Hi Patricia, and welcome to planDisney! I love that you want to spend a magical day in Disneyland with your grandkids. My little ones always have a great time with their grandma in the parks. I can certainly help you get started and will share some tips to set you up for a memorable visit!
Patricia, to enter a Disneyland Resort theme park, each Guest (ages three and older) must have both a valid ticket and a
park reservation. Your ticket will allow you to pass through the gates at the main entrance. However, for your ticket to be used, it must be paired with a park reservation, which indicates the specific date you plan to visit. Think of the park ticket as a car and the reservation as the key that turns it on – you need both for the car to go.
That said, I have good news: If you purchase your tickets directly from the
Disneyland website, you'll choose your park reservations as part of the process. By the time the transaction is complete, you'll be ready to go. I recommend purchasing your tickets and securing your reservation as soon as possible to ensure you get the dates you want.
I love that your plans may include a hotel stay at the Resort, too, Patricia! My family enjoys taking short staycations at these distinctly Disney hotels. You can book a hotel reservation
by phone or
on the Disneyland website. Online, enter your desired check-in and check-out dates, as well as the number of adults and kids. Press the "View Rooms" button for the hotel you're interested in and browse your options.
If you plan to spend at least two days in the theme parks, consider adding multi-day tickets to your hotel reservation while booking (you can add them during the last step). This would book your stay as a
vacation package, which comes with a few added perks. If you're looking for one-day theme park tickets, book your hotel and tickets separately. I realize there are a lot of options, Patricia. If you prefer to speak with a Cast Member when booking your hotel reservation and getting theme park tickets, you can
call the Vacation Packages phone line.
Now, when you are in the parks, here are some of my favorite tips, as a mom of two little ones:
- Mickey's Toontown and Tom Sawyer Island are two great spots in Disneyland for kids to explore. Let them lead the way to engage their sense of adventure. Also, allowing them to make choices throughout the day about attractions and snacks will keep everyone happy!
- We like to arrive at the park early in the day – in my experience, wait times are typically shorter during the first two hours after the park opens. Take lots of breaks, especially midday – you could rest at the hotel, ride the Disneyland Railroad, sit to watch a show, and more.
- If you stay at a Disneyland Resort hotel, make time to enjoy the pools. You can continue using them on the day you check out, even after leaving your room. Store your luggage after checking out, and keep a bag with swim gear.
Patricia, I hope this information sprinkled a little pixie dust on your plans. If you have any other questions, please reach out – we're happy to help here at planDisney.
You've got a friend in me,
Kriss