Hi Sean, and welcome to planDisney! Golly, I'm thrilled that you'll be staying at the
Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. The majestic lobby, towering trees in the courtyard, multiple pools, comfortable rooms, unique dining options, and convenient access to the Downtown Disney District and the parks – there's so much to love!
Sean, it sounds like you booked a room-only reservation. You can certainly purchase theme park tickets separately – if you do so
on the Disneyland website, you'll make park reservations as part of the purchase process. I suggest doing that sooner rather than later to ensure you get the dates you want.
If you're visiting in 2025, remember that
Early Entry will still be offered to Disneyland Resort hotel Guests – make sure your reservation matches the park that will open early to take advantage of that benefit during your stay.
Now, if you're asking about converting your room-only reservation to a vacation package, that's a little different, and I'm happy to explain.
Vacation packages purchased through the Walt Disney Travel Company are available when you book a hotel room and theme park tickets together. The package comes with a few perks, including a voucher for extra savings (currently 10 percent off at participating locations in the
Downtown Disney District), and a collectible lanyard and pin (while supplies last).
I spoke with a Cast Member, and at this time, it doesn't seem like you can add theme park tickets later to convert a hotel room-only reservation into a vacation package. It's more likely that you'd need to cancel the existing reservation and rebook with theme park tickets. If you're interested in receiving the added benefits, it would be a good idea to call the
Hotel Reservations or Vacation Packages line – a Cast Member can walk you through the process and help compare options, including any changes in cost and availability. Of course, you can also keep your room-only booking and purchase tickets separately (not as a vacation package).
If you already have theme park tickets and just need theme park reservations, that's easy. Simply link your tickets to your MyDisney account on the Disneyland website or
the mobile app. Then, follow the prompts on the
Theme Park Tickets & Reservations page to select the date and park that you want to visit.
Sean, back to the hotel – did you know that there are
activities exclusively for Disneyland Resort hotel Guests, such as complimentary movie nights and hotel tours? Fitness classes and spa treatments can also be booked for an additional fee. If your plans allow, I'd also suggest booking a Character Dining experience at
Storytellers Cafe. Mickey’s Christmas Carol Feast is an excellent option for dinner during the holiday season.
I hope you have an unforgettable visit to the Disneyland Resort, Sean! If you have any other questions, please reach out. We're always happy to help here at planDisney!
Your pal,
Kriss