Whenever you journey to Disneyland, you’ll have the chance to expertise two completely different theme parks – Disneyland and Disney’s California Journey. Some visitors select to expertise one park per day whereas others decide to hop between parks for a number of days.
As well as, some visitors could marvel if they will depart Disneyland and return later within the day (sure, you possibly can!). Maybe you wish to return to the resort and relaxation for some time or have lunch at Downtown Disney.
Whether or not you wish to park hop or keep on the identical park however return later within the day, this information will aid you decide the easiest way to benefit from the Disneyland parks.
Disclosure: I’ve acquired complimentary admission to the Disneyland Resort parks without charge as a part of my participation in a convention. This submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks, and a purchase order/click on by way of considered one of these hyperlinks could lead to a fee paid to us without charge to you. All opinions are my very own.
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Park Hopping Information at Disneyland
No matter which park tickets you select, you possibly can depart the park and return later in the identical day. This may be an effective way to relaxation throughout the day (particularly when touring with youthful youngsters). You can too depart one of many two theme parks and dine outdoors the parks – both at a close-by restaurant, at a Disney resort restaurant or at a Downtown Disney restaurant.
Park Hopping
Park hopping, nevertheless, is completely different. Whenever you park hop, you’ll depart the primary park (Disneyland Resort or Disney California Journey Park), and go to the opposite park the identical day.
You’ll must have that possibility in your tickets to park hop. It does value additional, so that you’ll should determine if it’s price it.
I get the park hopper possibility on my ticket every time I go to Disneyland. I like having the pliability of touring between the 2 parks. It is a superb alternative to attempt to experience every little thing I need, and it permits me to dine at a unique park.
You may select so as to add the park hopper choice to your tickets if you buy them. Whereas that is additionally an possibility for Walt Disney World tickets, this submit particularly focuses on Disneyland in California.
It’s essential to notice that Disneyland at the moment has a set time for visitors to park hop to the second park. At Disneyland, you’ll make a reservation in your first park (reservations are nonetheless required), after which you possibly can park hop beginning at 11 a.m.
Nevertheless, you don’t should park hop at 11 a.m. – you’re allowed to at any level after 11 a.m. As well as, you possibly can return to the primary park you began at.
It is a good solution to expertise each parks’ reveals, sights, and eating places. As a result of the 2 parks at Disneyland Resort are throughout from one another, it’s straightforward to maneuver from one to the opposite (in contrast to at Walt Disney World).


Lightning Lane Multi Move
Planning on utilizing Lightning Lane Multi Move with park hopping? You’ll be capable of try this.
Whenever you buy tickets, you’ll have the choice of the variety of days you’ll go to(for a multi-day ticket), the park hopper possibility, and the Lightning Lane Multi-Move.
In the event you park hop, you need to use the Lightning Lane Multi Move in each theme parks.
Early entry
Whenever you keep at an official Disneyland Resort Resort, you’ll have entry to early entry. Resort visitors can enter a park half-hour earlier than the official opening.
Throughout early entry, a restricted variety of sights are open, nevertheless it’s an effective way to get a head begin in your day. Every day, one designated park is open for early resort entry.
The three Disneyland Resort Motels are Disney’s Grand Californian, the Disneyland Resort, and the newly renovated Pixar Place Resort.
I discover early entry to be a giant perk that makes it price staying at a Disneyland Resort Resort. It is probably not price it when you don’t wish to get up early – however as an East Coaster who is usually up method too early, it’s an effective way to start out driving sights straight away.
In the event you aren’t staying at a Disneyland Resort Resort, it’s nonetheless worthwhile to know the schedule. I’d suggest beginning within the different park that day (not the one open early). It’s more likely to be much less crowded within the morning.
Take into account Meals
I really feel that Disneyland affords higher fast service choices than desk service eating places. However, when you do plan to make reservations for the desk service eating places, you’ll wish to plan out your park hopping so you already know precisely which park you’ll be in throughout mealtime.
At present, at Disneyland Resort (each theme parks), additionally, you will want a legitimate park reservation for the primary park you’re visiting for the day. That is the case, even if in case you have a restaurant reservation in that park.
Lockers
Carrying a whole lot of stuff for the day? Lockers can be found to hire at each theme parks and proper outdoors the theme parks, within the Esplanade.
Keep in mind that you’ll must return to the locker on the finish of the day to retrieve your stuff. In the event you don’t want it contained in the park, it might be finest to hire one on the Esplanade, which can be simpler to entry if you end up executed for the day.
Staying Close by
Planning to go away the park and return later within the day? To maximise your time, it’s finest to remain close to Disneyland so you possibly can simply stroll again to your resort room. Fortunately, at Disneyland in California, there are numerous resorts close by, along with the three Disneyland Resort Motels. We have now a number of opinions of close by resorts, together with the Courtyard by Marriott, the Howard Johnson, and the Westin.
Ideas for Park Hopping
- Make your theme park reservations for the primary theme park of the day
- Take into account your schedule after which make any eating reservations
- Make the most of early park entry in case you are staying at an onsite resort, or go to the opposite park first when you aren’t.
- Put on comfy footwear because you’ll be doing a whole lot of strolling
- Keep at a close-by resort so you possibly can simply return to your resort in the midst of the day
- Keep in mind that Downtown Disney is a superb place to seize lunch for a fast, noon break. Or think about the eating places on the onsite resorts.