disney california trip planning

Save money, experience more.

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

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?

In this planning guide:

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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 .

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 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.

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 .

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 .

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!

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.

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 .

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!

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 .

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.

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!

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

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

Disclosure: We have used all the products recommended on Mickey Visit. We may receive compensation when you click on links to some products featured.

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.

Planning a Disney Vacation? Get Exclusive Discounts + Free Bonuses

In addition to exclusive discounts for Mickey Visit subscribers, get our free planning printable and guide to make your life SO much easier.

Previous Post: EPCOT Countries World Showcase Complete Guide 2024

Next Post: Disneyland Character Dining 2024: Meal Reviews, Tips, Rankings

Exclusive Discounts + BREAKING NEWS

Join our newsletter of 100,000+ readers for discounts, planning tips, and breaking news about Walt Disney World and Disneyland. "Essential for planning your trip!" -Helen from Portland, Oregon

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

• Food + Snacks
• Disney Restaurants
• Trip Planning

Disneyland Planning Guide (2024 & 2025)

Last updated on Jan 24, 2024 by Adam Bryan . This post may contain affiliate links.

Welcome to my comprehensive, in-depth Disneyland planning guide that will provide with all the necessary information and tools needed to plan the best, most magical Disneyland visit possible.

Although this guide won’t give you every single detail you’ll need to plan your amazing trip to Disneyland Resort, it will at least give you a great overview of various topics and then point you in the right direction by liking to related articles and guides on this blog.

That way you can dive into the nitty-gritty details and plan the perfect trip that fits your needs and preferences. So, with that said, let’s jump right in!

Notable Dates to Look Forward To

Disneyland trip planning essentials, how to budget for a disneyland vacation, cheapest time to visit disneyland, buying disneyland tickets, what is genie+ and do you need it, booking your hotel, where and what to eat and drink, best rides at disneyland, character meet and greets, other helpful planning essentials, final thoughts.

Before we go any further, here are some major things to expect and look forward to at Disneyland Resort in 2024:

• Late 2024 – Splash Mountain reopening as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

More future plans and updates are likely to be announced throughout the year so I’ll be sure to update this accordingly.

If you are currently planning a Disneyland vacation or day visit, then these resources and guides will help you make the most of your visit by providing you with everything from Genie+ priorities and snack recommendations to money-saving tips and hotel recommendations.

• Disneyland Trip Planning Timeline and Checklist

Before embarking on your Disneyland adventure, I recommend checking out this straightforward Disneyland planning checklist and timeline, which will simplify the planning process by giving you a targeted schedule for completing essential aspects of your trip planning.

For instance, 8 months prior to your trip, it’s an ideal time to set your budget, select your travel dates, and keep a lookout for any upcoming attraction openings, festivals, or events. Additionally, when you’re 60 days away from your visit, make sure to secure any desired restaurant reservations and book special experience activities like Savi’s Workshop.

This timeline will guide you through all the necessary details and steps you should take 8 months, 6 months, 4 months, and 60 days before your magical visit to Disneyland.

Disneyland Bucket List

There are so many fun and incredible things to do at Disneyland that planning your visit might feel overwhelming because the last thing you’d want to do is miss out on anything great.

That’s why I recommend that you check out this Disneyland Bucket List that will tell you everything you must see, do, eat, and drink during your visit.

My personal favorites include eating a specialty churro, breaking your back on the Matterhorn Bobsleds, build a lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop, pairing a Mickey beignet with a mint julep, ride some opening day rides, ride Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout during Halloween, and visit California Adventure during their food and wine festival.

• Disneyland Bucket List (75+ Things to Do)

Disneyland in general is pretty expensive. There’s no way to sugarcoat. But there’s a reason why they make $21 million a day .

That said, if you are able to budget for a Disneyland visit without going above your means, you can easily have one of the best times of your life.

Here’s how:

Choosing When to Visit

Before you even set a budget, the first thing you need to do is choose when exactly you’d want to visit the parks.

Like most vacation destinations or even Disney World, Disneyland experiences a large influx of crowds, tourists, and even locals during certain times of the year, while other times are surprisingly very relaxed, empty, and “affordable.”

If your schedule is pretty flexible, I recommend the you plan your visit around the holidays for the best decorations and parades, or around the beginning quarter of the year.

Regardless of when you want to visit, at the end of the day, the best time to come to Disneyland is when it works for you the best . Then from that point on, you can start to budget accordingly.

How much does it cost to go to Disneyland?

Disneyland is very expensive and unfortunately, prices are only going up.

Here is how much you should expect to pay on average each day when visiting Disneyland Resort:

• Park Tickets : Start at $104 per day plus an extra $65 for Park Hopper
• Food and Drinks : $70 per day per person on average
• Hotels and Resorts : Disney’s hotel rates range from $415 to $675 per night on average and around $200 per night off-property
• Transportation : $160 to $249 roundtrip from LAX on Uber/Lyft, plus around $10+ each way around Anaheim resort

These costs are only estimates and depend entirely on specific dates of the year.

For a more in-depth breakdown of a Disneyland trip cost, be sure to check out this guide:

• Disneyland vacation Costs – A Simple, In-Depth Breakdown

Food Costs at Disneyland

Food and drinks (especially alcohol), are pretty expensive at Disneyland.

Here’s how much you should expect to pay for food and drinks at Disneyland broken down by Quick Serve, Table Service, snacks, drinks, and alcohol:

• Snacks = $8 on average
• Drinks = $4.59 – $5.29 each, bottled water costs $4.39
• Alcohol – $9 – $15 including beer, wine, and cocktails
• Quick Service = $15 – $18 per meal, excluding beverages
• Table Service = $36 – $60+ per meal

How to save money at Disneyland

Although saving money and Disneyland doesn’t appear to go together, there are surprisingly a number of ways that you can visit Disneyland on a budget .

Here are some of my favorite ways:

• Buy discounted park tickets from authorized sellers like Undercover Tourist
• Skip the Park Hopper if you have two or more days at the parks
• Stay off-property because Disney hotels are insanely expensive, even during the offseason
• Visit during the off season such as mid-January through February
• Bring your kids when they are under the age of 3 since their tickets will be free
• Skip out on souvenirs, especially balloons

The cheapest time to visit Disneyland is from early January through February. The second cheapest time is late-August.

During late August and January, you’ll find the cheapest park ticket prices.

These are also a few of the times during the year where you can expect the parks to be least busy .

Of course you’ll want to avoid all of the major holidays like Thanksgiving week and Christmas, not to mention Orange County Spring Break and Easter week. This is generally the busiest (and most expensive) time of of the year which means that the crowds and wait times are miserable. Plus, this is usual when Genie+ sells out.

For a full breakdown of when it’s the cheapest time to go to Disneyland in terms of hotel room rates, park tickets, and travel/transportation, I got you covered in this complete guide:

• Cheapest Time to Go to Disneyland (Ultimate Guide)

Due to the park reservation system, buying Disneyland tickets is by far one of the most important steps to planning a Disneyland visit. Although rare, both parks can sell out during certain times of the year so it’s always important to lock down your tickets as soon as you can.

Disneyland Ticket Prices

A standard Disneyland park ticket starts at $109 per adult and $104 per child (ages 3-9). Children under the age of 3 are free .

Ticket prices vary depending on the time of the year, the number of days, and any ticket add ons like Park Hopper.

Where to Find Disneyland Ticket Discounts

The best way to save money on your Disneyland tickets (besides taking advantage of military or Souther California resident discounts) is by practicing them from an authorized seller like Undercover Tourist .

The discounts are steep but if it saves you even a couple of dollars, the savings can add up to a free Dole Whip or churro.

Genie+ is a paid ticket add-on that will give you g unlimited access to the Lightning Lane during a specific time window at a majority of attractions in Disneyland Park and California Adventure.

Honestly, it’s just a worse FastPass+ system that can get pretty pricey. Plus, even as a Magic Key holder, you still have to buy it (at a discount, but still).

The one annoying thing is that some rides don’t participate in Genie+ but instead you’ll need to purchase access to them a la carte via Individual Lighting Lane Selections.

Here are some helpful resources on Genie Plus:

• Genie+ Attractions List
• Disney Genie+ Ultimate Guide

Individual Lighting Lane Attractions and Prices

Here’s how much Individual Lightning Lanes costs as well as which rides are eligible:

• Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway = $15 – $20
• Radiator Springs Racers = $7 – $20
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance = $20 – $25

Please note that you can only purchase Individual Lightning Lane Selections for up to 2 different attractions per day.

How much does Genie+ cost at Disneyland Resort?

Genie+ at Disneyland Resort costs between $25 and $30 per day .

Generally, the busier the parks are, the more expensive Genie+ will be, especially during peak season, holidays, and weekends.

Cheapest Day to Buy Genie+ at Disneyland

The cheapest day of the week to buy Genie+ at Disneyland is Friday with an average price of $25.60, according to Thrill Data .

The most expensive day is Saturday.

Sample Itineraries without Genie+

I believe that you can still have a ton of fun at Disneyland without buying Genie+. Here is a sample one-day itinerary that’s perfect for anyone that doesn’t want to cough up any additional money on Genie plus for the day.

• Disneyland without Genie+ (Both Parks)

Deciding on where to stay during your Disneyland vacation may seem frustrating due to the fact that the three Disney hotels are very pricey , but thankfully, there are a number of other hotel and resort options nearby that will fit any budget.

Disneyland Resort Hotels

There are three Disney hotels in Disneyland Resort:

• Grand Californian
• Disneyland Hotel
• Pixar Place Hotel

The Grand Californian is the flagship property but unfortunately, that also comes with a high price-tag. But if there’s one thing that separates this hotel with the rest, it’s the fact that there is a dedicated entrance into California Adventure.

The Disneyland Hotel is the most modern of the bunch but it’s also the furthest. But they do have very nice villas.

The Pixar Place Hotel is the cheapest of the three but it also comes with its own dedicated entrance into California Adventure. It’s not directly connect to the hotel like the Grand Californian’s is, but it’s still a fantastic perk.

The best part about staying at a Disney resort are the perks such as:

• Early Entry (enter the theme parks 30 minute before opening)
• Close proximity to the parks
• Preferred access to hotel dining reservations
• Next-day package delivery

Disneyland Resort Hotel Room Rates

Here are the average nightly rates for all three hotels:

• Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa = $584 – $767 per night (with rates as high as $1,000 a night during peak season)
• Disney’s Pixar Place Hotel = $355 – $466 per night
• Disneyland Hotel = $464 – $631 per night

For a more accurate range of room prices, see this chart .

Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotels

The Anaheim Resort area outside of Disneyland property is home to hundreds of hotels, motels, and resorts that can accommodate every budget.

But for the best options, be sure to book a Good Neighbor Hotel .

Hotels within Walking Distance to Disneyland

The hotels outside of Disneyland are very walkable, which is great if you plan on staying off-property.

Here are some of my favorite hotels within walking distance of Disneyland:

• Westin Anaheim (9 minute walk to Downtown Disney)
• Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance (9 minute walk)
• Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel and Water Playground (11 minute walk)
• Hyatt House Anaheim (13 minute walk)
• Best Western Plus Park Place Mini Suites (4 minute walk)

Here is the complete list of every major hotel within 5 to 20+ minute walking distance to Disneyland:

• All Hotels Within Walking Distance to Disney

Hotels Near Disneyland with Bunk Beds

If a standard room with 2 queens and a pull-out sofa doesn’t cut it, then getting a room with bunk beds is a great alternative, especially if you have kids.

Here are some Good Neighbor Hotels that have rooms with bunk beds:

• Anaheim Portofino Inn and Suites
• Best Western Plus Raffles Inn and Suites
• Courtyard Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance
• Hampton Inn and Suites Anaheim Convention Center
• Homewood Suites Anaheim Convention Center
• Hyatt Orange County

Here are 12 more hotels that have bunk beds .

My Two Cents

As much as I love staying at one of the three Disney hotels (especially the Grand Californian), it’s just getting more and more difficult to spend all that extra money for something that I will only be in from midnight to 8 am.

That’s why no matter how “inconvenient” staying off-property may feel like, at the end of the day, I’m 100% with saving that Disney hotel money and instead putting it towards something fun inside the parks like special event tickets or even a VIP Tour .

So if you don’t mind taking a shuttle or walking, stay off property and save hundreds of dollars.

I’m obsessed with the food at Disneyland. In my opinion, it’s a step above anything you’d find at Disney World .

One of the best things I love about Disneyland is that they offer some of the best, most unique food and drink options that you won’t find at any theme park.

Here’s a brief overview of my favorite things to eat and drink at Disneyland.

Best Snacks at Disneyland Park

These are my favorite snacks (and things to eat in general) at Disneyland Park that you can’t miss:

• Mickey Beignet
• Seasonal Funnel Cake
• Tigger Tail
• Beef Birria Toasted Cheese

Best Snacks at California Adventure

And these are my favorite food and drinks at California Adventure that I think are worth the money:

• Choco-Smash Candy Bar
• QuesaBirria
• Beef Bulgogi Burrito
• Lobster Nachos
• New York Tastiest
• Funnel Cake Fries

Food and Drink Lists

Here are some food and drink recommendations that will help with your planning:

• Best Foods at Disneyland, California Adventure, and Downtown Disney
• 10 Best Disneyland Snacks (California Adventure too!)

There are so many incredible and iconic attractions at Disneyland that it might feel overwhelming when planning out which ones you’d want to hit between the two parks.

Best Rides at Disneyland Park

Here are the best rides in my opinion at Disneyland Park:

• Space Mountain
• Indiana Jones
• Haunted Mansion
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Best Rides at California Adventure

Here are the best rides in my opinion at California Adventure:

• Incredicoaster
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout
• Radiator Springs Racers
• Soarin’ (Over California)
• Silly Symphony Swings

Which Day of the Week Has the Lowest Wait Times?

The best day of the week to visit Disneyland Resort in general is Friday which will generally have the lowest wait times of the week.

The best day of the week to visit Disneyland Park is Thursday with an average wait time of 26 minutes.

The best day of the week to visit California Adventure is Friday with an average wait time of 30 minutes.

Single Rider Lines at Disneyland

If you don’t mind splitting up your party in order to cut down your wait time at select attractions, hopping in the Single Rider Line is a great way to ride some popular rides without waiting for hours.

There are currently 9 attractions between both the parks that offer a Single Rider Line:

• Matterhorn Bobsleds
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Splash Mountain (Tiana’s Bayou Adventure)
• Grizzly River Run
• Soarin’
• Goofy’s Sky School
• Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure

Disneyland Roller Coasters Ranked

Disneyland doesn’t have the crazy rollercoasters that Disney World has , but they still have some great hits including the second best Space Mountain of any Disney park.

The number one spot goes to Incredicoaster followed by Space Mountain (or Hyperspace Mountain).

For the full list of Disneyland roller coasters ranked, check out my top 6 .

Fastest Rides at Disneyland

Although no ride at Disneyland cracks 60 mph ( like at WDW ), that doesn’t mean that adrenaline junkies won’t have a blast.

Here are the fastest rides at Disneyland :

• Incredicoaster –  55 mph
• Radiator Springs Racers –  40 mph
• Splash Mountain –  40 mph
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad –  35 mph
• Space Mountain –  35 mph
• Goofy’s Sky School –  27 mph
• Matterhorn Bobsleds –  27 mph
• Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster –  22 mph
• Disneyland Ride Lengths and Duration

Here’s the complete listing of every attraction length and duration at both parks:

• Disneyland Height Requirements for Every Ride

Here’s the full listing of height requirements for every ride at both park:

Every Ride That Doesn’t Have a Height Requirement

Disneyland Resort is without a doubt one of the best theme parks to visit thanks in part to the sheer amount of rides and attractions that don’t have a minimum height requirement.

Some of the popular rides (some of which are minor “thrill” rides) that don’t have height requirements are:

• Astro Orbiter
• Jungle Cruise
• Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
• Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sully to the Rescue
• Pixar Pal-a-Round (Swinging and Non-Swinging)
• Toy Story Midway Mania!

For the full list of 40+ attractions without height restrictions, check this out .

I’m not a huge fan of meeting characters so I really don’t have much to share on that topic. That said, here’s a resource on all of the character meet and greets you’ll find at Disneyland, California Adventure, and some Disneyland hotels.

Here are some extra resources that don’t really fit any of the categories above but are still pretty helpful:

Disneyland Abbreviations You Should Know

This is very random, but you might find yourself stumbled upon a secret language at Disney Parks, that may not make much sense at first.

Some popular ones include:

• DAS : Disability Access Service
• DCA : Disney California Adventure
• DL : Disneyland
• DLR : Disneyland Resort
• GR : Guest Relations
• LL : Lightning Lane
• ROTR : Rise of the Resistance
• FP : FastPass

For an entire list of Disney abbreviations and acronyms, check out this complete list .

Planning an Accessible and Sensory-Friendly Visit

The sights, colors, and loud sounds of a Disney theme park may be exciting for some guests, but they can also be pretty overwhelming to people with ASD.

Here’s my complete guide to planning an accessible and sensory-friendly Disney World vacation:

• Planning a Sensory-Friendly Theme Park Visit

Planning for a visit to Disneyland might feel overwhelming at times, especially with all the updates, but with the help of some of these guides and resources, I’m confident that you’ll be able to plan the most magical time at Disneyland Resort possible.

More Travel Planning

About Adam Bryan

Hey what's up, I'm Adam, founder of Urban Tastebud Disney and I spend most of my days eating (and researching, but mostly eating) around Disney Parks to create useful travel planning content that will help you maximize your time and money at Disney.

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Book with Love of the Magic Vacations
• First Timer’s Guide

SoCal Daily

Practically Perfect Planning

Love of the Magic Vacations

• Find info by topic
• Hotels and Transportation
• Port Orleans Resorts at Walt Disney World

A First Timer’s Guide to Disneyland

• Disneyland for Grown Ups
• First Timer's Guide

Park Strategies

Updated April 29, 2024

Today, I’m sharing the basics of Disneyland to get you started on planning.

If you haven’t visited in a while, this post will be helpful to you, too. If your last trip was before Covid, buckle up. It’s a whole new world.

MagicBand+, Disney Genie, Early Entry, Park Reservations, and so much more are new or different now.

There’s a lot to know.

Let’s get started.

Who to Book Your Trip With

Park reservations, crowd calendars, dining reservations, MagicBand+, changes since Covid, Disney Genie, etc etc all require a decent amount of familiarity to get it right.

I can help you with many parts of planning, but I recommend booking your trip with an experienced agent who can handle some of these things for you and advise on all of them. Commission is built into every Disney package purchased, regardless of who you book with. So, you do not pay a penny more than if you book with Disney directly.

I recommend booking with Love of the Magic Vacations for many, many reasons. I share all about this agency in this post . And, you can get a free quote from them at this link .

An Overview

Disneyland Resort is comprised of 2 theme parks, 3 Disney hotels and Downtown Disney . Disneyland is a fraction of the size of Disney World. Check out the layout of the resort  including details on parking, lockers and more.

Disneyland is the original park and it opened in 1955. In addition to Main Street, it includes 7 lands:

• Adventureland
• Critter Country
• Fantasyland
• Frontierland
• Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
• New Orleans Square
• Tomorrowland

Recent photos of Disneyland can be found here .

Disney California Adventure or DCA  opened in 2001 and enjoyed a grand “re-opening” in 2012 with a major transformation, which has brought the once troubled park to life.  In addition to Buena Vista Street, it includes 6 lands:

• Grizzly Peak
• Hollywood Land
• San Fransokyo Square
• Avengers Campus

Recent photos of DCA can be found here .

Transportation to the Disneyland Resort is fairly easy if you know what you’re looking for. There are 6 large airports that are all realistic options within 1.5 hours of Disneyland. You can get to the parks via car, shuttle, train, or car service. I highly recommend Lanksy Enterprises for transportation from the airport to your hotel.

For Walt Disney World Fans

There’s a lot to know if you’re familiar with WDW, but not Disneyland. Let’s go over a few differences:

• We don’t have a dining plan. We often walk up to counter service restaurants, order food and eat it. Don’t be scared of us. It works. Dining at the Disneyland Resort is fun.
• If you’re looking for Value Resorts at Disneyland, consider staying off-site at a good neighbor hotel . We only have 3 Disney Hotels and 2 of them are 4 Star and all three are $300+ a night.
• We have Early Entry, which allows you into the park before other guests. Read about it here .
• Everything is in walking distance . No one hour trek from park to hotel and park again. You can leave one park and be at the next in 2 minutes because the two park entrances face each other. Most hotels are in walking distance. Downtown Disney is just outside the esplanade between the two parks. You can easily leave the park, run back to your hotel and be back in the park in a short amount of time. IT’S GLORIOUS.
• The weather here is lovely. We rarely see rain. Seriously. And, regardless of when you visit – even if it’s in the summer – you’ll likely need a sweater for early morning or late night. Know how to dress ahead of time. It’s quite different compared to WDW.
• To thoroughly appreciate the history and nostalgia that Disneyland offers, consider taking my one hour scavenger hunt along Main Street to see lots of key Walt-related stops. First time Disney World fans love to see where Walt left his mark on our beloved Disneyland.
• Our characters often roam the park and some do so without handlers. The character experience is so authentic and fun at Disneyland.

This post covers everything you need to know for how to tour each park, allowing you to see and do everything your heart desires during your visit. Follow my plans to ensure you won’t wait more than 20 minutes for any attraction.

I test my strategies monthly – and edit as needed – which provides you the very best plans for your visit.

Disney Genie

All new at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World!

Be sure you know how Genie works, as it’s different from FASTPASS, MaxPass, and FastPass+.

Here’s the scoop on Genie.

You have two options when choosing where to stay at Disneyland:

DLR Hotels – Disneyland hotels have many perks including always-good Disney service, Extra Magic Hours, on-site DLR Hotel dining, and package delivery from the parks to your hotel. One (The Grand Californian) is super close to the entrance of the parks and Paradise Pier and The Disneyland Hotel are a bit further.

Off-Site Hotels – Off-site options are typically much less expensive than DLR Hotels with many averaging around $120 a night.

Attractions

Each park has a different feel to it. I’d simplify it into this:

Disneyland is old school and sweet with lots of history and fairytale-esque rides. Main Street feels like a walk back in time and the entire park has a nostalgic element to it.

Disney California Adventure feels newer and more character focused. Buena Vista is lovely and provides the nod to Americana that Main Street at Disneyland does. You’ll find “bigger” rides that teens will enjoy more at DCA, however, there is still plenty to do for little ones.

Beware: Some attractions are very “dark” (figuratively and literally) and can scare young children. Research those before you visit.

The food at Disneyland is one of my favorite parts of my visit. There’s so much to enjoy! I have compiled every bit of Disneyland Resort dining into one post . This covers both parks, Downtown Disney, character meals, dining in the DLR Hotels, park snacks, off-the-menu options, cocktails, DLR recipes, my recommendations, and a mock budget so you can estimate your costs. Check that out for all things dining.

Disneyland Dining has several yummy options including Jolly Holiday Bakery , Hungry Bear Restaurant, The Plaza Inn, Blue Bayou and more. The park includes several table service options and many counter service ones, too. Character dining can be found at breakfast at The Plaza Inn.

California Adventure Dining feels a little more adventurous to me food-wise with options like Asian fare, high end Carthay Circle and delicious smoothies. California Adventure also serves a wide range of alcohol compared to Disneyland.

Character dining can be found at Disneyland and each of the Disneyland Resort Hotels. In addition to the expected Disney service at each of these experiences, you can also:

• Interact with characters up close for more time than at the parks.
• Take fun photos with the characters.
• Gather autographs.

I encourage you to enjoy one (or more) character dining experiences during your visit.

Halloween Time and Holidays at Disneyland are two big seasons that take over the parks from the beginning of September until the beginning of January.

A few quick notes on these seasons:

• Halloween Time is just as popular as Christmas is now at the Disneyland Resort.
• We have a Halloween Party called Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure. It’s the best after hours event I’ve ever attended at a Disney Park. Don’t miss it.
• Each September brings an overlay to the Haunted Mansion, transforming it into a Jack Skellington’s Nightmare Before Christmas theme, where “two holidays collide”. This overlay lasts through the end of Holidays at Disneyland in early January of the following year. The Haunted Mansion typically takes up to 3 weeks to change from one theme to the other, so account for that timing when scheduling your trip. Mid-August is typically when the attraction closes for the changeover.
• “it’s a small world” changes into “it’s a small world” Holiday during Holidays at Disneyland. That transformation takes 2-3 weeks, so account for it, too, during your planning. Look for it’s a small world to go down the second half of October in preparation for Holidays.
• Halloween Time typically starts the second week of September and lasts through Halloween night, October 31.
• Holidays at Disneyland typically starts the second week of November and lasts through the first week of January.

Visit these posts, which are updated each season, as soon as Disney releases information.

Halloween Time

Holidays at Disneyland

What does it do, do you need it, and why?

Lots to learn about MagicBand+ at Disneyland. Start here .

Additional Info

• Many people talk about Disneyland at “capacity”. The truth is that this rarely happens. A few days a year – usually around the holidays – Disneyland Park will close due to “capacity restraints”. This means there’s too many people in the park to allow more in. When it happens, it’s usually around 1:00pm and will last until around 5:00pm. When it does, you’re welcome to visit DCA if you have a park hopper. If you do not, you can wander Downtown Disney.
• Need info in Spanish? I recommend this site . Liz is super helpful.
• Venturing outside of Disneyland? There is SO MUCH to do in Southern California. Take a look at all of your options in this post .
• Know how to meet characters and how a character meal can add to your experience.
• Know all about World of Color and what your options are for seeing this unique show, only available at DCA.
• Know all about parades and fireworks , too. And, Fantasmic!
• The Disneyland Resort is very accommodating for guests with disabilities. Visit this post for so much information on this including mobility devices, how to work with each attraction, where to find alternate attractions, and so much more.
• Be prepared for crowds . You have many options when the parks become overwhelming.
• Toddlers and princess fans require extra planning.
• Bringing a baby to the parks? Are you expecting during your visit? Check out this post for lots to know including where the baby centers are, how to find a quiet place to nap, where to nurse, and more. Know where to rent a stroller off-site , too if you choose not to bring your own.
• Know what to expect with your visit to  Downtown Disney .

Relax and have fun. Disneyland is such a magical place! Let me know how I can help you plan.

Solo Trips to Disneyland and Walt Disney World

Grad Nites at Disneyland

Tickets and Park Hours

• Today's Park Hours

Park Hours for

Price your vacation.

• Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
• Disneyland Hotel
• Pixar Place Hotel

For Office Use Only - dlr en_US

• Interactive
• Floor Plans

Celebrate Pixar Fest!

Celebrate friendship and beyond at pixar fest now - august 4, 2024, reservations and planning guide.

Ticket & Reservations

Each member in your party is required to have both a valid ticket and park reservation for the same park on the same date.

Ticket & Reservation Details

Theme Park Details

Know Before You Go

View a comprehensive guide to important information and updated experiences at the Disneyland Resort.

Offers and Benefits

Create countless magical memories.

Experience the magic of 2 parks with Park Hopper or multi-day tickets.

Get Details

View All Offers

Enjoy a Magical Disneyland Resort Getaway

Save up to 15% off select stays at a Disneyland Resort hotel on Sunday through Thursday nights from March 11 through June 6, 2024 when you book by June 3, 2024. Subject to availability and restrictions.

Can't Miss Experiences

Pixar Fest - Now through August 4

at Disney California Adventure

Season of the Force - Now until June 2

at Disneyland Park

Toy Story Midway Mania!

at Disney California Adventure Park

Hyperspace Mountain

Shop, Plan and Play

Take Your Day to the Next Level!

Experience the Magic with MagicBand+

Discover Disney at Home with Books, Crafts, Movies and More...

Have Questions?

Connect with a planDisney panelist

Everything you need to know about visiting Disneyland

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

Disneyland is one of those rare places that offers fun and entertainment for everyone, from bright-eyed kids to well-traveled adults. A visit is on every kid's wishlist and planning a trip to The Happiest Place on Earth is a rite of passage for every parent.

From figuring out the type of tickets to buy, knowing where to stay and how to get around, and avoiding long lines, a lot goes into creating a seamless experience on your trip to Disneyland. Lucky for you, we've done all the research to help you make those decisions.

Here's everything you need to know about booking a trip to Disneyland.

How to start planning a Disneyland vacation

Although a Disneyland vacation won't require as much planning as Disney World , a little organization can create a more enjoyable experience.

If the planning process is still overwhelming, you can actually hire professionals to do it for you, free of charge. TPG's Summer Hull and Richard Kerr have both utilized Mouse Counselors to plan their Disney vacations and both of them swear by it.

The planning service is free because the planners make their money via commissions paid out by Disneyland. All you have to do is submit a request for a quote and they'll plan your entire vacation. They'll even look for discounts, so you get the best deal possible.

FOR NO-COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS .

Choosing the best hotel for your Disneyland vacation

There are many hotel options for your Disneyland vacation, depending on your budget and needs. You can pay a premium to stay on-site (which includes some added perks), or you can stay at a more budget-friendly off-site hotel within walking distance of the park that lets you book with, or earn, points.

Below is an overview of the best hotel options near Disneyland.

Disneyland hotels

Disneyland operates three on-site hotels. The main benefit of staying at a Disneyland resort is proximity to the parks, Early Entry (admission to the parks 30 minutes before it opens to the public), preferred dining reservation access, character wake-up calls and more.

Rates at Disneyland properties tend to be quite a bit higher than at off-site hotels. Disney does offer seasonal discounts and sales during lower-demand times of the year that can reduce the cost.

Operating since 1955, the Disneyland Hotel is the first and oldest property within the Disneyland Resort. The hotel had a minor renovation in 2021 and is next to the Downtown Disney shopping district.

Standard rooms typically go for around $500 to $650 per night.

If you want a slightly more upscale experience in a better location, look no further than Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa . The hotel is behind California Adventure Park and offers guests an exclusive entrance to the park.

While rates at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa start at around $700, they can creep up as high as $1,000 per night for a standard room during peak times.

Across from the Grand Californian, Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel is the cheapest Disneyland hotel option. Rooms are usually priced in the $400 to $450 range and the resort also has a private entrance to Disney California Adventure Park. The hotel is currently undergoing construction and will reopen as Pixar Place Hotel in the coming months.

Disneyland Good Neighbor hotels you can book with points

There are currently 58 designated Good Neighbor hotels near Disneyland. These are hotels recommended by Disneyland for offering convenient locations and overall value. Many of these hotels can be booked with points; at some, you'll even find special deals and packages.

Related: Where to stay at Disneyland: On vs. off-property hotel comparison

Hyatt has three hotels near Disneyland and all of them are designated Good Neighbor properties. As of August 2023, all three properties are Category 4 hotels, with standard awards requiring 15,000 Hyatt points and off-peak awards available for 12,000 points. Alternatively, use an annual free night award from your World of Hyatt Credit Card.

The Hyatt House at Anaheim Resort Convention Center is the closest to the park entrance, just a block away. I stayed here three years ago and found the rooms spacious enough to accommodate three kids and two adults. Our room had a small living area separate from the bedroom and a pull-out couch for an extra person.

Everyone gets free breakfast regardless of Hyatt elite status , which is great for families. Overall, this is a solid choice for a Disneyland hotel.

The nearby Hyatt Place is a block farther, and it's a good option if you want a slightly cheaper limited-service hotel offering free breakfast. Room rates tend to be $20 to $50 cheaper than the Hyatt House when paying cash.

If you want a more upscale experience and don't need to be within walking distance of the park, the Hyatt Regency Orange County is the way to go. The hotel is in the Anaheim Resort area, about 2 miles from the hotel. For families needing more space, you can also opt for a Kids Suite starting at 21,000 points per night. The Kids Suite offers a king bed, bunk beds for the kids, and a microwave and fridge for those late-night snacks.

The Hyatt Regency Orange County operates a shuttle to Disneyland every half-hour. The cost is $6 per person per day and free for kids 3 and under. You can often find package deals that include shuttle service for four as well as parking and a Disney-centric welcome amenity.

Related: Here's how to quickly stock up on Hyatt points for your next vacation

IHG has five hotels near Disneyland, three of which have the Good Neighbor designation. The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Anaheim Resort Area is a Good Neighbor property and is the closest of them all; it sits about a 10-minute walk from the park entrance. Award rates fluctuate wildly and can sometimes be as high as 50,000-65,000 points per night, so it's sometimes a better value to book this property with cash.

Marriott has 11 Good Neighbor hotels near Disneyland. The closest properties to the park entrance are the Fairfield Inn by Marriott Anaheim Resort and the Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance . The Fairfield Inn charges anywhere from 34,000 to 59,000 points for an award night.

Depending on the date of your stay, you can redeem your up to 35,000-point certificate from the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card or the annual up to 50,000-point award from the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card. This could be a great redemption, considering the hotel can go for more than $250 per night at peak times.

The Courtyard is a higher-end hotel with a water park requiring 68,000 to 98,000 points per night.

Hilton has a whopping 12 Good Neighbor Hotels in the Disneyland area, although quite a few are not within reasonable walking distance.

For the best location, you'll want to consider the Home2 Suites by Hilton Anaheim Resort or the Hilton Garden Inn Anaheim Resort. These two hotels occupy a single shared building, which is nearly right across from the park entrance.

The Home2 Suites tends to be the better value of the two even though it usually costs a bit more, as it includes free breakfast. Additionally, a standard two-queen studio room at this hotel sleeps up to six, offering two queen beds, a sofa bed and a full kitchen. Even though the award rate is steep at 60,000, it could be worth it since most families will need just one room. That being said, TPG values Hilton points at 0.6 cents each, so it's generally not a good idea to redeem points unless standard rates are at least $360 per night.

The SunCoast Hotel is the next closest option, less than a mile from the park entrance. It's a doable walk, or you can opt to take the Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) bus that stops outside the property. The SunCoast is a Tapestry Collection property offering beautiful, light-filled rooms with bright pops of color to give you that Disney vibe.

Related: I spent 6.5 hours on hold to buy Disneyland tickets — was it worth it?

Types of Disneyland tickets

There are multiple types of Disneyland tickets available. The type of ticket you should get depends on factors like which park(s) you want to visit and for how long, how often you plan on visiting Disneyland and your budget.

Disneyland tickets fall into seven tiers (Tier 0 through 6). Tier 6 is unrestricted, and the remaining tiers are subject to increasing blackout dates . Before you purchase a ticket, be sure to check the theme park calendar for park reservation availability.

Let's take a look at each option.

Single-day tickets

Disneyland's single-day tickets range from $104 to $179 per day and provide admission to one park only (either Disneyland or Disney California Adventure). Disney classifies children as those aged 3 to 9 (and offers a slight discount on child rates); it classifies adults as those 10 and older. Children 2 and younger do not need a ticket.

Related: How to make a reservation at Disneyland

Ticket prices vary per day based on demand. You can search the ticket calendar to see prices on the day(s) you plan to visit.

Multiday tickets

Multiday tickets are a good option if you want to visit Disneyland parks for several days, with per-day prices being discounted the more days you add on. Two-day tickets cost $285 (an average cost of $142.50 per day), and five-day tickets cost $83 per day.

Multiday tickets get you into both Disneyland and California Adventure — but not on the same day. You'll need to stick to a single park per day.

Park Hopper

Park Hopper tickets allow you to visit Disneyland and Disney California Adventure on the same day. You can add this option to any multiday ticket for $60 per ticket or single-day tickets for $65. These tickets are ideal if you want ultimate flexibility in the attractions you visit in a day. The 1-Day Park Hopper tickets are especially ideal if you want to experience both parks on a short timeline.

Note that Disneyland currently only allows guests to park hop at 11 a.m. or later.

Magic Key (annual pass)

Disneyland also offers Magic Keys, which are annual passes. Passes are limited in number, so not all pass types are always on sale. Prices range from $449 to $1,599.

Related: Everything you need to know about Disneyland tickets and pricing

Disneyland ticket discounts

While Disneyland tickets can be pricey, there are several ways you can save money. Some discounts are exclusive to members of specific groups and may be limited to certain times of year, while others are open to the public.

Here's a look at common Disneyland ticket discounts:

California residents: California residents living within qualifying zip codes can sometimes purchase special multiday discount tickets for as little as $83 per day. Disneyland tends to offer these tickets to Southern California residents in spring and to all California residents in summer and early fall, but these offers are not guaranteed. Proof of residence and a valid government ID are required for purchase.

Military discounts: Qualifying military personnel can purchase three-day Disneyland Park Hopper Tickets for $245 and 4-day Park Hopper tickets for $280.

There is a limit of six discounted tickets and blackout dates apply. These tickets are available to active or retired military members, including the National Guard, Reservists and the U.S. Coast Guard.

AAA: AAA members can save on multiday Disneyland tickets, including Park Hopper tickets. However, the savings are not as big as advertised because AAA tacks a fee onto the final purchase page. Membership fees vary, ranging from $56 to $119.

CityPASS: CityPASS offers Disneyland ticket discounts ranging from $5 to $26 , depending on your ticket type.

Undercover Tourist: Undercover Tourist is a tried and true way to save on Disneyland tickets. The site currently offers discounts ranging from $7 to $33 per ticket.

Get Away Today: Get Away Today is another travel agency that specializes in Disneyland travel and offers discount tickets as well. Get Away Today will always price-match the best deals you may find elsewhere.

Related: How to use points to buy Disney tickets

Best time to visit Disneyland

The best time to visit Disneyland depends on a variety of factors.

For the best experience, you'll want to avoid school holidays, weekends and major ride openings. Late summer and early fall tend to be less crowded, but the weather in August and September can be excessively warm (although never as hot as Walt Disney World in Florida).

A great way to plan the best time to visit Disneyland is to check your desired travel dates against the IsItPacked crowd calendar . The calendar considers all of the previously mentioned factors to generate a crowd forecast.

Related: 9 things families should know before visiting Disneyland

How to reduce your time in line at Disneyland

Disneyland may be The Happiest Place on Earth, but it's not immune to long, stressful lines. That's especially true on weekends, holidays and when it comes to popular attractions.

Start at the back of the park and move your way up front

If you arrive just before the park opens, a good strategy to avoid crowds is to start at the back of the park and move your way forward. Many visitors (especially those with kids) will get caught up in the crowd-control mechanism near the entrance — character meetings, retail shops — before making their way to the rides closest to their path.

You can beat the crowds by moving in the opposite direction. The same goes with mealtimes: Plan to eat before or after the noon rush, and you won't encounter crazy long lines. You might also find shorter wait times at your favorite rides while most guests are preoccupied with lunch.

Disney Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes

Disney Genie+ (along with a related service, Individual Lightning Lane) allows Disneyland guests to skip the standby line on many of the park's most popular attractions. The Disney Genie+ service starts at $25 per person per day and allows you to make Lightning Lane reservations throughout the day. You can make your first reservation after you enter the park and then subsequent reservations as you redeem each one or after two hours pass (whichever comes first).

Related: How I maxed out Disneyland's Genie+ and rode 26 attractions in a single day

You'll also get unlimited photo downloads from all attraction photos and those taken by PhotoPass photographers; and you'll receive features like audio tales and AR photo lenses to help you pass the time waiting in line.

There are a few attractions that do not participate in the Disney Genie+ service, but most of these attractions nevertheless have Lightning Lanes. You need to purchase an Individual Lightning Lane reservation (sold separately) to skip the line for these select attractions. Pricing ranges between $15 and $25 per person per attraction, and you can purchase up to two attractions per day. The current list of attractions participating in each program is available on Disneyland's website .

Related: 10 line-busting tips for less waiting and more playing

Early Entry

Guests staying at Disneyland resorts can enter either park 30 minutes before they open to the public. This is worth taking into consideration when making your hotel reservations since an extra 30 minutes before park opening means virtually no lines.

Use the Disney app

The Disneyland mobile app is key to a seamless Disneyland experience. Aside from storing your park tickets, the app helps users book restaurant reservations, make Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane reservations, order meals to-go on mobile and see wait times for rides.

The Disney app can be an invaluable tool in avoiding lines for rides and restaurants, allowing you to enjoy your limited time at the park.

Use the Ridemax app

If you want to avoid lines like a pro, consider downloading and subscribing to Ridemax . The app creates a custom itinerary for you based on the rides you choose and the amount of time you plan on spending at the park, to minimize wait times. A 90-day subscription costs $14.95, while an annual one costs $24.95.

There's also a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if it is not as helpful as you'd hoped, you can get a full refund.

Related: The best restaurants at Disneyland

How to save money on your Disneyland trip

There are many ways to save money on your Disneyland trip, whether it's getting discounted park tickets or deals on your hotel bookings.

We'd be remiss to start the money-saving portion of this guide without mentioning points. Whether it's your airfare, hotel or park tickets, you can use points to offset a large chunk of your Disneyland vacation. Disneyland has lots of point hotels starting at just 12,000 points per night for off-peak awards at any of the area Hyatt hotels.

With the 60,000-point sign-up bonus from the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening), you could cover up to five nights at one of these hotels.

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is another great option for earning and redeeming miles towards a Disneyland trip. The card currently offers 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

All you have to do is charge your Disneyland hotel or vacation package to the card and then redeem miles toward the expense. And if you don't quite have enough miles now, you have up to 90 days after purchase to save and redeem miles toward a travel expense.

Check for package deals

You can save a lot on your Disneyland vacation by booking a package deal through a site like Get Away Today . For example, a four-night stay in September in a one-bedroom suite at the Element by Westin Anaheim Resort Convention Center with three-day park hopper tickets for a family of four will cost $3,297.88 when booked with Disney directly.

Through Get Away Today, the same package deal costs $2,682.53.

Costco is currently offering Disneyland travel packages that include savings on on-property Disneyland hotels and a Disney gift card:

• Stay two to four nights and receive a $185 Disney Gift Card
• Stay five nights and receive a $205 Disney Gift Card
• Stay six nights and receive a $225 Disney Gift Card
• Stay seven or more nights and receive a $245 Disney Gift Card

Buy Disney gift cards on sale

Buying Disney gift cards can save you about 5-10% on the cost of food and merchandise at Disneyland hotels. Sam's Club, Staples, Target and Safeway occasionally discount the price of Disney gift cards by about 5%. Add cash back bonuses and savings from a card that earns bonus points at grocery and office supply stores , and the savings will stack up.

I've personally had success using my Chase Ink Plus Business card (card no longer available) to buy Disney gift cards at Staples, stacking the savings with 5% cash back through Dosh (Note: I will earn a $10 referral if you sign up with my link and make your first qualifying purchase).

The information for the Chase Ink Plus Business Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Bring your own swag

If you're taking your kids to Disneyland, buy all your swag ahead of time. Everything is incredibly overpriced at the park, and there's no reason to spend $30 on mouse ears when you can find equally cute ones on Etsy or Amazon for $5.99. The same goes for all trinkets and toys that end up in a forgotten pile somewhere.

Related: 7 Reasons why Disneyland is better than Disney World

You might feel sentimental about bringing back a $40 snow globe, but trust me: The memories you make are more important (and lasting) than the overpriced merchandise you buy at the park.

Related: How much does a Disneyland vacation cost?

How to get around Disneyland

Unlike the sprawling Disney World resort, Disneyland is easy to get around on foot. But if you get tired after a day of park hopping, you can take various modes of transportation around the park. The Disneyland Railroad offers an 18-minute ride with stops at Main Street, New Orleans Square, Mickey's Toontown and Tomorrowland.

The high-flying Monorail is great if you want a faster way to get around the park. The Monorail makes the 2.5-mile journey through the area in just 13 minutes, stopping in Tomorrowland and the far end of Downtown Disney.

For a slow, fun ride, you can hop aboard one of Disney's Main Street Vehicles near City Hall and Central Plaza. They include the Jitney, a horse-drawn streetcar, the classic fire engine and omnibus.

Over at California Adventure, the Red Car Trolley makes four convenient stops throughout the already walkable park.

Related: The essential guide to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in Disneyland

The best credit cards to use at Disneyland

You may be surprised to find that the Disney Visa Card isn't among the best cards to use at Disneyland, though it can be a good option if you're looking to finance a Disney vacation. The best cards for booking Disneyland packages will be ones that earn bonus points on travel , like the Chase Sapphire Reserve . You'll earn 3 points per dollar and use your $300 annual travel credit to offset part of the expense.

When it comes to spending at Disneyland theme parks, you'll want to use a card that earns bonus points on dining . The Citi Prestige® Card (card no longer available) is a great option, as it earns 5 points per dollar spent in this category. The American Express® Gold Card is also a great choice, earning 4 points per dollar at restaurants.

The information for the Citi Prestige and Disney Visa card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Bottom line

While it's not as large as its Florida counterpart, Disneyland does require some planning. This guide should make the process of planning your Disneyland adventure a little easier.

Additional reporting by Leslie Harvey.

Disneyland Trip Planning Timeline and Free Printable (2024)

Planning an amazing Disneyland vacation is stressful when the to-do list seems endless: book the perfect hotel, buy tickets, make dining and theme park reservations, and decide if Genie+ is worth it. If this is your first Disneyland trip, or even if you’ve planned one before, our free, printable 2024 Disneyland Planning Timeline keeps things simple and avoids mistakes on your next Disneyland vacation.

Use this planning guide for Disneyland in Southern California. If you are planning a Walt Disney World trip here’s our full guide for Florida.

6 to 8 Months Before Disneyland

Research and Book Disneyland Hotels

Disneyland has three on-site resorts and dozens of off-site hotels nearby. Unlike Disney World , many on- and off-site Disneyland hotels are within easy walking distance to the theme parks.

We personally prefer staying on-site at Disneyland. Resort guests get early entry at Disneyland or Disney California Adventure, have shorter security screening lines, and the comfort of being in the Disney bubble.

On-Site Disneyland Resort Hotels

Disney’s pixar place hotel.

The least expensive Disneyland Resort Hotel, Pixar Place, got a major upgrade with refurbished rooms, pool deck, lobby, and dining. Pairing this remodel with a newly opened walkway connecting Pixar Place Hotel to Disney California Adventure makes this often overlooked Disneyland resort even more appealing.

Disneyland Hotel

The playful styling, adorable pool, and easy walk to Downtown Disney plus newly opened DVC villas make Disneyland Hotel my go-to on-site hotel . Although not as luxurious as Grand Californian, Disneyland Hotel rooms are larger than those at Grand Californian.

The new Villas at Disneyland Hotel have sleek styling and clever design making them a comfortable option and my new preferred Disneyland room option.

Regular Disneyland Hotel rooms have traditional styling, but could use a refresh. While Disneyland Hotel bathrooms could surely use a remodel the split design remains functional for our family.

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel

Disney’s Grand Californian has both standard rooms and Disney Vacation Club villa options. The Craftsman styling and rich furnishings make the Grand Californian lobby a stunning sight and it’s even better during the holidays when decorated with a huge gingerbread house and Christmas tree.

Walk directly from Grand Californian into Disney California Adventure park with a dedicated entrance. For your Disneyland days, take a short walk via Downtown Disney. 

The location of Grand Californian is the most convenient of the on-site Disneyland resorts, but the small rooms plus large price tag make Grand Californian less of a value than other options.

Disneyland Off-Site Hotels

Disney World has over 25 resorts and is roughly the size of San Francisco making off-site stays more cumbersome. Disneyland, on the other hand, is compact with many well-reviewed off-site hotel options within walking distance of Disneyland. 

I’m sharing our favorite off-site Disneyland resort, but our travel partners at Get Away Today ( affiliate link ) continually tour off-site options to help you pick the right one for your vacation.

Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance

Courtyard by Marriott Theme Park Entrance rooms are spacious with a large split bathroom, bunk beds, and dining area.

We like the layout of the King resort view with balcony rooms which have a small alcove for bunk beds separate from the main bedroom area. This is a perfect spot for kids to fall asleep while parents relax after a day at Disneyland.

The hotel is an easy half mile walk from Disneyland’s Harbor Boulevard entrance and steps away from both a Panera and McDonald’s for quick and inexpensive meals.  

The main downside of this resort is the same as all the off-site options. Disneyland’s Harbor Boulevard entrance is busy which means security screening lines can get long compared to the ones for on-site guests. 

120 Days Before Disneyland

Buy Disneyland Tickets and Make Disneyland Park Reservations

Disneyland requires all guests to purchase valid theme park tickets PLUS make a theme park reservation to enter the parks. This requirement began after Disneyland reopened and looks like it is here to stay. 

When purchasing your Disneyland tickets through the Disneyland website you’ll be prompted to make theme park reservations as part of the purchase process.

If you bought discounted Disneyland tickets ( affiliate link ) through Get Away Today, like we do, you’ll simply link the tickets to your account and then make Disneyland park reservations.

In general two days at Disneyland with a park hopper ticket lets you experience most of Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. We usually spend two or three days at Disneyland when combining it with San Diego .

If our trip to Southern California is only to visit Disneyland we buy three or four day tickets. Adding on a day or two makes for a relaxed Disneyland vacation.

For shorter trips we recommend purchasing a Disneyland park hopper ticket with Disneyland Genie+ included. Buying Genie+ with your ticket locks in the price at $30 per person per day. While sometimes the same day price is still $30, the daily price varies and is routinely $35 during our visits.

For trips of three and four days we buy Genie+ daily. Most of the time we only need the service for two days and regret buying for the duration of longer tickets.

Book Disneyland Flights

Deciding when to book Disneyland flights is always a gamble. Book too early or too late and end up paying higher prices. We find booking Disneyland flights about 4 months ahead of time has the best balance of prices and availability.

However, if you are inflexible on dates or times and have the budget feel free to book flights earlier. This locks in your preferred route, but at a potentially higher price.

There are several airports near Disneyland which provides lots of flight options when planning. 

Although LAX is the largest airport near Disneyland, it is my least favorite. Traffic from LAX to Disneyland varies widely and the airport can be overwhelming. 

Whenever possible we fly into Long Beach or Orange County/Santa Ana Airport. Both of these are smaller airports within a 30 minute drive of Disneyland. Other local Disneyland airports are Burbank and Ontario, but we’ve yet to use them because they are further away.

Download The Disneyland App

The Disneyland App is handy before and during your vacation. Use the app as your park ticket, to make and manage dining reservations, book lightning lanes, mobile order food, and find out show and attraction wait times.

Download the app for iPhone ( App Store ) or for Android ( Google Play) and get a feel for how to use it before dining reservations open, 60 days before your trip. Disneyland’s app is a convenient way to book dining reservations and also manage any that need to be changed.

60 Days Before Disneyland Vacation

Reserve disneyland dining.

Disneyland dining reservations open 60 days before your visit. Unlike Disney World, booking Disneyland dining reservations occurs one day at a time 60 days in advance for both on- and off-site guests.

When booking Disneyland dining reservations prioritize character dining like Plaza Inn breakfast , or popular restaurants like Carthay Circle and Blue Bayou, or any dining packages for nighttime spectaculars first. These reservations are the most difficult to find. 

Schedule Droid Depot, Savi’s, and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Experiences

People often forget that reservations for these popular experiences open 60 days before your Disneyland visit, too. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique transforms kids into princesses or princes with fun makeovers done by Fairy Godmothers-in-training.

Star Wars fans won’t want to miss the chance to build a personalized astromech at Droid Depot or a salvaged lightsaber at Savi’s . Book early since these reservations fill up quickly.

Research and Reserve Disneyland Transportation

There are several ways to get to Disneyland from public transportation to Lyft to black car service. We prefer renting a car to drive ourselves from the airport to Disneyland. It provides the greatest flexibility and comfort, but can be a pricey option.

If rental cars are too expensive, our second choice is a Lyft to Disneyland from Orange County/Santa Anna or Long Beach Airport. Unfortunately, this option doesn’t work well for those with small kids needing car seats. If you have a child large enough for a booster seat grabbing a Lyft is easy if you use this tiny Mifold booster seat .

Find more information on transportation use this Disneyland airport transporation guide .

7 Days Before Disneyland Vacation

Pack For Disneyland

Packing a few days ahead of time helps discover anything you’ve forgotten with enough time to buy any missing items. Here’s our Disneyland Park Bag packing list to help with what to bring to the parks each day.

Although I don’t have a Disneyland specific packing list, my comprehensive Disney World packing list works well for California, too.

One Day Before Disneyland

Order disneyland groceries.

Ordering groceries for Disneyland isn’t necessary, but can be a nice time, and money, saver on vacation. We like to order some bottled waters and grab and go breakfast items via Instacart when visiting Disneyland.

Just make sure you are there to meet your driver or confirm that the hotel will accept items for you prior to ordering. Some hotels will turn away grocery deliveries if you are not there to meet the shoppers.

Arrival Day

There’s nothing quite like walking down Disneyland’s Main Street and taking in all the magical sights and sounds. You’ve arrived and now it’s time to enjoy the parks.

If you’ve pre-purchased Genie+ book your first Lightning Lane after tapping into Disneyland or Disney’s California Adventure. If purchasing day-by-day and arriving late, skip Genie+ on arrival and scan the app for low wait time attractions to make the most of your arrival day.

Once you are inside Disneyland or Disney’s California Adventure purchase Individual Lightning Lanes for rides like Rise of the Resistance or Radiator Springs Racers, if you’d like to pay to skip these long lines.

Final Thoughts on Our Complete Disneyland Planning Timeline

Using our Smart Mouse Travel Disneyland Planning Timeline keeps you organized and prevents big mistakes like forgetting park reservations.

Follow these simple steps in our free, printable Disneyland Planning Timeline to plan your own vacation or reach out to our travel partner, Get Away Today , and let them help plan your Disneyland vacation.

Get your free, printable Disneyland Planning Timeline here!

Pin it for later:

About The Author

The Ultimate 2024 Disneyland Guide: Planning & Touring Tips

By: Author Leslie Harvey

Posted on Published: February 13, 2024

Share this!:

The Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California has now been reopened for nearly three years, and operations have returned to normal for quite some time. But things are still, practically speaking, quite a bit different in 2024 at the Happiest Place on Earth – some of them permanently so.

If you haven’t been to the parks in awhile, it’s important to get up to date! As a guest, that means you need to come prepared for things to work in very new ways. Many of the old pre-2020 Disneyland tricks and hacks won’t work anymore. You need to have a few new tools at the ready to have the best vacation experience. That’s where this Disneyland guide comes in.

If you are planning a trip to Disneyland in Southern California in 2024, this complete Disneyland planning guide will walk you through all the basics of what to expect this year – new requirements, changes from what you might have experienced in previous years, new ride and land openings, revised touring strategies, and more. I’ve been there first hand all along the way, visiting Disneyland and Disney California Adventure numerous times each year, including another recent trip in February 2024.

I’ll continue to update this annual guide regularly to reflect more changes. So be sure to bookmark and come back to it if your trip is several months down the road from now.

(Trips With Tykes uses affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through links in this post. See our full disclosure policy linked in the menu at the bottom of this site.)

What’s New, Returning Soon, or Closed at Disneyland in 2024

Before we get to all the operational changes and new park touring tips, let’s briefly dive into what’s new to see and do at the resort in 2024. And of course, we have to discuss the flip side as well – what’s closed this year for refurbishment or for good.

A little over a year ago, Disney finally brought an important technological feature to its California parks. MagicBands had been in use at Walt Disney World for about a decade, but now the third generation MagicBand, MagicBand+, works at Disneyland too.

The uses for MagicBand+ at Disneyland are more limited. As a result, fewer guests have chosen to use them than do in Orlando. I’ve found some value in using mine, but they certainly aren’t essential – especially for infrequent visitors. That said, they are a fun and sometimes useful accessory or souvenir.

To explore what MagicBands do at Disneyland as you decide whether they are a must-have or can-skip item for your 2024 trip, check out my guide to Disney MagicBands and the new MagicBand+ .

Nighttime Spectaculars: World of Color – ONE & Wondrous Journeys

In 2023, Disneyland celebrated 100 years of Disney company history during the Disney100 celebration. While this event has come to a close, a few remnants have been left behind in 2024. Most notable of these is the World of Color – ONE nighttime spectacular.

This show runs nightly in Disney California Adventure. For access to some of the better standing viewing areas, be sure to log into the Disneyland app at noon to secure a virtual queue reservation. If you want a seat to view the show, however, you’ll have to spring for the World of Color Dessert Party package.

Related : Get details on the best spots to view World of Color from my pal Jessica at The Happiest Blog on Earth.

The other nighttime spectacular for the Disney 100 celebration was the well-reviewed Wondrous Journeys in Disneyland park. In fact, it might just be my favorite Disney nighttime spectacular ever. It hasn’t run since last summer, but Disneyland recent announced that it will be returning for a limited engagement run from March 22-April 14, 2024. So if you have a spring break trip planned this year, I highly recommend adding a viewing to your agenda!

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

The year 2023 brought a brand new attraction to Disneyland – Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Runaway Railway has already been in Orlando in Hollywood Studios for several years, but now it also has a home in Toontown in Disneyland park. The indoor dark ride is family-friendly and has one of the very best queues that Disney Imagineers have ever created.

Check out my complete ride guide and wait time tips article on Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway for all the latest details.

Toontown Renovation

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway isn’t the only new offering of note in that area of the park. In fact, the remainder of Toontown around the attraction reopened in early 2023 after a significant facelift. The land has several new and reimagined play areas and much more green space. Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin returned, and the Gadget Go-Coaster got a new theme as Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Gadget Coaster.

Related: Best Non-Ride Things to Do with Preschoolers at Disneyland

There were some unfortunate hiccups in 2023 with the durability of some of the new play areas, but all seems to be repaired well as of my first 2024 visit. Just be aware that if you are used to retreating to Toontown during the heat of the day to escape crowds (as I often did when my kids were little), you’ll find the crowds have followed you into Toontown now!

Magic Happens Parade

The Magic Happens Parade parade had only just debuted when the parks closed unexpectedly in March of 2020. The parade ran from February through October in 2023, and a lot of guests wondered what would become of it after that. But as of February 2024, Magic Happens is back again!

This edgy parade has an energetic vibe and soundtrack and is a much-needed addition to Disneyland park. The parade goes between Main Street U.S.A. and it’s a small world twice daily. The first showing is in the daytime, and the second is usually after sunset, where elements on the floats light up, making for an extra magical show.

Tiana’s Palace Restaurant

The counter service restaurant French Market in New Orleans Square closed for good but reopened in September 2023 with a new theme and new menu. The restaurant is now called Tiana’s Palace, featuring Princess and the Frog, leading the way in that section of the park for the refurbishment of Splash Mountain into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure later this year.

The food is some of the very best quick service that Disney has to offer, and has already become one of my favorites (and I’m Southern, so I’m a tough judge of Cajun and Creole cuisine!). Thankfully, it has mobile order (more on that later!) to dodge the long lines.

San Fransokyo Square

Last year, an often overlooked part of Disney California Adventure received a refresh. The Pacific Wharf area (in between Cars Land and Pixar Pier) is now themed as San Fransokyo, the hybrid West-Coast-Meets-Asia city featured in Big Hero 6.

Like Pacific Wharf, the area is mostly seating and quick service eateries, but there are a lot of new menu items that make it much more of a foodie destination, especially at times when DCA is in between food festivals. And Baymax is a frequent character meet and greet in the area as well. Definitely a major improvement to this area of the park worth seeing!

Disneyland Hotel DVC Tower

As of late September 2023, a new tower debuted at the original on-property Disneyland resort hotel – the Villas at the Disneyland Hotel. This property features a variety of studio and one to three bedroom Disney Vacation Club (DVC) units plus a Steamboat Willie splash pad.

Related: Disneyland Hotel vs. Disney’s Grand Californian: Which Hotel is Right for Your Family?

Our family took a trip last fall to stay in the new Villas and were very impressed by the addition. Rooms feature one of several different characters (we had a Tiana-themed studio unit), and the accommodations feel luxurious while matching the hotel’s classic Disney vibe. Rooms aren’t that much pricier than the Disneyland Hotel regular rooms, so if you need the extra space or can make use of the kitchen, definitely give it a look. If you aren’t visiting at a peak time, I recommend looking into renting DVC points as a way to save big on these accommodations.

Adventureland Treehouse

What used to be the Swiss Family Treehouse and later became Tarzan’s Treehouse has now returned to its roots (pun intended). The newly renovated treehouse reopened at the end of 2023 and is inspired by the Swiss Family Robinson movie once again.

I didn’t get a chance to walk into it on my most recent visit (I’m saving it to experience with my kids!), but the exterior is breathtaking. For classic Disney fans, the treehouse seems to blend the old with the new in a highly satisfying way.

Pirates of the Caribbean Genie+ Lightning Lane

For a limited time in 2024, there is a new attraction offering Lightning Lane access via Genie+ at Disneyland . Pirates of the Caribbean is temporarily available for booking with Genie+ while several other attractions nearby in Disneyland park are down for refurbishment (more on that below).

This means that savvy Genie+ users will need to adjust their Genie+ strategies to take the addition into account. So far, this isn’t an attraction that runs out of Lightning Lane times that early thanks to its high capacity. I recommend securing more popular Lightning Lanes like Indiana Jones Adventure, Space Mountain, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and even Big Thunder Mountain first.

And as you might imagine, the addition of Pirates to Genie+ also means that guests who are used to riding this attraction through reasonable standby lines will have to adjust their strategies too. Regular lines are quite a bit longer now for Pirates, and the queue stretches through New Orleans Square in ways that unfortunately block access to visitors just walking by.

Disney hasn’t announced how long Pirates will be offering Lightning Lane, but we expect it could be until the end of summer (when Haunted Mansion reopens again). Stay tuned and watch for an end date if you have a trip during the second half of 2024.

Pixar Place Hotel

Last but certainly not least of all things new in 2024….Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel just completed the final stages of a renovation to become the Pixar Place Hotel. This property was in dire need of a major refresh so I was super excited to see the finished product when I stayed at Pixar Place just a week after its January 31, 2024 reopening.

I must admit I was very pleasantly surprised by the transformation after being pretty hard on Paradise Pier in the last few years. It really feels like the property got a complete gutting – far more than the regular refresh that Disney hotels often get.

Rooms are quite large with completely renovated and bright bathrooms. Two queen rooms have a couch that turns into a daybed to sleep families of 5. Bold and bright Pixar themed character and colors are everywhere.

The rooftop pool and splash pad are ideal for younger kids. Bonus that Bing Bong often hangs out in the lobby for a free and unique character meet and greet.

That said, Pixar Place Hotel is certainly not cheap by any means. I paid $405/night plus tax and some peak dates are already listed at $500+ a night. But Pixar Place is running about $150 a night less than the Disneyland Hotel. For visitors who want the benefits of an on-property stay like Early Entry, this is definitely the hotel where you can get them for a little less. The price is now much more in line with what the hotel has to offer.

Closures & Coming Soon

Disneyland is always evolving and changing, so you can also expect some closures and construction this year too. There are always a number of short term attraction closures on calendar, so always be sure to check official Disneyland sources before your trip for those. But more major things to watch include the following:

Downtown Disney

Disneyland’s shopping and entertainment district, Downtown Disney, is a serious construction zone in places right now. For now, La Brea Bakery is gone and has been replaced by a temporary location for Earl of Sandwich. A lot of other new restaurants are coming including Porto’s Bakery and Din Tai Fung, so keep watching Disney news for other announcements.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

The attraction formerly known as Splash Mountain took its last rider last year. But the log flume drop will live on in a new form! Disney is re-theming and re-doing the attraction to become Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The opening date won’t be until well into 2024, so expect construction walls on that end of the park.

Haunted Mansion Area Refurbishment

This year has also brought construction walls all around the Haunted Mansion. The queue and gardens area to the left of the mansion is getting an expansion, and the area next to Tiana’s Palace Restaurant will eventually have more open space as well. Additionally, a new shop is going in to the right of the mansion (closer to where Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will be).

Essential Tips for Disneyland Planning & Touring in 2024

So now that all of those dates are out of the way, how do you plan your Disneyland vacation differently in 2024? And how do you approach touring the parks in new ways? Here are all my very best practical tips.

Plan Earlier!

Remember the days when you could wake up and decide to go to Disneyland for the day? Or if you are not a local but are within a few hours driving distance, the days when you could decide mid-week to head down to Disneyland for the weekend? While I won’t say those days are long gone, they are certainly fewer and farther between.

With an ever-increasing number of folks traveling again, the demand for Disneyland has continued to exceed supply many times of year. That means you need to plan early to be able to go at all – to find theme park reservation availability, to lock in a hotel that doesn’t cost and arm and a leg, and to book flights to Disneyland if you are coming from longer distances.

How early is early enough? Thankfully, supply and demand have normalized a bit so you don’t need to plan quite as early as you might have in 2021 and 2022 especially. But even still, I’d say you need to plan at least a couple of weeks in advance from drive markets. I’d recommend a month or more if you are coming by air or hope to go at peak times like the holidays. If you want to snag the best pricing and availability for hotels, at least several months in advance is necessary.

Secure Theme Park Reservations ASAP

In the last couple of years, we’ve all gotten used to the fact that an increasing number of activities require advance reservations to take part. While a lot of those activities have dropped their reservations requirement (and indeed Disney World dropped theirs in January 2024!), Disneyland is one place keeping them around for the indefinite future for now.

Be sure to read my comprehensive guide to Disneyland reservations as you are planning your Disneyland trip to make sure you get the reservations part right. The bottom line is that you need to a) check to make sure there are reservations available for the days you want to visit and the ticket type you plan to buy before planning a trip and b) book those reservations ASAP.

While reservations open 120 days in advance for regular theme park tickets, it’s certainly not necessary to book them quite that early. But earlier is better, especially if you plan to go at a high demand time like Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays.

Practically speaking, reservations at at least one park usually remain open for almost all dates more than a few days in advance now (especially if you have park hopper tickets, where reservation availability is more generous). Sometimes, there are still reservations available the night before or even same day! No, that shouldn’t make you complacent. Availability can really fluctuate.

There are a lot of factors that might cause the parks to book up more quickly at some times of year. Ticket specials (especially SoCal resident deals), Disney adjusting allotment of space to annual passes (now known as Magic Keys), or the draw of seasonal offerings like Food and Wine Festival or Oogie Boogie Bash can all cause one or both parks to fill farther in advance. For example, last year I noticed most dates in October booked up in Disney California Adventure weeks in advance for one park per day tickets due to the popularity of Halloween offerings there.

Buy the Right Ticket Type

Before making park reservations, guests of course need theme park tickets. So what are your options for regular tickets? Disneyland offers both single day or multi-day tickets (up to 5 total days). There is an optional park hopper add on for both of these as well that costs a $65-75 extra, depending on length of ticket.

Related: Disneyland Park Hopper Tickets: Worth it or Waste of Money?

Over the course of the past year, I have heard a lot of stories of guests who bought the wrong ticket in the first place or who changed their minds about what ticket was right for them after more research. In most cases, however, you really can’t afford to do this right now. You need get your ticket purchase right out of the gate because Disneyland doesn’t make it easy to change or upgrade tickets from afar.

For this reason, I also highly recommend buying multi-day Disneyland tickets from Trips With Tykes partner Get Away Today. Get Away Today is the only place that offers refundable Disneyland tickets if you get this ticket purchasing step wrong (free if you purchase their Peace of Mind Plan or otherwise a per ticket fee). Plus, their tickets are discounted off of regular Disney direct prices! Book discounted Disneyland park tickets from Get Away Today here . (And also be sure to peek at their discounted Disneyland hotels and vacation packages too – use code TYKES10 for $10 in additional package savings.)

So what else do you need to watch for in terms of tickets? Here’s what can trip up many guests and what to know:

• One day tickets are the most complicated, with 7 different prices, corresponding to 7 different tiers (inexplicably numbered Tiers 0-6). Only Tier 6 tickets can be used every day on the calendar. Other tiers have blockout dates. Be sure that the tier you purchase will allow you to go on the day you want (as well as any day you might switch to if your vacation plans are not yet firm).
• Multi-day tickets thankfully do not have tiers at all, so you are eligible to book any day on the calendar with them.
• Multi-day tickets expire 13 days after first use. This makes them great for a multi-day vacation for out-of-towners. Locals who can bunch up several single day visits in a two week window might find some value as well, although usually the SoCal ticket specials (when offered) are better for anyone who lives nearby.
• Park hopper tickets and single-park-per-day tickets each have their own separate reservation availability calendar , regardless of the number of days you purchase on these tickets. Make sure you are checking the reservation calendar that matches the ticket type you intend to buy. The single-park-per-day reservation calendar usually fills up first. If you are booking more last minute, paying extra for park hopper will likely open up more days on the reservation calendar to you.
• Magic Key (annual pass) reservations are a totally separate system. Magic Key dates open up 90 days in advance, and many popular dates become booked very quickly. Magic Keys are not always on sale (or only some types are available), so they may not be an option for many guests to even purchase.

Consider New Hotel Options

A lot of Disneyland visitors have their favorite hotels they’ve stayed in year after year, and loyalty and familiarity are certainly good things. But whether it’s been a while since you’ve investigated the choices or you are coming to Disneyland as a first timer, I’d encourage all Disneyland visitors to shop around and look at the hotel options anew.

The 2020 closures brought a lot of changes to the hotel market. Multiple new hotels have opened, some of which have some pretty tempting perks and value propositions. Additionally, the prices of a lot of hotels have gone up quite a bit in these inflationary times. As I’ve been monitoring prices closely, I’ve noticed some hotels have had much more substantial price increases than others and some have changed their included benefits. The relative prices have shifted considerably, and a hotel that used to be a deal or value may not be anymore relative to its current benefits.

If you want to get a peek at what my top hotel picks are in 2024, check out this fully updated guide to hotels within walking distance of Disneyland .

Additionally, Disney is always tweaking its benefits for on-property hotel guests. This changes the incentives for some guests deciding between a Disneyland owned hotel or an off-property Good Neighbor Hotel nearby. Extra Magic Hour and Magic Morning from pre-2020 times have both been gone for quite awhile, but Disneyland began offering guests at on-property hotels 30 minutes of early entry.

As of early 2024, however, this Early Entry benefit has changed yet again. Disneyland opens early on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and DCA opens early on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. You can get a lot done in 30 minutes, but query carefully whether this is a benefit you will fully use before paying several hundred dollars more per night to stay on-property, especially given the new alternating park schedule.

Finally, one important thing to keep in mind – conventions and other special events have largely returned to the Anaheim area making hotel demand higher than ever at some times you might not expect . Walking distance hotels especially seem to book up quickly in 2024 as a lot of travelers don’t want the hassle of shuttles or harder-to-find (and increasingly expensive) ridesharing to the parks. So earlier really is better when it comes to being able to plan a Disneyland vacation with your preferred logistics.

Park Hop at 11:00 AM!

For guests who purchase Disneyland’s park hopper ticket add on, the year 2023 brought a welcome policy change for the better. When the parks initially reopened back in 2021, park hopping was only allowed at the Disneyland Resort starting at 1:00pm. As of February 4, 2023, the park hopping time at Disneyland has been moved up to 11:00am.

It’s still not quite like the good old days when there was no time restriction on park hopping, but at least this frees guests up to make lunch reservations in whatever park they prefer. It also helps with using and redeeming Genie+ Lightning Lanes more strategically (more on that below).

Adjust Your Disneyland Dining & Restaurant Strategy in 2024

For a long time after the parks first reopened, things simply weren’t up to speed on the Disneyland dining front. Finally almost all restaurants are open (and at full capacity) in 2024, but the dining scene has changed quite a bit.

Some menus are still pared back to a more limited number of choices at some restaurants. Reservations at table service restaurants are also harder to get, and quick service restaurants have increasingly moved towards encouraging guests to mobile order.

Table Service Restaurants

For table service restaurants, my best advice is to book early (and often). Reservations didn’t used to be incredibly hard to get at Disneyland except for a very few popular restaurants, but they are much more challenging in 2024. You may not be able to secure your top choice, so consider making backup reservations for restaurants you are happy with when you see they are available – because those too may soon be gone!

When do you need to plan to book dining reservations? Officially, Disneyland table service reservations open up exactly 60 days in advance, usually at 6:00 am PT. Some restaurants, however, will not open up availability at that time, releasing all availability several days later or releasing additional times in dribs and drabs.

How do you navigate the uncertainty? My best advice is to at least set an alarm to try first thing in the morning 60 days in advance. After that, I would suggest saving yourself dozens of fruitless refreshes and sign up for a Disney dining reservation monitoring service.

I highly recommend the site Mouse Dining , which is a great tool to help you snag a hard to find reservation by notifying you of cancellations or Disney adding capacity. Mouse Dining has both a free and a paid version, and I’ve had personal success using it to snag reservations many times.

If you are serious about a specific hard-to-get restaurant you’ll likely need the paid service to be competitive. This version sends instant text alerts. If you are more casually looking for openings at one of several places, the free version which sends email alerts can usually get the job done. A lot of guests book multiple or extra reservations to hedge their bets and cancel some as their plans firm up. Snagging those cancellations is possible, especially with some assistance.

All hope is not lost for the last minute planners either! Disneyland recently changed its cancellation policies for table service reservations, allowing guests to cancel until 2 hours in advance with no penalty. This means it’s possible to snag a same day reservation off of these cancellations.

Additionally, most table service restaurants have walkup availability too. You can join a same day walkup wait list on the Disneyland app on the day of your visit.

Quick Service Restaurants & Mobile Ordering

If you don’t want a fancier or longer meal, head for one of Disneyland’s quick service restaurants. Actually, don’t physically head there. First, you need to open the Disneyland app. The new normal for these dining locations is that you need to mobile order your food on the app. Disneyland thankfully still has regular lines with cashiers to enable walk up orders, but they are in smaller numbers than before. Mobile ordering will still save you time almost all the time.

To use mobile ordering, the app will first display a list of available time windows for you to return to each restaurant to pick up your order. The closer you get to peak mealtimes, the more other guests start to place their mobile orders. And the farther out the return times become (although this thankfully has improved somewhat).

The bottom line? It’s essential to order on the early side, especially if there is a particular popular restaurant that is a must-do for you (like Tiana’s Palace!). You can always cancel an order with no penalty before your pickup window if you change your mind. You can also modify your pickup window if you are running late. See the quick and easy guide to Disneyland mobile ordering that my friend Casey at Disneyland Daily has created with step-by-step instructions.

Master the Disneyland App

Speaking of the Disneyland app, it’s important for more than just mobile ordering. It’s a backup for your theme park ticket, your ticket to Lightning Lanes (more on that later), your park map, the way to access your PhotoPass images, and more. Disneyland has even been testing it to check out of stores by allowing guests to self-scan merchandise in the app.

It’s essential that you download the app, know your login and password, and load a credit card to your account. Every adult doesn’t need to have it, but the most tech-savvy adult in your party (or at least the one managing the Disneyland vacation planning) should. If more than one adult will be using it, it is sometimes easiest for both to log in to the same account so that both phones get alerts.

Note that Disney gift cards are a permitted method of payment in the app as of a few years ago. So if you’ve acquired Disney gift cards at a discount , you can use them to save on food too. The only problem is that the app doesn’t store the gift card each time, so be prepared to enter the 16 digit code anew for each purchase (hot tip: copy and paste the number in your phone’s text notes so you don’t have to fish out the card each time).

My friend Jessica from the Happiest Blog on Earth has even more detail and information in this detailed guide to the Disneyland app .

See Characters Up Close & Get Hugs Again!

One of the favorite parts of a Disneyland vacation for many visitors – especially young kids – is seeing favorite Disney characters. These encounters were highly modified for a long time. But in 2024, hugs and close encounters are fully back for character meet-and-greets!

There are still characters that pop up in the distanced spots (especially on the Disneyland Railroad balcony overlooking Town Square in Main Street U.S.A.). So if you don’t want to wait in a long line to see a character, this is a helpful alternative I’m glad has stuck around. Check the Disneyland app under the Entertainment menu option to see the many locations where characters will appear in the parks, both near and far.

Disneyland character dining has returned entirely to its pre-2020 modes of operation as well. Characters come by tables again in addition to sometimes doing a parade or dance a few times per hour. Some restaurants will also take a character photo with guests to start the meal. See all the details in my complete guide to Disneyland character meals .

Have a New Strategy for Lines & Crowds

If you don’t want to be standing in line for rides (who does?), you’ve got a LOT new to learn in 2023. Fastpass, MaxPass , Extra Magic Hour, Magic Morning, even virtual queues for rides…. most of the tricks and hacks we used to use to shortcut lines in the good old days are GONE.

In their place are a few brand new tools that you absolutely need to know about. Whether you use them or not, they will affect how long the lines are and what rides you should do and when.

So what are these new options? The most important ones to know about are Disney Genie+ and paid Lightning Lane . Disney Genie+ is a pretty close cousin to MaxPass and allows guests Lightning Lane access for up to 20 eligible attractions. Paid Lightning Lane is a separate Fastpass-like offering for 3 additional super-popular rides with a separate fee.

If you want short waits most like the Fastpasses of old, these are upcharges that you should seriously consider. The flip side of course is that they can make standby lines for everyone else much longer. See my complete FAQ for Disneyland’s Genie+ and Lightning Lane and then read these additional advanced Disneyland Genie+ strategies for all the details.

For those of you who like to shortcut lines by going during less busy times, is it even possible to find a less crowded day to go to Disneyland in 2023? With the theme park reservations requirement, there are fewer really slow days at Disneyland. That said, midweek dates are still usually going to be less crowded than a holiday weekend – except for when a SoCal resident special is live.

Disneyland crowd calendars can help, but I find them less reliable than before, especially many months in advance. Personally I’d say that it’s less important to try to game the dates you are going to go to hope to luck into low crowds rather than just pick what works best for your travel schedule.

How else can you minimize your Disneyland wait times in 2023? This is an ever changing target, but here has been working of late:

• Rope dropping still works. Starting early is vital to a successful touring plan. Get in the front of the line to enter the parks up to an hour before park opening and you’ll be in prime position for your first ride of choice – and probably also your second and third. Although early entry means that on-property guests have a half hour head start on all other guests, there aren’t enough on-property guests to make lines long by the time everyone else is let in at rope drop. And because early entry is in alternating parks, rope drop in the park not offering early entry is a level playing field for all.
• Use single rider lines when available. Single rider lines are back but not necessarily for all the rides that offered them in 2020 and in quite the same way. But they are a great benefit, especially if you are flying solo or have older kids who are ok riding alone.
• Know when paid Lightning Lanes may sell out for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. While most rides offering Genie+ or paid Lightning Lane don’t run out of reservation times until late in the day, paid Lightning Lane for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge can still go very fast on high crowd days. Check out the latest strategies and trends in my Guide to riding Rise of the Resistance .
• Hop in line for one last ride a minute or two before closing time. As long as you are in line before the park officially closes, you get to ride. Lines are often very short at this hour as many guests head for the exits. Squeeze in one last ride, especially if you are a night owl!
• Ride during the fireworks or parades. Now that fireworks, parades, and other shows are back at Disneyland, a lot of guests won’t be on rides in the minutes that lead up to and during the shows. Fantasyland attractions close during fireworks nights (usually weekends only), but you can head elsewhere in the park to find shorter ride lines.

Final Thoughts

Disneyland is undoubtedly different in 2024, but still exudes much of the same joy that we all expect from the Happiest Place on Earth. And now you should be armed with all the information you need to adjust accordingly and take maximum advantage of the new rules.

Where to Book Your Disneyland Vacation & Save Money!

Save big on your Disneyland vacation with trusted Trips with Tykes partner, Get Away Today. Get Away Today sells park tickets at a discount, helps you find great deals at both on-property and off-property hotels, and provides expert customer service from representatives who visit Disneyland all the time.

For park tickets, don’t purchase direct from Disney and pay more! Book discounted Disneyland park tickets from Get Away Today here . Tickets purchased now are valid through December 31, 2025. Both park hopper and single park per day tickets are available, as well as tickets that include Genie+.

To take advantage of hotel and other package discounts from Get Away Today, explore and book Disneyland vacation packages here . Be sure to use code TYKES10 for $10 in additional savings.

Current Get Away Today Specials & Deals :

• LIMITED TIME! Adults at Kids’ Prices : Adults pay kids prices on all 3-Day and longer Disneyland Resort tickets for travel now through the end of 2024 – purchase by Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Can be stacked with all hotel and package deals!
• LIMITED TIME! — BOOK BY APRIL 30 — Extra $50 Off Vacation Packages : Through April 30, use code  PIXAR50  to get  $50 off  any 2+ night Disneyland package that includes at least two 3+ day Disneyland tickets. And yes, you can combine this code with the Adults at Kids’ Prices sale!
• Southern California Resident Offer : SoCal residents can get three day tickets for as low as $75 per day for visits on weekdays from January 2 -June 2, 2024. Can be used on non-consecutive days.
• Extra Day Free Tickets : Get 5 days at Disneyland for the price of 4 with this extra day free special for longer vacations.
• 3rd or 4th Night Free : available at select Anaheim area hotels exclusively through Get Away Today bookings (can be combined with all ticket discounts).

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

John McFarland

Sunday 29th of May 2022

Thanks for all of the helpful information. My wife and I are trying to plan a trip for us, our 4 kids (all under 9, with the youngest being almost 3) and probably a few grandparents. We are excited!

Like you, my wife and I are planners and since, this will most likely be our only Disney trip for the foreseeable future, I want to do all that I can in the pre planning stages to help set the trip up for most success (knowing that there will be unforeseen things, ride closures, melt downs, and other unexpected issues.) With all that being said, we are looking at trying to go to Disneyland one of the three following dates, so I wanted to see if you had any insight and advice on these dates and any other thoughts that can help us plan a truly magical trip for our family.

1) November 14-17, 2022 - this is currently our first choice, as it will be Christmas season but probably without the thanksgiving to New Years crowds? It seems park hours, shows, rides, and everything should be going strong as it’s the start of Christmas season at Disneyland. Thoughts?

2) September 5-9, 2022 - this is our second choice, as it seems to be less crowded. - in your experience what do park hours and entertainment look like in what in theory is off season? - saw that D23 is 9/9-9/11, which in theory will bring crowds before and after, right?

3) October 10-13 - 3rd choice, but know that due to Fall Breaks, tends to be more crowded then the other two options. - if crowds are comparable then would rather see Christmas then Halloween at Disneyland.

I know that this become a long post and you probably get a lot of “please help me plan my trip” comments, but any advice and insight you can share would be greatly appreciated! Again, thanks for all that you do and all the helpful posts! And, thanks in advance for any advice you can give my wife and I.

1-Day Disney California Adventure Itinerary

Our 1-Day Disney California Adventure itinerary offers an efficient plan for park touring & strategy for minimizing time waiting in lines, maximizing rides, and avoiding crowds at Disneyland Resort’s second theme park. This covers attractions, restaurants, shows, including the new Marvel land, Avengers Campus. ( Updated February 18, 2024.)

This DCA itinerary has been overhauled multiple times following the park’s reopening. Fortunately, things are almost entirely back to normal…or rather,  new normal, at DCA. Major changes have occurred–in particular, FastPass is now paid (see our Guide to Genie+ and Lightning Lanes at Disneyland & DCA ) and some entertainment is still dark.

There’s also a park reservation system in place, overhauled Annual Pass program called Magic Keys, Park Hopping is limited to afternoons, and virtual queues have been eliminated (except for World of Color, where one has been added ). Consequently, this has caused changes in guest behavior, with certain attractions now having longer—and shorter—wait times than before. We’ve visit Disney California Adventure regularly, monitoring wait times and fine-tuning our strategy accordingly. This updated 1-day DCA itinerary for 2024 as a result of our research and experiences in the park.

It continues our series of single-day park plans designed to answer the frequently asked question, “what would you do if you only had one day in Disney California Adventure?” While this itinerary offers an efficient plan, we try to balance quantity with quality. DCA is the second gate–the ambiance park –at Disneyland Resort, and that’s how its best enjoyed.

Slowing down to stroll through the neon of Cars Land or Pixar Pier at night, or having some lobster nachos during a midday break. In other words, this is a rough blueprint of our favorite things to do in an “ideal day” at Disney California. Note that this assumes moderate crowds ( check out our When to Visit Disneyland post for more on crowd levels ). On a really busy day, you might not be able to finish this entire touring plan…

If you’re only after our ride ratings and reviews of each attractions, read our comprehensive Best Disney California Adventure Attractions & Ride Guide post. If you need comprehensive help for planning every aspect of your visit to Disneyland Resort, from where to purchase discount tickets to transportation from the airport and more, read our Disneyland Resort Trip Planning Guide .

If budget is no issue, we recommend staying at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel for your visit. If it’s outside your budget, look at our Disneyland Area Hotel Reviews and pick a hotel that’s a 10-15 minute walk to the parks. Staying at one of these hotels puts you in a good position to utilize  Early Entry , which will allow you to enter Disney California Adventure 30 minutes before official park opening time.

With that said, if money doesn’t matter, you should buy Genie+ and instead use our  1-Day Disney California Adventure Itinerary Using Genie+ and Lightning Lanes . Buying this service is not essential for a productive day in DCA, but it’ll certainly help you get more done–and double-up on many popular rides!

With that out of the way, let’s pick up this 1-Day DCA Plan  Without  Genie+ and Lightning Lanes…

Start by Slingin’ or Racin’ – You’ll want to either rope drop Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land or Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure in Avengers Campus. These are two of the most popular attractions at DCA, but both also have Single Rider lines. Radiator Springs Racers also sells Individual Lightning Lane line-skipping access.

This is a matter of personal preference and not maximum time-savings, but I favor starting in the Marvel-themed Avengers Campus. Do Web Slingers first and then quickly bounce to Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout (you’ll likely want to do this ride more than once due to different song choices–and it just being a fun time) before the crowds catch up to you.

Whichever you don’t do first, you’ll do last. This itinerary proceeds as if Avengers Campus done first, and Cars Land last. Flip the end of the night if you made the opposite decision. This itinerary is a “Choose Your Own (Disney California) Adventure” kinda deal.

Early Morning Attractions: Pixar Pier – The best next stop is backtracking into Pixar Pier where you can knock out Toy Story Midway Mania, followed by other attractions along Pixar Pier in quick succession.

Despite being a big thrill ride, wait times for Incredicoaster won’t be bad midday. (Probably because it’s not as good as California Screamin’). However, waits for the swinging Pixar Pal-A-Round does get longer, as do the other amusement park rides on that side of the pier.

Peak of the Morning: Your next priorities should be for Soarin’ Around the World and/or Grizzly River Run. That’s especially true if you’re visiting in summer, when hot weather makes demand grow for Grizzly River Run.

Skip either if the posted wait time is above 30 minutes. Lines will be shorter by late afternoon.

Late Morning Attractions: Dark Rides – Late morning makes for a good time to fill in with some dark rides! Unfortunately, Disney California Adventure only has two dark rides.

Hit The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure and Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek next, possibly stopping into Animation Academy while in the neighborhood.

Early Lunch in San Fransokyo – There are so many fantastic food options in Disney California Adventure that it’s hard to go wrong. However, it is very possible to go wrong despite that. Two of the most popular spots in the park–Flo’s V8 Cafe in Cars Land and Smokejumpers Grill in Grizzly Peak (near the entrance and Soarin’) should be avoided.

Check out our list of the 24 Best Restaurants at Disneyland Resort for about a half-dozen of our favorite spots in Disney California Adventure, complete with recommended orders. For more broad advice, consider doing an early lunch in San Fransokyo Square, which is the open air food court that was recently rethemed to Big Hero 6. This area offers something for everyone, but gets  slammed  during the lunch rush. (Hence our advice to eat here early, if at all.)

Alternatively, do a sit-down meal at Lamplight Lounge. I’m salivating at the very thought of those glorious Lobster Nachos. We also recommending enjoying a drink or two at Lamplight Lounge or weaving in a couple of stops on our Disneyland Drinking Debauchery Guide if that’s your scene, because the next couple of stops will be…uh…”enhanced” if you’ve had a drink or two.

Afternoon Buzz Attractions – After Lobster Nachos at Lamplight Lounge, we recommend the following to wash down your afternoon buzz: Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, Silly Symphony Swings, and Golden Zephyr, each of which we think is more enjoyable after a beer or two.

Trust us, it’s science. Note that we’d recommend these regardless, so don’t disregard this if you didn’t have a drink at the bar.

Avengers Campus – By this point, lines should be totally gone to enter Avengers Campus. While we prefer the land at night (it’s worth a stroll through it later), if you visit too late you’ll miss some of the character appearances and performances.

Since those are the heart of the land, you’ll definitely want to plan around them. (Check out the entertainment tab of the Disneyland app and enter the land in time for the last performances of each–that’s currently around 4:30 pm for some shows, but is subject to change.)

Lemon Dole Whip Break: If there’s one rule of vacation, it’s that it’s always a good time for ice cream.

Our favorite spot inside DCA is Adorable Snowman Frozen Treats , home to the incredibly popular Pixar Pier Parfait . This line tends to be longest during the middle of the day, so either go before noon or closer to sunset. Doesn’t get any better than a cool treat on the pier!

Dusk: Back to Cars Land – Yes, actually it does get better than that. Just after the official sunset time each night, the Cars Land Sh-Boom lighting moment occurs. This is one of those special, wow moments that you don’t want to miss. You won’t find it labeled as an attraction on the park map or even listed on the Times Guide, but it very well might end up being a highlight of your day.

If you have some time to spare and want to slow down to enjoy the atmosphere, we would recommend sitting on the back porch of Flo’s V8 Cafe with a milkshake or cold beer. We have more on this and all of the best ways to enjoy this wonderful area in our  Cars Land Tips & Tricks post.

This is also a good time to do Radiator Springs Racers if you didn’t start there, or if you don’t want to save it until the very end of the evening. We’d recommend doing Radiator Springs Racers via the Single Rider line to save a significant amount of time, but obviously, this will not be a good option for families who want to experience the attraction together…or don’t want a bunch of individual on-ride photos with strangers.

Dinner: Carthay Circle Restaurant – Unless you wander around aimlessly or visit during a busy time of the year, you should have time for a table service restaurant during your day at Disney California Adventure. You’re in luck, because there are few theme park restaurants anywhere that rival Carthay Circle Restaurant ( read our full review ).

It’s elegant and refined, and serves great food. We think the appetizers are the highlight of the menu (given how much you have been eating, maybe just getting appetizers wouldn’t be such a bad idea?) Some can’t-miss menu items include the Carthay Signature Fried Biscuits and Fire Cracker Duck Wings.

Evening Atmosphere – The ambiance at Disney California Adventure in the evening is spectacular. Whether you want to take an evening stroll behind Grizzly River Run on the “hidden” path or do one last ride on Radiator Springs Racers, you really can’t go wrong.

Actually, we recommend both of those things. Jumping in line for Radiator Springs Racers 1 minute before park closing is a great idea, and the ride experience is different than during the morning thanks to the nighttime scenery.

Nighttime Spectacular: World of Color – There are usually 1-2 showings of World of Color, the second of which ends after the park closes. Whenever there are two showings, the second one is substantially less crowded than the first showing, basically guaranteeing that you can watch from (or near) the front row.

In our World of Color Viewing Guide , we discuss why this ‘front of house’ spot is so important, but if you really don’t want to get wet, consider watching the first World of Color instead. By watching the first World of Color, you can get in line for Radiator Springs Racers right before park closing, which you cannot do if you watch the second World of Color. It’s a difficult trade-off, but we normally go for the ‘front of house’ World of Color view. It really does make the show!

Note: World of Color currently uses a virtual queue for access to the main viewing area. While joining the virtual queue is not required to watch the nighttime spectacular, it is strongly recommended. Standby for the main viewing area is not always available, so you’ll either be watching from farther back or an off-angle without the VQ.

Park Closing Tranquility – If you opted to end the evening with Radiator Springs Racers, you should have Cars Land largely to yourself. If you chose the second World of Color showing, you’ll be in that area of the park.

Regardless, take some time for some late night photos and to enjoy the great background music on your way out. Same goes for Buena Vista Street, which is also quite pleasant at night.

Nightcap: Hearthstone Lounge – End it in Disney California Adventure style, at the lounge in the Grand Californian. (Note: if you didn’t or won’t visit Trader Sam’s at the end of your day in Disneyland, go there instead.) The Grand Californian is a fitting place to end a day in Disney California Adventure, and Hearthstone Lounge has a great atmosphere.

Disney California Adventure is a park that has really grown into its own since the opening of Cars Land and debut of Buena Vista Street, and with other entertainment and attractions being added since, there’s really a lot to do. While all of that’s important, we hope you remember to slow down and enjoy the ambiance, too.

If you’re able to do even 75% of the things on this itinerary, you are pretty much assured of having an amazing day at Disney California Adventure. That’s our guarantee! ( Please note that this guarantee has no cash value and is not offered to residents of any state except Wyoming. Also note that any day you are in the parks should be amazing, so if you don’t have a great time, it’s probably your own fault! ;))

Planning a Southern California vacation? For park admission deals, read Tips for Saving Money on Disneyland Tickets . Learn about on-site and off-site hotels in our Anaheim Hotel Reviews & Rankings . For where to eat, check out our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews . For unique ideas of things that’ll improve your trip, check out What to Pack for Disney . For comprehensive advice, consult our Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide . Finally, for guides beyond Disney , check out our Southern California Itineraries for day trips to Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, and tons of other places!

Your Thoughts

What would you include in your ideal day at Disney California Adventure? If you haven’t visited Disneyland Resort yet, what do you plan on doing? Do you agree or disagree with our strategy? Any questions? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

Got an update for this for 2024? I’d be interested in one for the Disneyland Park as well (2 day itinerary) and if I’m really picky, one suitable for 4 year olds (smile).

Our last trip the food and portions sizes were not very big and some food that was good now mediocre like powdered eggs instead of poached only offered at Tangaroa terrace . I know Disneys been doing swaps and cost cutting. It would be awesome if you wanted to do a new updated best of dining entree lists with the new changes.

Any chance you have an update planned? I used this for my first visit last August and it was so helpful! Now going back late April and would love to have your thoughts on itinerary with LL and Genie Plus in the mix.

Hiii, I am hoping you will update this to reflect the new Genie + pass & Lightning Lane purchases for Radiator Springs Racers & Web Slinger. It will be my first visit since Feb 2020.

Will you be updating this based on Genie+? Thanks!

Is it worth leaving California Adventure to go to Trader Sam’s for early drinks/dinner (thinking around 430p) and then go back to the park? First timer to both.

Would love these Disneyland guides to get an update following the release of Genie+… heading there in Feb for the first time in 15 years and we’re very excited!

This is a helpful recap; thank you!

Quick question– would it be more beneficial for a single rider to hop on GotG before heading over to RSR? It seems like that could work well, since the former doesn’t offer a single-rider line, but the other does. I would welcome your take on it!

We only have 1 day to experience both parks, do you have an itinerary for that? I’m guessing start at Disneyland so you can get the virtual queue for Star Wars and bang out the rides in Fantasyland before it gets too busy, then head over to DCA before heading back to Disneyland to finish out the night since they are open later?

We are WDW experts, but this will be our first and probably only time to visit Disneyland and I want to make sure we get it right!

Does any of this change for the holidays?

I am planning 2 days for DLR. One full day at Disneyland, and then I was thinking a park hopper day with a few hours in DCA before heading back to Disneyland to finish out the day. I’m not really interested in seeing much in DCA except for the following: Radiator Springs Racers, Incredicoaster, Soarin’ Around the World, Grizzly Rapids, and Guardians…that’s 5 attractions, plus photos of Buena Vista Street, Cars Land, and Pixar Pier. I might jump on something else if I have time.

My question, should I spend 5 hours at DCA in the morning (9am-2pm) when the park opens, or is it best to do this the last 5 hours of the day (4pm-9pm)?

I see pros and cons for each: Less wait first thing in morning for the top rides, plus eating the brioche french toast at Flo’s V8 Cafe (photos look amazing). However, seeing Cars Land at night looks fantastic, and there’s World of Color if it’s scheduled.

That being said, I feel like I would rather do Disneyland both nights, especially if Fantasmic is scheduled, where I can spend the other night strolling through Galaxy’s Edge and Tomorrowland with everything lit up, and have a sit down dinner somewhere nice, maybe Blue Bayou and then go on Pirates a second time as my last ride.

The Top 8 rides I am looking most forward to in Disneyland are Pirates of the Caribbean, Indiana Jones Adventure, Enchanted Tiki Room, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Matterhorn Bobsleds, and It’s a Small World, Space Mountain, and the Grand Circle on the Disneyland Railroad.

I only have two days. If I had more, would definitely spend more time in DCA. I’ll be in town (LA) for work and have never been to any Disney property, but have always wanted to go. Thank you!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

North America Chevron

United States Chevron

California Chevron

Los Angeles Chevron

The Ultimate Guide for Planning a Trip to Disneyland

By Valerie Marino

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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.

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.

Harrison Pierce

Alex Erdekian

Charlie Hobbs

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.

Recommended

The Georgian

Los Angeles Travel Guide

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

2024 Disneyland Trip Planning Guide

In this 2024 Disneyland Trip Planning Guide we’ll cover all aspects of planning a trip to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure . This post will break down the trip planning process in steps and cover the best ways to save money on airfare, when to visit, how to pick the right hotel, how to buy park tickets, transportation to and from DLR, and anything else we think will help you along the way. This Disneyland Trip Planning Guide is a condensed version of our full Disneyland trip planning site , which you should absolutely check out if you want to go more in depth on every aspect of Disneyland Resort. As you start exploring our Disneyland Resort site, I recommend starting at the overview pages for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure.

Last updated/republished January 17, 2024.

Step 1: When to visit Disneyland Resort

Disneyland is going to have tens of thousands of people visiting during any given day so the park will never truly have a “slow” day. Remember that Disneyland is the second most visited theme park in the U.S. and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. There are a few times out of the year where crowds are smaller than they usual, but this luxury may come at the cost of multiple attraction closures due to refurbishments .

Glancing at our Disneyland Crowd Calendar (and based on crowds we’ve seen in previous years) early June, late August, early September, and early November stand out as great times to visit if you want to avoid the high crowds found during other times of year. As we mentioned before, Disneyland will close rides for refurbishments during the times of year where it is less busy. For example,  Grizzly River Run is usually down for a few weeks in February. Haunted Mansion is closed for part of August and January for installation and removal of its holiday overlay. Unfortunately, it’s hard to plan around ride closures as Disneyland usually doesn’t announce refurbishment dates more than a month or two in advance.

It’s important to adjust your expectations for wait times no matter when you visit DLR. Even if the crowds are “low” you’re still going to be waiting over a half hour for marquee attractions like Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run or Indiana Jones Adventure . But that’s a lot better than waiting 75 minutes on a busy day. The days you should absolutely avoid Disneyland Resort are during holidays in the U.S. The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is miserable, as is most of March which is during the Spring Break season.

You may want to visit during Disneyland’s Halloween or Christmas seasons. This is when special seasonal parades, shows, and appropriately themed food and merchandise are available, as well as both parks being lavishly decorated.

You’re probably wondering how many days you’ll need to visit Disneyland Resort to see everything. The answer I would give to any other Disney freak like myself is that any amount of days is not enough. But a more realistic answer would be three days. That way you have enough time to see as much as possible for each park on the first and second day, and then on the third day you can revisit some of your favorite rides, or see some shows and parades you may have missed the first time around. If you’re a regular Walt Disney World visitor you may think that there’s less to do at Disneyland Resort. Wrong! There’s more rides, shows, and attractions packed in Disneyland and DCA than there is in all of Walt Disney World, so be sure to give yourself plenty of time to see everything.

For a more in-depth look at Disneyland Resort crowds, check out our Disneyland Crowd Calendar , which predicts the crowd levels for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure for every day of the year.

Step 2: Buy airfare

There are several tools you can use to save as much money as possible on airfare. I recommend using AirfareWatchdog.com’s fare alert feature. To set up an alert, visit  AirfareWatchdog.com  and click on “My Alerts” at the top of the screen. Enter your email address and then select “City-to-City Fare Alerts” from the list. You will then be prompted to type in the departure city you want to travel to Los Angeles from. After this you are asked how often you want to receive alerts. If you’re really hardcore you can be sent travel alerts 7 days a week. I opt for the “2-3 times a week” alert option. Keep in mind that you’ll receive deals with a wide range of travel dates. Some could require booking and travel within the next month or two, while other deals are for over six months down the line.

Another tool to use is Kayak.com ’s fare forecast. To use this, go to Kayak.com and click on flights. Enter the dates you are thinking about traveling and then search for fares. In the top left corner, you will see their advice about if you should buy now or wait. To test this out I’ll type in a random date right now.

As you can see Kayak is advising me to buy the tickets now because their analytics say the price will go up in the next 7 days. Kayak bases their prediction on analysis of historical price changes, and they have a good reputation.

As far as airports, you’ll either fly into Los Angeles International (LAX), John Wayne (SNA), or a smaller airport such as Long Beach (LGB). LAX is the more common and cheaper, but if you have the choice, I’d pick flying into John Wayne because it’s both closer DLR and easier to arrive and depart from thanks to lower crowds. But if there is a large difference in cost, go with whichever is cheaper.

Look into a credit card with good rewards for travel before you purchase airfare and hotels. The credit card we recommend for travel is the Chase Sapphire Preferred , which has no foreign transaction fees and earns you 2 points on dining and travel per $1 spent, as well as 1 point per $1 spent on everything else. When you redeem points through Chase Ultimate Rewards portal they’re worth 25% more, and you can also transfer them at a 1:1 rate to many other loyalty programs. There is a $95 yearly fee (which is waved for the first year), but if you travel more than a couple times a year the points you earn more than make up for it. We can’t say enough good things about this card. Use our affiliate link to sign up and see if there’s any point bonuses .

Step 3: Selecting a hotel

If you want highly themed surroundings, top notch accommodations, the best pools, excellent staff, and early entrance privileges to the theme parks, you will find all those things by staying at an official Disneyland Resort hotel. Readers frequently tell us how they love to stay in the “Disney bubble” during their visits. But of course, all this comes at a large premium. Even during the times of year where Disney’s prices are at their lowest, you’re still probably going to pay well over $300 a night for a room. That’s double what you’re going to pay at an offsite hotel. No matter where you stay in Anaheim, offsite or onsite, you’re going to pay various lodging taxes and, if you have a car, parking.

Guests at the Paradise Pier Hotel , Grand Californian Hotel , and Disneyland Hotel can enter on any early entry day, as long as they have any valid ticket; this privilege is referred to as early entry . During this early entry half hour, most of the Fantasyland attractions—along with Space Mountain, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Astro Orbitor, Buzz Lightyear, and Star Tours in Tomorrowland—will usually be open. The rest of the park’s attractions will remain off limits until the official opening time. Disney California Adventure (DCA) also offers its own Extra Magic Hour exclusively for hotel guests, offering access to select attractions in Cars Land, Hollywood Land, Pixar Pier, Paradise Garden Park, Avengers Campus and Grizzly Peak. Click here for more information on Disneyland’s resort’s early entry .

Offsite hotels at Disneyland Resort are way more practical than the same accommodations at Walt Disney World. At WDW offsite hotels you’re looking at a 15 to 40-minute drive depending on the park, and you’ll still be on the hook for parking. At Disneyland Resort not only are most offsite hotels affordable, but some even have less than 10-minute walking times from a room to the front gate of the park. Some hotels on Harbor Boulevard are closer to the front gate than Disney’s own hotels.

The three on-site Disney-owned hotels at Disneyland Resort are:

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa , built in the rustic stone-and-timber style of the grand national park lodges, is the flagship property. Newer, more elaborately themed, and closer to the theme parks and Downtown Disney than the other two on-property hotels, the Grand Californian is without a doubt the best place to stay…if you can afford it. In 2018, Grand Californian’s rooms received a much-needed top to bottom upgrade. Lighting has been drastically improved, USB charging outlets are plentiful, the decor has been freshened up, and more storage space has been added. You can view a walkthrough of a Grand Californian Hotel room on our YouTube channel .

Grand Californian’s pool complex is beautifully landscaped with rocks and conifers in a High Sierra theme, includes a 90-foot-long twisting slide. Grand Californian also has an exclusive entrance that leads directly into the Grizzly Peak area of Disney California Adventure. This entrance is open only to Grand Californian hotel guests in the morning, which makes it a great perk if you’re staying there.

Disneyland Hotel is lushly landscaped with a vintage Disneyana theme and offers large, luxurious guest rooms. Walking time to the Downtown Disney Monorail Station, with transportation to Disneyland Park, is about 3–6 minutes. The Disneyland hotel consists of three towers facing each other across a verdant landscaped plaza, a swimming complex, restaurants, shops, and gardens. The main lobby evokes Mary Blair’s “it’s a small world” designs and features a blown-up fun map of the original park. The check-in area sports early attraction concept artwork and seating styled after the spinning teacups. Peek inside the Frontier Tower lobby to see an amazingly detailed model of Big Thunder Mountain. You can view a walkthrough of a Disneyland Hotel room on our YouTube channel . The Villas at Disneyland Hotel is Disneyland Hotel’s Disney Vacation Club wing. This tower is themed after Disney animated films and features studios, and 1, 2, and 3-bedrooms villas. We have a walkthrough of a Deluxe Studio on our YouTube channel .

Pixar Place Hotel is the cheapest option of the three official Disneyland Resort Hotels. Although the guest rooms and public areas have a Pixar flavor, the hotel is not extravagantly themed. The rooms are large and have some nice Pixar touches to them. Walking to the monorail station and Downtown Disney takes about 5–10 minutes. Guest rooms are furnished with wood furniture and fixtures and boldly colored soft goods. Pixar Place rooms include accents such as Pixar ball pillows and Pixar character art above the beds. Guest room windows on the hotel’s east side offer a perfect view of the lights and attractions of Pixar Pier and Paradise Garden Park inside DCA. From rooms on the other side of the hotel you can see, well, parking lots.

It’s impossible to cover all the offsite hotels in this planning guide, but here’s some quick recommendations:

Homewood Suites  – Located about 2 miles south. Across from a Target (so you can get groceries). Suites available. Nice pool. Springhill Suites – Huge rooms, great for groups of 6 to 8 people. Rooftop pool with Disneyland fireworks view. Anaheim Majestic Garden – We usually see affordable prices at Majestic when comparing to other local hotels. Park Vue Inn – Across the street from Disneyland Resort eastern entrance on Harbor Boulevard, which means a short walk to both Disneyland and DCA. Howard Johnson Anaheim – Across the street from Disneyland on Harbor. Nice rooms. Very nice pool and water playground. Occasionally Howard Johnson will offer discounts for Disneyland annual pass holders. Desert Inn and Suites  – Directly across the street from Disneyland on Harbor, less than 5 minute walk to the front gate. Indoor pool. Tropicana Inn & Suites  – Across the street from Disneyland on Harbor. Pool and hot tub. Best Western Anaheim Inn  – Across the street from Disneyland on Harbor. Sheraton Park Hotel at Anaheim – Highly rated in the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland. Nice rooms and pool. Hotel Indigo Anaheim – A bit more expensive than other local hotels, but the rooms are very nice and modern. Home2 Suites by Hilton Anaheim Resort – Home2 Suites by Hilton Anaheim Resort features all studio, one-, and two-bedroom suites, which makes it a good option for families and large groups. The rooms are clean, modern, and have a ton of storage space for luggage, clothes, and souvenirs. All rooms include a kitchenette microwave, sink, coffee maker, full sized fridge, as well as dishes, and eating utensils. Home2 Suites also includes free breakfast. The Viv Hotel, Anaheim, a Tribute Collection – Nice rooms with a trendy look and a rooftop pool with a view of Disneyland’s fireworks. Element Anaheim Resort Convention Center – Barebones room in terms of decor, but they’re extremely functional thanks to full kitchens (with pots, pans, and dishes included), big bathrooms, a full sized table with four chairs, and more. JW Marriott Anaheim Resort – Nicest non-Disney hotel in Anaheim. The JW Marriott Anaheim Resort features luxurious decor and amenities, including a rooftop lounge with a view of Disneyland’s fireworks, a wellness center with a yoga room, Peloton bikes, and any other exercise equipment you could possibly need. Ramada by Wyndham Anaheim Convention Center – Has the advantage of being next door to Disney’s Toy Story parking lot, where guests can catch a Disney bus to Disneyland Resort.

Step 4: Buy your tickets

Disneyland uses price tiers for 1-day theme park tickets, charging more for admission on dates when demand is higher. Tier 1 days are mostly weekdays during the off season, while higher tier days are most weekends throughout the year, as well as weekdays when the parks have moderate crowds. Tier 6 are peak season tickets are sold during the busy holiday seasons like Spring Break, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Our Disneyland Crowd Calendar  shows what price tier Disney has set for each day of the year.

Disneyland Ticket Price and Tiers:

• Tier 0: $104 adult, $98 child
• Tier 1: $119 adult, $112 child
• Tier 2: $134 adult, $127 child
• Tier 3: $154 adult, $146 child
• Tier 4: $169 adult, $160 child
• Tier 5: $184 adult, $174 child
• Tier 6: $194 adult, $183 child

All Disneyland tickets can be purchased at the park entrance, at the Disneyland Resort hotels, from the Walt Disney Travel Sales Center, on the  Disneyland website , and most grocery stores in Southern California. Kids under 3 years of age do not need a park ticket.

If you purchase tickets on the Disneyland website, you can choose between  hard  tickets, which will be shipped to you, or  eTickets , which can be downloaded as PDF files and printed at home. An eTicket printed from your home computer will show two bar codes. At the park entrance, a cast member will scan your eTicket and issue your actual ticket. You can also now purchase one-day tickets through your smartphone at  m.disneyland.com  without needing to print anything, but these mobile-purchased passes don’t include any discounts or bonuses.

Entry in to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure require a reservation . Anyone in your party without a reservation for the day you are trying to visit will not be able to enter the park. Same-day reservations are not available. See our Disneyland Theme Park Reservations page for more information .

If your ticket has the park hopping option, you are able to hob from one park to the other starting at 11 AM.

See our Disneyland ticket page for more information and any current discounts being offered.

Step 5: Transportation

Unfortunately all shuttle services (such as Prime Time Shuttle and SuperShuttle) no longer pick up or drop off at LAX. Uber, Lyft, or a taxi service are now your only options.

Keep in mind that in California if you’re using Uber or Lyft you’ll need a car seat for children that are under 4 foot 9 inches tall.

Step 6: Create your game plan for the parks

When you’re in the parks, you need a game plan for each day. Our  Touring Plans are step-by-step guides that save you up to 4 hours of standing in line every day. We’ve got dozens family-tested templates to start with, for every park. You can customize any plan by adding attractions, meals, and breaks.

If you don’t know what to ride, I recommended starting by reading our detailed descriptions and reviews of every ride, show, and attraction in Disneyland and Disney California Adventure , including best times to visit each attraction, the ride’s potential for frightening small children, height requirements, accessibility features, and ratings.

When you’re in the parks you can see your plans on your phone via our mobile app,  Lines .  Lines shows you Disney’s official wait time plus how long you’ll really wait in line at each attraction. Lines can be used to get instant updates to your touring plan, search menus, see parade and fireworks times, and chat with TouringPlans users. The Lines app is available for iPhone, Android, and other smartphones.

What’s new for 2024 ?

A refreshed Fantasmic! will return to Disneyland on May 24, 2024. This new version won’t feature the iconic dragon in its finale, but it will have the return of the beloved Peter Pan segment, which was replaced by a Pirates of the Caribbean segment in the show’s previous iteration.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open later in 2024. Splash Mountain closed at the end of May in 2023 to make way for this new attraction based on The Princess and the Frog . The new ride will make use of much of the previous attraction’s infrastructure, including its 52.5 feet tall final drop.

Pixar Fest returns to Disneyland Resort April 26 through August 4, 2024. This seasonal celebration will feature meet-and-greets with Pixar characters, such as Buzz Lightyear, Woody, The Incredibles, Ember and Wade from “Elemental” and Red Panda Mei from “Turning Red.” A new parade will premiere in DCA called “Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!”

What’s new from the last few years?

The Villas at Disneyland Hotel opened in September, 2023. This Disney Vacation Club property is the newest tower at Disneyland Hotel. Room types include studios, 1, 2, and 3-bedroom villas. Each room type is themed after a different Disney animated film, such as Jungle Book, Sleeping Beauty, Moana, Frozen and more.

World of Color – One  at Disney California Adventure and  Wondrous Journeys at Disneyland premiered on January 27, 2023. World of Color – One is an all-new version of DCA’s signature nighttime spectacular in the waters of Paradise Bay. The new show will feature music and animation from Encanto, Coco, Moana, and more. A new song called “Start a Wave,” which was made exclusively for World of Color – One will also be a part of the show. Wonderous Journeys is Disneyland’s newest fireworks nighttime spectacular. Disney says the show will feature nods to every Disney animated movie. The usual projection effects on Main Street, U.S.A., Rivers of America, and ‘it’s a small world’ will also be present.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway , opened January 27, 2023. Runaway Railway places you in the center of one of the modern Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts. The premise is that you’re on an out-of-control railroad car, courtesy of Goofy. You careen, gently, through 10 large cartoon show scenes, from tropical islands to cities to out-of-control factories. In each scene, Mickey and Minnie attempt to save you from disaster, with mixed results. The ride uses a mix of traditional, three-dimensional painted sets and the latest in video projection technology to show movement and special effects. We’re big fans of the ride in Walt Disney World so this will be a welcome addition to Disneyland’s lineup.

Magic Happens parade returned from a long hiatus in early 2023. The parade features a new original song, as well as floats from Moana, Coco, Sleeping Beauty, and more.

MagicBand+ arrived at Disneyland Resort in late 2022. MagicBands are plastic and rubber bracelets containing an electronic chip. Depending on which features are activated for you, the MagicBand acts as your park ticket, Lightning Lane redemption mechanism, interactive game piece, PhotoPass identifier, and more. Eventually the MagicBand+ can function as your room key, as well as charge card for food and merchandise.

Disney Genie and Lightning Lanes – Disney Genie is now available at  Disneyland Resort . The itinerary-building service is free for all  Disneyland  and  Disney California Adventure  visitors, but available along side it is a selection of optional services with similar and confusing names;  Disney Genie+ ,  Lightning Lane , and Individual Lightning Lane. Read our Disney Genie guide for more information .

Avengers Campus . This land based on the Marvel characters and is home to WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure which uses interactive web shooting elements. Several meet and greets with superheroes and a restaurant based on Ant-Man and The Wasp are also part of the land. Avengers Campus replaced A Bug’s Land in DCA.

Rise of the Resistance opened in 2020. It’s Disneyland’s newest mega-attraction. Located in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge , the ride uses trackless vehicles, a motion simulator, walk-through environments, and is one of Disney’s longest attractions ever. It’s nothing like any other Disney attraction and will be the gold standard for which all attractions are compared to for years to come.

TouringPlans  can help you plan the perfect day at Disneyland. Be sure to check out our  Disneyland Crowd Calendar, which rates every day of the year on a scale of 1 to 10  so you can see how busy Disneyland and DCA will be during your visit. Also check out our  Disneyland Touring Plans . These itineraries can show you how to beat the crowds and spend less time in line at your favorite rides. Our  Touring Plans can also be personalized ! All of our tools are used by hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and are constantly being updated by our in-park team of researchers and data scientists.

Your Thoughts?

If you’re planning a trip for Disneyland Resort in 2024 let me know if you have any other questions, or feel free to share any tips you may have for other planners. Also, let me know what you’re looking forward to during your trip.

You May Also Like...

Are you looking to take a trip to Disneyland in 2024?  Then your day has almost arrived!  Vacation packages for 2024,…

When the excitement of the holiday season is over, Disneyland would like to help you look forward to the excitement of…

• Five Things to Know About The Seas With Nemo and Friends
• 2024 Festival of the Arts: Best Ways to Spend DDP Snack Credits

Guy Selga Jr.

Disneyland writer for TouringPlans.com and co-author of the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland. Also a Disneyland local and appreciator of Disney theme park history. Twitter and Instagram: @guyselga

23 thoughts on “ 2024 Disneyland Trip Planning Guide ”

Guy – excellent article, as usual. I have a question I hope you might be able to comment on: various sources seem to say that the Individual Lightning Lane reservations for RSR and Rise of the Resistance almost always sell out far before nighttime, if not sooner. However, as I’m looking at the “Tip Board” in the Disneyland App on my phone, it seems to keep telling me that, while standby times for these rides are over an hour (as one might expect), Individual LL slots not only appear still available, but with times that appear to be either immediate or just a matter of minutes. Now, I’m just “window shopping” at this point from the East coast, but trying to get my head around what the reality is for planning purposes. Is the Disneyland App giving me an accurate picture, or is the more accurate picture the one painted by the various online articles that say the ILL reservations always run out by noon or earlier?

I would give thought to using at least the RSR LL for an after-dark ride. Obviously I’m doing this without having an actual park reservation, so I can’t actually try to purchase a LL ticket from here – I don’t know if that affects what it shows for availability in the Disneyland App? But I’d really like to understand, before actually arriving IN the park, whether it’ll be a viable strategy, and whether I should expect to have to spend the morning monitoring for the right moment to reserve an evening ILL window or if it’s something I would be trying to do around dinnertime. Any perspective you could offer on what the reality is of the ILL availability patterns at this point would be terrifically helpful. Thanks!

Hi, thanks for reading and commenting. For ILL for Radiator Springs Racers, just from observations on moderately busy days they will sell out anywhere between 11 am to 1 pm. You can actually see this information on our attraction pages. Just scroll down to the “Hourly View and Lightning Lane Return Times” section of the page. Here’s our attraction page for RSR: https://touringplans.com/disney-california-adventure/attractions/radiator-springs-racers

So you will probably have to spend some time checking back in the Disneyland app to see when an evening slot becomes available.

Thank you for sharing this comprehensive Disneyland trip planning guide! It’s an absolute goldmine of information for anyone looking to make the most out of their visit to the happiest place on Earth.

Thanks for this update!

Thanks for reading!

What are your counter service recommendations these days? I was perusing menus the other night in anticipation and woof, things look rough at Disneyland (DCA’s a different story.) I had been excited to have the fried green tomato sandwich at Hungry Bear but it looks like it has disappeared!

Jolly Holiday is usually solid and has a good rotation of seasonal items. Harbor Galley is decent as well. If you can stomach the price, Plaza Inn’s fried chicken is still good.

I have benefited a lot from reading this article. Thank you very much for doing this article. thanks regards.

Just a couple of things I wanted to add, especially to frequent WDW visitors. First, “park hopping” is as easy as crossing the street, unlike WDW which can require a bus, boat, monorail, and the better part of an hour. As a “Magic Keyholder” I can park hop for no additional cost, but I usually advise buying the hopper since it’s easy and makes it possible to repeat the things you love in both parks. Also, the lockers at Disneyland are super easy and convenient. We often take sweatshirts for the cool evenings and lock them up… we can also store our purchases there if we’re not staying at a Disneyland-official hotel (and even if we are, there isn’t much time to have things sent back to the room if you’re only staying two or three days). I was last there in September so my May trip will be the first time with Genie… I will probably do the Genie+ at least one day since I loved MaxPass. Also it’s a girls’ trip and it’s much easier to justify $25 a day for myself rather than $100 for the whole family.

Tsk, tsk… You failed to mention the “electrosynthomagnetic musical sounds”!

Can you add Max Pass once you are in the park if you decide you want it?

Yes you can through the Disneyland app.

If you have the Disneyland app you can scan everyone’s tickets onto your app and then you can purchase the maxpasses from your phone.

As a long time WDW vey, I will find myself in Disneyland for 3 days in mid July. I am a senior, and don’t need to do any of the “ thrill” rides, but certainly want to experience all the classics, parades and nighttime entertainment. Is Maxpass a necessity for my needs?

MaxPass can get you World of Color and Fantasmic Fastpasses, but paper Fastpasses for these shows can also easily be obtained in the morning. If you’re skipping the thrill rides I do not think MaxPass is necessary.

Ahhh – reading this comment, and more to the point, the dates involved, all I can think is: wow – the things we just didn’t know, and didn’t see coming, at that moment!!!

Any advice for a trip scheduled for Jan 30-Feb 1? The new ride, Rise of the Resistance will only have been open a couple of weeks. The crowd calendar still shows 2-3. Is that realistic?

It’ll still be a slow time of year for the rest of Disneyland Resort. Yes, the new ride will be very popular and have a high wait, but the rest of the park should be fine.

Everyone in your party will need a max pass. Max pass is per ticket.

@Jennifer… Yes, if you want to book fast pass for rides, your whole family will need one. (Unless they are really young) But if you need a Max Pass for your whole family is really dependent upon how busy it is. I was just at the park last week and it was very busy. It was well worth the cost. If you don’t have it, a person from your party will have to walk across the park to book a fast pass ticket. If the park is busy, then this will take a long time. But if the park is not busy, then it is a call to make while you are there and how bad you want it. But if all you want is the Photo Pass, then only one person in the party needs it. Definitely worth one member of the party getting it just for the sake of the pictures!

Is it worth it to purchase the tickets with Max Pass or not? Does everyone in a party of 6 need Max Pass or can just 1 person get it to get the Photo pass pictures?

Any idea when this summer avengers campus will open?

Disney has only said “Summer 2020” so early June or late May is a good guess.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting.

• All Articles
• Los Angeles
• Santa Barbara
• San Francisco
• Santa Monica
• National Parks
• Theme Parks

Attractions

Disneyland trip planner (updated for 2024).

The anticipation, excitement, and adventure of a Disneyland trip allows you to leave your worries behind and immerse yourself in the magical world of Disney, long before you’ve even left the house. Planning a Disneyland trip is half the fun. Even if you don’t have children, you’ll thoroughly enjoy making travel plans for Disneyland theme parks.

We’ve always loved our trips to Disneyland. My husband grew up a few hours away from the theme park and went so often that he knew exactly which rides to get on and when to maximize the fun and minimize the waiting in line. There are a few tips that can make your trip to Disneyland much more enjoyable, and way less stressful that we will share in our Disneyland Trip Planner.

» You might like Halloween at Disneyland: What to Expect .

Planning a trip to Disneyland?

• Get your Disney tickets. Save $26 on a 4-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket!
• Book your private airport transfer from Anaheim hotels to LAX.
• Renting a car isn’t necessary for a Disney-only trip, but it is if you plan to go anywhere else. We always find the best deals on cars through DiscoverCars.com .

Where to Stay in Disneyland:

• The Westin Anaheim Resort (Very close to the park, tons of room options)
• Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa  (Direct access to the park + perks)
• SpringHill Suites by Marriott Anaheim Maingate  (Free breakfast, kids stay free)

Best Tours and Experiences in Disneyland:

• Save $25 on Los Angeles 5-day Go Card including Universal Studios Hollywood!  
• Whale-Watching and Orange County Beaches Tour from Anaheim (A great adventure!)
• Universal Studios Round Trip Transportation from Anaheim

Planning your trip? We’ve got tons of helpful Disney planning guide s from our awesome list of 40 essential tips , to how to get to Disneyland , where to stay near Disney , what to pack , what to wear , where to park , and what to eat in both Disneyland and California Adventure.

That’s why we’re sharing our best Disneyland planning tips with you. If you do it right, Disneyland can be about so many things, including fulfilling your childhood dreams, eating fun Disney food, and getting a day or two completely away from the stresses of every day life.

If you’re spending more time, see our guides to Los Angeles and Anaheim . You can also purchase discount Los Angeles attraction tickets .

Table of Contents

When to Go to Disneyland

Crowds can have a huge impact on your Disneyland experience. If you’re putting valuable time and money into your trip, you should make sure you understand the best time to go to Disneyland and when to avoid, if possible.

It is best to go to Disneyland during the shoulder season, which is roughly around early January to mid-February, or August-September. Holiday’s like Halloween and Christmas are a special time at Disneyland and are becoming more and more busy.

While there isn’t ever truly an “off season” for Disneyland, there are less people, less congestion and less headaches for you during this time. What’s more, it rarely gets cold in southern California, even during winter season, but it gets very hot and humid during summer, so early spring, late fall and winter really are the best times to go.

How to Start Planning

Now that you know when you want to go to Disneyland, the questions remaining are how many days to spend, how to break up your time, and where to stay.

You’ll want to make time to see Disneyland, Disney California Adventure Park, and Downtown Disney.

It’s a great idea to download the Disneyland app at this point. You can purchase tickets and make park reservations from the palm of your hand. Plus, there is great information there on food, ride times and park requirements that may always be changing.

While you are at it you will want to download the Play Disney app as well. It has fun games and trivia that you can play to help standing in lines pass more quickly and some of the games are specific to what lines you are in.

» See these 40 essential tips for Disneyland First Timers you might not know about.

How Many Days to Spend in Disneyland

There are around 90 attractions between Disneyland and California Adventure. Unless you have a few weeks to spend, you really need to have a plan of attack. For more information, check out this information on how many days you need in Disneyland.

If you just want to experience the parks and don’t have any set things in mind that you want to do, then one day in each park might be sufficient for you. Just keep in mind that you might not get a chance to ride a popular attraction if you only have one day, because tickets can be difficult to come by. Having 2 days will increase the chance of getting a ticket.

If you have a list of things you have to see and you want enough time to see them, you’ll need to plan for at least 3-5 days.

To answer this question you’ll need to make a list of the “must see” and “want to see” attractions to determine how much time you need.

Buying Tickets

Buy your Disneyland tickets online in advance (save $26 on 4-Day Disneyland Resort Park Hopper through our affiliate link on Undercovertourist.com – an authorized Disney vacation planner). You can easily purchase them through the Disneyland app as well.

You will need a park reservation for the days you plan to attend as well as a ticket. If you are purchasing park hopper passes you will stipulate which park you will be starting the day in. You can purchase tickets up to 120 days in advance.

Don’t buy single-day single-park tickets, unless that’s all you want to do. The park-hopper ticket is the way to go, if you’re planning to see both parks. This ticket will allow you to change parks during the day, so you can leave one park and go to another after 11 am. They aren’t that much more expensive and give more flexibility.

Tickets expire 13 days after first use, so if you buy a 3-day pass, you don’t have to use them on back-to-back days. You reserve the specific days you want to go on a calendar on the website, then choose which park you want to visit first that day.

You can also add a parking pass to your purchase online.

How to Spend Your Days in Disneyland

To maximize your time, make your list of attractions and rides and then divide it up into sections of the park. That way you can work your way around the park without having to double back for missed rides. Make sure to use a park map so you don’t get lost. It’s very easy to move away from a section of the park without even realizing it!

Plan your days around what’s close by each other, and check to see what dining areas are in each section of the park so that where ever you are, you know a good place to stop for lunch or a snack.

Here’s our 1-day itinerary for Disneyland and for California Adventure that can be modified to stretch to 2 or 3 days.

Top Attractions to See in Disneyland

With over 50 attractions and 30 rides, there is a ton of stuff to do at Disneyland. That’s only going to make your decisions harder, though because you can’t possibly get through all of it in the time you have – even if you were to spend weeks there.

Most people will spend 2-3 days at Disneyland, so it’s important to plan out your schedule so you can hit up the things you want to do most. To help you get started, below are a few of the top features at Disneyland that most visitors want to fit in.

• Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened in 2019 and the Rise of the Resistance ride opened in 2020. You will need to get a boarding group through the virtual queue in the Disneyland app to ride this ride
• Space Mountain – this iconic ride is one of the most popular in the park, and is a must for anyone who loves dark rides.
• Haunted Mansion – an oldie but goodie, this attraction blends humor and haunting with a ride in a Doom Buggy. This is a classic ride that you can’t miss!
• Pirates of the Caribbean – the ride that started the famous franchise of the same name is worth a visit. Catchy songs paired with creepy and fun visuals make this ride unique.
• Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye – this ride simulates one of Dr. Jones’ escapades and aptly immerses you into the world of Indiana Jones and his world of ancient secrets and amazing stunts.
• Splash Mountain – Reopening in 2024 as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run – A thrilling interactive smuggling mission.

Other rides you’ll want to make time for, if possible, are Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, It’s a Small World, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (this is my personal favorite), the Matterhorn Bobsleds and the rides in Cars Land.

Be sure to check out the Disneyland Map so you can see where everything is located and plan a route.

Disney Genie Service

Disney has now done away with the Fast Pass system. The new system is called Disney Genie Service. Be aware that there is Genie, Genie Plus, and Lightening Lanes. If you’re wondering if it’s worth it, here’s our thoughts .

What does all this mean?

Disney’s Genie Service

They like to say it’s like having a genie right in the palm of your hands. The Genie service is built right into the Disney app, which you will download on your phone to use while you’re in the park. You can view your map, recommendations, and make changes along the way.

Genie Service is complimentary. It creates your best Disney day inspired by your top interests. You’ll have access to planning tools so you can build an itinerary in the app. You just tell the Genie app what you’re most interested in and it will give you personalized recommendations for rides and restaurants based on that. It will also map out the best route for you to take to see the things you want.

To get the extra benefits of Genie Plus, you’ll pay at least $20/day per ticket. With Genie Plus, you can select the next available arrival window for Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane entrances at select attractions (19 in total), one at a time, throughout the day. You also get audio experiences and unlimited PhotoPass downloads from your day.

You might be asking yourself if paying extra money to buy Genie+ is worth it? We have broken it down for you here. You can make your own decision.

Lightening Lane

The Lightening Lane is a way you can purchase individual passes that grant you quicker access to the attractions you really want to see. You can select the next available arrival window for up to 2 attractions per day. You don’t have to have Genie Plus to buy the Lightening Lane tickets.

The thing to know is that there are only 2 attractions you can purchase and inside Disneyland it’s only Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. However, this ride isn’t included in the Genie Plus attractions.

Where to Stay

If you’re looking to stay inside the park, which is great for convenience and making the experience feel more magical, finding the right hotel is super important. You can also buy Disneyland vacation packages that will include hotels, tickets, etc.

• Disney Grand California Hotel & Spa – This beautiful and luxurious hotel has great accessibility to Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney District.
• Disneyland Hotel – This modern and themed hotel adds whimsy to any visit to the park, and there’s several types of rooms to choose from.
• Disney Paradise Pier Hotel – This boardwalk and beach themed hotel is close to the park, and sometimes guests can see characters at breakfast.

Hotels outside the park

• Best Western Plus Park Place Inn – Only a few minutes walk from the front gate of Disneyland, this hotel is a great relaxed place to stay on your vacation.
• Anaheim Desert Inn & Suite – A short walk from the park, this hotel has a great deck that you can watch the Disneyland fireworks from.

For more information on where to stay you will want to read about these 7 best Disneyland hotels within walking distance of the park.

Where to Eat in Disneyland

Disneyland has a lot of very mediocre food, but there are some amazing hidden gems to eat inside the park. Be prepared to spend quite a lot for food. Nothing is cheap inside Disneyland. Read up on these great Disneyland snacks and desserts before you go.

Consider placing a mobile order for your snack or dinner through the Disneyland app. Choose the locations you want to order from and pay directly through the app. Then wait for your appointed time to pick it up. It really is the way to go. It’s so convenient and there is very little waiting.

Fun Foods to Eat in Disneyland

This is the most famous food from Disneyland and there is a reason for that. This zingy and fresh soft serve is perfect to refresh you after a day running around the park. Get some at the Tropical Hideway in Adventureland.

The line is often long for this treat. Just around the corner at the Tiki Juice Bar by the entrance to the Enchanted Tiki Room you can use mobile ordering and pick it up without waiting in line.

Ronto’s Roasters

Ronto’s Roasters in Galaxy’s Edge is a great place to eat, and they have wonderful pita wraps, as well as delicious vegetarian options!

Grey Stuff Gateau

this red velvet cake filled with raspberry and topped with white chocolate mousse can be found at the Red Rose Tavern in Fantasyland, and is a perfect dessert to end your day with.

Mickey-Shaped Beignets

Located in New Orleans Square at the Mint Julep Bar, use mobile ordering to get your hands on these tasty beignets. Served in a white paper bag, just close the top and give it a shake before eating the powdered sugar covered treat.

You can find these crunchy, cinnamon-sugar treats all around the park. Make sure to grab one or two or three, you won’t be disappointed. Check around the park for special holiday flavored churros as well.

Tips For When You Arrive

• Get to the parks early in the day. Most families like to sleep in and enjoy a late breakfast. So even with the parks opening early in the day they are relatively empty first thing in the morning.
• The rope drop for entering the park is at 8 am. That takes place within the park not at the gate. So, get to the park and make it through the security screening and park gate before 8. This is helpful for rides with long wait times.
• Ride the park rides at the back of the park first. It may take a while to walk into the park, but most people stop at the first rides. As the park starts to fill they move to the back rides. Utilize this time to enjoy some of the popular rides at the back of the park.
• Make sure that you carry a backpack with you into the park. This pack will serve you well during the day. At a minimum, you should bring water, sunglasses, and sunscreen. And, if you don’t want to carry it with you look for lockers within the park. They are cheap and convenient. See our full list of what to pack and what to wear to Disneyland to make sure you’re prepared.

How to Avoid Long Lines

If there’s one thing that visitors to Disneyland find annoying and frustrating, it’s the long lines for rides. You can literally spend several hours of your day standing in line for popular attractions. While all lines cannot be avoided in Disneyland, there are a few ways you can dodge the lines.

• Download the Disneyland app to check current ride times. They are being updated all the time so they are pretty accurate.
• Download the Play Disney app for games and trivia to play while standing in line. Some games are specific to what line you are standing in.
• Get Disney PhotoPass for the day. It costs $20 per day, per ticket, but could be worth it if you have limited time. PhotoPass is also included with Genie+ for free.
• Ride popular rides later in the evening, while the majority of people are watching the night time entertainment. This is a good time to find shorter lines. Of course, it means you’ll miss the entertainment, but if you’re visiting Disneyland for a few days, you can always see the night time entertainment on another day.
• Avoid going to Disneyland during busy times such as between Christmas and New year, spring break, the summer months, and on Saturdays.
• Get to the park early. The lines are shorter in the morning when the park first opens. Instead of jumping in line for the first ride you see, head for the rides you want to ride the most.
• Make a plan of attack and stick with it. Check out how to spend one day in the park for strategies and tips.

Stay Up to Date on Changes

This Disneyland trip planner 2024 is a general guide to Disneyland and isn’t updated with all the changes and goings-on in Disneyland day by day. Read this  What’s New & Next for Disneyland for details of what’s going on, so you can make an informed decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there lockers to store my stuff.

Yes, you can take advantage of the lockers that are in the park to store your stuff so you don’t have to carry it around all day. There is one set in the cul-de-sac between Market House and Disney Clothiers and another to the left of the ticket turnstiles before you enter the park. They are pay lockers – the small are $7, large are $10 for the day. You can pay with your credit card.

Can I take a stroller into the park?

If you are taking a stroller to the park, make sure that it fits the size requirements. Strollers larger than 31” x 52” and wagons are not permitted. You can rent single ($18) and double ($36) strollers per day outside and to the right of the ticket turnstiles.

Can you bring food into the park?

Yes you can. Make sure food is wrapped up. You can bring drinks in as well. No glass and all ice must be contained. You can bring a cooler in with your lunch if you want. A soft sided cooler works best with reusable ice packs. 

How to Get to Disneyland

These are the main airports to choose from to get to Disneyland: 

• John Wayne Airport in Orange County (SNA) – 15 Miles from the park. 
• Long Beach Airport (LGB) – 25 Miles from the park. 
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – 35 Miles from the park. 
• Hollywood Burbank Airport, Bob Hope Airport (BUR) – 45 Miles from the park.  

Drive times vary depending on the time of day. On-site car rental, taxis, and rideshares are available at all airports.

Uber and Lyft are convenient options. Consider checking the price of both before deciding. Prices will vary depending on the time of day.

Shuttle services can be reserved in advance. Lansky shuttle car service has a complimentary 30 minute grocery/fast food stop on the way to the hotel and they provide car seats. Karmal Shuttle car service only goes to LAX and John Wayne Airport and they don’t provide car seats.

One Final Note

Visiting Disney’s California Adventure is definitely worth adding a few extra days to your trip. It has a completely different feel than Disneyland. If you are a Marvel fan or love Pixar movies this is the park for you. Explore Avenger’s Campus and enjoy superhero sightings, meander through Radiator Springs, and enjoy the feel of old California throughout the park.

Here are a few resources to help you plan a visit to Disney’s California Adventure:

• Disneyland vs California Adventure: Which One to Choose?
• 20 Disney California Adventure Foods You Must Try

Disneyland is one of the happiest places on earth, as the saying goes. And half the fun is in the planning. This guide is just the start of your amazing adventure. If you have any tips and advice to share from your own planning, we invite you to leave a comment below.

Like this article? Save it on Pinterest so you can find it again. FOLLOW US on Pinterest and Facebook for more California travel inspiration and tips!

Laura is a travel fanatic who loves seeing and doing new things. She lives in Ventura, CA, and spends a lot of time exploring California’s cities, beaches, and national parks.

You might also like:

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Sunny Fun One Week Southern California Itinerary + Disneyland

By: Author Kim Tate

Posted on Published: March 21, 2017

I admit that I love the west coast. From Washington to California, it’s full of fun. One of my favorite things about Disneyland is it’s close proximity to so many other activities. When you head to Southern California for vacation, you can do more than just theme parks! Here are my thoughts on how to make the perfect one week Southern California itinerary , including a visit to Disneyland!

Southern California Itinerary for 7 Days

Thank you to Visit California for hosting me on a recent press trip to the Southern California area. All thoughts and opinions are my own. (affiliate links included)

Planning to fly in and out of different airports is one of the best ways to maximize your vacation to Southern California. One way airline tickets are often the same pricing as roundtrips.

The only problem with this comes with the need for a one-way car rental. This type of car rental can add on some hefty drop fees or one-way charges. Make sure you check various booking sites and look for car rental coupons that could help you avoid those fees.

For my sample one week Southern California itinerary we’ll plan to fly into the LAX area and depart out of San Diego. In my best Disneyland tips post, I share about the airports near Disneyland. My favorite is SNA (John Wayne), but LAX has great prices and car rental deals.

Related:  Ultimate Disneyland Guide & My Best Disneyland Tips

If you’re looking to explore Southern California I highly recommend renting a car and planning for parking fees while at Disneyland. If you’re just traveling to Disneyland I would recommend avoiding a car, but this is a plan for a Southern California vacation, so a car is ideal.

Southern California Itinerary Day 1

Arrive in Southern California (LAX or SNA) – If you want to use your travel day for attractions, fly in early. If you want to take it easier on arrival, plan to arrive at your hotel around check-in time. It’s always nice to be able to go straight to your room and freshen up before kicking off your vacation.

Hollywood [OPTION 1] : Fly into LAX as early as possible. Explore some of the popular attractions of Los Angeles. My thoughts are either to spend the day at  Universal Studios Hollywood (and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Hollywood) or visit a couple of spots like the Chinese Theater, Madame Tussauds Hollywood, or the Hop-On Hop-Off Double Decker Bus. Consider a GO City Card for Los Angeles and these fun things to do in downtown LA .

Save up to 40% off gate prices for Los Angeles attractions

Anaheim [OPTION 2] : If you’re not interested in the Hollywood scene and would rather take it easy on your first day, head straight to your hotel by Disneyland . I definitely recommend staying within walking distance, even better if you can stay onsite at one of the Disneyland hotels.

Use your arrival day to have fun at your hotel, take a swim in the pool. This is also a great time to deal with any ticket purchases or problems you might need to visit the ticket booths for. The booth lines are normally pretty empty in the evenings versus at night. I also recommend a stop into a local Target or Walmart to purchase some snacks for park days.

For dinner, I highly recommend driving to Buena Park and attending the Pirate’s Dinner Adventure . It’s a fun show for kids, with a little adult humor and love stories for the grown-ups. Otherwise you can walk through Downtown Disney and grab a bite to eat there.

Related:  Southern California CityPASS Card

Southern california itinerary day 2.

Disneyland Park and/or Disney’s California Adventure

If you’re staying at a Disney hotel, you will have the option to enter one of the parks an hour before the general public. Be sure to check online to see which park is offering the early entry for that day. Plan to start heading towards the park entrance about 30 minutes to an hour before the opening time to maximize your time. This will let you get through security and the turnstiles early, giving you a full hour in the parks before the general public.

TIP : you can mobile order a coffee with the Starbucks app at one of the Downtown Disney locations and pick it up on your way towards the parks!

Enjoy the parks, and be sure to read my best fastpass tips so that you can maximize your park time if you like many of the popular rides. Unless you’re an avid foodie family, I highly recommend planning on quick service meals and saving your time for rides and shows.

Southern California Itinerary Day 3

Alternate Option: Thrill ride lovers might want to skip an extra day at Disneyland and instead visit Knott’s Berry Farm .

(read this post about getting cheap  discounted Knotts Berry Farm tickets .)

Again, if staying onsite at a Disney hotel, you’ll have magic morning hour early entry to one of the parks, most likely the other one from the one that was offered yesterday. Use the early morning to maximize your park time.

Depart the parks around dinner time, unless you have a strong desire to watch the evening parade or fireworks.

OPTION 1 : Stay for evening shows at Disneyland and stay another night in your Disneyland hotel, or drive late at night to your next stop.

OPTION 2 : Depart Disneyland around dinner time and head to Huntington Beach.

Check into the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa . This is a great hotel with an amazing spa that will please adults, plus some fun pools, perfect for the kids.

Enjoy a campfire on the beach, this is a great time to talk about how your trip is going. And if you prefer camping over hotels, there are some great beach camping spots in Southern California!

If you’re looking to explore more of Anaheim, check out these 10 things to do in Anaheim beyond Disneyland .

Related:  Campfire Conversation Starters for Family Night Fun

Southern California Itinerary Day 4

Enjoy Huntington Beach

No visit to Southern California could be complete without a visit to the beach. Huntington Beach is a great place to visit. The downtown area is a great spot to stroll and eat. Plus, being Surf City USA, it’s the perfect spot to try to hang ten with a surf lesson.

Southern California Itinerary Day 5

Leave Huntington Beach for a drive along the coast.

Option 1: enjoy sightseeing along the coast, including coastal towns like Carlsbad and La Jolla.

Option 2: Visit LEGOLAND California.

Plan for arrival at San Diego that evening. I recently stayed at the Catamaran Resort in San Diego . It’s located on Mission Bay, and a lovely property. The grounds are filled with lush plants, and a nicely sized pool. Plus it’s bayfront property. Waterview rooms look out on the bay and the beach chairs and tables that the resort sets up.

Their onsite restaurant, Oceana Coastal Kitchen , features an amazing view and a jellyfish aquarium in the restaurant. Highly recommend this spot for a seafood dinner, or plan to enjoy breakfast with a view.

Save money in southern California with the  Go San Diego Card

Southern California Itinerary Day 6

Depending on what you’re most interested in, this day can be filled with a lot of ideas. If you love animals, you might consider a trip to the San Diego Zoo . It’s located in Balboa Park which also features a lot of great museums, such as the Science Center and Natural History Museum. If you have little kids you can also consider visiting the carousel and miniature railroad.

If you love aquariums and want some more rides, consider visiting SeaWorld . My daughter loved the Manta roller coaster, and I have to say that the Atlantis ride was a shock for me! Consider booking a Behind the Scenes Tour if you’d like to see some of the conservancy and animal care efforts SeaWorld is working on. There are a lot of great things to do in San Diego with kids .

For some old-fashioned oceanfront fun, wrap up your San Diego Day at Belmont Park. It is like an old fashioned fair and arcade, plus is located directly on Mission Beach. It’s the perfect spot to catch an amazing sunset.

If you are a Belmont Park, consider having dinner at Draft. It’s located on site and features 69 beers on tap! Plus, a delicious menu that features some fun dishes that represent southern California well.

My friends have some other great posts to help you plan what to do:

Things to Do in San Diego with Kids

Things to Do in San Diego

Southern California Itinerary Day 7

Coronado Island

I recommend another taste of the beach for your final day of your one week itinerary to Southern California. Drive across the bridge and enjoy your final hours enjoying this beautiful coastal town of Coronado .

Depart from San Diego Airport.

Of course, there are many, many more things to do in Southern California. This is just a taste of how I would organized a one week trip itinerary to Southern California based on my family’s previous visits. This plan helps you maximize all the great big name attractions, plus enjoy the wonderful Southern California beaches.

Resources for Planning your Southern California Itinerary

Ultimate Disneyland Guide & My Best Disneyland Tips

Get Away Today – great spot to score discount Southern California vacation (use the code  StuffedSuitcase to get a $10 discount on your 2+ night booking!)

CityPASS discount cards for attractions

GO City Cards for San Diego and Los Angeles for attraction savings

Disneyland Checklist for Planning your Disney Vacation Days

Visiting San Diego, California

San Diego with Kids

Southern California Hotels & Restaurants

Share and Save This Post:

Friday 5th of January 2024

Hi! I appreciate how your stories are short and point to point. I'm planning to go to Disneyland in early May. I heard it's the quietest time. We have about 3-4 days after Disneyland and I'd like to plan something along the beach. I prefer not to rent a car, and settle in one part of the beach, (or uber) most likely Laguna beach. Is there enough things to do with 7 and 9 yr old kids in Laguna beach? They won't enjoy sitting and looking at the beach at the beachside pub as much as I do. I wonder if the oceanside water is warm enough for them to go in?

Tuesday 16th of January 2024

Hi there, I love enjoying the beach after Disneyland. I haven't spent much time around Laguna Beach, but I do know they are considered a bit more upscale and have tide pools in addition to some smaller sandy beaches. I also had a great whale watching excursion from Dana Point/Wharf which is near Laguna. I think I did a sunset cruise out of Laguna as well, however that's definitely more adult oriented. I would tell you to also give a peek at Huntington Beach. I consider it one of the bigger beach towns that is good for tourists and if your kids are interested, it's a great spot to try some introductory surf lessons. Lastly, the Pacific Ocean is never very warm, in May I'd bet you'll be looking at water temps around 60F. Definitely pack a short wetsuit if possible if your kids want to play or boogie board in the waves. Of course splashing along the shore in May would be completely fine, but full on swimming in the ocean will be cold.

Monday 2nd of July 2018

Hi i was wondering how much your budget was for this trip! I basically want to copy and paste this itinerary irl! Lol wondering how much this all cost you?

Tuesday 3rd of July 2018

Hi Lorina - thanks for commenting! :) Some of these activities were part of a recent press trip, meaning I didn't pay for them. Some of the items I did long ago and the prices have certainly changed since then. I do have a great post about what the average vacation costs and also a printable vacation budget planner. Perhaps you could use that and a little research for each of the activities to determine the approximate cost of the trip. Hope that helps, wish I could give you an exact answer!

Best Day Trips in Southern California near Disneyland

Tuesday 27th of February 2018

[…] Related Post: One Week Southern California Itinerary + Disneyland […]

40 Things to do with Kids in San Diego (20 are FREE!) | Global Munchkins

Friday 5th of January 2018

[…] 7 days- A full California Itinerary […]

Tuesday 28th of November 2017

I'd say you definitely hit the essentials: at least 1 beach day, 1 theme park day, and just do as you please in between. Awesome pictures by the way and thanks for sharing!

Wednesday 29th of November 2017

Thanks Saul - so many great things to do in SoCal! I have more posts coming soon from a recent trip I was on.

• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Additional menu

The Family Vacation Guide

Plan Your Ultimate Family Trip To Disneyland California With These 10 Top Tips

posted by Caitlin Lloyd on March 15, 2022 // last updated on March 28, 2022

Whether you’re a Disney regular or a newcomer experiencing the magic for the first time, planning a family trip to the Disneyland Resort can feel like a colossal feat. With theme park tickets, accommodation, schedules, and much more, there are a lot of factors to consider.

But worried parents can breathe a sigh of relief! We’ve compiled all the must-know information about Disneyland California to take the stress out of your vacation.

Whether you want to experience the Downtown Disney District or new attractions like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, follow our expert tips for an easy and carefree trip. From queue lines to character costumes, we’ve got you covered!

Trying to find other exciting things to do during your vacation here? We’ve put together a list of the best family activities and fun family day trips in Southern California to inspire you ahead of your trip!

Staying Onsite

Staying offsite, step two: theme park tickets, step three: creating a schedule, 1. prioritize your must-see rides and shows, 2. factor in plenty of walking time, 3. keep your schedule flexible, 4. use the disney mobile app, 5. stay hydrated, 6. plan your food in advance, 7. use rider switch, 8. don’t forget about indoor performances, 9. purchase your kids’ costume in advance, 10. don’t overdo it, not planning your food, wearing uncomfortable footwear, staying too far away, final thoughts.

Planning Your Trip To Disneyland California

Step one: accommodation.

Once you’ve decided on a time frame and budget for your Disney trip, you can plan where you will stay.

In terms of accommodation, there are two main options to choose from: staying onsite and staying offsite.

If you want to stay close to the action, look no further than one of Disney’s on-site hotels:

• Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel. With three themed pools, a hot tub, a cocktail bar, and the famous Storytellers Cafe, you can’t go wrong with Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, located within the Disneyland Resort itself.
• Disneyland Hotel. Every room in the Disneyland Hotel is decorated in Disney’s characteristic whimsical design, making it perfect for families with young kids.
• Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. A 10-minute walk from the Downtown Disney District, Paradise Pier is another convenient option. It provides a Disney spin on California’s laid-back beach culture and is well suited to all ages.

If you’d prefer to stay offsite, there are many local hotels to choose from:

• Courtyard Anaheim (Theme Park Entrance) . If you want to enjoy more of the fun that Anaheim has to offer, the Courtyard boasts an impressive 20,000 square-foot waterpark, open to both kids and adults.
• Residence Inn Anaheim Resort. Families can enjoy large, spacious rooms at the Residence Inn. Even full-size kitchens are available- perfect for whipping up a quick meal in your downtime.

Our guide to the best hotels near Disneyland, Anaheim will provide you with great accommodation options to help you plan your Disney vacation.

After selecting your accommodation, you can compare ticket prices on the Disney website.

The Disney Resort in Anaheim is made up of two theme parks- the Disney California Adventure park and Disney California – so make sure to purchase the correct ticket for your visit. You’ll need a Park Hopper ticket if you want to visit both parks on the same day.

Locals will be pleased to hear that Southern California residents are eligible for a discounted ticket!

Our handy guide exploring the cost of Disneyland California tickets should make useful reading ahead of your next visit.

Once your tickets and accommodation are secured, we recommend putting together a rough daily schedule.

From mealtimes to queuing, read on for our must-know scheduling advice!

Our Top Tips

When booking your Disneyland Resort tickets, you’ve no doubt got some must-visit attractions in mind. Maybe you’re dying to see the new Star Wars rides at the Disney California Adventure, or perhaps your kids are excited to ride on Peter Pan’s Flight.

Whatever your Disney favorites are, schedule your days around your priority rides. Try to arrive at these early in the day to avoid the long wait times.

Why not pick out your must-see rides with help from our park breakdown of how many rides are in Disneyland and California Adventure ?

Though the Disney California Adventure Park and Disneyland Resort California aren’t as large as the Disney parks in Florida , a day at Disney California still entails a lot of walking.

If you’re pregnant or have young kids, factor extra walking time into your schedule. There’s only so much ground you can cover in a day, and you don’t want to be rushing across the Disneyland Resort from ride to ride!

Because there’s so much to do and see on your Disneyland trip, Disney first-timers may be tempted to plan every day down to a tee.

Some aspects of your trip – like queue and transport times – can be unpredictable and subject to last-minute change. Be prepared to adapt and modify your schedule to avoid throwing your whole day if you can’t go on a certain ride when expected.

You can monitor wait times, opening hours, and much more with the Disney Genie mobile app.

Though it’s important to plan what areas of Disneyland park you’re visiting each day, there’s no need to stress about sticking to a minute-by-minute schedule.

To skip the long queues, you can purchase Lighting Lane entry to your favorite attractions through the Disney Genie app. Not only will this allow you to see more attractions, but it’ll also keep the family happy, as no one likes standing in a crazy long queue!

You can either book on a ride-by-ride basis or buy the Disney Genie+ service, which provides Lighting Lane arrival windows for a set group of rides.

Want to find out more? Our guide to Disney Genie, Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane will be a great help when planning your next trip.  

There’s a reason that California’s nickname is the Golden State! Anaheim can reach very high temperatures, particularly in the peak summer holiday months, so it’s essential to take the necessary precautions to avoid heatstroke when visiting the Disneyland Park!

To keep your family healthy and happy at California’s Disneyland Resort, ensure that everyone has their own large refillable water bottle. Though there are restaurants and kiosks throughout the theme parks, you might not always be able to buy water.

If you’re queuing for your next ride, avoid getting caught out by carrying plenty of water in your bag.

To avoid queues and potential disappointment at Disney, the magic rule is plan, plan, plan!

This doesn’t just apply to rides, but mealtimes as well. If you’d like to enjoy a family dinner in Downtown Disney or at one of the famous Disney Resort restaurants, make sure to reserve a table online in advance. Tables become available as early as 60 days in advance!

At Disneyland Resort, two dining options are available: Quick Service and Table Service. While you’ll be able to grab a Quick Service meal on the day, reservations are recommended for Table Service dining.

When visiting the Disneyland Resort as a family, we’d strongly encourage you to splash the cash on a character dining experience.

There’s nothing more magical for a child than breakfast with their favorite Disney characters! While it’s not the cheapest dining option, it is the highlight of many visitors’ trips.

If you’re visiting Disney’s California Adventure or Disney California with young children, we’d recommend taking advantage of the Rider Switch system.

When you reach the front of the queue, requesting a Rider Switch pass will allow a second adult to ride without queuing, meaning that everyone gets to ride (and kids may be able to ride twice!).

Are you planning on taking your baby to Disneyland? Our guide exploring which rides babies can ride at Disneyland should be a helpful read ahead of your trip. 

With so much ground to cover, a day in the Disney California Adventure Park can be tiring, especially for little ones.

To avoid over-tiring yourself, it’s a great idea to enjoy some of the indoor performances that the theme park has to offer.

From 3D concerts like Mickey’s PhilharMagic to the much-loved Frozen- Live at the Hyperion show, there’s a long list of indoor events to choose from! They provide the perfect opportunity to rest tired legs while keeping the whole family entertained.

To get fully immersed in the excitement of the Disneyland theme park, most kids will be hankering for merchandise and the costume of their favorite character. Every child delights in the opportunity to transform into their hero – and there’s no better time to do so than on your Disney vacation!

As a magical surprise for your kids, you can buy their costumes in advance through the Disney Store and arrange to collect them in the park.

This is a great way to avoid potential disappointment if their desired outfit is unavailable.

Though Disney is the Happiest Place on Earth, the crowds and excitement can be a little overwhelming at times. Whether from tiredness or heat, it’s not uncommon for kids to shed a few tears during their Disney visit.

To avoid your family from getting overtired, it’s important to allow rest time throughout your trip. If you’re able to start your day early, we’d recommend leaving Disneyland Park for a short break in the early afternoon, when the heat and crowds are at their peak.

If you’d like to enjoy some slower-paced activities, check out our complete guide to visiting California with kids . 

Common Mistakes To Avoid

If you fail to plan for food, you’ll likely end up spending more than you need to for your meals. An average meal in the park will cost around $15, and this will add up if you’ve got a large family.

Disney allows you to bring your food and drinks into the parks, so we’d recommend packing snacks to keep you going between meals. You may also want to pack sandwiches to save your money for a luxurious evening meal.

That way, you can save money while still enjoying some of Disney’s iconic treats, like Dole Whip and corndogs.

Similarly, for Table Service dining, we’d recommend reserving a table as far in advance as possible. This also applies to character dining, which can get booked up very quickly.

A day at Disneyland Resort is comparable to an endurance sport. From lengthy queue times to long walks across the theme park, your feet will be tired by the end of the trip!

As a general rule, it’s a good idea to plan to walk at least 5 miles each day. Accordingly, every family member should pack two pairs of comfortable shoes. We’d recommend some hardy sneakers and a pair of comfortable sandals.

When planning the accommodation for your Disneyland Resort trip, be sure to factor in travel times. Though you might want to explore all that Los Angeles has to offer, staying over an hour away in one of Santa Monica’s family hotels will cut into your theme park time.

However, if you are planning to stay in LA, our guide to the best hotels in Los Angeles for families will give you some great inspiration to prepare you for your vacation.

While we strongly recommend staying onsite at Walt Disney World Florida, Disneyland Resort California has many close offsite hotel options available.

Stay nearby in Anaheim to enjoy quick access to both parks, and consider opting for a hotel that’s part of Disney’s Good Neighbour scheme to enjoy additional discounts and perks.

Are there all-inclusive family vacation packages to Disneyland?

Disney does not offer all-inclusive packages in the traditional sense, though you can tailor your own package with Disney’s wide range of bonus amenities, from fast-tracked tickets to food vouchers.

Guests at the official Disneyland Resort hotels enjoy many extra benefits, including entertainment packages and extra access to the theme parks during Magic Hours.

How many days do you need at Disney California?

Because California’s Disneyland Resort is considerably smaller than its Floridian counterpart, it can be fully enjoyed in just two days.

To experience all of the magic, we’d recommend spending a day each at Disneyland California Adventure Park and Disney California.

We’ve created the perfect guide that explores how many days you need at Disneyland California to help you plan your family trip!

What is the cheapest time to go to Disney?

As a general rule, Disney tickets are cheapest in January, February, August, and September (excluding holidays).

The busiest (and most expensive) period is during the school holidays and at weekends all year round.

To save on your ticket cost, try to visit during the off-season. 

Want more information on ticket prices? Our handy guide exploring how much Disneyland California tickets cost will provide you with everything you need to know before purchasing your tickets.

Whether you’re planning a brief visit to the Disney California Adventure Park or a weekend at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, be sure to remember our top tips.

Visiting a Disneyland Resort can seem daunting for first-timers, but as long as you listen to the experts, you’ll have an incredible time at California’s Disneyland Park!

If there’s one main takeaway, it’s that preparation is vital . From schedules to food, planning your trip will allow you to get the most out of Disney California Adventure and Disney California.

Before you visit Disneyland Resort California, be sure to check the most up-to-date COVID-19 information. Our helpful guide should help you understand more about the pandemic’s changes on Disneyland and whether you have to be vaccinated to go to Disneyland, California .

Love big days out and need more inspiration of where to go ahead of your family vacation? Our list of the top attractions and fun things to do in California with kids should take the weight off your shoulders when planning your trip!

More about our TFVG Author

Caitlin Lloyd

Caitlin is one of The Family Vacation Guide's long standing contributors. She enjoys taking vacation to busy, vibrant cities and has stretched her traveling legs out towards Europe in recent months, enjoying new experiences in Barcelona in Spain, and Nice in France.

About Caitlin Lloyd

Disney California Adventure: The Complete Guide

Joshua Sudock / Disneyland Resort

Planning Your Trip

Things to do, what to eat and drink, where to stay, getting there, money saving tips.

• Frequently Asked Questions

Disney California Adventure Park

The sister park to the original Disneyland, Disney California Adventure opened in 2001 as a celebration of the Golden State. While it still retains some California-centric nods (especially the lovely, retro Buena Vista Street just inside the front gate), it has morphed into a more eclectic collection of lands and attractions that draw on many of Disney’s brands. When it expanded in 2012 and added Cars Land, Disney California Adventure especially embraced the Pixar films, characters, and stories while the 2021 opening of Avengers Campus brought the Marvel universe to the park.

Part of the Disneyland Resort, which also includes Disneyland Park, the Downtown Disney dining, shopping, and entertainment complex, and three on-property hotels, there is much to consider when visiting Mickey and the gang. Which rides and attractions should you experience? What eateries should you check out? Where should you stay? Let’s get to it.

Best Time to Visit : Because so many California locals visit the park, weekdays generally attract fewer visitors than on weekends. The time of year with the least amount of guests (and the lowest ticket and hotel prices) is mid-January to mid-March. It’ll be a bit busier, but still relatively quiet, in September through early November, and mid-April to mid-May.

The peak season coincides with summer school vacations, from late June to early August, as well as Thanksgiving, Easter, and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. While the crowds will be greater and the wait times for rides will be longer during the busier times of the year, the park will be open longer and offer more nighttime shows and other presentations.

Sunny California is relatively temperate year-round. Although it is rare (but getting less so), it can be brutally hot in the summer. It can get a bit nippy in December through February, especially at night. Perhaps the best time to visit Disney California Adventure, in terms of weather, is March, April, or May when springtime conditions are typically ideal.

Note that regardless when you plan to visit the parks, you will likely need to make a park reservation in advance. Disneyland introduced the reservation requirement when it reopened after the pandemic in 2021. It appears that the requirement will become permanent.

Getting Around: The compact Disneyland Resort is quite easy to navigate. Unless you plan to explore Southern California, there is no need to have a car. Disney California Adventure is just across the plaza from Disneyland Park and adjacent to Downtown Disney. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel overlooks Disney California Adventure, and hotel guests have their own dedicated entrance into the park. While it is a pleasant walk, visitors should ride in style at least once aboard the historic Disneyland Monorail that travels between Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park and the far end of Downtown Disney near the Disneyland Hotel.

Travel Tip: Guests staying at one of Disney’s three on-property hotels used to be able to access the parks before the general public during the resort’s “Extra Magic Hours” program. Disneyland suspended the program during the pandemic. Before making reservations, check to see whether it has reinstated the benefit.

In fall 2021, the Disneyland Resort replaced its Fastpass and MaxPass ride reservation and line-skipping programs with Disney Genie, Disney Genie+, and Lightning Lane Select. Learn how the digital park planning services work and how they can you help you better enjoy your Disney California Adventure visit.

Among the most popular attractions at Disney California Adventure is Radiator Springs Racers , the tour-de-force E-Ticket ride in Cars Land. It is set amid the spectacular Cadillac Mountain range and Ornament Valley at the end of Route 66 in the meticulously themed area. Try to time your visit to Cars Land at dusk so that you can witness the glorious neon lights that illuminate Radiator Springs as the doo-wop song “Sh-Boom (Life Could Be a Dream)” plays in the background–just like in the original “Cars” movie. For high-speed thrills, head over to Pixar Pier and take a ride on the launched, looping thrill machine, Incredicoaster. There are thrills (and laughs) aplenty also at Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, the faster-than-freefall attraction that was previously known as The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

There are plenty of other highlights throughout the park, including the world’s first flying theater ride, Soarin’ Around the World ; the interactive, video game-like Toy Story Midway Mania ; and the wacky superhero training experience, WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure.

Filled with stirring scenes projected onto water screens, magnificent dancing fountains, lasers, pyrotechnics, and more, World of Color is one of the best nighttime spectaculars at any Disney park.

Younger kids–and really, everybody–should check out Turtle Talk with Crush. Featuring real-time animation and improvisation that is often wildly funny and charming, it’s an under-appreciated gem.

• Check out other must-see attractions in our picks for the 17 Disneyland Resort rides you can’t miss .
• If you’re really into thrills, check out the resort’s 13 most screamtastic rides .
• Disney California Adventure is magical after dark. Check out these tips about ways to enjoy the park at night .

We have more articles for you to peruse, including how to enjoy Disney California Adventure if you hate thrill rides as well as a review of The Little Mermaid Ride . 

Dining in California Adventure

There are plenty of wonderful places to eat, drink, and be Mickey at Disney California Adventure, starting with the Carthay Circle Restaurant . The elegant spot may just offer the best fine dining experience at any U.S. theme park. The Carthay Circle Lounge on the ground floor offers a wide variety of mixed drinks and small plate dishes for sharing. Another great table-service spot is Lamplight Lounge . Featuring an eclectic menu, its whimsical dining room celebrates the artists who create Pixar films.

For quick-service refueling, head over to Flo's V8 Cafe where punny items such as the Ka-Cheeseburger and the Cobb de Ville Salad are on the menu. For quirky fare, consider the Pym Test Kitchen at Avengers Campus. It has ridiculously oversized and undersized dishes such as the Not So Little Chicken Sandwich, which is a humongous chicken breast served on a tiny bun.

Dining in Disneyland

Because the resort is so compact, you could easily leave the park and head across the plaza for a meal at Disneyland (if your ticket allows you to visit more than one park in a day). Among our favorite restaurants in the park is Blue Bayou where you can savor cajun fare as the Pirates of the Caribbean boats float past. Or you could grab a Ronto Wrap at Ronto Roasters in  Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge .

You wouldn't need a two-park ticket to duck out for a meal at Downtown Disney or the resort’s hotels. Good choices there include Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, which specializes in locally sourced, seasonal fare, and Catal Restaurant at Downtown Disney, which serves Mediterranean dishes.

Making a Reservation

Because the full-service restaurants are so popular, advance reservations are all but required. We have compiled all the ways you can make reservations , including online, by phone, and in person. For quick-service restaurants, consider using the resort’s mobile food and beverage ordering service . Your meals will be ready when you arrive at the counter. There are no character dining experiences at Disney California Adventure. But you can break bread with Goofy and others elsewhere in the resort.

Courtesy of Disneyland Resort

You could stay off property and save money at one of the many lodging options in the area . But the resort’s three hotels, especially the Grand Californian and the historic Disneyland Hotel, would allow you to revel in the Disney ambiance 24/7.

While it has been expanded and modernized, the Disneyland Hotel nonetheless maintains a delightfully retro charm. The monorail-themed water slide topped by a replica of Disneyland’s original entrance sign characterizes the hotel’s vintage allure. The Grand Californian, with its towering lobby evocative of a rustic lodge and Arts and Crafts-inspired architecture, offers an elegant alternative. Its full-service spa could help soothe and revitalize you after a long day at the park. The Paradise Pier hotel, which Disney acquired from a third-party operator, is the most pedestrian and affordable of the three properties.

Among the airports near the Disneyland Resort are Los Angeles International (LAX), John Wayne Airport (SNA), Long Beach Airport (LGB), Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Ontario International Airport (ONT), and San Diego International Airport (SAN).

If you're flying into LAX, you can get to Disneyland and California Adventure via public transit, shuttle services, ride-hailing services, and rental car. We break down all the different options in our comparison guide .

• Consider the time of year. Disney uses variable pricing for its park tickets and charges more to visit during peak seasons such as early summer and around Christmas; conversely, you'll find the lowest ticket prices in February and other low-attendance periods. If you’ll be staying on property, hotel rates are lower during the slower seasons as well.
• Multi-day tickets cost less per day than single-day tickets. On the other hand, Park Hopper tickets, which allow guests to visit both Disney California Adventure and Disneyland on the same day, cost more than one park per day tickets
• Check Disneyland’s official site for special deals and offers. The resort often offers money-saving hotel and ticket combo packages and other promotions.
• If you or somebody in your family is a member of the military or a veteran, you could save money on park tickets and get discounted rates on Disneyland Resort hotels. You can find details on Disneyland’s special offers page .

Mid-January to mid-March is the best time to visit for low prices and small crowds. It's busier, but still quiet from September though early November, and mid-April to mid-May.

Disney California Adventure typically opens at 8 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. but hours are subject to change.

Disney California Adventure is located next to Disneyland in Anaheim, California.

Disneyland vs. Disney World: Which Is Better?

A Pixar-Themed Hotel Is Coming to Disneyland

Best Disneyland Hotels

Top 13 Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Thrill Rides

Disneyland Guide: Planning Your Trip

Walt Disney World Guide: Planning Your Trip

Top 11 Best Table Service Restaurants in Disneyland

Best Southern California Family Vacations

The Complete Guide to Disney's Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

What Kind of Ticket Would I Need to Ride the Hogwarts Express?

Universal Orlando Tickets: Prices, Discounts, and Where to Buy

Disney World on a Dime

Islands of Adventure: The Complete Guide

Disney California Adventure Visitors Guide

Disney Vacation Club: Is It Worth It?

The Top Tips For Visiting Disney California Adventure

Screen Rant

Plan out your disneyland trip: parking, hours & directions.

Planning a trip to Disneyland involves booking hotels and purchasing tickets, but it also requires visitors to plan the smaller details like parking.

• Visitors can use the Mickey & Friends, Pixar Pals, or Toy Story parking areas when visiting Disneyland California to ensure a smooth parking experience.
• Daily parking fees range from $35-$45 depending on the type of vehicle, with an additional $55 option for Preferred Parking closer to the park entrance.
• Check the Disneyland website for current park hours before planning your trip, as hours of operation vary throughout the year.

Planning a trip to Disneyland California can be magical and fun, but there are also more practical things to consider — like parking, hours, and directions to the theme parks . After buying tickets to Disneyland and booking a place to stay ( Disney owns several hotels nearby ), these are some of the most crucial elements of taking a trip there. They require consideration, especially for visitors planning to drive to Disneyland. Of course, even those walking from Disney's hotels will need to know when the parks open and how to travel to and from them.

Fortunately, Disneyland makes sure that parking at its theme parks is straightforward — and it ensures its hours are readily available to parkgoers as well. While planning these aspects of a visit isn't as fun as deciding which of Disneyland's rides to check out first , it's never too much of a hassle. And having things like parking, travel plans, and timing worked out beforehand allows guests to relax when the time finally comes to embark on their adventure to Disneyland California.

All 9 Lands At Disneyland, Ranked

How parking works at disneyland california, there are 3 main parking areas for the california theme parks.

Anyone driving to Disneyland California will need to utilize the theme parks' available parking areas, which open 60 minutes before the parks do. Fortunately, they're conveniently located, whether visitors are heading to Disneyland Park or California Adventure Park . For both locations, guests can utilize one of three parking lots located nearby. Since the two theme parks are within walking distance of one another, both are accessible from all three areas. The parking lots are named after different Disney themes and can be found below:

• Mickey & Friends Parking Structure
• Pixar Pals Parking Structure
• Toy Story Parking Area

There aren't many differences between the three parking locations offered at Disneyland California, but those arriving in larger vehicles (including RVs, buses, and tractor trailers) will need to use the Toy Story Parking Area (via Disneyland.com ). Oversized vehicles aren't permitted to park in any other lots near the parks, hotels, or Downtown Disney District, nor are buses and tractor trailers.

How Much Daily Parking Costs At Disneyland

Parking at Disneyland does come with a daily fee , which will differ depending on the vehicle in question. Ordinary cars and motorcycles get a cheaper daily rate than oversized vehicles or buses and tractors. Payments can be made using cash, credit cards, Disney gift cards, Disney dollars, pre-paid parking vouchers, the Disney Rewards Visa Card, or the Disney Rewards Redemption Card. The daily parking costs at Disneyland can be found below:

How Preferred Parking Works At Disneyland

Visitors who wish to park closer to the elevators and escalators at Disneyland can pay extra for Preferred Parking. This is available in all three parking lots, and it can be purchased upon arriving at the parks. However, Preferred Parking spots are limited, so those hoping to snag one should arrive as early as possible. Preferred Parking at Disneyland costs $55 per day , but it can be worthwhile for those who'd like to limit their walking time.

Parking For Visitors With Disabilities

Disneyland also offers special parking for visitors with disabilities , as long as they have a valid parking placard or license plate. Guests with disabilities can find special parking in all three lots, and there will be signage indicating where to go once they reach the toll plazas. Standard pricing applies, and if an accessible parking space isn't available, guests will be directed to the closest available spot near an elevator (in the parking garage) or bus stop (to transport visitors to the parks).

Perks Of Parking At Disney

There are also a few perks of parking at Disneyland, including a feature to locate one's vehicle, car charging stations, and tram service from parking areas that are further from the parks. The Car Locator feature can be used on the Disneyland app, and the tram service runs from the Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals parking areas. Both can be convenient before and after long days at the parks.

What Are The Hours For Disney's California-Based Theme Parks?

The hours for disneyland & disney's california adventure park vary throughout the year.

Disneyland's hours will determine when visitors show up to the theme parks, but they can vary depending on the time of year and demand . As of this writing, weekday hours for Disneyland Park are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the weekend hours are 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. Disney's California Adventure Park is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends.

Visitors can typically anticipate longer hours during the summer and holiday season, while the park is often open for shorter periods of time during the winter. Before booking a trip to Disneyland, it's always a smart idea to check the calendar and park hours at Disneyland.com . This will ensure there are no scheduling mishaps upon reaching Disney's Anaheim-based theme parks.

Directions To Disneyland Resort

How to get to disney's california parks.

There are multiple ways visitors can get to Disneyland Resort in California, and the method they choose will be largely dependent on where they're coming from. Those located somewhat close to Disneyland may opt to drive there, while visitors coming from across the country or traveling internationally will arrive by plane. Fortunately, Disneyland.com offers directions for those using all different sorts of transportation. Whether they're traveling by plane, car, train, or bus, they'll be able to find the " Happiest Place on Earth ."

Getting To Disneyland By Car

Anyone traveling to Disneyland by car will need to look up directions based on where they're coming from, but the I-5, CA-91, and CA-22 will all get them to the resort. Traveling by car will also require guests to make parking plans. Disney's hotels have their own parking areas, and the parking locations for the parks are the ones outlined above.

Getting To Disneyland By Bus

Those traveling to Disneyland by bus can make their way to Anaheim's Greyhound bus station, located at 100 W Winston Rd. There, they can transfer to Anaheim Regional Transportation (ART) Route 10, which will take them straight to the Disneyland area. There are also a number of bus routes through the Los Angeles County Metro and Orange County Transit Authority rsystems that lead to Disneyland. Using the Los Angeles County Metro, the Metro Express Line 460 will take riders to the parks. Using the OCTA, the following routes connect to Disney: Route 50, Route 43, Route 46, Route 83, Route 430.

Getting To Disneyland By Train

Those taking the train to Disneyland Resort will want to reach the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC), where they can transfer to a Route 14 or 15 bus that takes them directly there. The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner takes riders to the ARTIC, as do several Metrolink lines. The Metrolink lines that go to ARTIC are as follows:

• Ventura County Line
• Antelope Valley Line
• San Bernardino Line
• Riverside Line
• Orange County Line
• Inland Empire-Orange County Line

Getting To Disneyland By Airplane

Those coming to Disneyland from outside California may be traveling by plane, which will take them to one of the following airports: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), John Wayne Airport (SNA), Long Beach Airport (LGB), Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Ontario International Airport (ONT), and San Diego International Airport (SAN). Depending on which airport they arrive at, visitors will need to set up transportation to the Disneyland Resort. They can do this using taxis and ride-share services, or they can look up local bus lines and trains that run from the airports to Disneyland .

• Parks & Destinations
• Walt Disney World Resort, Florida
• Disneyland Resort, California
• Disney Cruise Line
• Aulani Resort, Hawai‘i
• Disney Vacation Club
• Adventures by Disney
• Disney Beach Resorts
• Disneyland Paris
• Tokyo Disney Resort
• Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
• Shanghai Disney Resort

• Disney Parks Blog Get the latest Disney news and updates
• Merchandise Create magic moments with the Disney Store
• Product Safety View official government recalls

• Special Offers
• Walt Disney World Resort
• Disneyland Resort
• Aulani Resort, Hawaiʻi

• Vacation Planning
• Information
• Vacation Packages
• Hotels & Resorts
• Group Experiences
• Disney Shopping Districts
• Guests With Disabilities
• Orlando Family Vacations
• English (USA) Opens Dialog

• North America
• International

Explore the Magic of Disney Vacations and Destinations

_satellite.pagebottom(); -->, special offers, packages & more.

Disney Theme Parks

Enchantment Awaits at Walt Disney World Resort

Journey to all 4 parks during your disney vacation for endless fun.

Imagine a place like nowhere on earth, where moments and memories have no limit.

 Magic Kingdom Park Wander through 6 captivating lands, hop on iconic Disney attractions, meet beloved Characters and catch spectacular fireworks displays and animated parades.

 Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Behold the magic of nature and delight in wild animal encounters, high-speed thrills, nightly entertainment and Pandora – The World of Avatar.

 Disney's Hollywood Studios Embrace the spirit of Tinseltown with a variety of attractions and entertainment inspired by movies, TV, music and theater—including Star Wars - and Toy Story -themed experiences.

 Epcot Ignite your imagination at a park brimming with innovation and global allures. Here, you can travel to outer space and stroll through 11 countries in a single day.

Mix In Water Parks, Dining Shopping and More!

Uncover excitement and leisure outside of the theme parks.

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park

Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park

Disney Springs – Shopping, Dining & Entertainment

Disney's Boardwalk

ESPN Wide World of Sports

Create Your Magical Disney Vacation

Begin building your one-of-a-kind escape by choosing from over 25 Disney Resort hotels. Then, customize a package that lets you take advantage of all 4 theme parks, our 2 water parks and over 150 Walt Disney World Resort dining locations.

Start Planning My Disney Vacation Package

View Disney Resort Hotel Guest Benefits

See Ticket Types

Happiness Awaits at Disneyland Resort

Each park boasts a unique vibe.

Celebrate your love for all things Disney at the original home for never-ending fascination and glee.

 Disney California Adventure Park Make yourself at home in a world where the stories of Disney, Pixar and Marvel come to life within 7 vibrant lands.

 Disneyland Park Feel a dreamy nostalgia at Walt Disney's original theme park, where you can float through 8 themed lands, meet Disney Princesses, encounter a variety of Star Wars experiences and take in mesmerizing entertainment.

Mix In Dining, Shopping and Local Hotspots

Unwind with family and friends in a lively promenade located in between the parks—admission is complimentary! Plus, enhance your trip by checking out nearby landmarks.

Downtown Disney District

Southern California Sightseeing Destinations

Plot the perfect getaway by choosing from 3 amenity-packed Disneyland Resort hotels. Then, customize a package that lets you take advantage of both theme parks, Character Dining experiences—and conveniently add travel options like your flight, ground transportation and other popular SoCal experiences.

View Disneyland Resort Hotel Guest Benefits

Beyond the Parks

Want Information About Planning a Disney Vacation?

Choose Your Destination Below

Disney Destinations Across the Globe

New Disney California Adventure Guidemap Featuring Pixar Fest 2024 Now Available

D isney California Adventure has a new guidemap featuring Pixar Fest 2024. Guidemaps are available at kiosks at the front of the park and some merchandise locations throughout the park.

Disney California Adventure Pixar Fest Guidemap

The front of the guidemap is pink. Mei (in her red panda form), Miriam, Priya, and Abby from “Turning Red” are pictured. Pixar Pal-A-Round is in the background. “2024 Pixar Fest” is above the dates: April 26 – August 4. The Disney California Adventure wordmark is at the top.

Inside is a map of Disney California Adventure. On the right are lists of attractions and dining options in each land.

The red dotted line is the path of the Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! Parade . It runs from Paradise Gardens Park through Performance Corridor and ends in Hollywood Land.

“Performance Corridor” was introduced as a land name last fall . It’s part of the former Pacific Wharf that was split off when San Fransokyo Square opened.

The guidemap also features advertisements for Magic Key, Disney PhotoPass, the Disneyland app, Disney Genie+, Lightning Lane, and MagicBand+.

The yellow page includes park rules, special considerations for attractions, and other information. There’s a legend of special symbols for the map.

Pictured in the “Mobile Order” section are the Pesto Chicken Handheld Pie inspired by “Toy Story” and the Adventure is Out There! Sundae inspired by “Up,” two limited-time Pixar Fest items. The featured MagicBand+ is inspired by “Finding Nemo” and there’s a Cars Land photo in a blank space of the guide.

Are you visiting Disney California Adventure during Pixar Fest this year? What are you most excited to experience? Sound off in the comments.

For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on  Twitter ,  Facebook , and  Instagram . For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT .

The post New Disney California Adventure Guidemap Featuring Pixar Fest 2024 Now Available appeared first on WDW News Today .

• Close 

Do Disneyworld passholders receive any discounts in Disneyland in Anaheim? ”

• Useful 1 Useful Please Log In to mark this question useful.
• Save Answer Please Log In to view your saved answers.
•  Pinterest
•  Facebook
•  Email

Meet the Panelist: Melissa, California

Related video.

Related Links

Visit Disneyland Resort to discover all the attractions, dining, entertainment and more!

• Disneyland Resort Activities
• Disneyland California Adventure Park
• Disneyland Park
• Disneyland Character Experiences
• The Disneyland Resort Magic Key Program!

Didn't find what you were looking for? Click the Ask a Question button to open the Ask a Question dialogue box. If you are not logged in a dialogue box will appear to signin in order to ask a question.

To submit your question, please log in now if you have not already done so., ask plandisney, discover the magic of a disney parks family vacation from one of our knowledgeable online panelists..

256 Characters Remaining

Please do not include personal information such as full names and reservation numbers in your question.

• Relevant Tags Please select at least one tag related to your question from the choices below.

The menu below has been automatically set to the panelist you were reviewing, however, you can ask anyone on our panel.

• Close Ask a Question Opens the Ask a Question dialog box.

Thanks for submitting your question!

You'll receive an email if your question is answered., please note.

Email communication is the only way we can notify you when your question has been answered. If you choose to opt-out of receiving emails, you will need to return to the site to check if your question has been answered.

Update Browser

For a better experience browsing this website, please download an updated version of Internet Explorer .

Or you can continue browsing without updating.

Southern California city council gives a key approval for Disneyland expansion plan

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Visitors to Disney’s California parks could one day walk through the snow-covered hamlet of Arendelle from “Frozen” or the bustling, critter-filled metropolis of “Zootopia” under a park expansion plan approved by the Anaheim City Council.

Disney would spend at least $1.9 billion over the next decade to transform its 490-acre (488-hectare) campus in densely-populated Southern California. It would be the biggest expansion of Disney’s Southern California theme parks in decades, aiming to create more immersive experiences for guests. Disney would also be required to spend tens of millions of dollars on street improvements, affordable housing and other infrastructure in the city.

The council unanimously approved the project early Wednesday at the end of an hourslong meeting that began Tuesday evening. A second council vote for final approval of Disney’s plan is required in May.

The plan wouldn’t expand Disney’s footprint in tourism-dependent Anaheim but would help it add rides and entertainment by letting the company relocate parking to a new multi-story structure and redevelop the massive lot, as well as make other changes to how it uses its properties.

Disneyland, Disney California Adventure and the Downtown Disney shopping area are surrounded by freeways and residential areas in the city 30 miles (48 kilometers) southeast of Los Angeles, so the company sees the plan as vital to creating to continue to create sizable new attractions.

“We are thrilled that the City of Anaheim has agreed to work together on this legacy project,” Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock said in a statement, adding the company awaits the final vote in May. “We look forward to our bright future together!”

A significant share of public testimony to the city council focused on Disney’s plans to buy a public street near the theme park and turn it into a pedestrian walkway and its intention to add a crosswalk on another neighboring street.

Resident Cassandra Taylor said she looks forward to the new rides the expansion will bring but is concerned about Disney’s plans to privatize a city street, adding she first heard of the idea last month in a newspaper article even though she had attended two informational presentations.

“They might have a pedestrian walkway planned now, but once it is theirs, they could just as easily remove it,” Taylor said. “It will be theirs and theirs entirely. Voters will have no say in its future use.”

Over the last two decades, Disney investments have included Cars Land, Pixar Pier, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge and Avengers Campus in Southern California. The company has not committed to which stories it plans to feature given that the new development will take years.

It’s the first time Disney has sought a major change to its California theme parks since the 1990s, when the company obtained approvals to turn Disneyland, its original theme park dubbed “the happiest place on Earth” and built in 1955, into a resort hub. It later built the Disney California Adventure theme park and the Downtown Disney shopping and entertainment area.

Disneyland was the second-most visited theme park in the world in 2022 with 16.8 million people coming through the gates, according to a report by the Themed Entertainment Association and AECOM.

Anaheim is Orange County’s most populous city and home to 345,000 people, a major league baseball team and a national hockey league team. Hotel revenue typically makes up about half of the city’s revenue and is expected to climb to $236 million this year, according to city estimates.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom welcomed the vote as a way to create more jobs in the state of 39 million people.

“We look forward to cultivating more Disney magic and building opportunities for all as this investment drives billions of dollars in revenue for our state and local communities,” Newsom said in a statement.

For Anaheim, the plan would translate directly into much-needed cash for police, fire, libraries and other community services, said Mike Lyster, a city spokesman.

“Whenever Disney invests in Anaheim, we see city revenue grow and our economy expand,” Lyster said. “This is a milestone vote for our city.”