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Everything You'll Need to Know for a Trip to Disneyland

Want to visit the famous Anaheim theme park but don’t know where to begin? Consider your Disney vacation sorted. You’re in for much more than a visit with Mickey Mouse and a handful of rides, because Disneyland Resort is actually home to two separate theme parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. They’re located directly across from each other but host a different set of enjoyable rides, shows, and lands, some of which you won’t find at other Disney Parks worldwide. If you’re curious about stepping inside Sleeping Beauty Castle or Star Wars : Galaxy’s Edge, experiencing the world of Cars , and riding every glorious Disney attraction on your next trip to the California parks, we’re here to help you discover the Happiest Place on Earth. Here’s everything you’ll need for a first visit to Disneyland — besides a pair of Mickey ears, of course.

The Sleeping Beauty Castle

The original Magic Kingdom is known for its classic attractions and quintessential “main street” charm, but hosts plenty of electrifying rides throughout its themed lands. Disneyland Park is also home to the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle, which sits in the center of the park.

Attractions and Rides

From Jungle Cruise and It’s A Small World to Pirates of the Caribbean, there are a multitude of famous family-friendly attractions at Disneyland, but that doesn’t mean it’s short on thrills. With Star Tours’ Star Wars simulations, the rollicking Indiana Jones Adventure and Disneyland’s multiple mountain-themed coasters, it’s home to many of Disney’s most exciting rides.

Star Wars : Galaxy Edge

Today’s most-discussed attractions and rides are tucked away inside Star Wars : Galaxy’s Edge, Disneyland’s newest land. Here, you can encounter the Resistance while eating otherworldly food, adopt a plush Tauntaun after visiting Oga’s Cantina, or be apprehended by Stormtroopers before stepping foot on the land’s two rides — Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run, which allows flight crews to operate the famed starship and Star Wars : Rise of the Resistance, a monumental battle opening in January.

Restaurants

Disneyland offers all the theme park staples — ice cream, corn dogs, and plenty of churros — but sit-down restaurants like Plaza Inn and River Belle Terrace are first-rate. Foodies should hit New Orleans Square for mint juleps and Mickey Mouse beignets or try indulgent tableside offerings at Cafe Orleans or Blue Bayou Restaurant.

If you want a cocktail with all those treats, you’ll need to look elsewhere. Alcohol is only served at one place inside Disneyland Park: Oga’s Cantina, which is located within Star Wars : Galaxy’s Edge.

Disney California Adventure Park

Compared to Disneyland, Disney California Adventure Park is significantly newer. Themed to highlight the landscape, culture, and history of California as a whole, it channels San Francisco’s waterside roots, Hollywood’s golden era, and the state’s national parks throughout several different lands, with its newest, Cars Land and Pixar Pier, infusing silver screen attractions within the coastal design.

If you’re visiting both parks in one day, note that admission is per individual park; you’ll need an upgraded “park hopper” ticket to visit both.

Disney California Adventure Park's Film Attractions

Disneyland’s sister park has two colorful lands that revere cherished animated films. Cars Land brings the movie’s awe-inspiring Route 66 scenery to life with shops, restaurants, and multiple rides, including the joyous Radiator Springs Racers. At Pixar Pier — formerly Paradise Pier — guests can ride a coaster, carousel, or spin ride that pays homage to films like Incredibles , Toy Story 2 , and Inside Out while taking in food, shopping, and entertainment honoring the iconic movie studio.

And, in 2020, a new Marvel-themed area at Disney California Adventure Park will allow superhero wannabes to interact with the Avengers like never before.

Disney California Adventure Rides

There’s plenty to ride at Disney California Adventure Park, but highlights include virtual hang gliding on Soarin’ Around the World, the frenzied arcade shoot-out of Toy Story Midway Mania!, and the soaking wet joy of Grizzly River Run’s roaring rapids ride. Its newest thrill, Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT!, pairs the popular Marvel characters with a frenetic drop ride soundtracked by Star-Lord’s vintage tunes.

Disney California Adventure Park Dining

There are fantastic quick-service meals throughout the park, but Cozy Cone Motel in Cars Land is the most visually pleasing place to devour pretzel bites and stuffed bread cones. Pacific Wharf’s eateries and Pixar Pier’s Lamplight Lounge make for popular sit-down options, but the glamorous Carthay Circle Restaurant remains Disneyland Resort’s finest in-park dining option.

Disney California Adventure Park Drink Options

Unlike Disneyland, Disney California Adventure Park serves beer, wine, and cocktails throughout its restaurants, stands, and food kiosks. You can’t go wrong with wine at Mendocino Terrace, colorful concoctions at Lamplight Lounge, or craft cocktails at Carthay Circle Lounge.

Nighttime Entertainment

Both parks offer nighttime entertainment so noteworthy that park-hopping guests will struggle to choose just one. Disneyland Park’s nightly fireworks are ever-popular, but so is Fantasmic!, a waterfront retelling of Fantasia with beloved Disney characters, special effects, and pyrotechnics. (Pro tip: watch the show performed on Disneyland’s Rivers of America, and stay put for a unique view of fireworks.)

Disney California Adventure Park offers World of Color, where lighting, projections, and special effects combine to feed the show’s stunning display atop dancing water.

Disneyland Resort operates three on-property hotels: the seaside-themed Disney’s Paradise Pier, the park-influenced Disneyland Hotel, and the craftsman-style Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel. There are many “good neighbor” hotels nearby, but Disneyland hotels come with perks, including Extra Magic Hour Early Admission for additional time in the parks.

Downtown Disney

Disneyland Resort’s theme parks and hotels are located around Downtown Disney, a strip of shops, restaurants, and entertainment that’s open to the public. It’s home to many themed eateries and specialized Disney boutiques including World of Disney, a massive shop that’s ideal for last-minute souvenirs. Park guests can even hop on the monorail from Downtown Disney for an extra-special entrance into Disneyland Park.

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Doc Holiday: Big change to Disneyland in 2022

Planning a trip to Disneyland in the not too distant future? Don't get caught out on the theme park's new rule for travellers.

This article may contain links from our affiliate and advertising partners. When you click on them, or share this content, we may earn a commission.  Learn more

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Escape's Doc Holiday, Dilvin Yasa, answers your travel-related questions.

Pre-booking Disneyland visits

How will international travellers be able to visit disneyland resort in anaheim with the new policy of booking daily visits in advance and changes in the fastpass scheme .

I wish I had good news for you (and everyone else keen to unleash their inner kidults), but unfortunately it seems we’re all going to have to plan our holidays to the United States around our bookings for Disneyland.

See also:   Where can I go? Top 10 destinations for Aussies in 2022

See also:   8 new rules to know before you travel overseas  

Before you go, you must first buy a ticket and make a park reservation for each day you plan  to visit and this can be done up to 120 days or more in advance. Although the website  states reservations are limited and subject to availability, I checked up until March 2022 and there was availability every day between the beginning of January and the end of March. 

Need to change the date of your booking? Reservations can’t be modified, but you can cancel them and book a new one. The rules for Park Hopper tickets are much the same, with guests required to make a reservation for the first park they plan to visit (no need to make reservations for the other provided you enter  the park you’ve reserved tickets for first).

Of course, Disney has also announced that  the popular FastPass system has been replaced by the new Genie+ system, which is US$20 per ticket per day (this is on top of the entry price to the theme park, which starts at US$76 per day). This will help you choose the next available time to arrive at a host of attractions and experiences using the Lightning Lane entrance, but it’s important to note that it won’t give guests  access to every attraction. 

Long story short? We’ll have to plan all future Disneyland Resort visits with both a crystal ball and military precision.

How can I get covid travel insurance on a cruise?

Why is covid travel insurance not made available for cruise holidays surely cruise companies and travel agents should make customers aware of this fact before selling people a holiday .

You’re absolutely right. While demand for cruising is as high as ever, cruise-related  travel insurance (with Covid cover) is swamp-level murky. 

When it comes to why so many travel insurers are reluctant to cover travellers heading on multinight cruises, two words spring to mind: Ruby Princess. “Health care is expensive aboard cruise ships and the cost to repatriate passengers should the need arise can be eye-watering,” says Natalie Ball of Compare Insurance .. 

Overseas, some cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean have announced a requirement that all unvaccinated guests over the age of 12 sailing from Florida must have travel insurance that covers US$25,000 per person for Covid medical expenses as well as US$50,000 per person for quarantine and evacuation if you test positive for Covid during the sailing. Vaccinated guests are automatically covered.

Where does this leave Australians? Although we still have a long way to go, there are currently two Australian travel insurers leading the pack to provide protection and peace of mind for cruise holidays, explains Ball. “ 1Cover travel insurance and Zoom travel insurance both provide travel insurance with the option to add on cruise cover.” 1Cover’s policy includes medical cover if you’re diagnosed with Covid-19, while Zoom is in the process of adding medical cover for Covid to its policy as I write. 

Remember, too, you can always buy travel insurance policies from other countries. If you’re planning on sailing around the United States, for example, there are plenty of local policies you can buy from here that will cover you for Covid-19. Visit squaremouth.com to compare providers and their policies. 

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Dilvin backpacked solo around Europe after finishing high school and has lived for adventure ever since. She’s fallen under the spell of Bora Bora, made multiple trips to Turkey and finally got to visit Antarctica. She is also a self-professed cruise convert after a trip around the Norwegian fjords.

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Online travel scams you need to look out for

Pickpockets and scammers are rife abroad, especially in European cities like Rome, Milan, Paris, Amsterdam and Barcelona. But despite bum bags tied to your chest and socks with secret compartments, thieves have found another point of entry. One they don’t even need to leave the house for. In fact all they need is an Internet connection.

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Planning a trip to Disneyland? Here is everything you need to know!

May 29, 2019 by ohsobusymum 2 Comments

After receiving several emails each week asking about Disneyland, I thought it was time to create a post about planning all things Disneyland.

Firstly, if you haven’t joined my new Disney Mums Australia Facebook group, you can JOIN HERE! You’ll find lots of Disney travel and product advice from fellow Disney mums. As most of you know, I’m a self-proclaimed Disney addict, along with my family, who love Disney as much as I do. I’m in the process of planning our first trip to Disney World, and I can’t wait to come back and share that post with you soon.

Here are a few tips to help you plan your trip to Disneyland, California

Disneyland California is made up of 2 parks: Disneyland and California Adventure Park. They are both located in Anaheim, California, and are side by side.

Australian and NZ residents can purchase a 10-day Disneyland & California Adventure Park hopper ticket, which is around the same price as a five-day park hopper. It can only be purchased here in Australia from travel agents or online via sites like Expedia. You can’t purchase it from Disneyland direct, so make sure you don’t wait to purchase it at the gate. On redemption you need to show your passports, but we didn’t show them again for the rest of the trip.

Prices as of May 2019 for the 10-day hopper Adult (Ages 10+) $647 Child (Ages 3 – 10) $618

Where to stay

This really depends on your budget. If you can afford to stay in a Disney resort or hotel, do it! You really can’t get that Disney magic anywhere else and the Disney customer service is worth it alone. If, like us, you have a bigger family and are travelling on a budget, check out some hotels right across the road that offer breakfast and are only a short walk to the park.

Things you should do before you arrive

Download the Disneyland app The Disneyland app will allow you to see wait times, access park maps, use and view the FASTPASS system, book and manage dining reservations, order food and locate characters.

Get to know the FASTPASS system The FastPass system can be a little confusing on your first trip, so it’s great if you can understand how it works before you arrive. Disneyland now offer a paid MaxPass option ($15 USD per person) which I personally think is worth every cent! Less time standing in lines and more time having fun. Here is a link to a site that explains the FASTPASS and MAXPASS in more depth.

Reserve your Disney dining You can reserve your Disneyland dining 60 days in advance, and I recommend you do it as soon as you can, due to limited availability. Each Disney trip, we make sure we do at least one character breakfast and one dinner.

Reserve your child’s spot at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique This can be a little expensive and not within everyone’s budget, but it is really magical! My girls have done it on both of our trips to Disneyland and they still talk about it regularly. Kids are made to feel super special and get the royal treatment with each package.

What to take to Disney I don’t like to overpack when we go to Disney; with the long days and all the walking we will be doing, the last thing I want to do is carry a heavy backpack around all day. Disneyland does have limited lockers available but it’s such a big park and I find it a hassle to walk back to the lockers to get things.

• Camera • Sunscreen • Water bottle • Change of clothes for younger children • Jumper or jacket depending on the weather • Portable phone charger • Snacks

Things to do at Disney

This might seem like silly tips because there is just so much to do at Disneyland, but there a few things that you really don’t want to miss!

Visit City Hall in the main street to get your first visit or celebration button You can get your button (or badge, as we call them in Australia) from City Hall for most celebrations and your first visit to Disneyland. You’ll also find some buttons at select food stands – for instance, the dole whip stand has “my first dole whip” buttons available.

Magic Morning Make sure you utilise your magic hour and get to the parks before they’re open to the general public. Magic hour or morning gives you access to the parks one hour before opening to the general public.

Get a signature book and pen for the characters to sign Each character you meet will sign their name in a signature book if you have one. You can get them before you go online from eBay, or buy them in the park. I like the ones that have a spot to stick a photo next to each character’s signature.

Watch the parades You don’t want to miss the magic of the Disney parades. Make sure you check out the app for the times and locations of each one and go early to grab your spot.

Buy Disney's ears One of the first things we do on each Disney trip is to buy a new set of Disney ears. They are a MUST for all your special Disneyland photos.

Get photos with the characters You’ll find the times and location of all the characters on the Disneyland app.

Eat your way around Disney There a few “must eats” that you need to try on your first Disneyland trip. Make sure you try a dole whip, visit Main Street bakery for Disney-inspired treats and try a giant turkey leg in California Adventure.

Watch the fireworks It isn’t a trip to Disney if you don’t get to watch the magical fireworks at the end of the night. Fireworks are on select nights, which you’ll be able to find via the Disneyland app.

World of Color World of Color is an amazing water and lights show that brings together all the Disney classics with music. In order to see the World of Color you will need either a FASTPASS or World of Color dining package.

Hot tips you should know!

Rider Switch If you have children too little to ride, you can ask the attendant for a rider switch. One parent rides while the other adult or supervising guest (14 years or older) can wait with non-riders. Then, they simply switch roles to allow the supervising guest to experience the attraction without waiting in the regular queue again. You can read more about how it works here.

Late Night When the park shuts, the main street stays open for another hour or so (unless there is an event on). Wait until the crowds disappear, and use this time to take photos in front of the castle and check out main street without the crowds. It’s a fun, unique time to explore and the perfect opportunity to get photos without the crowd.

Disney PhotoPass Save all your precious memories with a Disney PhotoPass. View all your Disney PhotoPass photos, then purchase photo downloads and prints to share.

Let me know if there is anything I missed or anything you would like to add on the comments below!

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Reader Interactions

June 12, 2022 at 6:39 pm

Thank this is great we are planning a trip in the next two years.

September 05, 2022 at 8:29 am

Do you have a write up about Japan disneyland? Comparing it to the US?

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Hi, I am travelling to Disneyland from Australia...

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Disneyland Park Questions & Answers

Hi, I am travelling to Disneyland from Australia in June for my mums 60th birthday. I have a couple of questions: 1: does anyone know where we can see the prices for merchandise, like a catalogue or something as I have a few people wanting me to purchase gifts for them. 2: Is there anything that the park will do to for mum as she is celebrating her birthday then too.

You already got some birthday advice here, so I'm going to skip that part. There are all kinds of stores on both sides of Disneyland, but the biggest one is called "World of Disney" and it's in the part called Downtown Disney, basically a section that is in between Disneyland and California Adventure. The first thing you see in Downtown Disney is La Brea Bakery Cafe on the left, and World of Disney is right next to it.

There is a Disney online, but honestly, it has some things that Disneyland doesn't have and Disneyland has a LOT of things that the online store doesn't have. The selection at Disneyland is VAST. Most of the stores are geared for kids. but there a couple of places that have adult stuff, too.

Please know that it's a real pain to drag a bunch of packages around while you are doing rides. I liked what one of the previous comments made, about ordering a specific item from Amazon and just have it shipped to your home. There was a pillow that I loved and I stood there and stared at it, thinking about how I REALLY didn't want to go on rides and drag this thing around. So standing right there in the World of Disney store, I looked on Amazon and decided my time trip time was worth spending $2 extra. So I ordered it right there and it was at my house when we got home.

I've been going to Disneyland since 1957 after kindergarten and have tried all kinds of different approaches. My advice is for you to have a great trip without dragging a bunch of stuff around with you while you're on rides. Ask about holding the packages for you until the end of the day if you don't want to order off of Amazon. You'll have to round everything up at the end of the day, but your ride time will be WAY better!!

Hi, Rebecca. You can check the Disney Store online; there's a section for official Park merchandise that should give you an idea of items and prices. I would suggest ordering your gifts online (from any site, like Amazon, that carries Disney licensed merchandise), and having them shipped -- either to your hotel, or to your home, if they ship to Oz. That way you save room in your suitcase, and save lots of time in the park -- you can fun instead of worrying about a shopping list. As for the birthday, I was just there for my 57th birthday. I was given a Celebrate! button to wear, but nothing else special. Maybe make it a point to tell every cast member you see that it's her birthday, and hopefully some magic will fall your way. Have fun and best wishes to your mother on her special day.

I'm not sure I've ever seen a catalogue for park merchandise prices but you can always check online various places.

Be sure to stop by Town Hall on Main Street, it's to the left after you go under the railroad when you enter the park. Let them know you are celebrating a birthday and they give her a button to wear letting people know she is celebrating. Then cast members throughout the park will wish her a happy birthday! Also, let them know that it's your first visit and you all will get a 1st visit button. It's free and a fun way to interact with the cast members and put a smile on everyone's face. Have fun!!!

Hi there - I don't think there's a price list for merchandise but I can say there's an astounding array at all price points that it's almost overwhelming. I'm pretty sure they have special birthday things on offer - there were people wearing special badges and going on private tours, lunch at the restaurant in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride etc - just ask and Disney can deliver. Have an amazing time!

to add to previous answers, there are lockers to store purchases if you do not wish to carry things around the park.

also, prices are very high on Disney merchandise, but go to Disney store online to get idea of prices for types of items requested--sweatshirts there will be priced similarly to those in park. items sold in park are not available at other outlets necessarily, so if you like something buy it inside the park.

Go to city hall when you first enter Disneyland and get a happy birthday pin. Everyone will wish your mother a happy birthday :) also if you make any restaurant reservations, let them know it's her birthday and they normally will give her a little dessert and sing her a song :) For merchandise, there is no catalogue. The Disney Store online is your best bet for prices but remember some merchandise is only park exclusive so you won't see it on there. I hope your trip is magical.

I have never seen prices for merch. with the exception of the online store. Disney wants to know if its someones Birthday when you book dining reservations, which you should do well in advance. The menus can be viewed online. Buttons at City Hall is all they do for attending the park.

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Planning a Trip to Disneyland (2023): The Best Tips + Free Checklist

Tips on How to Plan a Trip to Disneyland

More than a magic spell, a good deal of strategic planning is what you need to fully enjoy a trip to Disneyland with your kids when they reopen. Of course, it also doesn’t hurt if you have a few must-knows up your sleeve. Follow our guide on how to plan a trip to Disneyland and you'll be the star of the family in no time!

Here are some important Disneyland COVID-19 updates you must know:

⚠️COVID-19 Updates on Disneyland

✔️  The Downtown Disney District, including a variety of shopping and dining experiences, has gradually reopened. Learn about their  newly implemented health and safety measures right here . ✔️  Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, and Hotels of the Disneyland Resort remain closed and will reopen at a later date. They are still waiting for state and local government approvals to operate again. ✔️  There will be some changes or temporarily suspension of certain parks, hotels, restaurants, attractions, experiences, and other services when the resort reopens. Expect limited capacity and availability on these offerings. ✔️  The resort strongly recommends their visitors to follow all posted instructions regarding their enhanced health and safety measures while visiting the Disneyland Resort.

Best Time to Visit

Lines are very long but waiting time can be shortened. The good news is, the park is trying all kinds of line management schemes to shorten the average wait times for rides. The bad new is, it looks like  they still haven't found the right one yet .

So until the day you don’t have to wait an average of 65-minutes to experience all 2-minutes and 30-seconds of Space Mountain, keep your kids tantrum-free while in line with these Disneyland trip tips:

Tip #1 - Go when the crowds are low.

The best months to go are March through May to beat the spring time and summertime rush. Temperature's around 60 to 70°F, perfect for walking around. Lines might be still a bit long but more bearable than during peak seasons. Late August to early September is also perfect as the crowds die down for kids to go back to school. Traffic has also calmed down during this time but temperature might be slightly uncomfortable at high 70s and low 80s. Just don't forget to bring sunscreen and sunglasses! If you're planning to go on October (which is usually considered as an off-season), consider Arizona schools' fall breaks, Gay Days, Columbus Day weekend and Halloween. The crowds might start to swarm during this time. November through February is also a great time to visit if you're ready to brave the crowds and long lines. Events and holidays surrounding these months may pose increased prices as well. Just make sure to book well in advance. Check out this crowd calendar to help you plan your visit. Some rides, such as Haunted Mansion, King Arthur Carrousel, and Gadget's Go Coaster may be closed in January. Visit this website to see Disneyland's refurbishments and closings.

Tip #2 - Get there early.

The parks will be quieter the first few hours after its opening. It's the perfect time to ride the most popular rides with the shortest lines. If you're staying in one of the many budget hotels outside the resort, up your chances of being first in line by being at the gates at least 30-minutes before it opens.

Tip #3 - Avoid the weekends.

As a general rule, weekends are specially busier than weekdays at Disneyland. People usually have their days off on Saturdays and Sundays. Be sure to crush dates that fall on a weekend out your planning list.

Things to Do Before You Go

Include your kids in the planning stage of your trip. Ask their opinion for which attractions, events, and rides they want to see! Involving them at this stage in the process will give them a sense of ownership about the plan. Because it was their idea after all, right? *wink, wink* 

Here are things you need to do before you leave:

Tip #4 -  Measure your kids' heights.

It would be a good time to sort out all the little things , like questions about why they won’t be able to ride Space Mountain just yet, before you go. Explain how there is an  age limit (and height restriction) but give them hope by telling them when they are all grown up they will be back!  Trust us, you'd rather have this conversation now than while you're already in the park, and a tantrum is approaching.  Check this list for which rides they make the cut for. Some rides have specific height requirements.

Tip #5 -  Make reservations.

And we're not kidding, months in advance for any restaurants (mostly for nice places) at the park and at the hotel. And, if your plans include a character dining experience, best to book that early too.

Tip #6 -  Download the park's map.

Print or screenshot the map on your phone and mark all the important locations using different colors . Label all the rides you're planning to go on that day, where the bathrooms are, charging stations, first aid stations, baby care centers, police, etc. Create one map for each day, if you're planning multiple visits during your stay, to pace your day.

Getting to Disneyland

One of the best ways to truly enjoy a hassle-free trip to Disneyland is to know the fastest and most convenient way of getting there. Here are some tips and an overview of the available transportation you can use to get to Disneyland.

Tip #7 - Choose the closest airport to Disneyland.

Spoiler alert, the closest one (travel time-wise) to Disneyland is John Wayne Airport (SNA). You can get there in 17 minutes because it's only 14.3 miles away. If you just can't wait to get to the happiest place on earth, make sure this is where you land.

Although technically, Long Beach Airport is the closest to Disneyland (only 12.6 miles away), it will take you longer (about 23 minutes) to get there due to traffic. But if you're going to disembark from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), it will take you about 30 to 40 minutes to get to Disneyland since it's approximately 33.3 miles away. You must also consider high traffic times of 7-9am and 2:30-7pm for your drive estimation.

Tip #8 - Know the fastest way and route to take.

Here are the different ways and transportations that can take you to Disneyland:

① Get an  Uber -  A simple and affordable yet very efficient way of going to Disneyland from the airport. Just download the app (before your trip), and book a ride going to the happiest place on earth. Check out their promos and you might just get a free / discounted ride! ② Take a Taxi -  Taxi service is available in all airports, however they can be quite expensive. If you're traveling with more than 4 members of the fam, you're going to need a seven passenger van. It's a much better deal than getting an Uber!

If you're taking a taxi from John Wayne Airport/Orange County, it would cost you about $40. And from LAX, it would be about $100 with traffic and $80 without.

Pro Tip : If you're going to take a cab with children, be sure to bring your own car seats.

③ Rent a Car -  If you have other destinations in mind aside from Disneyland, renting a car would definitely be a good option. There are a lot of car rental services in airports that you can avail.

However, if you're planning to visit Disneyland only and you're staying in one of the Disney resorts, you most definitely don't need to rent a car. Consider other modes of transportation if that's the case. ④ Use Shuttle Services -  Most of the shuttle services, including Disneyland Resort Express and Super Shuttle have ceased their operations. Here are the available shuttles you can take:

✔️ Karmel Shuttle -  A cost-effective shared ride service to or from the airport and hotels around Disneyland. They don't have booster or car seats for kids so be sure to have yours ready, if you're traveling with children. Check out their website for more detailed information. 

✔️ Lansky -  If you don't mind splurging, Lansky is the best transportation service for you. You'll be taken from the airport to your hotel in style with luxury vehicles. Expect it to be pricey but if you're traveling with a large pack to split it with, it can be a grand one-time experience. They also provide booster or car seats for your little one.

Available at airports closest to Disneyland such as John Wayne Airport, LAX, Long Beach Airport, and Bob Hope Airport.

⑤ Take the Train

✔️ The Coaster -  If you're up for some commuting adventure, taking the Coaster is the way to go! This train system runs through San Diego County and you can take this from Santa Fe Depot up to Oceanside, CA and back, which costs $5.50. This train doesn't go all the way to Disneyland so you must disembark at the Oceanside Transit Center and get on the Metrolink or the Amtrak to get to Disneyland. 

✔️ The Metrolink  -  This train system runs from Oceanside, CA to Riverside County or Los Angeles County and back. It will take approximately an hour to get to Anaheim from Oceanside and costs $12.75. Most travelers take this train to reach Disneyland.

✔️ Amtrak   - This is the best (but quite expensive) option if you want to go all the way from the Santa Fe Depot to Anaheim (costs $28) without having to switch trains in Oceanside. This train system takes a longer route from Oceanside to Anaheim. But don't worry, you'll enjoy larger reclining seats, footrests, outlets for your mobile device at your seat, and free WIFI! 

For a complete list and guide of transportations and how to get to the happiest place on earth from other airports, please visit Disneyland's website right here .

Park Tickets

There are different types of park tickets for your needs. Whether you'd like to stay for a day in just one park or two parks, or if you've prepared a 3-day itinerary, Disneyland's got just the right ticket for you!

Tip #9 - Save money & learn how the ticket system works.

Knowing the difference between a 1-Park Per Day ticket, a multi-day ticket, and a Park Hopper ticket can certainly save you some extra cash for Minnie ears. Read below to find out the different ticket types during a Disney trip.

① Any child 0-3 years old can enter for free.  Adult ticket prices apply to kids 10 years old and above. Children's tickets (age 3-9) are slightly cheaper.  You can purchase your tickets here  (when Disneyland reopens, of course!) or using the official Disneyland app .

② 1-Park Per Day Tickets  get you into one park - either Disneyland Park or California Adventure - on the day of your visit. This is your best option if you're only staying for a short time.

If you're going for Disney California Adventure, we recommend going for rides like Incredicoaster, Toy Story Midway Mania, Pixar Pal-A-Round, and Jumpin Jellyfish in the morning while Grizzly River Run, Pixar Pier, and Goofy's Sky School in the afternoon. Check out this website for a complete one-day itinerary at Disney California Adventure.

If you guys prefer Disneyland Park, Fantasyland is great for starting your early morning adventure. Start with Peter Pan's Flight, Alice in Wonderland, Dumbo, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Mr Toad's Wild Ride, Pinocchio's Daring Journey, and a whole lot more in just an hour after the park opens. Also, don't miss out on Tomorrowland's Space Mountain! For a One-Day Disneyland Ideal Day Plan, take a look at this site.

③ Multi-Day Tickets  get you in one park on one day and another park the following day. You have 13 days to use this ticket from the first day you enter a park. This is a better option if you're planning on doing other things aside from going to Disneyland, or want to stay two days.

If you're planning to have a 3-day adventure, we recommend spending each day at the two parks and then go back to your favorite rides or the ones you haven't ridden yet in both parks. For example, Day 1 will be spent in California Adventure Park, Day 2 will be for Disneyland, and Day 3 will be for both! If you want to have an idea what it looks like, check out this 3-Day Disneyland Itinerary for families.

④ Park Hopper Tickets are a bit more pricey, but they allow you to hop from one park to the another on the same day. This is a better option if you have favorite rides located in both parks, or aren't sure which park you'll love the most.

We recommend taking turns in both parks and plotting out the rides you'd want to have. Make a checklist so you won't spend too much time thinking where to go next. For example, you start with Disneyland and accomplish at least 5 rides, and then hop to California Adventure and at least have a go at 10 rides, and then go back to Disneyland for the remaining rides. So you'll have a more concrete idea, visit this website.

⑤ If you're visiting for more than three days, consider getting three- to five-day tickets . These are also available in 1-Park Per Day and Park Hopper options.

⑥ If you're at Disneyland multiple times in a year, consider getting an Annual Passport . At the very least, all of them offer free parking.

You can also get discounts on your tickets if you're a resident of Southern California, if you're an AAA and CSAA member, or if you're a member of the military. You can even get a discount simply by being Canadian!

Power of the Passes

Navigating Disneyland or California Adventure would be made extra special when you use the power of the passes. The key here is to have a strategy how to properly use these passes for the ultimate Disneyland experience.

Tip #10  - Consider buying passes when planning a trip to Disneyland.

A pass reserves you a place in line so you don’t have to be physically in line. You can use one type of pass or a combination of passes to beat the long wait times while making more use of your time.

①  FASTPASS  assigns a Return Time on your ticket. All you have to do is be at the entrance of the ride (at your designated time) to skip the line. Now you can go ahead and do a Disney Princess selfie spree with the kids.

We recommend getting a FastPass for rides that usually have longer waiting time. For example, if Haunted Mansion has a 10-minute wait while Indiana Jones Adventure has 60-minute wait, get a FastPass for Indy while you enjoy the Haunted Mansion. You can check out this website for a guide to using FastPass at Disneyland, if you're a newbie.

②  Rider Switch  or also known as the "stroller pass" are best for groups who have kids of mixed ages and/or heights. With this pass, one group goes on the ride first, while the next group waits until the "switch" to get on the ride without having to line up again.

Take a look at Disneyland's website to know which attractions offer Rider Switch. Take note of the height requirements so you can plan accordingly.

③  MaxPass  combines the FASTPASS and  PhotoPass  and can be accessed using the Disneyland app.

The best rides to use this pass is for Radiator Springs Racers, Toy Story Midway Mania, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Space Mountain. Visit this website if you want to know the best MaxPass tips for Disneyland .

Where to Stay

Whether you've just arrived from the airport or exhausted from a fun-filled whole day of activities in Disneyland, what you want to do is just rest and relax. We've got just the right tips for you on where to stay.

Tip #11 - Stay on-site for a magical Disney experience .

If you have a couple bucks to spare, staying in one of the three-on site Disneyland Resort hotels will be a one-of-a-kind magical experience for you. You can choose among Disneyland Hotel , Disney's Grand Californian Hotel , or Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel . Whatever you choose, you'll get to enjoy their awesome Disney themes, which will be extra fun for the kids!

Note: All these hotels are temporarily closed due to COVID-19. Be sure to check their website for updates.

Tip #12 - Stay off-site if you're on a budget.

Staying on property is not the only way to fully enjoy your trip to Disneyland. There are a lot of budget-friendly places to stay near the park that will make the experience worth your while. And out of those many places, we rounded up the Top 5 Best Budget-Friendly Places to Stay Near Disneyland for Families.

Packing & Essentials to Bring

Another important thing that will make your Disneyland trip a memorable and not stressful one, is having all the essentials packed and ready for your adventure. Trust us, it's not that difficult. Allow us to show you how to pack your travel essentials like a pro.

Tip #13 - Use a packing list.

Such a trip as magical as this deserves to be well-planned, let alone well-packed. You might be too excited to get everything in the suitcase so having a packing list will be best to make sure you've got all the essentials you need. Good thing we have a free printable Disneyland packing list at the end of this post  that you can use. You're welcome!

Tip #14 - Prepare a Disney Daily Essentials kit.

This kit will have all the items that you'll reach for during your day at the park, such as: chargers, tissues, lip balm, snacks, reading glasses, poncho, hat, sunglasses, sweater, etc.  

Tip #15 - Organize with packing cubes.

Disneyland is a mission - and the only way to survive it is with careful planning and strategic packing.  One organizing trick used by seasoned jetsetters is packing cubes . It will help you prevent over packing, save space, and organize items into different color cubes. Its see through design will also get you through TSA faster.

Here’s how you can use each cube in our  Starter Set :

✔️ Extra Small Cube  - Perfect to organize your toiletries (it's TSA approved!), makeup, first aid kit, cords and chargers, and other travel size items! 

✔️ Small Cube   -  Roll your shirts, tank tops, leggings, tights, and other flimsy piece of clothing into this spacious cube.

✔️   Medium Cube   - You can use this to organize your jeans, shorts, jackets, and it can also double as your Disney Daily Essentials kit.

✔️ Large Cube -  Pack a change of clothes, cardigan / light sweater, raincoat or poncho, some snacks and a hat.

Apps to Download

Having trouble locating a ride? How about keeping track of your FASTPASS tickets? Wouldn't you love to know how long a line is before you get there? You’ll want to download some helpful Disney trip planner (and time saving) apps onto your phone pronto. Make use of apps when visiting Disneyland.

Tip #16 - Use a family locator app for kids' safety.

The GPS feature of Life360 lets you know exactly where everyone is in real time. You can upgrade to the premium version if you want to use it after your Disneyland visit. Make sure to install this on your kids' phones (if they're old enough to have one). Also a good tracker if ever they lose their phone.  

Tip #17 - Get the official Disneyland resort app for park navigation.

The Disneyland Resort App  can do it all - check wait times, buy park tickets, locate rides via GPS-enabled maps, monitor FASTPASS return times, skip ticket lines, make and manage reservations, order food ahead of time, locate favorite characters, and so much more!

Tip #18 - Download RideMax to create your own Disneyland itinerary.

RideMax is only $14.95 for 90-day subscription and it's available for Android & iOS. When you subscribe it can help you create a personalized time-efficient itinerary based on the attractions you want to visit. This will save you loads of time!

Tip #19 - Install SNOW to take fun selfies!

You can download SNOW for free on  Android & iOS  users. Up your selfie game with the kids by adding stickers to your photos. You can also use different face filters on your videos.

Tip #20 - Install FaceDance to keep the kids entertained in line

This app is free for  Android  users . It's like Dance Dance Revolution for your face. That alone should explain how this game will keep your kids entertained. It's a fun way to take their attention off the long line and just enjoy every moment. Check it out here .

Pro Tip:  Just keep in mind, that the park-wide guest wifi service is still in the testing phase, so these apps' are still dependent on your data service in the area.

Where to Get Freebies

Who doesn't love freebies!? And yes, there are still free things in this world. You just need the right tips to be able to find it. And we've listed some helpful tips down below just for you!

Tip #21  - Know where and how to get freebies!

While it may be the happiest place on earth, it certainly isn't the cheapest. So, if you're on a tight budget, make sure to load up on all the freebies you can get to enjoy your Disneyland trip. Make sure to do your research and try them out during your visit. We've got a couple of them listed here!

Tip #22 - Request a FREE planning DVD.

This planning DVD contains an overview of Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Disney Cruise Line, which you can use to plan your upcoming trip. These videos help you prepare and get oriented before your appointed visit. Make sure to request the videos as soon as possible because it usually takes quite a while on Disney's end to process it.

Tip #23 - Pick up Special buttons for special occasions.

Disney's Special Buttons (e.g. 1st visit to Disneyland button, Birthday button) entitles you to  more free stuff . Like a makeover at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, a part in the Princess and the Frog show, autographed card from Disney characters, and so much more. You can find these buttons at your Disneyland Resort hotel, at the City Hall or Guest Relations as you enter the park.

Tip #24 - Visit Pacific Wharf for chocolates, bread, and more!

If you find yourself at the Pacific Wharf, don't miss out on  free chocolate from Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop  and  free bread from the Boudin Bread Factory . Afterwards, if you're feeling thirsty, there are also places where you can get  free water . But if soda is more your thing,  Club Cool in Epcot’s Future World serves free fountain drinks .

Tip #25 - Find a cast member.

Finding a cast member almost always guarantees that you can get something for free. For example, you can get a balloon (as well as a replacement balloon, if the first one popped), stickers, trading cards, a map of the Jungle Cruise, ice cream, even cotton candy.

Other Tips & Hacks!

Here are other equally important tips and hacks that you can use for your Disneyland adventure!

Tip #26 - Pack your own snacks.

Whether you're on the road to Disneyland or walking around the park, the last thing you want is a  hangry  pack of kids (and adults).

If you're coming from out of town, you can fill a  Medium Packing Cube  with all your snacks for the days ahead. If you plan to be at the Disney parks for more than a day, you can take a  Small Packing Cube  with the snacks you need just for that day and leave the rest in the hotel room!

When packing snacks, choose snacks that are in spill-proof containers, don't need extra utensils to eat, and that have some kind of substance (protein). Avoid the sugary snacks that will make the kids even more hungry the next hour. Some of our healthy favorites include granola bars, trail mix, nuts, dried fruits, crackers and sandwiches.  

If you're on a budget, you can use a  Large Packing Cube  to pack a few breakfast items (granola, fruit, yogurt, etc) which will come in handy, if your hotel doesn't offer a complimentary breakfast.

Tip #27 - Prepare your kids for “getting lost”

We can share all Disneyland planning tips we have so you can enjoy your trip, but we all know that the only hack a parent really needs is how to keep a peace of mind . Pre-trip, prepare your children for the possibility that they might get separated from you in the park. Here are some tips on what to do in emergency situations. 

① Print a map , marking a specific location where they should go to in case they get separated from you.

② Use a temporary tattoo to write your phone number on your child, or a lanyard or a  button  with all your important contact info.

③ Dress them in brightly colored or distinct clothing which you can spot a mile away in a crowd.

In case they need medical help:

In case they require special assistance:

Disneyland's website has a pretty comprehensive guide on the  services they offer for guests that require special assistance, including suggested attractions that are safe to ride as per your child's condition.

Tip #28 - Expect that things will go wrong.

If you're traveling with kids, this goes without saying. But it doesn't have to be a bad thing. In fact you can use, what may seem like an unfortunate situation, as an opportunity to teach your kids valuable life lessons.

You can show them how to be creative problem solvers. Or how to exercise patience when faced with frustrating situations. Or simply how to appreciate the magic of being together at the happiest place on Earth.

Your Disneyland trip will definitely be made extra special when you follow these tips and tricks! Make sure to check their website or follow their Facebook page  to get the latest updates on their reopening date.

Safe travels soon!

P.S. Want more travel tips? Check out our post on The Best Travel Tips: 100 Ways to Travel Smart (er)!

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Tips for Planning a Trip To Disneyland

Posted on Published: 11/16/2023

If you are a regular reader here, you know that I am a frequent traveler to Walt Disney World in Florida. I’ve been so many times that it’s fairly easy for me to plan a Walt Disney World vacation, because I know exactly what to do, and where I’ll want to go when I’m there.

In recent years, I finally had the chance to plan a trip to Disneyland, and while there are some similarities, there are lots of things you’ll need to know. Since my first trip to Disneyland several years ago, I’ve returned multiple times and have always loved my visits.

Disneyland, with its two theme parks and central Anaheim location, is very different from Walt Disney World . So, if you are planning a trip to Disneyland, you’ll want to do your research and some planning in advance so that you’ll be prepared.

This post contains affiliate links. A purchase/click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you.

I visited Disneyland as part of the AWESome Retreat conference and Mastermind and received complimentary admission and some media perks. I have also received a complimentary stay at the Howard Johnson Anaheim. I’ve also paid my own way several times.

Save money on your Disneyland California tickets and your Southern California vacation by booking through  Get Away Today . You can also save $10 on your Southern California vacation of 2 days or more with the code FTM10. 

Planning a Trip To Disneyland

Before planning a trip to Disneyland, it’s a good idea to review the two parks – Disney’s California Adventure Park and Disneyland Park. There are different shows, rides, restaurants, and other attractions in each park, and you’ll want to have an idea of how much time you’ll want to spend in each park. Disneyland also offers Downtown Disney, and there are no water parks.

Planning Your Disneyland Vacation 

Unlike Walt Disney World, you probably don’t need to spend quite as much time at Disneyland Resort. The two parks are adjacent to each other, and you can easily walk from one to the other multiple times per day. For our family, I’d probably plan for a three-day trip, although you can even get quite a bit done in just one day.

Before you go, you’ll want to do some research. What time does Disneyland open during your trip? If it’s open late, and you can stay up late, you can get a lot more done. You’ll also want to look at dates and crowd levels.

As you’d expect, weekends, holidays, and school vacations (including summer) can be more crowded. While I wouldn’t completely avoid those dates (sometimes it’s unavoidable), it’s important to know so you are prepared for long waits. You can see the best times to visit Disneyland here .

Disneyland Discount Tickets

When purchasing your Disneyland tickets, you’ll definitely want to get a discount if possible. Our friends at Get Away Today offer discounted park tickets as well as Southern California vacation packages. Use this link to purchase , and you can get $10 off a valid vacation package with the code FTM10.

You’ll be able to buy a package that includes nights at an official Disneyland hotel or an off-property hotel. Third or fourth night free deals are offered at select off-property hotels. Saving money on your hotel and ticket means you’ll have more for souvenirs and food!

Even if you don’t book a vacation package, it’s best to buy your tickets in advance since you also will need a valid park reservation. Get your tickets early and go right to the park entrance.

When purchasing your tickets, you’ll have several options. You can choose the park hopper, which means you will be able to go to either park during the day. A standard ticket allows you admission to just one park.

I’d recommend getting the park hopper. Because the parks are so close together, you can go between them easily.

You’ll also select how many days you want to include on your tickets. If you’d like to experience most of the attractions, I think a three-day pass would be the best for a family. When visiting with my son, we went for three days and had a great time.

Hotels in Anaheim Close to Disneyland

There are lots of wonderful family-friendly hotels located on and off property in the Anaheim area near Disneyland . On property, you’ll find the following hotels:

• Disneyland Hotel
• Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel
• Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel

Like Walt Disney World, Disneyland also has Good Neighbor hotels . Many of these are located directly across the street from the parks, so they are incredibly convenient. Most are family-friendly chain hotels , so you’ll have a good idea of what to expect. These hotels are located right across from the parks:

• Anaheim Camelot Inn and Suites
• Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel and Water Playground
• Fairfield Inn by Marriott Anaheim Resort
• Homewood Suites by Marriott Anaheim Resort Convention Center
• Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance (also offers an outdoor water park)
• Best Western Plus Anaheim Inn
• The Anaheim Hotel
• Grand Legacy at the Park
• Springhill Suites Anaheim Resort Convention Center
• Westin Anaheim

During my most recent trip to Disneyland, I had the chance to do a complimentary stay at the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel and Water Playground . This family-friendly hotel is about an eight-minute walk from the front entrance of Disneyland. I would definitely recommend staying there.

I’ve also stayed at the Westin Anaheim, and the Courtyard by Marriott – both were excellent. It’s best to choose the hotel that has the rooms and amenities (as well as price range) that best suit your family.

There are other Good Neighbor hotels that are located a bit further away. Some may offer shuttles. If you book a vacation package through the Get Away Today link listed above, you may be able to get a third or fourth night free.

The hotel we stayed at during my first trip, the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel , was located about 20 minutes away from the parks. They offered complimentary shuttle service throughout the day, but it was on a set schedule and you needed to book it in advance.

If your hotel offers a shuttle, check to see what the schedule and process is. Some may have a separate fee.

Wondering if you need a car during your Disneyland vacation? If you are just visiting the theme parks and are staying within walking distance, you won’t need a car. During my four-night visit with my son, we didn’t have a car and just walked to the parks and Downtown Disney.

Planning Disneyland Dining

Disneyland, like Walt Disney World, offers a wide variety of dining options. While quick-service restaurants don’t take or require reservations, the table service restaurants do accept reservations. It’s a good idea to make reservations well in advance to ensure availability.

Reservations can be made 60 days in advance by calling (714) 781-DINE or by booking online. This is a much shorter window than Walt Disney World, making it easier to make more last-minute vacation plans.

There are lots of different dining venues, including character dining , hotel restaurants, themed dining, and Downtown Disney restaurants. There are also several dining packages that give you priority access to some of the shows.

Mobile ordering on the Disneyland app is available at many of the quick service venues. Order on the app, and select an arrival window. When you are ready to pick up, indicate that on the app and then go to the special mobile order window and provide your order number.

During my visit, I made sure to get two iconic Disneyland snacks – the Mickey Shaped Beignets and a Dole Whip. Both were delicious!

If you are most familiar with Walt Disney World, I’ve found that Disneyland dining is a bit different. There are fewer must-try table service restaurants, with lots of good quick-service options. Therefore, you may not need to make as many table service reservations.

My must-try restaurants at Disneyland are the Lamplight Lounge at Disney’s California Adventure (make a brunch reservation on the weekend), and Blue Bayou at Disneyland Park.

Airports Near Disneyland

When it’s time to book your airfare, you may be wondering which airports are near Disneyland. Luckily, you’ll have some choices. While Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the largest and most popular, there are other small airports that may be easier.

Long Beach Airport (LBG) is a small airport that is so easy to fly in and out of. I flew through there on Jetblue and found it to be so convenient.

John Wayne Airport (SNA) is another option that is relatively small and convenient. Other options in the area are Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) and Ontario International Airport (ONT). If you are visiting San Diego , you can also fly through that airport.

In the past, guests flying into LAX or SNA could take the Disneyland Resort Express, which was offered for an additional fee. Unfortunately, that service has been discontinued. See more details here .

Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane

To maximize your time in the parks, you may want to take advantage of Genie+ and the individual lightning lanes.

Unlike the old Fastpass system, Genie+ is not free. It’s closest to the old Maxpass program. You can add this to your tickets, and it’s completely options.

Once you have Genie+ on your ticket, you can use it to book return times through the Lightning Lanes. While you may still have to wait in a short line, it’s definitely going to be a shorter wait.

Individual lightning lanes are a separate purchase available for the most popular attractions. Again, these are optional but will save you time. The current attractions with an individual lightning lane are Radiator Springs Racers and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

Learn more about Genie+ and individual lightning lane here .

Attractions at Disneyland

I love the rides at any theme park, so I was most excited to experience the attractions. There are so many different options – from kiddie rides to thrill rides.

You’ll want to research these in advance so you know what your must-dos are. If you are a Walt Disney World fan, you’ll definitely want to do those attractions that are different. Here are my top rides at Disneyland .

Disneyland offers nine themed lands: Tomorrowland, New Orleans Square, Fantasyland, ToonTown, Adventureland, Main Street USA, Frontierland, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and Critter Country.

In Disney California Adventure, you’ll find Buena Vista Street, Hollywood Land, Cars Land , Grizzly Peak, Avenger’s Campus , Paradise Garden Park, and Pixar Pier . I absolutely loved the theming of Cars Land – it looks exactly as I’d expect Radiator Springs to look!

Events at Disneyland Resort

Disneyland is home to several events during the year. These include the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival, which was taking place during several of my visits. During this festival, you can visit various kiosks to purchase drinks and food samples.

We ended up eating both lunch and dinner at the California Adventure Food and Wine Festival. I had some delicious food, like the Salt and Vinegar Parmesan Chicken Wings, the Shrimp Boil Tacos, and the Verlasso Sustainable Salmon Peruvian Poke with Cucumber-Lime Salad and Aji Verde Salsa. The offerings for the California Adventure Food and Wine Festival change each year.

Downtown Disney

In addition to the two parks, there’s also Downtown Disney. It offers dining, shopping, and entertainment, including Splitsville Lanes. Tickets aren’t required to visit Downtown Disney, so it’s a great place to visit on your first day if you don’t want to buy tickets to the theme parks. There are also some fantastic restaurants for lunch or dinner.

Quick Tips for Planning a Disneyland Vacation

• Book your vacation package (purchase through Get Away Today with the discount code FTM10) and decide whether you want to stay on or off property.
• Plan your flights looking at all of the nearby airports to get the best prices.
• Book your dining reservations 60 days out.
• Download the Disneyland app and create an account.
• Develop a Genie+ plan if you are thinking of purchasing it.
• Enjoy your vacation!

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Disneyland Resort Tickets - Australia / New Zealand Residents Only

• Disneyland® Resort Tickets (Duration and ticket type selected at time of booking)
• Entry/Admission - Disneyland Park
• Entry/Admission - Disney California Adventure Park
• Food and drinks
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
• Wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Near public transportation
• Transportation is wheelchair accessible
• Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
• Most travellers can participate
• Multi-day 1-Park Per Day eTickets are valid for entrance into either Disneyland® Park or Disney California Adventure® Park each day over a specified number of days. Park-per-Day tickets are not valid for visits to both theme parks on the same day
• Multi-day Park Hopper® eTickets are valid for entrance into both Disneyland® Park or Disney California Adventure® Park each day over a specified number of days. Park hopping can commence after 1pm.
• Vouchers must be redeemed on selected date of travel
• eTickets expire 13 days after first use or January 12, 2024, whichever occurs first
• Proof of residency will be required to be shown upon scanning of your eTickets
• As to all Disney properties, images and logos ©Disney. © & ™ Lucasfilm Ltd. ©Disney/Pixar © 2022 MARVEL
• 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 are limited, and availability is subject to capacity. Certain parks, attractions, restaurants, experiences and offerings may be modified or unavailable, limited in capacity, and subject to limited availability or even closure. Park admission and offerings are not guaranteed. Visit www.disneytraveltradeinfo.com/dlrws for important information about park attendance requirements and other restrictions that you need to know before visiting Disneyland® Resort.
• All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.

Similar experiences

• Start See departure details
• 1 Disneyland Park Stop: 12 hours - Admission included See details
• 2 Disney California Adventure Park Stop: 10 hours - Admission included See details
• 3 Downtown Disney District Stop: 60 minutes See details
• 4 Avengers Campus Stop: 60 minutes See details
• 5 Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Stop: 2 hours See details
• 6 Fireworks at Disneyland Park Stop: 30 minutes See details
• 7 Disneyland Railroad Stop: 20 minutes See details
• 8 Main Street Cinema Stop: 30 minutes See details
• 9 The Disney Gallery Stop: 10 minutes See details
• 10 The Disneyland Story Presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln Stop: 15 minutes See details

• bevb316 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Love it❤️ I love coming over to CA Adventure Park Disneyland resort! I dine @ the Magic Key restaurant & love the rides. Final days of food & wine festival. I bought a lanyard for 4 tastings…. REALLY great food this year & special offerings for Magic Key holders❤️ Read more Written 17 April 2024
• W6359UVcathyf 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Terrible The park is to crowded. Why do a reservations system if you are going to let everyone in. My family members waited 3 hours to go on the cars ride.the have taken most the rides for the little ones. Disney sucks with there gread. Money money money dont spend your money . Read more Written 4 April 2024
• 848estid 0 contributions 2.0 of 5 bubbles Terrible experience. Neverending queues, overcrowded. Unfair 2 queuing system. Very poor value for money Overcrowded, neverending queues for 2 min rides. At the beginning of the queue there were signs with the waiting times, we were to the ones that had a reasonable time of 30min, but they waiting time turned to be for more than 2 hours in some occasions. You could see people running in groups looking at their phones like zombies to get into the fast line queue. Terrible experience. No worth the money. Read more Written 2 April 2024
• TartanTeddyBear 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Magnificent Day Out Bought (an extremely expensive) one day two park ticket and Genie+. Drifted across a full 14+ hour day from rope drop to closing between the two park. Cars Land is superb as is the IncrediCoaster, Soarin' Avengers Campus, Hollywood Land and numerous other rides. Despite the expense it's a great day out. Read more Written 25 March 2024
• tammmgarcia 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fun place!! There were fun attractions and so many characters for everyone,from the little ones to the adults!! Really enjoyed it!! Read more Written 23 March 2024
• keshort78 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Exciting but Not As Many Rides We had spent the previous day at Disneyland and were worn out with all the rides we wanted to go on. I found there not to be as many rides that interested us but we made the best of it. We used the app to keep track of wait times and lightning lane options. I would say that we didn't get the full value for the lightning lane pass at this park. The staff were wonderful and the park was clean. If you are curious how many rides you can do in a certain amount of time this was our list: 9:30am - arrival at park (Guardians of the Galaxy, Ferris Wheel, Swings, Zephyr, Soaring across California (LL), Radiator Springs (single rider line), River Run (BACK TO ROOM TO REST) 6:00pm - Guardians, Cars, 9pm Water Light Show The Colour Light Show was the highlight of the day and you do not want to miss it. We were standing in the splash zone and it was more of a constant mist from the water sprays, not large amounts of water. Read more Written 17 March 2024
• Y691HNjessiek 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A Delightful Day Disney California Adventure Park is a total blast! Whether you're into heart-pounding rides like Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! or just want to soak in the magic of Pixar Pier, there's something for everyone. The shows are top-notch, the food is delicious, and the whole place is bursting with that classic Disney charm. Totally worth checking out! Read more Written 12 March 2024
• spelkey56 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great Time! We saw everything and decided not to go on the car ride thing. Too long a wait. It was nice to get a cocktail when you wanted one and walk around with it. We had a great dinner at the Trattoria, had reservations in advance and got right in. The roller coaster was down which was a bummer and it never got warm enough for us to go on the water ride (didn't want to be wet). We had a great time. Read more Written 12 March 2024
• medhabhat 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles A fun day-long visit to Disney Cali Adventure Very nice rides. The Incredicoaster is a must! Many places to visit. Magical experience. Bring a lot of money to spend there because you can buy stuff (a little overpriced tho) Read more Written 6 March 2024
• BeenTo7Continents 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles World of Color Dessert Party We did the World of Color Dessert Party. You get a reserved table and chair to sit down at during World of Color. We each got unlimited hot chocolate, water and soda. We don't drink alcohol so I didn't pay attention to that but I think there is something included for that too. Most importantly we each got a big dinner plate full of desserts, cheeses, cracker, and fruits. They also gave us each "to go" boxes so my husband and I finished our selections the next morning for breakfast. Great to sit down after 20,000 steps that day. Read more Written 26 February 2024
• U2867YBjeffw 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing Theming! Theming is immersive throughout, and the whole park didn't feel as cramped as Disneyland. The lighting after dark in San Fransokyo Square and Cars Land is a must see! (And yes, every third blink of the traffic light in Cars Land is longer!) After taking a few laps through the park, you do realize that it's a giant mall and food court with a few rides tucked away throughout. The soft pretzels available at Magic Key Terrace are far larger and more appealing than those served in carts at Disneyland! Radiator Springs Racers was incredibly popular the weekend of our visit- the Lightning Line was longer than the general queue for most other rides! Read more Written 25 February 2024
• J5243KJstevew 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Beware if you lose something on a ride even if you know exactly where it is you won't get it back. They will steal it. On 2/10/24 on jacket fell off the Goofy Ski School ride and onto a catwalk right above the station. I spoke to the ride lead right after I got off the ride. They stated they would retrieve the jacket the next time the ride stopped. We were staying on property so the staff at the hotel created a list item case and called the ride several times during the day. I could see the jacket from our room and it was there the complete day. The next day I looked again and the jacket was gone. So we headed to lost and found (even though it was never lost I knew exactly where it was). Got to lost and found the morning of 2/11. They stated no jacket. We checked again the next day no jacket. So beware there is a THIEF that works on Goofy's Sky School ride. I created a police report with APD. So THIEF hope you enjoy my jacket. Read more Written 21 February 2024
• Angie H 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fantastic day- but NO BAYMAX Amazzing day!! But NO Baymax meet (apparently for a while) We had a fantastic say! Saw other reviewers say how awful things are but we did not see any of that. Washrooms were clean, plentiful. We found food that was good snd lots of optioms. Did mobile order, we also brought some light snacks so didn’t have to eat multiple meals. Lines were the only issue but we bought lightening lane for Star Wars -Rise of resistance ($26 usd each) worth it. We also had bought the full LL pass and we’re able to use on a few rides so it really depends the rides you do if its worth it. Do single rider too where you can. The other Smugglers run StarWars ride my hubs said was terrible. The star wars area is amazzing. Make a reservation for Ogas Cantina so you get a table. Very cool place for a rest and drinks. Cocktails were great and we only had garlic bread/cheese but it was amazing and everyone at our table liked their food. A must for SW fans, but even if you’re not its wortg it! The real stars and wow came from San Fransokyo. Very cool and we stayed here for a long time to eat, look around. Lunar New Year was very cute too. We missed parade but would have been nice. We came from Canada, and main/only character we wanted to see was Baymax as my son is a huge fan. Only Hiro was there and they told us Baymax would be gone maybe for months (?) as suit being fixed. I mean, honestly doesn’t Disney have many Baymax suits? This was a huge miss that theu cannot advise of this somewhere. People spend thousands to travel to see favourites. Disney has invested millions in San Fransokyo, Baymax’s city, whats the point if no Baymax? My son was crushed. We bought merch, baymax macaton and cup, bought the gold coin from machine, you could buy big baymax balloons too. This review is really for Baymax lovers so you don’t get your hopes up if going soon. Other than that the day was dabukous!! Read more Written 14 February 2024
• Voyage62078455406 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A Must for Pixar Fans This was my family and I’s first visit to this park. Personally, I prefer this park over the Disneyland Park, as it was less busy and less overwhelming in terms of how many attractions there are. They also had great plant based food options for me and my family. We love Pixar movies and grew up watching Cars and playing the video game, so Pixar Pier and Radiator Springs were the highlights! My favourite ride was the Incredicoaster! I will definitely want to go back to experience it again and do any of the rides I didn’t do this time. Read more Written 9 February 2024
• Quest28675275674 0 contributions 2.0 of 5 bubbles Very disappointing experience A very disappointing experience! 1. Quality of the rides, very poor and after waiting a very long time to get onto the rides they barely lasted a minute for most. 2. Friendliness, you would expect better customer service. Most staff we interacted with were not very friendly and didn't seem to care about their jobs. 3. Quality of food was very poor considering the prices you had to pay. 4. The ticket prices are absolutely insanely expensive. Paying $300+ for tickets into a park that was very poorly managed, low quality and simply not what was advertised is very disappointing. Not to mention no Milatery discounts either, really not good at all. Overall very low rating, disappointing experience and not worth the money. Read more Written 24 December 2023

More to explore in Anaheim

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

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Disneyland Resort Tickets - Australia / New Zealand Residents Only provided by Disney California Adventure Park

Everything you need to know about visiting Disneyland

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

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

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

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

How to start planning a Disneyland vacation

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

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

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

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

Choosing the best hotel for your Disneyland vacation

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

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

Disneyland hotels

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Disneyland Good Neighbor hotels you can book with points

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Types of Disneyland tickets

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

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

Let's take a look at each option.

Single-day tickets

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

Related: How to make a reservation at Disneyland

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

Multiday tickets

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

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

Park Hopper

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

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

Magic Key (annual pass)

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

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

Disneyland ticket discounts

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

Here's a look at common Disneyland ticket discounts:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Related: How to use points to buy Disney tickets

Best time to visit Disneyland

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

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

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

Related: 9 things families should know before visiting Disneyland

How to reduce your time in line at Disneyland

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

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

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

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

Disney Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes

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

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

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

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

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

Early Entry

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

Use the Disney app

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

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

Use the Ridemax app

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

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

Related: The best restaurants at Disneyland

How to save money on your Disneyland trip

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

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

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

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

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

Check for package deals

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

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

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

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

Buy Disney gift cards on sale

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

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

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

Bring your own swag

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

Related: 7 Reasons why Disneyland is better than Disney World

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

Related: How much does a Disneyland vacation cost?

How to get around Disneyland

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

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

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

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

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

The best credit cards to use at Disneyland

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

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

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

Bottom line

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

Additional reporting by Leslie Harvey.

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Disneyland vs disney world: all differences & which to visit.

Disneyland and Disney World are both great vacation spots, but each resort caters to different types of travelers and trips. Which should you choose?

• Disneyland has two theme parks, while Disney World has four. The latter requires a longer stay to see everything.
• Disneyland is walkable, but Disney World requires visitors to travel via car, monorail, boat, and bus.
• Disneyland is typically slightly cheaper than Disney World, making it a good option for shorter trips or budget-conscious travelers.

There are six Disneyland parks worldwide, and two of them reside in the United States — but while Disneyland California and Walt Disney World Resort have notable similarities, they also have some major differences . Disney's California-based location is the first of its theme parks to open worldwide, but Walt Disney World has caught up in terms of popularity. This might be because the Florida resort is larger than the California one, allowing it to offer more accommodations and attractions.

This doesn't necessarily mean Walt Disney World is better than Disneyland; both locations are worth checking out, and each will appeal to different types of travelers. Whether someone chooses Walt Disney World or Disneyland will largely depend on what they're looking for from their vacation. It's worth learning what makes each resort unique before purchasing tickets to Disneyland or its Florida-based counterpart.

All Disney Castles At Every Disneyland Park

Disneyland has 2 parks & disney world has 4 parks (plus 2 water parks), disney world is larger & better for a longer getaway.

Probably the biggest difference between Disneyland California and Walt Disney World is the size of each resort , as the latter is much larger than its California-based counterpart. According to Travel + Leisure , Disneyland clocks in at around 500 acres, while Walt Disney World Resort is around 25,000 acres. That's a massive difference, and it shows in the number of parks at each location. Disneyland only has two theme parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park . Meanwhile, Walt Disney World has four theme parks on its premises: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.

This distinction can be helpful when planning a trip to Disney, as visitors will want to choose the location that better suits the amount of time they plan to spend there.

With four parks to cover, Disney World could be the better choice for a longer getaway . The parks at Disneyland California are easy enough to cover in a day or two. However, it's impossible to see all of Disney World in that time. This distinction can be helpful when planning a trip to Disney, as visitors will want to choose the location that better suits the amount of time they plan to spend there. Walt Disney World Resort also features two water parks — Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach — which require additional time to visit. They are great for summer trips, though.

Disneyland Is Walkable, But Walt Disney World Isn't

Walt disney world requires more travel planning.

The size difference between Disneyland and Disney World is important to note, as the latter resort also requires more travel planning. Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park are right next to one another, and they aren't far from the Downtown Disney District and Disney's Anaheim-based hotels. This means that Disneyland is a largely walkable trip , though children, elderly visitors, and people with disabilities may require additional accommodation. While walking all over Disneyland will take time and energy, it's often doable — and that's not the case for Walt Disney World .

The separate parks at Walt Disney World Resort are much further from one another, so visitors will need to plan their travels accordingly. Bringing or renting a car can be a smart choice when visiting Disney World. Of course, the resort also has buses, boats, and monorails that carry guests from one place to another. This takes extra time and must be added to any Disney World itinerary.

Disney World Has More Than 20 Disney Hotels Neary (& Disneyland Only Has 3)

The florida resort offers a wider range of options.

Disney World's larger size also allows the Florida resort to have more official Disney hotels than Disneyland California. Disneyland California has three Disney hotels nearby: the Disneyland Hotel, the Pixar Place Hotel, and the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. These are all within walking distance of the parks, but they do limit one's choices when it comes to finding connected hotels. With Disney often offering perks through its accommodations, it's always good to find a hotel that falls under its umbrella.

Disney World has more than 20 hotels near its theme parks — and while they aren't necessarily within walking distance, they offer a wider range of themes and price points for visitors to choose from. Hotels like Disney's All-Star Movies Resort and Disney's Art of Animation Resort allow visitors to stay in a connected hotel at a lower price point. Meanwhile, lodgings like the Grand Floridian Hotel & Resort and Disney's Riviera Resort offer the opportunity for a more luxurious, pricier stay.

Disneyland Is Slightly Cheaper Than Disney World

Ticket prices are slightly cheaper & disney world warrants a longer stay.

Disneyland and Disney World are both fairly expensive to visit, but the Florida resort will typically cost visitors more money . Ticket prices for both parks vary depending on the time of year and demand, but as of this writing, a standard one-day ticket to Disneyland starts at about $134 per adult. The equivalent ticket starts at around $149 for Disney World (via Disneyland.com / DisneyWorld.com ). This may not seem like a huge difference, but depending on how many people are visiting and how many days they're staying, it can add up.

There's also the fact that Disney World offers more for guests to see, meaning they'll have to stay longer. While visitors can purchase a one-day park hopper ticket or a two-day ticket for Disneyland, they'll likely need to purchase more days if they want to see all the parks at Walt Disney World . This can make Disneyland better for those on a budget, if only slightly.

Should You Visit Disneyland California Or Walt Disney World Resort?

The resort visitors choose depends on their vacation preferences.

The decision to visit Disneyland California or Walt Disney World comes down to each traveler's preferences , as both parks cater to different types of vacations and guests. Those hoping to travel for a shorter period of time or maintain a budget may prefer Disneyland. It offers many of the same experiences and attractions, but it's possible to cover the parks in a couple of days. It can also save travelers some money, even if it's still on the pricier side of vacations overall. It's certainly better for shorter trips than Disney World, which is impossible to cover over a long weekend.

Travelers looking for longer getaways with more variety may be better off at Walt Disney World , as there are numerous parks and hotels to fill up a long trip. The options alone are much greater at Disney World, and there's more to see over a lengthier period of time. Of course, Disney World also requires more planning and traveling, so anyone looking to avoid the more tedious aspects of vacationing may prefer Disneyland . Diehard Marvel fans may also prefer the California parks, as they contain Avengers Campus.

Source: Travel + Leisure , Disneyland.com

‘I took the kids to Disneyland Paris and walked 20,000 steps a day’

It's a physical and emotional work out...

I was raised by (lovely) parents who spent holidays hiking the Pembrokeshire coast path while staying in an off-grid cottage way before a digital detox was even a thing, so a trip to somewhere like Disneyland was never on the cards growing up.

Fast-forward to my own parenting years (two sons aged 8 and 12) and I have a more open outlook when it comes to family travel, in that I'll go pretty much anywhere with them - the best being a trip to Petra in Jordan, the worst being a choppy ferry journey to Ireland during which they vomited on me so I arrived on the Emerald Isle covered in sick. Happy days.

So when the kids said their dream holiday was Disneyland, it wasn't an initial 'no way', though Orlando was instantly ruled out due to cost. But Disneyland Paris? The French capital's cheaper and easier to reach in a weekend and, after some excellent campaigning from the kids outlining the charms of its exciting rides, restaurants styled like Ratatouille and Sleeping Beauty’s iconic pink castle (ok the last one was me), I booked.

How do you get there?

The journey was equally as efficient, particularly the meal served at our table, aeroplane-style, with a hostess serving a choice of two meals from a trolley - I opted for beetroot salad and a glass of wine. How civilised.

A couple of hours later we glided into Gard du Nord in the heart of Paris, from where we took a 30-minute transfer to Hotel L’Elysée Val d’Europe, our base for two nights and just a (free) ten-minute shuttle ride from Disneyland Paris.

First impressions of the parks?

First surprise? it’s two parks: Disneyland Paris and the smaller (though size doesn’t matter, right?) Walt Disney Studios Park. Second surprise? It's SO. BIG.

The moment you step through the gates (there are two sets, security and then each park has its own entrance), you’re transported to another world, one where you can chat to Cinderella, have an Avenger’s burger for lunch and get lost in an Alice in Wonderland’s labyrinth.

Everywhere you look people of all ages are wearing Mickey and Minnie headbands – we even saw some excited punters dressed in head-to-toe Disney merch (yes, they were adults). When we arrived a parade along Main Street USA had just started, so we were instantly immersed in a carnival atmosphere complete with colourful floats carrying characters from Frozen, Peter Pan etc .

Okay tell me about the rides...

I’m starting with the rides my sons BOTH voted the best. Number one – the shiny new Spider-Man W.E.B Adventure in the Marvel-themed Avengers Campus (Walt Disney Studios), where we climbed aboard a W.E.B slinger vehicle and shot spider-bots with web from OUR HANDS *Spidey web hands gesture*. It’s fast, furious and, even though I caught the least bots, I get why this one was such a hit.

The rest of the Avengers Campus went down a storm, including Flight Force (warning, this twisty, turney coaster isn’t for the faint-hearted). Meeting Spider-Man in the Hero Training Centre was a great photo opp, though we left feeling like we probably didn’t have enough training to rid a city of criminals. Sadly, I couldn’t drag them into the Pixar Musical Adventure , ‘a journey through Toy Story, Monsters and Finding Nemo ‘ (too babyish, apparently),

Over in Disneyland Paris, the kids’ favourite ride was Star Tours: The Adventures Continue found in the Discoveryland area. We put on a pair of 3D specs, stepped aboard a Starspeeder 1000 and sped through a galaxy far, far away, with thrilling glimpses of the Death Star, C-3PO and underwater realms. It’s incredibly realistic and everyone wanted to go on it again (me included!).

We gave Stars Wars Hyperspace Mountain a swerve, though it did look thrilling, and headed instead for another white-knuckle coaster: Temple of Peril , a slightly terrifying Indiana Jones-style coaster where putting your hands in the air and screaming is obligatory. You can get more adrenaline rushes on Big Thunder Mountain plus Crush’s Coaster and The Twighlight Zone Tower of Terror in Walt Disney Studios.

Rides aside, the shows are not to be missed. Frozen fans will want to make a beeline for Elsa and crew at Frozen: A Musical Invitation (Walt Disney Studios) where you can belt out Let It Go . The Lion King’s equally enticing and apparently Alice in Wonderland is due to take the stage in Walt Disney Studios this spring.

All three of us thought Adventureland was excellent, a lush land of towering bamboo, spooky caves, wobbly rope bridges, an enormous (fake) tree housing the Swiss Family Robinson’s cabin, souks from Aladdin and a massive pirate galleon. Think the best play park you’ve been to on steroids.

Got younger kids? There’s loads for little ones, particularly in Fantasyland, where we saw Peter Pan’s flight (you get to fly through a virtual Never Land) and tots can spin around in the Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups, fly in Dumbo and ride on the gentle Le Petit Train Du Cirque .

And is the food any good?

It’s a good job you easily walk more than five miles exploring the parks, because the restaurant offering at Disney’s off the scale. Seriously, I’d be happy to just do a food tour. If your main aim is to meet Disney characters, you’re going to want to book a table at fancy French restaurant Auberge de Cendrillon in Disneyland Park, where Cinderella, Elsa and co make an appearance. Or Plaza Gardens pavilion for a chance to meet Mickey over the all you can eat buffet.

For an authentic Ratatouille vibe, it has to be Bistrot Chez Rémy – think over-sized cocktail umbrellas, cookbooks and cutlery. While Marvel fans will want to refuel at PYM Kitchen in the Avenger Camp for the novelty value – the food, zapped by PYM particles (see Ant-Man and the Wasp ) is fun-sized, from mini burgers to massive pretzels.

For snacks/pit stops, March Hare in Fantasyland is very sweet (literally, it sells lots of ice cream), and we couldn’t resist a round of Nutella-loaded waffles from one of the many food trucks. See more dining options here .

Where's the best place to stay?

We slept 10 mins (by complimentary shuttle bus) from the parks at super four-star Hotel L’Elysée Val d’Europe . If you're not a die-hard Disney fan, believe me you'll appreciate arriving back in the real world after 10 hours of fantasy.

Our spotless family room had two enormous squishy double beds, WiFi faster than a Disney ‘coaster and a tub, the perfect place to wallow in bubbles (the foamy kind) and ease tired legs. If there are more than four in your clan, book an XL Family Room which can fit up to eight people.

Although the food at Disneyland Paris is great, our favourite meal of the weekend was at Le George, the hotel’s swish restaurant. Starters of light tuna tempura and duck, followed by succulent steak frites (the kids menu is simply smaller portions of the adults, so French). Even the wine, a glass (ok two) of recommended Cote-Rotie (€12), was superb.

The boys left the table between courses to explore ‘the jungle’, a mini Kew-like double-storey glass room filled with trees, tropical ferns, banana plants and flowers. There’s a long dining table in the middle of all the foliage which you can book if you’re in a bigger party.

L’Diplomat Bar’s a cosy spot for a post-Disney cocktail - it looked like that’s exactly what many of guests were doing, though most had removed their Minnie ears - and it also serves a rich hot chocolate for kids.

Try and carve out a little free time to visit huge shopping centre Val d’Europe opposite the hotel, which is like adult Disneyland – upstairs dedicated to fashion and beauty and a lower floor full of French food. I picked up a tube of French beauty editors’ must-have secret potion A313 Pommade from the pharmacy and a pair of black ankle boots, not bad for a 25-minute dash.

Want to stay in-park? Disneyland Hotel (themed around Disney royalty) has just reopened its doors (after a two-year, multi-million pound reno) and it’s gone down a storm with reviewers. The upsides? Reception resembling Sleeping Beauty’s castle, getting to eat breakfast with Disney characters, pillow menus, five-star Clarins spa and a private entrance to the park. The downside? It’s £1,501 per night in April, though this is for a family of four and does include two-day park passes.

Download the Disneyland Paris app: BEFORE you go. Seriously, everything you could possibly ever need is on the app , from interactive maps, to opening times and the ability to book lunch. And take a phone charger, because if your phone shuts down, the magic will too.

Don’t try and cram in too much : These parks are BIG. Better to go for two days and spread it out, if you can.

Pack like you’re going on a hike: You’ll walk for miles (I’m talking 20,000 steps a day), so it’s important to be prepared. Trainers, tick. Comfy clothes, tick. Waterbottles (there are plenty of drinking fountains), tick. Snacks, tick.

Beat the queues for rides with Disney Premier Access Ultimate : If you’re not prepared to wait for up to 45 mins to get on some of the more popular rides and attractions, you can snap up premier access on the app (around €90pp per day for up to 16 rides low seasons, up to €190pp per day in peak) then simply scan the QR code at the entrance to the ride and, voila , you’re in the fast lane.

Arrive early, but not too early: The parks open at 9.30am and the queues were pretty lengthy even in low season (Feb), however by 10.30am they appeared to have eased off a little.

Take rain gear : You’re in FRANCE not FLORIDA. Rain happens, and you don’t want to spend extra money on see-through ponchos you’ll never wear again.

More family holiday ideas...

• A babymoon with a toddler in tow at Sani Resort in Greece
• All aboard a half-term family Euro cruise with Norwegian Viva
• Relive your youth on a family weekend away at Camp Bestival

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Naperville Sun | Down to Business: When cross-stitching goes…

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Naperville sun | down to business: when cross-stitching goes from hobby to business, it’s like working in a ‘personal disneyland’.

Business:  Stitchers Garden

Address: 1163 E. Ogden Ave., Naperville

Phone/website: 630-946-6216, www.stitchersgardenil.com

Owner:  Deb Krizek, 57, of Wheaton

Years in business:  Seven

What does your business do?  “We are a full-service needlepoint shop. We have thread, painted canvas, lots of experience to help you with your stitching needs, all sorts of stuff,” Krizek said.

How did you get started in needlepoint? “I learned to cross-stitch, which is another form of embroidery, when I was 28. My oldest is 26. When she was a year (old), I started needlepointing. There was a shop in Glen Ellyn that is now closed; I took a needlepoint class there. And then that was it.”

Why did you start this store?  “I’ve been in retail my whole life. I always wanted to own my own shop ever since I was out of college. But I had kids. A commitment. … There were two local needlepoint shops in the south and western suburbs. Both closed.”

Any competition? “There are eight needlepoint stores in the Chicago area. The most of any metropolis. … We get people from all over. I have customers in Australia, Canada, Hawaii.”

What appeals to you?  “I love it all. I love the threads. It’s totally my passion. Stitching is a way to relax. Kind of calms me if I’ve had a hard day. … You can pretty much do whatever you want. There are no limitations.”

How does it work?  “We mostly work with painted canvas. The design is painted on and we stitch over it. … You don’t have to do any embellishment. My 21-year-old daughter needlepoints and she does the simple basic stitching.”

How do customers find you? “TikTok is a huge influence (for) getting new stitchers in right now. We saw a huge uptick after Christmas. It’s crazy.”

Why is that?  “There are several TikTokers who posted their needlepoint ornament Christmas trees. People like the tradition of that. We’ve got ornaments all over the store.”

How did the pandemic affect your business? “During COVID, when the world was stuck at home, we had a lot of people pick up needlepoint because they were home and needed something to do. You can follow a video or a chart. Lucky for us, it stuck.

“I was 100% online only from March until May (in 2020). I was the only one here. I sent a daily newsletter out. People would drop their stuff off. People would mail me things, order things online. I’d pull the threads. They’d pick it up or I’d ship it out. … I was here six days a week, eight to 10 hours a day, pulling threads, packaging stuff, sending stuff. … It was a lot. I never want to go there again.”

What do customers say? “It’s my first time here and I love coming in,” Betsy Bennett, 70, of Wheaton, said. “There are so many options. Back in the day, everything was kitted. There were no options to get threads. … I learned how to needlepoint 52 years ago.”

“I just learned two months ago,” said her daughter, Claire Bennett, 33, of Chicago. “I love the creativity. I like doing it when I watch TV.”

Isn’t former professional football player Rosey Grier into needlepointing? “We have his book,” Krizek said. “He is a huge needlepointer.”

Where do canvases come from?  “From artists all over the country.”

Where do you find materials? “Same thing. On this wall alone, there are 10 different vendors of threads. … (When) they come out with a new thread or one we didn’t have (we) give it a whirl.”

What challenges do you face?  “Pretty much the same as any other small business. You’re working 24/7. … We do so much business on social media. You can’t just rely on word of mouth.”

What do you like about your job?  “The people. The craft. … I love my job. I come to work at my own personal Disneyland.”

Is needlepoint related to quilting?  “Quilting is sewing. We don’t sew. We embroider. We stitch.”

When are you open?  “Tuesday through Saturday, 10 to 5.”

What’s your advice for someone starting a business?  “Do your research. Talk to people in the industry. The people who helped me get started were very willing to be honest about the pros and the cons. … You have to be on social media. Instagram. Facebook. Threads. Reddit. That’s how people communicate, shop and live. … I check my social media before I get out of bed.”

Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun. If you know of a business you’d like to see to profiled in Down to Business, contact Steve Metsch at [email protected].

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What to expect at Disneyland’s Pixar Fest 2024

T he Pixar Fest seasonal event coming to the Disneyland resort this spring brings back a fan-favorite fireworks show along with a somewhat “new” parade that promise to unleash a heavy dose of Incredibles, Finding Nemo, Toy Story, Coco and Cars characters.

Pixar Fest returns to Disney California Adventure and Disneyland on April 26 through Aug. 4 with the new Better Together parade and the returning “Together Forever” fireworks show .

The new Pixar-centric Better Together parade debuting at DCA will feature a red panda version of Mei Lee, her girlfriends Miriam, Abby and Priya along with the 4*Town boy band from “Turning Red.” Disney describes the dreamy chart-toppers from the early 2000s as regular guys who “keep it real by staying humble and always being true to their fans.”

The new Better Together parade could draw upon elements from the Pixar Play Parade that had a decade-long run at Disney California Adventure before moving over to Disneyland during Pixar Fest in 2018.

The new Better Together parade will have a Luxo Jr. lead unit just like the Pixar Play Parade, which featured a float lineup that included Monsters Inc., Incredibles, Ratatouille, Inside Out, Finding Nemo, A Bug’s Life, Up, Toy Story and Cars characters.

The new parade could add units featuring characters from some of the latest Pixar films like “Coco,” “Onward,” “Soul” and “Luca.” Disneyland has already announced Ember and Wade from “Elemental” will take part in Pixar Fest.

The “Together Forever” fireworks and projection show returns to Disneyland with a few new scenes as part of Pixar Fest 2024.

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The “Together Forever” fireworks show in 2018 featured projection mapping throughout Disneyland and Buzz Lightyear flying over Sleeping Beauty Castle in place of Tinker Bell. The nighttime spectacular’s backstory recounts how friendships unfold in Pixar films — from first encounters and forging bonds to adventures and adversities.

The “Pixar Pals Playtime Party” show in the Fantasyland Theatre at Disneyland combines dance, play and games with a screening of Pixar short films.

The Club Pixar dance party will take over DCA’s Hollywood Backlot at night with DJ music, live shows and Pixar-themed games, food and drinks.

A Pixar-inspired food festival starting May 10 will feature six marketplaces booths each representing an animated film.

• The Elemental Table (“Elemental”)
• Gusteau’s To-Go (“Ratatouille”)
• Hanger Management (“Inside Out”)
• Portorosso Pasta (“Luca”)
• The Spark (“Soul”)
• 4*Town Fav*4*ites (“Turning Red”)

The food lineup will include a Pixar-inspired menu at Troubadour Tavern and Pixar Fest cake at the Plaza Inn in Disneyland as well as a “Coco”-inspired menu at DCA’s Paradise Garden Grill.

The reimagined Paradise Pier Hotel that became the Pixar Place Hotel in January will give fans a chance to add an extra dose of Pixar to the 10-week festival this spring.

©2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit ocregister.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Goofy is sued for negligence, inflicting trauma, in Disneyland collision

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Oh, Goofy, what have you done now?

Katrina Amian Redfern Griffin was bent over, tying her daughter’s shoes during a trip to Disneyland in April 2022, when a park employee dressed as Goofy — the klutzy but lovable cartoon canine — barreled straight into her, according to a lawsuit she filed in Orange County Superior Court.

Then, she claims, he fell on top of her with all of his weight, driving her into the “hard cement floor.”

Griffin suffered “severe, traumatic, debilitating, and permanent” physical injuries from the collision, along with emotional pain and suffering, she said.

Now, Griffin is suing Disneyland, the unnamed employee inside the Goofy costume, and Goofy’s “handler,” another employee who was supposed to guide the big, silly character around the park to make sure he didn’t bump into anything, according to the lawsuit.

Representatives for Disney did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday evening.

Personal injury lawsuits might not be the most pressing issue for Disney lawyers right now. The entertainment empire is embroiled in a number of high-profile legal battles that have placed it on the front lines of the nation’s culture wars.

The movie division fired actor Gina Carano from “The Mandalorian” TV series in 2021 after her social media posts questioned the results of the 2020 election and likened the treatment of American conservatives to German Jews during the Holocaust.

Carano, in turn, sued Disney for wrongful termination, claiming she had been fired for standing up to the “online bully mob who demanded her compliance with their extreme progressive ideology.”

In Florida, Disney is fighting an extended court battle with Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who took political control of the land upon which Walt Disney World sits after company officials opposed the state’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, which bans classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades.

But even as other issues swirl, injuries at Disney theme parks, the company’s bread and butter, have continued to make headlines.

In October, Emma McGuinness sued Walt Disney World, claiming she had suffered a nightmarish “wedgie” on the park’s Humunga Kowabunga water slide.

Online marketing for the slide promises the “ride of your life” and that “you won’t know what’s coming as you zoom 214 feet downhill in the dark and spray your way to a surprise ending!”

McGuinness’ surprise was severe and permanent bodily injury, according to her lawsuit.

Specifically, when she neared the pool at the bottom of the giant drop, her legs came uncrossed, allowing clothes and water to be “violently forced inside her” by the impact.

She went to the hospital with severe vaginal lacerations and her bowel protruding through her abdominal wall, among other internal injuries, the suit claimed.

Griffin, the woman who said she was bowled over by Goofy at Disneyland, did not provide details of her physical injuries in her lawsuit.

She is asking Disney to pay for her medical bills and lost earnings and to compensate her for the physical, mental and emotional pain she says she suffered.

Neither Griffin nor her attorney could be reached for comment on Friday.

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April 17, 2024

Disney’s biggest shareholder fight in 20 years will shape the company’s future

April 2, 2024

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March 27, 2024

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Jack Dolan is an investigative reporter for the Los Angeles Times. A winner of numerous national awards, he has twice been named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

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College Sports | USC loses former 4-star Brandon Gardner to…

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College sports | usc loses former 4-star brandon gardner to transfer portal, with the redshirt freshman forward's departure, senior harrison hornery is the only trojan left from last season.

LOS ANGELES — The kid from Down Under is the only one left.

The final domino in a monthlong USC program overhaul dropped Tuesday, as redshirt freshman forward Brandon Gardner has submitted paperwork to enter the transfer portal, his mother Tameka Gordon told the Southern California News Group. The former four-star recruit out of New York was the last unknown in the mass exodus that has followed longtime coach Andy Enfield’s departure for SMU , holding out for weeks under new coach Eric Musselman’s regime but ultimately deciding to depart.

It leaves junior forward Harrison Hornery – who played three seasons for Enfield at USC – as the last member of the old guard, along with assistant coach Desmon Farmer, who came onto Enfield’s staff first as a graduate assistant in 2020-21 and is still listed on USC’s staff directory. Hornery hails from Australia, and his mother, Deanne Parslow, told SCNG even before Musselman’s hire that he would stay at USC

“We are 100% committed to USC and Coach Musselman,” Parslow said, when asked if Hornery would still stay at USC even with Gardner’s departure.

In a vacuum, the past month has brought perhaps the most drastic year-to-year shift in USC basketball history, a complete cleaning-house as Musselman has amassed a slew of transfers and recently flipped Sierra Canyon’s Isaiah Elohim from Arkansas . Boogie Ellis, Joshua Morgan, and DJ Rodman are graduating. Isaiah Collier is headed to the NBA draft . Kobe Johnson , Vincent Iwuchukwu, Oziyah Sellers, Bronny James , Arrinten Page, Kijani Wright and now Gardner – named “Mr. Basketball” as a senior in New York – have hit the portal.

And thus, amid a collection of mid-major talent assembled from the portal in what feels somewhat like an offseason rebuild on “NBA 2K,” Hornery will be Musselman’s only holdover.

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