Disneyland Tips: What to Know Before You Go (Changes, Construction & More!)

Disneyland Planning and Park Reservations

• 💡 Disneyland's park reservation system is still in place, unlike Disney World for date-based tickets.
• 📌 When purchasing tickets, select your ticket type, number of days, and then assign parks for each day.
• 🚀 For park hopper tickets, you choose your starting park, and after 11:00 AM, you can move freely between parks due to their close proximity.
• ⚠️ Park reservations can sell out, especially during busy periods, so book ASAP.

Upcoming Construction and New Attractions

• 🚧 Disney California Adventure is undergoing significant transformations, including the expansion of Avengers Campus with two new attractions: Avengers Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab.
• 🏞️ The Monsters, Inc. ride will close in early 2026 to make way for a new Avatar Land, themed around the newer movies and featuring a boat attraction similar to Shanghai Disneyland's.
• 🎶 A new Coco-themed boat ride is also planned near Paradise Gardens Park, with construction starting in fall 2026.

Lightning Lane and Park Access

• ⚡ Disneyland offers Premium Lightning Lanes to bypass queues, with options for a Multipass or single-purchase basis.
• 💰 The Lightning Lane Multipass can be purchased in advance for $32 per ticket per day, or individually via the app, with potential for higher day-of pricing.
• 🌟 The Premier Pass ($300-$400) offers access to all Lightning Lanes in both Disneyland and DCA for one day, providing convenience for single-day visits.
• 🏨 Disneyland hotels no longer offer extended evening hours or early park entry (after Jan 4, 2026); guests receive one complimentary Lightning Lane per person per stay instead.

Hotel Stays and Local Tips

• 🚶‍♀️ While Disney-owned resorts offer proximity, Good Neighbor hotels provide more affordable options, but it's crucial to verify their exact walking distance to the parks.
• 🗓️ Disneyland is considered a locals' park, so out-of-town guests should prioritize must-do rides in the morning and on weekdays to avoid crowds.

Nighttime Shows and Ride Scares

• 🎆 The Sleeping Beauty nighttime show at Disneyland doesn't always include fireworks, so check the calendar. Fantasmic! also has a variable schedule.
• 🎢 A ranking of Disneyland's scariest rides is provided, including Pirates of the Caribbean, Rise of the Resistance, Haunted Mansion, and Guardians of the Galaxy: Monsters After Dark.
• ⚠️ Visitors should prepare for potential scares on certain rides, especially with children, and consider watching POV videos beforehand.

Traveling in Anaheim

• 🚗 Be prepared for significant California traffic when visiting nearby attractions like Newport Beach or Universal Studios Hollywood; factor in extra travel time.
• ⏰ To avoid peak traffic, travel before 7:00 AM or after 8:00 PM.
• 🧥 Pack layers for cooler weather in winter, early spring, and late fall, as temperatures can range from the low 50s to upper 60s.