Exterior of Pirates of the Caribbean in New Orleans Square, surrounded by lush greenery and a balcony façade.
  • On Jul 24, 2026
    Alicia from MA Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    How do kids pay for things within the parks? Or enter hotel rooms? We are usually at Disney World and they can use their magic bands to do those things without us having to do it for them.

    Greetings, Alicia, and welcome to planDisney! Your magical vacation to the Disneyland Resort is almost here – can you already smell the churros and hear the Dapper Dans harmonizing? It's my favorite place, and I'm happy for the opportunity to help you have the best visit!

    There are a few ways to give older kids some independence while at the Disneyland Resort. Let's start with purchases in the park. Disney Gift Cards are a great solution, and they're widely accepted at shopping and dining locations throughout the park. Each card can hold a balance of up to $1,000, and you can easily manage cards on the Disney Gift Card website.

    When it comes to accessing the hotel room, it shouldn't be a problem to request a few extra room keys for your kids at the front desk when you check in, since they'll be listed on your room reservation. 

    The Disneyland mobile app is a great tool that offers features similar to what you're used to with the MagicBand at Walt Disney World. For example, you can generate a digital room key in your app and use that to unlock your Disneyland Resort hotel room. You just need to have the reservation linked to the account. You can also scan your ticket from the app to enter the theme parks, make contactless purchases at participating retail locations, and place mobile food orders. You can even set up purchases to be charged to your hotel room! Any Disney Gift Cards linked to the MyDisney account used to log into the app will show up as a payment option, too. 

    Just keep in mind that Guests must be at least 13 years old to create their own MyDisney account, which is needed to log into the Disneyland mobile app. Additionally, Guests under 14 years of age must be accompanied by a Guest age 14 or older to enter the theme parks.

    I know you're used to visiting Walt Disney World, so I thought I'd highlight some of the things you can look forward to at the magical place where Walt Disney's dream was brought to life. Make sure to experience the original attractions, as well as those unique to the Disneyland Resort. Matterhorn Bobsleds, Radiator Springs Racers, and the Incredicoaster come to mind. I recommend experiencing the West Coast versions of "it's a small world," the Haunted Mansion, and Pirates of the Caribbean, too! You're also just in time to catch the end of the 70th Anniversary Celebration. Please make sure you see the Paint the Night parade and watch Wondrous Journeys. World of Color is special, too. I love the Disneyland Resort and hope you'll experience its magic while you're here.

    Alicia, the Happiest Place on Earth awaits! If you have any questions while at the park, stop by one of the Guest Relations locations to speak with a Cast Member. Of course, you can also come back to planDisney – we're happy to help!

    Wishing you magic,
    Kriss
thumbnail image for Kriss

Meet the Panelist: Kriss, California

Hi, there! I’m Kriss, a wife, mom of two mini Mouseketeers, and lifelong Orange County local. As a Magic Key holder who visits the Disneyland Resort often, you have a friend in me when it comes to tips and tricks for making the most of your magical visit. Plant-based dining, navigating the parks with kids, transportation, pin trading, itineraries for various preferences – I’ve got you covered! Learn More About Kriss

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