Everything you need to know for your Disneyland adventure
Disneyland is a unique destination that brings joy and entertainment to everyone, from excited children to seasoned adults. For many, a trip to The Happiest Place on Earth is a cherished childhood dream and an essential milestone for parents planning family outings.
Planning a visit involves many details, such as selecting the right tickets, finding suitable accommodations, navigating the park, and minimizing wait times. Fortunately, we’ve gathered all the information you need to make your Disneyland experience seamless.
Here’s everything essential for booking your Disneyland getaway.
Receive expert tips for reaching your dream destination by subscribing to our daily newsletter.
How to kick off your Disneyland vacation planning
While planning a Disneyland getaway is less complex than organizing a trip to Disney World, a bit of preparation can enhance your experience.
If the thought of planning feels daunting, you can hire professionals to handle it for you at no cost. TPG's Summer Hull and Richard Kerr both recommend Mouse Counselors for organizing their Disney trips, and they highly endorse the service.
This planning service is complimentary because the planners earn their commissions from Disneyland. Simply request a quote, and they’ll take care of your entire vacation planning. They’ll even hunt for discounts to ensure you get the best possible deal.
FOR FREE HELP WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS.
Disneyland's enchanting Cinderella Castle. ARIANA ARGHANDEWAL/DinogoSelecting the ideal hotel for your Disneyland getaway
There are numerous hotel choices for your Disneyland trip, tailored to fit various budgets and preferences. You can opt for a premium on-site stay with added benefits, or choose a budget-friendly off-site hotel within walking distance of the park that allows you to earn or redeem points.
Here’s a summary of the top hotel options near Disneyland.
Hotels around Disneyland
Disneyland features three on-site hotels. The primary advantage of staying at a Disneyland resort is its close proximity to the parks, along with benefits like Early Entry (30 minutes before the parks open to the public), priority dining reservations, character wake-up calls, and more.
Prices at Disneyland hotels are generally higher compared to off-site options. However, Disney provides seasonal discounts and sales during less busy times of the year to help lower costs.
Established in 1955, the Disneyland Hotel is the first and oldest property within the Disneyland Resort. It underwent a minor renovation in 2021 and is located next to the Downtown Disney shopping area.
Standard room rates usually range from approximately $500 to $650 per night.
Disneyland Hotel. SUMMER HULL/DinogoFor a more upscale experience in a prime location, consider Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Situated behind California Adventure Park, this hotel offers guests a private entrance to the park.
SUMMER HULL/DinogoRates at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa begin at around $700 but can rise to as much as $1,000 per night for a standard room during peak periods.
Located across from the Grand Californian, Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel is the most affordable Disneyland hotel option. Room rates typically fall between $400 and $450, and the resort also provides a private entrance to Disney California Adventure Park. The hotel is currently under construction and will soon reopen as Pixar Place Hotel.
View of the Paradise Pier Hotel from atop the Pixar Pal-A-Round in Disney California Adventure. LESLIE HARVEY/DinogoDisneyland Good Neighbor hotels available for booking with points
Currently, there are 58 designated Good Neighbor hotels in close proximity to Disneyland. These hotels are recommended by Disneyland for their convenient locations and overall value. Many of them allow bookings with points, and some even offer special deals and packages.
Hyatt
Hyatt features three hotels near Disneyland, all recognized as Good Neighbor properties. As of August 2023, all three are categorized as Category 4 hotels, requiring 15,000 Hyatt points for standard awards and 12,000 points for off-peak awards. You can also utilize 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, situated just a block away. I stayed here three years ago and found the rooms spacious enough for three kids and two adults. Our accommodation included a small living area separate from the bedroom and a pull-out couch for an extra guest.
Everyone enjoys complimentary breakfast, no matter their Hyatt elite status, making it a fantastic option for families. Overall, this hotel is a great choice for those visiting Disneyland.
The nearby Hyatt Place is just a block further and offers a more affordable limited-service hotel with free breakfast. Room rates typically run $20 to $50 less than those at the Hyatt House when paying cash.
For a more upscale experience away from the park, consider the Hyatt Regency Orange County. Located about 2 miles from Disneyland in the Anaheim Resort area, this hotel offers a Kids Suite starting at 21,000 points per night, featuring a king bed, bunk beds for children, and a microwave and fridge for those late-night snacks.
The Hyatt Regency Orange County provides a shuttle to Disneyland every half-hour, costing $6 per person per day, with free rides for kids aged 3 and under. Package deals often include shuttle service for four, parking, and a Disney-themed welcome amenity.
IHG
IHG operates five hotels near Disneyland, three of which carry the Good Neighbor designation. The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Anaheim Resort Area, a Good Neighbor property, is the nearest, located about a 10-minute walk from the park entrance. Award rates can vary significantly, sometimes reaching as high as 50,000 to 65,000 points per night, making cash bookings a potentially better option.
Marriott
SUMMER HULL/DinogoMarriott features 11 Good Neighbor hotels in close proximity to Disneyland. The closest options to the park entrance are the Fairfield Inn by Marriott Anaheim Resort and the Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance. Award nights at the Fairfield Inn typically range from 34,000 to 59,000 points.
Depending on your travel dates, you can utilize a 35,000-point certificate from the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card or an annual 50,000-point award from the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card. This redemption could be quite valuable, especially as room rates may exceed $250 per night during peak times.
The Courtyard is an upscale hotel featuring a water park, with nightly rates ranging from 68,000 to 98,000 points.
Hilton
Hilton boasts an impressive 12 Good Neighbor Hotels near Disneyland, although many are not within a convenient walking distance.
For the best location, consider the Home2 Suites by Hilton Anaheim Resort or the Hilton Garden Inn Anaheim Resort. These two hotels share a building nearly directly across from the park entrance.
Home2 Suites often presents better value, even with a slightly higher price, as it includes complimentary breakfast. A standard two-queen studio accommodates up to six guests with two queen beds, a sofa bed, and a full kitchen. Despite the 60,000-point award rate, it may be worth it for families needing just one room. However, since TPG values Hilton points at 0.6 cents each, redeeming points is generally not advisable unless standard rates exceed $360 per night.
The SunCoast Hotel is the next closest option, situated less than a mile from the park entrance. It's a manageable walk, or you can take the Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) bus that stops right outside. As a Tapestry Collection property, the SunCoast features lovely, airy rooms adorned with vibrant colors that capture the Disney spirit.
Different types of Disneyland tickets
LESLIE HARVEY/DinogoThere are several types of Disneyland tickets available. Your choice should depend on factors like which park(s) you plan to visit, the duration of your stay, how often you intend to return, and your budget.
Disneyland tickets are categorized into seven tiers (Tier 0 through 6). Tier 6 offers unrestricted access, while the other tiers come with increasing blackout dates. Always check the theme park calendar for reservation availability before making a purchase.
Let's explore each option.
Single-day tickets
Single-day tickets for Disneyland range from $104 to $179, granting access to just one park (either Disneyland or Disney California Adventure). Disney defines children as those aged 3 to 9, offering a small discount for child tickets, while adults are considered 10 and older. Children aged 2 and under do not require a ticket.
Ticket prices fluctuate daily based on demand. You can check the ticket calendar to find prices for the specific day(s) you intend to visit.
Multiday tickets
Multiday tickets are an excellent choice for those planning to visit Disneyland for multiple days, with per-day rates decreasing as you add more days. A two-day ticket costs $285, averaging $142.50 per day, while a five-day ticket drops to just $83 per day.
With multiday tickets, you gain access to both Disneyland and California Adventure, but you can't visit both parks on the same day. You'll need to choose one park per day.
Park Hopper
Park Hopper tickets let you enjoy both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure in a single day. You can add this option to any multiday ticket for an additional $60 or to single-day tickets for $65. This flexibility is perfect for those wanting to explore various attractions in one day, especially the 1-Day Park Hopper tickets if you're on a tight schedule.
Keep in mind that Disneyland currently permits park hopping only after 11 a.m.
Magic Key (annual pass)
Disneyland provides Magic Keys, which serve as annual passes. These passes are sold in limited quantities, meaning not all types are always available. Prices range from $449 to $1,599.
Discounts on Disneyland tickets
Although Disneyland tickets can be expensive, there are various ways to save money. Some discounts are exclusive to specific groups and may be seasonal, while others are available to the general public.
Here’s an overview of common ticket discounts at Disneyland:
California residents: Residents of California who live in eligible zip codes may occasionally buy special multiday discount tickets for as low as $83 per day. Disneyland typically offers these tickets to Southern California residents in the spring and to all California residents during summer and early fall, although availability is not guaranteed. Proof of residency and a valid government ID are required for purchase.
Military discounts: Eligible military personnel can acquire three-day Disneyland Park Hopper Tickets for $245 and four-day Park Hopper tickets for $280.
There is a limit of six discounted tickets per person, and blackout dates apply. These tickets are available to both active and retired military members, including those from the National Guard, Reservists, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
AAA: Members of AAA can enjoy savings on multiday Disneyland tickets, including Park Hopper options. However, the savings may not be as substantial as advertised due to an additional fee applied at checkout. Membership fees range from $56 to $119.
CityPASS: CityPASS provides discounts on Disneyland tickets, with savings varying from $5 to $26 based on the type of ticket purchased.
Undercover Tourist: Undercover Tourist is a reliable option for saving on Disneyland tickets, currently providing discounts that range from $7 to $33 per ticket.
Get Away Today: Get Away Today is another travel agency focused on Disneyland trips and also offers discount tickets. They guarantee to match the lowest prices you find elsewhere.
Best time to visit Disneyland
The ideal time to visit Disneyland varies based on several factors.
For the best experience, aim to avoid school breaks, weekends, and significant ride openings. Late summer and early fall are generally less busy, although August and September can be quite warm (but still cooler than Walt Disney World in Florida).
A fantastic way to determine the best time for your Disneyland visit is to consult the IsItPacked crowd calendar. This calendar takes into account all the factors mentioned earlier to provide a crowd forecast.
Strategies to minimize your wait times at Disneyland
While Disneyland is known as The Happiest Place on Earth, it can still have long and stressful lines, especially during weekends, holidays, and for popular attractions.
Begin your visit at the rear of the park and work your way forward
If you arrive just before the park opens, a smart approach to dodge crowds is to start at the back of the park and gradually make your way to the front. Many guests, particularly families with children, tend to get distracted by the crowd-control attractions near the entrance—such as character meet-and-greets and shops—before heading to the rides closer to their path.
You can avoid the crowds by heading in the opposite direction. The same strategy applies to mealtimes: if you plan to eat before or after the noon rush, you'll steer clear of long lines. You may also discover shorter waits for your favorite rides while most guests are busy with lunch.
No lines at the Millennium Falcon ride on reopening day in 2021. ARIANA ARGHANDEWAL/DinogoDisney Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes
With Disney Genie+ and its companion service, Individual Lightning Lane, Disneyland visitors can bypass the standby lines for many of the park's top attractions. The Disney Genie+ service begins at $25 per person per day, allowing you to make Lightning Lane reservations throughout your visit. You can make your first reservation upon entering the park and then book additional ones as you use them or after two hours, whichever comes first.
Additionally, you'll receive unlimited downloads of attraction photos and those captured by PhotoPass photographers, along with features like audio stories and AR photo lenses to keep you entertained while waiting in line.
While a few attractions do not offer the Disney Genie+ service, most of them still feature Lightning Lanes. To bypass the line for these specific attractions, you must purchase an Individual Lightning Lane reservation separately. Prices range from $15 to $25 per person per attraction, and you can buy up to two attractions each day. For the latest list of attractions involved in each program, check Disneyland's website.
Early Entry
Guests who stay at Disneyland resorts enjoy the perk of entering either park 30 minutes prior to the public opening. This is an important factor to consider when booking your hotel, as this early access means almost no lines.
Use the Disney app
The Disneyland mobile app is essential for a smooth Disneyland visit. In addition to storing your park tickets, the app allows users to make restaurant reservations, book Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane reservations, order food for pick-up, and check ride wait times.
The Disney app is an essential resource for skipping lines at rides and restaurants, ensuring you make the most of your time at the park.
Use the Ridemax app
For a professional approach to avoiding lines, consider downloading and subscribing to Ridemax. This app tailors a personalized itinerary based on your selected rides and how long you intend to stay, helping to reduce wait times. A 90-day subscription is priced at $14.95, while an annual subscription costs $24.95.
Additionally, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if it doesn’t meet your expectations, you can receive a full refund.
How to save money on your Disneyland trip
There are numerous ways to cut costs on your Disneyland trip, from securing discounted park tickets to finding hotel deals.
Use points
We can't begin the money-saving section of this guide without highlighting the use of points. Whether it's for your flights, accommodations, or park tickets, leveraging points can significantly reduce your Disneyland expenses. Many hotels in the area, like the Hyatts, offer stays starting at just 12,000 points per night during off-peak times.
With the 60,000-point sign-up bonus from the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (after you spend $4,000 within the first three months of account opening), you could cover nearly five nights at one of these hotels.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is another excellent choice for earning and using miles for your Disneyland getaway. The card currently provides 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 in the first three months of account opening, which you can then redeem miles against travel expenses. Plus, if you need more time, you have up to 90 days after a purchase to accumulate and apply miles toward a travel cost.
Look for package deals
You can significantly reduce your costs on a Disneyland vacation by booking a package through a site like Get Away Today. For instance, a four-night stay in September at the Element by Westin Anaheim Resort Convention Center, including three-day park hopper tickets for a family of four, would cost $3,297.88 when booked directly with Disney.
DISNEYLAND.COMHowever, through Get Away Today, the same package is priced at just $2,682.53.
GETAWAYTODAY.COMCostco currently has Disneyland travel packages that offer discounts on Disneyland hotels and include a Disney gift card:
- Book two to four nights and get a $185 Disney Gift Card
- Book five nights and receive a $205 Disney Gift Card
- Book six nights for a $225 Disney Gift Card
- Stay seven nights or more to earn a $245 Disney Gift Card
Purchase discounted Disney gift cards
Buying Disney gift cards can provide savings of around 5-10% on food and merchandise at Disneyland hotels. Retailers like Sam's Club, Staples, Target, and Safeway sometimes offer discounts on Disney gift cards of about 5%. When combined with cash back bonuses and savings from cards that earn points at grocery and office supply stores, the savings can add up.
I've successfully used my Chase Ink Plus Business card (no longer available) to purchase Disney gift cards at Staples, maximizing my savings with 5% cash back through Dosh (Note: I may earn a $10 referral bonus if you sign up through my link and make your first qualifying purchase).
The details for the Chase Ink Plus Business Card have been gathered independently by Dinogo. The information presented here has not been evaluated or provided by the card issuer.
Pack your own souvenirs
If you're heading to Disneyland with your kids, consider purchasing all your souvenirs in advance. Prices at the park can be exorbitant, so there's no need to pay $30 for mouse ears when you can find adorable alternatives on Etsy or Amazon for just $5.99. This applies to all the little trinkets and toys that often end up forgotten.
While you may feel nostalgic about bringing home a $40 snow globe, remember: the experiences you create are far more valuable (and lasting) than the overpriced items from the park.
Navigating Disneyland
In contrast to the expansive Disney World resort, Disneyland is easily navigable on foot. However, if you find yourself fatigued after a day of exploring, there are multiple transportation options available. The Disneyland Railroad provides an 18-minute ride with stops at Main Street, New Orleans Square, Mickey's Toontown, and Tomorrowland.
The speedy Monorail is perfect for those seeking a quicker way to traverse the park. Covering the 2.5-mile stretch in just 13 minutes, it halts at Tomorrowland and the far end of Downtown Disney.
For a leisurely and enjoyable experience, you can ride one of Disney's Main Street Vehicles located near City Hall and Central Plaza. Options include the Jitney, a horse-drawn streetcar, the classic fire engine, and the omnibus.
At California Adventure, the Red Car Trolley makes four handy stops throughout the already walkable park.
The top credit cards to use at Disneyland
SUMMER HULL/DinogoYou might be surprised to learn that the Disney Visa Card isn’t among the top choices for Disneyland, though it can be a decent option for financing your Disney vacation. The best cards for booking Disneyland packages are those that offer bonus points on travel, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve. With this card, you earn 3 points per dollar and can use your $300 annual travel credit to help reduce costs.
For spending at Disneyland parks, opt for a card that rewards dining. The Citi Prestige® Card (currently unavailable) is excellent, earning 5 points per dollar in this category. The American Express® Gold Card is another strong option, providing 4 points per dollar at restaurants (on up to $50,000 in purchases per year, then 1 point per dollar).
The information regarding the Citi Prestige card was gathered independently by Dinogo. The details presented on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Final thoughts
Though it may not be as expansive as its Florida counterpart, Disneyland still requires some strategic planning. This guide aims to simplify the process of organizing your Disneyland adventure.
1
2
3
4
5
Evaluation :
5/5