Disneyland Resort Vacation Planning Information

Disneyland Resort Vacation Planning helps make your trip to the Happiest Place on Earth unforgettable. At Disneyland Park, the original park created by Walt Disney, you’ll find beloved characters, classic attractions, and magical experiences for all ages. Don’t miss Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, where you can pilot the Millennium Falcon and explore an immersive outpost filled with adventure. Next door, Disney California Adventure Park offers thrills for the whole family—from the Pixar-themed excitement of Cars Land to the nostalgic charm of Buena Vista Street.

Beyond the parks, enjoy world-class dining, shopping, and entertainment in the Downtown Disney District, plus the convenience of staying at one of the three Disneyland Resort Hotels or nearby Disney Good Neighbor Hotels. For the best experience, The Mouse For Less recommends planning at least a three-day Disneyland vacation—giving you time to explore it all. With so much to see and do, Disneyland Resort truly is the happiest place on earth.

Find out what you need to know before you go here.

Vacation Planning   Resorts   Dining   Parks & Entertainment   Transportation

Make plans now to visit during popular Halloween and Holiday special events. Visit Disneyland for your birthday/anniversary or plan your visit during one of many other events held at Disneyland.  Celebrating at Disneyland is always more magical!

Planning a First Trip to Disneyland (As a Walt Disney World Vet)

As a Walt Disney World veteran, you may be excited to visit Disneyland, the park that started it all! Here are some tips to help your  Disneyland Resort vacation planning for your first trip to Disneyland:

1. Take Advantage of the Differences

   While Disneyland and Walt Disney World share some similarities, Disneyland offers unique attractions you won’t find in Florida. Must-do rides include Indiana Jones Adventure and the classic Matterhorn Bobsleds. Research the differences ahead of time so you can prioritize the experiences that make Disneyland special.

2. Stay at a Disneyland Resort Hotel

   Like Walt Disney World, staying on property at Disneyland Resort Hotels comes with perks like early park entry and close proximity to the parks. You’ll also enjoy a more immersive Disney experience.

3. Maximize Your Time in the Parks

   Even though Disneyland Resort is smaller than Walt Disney World, its two theme parks—Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure—actually have more rides. With so much to see, it’s important to prioritize your must-do attractions. Consider using Disney Genie+ (formerly MaxPass) to maximize your time.

4. Try the Food

   Disneyland is famous for its unique snacks and dining. Don’t miss the churros, Dole Whip, or the iconic corn dogs from Corn Dog Castle. Dining is a big part of the experience, so plan to try a few local favorites.

5. Embrace the Nostalgia

   Disneyland is Walt Disney’s original park, filled with history and charm. Take time to enjoy classic attractions, notice the nostalgic details, and appreciate the magical touches that make Disneyland the Happiest Place on Earth.

Overall, approaching your first trip to Disneyland with an open mind and a willingness to embrace the differences can make for a truly magical experience.

Disneyland Resort Vacation Planning – Disneyland Hotel Considerations

There are several hotel options available when visiting Disneyland. Here are some of the options:

1. Disneyland Hotel: This is the most iconic and luxurious hotel at Disneyland. It is located just steps away from the park entrance and has several themed pools, dining options, and a spa.

2. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa: This hotel is also located just steps away from the park entrance and offers a rustic, Californian theme. It has a beautiful pool area, fine dining options, and a spa.

3. Disney’s Pixar Place Hotel: This hotel is located across the street from the park entrance and has a beach theme. It offers a rooftop pool, dining options, and easy access to the Downtown Disney District.

4. Good Neighbor Hotels: These are a collection of off-site hotels that are located within walking distance or a short shuttle ride from the park. They offer a range of price points and amenities.

@themouseforless Did you know how short the walk can be from a good neighbor hotel to Disneyland? Watch and find out! #disney #disneyland #hotelneardisneyland ♬ original sound – Disney * The Mouse For Less

5. Anaheim Area Hotels: There are several hotels in the Anaheim area that are not affiliated with Disney but are still within a short drive or shuttle ride from the park. These hotels offer a range of price points and amenities as well.

When choosing a hotel, consider your budget, desired amenities, and location preferences. Staying on property can be convenient, but off-site hotels may offer better value for your money.

Of the three, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel will likely feel the most familiar to Disney World aficionados. It was designed by architect Peter Dominick, who was also the designer for Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, and has a section of Disney Vacation Club (DVC) villas.

All three of the Disneyland Resort hotels have the same 30-minute early entry benefit each morning that guests now experience at Walt Disney World. Disney’s Grand Californian also has a special entrance directly into Disney’s California Adventure.

Proximity

Like with the hotels, one of the features of the Disneyland Resort as a whole is compactness. Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure are connected by a plaza and Downtown Disney. If you had a decent arm, you could probably stand between the parks, throw something, and hit them – they are that close. This has a great impact on touring strategy and also makes the Park Hopper add-on to tickets almost a necessity. Currently, at Disneyland, guests with a Park Hopper can start going between parks at noon.

Disneyland Resort Vacation Planning – Dining

Here are some tips for making dining reservations at Disneyland:

1. Plan ahead: Dining reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance, so make sure to plan your dining ahead of time. Popular restaurants like Blue Bayou and Carnation Cafe tend to book up quickly, so be sure to book those early.
2. Use the Disneyland app: The Disneyland app is a great tool for making dining reservations. You can view available restaurants, browse menus, and make reservations all in one place.
3. Be flexible: If you can’t get a reservation for a specific restaurant or time, be flexible with your options. Try a different restaurant or a different time of day.
4. Check for walk-up availability: While making reservations is recommended, some restaurants may have walk-up availability. Check with the host/hostess when you arrive at the park.
5. Consider character dining: Character dining experiences are a great way to meet your favorite Disney characters while enjoying a meal. These experiences tend to book up quickly, so make sure to book early.

@themouseforless Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel. Disney characters and great food. What a magical way to start your day! #disney #disneyland #goofyskichen ♬ Happy & Pop songs – PeriTune

@themouseforless If meeting characters at Disneyland is a must do for you, Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Plaza Inn with Minnie and Friends in the Park. As with all sit down meals in theme parks, it is not a cheap meal. However, if you want to squeeze in as much characters and rides as you can in the day, this may be the way to go for you. Let the Disney characters come to you while you eat rather than stand in long lines. What do you think? Would you do it? #disneyland #charactermeal #minnieandfriends #plazainn ♬ Good Vibes (Instrumental) – Ellen Once Again

6. Keep your reservation times in mind: Be mindful of your reservation times when planning your day. If you have a reservation for a late lunch, you may want to grab a snack earlier in the day to hold you over.

By following these tips, you can ensure that you have a great dining experience at Disneyland.

With our modern connectedness, it is sometimes hard to experience something truly new, but heading out to see Walt’s park might be that experience for you. With all of the surreal-ness of seeing maps that aren’t quite right, or castles that aren’t quite the right color or shape, it can be really exciting to experience something that is not only brand new to you, but is also laden with the history and inspiration that has since spread to Orlando and across the world.