Welcome to planDisney, Donna! I completely understand that plans can shift when you’re organizing a Disney vacation, and I’m happy to walk you through what to do if you need to change the name on one of your theme park tickets.
Here’s the good news: if you purchased a
standard Disneyland Resort theme park ticket, you usually don’t need to worry about changing the name ahead of time. A ticket officially becomes linked to a Guest when it is scanned at the entrance to Disneyland or Disney California Adventure. At that first entry, a quick photo is taken, and that image (rather than the name on the ticket) is what ties the ticket to an individual Guest for the rest of the visit. So even if the name on your ticket doesn’t match the person using it, the ticket will still work as soon as it’s scanned at the gate.
That said, I understand wanting everything to look neat and correct. If you’d prefer to have the name updated, the Guest who originally purchased the tickets can contact
Disneyland Ticket Services. You can reach them by phone, or you can open the
Disneyland app and use the convenient chat feature to speak with a Cast Member. They’ll be able to review your request and help with a name change if it’s possible.
Since you mentioned tickets, Donna, I’d also like to recommend downloading and using the Disneyland app during your visit if you haven’t already. The app is an incredibly useful tool. Not only does it keep your tickets handy in digital form, but it also gives you real-time updates on show schedules, attraction wait times, and even mobile food ordering. By tapping the “Entertainment” tab, you’ll see performance times for parades, stage shows, and nighttime spectaculars during your trip.
Another fun feature in the app is the “Characters” tab. This shows you which Disney pals are greeting Guests around the parks on any given day. A little Q-Tip for you: Main Street, U.S.A. is one of the best places to start if you’d like to meet classic characters like Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy. You might even spot a Princess or two as you head toward the Castle!
Donna, I hope this helps you feel confident about your tickets and excited for your upcoming visit. If you’d like more planning tips, we’d be delighted to see you again here at planDisney.
Have a magical day,
David