Hi Karla,
Thanks for stopping by planDisney with your question! You came to the right place. When planning your trips, it’s a good idea to check for any events that might cause the parks to close early. This way, you can create a strategy that helps you make the most of your day.
Disney recently released the dates for their
After Dark events in 2026.
Sweethearts’ Nite will take place on January 22, 25, and 27, and February 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, and 17, 2026. Disney has not yet released the event times for 2026, but based on previous years, Disneyland will likely close to the general public around 9:00 PM. Additionally, Guests with tickets to the After Dark event can usually enter the park three hours before the party begins (no reservation or additional park ticket needed).
With that information in mind, I recommend starting your
Park Hopping day at Disneyland so you can enjoy as much of the park as possible before the crowds arrive. I also suggest starting early so you can hop over to California Adventure with plenty of time to enjoy it as well. California Adventure typically closes at 10:00 PM, which means your Disney day will end a bit earlier than usual.
If you haven’t been to Disneyland in a while, or if this is your first visit, I also recommend getting
Lightning Lane. This will help you experience more attractions in a shorter amount of time. Even better, the Lightning Lane Multi-Pass works for both parks!
I hope this strategy helps, Karla! If you have any other questions or need extra planning tips, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any of my fellow planDisney panelists. We’re always happy to sprinkle a little extra pixie dust on your Disney planning.
Wishing you a magical vacation,
– Melinda