Disneyland is BACK after the longest closure in the park's 67 year history and we have complete coverage what the experience at Disneyland is like right now with the health regulations and impacted operations. This is the complete guide to what is different at Disneyland right now.
This Disneyland right now guide will be updated in the same style that we keep our Walt Disney World right now up to date with the latest changes and a return to normalcy! We'll cover what's different and will help you plan your overall trip with info on what to expect on your next visit to Disneyland! We'll also share important information on the current required reservation system.
Stepping back into Disneyland was an incredible breath of fresh air after the year long lock down in California. Everywhere you looked in the parks, Cast Members and guests alike were brimming with happiness as they returned to making and experiencing the magic respectively. There were tears shed and emotional reunions with the Happiest Place on Earth. Disneyland is BACK!
With that, here's what you need to know about visiting Disneyland right now…
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Disneyland Park Hopping Now Begins at 11 AM
Disneyland has evolved their policy to now allow park hopping to begin at 11 am at Disneyland.
This could still change in the future, but for now it is important to keep in mind for planning out your Disneyland touring strategy.
This rule is also integrated into the new Disneyland Magic Key Annual Pass Program.
Guests are able to park hop as long as they have a Park Hopper ticket. To park hop at Disneyland, all you will have to do is make a reservation for the park you want to start your day at and then at 11 AM you will be able to hop to the other theme park.
We had no trouble park hopping from Disneyland to Disney California Adventure and back again. I love Disneyland because it is so easy to maneuver when compared to Walt Disney World.
Super Bowl MVP Visits Disneyland
Less than 24 hours after winning the Super Bowl, Patrick Mahomes, Super Bowl MVP, visited Disneyland. He and his wife Brittany, daughter Sterling Skye, and son Patrick “Bronze” Lavon Mahomes III, came to Disneyland to celebrate.
They enjoyed the parks and also celebrated with a victory parade down Main Street. Take a look at video from the celebration here:
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Disney100 Kickoff and Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway Opening
Disneyland is ramping up for a big 2023. There is so much going on for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Disney at Disneyland. The celebration will bring new entertainment and the opening of the Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway attraction.
Disney has announced that Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway will utilize a virtual queue and individual lightning lane when it first opens. Click the previous link for our tips on how to correctly secure a boarding group to ride the new attraction.
Disneyland Resort Hotels Amenities Info!
Disneyland has shared that popular amenities from the Disneyland Resort Hotels are officially returning and shared details on some new fun coming this summer. Here are the amenities for this summer and the rest of the year that were just announced:
- NEW! Summer Pool Parties – The Disney poolside squad (including favorite Disney characters) will lead games on the pool deck and a fun high-energy music dance party. There is one party per day for a half hour at all three Disneyland Resort Hotels from July 1 – Aug. 31, 2022. Schedules will vary.
- Early Park Entry Returns! Starting on August 8th, the Disneyland Resort Hotel guests will enjoy Early Entry for 30 minutes before each park's opening for access to select attractions, dining, and shopping.
- NEW! Direct Park Entrances – In addition to the Grand Californian Hotel park entrance into Disney California Adventure there is now a specific Paradise Pier Hotel entrance just for guests of that hotel.
- Hotel Activities including learning to play the ukulele and draw Disney characters.
- Package Delivery will also return on August 8th so you can have purchases sent directly to your Disneyland Resort Hotel from across the resort.
- Preferred Dining Access will also be offered to hotel guests soon with a limited number of reservations for top tier restaurants across the Disneyland Resort held specifically for hotel guests.
- Fitness Classes! Don't miss the fitness classes offered by the team at the Tenaya Stone Spa. You can read all about my recent experiences at the reviews of the Disneyland fitness classes here (early walk in the park and aqua yoga). I really love the team that puts these on. They have been a recent highlight of my stays at the resort.
Plus, don't miss this! You can save up to 25% on select rooms at the Disneyland Resort most Sunday through Thursday nights from August 7 – September 29th when you book with our travel partner. Book your discount hotels >
You can read more about our favorite hotels near Disneyland in our guide.
World of Color Dessert Party Returns!
World of Color has returned along with it the popular World of Color dessert party! Read our full review of this experience to see why we love to treat ourselves to this dessert filled evening to watch World of Color.
Encanto Experiences at Disneyland!
A brand new Encanto experiences are now showing at Disneyland with “it's a small world” depicting a visual montage several times each evening dedicated to Encanto's hit song “We Don't Talk About Bruno.” Featuring lighting effects, projections plus artistic styles inspired by the lyrics from the movie!
Plus you meet Mirabel right now over in Frontierland at Zocalo Park. This spot features a colorful backdrop with a tribute to the colorful Madrigal family from Colombia.
And don't forget, the beloved Main Street Electrical Parade is now running nightly and shows a brand new Encanto parade float!
Disneyland Character Meet and Greets Return!
Traditional character meet and greets have begun returning to Disneyland! Traditional meet and greets are defined as the way you interacted with characters before COVID with hugs and autographs!
While not all character locations are available immediately, Disney has stated that they will begin reintroducing them throughout this spring and summer making it a great time to visit the parks! You can read all about Disneyland characters in our guide!
Disneyland “Fantasmic!”, World of Color, and Main Street Electrical Parade Return
World of Color, the Disneyland Forever fireworks show and The Main Street Electrical parade have now all returned to Disneyland! Plus Fantasmic! will return on May 28th to Disneyland!
The Main Street Electrical Parade has received new updates in honor of its 50th anniversary including a brand new grand finale featuring floats dedicated to beloved films like “Encanto,” “The Jungle Book,” “Raya and the Last Dragon,” “Aladdin,” “Coco,” “Mulan,” “Brave,” “The Princess and the Frog” and more.
Disneyland Genie+ FastPass Replacement Now LIVE!
The new paid FastPass replacement is live at Disneyland! This new tool costs $20 per day and gives users the flexibility that they previously launched as MaxPass.
You should read our full guide on how to utilize Disneyland Genie+ FastPass replacement and what is included in the offering.
Disneyland Rise of the Resistance Standby Queue
This is important for visiting Disneyland right now! Disneyland has been doing a standby queue for the popular Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance attraction along with access via Genie+. This is the most state of the art attraction at Disneyland and something you definitely want to experience. Read our Disneyland morning strategy guide for thoughts on how to best integrate Rise of the Resistance into your day.
You can also purchase access via the Lightning Lane which skips nearly all of the standby line with the new Genie+ system.
Disneyland's Reservation System
All Disneyland Resort Theme Park guests are required to have both a Disneyland ticket and Disneyland reservation to enter the theme parks.
Our full guide to Disneyland's Reservation System has all the information you need to know including how to make your theme park reservation. These are important steps to take into planning a trip to Disneyland right now.
The reservations are being released on a rolling 120 days in advance basis for regular ticket holders. Magic Key holders (previously known as Annual Passholders) also have to make a reservation in advance- how many reservations you can make depends on the pass you've purchased
Disneyland Single Rider Returns!
Disneyland has restarted the Single Rider queues for select attractions. Now you'll have the option to split up from your party to experience attractions more quickly. Some attractions are not yet offering Single Rider again. All details on Single Rider at Disneyland.
The Disneyland attractions with Single Rider currently include:
- Indiana Jones Adventure
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Space Mountain
- Splash Mountain
- Star Tours
- Grizzly River Run
- Incredicoaster
- Radiator Springs Racers
Fireworks Return to Disneyland
Fireworks returned to the Disneyland Resort on the 4th of July! This is amazing news and a great sign of speedy return to normalcy for Disney. The fireworks show returning is Mickey's Mix Magic with viewing options/projections on Main Street, Sleeping Beauty Castle, and it's a small world. Read our guide to fireworks at Disneyland to see our best tips for getting a great seat for the show!
Avengers Campus Now Open!
Avengers Campus in California Adventure is now open! Read our full guide to Avengers Campus including our review of WEB Slingers- the new Spider-Man attraction along with tips on how to get into the virtual queue to experience it. There is no standby for WEB Slingers so you must join the queue to ride.
Disneyland Ride Strategy 2022
Read our morning strategy to Disneyland for a step by step itinerary!
The best tip right now to avoiding long lines is to arrive early so you can be in the parks right at opening or stay late after the fireworks end! Don't sleep in one park days and arrive at park opening to experience everything with the lowest waits of the day. And read our itinerary above so you can get the best jumpstart on your day!
Disneyland App is Critically Important!
The Disneyland App is now an essential part of your Disneyland day. Many of the quick service restaurants at Disneyland use the Disneyland app Mobile Order service and you'll need the Disneyland app to use the Disney Genie+ free and paid service.
In order to enjoy food from almost every quick service restaurant you must secure a return window through the Disneyland app and then place your food order. This sounds more complicated than it is and is relatively intuitive through the Disneyland app. I recommend you read our guide to Disneyland Mobile Order for tips and screenshots on the entire process.
Plan Your Disneyland Vacation!
Excited for the Disneyland reopening? Keep reading our blog to keep you updated on everything you need to know to prepare for Disneyland opening! We have a team of writers working hard to keep you updated weekly on events in the parks and tips for navigating the magic. Subscribe to our free deals newsletter to receive helpful planning information, exclusive Disney deals, and access to the lowest priced Disney tickets anywhere. You can find more information on planning your vacation here:
- Discount Disneyland Ticket Guide
- Disneyland Reservation System Guide
- Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Guide
- What Is Disney World Like Right Now?
- Grand Californian Hotel Review
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Do you think that if Disneyland & California begin to allow out of state visitors to attend on June 15th, there will be additional capacity and ability to make reservations? I was looking at the availability this morning and noticed that Disneyland availability is getting pushed into July now. So the only option to experience it before then would be to park hop from DCA over to Disneyland. As Utah residents we can’t wait to get back there and want to experience it from the open until close! Thanks for all you do! 🙂
I expect that Disney is holding back reservations currently for when they begin to allow out of state guests to book trips. They know that there is a ton of demand from states like Utah and want to serve you when they can.
Do you know if Disneyland has the same medical accommodation that Disney world implementes for “fast pass access” ?
I also wanted to know if Disneyland will require masks on outdoors for photo pass photos?
Yes, Disneyland is still offering the Disability Access Services. Go to Guest Services in either park to discuss your needs. Masks have to stay on for photos but we may be getting updated mask guidance after 6/15 when the state eases restrictions so stay tuned!
What is the capacity and will it increase ?
Disney hasn’t shared anything about capacity increases. I would expect that capacity with increase as they bring more Cast Members back and get more attractions, dining, and experiences running again.
curious if there is any news on reopening Goofy’s kitchen and the Halloween Party this year in Disneyland.
Not yet but we anticipate to hear news about Halloween soon! Join our newsletter and you’ll get notified immediately when we hear something!
Hi Lindsay, thanks for the great article on the updates. Curious to get your opinion on the “magic” of the park. Have any of the guidelines effected the overall park experience we all love? Also- have they been marking people who haven’t been vaccinated with stamps? Or are they using the honor system for that? Thanks!
They’re using the honor system for vaccinations- no proof is required.
The magic is definitely still present in the parks! The characters are out everywhere you look which really creates a magical atmosphere. I hope they keep the characters around like they are now, it’s very neat to just turn a corner and see one interacting with guests.
Have you heard anything about Disneyland increasing/opening more reservations for Magic Keyholders? Also, even adding more than 6 days to one reservation holder? Have you heard any updates as to when Genie will come to Disneyland? Thank you.
You say you must get the Disneyland AP to get food, to get on some rides? What about people like me who don’t have a smart phone? Are we being left behind & now can’t enjoy all of Disneyland?
You don’t need the Disneyland ap to order food or enjoy attractions! You only need the ap for mobile ordering but it can be a time saver.
I wonder if finding hidden characters will be like finding all those 900 Koroks in Breath of the Wild. Disney Character #1: YA HA HA YOU FOUND ME! (Takes a photo) Here’s your seed!.
I went back to Disneyland after 15 years. Much of the park is the same
Few new attractions. Not impressed.
Lots of people. Long lines. Less characters on the park. No Mickey or Minnie to be seen at all. Donald or daisy on the same deal.
Very expensive to get in
Very expensive to park
Never again
I was wondering if you got the park hopper information from a cast member since the app says park hopper starts at 11 and not 1? I would believe it from a cast member over the app but wanted to make sure for the trip we are planning for April 2024.