How to do Disneyland
Mercedes Maguire catches up with the Happiest Place on Earth
Exciting new rides, special live performances and all the fun of the happiest place on Earth beckons as Disney turns 100 in 2023. Whether you’ve visited Anaheim’s Disneyland Park and the neighbouring California Adventure Park before or are planning your first visit this year, much has changed since the pandemic. So strap on your Mickey Mouse ears as we share the latest to help you navigate the parks.
Reserve tickets
One of the biggest Covid leftovers to the way the parks operate is that you now need to reserve your place on a specific day rather than just turn up, says the Australian representative for Visit Anaheim, Michael Cassis.
“Even if you buy a Park Hopper ticket, which allows you to jump between the two parks, you still need to specify which park you’ll visit first, but you can then jump to the other park from 11am onwards,” he says. “And if you buy a multi-day pass, you need to reserve each day you visit, not just the first day.”
Fast Pass is no more
Past visitors may have used the free Fast Pass to avoid lengthy queues at popular rides. Now you need Lightening Lanes, but you have to pay for the privilege through the Disney Genie Service. You can get this at Disneyland.com or through your travel agent before you visit or the Disneyland app on the day of your visit.
The price varies, but the Disneyland website has it at $US25 per ticket per day at the moment. Or use the free Disneyland app to check wait times at top attractions.
Stay off-site
One of the biggest ways to get value for money is to stay in a hotel outside Disneyland Resort.
There are many hotels within walking distance of the parks and if you don’t feel like walking, most offer a free shuttle service, or the Anaheim Regional Transportation Network (ART) has buses every 10 to 30 minutes at affordable rates. For example, a night at Disneyland Hotel in Disneyland Resort is from $583 a night per family of four (based on a June 1 check-in), while the Best Western Plus Stovall’s Inn is from $199, including breakfast. It’s a 20-minute walk to the parks or there’s a free shuttle.
Explore Anaheim
The Disneyland parks may be the main reason for your visit, but they don’t have to be the only reason. Cassis says it’s a good idea to have a rest day from the parks by exploring the neighbourhood.
Get a great view of the Disneyland fireworks from the rooftop bars at the Westin or JW Marriott hotels; visit the Anaheim Packing District’s food hall or get a shopping fix at the outlet stores in Orange.
Seasonal fun
If you’re a return visitor or want to amplify your experience, plan to visit the parks during Disney California Adventure Park’s food and wine festival in March and April, Halloween in September and October or over the Christmas period to get a different perspective of the parks in celebration mode.