Updated 7/8/18. Disneyland Magic Morning and Extra Magic Hour can help you to have an even better day at the parks. This extra hour in the parks in the morning before all guests enter can make all the difference when planning your touring strategy.

Extra Magic Hours are available to Disneyland Resort Hotel guests and allows guests to enter either Disneyland or Disney California Adventure one hour early each day of their stay. Guests that aren’t staying at the Disneyland Resort hotels are eligible for Magic Morning Early Admission into Disneyland Park for one day if they’ve bought a 3+ day park pass in advance of their visit or a Southern California admission pass.

Magic Morning and Early Magic Hour at Disneyland look different than regular park hours as only a limited number of attractions are open. We’ve put together the best tips and tricks to get the most out of your early morning entry.

Mornings are the best times at Disneyland to see popular attractions because lines are shorter and the California sun isn’t quite so hot. Before planning an efficient morning strategy for Disneyland there are a few key features of the Disneyland Resort that you must become familiar with.

As always, we at Mickey Visit recommend planning your day in advance to avoid feeling overwhelmed (especially for Disneyland first timers!) at the parks.

Save on your stay! Disneyland COMBO Hotel + Ticket Discounts Save big when you book your Disneyland tickets and hotel through our recommended travel sponsor that’s worked with Disney for over 28 years! Get the best deal for your vacation so you don’t break the bank! Book now >

Disneyland App To Jumpstart Your Morning

Disneyland has an app that you can download for either Android or iPhone that will give you the most accurate wait times for rides. This app is a must have for anyone visiting Disneyland. You can link your park tickets to it, make dining reservations, use the mobile food ordering feature, link your PhotoPass tickets, and book FastPasses with MaxPass!

Pro tip: download this app PRIOR to your trip and become familiar with it. This way when you show up to the gates you are already a pro at using the app. Take a look at the layout of each park on the app so you have a rough idea of where you are going once you enter!

Disneyland Magic Morning Strategy FastPass

We have written an ultimate guide to using FastPass at the Disneyland Resort. This is definitely a must read for first time guests. Check out our guide here. FastPasses give you a return window to come ride the attraction later to help avoid guests waiting for hours in the standby line. Be sure to be familiar with FastPass because they are essential for having a smooth start at either park! Some FastPasses go quicker than others due to the popularity of the ride so that is why it is so important to grab them in the morning. Fastpasses are essential to this morning strategy for Disneyland guide!

Pro tip: check out the list of attractions that offer FastPass and see which ones are your group’s top must sees. Make those your priority in the morning!

Disneyland MaxPass Strategy

Last summer, Disney released a mobile version of the FastPass system called MaxPass. MaxPass, unlike FastPass, isn’t a free feature and costs $10 per person per day. Depending on the size of your group, this feasibly may not be an option. But it is a great feature that makes touring the parks a breeze.

MaxPass allows you to book FastPasses from your mobile device so it saves you a walk across the park. This not only helps you grab FastPasses efficiently but it also helps save energy! MaxPass also comes with unlimited PhotoPass downloads for the day which is a great additional feature. If you only have one day in the parks, MaxPass is highly recommended for your group. Be sure to read our full guide to Disneyland MaxPass.

Magic Morning Early Admission Details

There are a few details to be aware of before you utilize your Magic Morning early admission at the Disneyland Resort. You can only use your early entry on certain days of the week and only certain park passes are eligible. Here are the nitty and gritty details on how and when to use that Magic Morning pass!

Eligible Park Tickets:  3+ day park passes bought in advance of park arrival and the Southern California City Pass when bought online or at the ticket booth. (You can get these tickets for a steep Disney discount here.)

Eligible Parks: Disneyland Resort. Magic Morning cannot be used at California Adventure.

Schedule for Magic Morning: Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays. Guests may pick from one of these days to use their early admission.

MaxPass: Guests can purchase their MaxPass experience and book FastPasses as soon as they enter the gates for Magic Morning. However, FastPass arrival times will only be issued for times that experience is open to the general public after the park officially opens.

Available Attractions & Experiences for Magic Morning and Early Magic Hour at Disneyland

Not all attractions and lands are available during Magic Morning and Early Magic Hour. There are only select experiences and attractions open during this time. It’s important to plan ahead so you know what is open and what attractions are priority for your family.

Fantasyland

• Alice in Wonderland
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• King Arthur Carrousel
• Mad Tea Party
• Matterhorn Bobsleds
• Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
• Snow White’s Scary Adventures

Tomorrowland

• Astro Orbitor
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
• Disneyland Monorail
• Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
• Space Mountain
• Star Tours: The Adventures Continue

Other Available Experiences

Generally speaking, there will be some food carts or quick service options (in the designated lands open) during Magic Morning and Early Magic Hour. These options will vary and we recommend bringing snacks during this valuable morning hour rather than waste precious attraction time hunting down food.

One of my favorite tips for guests is to utilize at least one Photopass option during Magic Morning and Early Magic Hour. Not all PhotoPass photographers will be around but the most reliable is the photographer that is stationed in front of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. This is your prime opportunity to get that perfect castle picture without a crowd in the background. During one Magic Morning, my son and I got the perfect castle picture without one single person in the picture with us. It only takes a few minutes and it’s definitely worth the time before riding the attractions! Magic Morning and Early Magic Hour is also a great time to take your own pictures of the parks with your kids because of that limited crowd. Some of the best pictures I’ve taken at the Disneyland Resort of my family was during Magic Morning hour.

Strategy Tips and Tricks

Even though there will be a limited amount of park guests during Magic Morning hour, the most popular attraction lines will still fill up faster than the others. If Peter Pan’s Flight is a must for your family, we recommend going there first. Here is a simple strategy to help maximize your Magic Morning time.

• Buy MaxPass upon entry
• Book MaxPass for Space Mountain
• Ride Peter Pan’s Flight
• Ride Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
• Ride Space Mountain with MaxPass
• Book MaxPass for Matterhorn Bobsleds
• Ride Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
• Ride Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
• Ride Astro Orbitor
• Ride Matterhorn Bobsleds with MaxPass
• Book your next MaxPass for a park attraction that opens after Magic Morning/Early Magic Hour or repeat Space Mountain, Star Tours, or Matterhorn Bobsleds
• Go to Fantasyland and ride the available attractions

We recommend families utilize the Tomorrowland attractions during Magic Morning and Early Magic Hour as Fantasyland will still have lower wait times when the park officially opens. If you have small children and most of Tomorrowland doesn’t fit your family- then go straight to Fantasyland and enjoy the minimal to no wait times!

After Magic Morning ends, you can keep strategizing for great success. Read our morning strategy for Disneyland for all our best tips.

Extra Magic Hour Admission Details

There are a few details to be aware of before you utilize your Extra Magic Hour early admission at Disneyland or California Adventure. Here are the nitty and gritty details on how and when to use that Extra Magic Hour pass!

Eligible Guests:  Guests that are staying at an official Disneyland Resort hotel enjoy early hour admission every day of their hotel stay to either Disneyland or California Adventure. More info in our Disneyland hotels review here.

Eligible Parks: Disneyland and California Adventure

Schedule for Disneyland: Tuesdays, Thursdays,  and Saturdays

Schedule for California Adventure: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays

MaxPass: Guests can purchase their Disneyland MaxPass experience and book FastPasses as soon as they enter the gates for Magic Morning. However, FastPass arrival times will only be issued for times that experience is open to the general public after the park officially opens.

Available Attractions & Experiences for Extra Magic Hour at California Adventure

Not all attractions and lands are available during Early Magic Hour. There are only select experiences and attractions open during this time. It’s important to plan ahead so you know what is open and what attractions are priority for your family.

Attractions

• Soarin’ Around the World
• Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
• Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
• Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
• Radiator Springs Racers
• The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
• Incredicoaster
• Toy Story Midway Mania!
• Goofy’s Sky School
• World of Color FASTPASS Kiosk

Other Available Experiences

Generally speaking, there will be some food carts or quick service options (in the designated lands open) during Early Magic Hour. These options will vary and we recommend bringing snacks during this valuable morning hour rather than waste precious attraction time hunting down food.

One of my favorite tips for guests is to utilize at least one Photopass option during Early Magic Hour. Not all PhotoPass photographers will be around but you can check the Disneyland App to see which ones are. This is your prime opportunity to get that perfect park picture without a crowd in the background. It only takes a few minutes and it’s definitely worth the time before riding the attractions! Early Magic Hour is also a great time to take your own pictures of the parks with your kids without a crowd clogging up the background of your photos.

Strategy Tips and Tricks

Even though there will be a limited amount of park guests during Early Magic hour, the most popular attraction lines will still fill up faster than the others. Especially since some of California Adventure’s most popular rides are included in the open attractions! Here is a strategy to help maximize your time in this hour at California Adventure.

• Buy MaxPass upon entry
• Book Radiator Springs Racers with MaxPass
• Ride Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
• Ride Radiator Springs Racers with MaxPass
• Book Incredicoaster with MaxPass
• Pull World of Color FastPass located near The Little Mermaid- Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
• Ride Toy Story Midway Mania
• Ride Goofy’s Fly School
• Ride Incredicoaster with MaxPass
• Book your next MaxPass for an attraction that opens after Early Magic Hour or repeat favorites from the morning. We recommend getting another Radiator Springs Racer MaxPass!
• Ride Soarin’
• Ride Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
• Ride Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree

We prioritized the most popular attractions with high wait times in this strategy. The Little Mermaid generally has a low wait time all day long so save that one for later in the day. Soarin’ usually won’t run out of FastPasses until late afternoon so that one can be low priority as well. Focus on the most popular rides that are hard to get FastPasses for during the day like Radiator Springs Racers, Guardians of the Galaxy, Toy Story Midway Mania, and the Incredicoaster.

Once you complete your Extra Magic Hour in Disney California Adventure, you can use our Morning Strategy for Disney California Adventure for once the park is officially open.

More Disneyland Planning Tips

There is always a lot of information to consider before planning an Disneyland vacation. Make sure to spend time planning your days in the theme parks and become familiar with everything Disneyland has to offer. Don’t forget to subscribe to our FREE Deals Newsletter to stay on top of the current planning tips, strategies, and deals.

You can discover more about planning your trip to Disneyland from these links:

• California Adventure Touring Strategy: Guide to Maximize Your Mornings
• Disneyland Morning Touring Strategy: Guide to Maximize Your Mornings
• How to Plan Your Disneyland Trip
• Disneyland in the Summer
• 40+ Places to Find Cheap Food in Disneyland

Updated 6/10/18. Mornings are the best times at Disneyland to see popular attractions because lines are shorter and the California sun isn’t quite so hot. Before planning an efficient morning strategy for Disneyland there are a few key features of the Disneyland Resort that you must become familiar with.

As always, we at Mickey Visit recommend planning your day in advance to avoid feeling overwhelmed (especially for Disneyland first timers!) at the parks.

Save on your stay! Disneyland COMBO Hotel + Ticket Discounts Save big when you book your Disneyland tickets and hotel through our recommended travel sponsor (they have worked with Disney for 28 years). Make sure you are getting the best deal for your summer vacation! Book now >

Disneyland App To Jumpstart Your Morning

Disneyland has an app that you can download for either Android or iPhone that will give you the most accurate wait times for rides. This app is a must have for anyone visiting Disneyland. You can link your park tickets to it, make dining reservations, use the mobile food ordering feature, link your PhotoPass tickets, and book FastPasses with MaxPass!

Pro tip: download this app PRIOR to your trip and become familiar with it. This way when you show up to the gates you are already a pro at using the app. Take a look at the layout of each park on the app so you have a rough idea of where you are going once you enter!

Disneyland Morning Strategy FastPass

We have written an ultimate guide to using FastPass at the Disneyland Resort. This is definitely a must read for first time guests. Check out our guide here. FastPasses give you a return window to come ride the attraction later to help avoid guests waiting for hours in the standby line. Be sure to be familiar with FastPass because they are essential for having a smooth start at either park! Some FastPasses go quicker than others due to the popularity of the ride so that is why it is so important to grab them in the morning. Fastpasses are essential to this morning strategy for Disneyland guide!

Pro tip: check out the list of attractions that offer FastPass and see which ones are your group’s top must sees. Make those your priority in the morning!

Disneyland MaxPass Strategy

Last summer, Disney released a mobile version of the FastPass system called MaxPass. MaxPass, unlike FastPass, isn’t a free feature and costs $10 per person per day. Depending on the size of your group, this feasibly may not be an option. But it is a great feature that makes touring the parks a breeze.

MaxPass allows you to book FastPasses from your mobile device so it saves you a walk across the park. This not only helps you grab FastPasses efficiently but it also helps save energy! MaxPass also comes with unlimited PhotoPass downloads for the day which is a great additional feature. If you only have one day in the parks, MaxPass is highly recommended for your group.

Doing Disneyland Rope Drop Right

Thirty minutes before park opening, cast members will begin letting guests into the parks. This helps control the flow of crowds and it can be a huge advantage for morning park visitors! There will be ropes (guarded by cast members) that block off access points of the lands until the official park opening time. Being one of the first groups positioned at those ropes can be a huge advantage for your morning strategy for Disneyland! You can also begin booking MaxPass once you enter the gates so this is also a great plus for groups that plan on purchasing MaxPass. To be there at Rope Drop plan to arrive at least one hour prior to the park opening.

Pro tip: Grab breakfast to go and eat while you’re waiting to be let in through the turnstiles. This will help keep adults happy and kids occupied during that early morning wait time. We always recommend either eating here or at your Disneyland hotel.

The Best Morning Strategy for Disneyland: Older Kids/Adults

• Grab Space Mountain FastPass with MaxPass when you enter the park
• Ride Peter Pan. (This ride is one of the most popular attractions in Fantasyland. The downside of that is the ride is slow loading and the lines for this ride move slowly as a result. If you are present at Rope Drop, line up facing Sleeping Beauty’s castle. The entrance to Peter Pan will be on the right once you walk through the castle. Walk as quickly (no running, Disney rules!) as you can to snag a place in line. If you are not present at Rope Drop, save this ride for the evening rather than spend precious morning hours waiting in this line.)
• Ride Star Tours- The Adventures Continue
• Ride Space Mountain with FastPass
• Grab Indiana Jones Adventure FastPass or if you plan on park hopping to Disney California Adventure get a MaxPass reservation for Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! as they run out quickly.
• Ride Matterhorn Bobsleds
• Grab a snack from the many food carts on the way to Adventureland when you pass through the park hub
• Ride Haunted Mansion
• Ride Indiana Jones Adventure with FastPass
• Grab Big Thunder Mountain Railroad FastPass with MaxPass
• Ride Pirates of the Caribbean
• Ride Jungle Cruise
• Grab a snack from the Tropical Imports Stand right across from the Jungle Cruise
• Walk around towards Big Thunder Mountain to the right side of the Tropical Imports Stand building to access the restrooms on the way
• Ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad with FastPass
• Grab Splash Mountain FastPass with MaxPass
• Break for lunch and ride Splash Mountain with FastPass after lunch

This morning strategy for Disneyland will take you through some of the most popular rides for older kids and adults before lunchtime. Spend the afternoons doing the attractions with lower wait times and keep grabbing those FastPasses along the way! The bonus of this morning strategy for Disneyland is it tries to take into account minimal walking back and forth across the park to conserve energy for the entire day. The key to this energy saver is with using MaxPass there is no need to run to each FastPass distribution point. However, this plan can easily be used with regular FastPass for your group.

Pro tip: Assign one person to keep track of everyone’s FastPasses and park tickets so they can run and grab FastPasses during snack breaks/restroom breaks/etc. Again, the perk of adding MaxPass is that you won’t have to criss cross the park to keep up with this plan.

The Best Morning Strategy for Disneyland: Younger Kids and the Young at Heart

Starting your day in Fantasyland if perfect for families that are focusing on their young children or young children at heart. By starting with Peter Pan and then working through all of the other attractions in that area you will have ridden about 10 classic Disneyland attractions within the first two hours.

• Grab Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin FastPass or Big Thunder Mountain with Maxpass when you first enter the parks
• Ride Peter Pan. (This ride is one of the most popular attractions in Fantasyland. The downside of that is the ride is slow loading and the lines for this ride move slowly as a result. Parents of small children aren’t able to as quickly park strollers and hop in line as folks without can. If this ride is a MUST for the little ones then might as well cross it off the list early. If not, come back in the evening and move to the next ride.)
• Ride Alice in Wonderland
• Ride Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Ride Snow White’s Scary Adventure
• Ride Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
• Ride it’s a small world
• Ride Casey Jr. Circus Train
• Ride Pinocchio’s Daring Adventure
• Ride Big Thunder Mountain or Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin using your MaxPass
• Ride Storybook Land Canal Boats
• Ride Sleeping Beauty’s Carousel 
• Ride the Mad Tea Party
• Grab a snack from the many food carts between Storybook Land Canal Boots and it’s a small world on the way to Toontown
• Also access the restrooms on your left before you walk past it’s a small world
• Grab Splash Mountain FastPass with MaxPass
• Meet Mickey at Mickey’s House in ToonTown
• Ride Gadget’s Go Coaster
• Break for lunch in ToonTown and ride Splash Mountain after lunch

This morning strategy for Disneyland will hit all the higher wait time youngster attractions before lunch which is especially great for little ones in the California sun. Spend the afternoons doing the attractions with lower wait times and keep grabbing those FastPasses along the way! The bonus of this morning strategy for Disneyland is it tries to take into account minimal walking back and forth across the park to conserve energy for the entire day.

The key to this energy saver is with using MaxPass there is no need to run to each FastPass distribution point. However, this plan can easily be used with regular FastPass for your group. If you opt not to get MaxPass, don’t worry about getting a FastPass for Big Thunder Mountain or Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin–just get in line when you are ready for these two.

Pro tip: Assign one person to keep track of everyone’s FastPasses and park tickets so they can run and grab FastPasses during snack breaks/restroom breaks/etc. And make sure that person is an adult! This will keep your morning strategy for Disneyland free of stress!

More Disneyland Planning Tips

There is always a lot of information to consider before planning an Disneyland vacation. Make sure to spend time planning your days in the theme parks and become familiar with everything Disneyland has to offer. Don’t forget to subscribe to our FREE Deals Newsletter to stay on top of the current planning tips, strategies, and deals.

You can discover more about planning your trip to Disneyland from these links:

• California Adventure Touring Strategy: Guide to Maximize Your Mornings
• Disneyland Character Dining
• How to Plan Your Disneyland Trip
• Disneyland in the Summer
• 40+ Places to Find Cheap Food in Disneyland

Updated 6/23/18. Mornings are the best times at California Adventure to see popular attractions because lines are shorter and the California sun isn’t quite so hot. Before planning an efficient California Adventure morning strategy there are a few key features that you must become familiar with.

As always, we at Mickey Visit recommend planning your day in advance to avoid feeling overwhelmed (especially for Disneyland first timers!) at the parks.

Save on your stay! Disneyland COMBO Hotel + Ticket Discounts Save big when you book your Disneyland tickets and hotel through our recommended travel sponsor (they have worked with Disney for 28 years). Make sure you are getting the best deal for your summer vacation! Book now >

Disneyland App To Jumpstart Your Morning

Disneyland has an app that you can download for either Android or iPhone that will give you the most accurate wait times for rides. This app is a must have for anyone visiting the Disneyland Resort. You can link your park tickets to it, make dining reservations, use the mobile food ordering feature, link your PhotoPass tickets, and book FastPasses with MaxPass!

Pro tip: download this app PRIOR to your trip and become familiar with it. This way when you show up to the gates you are already a pro at using the app. Take a look at the layout of each park on the app so you have a rough idea of where you are going once you enter!

California Adventure Morning Strategy FastPass

We have written an ultimate guide to using FastPass at the Disneyland Resort. This is definitely a must read for first time guests. Check out our guide here. FastPasses give you a return window to come ride the attraction later to help avoid guests waiting for hours in the standby line. Be sure to be familiar with FastPass because they are essential for having a smooth start at either park! Some FastPasses go quicker than others due to the popularity of the ride so that is why it is so important to grab them in the morning. Fastpasses are essential to this California Adventure morning strategy guide!

Pro tip: check out the list of attractions that offer FastPass and see which ones are your group’s top must sees. Make those your priority in the morning!

California Adventure MaxPass Strategy

Last summer, Disney released a mobile version of the FastPass system called MaxPass. MaxPass, unlike FastPass, isn’t a free feature and costs $10 per person per day. Depending on the size of your group, this feasibly may not be an option. But it is a great feature that makes touring the parks a breeze.

MaxPass allows you to book FastPasses from your mobile device so it saves you a walk across the park. This not only helps you grab FastPasses efficiently but it also helps save energy! MaxPass also comes with unlimited PhotoPass downloads for the day which is a great additional feature. If you only have one day in the parks, MaxPass is highly recommended for your group.

Doing California Adventure Rope Drop Right

Thirty minutes before park opening, cast members will begin letting guests into the parks. This helps control the flow of crowds and it can be a huge advantage for morning park visitors! There will be ropes (guarded by cast members) that block off access points of the lands until the official park opening time. Being one of the first groups positioned at those ropes can be a huge advantage for your California Adventure morning strategy! You can also begin booking MaxPass once you enter the gates so this is also a great plus for groups that plan on purchasing MaxPass. To be there at Rope Drop plan to arrive at least one hour prior to the park opening.

Pro tip: Grab breakfast to go and eat while you’re waiting to be let in through the turnstiles. This will help keep adults happy and kids occupied during that early morning wait time. We always recommend either eating here or at your Disneyland hotel.

The Best California Adventure Morning Strategy: Older Kids/Adults

• Grab Incredicoaster FastPass with MaxPass once you enter the park
• Ride Soarin’
• Ride Toy Story Midway Mania
• Ride Pixar’s Pal-A-Round (Swinging or Non-Swinging)
• Ride Goofy’s Fly School
• Ride Golden Zephyr
• Ride Silly Symphony Swings 
• Ride Incredicoaster with FastPass
• Grab Radiator Springs Racers FastPass with MaxPass
• Ride Grizzly River Run (This ride may get you WET! Prepare to ride this early in the morning if you have a rain poncho to throw over your clothes. If not and you don’t want to get wet, skip this for later since FastPasses are usually available. But keep in mind ride wait times for this ride are extremely short in the morning and you can get cheap rain ponchos at the Dollar Store!)
• Ride Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
• Grab a quick healthy snack at Fillmore’s Taste-In or if you prefer churros for breakfast grab a churro at the Cozy Cone Motel
• Take a bathroom break, if needed, along the way by Flo’s V8 Cafe
• Ride Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
• Ride Radiator Springs Racers with FastPass
• Grab Guardians of the Galaxy- Mission: BREAKOUT! FastPass with MaxPass
• Ride Monsters, INC. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
• Meet some Marvel characters in Hollywood Land if your group is interested in Marvel.
• If Marvel isn’t your thing, break for lunch and ride Guardians of the Galaxy-Mission: BREAKOUT! after lunch.

This California Adventure morning strategy will take you through the most popular rides for older kids and adults before lunchtime. Spend the afternoons doing the attractions with lower wait times, repeating favorites, and keep grabbing those FastPasses along the way! The bonus of this California Adventure morning strategy is it tries to take into account minimal walking back and forth across the park to conserve energy for the entire day. The key to this energy saver is with using MaxPass there is no need to run to each FastPass distribution point. However, this plan can easily be used with regular FastPass for your group.

Note: With the opening of Pixar Pier on June 23rd this is a rough estimate of how we predict the crowds will go with the expected popularity of the Incredicoaster, Pixar’s Pal-A-Round, and Toy Story Midway Mania. We will keep updating this article as we get a better idea of crowds for these reopened attractions. Make sure to keep an eye on your FastPass times! Sometimes MaxPass will let you hold TWO FASTPASSES if the wait for the first FirstPass you pulled is longer than usual. If this is the case, go ahead and grab the next FastPass on your list. Radiator Springs Racers, Guardians of the Galaxy-Mission: BREAKOUT!, and (we expect) the Incredicoaster will all run out of FastPasses by the afternoon so watch these closely.

Pro tip: Assign one person to keep track of everyone’s FastPasses and park tickets so they can run and grab FastPasses during snack breaks/restroom breaks/etc. Again, the perk of adding MaxPass is that you won’t have to criss cross the park to keep up with this plan.

The Best California Adventure Morning Strategy: Younger Kids and the Young at Heart

• Grab Toy Story Midway Mania FastPass with MaxPass when you enter the park
• Ride Soarin’
• Ride Pixar’s Pal-A-Round
• Ride Silly Symphony Swings
• Ride Goofy’s Fly School
• Ride Jumpin’ Jellyfish
• Ride Golden Zephyr
• Ride Toy Story Midway Mania with FastPass
• Grab Radiator Springs Racers FastPass with MaxPass
• Ride The Little Mermaid- Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
• Grab a quick healthy snack at Fillmore’s Taste-In
• Take a bathroom break, if needed, along the way by Flo’s V8 Cafe
• Ride Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
• Ride Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
• Ride Radiator Springs Racers with FastPass (If your FastPass time isn’t ready yet skip to the next step until it is. Set an alarm on your phone so you don’t lose track of time!)
• Ride Monsters, INC. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
• If Frozen characters are a must, meet them in the Animation Building in Hollywood Land
• Grab Grizzly River Run FastPass with MaxPass
• Break for lunch and ride Grizzly River Run with FastPass after lunch.
• Head to Bugs Land* for your afternoon and enjoy the four attractions with low wait times for little ones. Afternoons are a great time to enjoy the Princess Dot Puddle Park and a rest in the shade or to repeat favorites.

This California Adventure morning strategy will hit all the higher wait time youngster attractions first which is especially great for little ones in the California sun. Spend the afternoons doing the attractions with lower wait times, meeting characters, and keep grabbing those FastPasses along the way! The bonus of this California Adventure morning strategy is it tries to take into account minimal walking back and forth across the park to conserve energy for the entire day.

The key to this energy saver is with using MaxPass there is no need to run to each FastPass distribution point. However, this plan can easily be used with regular FastPass for your group.

Pro tip: Assign one person to keep track of everyone’s FastPasses and park tickets so they can run and grab FastPasses during snack breaks/restroom breaks/etc. And make sure that person is an adult! This will keep your California Adventure morning strategy free of stress!

Bugs Land* unfortunately will be closing soon to make way for a Marvel themed land in California Adventure. We will keep this post updated as we continue to get more details on these changes. Disney has announced an Inside Out themed ride for 2019 that looks like a reimagining of Flik’s Flyers. This move is likely to help replace the toddler and young kiddo rides that will be lost when Bugs Land is gone.

More Disneyland Planning Tips

There is always a lot of information to consider before planning an Disneyland vacation. Make sure to spend time planning your days in the theme parks and become familiar with everything Disneyland has to offer. Don’t forget to subscribe to our FREE Deals Newsletter to stay on top of the current planning tips, strategies, and deals.

You can discover more about planning your trip to Disneyland from these links:

• Disneyland Morning Touring Strategy: Guide to Maximize Your Mornings
• Disneyland Character Dining
• How to Plan Your Disneyland Trip
• Disneyland in the Summer
• 40+ Places to Find Cheap Food in Disneyland

On top of many families’ bucket lists lies Disneyland in Summer. The kids are off from school and the sun is shining brightly. What better way to commence summer with a visit, or two, to the Happiest Place on Earth? 

The key to a successful summer trip is to plan, plan, plan! Summertime brings some of the largest crowds to Disneyland and having a solid game plan can help with navigating those crowds in the hot California sun.

It’s supposed to be the HAPPIEST place on Earth, right? With that thought in mind, here are some strategies for visiting Disneyland this summer to keep your trip as magical as possible.

Save on your stay! Disneyland COMBO Hotel + Ticket Discounts During the summer, costs can be hefty so book your Disneyland tickets and hotel through our recommended travel sponsor Get Away Today (they have worked with Disney for 28 years). We negotiated the lowest prices on tickets and hotels so you can focus on enjoying your Disney adventure with the family. Book now >

Do Your Research Before You Go

Be familiar with the park hours and take that into account on the days you visit. Weekends typically have later evening hours than weekdays at Disneyland in Summer. Yet weekdays may have a chance of being less crowded than weekends. Plan what days you are going to visit carefully. Know what time the shows, parades, and fireworks start and make a note of which ones you want to attend. You can find Disneyland’s hours and entertainment schedule here.

Check Disneyland’s website for attraction closures. There’s nothing that spells disappointment like showing up to take a ride on Space Mountain and finding out it’s closed for refurbishment. Know ahead of time what to expect to prevent any unexpected family disappointments. You can find the list of Closed for Refurbishment rides at the bottom of this page on Disneyland’s website.

Special checklist items to curb the summer crowds

First-time visitor? Make sure you are familiar with the Fastpass and Maxpass system. Download the Disneyland app and learn how to use it. Whatever you can do to beat the heat and reduce your time waiting in line is a lifesaver! You’ll be thanking yourself later when you realize how much time you have saved! Check out our extensive Fastpass guide here to study up.

Make dining reservations in advance! Summers are crowded at Disneyland and those favorite restaurants fill up quickly. While there are many grab-and-go options, there is something to be said for being waited on when you’re on vacation. Make your dining reservations up to 60 days in advance online or by calling (714) 781-DINE (3463).

Ways to Beat the Heat at Disneyland in Summer

Show up early and be prepared! Buy your tickets in advance and plan on showing up to the gates before the park opens. While this isn’t always feasible for families with small children, the earlier you can come the better! The temps are cooler and the lines are shorter! Better to spend that afternoon heat relaxing in the shade with a Dole Whip than baking on the pavement.

Make a backup plan if that summer heat becomes unbearable. Make a note of which rides are indoors and which areas offer a retreat from the heat. This can be a nice emergency strategy to pull out when the family is literally melting down around you. Check out indoor shows, indoor queues and rides, and indoor restaurants for a relief from the heat. Save that emergency list on your phone so you can pull it out in a flash!

Water Rides and Meet & Greets and air conditioning, Oh my!

Find the water! Ride wait times for water rides will skyrocket in the afternoon on high-temperature days because it is the best way to beat the heat at Disneyland in Summer. So, make sure you snag that Fastpass ahead of time so you’re all set for the afternoon. Here are some places you can find the water at Disneyland & California Adventure Park:

• Splash Mountain at Disneyland
• Grizzly River Run at California Adventure Park

Princess Dot Puddle Park in Bug’s Land at California Adventure Park* (*Check before your visit as Bugs Land will be closing soon to make way for a new superhero-themed land!)

Don’t forget to pack a big Ziploc to store your camera, phone, and autograph book in! Nothing is worse than a wet autograph book! Find other recommendations on what to bring on your trip here.

Meet some characters in both Disneyland and California Adventure! Some character meet and greet options offer indoor queues, so this can be a nice welcoming break from the heat. Check out the Star Wars characters inside the Star Wars Launch Bay in Tomorrowland. Aside from meeting favorites like Darth Vader, there is plenty to keep the whole family entertained in the nice air conditioning. Star Wars, not your thing? Check out the Frozen crew in California Adventure inside the Disney Animation building, another air-conditioned area of bliss to take a break in on a hot day. Don’t forget to check your Disneyland app to see what time the characters are available!

Make Time for Summer Treats and Eats

Dole whips are a classic and all-time favorite of many. In other words, make sure you don’t miss out on yours! You can find these in Adventure Land in Disneyland. Pro tip: skip the line outside and go inside for a shorter line. Grab your Dole Whip and stay for an air-conditioned show at The Enchanted Tiki Room! (Side note: these are also vegan!)

Ice cream at Disneyland is the best ice cream around–in my humble opinion. There are many options to choose from at Disneyland and California Adventure. Take a trip down nostalgia lane and check out Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor’s on Main Street in Disneyland. This old-fashioned ice cream parlor is packed with classic favorites. Or if you’re over at California Adventure, pop in at Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop and challenge yourself to the Earthquake! A massive eight topping and eight scoop sundae that only dreams are made of. Try to eat it yourself or split it with the family.

Indulge in the Blue Bayou restaurant inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. This restaurant is perfect for hot summer days. The setting transports you to a timeless New Orleans setting. Watch the boats glide by and take a break from the sun inside a beautiful twilight atmosphere. Kids love watching the boats AND they will enjoy the food. They have plenty of vegetarian and vegan accommodations, ask to speak to the chef and they will make your day! Blue Bayou also offers dining packages with reserved seating for Fantasmic! Make your reservation far in advance to ensure your spot! Call (714) 781-DINE (3463) to make a reservation up to 60 days in advance of your trip.

Pixar Fest and Pixar Pier 2018

Starting April 13 Disneyland is bringing Pixar front and center! Between new fireworks shows and new treats, Pixar Fest sounds like an awesome way to spend your summer!

New “Together Forever” fireworks will be coming to Disneyland! These fireworks will celebrate a theme of friendship with familiar Pixar favorites. The fireworks will even feature Buzz Lightyear and the house from Up! flying over Sleeping Beauty’s castle!

Paint the Night parade comes to Disney California Adventure! This year the parks have “switched” parades! Paint the Night will debut at California Adventure while Pixar Play Parade will come to Disneyland!

Pixar themed food and drink will be available in both Disneyland and California Adventure giving you more options for summer treats to add to your list. We break down the extensive options available here.

Pixar themed merchandise will be available at both parks to celebrate the event. Hats and t-shirts with favorite Pixar characters can be found at both parks.

Also, on June 23rd the brand new Pixar Pier will open featuring the rethemed Incredicoaster! The entire land will be rethemed too with a new restaurant themed to the Pixar designers and a great new Toy Story carousel.

Pros of a Visit to Disneyland in Summer

• Less chance of rain! California typically sees more rain in the winter months and coming in the summer alleviates most worries of visiting the park on a rainy day.
• It is convenient for many families with children being on vacation, so there is no need to take time away from school to visit Disneyland in Summer.
• Most rides and attractions will be open. There is likely to be fewer rides and attractions down for refurbishment in the summer and plenty happening to draw park visitors in. For instance, the fireworks go off every night and there are more showtimes available for fan favorites such as Fantasmic! and World of Color which gives your family plenty of touring flexibility.
• New attractions tend to open at the beginning of the summer along with new events and festivals. Such as Pixar Fest this year! Be some of the first to experience any new attractions in the parks.
• The summer hours are the longest of the year. If you’re a regular energizer bunny, you could stay from opening time to midnight on most nights in the summer! This is a great advantage for folks that may only have one or two days to spend in the parks.
• Summertime means beach time and you can reasonably plan on a hot summer day at the beach on one of your off days from the parks. California has some of the most beautiful beaches in the country and summertime there are so many fun activities to try like surfing and beach volleyball.

Cons of a Visit to Disneyland in Summer

• The heat in California can be intense in the summer. Moreover, the hot sun combined with the humidity can make for some sweltering afternoons. For folks that do not do well in the sun and heat, this can be a be a big snag in their vacation.
• It may be more expensive to visit in the summer. Because summer is peak travel time everything from your airfare to your hotel stay will likely be more expensive than it would be in the off months.
• The crowds will be large since summer is one of the busiest times of the year! Other than the holiday season, the parks see some of their largest crowds in the summer months.
• The first few weeks of June may draw out more annual pass holders to check out the new attractions which can make the park even busier than usual.
• Hot sun and long lines can be a recipe for bad moods galore. Whether it becomes crabby town in your own group or from those around you, the happiest place on earth can become a little less happy with that combination.
• LA traffic may be worse than usual due to a higher volume of tourists flocking to the state. If you plan on taking a drive from Anaheim down to Universal Studios or drive from LAX, the traffic may be more intense than usual. Of course, we know in California to plan for intense traffic regardless of the season!

More Disneyland Planning Tips

There is a ton of information to read up on before planning a Disneyland vacation. Once you’ve decided on your hotel and ticket options, you can shift your focus to planning for crowds, constant activity, food, and souvenir buying. Familiarizing yourself with everything the Disneyland Resort has to offer can definitely make your Disney experience unforgettable for you and your family. Don’t forget to subscribe to our FREE Deals Newsletter to stay on top of the current planning tips, strategies, and Disney deals!

You can discover more about planning your trip to Disneyland from these links:

1. 1. When To Visit Disneyland 2018
   2. Discount Disneyland Ticket Deals 2018
   3. Ultimate Disneyland Packing List
   4. Disneyland Dining Tips+Restaurant Reviews 2018
   5. Disneyland with Teens and Tweens

Last Updated: 4/2/2018

One of the most common questions that families have when it comes to Disneyland is how much will this Disneyland vacation cost? There are many different factors to consider when estimating a vacation to the Happiest Place on Earth. Hotel cost,ticket prices, food expenses, travel estimates, and souvenir costs are important elements that make up the financial expenditures of this trip.

Nevertheless, if these costs are budgeted beforehand, you and your family are sure to have a fantastic adventure.

One of the biggest factors to consider when estimating cost is the hotel. We broke this down by Disneyland Vacation Costs with different options for families to consider based on the hotel they choose: Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, and Disneyland Good Neighbor hotels. Disney has announced a fourth hotel to be added to the list of Disney owned hotels which is expected to open in 2021.

Save on your stay! Disneyland
COMBO Hotel + Ticket Discounts Cut down on costs when you
book your Disneyland tickets and hotel through our recommended
travel sponsor Get Away Today (they have worked with Disney for 28 years). We
negotiated the lowest prices on tickets and hotels so you don’t have
to worry and can just enjoy your Disney adventure. Book now >

Disneyland Vacation Cost #1: Hotels

There are three Disney owned hotels in the Disneyland Resort: Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, and Disney’s Grand California Hotel and Spa. Staying at these hotels may carry a higher price tag than the Disney Good Neighbor hotels but there are plenty of perks that families enjoy which include:

• Extra Magic Hour privileges (one-hour early access to the parks depending on the day)
• Close location to the gates and monorail access
• Being immersed in Disney magic every second of your trip
• Room key can be used to pay for the parks and includes free package delivery to the hotel for souvenirs
• Top notch Disney themed pools/waterslide amenities
• Character dining on site

Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel

Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel is one of the three Disney owned hotels in the Disneyland Resort. This hotel falls in the low-range level of costs compared to the other two hotels. The cost of the rooms vary based on view, suites, and amenities. The view options at this hotel include the parking area, Disneyland Drive, or California Adventure. This hotel carries over the theme of the (now being transformed into Pixar Pier) Paradise Pier in California Adventure. This hotel is the furthest away from the park compared to the other hotels with about a 10-15 minute walk from the park entrance. The pool at the Paradise Pier hotel is a rooftop pool with a waterslide and provides a great view of the fireworks at night.

The average cost for a standard room with two queen beds with a basic view (parking lot/street view) when you book through the Disneyland Resort is $595 per night.

When you book through our partners, Get Away Today, you can save considerably on hotel prices. The same room with the basic view booked through Get Away Today is $477 per night. Lock in this discounted rate, and book this hotel now >

That is $118 in savings per night! Get Away Today is a great resource for your vacation planning needs. Every little bit adds up when planning a Disney vacation and that money saved could be put towards other expenses for your trip.

Disneyland Hotel

Disneyland Hotel is one of the three Disney owned hotels in the Disneyland Resort. This hotel falls in the mid-range level of costs compared to the other two hotels. The cost of the rooms is broken down into options that vary based on view, suites, and amenities. The view options vary from a view of trees or the parking lot to the premium Downtown Disney view. The better the view, the higher the cost. This hotel has a classic 1950’s Disney theme and includes a renovated pool area with monorail themed waterslides.

The average cost for a standard room with two queen beds with a premium view (view of park or Downtown Disney) when you book through the Disneyland Resort is $747 per night.

When you book through our partners, Get Away Today, you can save considerably on hotel prices. The same room with the premium view booked through Get Away Today is $594 per night. Book this hotel now >

That is $153 in savings per night! That’s why we recommend booking through Get Away Today to get your best deals for your vacation. Use some of that extra money saved towards those rose gold Minnie ears you’ve been dying to get your hands on!

Disney’s Grand California Hotel and Spa

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa is one of the three Disney owned hotels in the Disneyland Resort. This hotel falls in the high-range level of costs compared to the other two hotels. The cost of the rooms is broken down into options that vary based on view, suites, and amenities. The view options are all great and they vary with a view of the courtyards, Downtown Disney, the pool, or California Adventure. The better the view, the higher the cost as per usual. This hotel is the most luxurious option with a wood lodge and stone California theme. It also has the most convenient location with a private entrance to California Adventure and easy access to Downtown Disney. The pool has great landscaping and a redwood themed water slide. And don’t forget the spa!

The average cost for a standard room with two queen beds with a premium view of California Adventure when you book through the Disneyland Resort is $926 per night.

When you book through our partners, Get Away Today, you can save considerably on hotel prices. The same room with the premium view booked through Get Away Today is $732 per night. Book this hotel now >

That is $194 in savings per night! Again, try to save money in the areas you can and put that money saved towards other expenses and fun.

*All Disneyland Resort hotel costs are estimates based on the current rates for Summer 2018.

Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotels

One popular option for families that want to save some money on their vacation is to stay at Disney Good Neighbor hotel! There is plenty to choose from with these hotels and most of them are within walking distance to the parks and offer great amenities and budget-conscious prices. There are over 40 good neighbor hotels to choose from, which offers guests great flexibility when finding a hotel that meets their needs. Here are a few visitor favorite good neighbor options for visiting the Disneyland Resort.

Clarion Hotel

The Clarion Hotel is a Disney Good Neighbor hotel located just south of Katella Ave with about a 15-minute walk to the parks. This hotel falls into the low-range level of cost among the Good Neighbor hotels. It was recently remodeled and renovated and, according to most reviewers, this has been a huge improvement to the hotel. One great perk of this hotel is that kids eat free with a paying adult in their in-house restaurant. They have a heated pool although no water slides/water playgrounds.

The average cost for a standard room with two double beds when you book through their website $151 per night.

When you book through our partners, Get Away Today, you can save considerably on hotel prices. The same room booked through Get Away Today is $136 per night. Book this hotel now >

That is $15 in savings per night which makes a budget-friendly hotel even better when it comes to cutting costs.  The best part is that this hotel frequently offers one or two nights free through the Get Away Today website if you stay a minimum of three nights!

Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground

The Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground is located just a block north of the gates which makes the walk about 8-10 minutes to the parks. This hotel falls into the mid-range level of cost among the Good Neighbor hotels. The best part of this hotel is the Pirate Cove waterpark area. There may not be giant waterslides to boast of but the waterpark area offers plenty of entertainment for families with children under 10. There is also an arcade and a small convenience store on site for souvenirs and snacks. Unfortunately, this hotel does not offer onsite dining but it does own a small restaurant called Mimi’s Cafe across the street.

The average cost for a standard room with two double beds when you book through the Howard Johnson website $237 per night.

When you book through our partners, Get Away Today, you can save considerably on hotel prices. The same room booked through Get Away Today is $202 per night. Book this hotel now >

That is $35 in savings per night which adds up quickly depending on the length of your stay. In addition to those savings, Get Away Today’s hotels will often offer one or two nights free depending on the hotel or length of stay.

Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance

The Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Theme Park Entrance is one of the highest rated Good Neighbor hotels near the Disneyland Resort and boasts of just a five-minute walk to the front entrance. Which is actually closer than some of the Disney owned hotels! This hotel falls in the high-range cost level compared to the other Good Neighbor hotels. The best part of this hotel is the waterpark which has six waterslides, water cannons, a 400-gallon drench bucket, and a children’s sized pool. This hotel offers an in-house restaurant which has also received some high star reviews.

The average cost for a standard queen and two bunk beds when you book directly through this hotel $504 per night.

When you book through our partners, Get Away Today, you can save considerably on hotel prices. The same room booked through Get Away Today is $407 per night.

That is $97 in savings per night which is a huge amount off of your Disney vacation cost! Book this hotel now >

If you want to learn more information about other surrounding hotels and deals, check out our 7 Best Hotels Near Disneyland 2018.

Disneyland Vacation Cost #2: Resort Tickets

Of course, you cannot forget to estimate the Disneyland vacation cost of your tickets when planning your Disneyland trip! Depending on the size of your family and the length of your stay, this will be a big part of your budget estimation. There are two main types of tickets: Park Hoppers and One Park Per Day.

The Park Hopper tickets allow you to go back and forth between Disneyland and California Adventure on the same day. The One Park per Day tickets only allow you access to either Disneyland OR California Adventure in a single day. If you only have one day to spend at the parks, it is highly suggested to get the Park Hopper tickets so you can see both parks! The breakdown of ticket costs varies depending on the duration of days in addition to whether you pick Park Hopper tickets or not. The Park Hopper is always recommended so you can get the best out of your visit to the parks by having that flexibility.

Disneyland Ticket Prices

Gone are the days of $41 ticket prices! I urge you to take a look at our Disneyland Ticket Discounts. As you will see, the savings will really add up and help put some extra cash towards food, airfare, or souvenirs.

Booking discount tickets through our site is easy and convenient. The tickets are mailed to your house in advance, so you have them on hand when you arrive at the parks. No more waiting in line to pick them up!

Disneyland Vacation Cost #3: Travel, Food, and Souvenirs

Another big part of the Disneyland Trip budget is travel costs, food, and souvenirs. It’s always better to overestimate in these categories to allow for some flexibility and less stress on your vacation. It’s easy to overspend at the parks and allowing some wiggle room in that food and souvenir category can make for a less stressful vacation!

Travel Cost

This will largely depend on where you live! If you are flying into California, you have two options of airports that are the closest to Disneyland. SNA (John Wayne Airport) or LAX (Los Angeles International). A fan favorite is SNA just for the convenience of only being about a 20-30 minute drive from the resort and the nearby hotels depending on traffic. That’s the keyword in California: traffic! LAX is about an hour away and there tends to be a heavy amount of traffic. Sticking with SNA if possible can be a way to make this part less time-consuming. Keep in mind like with most airfare: it will be cheaper to fly in the ‘off season’ and more expensive in the summer and around holidays!

Food and Souvenirs

Again, this will largely depend on your family and your lifestyle! Some folks come to Disney with cash to spend and some folks come on a strict budget. You can cut back on this Disneyland vacation cost by bringing as much food into the parks as you can (which is totally allowed!). Grab and go restaurants will be the most affordable in the park while dine-in service will be the most expensive. For example, one adult and one child could easily spend $400 on food if they ate most meals in the park on a five-day visit and splurged on one dining package with reserved viewing for one of the shows or parades. We highly recommend reading our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews guide to get a comprehensive overview of all your dining options so that you and your family make the best of your trip.

Don’t forget souvenirs! There are so many wonderful Disney items to buy in the park and it’s always a safe bet to allow a little extra cushion in this category. Scroll through our Best Disneyland Souvenirs to make sure you leave Disneyland with a Mouseketeer smile. One cost strategy to help keep that souvenir monster in check is to give each kid their own souvenir budget on a Disney gift card. This helps drive home the idea of ‘once it’s gone, it’s gone!’ and can really help avoid unnecessarily meltdowns in the parks. If you have a Target Red Card, then you can use that to buy Disney gift cards with a 5% discount. The Disney gift cards can be used everywhere in the parks, a gift that keeps on giving!

More Disneyland Planning Tips

There is always a lot of information to consider before planning a Disneyland vacation. Once you’ve decided on your hotel and ticket options you can start focusing on other budget items such as airfare, travel costs, food costs, and more. Don’t forget to spend time planning your time in the parks and become familiar with everything Disneyland Resort has to offer. Don’t forget to subscribe to our FREE Deals Newsletter to stay on top of the current planning tips, strategies, and Disney deals!

You can discover more about planning your trip to Disneyland from these links:

1. 1. When To Visit Disneyland 2018
   2. Disneyland Packing List
   3. Discount Disneyland Ticket Deals 2018
   4. Disneyland Airports And How To Get To Your Hotel
   5. Disneyland with Teens and Tweens