Greetings, Mindy! Welcome to
planDisney and thanks for bringing this great question to us! Walt Disney said, "Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world." That statement has proven to be true, especially since your last visit. I love that you’re preparing yourself and want your partner’s first visit to be magical. Let’s explore the changes!
There have been a lot of physical changes to the parks. One of the most notable changes is the addition of Avengers Campus in California Adventure, which opened in June of 2021. Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! was probably up and running last time you visited, but
WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure was definitely not. Go help Spidey and S.H.A.R.I.N. save the campus from the spider bots! Another big change was the refresh of Mickey’s Toontown and the opening of
Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway. This is one of my all-time favorite attractions! It’s a magical experience from start to finish, as you follow Mickey and Minnie through a trip to the park for a picnic gone wrong!
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opened in June of 2019, so you may have experienced the immersive new land in Disneyland. Since then, Rise of the Resistance has opened, and it remains one of the most popular attractions to this day. It is yet another attraction that will take you away to a galaxy far, far away from the very beginning. The line for this attraction can be very long, so I’d strongly recommend purchasing a Lightning Lane Single Pass.
The other big change to the parks concerns optimizing the guest experience, mostly through your own cell phone. You can purchase a
Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Single Pass, or Premier Pass to use a shorter, faster line, which lowers your wait time and maximizes the number of attractions you can experience in the day. Multi Pass and Single Pass involve reserving return times on your phone, while Premier Pass lets you arrive whenever you like. You can purchase Lightning Lane with your ticket, or once you scan into the parks through the app.
Mobile ordering food is another way to maximize your day. Order your favorite dish while standing in line for an attraction, and pick up when it’s ready. This is offered at many, but not all, quick-service locations, and can save you a lot of time and frustration. Another thing you might notice is the change of the security checkpoints and entry gates. These have been made more efficient and moved further from the entrance to the parks.
I’d strongly recommend purchasing a Lightning Lane Multi Pass and reserving a
Fantasmic! Dining Package to make the visit magical for your partner. You get to choose a great restaurant to share a delicious table service meal at, and also get preferred seating for one of the best shows around - Fantasmic! You'll be able to reserve 60 days before your visit. If you choose the early show, you’ll have just enough time to get to Main Street for the fireworks.
Mindy, many things have changed, but the magic is still very much there! I hope you have a wonderful trip, sharing your love for the parks with your partner. If you have any more questions or need extra tips and tricks,
let me know, and I’ll be happy to help.
I hope you have a magical day.
Corey