Whenever you journey to Disneyland, you’ll have the chance to expertise two totally different theme parks – Disneyland and Disney’s California Journey. Some friends select to expertise one park per day whereas others decide to hop between parks for a number of days.
As well as, some friends could surprise if they will go away Disneyland and return later within the day (sure, you may!). 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 assist you to decide the easiest way to benefit from the Disneyland parks.
Disclosure: I’ve acquired complimentary admission to the Disneyland Resort parks for free of charge as a part of my participation in a convention. This submit incorporates affiliate hyperlinks, and a purchase order/click on by way of one among these hyperlinks could lead to a fee paid to us for free of 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 may go away the park and return later in the identical day. This may be a good way to relaxation throughout the day (particularly when touring with youthful children). You may also go away one of many two theme parks and dine exterior 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 totally different. Whenever you park hop, you’ll go away the primary park (Disneyland Resort or Disney California Journey Park), and go to the opposite park the identical day.
You’ll must have that choice in your tickets to park hop. It does value additional, so that you’ll should resolve if it’s value it.
I get the park hopper choice on my ticket each time I go to Disneyland. I like having the pliability of touring between the 2 parks. It is a superb alternative to attempt to journey the whole lot I would like, and it permits me to dine at a distinct park.
You may select so as to add the park hopper choice to your tickets if you buy them. Whereas that is additionally an choice for Walt Disney World tickets, this submit particularly focuses on Disneyland in California.
It’s vital to notice that Disneyland at present has a set time for friends to park hop to the second park. At Disneyland, you’ll make a reservation to your first park (reservations are nonetheless required), after which you may park hop beginning at 11 a.m.
Nonetheless, you don’t should park hop at 11 a.m. – you might be allowed to at any level after 11 a.m. As well as, you may return to the primary park you began at.
It is a good solution to expertise each parks’ exhibits, points of interest, 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 have the ability to 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 choice, and the Lightning Lane Multi-Move.
In case you park hop, you should utilize 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 friends can enter a park half-hour earlier than the official opening.
Throughout early entry, a restricted variety of points of interest are open, but it surely’s a good 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 an enormous perk that makes it value staying at a Disneyland Resort Resort. It will not be value it should you don’t wish to get up early – however as an East Coaster who is usually up manner too early, it’s a good way to begin using points of interest instantly.
In case 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.
Think about Meals
I really feel that Disneyland gives higher fast service choices than desk service eating places. However, should you do plan to make reservations for the desk service eating places, you’ll wish to plan out your park hopping so you realize precisely which park you’ll be in throughout mealtime.
At the moment, at Disneyland Resort (each theme parks), additionally, you will want a sound park reservation for the primary park you might be visiting for the day. That is the case, even when you have a restaurant reservation in that park.
Lockers
Carrying lots of stuff for the day? Lockers can be found to lease at each theme parks and proper exterior 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 case you don’t want it contained in the park, it could be greatest to lease one on the Esplanade, which might be simpler to entry when you’re executed for the day.
Staying Close by
Planning to depart the park and return later within the day? To maximise your time, it’s greatest to remain close to Disneyland so you may simply stroll again to your resort room. Fortunately, at Disneyland in California, there are a lot of inns close by, along with the three Disneyland Resort Motels. We’ve a number of critiques of close by inns, 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
- Think about your schedule after which make any eating reservations
- Reap the benefits of early park entry in case you are staying at an onsite resort, or go to the opposite park first should you aren’t.
- Put on snug sneakers because you’ll be doing lots of strolling
- Keep at a close-by resort so you may simply return to your resort in the course of the day
- Keep in mind that Downtown Disney is a superb place to seize lunch for a fast, noon break. Or take into account the eating places on the onsite inns.