Intro.........................................................................1
Park Overview.......................................................2
Popular Rides and Attractions by Park.............4
Ticket Types..........................................................8
Where to Stay.......................................................9
Where to Eat........................................................11
Skip the Lines with Disney Lightning
Lane Passes.........................................................12
When to Book and Important Dates................13
Tips and Tricks....................................................14
Learn More...........................................................15
Disneyland® Resort is called the Happiest
Place on Earth® for good reason! The
original Disney Theme Park is full of
nostalgia, wonder and, of course, magic
around every corner. If you’re planning a
Disneyland® Resort vacation, you’re in for
a toadally incredible time! But you may
have some questions as you begin to plan.
How long should you visit? Where should
you stay? Which rides are best for you
and your family? What is Disney Lightning
Lane and how does it work? We’re hoppy
to help! In this Jump Start Guide, we’ll
answer these questions (and more), as
well as pointing you toward some helpful
resources so you’re ready to go.
Let’s jump in!
Disneyland® Resort
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Hop here to learn more!
PARK OVERVIEW
Disneyland® Resort is made up of two theme parks, one entertainment district and
three on-site hotels. Here’s what you can expect at each of them!
As Walt Disney said on Disneyland® Park’s
opening day in 1955, “To all who come to
this happy place: Welcome!” Then, and
now, dreamers of all ages can explore the
hub-and-spoke into Fantasyland® Area,
Frontierland® Area, Adventureland® Area
and Tomorrowland® Area. With the beautiful
Sleeping Beauty Castle at its center,
Disneyland® Park plays host to opening day
attractions such as the Disneyland® Railroad
and Jungle Cruise® Attraction, as well as new
attractions such as Star Wars: Rise of the
Resistance and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway
Railway.
BEST FOR:
Dreamers of all ages, especially tadpoles
MOST POPULAR RIDES:
Pirates of the Caribbean® Attraction
Haunted Mansion® Attraction
Matterhorn Bobsleds® Attraction
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Indiana Jones® Adventure Attraction
EXPERIENCES:
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
Droid Depot
Savi’s Workshop
SEASONAL EVENTS:
Disneyland® After Dark Events
Halloween Time
Holidays at the Disneyland® Resort
Disneyland® Park
Additional fee or separately ticketed event
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on theme park tickets, hotels and more!
PARK OVERVIEW
Disneyland® Resort is made up of two theme parks, one entertainment district and
three on-site hotels. Here’s what you can expect at each of them!
Disney California Adventure® Park is —
well — an adventure around California!
You’ll find yourself navigating landscapes
similar to the iconic wharfs, peaks, rivers
and deserts that make up the Golden
State. You’ll find Cars Land® Area,
Avengers Campus, Pixar Pier and more
in this thrilling park.
BEST FOR:
Adventurers of all ages, plus “Cars” and
Marvel fans, tweens, teens and adults
MOST POPULAR RIDES:
Radiator Springs Racers® Attraction
Incredicoaster®
Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT!
Toy Story Midway Mania! Attraction inspired by
the Disney•Pixar Toy Story films
Soarin’ Around the World® Attraction
EXPERIENCES:
Animation Academy
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail® Attraction
SEASONAL EVENTS:
Disneyland® After Dark Events
Oogie Boogie Bash
Festival of Holidays
DCA Food and Wine Festival
Lunar New Year
Disney California Adventure® Park
Additional fee or separately ticketed event
Downtown Disney® District
This special district that sits between the Disneyland®
hotels and the theme parks oers up restaurants,
shops and special entertainment. It’s free to get in,
making it a perfect non-park day activity.
Hop here to learn more!
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• Alice in Wonderland
• Astro Orbitor
• Autopia® Attraction powered by Honda - 32”
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad® Attraction - 40”
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters® Attraction
inspired by Disney
●
Pixar’s Toy Story 2
• Casey Jr. Circus Train
• Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster
• Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes
• Disneyland® Railroad
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant® Attraction
• Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage® Attraction
inspired by Disney
●
Pixar’s Finding Nemo
• Haunted Mansion® Attraction
• Indiana Jones® Adventure Attraction - 46”
• it’s a small world® Attraction
• Jungle Cruise® Attraction
• King Arthur Carrousel
• Mad Tea Party
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh® Attraction
• Mark Twain Riverboat
• Matterhorn Bobsleds® Attraction - 42”
POPULAR RIDES AND
ATTRACTIONS BY PARK
With so much fun in store, it can be challenging to narrow down exactly what to do and see
while you’re in the Happiest Place on Earth®. Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered! Here is a
complete list of the rides and experiences available in each park, plus information on height
requirements, kid favorites and more.
Disneyland® Park Attractions
Hop here to learn more!
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on theme park tickets, hotels and more!
Ready to make a plan for
your day? Check out our
pre-made park plans or
customize your own in the
Undercover Tourist Theme
Park Day App!
Haven’t heard about
Lightning Lane Passes?
Don’t worry! Hop to “Skip
the Lines” to learn more.
Rider Switch service is
available at all attractions
in Disneyland® Park
and Disney California
Adventure® Park.
Tadpole Favorite
Lightning Lane
Single Pass
Lightning Lane
Multi Pass
Single Rider Line
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride® Attraction
• Peter Pan’s Flight® Attraction
• Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
• Pirates of the Caribbean® Attraction
• Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
• Snow White’s Enchanted Wish® Attraction
• Storybook Land Canal Boats
• Space Mountain® Attraction - 40”
• Star Tours® — The Adventures Continue Attraction
©Disney/Lucasfilm, Ltd. - 40”
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance - 40”
• “Magic Happens” Parade
• Fireworks/Projection Show
• Storytelling at Royal Theatre
• it’s a small world® Encanto Projection
• Disneyland® Band
• Tomorrowland® Dance Parties with characters (seasonal)
POPULAR RIDES AND
ATTRACTIONS BY PARK
With so much fun in store, it can be challenging to narrow down exactly what to do and see
while you’re in the Happiest Place on Earth®. Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered! Here is a
complete list of the rides and experiences available in each park, plus information on height
requirements, kid favorites and more.
Disneyland® Park Attractions
Hop here to learn more!
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on theme park tickets, hotels and more!
Shows and Entertainment
Ready to make a plan for
your day? Check out our
pre-made park plans or
customize your own in the
Undercover Tourist Theme
Park Day App!
Haven’t heard about
Lightning Lane Passes?
Don’t worry! Hop to “Skip
the Lines” to learn more.
Rider Switch service is
available at all attractions
in Disneyland® Park
and Disney California
Adventure® Park.
Tadpole Favorite
Lightning Lane
Single Pass
Lightning Lane
Multi Pass
Single Rider Line
• Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT! - 40”
• Golden Zephyr® Attraction
• Goofy’s Sky School - 42”
• Grizzly River Run - 42”
• Incredicoaster® - 48”
• Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
• Jessie’s Critter Carousel
• Jumpin’ Jellyfish® Attraction - 40”
• The Little Mermaid — Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
• Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters® Attraction - 32”
• Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree® Attraction - 32”
• Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue® Attraction
inspired by Disney
●
Pixar’s Monsters, Inc.
• Pixar Pal-A-Round
• Radiator Springs Racers® Attraction - 40”
• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail® Attraction: Cli
Hanger Traverse Rock Climb - 42”
• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail® Attraction: Hoot n’
Holler Log Slides - 32”
• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail® Attraction: Sequoia
Smokejumpers Training Zip Line - 42”-63” and under 13
years old
POPULAR RIDES AND
ATTRACTIONS BY PARK
With so much fun in store, it can be challenging to narrow down exactly what to do and see
while you’re in the Happiest Place on Earth®. Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered! Here is a
complete list of the rides and experiences available in each park, plus information on height
requirements, kid favorites and more.
Disney California Adventure® Park Attractions
Hop here to learn more!
6
Visit UndercoverTourist.com for discounts
on theme park tickets, hotels and more!
Ready to make a plan for
your day? Check out our
pre-made park plans or
customize your own in the
Undercover Tourist Theme
Park Day App!
Haven’t heard about
Lightning Lane Passes?
Don’t worry! Hop to “Skip
the Lines” to learn more.
Rider Switch service is
available at all attractions
in Disneyland® Park
and Disney California
Adventure® Park.
Tadpole Favorite
Lightning Lane
Single Pass
Lightning Lane
Multi Pass
Single Rider Line
• Silly Symphony Swings® Attraction (single swings)
• Silly Symphony Swings® Attraction (tandem swings) - 40”
• Soarin’ Around the World® Attraction - 40”
• Toy Story Midway Mania! Attraction inspired
by Disney
●
Pixar’s Toy Story films
• WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
POPULAR RIDES AND
ATTRACTIONS BY PARK
With so much fun in store, it can be challenging to narrow down exactly what to do and see
while you’re in the Happiest Place on Earth®. Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered! Here is a
complete list of the rides and experiences available in each park, plus information on height
requirements, kid favorites and more.
Disney California Adventure® Park Attractions
Hop here to learn more!
7
Visit UndercoverTourist.com for discounts
on theme park tickets, hotels and more!
• World of Color
• Disney Junior Dance Party
• Avengers Assemble!
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance O!
• The Amazing Spider-Man!
• Warriors of Wakanda: The Disciplines of the Dora Milaje
• Operation: Play Time! – Featuring the Green Army Patrol
Shows and Entertainment
Ready to make a plan for
your day? Check out our
pre-made park plans or
customize your own in the
Undercover Tourist Theme
Park Day App!
Haven’t heard about
Lightning Lane Passes?
Don’t worry! Hop to “Skip
the Lines” to learn more.
Rider Switch service is
available at all attractions
in Disneyland® Park
and Disney California
Adventure® Park.
Tadpole Favorite
Lightning Lane
Single Pass
Lightning Lane
Multi Pass
Single Rider Line
With several ticket options, there’s something right for
everyone! In our experience, most families visiting
Anaheim or the Los Angeles area stay between four
and six days and opt for 2- to 5-day tickets.
TICKET TYPES
One park per day, no hopping
BEST FOR:
First-timers or those with young tadpoles
Base
Same-day access to both theme parks.
One of the most wonderful things about Disneyland®
Resort is how close together the theme parks are!
Disneyland® Park and Disney California Adventure®
Park are a short walk away from one another across
the esplanade. Because the parks are so close
together, we highly recommend park hopper tickets
for your visit.
Park Hopper®
Add on Lightning Lane Multi Pass to either ticket type to
save time waiting in line! Choose the next available time
to arrive at a variety of attractions and experiences using
the Lightning Lane entrance. You can save some green
by purchasing Lightning Lane Multi Pass in advance,
since pricing is otherwise variable by date.
Make Your Theme Park Reservation
All guests visiting Disneyland® Resort must make a
theme park reservation, which can be made through the
Disneyland app or website. Reservations can be made
up to 180 days in advance. If you are park hopping, you
only need to reserve the first park you wish to enter. At
11 a.m., you can hop to the other park.
Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass
Hop to “Skip the Lines” to
learn more about Lightning
Lane Passes
Don’t froget: Undercover Tourist
oers a 365-day refund policy on
Disneyland® Resort tickets!
Hop here to learn more!
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The original on-site hotel, this tropical getaway
opened with Disneyland® Resort and pays
homage to its opening day with buildings
themed to Fantasyland® Area, Frontierland®
Area and Adventureland® Area.
Step into the serene woodland vibes at this
hotel, with its own separate entrance into
Disney California Adventure® Park
Enter the beloved world of Pixar, with touches
throughout from your favorite films and
modern flair
What We Love:
• The monorail slide at the pool
• Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar®
• Light-up headboards
What We Love:
• Mickey’s Tales of Adventure Breakfast
Buet at Storytellers Café
• Option for theme park views
• Three pools, including a leisure pool, a
turtle fountain and a 90-foot-long waterslide
— something for every member of the family
What We Love:
• Fireworks views from the pool deck
• Family play court to get the wiggles out,
plus character-inspired firepits to warm
those SoCal nights
• “Finding Nemo” inspired water play area,
including a waterslide featuring Crush and
a splash pad with Hank
• Dedicated entrance to Disney California
Adventure® Park
Disneyland® Hotel
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa
Pixar Place® Hotel
WHERE TO S TAY
Each of these resorts are within walking distance of the parks, or oer the Disneyland®
Monorail in the Downtown Disney® District to Disneyland® Park. The three hotels of
Disneyland® Resort also oer the early theme park entry benefit.
THERE ARE THREE ONSITE HOTELS AT DISNEYLAND® RESORT:
Hop here to learn more!
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WHERE TO S TAY
Immersive theming. Each of the
Disneyland® hotels has its own unique
theme, keeping you in the magic
throughout your stay.
Convenient location. All Disneyland®
hotels are within walking distance of the
theme parks, Downtown Disney® District
and each other. You have short waits to
get through security, and you have no
stress about parking each day. It’s easy to
hop back to the hotel for pool time, dining
or a nap.
Better theme park reservation
availability. Follow this link to see the
theme park availability for Disneyland®
hotel guests compared to other guests.
ALL ONSITE GUESTS OF THE THREE DISNEYLAND® RESORT
HOTELS RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS
(even when booking through Undercover Tourist):
Early Theme Park Entry. Hotel guests
can enter one of the Theme Parks (with
a theme park reservation, of course)
30 minutes before park opening.
Guests with early entry can access
select attractions, dining and shopping
locations during that
Preferred dining access. Disneyland®
hotel guests have special access to a
limited number of reservations at select
hotel table-service restaurants during the
dates of the hotel stay.
Hop here to learn more!
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on theme park tickets, hotels and more!
Not sure that you want to stay
on-site? One thing we love about
Disneyland® Resort is the variety
of hotel options! There are lots of
o-site hotels that are still within
walking or shuttle distance that
Undercover Tourist can save you
some green on. Some even oer
free breakfast, special kids’ play
areas and more!
WHERE TO E AT
There are SO many delicious dining options at Disneyland® Resort! It’s true that things taste
better when they’re Mickey-shaped. Here are a few of our favorite food spots.
Disneyland® Park
The Hotels of
Disneyland® Resort
• Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe
• Plaza Inn
• Café Daisy
• Café Orleans
• Blue Bayou Restaurant
Downtown Disney® District
• Earl of Sandwich
• Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes
• Din Tai Fung
• Céntrico
• Beignets Expressed
Disney California
Adventure® Park
• Lamplight Lounge
• Aunt Cass Café
• Pym Test Kitchen featuring
IMPOSSIBLE™
• Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill
• Carthay Circle Restaurant
• Storytellers Café at Disney’s Grand
Californian Hotel® & Spa
• GCH Craftsman Grill at Disney’s Grand
Californian Hotel® & Spa
• Palm Breeze Bar at Disneyland® Hotel
• Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar and Grill at
Disneyland® Hotel
• Goofy’s Kitchen at Disneyland® Hotel
Character Dining
Fine Dining Quick Service
Tadpole Pick
Mobile Order is a popular option at Disneyland® Resort. Place
your food order in advance in the Disneyland® app and skip the
line at popular quick-service restaurants.
When to Reserve
Since there are fewer table-service restaurants at Disneyland® Resort
than Walt Disney World
®
Resort, getting advance dining reservations
is less of a big-time aair. Table-service reservations can be made up
to 60 days in advance of your trip. You can also check for walk-up
availability same-day.
Hop here to learn more!
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on theme park tickets, hotels and more!
Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass replaces Disney Genie+ service as the
new way to skip the wait. Plus, Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass comes
with unlimited Disney PhotoPass® digital downloads from the day.
Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass replaces Disney Genie+ service as the
new way to skip the wait. Plus, Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass comes
with unlimited Disney PhotoPass® digital downloads from the day.
Lightning Lane is the name of the queue you enter for expedited access.
Standby lines remain available for most rides.
Reserve rides and experiences through the Disneyland app.
Guests can make reservations for a party of up to 10 people.
All guests may reserve their first selection upon entering a Disneyland®
Theme Park. After that, you can reserve another ride every 2 hours, or
after scanning in for your most recently booked reservation — whichever
comes first.
DISNEY LIGHTNING LANE PASSES
SKIP THE LINE
CHOOSE YOUR QUEUE
USE THE APP
SET YOUR ALARM
A faster way to get to your favorite rides has debuted at Disneyland®
Resort — Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass! This optional, paid
service can be purchased in advance with your tickets, or same
day within the Disneyland app. Select popular attractions can be
purchased a la carte — these are called Lightning Lane Single
Pass, at a separate cost from Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
Hop here to learn more!
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on theme park tickets, hotels and more!
WHEN TO BOOK
Mark your calendar for some important dates to keep in mind as you plan your vacation,
including when to book tickets, make dining reservations and more.
Use our #1 ranked crowd calendar to choose the best
time to visit Disneyland® Resort for your family!
You can also download our SoCal Theme Park Day app to see
Crowd Calendar and ticket prices for each day of your trip
365
DAYS OUT
180
DAYS OUT
60
DAYS OUT
30
DAYS OUT
7
DAYS OUT
3
DAYS OUT
• Book your Disneyland® Resort hotel
• Research Disney Lightning Lane Multi Pass to see if you’d like to save
by purchasing this service already loaded and ready for your trip
• Buy your theme park tickets in advance to save on gate pricing
• Consider transportation options to and around the resort. Don’t
forget that Undercover Tourist has hoppin’ deals on rental cars!
• Make your theme park reservations in the Disneyland app
• Research rides on our YouTube channel
• Make dining reservations for table-service restaurants
• Reserve special experiences, such as Bibbidi Bobbidi
Boutique, Savi’s Workshop and Droid Depot
• Request Disability Access Service, if needed
• Get the scoop on mobile ordering
• Use your research and Undercover Tourist’s tools to plan your best vacay day!
• Prepare for Los Angeles weather so you know what to pack
• Download our SoCal Theme Park Day app to see
wait times and create your own customizable
park plans
Hop here to learn more!
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Visit UndercoverTourist.com for discounts
on theme park tickets, hotels and more!
TIPS AND TRICKS
Here are our top tips and tricks for making the very
most of your time at Disneyland® Resort!
Decide in advance where you want
to go. Use our list of attractions so you
can decide what your priorities are for
each park. Make planning your trip a
family aair, and let everyone pick a
couple of rides that are must-dos.
Pick the best day to visit. Use our
Crowd Calendar to identify the best
dates to visit Disneyland® Resort.
Download our SoCal Theme Park Day
app. It oers key showtimes, crowd
levels, wait times and the optimal time
to visit each attraction.
Utilize on-site perks. If you’re staying
at a Disneyland® Resort hotel, you
can enter one of the Theme Parks
30 minutes early on each day of your
stay (theme park reservation and valid
admission required).
Arrive before the parks open. The first
few hours are the least busy times in
the park, and you can experience a lot
more when crowds are low.
Consider Lightning Lane Passes.
This paid service enables guests to
wait in an expedited line for popular
attractions. If you are purchasing
same-day, know that the price varies
by date and must be purchased on
the day of your visit through the
Disneyland app for each member
of your party. You may make your
first reservation once you enter a
theme park. Remember, this service
is toadally optional and all attractions
still have a free means of entry via the
standby line.
Experience the most popular rides
with the lowest durations first. You
can follow one of our park plans or
customize your own. If you aren’t a
family of early risers or you want more
flexibility than a park plan oers, use
our general map to decide which rides
to visit at any given time.
Take a break in the middle of the
day. Especially if you’ve got young
tadpoles, we suggest taking a break in
the afternoon and then coming back
in the evening for the parade and
fireworks or nighttime shows.
Hop here to learn more!
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LEARN MORE!
Best Times to Visit Disneyland® Resort
Answering Your Frequently Asked Questions About Disney Lightning Lane Passes
Disneyland® Resort Refurbishment Schedule and Ride Closures
How to Maximize Your Time at Disneyland® Resort
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