Hiya, Susan! Welcome to planDisney!
How exciting that you're already dreaming of your Disneyland Resort adventure in June 2026! It's a great idea to plan ahead for a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth. You've hit on a common question for Guests planning so far in advance: how to get started when reservations aren't quite open yet. Don't worry—there's a whole world of pre-planning you can dive into right now to make your trip truly unforgettable. Think of this as getting a special "Early Entry" to your planning process!
This is prime time for dreaming and researching! Grab your favorite Disney mug and start exploring all the incredible
attractions, shows, and dining experiences across both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Which iconic rides are on your must-do list? Are you hoping to catch a specific parade or a dazzling nighttime spectacular, like
World of Color Happiness!? Do some armchair imagineering and jot down all your "must-sees" and "must-dos". This is also a fantastic time to research different dining options, from quick-service bites to enchanting table-service meals. Places like
Blue Bayou Restaurant or
Lamplight Lounge are super popular, so knowing your preferences now will give you a big advantage when it's time to book.
While the official Disneyland Resort hotel reservations for 2026 aren't available just yet (they usually open up in late summer/early fall of the prior year), you can still research the
three on-property hotels—the Disneyland Hotel, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and Pixar Place Hotel—as well as the many wonderful
Good Neighbor Hotels nearby. This will help you decide which option best fits your needs and budget, especially considering perks like
Early Entry for Disneyland Resort hotel guests.
You'll also want to mark your calendar for a few key dates. Park reservations for June 2026 will generally open on a rolling basis, 180 days in advance of your desired visit date. So, start setting reminders for around December 2025 to January 2026 to begin checking for your specific dates. Dining reservations typically open up 60 days in advance, usually at 6 AM PT. Once you have your park dates locked in, you can count back 60 days to pinpoint those important booking mornings!
Finally, make sure you're comfortable with the
Disneyland mobile app! I’d recommend downloading it now and learning about all of its features. You can explore interactive maps, check wait times for attractions (to get a feel for how things flow), and even learn how to utilize the mobile food and beverage ordering feature. It's also a great idea to make sure you have a MyDisney account set up and ready to go. Familiarizing yourself with the app now will make your actual planning and in-park experience so much smoother.
So, there you have it, Susan! I hope these tips are helpful! By tackling these planning steps now, you'll be ready to jump into action the moment those booking windows open. Wishing you magical planning and an enchanting visit to the Happiest Place on Earth!
Cody