If you’re in the early stages of planning a Disneyland trip and are starting to feel overwhelmed, rest assured that I completely understand – and, guess what? You’re in good company! Even with multiple Disney trips under my belt, I still find many aspects of planning to be challenging. The Disneyland experience is always evolving, whether it’s the debut of new attractions or updates to current experiences, and it can often feel like there’s always something new to learn.
To help ease some of that stress, I thought I’d share the steps we typically follow when planning our Disneyland vacations, along with some strategies that have worked well for us. This certainly isn’t the only way to plan a trip, but hopefully, you’ll find some valuable takeaways to help create your own Disneyland planning blueprint!
There are three key decisions to make in Part One of your Disneyland vacation planning:
- When will you go on your magical vacation?
- Where will you stay?
- How many days will you visit?
I truly believe that planning for Disneyland is as much fun as the vacation itself, so let’s not waste another minute and jump right in!
PICK YOUR TRAVEL DATES
The first of many planning decisions you’ll need to make is choosing a set of dates for your trip. There are many variables to consider, but there is definitely no wrong time to experience the magic of Disneyland! Whether you visit during a bustling holiday season or a quiet weekday in February, the most important thing is that you’re going when it’s right for your family.
Start by considering your family’s priorities. What matters most to you? Is it avoiding crowds, enjoying cooler weather, experiencing seasonal events, or perhaps finding the most budget-friendly options? Each family is different, and your ideal vacation time will depend on what’s most important to you. By focusing on those factors, you’ll find the perfect time to experience the magic of Disneyland.
DECIDE WHERE TO STAY
Next up is deciding on accommodations. While Disneyland offers three on-site hotels – Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and Pixar Place Hotel – many guests opt for one of Disneyland Resort’s Good Neighbor Hotels or other nearby off-property options.
Unlike Walt Disney World, where staying on-site offers significant perks, Disneyland is much more compact, and staying off-property can still be incredibly convenient. Many nearby hotels are within walking distance and often at a lower cost than Disney’s hotels. However, if you love immersive theming, the convenience of being just steps from the parks, and access to their Early Entry perk, then staying at a Disneyland Resort Hotel might be worth the splurge!
CHOOSE YOUR PARK TICKETS AND OPTIONS
Once you’ve nailed down your “when” and “where”, it’s time to determine the “hows” of your Disneyland vacation – as in, how long will your trip be, how much time will you be spending in the parks, and how would you like to spend those park days.
1. Trip Length: How many days will you visit the Disneyland Resort? Whether it’s short and sweet and action-packed or longer and more leisurely, once you’ve established your trip length you can then move on to…
2. Park Days: How many days do you plan to visit the parks? Will you be in the parks every day, or are you planning a more relaxed trip with breaks for pool time, Downtown Disney, or other Southern California attractions? Once you’ve settled on the right amount of park time for your vacation, then it’s time to decide on…
3. Ticket Options: How would you like your park visits to look and what kind of tickets will be best for your trip? Do you want to spend time in one park per day or do you prefer to have the option to explore Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure on the same day? You may also want to consider if you’d like to include the Lightning Lane Multi Pass service with your ticket purchase.
ALMOST THERE…
Congratulations! You now have a solid foundation for your Disneyland vacation! You’ve picked your travel dates and accommodations and created a basic structure for your park days. The next step is making your trip official by securing your hotel stay and purchasing your park tickets. If you’re staying off-site, you’ll book your hotel separately and purchase your park tickets on Disneyland’s official website. If you’re staying at a Disneyland Resort Hotel or a Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel, you can book a vacation package that includes your hotel stay with park tickets.
BREAK TIME!
Now that many key planning decisions have been made, you’re well on your way to an unforgettable Disneyland adventure AND you’ve earned yourself a very well-deserved break. Enjoy the downtime, and I will catch you again soon in Part Two of Disneyland vacation planning!
