Ultimate Guide To Disneyland California

Everything you need to know about visiting the Happiest Place on Earth.

Disneyland is one of those places you dream of visiting your whole life. And for Australians, planning a trip there is a big deal, so we’ve put together the ultimate guide to Disneyland Resort in California to make holidaying there a breeze.

Disneyland Resort in Anaheim is roughly 30 minutes from Los Angeles and is home to two iconic theme parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, the Downtown Disney shopping district, and three Disney hotels.

Disneyland Park

Disneyland Park is the OG park that opened in 1955 and is the only one designed and completed by Walt Disney.

There are nine themed areas throughout the 40-hectare park – Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Frontierland, Adventureland, Critter Country, Main Street U.S.A, New Orleans Square, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and the newly-reopened Mickey’s Toontown.

the colourful Minnie Mouse house at Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland Park — Visit Minnie Mouse’s house at Mickey’s Toontown.

Disney California Adventure Park

Disney California Adventure Park opened in 2001, on Disneyland Park’s original parking lot. It has eight themed lands – Cars Land, Avengers Campus, Pixar Pier, Hollywood Land, Paradise Gardens Park, Pacific Wharf, Buena Vista Street and Grizzly Peak.

When to go

With LA’s 284 sunny days per year, Disneyland is amazing to visit all year round. But there are better times to visit than others.

Winter is generally a quieter time to visit as the Christmas school holidays in the US only go for 1-2 weeks around Christmas and New Year. Perfect for us in Australia with our breezy six-week break.

A Cali winter is pretty mild too. I went to Disneyland in late January, and it was hitting 20°C in the daytime – the perfect temperature to be going on rides and walking around between the parks. The nights were chilly, falling to around 8°C, but it was the perfect excuse to buy a cute Disney jumper to take home with me.

Most of the summer, Halloween and Christmas time are the busiest times to go.

giant tea cups spinning around at Disneyland California — Spin around in a giant pastel teacup. (Image: Emily Murphy)

When to arrive

To get the most out of your day, plan to arrive an hour prior to the official park opening.

If you’re staying at a Disneyland Hotel (Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel or Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel), you can enter the park 30 minutes prior to the official park opening using your hotel room key.

the exterior of Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel — Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel is easily accessible from Downtown Disney.

What tickets to get

You’ll need both a valid park ticket and a park reservation before you arrive at Disneyland. Disneyland Resort multi-day tickets are the best choice as the parks are big and you simply can’t see all the magic in one day.

I’d recommend three days and choosing the Park Hopper tickets at an extra US$60 ($90), so you can go between the two parks at your leisure. Once you’ve purchased your ticket from an authorised Disneyland ticket reseller like Klook, make sure you reserve your day as soon as possible on the Disney Reservation site.

Star Wars Galaxy Edge and the millennium falcon. — Step into a galaxy far, far away at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Skip the queues with Genie+

Disney Genie+ is an optional upgrade that allows you access to the Lightning Lanes (essentially a fast lane). Disney Genie+ includes a US$25 ($37.80) fee – more on busier days – per guest per day at Disneyland.

I cannot recommend Genie+ highly enough. Being able to book a ride beforehand and skip the line… game changer. You do feel slightly guilty walking past everyone who is waiting, but it saves so much time. And you’ll be able to go on more rides in less time, so even better if you’re short on days.

Train going on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. — Skip the queue for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad with Genie+.

With Genie+, you are allowed to use it once per attraction per day, so plan your day well to get the best use out of it. You can also download your PhotoPass and ride photos at no extra cost with Genie+.

Hot tip: As soon as you have everyone scanned into the ride through Genie+, select your next Genie+ attraction at this point. No need to wait until after the attraction, the app just needs to know you checked in.

eerie atmosphere outside Haunted Mansion Disneyland California — Embark on a spooky tour at the iconic Haunted Mansion.

Go hands-free with MagicBand+

When you arrive at Disneyland California, if you’d like a way to go hands-free in the parks, you can purchase a MagicBand+. Not an essential item, it’ll set you back US$34.99 ($53) but it allows you to easily enter the parks and check in at Lightning Lane entrances without having to use your phone.

I found that the wi-fi would sometimes disconnect as I was getting on rides, so the MagicBand+ saved me and allowed me to scan in.

the entrance of Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway — Check in to the brand-new Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway ride with your MagicBand+.

Attractions you need to go on

There are so many rides across both parks it can be hard to know where to start.

In Disneyland Park, you’ll see Splash Mountain, the brand new (and super cute) Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, the iconic Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and my all-time favourite Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.

Kylo Ren in the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance ride at Disneyland Park — Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is a must-ride and worth the long lines.

Over in Disney California Adventure Park, you’ll find yourself turning upside down on the Incredicoaster, flying all over the place in the Pixar Pal-A-Round Ferris wheel’s swinging gondolas, embracing your inner Spiderman on WEB SLINGERS and zooming through the desert landscape of Cars Land on Radiator Springs Racers.

2 cars racing at Radiator Springs Racers — Radiator Springs Racers is a delightful nod to the Cars movie.

For more amazing attractions, see our guide to Disneyland’s top rides.

Hot tip: You can’t use Genie+ on the Radiator Springs Racers ride, so if you’re okay with riding solo, use the Single Rider line. I did this twice and was on in 10-15 minutes each time when the standby line was saying a 135-minute wait.

entrance of Radiator Springs, Disneyland California — Zoom past the lines at Radiator Springs Racers by going in the Singer Rider line.

What to eat

The food at Disneyland is as much an attraction as the rides. Whether you want to grab something on the go to the next ride, have a sit-down meal at a restaurant, or dine with one of the characters, there is something for every budget.

Disney California Adventure has the best quesa birria tacos and margaritas to eat out in the Cali sun at Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill. It also has the Lamplight Lounge with panoramic waterfront views, cocktails and gastropub-style food.

exterior of Lamplight Lounge at Disney California Adventure Park — Lamplight Lounge has a vibrant atmosphere inspired by Pixar Animation Studios.

In Disneyland Park, watch the Pirates of the Caribbean boats float past as you dine at the Louisiana-inspired Blue Bayou Restaurant. You also need to try the Mickey-shaped Beignets from Mint Julep Bar – yum.

For a character breakfast moment, head to Disneyland Hotel (you don’t need to be staying there) for breakfast at Goofy’s Kitchen. With a whole buffet full of goodies, you’ll be able to snap some pics with Goofy and his friends!

Monorail slides at Disneyland Hotel — Have brekky at Goofy’s Kitchen in Disneyland Hotel.

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How to save money

There’s no hiding that a trip to Disneyland California will not be cheap, but there are a few ways to make it more affordable.

1. Pack snacks

You can bring food into the parks, so even though the dining options are amazing, keep the purchases to a minimum to save precious $$.

2. Set a souvenir and treat budget

It can be tempting to buy all the Mickey Mouse ears, ice creams, pretzels and clothing your heart desires, but it adds up. Set yourself a budget and stick to it to avoid unnecessary costs.

a mickey-shaped pretzel, Disneyland California — Grab your own Mickey-shaped pretzel. (Image: Emily Murphy)

3. Bring a water bottle

You’re going to get thirsty and buying a bottle of water each time just isn’t smart (nor eco-friendly). Look up “drinking fountains and bottle-filling stations" in the Disneyland app to see where you can refill your bottle.

4. Purchase Genie+

I know this is a purchase, but not only will you save so much time (and time is money), but you’ll also get free PhotoPass photos taken by Disney photographers with characters, at iconic spots around the parks, and the on-ride photos. Without Genie+, the cost per image is US$14.99 ($22.70), so if you want multiple photos, Genie+ will save you money.

tourists on a river rapids ride at Grizzly Peak, Disneyland California — Splash your way through Grizzly Peak.

5. Stay off-site

While the Disneyland Resort hotels are amazing and super convenient, they’re not always an affordable option. Stay in nearby Anaheim for a more budget-friendly stay.

6. Buy multi-day tickets

Disneyland single-day tickets vary in cost per day based on expected crowds. You can save the most money by buying multi-day tickets, which are not affected by peak pricing, especially if you want to visit on the weekend or near a holiday.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

Discover the magic: your ultimate guide to Disneyland California