Disneyland Park

Visit Disneyland Park

Heavily themed rides like the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Jungle Cruise transport guests into fantastic worlds that are a little too colorful to be real. Costumed actors meet and greet guests, even signing autographs in character. As Disney continues to collect intellectual properties, these characters have expanded beyond Disney’s animated features. Galaxy’s Edge makes the world of Star Wars a real place where you can order blue milk and interact with stormtroopers. Live music and stage productions dot the park, and at the heart of it all stands Sleeping Beauty’s castle.

The park changes throughout the year with seasonal parades, specials, and performances for major holidays. There's no bad time to visit, but the park is busiest during summer break and the winter holidays. If you want to stand in the shortest lines, aim for January and February or the end of September through the first half of November. The cooler weather during these months may be as important as dodging the lines.

Ticket Information

Three considerations go into Disneyland ticket pricing: age, length of visit, and whether you want to visit more than one park per day. Children 2 and younger get into the park for free. Kids aged 3 through 9 get child pricing, and kids 10 and over qualify as adults. You can buy a ticket for a one-day visit through a five-day adventure, and the more time you add, the cheaper each day becomes. Finally, you can choose a one-park ticket or a Park Hopper pass, which lets you visit both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park as much as you like on your ticketed day.

Single-day tickets may cost more or less depending on when you visit. Naturally, holidays and summer vacation months see the greatest demand and the highest prices. The same goes for weekends as a general rule. Multiday tickets range from $285 for an adult’s two-day, single park pass to $475 for an adult’s five-day Park Hopper ticket.

If you’re in a rush, Disneyland also offers Genie+ and Lightning Lane tickets for specific attractions. These let you skip the line and get to the fun at warp speed, but they add extra fees to your regular ticket price tag. Also, Disneyland prefers advance notice, so buy your tickets ahead of time, and make your reservation online. You need both a ticket and a reservation to get past the gates.

Family-Friendly Options

Everything from the rides to the character meet-and-greets are designed for family-friendly fun, but there’s more to Disney than Space Mountain. Disneyland has live theater shows in air-conditioned spaces to keep kids entertained out of the sun, and there’s something for every age group. The theaters typically have shorter lines than the rides, which is a big bonus, too.

If the kids are tired of standing in line or sitting in the stroller, it may be time to try piracy. Disneyland’s Pirate’s Lair and Adventureland Treehouse offer space to get out of the stroller and run around a bit. These whimsical spaces are delightful for everyone, but they’re particularly wonderful for kids who need to burn off all that churro sugar.

Guest Services are geared toward families. For example, the park offers one-seat and two-seat stroller rentals for approximately $18 and $36, respectively. For safety reasons, the park doesn’t allow families to bring wagons and extra-large strollers, so the rentals can be a vacation-saver if you have little kids who need naps on the go.

How to Make the Most of Your Visit

What your group will enjoy most depends on your tastes and ages. That said, everyone wants to hug the Mouse, and have you really had a Disney vacation without a picture in front of Sleeping Beauty’s castle?

The ultimate Disney hack is prioritization. Your first line will probably be the shortest you stand in all day, so if there’s one ride you’ve been wanting to go on, head there first. The same goes for newer attractions of any type. When a new character meet-and-greet or seasonal parade joins the schedule, the early birds get the best seats and the shortest wait times.

To get the most out of your visit, arrive before the gates open so that you’re one of the first inside. As you head to the attraction at the top of your priority list, take notes on your park map. Look for good places to eat or rehydrate later in the day, and always keep an eye out for a magical family picture setting. After lunch, during the hottest part of the day, there will be long lines for the water rides, but Disneyland also offers indoor attractions that can help you keep cool and safe. As the temperature drops, it’s a great time to hit one or two more rides before the park ends the day with its nightly fireworks display.

Disneyland Park Accommodations

On Site Accommodations

Disneyland offers three onsite hotels within walking distance of the park’s attractions. Guests get benefits like early entry as part of their stay, and each of the three venues offers something unique. Disneyland Hotel has waterslides and rooms with mini fridges to full kitchens. Disney’s Paradise Pier wields retro charm and a rooftop pool. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa offers luxury accommodations and an extensive menu of spa treatments.

Activities Near Disneyland Park

Weather, Safety & Accessibility

Weather & Packing

Anaheim, California trends towards warm and dry weather. The high temperature in summer months usually hovers in the mid-80s, while the highs in the winter rarely slip below the upper 60s. Even the rainiest month of the year, February, only sees an average of five days of precipitation.

Pack loose, lightweight clothing, especially if you plan a summer visit. Hats and sunglasses are invaluable, and comfortable shoes you don’t mind walking or standing in all day are a must. Supportive sneakers and athletic shoes make the most sense. As a bonus, they’re less likely to fly off during a ride.

As hot as it can be during the day, it’s a good idea to pack layers for evening wear. Night temperatures can slip into the 40s in winter, and if you want to stick around for the fireworks, you’ll want a jacket.

Safety & Accessibility

Individual rides and attractions have specific rules for safe enjoyment. By far the most common safety concern is a lost child. This happens more often than you might think, and Cast Members are trained to comfort both lost children and worried parents. If you become separated, speak to a Cast Member immediately, and be sure to tell your children to do the same if they can’t find you. The park has special facilities where lost children and babies are cared for until they can be reunited with their families.

Keep in mind that Disneyland management expects you to be courteous to other visitors and to Cast Members. Failure to do so can result in expulsion from the park.

Disney offers many services to help disabled guests enjoy their experience. These include the Disability Access Service, which assists guests who struggle to stand in long lines, the option to store refrigerated medication at the first aid location, and electric conveyance vehicle rentals.