How to Plan for Disneyland -- Anaheim, California

Disneyland

Disneyland | Disney California Adventure | Anaheim, California

2 Theme Parks
3 Resort Hotels
Downtown Disney shopping & entertainment district
Now booking into 2027

Here’s where it all began. In 1955, just beyond Los Angeles, Walt Disney invited everyone to enter into the world of his most beloved stories. In 2026, as the park celebrates a new milestone, you’ll encounter state-of-the-art spectacles in a land that’s overflowing with charm. You can say without irony that it actually is “the happiest place on Earth.”

Here’s what everyone loves about trips to Disneyland:

You can see it all — farily quickly. Most folks conquer Disneyland’s theme parks in two or three days. Or, add some extra time in Disney’s resort hotels & spa for much-needed rest & relaxation.

The weather? Divine. Tired of Florida’s tropical thunderstorms? Months of dry, bright days await you in sunny So Cal!

Combine it with a longer trip through California. Every year, thousands travel here to enjoy the highlights of the Best Coast. You can tour along Pacific Highway 1 all the way from Disneyland through Santa Barbara all the way to Napa Valley.

It’s blissfully walkable. Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure park share one big entry plaza, with the three Disney-owned hotels a comfortable stroll through Downtown Disney.

NEWS: We are now booking Disneyland Vacation Packages into 2027, and the 70th Anniversary Celebration is delightful. A new castle show, new character cavalcades, new edition of World of Color, and the return of the fan-favorite Paint the Night parade are just a small part of the celebration that extends through summer, 2026.

In the FAQ below, we’ve got an ultra-concise expert guide that answers all the most important questions. Chris from Wishful Thinking is a Disneyland expert — read on below for his insightful tips!

Get expert Disneyland help from an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.

Chris from Wishful Thinking is an annual passholder who’s been visiting Disneyland since his first days on earth — he was actually born in Anaheim!

Explore the sections below — we’ll cover the best Disneyland hotels, how tickets work, when crowds are lowest, and more insightful tips.

And when you’re ready for pricing, as an expert travel agency for Disneyland, here’s what we’re ready to help you do:

Choose your hotel. The Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s California Adventure, Pixar Place Hotel, or one of the nearby Good Neighbor Hotels? We’ll walk you through the pros & cons of each.
Get the right tickets. We’ll discuss your wish list and help you choose between 2 days, 3 days or more. From Park Hoppers to party tickets, we’ll explain how everything works.
Choose your travel days. We know how to select the best dates to help you avoid crowds & find the best pricing.
Plan your day-to-day itinerary. We’ve got on-the-ground advice on how to make sure you ride the best rides, see the best shows, and avoid long waits through smart use of Disney’s Lightning Lane.
Prepare for your adventure. Our in-depth Brilliant Guide to Disneyland helps you link your tickets, plan character dining, navigate the Disneyland app, and make sure everyone in your party gets their wish!

Have you got travel dates in mind? It’s best start planning now.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING

"The planning & thoughtfulness before we arrived at Disneyland was the best we have experienced. Always easy -- queries were always answered quickly. During our trip, Chris went above and beyond to ensure we had a great time. As a husband & father providing this once in a lifetime experience to his wife & children, the pressure was on. Wishful Thinking ensured it was a great experience. I will forever be grateful for their help & will continue to recommend them to friends."

"Chris made our first Disneyland holiday an experience and a memory to cherish forever for all seven of us! It didn't matter that we are based overseas in a different time zone. He would promptly come back with suggestions and advice as per our requests. I didn't have to worry at all about the bookings, stay or activities. He helped us plan everything! It was our first booking with Chris and Wishful Thinking but definitely not our last! I highly recommend him to anyone who is thinking of and planning a Disney trip."

"Chris was incredibly thoughtful and was a fantastic communicator. He made the the process of booking and planning feel super smooth. We were so grateful for the reservations he was able to get us. It was especially valuable having his insight and expertise on attractions, dining, and other park details. Wishful Thinking made planning our Disneyland vacay stress-free!"

"Chris guided us to the perfect hotel for our anniversary stay at Disneyland, helping out and taking care of the little details that made our visit even more special. His help and insights were invaluable. I hadn’t used a travel agent before for our Disney visits, but I will definitely be using Wishful Thinking for our future visits!"

"Chris was amazing to work with! My friends and I do a lot of research for our trips so it was great to have an expert to bounce ideas off of. Chris was able to get into the fine details with us to plan the best Disneyland trip ever."

"Enthusiastically recommend. Booking this was overwhelming at first. We didn't know what we didn't know and finding out how to approach this was really helpful."

"Wishful Thinking's Brilliant Guide to Disneyland was extremely informative. All of our questions were answered quickly! I felt prepared to go and enjoy the trip. Even better than I expected."

Disneyland Resort | FAQ

Curious about Disneyland’s two theme parks, three Disney-owned hotels, Downtown Disney dining and shopping district, and its dozens of Good Neighbor Hotels? We know what you need to know. We’ve got clear, concise answers to some of the most common questions:

• TIMING | When is the best time to visit Disneyland? How many days do I need in each park? What’s the weather like during different times of year? When are the parks most crowded / least crowded? What are things like during Christmas, Halloween, or Easter / Spring Break? And what’s the buzz on the Disneyland 70th anniversary celebration? | Get the answers ▸

• HOTELS | What are the best hotels at Disneyland Resort? The Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, or Pixar Place Hotel? How far is the walk from the hotels to the parks? What are the perks of Disney resort guests? Should I stay at a Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel instead? Which are the closest? | Get the answers ▸

• TICKETS & 2026 VACATION PACKAGES | What’s the best way to get Theme Park tickets for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure? How does Park Hopping work? Should I pre-pay to add Lightning Lane? Is it smartest to bundle tickets together with a hotel stay? | Get the answers ▸

• ATTRACTIONS, RIDES, & WAIT TIMES | What are the best rides at Disneyland & Disney California Adventure? What attractions are considered must-sees? Why do some rides have long wait times, and how can I plan my Disney day to avoid those waits? | Get the answers ▸

• DINING | What are the best restaurants at Disneyland Resort? Where will I find the best snacks? How does character dining work? Are the restaurants in Downtown Disney easy to visit during a theme park day? | Get the answers ▸

• AIRPORTS & TRANSPORTATION | How do I get to Disneyland Resort from the airport? Should I fly into LAX, Long Beach (LGB), Santa Ana / John Wayne Airport (SNA), Ontario (ONT)? What if I drive to Disneyland — how does parking work? Can I take an Uber / Lyft? | Get the answers ▸

• TOURISM | What should I see and do in Los Angeles? How many days do I need for sightseeing? Where should I stay during sightseeing days in L.A.? Should I visit Disney before or after some sightseeing in Los Angeles? How and when should I include a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood? | Get the answers ▸

• DISNEYLAND VS. WALT DISNEY WORLD | What are the main differences between Disneyland and Walt Disney World? If I’m considering a visit to one or the other, how should I decide between the two destinations? Which is easier for international visitors? Which is better for small kids — or grownups? | Get the answers ▸

• WHY WISHFUL THINKING? | What exactly is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner? How is Wishful Thinking different from other travel agencies? Who processes payments, and can we set up a payment plan? What services does Wishful Thinking provide if something goes wrong during the trip? | Get the answers ▸

These are just the first batch of questions you’re likely to have. We can create a customized, no-obligation pricing proposal and help you plan every detail of your trip — for free. And after you book, you gain our wonderfully in-depth Brilliant Guide™ to Disneyland.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT DISNEYLAND RESORT?

The weather in Southern California might surprise you — yes, it actually gets cold and rainy here. Therefore, you’ll want to be smart about timing your visit. How many days do you need? What’s it like during big holidays like Halloween, Christmas, or Easter / Spring Break? Do the USA’s school breaks impact the crowds?

Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary: from now through summer 2026, Disneyland is celebrating across all the parks & hotels. Here’s what that really means:

Big promotions. Disney will be running major ad camapaigns — especially in the American west — inviting guests to return to Disneyland and step into the nostalgia of it all.
New promotional ticket price. For those who enjoy visiting 1 park per day, you can enter the parks for 3 days for $360, and 4 days for $400. Get tickets ▸
New entertainment. The main highlights include new versions of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure’s nighttime spectaculars, and the long-awaited return of Disneyland’s night parade, Paint the Night.
A shift in crowds. Southern California locals — especially annual passholders — will want to swing by the parks to take in the festivities, especially in the late afternoon / evening hours to see the new entertainment.
Decor, pizzaz & razzle dazzle. The parks are full of splashy, colorful 70th anniversary decorations — and the fresh new looks extend to Mickey & his pals, sporting color-coordinated new outfits. A whole array of speciality merchandise & apparel will roll out throughout the year.

WHAT ARE THE BEST HOTELS AT DISNEYLAND?

Let’s explore the Disneyland Resort hotels. What are the unique perks & privileges of Disney’s three hotels? Which offer the best value & amenities? What are the best Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotels? Which Good Neighbor Hotels offer the quickest walk to the Disneyland’s entrance?

DISNEYLAND THEME PARK TICKETS & PACKAGES

Do I need to buy Disneyland theme park tickets in advance? (Yes, you do!) Which ticket options are best? How does Park Hopping work? Should I add Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Theme Park reservations when I buy my tickets? How do Disneyland Vacation Packages work? What are the best 2026 Disneyland Vacation Package options?

DISNEYLAND’S MOST POPULAR RIDES & ATTRACTIONS

What are the best rides at Disneyland & Disney California Adventure? What are considered the must-sees? What makes one ride more popular than another? How do I avoid long wait times for the most popular attractions? Which are best for rope drop and what’s the best use of Lightning Lane? Let’s personally customize your itinerary. With our expert insights, you’ll be on your way to becoming a verified Disney nerd.

DINING

What are the best restaurants at Disneyland & Disney California Adventure? When do dining reservations open, and how does character dining work? What about Dining Packages for Fantasmic!, Magic Happens, or World of Color? Which Disneyland snacks are the most popular? Should I eat at Downtown Disney during a day in the parks? Do I need to be a resort guest to dine at the Disneyland Hotel or Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa? As a travel agent who handcrafts your Disneyland dream experience, we can book your Disney dining for you. But first, let’s explore what looks good!

AIRPORTS & TRANSPORTATION

How do I get to Disneyland Resort from the airport? Should I fly into LAX, Long Beach (LGB), Santa Ana / John Wayne Airport (SNA), Ontario (ONT)? What if I drive to Disneyland — how does parking work? Can I take an Uber / Lyft? What is the typical travel time between Los Angeles and Disneyland? Can I take a train or a bus from downtown L.A.? Read on and you’ll see why having a good travel agent can save you hours of travel time.

TOURISM | LOS ANGELES, UNIVERSAL STUDIOS & BEYOND

What’s the best way to plan for some sightseeing in Los Angeles, Hollywood, Universal Studios Hollywood and beyond? And should you see the sights before, during, or after your Disney days? We’re not just an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner — we’re also a Preferred Agency for Universal Parks & Resorts, and we know how to combine it all into a perfect sunny SoCal escape.

DISNEYLAND VS. WALT DISNEY WORLD | COMPARISONS

Which is better — Disneyland or Walt Disney World? It’s a classic question that inspires debates from coast to coast! Let’s discuss the distinct features of each destination, compare the sizes and number of days you’ll really need to see the highlights. What should you expect on different days of the week or different times of the year?

At Wishful Thinking, you’ve found a travel agent who’s a Annual Passholder at Walt Disney World and also a Magic Key holder at Disneyland — so sit back and relax while we take you on a side-by-side tour.

WHY CHOOSE WISHFUL THINKING AS YOUR TRAVEL AGENT FOR DISNEYLAND?

Wondering why to book your Disneyland vacation through Wishful Thinking instead of going it alone? Let’s cover what sets us apart from the other Authorized Disney Vacation Planners. From unique, personalized insights to years of on-the-ground experience, we’ve got the smarts & global travel expertise to help your Disney dreams come true.

Yessssss...

BRILLIANT GUIDE™ TO WALT DISNEY WORLD

Walt Disney World in 2026 & 2027

When is the best time to visit? How busy will it be in the theme parks?

Why should I book a hotel on-property vs. off-property?

What’s located at each theme park? What’s a must at Disney Springs?

What rides, dining, & experiences are most popular & need reservations?

How can I combine park tickets, dining, and hotel stays to save money?

What are realistic tips for transportation and getting places on time?

How much do park tickets cost? Which ticket options save money?

How do I use the MyDisneyExperience app, Lightning Lane, and MagicBand+?

Join our community!

Ask questions. Share your favorite travel stories. Get expert-level free help for any Disney travel destination around the world. You’re invited to join our Facebook group! As Yzma would say, it’s brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!

Now booking into 2027

Tell us what you're wishing.

Book your trip through Wishful Thinking and you'll get personalized, free help from now until you're back home.

You do the wishing. We do the thinking.

Wishful Thinking is an affiliate of Academy Travel, a Diamond Authorized Disney Vacation Planning Agency.

Disney pays us to help plan your trip, from your first wish list until your departure. We’ll even assist you during your vacation until you’re happily back home.

Our trip planning is free when you book a Disney vacation with us; you’ll pay the exact same price as booking on your own, but with these amazing perks:

Pricing insights: We don’t just tell you what the price is, we tell you why. We know how to find the calendar’s best availability & the lowest crowds.

Certified pros: Disney is always changing, and outdated info is everywhere. Disney trains and informs us throughout the year to stay on top of all the latest offerings.

Text support: Need help? From the moment you book — until you return safely home — quick, informative help is just a text message away.

World class Disney expertise: Every year, we book guide hundreds of clients’ vacations to Disney destinations around the world. Far beyond the parks, we’re nerd-level experts on Disney’s resort hotels, cruises, tours, restaurants, & more.

Reservation magic: Whether it’s character dining, holiday parties, private tours, or VIP guides, we help secure the most in-demand Disney experiences.

It’s never too early to start planning! Why do it alone when you can have free, expert-level help?

You do the wishing. We do the thinking.™

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Affiliate of Academy Travel | academytravel.com

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You do the wishing. We do the thinking.

Wishful Thinking is an affiliate of Academy Travel, a Diamond Authorized Disney Vacation Planning Agency.

Disney pays us to help plan your trip, from your first wish list until your departure. We’ll even assist you during your vacation until you’re happily back home.

Our trip planning is free when you book a Disney vacation with us; you’ll pay the exact same price as booking on your own, but with these amazing perks:

Pricing insights: We don’t just tell you what the price is, we tell you why. We know how to find the calendar’s best availability & the lowest crowds.

Certified pros: Disney is always changing, and outdated info is everywhere. Disney trains and informs us throughout the year to stay on top of all the latest offerings.

Text support: Need help? From the moment you book — until you return safely home — quick, informative help is just a text message away.

World class Disney expertise: Every year, we book guide hundreds of clients’ vacations to Disney destinations around the world. Far beyond the parks, we’re nerd-level experts on Disney’s resort hotels, cruises, tours, restaurants, & more.

Reservation magic: Whether it’s character dining, holiday parties, private tours, or VIP guides, we help secure the most in-demand Disney experiences.

It’s never too early to start planning! Why do it alone when you can have free, expert-level help?

TESTIMONIALS

"We found Wishful Thinking when looking for a travel agent that had experience booking trips to Disneyland Paris, which I seemed to have a harder time finding than some of the other Disney resorts. I'm so glad that we managed to find Wishful Thinking! They had a lot of great tools and resources that helped us identify the trip we wanted to plan and what options we had when visiting the parks. We were able to plan an excellent trip to Disneyland Paris complete with a short trip to the city; both parts of the trip went smoothly, and we were able to truly maximize and enjoy our experience in both locations. I think Disneyland Paris is my new favorite park and I'll definitely be back to Wishful Thinking in the future!"

"Absolutely amazing communication! Wishful Thinking had all the answers for everything and made my trip to Disneyland Paris so easy and smooth! I could not have done this trip without Chris’s help. Thanks so much!"

"I felt like I had an accomplice on our Walt Disney World trip, but one who was as present (or as out of the way) as I needed. Clutch move: helping us move hotels and making it seamless for us. Also great: walking me through some ideal itineraries and pulling through on some key dinner reservations!"

"Chris was caring, patient and so resourceful! This was our first time traveling internationally with our daughter and during a holiday busy season (NYE). He took time to care about our safety and gave tips not just for Disneyland Paris but regarding our overall Paris travel, showing his passion of travel. We have a 2026 Walt Disney World adventure planned with my husband’s work and plan to contact Chris for planning so we can travel together!"

"Chris guided us to the perfect hotel for our anniversary stay at Disneyland, helping out and taking care of the little details that made our visit even more special. His help and insights were invaluable. I hadn’t used a travel agent before for our Disney visits, but I will definitely be using Wishful Thinking for our future visits!"

"Hands down, Wishful Thinking is my recommended travel agency for international park trips & Adventures by Disney trips. Chris's amount of information -- made accessible, enthusiastically -- is Wishful Thinking's differentiating factor. From the website to their city of Paris travel guide to social media accounts, I came to rely on and look forward to Chris's take on things. When I think fancy or potentially tricky, Chris is my guy!"

"Chris was able to explain the complexities of Walt Disney World in a way that was easy to comprehend, including Genie+, the importance of dining reservations, etc. We will 100% will use Wishful Thinking again and would enthusiastically recommend."

"Having someone to walk me through how Tokyo Disney Resort works was invaluable. I didn’t know to book a vacation before talking to Chris and I’m so glad for his advice! The trip was even better than I expected. Enthusiastically recommend Wishful Thinking."

"Wishful Thinking was SUPERB! So friendly and always available, even at the very last minute (which was when I booked the trip). Extremely knowledgeable in EVERYTHING about Walt Disney World."

"Chris was absolutely FANTASTIC! We were flying blind planning for our quick trip to Disneyland Paris, and literally helped us through EVERY STEP... absolutely recommend him!"

"We recently took a very last-minute weekend getaway to Walt Disney World. It was AWESOME and literally all because of Wishful Thinking. They helped us get Park Pass reservations, make a flexible schedule based on our preferences, and lots more. I cannot recommend them enough! And with Wishful Thinking’s help, we can’t wait to go back again soon!"

"This is our second vacation planned with Wishful Thinking. Chris really outdid himself again! He offered recommendations at Universal Orlando Resort and then let us chose from there. Offered his expertise when we asked. We had an incredible week at the Portofino Bay Hotel and fun filled days at the parks. We will definitely use Chris and his team for future trips."

"I am an experienced traveller as well as a longtime Disney pass holder who lives 30 minutes from WDW. I have been to California Disneyland many times as a child and as an adult. I have been to Disneyland Paris. I planned all these things on my own. But Tokyo Disneyland & Tokyo DisneySea concerned me a bit. The reservation rules, language barrier, etc. made me nervous so I reached out to Wishful Thinking for guidance, bookings, and moral support. Chris was excellent in answering questions, bookings, telling me how to book the things I needed to do on my own, and giving advice on places other than Disney parks to visit while in Japan. I would absolutely recommend Wishful Thinking to anyone planning a Disney trip, especially to Japan! Thank you!"

"Our Wishful Thinking agent was our one-stop for answers to our many, many questions about Walt Disney World. He was extremely knowledgeable and gave us down-to-earth, realistic feedback on the various options and how they might work for our family. In addition, he was full of enthusiasm! I got excited about our vacation just by hearing the timbre of his voice."

© Wishful Thinking 2026 | As to Disney artwork, logos, and properties: ©Disney | The official Disney web site is available at www.disney.com. | Ship Registry: The Bahamas

Disneyland

Get expert Disneyland help from an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS ARE SAYING

Disneyland Resort | FAQ

Yessssss...

Walt Disney World in 2026 & 2027

Join our community!

Now booking into 2027

Tell us what you're wishing.

Book your trip through Wishful Thinking and you'll get personalized, free help from now until you're back home.

You do the wishing. We do the thinking.

You do the wishing. We do the thinking.

TESTIMONIALS

© Wishful Thinking 2026 | As to Disney artwork, logos, and properties: ©Disney | The official Disney web site is available at www.disney.com. | Ship Registry: The Bahamas

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