This is an entry for “Disneyland Park” in our Disneyland 101 Glossary: Disneyland Resort definitions in under 101 words, from Mouse Brief.
The original Disney theme park, Disneyland Park opened in Anaheim, California in 1955. Disneyland Park features Adventureland, Bayou Country, Fantasyland (with the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle), Frontierland, Main Street U.S.A., Mickey’s Toontown, New Orleans Square, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and Tomorrowland. The park is adjacent to Disney California Adventure Park. Both parks, plus three Disney-owned hotels, Downtown Disney and associated infrastructure comprise the larger Disneyland Resort. There is also a Disneyland Park in France at the Disneyland Paris resort. A ticket (either one-day or a park hopper) is needed to enter Disneyland Park but not Disneyland Resort.
Thanks for reading this entry on Disneyland Park, it is just one part of our Disneyland 101 Glossary, and you can find more entries here. For tips planning your Disneyland visit, read our free and complete Step-by-Step Disneyland Prep, and for frequently asked questions about Disneyland Park, keep reading.
Disneyland Park in California, FAQs
Where is Disneyland located?
Disneyland Park is one of two theme parks of the Disneyland Resort. The whole resort is located in the city of Anaheim in California in the United States of America.
We have an article about the location of Disneyland here: Where is Disneyland Located? That article will give you specific addresses for the different parts of Disneyland Resort.
When does Disneyland open?
The answer to this question is not as straightforward as it seems! Disneyland Resort posts opening hours for its parks about six weeks in advance. You can find that information on the Disneyland website. However, those hours do not tell the whole story. Disneyland cast members actually begin letting guests through the turnstiles before official park opening time.
We suggest checking the park hours for any given day here, and then reading our article about opening policies here: What Time Does Disneyland Open?
When does Disneyland close?
Disneyland Park closes at different times depending on the season and whether additional events are happening at the park on any given night. More popular days will generally have later hours, but watch-out for Disneyland After Dark parties that will cause the parks to close early.
Disney posts park hours on the Disneyland Resort website about six weeks in advance. You can find that schedule here.
Keep in mind that the posted closing time is the time when cast members will no longer allow guests to enter any attraction queues. However, it is possible to stay in Disneyland Park after closing. You can read about that here: When Does Disneyland Close?
What kind of ticket do I need to go to Disneyland?
In order to visit Disneyland Park, you need a valid form of admission and a park reservation. Admission could be a ticket or Magic Key.
There are several combinations of ticket types. Some are for one day of admission and others allow you to enter the parks over multiple days. Some tickets allow admission to just one of the two parks per day and others—called Park Hoppers—permit you to enter both parks on the same day. Plus, you can add Lightning Lane passes to your tickets. Any of these ticket types are valid. For help picking the best one for you, see How to Choose Your Best Disneyland Ticket.
Does Disneyland have an annual pass?
A Magic Key pass is the closest thing Disneyland has to an annual pass. By buying this pass, visitors pay one annual price to visit the parks of Disneyland Resort over the course of a year.
However, all Magic Key passes have a certain number of “blackout dates” when holders are not able to use their Magic Keys. The type of Magic Key determines the blocked dates. Like guests with tickets, Magic Key holders must also make park reservations to visit Disneyland.
Do I need to make a reservation to visit Disneyland?
Yes. Everyone needs a park reservation as well as valid admission in order to visit Disneyland. Park reservations are free, but you do need to have valid admission in order to make them. We take you through the process here: Guide to Park Reservations for Disneyland & Why You Need Them
Can I stay inside Disneyland overnight?
Disneyland Park does not currently have any lodging inside the park.
However, you can stay at one of the three hotels on the Disneyland Resort property: Disneyland Hotel, Pixar Place Hotel and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. Additionally, there are third-party hotels within easy walking distance of the Disneyland Resort parks.
For help selecting accommodations near Disneyland Resort, see our article Staying Near Disneyland: Book the Best Hotel for You
What can I eat at Disneyland?
Disneyland defies the amusement park food stereotype of dry hamburgers and soggy pizza. When visiting you have your choice of everything from the catch-of-the-day at a fine dining table service restaurant to grabbing a gyro from a snack cart. There are abundant quick service dining options with a wide variety of cuisine types. You can even enjoy a meal with characters or as part of an entertainment dining package. Furthermore, did you know that you can bring your own food and water bottles to Disneyland?
For help navigating all of these choices, see our post: How to Save Money & Eat Well with Disneyland Dining Tips
Do I need to make dining reservations for Disneyland?
No. While you do need a park reservation to enter Disneyland Park, you do not need to have dining reservation in order to eat there. Dining reservations can be helpful if you want to eat at a particular table service restaurant, but they are certainly not necessary.
We have an article about that here: Do I Need Dining Reservations for Disneyland Resort?
What is the best way to get to Disneyland?
The best way to get to Disneyland Park really depends on your group. You can arrive on foot, in a car or by public transportation. We cover that here: Your Guide to Getting to Disneyland: Transportation Tips
Thank you for reading our Disneyland 101 Glossary entry for Disneyland Park.
For help planning your visit, please explore our free and complete Step-by-Step Disneyland Prep. Thanks again for reading.