Hello, Ana, and welcome to planDisney! How exciting that you're beginning to plan your family's very first visit to Disneyland! Oh, boy! You're in for such a magical time at the Happiest Place on Earth!
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, Ana, and we're happy to help answer your questions, but you may be looking to enlist a professional to help with your Disneyland vacation. If that's the case, make sure you choose a travel agent who is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner who specializes in planning trips to Disneyland. These experts have in-depth training specifically in Disney destinations and can assist you in
booking accommodations,
securing park reservations, parking information, and much more. What I love about these amazing individuals is that their pixie-dusted services come at no additional charge to you than if you booked it yourself. Incredible!
If you're looking to maximize the magic, Ana, (and aren't we all!) in addition to working with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, you'll definitely want to keep your eye on the
Special Offers, Deals & Discounts page on the Disneyland website for current special ticket offers, as well as hotel deals.
Now, let me give you a brief overview as you begin your planning, which should help get you started. There are two parks within Disneyland Resort, each with their own unique vibe: Disneyland Park and California Adventure Park (often referred to as DCA). They are two separate parks, very close together, that require their own One Park Per Day ticket or a Park Hopper ticket.
I always tell families who don't know where to start in their Disneyland planning to take a look at the park maps together (if the trip isn't a surprise!) and identify their top priorities, including attractions and entertainment. (At the top of my 10-year-old's priority list is always Rise of the Resistance in Galaxy's Edge!) This will help narrow down how much time you'll want in each park and where you might want to stay depending on location. You can do this on the Disneyland website or in the
Disneyland app. It will also get everyone excited about the trip!
What I recommend to most first-time visitors is to plan for three days in the parks at Disneyland Resort - two days in Disneyland and one day in California Adventure. Or consider upgrading your tickets to Park Hoppers, which allows you and your family to easily cross over into either park as much as you want, after 11am. In three park days, you'll likely be able to experience nearly everything Disneyland Resort has to offer, check off all of your top priorities (for you and your family), and have time for good-sized breaks during the day, which are necessary.
Tip: If you're in Disneyland more than a day or two, I highly recommend building in "off park days" to chill and relax. You'll enjoy the parks more if you're rested!
I hope I was able to help get you started in your planning, Ana, but there's still so much more to discuss when it comes to your visit to Disneyland! Please don't hesitate to come back and
ask another question. (Or two! Or three!) We're always happy to share our tips and recommendations for a truly magical visit. You know where to find us!
Warmest wishes,
McCayla