have an amazing time! One tip I don’t see that often that we have found very helpful every time we go with our now 9 year-old is that we generally take a break from the parks sometime after lunch, go for a swim, relax a bit have a snack or get an early dinner and then head back to the parks a bit refreshed. Also, stay hydrated, sunscreen and i usually pack some lollipops for long lines;) Have a wonderful time!

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If you’re looking for an itinerary planning service, check out Melanie B on Instagram (the_disney_rn). I’ve never needed an itinerary other than Tom and Sarah’s tips, but I know many people love them! Melanie always has amazing advice as a local Disneyland fan, so I’m sure her itineraries would be super helpful to you 🙂

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If I buy a five day hopper with genie plus through getaway today does it include photo pass service for every day or for just one day or what?

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The best plan is to purchase Disneyland tickets at Ralph’s, Smart and Final, Raleys, Target, Cardenas, Superior and Super A. The tickets are sold through ScanIt where you find the giftcards. Scan the QR code, select your tickets, enter your email and a barcode is generated for purchase at the register. Reservations are really open right now!!

Also, Target is offering a $20 instant rebate right now if you buy their current promo in their stores!!

A really good option is to purchase your Disneyland tickets at the grocery store – Ralph’s, Smart and Final, Raleys, Target, Cardenas, Superior and Super A. The tickets are sold through ScanIt where you find the giftcards. Scan the QR code, select your tickets, enter your email and a barcode is generated. Purchase in store. You get your credit card grocery points this way – I get cash back for grocery!!! Plus at Ralph’s you get FUEL rewards. Disneyland currently is running their $83/day through September. Get in the grocery store! Reservations are really open right now!!

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Do you have any recommendations or information about parking options for day visitors? We will be in the Anaheim area visiting family and I am hoping to do a 1 day visit to Disneyland. We will be staying about 20 minutes away at the Hyatt House in Cypress, as that is the location that is near the people we are visiting.

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If you are doing a 1 day visit to Disneyland, your best bet would be to park at at the Mickey and Friends parking structure. That’s the main structure for the parks and it’s the best option for park visitors.

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The Ultimate Guide for Planning a Trip to Disneyland

Disneyland pink castle Disney park. Anaheim California USA

No trip to Southern California is complete without a visit to Disneyland Park. The only Disney park both designed and completed by Walt Disney himself, it changed the game for modern theme park design and remains near the top of the list of most popular parks globally, just after Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando . Not bad for a former Anaheim orange grove. 

With just two parks and an array of hotels, most within walking distance, Disneyland is arguably easier to visit than its Florida counterpart and can be an ideal add-on to your Southern California vacation—or a destination unto itself. Whether you’re just popping in for the day or are planning an extended visit, here’s all the must-have info you need to plan your trip.

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

All about the parks

Disneyland Resort is made up of two theme parks, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure.

If you only have one day to visit, spend it at Disneyland Park. This is where you’ll find classic attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean, Matterhorn Bobsleds, and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride (yes, the one about the drunk-driving toad who winds up in hell).

A huge draw to this park is Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge , a 14-acre expansion dedicated to the franchise in a galaxy far, far away. Live out your Star Wars fantasies here by stepping into the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon, sipping on blue milk (a non-dairy blend of rice and coconut milk with pineapple, dragon fruit, and watermelon that can be an acquired taste), or bellying up to the bar at Oga’s Cantina while DJ R-3X spins some intergalactic tunes. Don’t miss Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance , Disney’s most innovative attraction yet, but you’ll have to plan ahead. The ride doesn’t have a typical standby line, and spots in the virtual queue go quickly on busy days.

Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land in California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort

Across the way, Disney California Adventure is designed in a Mission and Art Deco style to reflect Southern California as it was when Disney, the man, moved there in the 1920s. This park features some true gems like Cars Land , which recreates the town from the 2006 animated film. Take a high-speed ride through the painted desert on Radiator Springs Racers or climb aboard a tractor on Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, a simple spinner attraction featuring a soundtrack sung by Larry the Cable Guy that has no logical reason for being as fun as it is. You won’t find this in the Disneyland times guide, but each night around sunset, the neon lights of Radiator Springs flicker on to the tune of “Shh-boom,” just like in the movie.

The newest addition to the park is Avengers Campus , a land dedicated to Marvel superheroes. It features one of California Adventure’s must-do attractions, Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: Breakout, which is a new take on an old favorite. Disneyland re-themed the former Tower of Terror to the Marvel film, giving it a fantastic soundtrack (you never know what you'll hear, but options include Pat Benatar, Elvis Presley, Parliament, and The Jackson 5) and pushing the ride’s mechanics to their limit, so you feel like you’re a yo-yo on a string in the best way possible.

If that sounds a little intense, leave the action to the pros and check out the Spider-Man stunt show, one of many “heroic encounters” outside the Avengers Headquarters . It’s here that you can see Disney’s first-ever “stuntronic,” a cutting-edge stunt animatronic, fly through the air with no wires—or webs—attached.

Because Disneyland’s attendance base is largely Southern California locals, crowds are often lower when annual passholders are blocked from entry, which includes many weekends and large portions of the summer months. Compare your travel dates to Disneyland’s calendar for the Imagine Key and Enchant Key pass options before booking.

Disneyland’s two parks are connected by an esplanade that also links with Downtown Disney, a shopping and dining complex that includes the kind of diversions you don’t expect to see at a theme park. Highlights here include Ballast Point, Disneyland’s first on-site brewery, and Salt & Straw, for their unique seasonal flavors of small-batch ice cream like buttermilk pancakes or mushroom muddy buddies. From Downtown Disney, hop aboard the Disneyland Monorail (a valid park ticket is required) for a different sort of park tour and easy access to Disneyland’s Tomorrowland, where you'll find Space Mountain.

What to know about ticketing

Prices for single-day tickets vary depending on the time of year and day of the week you visit, and range from $104 to $154 for adults and $98 to $146 for children ages three to nine. The lowest prices are found on weekdays in January, February, May, and September; the spring break in mid-April, as well as fall and winter holidays, are the priciest. Multi-day tickets are cheaper the longer you stay, down to $72 per day on a five-day visit, which can be used over 13 days. In addition to a park ticket, you’ll need a park reservation for the same date. Reservations can be made up to 120 days in advance, and you can check availability before purchasing tickets.

How to Stay Healthy While Traveling, According to Flight Attendants

If this is your first visit and you only have one day, stick to Disneyland Park for the classic experience. The park has roughly double the number of attractions compared to Disney California Adventure, so there’s plenty to fill your day. For multi-day trips, opt for park hopper tickets, which costs $55 per day. Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure are so close together—it’s just about 100 steps from gate to gate—that it’s easy to cover a lot of ground. If you move quick, you can often catch both parks’ nighttime spectaculars in one evening.

Splurge $20 per day to add Disneyland’s Genie+ service, launching in fall 2021, which offers digital booking of many of the most popular rides and attractions. A replacement for the free FastPass system, Genie+ also includes PhotoPass downloads from in-park photographers and onboard ride photos—the kind you usually have to shell out extra to get. Tip: When you see your photo displayed at an attraction’s exit, snap a quick photo with your smartphone to capture the 8-character code on top of the image. You'll need to enter it in the Disneyland app to link the photo to your account.

Where to stay

Disneyland has three on-site resort hotels, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa , Disneyland Hotel , and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel , all of which offer guests entry to the theme parks an hour before the public each day. The Grand Californian even has its own entrance to Disney California Adventure that allows guests to bypass potentially long lines at the security checkpoint and turnstiles. (Use this back door to the park to fulfill your late-night Dole Whip cravings and be back in bed, treat in hand, in 20 minutes flat.)

All three on-site hotels are located within a few minutes’ walk to the park gates, making it easy to pop back over for nap time or to grab a sweatshirt for chilly SoCal evenings. You pay for that convenience—rates start around $360 per night at Paradise Pier and $600 per night at the Grand Californian—so keep an eye on this page for seasonal specials.

There’s also a wide range of hotels just across the street, many within easy walking distance of the park gate or along the Anaheim Resort Transportation bus line. If the benefit of early entry is important for you to maximize your park time or you’re planning a Disneyland trip for a special occasion, on-site is the way to go. But with many offsite hotels often at least $100 less per night than Disneyland’s most affordable room, you’ll find significant savings by broadening your search. Two new upscale options have come on the market recently: the Westin Anaheim and the JW Marriott Anaheim , both a short walk from the theme parks.

Where to eat

There’s no shortage of choices when it comes to dining, whether you’re looking for a high-end meal or a snack to eat while dashing to your next ride.

Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian features an impressive wine program with a 17,000-bottle cellar and more than 1,000 labels. The menu changes seasonally and offers entrees like braised lamb or smoked pork chops with a cherry orange sauce, with expertly selected wine pairings.

Lamplight Lounge at Disney California Adventure wins points not just for its waterfront location, fan-favorite lobster nachos, or sugar-dusted miniature donuts that come with a pair of raspberry and chocolate dipping sauces. The theming and decor is on point and gives a glimpse into the animation process for a number of Pixar’s films.

If you’re more in the mood for fried pickles and ranch (no disrespect), head to Carnation Cafe on Main Street, USA in Disneyland Park, where the menu also features Walt’s favorite chili and meatloaf.

When it’s snack time, you can’t go wrong with a Dole Whip—our current favorites are the pineapple-raspberry swirl at The Tropical Hideaway or the Pixar Pier Frosty Parfait at Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats , which layers lemon soft serve with blue raspberry slush. Disneyland is constantly rolling out a parade of new churro flavors. Try the Caliente Churro from Senor Buzz Churros on Pixar Pier for a zippier take on cinnamon sugar.

Take advantage of the mobile ordering feature in the Disneyland app to pre-order your meals and avoid standing in line. Select your arrival window in advance for popular locations like Ronto Roasters in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge , where we recommend trying the Ronto Wrap, a grilled sausage with sliced roasted pork, slaw, and a creamy peppercorn sauce.

Alcohol is not served at Disneyland Park, with the exception of Oga’s Cantina in Star Wars : Galaxy’s Edge and Club 33 , a members-only restaurant and lounge. Those wanting to enjoy an adult beverage more freely in the parks will have to cross the esplanade to Disney California Adventure.

Special events to consider

Disneyland has a number of annual events year-round. The Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival runs for about two months each spring and features cooking demos, wine tastings, and more than a dozen booths featuring appetizer-sized portions of California-inspired cuisine, as well as cocktails, beer, and wine.

Lunar New Year brings a big celebration to Disney California Adventure with a special parade and treats like mandarin orange green tea tarts (Mickey-shaped, of course) and a winter plum blossom gin mule. But our favorite feature is the wishing wall that invites visitors to leave a message of hope, health, and happiness for the coming year.

During Halloween, Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party is a special ticketed event at Disney California Adventure (meaning the park will close early to other guests) on select nights in September and October.

The holiday season brings a number of special events and attractions to both parks. Our favorite is Haunted Mansion Holiday , which brings a Nightmare Before Christmas overlay to the Haunted Mansion that completely transforms the classic attraction. It’s a Small World also gets a special treatment with a medley of holiday tunes. Whatever you do, don’t miss the Christmas Fantasy Parade, with its classic toy soldiers marching down Main Street, USA. Unlike at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, the holiday parade and fireworks are included in regular park admission. Now that’s really magical.

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Tips for visiting Disneyland in 2024: 17 ways to save money and have more fun

Leslie Harvey

Disneyland in Southern California is known as the Happiest Place on Earth, but the experience is a whole lot happier for visitors who come prepared. Visiting a Disney theme park can be complicated, confusing and expensive. With the right strategy, however, you can dodge a lot of lines and spend less than the average guest.

After spending thousands of hours in the two theme parks in Anaheim over the years, I've picked up quite a few Disneyland tips and tricks. Here are the essential tips you need to know to get the most for your money, spend less time in line and have a more magical vacation experience.

Don't forget to make theme park reservations

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Earlier this year, Walt Disney World in Florida eliminated its theme park reservation requirement for most guests. Disneyland did not. If you want to visit the parks in California, you'll still need a reservation for the park you plan to enter first each day.

When buying a theme park ticket directly from Disney's website, you'll be prompted to make park reservations automatically. If you buy from a third-party reseller like Get Away Today or Undercover Tourist (which can be smart to do, as you may save money by purchasing multiday tickets this way), you'll need to complete the reservations step on your own. It only takes a minute or two to link a ticket and make the selections, but you'll want to make sure you don't forget about this task until it's too late.

How far ahead do you need to plan? Thankfully, many dates at Disneyland are no longer completely booked up for regular ticket holders. That said, if you plan on visiting during a busy time, like the week between Christmas and New Year's Day, you'll want to make sure you reserve at least a few weeks in advance to be safe.

Price out single-day tickets, even if you are visiting for multiple days

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Disneyland sells both single and multiday park tickets that are good for up to five days. If you are going to visit for two or even three days, it may surprise you to find that purchasing a multiday ticket isn't always the best deal.

It's counterintuitive, but it's a function of Disneyland's set price for multiday tickets and variable pricing for single-day tickets. There are seven different price tiers (Tier 0 to 6) for single-day tickets. Two or even three of some of the cheaper single-day tickets (Tier 0, Tier 1, etc.) can cost less than their multiday ticket equivalent.

Related: These are the best times to visit Disneyland

There is no need to do the math if you are going during peak periods, such as a school holiday when single-day tickets are expensive. However, if you are purposely visiting during a less popular time when shorter lines are common, you may be pleasantly surprised to find you can save money, too.

Just be aware that one-day tickets are a little less flexible than multiday tickets, as the cheaper ticket tiers can only be used on certain days. If you decide to reschedule a trip or visit on a different day of the week, the single-day tickets may not offer all the flexibility you need.

Stay within walking distance — but not necessarily on property

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Compared to Disney World, Disneyland is exceptionally compact. The two theme parks, three Disney-owned hotels and Downtown Disney shopping and entertainment district are all within walking distance of each other. The proximity means you can get a lot more done even on a short trip because you won't be wasting time in transit.

Take full advantage of Disneyland's smaller size by staying at a hotel within walking distance. While all three Disney-owned hotels ( Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa , Disneyland Hotel and Pixar Place Hotel ) are within walking distance of both parks, several off-property hotels are just as close — and cost a lot less. You won't get all the perks and Disney decor of an on-property stay, but you won't have to wait for shuttles or worry about parking.

Related: Best Disneyland hotels in and near the parks

You can even use points and miles for several of these properties to lower the cost of your vacation. At least one hotel in every major hotel loyalty program — including Marriott Bonvoy , Hilton Honors , World of Hyatt , IHG One Rewards and several others — is within a 15-minute walk of the theme parks.

Related: The Marriott Courtyard at Disneyland that costs up to $700 and is valet-only

Book character meals at strategic times

neenan travel disneyland

Meeting characters is a popular Disneyland activity, especially for kids, but waiting in long lines to see them in the hot sun may not be your idea of vacation fun. A better way to get photos with Mickey and his pals is to schedule a character meal. Disneyland has four restaurants offering character dining experiences: three in two Disney hotels and one within Disneyland Park.

Disneyland's character dining is expensive, so you shouldn't pay for it while spending big bucks on theme park tickets. I find it's much more economical to schedule a character meal outside the parks on the evening of my arrival or the morning of my departure. That way, my family gets some of the Disney magic without paying for an extra day of theme park tickets or cutting into our time on Disneyland's best rides .

If you must schedule a meal on a theme park day, don't schedule it for first thing in the morning. Morning is when you should be in the parks, taking advantage of shorter ride lines. A better option is to book a late morning brunch or lunch and use the meal as a break after several hours of riding attractions. After all that walking, you'll have earned your Mickey waffles.

Consider Park Hopper tickets, even if you skip them at Disney World

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Guests can visit both theme parks in a single day for an additional charge. Disneyland's Park Hopper ticket option costs $65 to $75 more for the length of the ticket, so many guests will naturally forgo this option to save money. While it can be smart to skip the Park Hopper ticket option in some circumstances, that's not universally true.

The parks at Disneyland are steps away from one another, so it's very easy to hop between them (even multiple times daily) if your travel party is mobile and motivated. You can often devise a much more efficient touring plan and re-ride your favorite attractions if you park hop. I find I can often get as much done in two days at Disneyland with a Park Hopper ticket (especially when using Disney's cut-the-line service Genie+ ) as I can in three days limited to one park per day.

Even if you are someone who skips park hopping at Walt Disney World because of the distance between the parks, rethink that strategy at Disneyland.

Mobile order to skip food lines

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The vast majority of casual quick-service restaurants at Disneyland now offer mobile ordering. Instead of standing in another long line, you can place your order on the Disneyland app and pick it up during a 30-minute window at your chosen time.

Mobile order time slots book up, especially at peak meal times for the most popular restaurants. To select a pickup window that works with your schedule, place your order an hour or two before the lunch or dinner rush. It's easy to do this while standing in line for a ride. If you run late or early, you can modify your pickup window in the Disneyland app to another available time with just a few clicks.

Use MouseDining to snag hard-to-get dining reservations

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Securing reservations for table service restaurants at Disneyland has become increasingly competitive. Popular dining spots like Blue Bayou and Lamplight Lounge often book up instantaneously when they are released (usually 60 days in advance). Even if you are on Disney's site exactly at the right time, you may not get the restaurant or time you want.

Other guests cancel reservations all the time, and sometimes Disney opens up more availability, so it is possible to get a table even if you miss the original booking window. Better yet, a third-party service called MouseDining will run searches to find that new availability for you. MouseDining has a free version that sends email alerts and a paid version that sends text alerts. I've used MouseDining to snag at least a dozen hard-to-get reservations in the last couple of years.

Sip and savor at California Adventure's food festivals

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Disney hosts several food festivals yearly in Disney California Adventure Park, including Lunar New Year in January and February, the Disneyland Food & Wine Festival in the spring and the Disney Festival of Holidays every winter holiday season. Many guests enjoy making a meal or two from the unique food festival offerings.

At many of these festivals, Disney offers a Sip & Savor pass. For a set price, guests purchase a pass that they can exchange for six to eight menu items at the festival booths. These passes can be a smart way for a family or group of friends to save money on food while still sampling various options.

Just make sure to do a little math so you are redeeming the pass for items that are a good value relative to the pass price. Generally speaking, you'll often come out several dollars ahead on most entrees, but drinks and desserts are not always worth it.

Prepurchase Genie+ with your park ticket

If you want shorter lines for many of Disneyland's most popular rides, you'll likely want to use Disney Genie+. With Genie+, guests make reservations to return to high-demand attractions through express queues called Lightning Lanes. Genie+ is certainly not essential, especially if you plan to visit during quieter times or mainly to ride attractions that don't have Lightning Lanes.

For guests who do plan to use Genie+ every day of a trip, however, it is better to prepurchase park tickets that include it. Otherwise, the only way to buy it is to wait until you enter a theme park each day of your trip. Disneyland charges $30 per person, per day if you buy Genie+ at the time of ticketing. If you wait, the price is variable and has been as high as $35 in 2024.

Prepurchasing Genie+ saves money and avoids the hassle of fumbling with your phone each morning once you enter the park. That's when you should be taking advantage of short ride lines instead.

Modify (don't cancel) Genie+ Lightning Lane bookings

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If you plan to purchase Genie+, definitely take the time to learn how to use it to get maximum value .

Guests can make a Genie+ reservation at least every two hours, sometimes sooner. One of the mistakes that many guests make with Genie+ is canceling a reservation when their plans change. When you cancel, the two-hour clock is reset, and you lose time. That means you'll book and ride fewer attractions over the course of the day.

Instead of canceling, you should modify your Genie+ reservations. Modifying doesn't reset the eligibility clock. You can modify for a different time on the same ride or for another ride entirely, as long as the ride is within the same park.

Make Genie+ reservations for popular attractions early — but not too early

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All rides are not created equal when it comes to Genie+ at Disneyland. Some attractions are far more popular than others. The return windows for those attractions will quickly get pushed out much later in the day, and those rides will run out of Genie+ reservations first. Guests using Genie+ strategically should book these in-demand attractions before that happens.

What should you book first? Disneyland Park's most popular Genie+ attractions are Indiana Jones Adventure, Space Mountain and Haunted Mansion Holiday (when offered in the fall and winter). In Disney California Adventure Park, Toy Story Midway Mania, Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: Breakout! and Web Slingers tend to go more quickly. You'll want to make sure these attractions are your first or second picks before the early return times are gone.

Although you want to book these attractions on the early side, you also shouldn't redeem them too early. The parks have short standby lines first thing in the morning, so it's a waste of a Genie+ reservation to redeem it five minutes after the park opens. Use short standby lines while you can (for attractions that don't offer Genie+ and for attractions that you may want to ride more than once in a single day). Then, use Genie+ Lightning Lanes an hour or two into the day as queues get longer.

Make park reservations with the early entry schedule in mind

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At Disneyland, guests of the three on-property Disney hotels are entitled to early entry 30 minutes before other guests each day. Unlike Walt Disney World, early entry is only offered in one park daily. Disneyland Park opens early on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday; Disney California Adventure Park offers early entry on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

The staggered schedule has some important strategy considerations. If you are an on-property hotel guest, you will definitely want to use early entry daily, if possible, to take advantage of shorter ride lines in the morning. That means you should plan to make park reservations for the park that has early entry each day.

If you don't have early entry privileges, you should often do the opposite. Make your reservations for the park that isn't offering early entry. All guests in that park will be on an equal playing field at rope drop when the park opens; no one will have had a head start or be filling the queues. If you can wake up early enough to be in front of those crowds, you can take advantage of short ride lines without paying the big bucks for an on-property hotel.

Don't rope drop Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

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Even more than four years after its opening, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance remains the most popular ride in Disneyland Park. Many guests who haven't experienced it yet (and many who have) want to get aboard the attraction without a long line and without paying the extra $20 (or more) to ride it with an individual, paid Lightning Lane. The ride isn't open during early entry, so a popular strategy is to make a beeline for it at rope drop.

While finding a shorter wait first thing in the morning is possible, rope dropping Rise of the Resistance isn't necessarily the smartest overall touring strategy. The attraction is all the way in the very back corner of Disneyland Park, so walking there takes time. Slower-moving guests don't stand a chance.

Even the speedy pay a price. The ride itself has multiple preshows and is quite long. Even if you enter the queue quickly, you won't be done until at least 30 to 60 minutes after the park has opened. By that time, multiple other attractions will have long standby queues.

What are better Disneyland rope drop strategies? For families with younger kids or anyone into Disney nostalgia, head to Fantasyland. It's entirely possible to ride five or more classic dark rides there in the first hour of the park opening with minimal lines. Another smart strategy is to start with Space Mountain and run through a few Tomorrowland attractions before the lines get long.

Take home an inexpensive Disneyland souvenir

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Souvenirs in the many Disney stores that line Main Street, U.S.A. or Downtown Disney can set you back hundreds of dollars. Still, there are a few valuable souvenirs, some of which are fun throwbacks to Disneyland's quirky and unique history.

One of my favorites is an old-fashioned silhouette. A few very talented Disney artists cut a side-view portrait of you or your child in minutes in their small studio on Main Street, U.S.A. The portrait costs just $11.99, and basic frames are not much more expensive. My family has enjoyed collecting these silhouettes of our kids at various ages and stages at Disneyland over the years. We've even gotten a few of them made in other Disney parks around the world.

Another affordable souvenir is Disneyland's pressed pennies. For $1, you can get a coin with a favorite character or scene pressed onto it. A lot of kids have fun collecting them in an inexpensive portfolio you can find in one of the gift shops. Many other tourist attractions and travel destinations also have machines, so pressed pennies can be an inexpensive souvenir beyond the theme parks.

If you want a quirkier souvenir with an experience attached to it, go to one of Disneyland's fortune-telling machines. For just a quarter or two, an audio-animatronic character will give you a fortune card. Look out for Esmeralda (in the Penny Arcade on Main Street, U.S.A.), Fortune Red (near the exit of Pirates of the Caribbean) or Shrunken Ned (in the Bengal Barbecue seating area across from the Jungle Cruise).

Keep an eye out for roaming characters

neenan travel disneyland

One of the things Disneyland does best (and more often than Walt Disney World) is spontaneous character interactions. Of course, Disneyland has the usual designated meet-and-greet spots where guests queue for photos and autographs, but it's also not unusual to find characters roaming around the parks in unexpected and unscripted places. Occasionally, these interactions can lead to some really magical moments and interactions.

In Disneyland Park, you'll find the most spontaneous character activity in Fantasyland, as well as Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge . Plus, Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Park is particularly full of chances to have a more improv-style interaction with a character.

Pack for variable weather

neenan travel disneyland

Thankfully, the weather in Southern California is usually pretty pleasant, especially compared to the oppressive heat common at Disney World in Orlando. Because of the nice climate, many more of Disneyland's attractions are partially or fully outdoors. That means you must be prepared for the elements when the forecast doesn't fully cooperate.

Rain is pretty uncommon, at least for hours at a time, but packing a poncho is never a bad idea. If you want to minimize your chance of a rainy day at Disneyland, avoid January and February. Similarly, heat waves are not that common, but they do happen a few times a year. The hottest months to visit are usually August and September.

You need to be prepared for various climates and conditions whenever you go. Disneyland often has really long park hours, and if you plan to go from early entry at the crack of dawn to park close at midnight or later, you might experience 20- to 30-degree temperature swings over the course of the day. Layering is essential. Even on very hot days when I'm in a T-shirt and shorts, I'm often starting the morning and ending the evening wearing a hoodie.

Make use of single-rider lines and the Buddy Pass

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If you aren't rope dropping or paying for Genie+, there are still a few other tricks of the trade to find shorter lines at Disneyland. One of my favorites is the single-rider line, where Disneyland cast members use a special queue (usually shorter than the regular standby queue) to fill empty single seats. You can use the line as long as your party is comfortable with separating and your kids are old enough to ride alone (age 7 and up).

Single-rider lines tend to be most useful midmorning. In afternoons and evenings (especially on weekends), locals with annual passes visit the parks in greater numbers, and many of them are wise to this trick. The rides that offer single-rider lines can change, but the service is regularly available at many in-demand thrill rides like Radiator Springs Racers, Space Mountain and Incredicoaster.

One close cousin of the single-rider system is the Buddy Pass, where small groups are used to fill an empty row on a larger ride vehicle. This has traditionally been available at Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue. A version of it, known as the Roo Pass, is sometimes used for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. The Buddy Pass is less reliable than single-rider lines but can sometimes help you shortcut another ride on your Disneyland day.

Bottom line

The right preparation can definitely help you save both time and money on a Disneyland theme park vacation. With these touring and booking tips, you're well on your way to being a Disneyland expert.

Related reading:

  • The best airports for Disneyland
  • Disneyland's $1.9 billion plan for new lands and attractions gets final approval by city council
  • How to use points to buy Disney tickets
  • Major changes coming to Disney's Disability Access Service

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MickeyVisit - Ultimate Disneyland Guide

Save money, experience more.

Disneyland Planning Guide 2024: Start Here to Plan Your Disneyland Trip

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We cover everything from finding the best hotel near Disneyland to the most recent Disneyland updates to advice on saving money on Disneyland tickets. Our guide to planning a trip to Disneyland is laid out in the order of steps you would go in as begin planning to make it as simple as possible for first time guests and well-seasoned park goers!

You can read all about what Disneyland is like right now and the  Disneyland reservations system in our guides.

Common Questions:

  • Where to find best discount Disneyland tickets?
  • Where to find cheap Disney World tickets?
  • How to find discount Universal Studios Hollywood tickets? 
  • What should I bring to Disneyland? 
  • Which are the best hotels near Disneyland?
  • Which airport is closest to Disneyland?
  • When is Disneyland least crowded?
  • Should I go to Disneyland or Walt Disney World?
  • How much does Disney FastPass cost in 2024?
  • How do I navigate Disneyland with a wheelchair?

When to Visit Disneyland 2024

Your first step to planning a Disneyland vacation is to first decide on when you would like to visit the park! There are special events to consider throughout the year along with your own schedule to consider. In order to help you decide when is the best time to visit Disneyland consult our Disneyland crowd calendar which includes crowd predictions along with monthly events for the entire year. Plus, see our tips for the best times to visit Disneyland here .

Visiting Disneyland during the summer is often the most obvious choice for guests due to summer vacation for school aged kids. This is a great time to visit Disneyland as you will enjoy longer operating hours and newly introduced events or entertainment. Our guide to summer at Disneyland covers the pros and cons of a summer vacation at the resort. Spring at Disneyland can be another great time to visit, especially if you're looking for discounts for on-site Disney hotels and cheaper airfare.

Also consider the Disneyland Park hours and Disney California Adventure park hours when planning.

Disneyland Sleeping Beauty Castle Christmas

The holiday season is also another popular time to enjoy the parks as Disneyland goes all out for both Halloween and Christmas . You can enjoy seasonal ride overlays, an abundance of decorations, seasonal treats and themed entertainment. Picking what time of year to visit Disneyland will alter your resort experience in regards to the type of entertainment you may experience at the park, decorations, crowds, weather and even prices.

Haunted Mansion Holiday

Prices will always be higher during holiday weeks like spring break, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Labor Day, etc. Crowd levels also usually coordinate with these higher prices. Our guide to experiencing crowds at Disneyland help you prepare for surviving anything. Be sure to read our top Disneyland tips here .

You may also want to take into account the usual yearly refurbishments that may take place at Disneyland when picking your trip dates- these are just the yearly ride closures for usual maintenance or closures for seasonal overlays that happen each year.

You may also consider visiting for a birthday or anniversary which are great milestones to celebrate on Disney! In fact, Disney will help you celebrate those special birthdays and anniversaries .

Regardless of what time of year you pick, there is always a pro/con to each and every day of the year is just as magical as the rest!

Disneyland's New Reservation System 2024

Once you've picked your dates for your Disneyland vacation your next step is to purchase your tickets! You can save nearly $20 per ticket for travel when you book with our recommended travel partner  Get Away Today . They offer the best discounts while providing top notch customer service. They have worked with Disney for over 30 years selling millions of 2-5 day discount Disney tickets and give our Mickey Visit readers (who book through links on our website) an exclusive discount rate on tickets. I highly recommend going that route for your Disneyland theme park tickets. You can read more about the different ticket options, how many days you need and more in our discount Disneyland guide. 

If you're looking to do Disneyland on a budget, I've got you covered in our budget tips for Disneyland guide. Our list of budget tips will help you save money on park tickets, hotel, dining, and includes information on how to save 5% on Disney gift cards!

It's not enough to just have your theme park tickets to Disneyland, you also need to make a reservation for each day of your visit once you've purchased your tickets! This is extremely important because reservations can run out as your trip dates get closer and since this new reservation system has been implemented it hasn't been uncommon to see guests without a reservation be turned away at the gates… even if they have tickets.

Theme park reservations are available on a 90 day rolling basis for one day tickets and Magic Key Holders and a 120 day basis for multi-day ticket holders (available via our travel partner) in order for Disney to access guest availability and you should reserve your park days the instant you purchase your park tickets. You can easily change these later if you need to but better to book them once you've picked your dates. Our guide to the Disneyland theme park reservation system can walk you through how to make a reservation.

What Disneyland Hotel To Stay In

There are two types of hotels to choose from when visiting the Disneyland Resort. You can either stay at an on-property hotel that is owned by Disney or stay at a Disneyland Good Neighbor hotel, a third party hotel approved by Disney. There is a large price different between these two but the on-property Disney hotels all place you within the “Disney bubble” of being able to access Disneyland by walking through the popular Downtown Disney District which connects the entrance to the theme park and the hotels.

Downtown Disney Disneyland Planning Guide

Downtown Disney contains plenty of shopping, restaurants and live entertainment. It's a great place to spend your arrival day to get your family in the Disney mood before their full day at the parks.

Disney Grand Californian hotel room

The are three Disney owned hotels with three different price tiers: Paradise Pier Hotel , the Disneyland Hotel and the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Each of our reviews for these hotels detail the perks each offer along with the theme, dining and Disney details the hotels offer. You can also set aside a day of relaxation at the newly imagined Tenaya Stone Spa inside the Grand Californian with a full body massage, foot treatment, facial, and more! Plus they even offer fitness classes , some inside the parks before they open.

You can also bundle your Disneyland tickets and hotel into one Disneyland all inclusive vacation package. You can find more information on exclusive discounts, the best places to find powerful discounts, and when to book your package in our Disneyland vacation packages guide.

For guests that are looking to save money or prefer the variety the off-site hotels offer at Disneyland, there is a plethora of options near Disneyland! This is actually one of the best perks Disneyland has over Walt Disney World. Due to its close proximity of being centrally located in the city of Anaheim it's a breeze to use a hotel nearby and walk to the theme park each day. In fact, some of the off-site hotels are actually fewer steps to the entrance gates than some of the Disney owned hotels.

Outside view of Tropicana Hotel sign

Our comprehensive guide to hotels at Disneyland covers our favorite hotels near Disneyland plus includes a detailed list of our personal reviews of these hotels with tips on how to save money by booking through our trusted travel partner. If you're the type of family that plans to spend numerous hours in the park and little time at your hotel, you can save hundreds by staying off-site at a no frills (but clean!) hotel and spend that money saved inside Disneyland instead.

Traveling to Disneyland

The Disneyland Resort sits in the middle of numerous nearby airports giving you plenty of options to fly in to the resort. My personal two favorites are Long Beach Airport and John Wayne Airport due to their close proximity (less than 20-30 minutes away!) and their small size. It makes traveling a breeze and I always chose to pay a bit more to fly into Long Beach over Los Angelas Airport which is a much larger airport. LA is also much further away and you will have a longer car ride to Disneyland with plenty of traffic to hold you up.

You can read more about the airports and transportation options to and from the airports in our Disneyland transportation guide. 

Where to Eat on Your Disneyland Vacation

The Disneyland Resort provides a wide variety of different types of food. You will find classic amusement park food mixed in with upscale restaurants. The food quality is outstanding and whether you are eating a corn dog or pork shank, it will be the best you have ever had.

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Disneyland classifies their dining options in two categories: table service and quick service. Table service is defined as restaurants where you are seated with a typical waiter/waitress and offer advance dining reservations you can reserve 60 days in advance. You can book a reservation on the  official Disneyland website or call the reservation hotline at (714) 781-3463. Most of the restaurants are Disneyland that are considered table service book up in advance so its highly recommended you book reservations for the ones you're interested in.

View of Pixar Pier from Lamplight Lounge at Disneyland

Quick service refers to walk up locations which typically also offer mobile ordering you can use with the Disneyland app or just a regular walk up line. This is a quick grab and go option and also tends to be more cost effective. Most of the quick service locations at Disneyland offers really great food!

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One popular experience that you shouldn't overlook, especially if you have kids, is the character dining at Disneyland! You can find character dining inside the park and at the Disney owned hotels offering a variety of experiences from Princess dining to dinner with Goofy! You can read more about each experience offered in our full guide to character dining at Disneyland .

World of Color Dessert Party

Another popular dining experience at Disneyland is the option of reserving dining experiences that come with reserved seating for popular nighttime entertainment! These experiences are called dining packages and are offered for the popular nighttime spectaculars at Disneyland. This is a great way to combine a great dining experience while also taking the hassle out of saving a spot for a popular show in advance.

Read through our full guide to dining at Disneyland to see a review of all the different restaurants at Disneyland, tips on saving money on food and how to get the best dining reservations.

Disneyland 2024 Packing List

Once you've made all your theme park reservations, dining reservations and have all those finer details made the next big question becomes…. what should I pack? You want to be prepared for your Disneyland vacation but you also don't want to be so overburdened in the parks you're tipping over backwards with a giant backpack! Our Disneyland packing list helps cover everything you should bring so you come prepared.

Disneyland will have you covered with essentials if you do find you forgot something crucial but you will pay a higher price. It's good in a pinch especially if you forgot something you need immediately in the moment like headache or stomach medicine. Yes, you can even find medicine at Disneyland!

If you want to avoid that giant backpack from tipping you over, you could always rent a locker ! Disneyland offers daily locker rentals which is a great solution if you find yourself wanting to store the extra snacks or lunch you brought, the jackets you no longer need or the extra souvenirs you bought.

Disneyland Silhouettes- Disneyland Planning Guide

Disneyland has a great selection of souvenirs which can easily run your wallet down before you have a chance to blink. But there's some souvenirs that are more timeless than others and help preserve the memory of your trip. Read through my top recommendations to the best Disneyland souvenirs to see what are the most unique souvenirs you can find at the parks that are longer lasting memories than the typical t-shirt.

A great idea for Disneyland souvenirs that doesn't break the budget and that kids love are to collect the pressed pennies around the Disneyland.

Another popular item to collect and trade at Disneyland are Disney pins which you can trade with other guests and inside the Disney shops. Our guide to Disney Pin Trading gives an overview of this time honored tradition.

Lego Store in Downtown Disney

And if you find yourself wanting to purchase something that's too large to pack into your suitcase, Disneyland also gives you the option to ship your souvenirs back home. This is especially helpful since purchasing lightsabers has become a popular option! You can also find shipping options from many of the local stores in Downtown Disney which is a good option if you find yourself splurging on the big Lego set!

Disneyland 2024 Park Ride Touring Plans

Disneyland Resort includes two theme parks: Disneyland Park and California Adventure Park . Disneyland is the original theme park which is home to all the classic rides such as Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Mad Tea Party plus the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle. It is also the theme park where you can find the popular Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge! California Adventure Park opened in 2001 and is now home to favorites such as Cars Land, Pixar Pier plus the new addition of Avengers Campus.

You can orient yourself with our map of Disney California Adventure and map of Disneyland Park .

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The great thing about Disneyland and one of the biggest differences from Walt Disney World is how easy it is to park hop! Disneyland and California Adventure are located mere steps away from each other making it incredibly easy to walk between each other throughout the day if you wanted. So in the case of visiting Disneyland, I highly recommend you purchase a park hopper ticket .

its a small world disneyland planning guide

One of the biggest questions we get from guests about to visit Disneyland is: how do we beat the crowds? There are two quick and easy methods to doing this that can work well for families of all dynamics. Arrive early or stay until park closing. Or you can hit the hotel in the afternoon for a nap and do both! Crowds will always be dramatically more manageable- even during peak travel times- in the morning and end of the night. Nighttime doesn't require much strategy, just stay until after the fireworks end and hang in there until the park closes. Most families will leave after the fireworks and the lines will decrease significantly- even on holidays! And don't forget about using single rider lines!

neenan travel disneyland

For more detailed touring plans, we've put together a step by step touring plan to managing Disneyland in the morning . This guide will give the best list of rides to go on first along with what time to arrive so you have a clear plan when you arrive. We have a similar touring plan for California Adventure in the morning giving you a specific game plan to follow so you don't miss out on any of the newly added attractions and popular rides.

neenan travel disneyland

Disney Genie+ is a paid program at Disneyland that replaced the previous FastPass/MaxPass program at the parks. This paid service includes access to quicker lines to 15 attractions in both parks plus the option to pay for access for certain individual attractions. Essentially for certain attractions there's two line options: a standby line and a Lightning Lane.

The Genie+ program gives you access to the Lightning Lane which is significantly shorter than the standby line. It costs $20 per person, per day and include your access to ride reservations plus all your photo downloads for the day. Disneyland has professional photographers stationed around the park to take your picture in front of iconic areas like the castle, the main entrance, Main Street, U.S.A., etc. You can also purchase these photos separately through their service called Disneyland PhotoPass .

Disneyland Haunted Mansion

You reserve a return time in advance via the Disneyland app to use the Lightning Lane and you can book a return time every two hours or after you have redeemed your last booked Lightning Lane reservation. There is also the option to purchase access to the Lightning Lane to select popular attractions individually but these attractions aren't included in the general per day purchase.

I highly recommend you read more about the Disneyland Genie+ program in our guide so you're prepared before your visit. Our guide features the basics of what this paid service can do, the free service that's included for all guests plus tips on how to best maximize its use and get your moneys worth!

neenan travel disneyland

Don't forget to spend some time in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge featuring two great themed rides such as the chance to pilot the Millennium Falcon and the infamous e-ticket ride Rise of the Resistance which is said to be one of the best rides Disney has ever done! Explore Star Wars themed shops, dining plus the chance to build your own droid and lightsaber .

neenan travel disneyland

Avengers Campus is the newly added Marvel themed land which opened in California Adventure in 2021 featuring a Spider-Man themed ride, opportunities to meet Marvel characters, an Ant-Man focused food eatery and brewery plus a built to scale Quinjet.

It's also a good idea to check the  Disneyland Height Requirements to get the full information on ride height requirements plus the ability to do rider switch – this allows parents with children that don't meet height requirements to only wait in line once so they both can ride!

First time visiting Disneyland or feeling overwhelmed? Don't worry, everyone feels that way their first trip to the Happiest Place on Earth because there's just so much to see and do! Have your family pick a few must see rides and make those priority knowing you won't be able to do it all. Our first timer guide for Disneyland can also help you with those essential tips to make sure you know the basics.

Fireworks and Nighttime Entertainment at Disneyland 2024

One of the aspects that makes Disneyland so special is the nighttime spectaculars with the most infamous being the Disneyland fireworks shows . Fireworks take place nightly during peak seasons (Spring break, summer, Halloween and Christmas) and on weekends. Each time of the year will feature a different fireworks show as some are changed out seasonly depending on what event is being celebrated at the parks. These fireworks are a must see Disney experience with state of the art projections, lighting effects and some featuring original musical scores.

neenan travel disneyland

Aside from fireworks, the biggest nighttime spectacular show in Disneyland is Fantasmic! which debuted in 1992 and has been a beloved part of Disneyland entertainment ever since. Fantasmic! includes fireworks, live performers, water effects, pyrotechnics, music, watercrafts, decorated rafts, animatronics, and projections on the Rivers of America in Frontierland. Our full  guide to Fantasmic! includes everything you need to know including tips on getting the best spot.

The big nighttime spectacular over at Disney's California Adventure is World of Color! This breathtaking show uses nearly 1,200 fountains capable of shooting water 200 feet up into the air equipped with LED rings to create vivid colors and beautiful water screens. Guests can watch the water dance along with perfectly timed pyrotechnics and momentous music as they enjoy memorable scenes from their favorite Disney and Pixar films. Our extensive guide to World of Color gives you an idea of what to expect and helps you figure out how to get the best spot!

neenan travel disneyland

You can also find plenty of unique daytime entertainment around Disneyland such as the Disneyland marching band, the Dapper Dans along with the The Tale of the Lion King, the adaptation of the Lion King, coming to the Fantasyland Theater in Disneyland this year.

Disneyland Parades 2024

neenan travel disneyland

Parades at Disneyland change seasonally with the popular A Christmas Fantasy parade running during the holidays with the Frightfully Fun Parade taking place during the ticketed Halloween event Oogie Boogie Bash at California Adventure. During the summer the current parade will often switch out with various options which we detail, along with our best tips for getting a good viewing spot, in our Disneyland parade guide . 

Disneyland Characters 2024

Characters at Disneyland are another great piece of Disney magic that you cannot miss on your trip! You can meet a variety of beloved Disney characters like the classic Mickey and Minnie Mouse to Pixar characters in California Adventure to Marvel heroes and Star Wars favorites. Character autographs are a big part of meeting characters and its one of the most exciting parts for kids to collect during their trip. This also makes for a great memory and souvenir!

disney character dining

If you want to meet a variety of characters at once, you can enjoy character dining in Disneyland and the Disney resort hotels. These meals offer a buffet selection that guests can enjoy while characters roam throughout the restaurant interacting. This is a great way to meet popular characters without waiting in lines or searching for them in the park.

Tips for Families at Disneyland

Families traveling to Disneyland can find plenty of options at Disneyland to make their visit more comfortable as Disney considers how to best serve their guests needs in the best way they can.

You can begin your planning by seeing which hotels we recommend for kids at Disneyland plus find the best dining options with the best kids meals !

If you're traveling to Disneyland with an infant I highly recommend reading through our guide to traveling with babies to Disneyland so you're prepared for everything you need to know. This guide covers information information on the Baby Care Centers plus tips on rides that you can bring babies on, how to survive hot days, and more. Baby Care Centers are two centers located in both theme parks that offer private nursing rooms with chairs, changing rooms, kid-sized toilets, feeding areas and a fridge to store breast milk. Parents with toddlers can also find plenty of toddler friendly activities and rides in the park- especially in Fantasyland!

There's also plenty do for all ages whether you take advice directly from an eight year old on how to enjoy Disneyland or cruise our list on the best things teens will love in Disneyland and California Adventure ! If you're looking for an adult only day, there's also a variety of activities adults will enjoy at Disneyland if you get a break away from the family.

neenan travel disneyland

Pregnant mothers can also find tips on which rides they can enjoy along with how to manage comfort in our guide to being pregnant at Disneyland.

Parents traveling alone with their kids to the park can also read my best tips on taking your kids to Disneyland by yourself based on my own trial and error of years of visiting the parks. On the flip side, if you're traveling with a large family or group you can read our guide on navigating Disneyland in a large group effectively. Or perhaps you're traveling to Disney alone and planning your solo Disneyland trip for the first time!

neenan travel disneyland

Most of all, be realistic on your trip to Disneyland with your kids and manage expectations with your family . Disney has something for everyone, even those in your group that be a bit less enthusiastic about a day in Disneyland .

We also cover tips on how to stay safe at Disneyland in our lost Children in Disneyland guide with full information on Disneyland's lost child protocol and tips to keep everyone together. If you're looking for tips on traveling safety, our guide to traveling safe with kids has you covered with our best tips on traveling safely and effectively with small children- especially if this is will be their first trip!

And don't forget to plan a creative way to announce your Disneyland trip to your kids!

Disabilities at Disneyland 2024

One of the best things about Disneyland is the strides towards inclusivity it has taken by ensuring that the theme park goes above and beyond for guests with disabilities. Disneyland strives to make their parks accessible for all guests and offers accommodations that may go overlooked for many guests that may benefit from them.

All of the attractions at Disneyland are wheelchair accessible with each attraction having varying degrees of accessibility from staying in the wheelchair on an accessible boat on “it’s a small world” or transferring directly to the ride vehicle. Disneyland offers a variety of assistive listening systems to handheld captioning devices for guests with hearing disabilities. There is also sign language interpretation available for select live experiences and character interactions on certain days of the week.

DAS (Disability Access Service) is a tool that Disneyland and Disney California Adventure have provided its guests for those who cannot wait in a normal line queue for a variety of medical reasons. DAS grants qualifying guests a return time (equal to the standby wait) for the attraction, one at a time, and then guests can access the Lightning Lane to ride. Guests that have a mobility disability can access rides without using DAS since all line queues are wheelchair accessible.

Disneyland also offers an extensive range of dietary accommodations at their restaurants for guests that may have allergies or certain dietary preferences like vegetarian/vegan diets . Disneyland is also a size inclusive park with many ride vehicles fitting larger sized guests, our guide offers some insight on what to expect with ride vehicle size at Disney.

Read more about disabilities at Disneyland in our comprehensive guide so you're prepared for any accommodations you or your group may need.

Universal Studios Hollywood 2024

If you're looking to add a day at another theme park to your Disneyland trip, many guests decide to add on a day at Universal Studios Hollywood which is a great addition to your Southern California vacation. You can also bundle your Disneyland tickets with a day at Universal Studios Hollywood making the process of adding a day to this park easier than ever.

Universal Studios Hollywood Waterworld

The popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter along with the infamous studio tour to see real movie sets, the Jurassic World ride, the Simpsons focused area plus the new Pets ride. Universal Studios Hollywood is also known for its movie quality stage shows with the show Waterworld being a fan favorite at this park.

Beach Day at Disneyland 2024

Many families pair their Disneyland trip with a visit to a local beach to enjoy the beautiful Southern California weather. Disneyland is a close drive away or ride share away from some of the most beautiful beaches in California. Our full guide to planning a beach day for your Disneyland trip covers beach recommendations, transportation advice and tour reviews.

Top Disneyland Lists 2024

Looking for top must dos at Disneyland? Our top lists give you simple check lists to add to your Disneyland planning guide so you don't miss out on anything at the Happiest Place on Earth.

  • Top 8 Must Do Rides at Disneyland
  • Top 8 Must Do Rides at California Adventure
  • Top 8 Disneyland Rides to Do at Night
  • 10 Overlooked Details of Magic, History, and Tradition at the Disneyland Resort
  • Top 9 Relaxing Places at Disneyland
  • 10 Underrated Rides at Disneyland- Don’t Miss these Gems!
  • 12 Movies To Watch Before Your Disneyland Vacation
  • Top 5 Historic Disneyland Restaurants You Can't Miss
  • Top 12 Disneyland Christmas Must Sees

Let Us  Help You Plan Your Disneyland Vacation!

That should be everything that you need to plan your Disneyland vacation. If you still have questions about planning, see our Ask Us page .

Keep reading our blog to keep you updated on everything you need to know to prepare for a Disney Parks vacation! We have a team of writers working hard to keep you updated weekly on events in the parks and tips for navigating the magic. Subscribe to our  free deals newsletter to receive helpful planning information, exclusive Disney deals, and access to the lowest priced Disney tickets anywhere.

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About Lindsay Brookshier

Lindsay is a college English instructor and has years of writing experience through various nonprofits, charities, newspapers, and online magazines. As the content director of Mickey Visit, she oversees article content and leads our fantastic team of writers to meet guest vacation needs. You can still find her writing weekly content to help make your Disney Parks trip fantastic here on Mickey Visit and Disney Dose- you can also view her recently featured posts on Disney Parks travel on Visit Anaheim, Nerd Wallet and SFGate. Lindsay comes from a dedicated Disney family and enjoys taking her son to the Disney parks as often as possible.

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10 Easy Ways to Do Disneyland on a Budget

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Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

One-day theme park tickets to Disneyland Park in Anaheim, Calif., and its sibling, Disney California Adventure Park, start at $104 per person, so calling Disneyland cheap is about as believable as saying an elephant can fly. But at Disneyland, elephants do in fact fly (Dumbo, anyone?) — and successfully planning a trip to Disneyland on a budget isn’t as impossible as it might seem.

Here's how to go to Disneyland for less.

neenan travel disneyland

1. Purchase discounted Disneyland tickets

Authorized third-party sellers such as Undercover Tourist often sell Disneyland tickets for less than buying directly from Disney.

Some membership programs, including AAA and Costco, offer tickets or vacation package deals, though they typically command a membership fee to join. Other affiliations, such as employee or student discount programs, might similarly unlock discounts. 

Disney also sometimes offers discounts to groups, including U.S. military members or Southern California residents .

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2. Skip Park Hopper for multiday trips

There are two Disney theme parks in Anaheim, and if you want to see both in one day, you’ll need a Park Hopper ticket . The problem? Park Hopper tickets cost $65 more per person for a single-day ticket.

If your one-day trip will feel incomplete if you don’t see both, say, Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle and Avengers Campus across the way at Disney California Adventure, then you’ll need the pricier Park Hopper option. But if you’re there for multiple days, save by visiting one park per day. The best way to do Disneyland is by focusing on one park at a time, anyway.

3. Get there early (like, really early)

The theme park turnstiles typically open for business slightly before official park opening time, and it’s likely guests will be waiting. By arriving early, you’ll be able to pass the security check and scan your tickets. From there, you’ll typically be able to linger within the first few hundred feet inside the park, browse the shops and be ready to power walk to the rides as soon as they open.

You can race to your priority experiences, like Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. This new ride opened just in time for the Disney100 Celebration . By hitting your must-do rides early, you'll avoid the longest wait times. According to Disney trip planning website Touring Plans, which tracks ride wait times, lines are usually the longest from 1-2 p.m.

4. Bring your own food and drinks

When it comes to meals, the cheapest way to do Disneyland is to bring food from elsewhere. Disneyland explicitly allows outside food and nonalcoholic beverages, with just a few stipulations, such as no glass containers.

Pack nutrient-dense snacks like protein bars and nuts. Road trippers might stop at a supermarket along the way. Nearby cafes and fast food restaurants can offer similar-quality food for less money, and a few are within walking distance of the park. If you’re willing to venture out further, dine at Anaheim Packing District — a food hall in a renovated, historic 1919 citrus-packing house that’s a 10-minute drive away.

Certain Disney credit cards may make you eligible for discounts on hotel rooms, souvenirs or dining at restaurants.

5. Use mobile food ordering

neenan travel disneyland

Most restaurants offer mobile ordering, so you can skip the line at the cash register. (Photo by Sally French)

The official Disneyland app has many capabilities, including displaying GPS-enabled maps, live attraction wait times and — perhaps most useful — mobile food and beverage ordering.

This feature is offered by almost all quick-service restaurants, including the notoriously popular home of the Dole Whip, the Tiki Juice Bar. Budget your time and skip the lines by ordering and paying for your food and drinks in-app.

6. Ditch your friends (for a few minutes) with Single Rider

neenan travel disneyland

It's rare you'll wait more than a few minutes if you opt for Millennium Falcon's Singer Rider queue. (Photo by Sally French)

Another tip in the time-is-money vein: Single Rider. A handful of especially popular attractions, such as the Millennium Falcon at Disneyland and the Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure, offer Single Rider queues, where folks willing to ride separately from their group fill unused seats.

The Single Rider line almost always gets you on board faster than the standard queue.

7. Buy souvenirs elsewhere

neenan travel disneyland

(Photo by Sally French)

Forgo the expensive Disney gift shops inside the parks. Instead, purchase plushies or character garb from your local toy store in advance. Then, hide "souvenirs" in your suitcase and spring them on the kids while you're on vacation. They likely won’t realize their new plushies aren't actually from Disneyland.

The "Disney tax" on food and souvenirs also applies to other items. For instance, the plastic poncho from the gift shop near Splash Mountain is likely far pricier than what you’d buy elsewhere.

8. Consider neighboring airports 

neenan travel disneyland

John Wayne Airport is not only much closer to Disneyland than LAX, but it's also generally much more relaxed and easier to navigate. (Photo by Sally French)

Many folks think that the best airport for Disneyland is Los Angeles International Airport — the fifth-largest commercial airport in the U.S., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. 

But LAX is actually close to 40 miles away from Disneyland, and that distance can equate to a couple of hours in traffic. Two smaller airports, John Wayne Airport and Long Beach Airport, are each about 15 miles away, which can mean a cheaper and faster trip to the park.

That said, according to 2021 FAA data, LAX served 6.2 times more passengers than John Wayne Airport and 22.7 times more passengers than Long Beach Airport. This suggests that if you opt to fly into LAX, which is further away, you’re more likely to find a direct flight or have more route options. 

And if you can avoid a layover, you’ll likely save a little money on flight costs. A 2019 study from the MIT International Center for Air Transportation, a research arm of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, found that the cheapest nonstop flight is, on average, $31 less expensive than the cheapest flight with a layover.

9. Stay off-property

neenan travel disneyland

The Disneyland Hotel can easily cost nearly double what other, nearby off-property hotels cost. (Photo by Sally French)

There are three Disney-owned hotels in Anaheim, and they’re almost always more expensive than non-Disney hotels of similar quality nearby. Unlike at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., where staying on-property usually has benefits like more frequent bus transportation to the parks, that’s typically not the case on the West Coast.

In California, many off-site hotels remain within walking distance — and many can be booked using credit card points .

10. Spend on the right credit card

If you end up spending $13 on a turkey leg in the park, you might as well earn some rewards. Though the best Disney credit cards aren’t actually Disney-branded.

Instead, look to travel credit cards that earn bonus points on general travel spending and at restaurants. Some command high annual fees, but they typically offer even higher spending rewards, plus extras such as TSA PreCheck statement credits and airport lounge access . Consider holding a premium credit card as the plastic ( or metal ) equivalent of the royal treatment.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

1x-3x Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

neenan travel disneyland

Walt Disney World's new Lightning Lane options move quickly: Tips and timing as system debuts

Portrait of Britt Kennerly

Lightning Lane struck Walt Disney World this week – and it looks like park goers are off in a flash to skip the standby queue and jump in a faster line .

The Lightning Lane system, with paid Multi Pass and Single Pass options for select attractions and entertainment, debuted Wednesday at 7 a.m. and replaces the former Genie+ planner . If availability (or lack of) and the busy Lightning Lanes at Epcot and Magic Kingdom by mid-day are any indication, the concept is already popular.

For example, just after 7 a.m. the first day, Single Passes for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom were still up for grabs. By between noon and 1 p.m., the most sought-after attractions were long gone for those choosing Multi Pass and Single Pass options.

Here's what you need to know before you go, and a few tips on making the most of the system.

Where do I buy the Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass?

Before you can  purchase a Lightning Lane pass , you'll need to download the latest version of the  My Disney Experience app . It's a great day planner all around, with everything from Lightning Lane options to wait times across the parks to logging parking spot locations. You can also reserve dining and hotels and pay for merchandise in select stores on the app.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

How does Disney World closes at night? We stayed to find out.

How do I use Lightning Lane to choose parks and rides?

First, choose the Lightning Lane option on the app; then, your date and desired park.

After making selections, for either Multi Pass or Single Pass, you'll click on the names of everyone in your group who'll want to share that ride or experience and hit "Select All." (They'll all have to have eligible tickets or passes.). Then you'll look over selections, pay and get a confirmation.

Guests can make up to three advance  Lightning Lane Multi Pass selections  for each day of their trip. Once they arrive at the park and complete the first experience, additional experiences can be made on the Tip Board, pending availability. If you have Park Hopper, you can make those subsequent selections for a park other than your first stop. Lightning Lane Single Passes remain limited to two per day.

All your choices will be saved in the app's "My Day" feature. And modifying plans can easily be done in the app, too.

Know that the most in-demand attractions, like TRON Lightcycle/Run, aren't included as Multi Pass selections. The app details Lightning Lane options at each park .

Does the Lightning Lane mean I won't wait long in line?

Well, that's subjective: How long is long to you? You're not skipping the line completely; you're just skipping the longest lines. And the wait depends on the whims of others, too. At around 1 p.m. on the first day of the new system, for example, there was a 55-minute wait and hundreds in the snaking standby line at Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom. The Lightning Lane had a line, too, 75 to 100 people, but guests moved through it much more quickly.

When can I make my Lightning Lane reservations?

That depends on what type of ticket/trip you're talking about. Guests can start purchasing passes for days they have valid admission starting at 7 a.m. on their first day of eligibility.

But that eligibility varies.

Guests at Disney resorts and select hotels (the list is on the app): Seven days before first day of stay, up to 14 days.

Those with date-based tickets: Three days before the first day of the ticket, for all admission days of the ticket.

Annual passholders and guests with other ticket types: Three days before park visit.

And a word of advice: Even though you can book in advance, there'll still be those spur-of-the-moment trips for people like passholders who decide upon waking to head for the parks. If that's the case, get at Lightning Lane early.

How expensive is the new Lightning Lane experience?

For Multi Pass, it will vary according to theme park and date; for Single Pass, by attraction and date. Expect the cost to be higher during peak park season.

Here's pricing from the Lightning Lane system as of Wednesday. You'll always be able to find the cost for passes prior to purchase.

Magic Kingdom: Multi-Pass, $29 per person; single pass for TRON Lightcycle/Run, $20; for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, $12.

Epcot: Multi-Pass, $21; single pass for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, $17.

Hollywood Studios: $26 for Multi-Pass; single pass for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, $25.

Animal Kingdom: $18 for Multi-Pass; $16 for a single pass for Flight of Passage.

A sample plan: By just after noon on the first day, that $18 Multi Pass for two people, $36 total, at Animal Kingdom could snag rides on Dinosaur, Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safari, at, respectively, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.; 2:10 to 3:10 p.m.; and 4:25 to 5:25 p.m.

Good to remember: No refunds on Lightning Lane passes, and they can't be transferred to other guests.

Are Multi Pass and Single Pass worth the money?

If you can afford the added cost, definitely. It's nice not only for the time it saves, especially on icky, sticky days in the heart of summer, but also for the ability to optimize your visit, especially if you're going to just one park. During traditional family getaway times, like the holidays, summer vacations and school breaks, expect it to be packed and book early. Remember: It's Disney World, after all. There's always some kind of line.

Is Lightning Lane a good option for a 1-day visit?

Yes, but a warning again about jumping on what you want to reserve: If you know for sure which park you'll be going to, spring for those passes early. By noon on the first day of Lightning Lane, all the "big" wants were "currently unavailable": Tron at Magic Kingdom; Guardians of the Galaxy at Epcot; Flight of Passage at Animal Kingdom; and Rise of the Resistance at Hollywood Studios. They were still unavailable hours later.

Why did Disney drop the Genie+ system for Lightning Lane?

The Genie system was introduced in 2021 as in-park planning tool and attraction reservation system. Then came Genie+, which, unlike the free FastPasses guests had used for years, allowed reservations for attractions at a cost.

Lightning Lane, officials announced in June, "features from our current services and the previously offered FastPass+ service, giving guests the choice to plan ahead and removing the  hassle of planning  during their vacation."

Britt Kennerly is education/breaking news editor at FLORIDA TODAY.   Contact Kennerly at 321-917-4744 or  [email protected] .  Twitter:  @bybrittkennerly  Facebook:  /bybrittkennerly

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Disney Reveals 3 New Disneyland Experiences, Plus Opening Dates For New Rides

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Disney is announcing new experiences at all of its theme parks around the world. In California, Disneyland will see new rides, a new hotel, and a new restaurant in the next few years!

Avengers Campus

A brand new ride is taking shape within Disneyland’s Avengers Campus. It will be the third ride in the area and will expand on the already popular Avengers experiences within the park. The family-friendly experience will take riders through the metaverse to defeat enemies like King Thanos. There’s no definitive date for when this ride will open.

But to help get the word out about the new ride, the Incredible Hulk is stopping by Avengers Campus starting next week. He will be dressed in his Quantum Suit meeting visitors alongside the characters that are typically there. But he’s only there for a limited time, so be sure to seek him out if you’re in Disneyland in the coming weeks.

Other Character Appearances

New characters will begin emerging elsewhere in and around the park as well. Mando and Grogu from The Mandalorian will begin greeting guests in mid-November. Plans to transform the California Adventure Pacific Wharf area into San Fransokyo from Big Hero 6 are underway. Once complete, visitors can meet Baymax there.

Pixar Palace Hotel

Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel is changing its name to Pixar Palace Hotel. Inside, you’ll find favorite Pixar characters like Woody and Buzz. There will also be a Finding Nemo -inspired splash pad. And new information is coming out about the hotel’s signature restaurant, Great Maple. Located on the main floor of the hotel, it will serve upscale comfort food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The hotel is currently undergoing renovations. No opening date has been announced.

Two other new restaurants are coming to Downtown Disney: Porto’s Bakery and Cafe; and Din Tai Fung. They specialize in Cuban-California sweets and soup dumplings, respectively.

Mickey’s Toontown

Currently, Mickey’s Toontown is getting a massive makeover. Once complete, the area will focus on families and young children. It will feature a new enclosed play area called Goofy’s How-To-Play Yard, Donald’s Boat which doubles as a splash pad, and a candy-making kitchen inside the clubhouse. The new attraction, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, will open inside Mickey’s Toontown in early 2023. 

Other Changes

New to Disneyland, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, will open. A similar ride will also open that year in Walt Disney World. Ahead of the new ride, Disneyland is opening a Tiana-themed boutique store called Eudora’s Chic Boutique Featuring Tiana’s Gourmet Secrets. You can find it in New Orleans Square. The popular race runDisney will also return to Disneyland in 2024.

All of Disney’s properties will celebrate 100 years next year. A wide range of special events will take place to mark the momentous occasion, including two new nighttime experiences: World of Color at California Adventure Park and Wondrous Journey at Disneyland.

We have you covered in planning for your Disney trip, including a packing guide and an adult’s guide to enjoying the parks.

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Amy’s passion for traveling and writing started at a young age. She grew up traveling with her family -- visiting three continents by the time she was 16. She’s always looking for her next trip and isn't happy until she has at least one (or two) on the horizon. She is most fulfilled when she’s exploring new areas like a local and finding good deals on travel and activities.

Amy studied broadcast journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia. She started her career as a TV news producer in Tulsa and Denver, winning 4 Emmy Awards for her work. She’s also worked in production for HGTV and as a spokeswoman for a small Colorado mountain town.

Amy is married with two young kids. Both kids got their passports before age one, as it’s her goal to instill the travel bug in them from a young age. If you can’t find Amy at an airport, you can find her trying out new restaurants, reading, or running.

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Park attendance will be strictly managed through a Park reservation system. Guests who do not have an advance Park reservation will be denied entry. To enter a Park on a particular day, both a Park reservation for that day and a Ticket valid for Park admission are required. This applies to Park Tickets included with or added to a Costco Travel package. Prior to purchasing your Costco Travel package, it is recommended all Guests check the Park Availability Calendar at www.disneytraveltradeinfo.com/dlrcalendar (to access, copy URL into your web browser). Next, immediately after purchasing your Costco Travel package, it is recommended all Guests create a profile (unless they already have one) at www.StartYourDisneylandExperience.com. Link any Disneyland® Resort Hotel Reservation and Ticket Reservations using the Disneyland® Resort confirmation number provided in your Costco Travel documents. Then, make Park reservations via www.StartYourDisneylandExperience.com for each day you plan to visit the Parks. In addition, it is recommended all Guests visit www.disneytraveltradeinfo.com/dlrws. There, guests can view important information about Park reopening, reservations, limitations on benefits, features, experiences, new health and safety measures, etc. Please note: All policies are subject to change and are outside the control of Costco Travel.

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Neenan Travel

Neenan Travel was established in Dublin in 1968 and is in partnership with ATPI, a worldwide travel management company with over 1,600 business customers, including household names and leading industrial players. Neenan Travel are a family owned business, we provide a local service in a global market. ATPI operates from over 100 offices worldwide, expanding to locations where our clients need us to be. We offer a wide range of travel management products and solutions. Unlike some of our competitors we do not operate a “one size fits all” solution, we will work with you on a personal level to create a travel management programme that fits your organisational culture and business needs. Our personalised and flexible service focuses on making your travel planning simple and more cost-efficient. Our 24/7 emergency means you will never be without a helping hand.

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A Family Owned Business with Global Reach

Neenan Travel was established in Dublin in 1968 and is in partnership with ATPI, a worldwide travel management company with over 1,600 business customers, including household names and leading industrial players. Neenan Travel are a family owned business, we provide a local service in a global market. ATPI operates from over 100 offices worldwide, expanding to locations where our clients need us to be.

Neenan Travel were awarded Best Corporate Travel Management Compnay at the Irish Enterprise Awards 2020.

We offer a wide range of travel management products and solutions. Unlike some of our competitors we do not operate a “one size fits all” solution, we will work with you on a personal level to create a travel management programme that fits your organisational culture and business needs

Our personalised and flexible service focuses on making your travel planning simple and more cost-efficient. Our 24/7 emergency means you will never be without a helping hand.

Neenan’s Corporate Travel Division is part of the Neenan Travel Group which also includes the following…. 

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Disneyland, Unions Reach Contract Deal, Averting a Possible Strike at Theme Park

U nions representing 14,000 Disneyland employees said on Wednesday they had reached a tentative labor agreement with Walt Disney, averting a work stoppage at the theme park.

The new, three-year agreement, which includes wage increases and other benefits for park employees who are referred to as “cast members,” was signed by an alliance of unions representing custodians, ride operators, merchandise clerks and other workers at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.

“Cast members have fought hard for the past four months and this tentative agreement would not have been possible without the strength we all showed throughout this process and the unwavering support from guests and community members,” the unions said in a statement.

Disney confirmed the tentative deal in a statement to Reuters: “We care deeply about the wellbeing of our cast members .. and are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement with the Master Services council that addresses what matters most to our cast.”

Union members working at the Disneyland and Disney California Adventure theme parks, the Downtown Disney retail district and the Disney hotels voted overwhelmingly on Friday to authorize the union to call a strike, if agreement could not be reached.

The contract for unionized Disneyland employees expired on June 16, while the pact covering Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney workers expires Sept. 30.

A vote on the tentative agreement is scheduled for Monday.

“We have shown Disney that we are the true magic makers of the park and today proves that when workers stand together for what they deserve, we win,” the unions said in a joint statement. “We look forward to making our voices heard during the voting process to ratify this contract.”

Unions representing 14,000 Disneyland employees said on Wednesday they had reached a tentative labor agreement with Walt Disney, averting a work stoppage at the theme park.

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Our top vacation destinations, walt disney world.

Walt Disney World is the most popular vacation destination in the World, and it’s the most sought after by our guests as well. With 4 Theme Parks and 2 Waterparks, there’s something for guests of all ages to enjoy for a week or more. Located in Orlando, Walt Disney World is a convenient direct flight from most major metropolitan areas. Talk to one of Our Team today and we’ll get started on planning your next vacation to The Most Magical Place on Earth!

Universal Orlando

No Orlando vacation is complete without 2-3 days at Universal Orlando Resort. Whether you’re a fan of Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Men In Black, Minions, Transformers, The Simpson, E.T., or Dr. Seuss, there’s something for everyone at Universal Orlando. And let’s not forget Volcano Bay, one of the most state-of-the-art Water Parks in the US. Talk to one of our agents today about how to get front-of-line access all-day everyday at Universal with Express Pass!

Disney Cruise Line

No Cruise Line has distinguished itself for quality and immersive experience quite as well as Disney Cruise Line. We book more Disney Cruises than all of the other Cruise Lines combined, and that’s for very good reason. Our guests are consistently pleased with the experience and value for money they get with their Disney Cruises. Experience the Disney Magic at Sea! 

Disneyland is the Themepark that started it all. Envisioned and executed by Walt Disney himself, it includes classic rides like It’s a Small World, Haunted Mansion and Pirates of The Caribbean, and new attractions like Web Slingers & Radiator Springs Racers. There’s quite a bit here that you can’t experience at any other Disney Park worldwide. Walk down Main St. USA as Walt did back in 1955 and immerse yourself in his vision of the most magical place on Earth!

Royal Caribbean

Featuring some of the greatest technological advancements on the high-seas, Royal Caribbean has distinguished itself as the premiere mix of value, entertainment, and amenities in the cruise industry. As the perpetual holder of the “largest cruise ship in the world” distinction, with it’s continuous stream of new ships in development, Royal Caribbean truly has something for everyone.

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“We planned a last-minute Disney vacation through Enchantaway Travel and they could not have been more helpful.  Our planner asked all the right questions and helped us get the best Dining Rerservations.  It was an amazing trip! Thanks Enchantaway”
“What an experience.  We had never been to Disney before and I was completely clueless.  Our Enchantaway Planner helped us every step of the way.  Sometimes I felt like I was bugging her with questions constantly, but she always seemed happy to talk to me about my vacation.  I’ll never book a Disney vacation again without her help.”
“We wanted to go on a cruise but weren’t sure which line was best.  We called Enchantaway and our planner was so knowledgeable about all of the cruiselines.  She made the decision easy.  We loved our Royal Caribbean cruise!”
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The EnchantAway Difference.

EnchantAway Travel isn’t like those giant travel agencies where you feel like just a number. We take pride in the relationships we build with each and every customer and the special attention we provide to you, our guest. At EnchantAway Travel, the guest’s needs always come first, so rest assured we will accommodate you at every step and never talk you into something that isn’t right for you.

Disney Experts

Whether this will be your first Disney vacation or your 100th, EnchantAway’s travel experts can save you time, money and frustration. Know that we are a trusted and knowledgeable Disney Vacation Planning Agency. Each of our travel advisers is a certified graduate of the College of Disney Knowledge . But what really separates us from the rest of the pack is our passion and expertise on all things Disney. We live and breathe Disney, and would never have started this business without the compelling urge to help others discover the magic of Disney vacations. EnchantAway travel planners have spent countless hours exploring Disney parks, and we know our way around them like the backs of our hands. It is our intimate knowledge of Disney – and our dedication to our guests – that separates us from the crowd.

Other Vacations

Disney isn’t our only specialty. EnchantAway’s travel experts are fully authorized to book vacations to Universal Studios (FL and CA), Sandals & Beaches Resorts, All Inclusive Caribbean Vacation packages, as well as on Royal Caribbean and a variety of other cruise lines. Whatever your vacation goals are, our knowledgeable and passionate travel experts will help you plan the perfect getaway. Sit back, relax, and let us book your trip!

Ready to talk with our travel experts? Call us at 1-833-777-7718 or send an email to [email protected] and we will respond to your inquiries as soon as possible.

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  • Contact one of our EnchantAway Planners today either by clicking on the free quote button below , or calling us at 833-777-7718 .
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While we are expert vacation planners, there are some limits to how we can help:

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When in doubt please reach out and we’ll be happy to let you know if your unique case is something we can assist with.

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  • Electrostal History and Art Museum

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Electrostal History and Art Museum in Elektrostal. Take in the museums while you're in the area.

  • Cities near Elektrostal

Photo by Ksander

  • Places of interest
  • Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
  • Central Museum of the Air Forces at Monino
  • Peter the Great Military Academy
  • Bykovo Manor
  • Balashikha Arena
  • Balashikha Museum of History and Local Lore
  • Pekhorka Park
  • Ramenskii History and Art Museum
  • Malenky Puppet Theater
  • Orekhovo Zuevsky City Exhibition Hall
  • Noginsk Museum and Exhibition Center
  • Saturn Stadium

COMMENTS

  1. About Breakaway

    Breakaway is part of the Neenan Travel Group who are a family run company that have been providing services to Irish holiday makers since 1968. In 1992, when Disneyland Paris opened their doors Breakaway were appointed the Official Irish Partner and have been ever since.

  2. Club Travel acquire Neenan Travel

    Club Travel Limited is pleased to announce that it has acquired Neenan Travel Limited.Alan Neenan commented: "Neenan Travel was founded in 1968 by my Father Con Neenan and has under the 'Breakaway' brand been a key supplier to the Irish Travel Trade for Disneyland Paris for over 30 years.

  3. Disneyland Trip Planning Guide [2024]

    Our guide to planning your trip to Disneyland in 2023 and beyond. From flights to hotels to perfect park days, we've got you covered on putting together the most magical time possible!

  4. Neenan Travel software used to sell Disney by 120 Irish agents now to

    Contract signed with Dnata. in Dubai signed a large tour operator in Turkey, Etstur, 4 years ago in advanced discussions with three other Disneyland Paris distributors Alan Neenan of Neenan Travel Neenan Travel have signed contracts with three of Disney's international distributors and are in advanced discussions with several others to sell Disney-specific software already

  5. Club Travel Announces Acquisition of Neenan Travel

    "Neenan Travel was founded in 1968 by my father Con Neenan, and has under the 'Breakaway' brand been a key supplier to the Irish Travel Trade for Disneyland Paris for over 30 years.

  6. Breakaway Reviews

    About Breakaway. "Breakaway is part of the Neenan Travel Group who are a family run company that have been providing services to Irish holiday makers since 1968. In 1992, when Disneyland Paris opened their doors Breakaway were appointed the Official Irish Partner and have been ever since. Our Disney experts know all the ins and outs of Disney ...

  7. 2024 Disneyland Planning Guide

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  11. Corporate Travel

    Your Local Partner with Global Reach. Neenan Travel is wholly Irish owned, a family business celebrating over 50 years in the industry. We have a strategic partnership with the ATPI Group, a global leader in Business Travel Management. Combining both elements we provide an all encompassing domestic and international presence, providing ...

  12. Disneyland Planning Guide 2024: Start Here For Your Trip

    Disneyland Planning Guide 2024: Start Here to Plan Your Disneyland Trip. In our Disneyland Planning guide we attempt to make your Disneyland vacation extremely magical while saving you save money at Disney. On this page you will find our basic Disneyland planning articles on getting the most out of your vacation and money saving hacks.

  13. 10 Easy Ways to Do Disneyland on a Budget

    But at Disneyland, elephants do in fact fly (Dumbo, anyone?) — and successfully planning a trip to Disneyland on a budget isn't as impossible as it might seem.

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    Starting July 24, Disney World's Genie+ system will be replaced by two new systems — the Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass

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    Guests at Walt Disney World's four parks might find lines move faster for them with new Lightning Lane options.

  16. New Disneyland Genie Plus Change Will Bring Unnecessary Confusion to

    A major change to the Genie+ service at Disney World was just announced as starting this month, guests will be able to plan ahead of their vacation with pre-arrival Lightning Lane bookings. At ...

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    Critter Country at Disneyland feels like it's quickly changing — and maybe for good reason. It's devoid of marquee rides, sandwiched between the rejuvenated and steadily expanding New ...

  18. Thousands of Disneyland workers vote to authorize a potential ...

    Thousands of Disneyland workers vote to authorize a potential strike. It would be the first in 40 years

  19. Off to Neverland Travel

    Book your family vacation to Walt Disney Word, Disneyland, on a Disney Cruise, or on an Adventures by Disney tour with us! We strive to make your magical vacation as perfect as you dream it can be!

  20. Disney Reveals 3 New Disneyland Experiences, Plus ...

    Disney Reveals 3 New Disneyland Experiences, Plus Opening Dates For New Rides. The Incredible Hulk stopped by the Hall D23 stage at D23 Expo on Sunday, September 11, 2022. Disney is announcing new experiences at all of its theme parks around the world. In California, Disneyland will see new rides, a new hotel, and a new restaurant in the next ...

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    Costco Travel offers Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort vacation packages, Disney Cruise Line cruises and more.

  22. Neenan Travel

    Neenan Travel was established in Dublin in 1968 and is in partnership with ATPI, a worldwide travel management company with over 1,600 business customers, including household names and leading industrial players. Neenan Travel are a family owned business, we provide a local service in a global market. ATPI operates from over 100 offices worldwide, expanding to locations where our clients need ...

  23. About Us

    Neenan Travel are a family owned business, we provide a local service in a global market. ATPI operates from over 100 offices worldwide, expanding to locations where our clients need us to be. Neenan Travel were awarded Best Corporate Travel Management Compnay at the Irish Enterprise Awards 2020. We offer a wide range of travel management ...

  24. Disneyland, Unions Reach Contract Deal, Averting a Possible Strike at

    Unions representing 14,000 Disneyland employees said on Wednesday they had reached a tentative labor agreement with Walt Disney, averting a work stoppage at the theme park.

  25. Disneyland union members vote on strike authorization

    Roughly 9,500 union workers at Disneyland are voting Friday on whether to go on strike for higher wages and improved working conditions.

  26. Elisha departs for Vancouver Sales Manager for Neenan Travel

    Elisha departs for Vancouver Sales Manager for Neenan Travel & Breakaway Elisha Bernie sends her trade partners and colleagues this message of thanks as we say goodbye.

  27. enchantaway.com

    Whether this will be your first Disney vacation or your 100th, EnchantAway's travel experts can save you time, money and frustration. Know that we are a trusted and knowledgeable Disney Vacation Planning Agency. Each of our travel advisers is a certified graduate of the College of Disney Knowledge.

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  29. Visit Elektrostal: 2024 Travel Guide for Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast

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  30. Visit Elektrostal: 2024 Travel Guide for Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast

    Travel guide resource for your visit to Elektrostal. Discover the best of Elektrostal so you can plan your trip right.