I am still on Cloud 9 from our visit to the Disneyland Resort last week. After 13 long months, we finally got to visit our home away from home! It felt as if we had never left, but at the same time looked a little…okay more than a little… different. Different but still as magical as ever.
So the Disneyland Resort looks a little different, but as magical as ever. Let me tell you they have done an amazing job at keeping the magic alive & growing!
You can catch all the videos & photos from our first-day back on my Disney 2021 Instagram highlight. Beware there are tons of smiles, laughs & an immense amount of joy! You guys know we are a Disney family through & through so gathered up our tips & a few things worth mentioning if you are visiting the parks.
Disneyland Resort Tips: Reopening Edition
Disneyland Resort Tickets & Reservations
You may have already heard, but here I go. To be allowed into the parks you need both a ticket & a reservation. You can find the ticket tiers & pricing with the calendar HERE and the reservation calendar HERE. My recommendation- choose a date, check the reservation calendar, then head to the tiers page. You can purchase from single-day 1-park tickets to multi-day park-hopper tickets.
To adhere to the state of California COVID guidelines only California residents are allowed to purchase tickets & visit the parks currently. I am sure this will change as restrictions start to lift.
Related Post: What To Do In Downtown Disney
Park Hours & Arrival
As of today, the parks are opened 9 am-7 pm. When we see a change in that I will be sure to let you know. If you purchase a park hopper ticket, 1 pm is the time you can switch to the next park.
We arrived at the Mickey and Friends parking structure at around 9:15ish and after loading the stroller and kids onto it we made our way to the parks. We made our way down to security and walked to the parks, there are no trams in operation currently. BRING YOUR COMFORTABLE SHOES!
Our ticket was a single-day park-hopper ticket starting at California Adventure. We were in the park by 9:45 am. I have heard friends talk about some lines if you arrive before opening, but when we arrived we got zero lines. Both your tickets and your reservations will be scanned. I recommend you link your tickets to the Disneyland App- it will be so helpful throughout the day.
What To Bring
Comfortables shoes! I mean it! After a year of no theme parks, I was so thankful for having brought comfortable shoes. Face coverings and temperature checks are required for all guests 2+. Cast members do a great job at enforcing these rules!
I recommend you bring some water along with an extra set of face coverings as well. Bring your phone, I don’t go anywhere without it. BUT The Disneyland app will be your go-to throughout the day!
Due to COVID restrictions there is a 25% capacity maximum at the Disneyland Resort at this time.
Mobile Ordering
Download the Disneyland app I am telling you- you need it! There are places throughout the park that take only mobile orders. Not only does this help keep things contactless, it saves you time & you can order your meals ahead.
You are able to select the food, snacks, and treats along with your pickup window so you have one less thing to worry about throughout your trip.
Park Hopping
If you purchased a park-hopper ticket for your Disneyland Resort trip, when the clock strikes 1 (see what I did there?) you will be able to switch to the other park. When you purchase your park hoppers you are given the choice, depending on availability, as to which park to start at.
Whichever park you start at, prioritize your must-do rides before the people begin to hop over. I noticed the 1-3pm time frame was a busy time for Fantasyland. My guess, everyone who park hopped went to Fantasyland first.
Rise of The Resistance Boarding Passes
One of the most frequently asked topics was how to get these boarding passes. First of all, IT IS AMAZING! It was such a great ride that my brave little Lia went on TWICE! So here are the details:
- Make sure your tickets are linked to your Disneyland app
- There are 2 queue times- 7am & 12pm
- The 7 am queue is only available to those starting their day in Disneyland
- For those of you with park hoppers starting at DCA, you can join the 12 pm queue BUT you must be scanned into either DCA or Disneyland beforehand to be able to join
- Set your alarm for a few minutes before your time. I was with the app opened ready to go as soon as 12 pm hit.
- You will select Join Boarding Group and select the tickets you wish to link boarding passes
- If you are put in a group you will be given a group number and you will then get a notification of when to head to the ride entrance
Character Interactions
Back in the pre-COVID days, we spent many trips searching for characters to say hello. And Disneyland did an AMAZING JOB at how they have set themselves up with this reopening. The magic is still alive with their meet & greet opportunities!
Characters are found in places around the park like; New Orleans Square, the Royal Theater, next to It’s A Small World, the Train Station on Main Street, the side of the castle & Toontown!
The characters are spaced further than 6 feet from guests and you can still wait in line for that perfect princess photo!
I can’t wait to see share more of the magic, what to pack & all the new Disneyland Resort updates with you all!
