When planning your Disneyland vacation, you’ll need to ensure you get the correct tickets for your family vacation. While Disneyland doesn’t have as many different theme parks and other ticket options as Walt Disney World, there are still some things that you’ll need to know and consider before purchasing your Disneyland theme park tickets.
With dynamic pricing, park reservations, park hoppers, and lightning lane multi-pass, there are a lot of nuances to be aware of before making your purchase. Read our guide to learn more.
Disclosure: I’ve received discounted/complimentary Disney tickets over the years but have also paid my own way. This post contains affiliate links and a purchase/click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you.
Save money on your Disneyland tickets and your Southern California vacation by booking through Get Away Today. You can also save $10 on your Southern California vacation of 2 days or more with the code FTM10.
What You Need to Know About Disneyland Tickets
Disney offers two age ranges for tickets. Anyone under the age of 3 does not require a ticket. A child’s ticket, which costs less than an adult ticket, is for guests aged 3-9.
Dynamic Pricing
Disneyland uses a dynamic pricing system for single-day tickets. Days are numbered from 0 to 6, depending on expected crowds, the number of tickets sold, and other elements.
You’ll want to look at the Disneyland calendar to see what a specific day is ranked. Once purchased, a single-day ticket is valid for any date within that tier.
If you purchase a multi-day ticket, you won’t have to look at the tiers. The price is the same, regardless of the day.
Number of Days
You’ll need to decide how many days you plan to visit the Disneyland parks. There are two theme parks – Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure. Downtown Disney, adjacent to the two parks, does not require admission.
Tickets can be purchased for 1-5 days. Multi-day tickets expire 13 days after first use, so you’ll want to purchase only what you need during your trip.
Ticket Add-Ons
In addition to the number of days on your ticket, there are some add-ons you’ll want to consider.
The Lightning Lane Multi-Pass is an optional add-on. With Lightning Lane Multi-Pass, you can make reservations to go into the Lightning Lane for attractions with that option, skipping the standby line. It can be a great way to save time on your family Disneyland vacation. However, it is an additional cost, so you’ll need to consider it before purchasing it.
Another option is the Park Hopper. It costs extra per day but allows you to enter both parks in one day. Because the two Disneyland California theme parks are just across the plaza from each other, it’s very easy to go between them. I recommend the park hopper if it’s within your vacation budget.
If you purchase a multi-day ticket, you’ll get the park hopper for all of the days; you can’t choose to have it for just one day of your tickets.
Theme Park Reservations
It’s important to know that Disneyland (unlike Walt Disney World), still requires valid park reservations to enter a park. You can make the reservations when your purchase your tickets, which is the easiest option.
If you don’t have a reservation, you aren’t guaranteed entry. During busy times, they may reach capacity and no longer offer reservations.
Have a park hopper? You can enter the second park (without a reservation) if you make a reservation for the first park at 11 am. If you haven’t entered a park by 11 am, you can enter either, regardless of which one you made the reservation for.
If you are staying at one of the three Disneyland resorts (Disney’s Grand Californian, the Disneyland Hotel, or Pixar Place Hotel), you’ll be able to take advantage of early park admission. With early park entry, you can enter a specific theme park 30 minutes before the official opening.
Early park entry is available at Disneyland Park on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and at Disney California Adventure on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. However, these are subject to change, so check the latest information before planning your vacation.
Vacation Packages
The area around Disneyland includes many different hotel options, including official Disney hotels and Good Neighbor Hotels. There are many different options within walking distance of the theme parks.
If you plan on staying at a hotel during your trip, you can purchase a Disneyland vacation package, including a hotel. These vacation packages are offered for official Disney hotels and Good Neighbor hotels.
Getting Disneyland Tickets
While there are ticket booths at the parks, I recommend getting your park tickets in advance. Since you must make park reservations before your trip, purchasing in advance is best.
Online is easiest, and we recommend purchasing through our affiliate Get Away Today. They offer standalone tickets and Disneyland vacation packages and can help you get the best rates. I have booked all of my Disneyland vacations through Get Away Today and have always had a great experience.
How to Save Money on Disneyland Tickets
While Disneyland tickets are expensive, there are some ways to save money. There are occasionally ticket deals, like Kids’ Prices for Adult Tickets. If you purchase through Get Away Today, they’ll let you know the best prices.
In addition, the per-day cost of a multi-day ticket decreases as you add days. So while a one-day ticket is expensive, a two-day ticket isn’t double that.
Add-ons, like the Park Hopper and Lightning Lane Multi-Pass, increase the cost of the park ticket. While I recommend them if you can afford them, skipping them is a good way to save money.
Magic Key
If you visit Disneyland often, you may want to consider a Magic Key. There are four different options, including one exclusive to Southern California residents.
The benefits and prices vary by pass. The Inspire Key is the most expensive but has the most benefits, while the Enchant Key is the most affordable (except for the Imagine Key, which is exclusive to SoCal residents).
All of these passes come with various discounts on food, Lightning Lane, and merchandise. It is important to know that there are differing blackout date calendars for these passes, so you’ll want to check that calendar before committing to a purchase.
