Disneyland Halloween 2024 Guide

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

Visiting Disneyland during normal times of year can feel daunting enough. Throw in the Halloween element and things go to a different level entirely. Second only to the Christmas season, Halloween at the Disneyland Resort has grown in popularity year over year and is showing no signs of slowing down.

We have been to Disneyland during the Halloween season multiple times and can profess to how awesome the entire experience is. From Oogie Boogie Bash at DCA to the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay of the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland proper, we’re here for it all.

If you’ve never been to Disneyland during Halloween, this guide is for you. In it, we cover what to expect, dates, special events and more. Let’s get into it.

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When Is Halloween Begin At Disneyland?

Halloween season at the Disneyland Resort isn’t just a one day celebration on the holiday itself. Rather, Disneyland celebrates Halloween throughout multiple months.

In years’ past, Disneyland would kick off its Halloween season in early September, usually just after Labor Day. In 2024, however, you’ll have even more time to enjoy the spooky season, as it’ll now begin on August 23, 2024 (Friday).

This expansion of dates is a testament to the growing popularity and demand for more Halloween at the resort. In what was once considered a slow time of year at the parks, it has morphed into the busiest, rivaling even July.

While Disney hasn’t announced it yet, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Oogie Boogie Bash dates also be expanded, as it’s a way for Disney increase profits without the bad press of high price increases.

Is Halloween At Disneyland Crowded?

The Halloween season USED to be a fairly slow time at the Disneyland Resort. It was because of that why that timeframe was our go-to for a relatively crowd-free experience but as stated above, that’s no longer the case.

The Halloween season, largely due to the annual Oogie Boogie Bash event, has experienced massive growth and an increase in popularity over the last few years. This began prior to the covid closure, but has exploded since.

This is why much of the event has migrated over to Disney California Adventure. Disneyland Park typically sees heavier crowds than DCA, Halloween or not, so the shift was one of many tactics taken to boost sagging attendance there.

Generally, the closer to Halloween it gets, the more dense the crowds. If your goal is to enjoy the Halloween season without heavy crowds, I would aim for dates in the first ten days of September, or potentially even weekday dates in the latter half of August.

That period, namely the first ten days of September, has managed to maintain its status as one of the least busiest times of year at the resort. It’s towards the end of the month and into October when crowd levels begin to rise exponentially.

The Oogie Boogie Bash Variable

An important element to the Halloween season that will have an overall effect on crowd patterns at the resort is the mega-popular annual event, “Oogie Boogie Bash”, at Disney California Adventure.

In 2024, the event will likely be held on nights throughout the months of August, September and October, typically with one to three days between each. On nights with a scheduled event, DCA will close early to regular park guests at 6pm.

On days when there’s a scheduled event, the majority of the crowds are across the esplanade at Disneyland, with DCA seeing minimal crowds.

The reason for this is simple. Since DCA closes early on bash nights (6pm), most visitors don’t want to waste a full-day ticket on a partial day at the park. There are no discounts for these days.

Generally, visitors that are in DCA on a bash-night are either locals, Magic Key holders (or both) or have the park hopper option on their ticket. When DCA closes, they just hop over.

The opposite, however, is true for non-bash nights. California Adventure will see higher crowd levels since those guests have a full day available to them.

If you purchased the park hopper option (or are a Magic Key holder) and you’re NOT attending the bash, I recommend beginning your day at DCA to take advantage of the lower crowds.

Around 3pm, when they start letting bash ticket holders in, is when you should consider heading over to Disneyland Park (or back to your hotel for a break).

If you DON’T have the park hopper option, I recommend spending your day at Disneyland to take advantage of the full day. The hours you’d be losing at DCA far outweigh the lower crowd levels.

Normally, I don’t purchase the park hopper option for myself and usually advise against it. One of the exceptions to both of those is during the Halloween season, when your dates coincide with Oogie Boogie Bash events.

Oogie Boogie Bash 2024

A big reason for Disney’s success during Halloween is the annual event, Oogie Boogie Bash. It’s held semi-nightly at DCA throughout the entirety of the season, concluding with the final bash on October 31st.

The bash is five hours long (6pm-11pm) and features multiple exclusive attractions, such as villain treat trails, ‘Villains Grove’, rare character appearances, ‘Fightfully Fun Parade’ and more.

In 2023, tickets to the event sold out in record time. I would expect much of the same for 2024 so if you’re planning to attend, keep your finger on he pulse (be sure to follow our Facebook page as that is where i’ll announce when tickets go on sale)

If you’re expecting a scary Halloween party, this isn’t it. It’s more about the overall vibe and celebration of Halloween rather than the scares. If scares are your thing, drive north to Universal or Knott’s.

Oogie Boogie Bash is appropriate for all ages so if you have littles, this won’t exclude them. Far from it, actually. What kid wouldn’t relish the opportunity to trick or treat with their favorite characters?

I wrote a comprehensive guide detailing our experience at Oogie Boogie Bash 2022. If you’re considering attending (or just mildly curious), be sure to give it a read at the link below.

READ: Oogie Boogie Bash 2024: Ticket Prices, Dates, and What to Expect

Attraction Overlays

Each season, select attractions throughout both parks receive Halloween themed overlays to help celebrate the festivities and make it an even more unique experience for visitors.

These include:

• Haunted Mansion

• Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission BREAKOUT!

• Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree

• Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters

We’ll start with the Halloween flagship attraction; Haunted Mansion. Each year, Disney converts it into, “Haunted Mansion Holiday”, where characters from the beloved film, “Nightmare Before Christmas”, take over.

This has proven to be mega popular over the years and the queue often reflects that. It isn’t uncommon to see seventy to eighty minute wait times and Genie+ return windows being hours out.

If this is something you’d be interested in, I suggest either rope dropping it, making it your first Genie+ selection or try to hitting it just before park closing (if you’d want to avoid the long wait, that is).

At DCA, one of their biggest draws is Mission Breakout’s conversion to, “Guardians of the Galaxy - Monsters After Dark”. The ride itself is generally the same, but the plot differs from the original.

The plot for ‘Monsters’ takes place after the events of Mission Breakout, when the Guardians successfully escape the Collector's grasp. Groot, however gets left behind and now you’re tasked with sacrificing your safety - or assisting Rocket by distracting the monsters while he saves Groot.

The monsters version of ride is fun. It has its moments and features just as many drops as Mission Breakout, but to me it isn’t as exciting as the original. In this version, you’re without the classic rock songs and instead, are forced to listen to a what I assume to be a generic death metal song that just sounds like noise.

The classic rock songs are a huge part of why I and so many others love that ride so much. I appreciate the original storyline and effort they put into it but for my money, I’ll take Mission Breakout over ‘monsters’ any day.

Halloween Decor & Character Outfits

Throughout the season, both parks at the Disneyland Resort are adorned in orange and black Halloween decor and many characters are dressed in their favorite (not-so) spooky costumes.

The majority of the characters you’ll see adorned in Halloween garb are Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto and Chip n’ Dale. They’ll likely be in their usual spots within Town Square and Buena Vista Street, respectively.

Disneyland Park

The majority of the resort’s decorations will be at Disneyland Park. To set the tone of things to come, above the turnstiles at the entrance are each of the Fab Five represented in pumpkin form.

Once inside the park, you’ll also take notice of the Main Street Train Station adorned in decor and below that, a Halloween version of Floral Mickey usually makes an appearance.

Past the tunnels and into Town Square, each building and lighting fixture is lined with pumpkins, bows, orange and black garland and floral.

In the center of Town Square is the massive and ever popular Mickey pumpkin head photo-op.

*Tip: Most people want their picture taken here at night when everything is lit up. The line will be HUGE, but it goes by fairly quickly. So don’t let it scare you off.

If you’re leaving before nightfall and still want your photo in front of the pumpkin, do it mid-day when the coastal haze has given way to blue skies.

If your aim is to get your photo at night and with as little people around as possible, save it for closing. Main Street stays open one hour past official closing time and this includes the pumpkin!

A lot of people would have headed back to their hotels by this point so your chances of a people-free photo with the pumpkin are decent. Any other time of day/night…forget about it.

As you move past Main Street, Halloween decor begins to wane. With the exception of Frontierland, you won’t much (if any) decor in the themed lands; including and especially Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Frontierland has perhaps the coolest of all the Halloween decor in the park; The Halloween Tree. You can’t miss it. It’s literally the only tree in the land with decoration and lights.

The tree is a tribute to Ray Bradbury and his 1972 novel of the same name. He was a huge proponent of Disney theme parks, including and especially EPCOT Center in Florida.

Also in Frontierland, near the Rancho del Zocalo restaurant, are decorations celebrating Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead). The vibrant colors give life to an otherwise underutilized part of the park.

As stated above, don’t expect decor (or even a mention of Halloween) in Galaxy’s Edge. This is to preserve the commitment to theming as Disney wants you to feel like you’ve actually in the Star Wars universe.

Disney California Adventure

DCA takes a heavy ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ vibe as it pertains to its decor on Buena Vista Street (for obvious reasons). You’ll find a silhouette of Oogie Boogie himself above the entrance on both sides.

Like its big brother park across the esplanade, DCA’s decor come to life in a big way at night. Green and purple lighting effects amplify the Halloween spirit and gives everything an enjoyably spooky vibe.

Just down the way from Buena Vista Street, though, is where you’ll find the undisputed champion of Halloween decor - Cars Land.

Cars Land goes above and beyond from simple Halloween decor. In fact, you could argue that Radiator Springs goes through a full-blown overlay and gets transformed into a literal Halloween-town.

Between the spider-car in front of Flo’s V8 Cafe, the green/purple lighting effects on the Cadillac Range mountains of Radiator Springs Racers, the Cozy Cone Motel going through a ghostly transformation and more, the town (temporarily) becomes, ‘Radiator Screams’.

The sheer level of detail found throughout the land is incredible. No proverbial stone is left unturned as literally every building, character and attraction is smothered in the Haul-O-ween spirit. One could easily spend an entire evening looking around.

Disneyland Halloween Treats

No one appeals to foodies quite like Disney. Seasonal foods, deserts and treats are offered throughout the year and Halloween is no exception. In fact, a lot of people (us included) can only get their favorites during this time of year.

Both parks, resort hotels and most establishments in Downtown Disney offer a variety of seasonal items, such as entrees, alcoholic drinks, non-alcoholic drinks, deserts, hand-held treats and more.

If you’re into pumpkin flavored, well….anything, then Disneyland is where you’ll want to be. The parks heavily cater to pumpkin lovers. If you’re not into pumpkin, don’t fret. There will be plenty of options for you as well.

Don’t stress over trying to eat everything. There’s simply too many options. Disney markets these seasonal offerings to locals as they’re able to go to the parks simply to try a new desert. The average visitor doesn’t have that luxury, unfortunately.

READ ALSO: “Disneyland Dining Guide: Mobile Order, Mobile Walk-Up, Reservations and More”

Details Released for Disneyland’s 2024 Star Wars Nite Event

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

A few months ago, Disneyland officials announced the park’s 2024 After Dark lineup and to the surprise of absolutely no one, Star Wars Nite would once again headline the series.

Second only to Oogie Boogie Bash (maybe), the Star Wars brand has been anchoring Disney’s After Dark events since 2018 and has been growing in popularity ever since.

In 2024, there will be twice as many Star Wars Nites as there were in 2023! A total of eight, to be exact, spread out over the months of April and May.

Recently, Disney finally announced the specifics about the event, including a few changes that you may or may not be thrilled about.

In the post below, I’ll discuss what you can expect from Star Wars Nite in 2024, ticket prices, dates, on sale dates, Magic Key pre sales and more!

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2024 Star Wars Nite Dates and Ticket Prices

In 2024, Disneyland will be hosting eight Star Wars Nite events on April 16, 18, 23, 25, 30 and May 2, 7, and 9. This is twice as many as they held in 2023, proving the Star Wars brand is just as strong as it’s ever been.

As predicted, the ticket prices for Star Wars Nite jumped a bit this year, but not by much. In 2024, prices for tickets range between $159 and $169. Specific date pricing is as follows:

• April 16: $159

• April 18: $169

• April 23: $159

• April 25: $169

• April 30: $159

• May 2: $169

• May 7: $159

• May 9: $169

As per usual, there are no Magic Key discounts (or any at all, for that matter), and there is no distinction between adults and kids as both pay the same rate.

There reason why Disney doesn’t offer a lower rate for kids for After Dark tickets is because the main draw at these events are the special offerings, instead of the usual, everyday attractions.

Many of the attractions have height requirements that some kids don’t meet and thus, won’t be able to experience the attraction. So on a normal park ticket, they’re priced less to compensate.

The offerings during After Dark events, which usually consists of rare character meet and greets, dance parties, photo opps and the like, do not require a height requirement. So both adults and kids can experience them the same. Hence, why they’re priced accordingly.

One of the benefits of your ticket is being able to access Disneyland three hours prior to the event’s start time. With Star Wars Nite kicking off at 9pm, that means you can get in starting at 6pm.

2024 Star Wars Nite Offerings

Unless a specific attraction is closed for refurbishment or a closure of some other kind, most Disneyland Park attractions will be open during the event.

This is great because compared to a normal park day, the crowds at After Dark events are generally lighter. Additionally, most attendees are focusing on the special offerings.

This usually means you’ll experience minimum wait times. I’m not saying they’ll all be walk-ons, though. The Star Wars themed attractions, such as Rise of the Resistance, will likely still have a decent wait. Though not as high as it normally is.

Conversely, Star Tours and Smuggler’s Run will likely experience decent wait times, but nothing like they do during normal park hours.

Low wait times aside, the real draw here are the numerous Star Wars themed offerings. In 2024, some of these include special character opportunities, themed photo opportunities, Star Wars themed food and more.

Some of these include:

• An encounter with Captain Phasma and her elite unit of Stormtroopers in Tomorrowland

• The ‘Resistance Show of Unity’ in front of the Millennium Falcon in Galaxy’s Edge

• Numerous Star Wars themed treats available for purchase, including a Street-Style Elote Burger at Hungry Bear and Pork Belly Sisig-inspired Loaded Fries at Red Rose Taverne

• A Galactic Dance Party with a DJ on Main Street U.S.A

• Rare character meet and greets scattered throughout the park

• A special cavalcade led by Mickey and Minnie Mouse down Main Street U.S.A with guests wearing Star Wars costumes

• and much more

If you’ll be wearing a Star Wars-themed costume to the event, taking part in the cavalcade down Main Street is sure to be one of the biggest highlights of the event.

You’ll begin near the train station and be led up Main Street U.S.A by none other than Mickey and Minnie Mouse. The cavalcade will culminate at Sleeping Beaty Castle, where a group photo of the participants will be taken.

Many of the treat options can be mobile ordered, but I implore you to do so ahead of time. Remember, you’re permitted entry into the park three hours prior to the event’s start time.

I recommend booking your pick up windows during this time, if possible, as these treats have been known to sell out fast. It is not yet known if Magic Key holder discounts will apply.

When Do 2024 Star Wars Nite Tickets Go On Sale?

Star Wars Nite tickets are sold exclusively on the Disneyland website (NOT the app), and there are multiple sale dates to be aware of this year. Magic Key holders, you need to pay attention.

For the first time, Inspire Key (the highest key tier) holders, will get first crack at Star Wars Nite tickets prior to everyone else - on February 20, to be exact. Reminder - unless you have an activated Inspire Key, you will NOT be able to purchase tickets on this date.

By activated, I mean you’ve either already used your key to access one of the parks or you’ve used your parking entitlement. If you recently purchased an Inspire Key on January 10 and HAVEN’T yet used it, then it is NOT activated.

For Believe, Enchant and Imagine Key holders, you’ll have your exclusive purchase days on February 21 AND February 22. Note that Inspire Key holders will NOT be able to purchase tickets on these two dates.

Finally, the general public sale will be held on February 23. If you’re not a Magic Key holder, don’t fret. Disney holds a certain amount of tickets aside for each sale date. Exactly how many is unknown, but there will still be tickets available for each sales date on February 23.

No matter the sale date you’re eligible for, tickets go on sale no sooner than 9am through the Disneyland website and you’ll be placed in a virtual queue. New for this year will be the “Notify Me” option while in the virtual queue.

With this feature, you can opt to provide Disney with an email address to notify you when it’s your turn to purchase tickets. This way, you’re not staring at the computer screen for hours on end. When you receive notification, you’ll have ten minutes to make your selections.

Why Disney went with an email option and not a text message one is a bit of a head scratcher to me, but I digress. As someone who can testify to how stressful the virtual queue can be, this is certainly better than nothing.

Much like Oogie Boogie Bash and Sweetheart’s Nite, this event will sell out quickly. Just because sales begin no sooner than 9am, doesn’t mean there isn’t anything you can do to give yourself an advantage.

Disney doesn’t announce this, and it doesn’t happen every time, but you’re often able to enter a “virtual waiting room” starting at 8:45am. Doing this could mean the difference between getting to purchase your tickets in under an hour or having to wait multiple hours.

Additionally, instead of going directly to the Disneyland website at 8:45am, go to Google and search “2024 Star Wars Nite tickets”. Click the first Disneyland website link in the search results and that’ll take you directly to the virtual queue.

Refreshing the Disneyland website sometimes doesn’t work and there are occasional delays that could derail your chances. It nearly happened to me during the Magic Key sale in January. That five minutes I missed while constantly hitting refresh caused to wait over six hours to purchase my keys.

READ NEXT: “Disneyland in One Day: 8 Tips to Maximize Your Time”

A Guide to Visiting Disneyland in July 2024

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

Visiting Disneyland in July is only for the bravest of souls. Of all the summer months, July tends to be the busiest, as blocked out Magic Key holders make way for the peak tourist season swell.

In most cases, school aged children are out for summer break, making it a prime opportunity for their parents to cash in their PTO. Combine that with the thousands of Inspire Key holders still able to access the parks, and you have a recipe for dense crowds.

So how crowded is Disneyland in July, exactly? Are there any special events? How much are hotels going to cost? I discuss all these topics and whole lot more below. Let’s get into it.

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Anaheim Weather in July

For starters, it’s hot. July is Anaheim’s hottest month of the year but with its low humidity (around 57%), it doesn’t feel too bad. Nights can still be on the cooler side, so bringing a light hoodie wouldn’t be a bad idea.

The average lows and highs are in the mid 60’s and the low 80’s, respectively. There will be a few miserably hot days where the heat rises into the 90s but overall, it’s a comfortable level of warmth. You’ll also get an average of 14.2 hours of daylight.

If you’re not a fan of rainy days, you’re in luck. July is one of the months with the least amount of rain in Anaheim. According to AccuWeather, there’s only a 5% chance of rain on any given day and in Southern California, there are very little summer thunder storms as well.

Wind is rarely an issue either. The average wind speed hovers around 7.7 mph (in other words, barely noticeable). All in all, aside from a few overly hot days, July isn’t a bad month, weather wise.

Be sure to pack for warm weather but as stated above, you’ll definitely want to bring along a light hoodie and maybe joggers for the cooler evenings.

Is Disneyland Crowded in July?

In a word, yes. As stated above, July is the peak tourist travel season at the Disneyland Resort. However, there’s generally no significant difference between weekday and weekend crowds, so you’ll have more options as to which dates to book.

All of the special ticket promotions Disney was running earlier in the year will have long expired by this point, so expect to pay sticker price on multi-day and the high end of the spectrum for single-day tickets.

The fact that all Magic Keys sold out in record time on January 10th could indicate higher than usual crowds. In fact, both the Inspire and Believe Keys, which are the only two that are not entirely blocked for the month, were the first to sell out. That doesn’t necessarily equate to higher crowds, though.

I say that because locals are the biggest drivers of crowds at Disneyland, and more of them are opting for the lower two Magic Key options. While it’s believed there are more holders of those versus the higher two, the lower two are blocked out entirely in July. Some will surely purchase single day tickets to get their fix but they’re the exception, not the rule.

In fact, due to the Imagine and Enchant Keys being blocked out entirely and the Believe Key being blocked on select dates, I expect July 4-6, 13, 20 and 27 to potentially be the “slowest” days of the month. Of course, the word slow at Disneyland is a relative term, and all depends on perspective. It’s going to be packed, just potentially not as much so as the rest of the month.

Aside from Independence Day, Disneyland’s Birthday and the continuation of Pixar Fest, there are no special events or After Dark events scheduled for July. The rush to see the offerings of Pixar Fest would have likely died down by now.

Due to the heavy crowds in July, you’ll need to be on the ball when it comes to dining reservations. Meaning, exactly 60-days before each day of your visit, you’ll need to be signed into your account on the Disneyland website or app. They usually start releasing reservations at around 6am or so.

If your goal is to visit the parks with the least amount of people around as possible, I recommend skipping a visit in July and consider booking for late August or early September, if at all possible.

Disneyland Single-Day Ticket Prices and Magic Key Blockouts

Disneyland prices its single-day tickets on a dynamic structure, meaning the price you pay is driven by demand. For example, the price you’ll pay for a Saturday will almost always be priced higher than a ticket purchased for a Tuesday.

Due to July being the peak of the tourist travel season, just about everyday that month is going to be at the higher end of the spectrum, with few exceptions. The current price range for single-day, adult tickets is $154 - $194. This is for one park, by the way.

Currently, there are only three days at the $154 price, they are July 9, 18 and 22 (a Tuesday, Thursday and a Monday). Interestingly, July 4, Independence Day, is priced at only $169. I know only is a subjective term but considering it’s a national holiday, that price is almost a bargain.

Conversely, all Saturdays in the month and one Friday (7/5) are priced at the high end at $194. Sundays are priced just below that in the $180 range. Weekdays have an average price of $169 and as stated above, the differences in crowd levels aren’t that great. So save yourself some money and go on a weekday.

Single-day child tickets are priced between $146 - $183 and follow the same general pattern as the adult tickets. This is why it’s always a good idea to commit to, at minimum, a two day visit. Yes, technically, you’ll pay more on a two day ticket, but you’ll have more time and thus, more value for your money, as multi-day tickets aren’t subject to dynamic pricing.

Magic Key holders, much like regular ticket holders, are subject to the reservation system and thus, have blockout days where they are unable to access the parks. The Imagine and Enchant Keys, the lower two tiers, are blocked out entirely in July.

Believe Key holders only have a handful of blockout dates. They are July 4, 5, 6, 13, 20 and 27. The Inspire Key, Disney’s top tier, isn’t blocked out at all in July.

July Hotel Rates at Disneyland

A hot button topic when planning a trip to Disneyland is which hotel you’re going to stay at. Unlike its Florida counterpart, whom has dozens of on-site hotels, Disneyland only has three. However, there are a plethora of what are called, “Good Neighbor” hotels. Many of which are within walking distance of the parks.

The three resort hotels are:

• Grand Californian Hotel and Spa

• The Disneyland Hotel and Villas

• Pixar Place Hotel

All three range in amenities, offerings and price but for many, the cost of these hotels is prohibitive. In July, the average nightly rate at the Grand Californian is $874.26 for a standard room with a view of the gardens. For club level of the same classification, you’re looking at a $1,521.74 per night average.

You’ll fare a little better at the Disneyland Hotel with an average nightly rate of $634.76 for a studio in the Villas Tower, $640.60 for a standard room in the other three towers and $948.90 for club level. Pixar Place, Disney’s newest hotel offering, is the most affordable at $503.50 for standard and $718.75 for club.

As you can see, the rates at the resort hotels aren’t for the faint of heart. As stated above, there are literally dozens of more affordable options surrounding the resort. Many of which offer similar or superior amenities to those found at the Grand Californian for more than half the cost.

Obtaining a nightly average for these hotels proved to be a bit more complicated but overall, the Good Neighbor hotels I researched ranged between $70 - $339 per night, with the majority of those that are within walking distance having a nightly average of $180 - $230. As you can see, the savings can be substantial.

Many of the South Harbor hotels between the I-5 overpass and Katella intersection are at $208 or higher, with Motel 6 Maingate, The Clarion and Anaheim Astoria having the lowest averages of $115 or lower per night. I’ve personally stayed at the Motel 6 Maingate and Clarion, neither of which I’ve ever had an issue with. If you’re just looking for a place to sleep, they’re great options.

Despite many of these hotels being within walking distance, many of them offer shuttle service to the parks via the Anaheim Rapid Transit (ART). The cost for that service is $6 - $25 for adults and $2.50 - $5.50 for kids (ages 3-9). You can purchase passes for ART here or in the lobby of your hotel.

Disneyland Ride Closures in July

The Disneyland Resort puts its attractions on a regular closure schedule for ongoing maintenance, extensive repairs, new safety features or including new scenes or technology. These are known as, “refurbishments”. Regardless of the reason, no one likes showing up to the park, all to discover that their favorite attraction is closed.

To help deter this disappointment, Disney releases refurbishment information roughly 45-days in advance. Though, last minute additions or date changes do occur from time to time.

At the time of this post’s publishing, refurb information for July hasn’t been released. However, I can say for certain that the Haunted Mansion attraction will be closed. Disney is currently reimagining the mansion’s grounds, queue space and exit, as well as constructing an ADA elevator.

Another attraction that’s sure to be down is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Officials at Walt Disney World recently announced a summer 2024 opening for their version of the ride but sadly, we’re going to be waiting a bit longer on the west coast. Our version is currently slated for a late 2024 opening.

This section will be updated as more information about refurbishments become available. In the meantime, I suggest reading and saving my official 2024 Disneyland Refurbishment Guide. In addition to ride closures, I also discuss ongoing and future projects at the resort.

Big Change to Early Entry at the Disneyland Resort in 2024

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

In August 2022, Disney brought back the fan favorite Magic Mornings program under a new name - Early Entry. Many Disneyland fans were delighted with this news.

I say that because prior to covid, anyone with a three, four or five day park ticket were able to access Disneyland Park one hour prior to the official opening time, once per ticket.

When the resort reopened from its covid shutdown in 2021, quite a few perks and features were absent, notably; park hopping, character dining, FastPass and, you guessed it, Magic Mornings.

Roughly a year later, when things began to normalize again, Disney made the announcement that they would be bringing this benefit back. Albeit with a few, rather unpopular changes.

What were those changes? For starters, it was no longer based on your ticket type. Now, the only way you can take advantage of this perk was if you were staying at one of the three resort hotels.

Secondly, Disney cut the early entry time in half to just thirty minutes. As stated above, in the before times, you were permitted to access the park a full hour prior to opening time.

So essentially, now, you enter the park at the same time as those who’re rope dropping, but you get to bypass the rope at two lands at Disneyland and a quite a few major attractions at Disney California Adventure.

One positive change that guests actually celebrated was you could now access either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure, as both were available daily.

However, that perk has changed. As of January 20th, 2024, only one park will be accessible during Early Entry each day. The park calendar on the Disneyland website states which park will be available.

Many fans have voiced their displeasure of this change on X (formally known as, Twitter) but as many point out, this appears to be nothing more than Disney reverting the program back to its original form, only with DCA being an option and not just Disneyland.

For now, every other aspect about the Early Entry program remains the same. You must be a registered guest at one of the resort hotels and you still get a thirty minute head start.

Many believe thirty minutes isn’t enough and while I agree to a point, I can testify that it’s enough time to get a small handful of attractions done. Especially when you consider you still have the normal two hour rope drop window.

At Disneyland Park, you get early access to two lands, Tomorrowland and Fantasyland. Provided there aren’t any on the refurbishment schedule, most of the attractions in each land are open during Early Entry, including:

• Space Mountain

• Peter Pan’s Flight

• Dumbo the Flying Elephant

• Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

• Star Wars - The Adventures Continue

• and more

In this case, the attractions are in close proximity of one another, making it easy to knock out two, maybe three before rope drop. If you head straight for Peter Pan’s Flight, though, prepare for that one to potentially be the only one you get done during Early Entry.

Over at DCA, it’s a whole different beast. The attractions that are open during Early Entry at this park are spread out, making it difficult to get the same amount done that you could at Disneyland.

A few examples of DCA’s Early Entry attractions include:

• Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission BREAKOUT!

• Incredicoaster

• Soarin’ Around the World

• WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure

• Monsters Inc - Mike & Sulley to the Rescue

• and more

You should notice a significant difference between those two lists. DCA has several E-ticket level attractions open during Early Entry, compared to Disneyland’s one. And because rope drop is much harder to do at DCA, having that extra thirty minutes could make all the difference.

Since they’re so spread out, it’s imperative to check the refurbishment calendar (you can read and save mine here) so you don’t waste precious time hustling all the way to Incredicoaster, all to find out it hasn’t opened yet.

At times, cast members will inform you of which attractions are closed, but I recommend playing it safe by reviewing the calendar before you arrive. Having a predetermined game plan, with contingencies in mind, is the only way to go.

Unfortunately, Radiator Springs Racers isn’t open during Early Entry. You can queue up for it outside of Cars Land, though. If you do, queue up at the transition between Cars Land and Avengers Campus. There will be much less competition over there and it’s closer to the attraction.

Early Entry may not be as good or popular as its predecessor, but it’s one of those situations that better we have this than nothing at all.

On one hand, people who usually stay at an off property hotel lose a perk they once had but on the other, those who’re shelling out huge sums of money to stay on property have gained an exclusive perk that helps to justify the price a bit more.

I don’t stay on property often but when I do choose to, I do like accessing the parks earlier. I, like many, believe it should be moved back to an hour, though. Thirty minutes may be better than nothing, but a full hour would make this perk so much better.

2025 Disneyland Busy Dates to Avoid

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Previously, I wrote a post about the most affordable dates to visit Disneyland in 2024 (you can give that one a read here). After publishing it, I started getting questions about which dates people should avoid most.

While some may think there’s no such thing as a bad day at Disneyland, the truth is, crowd levels can get so out of control that even queues at the churro carts get deep, not to mention attractions such as Space Mountain and Radiator Springs Racers.

Shortly before covid, crowd patterns began to shift with the opening of Star Wars - Galaxy’s Edge. Prior to that, predicting crowd levels was relatively easy. Ever since the opening of Galaxy’s Edge and the covid closure, predicting crowd patterns has become quite the craft-shoot.

That said, I cannot guarantee a particular day will be slower or busier than the next. However, despite the change in guest behavior, there are still dates that I can say with a decently high degree of certainty will surely be busy. If your goal is to avoid overly crowded days, pay attention to the list below.

January 1st, 2025 (New Years Day)

This one’s obvious. New Years Day is one of the busiest days of the year at the Disneyland Resort. It hasn’t happened since reservations became a thing but in the past, they’ve had to close the gates its gotten so busy.

To some, kicking off their year at Disneyland seems like a great idea and if it’s worth it to you then hey, do you. However, if you’re looking to avoid soul crushing crowds, definitely skip this day and plan for the last three weeks of January instead.

January 30 - February 2, 2025 (Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend)

After a five year hiatus, the Disney Half Marathon returned to the Disneyland Resort in January of 2024 and of course, it was successful. With it, an influx of joggers (who also happen to be Disney fans) showed up and gave attendance a nice boost during an otherwise slow period for the parks.

While the event takes place in the early morning hours, many of the participants end up making a day out of it and continue their day in the parks (hopefully after a shower). So unless you’re planning to participate in the event, I would recommend avoiding these dates.

Middle of March (Specifically, March 10 - 20, 2025)

No, it’s not because of Spring Break (we’ll discuss that below). I’m advising against these dates because much like they did in 2024, Disney is running a special kids ticket promotion throughout the months of January, February, and March.

These tickets are three-day passes and are use it or lose it, and March 20 is the final day these tickets will be eligible for and you can beat the farm there’ll be a mad dash of guests using up the final day or two. In 2024, my wife and I were in the parks during the final week of that promotion and it was a zoo, to say the least.

If you must go to Disneyland in March, I suggest going either during the first week of the month or the last ten days, after the kids ticket promotion expires. Spring Break isn’t until the end of April in 2025, so you should still be able to avoid heavy crowds at the end of March.

Second Week - Fourth Week of April 2025

While Spring Break is more of a wildcard at Walt Disney World, due to them attracting more international guests, it still has great effect on the Disneyland Resort as well. Obviously, Spring Break in and around Southern California will have the greatest effect, due to Disneyland traditionally being a locals park.

However, you can expect spring breakers to trickle down from the northern part of the state, as from neighboring states, such as Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. The crowds at the parks during Spring Break can have a detrimental effect on your experience, so it’s best to avoid this period if at all possible.

If you must visit Disneyland in April, aim for the first week. You may begin to see initially crowd swells, but you’ll likely avoid the worst of it.

Disneyland Grad Nite Dates in May & June 2025

If you don’t know what Grad Nites are, they’re essentially a souped-up field trip for high school seniors. It’s a congratulatory event for their years of hard work and a way for them to blow off some steam. Avoiding these dates doesn’t necessarily mean avoiding the resort all together, as Grad Nite events take place at Disney California Adventure.

However, attendees are also afforded day access to Disneyland, so be mindful of that. For what it’s worth, I’ve been to the park during a grad nite event and while the walkways were definitely dense, wait times at the attractions weren’t much worse than usual. Just something to consider.

2025 Grad Nites are as follows:

• May 2025: 9, 12, 18, 21, 22, 27, 28, 30

• June 2025: 1, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13

November 27 & 28, 2025 (Thanksgiving & Black Friday)

Thanksgiving and Black Friday are notorious for heavy crowds at Disneyland. In addition to the holiday itself, the proceeding few weeks are the last chance for all Magic Key holders to get in their Disney fix before the key-wide blockout period commences.

Generally, the days leading up to Thanksgiving aren’t all that bad, so if you must go during that week, I recommend doing so between November 24 - 26. Crowds on the weekdays after Black Friday are generally better as well.

December 24 & 25 (Christmas Eve & Christmas Day)

New Year’s Day and Thanksgiving - while crowded in their own right - are nothing compared to the epic crowds that converge onto the parks on Christmas Eve and day. All Magic Key holders are still blocked on these days, but we’re still in the midst of winter school breaks and parents using the last of their PTO.

In addition, for those wanting to do Disneyland in one day, you’ll pay inflated prices for single-day tickets and Lightning Lane. There’s the common misconception that Disneyland is slow on Christmas Day but in fact, it’s the opposite.

December 31, 2024 (New Years’ Eve)

Much like the people who want to start their new year off right - at Disneyland, many of those same people flock to the parks to mark the transition from the old year to new one.

Due to this, New Year’s Eve is a tremendously busy day. Each year, Disney rings in the new year with an epic fireworks show at the stroke of midnight. Believe me, it’s a crowd pleaser, but you’ll pay the price by having to stand in shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.

Multiple 3-Day Weekends Throughout the Year

Any time you have a holiday falling on a Friday or Monday, it creates a three day weekend. If that holiday is a federal one, the school districts and workforce typically get an extra day off, and that almost always translates to a busy day at the resort.

In 2025, there are multiple three-day weekend dates to be weary of. They are:

• January 20 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)

• February 17 (President’s Day)

• May 26 (Memorial Day)

• July 4 (Independence Day)

• October 13 (Indigenous Peoples Day)

• November 11 (Veteran’s Day)

*PRO TIP: The one exception is Labor Day. Of all holiday weekends, that one generally sees the lowest crowds as locals have returned to school and work from their summer vacations. I’ve been to the parks a number of times through Labor Day and, generally speaking, I’ve never had an issue with heavy crowds.

2024 Disneyland Dining Guide: Reservations, Mobile Order and More

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One of the biggest (and costly) considerations you’ll make when planning a trip to the Disneyland Resort is where and what you’re going to eat.

Between the two theme parks, three resort hotels and Downtown Disney District, there are more than 130 dining options ranging from snack carts to fine dining establishments.

Additionally, there are aspects of Disney dining such as mobile order, mobile walk-up and dining reservations to consider.

Of course, you can save yourself a considerable amount of money by bringing your own food. Disney does allow you to bring snacks, cold sandwiches, fruit and the like into the park.

Just outside the Disneyland Park gate, behind tall greenery and underneath the Monorail track, is a private picnic area with tables and chairs that are free for all guests to use.

However, if you’re able to, I do recommend trying at least a couple of the resort’s restaurants. Some of which serve food you can’t get at most places and are actually VERY good.

So if you’re bringing kids, which restaurants have the biggest portions so you can split entrees? If you’re Disney adults, which restaurants serve cocktails? Which ones are the hardest to get into? I answer all of these questions and more below.

Let’s get into it.

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Table-Service Restaurants

Disney’s table service restaurants are akin to the type you usually visit in your everyday life. You are greeted by a host/hostess, are seated, you place your order with the waiter/waitress and are brought your food.

Nearly all restaurants under this classification accept dining reservations, which you can make up to 60-days in advance and can do so on the Disneyland website or app. The following restaurants are table service AND accept reservations:

Disneyland Park

• Blue Bayou

• Cafe Orleans

• Carnation Cafe

• Oga’s Cantina

• River Belle Terrace

Disney California Adventure

• Carthay Circle

• Carthay Circle Alfresco Dining

• Lamplight Lounge

• Magic Key Terrace (Magic Key holders and their guests only)

• Wine Country Trattoria

Downtown Disney District

• Naples

• Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio

• Splitsville Luxury Lanes

• Tortilla Jo’s (permanently closes March 31st)

*This list will expand further with the opening of several new restaurants in Downtown Disney throughout 2024/2025

Disneyland Resort Hotels

• GCH Craftsman Bar

• Great Maple Modern American Eatery

• Napa Rose

• Palm Breeze Bar

• Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar

As stated above, you can start making dining reservations 60-days in advance. You DO NOT need to have a theme park reservation in order to make one.

Many of the restaurants listed above are difficult to get into, even at the 60-day mark. It really boils down to the time of year you’re going. If you’re going in January - early March, it shouldn’t be too difficult to get your preferred date/time 60-days out.

Conversely, if you’re going in the summer or holiday seasons, the demand will be higher and thus, more competitive. When you’re 60-days out, be logged into your account on the Disneyland website or app as early as 6am (when reservations are rumored to be released).

A handful of the difficult-to-get reservations from the list above include; Lamplight Lounge, Napa Rose, Trader Sam’s, Blue Bayou and Carthay Circle.

If you’re unable to snag a reservation for one of those, you can typically always get a reservation at Wine Country Trattoria, River Belle Terrace, Cafe Orleans and GCH Craftsman Bar, all of which are solid options.

*NOTE: I discuss another detail about reservations at the end of this post. You DON’T want to skip it.

Another trick you can try if you weren’t able to get a reservation for your preferred restaurant is to try the mobile walk-up list. Just about every restaurant that accepts reservations offers this.

Lamplight Lounge, for example, has gone as far as to reserve an entire section of the restaurant for it. The boardwalk area of Lamplight, formally known and fondly remembered as ‘Cove Bar’ is reserved for mobile walk-up guests.

To do this, simply approach the restaurant and open the Disneyland app. Once the app detects you, you’ll be able to join the list. Keep in mind that, at least at Lamplight, you’re only able to join the walk-up list between the hours of 11:30am - 4:30pm.

Quick-Service Restaurants

Quick-service restaurants are comparable to fast causal places like Chipotle and MOD Pizza, in that they’re the type where you’ll walk up to the window, order/pay for your food and find yourself a seat.

They’re located throughout both theme parks and are typically the busiest as they’re built to serve thousands of people daily.

To make things even more convenient, many of these quick-service eateries offer mobile order, a feature in the Disneyland app that enables you to order and pay for your meals digitally.

While not all quick-service restaurants offer mobile order, many of them do. Especially the most popular ones. Those include:

Disneyland Park

• Alien Pizza Planet

• Bengal BBQ

• Docking Bay 7

• Galactic Grill

• Gibson Girl Ice Cream

• The Golden Horseshoe

• Harbour Gallery

• Hungry Bear

• Jolly Holiday Bakery

• Mint Julep Bar

• Red Rose Taverne

• Refreshment Corner

• Ronto Roasters

• Royal Street Veranda

• Stage Door Cafe

• Tiana’s Palace

• Tiki Juice Bar

• Troubadour Tavern

Disney California Adventure

• Award Weiners

• Flo’s V8 Cafe

• Smokejumpers Grill

• Bayside Brews

• Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill

• Rita’s Turbine Blenders

• Sonoma Terrace

• Aunt Cass Cafe

• Corn Dog Castle

• Hollywood Lounge

• Lucky Fortune Cookery

• Paradise Gardens Grill

• Pym Test Kitchen

• Schmoozies!

• Studio Catering Co.

Disneyland Hotel

• The Coffe House

• Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill

As you can see, the list is extensive. Do note that currently, mobile order is not available at any restaurant in Downtown Disney, Pixar Place Hotel or the Grand Californian Hotel and Spa.

Using mobile order is quick and easy. First, make sure you have the Disneyland app downloaded to your device and create an account before going to the parks. You’ll also want to add a credit or gift card as your payment method.

When you’re ready to order yourself lunch, simply open the app and select, “order food”. Then you’ll scroll through the list and select the restaurant you want to order from.

Next, you’ll select your pick up window. Unless it’s a brand new restaurant or a particularly busy day, you shouldn’t have issues with pick up times being too far out. If so, you’ll need to think ahead and submit your order earlier in the day.

Once you’ve chosen your pick up window, you’ll then be presented with the restaurant’s menu and from there, make your selections and select your payment method. You can pay with credit/debit/gift cards or Apple Pay. Paying cash on pick up is not an option.

When your pick up window approaches, make your way to the restaurant, find yourself a seat and open the app. Select “I’m Here” and patiently wait while the cast members get to work.

When your order is ready, you’ll be notified by the app and given a numbered pick up window (I don’t know who needs to hear this, but there’s no need to clog up the pick up windows by waiting there). Simply head to your assigned numbered window and pick up your food when you’re called.

As stated above, you may need to think ahead a bit when using mobile order. If it’s a slow(ish) day, you should be able to get pick up windows within thirty minutes or so.

If it’s busy (think Halloween, summer, etc), you’d be better served by playing it safe and placing your order earlier in the day. For example, select your pick up window for lunch while everyone else is eating breakfast. This way, you’re not caught off guard.

If the pick up windows are too far out or you’re paying cash, then you’ll need to utilize the stand-by queue. I always recommend mobile order, though. Every time I use it, I always end up with my food long before those in stand-by do.

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Alcohol at the Disneyland Resort

If you’re a proud “Disney Adult” (or simply, a stressed out parent who wants to take the edge off), you’ll be happy to hear that alcohol is now served extensively throughout the resort.

Previously a mostly dry park, Disneyland Park now has a number of locations that serves beer, wine, cocktails or all the above. They are:

• Blue Bayou

• River Belle Terrace

• Carnation Cafe

• Cafe Orleans

• Oga’s Cantina

Additionally, guests who can afford it and/or who’re members, can order drinks at 21 Royal and Club 33. At DCA, most restaurants, even quick-service locations, serve alcohol.

As far as the theme parks are concerned, the only two locations that could primarily be considered a bar/lounge would be Oga’s at Disneyland and Pym Test Lab at DCA. The former does sell small bites but is mostly a bar and the latter serves alcohol exclusively.

Essentially, every restaurant in the Downtown Disney District serves a combination of beer, wine and cocktails, and most locations in the three resort hotels do as well.

If you’re interested in having a drink at Oga’s, you’ll need to be on the ball by getting a reservation 60-days out as it’s a popular place. You could try getting on the mobile walk-up list, but securing a reservation would be preferable.

Other bars and lounges in the resort, such as Pym Test Lab in Avengers Campus and Hearthstone Lounge in the Grand Californian Hotel, do not offer reservations and are generally easy locations to get a seat at.

Specialty Dining

Specialty dining can mean many things at Disneyland but generally speaking, this includes things like character dining and dining packages for the nighttime shows such as Fantasmic and World of Color.

The following locations offer dining packages for Fantasmic! (returning May 24th):

• Blue Bayou

• River Belle Terrace

• Hungry Bear Restaurant

I wrote an extensive post about my experience with the River Belle Terrace Fantasmic! dining package. You can read that here if you’re interested.

At Disney California Adventure, where World of Color show is shown, the following locations offer dining packages for that show:

• Carthay Circle (temporarily unavailable)

• Wine Country Trattoria

• Magic Key Terrace (for Magic Key holders and their guests only)

Character dining has long been a favorite of Disneyland fans. If you don’t know, they’re experiences where some of your favorite Disney characters interact with you at your table while you dine. It’s a time-saver as you won’t have to queue up to meet them.

Character dining experiences are available at the following locations:

• Minnie & Friends at Plaza Inn - Disneyland Park (breakfast only)

• Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel (breakfast, lunch & dinner)

• Storytellers Cafe at the Grand Californian Hotel (breakfast, lunch & dinner)

• Disney Princess Adventure at Napa Rose (breakfast only)

The first three are all buffet, all-you-care-to-eat style meals. Disney Princess Adventure, though, is a prix fixe menu in which your selections are brought to you.

The three traditional character dining options are usually priced between $35 - $60 for adults and $25 - $35 for kids. The Disney Princess Adventure breakfast, however, commands an eye-watering $135 per person (yes, even kids).

You’ll typically get to meet, on average, 3-5 characters during your meal, dependent upon how busy it is. I was at the Plaza Inn on a slow day once and was bombarded with characters, multiple times over.

Conversely, at Goofy’s Kitchen, we only had a few characters come to our table throughout the entire meal. So your milage may vary. Just be understanding that the characters have to work their way through the whole restaurant and some parties are larger than others.

Additional Information About Reservations

In the Table-Service section at the beginning of this post, I briefly discussed making reservations for the more popular restaurants 60-days out.

There is another aspect of the reservation system I feel you should be aware of - the cancellation policy. For the most part, the cancellation policy is the same within the theme park eateries, but it varies throughout the rest of the resort.

When making a reservation, you’ll be asked to submit a credit or debit card number as a guarantee. If you fail to show up for your reservation or cancel outside the specified timeframe, your card will be charged a certain amount, per person.

This is done in order to prevent people from hoarding reservations and holding them for other people. It helps to ensure that the person making the reservation actually shows up or cancels in time for someone else to have a chance at getting it.

Cancellation policies at the following restaurants are:

Restaurants with a TWO HOUR cancellation window/$10 per person no-show charge:

• All restaurants inside Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure

• GCH Craftsman Bar at the Grand Californian Hotel

• Storytellers Cafe at the Grand Californian Hotel

• Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel

• Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel

• Palm Breeze Bar at the Disneyland Hotel

• Great Maple at the Pixar Place Hotel

• Blue Bayou Fantasmic! Dining Package

Restaurants with a ONE DAY cancellation window/$10 per person no-show charge:

• Naples

• Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio

• Tortilla Jo’s

• Splitsville Luxury Lanes

• River Belle Terrace Fantasmic! Dining Package

Restaurants with a ONE DAY cancellation window/varying per person no-show charge:

• Napa Rose - $25 per person

• Disney Princess Adventure - $135 per person (full charge)

• World of Color Dessert Party - full, per person charge (starts at $89)

Restaurants with a TWO DAY cancellation window/varying per person no-show charge:

• Tomorrowland Skyline Terrace - full per person charge (starts at $60)

As you can see, the penalties for no-showing or simply not cancelling within the specified window can be steep. If you find yourself in a situation where you’re going to miss your reservation and you’re within that window, there are two things you can try to avoid being charged:

1. Speak with the cast member and plead your case. I’ve heard of instances where after politely asking, people were able to cancel their reservation without being charged, despite being minutes away from their reservation time.

2. You can “modify” your reservation in the app or website to a date that’s further out and then cancel said reservation (note that this will NOT work if you’re close to your reservation time. Option #1 would be best in that instance).

There’s no guarantee of either working to your advantage, but it’s worth a shot. It’s understandable that things come up, but the best thing you can do is make it to your reservation.

Another thing to note is, say you’ve made a reservation for a party of six at Blue Bayou. Let’s assume that two of those six aren’t going to make it for one reason or another. You will not be penalized for that. As long as the person who's name is on the reservation is present, you’re good.

*PRO TIP: If the person who’s name is on the reservation cannot make it but you can, just give that person’s name to the host/hostess. They don’t check ID’s.

A Guide to Visiting Disneyland in June 2024

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

June is a magical time to visit Disneyland, where the transition phase of spring to summer is in full swing, offering (mostly) comfortably warm weather and a chance of beat the insane crowds and heat that July often brings.

If you're planning a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth this summer, it's essential to be prepared for many factors that’ll have an impact on your park experience. Gone are the days where you could just show up to the parks. These days, it’s all about planning and research.

In this post, I’ll dive into the details of what you can expect during a June visit to Disneyland. Topics such as weather in Anaheim, how crowded Disneyland is, ticket prices, ride closures, and more will be covered.

June Weather at Disneyland

Daylight Hours:

In June, Anaheim experiences longer daylight hours, giving you ample time to explore the park. Expect approximately 14 hours of daylight each day, allowing you to make the most of your day.

Temperatures:

• Average High Temperatures: As summer unfolds, Anaheim sees average high temperatures ranging from a comfortable 75°F to a warmer 84°F.

• Average Low Temperatures: Evenings bring a touch of coolness, with lows ranging from 60°F to 66°F. Pack a light jacket or sweater for those cooler nights, especially if you plan to watch the evening fireworks show.

Rain or Shine:

June is typically a dry month in Anaheim, with minimal rainfall. You'll likely encounter little to no rain during your Disneyland trip, making it an ideal time for outdoor attractions, parades, and evening fireworks.

While rain is uncommon, it's always a good idea to check the weather forecast closer to your visit, as California weather, specifically that close to the coast, is known to surprise people from time to time. Bringing a packable umbrella wouldn’t be the worst thing.

What to Wear:

Dress comfortably in light clothing, but don't forget to bring a hat and sunscreen to shield yourself from the sun's rays. As temperatures drop in the evening, having a light jacket or sweater on hand is advisable.

Is Disneyland Crowded in June?

By June, the light(ish) crowds of spring make way for the incoming summer swell. The month as a whole sees above average crowds, with no day (weekend or weekday) being much worse than the next.

The recent Magic Key sale will likely drive up crowd levels, given how Disney sold out the higher three tiers in less than 12 hours, with the fourth completely selling out the next morning.

Additionally, there’s always the possibility that Disney could do another sale in the spring to drive summer business. If they do, it’ll likely only be the Inspire Key (possibly Believe Key as well) as they’re the only two not totally blocked for the summer.

UPDATE: Since the original publishing date of this post, Disney has seemingly reversed its stance on withholding Magic Keys from the masses and has kept them available for purchase on the Disneyland website since early March. All but the Imagine Key (SoCal only) are still available to purchase. With more Magic Key holders out there now, expect that to reflect in the crowd levels in the parks.

If they don’t do a spring sale, there’s still those newly minted Magic Key holders from the January sale that are eager to use their prized possession they waited hours in a virtual queue for.

The Inspire Key was one of the first to sell out, and it doesn’t have any blockout dates in the summer. The Believe Key, the second highest tier, is only blocked on the 29th. Given how quickly these keys sold out, I do expect them to have a major impact on June crowd levels.

Lastly, the Imagine and Enchant Keys will have little to no impact on crowds in June. The latter is blocked for all but four weekday dates in the beginning of the month while the former is blocked out entirely. So impact will be minimal.

The exception being those four dates in the beginning of June (3rd - 6th). Enchant Key holders will flock to the parks to get their fix before getting blocked for the summer and cause a spike in attendance in the process. Expect them to be busier than on a normal weekday - especially in the evening.

Normally, I would always recommend weekdays over weekends, but the crowds on those dates are likely going to be insufferable. The next two weeks likely won’t be much better as you’ll be dealing with Father’s Day crowds. People tend to book for the few days leading up to or proceeding a holiday.

Secondly, the summer months are typically when the tourist season begins. Disneyland is largely a locals park, but as schools let out for summer break and parents begin cashing in their PTO, out-of-area guests temporarily take over.

This causes a shift from the norm, where the crowds tend to be heavier in the morning and thin out in the evening. Generally, locals show up to the park en-mass in the evenings. With many of them blocked out, evenings in the parks will be slightly more tolerable over daytime.

Lastly, there are several special events occurring in June, all of which will impact crowds one way or another. However, the one I predict will have the greatest impact is Grad Nite - and particularly at Disney California Adventure (where they take place).

If you don’t know what Grad Nites are, they’re an extended field trip of sorts for California (and some neighboring states) high school seniors. It’s essentially an opportunity for them to blow off some steam, so-to-speak, and celebrate their hard-earned, milestone achievement.

As stated above, Grad Nites take place at DCA - after hours - but they’re given daytime access to BOTH parks. In June, Grad Nite dates are June 2, 5, 7, 9, 12 and 14. Avoid DCA on these dates, as the hordes of teenagers in the park have been known to rival peak summer crowds.

As a general rule, the crowds continue to get worse as the month progresses, usually peaking in the middle of July, and starts tapering off in August. While there generally isn’t a “great” time to visit in June, if I had to recommend a specific timeframe, it would be June 16th - 20th.

The reason, you ask? Well, after taking into account special event dates and the Magic Key blockout calendar, that seems to be the sweet-spot. They’re after Grad Nite dates, after blockouts take effect and are before the peak summer crowds arrive.

Of course, as stated above, there’s still the potential for heavy crowds on Father’s Day. However, it generally isn’t a holiday where people travel much. Most are gathering with their families at home, BBQ’ing. It’s worth the gamble over the sure-to-be crowded Grad Nites dates.

Perhaps the biggest impact on crowds this summer will be the recently announced three-day summer weekday ticket deal. With this ticket offer, kids will only cost $50 per day (paid in a $150 lump sum for a three-day ticket) and regular tickets (ages 10 and up) costing only $83 per day ($249 total).

These tickets go on-sale starting May 29 and are valid for use from June 10 through September 29. With the Halloween season kicking off in late August this year, this price point affordably puts you in a position to visit the parks during a portion of the ever-popular holiday season. Remember, these tickets are only good on weekdays (Monday - Thursday).

The savings you’ll get by purchasing these tickets are significant. Especially in the summer months, when one-day ticket prices for adults have been known to flirt with the $200 dollar mark. You’ll also be able to add Genie Plus to these tickets.

As stated above, these tickets don’t go on sale until May 29. You can purchase these official tickets through my partners are Get Away Today. Combine these tickets with a vacation package for even more savings, plus, use code “INKED10” during checkout for another $10 off your total. You can do so by following this link.

Single-Day Ticket Prices & Magic Key Blockout Dates

Buying a single day to Disneyland these days is similar to that of a plane ticket - you’re at the mercy of dynamic pricing. What is that, you ask? It means that, based on Disney’s historical data, if they predict a specific day will be busy, then it’ll command a higher price. Conversely, if they think it’ll be on the slow side, they’ll lower the price to entice you to come on that day.

This allows Disney to do two things (well…probably more than two, but these are ones I’m aware of):

1. It allows Disney to maximize profits by collecting more money on busy days.

2. It enables them to spread out the crowds a bit, while helping to boost sagging attendance on slower days.

Disney’s general belief is the more people they can pack in the park (within reason), the more Genie+ services, $7 churros and merchandise they can sell. And they’re not wrong. It’s a numbers game, really. Have you seen the queues for popcorn buckets lately?

June is the kick off month for Disney’s busy summer season, and the prices for single-day ticket reflect that. The least an adult will pay is $154, with a max price of $194. That $154 price is mostly on weekdays for the first three weeks, with the last week amping up to $169.

The majority of weekend dates have a range of $184 - $194, the sole exception being the first two Sundays, which are priced at $169. Child ticket prices follow the same general pattern, with a range of $146 - $183. Remember, these prices are for one park, per day. Adding park hopper will set you back another $65 per ticket.

If you’ve purchased the SoCal resident ticket, you have until June 2nd to use all the remaining days as that’s when they expire. Likewise, blockout dates for Magic Key holders start kicking in this month:

• Inspire Key: No blockout dates.

• Believe Key: ONLY blocked on the 29th (Saturday).

• Enchant Key: Blocked on all days except for the 6th - 9th.

• Imagine Key: Blocked for the entire month.

Special Events

Special events at Disneyland at still going strong in June with several happening all at once. The one exception being Star Wars: Season of the Force, as it ends on the 2nd. The special events happening in June at Disneyland are:

• Grad Nites: June 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, & 14.

• Pixar Fest: All month.

• Pride Nites (Disney After Dark): June 18 & 20.

• Season of the Force: June 1 & 2.

We’ve already discussed Grad Nites above but I’ll reiterate - avoid DCA on those dates! Ok? Moving on. Don’t expect Season of the Force to have too much of an impact on crowds, as it’s ending two days in and is mostly just a way for Disney to sell limited time food offerings and merch.

Pride Nites, as is the case with most Disney After Dark events, likely won’t have much an impact either. These events require a separate ticket and take place after park closing. While the majority of people who attend these are Magic Key holders, remember, two of the four keys are blocked on those dates. So don’t expect daytime crowds to be affected much.

However, After Dark attendees are allowed into the park three hours prior to start time. So DO expect an uptick in attendance in the evenings as these guests start arriving. If you’re not attending, I would make your reservation for DCA on those dates so you’ll get the most value for your money. Remember, you pay the same whether Disneyland closes early or not.

Pixar Fest, on the other hand, will be in full swing, and is the event that I predict will have the greatest impact on crowds. A new parade, rare character meet n’ greets, a Pixar-themed fireworks show, limited offering food and of course, special merch will surely drive attendance for one of Disney’s most popular brands.

Disneyland Ride Closures in June

If you somehow still haven’t heard, Splash Mountain closed last year in May to make way for its reimagining into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. This attraction is slated to open sometime in late 2024, so June is officially out and your only chance to get wet on a ride is at Grizzly River Run in DCA.

The other attraction that’ll likely be down is Haunted Mansion. Disney is completely revamping and expanding the grounds and queue area, in addition to adding a new gift shop at the exit and installing a more efficient ADA entrance/exit.

Haunted Mansion isn’t expected to reopen until the Halloween season. When it does, it’ll still be in its Nightmare Before Christmas overlay. This means that, for the first time since the attraction opened, the original Haunted Mansion won’t be open at all in 2024.

Another major closure hitting the June refurbishment calendar is the entirety of Critter Country, which makes sense considering all the work Disney still needs to do on that side of the upcoming Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

This closure was necessary so Disney could re-theme two of the lands current gift shops into those inspired by characters from the Princess and the Frog film. However, Disney is also taking the opportunity to improve the walkways and completing a refurbishment on the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh attraction.

I originally predicted that this was going to be a quick closure to just re-theme the gift shops, as Disney is losing a lot of capacity right now between the three attractions being down in addition to an entire land with an incredibly popular IP attached to it.

While I originally was thinking it would reopen sometime in June, or early July at the latest, judging by how the land currently looks, I’m now anticipating this closure to last well throughout the summer or possibly not until Tiana’s itself is ready to open. June is definitely out of the realm of possibly, so prepare yourself for that.

While I do expect to see a splatter of additional attractions added to the refurb calendar here and there, I don’t think any of them them will be for an extended period given the fact that two popular attractions are already be down for the majority of the year.

Planning a trip to Disneyland? If so, stay on top of ride closures by consulting my 2024 Disneyland Refurbishment Calendar. Furthermore, learn about the various aspects of dining at Disneyland, such as mobile order and advance dining reservations, with my 2024 Disneyland Dining Guide. Additionally, see my top ten tips for purchasing Disneyland tickets by reading 10 Best Disney Tips: Park Tickets. Finally, for great deals on Disneyland, Disney World and Disney Cruise Line vacation packages, visit my partners at Get Away Today.

10 Best Disneyland Tips: Park Tickets

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

This post began with the intent of being a list of tips and tricks for multiple aspects of a Disneyland vacation. Once I started outlining it, though, it became apparent that it would be a massively long post that absolutely nobody would want to read through.

So instead, I decided to break up the would-be gigantic post into a series, giving each topic its own space and making it easier for you, the reader, to get the information you’re after.

This particular post will focus on tickets (and their accompanying add-ons). I will offer ten of the best tips and tricks that I feel would benefit you. Some will help you save money, others may help you avoid losing money, but all will prove to be valuable.

So if you haven’t purchased your park tickets yet, read on to discover my top ten tips and tricks for purchasing Disneyland tickets.

*Quick Note: If you’re looking to book a vacation to the Disneyland Resort (or Disney World, Disney Cruise, Universal and more) consider tapping/clicking the above image to visit our partners at Get Away Today. Going through them is the same as going directly through Disney only through them, you’ll receive personalized service by Disney experts and receive the absolute best price and any accompanying discounts. By going through Get Away Today, you’ll be getting the best price on your vacation and support our website at the same time.

To see their amazing deals on Disneyland tickets, go here.

1) If you have a Target RedCard, use it to save 5%

For those of you who possess a Target RedCard, you’re able to purchase Disney gift cards at a savings of 5% (when paying with said card). You can then, in turn, use those gift cards to purchase your park tickets.

Reportedly, the largest amount on a Disney gift card Target sells is $50. So you would have to purchase them en masse in order to have enough to buy multiple tickets. This is where you’ll need to do some legwork.

Disney won’t let you use multiple gift cards to purchase tickets online. So in order to use them, you’ll need to consolidate them on the Disney Gift Card website. There, after submitting all of your gift cards, you’ll be issued the combined total on ONE card.

From there, you can take that card and use it to purchase your tickets. Conversely, you can keep it stored on the Disneyland app and use it to pay for mobile orders at quick service restaurants, pay for merchandise or nearly anything else at the resort.

It may be a bit of a pain, but that 5% will add up to some decent savings. Especially if you’re purchasing tickets for multiple family members or friends. Remember, every dollar counts at Disneyland.

2) Take advantage of military discounts

Disney offers significantly discounted tickets to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces. If you’re active duty, a reservist, retired or dependent, and have access to a base that sells them, you’re good to go.

My Grandpa was retired Air Force and growing up, he would often purchase these tickets for us as birthday and/or Christmas. Of course, back then, they were far more affordable than they are now, but you’ll save a lot of money regardless.

In 2024, the Disneyland ticket military prices are:

• 3-Day Park Hopper: $269 (a savings of $191 when compared to an adult, three day ticket)

• 3-Day Park Hopper w/ Genie+: $359

• 4-Day Park Hopper: $315 (a savings of $200 when compared to an adult, four day ticket)

• 4-Day Park Hopper w/ Genie+: $435

These prices are the same whether you’re purchasing an adult or child ticket. While the larger savings comes from the example of an adult ticket, your savings are still significant when purchasing for a child as their three day park hopper normally costs $435 (a $166 savings).

Of course, if you’re visiting before March 10th, 2024, you can save even more on a child’s ticket by taking advantage of Disney’s $50 a day kids ticket promotional offer. You can read more about that promotion here.

Otherwise, if you’re eligible, definitely visit the military base closest to you and see about purchasing these tickets. If that particular base doesn’t sell them, they should be able to point you in the direction of one that can.

3) Purchase Genie+ ahead of time

If you’re not familiar with Genie+, it’s a service guests can utilize to virtually hold their place in line and bypass the stand-by queue when their time is called, allowing them quick access to some of the most popular attractions.

While it isn’t perfect, Genie+ has proven to save park-goers a significant amount of time by helping them avoid standing in queues for long periods of time. You’re able to enjoy other aspects of the park while waiting your turn.

This service comes at a cost, though. In order to use it, you’ll need to pay a minimum of $30 per person, per day on your ticket. So if you’re a group of two adults and one child, each with three day tickets, you’ll pay a total of $270.

The reason I recommend purchasing it with your tickets is because when doing so, you’ll pay the flat $30 price. If you don’t, but change your mind later, you’ll have to purchase it each day. After you’ve purchased your tickets, there’s no other way to add Genie+ to them.

The downfall to that is unless it’s purchased in advance, Genie+ is subject to dynamic pricing (much in the way single day tickets are). Meaning, based on demand for that particular day, you could end up paying upwards of $40 per person, per day.

If you’re someone who hasn’t been to the resort in a while or it’s your first time, I highly recommend purchasing Genie+ and doing so at the time you buy your tickets. You’ll likely increase the amount of attractions you’ll get done in a day and save yourself from needlessly paying more for the same service.

4) Take advantage of Disney’s ticket promotions

For the last couple of years, Disney has been offering special ticket promotions, mostly during their “slow” season, but also one or two that have ran through June. Depending on your eligibility, the savings can be great.

In 2024, there are two official ticket promotions offered by Disney. They are:

1. The $50 per day kids ticket

2. The SoCal Resident 3-day ticket offer

If you’re visiting between January 8 - March 10 and you have a kid (or several), the $50 per day kids offer is a no brainer. You’re able to purchase up to three days on this ticket, but you’ll need to use ALL of the days on said ticket by March 10. Otherwise, you’ll lose them.

The SoCal resident offer is only available to Southern Californian residents and offers a three day ticket that breaks down to just $75 or $92 per day, depending upon the variant you choose. One is good for weekdays only while the other is good for any day of the week.

Normally, you have thirteen days from first use to use all days on your ticket or they’ll expire. With this ticket, you can use it any time between January 8 and June 2. It’s a great option for locals who aren’t Magic Key holders.

I’ve written an extensive post about these ticket deals (and more) in this post here.

5) Screenshot your tickets

Unless you’ve purchased your tickets at the ticket booth, over the phone or requested one at checkout online, chances are, your ticket is in digital format on your phone. Unlike days past, you’ll never(ish) have to worry about losing your ticket.

As great and convenient as technology can be, it does fail from time to time. Imagine this - you arrive to the Disneyland gate in the morning and pull out your phone to get your tickets ready, all to realize your phone carrier is experiencing a data outage.

Now, Disney does have customary WIFI for guests to use, but if the outage is effecting a large enough carrier, such as Verizon, all of those customers are going to connect to it all at once, clogging it up. Even under the best of circumstances, Disney’s WIFI is notoriously slow and buggy.

To avoid these issues all together, simply take a screenshot of the barcode side of your tickets. It doesn’t take WIFI or data to access your pictures, so you’ll be able to access them no matter what. There’s no guarantee Disney will be able to scan them, but at least you’ll have proof and can possibly get printed tickets at the booth (more on that below).

6) If purchasing single day tickets, check the calendar for the lowest price

Many people, either by choice or scheduling conflicts, choose to visit the resort for just one day. If that’s you, be aware that single day tickets are priced according to demand. Meaning, if the particular day you want to visit on is historically slow, you’ll pay a lower price.

Conversely, if Disney feels that day is going to be busy, that same ticket will cost you more. If budgeting is important to you, it’s imperative that you check the park calendar on the Disneyland website to check ticket prices for your day.

Weekdays are almost always priced lower than weekends. One exception to that is when a holiday, such as Independence Day and Christmas, falls on a weekday. Another example - Thanksgiving - is always on a Thursday. So expect these dates to be priced at the high end.

In general, though, you’ll want to stick to weekdays, whether you’re visiting for one day or a few. Even with covid seemingly changing guests trends forever, they seem to still be less crowded (and priced accordingly) than weekend dates.

7) Request a paper ticket

Above, I discussed screenshotting your tickets in case you’re unable to access them in the app, but what happens if your phone suddenly dies? Whether it’s battery or hardware related, that’s a real issue. So what do you do?

It’s simple, really. Ask for a paper copy of your ticket. You can request one when purchasing online or by asking a cast member at the ticket booths or gate. Do this right away and not after your phone dies. You’ll need to be able to prove the existence of your tickets to get a paper one.

Having a physical back-up of your ticket is never a bad idea. You can simply keep them in your wallet or purse. Better yet, you can keep them in a sealable, waterproof sleeve like this one.

8) DO NOT purchase your tickets on Ebay or Craigslist

The stories are all the same; an unsuspecting ticket buyer starts scouring the internet looking for deals on Disneyland tickets. Eventually, they come across an Ebay or Craigslist listing, claiming to be selling unused, legitimate tickets at an unbelievable price.

I’ll save you time and a lot of money - they’re likely scams. They’ll either offer tickets at a huge discount compared to Disney’s price or they claim to be selling their unused days. An example of this is someone who’s claiming to have a five day ticket, but only used two of those days. So they’re selling you the remaining three.

The reason why it’s a bad idea to purchase these is because there is no way to know for sure if those three days they’re claiming to be unused, are actually unused. You won’t find out for sure until you’re at the gate and trust me, Disney won’t have any sympathy for you if that ticket turns out to be no good.

I’m not saying every one of those people are scam artists, but it’s not worth the risk. Play it safe and only purchase tickets directly through Disney or through an official Disney travel planner, such as Get Away Today.

9) Really consider if park hopping is worth it to you

Sure, being able to bounce back and forth between parks has its benefits, but those benefits come at a cost. Depending on how many days are on your ticket, you’ll pay anywhere between $60 to $75 MORE for the privilege.

For many, that money could make or break a Disney trip as depending on how many tickets you’ll be buying, it can really add up. At minimum, it could mean sacrificing another aspect of the trip. If you’re looking to save money, start here.

Park hopping isn’t a requirement to enjoy your time at Disneyland. You’re not going to lose out and if anything, it’ll enable you to focus solely on the park you’re in that day and get more done.

10) Take advantage of Get Away Today’s ‘Extra Day Free’ promotion

Get Away Today is a fantastic company with a solid reputation thanks to their knowledge of all things Disney. They offer all-in-one vacation packages and, because they’re authorized by Disney, they also sell Disneyland tickets, often with deals attached.

One such deal I always recommend to my readers, specifically those looking to spend four or five days at the resort, is their ‘Extra Day Free’ promotion. Under this promotion, when your purchase a five day ticket, you’ll get it for the price of a four day.

The only catch is, this deal is only available through Get Away Today. Disney is not currently offering this deal but remember, purchasing through Get Away Today is no different than purchasing through Disney as they’re an authorized seller.

The savings aren’t the only benefits of this deal. I discuss this promotion in greater detail in a separate post that you can read here. If you’d like to visit Get Away Today and see what they’re all about, you can do so at the link below.

CLICK/TAP THIS LINK TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF GET AWAY TODAY’S OFFER

Both Disneyland Resort Theme Parks Closing Early Amid State of Emergency

On Monday, February 5th, 2024, the Disneyland Resort will close both of its theme parks (Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure) early amid a declared state of emergency (they closed early on February 4th as well).

Currently, there are eight counties in the southern region of California that are under several wind and flood advisories from an ongoing atmospheric river - a phenomenon in which a body of water vapor in the air transforms into a massive volume of rain and/or snow.

According to PBS News, atmospheric rivers can have twice the flow of the Amazon River, on average. To prepare for this, California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a state of emergency.

Orange County, where the Disneyland Resort is located, is one of those eight counties being affected. As a result, and in an abundance of caution, Disney has decided to close both theme parks early. The new hours for Monday, February 5th are:

• Disneyland Park will now close at 8:00pm, rather than 10:00pm.

• Disney California Adventure will also close at 8:00pm, rather than 9:00pm.

It should be noted that this is a rare situation for the resort. The parks typically only close early for previously announced events such as After Dark or corporate events. Closing early for weather related issues happens more at Walt Disney World than over here in California.

In addition, neighboring theme park, Knott’s Berry Farm, closed early on Sunday, February 4th and will remain closed for the entirety of February 5th.

River Belle Terrace Fantasmic Dining Package

Last year in April, tragedy struck the Disneyland Resort when Murphy, the animatronic Maleficent dragon, caught fire during a live performance of Fantasmic!, forcing the fan-favorite show to go on an extended hiatus.

The future of the show was in doubt as fans were unsure of when, if ever, it would return and if it did, would it be changed so significantly that it would no longer be the same…

Disney finally answered those questions in November 2023, confirming that Fantasmic would indeed be returning on May 24th, 2024. With it, there’s expected to be a new battle scene between Sorcerer Mickey and Maleficent, new floats and the return of Peter Pan and Captain Hook.

With Fantasmic returning soon, you may be interested in booking a dining package to secure a reserved spot to watch the show. Gone are the days where you can camp out at the waterfront to save yourself a spot. If you want to sit up close, you’ll need to book a dining package.

There are three Disneyland restaurants that offer these. They are:

• Blue Bayou

• River Belle Terrace

• Hungry Bear Restaurant

While this post will focus on the standard package offered at the River Belle Terrace, I will also discuss the other two restaurants as well. Full disclosure, I have not personally purchased dining packages with Blue Bayou or Hungry Bear - only River Belle Terrace.

*Quick Note: If you’re looking to book a vacation to the Disneyland Resort (or Disney World, Disney Cruise, Universal and more) consider tapping/clicking the above image to visit our partners at Get Away Today. Going through them is the same as going directly through Disney only through them, you’ll receive personalized service by Disney experts and receive the absolute best price and any accompanying discounts. By going through Get Away Today, you’ll be getting the best price on your vacation and support our website at the same time.

To see their amazing deals on your favorite destinations, click/tap here (and tell them we said “hi”

River Belle Terrace Fantasmic Dining Experience

The Fantasmic (standard) dining package at the River Belle Terrace is a three-course meal offered at both lunch and dinner. The price for this package in 2024 is:

• $55 per adult

• $32 per child (ages 3 - 9)

Each person will receive one starter, one entree and one dessert. Regular drinks such as soda, juices and coffee are also included in the price. What isn’t included are alcoholic drinks, tip and tax.

Note that there are two versions of the dining package at River Belle Terrace - the standard and premium. The differences between the two are:

• Standard: You make a normal reservation for River Belle and at the time of your meal and inform your waitress that you want the Fantasmic dining package. At the conclusion of your meal, each person will receive a voucher to return to the viewing area prior to showtime.

• Premium: You’ll make a reservation for this package specifically at this link 60-days in advance. This package is only available during dinner and you’ll watch Fantasmic from your table. The cost for this package is $75 (adult) and $45 (child).

The River Belle Terrace Fantasmic! menu has a number of tasty offerings. Our table of four had no problem making our selections. I don’t know this first hand, but I’ve read numerous reviews of this location being flexible with substitutions. If you don’t see something you like on the Fantasmic menu, ask for the normal one.

On our visit, some of the menu items our party ordered were:

• Red Beans & Rice cup w/ Andouille Sausage

• Burnt Ends Grilled Cheese Sandwich

• Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich

• Pimento Mac and Cheese Skillet

• Cookies n’ Cream Cheesecake

• Housemade Pudding

• The Seasonal Cobbler

No one at our table had a single negative thing to say about the food. All of it was presented well, was delicious and the portions were more than sufficient. Additionally, despite being a busy day, the service from our waitress was top notch.

*PRO TIP: If you’re just looking for somewhere to eat and looking to save money, dine here and split entrees. Disney allows this (from the regular menu, NOT the package). The portions here are enough for even two adults to split, let alone two children.

At the end of our meal, we were asked which of the two showings that night we wanted the voucher for. We booked a lunch reservation, so there were plenty of vouchers left. The danger of booking a dinner reservation is you may not be able to choose as they could have run out of one.

We chose the 10:30 showing and were advised to head over to Harbor Gallery/Pelican’s Landing (across from Haunted Mansion) about thirty minutes prior to showtime.

After everything was said and done, I paid about $260 for the four of us (all adults, inclusive of tax and tip). While I was really paying for a great view of the show, the food being as good as it was helped ease the pain of the final bill a bit.

The Viewing Area

Regardless of which restaurant you purchased your dining package, the check-in area is the same. Again, it’s located adjacent to Harbor Gallery/Pelican’s Landing. You’ll see cast members holding up signs in rows with each restaurant’s name on them. Simply line up in the row of your restaurant.

Shortly prior to showtime, the cast members will begin escorting you to your assigned viewing area. Blue Bayou guests will be seated (mostly) dead center to the stage, followed by River Belle guests, who’ll be seated to the right. Lastly, Hungry Bear guests will be to the left.

As you can see in the photo above, we were seated right up front. We weren’t directly center to the stage (we would’ve needed to dine at Blue Bayou for that) but it was a great view regardless. Not too shabby if you ask me.

If you want a chance at being seated in the front row, you’ll need to arrive at the check-in area early. It’ll state on your voucher to arrive thirty minutes prior to showtime. However, if you wait until then a rather large queue would’ve already formed.

Instead, I would suggest arriving closer to one hour early. When we first arrived, there were no cast members guiding the way, so we just hung around until they showed up. So if you do the same, don’t be alarmed. As long as you’re next to Harbor’s Gallery, you’ll be fine.

Also keep in mind that there are no actual seats included with the price of these dining packages and thus, you’ll be sitting on the ground (bringing a waterproof outdoor blanket to sit on, like this one, would be wise. Just think about how many people have walked over that spot).

The only exception to this is the premium package offered at the River Belle Terrace. You’ll enjoy the show from the comfort of your table on the restaurant’s patio. The downside is you’ll have the walkway and the Genie+ viewing area in front of you with little elevation.

All Fantasmic Dining Packages

There are three dining locations that offer a total of four Fantasmic! dining packages. They all vary in price and offerings, but the seating is generally the same. All of them are on the waterfront of the Rivers of America and form a horseshoe of sorts around the stage. Here is the information for all packages in 2024:

• Blue Bayou: Price is $89 (adult) and $35 (child), lunch or dinner. Each person receives an entree of choice, a non-alcoholic specialty drink and a Fantasmic! speciality dessert. Cocktails are separate. The viewing area is located center, or near-center, of the performance stage.

• River Belle Terrace Premium: Price is $75 (adult) and $45 (child). Each person receives a three-course meal from the Fantasmic! menu (though you CAN order from the regular menu if you wish). Cocktails are separate. You’ll watch the performance from your table on the outdoor patio of the River Belle. *Dinner only.

• River Belle Terrace Standard: Price is $55 (adult) and $32 (child), lunch or dinner. Each person receives a three-course meal (starter, entree and dessert), plus cold drinks. The viewing area is located to the right of the performance stage.

• Hungry Bear Restaurant: Price is $38 (adult) and $27 (child), lunch or dinner. Pick-up times are between 3pm and 8:30pm on most days. Each person will receive their choice of entree and side, in addition to a fountain beverage and Fantasmic! themed dessert. The viewing area is located to the right of the performance stage. *You cannot mobile order this package.

Clearly, Blue Bayou is the high end choice, followed by River Belle in the middle with Hungry Bear being the budget-friendly option. If seeing Fantasmic up close is important to you and your group, you really can’t go wrong with any of these as the view is essentially the same.

What it boils down to from there is your food preference. Blue Bayou and River Belle offer a traditional sit-down meal versus Hungry Bear’s grab-n-go style. Blue Bayou arguably has the best atmosphere, as it’s located inside of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. My recommendation, though, is River Belle. The viewing area is great and the food is satisfying. All for a middle-of-the-road price point.

To recap, if you want to book for the Blue Bayou or the premium option at River Belle, you’ll book a reservation through this link. Conversely, if you want to go with Hungry Bear, you’ll need to book through this link. If you’d rather do the standard option at the River Belle, then you just need to make a standard brunch or dinner reservation and inform the host when you arrive.

A Guide to Visiting Disneyland in May 2024

Are you planning a trip to the Disneyland Resort for May 2024? Whether you’re still deciding or you’ve already booked and are looking for more information, I have you covered.

In this post, I’ll discuss what the weather is typically like in May, how crowded it is or isn’t, which attractions are going to be closed, ticket prices and more.

*Quick Note: If you’re looking to book a vacation to the Disneyland Resort (or Disney World, Disney Cruise, Universal and more) consider tapping/clicking the above image to visit our partners at Get Away Today. Going through them is the same as going directly through Disney only through them, you’ll receive personalized service by Disney experts and receive the absolute best price and any accompanying discounts. By going through Get Away Today, you’ll be getting the best price on your vacation and support our website at the same time.

To see their amazing deals on your favorite destinations, click/tap here (and tell them we said “hi”)

Anaheim Weather in May

As May unfolds, Disneyland basks in pleasant weather, creating an ideal atmosphere for a magical adventure.

Temperatures range from a delightful 55 to 75 degrees, providing both a comfortable warmth during the day and tolerable chill in the evenings.

As the month progresses, the nightly lows will begin to increase, capping off at around 60 degrees by the end of May.

Be sure to pack sunscreen for the warm days and a light jacket or sweater for the evenings. An umbrella is unnecessary, as Anaheim sees very little, if any, rain in May.

May also brings an explosion of color to Disneyland as flowers bloom, transforming the parks into a floral spectacle. The meticulously landscaped gardens, iconic topiaries and vibrant floral arrangements add an extra layer of beauty to the already magical surroundings.

Is Disneyland Crowded in May?

Generally speaking, May (or part of it, anyway) is a great time to visit Disneyland. It’s in that sweet spot between spring break and summer crowds and as mentioned above, the weather is pleasant.

Two major caveats to that are Grad Nites (discussed below) and of course, Memorial Day and the weekend leading into it.

While there will be one Grad Nite on the 10th of the month (a Friday), the events mostly begin to ramp up in the second half of the month, leading well into June.

Memorial Day weekend is a three-day’er for many people and the crowds reflect that. Expect dense crowds that weekend and on the holiday itself.

Another wildcard that can affect crowds is if Disney will resume Magic Key sales in April, much like they did in 2023. On January 10 this year, Magic Keys went on sale and mostly sold out in the first day.

With that much pent-up demand, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Disney do another round of sales in the spring to pad the books for the next earnings call.

Additionally, special events such as Star Wars Nites, Season of the Force and Pixar Fest will be in high gear. May 4th (May the Fourth - be with you) being an unofficial, fan-driven event day that’ll surely increase crowds, particularly inside Galaxy’s Edge.

Lastly, Disney confirmed back in November that Fantasmic would be making its highly anticipated return to the Rivers of America on May 24th! The devastating fire last year caused an abrupt pause on this fan-favorite spectacular, so the demand for it, especially for the first few performances, will draw hoards of locals and tourists alike.

These are my recommendations for avoiding crowds in May:

• Avoid Memorial Day weekend at all costs.

• Book for the first week of May, but be mindful of Star Wars After Dark dates (see below).

• Keep to weekdays as much as possible.

• Avoid Grad Nite dates (see below).

May Ticket Prices & Magic Key Blockouts

Similar to airlines and hotels, Disney utilizes a dynamic pricing structure to price its single-day tickets. Meaning demand will dictate the price you’ll pay on the particular day you want to visit.

The high end of the price range for single-day, one-park tickets can flirt with $200 on many days, especially as summer approaches and on weekends. This is why I always recommend planning a multi-day trip.

Multi-day ticket prices are not affected by demand. Those have a set price, and the more days on your ticket, the less you’ll pay per day. Unless you’re hopelessly restricted to one day, try to plan for at least three to get the full experience and most value for your money.

May 2024 single-day ticket prices are as follows:

• Single-Day Adult: $119 - $194

• Single-Day Child: $112 - $183

If you’re planning to visit during Memorial Day weekend, expect to pay the highest price (currently $194). As of the publishing of this post, May 8th is the only date listed at the lowest price ($119). Every other weekday date is at least $134, with most weekend dates topping out at $184.

Of course, this could always change as dates approach (remember, they’re subject to demand). The price you see for a particular date today could jump later that afternoon. So if you’re keen on going for one day, secure your ticket while the price is right.

Fellow Magic Key holders - like it or not - we’re beholden to the reservation calendar. As you all know, depending on which key you hold, the day you want to visit could be unavailable to you (blocked or no available reservations).

The blockout dates for Magic Key holders for the month of May 2024 are:

• Imagine Key: Blocked on all Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

• Enchant Key: Blocked on all Saturdays, 5/19 (Sunday), 5/26 (Sunday) and 5/31 (Friday).

• Believe Key: Blocked only on 5/4 (Saturday) and 5/25 (Saturday).

• Inspire Key: No blockout dates.

May Special Events & Showings

There’s going to be a broad spectrum of special events throughout the month of May. There will literally be something for everybody!

The two big draws for the month will be the two official Star Wars related events; Season of the Force and Star Wars Nite events. The former is a seasonal celebration of Star Wars, available to all ticket holders, while the latter is a hard ticket event requiring a separate purchase. (read about Disneyland After Dark events here.)

The other major draw this month will be Pixar Fest, a summer long celebration of all things Pixar. Showings include a new parade at DCA, Pixar themed food and drink offerings, a new fire work show at Disneyland Park, rare character sightings, and more!

Keep in mind that Pixar Fest runs throughout the summer into late August, and begins in the last week of April. So if you’re a huge Pixar fan and can’t make it in May, you’ll have three additional months to make it out.

Lastly, I’d be remiss if I didn’t discuss the return of everybody’s favorite nighttime spectacular - Fantasmic. Last year, the show abruptly ended after a devastating fire destroyed Murphy, the Maleficent animatronic, during a live performance.

It’s been absent from the schedule ever since and there was serious doubt over its future. Alas, Disney announced last November that it would make its grand return to entertain audiences on May 24th. (read about Fantasmic! dining packages here.)

While not confirmed, Murphy is rumored to have been repaired and will make his return to the show. Confirmed to return is the pirate ship Peter Pan/Captain Hook battle scene. Additionally, new floats are expected to debut, along with a new battle scene between Sorcerer Mickey and Maleficent.

May 2024 special event dates are as follows:

• Season of the Force: All month.

• Star Wars Nite: May 5th, 7th and 9th.

• Pixar Fest: All month.

• Grad Nites: May 10th, 14th, 15th, 17th, 19th, 22nd, 23rd, 28th and 31st.

• Fantasmic Return: May 24th

• Memorial Day Weekend: May 25th - 27th.

• Mother’s Day: May 12th

Disneyland Ride Closures in May

At the time of this post’s publishing, attraction refurb information for the month of May hasn’t yet been released. Disney typically releases this info 45-days ahead of time.

That said, we do know of two attractions that will definitely be down all month; Haunted Mansion and Splash Mountain. The former is currently going through a remodel of its queue and exit while the latter is being reimagined into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

While I don’t expect too many extended refurbs this year due to the aforementioned reason, don’t be surprised to see short term refurbs on a few additional attractions pop up on the calendar.

*UPDATE: Disney has recently announced the impending (temporary) closure of Critter County beginning May 1. No official reopening date was announced with the closure announcement. The purpose of this closure is to convert two of the land’s gift shops into themes for two supporting characters from Princess and the Frog - Raymond the Firefly and Louis the trumpet-playing Gator.

Disney will also take this opportunity to take down the land’s sole operating attraction, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, for a refurbishment, though I don’t foresee it being a long one. My guess is they’ll reopen the Pooh attraction within three weeks or less, while keeping the rest of the land behind construction walls. As mentioned above, no reopening date for Critter Country has been released, but I’m predicting it’ll reopen by July or August. You can read a more in depth analysis about it here.

The following attractions will be down for refurbishment in the month of May 2024:

• Critter Country: May 1 - TBD

• Haunted Mansion: January 21 - TBD (I expect it to be down until the start of the Halloween season)

• Splash Mountain: Permanently closed in May 2023 (expected to open as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in late 2024)

• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: May 1 - TBD

To stay updated on Disneyland attraction refurbishments and park projects, read and save my 2024 Disneyland Refurbishment Calendar post.

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All Disneyland After Dark Events in 2024

Disneyland After Dark events have grown in popularity over the last few years - and for good reason. They’re filled to the brim with photo opps, meet and greets with rare characters, special food offerings, unique nighttime entertainment and best of all, lower than usual crowds.

The caveat? These events are separate ticketed. Meaning your regular Disneyland ticket will NOT get you access. Depending on the event and date, ticket prices are typically between $139 - $169 (even higher for Oogie Boogie Bash).

As the name implies, they take place at night, after the park closes to regular ticket holders, between the hours of 9pm and 1am. As an added bonus, your ticket permits you to enter the park three hours prior to the event’s start time. Additionally, there’s no need to worry about reservations as your ticket is all you’ll need.

Tickets to these events are sold exclusively through the Disneyland website (not the app) and generally sell out quickly. They’ll go on sale no sooner than 9am on the sales date and depending on the specific event’s popularity, you’ll likely wait in an hours-long virtual queue.

The good news, is Disney sells far fewer of these tickets than regular ones, so the crowds are generally lite. Though many of the special attractions of the night (i.e - a rare character or show) can have massive queues, all of the rides remain open, often with low wait times.

In this post, I’ll list all of the Disneyland After Dark events in 2024 - including their dates, ticket prices and more. Additionally, I’ll discuss Oogie Boogie Bash and what the future may hold for these fan-favorites. Let’s get into it.

*Quick Note: If you’re looking to book a vacation to the Disneyland Resort (or Disney World, Disney Cruise, Universal and more) consider tapping/clicking the above image to visit our partners at Get Away Today. Going through them is the same as going directly through Disney only through them, you’ll receive personalized service by Disney experts and receive the absolute best price and any accompanying discounts. By going through Get Away Today, you’ll be getting the best price on your vacation and support our website at the same time.

To see their amazing deals on your favorite destinations, click/tap here (and tell them we said “hi”)

Sweethearts’ Nite

Sweethearts’ Nite proved to be a hit with After Dark attendees in 2023, so it only made sense to bring it back for another go - this time with expanded dates.

This year, some of the offerings include:

• A “royal ball” with Disney princes and princesses.

• A royal cavalcade parading through the streets of Disneyland featuring Disney royals.

• A dance party on the Tomorrowland stage featuring Stitch and Angel.

• Photo opportunities throughout the park with backdrops themed after “Lady and the Tramp”, “Tangled” and more.

• Unique lighting, music and projections throughout the park - including on Sleeping Beauty Castle.

• Special food offerings - including a shortbread cookie churro with strawberry cheesecake dipping sauce and Cafe Daisy’s fried heart-shaped ravioli.

• Plus, special dining packages at River Belle Terrace, Cafe Orleans and Plaza Inn.

Last year, the event was held on only one day in January, with the remaining dates held in February. Due to its popularity, Disney expanded the dates in 2024, holding several event dates in both months. They are:

• January 23, 25 and 30

• February 1, 6, 8, 12 and 14

Like most After Dark events, Sweethearts’ Nite takes place at Disneyland Park. Its hours are 9pm to 1am. Ticket sales begin no earlier than 9am on the dates below and are priced $139 - $169, based on date. Demand will likely be high, so be sure to be logged in prior to 9am:

• December 12, 2023 (Magic Key holder pre sale)

• December 14, 2023 (general public)

*EDIT: Tickets for all Sweetheart Nite dates are now sold out

Disney Channel Night

Disney Channel Night is the newcomer in 2024, as it’s the only After Dark event this year that wasn’t held in 2023. In fact, the After Dark event that was held on identical dates last year was Princess Nite (which isn’t happening at all this year).

According to the Disneyland website, some of the offerings include:

• A “High School Musical” pep rally featuring characters and music from the popular franchise.

• A dance party featuring Phineas and Ferb at the Tomorrowland stage.

• “Camp Rock” karaoke at The Golden Horseshoe.

• Enjoy music from “Descendants” as you sail along the Rivers of America on the Sailing Ship Columbia.

• Photo opportunities with backdrops themed after “Lizzy McGuire”, “The Cheetah Girls” and “Teen Beach Movie”.

• Special food offerings at Cafe Daisy and Red Rose Taverne, as well as dining packages at select table-service restaurants.

The description on the Disneyland website doesn’t specify character meet and greets, but I imagine there will be as these events typically feature characters you don’t normally see. Even if they have nothing to do with the general theme of the event.

Disney Channel Nite takes place on only two nights in March (5th & 7th), also between the hours of 9pm and 1am. They’re priced at $139 and go on sale on the same date and time as Sweethearts’ Nite above.

*EDIT: Tickets for the March 7th event have sold out. As of January 27th, there is still availability for the March 5th event.

Check out my post, Visiting Disneyland in March, if you plan to visit in March for this event.

Star Wars Nite

Stars Wars Nite is another repeat from 2023, a popular one at that. Aside from dates, not much is known about the offerings and prices for 2024, but we can speculate by going off last year’s information.

In 2023, some of the offerings included:

• Unique character experiences.

• A galactic dance party in Tomorrowland.

• Themed Star Wars treats and dining.

• A special nighttime fireworks spectacular - Star Wars: Celebrate the Night

In 2023, prices ranged from $149 - $169, depending on the date. The Star Wars brand proved to be as popular as it has ever been, as nearly all dates sold out in the first day. Despite having expanded dates this year, I expect the same to happen in 2024, in addition to price increases.

The 2024 Star Wars Nite dates are as follows:

• April 16, 18, 23, 24 & 30

• May 2, 7 & 9

At the time of this posts’ publishing, there hasn’t been word from Disney as to when tickets will go on sale but if they follow the same formula as last year, I would expect it to happen sometime in February.

If you’re planning to attend this event in April, be sure to read my posts, “Visiting Disneyland in April”. and, “Visiting Disneyland in May”.

Pride Nite

After YEARS of unofficial fan events formally known as “Gay Days”, Disney finally threw their support behind the LGTBQIA+ community by adding the officially sanctioned “Pride Nite” to the After Dark calendar.

Similar to Star Wars Nite, there hasn’t been any information from Disney as to how much the tickets or what the offerings during the event will be. All we do know is, much like last year, Pride Nite will take place on only two nights - June 18 & 20.

In 2023, some of the offerings included:

• Rare character appearances and experiences.

• Unique lighting, music and projections throughout the park (including on Sleeping Beauty Castle.

• Ohana Dance Party featuring Stitch.

• Exclusive food and drink offerings, dining packages and merchandise.

In 2023, tickets to this event were priced at $139 for both nights. While it was popular, it didn’t sell out as quickly as Sweethearts’ and Star Wars did, so I expect the price to either remain the same or see only a slight increase.

I will update this post as more information about Pride Nite becomes available.

Oogie Boogie Bash

No After Dark post would be complete without discussing the GOAT of events done in the dark - Oogie Boogie Bash. While it isn’t presented with the “After Dark” banner, it is an event that requires a separate ticket to attend and features many of the same general offerings the others do.

Oogie Boogie Bash is the spiritual successor of Mickey’s Not-so-Scary Halloween party and is held on select nights in September and October at Disney California Adventure. Though with Halloween season now kicking off in August at the resort, I wouldn’t be surprised to see one or two August dates added this year.

Information such as dates, ticket prices and offerings for 2024 haven’t yet been released, as Disney typically announces that information in June. In 2023, ticket prices were date specific and started at $134 and topping out at $189. Those prices were up $5 — $10 from 2022.

This year will likely see another increase, as the event completely sold out in just one day last year, strongly demonstrating its popularity. Disney will likely meet this demand by adding more dates and as stated above, increase the price. It wouldn’t shock me to see prices hit $200 at the top end.

While we don’t yet know what the exact offerings will be, in general, they’ve been mostly the same since its inception (albeit with some minor changes). These include:

• Villains Grove: A walk-through attraction with special effects, lighting and music themed to classic Disney villains.

• Villain Treat Trails: Villains featured in past events included Ernesto de la Cruz (Coco), Cruella (live-action version), Sid (Toy Story) and Judge Doom (Who Framed Roger Rabbit?).

• The Frightfully Fun Parade.

• Various character meet and greets.

• A dessert party with a great view of the parade.

• Specialty food and drink offerings and dining packages.

I’ll be sure to update this post once Disney releases more information about the 2024 event. To read more about Oogie Boogie Bash, read my post about it here.

What The Future Holds for After Dark Events

This is purely speculative on my part, but I love blue-skying ideas. The future of After Dark events definitely looks bright as due to their proven popularity, it is evident they’re not going anywhere. It’s just a matter of which themes will stick around.

Disney seems to be trying to iron out the perfect line up. In 2023, they held two events that are not happening this year - Princess Nite and Throwback Nite. I honestly don’t know why they decided against holding another Throwback Nite as it seemed to receive generally positive reviews online.

Princess Nite is sort of a given. While plenty of “Disney Adults” attended it, let’s face it, Disney princesses mainly appeal to one niche - small children. Given the fact that these events go well past midnight and children are typically sleeping at those times, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out why it isn’t on the repeat list.

Sweethearts, Pride and Star Wars Nites all seem to be a lock, but that fourth slot still appears to be in question. This year, they’re giving Disney Channel Nite a try. Tickets for Disney Channel went on sale on the same date and time as Sweethearts’. While the latter sold out quickly, the former still has tickets available for one of the dates.

I’m not saying Disney Channel Nite is poised for failure, but Disney prefers that tickets to events like these sell out quickly. It creates a, “I have to have it”, mindset (much like they did for Magic Keys), driving up demand and in turn, allowing them to keep prices high (along with raising them).

Personally, I would love to see Throwback Nite return, but with a 90’s overlay. I don’t speak for all of us, but I do believe Disney millennials would converge onto the park en masse for something like this. Imagine - a performance on the Tomorrowland stage featuring Powerline! That alone would sell the event for me, personally.

Another addition I would love to see is for DCA to get their own After Dark events. Currently, the only one they feature is Oogie Boogie Bash, but it technically isn’t an After Dark event. Their main drivers are festivals such as Lunar New Year, Food and Wine, and Festival of Holidays, but I think there’s room for an After Dark event (or two).

The two biggest brands that DCA features are Pixar and Marvel. With Pixar receiving its own summer long promotion this year (and if it’s successful, it’ll likely become an annual thing) that leaves Marvel as the only Disney brand without its own special, annual event.

Would Marvel Nite be too far fetched? Is there enough demand? Clearly, Marvel is a successful brand. Otherwise, Disney wouldn’t have plopped down $4 billion for it. Lately, though, the once bullet-proof Marvel movies have dwindled, both in the box office and on the Disney+ streaming service. That could lend credence as to why Disney has yet to pull the trigger on anything Marvel related at the parks since the underwhelming debut of Avengers Campus in 2021.

Whatever the future holds for specific After Dark events, the concept as a whole is here to stay. They’ve become a great way for Disney to boost profits during their slower season. They sell an additional ticket to guests who’ve already purchased regular tickets AND to people who wouldn’t have purchased a ticket otherwise - Magic Key holders.

These events have become largely character driven, as they often feature those who’re rarely, if ever, seen in the parks any other time. They can also sell exclusive food offerings and merchandise during the event, boosting profits even higher. And Disney adults (whom I believe are the main target niche for these events), love spending money on exclusive items.

The prices may be high, with some exceeding the highest price of a one day ticket. But you know what? I’m here for it. Admit it, you are too.

Disneyland in One Day: 8 Tips to Maximize Your Time

Attempting to do it all at Disneyland is a daunting task. There are nearly fifty attractions in Disneyland Park alone. That doesn’t even include the attractions at California Adventure.

Despite there being so much to see and do, many people decide to go to Disneyland for only one day for one reason or another. You may one of them.

While it’s impossible to do everything in just one day, if you have a strategy in place, it’s entirely possible to enjoy many attractions and experiences.

In this post, I’ll offer eight tips that’ll help you maximize your time if you only have one day to spend. If your goal is to ride as many attractions as possible, you’ve come to the right blog.

*Quick Note: If you’re looking to book a vacation to the Disneyland Resort (or Disney World, Disney Cruise, Universal and more) consider tapping/clicking the above image to visit our partners at Get Away Today. Going through them is the same as going directly through Disney only through them, you’ll receive personalized service by Disney experts and receive the absolute best price and any accompanying discounts. By going through Get Away Today, you’ll be getting the best price on your vacation and support our website at the same time.

To see their amazing deals on your favorite destinations, click/tap here (and tell them we said “hi”

1) Choose Your Park Wisely

The resort consists of two theme parks - Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. When deciding to only spend one day at one park, you need to decide which one is most important to you because it isn’t worth the extra money to park hop on a single-day ticket.

Most people choose Disneyland Park over DCA but what you should know is Disneyland has nearly 50 attractions to DCA’s 20. Keep in mind that Disney uses the word “attractions” as a catch-all for their offerings. I’m only counting attractions you can actually ride.

With that wide of a gap between the two, you need to decide which park’s attractions appeal to you the most. They each have an equal amount of “thrill” rides whereas Disneyland has more of the traditional, easy-going dark rides than DCA does.

Getting DCA done in a single day is entirely doable. Disneyland - not so much. Disneyland is generally busier and has more than double the attractions than its sister park. So choose wisely. Remember, a single-day ticket costs the same no matter which park you choose.

2) Make a List of “Must-Do” Attractions

Once you’ve decided which park you’re going to visit, research that park’s attractions and make a list of the top ten you want do most. Ten attractions in one day is realistic and a great starting point. Anything after that is a bonus.

Avoid trying to do everything. There’s too many variables for that. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but chances are you’ll just wind up disappointed. Also, come up with plan b’s on your list in case your first choice is closed or temporarily unavailable.

If you’re looking to hit the popular attractions and are choosing DCA, some you’ll want to consider are Mission Breakout, Radiator Springs Racers, WEB Slingers, Incredicoaster and Soarin’.

Across the esplanade at Disneyland, a few of the most popular attractions include Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, Rise of the Resistance, Indiana Jones Adventure and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.

3) Rope Drop, Rope Drop, Rope Drop

Prior to the official park opening time - usually around thirty minutes - Disney allows guests to access the hub area of the park but has the individual lands “roped off”. Then, when the park officially opens, they drop the rope (hence, rope drop) and you’re off to the races.

The reason I recommend rope drop so much is because the first two hours of park opening (especially at Disneyland) are the prime hours to get many attractions done. It may seem like a lot of people are there to rope drop as well but once they spread out, the wait times on most rides are minimal.

If you’re there for thrills, always start rope drop at Tomorrowland and go straight to Space Mountain. The worst I’ve waited for Space at rope drop was five minutes, but it’s usually a walk-on. If you’re there for the kiddie rides, head straight for the castle into Fantasyland and ride Peter Pan, first thing.

For context, the photo above was taken of the Space Mountain loading station just three minutes after rope drop. As you can see, it was a walk-on.

4) Buy Genie+

Disney introduced its Genie+ service back in 2021 as the replacement for FastPass/MaxPass. Each day, you’re given a certain number of allotments (one per attraction), allowing you to bypass the stand-by queue. As a result, you often end up with a minimal wait.

Genie+ isn’t cheap, though. Buying this service is going to cost you, at least, another $30 per ticket. Where you lose monetarily, you gain in time. If your goal is to indeed ride as many attractions as you possibly can, then it’s a wise investment.

*PRO TIP: Purchase Genie+ for $30 ahead of time, when you purchase your ticket. If you do it day-of your visit, you’re subject to dynamic pricing and could end up paying up to $10 more.

Remember, you can only redeem ONE Genie+ allotment per attraction, per day. So use it in conjunction with rope drop and resist the temptation to use it before 10:00am. This way, you can use Genie+ to ride some of your favorites a second time.

5) Purchase Individual Lightning Lanes

One downfall to Genie+ is not all attractions are on the service. What’s worse is that two mega-popular attractions, Radiator Springs Racers and Rise of the Resistance, are not only NOT on the service, but you’re forced to pay extra to bypass the often hefty stand-by queue.

These attractions often see 60-70 minute (or more) stand-by queues. Wait times like that will put a serious damper on your day when you only have one. If “Rise” or “Racers” is on your list as a must-ride, then bite the bullet.

Pricing for Individual Lightning Lanes are dynamic (meaning they’re based on demand). The following prices are typical:

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance: $23 - $30

• Radiator Springs Racers: $7 - $19

I’ve seen both at every end of the spectrum. Rise NEVER drops below $23. If you’re visiting in the winter or spring, it’ll probably be around that. Conversely, if you’re visiting in the summer or during the holidays, expect to see it at the $30 mark, possibly higher.

Racers is a craft shoot as I’ve seen it as low as $7, as high as $19 and around the middle at $12. Again, demand in the biggest driver, and that could occur even on the slowest of days. So as always, prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

*PRO TIP: You can negate having to pay for ILL for Radiator Springs Racers by following the tip below.

6) Take Advantage of Single Rider Queues

The single rider queue can save Disney-goers a significant amount of time. In fact, I recommend using it, whenever possible, during rope drop to save even more time. Disney uses single rider as a way to fill empty space in the ride vehicles. They get higher capacity rates and you get on the attraction faster. It’s a win-win.

While not all attractions have single rider queues, many do. They are:

Disneyland Park

• Matterhorn Bobsleds

• Millennial Falcon: Smuggler’s Run

• Space Mountain

Disney California Adventure

• Grizzly River Run

• Goofy’s Sky School

• Incredicoaster

• Radiator Springs Racers

• Soarin’ Around the World

• WEB Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure

Even if you’re not a solo rider, you can still take advantage of this. Keep in mind, though, that you and your party will likely be split up into separate ride vehicles. DON’T be that person that argues with the cast member about your party getting split up. If it’s important for your group to ride together, then don’t get in the single rider queue.

This mostly works if it’s just you, or you and one other person who doesn’t mind riding alone. Using single rider with small children isn’t a good idea. The cast members may have you exit and get into the stand-by queue if they’re too young.

7) Buy Your Ticket Ahead of Time

Everything is digital these days, and the Disneyland Resort is no different. Buying your tickets through the Disneyland app or website is quick and easy. The cast member will scan the ticket on your phone and send you on your way, saving you a boat load of time.

If you’re sticking with just one day at the park, the last thing you’ll want to do is waste time at the ticket booths, waiting in line to buy your ticket. Those lines get long, and it isn’t unheard of to spend upwards of an hour waiting. That’s an hour that you do not have.

8) Choose Quick Service & Utilize Mobile Order for Dining

You’re going to burn a ton of calories walking around the parks all day, so it’s important to replenish those calories and keep yourself hydrated. For the latter, I recommend bringing a refillable bottle so you can refill on the go (and save money in the process). For the former, utilize mobile order and quick service dining.

Mobile order allows you to save time by placing a food oder for your favorite restaurants through the Disneyland app ahead of time. You can make your food selections, choose your pick-up time and pay, all through the app.

In the past, Disney’s quick service restaurants weren’t known for their delicious fare. While some still remain in that realm (lookin’ at you, Pizza Planet), many have made the leap into culinary delights, offering flavorful food that rival some of the traditional ones.

Quick service restaurants have it right in the name; they’re quick. Combine that with Disney’s mobile order service and you can enjoy a fast, scrumptious meal before getting back to the attractions. Some of my favorite quick service eateries include:

• Lucky Fortune Cookery (DCA)

• Bengal BBQ (Disneyland)

• Cocina Cucamonga Grill (DCA)

• Jolly Holiday Bakery (Disneyland)

• Tiana’s Palace (Disneyland)

Confirmed: Disney to Revamp Entry Gates at Both Parks This Year

A new project is set to commence this year at the Disneyland Resort. Park officials have confirmed that both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure will be getting an expansion and upgrade on their respective entry gates.

Disneyland is still working with the old school-style turnstiles. At each one, a cast member has to scan each individual guest’s ticket in order to gain entry. Then, each guest has to squeeze through the (rather small) turnstiles, which often causes a traffic jam.

It isn’t unheard of the see the queue at the gate to stretch across the esplanade to the opposite park, causing queues to mix and become a hodgepodge of confused park-goers, wondering if they’re even standing in the correct queue.

The expansion is expected to solve (or at least, minimize) these issues. According to a Disneyland Resort spokesperson, they will be modeled at those at Disneyland Paris, where, after a cast member validates the guest’s ticket, a gate automatically opens, allowing the guest to seamlessly enter the park.

Additional features coming with this upgrade include additional gates, with some designed for those who’re differently abled and others that are more stroller friendly than the current set-up.

The same Disneyland Resort spokesperson also confirmed that construction on the project will be done in phases in order to “minimize impacts to arrivals” and would begin later this year.

This is just one of a few major projects happening at the park in 2024, including the expansion of the Haunted Mansion’s grounds, queue and exit, and the reimagining of Splash Mountain into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

A Guide to Visiting Disneyland in April 2024

Planning a trip to Disneyland in April? You're in for a treat! April offers a unique blend of enchanting experiences and pleasant weather that will make your visit a truly magical experience.

April is one of the best months to visit the Disneyland Resort! Crowds are typically lite (outside of the first week), the rainy season has passed and there’s many special events happening to help make your visit even more memorable.

Let's dive into what you can expect during your Disneyland adventure in April.

*Quick Note: If you’re looking to book a vacation to the Disneyland Resort (or Disney World, Disney Cruise, Universal and more) consider tapping/clicking the above image to visit our partners at Get Away Today. Going through them is the same as going directly through Disney only through them, you’ll receive personalized service by Disney experts and receive the absolute best price and any accompanying discounts. By going through Get Away Today, you’ll be getting the best price on your vacation and support our website at the same time.

To see their amazing deals on your favorite destinations, click/tap here (and tell them we said “hi”)

April Weather in Anaheim

April brings a welcoming change in weather to Disneyland. With temperatures ranging from 60°F to 75°F (15°C to 24°C), you can enjoy the parks without the scorching heat of summer or the frigid chill of winter.

You’ll definitely need to pack a light jacket or sweater for the cooler evenings, but overall, you'll find the weather just right for enjoying the attractions or taking in the night time ambiance.

Don’t be one of those visitors who thinks it’s always warm in California, though. Anaheim is near the coast. So when that evening chill blows in, it catches many off-guard.

Another highlight of visiting Disneyland in April is the explosion of color as flowers bloom throughout the parks. Particularly the tabebuia trees that surround the Partners statue near the castle. The vibrant pinks and purples from these trees are an amazing contrast to the blues and grays of Sleeping Beauty Castle.

If you’re not a fan of rain, you’re in luck. April marks the official end of the rainy season in Anaheim. While it’s always possible you’ll see a spatter of rain here and there, the chances are low.

April is generally a sunny month and the hours of daylight you’ll get each day progresses with it. The first half of the month sees about 12.5 hours of daylight while the second half creeps up to 13.5 hours.

Disneyland Crowd Levels in April

By April, the 100 Years of Wonder Celebration would have come to an end. That said, Disney will likely roll out another promotion in order to entice people to visit.

The winter kid ticket deal expires on March 10th, but the SoCal resident offer, which lowers the per day cost to either $75 or $92 will continue to run through the beginning of June.

There’s also the January 10th sale of Magic Keys that’ll likely impact crowd levels as newly minted key holders converge onto the parks.

Thousands of people waited in an hours-long virtual queue for the chance of purchasing one. All but one tier sold out in less than 12 hours, while the final tier sold out the next morning.

There hasn’t been any announcements regarding the return of Fantasmic (other than it’ll return in the spring). If that return does occur in April, I would expect an uptick in visitation. There’s also a rumor that the Paint the Night parade could be returning in the spring as well.

*EDIT: Disney confirmed that Fantasmic will return on May 24th.

Generally, crowds aren’t much of a problem in April. The sole exception being the first week. Many schools are still on break at this point, but since Easter falls on March 31st this year, it’ll help soften the blow a bit.

Through the remaining three weeks, the heavy crowds start tapering off. If your trip falls within that first week, prepare yourself. If your dates are still open, I recommend booking in the second half of the month so you’re well out of dodge.

That said, there are a handful of special events taking place in April which, depending on their popularity, can have an impact on crowd levels (we’ll discuss those below).

Ticket Prices & Magic Key Blockout Dates

Single-day tickets are priced according to demand on a particular day. For instance, you’re likely to pay much higher on a Saturday than you would for a Tuesday because generally, the parks are busier on weekends.

That is why I always recommend purchasing a multi-day ticket. The more days on your ticket, the less you’ll pay per day. However, if you must purchase a single-day, here is the price range for April:

• Single Day Adult: $134 - $194. In the first week of April, you’re going to pay at the high end of the spectrum. This is due to many schools still being on break. As the month progresses, though, you’ll pay less, with weekdays costing the least.

• Single Day Child: $127 - $183.

There’s also the SoCal resident promotion that Disney is currently running. Depending on which variation you choose, this three-day ticket lowers the per day price to just $75 and $92, respectively. You can read more about this promotion and others in my post here.

If you’re a Magic Key holder, you’ll need to be cognizant of the blockout calendar before planning a visit. The blockout dates are as follows:

• Imagine Key: This key is blocked on all Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in the month.

• Enchant Key: This key is blocked on April 5th (Friday) and all Saturdays throughout the month.

• Believe Key: This key is only blocked on April 6th (Saturday).

• Inspire Key: This key has no blockout dates in the month of April.

April Special Events & Showings

As with most months at the Disneyland Resort lately, there are a handful of special events taking place in April. Some are getting to the end of their run while others are getting their start. These events are as follows:

• DCA Food & Wine Festival: Taking place March 1st - April 22nd

• Wondrous Journeys: Running through April 14th

• Season of the Force: April 5th - June 2nd

• Star Wars Nights After Dark Events: April 16th, 18th, 23rd, 25th and 30th

• Pixar Fest: Begins April 26th

The Food and Wine Festival will continue its run into the third week of April. The locals love this event, so expect the crowds to swell around late afternoon and throughout the day on weekends.

The event with the biggest impact on park guests will be Star Wars Nights. While they don’t have a direct impact on crowds during the day, they will impact you if you don’t have a ticket.

These events are hard ticketed, separate from normal park tickets. Additionally, the park closes early (8pm) to those guests with regular day tickets. To make matters worse, DCA will likely be closing at 9pm or 10pm in April. So you’ll have little, if any, time to park hop.

It’s a big if, but IF DCA does remain open until 11pm on those nights and you decide to park hop, there will be a max exodus of many others doing the same.

Pixar Fest kicks off at the end of the month. I see it being a huge draw eith the locals, especially during the first few days when every Disney YouTuber, Influencer, and Instagrammer jocking for position to the first to document it.

Disneyland Ride Closures in April

Disney releases attraction closure (also know as, refurbishment) information roughly 45 days ahead of time. Though last minute refurbs do happen from time to time.

Right now, the only attractions confirmed to be down in April are Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain (currently being reimagined into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure) and Incredicoaster.

What’s interesting about Incredicoaster going down on is it is/was going/gone through a ten day refurbishment in March. It’s likely they couldn’t get a part on time for the first refurbishment, so they’re taking it down a second time to complete whatever it is they’re working on.

While it’s currently unclear how long it’ll be down for, considering it’s one of the major Pixar related attractions in the park, I believe Disney will move mountains to ensure it’s operational in time for the start of Pixar Fest later this month.

While I expect refurbs to be minimal this year due to the two aforementioned attractions being down for the majority of the year, don’t be surprised if two or three more pop up on the calendar, if only for a few days.

The following attractions will be closed in all or part of April 2024:

• Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln: Closed April 16 - TBD

• Haunted Mansion: Closed January 21 - TBD (it’ll likely be down until the Halloween season).

• Incredicoaster: Closed April 8 - April 18

• Matterhorn Bobsleds: April 15 - April 25

• Splash Mountain: Permanently closed in May 2023 and being reimagined into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Currently projected to open in late 2024.

To see all the latest updates on Disneyland ride closures and upcoming projects, read and save my 2024 Disneyland Refurbishment Calendar post.

Confirmed: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to Contain Several Nods to Splash Mountain

Splash Mountain, which opened at Disneyland in 1989, was a mega-popular attraction. One adored by fans worldwide. It became so popular that it spurred copies of the attraction at both Magic Kingdom in Florida and Tokyo Disneyland.

In 2020, the first announcement of Disney’s intention to reimagine this fan-favorite into a ride themed after Disney’s first African-American princess, Tiana, was made.

In the proceeding few years, Disney would release tidbits of details of what to expect, but it wouldn’t be until the spring of 2023 where we finally received confirmation that Splash would take its final bow in May of the same year.

While most people (myself included) are excited for this new attraction to open, we can’t help but feel a bit melancholy about Splash Mountain’s demise. If you’re one of them, this news may cheer you up a bit.

Splash isn’t the first Disneyland attraction to receive a re-theme. In 2001, the Country Bear Jamboree closed to make way for what is now The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. In 1998, Submarine Voyage shuttered and reopened nine years later with a Finding Nemo theme. There are countless other examples.

As is tradition with Disney Imagineers, whenever they replace one attraction with another, they leave behind a few nods to the original attraction as a way to honor it. Many were wondering if they would do the same for the iconic Splash Mountain. Well, we finally have confirmation.

Recently, a representative from NOLA.com conducted an interview with some of the Imagineers working on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure during a walkthrough of the attraction in Florida.

During the walkthrough, Ted Robledo, Executive Creative Director of Walt Disney Imagineering, confirmed that Tiana’s WILL feature several nods to its beloved predecessor.

We already know that both the ride vehicle (logs) and the track itself will go untouched and Robledo did stop short of going into too much detail, he did mention these “subtle” nods included the architecture of the interior (rocks and boulders), as they’ve been retained.

Most of the original flora and fauna has been changed, though, as they work to transition it into a bayou/swamp environment.

I’m willing to bet that the rocks and boulders aren’t the only nods we’ll find within the attraction. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to discover Brer Rabbit, Brer Bear and Brer Fox hidden somewhere in the bayou (much like the Country Bears in the Winnie the Pooh attraction).

Until the attraction opens in late 2024, we can only speculate. Tiana’s is going to be a fantastic attraction regardless, but I do hope they go beyond just landscape to honor Splash Mountain.

Most Affordable Dates to Visit Disneyland in 2024 (Prices Included)

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers.

Disneyland is an expensive place to vacation at. By the time you factor ticket prices, hotel rates, meals and merchandise, your final tally could be well into the thousands.

Thankfully, there are many ways to save money and bring that total down a bit. There are dozens of hotels with a wide range of nightly rates to choose from, you can split meals or bring your own food and you could, in theory anyway, skip out on the merchandise all together.

Ticket prices, however, are usually set in stone and there aren’t many discounts offered these days, right? Wrong! For the last couple years, Disney has offered winter and spring-time ticket deals to locals and out-of-area guests alike.

Additionally, there are days on the Disney calendar where single-day tickets are at the low end of their dynamic pricing structure. These “low demand” days can save you a bundle if you’re looking to visit for only one day.

Below, I’m going to detail the most affordable dates to visit Disneyland and the pricing of special offer tickets to help you get the most value. Be sure to read through to the end because I’m going to reveal an amazing Disneyland ticket offer for those looking to visit the resort for a full week and want to save money in the process.

*Quick Note: If you’re looking to book a vacation to the Disneyland Resort (or Disney World, Disney Cruise, Universal and more) consider tapping/clicking the above image to visit our partners at Get Away Today. Going through them is the same as going directly through Disney only through them, you’ll receive personalized service by Disney experts and receive the absolute best price and any accompanying discounts. By going through Get Away Today, you’ll be getting the best price on your vacation and support our website at the same time.

To see their amazing deals on Disneyland tickets, click/tap here

Value (Low-Demand) Days (weekdays in January)

If you’re looking to visit the Disneyland Resort for just one day, you need to be aware of Disney’s pricing structure for single-day tickets.

Beginning a few years ago, Disney switched to a dynamic pricing structure for single-day tickets. It’s similar to what the airlines use to sell you plane tickets.

Pricing is based on a few factors, but the biggest driver is demand. Disney has years worth of historical visitation data and based on said data, if they predict a particular day is going to be busy, you’re going to pay more to go on that day.

Conversely, if they’re fairly certain it’ll be a day where visitation will be low, they’ll lower the price to entice you to visit on that day, helping to boost sagging attendance.

They do this because, based on general consensus, the more people that are in the park, the more food, merchandise and Genie+ services they’ll sell.

So if you’re keen on visiting for only one day and you’re on a budget, you’ll want to keep an eye out for these “value” days on the park calendar.

Unfortunately, there aren’t as many on the calendar for 2024 as there were last year. They’re all in January, are weekday dates and cost $104 per single-day adult ticket. If you’re looking to save, these dates are the lowest you’ll pay for one day:

• January 9th - 12th

• January 16th - 18th

• January 22nd - 25th

• January 29th - 31st

Kids $50 Ticket Offer (1/8 - 3/10)

Here’s a date-based ticket where you can save a whole lot of money, particularly if you have littles between the ages of 3 and 9; the $50 kids ticket offer.

It costs exactly what it says - $50, and you can get up to three days on a single ticket. Keep in mind that it’s $50 PER DAY. So if you purchase three days on your ticket, it’ll be $150 (which would normally cost $365!)

Before you get too excited, there are a couple things you need to know about this ticket:

• This ticket is only good between January 8th and March 10th, 2024.

• You MUST use all days on the ticket by March 10th (unused days will be forfeited)

If you already have dates booked in that timeframe or you’re positive you will (and have kids, of course) this ticket is a no-brainer. Depending on the number of kids you have, the savings can soar into the hundreds when compared to normal prices.

This special offer ticket is available to purchase through our partners at Get Away Today - an official Disneyland ticket concessionaire and Disney Travel Agency.

Click/tap the ad to see offer.

SoCal Resident Disneyland Ticket Offer (1/8 - 6/2)

SoCal residents with a zip code between 90000 - 93599 can take advantage of this amazing deal that, dependent upon which version you choose, lowers the per day price of an adult ticket to just $75 and $92, respectively.

I say “version” because there are two to choose from. The $75 per day ticket is valid only on weekday dates (Monday - Thursday). Conversely, the $92 per day ticket is valid on any day of the week.

Let’s simplify it. Say you’re wanting to do a three day, three night stay-cation. Your first day in the park will be on a Sunday, and your remaining two days on Monday and Tuesday. You would opt for the $92 per day option as it’s valid on all days instead of just weekdays.

If you’re a local who has days off during the week, then you’d opt for the $75 per day ticket, as this variant cannot be used on weekends, but offers the greatest savings for those who can go during the week.

The other caveat to this ticket is, unlike the kid ticket offer, it cannot be purchased in one day increments. It’s a three day ticket. So if you purchase the weekday ticket, your total would be $225 ($75 per day).

Here are the fine print details of this ticket offer:

• The price is the same for both children and adults.

• It is valid from January 8th - June 2nd. It cannot be used before or after those dates.

• Any unused dates after the expiration date will be forfeited.

• It is for one park, per day (you can purchase the park hopper option for $70 per ticket).

• It is only available to SoCal residents (ID’s will be checked).

• You’ll still need to make park reservations.

This ticket is a great option for those who’re locals, but aren’t magic key holders. They can be purchased through my partners at Get Away Today (as a bonus, you’ll save even more on this ticket through them).

If you missed the boat on the $50 per day kids deal, this ticket is the next best thing as even at $75 or $92 per day, it is still cheaper than the normal price of a three day kids ticket. The savings are truly substantial.

By the way, if you’re not a SoCal resident, but you know someone who is, as long as they purchase the ticket (and one of their own) and are with you on the first day of use, you too can take advantage of this offer.

Once a cast member has scanned the tickets at the gate for the first time and checked their ID, that person just needs to link your ticket to your account in the Disneyland app and you’re good to go for the remaining dates.

If you’re visiting Disneyland in March, April, or May and you live in Southern California (or know someone who does), this is the ticket for you.

Click/tap the add to see offer.

Get Away Today’s ‘Extra Day Free’ Offer

For those of you who want to spend an entire week at the resort, my partners at Get Away Today have an incredible offer - a five day ticket for the price of four.

Unlike the tickets above, this one is available to anyone, regardless of your zip code or age. However, it is ONLY available for purchase through Get Away Today.

• The normal price of a five day, one park per day, adult ticket from Disney is $480. Through Get Away Today, it is $445. A savings of $35.

• For a five day, one park per day, kids ticket, the price through Disney is $450. Through Get Away Today, it is $420. A savings of $30.

What’s great about this ticket is you'll have until December 31st, 2025 to use it and since you’re only able to make park reservations 180 days in advance, you won’t have to initially commit to reservations when purchasing it (you’ll eventually need to make them, though).

As we all know, Disney raises the prices of its tickets at least annually. Sometimes twice, annually. Almost always in the fall and sometimes just before summer.

If you’re certain you’ll visit Disneyland sometime in either 2024 or 2025, you can purchase this ticket now and lock in the price. Essentially, this ticket is a hedge against future price increases (which WILL happen).

I can say with certainty that Disney will raise their prices again in the fall of 2024, just in time for the grand opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. That isn’t a guess - it’s a premonition.

Another great feature about this ticket - and Get Away Today in general - is they allow you to put your tickets (or vacation package) on an interest-free layaway plan.

This is advantageous because as far as I know, they’re the only company that allows you to make payment installments strictly on tickets. Disney does allow you to pay in installments, but only on vacation packages with hotel bookings.

For those on a tight budget who’ll have four or five tickets to purchase, this is a huge help. You can make payments as you go in any amount you can afford. Alternatively, you can set up automatic payments. The choice is yours.

As long as you pay your balance in full on or prior to the date specified at checkout, you’re good to go. Again, it is only available through Get Away Today. Tap/click here to read more about this deal.

Visiting Disneyland in March

Going to Disneyland in March brings the promise of spring, and what better way to celebrate the season than by visiting Disneyland, the happiest place on earth. This post will guide you through the magic that awaits at the resort during the month of March. A time when crowds are mostly moderate and the weather pleasant.

We’ll explore everything you need to know to make the most of your Disneyland experience. Whether it’s your first time or just haven’t been in a while. Let’s get into the benefits (and negatives) to visiting Disneyland in March. Let’s get into it.

March Weather in Anaheim

March is when Anaheim emerges from its winter slumber and begins transitioning into spring, offering fairly pleasant weather. Here's a breakdown of the average weather conditions throughout the month:

• Daytime Temperatures: Expect daytime highs ranging from 65°F to 75°F. The weather is comfortably mild, providing a perfect atmosphere for a day in the park.

• Nighttime Temperatures: Nighttime lows typically range from 48°F to 55°F. While it can be cooler in the evenings, a light jacket or sweater should keep you comfortable.

• Rainfall: March sees a minimal amount of rainfall in Anaheim. On average, there are about two to three rainy days during the month.

The weather is the main reason why I love going to the parks in March. Especially the prospect of rainy days. Rain scares away a lot of guests, often leading to lower wait times. Since there are so few rainy days, though, it isn’t something you should concern yourself with if you’re not a fan of rain. Chances are you’ll experience plenty of clear, cool days.

Is Disneyland Crowded in March?

A major concern for those venturing to Disneyland is how busy the parks will be during their visit. Disneyland is the second most visited theme park in the world. Consequently, you’ll never avoid crowds completely, but there are ways to soften the blow, so-to-speak.

Post covid, crowd patterns and guest trends have changed so significantly that it’s become a craft shoot as to how busy the parks will be. Times of year that were once considered slow periods, are now even busier than summer (lookin’ at you, Halloween).

Other factors, like magic key sales, local ticket offers and promotions have also been big draws. Despite continuing to raise the price of entry (and everything else, for that matter), the demand for Disney is there and doesn’t appear to be slowing down.

That said, there are still certain crowd patterns that hold true to this day, despite the insanity of a post-covid world. I don’t guarantee anything, but I’m confident in the advice you’ll find below.

One event that’ll surely have an effect on crowds is the annual Food and Wine Festival at Disney California Adventure. This event has been running for a number of years now and has only gotten more popular each passing year.

My wife and I were there for 2024’s event and that, coupled with the kids ticket promotion that we’ll discuss below, caused a swell in crowd levels that were definitely noticeable. Dates for the 2025 Food and Wine Festival haven’t been released yet, but in 2024 it started on March 1 and ran through the entire month and into April.

Converseley, Easter falls in late April in 2025, so it’s possible that Spring Break crowds, even the early ones, won’t arrive until the first week of April, at the earliest. As with any holiday at Disneyland, expect the crowd levels at the resort to be colossal during this time.

Additionally, Disney is running the aforementioned kids ticket promotion, offering parents a massively discounted kids ticket priced at just $50 per day. These tickets are good starting in January and expire, used or not, on March 20.

You can expect to see an additional swell in crowds towards the later half of March, as the promotion’s expiration date approaches. My advice would be to avoid the ten days or so leading up to March 20. You may be better off visiting during the first week or the last, once the promotion has ended.

*NOTE: If you want to take advantage of either of these offers (and save even more on them), head over to our partners, Get Away Today!

Ticket Prices & Magic Key Blockout Dates

Due to their dynamic pricing structure, single-day tickets prices are based on predictive demand. Essentially, if, based on their proprietary data, Disney thinks a particular day will be busy, that day is going to command a higher price.

Conversely, if it looks like it’ll be a “slow” day, they’ll cut you a break on the price to entice you to visit on that day over another one that’s busier.

This strategy may appear to be price gouging on the surface, but it’s actually smart business. It helps Disney to regulate crowds by encouraging guests to go on a slower day by offering a lower priced ticket and allows them to maximize profits off those willing to pay, no matter what.

In March, single-day ticket prices are as follows:

• Single Day Adult: $126 - $196

• Single Day Child: $116 - $186 ($50 for the first twenty days).

March 4, 5, and 11 are the only days priced at the lower amount of $126. The highest price, $196, only appears on March 15, 16, and 22. The rest of the month, with the exception of the final week, appears to be mostly in the middle of the spectrum, with an average cost of $164.

You have until March 20 to purchase and use the $50 child ticket. If you’re visiting during the first twenty days of March, definitely take advantage of that offer. After that, dynamic pricing kicks in and mirrors the pattern of the adult ticket.

*NOTE: Keep in mind that these prices are for single-day, ONE park tickets. The price is the same for both Disneyland Park and DCA. If you want to park hop, you’ll have to pay an additional $65-$75, per ticket.

Magic Key holders will need to consider the blackout calendar for their particular key. Blockouts for Magic Keys are as follows:

• Imagine Key: This key is blocked on all Saturday and Sundays, the last three Fridays, and the entire final week.

• Enchant Key: This key is blocked on all Saturdays and the entire final week.

• Believe Key: This key is blocked on the last three Saturdays and the entire final week.

• Inspire Key: No blockout dates.

Special Events in March

So, there are only two confirmed events at Disneyland in March 2025. In 2024, Disney ran After Dark event, Disney Channel Nite, for two nights in March. However, Disney recently confirmed three After Dark events for 2025. Unfortunately, Disney Channel Nite was not one of them, nor did any of the confirmed events have dates in March. The one confirmed event is:

• DCA Food & Wine Festival: Likely taking place March 1 - near the end of April

• Disneyland 70th Anniversary: Taking place all year

Food and Wine does a great job bringing in additional guests, namely locals who want to try all of the new food and drink offerings. This event, in combination with the kids ticket deal, will likely cause a swell of crowds during the first few weeks of the month. After the promotion’s expiration date (March 20) you’ll see a noticeable dip in attendance.

Additionally, Disneyland’s 70th anniversary celebration will be taking place, as Disney typically holds these milestone celebrations all year long, and possibly longer. We already know that the “Paint the Night” parade and the new attraction, “Walt Disney - A Magical Life”, featuring the first-ever Walt Disney animatronic, will be featured.

Attraction Refurbishments (Closures)

Refurbishments are an important aspect of park operations. They’re needed for safety improvements, new additions, routine maintenance and more. The first few months of the year is a traditionally slow period for the parks and, conversely, this is when many refurbishments occur.

There were many refurbishments in 2024, many more than I thought there would be. This was likely due to Disney’s desire to get as many done as possible to prepare for the 70th anniversary celebration. While there will surely be more refurbishments coming, I don’t anticipate there being a lot.

Disney generally only releases this information 45-days ahead of time, so until mid-February, we won’t know the full month’s refurb schedule. Once it becomes available, I’ll be sure to update this post, so keep an eye out for that information.

Planning a vacation to Disneyland in March? If so, be sure to check with my partners at Get Away Today. They’re the most experienced and knowledgeable Disney vacation planners out there. They can help you with everything from individual Disneyland tickets all the way to complete vacation packages. Best of all, they’re the only place where your tickets can be refundable and you can make payment installments. Be sure to pay them a visit for an instant quote on your Disneyland vacation package.

Disneyland Rider Switch Hack (2024 Update)

This post contains affiliate links.

Rider Switch is a little known hack at the Disneyland Resort (and other Disney parks) that allow those with small children or adults in need of supervision the chance to ride a particular attraction without having to wait in line twice. (Updated January 23rd, 2024.)

This service is also referred to as baby switch, child swap, and parent swap as it’s mostly used by parents with small children who are unable to ride an attraction due to the height requirement or if they simply don’t want to.

This guide is going to cover how to use rider switch, which attractions offer it, specific rules you’ll need to know and a whole lot more. So let’s get into it.

*Quick Note: If you’re looking to book a vacation to the Disneyland Resort (or Disney World, Disney Cruise, Universal and more) consider tapping/clicking the above image to visit our partners at Get Away Today. Going through them is the same as going directly through Disney only through them, you’ll receive personalized service by Disney experts and receive the absolute best price and any accompanying discounts. By going through Get Away Today, you’ll be getting the best price on your vacation and support our website at the same time.

To see their amazing deals on your favorite destinations, click/tap here (and tell them we said “hi”)

Side Note: Since Rider Switch is directly related to attractions, you’ll want to check Disneyland’s refurbishment schedule before heading to the parks. Read my 2024 Disneyland Refurbishment Guide here.

Who Can Use Rider Switch?

Rider Switch can be used by any and all guests with small children or adults in need of supervision who’re unable (or unwilling) to ride particular attractions. In other words, if you’re a group of able-bodied adults or a couple, you won’t be able to use it.

The next question on your mind is probably, ‘How much does it cost’? Ready for this? NOTHING! That’s right, the Rider Switch benefit is included with your ticket and costs nothing extra.

To give some context, let’s go over a brief explanation and scenario. Let’s assume you’re the parents of two children. One of them is 14 who likes thrill rides and the other is 8 who doesn’t and isn’t tall enough to ride them anyway.

Here’s what you do…

How To Use Rider Switch

So your 14 year old has made it clear he wants to ride Space Mountain and your 8 year old isn’t tall enough to ride it. To make matters worse, both you and your husband also want to ride it and you can’t exactly leave your 8 year old to frolic around Tomorrowland on their own.

Here’s what you do…

• As a group, you’ll approach the attraction as if you’re going to queue up for it and look out for a Cast Member.

• Go up to said Cast Member and explain to them you wish to use Rider Switch.

• At this point, your tickets will be scanned by the CM and you’ll be split into two parties; Party A and Party B.

• Party A will move on to get into the queue of the attraction. Party B (must consist of a supervising adult) will be directed to a waiting area (likely near the exit).

• When Party A is finished riding the attraction, they’ll proceed to where Party B is. The supervising adult from Party B will then be able to proceed up the exit (or Lightening Lane) and enjoy the attraction with a minimal wait (must have their ticket).

• Note that the supervising adult from Party B will be able to bring ONE other person to ride the attraction with them. This other person can be from Party A if they wish to ride again.

Which Attractions Feature Rider Switch

There are a number of attractions at the Disneyland Resort that allow you to take advantage of Rider Switch and we’ve broken them up into their respective parks below. Keep in mind that Disney may suspend or eliminate Rider Switch from a particular attraction at any time.

Disneyland Park

• Autopia

• Alice in Wonderland

• Astro Orbitor

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters

• Casey Jr. Circus Train

• Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster

• Davey Crockett’s Explorer Canoes

• Disneyland Monorail

• Disneyland Railroad

• Dumbo the Flying Elephant

• Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

• Haunted Mansion

• Indiana Jones Adventure

• it’s a small world

• Jungle Cruise

• King Arthur Carousel

• Mad Tea Party

• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

• Matterhorn Bobsleds

• Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway

• Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run

• Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride

• Peter Pan’s Flight

• Pinocchio’s Daring Journey

• Pirates of the Caribbean

• Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin

• Snow White’s Enchanted Wish

• Space Mountain

• Star Tours - The Adventure Continues

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

• Storybook Land Canal Boats

• Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

Disney California Adventure

• Goofy’s Sky School

• Golden Zephyr

• Grizzly River Run

• Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT!

• Incredicoaster

• Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind

• Jumpin’ Jellyfish

• Jessie’s Critter Carousel

• The Little Mermaid - Ariel’s Undersea Adventure

• Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters

• Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree

• Monsters Inc: Mike and Sulley to the Rescue!

• Pixar Pal Around

• Radiator Springs Racers

• Silly Symphony Swings

• Soarin’ Around the World

• Toy Story Midway Mania

• WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure

Rider Switch Controversy

As with most of Disney’s policies, there seems to be a point of contention between park-goers as it pertains to the Rider Switch benefit and whether it’s considered legal line cutting or not.

While we understand how some may feel this way (we don’t have children but we have no issue going to the parks as adults), the general consnsus is that this policy pertains to such a small percentage of guests that it rarely causes problems.

In fact, we would argue that Disney’s policy of allowing celebrities to literally shut attractions down - and sometimes even kick everyone out of the queue who’ve been waiting - is far more of a problem than a mother or father who simply want to enjoy the ride with their child.

That said, give some people an inch and they’ll take a mile. With the advent of social media, Disney centric Youtube channels, and websites offering hacks to Disney park-goers, it’s really only a matter of time before it’s abused and Disney takes it away.

Recently, for example, a woman on TikTok publicized a hack to get a free t-shirt from Disney. She advertised that if you show up with a shirt with inappropriate wording or graphics (or was too revealing), Disney would provide you with a shirt to cover it up. For the most part, this worked.

That particular TikTok blew up and made headlines across the internet. Before long, everyone was eyeing a free shirt. Disney, however, caught onto this and ended this policy. Now if you arrive in something inappropriate, you’re told to either change or leave. No more free shirts.

Hopefully this benefit won’t be abused as it enables everyone in their respective parties to ride the attraction they wish to ride. Out of all the times we’ve visited the park, we can’t think of a single time that we’ve even noticed somebody utilizing this service.

So how do we feel about it?

We’re all for it. As stated, it pertains to such a small percentage of guests that you barely even notice it. It would be unfortunate if one party were forced to wait in the same line twice. That would certainly put a damper on the amount of attractions you could ride in a day.

The downside to those who use it, especially for those with more than two children, is the person cashing in the Rider Switch can bring only one other person with them while the adult in the first party can ride it with as many as they wish.

So if Party A had two kids in the group, the adult in Party B would either need to ride the attraction solo or will have to decide which kid to ride with and explain to the other why they can’t go a second time. We can sympathize with this dilemma, but it's done, in part, to prevent abuse.

*TIP: Refer to my 2024 Disneyland Refurbishment Calendar post with the latest on ride closures, upcoming projects, and more.

2024 Disneyland Refurbishment Schedule

Contains affiliate links

Between Walt Disney’s original Disneyland Park and its sister park, Disney California Adventure, the Disneyland Resort offers its guests more than 90 rides and attractions.

Some were designed and built recently, like Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, which opened in 2023. Others, like Jungle Cruise, opened with the park all the way back in 1955.

The Disneyland Resort is open all year long and serves thousands of guests on a daily basis. Maintaining and updating these attractions is essential for guest safety and keeping them relevant.

To achieve this, Disney will periodically close attractions throughout the year. It could be for safety improvements, adding new scenes, installing new special effects, or to re-theme the attraction all together.

While these refurbishments are necessary, there’s nothing more disappointing than showing up to the park expecting to jump on your favorite attraction, all to be caught off guard with a closure.

To prevent this disappointment, Disney releases refurbishment related closures 45 days in advance (though there are instances where they occur at the last minute). In this post, I relentlessly keep track of all that information so you don’t have to.

Below, you’ll find the 2024 refurbishment calendar for both parks at the Disneyland Resort. I’ll also sprinkle in information about new restaurant openings in Downtown Disney and information on known projects.

*Pro Tip: Be sure to bookmark/save this post to your device so you can refer to it later. I’m constantly updating it as Disney releases new information.

*Quick Note: If you’re looking to book a vacation to the Disneyland Resort (or Disney World, Disney Cruise, Universal and more) consider tapping/clicking the above image to visit our partners at Get Away Today. Going through them is the same as going directly through Disney only through them, you’ll receive personalized service by Disney experts and receive the absolute best price and any accompanying discounts. By going through Get Away Today, you’ll be getting the best price on your vacation and support our website at the same time.

To see their amazing deals on your favorite destinations, click/tap here (and tell them we said “hi”)

*ALSO…

Knowing which rides are closed is only one part of the equation when planning a trip to Disneyland. Below, we’ve listed a few more of our Disneyland related posts that we think you’d find useful:

“Disneyland Rider Switch: How To Take Advantage of This Little Known Perk”

“Oogie Boogie Bash: Ticket Prices, Event Dates, Villains Grove, and More”

“Disneyland Dining Guide: Mobile Order, Reservations, and More”

“6 Ways To Fully Enjoy Disneyland Without Buying Genie+”

Disneyland Park Attraction Closures

• Astro Orbitor: Closed November 27th, 2023 - March 28th

• Blue Bayou Restaurant: January 7th - January 19th

• Davey Crockett’s Explorer Canoes: July 8 - August 20

• Disneyland Monorail: March 15th only

• Disneyland Railroad: September 1 - TBD

• Fantasmic: Returning May 24th

• Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln: April 16 - TBD

• Haunted Mansion: January 21st - August 22 (Virtual Queue access only when it reopens)

• It’s A Small World: September 16 - TBD

• Jungle Cruise: September 16 - October 3

• Magic Happens Parade: Returning February 2nd

• Mark Twain Riverboat: September 17th, 2023 - February 24th

• Matterhorn Bobsleds: April 15th - April 25

• Matterhorn Bobsleds: April 29th - May 2nd

• New Orleans Square Train Station: January 28 - TBD

• Sailing Ship Columbia: January 8th - January 11th

• Space Mountain: August 5 - September 5

• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: May 1 - September 9

• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure: Opens November 15

• Wondrous Journeys: Returning March 22nd

As far as Disneyland goes, there are a few usual suspects that receive the annual refurb treatment. At the top of that list is Matterhorn Mountain. While nothing has been announced yet, I do expect it to happen at some point.

Another expectation is for Disney to take it easy on refurbs this year, given the fact that both Haunted Mansion and Splash Mountain/Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, two massively popular attractions, will be down for the majority of the year.

The former will be going through a huge refresh on its queue and exit areas (in addition to a new gift shop) while the latter is being reimagined into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

Fantasyland attractions are workhorses with very minimal downtime (2023 being the exception). Rise of the Resistance and Smuggler’s Run in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge have yet to see a major refurb since opening in 2019 and I don’t expect that to change in 2024.

Indiana Jones Adventure went through two refurbs in 2023. One for about three months and another for just a few days. I doubt it’ll go through another one this year. A lengthy one, anyway.

So in 2024, I predict just a few, if any, major refurbs on any other attractions. Especially the popular ones. Crowd management has been a major concern of Disney’s top brass in recent years, so I doubt they’ll take another attraction down unless it’s absolutely necessary.

Disney California Adventure Attraction Closures

• Anna & Elsa’s Royal Welcome: August 5 - August 15

• Animation Academy: August 5 - August 15

• Beast’s Library: Permanently closed as of December 10, 2023

• Grizzly River Run: January 8th - February 29th

• Incredicoaster: March 4th - March 14th

• Incredicoaster: April 8th - April 18th

• Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind: January 22nd - February 8th

• Paradise Garden Grill: January 8th - January 21st

• Radiator Springs Racers: February 26th - March 1st

• Redwood Creek Challenge: March 4 - July 22

• Rogers: The Musical: Rumored to return Summer 2024

• Soarin’ Over CALIFORNIA: Returning March 1st - April 22nd

• The Little Mermaid - Ariel’s Undersea Adventure: November 4 - TBD

• Turtle Talk with Crush: August 5 - August 15

• World of Color: September 1 - TBD

On the DCA side of things, there were quite a few major refurbs in 2023 that I think will have an impact on 2024 operations. For instance, Radiator Springs Racers, which hadn’t seen a major refurb since opening in 2012, went down in 2023.

I initially didn’t have Radiator Springs Racers on my 2024 refurb bingo card but lone and behold, it was added to the calendar on January 15th. On February 26th, for a - thus far - undetermined amount of time, this fan favorite attraction will go down for a refurb.

This is likely Disney learning its lesson from last year’s debacle, when a few of the ride vehicles starting smoking and catching fire. This lead them to closing the attraction for a semi-lengthy refurb to address the issues that snowballed during its eleven year run without any real downtime.

I predict it’ll be a quick one, likely only two or three days. It may not be in the same park, but there are already TWO mega-popular attractions down at Disneyland Park. Adding another to the list, for an extended amount of time, isn’t something they’re keen on doing unless it’s absolutely necessary.

Grizzly River Run, the park’s sole water-based attraction, is going down for its annual winter refresh. I expect to reopen either at the end of February or sometime in March.

*Edit: Grizzly River Run will reopen on March 1st

In early 2023, WEB Slingers, the Spider-Man attraction in Avengers Campus, was scheduled for a short refurb but was quickly canceled due to the need to take Radiator Springs Racers down. It’s possible we could see it pop up on the 2024 calendar.

There are fewer attractions in DCA versus Disneyland Park, so refurbishments on this side of the resort don’t occur as often. This is partially due to crowd management concerns, but also because the attractions in DCA are newer than those at Disneyland, so they don’t require as much TLC.

Downtown Disney Restaurant Openings + Closures

• Clyde’s Hot Chicken: Opening date TBD (they’ve opened a temporary kiosk near the Monorail station)

• Din Tai Fung: Opened July 1, 2024

• GG’s Chicken Shop: Opening date TBD

• Great Maple: Opened November 15th, 2023

• Paseo & Centrico: Opened May 3, 2024

• Porto’s Bakery & Cafe: Opening date TBD

• Seoul Sister: Opening date TBD

• Sip and Sonder: Opening date TBD

• Tortilla Jo’s: Permanently closed March 31, 2024

The only new closure in Downtown Disney that is likely in 2024 is Tortilla Jo’s. There’s been no confirmation, but there’s a strong rumor claiming it’ll close sometime in March.

The location Tortilla Jo’s is in now will be the likely new home for Earl of Sandwich (Porto’s Bakery is taking over the space EOS is in now).

When it does close, Disney will likely bulldoze the Tortilla Jo’s building, as it wouldn’t make sense, thematically, for EOS to move into the current space. This way, Earl will finally have its own, custom space.

January Update: Disney announced on January 10th that Tortilla Jo’s will permanently close on March 31st. The attached Taqueria closes April 13th.

Ongoing/Future Projects

In 2024, construction at the resort is expected to be lite. Thus far, there have been no major announcements outside of what we already know.

However, there will be another D23 event this year, where big park project announcements are often made (unless you’re talking about the 2022 event).

The 2022 event was held during the Bob Cheapskate...sorry…Chapek era. It was lackluster, at best. The only real surprise from that event was San Fransokyo in California Adventure.

With Bob Iger back at the helm, I’m holding out hope for bigger announcements at this year’s event. With all that aside, let’s get to the projects we already know about.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

If you haven’t heard of this yet, you must’ve been under a rock. Last May, Splash Mountain was permanently closed to make way for its reimagining into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

Construction is well underway, with the former mountain (now resembling more of a hill) adorned in scaffolding and high-visibility vests. The once burnt orange exterior is slowly being overtaken in greenery resembling moss.

Disney still claims a late 2024 opening but honestly, I’m doubtful. The Florida version definitely will, as they’re further along in the process due to closing months sooner than Disneyland’s.

Im not saying it’s impossible. To their credit, they have beefed up the amount of contractors on the project, but it still looks far behind. Hopefully I’m wrong, but an early 2025 opening seems more realistic.

Haunted Mansion Queue

The other major project in Disneyland Park is the expansion of the Haunted Mansion grounds (queue space) and the addition of a mansion-themed gift shop at the attraction’s exit.

The existing queue has become ineffective at containing guests, as it regularly backs into the already congested Magnolia Park (the tree-covered space between mansion and Tiana’s Palace).

To address this issue, Disney plans to expand the queue area in the space formally occupied by the attraction’s FastPass distribution stations. There will be multiple gardens, each themed after Master Gracey, Madame Leota and the one-eyed cat.

Another reason for this expansion is to make the attraction more ADA compliant. Currently, it’s quite inconvenient for those with disabilities to get on and off the attraction.

After the stretching room, you’re forced to squeeze into a small space on the side of the hallway leading to the Doom Buggies. Additionally, you don’t exit the normal way. You’re sent back to the loading station, where you’ll again squeeze through that small space in the hallway and go out again through the congested stretching room.

During the expansion, an ADA elevator is going to be installed near the loading station, allowing guests with mobility issues to enter and exit the attraction through their own entrance/exit, currently known as, ‘The Tomb’. It is located to the side of the current queue area, near the train tracks.

It remains to be seen how they plan to fit a gift shop into the exit area, as it’s a fairly small space. I’m assuming it’ll expand into that small enclave between Haunted Mansion and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

Avengers Campus Expansion

I’m beginning to feel like a broken record with this topic, as it’s the third year in a row that I’ve included this on my refurbishment posts and there has been zero progress on this attraction.

The attraction I’m referring to is the highly anticipated Avengers themed simulator. While not confirmed, small details about the attraction were given during the lackluster 2022 D23 parks panel presentation.

It was said that guests would team up with their favorite Avengers to do battle with a new version of Thanos (King Thanos). They even shared art concepts of both King Thanos and the ride vehicle.

Based on the concepts of the ride vehicle and the attractions storyline, this has simulator written all over it. Despite these details, there has been no new construction on it or even a loose idea of when construction would begin.

Personally, I think the reason for the delay is because they keep changing their minds. Disney badly wants to do a simulator, as they’re much easier and cheaper to build than a traditional, highly-themed ride.

Fans, however, are clamoring for an Avengers version of EPCOT’s Guardians of the Galaxy - Cosmic Rewind attraction. It has been proven by many Disney sleuths that there is indeed enough space back there to make it happen.

That said, I do predict that we’ll get a formal announcement about this attraction at D23. From there, I don’t expect ground to break until at least early 2025 and given their current pace on projects, an opening date sometime in 2029, at the earliest, seems likely.

Avatar Experience

This is another project you can classify as, “probably happening, but definitely not for a long time”. Nearly one year ago during an earnings call, Disney CEO Bob Iger made the out-of-nowhere statement that an Avatar “experience” would be coming to the Disneyland Resort.

There were no details provided and when pressed, Iger wouldn’t clarify what he meant by, “experience”. A few days later, an additional statement by Disney stated that this experience would be, “as amazing”, as Animal Kingdom’s ‘Pandora: World of Avatar’.

Since that statement, there hasn’t been any official word from Disney about the subject, nor do I expect to hear one anytime soon. We may get teaser concepts at D23 in August, but that’s about it.

The big question is what, exactly, will it be? Notice the word, “experience”. Iger didn’t use “attraction” or “land”. This tells me that we may be getting some kind of walk-through attraction or something akin to a broadway-style show.

However, if they’re being truthful in their statement that it’ll be, “as amazing”, as Pandora in Florida, then they have to be downplaying it and are planning a Galaxy’s Edge-sized land, right? That’s the hope. In my opinion, anything less just wouldn’t do this franchise justice.

The other burning question is…where? Galaxy’s Edge took up a large chunk of the last of the unused real estate in Disneyland and just by looking at an arial photo of the park, there doesn’t seem to be anything close to that size remaining.

California Adventure is in an even worse predicament as it pertains to space. In that park, the only thing that would make sense is if they re-themed the Grizzly Peak area of the park into Pandora. That would likely mean both the Grizzly River Run and Soarin’ attractions would either need to be outright replaced or receive an awkward re-skin.

In my opinion, this project likely won’t see the light of day unless Disney’s rezoning plans in their DisneylandForward campaign are approved by Anaheim officials. If so, they’ll have a size-able chunk of space across Disneyland Drive to expand both DCA and Disneyland Park (as well as Downtown Disney).

This is the only way I can see them bringing a Pandora-style land to the resort. Without getting these zoning plans approved, we’re likely going to have to settle for a re-themed Grizzly Peak in DCA or a walk-through attraction in the Innovations building in Tomorrowland.

Downtown Disney + Resort Hotel Projects

In addition to the parks, Disney is currently in the midst of bringing new dining and entertainment options to their on-property hotels and Downtown Disney district.

For starters, the former Paradise Pier Hotel will complete its transition into Pixar Place Hotel on January 30th. This transition includes a brand new restaurant, Great Maple, which has already opened.

A few months ago, Disney opened another new eatery called The Palm Springs Bar, which is located on the ground level of the hotel’s new The Villas Tower. This is in addition to a new lounge in the space formally occupied by the shuttered Steakhouse 55.

Throughout Downtown Disney, construction is still well underway. A number of new restaurants are coming to the district in 2024. These include:

• A food hall style building called, “Parkside Market”. The restaurants that’ll make-up this market are, “Seoul Sister”, “Sip and Sonder”, “GG’s Chicken Shop”, and a yet-to-be-named second story bar.

• “Din Tai Fung”

• “Paseo”

• “Centrico”

• “Clyde’s Hot Chicken”

• “Porto’s Bakery and Cafe”

There hasn’t been official word from Disney but based purely on the description of the upcoming Parkside Market, it sounds like they’ve finally found a use for the former ESPN building.

While their permanent location hasn’t opened yet, Clyde’s Hot Chicken has opened a kiosk near the Monorail station. During our last visit we tried their “Hot as Cluck” fried chicken and it was so, so good. They’ll for sure be a popular spot.

As far as when all this construction will be complete, late 2024 is the current favorite timeline. Although I can see some of it bleeding over into early 2025 (namely the food hall).