disneyland resort tour

Save money, experience more.

Disneyland VIP Tour – Pricing, Details, Tips – We Have Been On!

Disneyland VIP Tours are the ultimate way to experience the theme parks. There are several special tours offered throughout the year at Disneyland, from Walt's Main Street Story Tour which takes you inside Walt's Fire Station apartment to the Happiest Haunts tour offered at Halloween, but the VIP tours are the top offerings.

For Disneyland VIP Tours, you are led by a knowledgeable VIP Tour Guide, sometimes referred to as a plaid for the color they wear, who will share fun information about the parks and tips with the group and accompany you throughout the day. On your Disneyland tour you'll be able to enjoy perks like expedited access to attractions, personalized scheduling for your park day, reserved viewing for entertainment, and more! You'll often see celebrities around the parks enjoying VIP tours with guides wearing their recognizable plaid uniforms, but any guest can splurge on this incredible experience.

The Mickey Visit team is in Disneyland every single week. We have been on a VIP tour and it was an incredibly luxurious experience that gives you great access to enjoy the parks in a completely stress-free manner. Keep reading for everything you need to know about Disneyland VIP Tours, including details on what they include and how to access the best VIP Tour prices through Get Away Today.

Get exclusive access to prices on hotel & tickets just for Mickey Visit subscribers. Don't miss our travel hacks newsletter!

In this planning guide:

Disneyland VIP Tour Offerings

Before we dive into the details of VIP Tours at Disneyland, we will cover an overview of what is included when you book a VIP tour.

• Personalized planning
• Expedited access to attractions
• Expert VIP Tour Guide who will accompany you through the parks
• Reserved viewing for entertainment

Note that the price of the VIP Tour does not include park admission, so you will need to purchase this separately. We will discuss the pricing more for Disneyland VIP Tours below. Guests may decide to splurge on a VIP Tour due to the significant perks it offers and not having to worry about the hassle of long wait times and having to plan out their day. You can truly maximize your time in the parks and soak up the magic, enjoying your personalized itinerary with your expert VIP Tour guide taking great care of your group's every need.

Below, we will share more details about each aspect of the Disneyland VIP Tours we listed above.

VIP Tour Guide

One of the most defining aspects of your VIP Tour experience is your VIP Tour Guide. Before your tour, VIP Services or Guest Relations will reach out to you to get a sense of what you'd like in your tour and match you with an expert guide who will be the best fit for your interests. Depending on what your priorities are (like riding all of the top attractions or learning about behind-the-scenes secrets), they will find a tour guide who will be best suited to that to make sure you have the best day possible.

During the VIP Tour, the Tour Guides will share interesting facts, tips, and behind-the-scenes stories about the parks that really elevate your experience. The VIP Tour Guides are also experts at navigating the parks and always have a good sense of what is going on during the day. Beyond the basic knowledge of what is currently offered and not offered at the parks, they know the precise nuances of all of the park happenings so that they can help you navigate the parks effectively and make the most of your experience.

VIP Tour Guides can also pick up mobile orders for you to help you make the most of your time. You'll still pay for the food, but this can be a great time-saver.

Disneyland VIP Tour Personalized Scheduling

One of the biggest advantages of Disneyland VIP tours is the personalized scheduling that is included with the experience. Once you have booked your VIP Tour experience, a VIP Tour Coordinator will help with details like dining reservations, start times, any celebrations to note for the day, and your party's priorities. The VIP guides will also make Park Pass reservations for your party as well.

You will have a customized itinerary planned for the day that is tailored specifically to your group's preferences and interests. See our Disneyland & Disney California Adventure 1 Day Itinerary for an idea of what you'd like to prioritize. This itinerary can be flexible if there are any spontaneous changes your group may decide on.

VIP Tour guests can express interest in certain experiences, and as long as these don't interrupt the normal flow of guests at the park, Disney will try to make it happen for you on your tour. For example, guests could request to see a certain character and enjoy expedited access to permanent character meet-and-greet locations that have backstage access. 

With so much of the current Disneyland experience revolving around planning, it is a huge benefit to have all of this taken care of for you so you can focus on having fun and enjoying the experience!

VIP Expedited Access to Attractions

Another benefit included in Disneyland's VIP Tours is expedited access to attractions so you can enjoy as many offerings as possible during your park day. For attractions that offer Genie+ Lightning Lane, this will be through the Lightning Lane entrance. This includes some of the most popular rides of the park with Individual Lightning Lanes like Radiator Springs Racers and Rise of the Resistance. Guests will get the benefit of not needing to make Genie+ reservations or figure out the best time to ride during the day.

For attractions that don't have a Lightning Lane entrance, you will likely enter with your party from the exit, so the wait is shorter than what a Lightning Lane wait would typically be for these experiences. The ability to access rides with significantly shorter wait times, without needing to juggle Genie+ , stand in long lines, and strategize when to get on certain rides, is one of the biggest perks of the Disneyland VIP Tour.

Disneyland VIP Tour Reserved Viewing for Entertainment

During a Disneyland VIP Tour, you'll also be able to enjoy special reserved viewing for entertainment like fireworks, parades, and shows. You don't need to enjoy this reserved viewing during the time of your tour, and we do suggest seeing them outside of that time frame so you can fully enjoy the tour offerings.

This prime viewing is a fantastic perk that VIP guests get to enjoy without needing to stake out a spot hours in advance. Especially for evening shows, it's the perfect way to end a great day after your tour experience. You can see our guides to parades at Disneyland and fireworks at Disneyland for everything you need to know about the current entertainment offered!

Disneyland VIP Tour Pricing and Details—How to Get the Best Prices!

Disneyland VIP Tours start at $500 per hour for up to 10 guests with a minimum of 7 hours and a maximum of 10 hours (gratuities are not included), so the cost of this experience starts at $3,500. Prices for VIP Tours will be higher during peak times like Spring Break and summer, with the higher end of the current pricing scale currently around $800 an hour.

If you have more guests than 10, you will need another guide. The 10 guests for the tour cannot be changed. Once you book the VIP Tours, these are non-refundable when canceled 48 hours or less before arrival. Strollers and wheelchairs are complimentary with your VIP Tour. VIP Tour schedules are flexible within normal park operating hours.

The price of the VIP Tour does not include park admission, and you need to have Park Hoppers if you are planning on visiting both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. You can book the VIP Tour experience about a year in advance, although the exact hourly rates may not be available until closer to the date of your tour.

While Disneyland VIP Tours are a pricey option, the best way to save money on the experience is to book through Get Away Today . Get Away Today offers a $100 discount off VIP Tours! 

To book this experience through Get Away Today, call their number at 855-GET-AWAY and be sure to mention you heard about them through Mickey Visit get your $100 off. When you call, be prepared with information like when you will be planning your trip and the time you would like your tour to be. Get Away Today can check availability and discuss pricing with you. They'll also be able to follow up about your tour with you over email.

Plan Your Disney Vacation Today!

For the best resource and helpful information for planning your Disney trip, make sure to subscribe to our  FREE Deals newsletter​ . We’ll provide you with helpful planning information, exclusive Disney deals, and access to the lowest-priced Disney tickets anywhere.

You can find more information on planning your vacation in our guides:

• Top Five Tips for Getting Disneyland Dining Reservations
• Best Hotels Near Disneyland 2024: Disneyland Hotel Reviews to Help Plan Your Stay
• Here’s What the Private $18,000 Dinner at Disneyland Is Like

Frequently Asked Questions

A VIP tour at Disneyland currently starts at $500 per hour for a minimum of 7 hours and a maximum of 10 hours (gratuities not included), meaning the minimum cost of the experience is currently $3,500. See everything you need to know about Disneyland VIP Tours in our guide above!

A VIP tour at Disneyland will get you personalized planning, expedited access to attractions, an expert tour guide to take care of your party throughout the day and help you navigate the parks, reserved viewing for entertainment, and more. You can see details about everything that is included in a Disneyland VIP Tour above.

You can book a Disneyland VIP Tour about a year in advance, though the exact hourly rates for the experience may not be available until closer to the time of your tour. See more details about booking the best prices for Disneyland VIP Tours above.

Many who are able to splurge on a VIP Tour consider it worth it due to the unparalleled experience it offers. The personalized planning that allows you to sit back and truly enjoy your park day, the expertise of the incredible VIP Tour guides sharing knowledge and helping you to navigate the offerings of the park, and the ability to save time by skipping long attraction lines and enjoying reserved viewing areas for entertainment make this the ultimate way to experience Disneyland.

Up to 10 people can be on a VIP tour at Disneyland. These 10 guests cannot change, and if you have more than 10 guests, you will need another guide. 

It is customary to tip between 15-20% for a VIP tour guide at Disneyland. Remember that these expert tour guides go above and beyond to ensure you have the best experience possible and take care of your every need. 

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

About Emily Midgley

Emily Midgley is a writer from San Diego, California. She was introduced to Disneyland when she was two and has been in love with all things Disney ever since! At Mickey Visit, she will keep you updated with the latest news from the Disney Parks and provide helpful planning content for your vacation. Her favorite rides at Disneyland are Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout, Space Mountain, and Rise of the Resistance. She loves Marvel (especially Guardians of the Galaxy) and lives and breathes anything to do with Star Wars.

Planning a Disney Vacation? Get Exclusive Discounts + Free Bonuses

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

Previous Post: New DJ Dance Party Coming to Hollywood Backlot for Disneyland Pixar Fest – First In Nearly a Decade!

Next Post: There’s a Hidden Leprechaun House in Disneyland, Here’s Why It’s There

Exclusive Discounts + BREAKING NEWS

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

Guided Tours at Disneyland (Updated for 2024!)

If you’re looking to enhance your visit to Disneyland Resort, I highly recommend adding a Guided Tour to your visit!

A Disneyland Guided Tour is a great way to learn more about Disneyland, and even see some areas that are usually off limits to Guests.

Right now, Disneyland Resort is offering three tours: Walt’s Main Street Story Tour, Disneyland Railroad Guided Tour, and Cultivating the Magic. There are also seasonal tours – Happiest Haunts Guided Tour and Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort.

Keep reading to learn more about these tours at Disneyland including what you can expect on the tour, how to book your tour, and what they cost.

All About Guided Tours at Disneyland Resort in California

Table of Contents

Walt’s Main Street Story Tour

According to the Disneyland website, on this tour Guests will “Experience Main Street, USA through Walt’s eyes while uncovering the history and secrets of this iconic thoroughfare.”

This is a 90-minute tour led by dedicated tour guide. Guests will also learn how Main Street, USA ties into Walt’s hometown of Marceline, Missouri. The tour is offered daily at various times between 9am and 5pm.

The tour ends with a visit to Walt’s apartment over the Disneyland Fire Station in Town Square, including refreshments and photos on the apartment’s patio – which has never been open to Guests before now. Guests will also receive complimentary PhotoPass downloads taken during their tour.

The cost of the tour is $160 +tax per Guest ( prices are subject to change at any time ). Theme park entry and reservation are also required. For more information, visit the Disneyland website .

*Note the popular long-running tour “Walk in Walt’s Footsteps” is no longer being offered.

Disneyland Railroad Guided Tour

Anyone fascinated by trains will love this tour! This 2-hour tour will cover Walt Disney’s love for trains and offer guests a rare glimpse of the Disneyland Park Roundhouse, a backstage area where train vehicles receive maintenance.

Another special perk of the Disneyland Railroad Guided Tour is a ride on the Lilly Belle, the special train car named after Lillian Disney. (Dependent on weather; the Lilly Belle is not air conditioned and will not run if it’s too hot.)

The start date and pricing for this tour has not been announced yet.

Cultivating the Magic Guided Tour

Learn all about the plants and flowers that play a part in the storytelling of Disneyland Park. The tour starts at the front entrance with the Mickey Floral display, and visits nearly every land in the park, culminating with a ride on the Jungle Cruise attraction. 

Happiest Haunts Guided Tour

If you enjoy all things spooky, this may be the best tour for you. 

This 2-hour walking tour through Disneyland Park gives a history of Halloween tales specific to Disney, expedited access to Pirates of the Caribbean, a photo op with the Hitchhiking Ghosts, a complimentary pin and treat, and reserved viewing area for Halloween Screams nighttime spectacular. 

This tour has not been announced yet for 2024. If the tour returns, tickets should go on sale during the summer.

Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort Guided Tour

As you may already know, the winter holidays are a very special time to visit Disneyland. The Holiday Time tour gives Guests the opportunity to experience some of the holiday fun in a new way!

This is a 2.5 hour tour that is only offered during the Holidays at Disneyland Resort. 

Your tour guide will share fun facts and anecdotes about holiday decor and traditions, and includes a ride on “it’s a small world” Holiday and reserved viewing for A Christmas Fantasy parade. The website also promises Guests will receive “delicious holiday treats.”

This tour has not been announced yet for 2024. If the tour returns, tickets should go on sale during the late summer.

Disneyland Resort VIP Tours

If the standard guided tours do not interest you, perhaps you can create your own private tour! But you have to have deep pockets for it!

Any Guest can book their own personal Disneyland VIP Tour for a group of up to 10 people, for the cool price tag of $500 to $700 per hour, with a minimum of 7 hours. So doing the math, that’s $3500 to $4900 as a starting price. That may sound high (and it is!) but if you split the cost between 10 people, it makes the cost a bit more manageable. 

Personal VIP Tours get you a lot of perks. VIP Guests get expedited access to most attractions, so you don’t have to worry about spending most of your day in lines. You’ll also get reserved viewing for any parades, shows, and nighttime spectaculars (if they are included in your time frame). And before your visit, your VIP concierge will help you with any dining reservations you desire.

Be aware that separate theme park tickets and park reservations are required! Park admission or reservations are not included in the price of a VIP Tour.

To book a VIP Tour you can call (714) 300-7710 or email Disney Special Activities at [email protected] , or visit the Disneyland VIP Tour website for more information.

On the Day of Your Tour

• All tours start inside Disneyland, so make sure you choose Disneyland as your starting park if you have a park hopper ticket and your tour starts prior to 11am.
• At the designated time, go to the Disneyland Tour Gardens which is on the west side of the park, between City Hall and the entrance. You will need to give the host/hostess your name and your tour confirmation number. The person who booked the tour may also need to show their photo ID. You’ll be given further instructions once you check in.
• Your entire party needs to be present when checking in. Late arrivals may not be accommodated. 

Disneyland Tour Additional Information

• Most tours can be booked 30 days ahead of time. Same-day bookings may be available, but it’s best to book in advance if there’s a tour you really want to do during your visit!
• The theme park reservation system has made booking tours a little more difficult. Be sure you check for both theme park availability AND tour availability before booking anything! Note that park hopping is not allowed until 11am. 
• There are no tour discounts for Magic Key holders.
• Guests ages 2 and under do not need a tour reservation. 
• Guests under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the tour.
• There is a 24-hour cancellation policy for guided tours, and 48-hour cancellation policy for VIP tours. If you cancel after that time, you forfeit the entire cost.
• Tours are subject to cancellation for any reason. All offerings are subject to change.

Need Disneyland Park Tickets?

I highly recommend Undercover Tourist for the best prices on multi-day Disneyland tickets!

About Mindy

Mindy Marzec is a life-long Disney fan who grew up in Los Angeles. She started This Fairy Tale Life to share Disneyland travel tips for adults. When not at Disneyland, you can find Mindy at home snuggling with her cats and re-watching Thor: Ragnarok for the billionth time.

Join Our Mailing List

• Date Calculator
• Annual Events
• Vacation Planning
• Vacation Packages
• Money Saving Tips
• Disney Genie
• Magic Kingdom
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• Blizzard Beach
• Typhoon Lagoon
• Disney Springs
• Restaurants
• Dining Packages
• Dining Tips
• Resort Guides
• Resort Tips
• Planning Tips
• Ship Guides
• Things to Do
• Cruise destinations
• Dining Options
• Disneyland Park
• Disney California Adventure
• Downtown Disney
• Universal Studios
• Islands of Adventure
• Volcano Bay
• Theme Parks

Disneyland Resort Tours and Experiences

Unique tours and backstage experiences are available throughout the Walt Disney Resort. Unless noted otherwise, tours can be reserved 30 days in advance with a credit card guarantee. Cancellation must occur 48 hours in advance to avoid penalties. Park admission may or may not be required. A photo ID will usually be required when checking in. Photographs are prohibited in backstage areas.

Disneyland Resort Tours Seasonal Tours VIP Tours

Disneyland Resort Tours

Walt’s main street tory tour.

Listen as your dedicated tour guide regales you with behind-the-scenes stories and enchanting tidbits throughout this 90-minute experience. Plus, learn about special links to Walt Disney’s boyhood town of Marceline, Missouri.

It all culminates with a visit to Walt’s apartment high above the Disneyland Fire Station in Town Square where Guests will have the chance to enjoy refreshments on the patio—for the first time ever!

This experience includes:

• A walking tour down Main Street, U.S.A.
• A visit to Walt’s legendary apartment
• Refreshments on the apartment patio
• PhotoPass photos of your party with complimentary digital downloads
• A commemorative lanyard

Days & Times: Daily Duration: 90 minutes Price: $160 per person Park Admission: Separate Admission Required Restrictions: All tours accommodate wheelchairs and strollers Starting Location: Guided Tour Gardens next to City Hall on Main Street, USA Discounts: N/A To Reserve: Reserve online or through the Disneyland App

Seasonal Tours

Holiday time at disneyland tour:.

Discover the holiday history of Disneyland Park and learn about holiday traditions of cultures around the world on this 2.5 hour tour. Includes priority boarding onto “it’s a small world” Holiday, VIP Seating for “A Christmas Fantasy” parade, and a sweet treat and beverage. Available mid November thru early January. Days & Times: Daily during season. Duration: 2.5 hours Price: $110 per person Park Admission: Separate Admission and Park Reservation Required Restrictions: recommended for all guests. Starting Location: Guided Tour Gardens next to City Hall on Main Street, USA Discounts: N/A To Reserve: Reserve online or through the Disneyland App

Disneyland Resort VIP Tours

Disneyland VIP Tour:

VIP Tours provide hassle-free planning, reserved viewing of certain nighttime spectaculars and stage shows, priority access to many attractions, and personalized attention and hospitality. VIP Tour Coordinators can help you preplan major items such as start times, special celebrations, specific family priorities for the day and special dining needs. They can also help you book Disneyland Resort dining reservations. The result will not be a minute-by-minute itinerary, but will allow you the flexibility to make impromptu changes along the way.

Days & Times: Daily Duration: 7 hours minimum, 10 hours maximum Price Range: Starting at $3,500, you and up to 9 other Guests can enjoy a customizable VIP Tour. Park Admission: Separate Admission Required Restrictions: recommended for all guests. Starting Location: Guided Tour Gardens next to City Hall on Main Street, USA Discounts: none available To Reserve: Call (714) 300-7710

Privacy Overview

Disneyland Resort VIP Tours

Top ways to experience Disneyland Resort VIP Tours and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travelers

Disneyland Resort VIP Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• (0.02 mi) Days Inn by Wyndham Anaheim West
• (0.03 mi) Budget Inn
• (0.09 mi) Best Western Courtesy Inn Hotel - Anaheim Resort
• (0.10 mi) Travelodge Inn & Suites by Wyndham Anaheim on Disneyland Dr
• (0.07 mi) Staybridge Suites Anaheim at the Park, an IHG Hotel
• (0.21 mi) Little Red Wagon
• (0.16 mi) Garden Court Bistro
• (0.18 mi) Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo
• (0.16 mi) Hanagi Restaurant
• (0.20 mi) Ronto Roasters

• Disneyland Resort

Disneyland VIP Tours Are Back! Here’s Everything You Need To Know

by Melissa Roden · October 26, 2021

Here at MickeyBlog, we are so excited to share the news that bookings have resumed for Private VIP Tours at Disneyland Resort.  It doesn’t get more magical than having your very own private Disney expert take you through the theme parks and to the front of the lines of some of your favorite attractions!

What’s Included in a Disneyland VIP Tour

For those unfamiliar, the Private VIP Tours run for 7-hours at Disneyland Resort.   Included in the booking is hassle-free white-glove service and hospitality. There’s also some additional premium benefits worthy of mention: 

• Theme Park Reservations – Guests are still required to make theme park reservations for the day of your VIP tour. But, don’t worry, if you don’t already have a reservation the VIP tour office will help you out! 
• Private VIP Tour Guide – One VIP guide is assigned per group of ten. If a group of more than 10 you will need to purchase 2 tours providing you with 2 tour guides. 
• Front of the Line Access – Enjoy your favorite attractions without the wait times! 
• Complimentary Disney PhotoPass- Guests booking a VIP tour will get unlimited PhotoPass downloads to capture your experience as a Disney MVP. 
• Parking is Included – Guests arriving from off-property will be able to park at Disney’s Grand California Hotel & Spa as part of your package! 

How Much Does the VIP Tour Cost? 

This depends on the time of year you book. Prices start at $425 per hour and go up to $700 per hour per tour.  Guests should remember that there is a 7-hour daily minimum per tour. 

Guests should note that park admission is not included in the rate. Cancellation fees may apply when tours are canceled with only 4-days of arrival. 

UPDATED: Health and Safety Recommendations From The State of California 

If you’re planning on booking a VIP tour in the near future, it’s good to be up on the latest health and safety recommendations.  According to a piece published by Disney today, Private VIP Tours will be required to follow the healthy and safety measures at Disneyland Resort.  

At the moment,  the State of California is recommending that all guests be fully vaccinated or that you must obtain a negative COVID-19 test prior to entering Disneyland Resort. For more information on Disneyland’s health and safety policy and procedures please visit: Disneytraveltradeinfo.com/dlr to view important details. 

Image Credit: Disney

For more information on Disneyland VIP tours or to start planning your Disneyland getaway, you can fill out my form below for your FREE no-obligation quote. 

For other VIP Tour information, including valuable know before you go details, click here .  Readers are also encouraged to keep following along with MickeyBlog for further Disneyland news and updates!

Thinking about a visit to Disneyland? Getting started is easy! Simply fill out our form below to get your FREE, no-obligation quote from MickeyTravels.  

Find articles like this helpful? Then why not consider working with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner?  As an agent with MickeyTravels, I’ll be on hand to assist you with everything from finding your perfect package to helping you plan lots of special touches to make your visit truly magical.  Best of all my services are absolutely  FREE .  Get in touch at  1.800.801.4025  via email at  [email protected]   or follow along on  Facebook

Melissa Roden

As an agent with MickeyTravels and a Blogger with MickeyBlog I enjoy sharing, tips, tricks and advice to help readers and clients get the most out of your time with Disney. When I'm not helping clients plan their perfect holidays or nab those hard-to-get discounts you can find me enjoying a Dole Whip at Disney World with my daughter! Reach out for a FREE, no obligation quote at 1.800.801.4025 or find me on Facebook !

Get a FREE Quote!

Interested in booking a Disney Vacation? Look no further! The award winning agents at MickeyTravels are ready to help you book a truly magical vacation!

• Name * First Last
• Number of Adults *
• Number of Children *
• Ages of Children *
• Select Your Destination * *hold ctrl or shift to select more Walt Disney World Disney Cruise Line Disneyland Adventures by Disney Aulani Hawaii Disney Special Event Tickets Universal Orlando
• Approximate Travel Dates *

You may also like...

Bold New Disneyland Loungefly Backpack is All the Fun of the Parks!

April 29, 2022

Disneyland Paris Just Reset Theme Parks to 1955. What Does This Mean?

July 8, 2021

How Walt Disney Changed the Olympics in 1960

February 9, 2022

Recent Posts

New Disney Villains Wallpaper Arrive for Halfway to Halloween

MickeyBlog News for May 6th, 2024

Disney Parks Shares Halfway to Halloween Teaser!

Sign-up for Our Newsletter

May 5, 2024

News / Walt Disney World

Disney Springs / LEGO / Walt Disney World

A Fun, Free LEGO Event Popped Up for Star Wars Day at Disney Springs

Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort Tour Review

Disneyland has an amazing array of activities to celebrate the holiday season. A Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort tour is a great introduction to special details and unique holiday offerings at Disneyland. Experience lots of holiday fun plus guaranteed A Christmas Fantasy parade viewing and “it’s a small world” Holiday access on the 2023 tour.

• What is Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort Tour?
• Full Holiday Tour Review
• Tips for Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort Tour
• Booking a tour
• Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort Tour Cost

Check here for more information about Disneyland at the holidays.

What is Holiday Time At The Disneyland Resort Tour?

Holiday Time At The Disneyland Resort is a popular guided walking tour available seasonally. This 2½-hour group tour takes you to both Disney California Adventure and Disneyland Park to learn how Disneyland celebrates the holiday season. 

The 2023 Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort Tour also includes a ride on “it’s a small world” Holiday plus reserved viewing for A Christmas Fantasy Parade.

Expect two treats and a souvenir mug of cocoa during the tour. The last souvenir is a gorgeous, unique pin/ornament which is a wonderful keepsake.

Full Holiday Time At The Disneyland Resort Tour Review

Tour check-in procedure.

Arrive at check in about 20 minutes prior to your tour start time and check in at Tour Gardens.

When entering Disneyland Park go through the left side opening under the train tracks. Tour Gardens is a small white building located just past the tunnel immediately on the left.

While checking in for your tour, guests are asked about food allergies. If someone in the group has allergies you’ll be offered vouchers for replacement treats. Use these vouchers to find allergy friendly treats before or after your tour.

Find out more about dealing with food allergies at Disneyland here.

Holiday Time At The Disneyland Resort Tour Agenda

Each year the tour has a slightly different mix of information and tour stops. However, this review should give a good idea of what to expect on the 2023 tour.

Before Starting The Tour

A few minutes before the scheduled tour start time, guides began passing out headsets to everyone in the group. These headsets provide a great experience since the parks are loud and there are usually 20 guests per tour.

After everyone has their headsets, it is time to start. The tour begins in Disney California Adventure and the whole group walks across with a tour guide in the lead. At California Adventure cast members open a side gate allowing quick entry instead of waiting in the regular line.

Disney California Adventure

The 2022 Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort spent a lot less time in California Adventure than our previous experience. Once inside Disney California Adventure, our guide showed us special details around Buena Vista Street.

Our guide discussed why the Buena Vista decorations are special. It’s because the decor is representative of what Walt would have experienced in the LA area during the 1920’s and 1930’s.

From here we moved up Buena Vista Street to admire the signature Christmas tree near Carthay Circle. Learn about the significance of the tree’s decor before heading to Trolley Treats where everyone is given a chocolate cake pop.

Next is a quick stop at Julius Katz storefront window. This window ties in with the guide’s brief explanation of Hanukkah history and traditions before returning to Disneyland.

Disneyland Park

Main street.

Upon returning to Disneyland our first stop is Walt’s apartment above the Disneyland Fire Department. Walt and his family used this apartment as a home away from home whenever they were in town. 

Walt was a huge fan of Christmas and cast members honor his memory with a Christmas tree. This tree stays lit in the apartment window all day and night throughout the season. 

A recording of Walt sharing a special Christmas memory is then played through the headsets. Disney fans will immediately recognize this special memory is commemorated in a classic Disney film.

Next, the focus shifts to the massive 60-foot (20-meter) Christmas tree and decor located throughout Main Street. The tree uses smaller ornaments at the top for forced perspective. This trick of smaller ornaments up high makes the tree seem even taller than its already impressive height.

The Disneyland tree is such an iconic part of Disneyland that the area is called Christmas Tree Point year round. This is true even when the iconic Mickey pumpkins reside there.

A short walk up Main Street leads to Plaza Point which is a new seasonal store at Disneyland. Here guides discuss history and traditions of both Diwali and Kwanzaa before heading to Adventureland.

Adventureland

From Main Street walk to an area near Jungle Cruise. Although the Jungle Cruise Christmas overlay is now only at Disney World , hints of jungle Christmas decor remain. A jungle inspired Christmas tree made of palm fronds and adorned with banana garland suit the Jungle Cruise atmosphere perfectly.  

At this point guides allow a “comfort break”. Use this short time to grab a drink, quick snack, or use the restroom before resuming the tour.

New Orleans Square

Learn about the Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay, but return on your own to ride. Haunted Mansion Holiday is not included on the tour.

Admire New Orleans Square decorations and hear the tale of Papa Noel, the Cajun version of Santa Claus.

From New Orleans Square, walk as a group past Frontier Land before stopping at a small rest area. Hear a recording of Panchito sharing Los Posadas traditions before continuing to Fantasyland.

“it’s a small world” Holiday

Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort tour guests use the Lightning Lane entrance for this iconic holiday ride. Culturally appropriate holiday outfits, thousands of twinkling lights, and fully decorated trees make “it’s a small world” Holiday an essential Disneyland holiday experience.

A Christmas Fantasy Parade Reserved Viewing

Rejoin your guide after exiting it’s a small World Holiday. Guides then lead the tour group all the way back to Main Street for A Christmas Fantasy parade reserved viewing. 

Upon arrival get gingerbread loaf and hot chocolate in a souvenir mug to snack on while you wait. Also get my favorite item, a Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort pin which is also an ornament.

Although the viewing area is now standing room instead of seated, the location is ideal. Views of the castle along Main Street make the Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort spot a great place to watch the parade. This is especially true if you are one of the first groups along the front. 

Tips For Holiday Time At The Disneyland Resort Tour

Bring Your Own Headphones

Based on our previous experience, I packed comfortable, but basic wired earbuds for my daughter in my park bag . These earbuds plugged right into the receiver and fit her better than the ones provided.

Those without their own wired headphones are provided an earpiece that sits over one ear. Although a bit awkward at first they work fine for most guests.

Pack Snacks For Those With An Uncommon Food Allergy

If someone in your family has a food allergy, buy snacks before the tour starts. Cast members provide food to attendees very quickly during the tour. 

I used vouchers to pre-purchase items and was glad I did. Treat stops are so fast there isn’t time to buy allergy-safe snacks on the tour.

Have Space In Your Park Bag Or A Locker For Items You Receive

Although the treats, souvenir mugs, and pins are a wonderful part of Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort tours, they can be cumbersome once you are done. 

Have extra space in a bag, rent a locker, or plan on running the items back to your hotel.

Wear Good Walking Shoes

The Holiday Time tour requires considerable walking and standing so comfortable shoes are a must.

Buy A Park Ticket and Book Theme Park Reservations

Admission to Disneyland is not included in the 2023 Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort Tour price. Guests must have a valid theme park admission AND make theme park reservations to attend the tour. 

I accidentally booked our tour, which started at 1:20pm at Disneyland, on our Disney California Adventure park day. Thankfully our park hopper tickets allowed us access to Disneyland at 1pm.

Unfortunately I didn’t realize how long the park hopper entrance lines would be. Arriving on time for our tour was tighter than I expected. 

Pro Tip: Make Disneyland park reservations for your Holiday Time at Disneyland Resort tour day to avoid any issues entering the park.

Book The Tour Early In Your Disneyland Vacation

If possible, take your Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort tour early in your vacation. This gives you the best chance to get an overview of the special decorations and activities, plus time to explore on your own later.

How Do I Book A Holiday Time At The Disneyland Resort Tour?

Book tours 60 days in advance via the Disneyland website for the best chance of taking this popular tour.

How Much Does The Holiday Time At The Disneyland Resort Tour Cost?

During the 2023 season, a Holiday Time At The Disneyland Resort Tour costs $110 per person for those age 3 years and older. Please note you must also have a valid park ticket and theme park reservation to take the tour.

Final Thoughts On Holiday Time At The Disneyland Resort Tour

The Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort tour remains a great way enjoy Disneyland seasonal decor while learning about different holiday traditions. 

Premium access during a 2023 Holiday Time Disneyland Resort guided tour is a huge time and hassle saver. Skipping the “it’s a small world” Holiday queue and having reserved viewing for A Christmas Fantasy Parade is a relief especially on crowded days.

While the tour is open to all ages, some young children might not enjoy the history aspect of the tour. Smaller kids in our group got antsy while the guide was talking. You know your child best so carefully consider before booking your own Holiday Time At The Disneyland Resort Tour.

We always enjoy our Holiday Time at the Disneyland Resort guided tours and will likely keep this Disneyland tradition. The tour changes some each year which means there’s usually something new to learn or experience. 

Pin it for later:

About The Author

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

• Food + Snacks
• Disney Restaurants
• Trip Planning

I did a Disneyland VIP Tour – and it was the best $4,200 I’ve ever spent at Disney

Last updated on Feb 28, 2024 by Adam Bryan . This post may contain affiliate links.

I did a Disneyland VIP tour and it was the best money I’ve ever spent at a Disney Park.

Yes, I know, it’s expensive af, but let me start by saying that you have no idea how bad I’ve always wanted to do one.

Plus, pair that up with seeing Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – a place I’ve been dreaming about visiting for years, and it was basically eating at me to go ever since it opened.

So I decided to bite the bullet.

Disneyland VIP Tour Review

Here’s a quick rundown on how it works:

• Instant access to 30 plus attractions which basically means you get unlimited access to all Fastpass attractions and priority access to about 15 additional attractions.
• Reserved viewing experiences for popular shows, parades, and fireworks in a special reserved viewing section.
• Faster access to character meet and greets.
• 7 hour minimum per tour
• Max 10 guest per 1 tour guide which asl includes children under 3 years old

So here’s how my Sunday with a VIP tour guide went at Disneyland (in May 2019).

And of course it was peak season so just my luck it was $600 an hour. So let me say that first just to get it over with.

Thankfully 2 of my friends came with us so I didn’t feel like I paying that much just for my wife and I.

We met our tour guide Samantha outside of California adventure and proceeded directly to Disneyland park.

Then we finally made it to Galaxy’s Edge. Seeing the Millennium Falcon was everything.

Then with a 5 minute wait, we headed right into the Millennium Falcon.

Riding it twice and being both pilots was a dream. I honestly could’ve went home right after.

Then we did some exploring around Galaxy’s Edge and got some snacks like Green and Blue Milk…

…sweet and spicy popcorn….

…and the coolest Coke bottle you’ll ever see, period.

Then it was time to ride some more rides with our “unlimited Fastpasses!” Our tour guide even rode with us which was pretty cool.

Then once we knocked out all the major rides like Indiana Jones, Big Thunder, Matterhorn, and Hyperspace Mountain, we went over to Disney’s California Adventure to to the same.

The best part was honestly being able to rides Radiator Springs Racers stress-free.

Then once we finished up at the park, we headed back to Disneyland as the sun went down.

Last but not least, we got to watch the fireworks in a reserved, roped off seating area on benches. No standing necessary.

And to make things even better, during the Fireworks, our tour guide went to Galaxy’s Edge and got us a reservation to ride Smugglers Run one last time.

Just a perfect way to end the day.

How much is a Disneyland VIP Tour?

A Disneyland VIP tour ranges from $450 to $900 an hour for a minimum of 7 hours.

The pricing for a Disneyland VIP Tour varies by season and crowd levels.

• Hourly rate is $450 – $900 per hour, per tour guide
• 7 hour minimum
• Park admission is an additional fee
• 2 hour cancellation fees is charged when tours are cancelled within 48 hours.

Is a Disneyland VIP tour worth it?

That 100% depends on you.

Would I do it for 3 days at that peak season rate? Hell no!

But if you only have one day at Disneyland and it’s a weekend and you really really really want to ride a certain ride or explore a new attraction, then yes.

Because in all honesty, there’s only one thing a VIP tour really saves you and that’s time.

No waiting, short lines, and even access to Star War Land, I mean come on, it’s a fantastic offer.

But if money is an issue, bring 9 people with you, split the cost , and it can be quite affordable, especially during offseason (like February).

So in conclusion…

I’ve been to Disneyland quite a few times and I must say, just those 7 hours alone was probably one of the best visits I’ve EVER had.

Great VIP tour guide, awesome company, and nonstop rides at both Disneyland and California Adventure and you got yourself the perfect day.

Update: My Tour in February 2022

So I went on another VIP Tour on February 1, 2022 and I must say, it was a pretty similar experience. But instead of only four of us, there was 8 of us total. But that really didn’t slow us down as we were able to knock out every major ride with a couple hours to spare for repeats.

One difference between this tour and the previous one is that no rides were off-limits. We got to ride Web Slingers in Avengers Campus back to back and entered using the Individual Lightning Lane entrance.

The only thing that was semi-limited was that you are only able to ride Rise of the Resistance once, but honestly, once is enough, especially if you get to bypass that 90+ minute wait.

But if there was one thing that truly separated this experience from my previous VIP tour, its the price.

Since it was off-season and not a Friday or weekend, my hourly rate was $400 (with a 7 hour minimum still).

Be sure to follow us on Instagram for more Disney Parks travel info!

More Travel Planning

About Adam Bryan

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

Reader Interactions

July 26, 2019 at 11:21 am

Sounds like you had a blast…but if you really want to save money and time. All you have to do is be the first group at the park… then you really have time to ride all your favorite rides 2-3 times each (we always do). Then in our group we like pretty much every fantastic ride so we ride each ride by town. Oh and in between these rides we definitely stop at our favorites again like Space mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Indiana Jones etc. and little ride nearly all rides at the park. Oh and easier waiting in the lines when you have a person who is handicapped. When your handicapped you cant cut lines, but you do get to sit down and be called to your ride spot and take the elevator. Oh and while your waiting on say that one ride you go grab the fast passes to your favorites before hand and match the times. Your done and have immediate access to the next ride… but we only pay the ticket and food or merchandise. Lastly, we do have time for the parade and some people stay…I dont because that is a prime time to go ride rides…just have a map or you will get lost and cut off multiple times due to the parade. Overall, Disneyland is starting to become a 2 day thing. Because lines are ridiculous. But we like our ways of getting around them.

February 07, 2021 at 8:47 am

Seriously that’s just insane, terrible advice from a 1%’er or just an idiot that doesn’t know how to plan his day at Disney

DARREN HUNTER

February 14, 2021 at 4:01 pm

This is a dumb article.

Ramiro Licea

February 08, 2021 at 12:09 pm

Oh and Yes this is what everyone does.

January 31, 2021 at 12:28 pm

I could not read this. My 9 year old has better grammar than this author.

February 01, 2021 at 7:15 am

I could not read this paltry remark. My 7 year old has better insults than Sarah’s 9 year old.

John bremburger

February 01, 2021 at 6:05 am

This was a very nice first world story with people who have some intense first world problems.

February 01, 2021 at 7:10 am

No problems were mentioned at all – very petty comment to make – envious much?

Looks like you learned a new adjective and your goal was to use it twice in one day. Congrats!

February 01, 2021 at 7:12 pm

Stfu rich cunt, youre just mad because your precious hege funds are in trouble and your daddys gonna be broke

February 14, 2021 at 8:27 am

Hilarious how a complete stranger can push your buttons and cause you to toss out obscenities on a site devoted to Disney. Emotion much?

Fred Rubble

July 08, 2021 at 5:31 pm

I can tell by your language you are both trash and obviously uneducated. I would bet money you do not even know what hedge fund really is or the tax implications and advantages to owning or investing one. However I can see that you will never enjoy the success of having money to spend and are full of vitriol towards perfect strangers who simply advised about a good time they had. We are nothing more than sad that you will live a pathetic existence full of failure and hate. Have fun with that!

July 27, 2021 at 6:44 pm

Jeez. You people are a bunch of whining, petty jerk offs. Oh wait. I get it. Disneyland is in OC. You’re just behaving OC-typical.

June 06, 2022 at 7:27 am

Sounds like someone is jealous!!

February 08, 2021 at 3:11 am

Well, you basically have two options. You can continue to angrily respond to everyone pointing out that no matter how well off a person is, this is an insane amount of money to throw at an amusement park (as if your replies will somehow change that fact)….or you can go spend several thousand yourself on this experience. I guarantee you no one here will be upset if you choose to throw away your money that way.

February 14, 2021 at 6:02 pm

I didn’t see anger in the commenter’s comments, just a response to people attacking the author. And that someone gets to the point where they are lashing out and say “STFU…cunt” wow…..complete overreaction.

I respectfully disagree there are 2 options he has – and you know that as well. It’s just your way of marginalizing their comments to two negative responses.

Whether or not it’s an insane amount of money, calling someone out for their grammar/spelling is rude. As far as the insane amount of money, I’m still interested in hearing what options are out there – even if I choose not to spend my money that way.

Why do people want to get snarky about how someone else spends their money?

April 15, 2021 at 7:57 pm

I have to agree with that

December 03, 2021 at 6:39 am

I’m doing this trip..and if you had the money you would to! Don’t hate, participate…

February 01, 2021 at 5:01 pm

Quit trying to sell this over priced experience. We need to send disney a message. “Make your shit parks more affordable” the end.

September 24, 2023 at 7:19 pm

If it’s a shit park, why do you care what it costs? According to you, even if it was $5.00 it would still be a shit park.

Andrew V Rossetti

February 01, 2021 at 8:16 pm

Never been to Disney yet, but that seems like a real good way to go! Thanks for posting

February 16, 2021 at 4:27 pm

February 03, 2021 at 9:15 am

Thanks for posting. I am considering a Disneyland trip with my kiddos someday in the future and I appreciate all the tips people write in their articles. Thanks again!!

February 16, 2021 at 4:31 pm

no problem!

July 03, 2021 at 4:16 pm

Alot of jealous people commenting i see. Good for you man for experiencing a good day at Disneyland!

February 04, 2021 at 2:16 pm

To all readers Sadly this will not happen at Disneyland Park in California with all the new restriction guidelines We’ll have to make a reservation then you’re limited to guests being parks You’ll have to make reservations to get on rides a lot of changes I don’t know how it is in Florida but in California it’ll be way different

February 16, 2021 at 4:32 pm

Yeah that’s kind of a bummer. They did bring back the tours for Orlando so helpfully sometime in the next couple years it returns to Cali

February 07, 2021 at 10:51 pm

My family & I have been to Disney countless times, know the parks & always have a blast. We sprang for the VIP last time (first time) it was worth every penny! I would do it again in a heartbeat. We had 10 in our group & it was amazing. We hit every experience & ride in both parks in our time in one day. Our guide was amazing, the kids still talk about him.

February 12, 2021 at 6:53 pm

How much did you tip your guide? On an hourly or daily rate?

February 16, 2021 at 4:30 pm

We tipped off the hourly rate and a little bit extra since our tour guide did an awesome job

October 28, 2021 at 3:28 am

Would you say you tipped roughly an extra hours worth?

MarkClusters

February 13, 2021 at 3:03 am

Cant you just buy a fast pass ticket for all the rides? It’s not clear to me wbat the added value is of dragging this guy along.

February 16, 2021 at 4:29 pm

Yeah that’s usually how everyone (myself included) does it since it’s honestly the better option. However, since we were flying in from Orlando and Star Wars Land was very new and busy, this was the best way to practically guarantee entrance at that time.

April 18, 2022 at 4:02 pm

The lightening lane pass is only available on certain rides and does not include the new one in the Star Wars area (Resistance). So your guide will get you to the front of the line for ALL rides with a maximum wait time of 15ish minutes.

August 31, 2023 at 11:38 pm

No, that won’t work. Genie+ limits you to once per ride, requires a timed return time, and limits you to holding one Lightning Lane entry at a time (until 2 hours have gone by). With all the scheduling restrictions and limited availability, you might get to use 3 or 4 Lightning Lanes in a day, and you’ll be having to adhere to a schedule to be at certain rides at certain times (often backtracking across both parks). VIP Tour solves all of that – go to any ride you want, in whatever order you want, as many times as you want (except ROTR – limit once). We did 17 rides across both parks in 7 hours, including Cars and Guardians twice each. There is no substitute for a VIP tour. It’s the only way I do Disney nowadays.

February 20, 2021 at 3:30 pm

Wow, what a mouth on the jealous chick! I think this is a great option …… I’ve done it three times with two families….. I’m sure it will change now …..plan on doing again ….great fun and time well spent , anyway between two families, you almost spend as much anyway ! We all had all year passes , by the way ……🤪

March 10, 2021 at 1:28 pm

Great article! Totally makes me consider doing a tour which I never considered before, thanks!

April 04, 2021 at 8:27 pm

While the tour guide makes between $15-17/hour. Gotta love Disney. 🤣

April 05, 2021 at 2:57 am

I really wonder what kind of people would spend $4200 to have a guy lead you around in Disneyland. Yes, you save a bit of time because the guy probably knows the place better than you. But you lose the sense of discovery. You lose the privacy and intimacy of your household. And you lose a disgusting amount of money.

Katherine Wong

April 21, 2021 at 6:40 am

Disgusting to YOU. How anyone chooses to spend their money is their business. What someone thinks is exorbitant is chump change for another. As for the other commenters saying the 1% blah blah, “hedge fund manager”, my husband is a mechanic. We scrimp and save for these experiences. Pre-pandemic Disneyland was a local-infested, freaking zoo. Wish people would add, in my opinion to their inane analyses on the way people live their lives. Live and let live. Or, live and let die.

April 27, 2022 at 4:58 pm

What are you implying by “ local-infested, freaking zoo”?

April 28, 2022 at 4:06 am

Still I find it weird that somebody would like to spend their day at Disneyland with a complete stranger, let alone pay for it. It’s not as if you need to find your way around in a strange country where you don’t speak the language and you risk your life if you end up in the wrong neighbourhood. It’s a f***ing theme park. You get a little map at the entrance.

April 15, 2021 at 10:13 am

For the price I was expecting to read that you learned a lot about the park, history or some behind the scenes gems. Here’s my pro tip, which is much cheaper: go early, avoid the magic morning park, buy a MaxPass (when available again), use the mobile app to preorder food as much as possible. Your feet will thank you.

John Marbles

April 15, 2021 at 10:57 am

For that price I would expect a blowjob by Minnie Mouse herself.

April 21, 2021 at 6:43 am

You like ’em dry…and with a side of hantivirus to boot, eh?

July 08, 2021 at 5:26 pm

Crude but funny!

garthbiscuit

April 16, 2021 at 1:35 am

My preferred way of visiting Disney World is the following. I pay a professional journalist 250K to spend a whole week at the park. He will taste all the food items, ride all the rides and even interview other guests. Then he will write everything down in a nice booklet, which is then printed on fancy looking silky paper. This way, I can enjoy the park, reading the booklet in bed or on the toilet! I don’t even have to leave my house. And best of all, no waiting lines!

April 16, 2021 at 2:59 pm

Thanks, Adam. I loved the article, and hope to take the tour, with my family, some time in the future. Just wondering how you tipped your guide?

April 17, 2021 at 4:36 pm

You had to pay for tparking??, that’s laughable, sad really. No behind the scenes tour, or maybe a peek inside the apartment above the fire station.

April 21, 2021 at 6:42 am

Some people just go for the rides, ya know?

Sander Theys

April 29, 2021 at 1:16 pm

As a european: why the hell do you have to tip the guide? You just gave him 4200 dollar to spend a day at disneyland. I really dont understand that whole tipping thing…

Windsong Conlon

December 11, 2021 at 2:58 am

I wonder that the hourly wage is for the tour guides. If it’s only $20 an hour then it’s just $140 pay for 7 hours. A $500 tip means everything to them if that’s the case. But I really don’t know.

May 08, 2021 at 2:54 pm

Did they check your ID when entering? I know it’s only open to CA citizens but a few people in our party aren’t from California.

June 19, 2021 at 7:52 pm

Love this!! Thank you for the review!! Definitely considering this for our next trip to Disney!!

Not A Cheap Ass

June 20, 2021 at 4:21 pm

Don’t listen to all these cheap ass people who live in liberal, broke ass, CA. The VIP IS 100% worth it. No need to get there early as hell or having to run around getting passes to ride what you want to ride. With the VIP, you do what you want, when you want.

October 11, 2021 at 1:20 am

Hates liberal, broke ass CA, drops over $4,500 to spend an entire day there. You really showed them my guy

Emil Cheaffers

July 09, 2021 at 1:41 am

I really don’t get why you would want to spend your day with a total stranger, breaking the intimacy of spending quality time with your family. I would not do this even if it was free. The only explanation I can think of why people should do this is when they are a bit retarded and not able to read the little park map you get at the entrance. You don’t want to get stuck in Alice’s maze for 9 hours straight.

December 11, 2021 at 3:02 am

The tour guides are fun! At least that’s what I’ve heard 😉

August 26, 2021 at 11:54 am

Any idea if Webslingers or Rise of the Resistance is included?

September 10, 2021 at 1:40 am

So for a few days Rise of the Resistance was included but they backtracked on that. Web Slingers is probably still too new to be included

November 09, 2021 at 9:08 pm

Hello! Thank you for sharing. Your VIP tour guide followed you guys the whole 7 hours? Or let you guys walk around on your own and meet up later? How soon do you let the VIP tour guide know to reserved seats for the fireworks? The roped off seating area on benches sounds awesome. You mentioned 7 hours with the tour guide – from what time to start and end?

December 22, 2021 at 6:16 pm

Hey Sandy, the tour guide follows you the entire time. The only time they ever left us was when they didn’t want to go on the ride with us. For the fireworks, we told our guide during the tour that we wanted to end the day watching fireworks so she made sure to get us back in front of the castle just before they stared. It’s a 7 hour minimum and you can choose any time slot. I just prefer afternoons/evenings so we started our later in the day. Hope this helps!

December 29, 2021 at 12:01 pm

Great article. I think you just sold me on this. Definitely doing this next time. Totally worth it to knock out all the big rides and then some in one day for both parks. Cost per person is reasonable if you max out the # in your group, seems like a great deal to me. My time is worth way more than waiting in line for over an hour.

Those haters can go fly a kite. And I like having first world problems.

Happy new year!

February 14, 2022 at 11:38 pm

We are going for a VIP tour in the morning and CAN NOT Wait! Thank you for your article.

February 15, 2022 at 1:31 am

Great! We did it last month and now we can’t get enough of this kind of activity. Yesterday I paid $7500 for the Walmart VIP Shopping Tour. This tour guide helped me picking the best produce and pointed me straight at the cash register with the shortest line. Money well spent, I would say!

Erin Holmes

February 22, 2022 at 11:02 am

I did it too! It was so worth the money. Not sure how I’ll ever do it again without the VIP!

Deborah Williams

March 28, 2022 at 11:48 am

Thank you for the info! Our VIP Tour (for Disneyland only) will be at the end of April and we are very much looking forward to it! Few perks have been added to the VIP Tour now that I’d like to share: free valet parking up to 2 cars at Grand Californian Hotel, free lockers, free manual wheelchair, free dinner/parade/fireworks reservations (even if your tour has concluded, you still get the reservations). I am waiting to hear back if we get complimentary ponchos for Splash Mountain so will report back. Also, not all Tour Guides will have a tour that day and will be assistants for those that do! So if you have merchandise, popcorn buckets, etc and don’t want to carry any more, an assistant will come and get your things and hold for you until tour has concluded. I saw a video of someone sharing their VIP Tou experience and the tour guide waited in line for popcorn for the guests! The guests still ad to pay but I mean waiting in line for a churro if I need to visit the ladies room? Yes please!!

April 11, 2022 at 9:17 am

How munch is it total for 5 people? And is it only for one day?

September 02, 2022 at 12:40 am

Thanks for writing about your experience, as I was curious what the VIP tours entail. If money is no object, then it sounds well worth it especially not having to stand in those endless long lines Disneyland always seems to have.

John Galbraith

September 02, 2022 at 1:22 am

I don’t think those lines disappear just because you’re dragging a complete stranger along.

November 12, 2022 at 1:05 pm

My wife and I went on the VIP Disneyland California tour November 1st 2022. We have been visiting Disneyland from Ireland every year (except 20 & 21 since 1992. I will compare it with Universal VIP, Universal gives you breakfast & lunch, you get genuine immediate access to attractions, no wait in the lightning lane for 10 minutes, also you can still use your VIP pass after the tour has finished for the remainder of the day. Universal is very much less expensive, although you are in a group of about 15. Universal also gives you access to a special lounge. Disney is really out to make as much profit from people as possible, the guide was pleasant, but I felt the value was poor.

January 31, 2023 at 5:27 pm

My family and I still talk about how great our Universal VIP tour was. Well worth the money for sure

January 27, 2023 at 4:28 pm

I was wondering how much you ended up tipping your guide? There are 4 of us that will be with our guide so similar to your first tour.

Thanks in advance!

January 31, 2023 at 5:26 pm

Hi! So if I remember correctly, it was around $100

February 27, 2024 at 3:53 pm

Yikes…$100 seems kinda low. For a 7-hour tour (at $700/hour), I tipped $500.

March 05, 2024 at 5:52 pm

ISMAEL GOMEZ

May 10, 2023 at 1:12 am

well just love your pictures and story… We are doing this for our 45 anniversary because we always wanted to do this And we just love Disney… And if people cry about cost,,, Stay home……..

February 27, 2024 at 3:52 pm

This is one of those clickbait “articles” that gets its dateline constantly updated so it appears “fresh”, when it is actually many years old. The VIP tour price quoted ($425-600) is woefully outdated. I took 2 Disneyland VIP tours last year (2023) and have one scheduled for June 2024. On my last tour (September 2023), I paid $700/hour on a Thursday. Based on recent quotes, the price is now $600-900 per hour, but I’m sure that will continue to rise. Regarding all the comments about it being outrageous, all I can say is: I found it to be a good value – the freedom to enjoy the attractions in any order with minimal waiting resulted in a stress-free 7 hours where we rode 17 rides in DLand and DCA (all the E-tickets plus a few other faves). Well worth it.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

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

Will Disneyland get an Avatar land? It’s likely. Here’s what else may be in store

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

With the city of Anaheim unanimously voting to pass DisneylandForward , the Disneyland Resort will be forever changed.

Twice in the last 69 years, Disneyland has been significantly transformed. Four years after the park opened in 1959, Disneyland added its monorail, the Matterhorn Bobsleds and a submarine ride and expanded Autopia. It was a message that would begin to fulfill Walt Disney’s promise that Disneyland would never be completed.

Huge Disneyland expansion to add new rides, restaurants and hotels wins OK

Anaheim City Council approves a plan to amend zoning rules to allow Disneyland to build new rides, hotels and stores within its existing footprint.

April 17, 2024

More than that, however, it revealed that Disneyland would continue to look to the future. Disneyland in 1959 showed its guests possibilities — a transportation system in the monorail that could remake urban communities, a tease of the freeway system that would reshape travel and a glimpse at the sort of deep-sea excursions only a lucky few could witness. The Matterhorn, while inspired by the film “Third Man on the Mountain,” also was meant to be a transportive experience, to not only bring to Disneyland a new kind of thrill ride but give visitors a taste of international adventure.

Disneyland’s second reimagining came much later. In 2001 the Walt Disney Co. would open Disney California Adventure, the Grand Californian hotel and the Downtown Disney District. These additions would attempt to make Disneyland, the company’s original park, one that could, in theory, rival Florida’s Walt Disney World by becoming a resort that could demand multiday stays.

This expansion succeeded as well, but not overnight.

The original vision of Disney California Adventure proved to be lackluster, relying heavily on on-the-shelf rides and lacking emotion-driven experiences that take visitors out of their daily life. While the Grand Californian is a Craftsman-inspired triumph, Downtown Disney is in the midst of a transformation and is still attempting to outgrow its reputation as a home for chains and midtier eateries.

And now we’re entering a new era of possibilities, one that likely will look much different from the prior two. Modern Disney is centered on intellectual property — or IP, in corporate speak — rather than Walt-era idealism, and the most tantalizing prospects of DisneylandForward center on building around existing structures rather than erecting a new park.

With DisneylandForward, the company won the flexibility to redesign the resort. Zoning rules will be amended so that Disney can add new attractions alongside hotels on the west side of Disneyland Drive. These will, if they come to fruition, likely be extensions of Disneyland or Disney California Adventure rather than a third park. Additionally, a new shopping, dining and entertainment district can be created to the southeast on what is currently the Toy Story parking lot at Katella Avenue and Harbor Boulevard.

Company brass and the DisneylandForward materials have offered teases of what could be built. Most of these have centered on recent expansions at Disney’s international parks, such as the World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland or Zootopia at Shanghai Disney Resort. There’s been little ideological talk about the future of Disneyland, as the focus has centered squarely on popular properties and franchises rather than the resort’s status as a cultural hub and gathering space.

But DisneylandForward came with a pledge. The Walt Disney Co. has promised to spend a minimum of $1.9 billion on Disneyland attractions, lodging, entertainment, shopping and dining in the next 10 years. That money can go quickly, with modern attractions costing sometimes in the high six figures, but the Walt Disney Co. also is in the midst of doubling down on its theme parks. Disney has guaranteed to spend $60 billion over the next 10 years in its experiences division, with at least half of that total dedicated to parks and resorts, according to a recent SEC filing .

It’s safe to say that the next 10 years will shape Disneyland for decades to come. While there’s much to be revealed, there are, perhaps, some safe bets. Here are a few educated guesses as to what to expect with an expanded Disneyland in the near term.

Get ready for Pandora

DisneylandForward materials reference everything from “Tangled” to “Peter Pan” to “Tron” as possible experiences that could come to Anaheim. One word, however, is missing, and it’s one that’s been regularly referenced by Disney brass in recent weeks: “Avatar.”

Disney CEO Bob Iger mentioned it at a recent shareholder meeting, even sharing the “Avatar” concept art, which was referred to as “inspirational artwork.” Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, wrote in a blog post after the shareholder event that further news on Disneyland-related attractions such as the “Avatar” experience was tied to the approval of DisneylandForward.

“We are excited about the stories our guests could experience at Walt’s original theme park destination after approval of DisneylandForward — including the chance to experience all-new Avatar adventures with a visit to Pandora,” D’Amaro wrote . And last night in Anaheim, Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock again teased “Avatar” at the DisneylandForward hearing and vote. Finally, one of Disney’s most respected theme park creatives even posted the “Avatar” concept art on Instagram , expressing the hope of sharing more on the project in the future.

Travel & Experiences

Want to see Disneyland’s most advanced animatronics? Visit Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

With new droids at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and some of the most lifelike characters ever created at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Disney is looking to wow guests.

April 4, 2024

Consider a large-scale “Avatar”-inspired land all but a done deal, and the art shared for Disneyland isn’t an exact replica of Florida’s Pandora — The World of Avatar, which resides in that coast’s Animal Kingdom park. Now where to put it? Expect Pandora to be bound for Disney California Adventure. There’s been speculation that it could replace the area currently served by water ride Grizzly River Run or move into a largely vacant slot of Hollywood Land, but neither is ideal. The latter requires a rerouting of the monorail, and Grizzly River Run remains a popular attraction.

Here’s betting it’s positioned in one of the DCA expansion areas near the Pixar Place Hotel, as that would allow the company to give the James Cameron property a plethora of space, especially if Disney must hide a large show building behind an illusion of floating mountains.

Expect more hotel options

With Disneyland lacking the acreage of Florida’s Walt Disney World, hotel prices in Anaheim are at a premium. Rooms for the recently revamped Pixar Place Hotel — Anaheim’s “budget” option — can routinely top $500 per night. More hotel space is needed, and if Disneyland goes all-in on “Avatar,” expect lodging and more entertainment options to follow close behind. Disney has long touted development of the Toy Story Lot as prime space for hotel, dining and entertainment modeled after Florida’s Disney Springs district.

The DisneylandForward materials mention the land as “the perfect location to cater to locals, conventioneers, hotel and Disneyland Resort guests with restaurants, hotels, live music, shopping, ticketed shows and theme park experiences.” A new proposed parking structure to the north would solve the parking issue, and Disney has done extensive research on this already, as it was part of an earlier, pre-pandemic planned development known as the “Eastern Gateway.”

Walkways to and from the new parking structure would connect the current resort to the new entertainment area. And while fans may want Disney to rapidly fill the available space with theme park attractions, if the resort is planning to increase capacity it’s first going to need a spot for those guests to park. Additionally, Iger at a recent media event said the company likely would hold back some of its theme park funds so the organization could move on the popularity of new films or franchises.

“We actually have a fairly good idea in the near term of what’s being built, but we’re purposefully not going to allocate it all,” Iger said. “Because who knows? In five years we can end up with a giant hit movie — think ‘Frozen’ — that we may want to mine essentially as an attraction, or a hotel or restaurant in our parks. So you want to maintain some flexibility.”

What about ‘Frozen’s’ Arendelle? Or a ‘Coco’-themed experience?

Beyond “Avatar,” which seems a sure thing as it’s been mentioned by Iger on multiple occasions, any future aspects of DisneylandForward become pure speculation. But a couple of franchises may have higher priority than others.

Disney now has a “Frozen” attraction in Walt Disney World, a land in Hong Kong and experiences in the works for Disneyland Paris and Tokyo DisneySea. Walt Disney Imagineering, the company’s secretive arm devoted to theme park experiences, clearly has done the work on bringing “Frozen” to life in physical spaces, and it stands to reason that expansions to the original Disneyland Park, with its fairy-tale feel, would go more of a Fantasyland-inspired route.

What’s more, re-creating Arendelle in the expansion plots located near the Disneyland Hotel would give Disney the opportunity to construct a second castle, as any extensive changes to park centerpiece Sleeping Beauty Castle are prohibited due to structural limitations . The enduring popularity of “Frozen” seems relatively assured at this point, so bringing the franchise to Disneyland is far from a risk.

The unmissable addition to Disneyland’s Star Tours ride? Space whales

Star Tours has become one of Disneyland’s most versatile attractions, and its latest update nods to series such as ‘The Mandalorian,’ ‘Ahsoka’ and ‘Andor.’

April 9, 2024

But if the company opts to create something unique for Southern California rather than importing Hong Kong’s World of Frozen or Shanghai’s Zootopia, one franchise that seems to be routinely brought up by executives is “Coco.” When mentioning blue-sky concepts last year year at an investor event in Florida, D’Amaro teased “Coco” as a key film that has yet to be properly explored in the Disney parks.

Potrock again mentioned “Coco” in an op-ed in the Orange County Register touting the benefits of DisneylandForward, writing that the initiative could pave the way for “the chance to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos in a ‘Coco’-themed experience.” Disney California Adventure, of course, is home to a Dia de Los Muertos celebration that does center a short “Coco” show, and the property seems especially ripe for Southern California and our heavily Latino communities. That makes it an opportunity to give Disneyland an unique land not found in other parks while also tapping into the region’s diverse fan base. Walt’s original park deserves no less as it looks ahead to closing out its first century.

More to Read

Why Disney is doubling down on theme parks with a $60-billion plan

April 24, 2024

Column: Disneyland just promised electric cars at Autopia. Gas will be gone by 2026

April 19, 2024

Disneyland’s $1.9-billion expansion project is latest mega investment in the Anaheim resort

Sign up for The Wild

We’ll help you find the best places to hike, bike and run, as well as the perfect silent spots for meditation and yoga.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

Todd Martens joined the Los Angeles Times in 2007 and covers a mix of interactive entertainment (video games) and pop music. Previously, Martens reported on the music business for Billboard Magazine. He has contributed to numerous books, including “The Big Lebowski: An Illustrated, Annotated History of the Greatest Cult Film of All Time.” He continues to torture himself by rooting for the Chicago Cubs and, while he likes dogs, he is more of a cat person.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Meow Wolf supercharged the way we experience art. Is L.A. ready for the wild ride?

May 3, 2024

Zip, zoom and soar in L.A.’s extraordinary new playground for bike riders

May 2, 2024

27 very L.A. ways to spend time with Mom — or not — on Mother’s Day

April 30, 2024

7 epic day trips you can take by train from Union Station

April 29, 2024

Vacation Planning

New 2024 Summer Ticket, Hotel Offers Coming to Disneyland

by Valerie Lee , Public Relations Manager, Disneyland Resort

Excited to plan your summer vacay? We’re giving you the inside scoop on a great way to save on a summer getaway with a new  3-Day Disneyland Ticket Offer  that’ll soon be available to everyone! You, your family and friends can visit again and again to enjoy the magic of  Disneyland park or Disney California Adventure park for as little as $50 per child, per day (ages 3-9) and $83 per adult, per day, Monday – Thursday, for a limited time with the purchase of a three-day, one-park per day ticket. These tickets, which are an exceptional value, go on sale May 29, 2024, for visits June 10 through Sept. 26, 2024, and require a park reservation for each day of your visit.* This three-day ticket can be spread out over separate dates during the season, and options for upgrades such as weekend visits, Park Hopper tickets or adding the Disney Genie+ service are available at the time of purchase. 

And keep reading to learn about special summer hotel offers, too!

These multi-day visits give you more time to enjoy a summer to remember at the Disneyland Resort with so much to see and do, including the return of  Pixar Fest , “ Fantasmic! ” and even the late summer/early fall favorites of  Halloween Time  and  Plaza de la Familia .

In addition to all the exciting attractions, world-class entertainment and beloved characters, here’s a look at some of the other experiences you won’t want to miss during your visit!

The Return of “Fantasmic!” 

“ Fantasmic! ,” Disney’s longest-running nighttime spectacular, is returning to Rivers of America in Disneyland park beginning May 24, 2024. “Fantasmic!” will return with refreshed moments in the iconic show that features live performances and special effects to take guests on a journey through Mickey Mouse’s imagination, filled with fantastic events and images as seen in some of our most beloved Walt Disney Animation Studios classic films such as “Sleeping Beauty,” “Aladdin” and “Tangled.”

The popular production will introduce a new climactic battle sequence between Sorcerer Mickey and Maleficent, brought to life with updated special effects, plus the return of the thrilling shipboard confrontation between Peter Pan and Captain Hook from “Peter Pan.”

When the show returns, guests can enjoy this spectacular alongside the Rivers of America with standby viewing. Guests may begin queuing no earlier than two hours before showtime. For more information on how to experience this show and for dining package options, check back soon on Disneyland.com .

Pixar Fest is in Full Swing! 

Pixar Fest ,  a celebration of friendship and beyond featuring beloved characters and stories from Pixar Animation Studios, is going on now through Aug. 4, 2024. Heartwarming entertainment includes the new daytime parade, “ Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! ” which just debuted at Disney California Adventure park, and at Disneyland park, the emotional “ Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular ” also returned with some all-new scenes. During the festival, keep a lookout for new characters such as Ember and Wade from “Elemental,” Luca and Alberto from “Luca” and more! 

At the  Pixar Pals Playtime Party , Fantasyland Theatre at Disneyland park is transformed into a daytime fun zone for the entire family. Then, each evening over at Disney California Adventure park,  Club Pixar  comes alive with an energetic DJ-led experience for all ages in the Hollywood Backlot. 

Plus, beginning May 10, six Pixar-themed food and beverage marketplaces will open at Disney California Adventure park to make your day even more delicious! Themed to “Luca,” “Ratatouille,” “Turning Red,” “Soul,” “Elemental” and “Inside Out,” these marketplaces will run throughout the remainder of the festival. 

During Pixar Fest, be sure to see all the colorful décor, enjoy themed food and drinks and snag commemorative merchandise across the Disneyland Resort theme parks, hotels and Downtown Disney District.

Halloween Time and Plaza de La Familia Return Aug. 23, 2024

Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort ,  fun for all ages, will return for a spellbinding season beginning Aug. 23, transforming the resort with autumn décor and characters dressed in hauntingly haute Halloween outfits, plus pumpkins along Main Street, U.S.A., in Disneyland park and cars in their “carstumes” at “Radiator Screams” in Disney California Adventure park.

Plaza de la Familia at Disney California Adventure park celebrates the everlasting bonds of family, Mexican traditions and the spirit of Día de los Muertos with décor and entertainment. Among the activities to enjoy are “A Musical Celebration of Coco,” an entertaining street show inspired by Pixar’s “Coco.”

Stay and Play with Sizzling Savings at Disneyland Resort Hotels

After a day of fun, stay in the magic at a Disneyland Resort Hotel and enjoy special savings.** Hotel guests may save up to 25% on select stays at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the Disneyland Hotel or The Villas at Disneyland Hotel when staying four nights or longer, or may save up to 20% at these hotels Sunday – Thursday without a minimum night stay.*** These offers are for stays June 10 – Sept. 26, 2024, and can be reserved May 29 – Sept. 12, 2024, subject to availability and restrictions. 

Relax in the Craftsman-style elegance of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, unwind amid the enchanting nostalgia and mid-century modern design of the Disneyland Hotel or surround yourself in timeless storytelling and artistry of Disney Animation   at The Villas at Disneyland Hotel, an all-new Disney Vacation Club property.

The Hotels of the Disneyland Resort are ideally located just a short stroll from both theme parks and the Downtown Disney District, and offer  extra special perks  and uniquely Disney experiences.

What’s your favorite go-to, must-do in summertime? We are excited to have you rediscover your favorites and create wonderful new memories, too!

*Tickets valid for use beginning June 10, 2024, and expire September 26, 2024. Tickets are not valid before 6/10/24. Tickets may be used on nonconsecutive days. Monday through Thursday tickets are blocked out every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the ticket validity period. Each day of use constitutes one full day of use.  May purchase up to 15 tickets per eligible person per day.  Tickets are nonrefundable, may not be sold or transferred for commercial use and exclude activities/events separately priced.  Offer may not be combined with other ticket discounts or promotions. Subject to restrictions and change or cancellation without notice. Sales may be paused from time to time or terminated at any time.

To enter a park, both a theme park reservation and a valid ticket for the same park on the same date is required. Theme park reservations for 3-Day Disneyland Ticket Offer holders are limited in number and subject to the availability of park reservations allocated to the 3-Day Disneyland Ticket Offer as determined by Disney, applicable blockout dates, and theme park capacity. Reservation availability for 3-Day Disneyland Ticket Offer holders is not guaranteed for any date, and reservations may be difficult to get for any particular date, especially as the ticket expiration date approaches.  To ensure best availability, make reservations early. On any given date, park reservations may be available for general theme park tickets even though park reservations allocated to the 3-Day Disneyland Ticket Offer are fully reserved. 3-Day Disneyland Ticket Offer holders are not entitled to any reservations Disney makes available to others.  Parks, attractions, entertainment, experiences, services, and offerings may be modified, limited in availability or unavailable, and are subject to restrictions, and change or cancellation without notice. Park admission and offerings are not guaranteed.  Visit  Disneyland.com  for important information to know before visiting Disneyland Resort.

**A consecutive 4-night or longer stay is required, and cancellation of any nights of a stay may affect discount availability.  Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room stay at the same hotel and is valid for most nights from 6/10/2024 through 9/26/2024.  Book from 5/29/2024 through 9/12/2024; travel must be completed by 9/27/2024.   Not valid for select Concierge rooms, Signature or Premium suites, or 2 Bedroom or 3 Bedroom  Villas, or at certain hotels .  Not valid on previously booked rooms.  Advance reservations required.  Subject to availability as the number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Excludes applicable fees and taxes. Limit two (2) rooms per reservation, and occupancy restrictions apply per room. Additional per-adult charges may apply if more than two (2) adults per room. Offer applied once per reservation and is not valid in combination with any other hotel discounts or offers.  Subject to restrictions and change or cancellation without notice.  Separate Theme Park admission and Theme Park reservation for same date and same park required to enter a Theme Park, and a hotel reservation does not guarantee theme park access. Visit Disneyland.com/updates for important information to know before visiting the Disneyland® Resort.

***Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room stay at the same hotel and is valid for Sunday through Thursday nights from 6/10/2024 through 9/26/2024.  Book from 5/29/2024 through 9/12/2024; travel must be completed by 9/27/2024.  Not valid for select Concierge rooms, Signature or Premium suites, or 2 Bedroom or 3 Bedroom  Villas, or at certain hotels . Not valid on previously booked rooms.  Advance reservations required.  Subject to availability as the number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited.  Excludes applicable fees and taxes.  Limit two (2) rooms per reservation, and occupancy restrictions apply per room. Additional per-adult charges may apply if more than two (2) adults per room. Not valid in combination with any other hotel discounts or offers.  Subject to restrictions and change or cancellation without notice.  Separate Theme Park admission and Theme Park reservation for same date and same park are required to enter a Theme Park. Park reservations are limited, subject to availability, and not guaranteed, and a hotel reservation does not guarantee theme park reservations. Visit Disneyland.com/updates for important information to know before visiting the Disneyland® Resort.

Topics: Vacation Planning

Other Stories by

New Culinary Delights Coming to Downtown Disney District 

Now open pixar place hotel celebrates pixar stories at disneyland resort, sign up to get interesting news and updates delivered to your inbox from the disney parks blog.

By submitting this form, you are granting Disney Parks Blog permission to email you. You can revoke permission to mail your email address at any time using the unsubscribe link, found at the bottom of every email. We take your privacy seriously. For more information on our data collection and use practices, please read our Privacy Policy .

By providing my email address I'd like to receive updates, special offers, and other information via electronic messages and postal mail from Disney Destinations, LLC and other members of The Walt Disney Family of Companies.

You can withdraw your consent for these messages at any time. For more information on our data collection and use practices, and managing your preferences, please read our privacy policy .

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

California Disney characters are unionizing decades after Florida peers. Hollywood plays a role

CORRECTS NAME TO MEGAN ESBER Disneyland Resort Cast Members, Courtney Griffith, left, hugs Megan Esber after a news conference in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Workers who help bring Disneyland’s beloved characters to life said Wednesday they collected enough signatures to support their push for a union. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

• Copy Link copied

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — During three years of working as a parade performer at the Disneyland Resort in Southern California , Zach Elefante always has had a second or third job to help him earn a living.

Unlike the experiences of his peers at Disney’s parks in Orlando, Florida, where there is a much smaller talent pool, the performers who play Mickey Mouse, Goofy and other beloved Disney characters at the California parks aren’t always provided a consistent work schedule by the company.

It’s among the reasons the California performers are organizing to be represented by a union now, more than four decades after their Florida counterparts did so.

While Disney asks character performers to be available to work at any time, that demand isn’t always rewarded with scheduled work hours, the California performers said.

“A lot of performers get the sense that if they don’t give their full availability, we won’t be in shows … and that will impact other jobs we need to sustain a living in this area,” said Elefante, who lives in Santa Ana, California.

Earlier this month, the California character performers and the union organizing them, Actors’ Equity Association, said they had filed a petition for union recognition.

It’s a different era and a different union doing the organizing this time around, so the California character and parade performers likely will avoid some of the bad blood that the Disney performers in Florida have experienced with their union, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

It has been a rocky four-decade marriage in Florida between the performers who put the “magic” in the Magic Kingdom and the Teamsters, a union historically formed for transportation and warehouse workers which had deep ties to organized crime until the late 1980s.

Why now for the California character performers, so many decades after their Florida counterparts organized? Unlike in Florida where performing as a character often is a full-time job, many of the character performers in Southern California have multiple other gigs, often in Hollywood movies and TV.

Elefante performs at rival Universal Studios Hollywood and works as a tour guide for the movie studios. In addition to performing in the “Fantasmic!” show at Disneyland, Chase Thomas works as the director of operations for a theater festival and previously has had jobs as a visual effects coordinator and entertainment licensing agent.

Angela Nichols moved to California to be a TV writer and often works as a writer in addition to her job as an entertainment host at Disneyland, where she assists the character performers when they’re interacting with guests.

“Disney really is a cornerstone of the stories we grow up with in our culture. Being able to watch people immersed in these stories and live it out is magical,” Nichols said. “And when we’re being supported as cast members and performers, we’re able to make that happen. We’re just not being set up for success in the way we need to be at this time.”

When many of their Hollywood gigs dried up because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent actors’ and writers’ strikes, the character performers wanted more consistent scheduling at Disneyland once it reopened after a yearlong, pandemic-related closure. The pandemic also made them more alert to health and safety concerns concerning things like hugging guests or having sanitary costumes.

Most of the more than 35,000 workers at the Disneyland Resort in Southern California already were unionized, and the parades and character department members were among the holdovers.

“A lot of cast members want to do this fulltime and make it work,” Thomas said.

Unlike their Florida counterparts, the character performers in California are being organized by a union devoted to performers. As such, Actors’ Equity Association officials understand the unique needs of the theme park performers in ways that would be difficult for other unions to grasp.

When there is a new stage show, the shoes of the costumes need to be tested to make sure the performers won’t trip or slip on stage. Union representatives make sure “face performers,” whose faces are visible, such as Cinderella, have the right makeup and double check that parade dancers have ice packs available to nurse sore knees.

Unclean costumes are a perennial problem, and it was a top reason for the Florida performers wanting to organize with the Teamsters in the early 1980s. The other reasons included kids kicking Disney villains like Captain Hook in the shins and adults grabbing at the chests of performers playing Mickey Mouse to see if there was a man or woman underneath.

Clean costumes were so important to the Florida character performers that more than two decades ago the Teamsters succesfully inserted a contract clause to assign individual undergarments that the performers could take home to wash after pubic lice and scabies were shared via the garments.

There always existed a culture clash in Florida between the costumed character performers and the traditional Teamsters union leaders of truck drivers and warehouse workers. The drivers often viewed the performers as living charmed lives, paid to dress up every day as if it were Halloween.

Those tensions came to a head in the late 2010s as a new leader of the local Teamsters affiliate in Orlando began targeting the costumed character performers for harassment. The character performers pushed back and the fight went up to James Hoffa , then-head of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, who intervened.

In California, Elefante is hopeful union representation will give performers a voice in decisions about issues including the larger-than-life costumes, which can cause long-term injuries when ill-fitted, and the safety of performing in parades during rain.

“It’s about having a seat at the table and being a part of the conversation from the performers’ perspective,” Elefante said.

Associated Press reporter Amy Taxin in Orange County, California, contributed to this report.

Mike Schneider’s book, “Mickey and the Teamsters: A Fight for Fair Unions at Disney,” was published in October by the University Press of Florida. Follow him on X , formerly Twitter.

New Orleans Square & Critter Country Updates

We’re working hard to bring new experiences to life on the west side of disneyland park while continuing to invest in the improvement of overall pathways and surrounding areas., here’s a look at what to expect if you’re visiting soon, new orleans square.

• Haunted Mansion Haunted Mansion is closed while we create a new queue experience. Read more about the enhancements taking place on the Disney Parks Blog .
• Disneyland Railroad – New Orleans Square Station Due to work in the area between Tiana’s Palace and the Haunted Mansion , the Disneyland Railroad station in New Orleans Square is unavailable for boarding and unloading, though the train will continue to operate. Guests who require an accessible entrance to the attraction can use stations in Mickey’s Toontown and Tomorrowland .
• Popcorn and churro carts may be temporarily relocated during this time.

Critter Country

• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open later this year—we can’t wait for you to drop on in!
• The Briar Patch The Briar Patch will close May 1, 2024—along with the land—to begin its transformation to Ray’s Berets.
• Pooh Corner Pooh Corner will close May 1, 2024—along with the land—to begin its transformation to Louis’ Critter Club on the left side of the store. When the location reopens, the treats side of Pooh Corner will remain a destination for must-have merchandise from Hundred Acre Wood, including beloved sweet treats like Tigger tails.
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Due to its location in Critter Country, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh will close with the land May 1, 2024.
• Hungry Bear Restaurant Hungry Bear Restaurant will remain open when Critter Country closes May 1, 2024. Due to increased traffic in the area, we remind guests that the restaurant is also accessible via Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge . Use the Frontierland entrance into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, proceed past the marketplace and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance , and continue along the path to Hungry Bear Restaurant.

Accessibility

• Please note that due to ongoing construction, walkways in New Orleans Square and Critter Country are more impacted than usual.
• The nearest service animal relief area is along the pathway to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge under the elevated train tracks. View all relief areas .

Publish Date :May 1, 2024