Howdy, Erin! Thanks for bringing your question to planDisney!
I'm thrilled to hear that you have booked a
Disneyland Resort vacation package! You are correct that with a vacation package, your theme park tickets will be linked to your Disneyland Resort account four days before you arrive. However, you can use your vacation package confirmation number to make theme park reservations right away.
Start on the
"Theme Park Tickets and Reservations" page and click the "Make Park Reservations" button. After logging into your account, you'll land on the "My Theme Park Reservations" page. Scroll down and click the "Retrieve Hotel Reservation" button. After entering your confirmation number, last name, and arrival date, you will then be directed back to make theme park reservations for your trip. If you have Park Hopper tickets, you will make a theme park reservation for the park you want to start at each day. Then at 1:00 p.m., you can hop to the other park.
Since your trip is in December, you will want to read up on the new
Disney Genie service that will be debuting soon. Disney Genie will create customized park-touring itineraries based on your interests. You'll also have the opportunity to purchase Disney Genie+ for $20 per day, per ticket. Disney Genie+ allows you to select the next available return time for an attraction and then skip most of the wait by using the Lightning Lane. This service can certainly be a big time saver!
I hope this helps. Have a great time at the Happiest Place on Earth!
-Linda