Mickey Visit – Ultimate Disney Planning Guide

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

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

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

Common Questions:

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

Planning a Disneyland Vacation?

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When to Visit Disneyland 2024

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

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

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

Disneyland Sleeping Beauty Castle Christmas

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

Haunted Mansion Holiday

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

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

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

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

Disneyland's New Reservation System 2024

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

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

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

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

What Disneyland Hotel To Stay In

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

Downtown Disney Disneyland Planning Guide

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

Disney Grand Californian hotel room

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

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

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

Outside view of Tropicana Hotel sign

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

Traveling to Disneyland

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

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

Where to Eat on Your Disneyland Vacation

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

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

View of Pixar Pier from Lamplight Lounge at Disneyland

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

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

World of Color Dessert Party

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

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

Disneyland 2024 Packing List

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

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

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

Disneyland Silhouettes- Disneyland Planning Guide

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

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

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

Lego Store in Downtown Disney

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

Disneyland 2024 Park Ride Touring Plans

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

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

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

its a small world disneyland planning guide

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

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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.

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

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

Disneyland Haunted Mansion

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

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

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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 .

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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.

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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!

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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

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

Disneyland Characters 2024

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

disney character dining

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

Tips for Families at Disneyland

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

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

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

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

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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!

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

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

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

Disabilities at Disneyland 2024

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

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

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

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

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

Universal Studios Hollywood 2024

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

Universal Studios Hollywood Waterworld

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

Beach Day at Disneyland 2024

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

Top Disneyland Lists 2024

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

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

Let Us  Help You Plan Your Disneyland Vacation!

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

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

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About Lindsay Brookshier

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

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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.

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Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland is a theme park located in Pudong, Shanghai, serving as the first Disney park resort in mainland China and the sixth worldwide. It opened on June 16, 2016, featuring a blend of classic Disney attractions and unique, culturally specific entertainment experiences.

Shanghai Disneyland Reviews

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I went on a Thursday, the queue is long but it is moving fast. ticket will be linkable only on participating date, we bought 3 express pass in the Disney app. worth the price & it's amazing experience. it was dream come true as a princess

Super fun park, spend a magical and beautiful day! Every amusement project is very interesting, suitable for all ages, and the newly opened crazy zoo park is full of fun...

...But it’s super fun, everything is worth it, the dreamy and magical Disney, the best day, and a few more times in the future...

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Adult Ticket

Shanghai Disneyland Admission Ticket for 1 adult

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Child Ticket

Ticket for 1 child, 3-11 years of age or with a height of 1.0 to 1.4 meters

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Senior Ticket

Shanghai Disneyland Admission Ticket for 1 senior, >60 years old

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2 Day Adult Tickets

Shanghai Disneyland 2 Days Admission Ticket for 1 adult

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Family Ticket (2 Adults + 1 Child)

Shanghai Disneyland Admission Ticket Bundle for 2 Adult & 1 Child

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Tickets + Premier Access + Early Park Entry Pass

1-Day Ticket + Premier Access for 14 Attractions (including Zootopia) + Early Entry

Recommended Hotels Near Shanghai Disneyland

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Melia Shanghai Parkside

Being just minutes away from Disney Resort Metro Station allows guests to explore the city with ease.

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Shanghai Disneyland Hotel

Located in Shanghai Disney Resort

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Shanghai Toy Story Hotel

Shanghai disneyland opening hours.

Shanghai Disneyland Opening Hours

Shanghai Disneyland is open every day of the year, from 8:30 AM to 8:30 PM/9:30 PM . Special seasonal and holiday hours may apply.

Hours may vary; please check the latest schedule on Shanghai Disneyland Official Schedule .

Discounted Shanghai Disneyland Ticket: Up to 25% OFF

Book discounted Shanghai Disneyland Ticket on Trip.com! Here are some options for you. Check more deals and info by clicking the button below!

  • Prices may change, please refer to Trip.com Shanghai Disneyland Ticket Booking Site .
  • Child Ticket Criteria: Applies to children aged 3–11 or 1.01m–1.4m in height.
  • Senior Ticket Criteria: Age 60 and over.

How to go to Shanghai Disneyland

To reach Shanghai Disney Resort, visitors have several convenient and comfortable transportation options:

  • Metro : The Shanghai Metro Line 11 offers direct, efficient access to the resort. Ideal for those seeking a straightforward route, it runs frequently from early morning until late at night, dropping passengers just steps away from major attractions.
  • Car or Coach : For those preferring to drive, parking is available at the Disney Car & Coach Park for a flat fee. This option is perfect for visitors looking for flexibility in their travel schedule and direct access to the resort.
  • Bus : Local bus services, including Pudong Bus Lines 50, 51, and 52, provide a hassle-free journey to the resort. This is a great choice for those wanting to avoid the stress of driving and parking, offering a straightforward walk or short shuttle ride to the resort's main sites.
  • Taxi : Offering the utmost in privacy, comfort, and flexibility, taxis can drop off passengers at the West Public Transportation Hub of the resort. This option is best for those seeking a more personal and less crowded traveling experience.

Best time to go to Shanghai Disneyland

Best time to go to Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland dazzles all year-round, making it an ideal destination regardless of the season. However, Shanghai's climate can shift dramatically across the year, so choosing the right time for your trip can enhance your experience. The park’s attractions, entertainment, and dining options remain open rain or shine, though extreme weather may occasionally impact operations.

Here’s what to expect during each season:

  • Spring (March to May) : Mild temperatures and blossoming flowers, particularly flurry or cherry blossoms, make spring one of the most picturesque times to visit Shanghai Disneyland. With fewer rainy days, it’s a great season to explore the park's attractions comfortably.
  • Summer (June to September) : Expect hot and humid weather, with frequent showers and occasional thunderstorms. This is also the ripening season for plums along the Yangtze River. While summer brings vibrant energy to the park, be sure to pack sunscreen, hats, and an umbrella to stay cool and protected.
  • Autumn (late September to November) : Autumn is a favorite among visitors, thanks to its mild days and cool evenings. The comfortable temperatures and low humidity make this a great time to enjoy outdoor attractions and take leisurely walks through the park.
  • Winter (December to February) : Though snowfall is rare, winter brings chilly weather with temperatures occasionally dropping below freezing at night. This is the quietest time to visit, perfect for those who enjoy smaller crowds, but be sure to bundle up!

Note : Shanghai Disneyland remains open throughout the year, but during extreme weather conditions, some attractions may be temporarily closed or park hours adjusted. Always check the latest updates on storm warnings or potential park closures before your visit.

Things to do at Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai disneyland must-do #1: pirates of the caribbean battle for the sunken treasure.

Join the most charming pirate—Captain Jack Sparrow—as you set sail from Treasure Cove on a thrilling sea adventure. Dive deep into the abyss in search of Davy Jones' sunken treasures, encountering pirates, mermaids, and even a terrifying sea monster along the way. Before Captain Jack embarks on his journey, landlubbers will pass through mysterious Voodoo Alley and Jack's secret hideout—Fathom's Grotto. The most seasoned sailors dream of finding the coveted doubloon coins, and as this adventure kicks off, you’ll feel the “world rocking” with excitement!

Things to do at Shanghai Disneyland

Source: Shanghai Disneyland official website

Shanghai Disneyland Must-Do #2: Zootopia: Hot Pursuit

Ready for a challenge? Step into the shoes of a rookie officer at the Zootopia Police Department and join an exhilarating patrol. However, an unexpected incident occurs—a notorious villain has escaped from prison and kidnapped pop star Gazelle! Team up with Judy and Nick in a high-speed chase, zooming through Tundratown, across Sahara Square, and even soaring above the Rainforest District. You'll be fully immersed in this wild pursuit, facing challenges with your companions on an unforgettable adventure!

Things to do at Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland Must-Do #3: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a family-friendly roller coaster that takes you on a thrilling ride through the hills of Fantasyland village. Unlike other rides, this coaster brings guests into the legendary diamond mine. You’ll experience sudden drops, sharp turns, and constantly changing directions. Along the way, you’ll encounter beloved characters from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs ! Using innovative 3D technology, the ride brings Snow White and her friends to life, creating an unforgettable experience.

Things to do at Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland Must-Do #4: TRON Lightcycle Power Run – Presented by Chevrolet

In 1982, Disney released TRON , the first film to blend live-action scenes, CGI, and animated effects. With a global fanbase, the movie inspired video games, comics, and an animated series, culminating in the 2010 sequel TRON: Legacy . Today, Shanghai Disneyland introduces one of the most futuristic and fastest roller coasters in Disney theme park history— TRON Lightcycle Power Run – Presented by Chevrolet , offering a cutting-edge thrill for guests.

Things to do at Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland Must-Do #5: Soaring Over the Horizon

Embark on an unprecedented adventure with Soaring Over the Horizon . Prepare to take off from Adventure Isle and journey across the globe to iconic landmarks, cities, and natural wonders. Experience the cultural diversity of humankind, uncover the mysteries of civilizations, and marvel at the breathtaking beauty of nature.

Things to do at Shanghai Disneyland

What to eat at Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland offers a variety of dining options, from Western to Chinese cuisines, bringing a memorable gastronomic experience for all visitors.

Chipmunk Snacks | Adventure Isle

Sink your teeth into one of two savory wraps - Beef & Kimchi or Roasted Chicken with Peanuts Sauce Wrap - or refresh with a beverage or frozen treat before the trade winds take you to your next destination.

  • Western, Snacks, Ice Cream, Souvenir Cuisine

What to eat at Shanghai Disneyland

Source from Shanghai Disneyland Official

*The menu items are subject to change. Please refer to the restaurant for availability.

Tangled Tree Tavern | Fantasyland

Welcome to the Tangled Tree Tavern. The design style here is inspired by the Snuggly Duckling pub in Disney's animated film 'Tangled.'

The detailed design recreated the lively and noisy environment in the movie. It is a must-visit place for Tangled’s fans. Guests can enjoy a delicious meal in the lush woods.

What to eat at Shanghai Disneyland

LIAN ·Vietnamese & Thai | Disneytown

LIAN ·Vietnamese & Thai – Disneytown Selection Store is a Vietnamese and Thai style restaurant specially created by Lian Dining Group for Disney fans all over the world.

LIAN skillfully combines high quality food with a warm and friendly atmosphere. Guests can enjoy a variety of authentic Thai and Vietnamese food made from recipes passed down over generations.

There is also a range of children's dishes, including Thai Flying Pie, along with a freshly squeezed juice bar. Together, guests can enjoy a memorable dining experience.

What to eat at Shanghai Disneyland

Barbossa’s Bounty | Treasure Cove

Here, the view is as exciting as the food! Watch the crew of the show kitchen in action as they prepare grilled and BBQ specialties while boats sail past into Pirates of the Caribbean Battle for the Sunken Treasure.

  • Western, Chinese, Snacks, Vegetarian Options, Souvenir, Cafe Cuisine
  • Family Feast, Kids Meal, Quick Service

What to eat at Shanghai Disneyland

  • The menu items are subject to change. Please refer to the restaurant for availability.
  • Guests may bring their own food, excluding items needing heating, with strong odors, or prohibited items like instant noodles and durian. Bottled water and drinks are allowed.

Shanghai Disneyland Map

Shanghai Disneyland Map

Shanghai Disneyland Adress

4MV5+945, Pu Dong Xin Qu, Shang Hai Shi, China, 201205

(Shanghai Disney Resort, Chuansha New Town, Pudong New Area, Shanghai)

Shanghai Disneyland Layout

Shanghai Disney Resort is a comprehensive destination with a variety of themed areas and attractions:

Top Attractions at Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai disneyland attractions #1: mickey avenue.

As you step into Shanghai Disneyland , the first thing you'll see is the welcoming and joyful Mickey Avenue . This lively street is filled with happiness, where you can shop for a variety of souvenirs, enjoy delicious food, and meet Mickey and other Disney friends for memorable photos.

Top Attractions at Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland Attractions #2: Gardens of Imagination

Next, you'll arrive at Gardens of Imagination , the first Disney park area themed around floral art, exclusive to Shanghai Disneyland . Take a ride on Dumbo the Flying Elephant , where you can glide through the air on this classic spinning ride, or hop on the Fantasia Carousel and enjoy a charming journey inspired by Disney’s Fantasia . Marvel fans won’t want to miss Become Iron Man at the Marvel Universe , where you can step into Iron Man’s suit and experience life as a superhero. Nearby, the Marvel Universe offers more exciting interactive displays and activities, perfect for those who love the world of superheroes.

Top Attractions at Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland Attractions #3: Fantasyland

Fantasyland is the largest themed area in Shanghai Disneyland , offering a magical experience for visitors of all ages. While Enchanted Storybook Castle is the heart of this land, Fantasyland boasts a wide array of attractions that bring Disney stories to life. Take a whimsical walk through the Alice in Wonderland Maze , or spin around with Hunny Pot Spin , a fun-filled ride for the whole family. Fans of Winnie the Pooh can enjoy the charming indoor adventure, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh , while Peter Pan’s Flight takes guests on a magical journey to Neverland. For those seeking more thrills, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train delivers exhilarating drops and twists, making it a must-do for coaster fans. If you prefer a gentler pace, set sail on Voyage to the Crystal Grotto , a scenic boat ride through Disney’s beloved stories.

Top Attractions at Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland Attractions #4: Treasure Cove

Treasure Cove is the first pirate-themed land in any Disney park, featuring attractions like Siren’s Revenge , Shipwreck Shore , and the indoor water ride Pirates of the Caribbean Battle for the Sunken Treasure . Follow Captain Jack Sparrow on an adventurous quest for sunken treasures in this thrilling area.

Top Attractions at Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland Attractions #5: Adventure Isle

Adventure Isle takes you into a mysterious and ancient tribe filled with legends and tales of adventure. For those seeking excitement, Roaring Rapids provides an exhilarating water ride filled with big drops and splashes as you navigate through dark and mysterious rapids. If you're looking for something truly breathtaking, Soaring Over the Horizon takes you on a flight around the globe, offering incredible views of some of the world’s most famous landmarks. For adventurers of all ages, Camp Discovery offers outdoor exploration and the opportunity to test your courage and skills while trekking through hidden trails and ancient ruins.

Top Attractions at Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland Attractions #6: Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland is themed around futuristic technology and offers a space filled with innovation and high-tech fun. Start your journey by joining Buzz Lightyear Planet Rescue , an interactive dark ride where you’ll team up with Buzz to defeat the evil Emperor Zurg. For a thrilling experience, hop onto the Jet Packs and soar through the sky as you control your own high-flying adventure. Fans of Stitch can meet the lovable alien at Stitch Encounter , an interactive show where you’ll laugh along with Stitch's antics. Don't miss the TRON Realm, Chevrolet Digital Challenge , where cutting-edge technology allows you to step into the futuristic world of TRON.

Top Attractions at Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland Attractions #7: Disney·Pixar Toy Story Land

Disney·Pixar Toy Story Land is themed after the beloved Toy Story films, featuring the fan-favorite Rex’s Racer , which brings the toy car track from the movies to life, offering thrilling drops and climbs. Slinky Dog Spin lets you enjoy the bouncy fun, while Woody’s Roundup creates a lively experience filled with music and games, offering a unique Disney experience.

Top Attractions at Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland Attractions #8: Zootopia

Zootopia is Shanghai Disneyland 's newest land, opened on December 20, 2023, and marks the world’s first Zootopia-themed area! It perfectly recreates the vibrant city from the movie, making visitors feel like they are in the heart of Zootopia . The standout attraction is Zootopia: Hot Pursuit , where you, as a rookie officer at the Zootopia Police Department, join Nick and Judy on a thrilling chase to capture an escaped villain. Every detail of this land, from the attractions to the themed dining and shops, has been carefully designed to provide the most immersive experience possible.

Top Attractions at Shanghai Disneyland

Shanghai Disneyland Firework Timing

Shanghai Disneyland Firework Timing

"Illuminate! A Nighttime Celebration" at Shanghai Disneyland blends state-of-the-art technology and heartfelt storytelling, creating an unforgettable experience. With an array of projection mapping, pyrotechnics, flames, fountains, lasers, and lighting, the show immerses guests in a magical journey alongside their favorite Disney princesses, heroes, and friends. It's a narrative of light, dreams, and resilience that resonates deeply with all who watch.

【Performance Time】

【Show Storyline】

  • Chapter One: Light Is In You - Highlighting the inner light that guides us toward our dreams.
  • Chapter Two: Ignite The Dream - How our inner flame fuels our aspirations.
  • Chapter Three: Into The Shadows - Facing challenges that may dim our light.
  • Chapter Four: Light The Darkness - Finding strength in our inner light and heroism.
  • Chapter Five: See The Light - Emerging from darkness, guided by our own light.
  • Chapter Six: Light Your Way - Trusting in our light to navigate through life.
  • Chapter Seven: Light Is In You - A reminder that the future is illuminated by our collective light.

Weather conditions may impact the show's presentation, including adjustments, delays, or cancellations due to high winds, poor air quality, heavy fog, or lightning. Such changes may affect the fireworks display, aligning with guest safety considerations.

What to Bring for Shanghai Disneyland

Bringing these items can enhance your visit, ensuring a more comfortable, convenient, and enjoyable experience at Shanghai Disneyland.

When preparing for your Shanghai Disneyland trip, here are a few other things to consider:

  • Electric plug adapter
  • Camera/video camera
  • Extra batteries or charger for camera

Shanghai Disneyland Guide

  • 1. Shanghai Disneyland Opening Hours
  • 2. Discounted Shanghai Disneyland Ticket: Up to 25% OFF
  • 3. How to go to Shanghai Disneyland
  • 4. Best time to go to Shanghai Disneyland
  • 5. Things to do at Shanghai Disneyland
  • 6. What to eat at Shanghai Disneyland
  • 7. Shanghai Disneyland Map
  • 8. Top Attractions at Shanghai Disneyland
  • 9. Shanghai Disneyland Firework Timing
  • 10. What to Bring for Shanghai Disneyland

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Did The Golden Bachelorette ’s Joan Just Reveal Her Front-Runner?

Disney/Yellowshoes

Joan Vassos is a vision. The Golden Bachelorette has just had her first kiss with Chock, and now she’s sitting with me, in her ball gown, eating Cheez-Its as she answers questions about her first one-on-one date of the season at Disneyland Resort .

“I was so hungry,” she says with a laugh. “There’s my elegance factor! By the way, would you like some?”

Keeping it real is the name of the game for the 61-year-old . While she’s thrilled to be ABC’s new leading lady, she isn’t letting the title get to her head—cheesy crackers and all. “How lucky am I?” she says. “I can’t imagine a date going much better than this, so I feel really good about it. And if none did go better than this, I would be very happy with this journey.”

She’s not serving platitudes, either. The school administrator and mother of four from Maryland is aware that she’s on a unique adventure and is quick to tell me that while all the guys are special, she’s realistic about what lies ahead. “Everyone is different,” she says. “I’m certainly not interested in all of them, but I like all of them so much.”

But by the end of the episode, it seems like Chock C., the 60-year-old insurance executive from Wichita, Kansas, is certainly the one she likes the most. Even so, Joan says that throughout the day at Disneyland Resort and their one-of-a-kind dinner at 21 Royal , a private residence once envisioned by Walt and Lillian Disney as a place to host celebrities and dignitaries, she wasn’t sure if he was picking up on her signals.

“Chock said he was worried he wasn’t going to get the rose,” she says. “I was holding his hand and clinging to him [all day]…just having the best time. It does show that he just didn’t expect anything. It’s very humble.”

Joan says the date was better than she could have ever imagined, and she and Chock already made plans to return if things continue to go well. So what does this mean for the other men? And how will Joan—who has said she won’t leave Maryland—handle falling in love with someone out of state? In a refreshing conversation, the Golden Bachelorette gets honest about the realities post-show and why setting up the ladies from Gerry Turner’s season of The Golden Bachelor might be more complicated than she realized.

JOAN VASSOS, CHOCK, the golden-bachelorette, dinner.jpg

Glamour: Well, I just watched you and Chock have your first kiss from about 10 feet away. That’s normal. [ Laughs ]

Joan Vassos: Oh, God.

I was laughing, because as the fireworks were going off, “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” started playing throughout the park. I was like, “They need more romantic songs if these two are going to kiss before this firework display is over.”

I know. What the heck? [ Laughs ] But it was the fireworks finale, and [we felt the pressure], like, you better kiss [before it’s over]. And so poor guy, Chock’s like, “Is it okay?” And I was like, “Yeah, it’s okay.” He’s such a gentleman that he didn’t want to just do it and embarrass me. How nice is that?

That’s very sweet. How does it feel, though? Because yes, you’re watching the fireworks, but everybody is watching you two and waiting for a kiss.

Have you gotten used to zoning out the cameras?

I’m good about zoning out the cameras for every other thing. I honestly don’t even notice them anymore. But the kiss, I know they’re going to show it. You can’t get away with a little kiss without it being on national television and embarrassing my sons. So, that’s the only time I’m really conscious of the cameras in general.

Let’s talk about Chock. Why was he the best person for this date?

CHOCK, the golden bachelorette.jpg

He arrived out of the limo and had a jar of chicken soup because he knew in my first video, I was making chicken soup for my mom. He thought I should taste his, and if it was good—and if he got a hometown visit—he would love to make it for my family. The fact that he was thinking ahead and knew how important my family is to me felt like he was really invested in this journey. You don’t know that about everybody because people do this show for different reasons. I had a really good talk with him later that night, but I needed to see if he was going to be fun.

He was very serious [in our first sit-down chat]. He smiled a lot and told me how beautiful I was, but I want a guy who’s going to have fun with me. You spend your whole life raising your kids and becoming financially sturdy. I wanted somebody that after you do all that, when it’s finally your time, that is going to be fun, that is going to want to have some adventure. I thought, what better place than a Disneyland resort to find out if he can be fun?

Not only was he fun, but he exceeded my expectations on that and was also just really easy to be with. The conversation flowed. You don’t have to think about what you’re going to say next. He’s very interested. He asked a lot of questions. He’s a really good guy, and this date was far better than I ever thought it was going to be. I knew it was going to be amazing, because you’re at Disneyland, but he really impressed me.

How was it better than you could have ever imagined?

You’re kind of dating a stranger and on TV, no less, and a lot is expected of you. It can be really awkward. [But with Chock], it never was. I worry about making sure I’m creating good TV or whatever, but never did that happen here because we were really interested in talking to each other.

That makes me happy to hear, because part of me felt bad I was observing your date all day. Even I was like, “This is weird.” Sometimes I tried to step away or not look, so you didn’t feel like you had eyes on you, even though so many people were watching.

We were more into the date than I think they expected us to be. Disneyland was amazing, and we were taking it all in, but we were also on a date.

CHOCK, JOAN VASSOS, R2D2, Disneyland.jpg

Have you been here before?

Not to Disneyland, but to Disney World. I love it here. I like scary roller coasters, but we also went on Dumbo the Flying Elephant and that was fun. We got to act like we were kids. We met Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and we met the Stormtroopers from Star Wars. R2-D2 flirted with us. He was hilarious. So the whole thing was just…I felt like a kid. We even drank that blue milk. It was just fun. And then we topped it off having dinner at 21 Royal . Rarely does anyone ever get to do that. It’s crazy.

How did you feel giving out your first one-on-one rose on a date?

I felt like it was obvious he was going to get it, but Chock said he was worried he wasn’t going to.

I’m like, “I’m certainly not giving good signals, apparently.” He’s like, “No, you were, but I just have no confidence in this.” I thought it was really obvious that I was going to give it to him, but he wasn’t sure. I realized that it was more special than what I thought, because it was so obvious we’d had such a great time and he wasn’t sure.

Do you appreciate a guy that’s not overly confident?

Yeah, kind of. I clearly was giving signals. I was holding his hand and clinging to him and having the best time, and we laughed…but it does show that he just didn’t expect anything. It’s very humble.

I hate to phrase it like this, but how are you feeling on this journey so far?

Yeah, you have to say it.

It’s been less than a week since this journey began, but do you feel like you could find a partner here?

Yeah. I almost feel dumb saying it, because it has only been such a short amount of time…but I feel way more confident [than I did even on night one]. I can’t imagine a date going much better than this, so I feel really good about it. And if none did go better than this, I would be very happy with this journey. It would already be very good.

That’s a great sign and also the fact, like you said, you’re doing this in a very public setting.

Very public setting.

I loved watching people do double takes as you and Chock walked around the park. Like, “Wait, is that who I think it is?”

I would normally stop and talk to everybody who recognizes me, but I couldn’t do that today, so I felt bad. Tonight, we were all by ourselves on that grassy knoll watching the fireworks and people kept turning around to look at us. So that was a little more awkward, though it was one of the best parts of the date. I mean, those fireworks were insane. They were so gorgeous. And with the music playing? Oh, that was really fun.

JOAN VASSOS, CHOCK, the golden-bachelorette.jpg

I know it’s important for you to find someone who would either move to Maryland or is close by. Chock lives in Kansas. So, what’s the thought process now that you’re in this and most likely the person that you fall for won’t be within an hour drive.

The thought process was more that I was not going to move, but I wouldn’t expect anybody else to move either. So the way that this would have to work is you have to have two homes and go between either—because for me, my family is always going to be the most important, and I would want a man that had the same values. I’m a single parent now. I am all my kids’ safety net. I would never leave them. I brought them into this world. I will always be their mom, and they’ll always be number one to me. I would want a man to feel the exact same way about his family. Chock does. So you have to figure out the living arrangement.

You can’t ask anybody to give up something that important. You have to compromise in other ways, which is making a bigger effort on each of your parts to see each other and maybe figure out another home where everybody comes to see each other sometimes.

Or getting an airline to sponsor you, so you can fly there whenever.

There we go, fly me to Kansas.

I kept wondering with Gerry and Theresa, why can’t they have American or United or something sponsor them?

I know. Come on. What’s the big deal? Get on Southwest Airlines! But there were bigger problems [there].

I appreciate that you are aware of these logistical challenges, because it’s very important when going into this process.

I put it out there. I didn’t want anybody thinking that was going to be an issue. I said it in a CNN interview. I’ve said it very publicly: This is the way I am. I cannot compromise on that. I’ll compromise on a million other things, but I won’t compromise on this.

Could you see yourself coming back here with Chock one day? To Disneyland?

Yeah, we already talked about it. He’s like, “We’ve got to bring the grandchildren.” I’m like, “Well, you don’t have any yet. So we’re just going to have to come. Us.”

Speaking of grandchild, how’s your daughter doing? And the baby?

Very nice of you to ask. They’re perfect. Baby Hartley’s turning one while I’m here, and it’s breaking my heart [not to be there]. I might sneak off. Everything is perfect, and she wants to have another one now already. But thank you for remembering.

I’m glad you get this opportunity now to be in the driver’s seat.

How lucky am I? I know. You are going to fall in love with the guys. Everyone is different. I’m certainly not interested in all of them, but I like all of them so much. They are phenomenal.

I can’t wait for all of your friends from The Golden Bachelor to start calling you as the show is airing and ask you to introduce certain guys to them.

They’ve already bugged me about it before I even started! They said, “Don’t even think about coming back without their numbers.” I have no idea how to get their numbers. I don’t have a phone, I don’t have a piece of paper to write anything on. There’s producers around me all the time. I’m probably not going to get their numbers.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Originally Appeared on Glamour

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Disneyland Guide: Planning Your Trip

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Created by Walt Disney himself and opened in 1955, Disneyland is known the world over. It inspired the term, “theme park,” forever changed the amusement and attractions industry, and is the second most popular park on the planet   (surpassed only by the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida ) with millions of visitors flocking to its gates each year. In addition to the original Disneyland Park, the resort now includes a second theme park, Disney California Adventure, the Downtown Disney dining, shopping, and entertainment district, and three Disney-owned hotels. Visitors adore the parks for its timeless, charming rides as well as some of the most sophisticated and groundbreaking attractions ever developed.

If you’ve never been to Disneyland Resort or it’s been a long time since your last visit, it can be overwhelming. Let’s review the basics, including how to get there, ticket and admissions info, can’t-miss rides, dining tips, and more.

Planning Your Trip

  • Best Time to Visit : To avoid huge crowds and get the most value, don’t visit during major holidays or early summer. Instead, consider January through early March, mid-April through late May, or just after Labor Day through early October. The weather is generally pleasant during these times as well.
  • Language:  English, although you might want to familiarize yourself with Disney-centric terms .
  • Currency:  U.S. dollar. Currency exchange services are available at at City Hall in Disneyland Park, the Chamber of Commerce in Disney California Adventure Park, and the front desks at the resort’s hotels.
  • Getting Around: Once you arrive, the Disneyland Resort is relatively compact and quite walkable. (Although it is very cool to take the monorail between Downtown Disney and Disneyland Park.)
  • Travel Tip:  By staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel or a nearby hotel that participates in Disneyland’s Good Neighbor program , guests can take advantage of the parks’ Extra Magic Hour and Magic Morning early admission benefits.

Things to Do

The two theme parks, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, are loaded with incredible rides, attractions, and shows that appeal to visitors of all ages and thrill tolerance levels. Be sure to allow enough time (at least two full days) to explore the themed lands, experience the best attractions , and see the nighttime shows. If you have young children, you’ll especially want to meet Mickey Mouse and other beloved Disney characters.

  • You can’t miss Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge .
  • Cars Land, featuring Radiator Springs Racers , should also be near the top of your list.
  • No visit to Disneyland is complete without rides aboard classic attractions such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion .

Explore more ways to experience the Disneyland Resort with our in-depth articles about the most scream-worthy rides at the parks , the best Disneyland rides for younger children , and Disneyland for wimps.

What to Eat and Drink

The Disneyland Resort has a surprisingly robust and diverse array of places to dine and imbibe. Sure, you can find typical park food such as burgers, pizza, and (especially) churros. But there are some wonderful fine dining options both in the parks and at the hotels as well as plenty of places to find family-friendly fare. (Your kids would likely love to eat with Mickey and the gang at restaurants that offer character dining .) One of the most unique restaurants is the Blue Bayou in New Orleans Square at Disneyland Park where you can enjoy Cajun specialties while watching boatloads of passengers sail past as they embark on a Pirates of the Caribbean adventure

When Walt Disney built Disneyland, he banned alcohol at the park  . But now you can get your buzz on alongside Buzz Lightyear and belly up to a number of bars throughout the resort. Among the more noteworthy watering holes are Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar in the Disneyland Hotel‘s courtyard, the Napa Rose Lounge at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, and the Carthay Circle Lounge (where the cocktails are sublime) in Disney California Adventure. For an, ahem, out-of-this-world experience, head to Oga's Cantina in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.

Check out our articles on Disneyland’s best table-service restaurants , its top quick-service eateries , and the resort’s best snacks and desserts .

Where to Stay

The three on-property hotels, the elegant Disney’s Grand Californian, the nostalgic Disneyland Hotel  , and the more pedestrian Paradise Pier, are the most convenient places to crash after a day at the parks, and they keep you immersed in the Disney bubble. They are, however, a bit pricey and tend to fill up quickly. There are gazillions of hotels, at a variety of price points, surrounding Disneyland, many of which are within walking distance. You could also consider staying in nearby Buena Park or closer to Los Angeles, but you’d need to factor in the hassle and time it would take to travel to and from the resort.

You can read more about the Disneyland Resort hotels as well as top picks for Anaheim-area hotels .

Getting There

There are a number of ways to get to the Disneyland Resort from nearby airports, including shuttles , limousines, taxis, rideshare services, a rental car, and public transportation .

  • The closest airport is John Wayne Airport (SNA) , which is about 15 miles away. Not all airlines service the relatively small airport.
  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is about 40 miles away, but much bigger. Considering Southern California’s notorious traffic, travel between LAX and Disneyland can be challenging.
  • Other nearby airports include Long Beach Airport , Hollywood Burbank Airport , Ontario International Airport , and San Diego International Airport .

Money Saving Tips

  • There are virtually no discounts available for one-day park tickets, which can be purchased at Disneyland’s official site . One-day, one-park tickets are cheaper than “Park Hopper” tickets, which allow users to go back and forth between the two parks on a given day. Although it is possible to find discounted multi-day tickets, it would still cost less to purchase two one-day, one-park tickets (to visit Disneyland Park one day and Disney California Adventure the other day) than discounted multi-day tickets from a third-party vendor. Visit when the parks are less crowded so your wait times will be shorter, and do advance planning to map out your visits so that you can maximize your two days at the parks.
  • Disneyland often offers limited-time special deals on items such as multi-day tickets or packages that bundle a hotel stay with park tickets. Check the Disneyland site for the current deals.
  • Resources for discounted multi-day Disneyland tickets (and tickets to other SoCal parks) include CityPass and Get Away Today .
  • If you are a member of the U.S. military (thank you for your service!) The resort offers discounted park tickets and hotel rates, which you can find on the Disneyland site .
  • To save on food and beverages, consider choosing a hotel that includes complimentary breakfast in its rates. You could also bring your own food to the resort. While you are not supposed to bring food into the parks, there is a complimentary picnic area near the main entrance to Disneyland Park with lockers that could be used to stow your items. Bring your own water bottle and ask for complimentary refills at any of the parks’ restaurants or at filtered water stations. Restaurants will also offer complimentary cups of water.
  • Visiting the resort during lower-attendance times of year will not only mean shorter wait times and more rides. You could also save lots of money. Hotel rates are often much lower, airfares tend to be less, and discounts and special deals on packages tend to proliferate.
  • Disney offers a popular timeshare program it calls the Disney Vacation Club . One way you could save some money on hotel rates is by renting Disney Vacation Club Points and using them to book a stay at the Grand Californian. Two resources for renting points are  DVC Rental Store  and  David’s Vacation Club Rentals .
  • Forget about the rental car. It’s easy to get from the airports to the Disneyland Resort, and once you are there, you don’t need a car. Plus the Disneyland hotels (as well as most nearby, off-property hotels) charge for parking. Beyond the cost savings, navigating SoCal’s freeways can drive anybody bonkers. If you’ll be continuing your vacation after your Disneyland visit and you’ll require a car, there are some rental car companies near the resort.
  • Forego souvenirs. It is all but impossible to keep impulse buying in check at the Disney parks. But if you can control yourself (or at least limit yourself), you could save a lot of your hard-earned vacation dollars. Instead, you could pick up heavily discounted Disney swag online, at department stores, or even at dollar stores.

Of course, you have to pay to get into the parks. But once you are in, there are some free things you can score if you know how . Before or after your Disneyland visit, you can take advantage of free things to do in Los Angeles.

TEA/AECOM. “ 2019 Theme Index and Museum Index .” 2020, page 12

Orlando Sentinel. “ Walt Disney banned alcohol, but now theme parks say 'drink up' .” 9/12/2018

Designing Disney. “ Design & History of the Disneyland Hotel California: 1955 - 1965 .”

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Everything you need to know about visiting Disneyland

Ariana Arghandewal

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 .

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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.

disneyland trip.com

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.

disneyland trip.com

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 trip.com

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.

disneyland trip.com

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

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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.

disneyland trip.com

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.

disneyland trip.com

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 three 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 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.

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

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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

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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 (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar).

The information for the Citi Prestige 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.

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The Ultimate Guide for Planning a Trip to Disneyland

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

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

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

All about the parks

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What to know about ticketing

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

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

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

Where to stay

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

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

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

Where to eat

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Special events to consider

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

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

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

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

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Planning your Trip to Disneyland Paris

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The Disneyland Paris experience

Escape to the heart of the Disney, Pixar, MARVEL and Star Wars universes that you love so much. Disneyland Paris is full of activities for all ages and all tastes!

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When to visit.

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Disney Halloween Festival

The Mischief Makers, Villainous Masters and Mysterious Hosts have conjured up a recipe for devilish fun. Can you resist it? Find out at this year’s Disney Halloween Festival , from 1 October to 3 November 2024.

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Disney Enchanted Christmas

From as early as 9 November 2024, you, your friends and your family can join ours at Disneyland Paris for this year’s Disney Enchanted Christmas.

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Soak up the summer sun at Disneyland Paris! With outdoor attractions and extended opening hours, there is plenty to enjoy for all the family.

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2024-2025 Disneyland Planning Guide

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Our Disneyland vacation planning guide covers what’s new & next this year and in 2025, when to visit to avoid crowds, best restaurants, hotels in Anaheim, money-saving ticket tips, Halloween & Christmas in the parks, and more. It’s a great resource for first-timers to Southern California or lifelong WDW fans. (Updated September 15, 2024.)

Let’s start with all of the latest update, which is that  Halloween Time at Disneyland is now underway! This also means Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween Party at Disney California Adventure. This is a fantastic time of year to visit, but it’s also  busy.  This is especially true now that the late summer off-season is over, there’s a last-minute surge due to the ticket deal, and school districts are about to take fall break.

Following Halloween’s conclusion, Christmas 2024 at Disneyland will start later than normal (November 15), which is unexpected given the popularity of the holiday season. This is our favorite time of year at Disneyland, as the parks look gorgeous decked out for the season, the food is fantastic, and there’s holiday cheer in the air (seriously). We visit strategically, targeting the lulls in Christmas-time crowds in between the peak weeks to enjoy the parks when they aren’t as busy.

From a planning perspective, the big new thing at Disneyland is Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass. This is essentially paid FastPass, for those who were familiar with that. It’s important to understand how this works and whether you should buy Lightning Lanes before you visit Disneyland.

If you’ve visited Disneyland in the last couple of years, Lightning Lane Multi-Pass and Single Pass might sound like a brand-new thing. It’s not. It’s mostly just a name change from Genie+ for the sake of continuity with Walt Disney World, where there actually were material changes to the line-skipping system.

If you were already familiar with Genie+ at Disneyland, all you really need to know is that it’s now called Lightning Lane Multi-Pass and Single Pass. And honestly, the new names make more sense and are less confusing to casual guests than pairing Aladdin and Cars characters for no reason in particular.

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

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

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

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

Our expectation is that pent-up demand continues to die down. Disney is doing everything possible to fight this, offering a range of discounts–including an unprecedented general public ticket deal through late September 2024 that was only available to California residents in past years. The return of ticket deals, plus park reservations dynamics (they’re frequently being fully booked…only for Disney to open more availability last minute) can make crowds less predictable and more scattershot.

Despite Disney’s best efforts, the slowdown is still happening. Disneyland is returning to a pre-2020 level of normal crowd dynamics, thankfully. Choosing less busy dates is important and that’ll continue to be the case going forward, but to the above points, you only have so much control. Trying to completely avoid crowds can be a fool’s errand, as they’re impossible to perfectly predict.

This is something we even admit in our totally free 2024-2025 Disneyland Crowd Calendars . Those offer day by day guides as to when the parks will be least busy and busiest. These crowd calendars are influenced by a variety of factors, including marketing, discounts, park hours, new attraction openings, special events, Anaheim Convention Center events, and even weather (good or bad). We strive to keep our Disneyland crowd calendars updated to reflect changes in attendance trends.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What’s New & Next at Disneyland

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The next big attraction on the horizon is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure , which opens at Disneyland on November 15, 2024. Extensive technical difficulties have plagued Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom, and we’re hoping this isn’t an issue with the Disneyland version. We’ve experienced Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and while it has a lot to love, it also has a lot of squandered potential. (To say nothing of the breakdowns and unreliability of the ride, which is flatly unacceptable.)

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Looking even further down the road, there is a lot on the horizon at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, including a new Coco ride, Avengers Campus expansion, and Pandora – World of Avatar land.

Unfortunately, there won’t be any new or even reimagined rides opening in 2025. See What’s New & Next at Disneyland in 2025 & Beyond , which covers the 5-year plan for the parks. Suffice to say, it’s backloaded.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will still be less than a year old next summer, but the next new major attraction after that won’t be until Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab open in Avengers Campus. That’ll probably be 2027. It’s  possible  there will be a reimagined ride before then or maybe a new stage show, but we wouldn’t count on anything in 2025.

Now, let’s get down to business: what you need to plan a Disneyland vacation…

When to Visit Disneyland

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

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

Again, our crowd calendars and month by month ranking resources have been updated to take into account changing attendance patterns brought on by Magic Keys, discounted SoCal tickets, entertainment, and more. Crowds have already changed, and we will continue to monitor and update accordingly in the future.

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Another thing to consider is the cost. There are some times of year when tickets are less expensive, which is fairly obvious if you simply look at Disneyland’s date-based ticket calendar. For a much deeper dive, you should check out Cheapest Dates to Visit Disneyland to get an idea of the timeframes that will cost less and are generally better to take a trip to Southern California. That includes average hotel prices, airfare, rental cars, and more in addition to admission.

Throughout the year, Disneyland does seasonal events to help draw locals to the parks. Earlier in the year, there’s Lunar New Year and the DCA Food & Wine Festival . Both of these are smaller scale offerings aimed at locals that run in the spring, but they’re enjoyable for tourists, too. We wouldn’t recommend planning a trip around either, but shifting your dates slightly so a trip coincides with these events could be a smart move.

Later in the spring and summer, the seasonal events often rotate. Most recently, there was Star Wars Season of the Force and Pixar Fest. In the past, Disneyland has done Marvel Summer of Heroes. Summer 2025 will be the Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary . When this will start is unknown, as is what it’ll entail. Possibilities include a promotional event revolving around Paint the Night Parade, new or returning fireworks, a reimagined Fantasmic, and more.

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

One of our favorite parts about the spook season is Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party , which is held on select nights at Disney California Adventure. That’s a hard ticket event, meaning that tickets to it cost extra; you do not need  to attend Oogie Boogie Bash to have a great time during the Halloween season at Disneyland, but we recommend it to anyone who is willing and able to splurge–especially fans of rare characters ( and villains! ).

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

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

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Finally, before solidifying your travel dates, you’ll also want to check out our 2024-2025 Disneyland Refurbishment Calendar to make sure any must-do attractions won’t be closed for renovations during your visit.

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

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

Where to Stay

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There are a ton of options in terms of where to stay near Disneyland: Good Neighbor Hotels, official Disney resorts, nearby hotels within driving distance, sprawling resorts in nearby beach towns, and more.

In  Best Hotels Near Disneyland , we cover our top 10 picks for hotels within walking distance of the parks, with 5 family-friendly budget options, 3 luxury resorts, and 2 Disney-owned hotels. That’s a concise resource if you don’t want to comb through our more comprehensive hotel info.

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

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

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

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

Park Tickets

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Disneyland Strategy & Itineraries

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

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

When it comes to efficiency, the biggest piece of advice we have is to arrive early and stay late. This may seem obvious. After all, the more time in the park, the better, right? We’d take this a step further. The first three hours and last three hours of the day are more valuable than all of the time in between. If you could only do those 6 hours or the 10 hours (give or take) in between, we’d recommend opting for the 6 bookending the day. That’s how valuable that time is–even if you need to take a long midday break to make it happen, do it.

To that end, we’d highly recommend consulting our  Disneyland Park Opening Strategy & Rope Drop Tips for how to start your day. Less practical, but check out our Top 10 Disneyland Rides at Night for the best way to spend your final hours in the park. In a perfect world, you’ll have everything done by then and can just soak up atmosphere while doing those attractions with short waits–but you also might want to slip Space Mountain and Indiana Jones Adventure in there at the end of the evening.

Here are our best and recommended itineraries:

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

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

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

Dining at Disneyland

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Transportation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Southern California BEYOND Disneyland

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Other Disneyland Planning Resources

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Between this blog and TravelCaffeine.com , you should be totally covered with what you need to know if you’re thinking about visiting Disneyland Resort and Southern California sometime this year or in 2025 for Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary. We can’t encourage people enough to give Disneyland a try, especially Disney fans who are biased towards Walt Disney World as their “home” park. Disneyland is a totally different, much more relaxed experience. It’s intimate in both size and feel, and is oozing with history and incredible attractions.

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

Your Thoughts

Are you planning a Disneyland Resort visit this year or in 2025? Debating between Halloween and Christmas? Thoughts on Lightning Lanes, where to stay, best restaurants and snacks, or anything else covered here? Have you previously visited Disneyland? Have any tips of your own to add? Any questions you still have that this guide did not answer? We really appreciate reader feedback and your thoughts, so please share in the comments below!

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Written by Tom Bricker

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hey Tom, I LOVE the blog, huge long-time reader here, and this blog has really revolutionized and supported mine & my family’s Disney trips – including us going to Japan!!

can I ask – what is the pet-sitting situation for your household? I would also love to travel for weeks, but I have 2 cats, and I would love to explore different options for their care

P.S. Also we are going to Disneyland for the first time in 9 years or so, so I appreciate the Disneyland resources!!

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We are not the ones to emulate in that regard. Sarah’s mom watches them for us, which means either flying them back to Indianapolis or her coming out to pet-sit and stay at our house (she’s started coming out a lot, anyway, since Megatron was born–so this works out for shorter trips).

Either option is impractical, but our boys are old (16 and 17 years) and we no longer feel comfortable boarding them.

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Hi, my son is confined to a wheelchair and is to big now for us to pick him up to transfer into a ride vehicle. Are there any plans to make Disneyland rides more accessible for folks like him? We know there are some rides at DL and DCH that allow him to stay in his chair, but his favorites are Radiator Springs Racers and Haunted Mansion.

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The comfiest shoes to wear at disneyland, according to a disney-obsessed editor & a podiatrist.

by Kristine Fellizar , Kristine Solomon , Megan McCarty

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best shoes for disney

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission.

The Best Shoes for Disney at a Glance

Martha Stewart

To be completely honest, I was never really one to care about wearing proper footwear since I used to go pretty regularly. There was even a time in my life where I would walk back and forth between Disneyland and DCA wearing flip-flops, no matter how much my feet hurt at the end of the day. But for my most recent trip, I wanted to buy a pair of sneakers that not only looked cute, but would keep my feet comfy and happy all day long.

So if you’re looking for the best shoes to wear to Disneyland, I’ve got some of the best options for you below.

@lawsonmaee Hoka fam!! #hoka #disneyworld ♬ ITs ANIT new girlfriend of your ex – 🌿R E D H E A D P O W E R🌿

Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Nike, Walmart, Lululemon are SheKnows sponsors, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

Nike Air Max SC

Nike can do no wrong when it comes to sneakers that feel as comfortable as they do cool. Try a pair of these Air Max SC . The cushion Air Max unit in the heel provides superior shock absorption, which will save you on Disney days when the lines feel extra long. The durable rubber outsole is also key when spending hours walking and standing, as it provides reliable traction on all kinds of surfaces, from pavement to cobblestone and beyond. Plus, with tons of color combos, you can find the right fit for your ‘fit—a must, since you’ll want to look cute in your pic with Mickey. Right now, Nike members can save 20% off with the code FALL20 .

Hoka Clifton 9

You’d be hard-pressed to find a walking shoe with more cushioning and shock absorbency than the cult favorite Hoka Clifton 9 . SheKnows writer Kristine Solomon wore her pair for many pain-free miles of blissful sidewalk trekking around Mexico City. Soon after she switched to a different pair of walking shoes, she began having joint pain and an Achilles tendonitis flare-up, and had to switch back to her Hokas. The abrasion-resistant upper and rugged rubber outsoles mean this pair can truly go the distance. And we think they’re really cute. “Omg the most comfortable sneakers,” proclaimed one of many Disney moms on TikTok . “The NUMBER 1 question I get asked is “what shoes do i wear to Disney parks?” and my answer is ALWAYS  @hok a  !,” added another .

Lululemon, Beyondfeel Women’s Running Shoe

“I go to Disneyland at least once a year. After the first couple times, I learned my lesson: Never wear cheap, unsupportive sneakers if you plan on being at the park all day long. After 20,000 steps, I literally had bruises in my toenails (sorry, TMI and gross!) in my Vans Slip-Ons that I normally wear every day with no issues. Disney is NO JOKE,” Gina Vaynshteyn, senior commerce director says. “Since that day, I’ve only worn my good gym sneakers, and haven’t had issues. The reason why Lululemon is on this list TWICE is because they make some damn good sneaks. The new Beyondfeels are on my radar because they’re supportive, stretchy, and have high-absorbing rubber outsoles, the latter of which is what protects your actual feet from absorbing the shock from the ground — these shoes end up taking the hit, which is what you want. They’re breathable, which is another plus if you plan on visiting Disney in the summer and fall. Plus? The colors are really cute!”

Brooks Glycerin 21 Running Shoes

There’s a special reason why we recommend Brooks Glycerin 21 for Disney excursions: Dr. Priya Parthasarathy , DPM, a Maryland-based podiatrist and friend of SheKnows, thinks they’re great. “I am currently loving the Brooks Glycerin 21 and can see myself walking in these all day during a trip to Disney,” she says. “They provide great cushion, a wider toe box and a thick supportive midsole.” The rugged rubber sole on these kicks also includes recycled silica — in fact, the whole shoe is made with recycled materials equivalent to five plastic water bottles — so it’s a great pick for eco-conscious runners, too.

Naturalizer Morrison Sneaker

To balance fashion and function, try a Naturalizer sneaker, like this cheetah print design . (It comes in solids too, if that’s more your style.) The brand is synonymous with foot health—and has been since it began in 1927—and design cute and comfy sneakers that’ll take you from rides to restaurants to parades and back to rides. These low tops feature an innovative cushioning system that anatomically sculpts to your foot, offering all-day comfort, no matter how long the lines are. Choose from medium or wide width to get the perfect fit.

Mephisto Kim Perf

Mephisto is widely regarded as a foot-friendly shoe brand—a few steps in their sneakers or sandals and you’ll see (and feel!) why. If comfort is your top priority for Disney visits, try these zip-on Mephisto sneakers made for easy, knot-free on-and-off. The plush and supportive inside is cushy and breathable—a must for sweaty Disney days—while the natural rubber outsole offers a shock-absorbing heel that spares your joints from aches and pains. Pair these with denim shorts and your favorite Disney tee for a cute-as-can-be look.

Akk Womens Walking Shoes

If you’re looking for something that won’t necessarily break the bank, look no further than these shoes from Amazon . They’re just $41 and have glowing reviews. They were designed to be lightweight, feature a memory foam insole for your total comfort, and come in a ton of different colors. You’re sure to find one that fits your sense of style. Plus, they’re slip-on (they just have a laces look), which make them extra convenient. One Amazon shopper said they were absolutely perfect. They wrote , “Right out of the box, I was able to wear them for long days of walking at Disney World with no blisters or aching.”

S Sport by Skechers Malvina Slip-On Performance Sneakers

Frequent Disney-goer Melissa Tornabene says, “For the first few years I wore slip-on Skechers and they became my Disney sneakers.” Skechers have a reputation for all-day comfort, and this pair is “perfect…if you are on your feet for long hours,” writes one Target reviewer. The easy on-and-off style makes them extra Disney-friendly, and shoppers love the all-black look. “Makes it more dressy and less of an athletic shoe.”

On Cloudnova Sneaker

The On Cloudnova Sneaker kept my feet from completely dying on me at the end of a 12+ hour day at Disney. It’s described as a “runner-tech comfort meets street-ready attitude sneaker” that features “performance cushioning technologies.” From the moment I tried them on, I was in love. They fit so comfortable, they really had a “cloud”-like feel, and your toes have a lot of space to move around. I bought these a few days before my trip and didn’t even need to break them in. They were super comfy from the get-go. During my Disneyland trip, I stood and walked around A LOT. It was a super busy day so lines were insane. The newest attraction, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway broke down, so we waited an hour standing around in holding room while they got that fixed. Plus, we spent a majority of the day walking all around the park and Downtown Disney. We were there from about noon to midnight, and usually I’d be dying at the end of the night. But with these, I was perfectly fine. Zero complaints.

Allbirds Tree Runners

A pair of light, breathable shoes will make your Disneyland trip much more comfortable. These sustainable sneakers from Allbirds are made of breathable eucalyptus and come in a ton of colors and have a stylish look that’s so versatile, you can wear these with pretty much anything. These really have that perfect blend of comfort and style, says shoppers. One shopper even called these the perfect Disneyland shoes. They wrote, “Bought these because I needed some comfortable walking shoes for a trip to Disneyland and I’d heard good things about this brand. They totally live up to the hype!! After two full days of walking around the park (almost 10 miles each day) my feet didn’t hurt AT ALL. I’ll definitely be buying more colors!”

Lululemon Blissfeel Running Shoe

Although Lululemon has a few sneaker options to choose from, fans of the brand can’t get enough of the Blissfeel 2 Running Shoe . These award-winning sneakers were designed to be flexible, supportive, and of course, super comfortable. There are currently eight colors to choose from. One shopper put them to another true test: “Great for nurses!” she wrote. “Soo comfortable, no break-in needed.” Right now, you can snag them on sale for less than $100.

Hoka Bondi 8 Running Shoe

No list of comfy shoes is complete without a pair of Hoka sneakers , and this list has two. Known for their over-the-top cushioning and more than ample arch support, the Bondi 8 is described as a “hard-working running shoe” that features a soft, lightweight foam for ultimate comfort. There are eight colors to choose from, including black, which shows no stains, and a lot of fun, bright options that are perfect for a spring or summer day at the Disneyland Resort. One frequent Disneyland goer couldn’t recommend these enough. As they wrote, “I am a long-time Disneyland Annual Passholder and I spend a lot of time in the parks walking and standing. These shoes leave my feet far less pained at the end of a day of walking 10-15 miles. I am plus-sized, so comfortable shoes make a BIG difference. Keeping up with my mom (on her scooter) and my teens is easier in these shoes.”

Noat Adonis

These pretty pink kicks are hiding a removable latex and cork footbed that molds to your foot for all-day walking comfort and can be removed if you prefer to use your own custom orthotic. Pretty cool, huh? Podiatrist Dr. Timothy Oldani, DPM FACFAS thinks so, too. “The Naot Adonis has a 1.25-inch rubber and foam sole that provides great shock absorption,” he adds. “Its heel indentation and raised footbed can reduce high-pressure areas such as the heel and the ball of the foot, which are most commonly associated with walking on concrete.”

New Balance Women’s FuelCore Nergize V1 Sneaker

You can’t go wrong with a pair of New Balance sneakers , especially when they’re an Amazon best-seller with over 42,900 five-star reviews. The shoes feature the brand’s signature Memory Sole Comfort Insert that offers a “plush feel with every step.” They’re cute, lightweight, and come in several color options. A number of Amazon shoppers wore these during their Disneyland trip and many raved over how super comfortable they were. As one wrote, “Bought these right before a trip to Disneyland because I knew we’d be walking all day. Didn’t even break them in, but didn’t have to! AMAZING SHOES, I love them!! So comfortable! Walked over 20,000 steps for four days straight! No sore back, no sore feet or legs! 100% WOULD BUY AGAIN!” Another shopper called these “Disneyland-worthy.”

Cariuma Salvas

Brooke Shields was spotted wearing a pair of Cariuma’s Salvas sneakers at the airport, and it’s not hard to see why she chose these shoes for traveling. Not only do they totally have that casual-cool vibe, they were made to be ultra-comfy as well. I actually took a trip to Walt Disney World late last year and brought these along. I wore these from rope drop to closing with zero problems. I didn’t get any blisters and my heels weren’t dying at the end of the day, which they sometimes can when I’m standing for hours. Plus, Cariuma prides themselves on being an eco-friendly brand, so you’ll be supporting a company that keeps the environment in mind. This pair is super popular:right now, you can pre-order it for delivery in July.

Skechers Uno – Night Shades

One of my favorite things about going to Disneyland is getting to wear all kinds of fun things that I wouldn’t wear normally. Like these bright green sneakers from Skechers, for instance. I don’t know how many times I’ve been told “cool shoes” or “I like your shoes” while making my way through the crowded, dark hallways of The Haunted Mansion. Yes, they glow. They’re super comfortable as well. If you’re not vibing the bright green, they’re also available in hot pink, purple, and blue.

Chuck Taylor All Star Lift High Top Platform Sneaker

TikTokers are loving Chuck Taylors for Disney, but not the ones you’re probably thinking of. Chuck Taylor All Star Lift High Top Platform Sneakers are the shoes of choice because they have a thicky, cushiony platform that will support your soles from the Magic Kingdom all the way to the Typhoon Lagoon. “I wore them for 13 hours and my feet have never been happier,” one TikToker proclaimed.

@katherineskingdom My favorite shoes for cute disney park outfits! #disneyoutfits #converseallstar #converse #disneyshoeswomen #shoesfordisneyparks #disneyfitinspo #disneygirls #disneygirlies #disneyoutfitsideas #disneyfitcheck #disneyfitspo #disneycollegeprogram #dcp #disneyedit #disneyworld #disneyparks #disneyunboxing #haul #shoehaul #shoeunboxing #styleconverse #styletips #disneystyleinspo #disneyparktips #disneyoutfitsummer #disneyfitideas #shoesfordisney #CapCut ♬ original sound – Katherine Miles

Adidas Astir

These chunky beauties have gone viral on TikTok for their Disney appeal. “If you’re going to Disneyland or Disney World anytime soon and you need a good pair of walking shoes, I truly believe I found the perfect ones,” said a TikToker who spends a lot of time at Disney and has gotten a lot of mileage out of her Adidas Astirs . The “iconic” running shoes are coveted by runners, too. “They feel like walking on clouds,” wrote an Amazon reviewer. One caveat: These shoes are so popular they’re sold out almost everywhere, but Amazon still has some pairs in stock, so run!

@stylingbypaulinaa you need these shoes for your next Disney trip 👏🏻 #disneyland #disneyworld #disneylandcalifornia #disneyoutfits #disneylandoutfit #disneyoutfitsideas #greenscreen ♬ Let’s Go To Disney – Fairview

Crocs Classic Clogs

However you feel about them, there’s one thing about Crocs that can’t be denied: they’re supremely comfortable. Podiatrists love them, and so do many Disney-going TikTokers. “I will never not wear my Crocs to Disneyland,” announced one. And theme park-goer Jaime Thompson claims waterproof sandals are superior to running shoes when it comes Disney excursions. “Between water rides and Florida thunderstorms, no one wants to be sloshing around in sneakers all day,” she says.

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  1. Disneyland Vacation Packages

    Build a dream trip to the Disneyland Resort that fits your family's preferences and budget. Enjoy all the happiness of classic Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park—which includes the revved-up and "tire"-ific Cars Land and the Downtown Disney District. Stay close to the magic at Disneyland Resort Hotels or nearby Good ...

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  3. Disneyland Packages: Find the Best Disney Vacation Packages for Your Trip

    Disneyland Packages 2024: When is a Vacation Package the Right Way to Book? Just like any Disneyland vacation, Disneyland vacation packages vary in price tremendously based on what season you visit choose to visit the resort. The summer months (June-August) and holiday periods (late October-early January and April for Spring break) tend to be the best time to focus your efforts on booking via ...

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    Disneyland Planning Guide 2024: Start Here to Plan Your Disneyland Trip. July 30, 2024 by Lindsay Brookshier. In our Disneyland Planning guide we attempt to make your Disneyland vacation extremely magical while saving you save money at Disney. On this page you will find our basic Disneyland planning articles on getting the most out of your ...

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    Create Your Magical Disney Vacation. 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 ...

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    Shanghai Disneyland is a theme park located in Pudong, Shanghai, serving as the first Disney park resort in mainland China and the sixth worldwide. It opened on June 16, 2016, featuring a blend of classic Disney attractions and unique, culturally specific entertainment experiences. Operating Hours: Varies, 08:30 - 21:30 or 21:30 Address ...

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    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. Disneyland Hotel. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY.

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    Become part of a magical world with a family holiday for £99 per person, per night!‡. When booking a Disney Hotel Cheyenne & ticket package, price based on 2 adults & 2 kids, 4 night/5 day stay, on selected February arrivals. Price for this configuration currently guaranteed until 7 October 2024, subject to availability.

  21. 2024-2025 Disneyland Planning Guide

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    The Best Shoes for Disney at a Glance Best Overall: Nike Air Max SC, $90 Best Running Shoe: Hoka Clifton 9, $145 Best Gym Sneaker: Lululemon Beyondfeel Running Shoe, $158 Best Podiatrist Pick ...

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    Next, immediately after purchasing your Costco Travel package, it is recommended all Guests create a profile (unless they already have one) at www.StartYourDisneylandExperience.com. Link any Disneyland® Resort Hotel Reservation and Ticket Reservations using the Disneyland® Resort confirmation number provided in your Costco Travel documents ...