Planning a Disneyland® Resort vacation takes a lot of hard work, but this ultimate trip planning guide from Mickey Visit covers everything you need to know, including the best times to visit, where to stay, what to pack, and how to use the resort’s line-skipping services.

Located in Anaheim, California, Disneyland® Resort includes two theme parks, Disneyland® Park and Disney California Adventure® Park, plus the Downtown Disney® District and three on-property hotels. The surrounding Anaheim area has several hotels within convenient walking distance of Disneyland® Resort, a variety of incredible restaurants, and plenty of activities that the whole family will enjoy.

What’s New at Disneyland® Resort

Disneyland® Resort is celebrating its 70th anniversary with a mix of returning fan-favorites and all-new entertainment, an exciting new attraction featuring the first-ever Walt Disney animatronic, special foods and merchandise, colorful decor across the resort, and more. The celebration spans from May 2025 through the summer of 2026, giving guests plenty of time to enjoy all of the special offerings.
 

Choosing the Best Time to Visit Disneyland® Resort

One of the most important decisions you’ll make during your Disneyland® Resort trip planning is deciding when to visit. 

The most crowded times of year often correlate with holidays and times when kids are out of school on break. Three-day weekends, Spring Break, Thanksgiving week, and the last two weeks of December are typically peak times of year at the parks. If you’re aiming to avoid the biggest crowds, you may want to consider planning your visit during one of the slower months of the year, like January and February, or parts of August, September, and November.

The Mickey Visit Disneyland® Resort Crowd Calendar takes into account several factors when determining crowd ratings, including 1-day ticket prices, annual passholder blockout dates, historical wait time data, and more.
 

Tickets & Reservations Overview

With two incredible theme parks and countless attractions, dining options, and entertainment experiences, a 2–3 day trip to the Disneyland® Resort is ideal. You can choose between a 1 Park Per Day ticket or a Park Hopper ticket, which lets you visit both parks in one day for added flexibility—especially helpful on shorter trips. One-day tickets are priced based on date, while 2–5 day tickets have flat rates, with Park Hopper add-ons varying by trip length.

Theme park reservations are required for each day of your visit and can fill up quickly, especially on peak dates—so be sure to book early. You can purchase tickets to Disneyland® Resort here or through an authorized third-party reseller.
 

Where to Stay: Disneyland® Resort Area Hotels

There are three on-property Disneyland® Resort Hotels—Disneyland® Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa, and Pixar Place Hotel, each offering perks like Early Entry, private park entrances, and more.

Many Anaheim-area hotels are within walking distance of the parks (some even closer than Disney hotels) and range from budget-friendly to luxury. We’ve reviewed and ranked the best hotels near Disneyland® Resort, including both chain and family-owned options based on our frequent stays.

When booking, be sure to use trusted sources. Get Away Today offers hotel deals with perks like free nights, discounted rates, and extras like free breakfast or parking.

Navigating Disneyland® Resort and Using Lightning Lane

Disneyland® Park and Disney California Adventure® Park each feature unique themed lands, attractions, dining, and characters—including areas like Pixar Pier.

To beat the crowds, aim for “rope drop” at park opening to enjoy popular rides with minimal waits. If you're starting early, plan for a mid-day break so you’re recharged for evening shows like fireworks.

To save time in line, consider purchasing the Disneyland® Resort Lightning Lane Multi Pass, which lets you reserve return times for select attractions via the app. For the most in-demand rides, the Lightning Lane Single Pass is also available as a separate purchase.
 

Dining: Reservations, Mobile Order, and Must-Try Treats

There are several Disneyland® Resort restaurants across the resort’s two theme parks, Downtown Disney®, and the Disneyland® Resort hotels. Guests will find two types of dining options: quick-service, which is a grab-and-go counter-service style, and table-service, which is a sit-down format where you are waited upon. For table-service restaurants, you can book reservations up to 60 days in advance of your trip.

Most of the quick-service restaurants at the resort offer mobile ordering, which helps you to save time by placing your order and selecting a pickup window via the Disneyland® Resort app. 

Making the Most of Your Time in Anaheim

What to Pack and How to Prepare

As you get ready for your Disneyland® Resort trip, there are a few key things to keep in mind!

Wear comfortable, broken-in shoes, dress in layers, and bring a reliable park bag for essentials like chargers, sunscreen, snacks, and more. The full Mickey Visit Disneyland® Resort packing list has everything you’ll need.

Be sure to check Disneyland® Resort’s bag policy to know what you can and can’t bring into the parks.

If you’re bringing your own stroller, make it easy to spot, consider adding an AirTag, and never leave valuables inside. Lockers are available for anything you don’t need to carry all day.

Plan Your Disneyland® Resort Vacation!

In addition to essential guidance for planning a great Disneyland® Resort trip, we cover the latest Disney news, discounts, and expert tips for making the most of your vacation at Mickey Visit.

We are the official theme park experts for Visit Anaheim click here to see more from our Mickey Visit x Visit Anaheim partnership to help you save money and experience more at Disneyland® Resort and beyond in Anaheim.

 Sign Up to Our Newsletter

Receive the latest events and insider tips straight to your inbox! Sign up for The Anaheim Update newsletter to get the top things to do in Anaheim and Orange County each month.