Hi Brian,
Thanks for visiting planDisney. One of the best things about living in California, and Southern California in particular, is the proximity to Disneyland. When I’ve had a particularly rough week, it’s nice to have this magical place just a hop, skip, and a jump away!
As you mentioned, Disney recently announced that they will be offering a
3-Day Park Hopper Ticket not only for Southern California Residents but for all California Residents! These tickets can be used on non-consecutive days, so Guests can plan a trip anytime between January 1 and May 21, 2026. This is such a fantastic offer!
I recommend calling the
Tickets Department of Guest Services at (714) 781- 4636 to see if you can upgrade your ticket over the phone after the tickets go on sale on December 3, 2025. Many times, unused tickets can be upgraded, and the amount you already paid will be applied toward the cost of the new tickets.
After you upgrade your ticket, don’t forget to
select your park reservation dates. You will also need to indicate which park you’d like to start your day in (Disneyland or California Adventure). Keep your eyes on the Disney Parks Blog for the 2026 Calendar of Events. This will help you plan your trip around some of the exciting offerings (events and dates subject to change or cancellation):
Lunar New Year– Mid-Jan to Mid-Feb (California Adventure)
Celebrate Soulfully– Select dates in February (Disneyland)
Food & Wine Festival– Late February to Late April (California Adventure)
Season of the Force– Late March to Early May (Disneyland)
70th Anniversary Celebration– Through Summer 2026 (Resort-wide)
Just as a reminder, when you first use the 3-Day Tickets at the gate, be sure to have a valid California ID to show that you are eligible for the promotion. In the past, Guests have been asked to show a government-issued photo ID with their name and California address to verify eligibility.
I hope this information helps, Brian! 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.
Catch you in the parks!
– Melinda