G'day, Alexander, and welcome to planDisney! I'm so thrilled you are dreaming up a visit to the Happiest Place on Earth from Down Under! We can't wait to welcome you.
Thank you for stopping by planDisney with your question! We're Disney Guests, just like you, who provide helpful tips and heartfelt advice, as well as share our experiences to help you have a magical Disney vacation!
We get that planning a Disneyland vacation can be overwhelming sometimes, Alexander, and we're happy to help answer your questions, but it is recommended that Guests in Australia enlist a professional to help with their Disneyland vacation. Make sure to choose a travel agent who specializes in planning trips to Disney parks, as they have in-depth training specifically in Disney destinations and can usually assist you in purchasing theme park tickets, securing park reservations, making dining reservations, and much more - like guidance for the
Disability Access Service (DAS). To find an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, I recommend searching online for travel agencies specializing in the Disneyland Resort using key words like "Authorized Disneyland Resort Vacation Planner" or asking family and friends for their recommendations. This should help narrow down your options for a reputable agency.
To answer your question, Alexander, a theme park ticket at the Disneyland Resort includes every attraction, parade and show on the schedule in that particular park. There are two theme parks within Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Park and California Adventure Park (often referred to as DCA) and each have their own unique vibe with a plethora of magical options.
Lightning Lanes are passes to add to your theme park ticket which allow you to zip past those standby lines on popular attractions. While not required, they are a magical extra so you can experience more on your visit to Disneyland.
I encourage you to check the
Daily Events Schedule on the Disneyland website as your visit gets a little bit closer. The Daily Events Schedule is an incredibly helpful resource, not only for providing an entertainment schedule to confirm which shows and parades will be showing and when, but also includes park hours, attraction closure information, as well as the events occurring during your visit.
Something to be aware of when it comes to a Disneyland visit in May, Alexander, is that
Grad Nites are returning in 2026! These special young grads are invited in the parks for their own private, after-hours event from 9pm to 2am in California Adventure on select nights in May and June. For you, that just means California Adventure will close one hour earlier for Guests without a Grad Nite ticket. Typically, all non-Grad Nite Guests will be ushered out of California Adventure after the conclusion of the 9pm World of Color showing, so the grads can get going on their big party!
I hope I was able to provide some helpful information for you, Alexander! As you continue to dream a fantastic dream, we'd love to share more of our tips and recommendations for a truly magical time at the Happiest Place on Earth. Don't hesitate to
reach out again with any questions you may have.
See you real soon!
Warmest wishes,
McCayla