This Mickey Visit Disneyland planning guide is focused on bringing you up to speed on planning a Disneyland vacation in 2025 and 2026. While this guide is tailored to those who have never visited Disneyland or those who have not visited since before 2020, there is also beneficial Disneyland planning information here for anyone who wants to have a parks experience.
The below guide is really a summary of the most important Disneyland planning articles that you need to read across all of Mickey Visit. It’s difficult to call this the one Disneyland planning guide, though, because all of Mickey Visit consists of planning information for Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Universal, and other nearby theme park destinations.
We cover everything from finding the best hotel near Disneyland to the most recent Disneyland updates to advice on saving money on Disneyland tickets.
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What’s New at Disneyland in 2025 and the Past Few Years
Disneyland turns 70 years old in 2025, and there’s a big celebration happening to commemorate the anniversary. The event includes the return of the beloved Paint the Night parade for the first time since 2018, the return of the Wondrous Journeys Disneyland fireworks, and a new World of Color show. Plus, there are additional offerings and entertainment throughout the theme parks.
Over the past few years, there have been quite a few different additions to the Disneyland Resort. Specifically, some of the recent additions to Disneyland that you should be aware of include:
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure – Princess and the Frog water ride that replaced Splash Mountain, be sure to also check out the new Tiana’s Palace restaurant
- Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway – very cute trackless dark ride that opened as part of the complete renovation of Mickey’s Toontown
- San Fransokyo Square – Big Hero 6 themed area where you can enjoy a variety of foods and meet Baymax
- Lightning Lane Multi Pass – Disneyland’s skip-the-line offering is now called Lightning Lane. This replaced the previous FastPass and Genie+ offerings
- New Hotel Offerings – The Paradise Pier Hotel became the Pixar Place Hotel and the Disneyland Hotel added a brand new tower of villas themed to Disney Animation
You can read more about the recent opening and upcoming new Disneyland rides here. Because Disneyland has a large base of local passholders who frequent the parks, there are constantly new smaller offerings ranging from foods to merchandise to rare meet and greet characters. These all change throughout the year, which carries us nicely into our section about when to visit Disneyland.
When to Visit Disneyland
Your first step to planning a Disneyland vacation is to first decide on when you would like to visit the park! There are special events to consider throughout the year, along with your own schedule to consider.
Visiting Disneyland during the summer is often the most obvious choice for guests due to summer vacation for school-aged kids. This is a great time to visit Disneyland as you will enjoy longer operating hours and newly introduced events or entertainment. Spring at Disneyland can be another great time to visit, especially if you’re looking for discounts for on-site Disney hotels and cheaper airfare.
Seasonal celebrations and special events at Disneyland can also be another reason to visit. This year the Disney is celebrating the 70th anniversary of Disneyland with special entertainment and decorations. The holiday season is also another popular time to enjoy the parks, as Disneyland goes all out for both Halloween and Christmas. You can enjoy seasonal ride overlays, an abundance of decorations, seasonal treats, and themed entertainment. Picking what time of year to visit Disneyland will alter your resort experience in regards to the type of entertainment you may experience at the park, decorations, crowds, weather, and even prices.
Prices will always be higher during holiday weeks like spring break, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Labor Day, etc. Crowd levels also usually coordinate with these higher prices.
You may also want to take into account the usual yearly refurbishments that may take place at Disneyland when picking your trip dates- these are just the yearly ride closures for usual maintenance or closures for seasonal overlays that happen each year.
Key Mickey Visit Resources For Choosing When to Visit:
- Mickey Visit Disneyland Crowd Calendar – updated calendar for every date of the year that also includes all special events
- Best Time to Visit Disneyland – Least crowded months and specific dates throughout the year summarized in one place
- Summer at Disneyland
- Spring at Disneyland
- Also consider the Disneyland Park hours and Disney California Adventure park hours when planning.
- Halloween at Disneyland
- Christmas at Disneyland
- Disneyland Refurbishments What’s Closed – Look at the current ride closures at the park and typical seasonal closures
What Disneyland Hotel To Stay In
There are two types of hotels to choose from when visiting the Disneyland Resort. You can either stay at an on-property hotel that is owned by Disney or stay at a Disneyland Good Neighbor hotel, a third-party hotel approved by Disney. There is a large price difference between these two, but the on-property Disney hotels all place you within the “Disney bubble” of being able to access Disneyland by walking through the popular Downtown Disney District, which connects the entrance to the theme park and the hotels.
The are three Disney-owned hotels with three different price tiers: Pixar Place Hotel, the Disneyland Hotel, and the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Each of our reviews for these hotels details the perks each offers, along with the theme, dining, and Disney details the hotels offer. You can also set aside a day of relaxation at the newly imagined Tenaya Stone Spa inside the Grand Californian with a full body massage, foot treatment, facial, and more! Plus, they even offer fitness classes, some inside the parks before they open.
For guests who are looking to save money or prefer the variety the off-site hotels offer at Disneyland, there is a plethora of options near Disneyland! This is actually one of the best perks Disneyland has over Walt Disney World. Due to its central location in the city of Anaheim, it’s a breeze to use a hotel nearby and walk to the theme park each day. In fact, some of the off-site hotels are actually fewer steps to the entrance gates than some of the Disney-owned hotels.
Our comprehensive guide to hotels at Disneyland covers our favorite hotels near Disneyland, plus includes a detailed list of our personal reviews of these hotels with tips on how to save money by booking through our trusted travel partner. If you’re the type of family that plans to spend numerous hours in the park and little time at your hotel, you can save hundreds by staying off-site at a no-frills (but clean!) hotel and spend that money saved inside Disneyland instead.
Key Mickey Visit Resources For Choosing Your Disneyland Hotel:
- Best Hotels Near Disneyland
- 19 Best Walking Distance Hotels to Disneyland With Maps
- Disneyland Hotels With Shuttles
- Disneyland Hotels With Free Breakfasts + What They Serve
Booking Your Tickets & Saving Money on Your Disneyland Vacation
Once you’ve picked your dates for your Disneyland vacation, your next step is to purchase your tickets! You can save nearly $20 per ticket for travel when you book with our recommended travel partner,r Get Away Today. They offer the best discounts while providing top-notch customer service. They have worked with Disney for over 30 years selling millions of 2-5 day discount Disney tickets and give our Mickey Visit readers (who book through links on our website) an exclusive discount rate on tickets. I highly recommend going that route for your Disneyland theme park tickets. CLICK HERE to book discount Disneyland tickets with our travel partner >
You can also bundle your tickets with a hotel when you book with our travel partner. They are constantly offering extra night free deals and other specials throughout the year. Be sure to click the link above to get the lowest prices.
It’s not enough to just have your theme park tickets to Disneyland, you also need to make a reservation for each day of your visit once you’ve purchased your tickets! This is extremely important because reservations can run out as your trip dates get closer, and since this new reservation system has been implemented,d it hasn’t been uncommon to see guests without a reservation be turned away at the gates… even if they have tickets.
Theme park reservations are available on a 90-day rolling basis for one-day tickets and Magic Key Holders and a 180-day basis for multi-day ticket holders (available via our travel partner) in order for Disney to access guest availability, and you should reserve your park days the instant you purchase your park tickets. You can easily change these later if you need to, but better to book them once you’ve picked your dates.
Key Mickey Resources For Saving On Your Trip
- Discount Disneyland Tickets – 9 Tips to Buy and Warning
- Disneyland Ticket Prices 2025
- Disneyland Theme Park Reservations
Traveling to Disneyland
The Disneyland Resort sits in the middle of numerous nearby airports, giving you plenty of options to fly into the resort. My personal two favorites are Long Beach Airport and John Wayne Airport due to their close proximity (less than 20-30 minutes away!) and their small size. It makes traveling a breeze. LA is also much further away, and you will have a longer car ride to Disneyland with plenty of traffic to hold you up.
When you are visiting Disneyland, you will also have to get from your hotel to the parks. Many will choose to walk, but for those who want to be driven to the parks, reference our guides to the shuttles to Disneyland and Uber/Lyft drop off options.
Key Mickey Visit Resources For Transportation
- Closest Airport to Disneyland – Guide Flying to Parks
- Using Uber and Lyft at Disneyland
- ART Anaheim Rapid Transit Shuttle
Disneyland 2025 Park Ride Touring Plans
Disneyland Resort includes two theme parks: Disneyland Park and California Adventure Park. Disneyland is the original theme park, which is home to all the classic rides such as Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Mad Tea Party, plus the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle. It is also the theme park where you can find the popular Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! California Adventure Park opened in 2001 and is now home to favorites such as Cars Land, Pixar Pier, plus the new addition of Avengers Campus.
The great thing about Disneyland and one of the biggest differences from Walt Disney World is how easy it is to park hop, as Disneyland and California Adventure are located mere steps away from each other. So in the case of visiting Disneyland, I highly recommend you purchase a park hopper ticket.
To make the most of your park time and beat the crowds, it’s important to have a solid strategy for seeing all of the highlights. The best way to beat the crowds is to arrive early or stay until park closing. Crowds will always be dramatically more manageable- even during peak travel times- in the morning and end of the night. And don’t forget about using single rider lines! We’ve put together step-by-step guides for park touring with a specific game plan to follow so you don’t miss out on any of the key attractions and popular rides.
Knowing how to utilize the line-skipping service Lightning Lane Multi Pass is essential for touring the parks to maximize your time. Lightning Lane Multi Pass (formerly called Genie+) is a paid program at Disneyland that replaced the previous FastPass/MaxPass program at the parks. This paid service includes access to quicker lines to several attractions in both parks and the option to pay for access to certain individual attractions.
The service costs $32 per person, per day (pricing varies depending on the date if you wait to purchase until the day of your trip) and includes your access to ride reservations plus all your photo downloads for the day. Disneyland has professional photographers stationed around the park to take your picture in front of iconic areas like the castle, the main entrance, Main Street, U.S.A., etc. You can also purchase these photos separately through their service called Disneyland PhotoPass.
It’s also a good idea to check the Disneyland height requirements to get the full information on ride height requirements and the ability to do rider switch – this allows parents with children that don’t meet height requirements to only wait in line once so they both can ride!
If it’s your first time visiting Disneyland and you’re feeling overwhelmed reading this, don’t worry! Everyone feels that way on their first trip to the Happiest Place on Earth because there’s just so much to see and do! Have your family pick a few must-see rides and make those a priority, knowing you won’t be able to do it all (and that is totally normal). Our first timer guide for Disneyland can also help you with those essential tips to make sure you know the basics.
Key Mickey Visit Resources For Park Touring
- Disneyland Essential Services – knowing how to effectively utilize these key services will make a difference in your park day.
- Strategies for Touring and Navigating the Parks
- Overall planning resources:
Where to Eat on Your Disneyland Vacation
Across the Disneyland Resort, you will find classic amusement park food mixed in with upscale restaurants. Disneyland classifies its dining options in two categories: table service and quick service.
Table service is defined as restaurants where you are seated and waited on by dining staff. These restaurants offer advance dining reservations that you can reserve on the official Disneyland website 60 days in advance. Quick service refers to walk-up locations, which typically also offer mobile ordering you can use with the Disneyland app.
One popular experience that you shouldn’t overlook, especially if you have kids, is the character dining at Disneyland! You can find character dining inside the park and at the Disney-owned hotels, offering a variety of experiences from Princess dining to dinner with Goofy!
Disneyland strives to be inclusive by offering a wide variety of options for guests who are vegan and vegetarian to enjoy during their trip.
Another popular dining experience at Disneyland is the option of reserving dining experiences that come with reserved seating for popular entertainment! These dining packages take the hassle out of saving a spot for a popular show in advance.
Key Mickey Visit Resources For Disneyland Dining
- Character Dining at Disneyland
- Disneyland Dining Packages
- Disneyland Best Restaurants Ranked
- Disneyland Best Foods to Eat
- Disneyland Favorite Cheap Meals
- How to Get Disneyland Dining Reservations
- Visiting Disneyland as a Vegetarian
- Where to Find the Best Vegan Meals at Disneyland
Disneyland 2025 Packing List
Once you’ve made all your theme park reservations, dining reservations, etc., the next big question becomes….what should I pack? You want to be prepared for your Disneyland vacation, but you also don’t want to be so overburdened in the parks that you’re tipping over backwards with a giant backpack! Our Disneyland packing list helps cover everything you should bring so you come prepared.
Disneyland will have you covered with essentials if you forget something crucial, but you will pay a higher price. It’s good in a pinch, especially if you forgot something you need immediately in the moment like headache or stomach medicine. Yes, you can even find medicine at Disneyland!
If you want to avoid that giant backpack from tipping you over, you could always rent a locker, which is a great solution if you find yourself wanting to store the extra snacks or lunch you brought, the jackets you no longer need, or the extra souvenirs you bought.
Disneyland has a great selection of souvenirs, which can easily run your wallet down before you have a chance to blink. But there are some souvenirs that are more timeless than others and help preserve the memory of your trip. Pressed pennies, Disney pins, and silhouettes are all unique and memorable options that won’t break the bank. We discuss more options to consider in our guide to the best Disneyland souvenirs.
And if you find yourself wanting to purchase something that’s too large to pack into your suitcase, Disneyland also gives you the option to ship your souvenirs back home. This is especially helpful since purchasing lightsabers has become a popular option! You can also find shipping options from many of the local stores in Downtown Disney, which is a good option if you find yourself splurging on the big Lego set!
Key Mickey Visit Disneyland Packing List Resources
- Disneyland Packing List and What to Wear
- Key Items That Disneyland Visitors Commonly Forget
- Medicine at Disneyland
- Disneyland Locker Rentals
- Best Disneyland Souvenirs
- Disney Pin Trading
- Shipping at Disneyland
- Guide to Downtown Disney
Fireworks and Nighttime Entertainment at Disneyland 2025
One of the aspects that makes Disneyland so special is the nighttime spectaculars, with the most famous being the Disneyland fireworks shows. Fireworks take place nightly during peak seasons (spring break, summer, Halloween, and Christmas) and on weekends. Each time of the year will feature a different seasonal fireworks show depending on what event is being celebrated at the parks. These fireworks are a must-see Disney experience with state-of-the-art projections, lighting effects, and some featuring original musical scores.
Aside from fireworks, the biggest nighttime spectacular show in Disneyland is Fantasmic!, which debuted in 1992 and has been a beloved part of Disneyland entertainment ever since. Fantasmic! includes fireworks, live performers, water effects, pyrotechnics, music, watercrafts, decorated rafts, animatronics, and projections on the Rivers of America in Frontierland.
The big nighttime spectacular over at Disney’s California Adventure is World of Color! This breathtaking show uses nearly 1,200 fountains capable of shooting water 200 feet up into the air, equipped with LED rings to create vivid colors and beautiful water screens. Guests can watch the water dance along with perfectly timed pyrotechnics and momentous music as they enjoy memorable scenes from their favorite Disney and Pixar films.
You can also find plenty of unique daytime entertainment around Disneyland, such as the Disneyland marching band, the Dapper Dans, and more.
Key Mickey Visit Fireworks and Nighttime Entertainment Resources
- Disneyland Fireworks Shows, Viewing Spots, and Tips
- Fantasmic! at Disneyland
- World of Color at Disneyland Viewing, Dining Packages, and Tips
Disneyland Parades 2025
Parades at Disneyland are another key part of the entertainment options the resort offers, and they are a must-do experience during your vacation.
Parades at Disneyland change seasonally with the popular A Christmas Fantasy parade running during the holidays, with the Frightfully Fun Parade taking place during the ticketed Halloween event Oogie Boogie Bash at California Adventure. During the summer, the current parade will often switch out with various options, which we detail, along with our best tips for getting a good viewing spot, in our Disneyland parade guide.
Key Mickey Visit Parades Resources
Disneyland Characters 2025
Characters at Disneyland are another great piece of Disney magic that you cannot miss on your trip! You can meet a variety of beloved Disney characters like the classic Mickey and Minnie Mouse to Pixar characters in California Adventure to Marvel heroes and Star Wars favorites. Character autographs are a big part of meeting characters, and it’s one of the most exciting parts for kids to collect during their trip.
If you want to meet a variety of characters at once, you can enjoy character dining in Disneyland and the Disney resort hotels. These meals offer a buffet selection that guests can enjoy while characters roam throughout the restaurant, interacting. This is a great way to meet popular characters without waiting in lines or searching for them in the park.
Key Mickey Visit Characters Resources
Tips for Families at Disneyland
Families traveling to Disneyland can find plenty of options at Disneyland to make their visit more comfortable, as Disney considers how to serve their guests’ needs in the best way they can. We have helpful tips for how to navigate Disneyland, whether you are traveling with a big group, alone, or with children of various ages.
You can begin your planning by seeing which hotels we recommend for kids at Disneyland, as well as finding the best dining options with the best kids’ meals! We also cover tips on how to stay safe at Disneyland, including full information on Disneyland’s lost child protocol and tips for traveling safely with kids.
If you’re visiting Disneyland with an infant, our guide to traveling with babies to Disneyland covers information on the Baby Care Centers and rides that you can bring babies on, helpful tips, and more. Parents with toddlers can also find plenty of toddler-friendly activities and rides in the park, especially in Fantasyland! Pregnant mothers can also find tips on which rides they can enjoy and how to stay comfortable in our guide.
There’s also plenty to do for all ages, whether you take advice directly from an eight year old on how to enjoy Disneyland or consult our list on the best things teens will love in Disneyland and California Adventure! If you’re looking for an adult-only day, there’s also a variety of activities adults will enjoy at Disneyland if you get a break away from the family.
Parents traveling alone with their kids to the park can also read my best tips on taking your kids to Disneyland by yourself, based on my own trial and error of years of visiting the parks. On the flip side, if you’re traveling with a large family or group, you can read our guide on navigating Disneyland in a large group effectively. Or perhaps you’re traveling to Disney alone and planning your solo Disneyland trip for the first time!
It’s important to be realistic on your trip to Disneyland with your kids and manage expectations with your family. Disney has something for everyone, even those in your group who may be a bit less enthusiastic about a day at Disneyland.
Key Mickey Visit Resources for Families
- Recommendations, Itineraries, and Tips for Families at Disneyland
- Best Hotels for Kids at Disneyland
- Best Restaurants for Kids at Disneyland
- Fun Ways to Announce a Disneyland Trip to Your Kids
- Top Tips for Visiting with Kids at Disneyland
- Visiting with Babies at Disneyland
- Top Rides and Tips for Toddlers at Disneyland
- Top Activities for Teens in Disneyland
- Top Activities for Teens in Disney California Adventure
- General Tips for Groups at Disneyland
- Safety Tips for Visiting Disneyland with Kids
Disabilities at Disneyland 2025
One of the best things about Disneyland is the strides towards inclusivity it has taken by ensuring that the theme park goes above and beyond for guests with disabilities. Disneyland strives to make its parks accessible for all guests and offers accommodations that may go overlooked by many guests who may benefit from them.
All of the attractions at Disneyland are wheelchair accessible, with each attraction having varying degrees of accessibility, from staying in the wheelchair on an accessible boat on “it’s a small world” or transferring directly to the ride vehicle. Disneyland offers a variety of assistive listening systems, including handheld captioning devices for guests with hearing disabilities. There is also sign language interpretation available for select live experiences and character interactions on certain days of the week.
DAS (Disability Access Service) is a tool that Disneyland and Disney California Adventure have provided their guests for those who cannot wait in a normal line queue for a variety of medical reasons. DAS grants qualifying guests a return time (equal to the standby wait) for the attraction, one at a time, and then guests can access the Lightning Lane to ride. Guests who have a mobility disability can access rides without using DAS since all line queues are wheelchair accessible.
Disneyland also offers an extensive range of dietary accommodations at their restaurants for guests who may have allergies or certain dietary preferences like vegetarian/vegan diets. Disneyland is also a size-inclusive park with many ride vehicles fitting larger-sized guests, and our guide offers some insight on what to expect with ride vehicle size at Disney.
Key Mickey Visit Resources for Visiting Disneyland with Disabilities
- Disabilities at Disneyland
- Disneyland Disability DAS Pass
- Visiting Disneyland with Dietary Restrictions
- Renting a Scooter at Disneyland
- Ride Vehicle Size at Disneyland
Universal Studios Hollywood 2025
If you’re looking to add a day at another theme park to your Disneyland trip, many guests decide to add on a day at Universal Studios Hollywood, which is a great addition to your Southern California vacation. You can also bundle your Disneyland tickets with a day at Universal Studios Hollywood, making the process of adding a day to this park easier than ever. CLICK HERE to book discount tickets with our travel partner >
A highlight is the popular Wizarding World of Harry Potter, along with the famous studio tour to see real movie sets, the Jurassic World ride, the Simpsons-focused area, as well as the new Super Nintendo World. Universal Studios Hollywood is also known for its movie-quality stage shows, with the show Waterworld being a fan favorite at this park.
Key Mickey Visit Resources for Visiting Universal Studios Hollywood
- Guide to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal
- Universal Studios Hollywood Express Pass- Is It Worth It?
- Universal Studios Hollywood: Rides, Entertainment, Discounts
- Universal Studios Hollywood 1-Day Itinerary Without Express Pass
- Best Universal Studios Hollywood Food. We Visit Frequently!
- 10 Best Hotels Near Universal Studios Hollywood
- Universal Studios Hollywood Bag Policy EXPLAINED – Quick Look at What You Can & Cannot Bring
Beach Day at Disneyland 2025
Many families pair their Disneyland trip with a visit to a local beach to enjoy the beautiful Southern California weather. Disneyland is a close drive away or ride share away from some of the most beautiful beaches in California. Our full guide to planning a beach day for your Disneyland trip covers beach recommendations, transportation advice, and tour reviews.
Top Disneyland Lists 2025
Looking for top must-dos at Disneyland? Our top lists give you simple checklists to add to your Disneyland planning guide so you don’t miss out on anything at the Happiest Place on Earth.
- Top 8 Must-Do Rides at Disneyland
- Top 8 Must-Do Rides at California Adventure
- Top 8 Disneyland Rides to Do at Night
- 10 Overlooked Details of Magic, History, and Tradition at the Disneyland Resort
- Top 9 Relaxing Places at Disneyland
- 10 Underrated Rides at Disneyland- Don’t Miss these Gems!
- 12 Movies To Watch Before Your Disneyland Vacation
- Top 5 Historic Disneyland Restaurants You Can’t Miss
- Top 12 Disneyland Christmas Must-Sees
Let Us Help You Plan Your Disneyland Vacation!
That should be everything that you need to plan your Disneyland vacation. If you still have questions about planning, see our Ask Us page.
Keep reading our blog to keep you updated on everything you need to know to prepare for a Disney Parks vacation! 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.
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